Technomaly » Mobile

Nokia N900 Technical Review

sarin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:18:10 +0000

Get ready for some fun because Nokia is pulling out all the stops. The rumors are no more rumors because the Nokia N900 is slated to be with us sometime before the end of the year. Read this review to see what has been taking place with this great new smartphone.

The N900 is also called the Rover or the RX-51. It has a brand new killer operating system made by Maemo, which is made by Linux. The operating system is called Maemo 5 and during development was named “Fremantle”. What does this Android-killer do ? For starters, it comes with a browser from the same people who make Firefox. Firefox is the most popular internet browser. The N900 Rover has a regular hardware keyboard, but you have one more on the screen using Maemo if you prefer to use it. The screen is delightfully responsive and is the resistive touch variety, not the capacitive touch that the Apple products have. One feature of the Maemo operating system is you can keep track of everyone at Facebook with one glance at the N900. Copy and past is allowed in all menus.

The hardware is of good quality with the N900. Nokia has given this device a nice keyboard. It is a full QWERTY keyboard and extends from the side, not from the bottom. This is a great choice, because it gives you more room to type. The keyboard also comes with directional buttons ( arrows ) just like your laptop or home PC. If you were wondering, yes this device is a true mobile computing device that also happens to make phone calls. The processor runs at 600 Megahertz and with the magnitude of memory on board you will not be disappointed with the performance. The N900 has 32 Gigabytes of built-in storage, and 48 Gigabytes of storage available with a MicroSD card.

The camera in the Nokia N900 is of good quality. It weighs in at five Megapixels and includes video. The lens uses the famous Carl Zeiss optics and has a lens cover to protect it. This is a great option to help prevent the scratching of the lens. It uses a Micro USB connection for charging. The networks available to this smartphone are GPRS, GSM and HSPA ( data, no voice ). A sim slot is included. A 1320 Milliamp hour ( mAH ) removable battery sparks up the machine.

Once you are bitten by the performance of the operating system of the N900 there is no going back to the other so-called “smart” phones. This one is smarter than yours. If you are a power mobile user, there is no doubt that a N900 ( or something like it ) is in your future.

New iPhone 3GS

sarin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:58:18 +0000

The latest offering from Apple has the iPhone updated to a faster and a bit leaner design. What are the latest updates to the iPhone ? Check it out here in this review article on the new iPhone, the 3GS.

You may not have noticed it but the new iPhone 3GS weighs just a bit less than the older iPhones. This is a big strange since the newer 3GS is also larger than its predecessor. But the basic dimensions are hardly a difference that can be noticed. The newer model iPhone is just a millimeter thicker than the earlier models. The screen has more performance with the 3G S, but the size has not changed. The latest model has a screen that reveals an impressive 16.7 million colors. This makes the screen much more life-like and videos and photos are rendered more naturally.

One setback for the iPhone 3G S with its new abilities is that the battery is drained faster than the older models. The 600 Megahertz processor is hungry for power and drains the battery faster than usual. The old iPhone had a talktime of eight hours, the newer model can handle just five hours of talk time. This may mean you will need to carry an extra battery with you. If this is unacceptable there are extended life batteries available that will help with the short talk time. 600 Megahertz is becoming a normal speed for mobile devices these days so battery technology will need to catch up soon.

This new iPhone has twice the memory of the older model with 32 Gigabytes available to use. The internal memory is available for you to use for storage and comes in handy for photos and music. The iPhone 3G S can handle many more networks than the past models. The GSM modes include 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 networks. In addition it can also handle WCDMA 850, 1900 and 2100 networks. The older model could only handle the GSM modes.

There is no doubt you are going to enjoy this new iPhone 3GS. With twice as much memory as before you may never fill it up. The popularity of this Phone has not died down since it was introduced back in 2007 by Apple. Take a look at this new iPhone as it has the same popular operating system and features, but this time around it can do more than ever.

HTC Magic Review

sarin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:22:35 +0000

The HTC is a slam dunk in the world of cell . This phone is just as HTC says it is; “simply better”. Take a and check out the features of this phone with the popular android system.

The first thing that say about this phone is that they either like the looks or hate it. You need to make up your own on that part. The screen is 3.2 inches and you have an on-screen keyboard. The HTC Magic came out in February of 2009 and still has the LCD screen as opposed to the newer OLED screens. Nevertheless it is has good resolution for an LCD screen of its size and is rated for HVGA.

The phone is good for those who like to use just one hand on their phone. The trackball that comes with the phone allows you to keep one hand free while scrolling through the applications. You get your choice of two colors; white or black. The cover is created with plastic. It holds up against smudges fairly well even in the black model.

The camera is a 3.2 megapixel version. This is sufficient power for many photos, but not enough clarity to match some other popular phones like the google phone and some from Nokia. It does have video and you can upload them to youtube from the phone.

