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Why Everybody wants to Discover apple iphone 4

2011-12-16T06:12:00.000-08:00

Essentially the most adaptable cell phone out there, the particular iPhone is capable of doing each and every purpose of ex- cellular phones, as well as a variety of new. Using online video talk, an integrated digicam, along with azure enamel potential, these types of tiny girls can handle a few home and business laptop or computer features. With that being said, nonetheless, there are a few capabilities that do not emerge from this area or even pre-installed on the iPhone. This is where jail-breaking or the capability to uncover iPhone 4 comes into play.

A number of the capabilities that your particular new iPhone won’t include tend to be endless blue-tooth move along with process, for example remote device on your laptop or computer and other azure enamel equipped devices such as your Ps3 slim or even lounge multi-media middle.Unlock iPhone 4 It also comes with the constraints in order to tethering, the use of a mobile phone as a device. Whilst the system is prepared to pick up upon WI-Fi signs inside the fast location, it will not connect to them with out authorization, and when the particular WI-Fi circle just isn’t secured or even password shielded, it is going to overlook it. Thinking about the use of no cost Voice over internet protocol telephone calls instead of a regular monthly billed services from a mobile phone services, this indicates as if the phone is actually locked to make a few companies cash as an alternative to provide the person a brighter and more technologies driven future.

Unlock iPhone 4

The best part from the uncover iPhone 4 characteristic may be the new use of programs coming from personal along with online business developers. These kind of developers take on big name firms, for that easy reason why they both trust no cost along with open source, as well as to inform along with hone their skills. Either way, they supply programs for free that are made to get just like the iStore’s, pertaining to person end expertise. In addition to this, they hear continual person feed rear, along with relieve new revisions continually, sometimes over and over again per week. One of the better instances of here is the Amarok mp3 music player which will permit a user to access words along with album art, as well as the many GPS applications which will e4nable continual monitoring with a laptop or computer in the event you get rid of your own mobile phone, or even switch by switch course-plotting, which usually won’t include the particular pre-installed GPS characteristic from the iPhone 4.

Via Quotes About Life

Why You Should Choose The iPhone 3GS Smart Phone

2011-12-16T06:02:00.000-08:00

Looking for a new smart phone? If so, you might love Apple’s new iPhone 3GS Smart Phone. In regard to smartphones, this particular model a few years ago was the best in its league. The iPhone 4, for instance, is now the most coveted smartphone comparatively speaking. What is great about the release of the new iPhone is that it gives people a chance to try out the iPhone 3GS Smart Phone at a much lower cost.

Smartphone technology has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, making a simple cell phone so much more. To make sure you never get lost, the iPhone 3GS Smart Phone has a GPS system ready to use. GPS units that are in cars are very useful, yet you should also have one with you in case you are trying to find your way in a metropolitan area while walking. The Maps & Compass application is easy to download and you can use it right away. Finding North is no problem at all using this app. Finding a place to go has never been easier using the Maps function on the app. You can locate anything from restaurants to hotels by just typing in the word and it will present the ones nearest you.

One of the main problems with people getting smart phones is that the cost is way too high. Spending several hundred dollars on a phone is a large decision to make; you need to know having a phone is worth all that money. Do you want to get an iPhone 3GS? Right now, they are only $49 which is a bargain for a phone with this many features. AT&T offers this type of deal, but it comes with a two-year contract.

An exceptionally good option for a phone of this quality, especially an iPhone. Getting a mobile phone is an essential necessity in today’s world, and even though you have a contract, it is a bill you have to pay so why not get an iPhone at this low price.

One very simple but still convenient feature offered by the iPhone 3GS is the ability to copy and paste things like images and text. This is something you take for granted on your computer, but it’s still a fairly advanced feature for a phone, and the iPhone 3GS was one of the first to make this available. Not only are you able to copy blocks of text, you are also able to copy entire sections of websites–including the images they contain. You are then able to paste the things you’ve copied into documents and emails that you want to send. Lots of the more highly priced smart phones also offer this capability but it is difficult to find copy and paste features that work well on other phones that are in the same price range of the iPhone 3GS.

The iPhone 3GS smart phone is a classic device that Apple created and holds up perfectly well against other phones. It’s a good idea to compare this phone to newer models like the iPhone 4 to see if you really think its worth it to pay more money for features that you are not even going to use. On the other hand, if you’re really intent on getting the very latest iPhone, your best bet would be to get the iPhone 5 when it comes out.

Via New Christian Radio

Why iPhone apps are no longer selling well

2011-12-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

There is an open secret among iPhone app developers right now: compared to one year ago, there is less money being generated in the app store. I don’t mean for the long tail, I mean for apps in general – for example, an app that is at position 50 in the American App Store charts, in the Lifestyle category, is earning LESS now, than last year. The same trend is mirrored across most other categories.

So why is less money being made, even though there are a lot more iPhones out there? I have an explanation:

When are most iPhone apps sold? Answer: At Christmas. Every Christmas, most developers sell about 3 time as many apps as normal. Over the course of the year, the people who got new iPhones for Christmas are not throwing away their iPhones, they are simply buying less apps. What this means is that over time, the number of apps a user buys declines. This makes sense intuitively – as a user satisfies his needs for apps, the less he will go hunting for new apps.

Now, imagine a scenario where Apple stops selling any new iPhones. All the people who already own iPhones will buy less and less apps the longer they own the phone, and the number of apps being sold will decline.

What this implies logically, is that the total number of apps being sold is dependent on the number of NEW iPhones being sold. So for the same number of apps to be sold, growth in total number of iPhones has to be constant. If 7% more iPhones were sold in 2010 compared to 2009, then 7% more iPhones have to be sold in 2011 compared to 2010, for THE SAME number of apps to be sold. If growth drops to 6%, then less apps will be sold. And that is exactly what has happened.

Via Max Klein

Why Exactly The Same Appearance And iPhone 4 iPhone 4S

2011-09-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

After the listing from the original iPhone, Apple introduced a new annual cell phone, but we can clearly find that the appearance on the sui generis iPhone (iPhone 4S cool covers), iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS exactly the same, iPhone 4 iPhone 4S and miraculously they are similar, This is not to please explain it to illustrate the master, then?? Jobs to do what a dream.

▲ iPhone 4s

If the 3G and 3GS classified as a group, 4 and 4S (white iPhone 4S accessories) classified as a group, you will find the first year of the new appearance of the phone (iPhone 4S accessoires) is released, the second year is to upgrade the internal parts, new wine in old bottles used after sold a year, two years a product life cycle strategy, and the CPU leader Intel’s Tick-Tock model just somewhat similar.

What is Tick-Tock modelTick??-Tock is the pendulum swinging like the original sound of the word, but here of course not mean that. Reference to Intel’s official statement, Tick-Tock is the transistor process technology, and processor micro-architecture, the development time between each staggered with each other, so that each period has a new technology will be released, and unpublished new technologies that group, you can launch the technology into their other side, and also retain the remaining development time, thus achieving mutually beneficial cooperation.

Simply put, Tick-Tock is to let the two teams together to do the division, in turn released the results.

Using the Tick-Tock model has many advantages, the most obvious benefit is that you can shorten the new product launch, you can create a lot of money pit people or come in, come back the development process can be time-stretched, the more ample time usually can nurture a better quality, and, as mentioned above, introduction of new products released to the rest of our time, the other team happens to be the introduction of new technology, you can just take advantage of our big fuss about the timing, so this can be developed complete, let the product was added to the other technical results.

▲ Intel released the 2009 Roadmap, it is clear that the concept of Tick-Tock

Above diagram as an example, the first generation of CORE i7 using the Nehalem micro-architecture (process 45 nm), based on after it’s “Tick” mission is to improve the electric crystal system, process technology, process technology upgrade to 32 nm, the launch of the product is Westmere, it brings a higher operating speed, better power efficiency, the next “Tock” stage, the process is introduced as the new 32-nanometer micro-architecture Sandy Bridge, which brought such as Quick Sync Video and Thunderbolt these new features, in the same process technology, the users can enjoy more enhanced features.

Via :Finance Article Directory

Why iPhone 4 Is Great?

2011-09-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

The iPhone 4 is one of a products created and marketed by Apple Inc. which brings the company, the end users and the world into a new dimension. There have been 4 generations of iPhone. The quite very first model of the iPhone is named iPhone. The 1st iPhone was released to the marketplace in mid of 2007. The 2nd generation is called iPhone 3G launched on mid of 2008, follow by iPhone 3GS introduced on mid of 2009 and the current iPhone four unveiled on mid of 2010.

The iPhone is not a normal standard cellphone that you can only contact and getting a contact but it is a smartphone. This meaning that iPhone is a blend of simple mobile phone, web and multimedia-enabled smartphone including digital camera, text messaging, visual voicemail, transportable media participant, WIFI connection, and an Web customer with electronic mail, net searching and many much more.

One of the most critical selling factors and dominant feature of the iPhone 4 is the Retina capacitive contact screen. This Retina display screen is the sharpest, most radiant, best-resolution of 640 x 960 at 326 ppi with scratch-resistant glass telephone display at any time. The capacitive touch display screen is created for a bare finger, or several fingers for multi-contact sensing. The contact and gesture capabilities of the iPhone offered not only sensitivity but the most accuracy finger contact input. It gives the users experience like the iPhone is so intelligent which the iPhone understands when you want to switching/swiping amongst the pages only and when you want to open an application applications.

I believe that most of you know that 1 of the iPhone 4 remarkable abilities is the “pinching” gesture. It zoom in and out of net pages and pictures which is completed by putting two fingers on the screen and spreading them farther apart or bringing them nearer collectively. Second of all, the accuracy of text input via touching the virtual keyboard will surprise you as effectively. The other contact sensing feature that impressed me a lot is the Chinese characters producing. Picture that by using a bare finger only and compose a Chinese character on leading of the display screen, the iPhone will identify what you wrote and give you 3 other alternative characters for you to choose. The accuracy meets 99%.

As described over, the iPhone 4 is a smartphone but I would like to contact it a “Super Gadget”. Why? It is because with the availability of the network connection, the iPhone is a cellphone, netbook, notebook, electronic book, pocket dictionary, multi-languages translator, map, scientific calculator, organizer, engineering equipment, portable recreation console, GPS product, portable media participant and a lot a lot more you name it, the iPhone 4 received it. For instance, it will become my netbook when there is a network link. It is my map, GPS, compass and multi-languages translator when travelling. It is my recreation console and media player when I get bored. It is my personalized Bible which I carry it, and read it daily and almost everywhere. It is even my “savior” on my engineering stuff like leveling equipments, engineering unit converter, scientific calculator, engineering formulas and and so on. Guess what, I never ever get bored, missing and never ever deliver alongside multi gizmos for travelling, and go buying with my spouse. What I need to have is just to carry together this mild and handy iPhone 4.