The “darling” of the HTC Magic is of course it unique operating system made by google, the search engine. Major updates will hopefully be added in the future, as this phone can not handle much with the somewhat lackadaisical 528 megahertz processor. A few years ago, that would have been enough for a powerful smartphone, but not today, and not with this operating system. Speaking of hardware specifications, the HTC Magic also comes with 192 megabytes of RAM ( Random Access Memory ), and 512 megabytes of bundled storage. You can expand this with a MicroSD card, like many smartphones. This smartphone includes instant messaging from Windows Live, Yahoo, AOL and of course Google Talk. Google Maps with Street View is included as a part of android.

With all the new bells and whistles, you still have a phone to make calls with. You also have Wi-Fi capability and bluetooth. You are thankfully provided with a micro USB connector so you can communicate with your other digital devices. The web browser is based on WebKit. This is a browser similar to Safari and is high quality. This phone is a great over the G1, the very first android phone.

iPhone 4 Jailbreak: Why should I Jailbreak my iPhone?

sarin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:16:28 +0000

The reason for jailbreaking your iPhone is pure and simple, to have the ability to install 3rd party apps not sold in the App Store. I know there are thousands of apps available in the app store, but apple has been very restrictive with their rules regarding which apps can be made available to users.

Apple, in their infinite wisdom, has locked down the iPhone in a number of ways, hampering its ability to do basic tasks like record video, zoom in when taking photos, or apply a theme to your homescreen. They may have been right to do so – many cell phone owners have had devices with this functionality for years, but could never understand how to access those functions.

Therefore, if you want more from iPhone 4, go ahead and jailbreak it.

Top 10 benefits of iPhone 4 Jailbreaking

sarin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:21:15 +0000

There are numerous of advantages of jailbreaking an iPhone. But to name a few of the functions that jailbreaking can offers are:

tethering
multi-format video playback
turn by turn talking GPS navigation
Bluetooth file transfers
power management
Voip over 3G
instant messenger in the background
brighter flashlight
customized menus
Unlock and use any GSM carrier

For everyone else, these types of features are somewhat expected in modern devices, and if not they tend to jailbreak it.

HTC Desire

sarin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:49:34 +0000

Another handset has been spotted, alike to the very high-end HTC EVO 4G, the HTC Desire HD, also known as the Ace. It was traced by the retailer SuperETrader last month. Rumors suggest that it’s an Android OS 2.2 smartphone that will be built around a 4.3-inch touchscreen.

According to leaked reports, the phone has the following features:

8 Megapixel Camera
1 GHZ Qualcomm Processor
4.3 inch WVGA Touch Screen
HD 720p Video Capture
Android 2.2
Xvid Video Playback
SRS Surround Sound
Adobe Flash 10 Support
4GB Internal Memory (up to 32GB)
Uni-Body Aluminium Design

For some, the handset also sports touch-sensitive buttons of the Incredible and the super-sized form factor of the EVO 4G. This handset is expected to launch in October and will replace the original Desire in HTC’s successful Android handset lineup.

Android Tasker App

sarin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:28:10 +0000

Tasker, an application for Android, performs Tasks based on Contexts like application, time, date, location, event, gesture, in user-defined Profiles, or in clickable or timer home screen widgets. It extends your control of your Android device and it’s capabilities, without the need for ‘root’ or a special home screen.

How can the Tasker app be useful to you in sorting out your tasks?

1. Passcode-lock sensitive applications for child safety

2. Change phone settings by:

application: long screen timeout in a book reader

time: screen brightness lower in the evening
location: ringer volume high at the office, turn off ke yguard at home

3. Text-to-speech; read out loud: incoming SMS/ phone number, WiFi/Bluetooth status, when it’s time for an appointment, when the battery is low etc etc (Android OS 1.6+ only)

4. Launch a music application when your music SD card is inserted, otherwise a file browser

5. Turn the phone upside down to return to the home screen, tilt 90 degrees to the left and back to toggle speakerphone during a call

6. Create a Home widget to:

toggle bluetooth/wifi on/off
launch wireless settings dialog
show a menu of tasks to choose
send an emergency SMS with your GPS location

7. Remap camera etc buttons to other applications, or show a menu of applications and/or actions

8. Decrypt/encrypt and/or zip/unzip application data on the fly when an application is launched/exits

9. Pause music playback while in a particular application, restart on exit

10. Track your phone location via SMS in case of theft

11. Extend the use of the media button on your headset: take a picture from a distance or go to the previous media track with a long press

12. Setup a birthday SMS to be sent months before it happens so you don’t forget

13. Make automatic recordings of what you say during phone calls to SD card

14. During the night, turn on airplane mode to conserve battery/reduce radiation, but turn it off every 15 minutes to check for SMS/voicemail.