Of training course the stock iPhone four alone is incomplete as a “Tremendous Gadget” but many thanks to the App store with a lot more than 200,000 apps application, the iPhone four will deem to be best. You can either logon to the iTunes account through the iPhone or personalized pc. Therefore, the good point about the iPhone 4 is that you can get the applications where ever and every time you want. For case in point, assuming you are touring and want to generate in Bangkok, Thailand but you will not know the way. So, just logon to the App retailer and buy the GPS navigation app and bingo, your iPhone four is now a GPS navigator now. Well, the apps are different in prices and some of the apps are even cost-free of charge. Think it or not, some of the cost-free of cost applications can be very valuable as well.

Previous but not least, as an operator of Apple iPhone four myself I strongly imagine that it is an outstanding smartphone actually. With one simple typical smartphone price tag and you will get all the stuffs. So, why trouble to get additional PSP, GPS navigator, scientific calculator, MP3 player, pocket dictionary, pocket Bible, and and many others. The iPhone scenario & components are quite calme as well. You can change all sort of iPhone situations to match your moods, distinct occasion and use. So, I surely will stick with Apple iPhone and will keep on to help it with my next and potential phones.

Greatest regards,

Kit Chong
Cell Mega Mall

IPhone 4s Accessories
Related Sites : iPhone 4s Accessories

Why am I more productive on iPhones than on Android?

2011-09-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

It came down to small things that I’ve noticed. For one, each app works more consistently. On Seesmic on Android, for instance, I could scroll to the top of its window by clicking a red bar. On every iPhone app that happens by clicking the top bar. On EVERY app. On Android it isn’t in the same place, or with the same command.

When I want to edit text, I just click and the cursor on the iPhone enters the place where I clicked. On the Android it doesn’t work as consistently. Partly because some of the screens aren’t as sensitive as the iPhones, but partly if you click too long a dialog box asking if you’d like to copy text comes up. Grrr.

On other things, when I double-click columns of text the iPhone works how I expect it to: the text zooms to fill the maximum width of the screen. On Android it often would overzoom so now I’d have to scroll around to read. Add in the extra readability of the new screen and this is maddening, but is a little thing very few people would notice.

I’m sure lots of people will argue with me and tell me how the Android is already superior in all of these cases. They probably are correct: for them.

But I’ve tried it out and continue doing so (I keep my Verizon account and Motorola Droid and I keep playing with it just to see if I can kick the iPhone habit) and for me I’m still addicted to the iPhone.

Let’s see what is the iphone5?

2011-09-16T05:06:00.000-07:00

Apple’s reputation always promises the best and the brightest in technology and once again, they deliver.So what does it have that makes it such a great phone to own? For starters, it has a CPU that packs two times as much power as what’s currently on the market. But the effectiveness of the phone doesn’t stop there.

It goes on to crank the GPU up seven times better than the A4 model. If you add that to 512 MB of RAM, you have one very powerful phone that’s slim and light enough to be aesthetically pleasing, yet strong enough to handle whatever you throw at it.

So what are the features that set this phone apart?

Of course, you get all of the great features that you’re used to in the iPhone4S version, plus you get the faster processor as mentioned above.

This translates into better graphics, giving you sharper images. Imagine playing the games you love with eye-popping clarity and color. The phone’s power is what will make a difference in your pictures, too.In case you didn’t already know, the Apple iPhone 5 will have the capability to take better, clearer shots. Most people think it’s the pixels that determine whether or not you’ll get quality photos from a phone, but that’s fully correct.

The truth is, it’s not how many pixels the phone will have that takes the line and moves it from a good to a great picture – it’s that power behind the pixels and you guessed it – that power is the processor.For those of you who love watching movies and videos and playing games on your phone, you’ll love what the IOS operating system can do for you. It gives you the ability to do it all at once in much less time.

So even when you’re multi-tasking, it won’t seem like you’re working. The phone still has the same easy multi touch ease of use making technology come alive at the tip of a finger.

The security on the camera will keep your data protected, which means that if you’re in the corporate world, you don’t have to worry about your sensitive information going where it shouldn’t go.

The Apple iPhone 5 gives you more of everything and you get hundreds of new features. If you currently get your email alerts in one place, and your Twitter and Facebook notifications in another, you can stop all of that by using the Notification Center.

Just one simple swipe and you’re in. You can link in with IOS users via text messages (unlimited – what a bargain!) with group messages. Organization is the key to a less stressful life and the iPhone helps make that happen for you.

The iPhone 5 is a result of the fact that Apple heard consumers loud and clear – they’re keeping the features consumer loved in the past and bringing new ones to make life better, faster.

Free Mobile Manuals For Nokia 6310

2011-08-21T02:01:00.000-07:00

We have arranged Mobile Manuals for different Mobile Phones like Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola, Panasonic etc. All files are packed in zip format you have to extract it, All the manuals are in pdf format so make sure you are having Acrobat Reader to run the files. All the contents above are the property of their respective owners.

Now, Download your favorite Manuals for FREE!

Free Mobile Manuals For Nokia 6310

Free Mobile Manuals For Acer D65

2011-08-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

HTC's Thunderbolt beset with video capture woes, fix purportedly on the way

2011-04-06T02:34:00.000-07:00

Uh oh, sounds like HTC's Thunderbolt has struck yet another stumbling block on its path to glory. Forums dedicated to the superphone are now rife with frustration of inconsistent audio capture when using its bundled video recorder, and apparently, the rally cry was vociferous enough to warrant a response from HTC itself. Users of first-gen technology are likely familiar with the line, but word is it's aware of the issue and working to release a software update to remedy the nasties. In the meantime, if uploading your macaw's cover of 'Friday' is a priority for you, don't go to crankytown just yet -- we hear there's a whole world of third-party cappers to explore.

Via Android Central

HTC Incredible S render surfaces in red

2011-03-12T02:31:00.000-08:00

Of course you've all had a peek at the HTC Incredible S by now, but what you might not have seen is this, a potential red variant. Of course we're saying potential because until word flutters down officially, this is something any kiddie with a red Crayola could craft in a quick minute. As a reminder we're at CTIA this week, and if there was ever a good time to show off a recently launched device in a new color: this week's it.

Via Dustin.dk

Samsung Corby II gets official, colorful

2011-03-10T02:19:00.000-08:00

So, Samsung's own leak of its Corby II from last month was spot-on -- no surprise there, we suppose. Like the original Corby, the S3850 Corby II is all about doing full touch in a cheap, fun, colorful way, featuring a 3.14-inch QVGA display, a 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion up to 16GB, and quadband EDGE data; in other words, you're not going to set any browsing speed records with this one. Look for it to launch in Germany toward the end of the month with follow-on releases coming in the CIS, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and other parts of Europe (in other words, pretty much everywhere except North America).

Via MobileBurn

Nokia X1-00 is ultra cheap, ultra loud

2011-03-10T02:18:00.000-08:00

Nokia's just-announced X1-00 candybar has exactly two claims to fame: first, at €34 ($47) unsubsidized, it's one of the cheapest phones that the company has ever offered. Second, it's got a gigantic loudspeaker mounted on the back that promises 105 phon of perceived loudness (no, we didn't know that was a unit of measurement, either) -- apparently enough to rattle glass without distortion. As with many other devices targeted at emerging markets, the X1-00 featured an integrated LED flashlight, FM radio, and five distinct contact lists, good for sharing the phone among multiple members of the family. It's also got a microSD slot good for up to 16GB of expansion, a color display, and Nokia's entry-level Series 30 operating system. Look for it in April in your choice of flashy colors.

Via Nokia Conversations

HTC 7 Mozart's copy and paste update leaked early?

2011-03-08T02:15:00.000-08:00

Word has it that an unbranded update for HTC's Windows Phone 7-powered 7 Mozart that's recently appeared over on xda-developers is imbued with Microsoft's fabled "NoDo" code -- that is, the good stuff with copy and paste support, performance improvements, and a CDMA stack (though that obviously doesn't matter for the Mozart folks). Results of the update procedure are still trickling in... so proceed with extreme caution, or just wait for users braver and crazier than yourself to report back on what kind of destruction the update process has wreaked on their beloved devices.

Via wpcentral

BlackBerry Protect moves to wider beta, ready to secure your stuff

2011-03-07T02:12:00.000-08:00

After a limited beta last year, RIM's BlackBerry Protect service has been opened to a wider test audience with tweaks based on feedback collected in the first round. As you might recall, Protect is a fairly standard-issue suite of security features to put your mind at ease in the event your phone meets its maker or the hands of a thief, including location capability, a remote alarm, wireless backup, and -- of course -- the doomsday remote wipe option. It's available in North America and parts of Latin America for the moment through App World's Test Center, though RIM promises to open it to additional regions "in the next couple of months."

Via Download Squad

User guide for Motorola XOOM leaked

2011-02-20T00:11:00.001-08:00

Admit it, you can’t wait to get your hands on the world’s first Android 3.0 tablet, the Motorola XOOM. The problem is, we still don’t have a concrete release date. If you’re looking for a little additional information to whet your appetite until that date does come, look no further. The gang over at Droid-Life have acquired a leaked copy of the XOOM’s user guide. There aren’t any shocking revelations in the guide, but, as DL points out, there is no mention of a required data plan to get Wi-Fi working – definitely a welcome omission. Go ahead, have yourself a download and let us know what you think.

Via User Guide

New Android API eliminates Bluetooth pairing using NFC

2011-02-20T00:04:00.000-08:00

Google made its software development kit (SDK) available for version 2.3.3 of the Android OS earlier this month, and Stanford University’s MobiSocial News uncovered a nifty feature that hasn’t gotten much coverage. The new SDK features an API for “insecure Bluetooth socket connections” on both the client and server sides. Coupled with Gingerbread’s widely publicized NFC capabilities, this will allow developers to enable a tap-to-connect feature that lets NFC-equipped Android phones forgo the Bluetooth pairing process. Similar to the functionality HP showed off with its TouchPad tablet and Pre 3 smartphone at the Think Beyond event last week, devices running Android 2.3.3 or later can be connected to each other with a simple tap that will automatically initiate data transfers. Apple is rumored to be cooking up a unique twist for the NFC functionality coming to its next-generation iPhone, so smart functionality beyond mobile payments such as tap-to-share will certainly help Android’s case in the meantime.

Via BGR

LG enV Pro not canceled, just delayed?

2011-02-19T23:48:00.000-08:00

A trusted source has told us today that the LG enV Pro -- the latest incarnation of LG's line of dual-screen clamshells for Verizon, and the first with Android -- isn't actually canceled as we'd heard before. It is, however, delayed, with the launch currently scheduled for "some time in January." The good news is that the phone will launch with Android 2.2 installed, leading us to wonder whether the delay was put in place to give LG the time it needs to toss Eclair and get the Froyo build ready... so if this Nexus S happens soon with Gingerbread, they'll only be 0.1 behind. Not bad, we suppose -- but we're still hoping the phone looks more awesome in person.

Via engadget

Samsung Messager III launches on MetroPCS

2011-02-19T23:29:00.000-08:00

Is the Messager Touch just a little too... well, touchy for you? Well, Samsung's not abandoning the Messager line's roots, releasing the Messager III on MetroPCS today with a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel camera, four-row slide-out landscape QWERTY keyboard, stereo Bluetooth, threaded messaging, and microSD expansion up to 16GB for the included music player. The phone bears an uncanny resemblance to the Restore for Sprint, albeit with some minor keypad tweaks, a different color scheme, and a de-emphasized environmental message. It'll be available today for a to-be-revealed price.

Via MetroPCS

Android Gingerbread style tweaks revealed by way of new Maps version?

2011-02-19T23:25:00.000-08:00

Seems that reaching into the innards of the latest version of Google Maps for Android and changing the API level from 8 (Froyo) to 9 (Gingerbread) changes the UI a bit, as you can see above. What we know today is on the left, and the right side represents the tweaks that we presume will match up with the changes Google has made systemwide in Gingerbread, a build that we now believe will likely be Android 2.3 at retail. Nothing mind-blowing here, it seems -- obviously you can't make much of a single dialog, but given that we're only getting a 0.1 increment in the version number instead of the 0.8 increment we'd expected before, we can imagine that the changelog would be more about refinement than turning the whole world upside down (that's Matias Duarte's job, we're guessing).

Via Android Police

Samsung M360 hits Sprint for a big, fat zero on contract

2011-02-19T23:21:00.000-08:00

We wouldn't dream of paying a dime for this thing on a two-year agreement -- if anything, we'd expect a carrier to pay us -- so imagine our relief to hear that Sprint won't be charging anything upfront for the Samsung M360 after $160 worth of instant savings and a $50 "web special." It's not much of a looker, though it offers a 3.5mm headphone jack, 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, speaker-independent voice dialing, and -- still a somewhat unique feature in this device category -- threaded text messaging support. It's available right now in any color you like, as long as it's blue.

Mobiado's 712 Mokume Gane: because your Galaxy S lacks ancient Japanese metallurgical craftsmanship

2010-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Is there any way to sensibly justify Mobiado's colossally overpriced, underspec'd handsets? Not as far as we can tell -- but Mobiado seems to be eminently aware of (and okay with) that, diving yet deeper into the bottomless pit of conspicuous consumption this week with the announcement of the 712 Mokume Gane candybar. What's "Mokume Gane" mean, you ask? Well, turns out it refers to an ancient Japanese metalworking technique used to craft decorative weapons in which several types of metals are folded into one another to create a wood grain look. Oh, and if you're wondering why they don't just simply things a bit and use real wood, the short answer is that Mobiado already does that -- see the 712EM model -- so this would be for people looking for a little more heft (and presumably, cost). As with most of Mobiado's models, this is a situation where you're going to have to hit up a retailer to find out how close to bankruptcy the phone is going to push you.

Via Unwired View

T9 Trace ships as QuickType on Samsung's Wave II

2010-11-27T23:58:00.000-08:00

So Samsung's Bada 1.2-based Wave II is now shipping in a variety of European and Asian markets, and it turns out that so phone's so-called "QuickType" input method is actually T9 Trace, Nuance's Swype competitor that was announced earlier this year. Just like Swype, T9 Trace works by letting the user glide a finger around the virtual keyboard to identify what letters they're trying to type -- and if it works as well as Swype does, it's a surprisingly natural, accurate, and fast way to enter text. Samsung, of course, has been one of Swype's longest-running partners, notably having its Omnia II featured in a Verizon commercial where the Guinness record for fastest text is broken -- so it'll be interesting to see whether Sammy keeps a healthy mix of T9 Trace and Swype in its products, or if Nuance has locked up a more lucrative deal.

BlackBerry Torch now available in red and white at an AT&T store near you

2010-11-23T00:52:00.000-08:00

You’ve read our Torch review and you’ve decided to take the plunge, huh? Well, you might be happy to know that AT&T is now finally offering the Blackberry Torch in two additional colors: Sunset Red and Pure White. The phones are live on AT&T’s website and can be picked up for $499 without a contract and $99 when you sign up to a two-year agreement. If a color other than black is your cup of tea, jump on over to AT&T’s website to get your order on. Just remember the white after Labor Day rule, ok?

Via wireless

Google Instant beta rolls out to iPhone, Android

2010-11-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

Google announced Thursday that its Google Instant service is now available for some iOS and Android-powered devices. Google Instant, which launched in September of this year, provides search suggestions as the user types. Search results are also automatically populated beneath the search bar, and they are refined as the user types or cycles through suggestions. Now, Google has officially moved the Google Instant experience off of the PC and onto mobile devices. Users of the iPhone and iPod touch (iOS 4+), and Android devices running Android 2.2 now have access to the Google Instant beta for mobile on Google’s homepage. The service can be enabled from beneath the search bar and it works just like the desktop version. So, if you like Google Instant on your computer, definitely check it out on your smartphone.

Via Google

Dell ditches BlackBerry in favor of Windows Phone 7

2010-11-21T00:46:00.000-08:00

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Dell CFO Brian Gladden announced that the company would be replacing current employee phones with its own devices. According to Gladden, approximately 25,000 Dell employees will soon ditch their BlackBerry smartphones in favor of company issued Dell Venue Pro handsets. The Windows Phone 7-powered Venue Pro won’t be employees’ only option, however, as Dell will also soon offer Android devices to its employees. Beyond obvious reasons for the switch — Dell competes with BlackBerry maker RIM now that it is in the cell phone business — Gladden also claims the company will save roughly 25% on communication costs by eliminating the need for BlackBerry servers. Dell’s push to move people from BlackBerry devices to its own line of handsets isn’t just internal, either; the company plans to offer services to its business customers within the next two weeks that will assist them in transitioning from BlackBerry phones to Dell’s own devices. As to what Dell plans to do with 25,000 soon to be unused BlackBerrys, Gladden joked that the company is toying with the idea of selling them on eBay.

Via wsj

Samsung Galaxy S now #1 in Japan, displacing iPhone 4

2010-11-20T00:45:00.000-08:00

New estimates released Thursday by Japanese market research firm BCN place the Samsung Galaxy S at the top of Japan’s smartphone charts. The powerhouse it displaces is none other than Apple’s 32GB iPhone 4 — a handset that took Japan by storm when it launched earlier this year. For 18 weeks straight, the iPhone 4 had been Japan’s top seller. In its debut week, however, the Galaxy S managed to take the top spot, though only when considering the 32GB and 16GB iPhone models individually. Whether or not the Android 2.2-powered smartphone can maintain pace remains to be seen, but Samsung should certainly be pleased that it has a hit on its hands in Japan.

Via 9 to 5 Mac

Samsung Ch@t 335 looks like a winner, if you're into QWERTY and slow data

2010-11-19T23:55:00.000-08:00

Following the Ch@t 322's lead last month, rumor has it that Samsung is gearing up to add another model to the low-end portrait QWERTY lineup, the S3350 Ch@t 335. PortableGear.nl has this one pegged for an initial launch in Belgium with WiFi, social network integration, a 2 megapixel cam, FM radio, and 3.5mm headphone jack, but it'll be lacking 3G -- a telltale sign that it's gunning for the bottom of the market. Like the Ch@t 322, it's got an optical trackpad... a nifty feature for a phone you'll undoubtedly be paying peanuts for, sure, but it's not going to make up for the fact that you can't download stuff at breakneck speeds. Then again, what exactly would you download at breakneck speeds on a low-end dumbphone, anyhow?

Via Unwired View

T-Mobile drops the official word on Even More Plus: gone from the website, still available elsewhere

2010-11-17T23:52:00.000-08:00

We're happy to finally be closing the loop on T-Mobile's Even More Plus situation -- and the story ends on a happy note, which is nice. As we said yesterday, the carrier's contract-free discounted plans aren't going away, but you'll no longer be able to select any of them from the website. Why? Well, the claim is that they want to "simplify and streamline our customers' online purchase experience," and to be fair, we can understand how the average potential subscriber coming to T-Mobile for the first time would have no clue how to differentiate between the two without some assistance. From here on out, if you want to avoid the contracts on postpaid, you'll need to call into telesales, visit a corporate-owned store, or head over to "select national retail partners and select dealers," though we don't know which ones have been green-lighted at this point. Follow the break for T-Mobile's full, official Q&A on the situation.

Q: What postpaid plans does T-Mobile offer for customers?

T-Mobile provides a variety of options for customers from which they can select the plans and value that best suit their needs. T-Mobile's Even More plans offer talk, text and Web connectivity with a two-year agreement and great discounts through subsidized pricing on phones. With Even More Plus, T-Mobile provides flexibility through a no annual contract plan, offering the best monthly rate plans for talk, text and Web paired with the ability to purchase the coolest new phones at full price or bring compatible phones to our network.

Q: Where can customers purchase Even More and Even More Plus plans?

Customers may purchase Even More plans through T-Mobile retail stores, telesales at 1-800-T-Mobile, online at
www.T-Moble.com, through national retail partners and at select dealers.

Customers may purchase Even More Plus plans through T-Mobile retail stores, telesales at 1-800-T-Mobile, and at select national retail partners and select dealers.

Q: Has T-Mobile discontinued selling Even More Plus?

No, T-Mobile continues to sell both Even More and Even More Plus plans, although we are no longer selling Even More Plus through our online store.

As we strive to simplify and streamline our customers' online purchase experience, we are focusing on Even More plans with two-year agreements on http://www.t-mobile.com. Customers shopping online will be directed to a T-Mobile retail store if they wish to purchase an Even More Plus plan where they will be assisted by a T-Mobile representative.

Whether through our Even More or Even More Plus plans, we will continue to bring value to our customers through the best customer service, our robust selection of products and affordable service plans.

Via engadget

Twitter updates Android client to version 1.0.5, includes iOS UI elements

2010-11-16T00:42:00.000-08:00

Social networking site Twitter has just rolled out a new version of their Android mobile client. The new version offers several UI enhancements, including several of the gestures and features present in the company’s iOS offering:

• Pull to Refresh: This popular feature, which was first available through our iPhone app, functions just as it sounds – when you’re at the top of your timeline, simply pull down to load new Tweets. • Swipe to Reveal: Swipe across a Tweet to get quick access to several options, such as viewing a user’s profile, sharing a tweet, or replying. • Quote a Tweet: Clicking the retweet icon now gives you the option to quote a Tweet. Of course, you can still retweet as you normally would. • Hi-res avatar photos

Twitter version 1.0.5 is available, as we type, in the Android Market. Head on over in that direction… and grab the updated Facebook application while you’re at it!

Via Twitter

International Trade Commision will side with Nokia in Apple patent case

2010-11-15T00:38:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that International Trade Commission (ITC) staffers, in a pre-hearing statement, noted that evidence in a pending patent-case Apple launched against Nokia will “not establish a violation.” Nokia and Apple have been exchanging legal blows since October of 2009; both companies have filed multiple complaints with the ITC in an attempt to get the competition’s importing rights banned.

“The ITC staff said on Monday that some of the Apple patents were invalid and others weren’t infringed,” writes the WSJ. “The statement said that if a judge determines Nokia violated patents, he should ban some Nokia phones from being imported into the U.S.”

The judge is expected to render a final decision in February.

Via WSJ

Samsung Mobile Display to showcase 7-inch Super AMOLED, Galaxy Tab bound?

2010-11-14T00:36:00.000-08:00

Blog oled-display.net is reporting that Samsung Mobile Display will showcase a new, 7-inch, Super AMOLED display at the FPD-International conference in Japan from November 10th to the 12th. The report states that the new window will have a 1200 x 600 resolution and will be available to manufacturers in the later half of 2011. “The new OLED Panel production line starts mid-June 2011 and boost the capacity from 3 million to 30 million small and middle panels per month,” writes oled-display. Hopefully, this added manufacturing prowess makes Super AMOLED display shortages a thing of the past.

At the moment, the most obvious application for this new, larger Super AMOLED display would be in Samsung’s Galaxy Tab slate; as the device currently uses a 7-inch display. Would anyone prefer a Galaxy Tab with a Super AMOLED display as opposed to the device’s current WSVGA TFT offering?

Via oled-display

“4G”is marketing speak ？

2010-11-13T00:34:00.000-08:00

T-Mobile does not have a 4G network. Sprint, which first launched WiMAX in June of 2009, does not have a 4G network. Verizon Wireless will flip the switch on LTE later this year and when it does, it will not have a 4G network. AT&T is taking its time with LTE and it won’t fire anything up until next year. When it finally does, AT&T will not have a 4G network.

“4G”, as we now use the term here in the United States, is marketing speak. Carriers have devalued it to the point where it simply doesn’t make sense to fight it anymore… but I’m going to anyway.

Samsung Continuum appears on Verizon Wireless website

2010-11-12T00:30:00.000-08:00

The much-rumored Samsung Continuum has made an appearance on a Verizon Wireless website, providing the first official confirmation of the phone’s imminent release. The Continuum popped up on a special page focused on holiday gift ideas, which features three Galaxy S devices from Samsung: the Fascinate, the Galaxy Tab and the Continuum. Though no other information is provided on Verizon’s site, the Continuum will reportedly feature a 3.4-inch Super-AMOLED touchscreen display above a secondary 1.8-inch Super-AMOLED display, mobile hotspot capability, a 5-megapixel camera with HD video recording, 2GB of internal storage, microSDHC support and Android 2.1. The Samsung Continuum is expected to be announced at a Samsung media event on November 8th, with a release date rumored to follow on November 11th.

Via Phone Scoop

What fragmentation? 77% of devices run Android 2.1 or 2.2

2010-11-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

Google’s Android team revealed Tuesday that over three quarters of Android-powered devices are now running either Android 2.1 or Android 2.2. Google constantly monitors this and other data using information gathered when devices access the Android Market. The current figures, which take into account all devices that have accessed the Android Market in the 14-day period ending November 1st, suggests that the majority of Android users are equipped with current OS builds. Google’s numbers show that 77% of Android devices currently run Android 2.2 or Android 2.1. Android 1.6 was found on 15% of phones and Android 1.5 was present on just 7.9%. If 75% of Android users have access to modern OS builds packed with the latest and greatest Android has to offer, is fragmentation really such a huge problem? Maybe not… but then again, Google’s data could be skewed. It is entirely possible that users with older devices simply don’t access the Market as often because the apps they want aren’t compatible with older versions of Android.

Via Android

iPhone 5 to support portable computing using NFC

2010-11-10T00:25:00.000-08:00

A new report from Cult of Mac suggests that Apple may have some nifty new features in store for the upcoming iPhone 5. Rumors that the iPhone 5 will utilize NFC are nothing new at this point, but this morning’s claims cover a very unique feature for the underutilized technology. The report suggests that the iPhone 5 will include a new portable computing function, allowing users to store data and settings from Mac computers on their iPhones. When a handset is waved near any other compatible NFC-equipped Mac computer, the user’s “applications, settings and data” will become available on the computer. “It will be as though they are sitting at their own machine at home or work,” the report states. In short, the feature would provide a new type of remote computing that could eliminate the need for virtual network computing (VNC) or similar technologies. This new feature is anything but confirmed for the time being, but it certainly would be a welcome addition for Mac users. What’s more, it might help give customers with aging Mac computers an extra push to upgrade to newer NFC-enabled machines.

Via BGR

Apple adds another iPhone retail-distribution point: Target

2010-11-09T00:23:00.000-08:00

It appears as though Apple is really starting to loosen up the death grip (pun intended) its kept on the iPhone’s retail-distribution channels for the past three years. Yesterday, big box retailer Target announced that it would be carrying the Cupertino company’s iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS smartphones in 846 retail locations beginning on November 7th. “At Target we continue to offer our guests the best in electronics so we’re happy to add iPhone to our Target Mobile offerings,” said Mark Schindele, Target’s senior VP of merchandising. The press release went on to say that “most” Target stores will be carrying the iPhone by mid-2011. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Via Engadget

Videolan serve Apple copyright infringement papers; VLC app to disappear into the ether?

2010-11-09T00:21:00.000-08:00

It’s starting to look like VLC’s days in the iOS app store are numbered. Videolan developer, Rémi Denis-Courmont, has confirmed that the company has sent Apple papers citing copyright infringement. The VLC media player is currently distributed under a General Public License (GPL), and this has come into direct conflict with Apple’s DRM-based app store distribution model. The conflict of licenses were known to both parties prior to the app’s publication, and Videolan is stressing they are not at fault, since the app was ported to the app store via a third party developer — Applidium. The popular multi-format video player made its debut on the iPhone only a week ago, and its future looks bleak. We highly recommend snagging your free copy before Apple possibly shuts the book on this case.

Samsung: Nexus Two rumor ‘simply not true’

2010-11-08T00:19:00.000-08:00

Remember that Nexus Two handset rumor that caught fire late last week? Well, according to Korean website danawa.com the report was a false alarm. The site is quoting a Samsung official who claims that the reports — which really took off after Gizmodo published the above mock-up — are “simply not true.” In any case, it looks like Samsung will be — as hypothesized — taking the wraps off of the Continuum smartphone at their November 8th media event. Anyone disappointed?

TAT releases trio of awesome live wallpapers for Android

2010-11-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

Android comes with a pretty great set of live wallpapers built in -- and some manufacturers add their own, too -- but if you're ready for a change of pace, the UI nerds (we mean that in the best way possible) over at TAT have just dropped three of 'em for free. Called Artemia, Blue Range, and Retro Pixels, the trio run the gamut from dreamy aquascape to eBoy-esque 3D environment to 8-bit gaming, and they're all interactive in one way or another -- poking and shaking both seem to have interesting effects. They're in the Market now, so you may as well grab if you've got a compatible phone.

Consumer Cellular rolls out Mobile Captions Service atop Nokia E5

2010-11-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

MVNO Consumer Cellular is now offering Mobile Captions Service, an on-phone text relay system that allows deaf and hard of hearing users to see what's being said to them on the screen. Needless to say, speech-to-text isn't accurate enough to make it work, so the company has partnered with Hamilton Relay Service to have actual relay operators push the text to you. In order to use it, you'll need a Nokia E5 -- an odd choice for a carrier that thrives on hardware simplicity, except for the fact that a smartphone platform like S60 probably gives Consumer Cellular the flexibility it needs to deploy a usable relay app. In states where Hamilton is authorized to provide relay service, Mobile Captions is available now -- for free -- to qualified users.

Via Consumer Cellular

Samsung Contour slides (or flips, rather) onto MetroPCS

2010-11-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

What do 49 contract-free dollars buy you these days? The answer would be this, the just-introduced Contour from Samsung for MetroPCS. Needless to say, you can't expect much in the way of smartphone operating systems here -- but you do get Bluetooth, a VGA cam, speakerphone, and voice command capability. The 2-inch primary display clocks in at 160 x 120 resolution paired up with a 1.07-inch external; not much, but the meager specs translate to a standby time that can reach a claimed 200 hours. As long as you like red, the Contour's available for you to buy right now.

Via MetroPCS

Motorola Bravo and Flipside both go live on AT&T

2010-11-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

Windows Phone 7 might be getting the lion's share of the attention on AT&T this week, but the Samsung Focus and HTC Surround aren't the only big launches: the carrier's also hauling in Motorola's Bravo and Flipside today, beefing up its Android lineup just a tad. The full-touch, wide VGA Bravo goes for $129.99 on contract after all the rebates and discounts have been applied, while the landscape QWERTY Flipside comes in at $99.99 with a two-year signup -- not bad if you're in the market for a 3.1-inch HVGA display and a gloriously large trackpad up top. Both are available now.

Via AT&T

LG Optimus Quantum available from Bell

2010-11-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

The wait continues for AT&T customers, but that doesn't mean LG's Windows Phone 7-based QWERTY slider -- the only one at launch -- isn't available anywhere. AT&T's LG Quantum is known as the longer, fancier "Optimus Quantum" north of the border, where interested parties will pay CAD $99.95 (about $100) to enjoy the phone on a three-year contract -- or, if your wallet runs a little deeper, CAD $449.95 ($448) contract-free. As a refresher, the Optimus Quantum features a 5 megapixel cam, 3.5-inch WVGA display, and 16GB on onboard storage -- decent specs, but then again, every WP7 device has decent specs. Decisions!

Via Bell

MetroPCS' new Metro USA service features nationwide coverage, LTE comes to Philly and LA

2010-11-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

MetroPCS' march toward a full LTE overlay continues today on news that it's expanding its nascent (and still tiny) next-gen network to Philadelphia and Los Angeles, two huge markets that should do a good job of stress testing what the network is capable of. As with its existing LTE markets, the only device available is the Samsung Craft, a landscape QWERTY slider dumbphone that offers access to the carrier's video-on-demand library on a 3.3-inch AMOLED display for $299 (no contract, mind you) after a $50 rebate. The move brings MetroPCS' launch total to five markets, with plans to expand to another nine in the coming months.

On a related note, the carrier has also introduced its so-called Metro USA service, essentially a brand name for nationwide coverage -- MetroPCS claims over 90 percent of the population, which ain't bad. Though it won't go into details, they're saying that the coverage has been reached through a combination of "both network expansion and roaming agreements" and that customers can expect a mix of 1xRTT and EV-DO (2G and 3G data, that is) as they move around.

Via engadget

Skyfire for iOS gets App Store approval, available soon

2010-11-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Getting something like a browser through Apple's App Store approval process can be a nail-biting experience both for the developer and for would-be users -- but now that Opera Mini set the precedent, there's little justification for denying them (assuming there's no foolishness going on under the hood). This time around it's Skyfire, submitted in early September and finally cleared by Cupertino's powers that be this week which means that it should pop up in the App Store in short order. As in the Android build, Skyfire's iOS browser does some back-end magic to convert any Flash videos that it finds embedded in web pages so that they can be viewed, a feature that could make this a pretty popular download. Keep a close eye in iTunes over the next day or two.

Via AppleInsider

Apple v. Nokia: USITC comes out on Nokia's side in pre-trial hearing

2010-11-01T23:31:00.000-07:00

It'll be a good, long while before the various spats between Nokia and Apple over intellectual property ever get fully resolved -- but Espoo's got an early ally in the form of the US International Trade Commission. The USITC has said early in the patent trial -- in which Apple is the plaintiff -- that "the evidence will not establish a violation" on Nokia's part, elaborating that portions of some patents were invalid and others simply weren't infringed at all. The judge in the case isn't expected to lay down the law (quite literally) until next February -- and he isn't obligated to take the USITC's side on the matter -- but we're sure the boys and girls over in Finland are high-fiving a bit on the news.

Via AllThingsD

Samsung Freeform II freestyles its way onto MetroPCS

2010-10-29T01:58:00.000-07:00

Don't expect any improvements in the 1.3 megapixel camera, but the reworked Freeform II from Samsung has at least one thing going for it over the model it replaces: a QVGA display. It seems hard to believe, but ye olde Freeform clocked in at just 220 x 176, so 320 x 240 is certainly a welcome improvement. You've also got nav capability thanks to its built-in GPS, stereo Bluetooth, a media player, and microSD expansion up to 16GB -- and we've got to admit, that QWERTY keyboard doesn't look half bad. It's not showing up on MetroPCS' site just yet, but seeing how Samsung tells us that it's available "now," we'd expect it to show up shortly enough.

Via Samsung

Sony Ericsson posts lower numbers in Q3 but stays profitable, says Windows Phone 7 is in the works

2010-10-29T01:56:00.000-07:00

Sony Ericsson's been trying to dig itself out of a revenue and market share slide that had developed over the course of many quarters prior to 2010, and its third quarter results suggest that there's still plenty of work to be done. The good news is that the joint venture is profitable, turning in €49 million ($69 million) worth of net income on sales of €1.603 billion ($2.26 billion) -- but the bad news is that shipped units fell both year-over-year and also versus the quarter prior: 10.4 million versus 14.1 million and 11 million, respectively. CEO Bert Nordberg mentioned on the call that the company would eventually adopt Windows Phone 7, a fact that isn't terribly surprising considering they had been announced by Microsoft as a platform partner earlier this year. It'll be interesting to see how that Timescape implementation turns out, won't it?

Via WMPoweruser

Microsoft to spend one billion dollars advertising Kinect and Windows Phone 7

2010-10-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

Microsoft's serious about making Kinect a success. A $500 million kind of serious. That's the latest report, courtesy of the New York Post, on the change Steve Ballmer and company intend to drop to make sure that every living and breathing creature in the US knows about the controller-free controller this holiday season. That mirrors earlier analyst estimates placing the Windows Phone 7 marketing budget at a similar figure, which in total would amount to a cool billion dollars in advertising expenditure. We already know Microsoft's scooped the Old Spice Guy for WP7, but Kinect is getting the extra special carpet bombing treatment with Burger King, Pepsi, YouTube, Nickelodeon, Disney, Glee, Dancing with the Stars, People and InStyle magazines, and even Times Square all having a role to play in spreading the word. Yup, it's gonna be pretty hard to miss it.

Via All Things Digital

Samsung Wave II has its Super Clear LCD tested against Galaxy S Super AMOLED display

2010-10-29T01:52:00.001-07:00

Well, "tested" might be a strong word, but the living legend that is Eldar Murtazin has squared up Samsung's latest Bada handset against the company's top of the line Galaxy S for a bit of side-by-side screen comparison action. The 3.7-inch display on the Wave II holds its own admirably against the hyper-advanced Super AMOLED panel alongside it, but it does seem to have a tendency to introduce a slight yellow hue into images, as illustrated above. Regrettably, the Russian weather wasn't conducive to doing any comparisons under sunlight, so we'll just have to content ourselves with even more pictures setting the Wave II up against Nokia's N8 and Samsung's first Bada phone, the Wave numero uno.

Via Mobile-review

Samsung plotting a single platform to connect TVs and phones

2010-10-29T01:48:00.000-07:00

Samsung's mad, monied quest to "free the TV apps" may not stop at your couch -- the electronics manufacturer says it's looking to loop in cell phones as well. "We plan to have a single platform for Samsung TV and phones," a VP told Reuters, without providing further details. We have to wonder if it might cross swords with the Media Hub video-on-demand software the company's pushing in the tablet and smartphone space. No word on when we'll find out.

Via Reuters

Latest Posts All News Reviews Reviews Samsung Focus review By Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 22nd 2010 at 6:47PM Review Even though we've seen a torrent

2010-10-29T01:46:00.000-07:00

We like us a little intrigue in our handsets, and we'd say this definitely qualifies: Nokia has apparently quietly slipped NFC circuitry into its just-launched C7 without bothering to mention it in any of the phone's literature. What does that mean? Well, Nokia's not saying, curiously -- but the company has experimented with using NFC for a variety of things over the years, and cashless transactions and contact information exchange are obviously two of the biggies. This actually dovetails nicely with that teaser for the Swipe payment and receipt management system that Nokia put out not long ago, so we wouldn't be surprised if it ultimately had something to do with that; they're saying there'll be an announcement eventually, but for now, all we can do is let the theories run rampant.

Via El Reg

AT&T now shipping BlackBerry Curve 3G

2010-10-29T01:43:00.000-07:00

The way AT&T announced the Curve 3G a few weeks back, they made it sound like prospective buyers could be in for a wait following the October 17 release of the Pearl 3G, but not so much -- it's already available. You'll pay $99.99 on contract after rebates and discounts for the privilege of putting the latest Curve model in your pocket, featuring a 2 megapixel camera, 3G support, and compatibility with BlackBerry 6 -- whenever RIM and AT&T decide that the update is ready for prime time. Of course, with a QVGA display, we think we might be tempted to go for a Bold 9700 instead or wait for the 9780 -- but seeing how AT&T is still charging $200 on contract for the Bold line, this bad boy will save you a Benjamin. Tough call!

Via AT&T

Samsung to unveil new Android device November 8th

2010-10-29T01:41:00.000-07:00

Two weeks. That's how long you'll have to wait before Samsung Mobile officially shows off its latest Android device. We say officially, because as these things go, there's a chance the gadget will make it into the limelight via unofficial channels. No indication what it might be, but if we had our say, the Continuum and its secondary OLED screen would make for a nice treat... hey, why are you even asking? Of course we'll be there covering it live!

Via engadget

Apple delays white iPhone 4 into spring 2011

2010-10-29T01:38:00.000-07:00

Let's just be honest, Apple: white stuff is impossible to manufacture. In fact, scientists have yet to prove that white even exists, so we're not sure why you're bothering to try to make a phone out of it! That's right: after a missed availability date in July and another delay after that, Cupertino has once again pushed back the manufacture of the palest iPhone 4 -- this time clear into spring of 2011. It won't say why, but in all likelihood, they're still dealing with the same manufacturing woes they've had from the start. By the time mid-2011 rolls around, it seems probable that the release will be butting up against news of the iPhone 4's successor -- or at the very least, a CDMA version of the phone -- so it'll be fascinating to see how this timeline unfolds. In the meantime, yeah... might want to give up the wait and go for black.

Via AllThingsD

HP contracts 5 or 6 new Palm devices for 2011?

2010-10-29T01:37:00.001-07:00

Underwhelmed by the feeling of sameness with the Pre 2? Well, you may or may not be in luck; Chinese-based CENS.com is reporting that manufacturers Foxconn and Compal now have contracts to manufacturer up to six new Palm devices for 2011. That boils down to one for Compal, and either four or five for Foxconn. We'd venture a guess that PalmPad's at least one of those, seeing as it's due early next year, but what about the others? Whatever (stackable) cards HP / Palm have in hand aren't exactly being laid out, and while we can't confirm this report ourselves, rest assured, we're hoping really hard that there'll be more webOS options with non-pebble form factors.

Via PreCentral

Apple, Gemalto working on integrated SIM for next iPhone?

2010-10-29T01:35:00.000-07:00

Moving from regular SIMs to micro SIMs for the iPad and iPhone 4 was a fairly user-hostile move on Apple's part, seeing how it made moving between an iPhone and virtually any other GSM device quite a bit more difficult; the official explanation (for the iPhone 4, anyway) was that there simply wasn't room for a regular SIM, but that seems unlikely considering that you're only saving 10mm of length, 3mm of width, and 0mm of thickness. A more plausible scenario is that Apple viewed micro SIMs as a way to get ahead of the industry curve a bit and make it unpleasant for users to try to share an iPhone line with other devices, a concept that gets at the core of Apple's mantra of owning the entire ecosystem from end to end.

But could they be trying to take that concept another step further? GigaOM is reporting a rumor today that Apple is working tightly with security firm Gemalto -- you know, the SIM guys -- to integrate software-reconfigurable SIMs right into European iPhones that would be activated on the carrier of your choice using an App Store download. Why European models? Multiple carriers offer the iPhone in a number of European countries, so distribution is a bit more complicated there than it is in the US, though it's a reasonable leap to suggest that the same integrated SIMs would be use on new North American iPhones as well. From Apple's perspective, it's a win-win: trying to use your iPhone line with another device would be akin to pulling teeth, and more importantly, Apple wouldn't need to worry about bundling carrier-specific SIMs with devices. In fact, the move would make Apple's (and the consumer's) interactions with the carrier entirely virtual, all the way from manufacture to activation. Seems like the plan would require an extraordinary amount of buy-in from carriers who've become increasingly suspicious of Apple's goals lately -- but then again, they managed to get carriers to suddenly and rapidly deploy micro SIMs en masse, and if anyone could pull this off, it'd be Steve's boys and girls.

Via GigaOM

HTC Mecha leaked on HTC Sense

2010-10-29T01:32:00.000-07:00

We've been hearing the hushed whispers of an HTC Mecha handset for a few months. Now we've got solid evidence of its existence thanks to the HTC's own HTC Sense web site that lists the Mecha along side the Desire HD and Desire Z when signing up for an account. Unfortunately, the image used for the Mecha (found after the break) appears to be the old Hero handset unless HTC is planning to resurrect that particular industrial design (which we doubt). Now get out of here and hit the source link to try it for yourselves.

Via HTC Sense

HTC HD7 has hidden microSD slot, user-replacable card?

2010-10-29T01:28:00.000-07:00

We thought the Samsung Focus was the only Windows Phone 7 launch device that could replace its external storage, but the HTC HD7 can apparently do the same -- there's an SD card slot under that Windows Phone logo, and The Unwired managed to replace it while dodging the dreaded "There's a storage error" screen. What sort of black magic did the publication cast to make it recognize the new card? They're not quite sure themselves, but several factory resets and physical reinsertion of the chip seemed to do the trick, if only for an 8GB card. If you're in a daring mood, let us know if it works for you in comments below!

Via Unwired

SFR’s website sheds some light on the Pre 2

2010-10-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

It seems as though French mobile carrier SFR has shed some light on the unannounced Palm Pre 2. According to the telecom company’s website, the device will rock a 1 GHz processor, have 512 MB of RAM, and run the very sensual webOS 2.0. There isn’t any indication of when a potential launch could occur, but the fact that SFR has published – unintentionally or not — details of the Pre Deuce has to be a good sign. What do you think webOS fans? Is this good news or are you looking for a little bit more hardware creativity from HP and company?

Via PreCentral

T-Mobile G2 update rolling out, brings Wi-Fi Calling and mobile hotspot creation

2010-10-29T01:11:00.000-07:00

It looks like T-Mobile is pushing out an over-the-air update to their recently released G2 handset that packs a couple of handy features. According to users over at xda-developers, the update brings Wi-Fi Calling, mobile hotspot creation, an update to the radio code, and several other performance tweaks. We’re sure the new code will be welcomed with open arms by those of you who have already picked up a G2. If you’re rocking said handset, and install the OTA update, let us know what you find!

Via AndroidPolice

Motorola DEFY coming to T-Mobile November 3

2010-10-29T01:07:00.001-07:00

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard anything about the Motorola DEFY; a rough and rugged Android handset we first told you about in August that was announced just last month. But that all changes today. T-Mobile has announced, via Twitter, that the 3.7-inch scratch-resistant, touchscreen device — which also boasts a 5 megapixel camera with flash, DLNA support, FM radio, Wi-Fi Calling, and GPS — will be available for $99 with a 2-year contract starting on November 3. Not a bad little device for a c-note — especially if you’re one of those people who are unusually rough on electronics.

Via TmoNews

LG Optimus T coming to T-Mobile for $29, launches November 3rd

2010-10-29T01:04:00.001-07:00

T-Mobile finally put a price tag and a release date on its upcoming LG Optimus T — the budget smartphone will be available on Wednesday, November 3rd, for $29.99 with a new 2-year contract. Featuring a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, a 3-megapixel camera and the Android 2.2 (FroYo) operating system, the Optimus T is a fairly solid buy for smartphone newcomers looking for a simple point of entry. Then again, third-party distributors such as Amazon.com typically offer a variety of more capable Android handsets for free, making the rationale behind a $30 Optimus T slightly less convincing. Those still interested, however, can hit the jump for T-Mobile’s full announcement.

Via Phone Scoop

VLC Media Player for iPhone now available

2010-10-29T01:02:00.000-07:00

We knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make the arrival of Applidium’s VLC Media Player universal binary any less exciting. That’s right kids, your favorite multi-format video player for the iPad is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch as well. VLC Media Player lets users sync video content to a device via iTunes in a variety of formats not formally supported by iOS. In other words, users can break free of the multimedia chains that bind their iGear. It should be noted that the new VLC Media Player build is only available for the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and the two most recent iPod touch generations. Obviously, older hardware can’t hang with this multimedia powerhouse.

Via Applidium

HP’s Palm Pre 2 gets an official commercial spot

2010-10-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

If you’re a webOS/Palm Pre die-hard, and looking forward to the refinements of the Pre 2, we have a little something for you. It looks like a thirty second advert for the updated, pebble-shaped handset has made its way onto YouTube. The official spot, dubbed Sizzle, features some of the new niceties in webOS 2.0 and several critical applications — including Angry Birds and Facebook. The clip is waiting for you after the jump. Enjoy.

Via PocketNow

Samsung Galaxy Tab and Huawei S7 pre-orders kick off at Best Buy Mobile

2010-10-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

Best Buy announced Monday that three upcoming Android tablets are now available for pre-order. Two versions of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Tab can be ordered for $599.99 each, and the Huawei Ideos Tablet S7 will cost $299.99 to reserve. None of the aforementioned pre-orders require a contract. Demand for these Android tablets is not expected to be excessive, however interested parties eager to ensure delivery on launch day will be happy to learn that pre-sales are now available. Each Samsung Galaxy Tab version features a 7-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, dual cameras, 16GB of internal storage, a 1GHz processor and the Android 2.2 operating system. The Huawei S7 features a 7-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, dual cameras, microSD support and the Android 2.1 operating system. According to Best Buy’s website, pre-orders of all three tablet options will be delivered as early as November 7th.

Via Best Buy

Palm rumored to have 5-6 new devices brewing

2010-10-29T00:56:00.000-07:00

If a report from financial paper The Taiwan Economic Times is to be believed, freshly acquired Palm Inc. is getting ready to fire up the afterburners and fuel them with bags full of HP’s cash. The paper cites industry sources in claiming that Chinese manufacturing giants Foxconn and Compal were recently awarded new contracts for a total of five to six new Palm-branded devices. Among them is the fabled PalmPad, a webOS-powered tablet that will compete with the Apple iPad, the BlackBerry PlayBook and the flurry of Android tablets currently bombarding the market. Each of the aforementioned five to six devices will reportedly go on sale in 2011.

Via PreCentral.net

Apple cancels white iPhone 4?

2010-10-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

Adding on to last night’s Apple announcement that the company would further delay the release of the white iPhone 4, we have received new information that paints a different story. According to a previous source of ours, we have been told that Apple in fact has no plans to release the white model iPhone 4. Our source hypothesizes another “delay” communicated around March leading us into an iPhone 5 release time-frame in June / July. Something interesting is that manufacturing sources our contact has are keeping quiet on the matter, not confirming that this was in fact a manufacturing issue at this point, but that there might be something else going on behind the scenes.

Via BGR

Palm Pre 2 heads north to Rogers

2010-10-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

Last week, rumors of the Palm Pre 2’s eventual arrival in Canada surfaced as a result of tidbits extracted from the source code on Palm’s Canadian website. Today, those rumors gain a healthy dose of credibility thanks to a series of leaked images. The aforementioned images show a Rogers info sheet for the Pre 2 as well as the device itself, which is powered on and connected to the Rogers network. Of course nothing is confirmed for the time being, as Rogers has yet to announce the smartphone.

Via BGR

T-Mobile myTouch hands on

2010-10-29T00:38:00.000-07:00

We’re at T-Mobile’s intimate myTouch event right now (we’re currently snuggling up with all four colors — white, black, red and purple), and here are our first-hand impressions:

* It feels good in the hand. The device is pretty slim, has a slight Android chin at the bottom, and all in all seems to be very solidly-built.
* The screen is beautiful, sharp and bright — but not as good as an AMOLED in our opinion.
* It rocks the myTouch UI that first appeared with the myTouch Slide, though it seems a bit more refined now.
* We’re currently watching Vincent from SlashGear and Sascha from PC Magazine try to establish a video call. It was unsuccessful at first, but it seems like they’re having way too much fun now that it’s working. Never mind, Sascha is yelling at the phone now.
* Watching a demo of the phone streaming video to a TV set was pretty cool. After some quick initial buffering, movies, photos and YouTube played effortlessly on the HDTV.

We’re pretty excited for the launch of the new myTouch. It’s packed with features and it nicely compliments T-Mobile’s stock Android G2 device as a younger-focused counterpart. Hit the jump for our full gallery, ok?

Via BGR

Will the real BlackBerry Storm 3 please stand up?

2010-09-22T19:31:00.001-07:00

If you are keeping up to date on your BlackBerry rumors for the day, you might have seen this photo floating around that was originally sent in to BerryReview of the BlackBerry “Storm 3″. If you got really excited at the possibility of that phone being the Storm 3, we have to let you know that the device in that photo, is not the BlackBerry Storm 3. Here is what you can expect in the Storm 3 — we have seen the device and multiple sources have informed us of the below specifications:

* Almost physically identical to the BlackBerry Storm 2. Literally. On first glance, we thought our guy was just showing us the current model.
* The device is a tiny bit slimmer, feels about the same weight, but also seems to be a bit lighter.
* The camera looks to be the same as the Storm 2, but we have to believe it is a 5 megapixel shooter. One source said 5 megapixels, the other didn’t know.
* 512MB of RAM
* OS 6
* The SurePress screen lives!
* Nothing we saw said anything about a Mobile Hotspot feature, but as that leaked slide indicated, it might be a feature coming after the device ships…

We weren’t able to snap a photo of the handset, but all in all, we have to say, we’re pretty disappointed. The fact that RIM continues to beat around the bush and offer up almost irrelevant product refreshes while the entire mobile smartphone market continues to push the envelope of user experience, specifications, design, and features worries us. So, we have to ask, is there anyone interested in a BlackBerry Storm 3 on Verizon that’s basically more or less the same phone you bought last year?

Credit Suisse gives AT&T iPhone exodus predictions

2010-09-22T19:28:00.001-07:00

Credit Suisse has published a speculative report on just what might happen to AT&T’s customer base if rival Verizon Wireless were to begin carrying the iPhone. According to Credit Suisse, 23% of AT&T iPhone users indicate they would move over to Big Red if the company was to offer Apple’s smartphone. This would translate into a 0.2% jump in churn for AT&T; from 1.1% to 1.3% in 2011-2012. The report also predicts that AT&T’s 2012 new net subscriptions would fall flat, but Verizon’s net adds would spike to around 4 million. Despite what seems like bad news, the analytics firm upgraded Ma’ Bells stock from neutral to outperform, saying, “it was undervalued compared to Verizon and more prone to upward earnings estimate revisions.” The report also notes that VZW’s cost-per-user would increase significantly upon offering the iPhone but also noted this increase would “snap back” the following year.

Via BGR

Is Apple starting production of 3 million CDMA iPhones in December?

2010-09-22T19:27:00.001-07:00

Is it possible that the Apple iPhone might actually, finally be coming to the nation’s largest carrier? In a research note from Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacara, he claims that his channel checks with Apple’s suppliers indicate that Cupertino’s finest is readying a production run of over 3 million CDMA-flavor iPhone devices in December. If you’re up on your rumors, this would coincide with reports that Apple has ordered CDMA chips from Qualcomm for December production. Lastly, it also links up with rumors that Apple is planning on launching the phone on Verizon Wireless in January, as early as CES’ keynote with Big Red CEO Ivan Seidenberg. Tired of the Verizon iPhone news? It’s only going to get worse once the darned thing is released, unfortunately… Poll below!

Nokia Charging Plate DT-600 hands-on: 'charge in style' is all you need to know

2010-09-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Nokia's official marketing documentation for the just-announced DT-600 says that you can "charge in style" and "enjoy the life with full battery." After checking it out here at Nokia World, we don't think we could say it any better ourselves. The device is basically a rubber tray for setting your battery-dependent gadgets with a squid-like array of charging cables coming out of the corners; there are very similar products to this on the market already, but Nokia's got a couple trump cards up its sleeve. Actually, one of them is less of a trump card and more of a Wild Draw Four: although one cable is micro-USB, two of the others are permanently connected 2mm Nokia jacks, an odd decision considering that modern Nokias are moving away from those to micro-USB -- as are most manufacturers -- so we guess they're expecting you to keep a few antiques juiced up.

The other differentiator, though, is that you don't need to snake your own chargers through the mess -- the fourth cable is interchangeable and connects to one of two USB ports on the side, and you can use the other port for a fifth cable that isn't routed through one of the four corners' holes. Nokia includes mini-USB, LG, Sony Ericsson, and two flavors of Samsung connectors for this one; Apple's noticeably missing, but we're sure these guys had zero interest in licensing the 20-pin design -- and obviously, you can just use your own cable if you like. In a nod to Mother Nature, the DT-600 burns no power when devices aren't connected, but if you're in the US, tough luck -- there's no plan in place for availability there. Hit up the gallery for a few in-the-wild shots (taken at Nokia's Experience Lounge coffee bar, by the way, so the phones weren't the only things getting juiced up).

Via Nokia

Electronic Arts ready to embrace Android, but wishes it had an App Store

2010-09-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Thought EA had no love for Android or Windows Phone 7? Not quite -- it's just the existing market opportunities that the company doesn't seem to enjoy. CFO Eric Brown told the Deutsche Bank 2010 Technology Conference that the game publisher is actually quite bullish on Google's rapidly popularizing mobile OS and plans to 'position its mobile business' accordingly, but first he said this: "I think the next big positive way to push better growth in mobile will be the deployment of an App Store equivalent for the Android operating system." Since we're fairly certain Brown would be aware of a little thing called the Android Market, we figure he's talking about the same mysterious reason that caused Gameloft (which produces a number of Android titles already) to circumvent the Market in favor of their own online store. One thing's for certain on the EA Mobile front: the company really needs to update their smartphone games page to support a wee bit more than the "Google Android-Powered T-Mobile G1."

Via Mobile Entertainment

BlackBerry Storm3 caught on camera?

2010-09-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Theoretically, we think this could just be a really well-executed Photoshop mashup, but considering how good RIM is at keeping industrial design elements consistent from device to device, we tend to believe this alleged shot of a BlackBerry Storm3 in the wild. Specs are said to include a 3.7-inch display -- up significantly from the Storm2's 3.2-inch example and better suited to take on 2010's top-tier touchphones -- along with 8GB of onboard storage. We'd also heard in the past that the Storm3 would be slated for BlackBerry 6, a 5 megapixel cam, and a late-2010 launch on Verizon, and the new rumor of integrated mobile hotspot functionality would corroborate that a bit since Big Red's really pushing that feature as a plan add-on these days. Torch owners, feeling any tinge of envy, or are you at peace with your decision?

Via IntoMobile

Napster app arrives on iOS, completes the circle of life

2010-09-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Before the iPhone, the iPod, and iTunes, there was Napster. The original gangster of digital music distribution has undergone many changes since its heyday as a pirate's Shangri-La, though this latest one seems to be the most fitting. A new app for the aforementioned iOS devices as well as the iPad has been launched, giving you the full Napster experience in a more portable form factor. That means that for $10 a month you can stream and cache music from a library of 10 million songs -- yes, offline listening is available too -- essentially turning your iDevice into the Apple equivalent of a Zune Pass-equipped music station. Good times ahead, eh sailor?

Via iTunes

Samsung Galaxy S Femme bundles sexism in with your smartphone purchase

2010-09-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

You know what really bugs us about this Samsung Galaxy S Femme handset? No, it's not that it once again trudges out the tired cliché that women must love pink -- it's that it presumes gents can't appreciate the benefits of Aveda's Damage Remedy and Hand Relief creams. We totally can! And we'd love to spend some quality time with the Aveda advisor app, which comes bundled on a 4GB MicroSD card, letting it identify for us the particular products we need to buy to keep our skin and hair looking their best. But, according to the packaging, this 4-inch, Gorilla Glass-bearing smartphone isn't for us. Sigh.

Via Akihabara News

Virgin Mobile scooping up Samsung Intercept

2010-09-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

One great thing about being owned by Sprint is that you can sneak a handset here and there into your own lineup, which is exactly what Virgin Mobile has done in adding the midrange Intercept from Samsung to its range. Actually, it's not in the range just yet -- Virgin's Facebook page says that we should "stay tuned over the next few weeks" to find out the details, which leads us to believe we might see a launch (or at least a launch date announcement) around CTIA early next month. Not the awesomest Android phone in the world, sure, but for a carrier traditionally dominated by low-end prepaid gear, it's a solid addition, we'd say.

Via Virgin Mobile USA

Sanofi-Aventis debuts iBGStar blood glucose meter for iPhone

2010-09-22T19:01:00.001-07:00

It's not the first to announce a blood glucose meter that connects to an iPhone, but Sanofi-Aventis has just rolled out what's surely the most streamlined solution to date. Unlike the LifeScan Bluetooth glucose meter shown off during Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 preview event way back in March of last year, this one connects directly to your iPhone (or iPod touch), and it can even be kept permanently attached with the aid of a custom (and fairly stylish) case. Otherwise, it functions just as you'd expect, with it able to display all the basic info on the device itself (it can also be used without the iPhone), and a ton more info on the accompanying app. No word on availability just yet -- that still hinges on FDA clearance -- but the device is "expected" to run somewhere in the neighborhood of $80.

Via Diabetes Mine

LG strolls into Town with C300 featurephone, offers portrait QWERTY for text addicts

2010-09-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

Still on the lookout for an affordable QWERTY dumbphone? You might be in luck, as LG's just released this eye-catching Town C300 to cater to your texting and IM addiction on the cheap. Just like its predecessor, this new handset includes Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger, and push email integration, along with FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 2 megapixel camera from the hardware camp. The damage? Just a mere £69 ($108) from Orange, but don't tell your friends -- keep the extra booze money to yourself.

Via Engadget

LG Vortex for Verizon in the wild?

2010-09-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

It might be a little early to cue the "vortex of suck" jokes, but this spy shot definitely says it all: the phone -- claimed to be called Vortex -- is decidedly on the lower end of Verizon's Android spectrum. The Droid Guy, source of the photo, says that the specs include a 600MHz core, 3.2-inch display, FM radio, and Froyo; that basically matches up with the recently-announced Optimus One's spec sheet, and considering the similarity in industrial design, it's reasonable to follow the site's conclusion that this little more than a CDMA port of the device. To be fair, the Android handsets in Verizon's present-day lineup are definitely weighted toward the pricey side, so phones like this and the Motorola WX445 should help balance things out a smidge when (and if) they ultimately end up launching.

Via CNET

Is this the Droid 2 World Edition / Droid Pro?

2010-09-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

If you look quickly, you might not be able to tell that there's any difference between this thing and the Droid 2 that you can go out and buy today, but this thing is all about subtlety -- after all, the only obvious internal change is that it can be used globally. Droid Life claims that we're looking at the Droid 2 World Edition (or Droid Pro, or whatever the heck it's called), featuring a pearly white back and a lighter chrome bezel up front; current rumors suggest that this might replace the original Droid 2 altogether, but it's anybody's guess until we see some official information. The site is also reporting that the OMAP3630 core seems to be clocked up to 1.2GHz -- the plain ol' Droid 2 settles for a measly 1GHz. All told, this is shaping up to be one of the quickest product revisions in smartphone history, so let's hope Verizon has the decency to put some sort of upgrade program in place for early adopters.

Via Droid Life

Nokia's Qt 4.7 app framework goes gold, encourages Symbian and MeeGo development for fun and profit

2010-09-22T18:50:00.001-07:00

Qt forms the backbone of Nokia's multi-platform strategy, linking Symbian and MeeGo under a common framework that it hopes will prevent the developer community from fragmenting and allow MeeGo to freeload a bit off Symbian's massive popularity in the global market. To that end, the latest release -- 4.7 -- is a pretty big deal, both in terms of new functionality and timing since MeeGo and Symbian^3 devices are both just around the corner. The biggest change is the addition of a new UI definition framework, Qt Quick, that includes both a new script-based language for describing user interfaces and a drag-and-drop environment for whipping them up. All told, the system should make it easier for devs to quickly throw together a good-looking interface that works across both MeeGo and Symbian -- and considering that apps can (and usually do) make or break a platform, we'd say that's a good thing.

Via Ars Technica

Motorola turns Droid X's source code loose -- some of it, anyhow

2010-08-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

This might not have a ton of relevance as long as we've got a nearly airtight bootloader lock standing in our way, but we suppose it's a start: Motorola has outed the Droid X's source code, though it's apparently left some key bits out, just as it's entitled to do under the terms of Android's Apache License. Of course, this isn't anything new -- HTC does the same, mainly releasing only stuff that it has to by virtue of the kernel's GPL licensing -- and considering the customizations all these guys are doing, it's not an entirely surprising way to go about it. In other words, don't expect custom firmware to start popping up left and right -- not until our ever-trusty hacking community figures out a way to fully circumvent the eFuse noise.

Via engadget

Pantech drops AMOLED completely due to shortage, may resume use in 2H 2011

2010-08-06T00:51:00.000-07:00

The Pantech Vega that just hit Korea may boast a sizable 3.7-inch AMOLED screen, but don't expect future phones from the Helio manufacturer to follow suit -- after suffering the same shortages that drove HTC to Sony's SLCD-illuminated doorstep, Pantech's also temporarily giving active-matrix organic technology the boot. Now, you may not give two nickels about the technologies in Pantech's next handset, but the firm's got a finger on the industry's pulse. So when an unnamed executive says "phones to be rolled out in the first half of next year" won't use AMOLED, that hints at when the shortage for US-bound devices might also let up. In case you're curious, 2H 2011 is when Samsung's next AMOLED facility is slated to open, though by that point AU Optronics and TPO Display should be shipping the screens as well.

Via OLED-Display.net

Can't say we didn't see this coming. After wooing us with a number of glasses-free 3D displays -- including the one that gives Nintendo 3DS its magic

2010-08-06T00:50:00.001-07:00

Can't say we didn't see this coming. After wooing us with a number of glasses-free 3D displays -- including the one that gives Nintendo 3DS its magic -- and 3D HD cameras for mobile devices, the company has finally laid down the gauntlet. It's promising to release a smartphone with such an autostereoscopic screen and 3D camera, just like we always wanted, before New Year's Day 2011. It certainly wouldn't be the first 3D phone in the market -- Hitachi touted one early last year for Japanese carrier KDDI, and NTT docomo has had a prototype 3D display -- but a Sharp spokeswoman said that this 3D smartphone would be going international. The more the merrier, we say. Now, how about some more details and a pretty picture or two, eh Sharp?

Via Reuters

Motorola Glam brings Android 2.1, plenty of ritz to South Korea

2010-08-06T00:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it may look like the Dell Aero when peeking it head-on, but Motorola's Glam is apt to be far more sophisticated that the self-proclaimed "world's lightest Android phone." Launched today over in South Korea, this Android 2.1-based handset (which we toyed with earlier in the year when it was known as the XT800) boasts a 3.7-inch capacitive multitouch panel (854 x 480), dual LED flash, a 5 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 2.0 connectivity, an HDMI socket, 1GB of NAND Flash, 512MB of SDRAM, an 8GB microSD card, inbuilt GPS and support for a multitude of multimedia formats. Mum's the word on a price, but it should be shuffling over to SK Telecom -- high heels and all -- by the end of August.

Via Akihabara News

Apple slyly enables background iDisk music streaming in iOS 4

2010-08-06T00:45:00.000-07:00

Well, would you look at that? The v1.2 update to MobileMe iDisk that Apple pushed out last month has a secret -- er, did have a secret. One of the concealed new features of the app is background streaming, or as Apple puts it, the ability to "play audio from your iDisk while using another app." For starters, it's pretty fantastic just to have this functionality in-hand for your own garage jams, but what's more is that any licensed music on your iDisk still streams perfectly fine. Only time will tell if any record labels (or that mean, mean RIAA) step forward with a grievance, but this could very well be the beginning of iTunes in the cloud. Or a reason for buying Lala. Or a mysterious combination of the two.

Via Apple

Dish Network to offer live TV streaming on its free mobile apps next month

2010-08-06T00:44:00.000-07:00

Now that the SlingLoaded ViP922 DVR is actually available from Dish Network it's ready to offer more features from the Sling Mobile side of the menu, with plans to add free live TV (or recorded DVR program) streaming to its own mobile apps. Right now, the iPhone and recently released iPad app (Android version due in October) just let the devices control the box and view listings information, but after an update in September it will offer similar functionality to the $29.99 SlingPlayer Mobile, minus all the IR blasters and potential compatibility issues. The best part? According to the Associated Press all this comes at no extra cost to Dish subscribers, other than the fee for the new DVR or broadband connected 612, 622, 722 and 722k set-tops hooked up to a Slingbox.

Via Associated Press

Motorola Flipout makes North American debut with a Rogers exclusive

2010-08-06T00:41:00.000-07:00

In another case of Canadians getting things ahead of their southerly neighbors, the Motorola Flipout has made its journey across the Atlantic and settled on Rogers as its first North American carrier. 3-year contractual commitments will be greeted with a lowly C$30 charge for the phone, or if you can't bear the thought of being locked in for so long, you can buy the flipping thing outright for C$375. As a quick reminder, the Flipout runs on Google's Android 2.1 OS, but embellishes things a little with a freshened up variety of the Motoblur UI. If that, together with the "hip to be square" form factor, sounds like your slice of pie, we suggest you head on over to the source link and put those Canadian Dollars to good use.

Via Rogers

Apple Peel 520 gets reviewed: turns your iPod touch into an iPhone, but quirks exist

2010-08-06T00:37:00.000-07:00

No one expressly said that the Apple Peel 520 would change your life, but if you play your cards right, that's not entirely out of the question. The mysterious doodad -- which wraps around your iPod touch and holds an extended battery and SIM card -- has caused quite the stir since being revealed late last month, and now it has undergone a full review overseas. Put simply, the device does work as advertised, turning one's iPod touch into a device fully capable of making / receiving calls as well as texts. 'Course, you'll need to jailbreak your device first, and you'll have to deal with a static (read: impossible to adjust) call volume, quirky SMS delivery and blanked messages for missed calls, but hey -- a small price to pay for the upgrade, right? Hit the source link for the full skinny and a video to boot.

Via M.I.C. Gadget

Sony Ericsson X10 Mini and Mini Pro rooted

2010-08-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

Owners of a Sony Ericsson X10 Mini or a Mini Pro will be happy to know that the folks at xda-developers have been able to achieve root on these two Android devices. The root requires some familiarity with adb and terminal commands and apparently takes advantage of the same exploit used to root the DROID X, Devour, and other Android handsets. Hit the read link for the detailed instructions and head over toe xda-devs to link up with other SE owners. Happy Rooting!

Via xda-developers

Nokia flavored MeeGo videoed?

2010-08-06T00:28:00.000-07:00

What do we have here… it would appear to be a video of the MeeGo mobile operating system with Nokia’s dirty little fingerprints all over it. The video was captured by an astute consumer who was, of all things, taking an online survey. The video covers how the operating system will handle multitasking, social network integration, application purchasing with the Ovi Store, and the multimedia player. Hit the jump to see the goods, we’ve the 90 second clip all queued up for you.

What’s inside the mystery AT&T displays?

2010-08-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

What is inside the mysterious displays that have been showing up at AT&T retail locations around the country? Well, we don’t know exactly… but we’ve been given a little more information that we thought we would share. According to one of our sources, inside the clandestine display is a small TV and rack where an unknown piece of hardware will sit. Today, managers began receiving metal display boxes with three-digit pad locks on them, the outside of the box reads: “Hero Fixture Launch Kit.” It also reads, “Top Secret: Store Manager Only.” All our source knows about the contents of the mysterious box (pictured above) is that, “it is something brand new that has never been released before.” What do you think it is? Perhaps a BlackBerry Torch 9800? Maybe something else? Drop your hypothesis in the comments.

Via BGR

Motorola DROID 2 spotted in the wild, photographed

2010-08-06T00:23:00.001-07:00

Come on Verizon, we know you want to release this phone… The Motorola DROID 2 has got to be around the corner. The device has training materials, has been benchmarked, and for the umpteenth million time seen in the wild. Today’s images come courtesy of user KA7EII from Howard Forums. The device is looking pretty nice. How many of you DROID 1 owners are planning on updating? Hit the jump for one more picture.

Via IntoMobile

Ultrasn0w unlocking tool updated to work with iPhone 4

2010-08-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

If you have an iPhone 4, and are itching to use it on another network, the Dev-Team has got you covered. Early this morning, MuscleNerd announced that ultrasn0w unlocking software — version 1.0-1 — has been updated to work with the iPhone 4. The newer, more inclusive version of ultrasn0w will work with iPhone 4 baseband 01.59 and iPhone 3GS/3G basebands 04.26.04, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, and 05.13.04. If you’re itching to port your number (and your iPhone 4) to another network, jailbreak your iPhone, add the repo666.ultrasn0w.com repository to Cydia, install ultrasn0w and enjoy!

Sony Ericsson AT&T Vivaz page is live

2010-08-06T00:18:00.001-07:00

A reader hit up our inbox to let us know that the Sony Ericsson Vivaz, due out on AT&T, is now live on SE’s website. The Phone is a quad-band GSM and UMTS/HSPA phone that will have an 8.1 megapixel camera with 720p video recording, 360 x 640 TFT touch-screen, Bluetooth, aGPS, micro-SD card slot, and will run the Symbian OS. The phone’s dimensions are 4.2 x 2.0 x 0.5 inches and it weighs in at 3.4 ounces. The phone will be available in Cosmic Black, Galaxy Blue, Moon Silver, or a sensual Venus Ruby. The site also lists an anemic 75 MB of memory for this particular offering. Eeeeeeesh! Hit the read link and let us know what you think!

Via BGR

Fourth generation iPod Touch case images leak?

2010-08-06T00:16:00.001-07:00

It looks like images of the fourth generation iPod Touch have been spotted on the internet, thanks in part to an accessories manufacturer. Hardmac.com has images of what looks to be a new iPT complete with an updated camera and LED flash. While the front of the device looks the same, and is in all likelihood Photoshoped, the back of the device is beveled like the current iPod Touch and has the camera/flash located in the upper left hand corner of the device (like the iPhone). The black plastic patch through which the Wi-Fi antenna signal used to escape is also absent (insert attenuation joke here). Doesn’t seem consistent with apples unibody, flat-top-and-bottom, non-rounded edges look they’ve been gravitating towards… but it doesn’t look too far out there. Have a look at the images and let us know what you think.

Via SlashGea