15. Setup a vacation SMS message, with different messages for different callers

Should iPhone 4 be Bought?

sarin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:38:13 +0000

The grandeur launch of iPhone 4 has already sent impactful waves across all corners of the globe. The communication masterpiece, iPhone 4 is smartly engineered in sleeker design, loaded with better features and is enabled on new iOS4. Some of the much sought out for features of iPhone 4 include video calling, better mailbox management, dual integrated camera, voice suppressant mic and the ability to make instant HD movies through its custom, iMovie app (iMovie app can be downloaded from the Apple’s app store for $4.99) and more best in class features. One of the smartest features that Apple has introduced in iPhone 4 is its Multitasking capacity.

End users can easily get to toggle between applications, functionalities and interfaces in an endless manner in no time at all. For instance, one can view online videos, browse internet, play music, receive video calls and even get alerts on traffic at the same time without any interruption. This is largely because of the Multitasking features of iOS4. It supports various Multitasking capacities on the go in a seamless manner. One can get higher user experience and enhances feel of the features in a streamlined manner. Apple has researched well on these smarter features and has implemented these in iPhone 4 on the go. One can get to benefit from the robust support from the in-built and proprietary A4 processor. The overall usage levels from toggling between the apps and exploring features does not come down with the smart interface.

While browsing through the rich Multitasking features one can easily find their way out by pressing the Home button on the go. Users can again move to the apps and smarter interfaces from where they left in a seamless manner. As a result, performance is never decreased and the overall time to access or re-access the running apps or features comes down drastically in a smarter manner. iPhone 4 is one of the best in class multitasking smart phone which can provide high class user experience to one and all in just about no time. The Multitasking master piece is an ideal device for those who are hard pressed against the timelines and wish to gain more at the same time. The redefined iPhone 4 will not them down as it can support several Multitasking features at one go. It can process logins while listening to music; search for the locations or direction on GPS and at the same time receive video calls if someone tries to reach them.

In order to benefit from the best in class Multitasking features of iPhone 4 one must realize their sets of apps and features that they use more often. These can be added to favorites for even better usability experience on the go in a seamless manner all the time. iPhone 4 can provide Multitasking magnificence to business professionals, homemakers, chefs, airline staffers and to other individuals who love sporting a complete smart phone. Get going and benefit from the smarter multitasking features of iPhone 4.

Top Features of iPhone 4

sarin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:37:19 +0000

iPhone 4 is all set to change the rules of the game in the telecom market space. The communication masterpiece has been packed with world’s best in class technology and high class redefining resolutions. Apart from some of the most sought for features such as real time video calling and sleeker design, iPhone has the feature to record and edit HD mode videos. This can translate into recording and saving high class true picture videos on one’s iPhone 4 in just about no time at all. A simple tap button can be used to record the HD videos on iPhone 4. And that’s not all! Videos can be edited then and there in no time. In order to finish the videos into a movie, custom music can be dragged and dropped in the video or themes could be added and the movie can be made. To benefit from this smarter feature users are required to download the iMovie app from Apple’s store. Music and themes can also be downloaded from iTunes store or users can simply sync their MAC or transfer it from the Internet. Making a HD movie with iPhone 4 can be a lot fun and ease at the same time. The HD feature is enhanced to manifolds as the integrated camera in iPhone 4 is 5MP and it can reproduce most vivid pictures and capture the minutest of the details in no time at all. The simple tap features can be used to focus on foreground or background on the go.

HD video recording and editing is one the unique highlights of iPhone 4 release. It can redefine the way users have communicated and shared information with each other. Apart from recording, editing and creating HD movies one should realize that Apple has been able to reciprocate high class on-screen resolution. The robust iPhone 4 is powered on iOS4 and the screen is so vivid as it used the LCD’s technology. The real time recording and viewing of HD pictures can bring ultimate joy to one and all. The most thumping natural and adventure videos can now be easily recorded in iPhone 4 in just about no time at all.

The much appreciated aspects about iPhone 4 has been its competitive pricing. The 16GB model would be available in $199 while the 32GB variant can be bought from the Apple store in $299. The longer battery life of iPhone 4 can enable more HD versions to be recorded in a seamless manner. iPhone 4 has the richness of supporting various connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WLAN etc. The HD recorded videos can be instantly shared over YouTube or other popular video networks. One can socialize and gain compliments endlessly with the help of iPhone 4. The fully integrated interface and smarter features have ensured in better usability and features on the go. iPhone 4 is expected to give tough time to the HD cam coder manufacturers apart from the related competitor in phone market space in 2010.

New Aspects in Apple iPhone 4

sarin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:35:08 +0000

The newly launched iPhone 4 is one of the most sought for communication devices. It has been jam packed with rich features and functionalities which could easily be benefitted by one and all in just about no time. The smarter features in iPhone have ensured that best in class digital convergence is achieved in no time. Apart from the overall great features, the communication masterpiece is available in $199 for 16GB variant and in $299 for 32GB variant. In order to understand different aspects which are unique only to iPhone 4 some of the important pointers are as follows:

HD movies can be recorded and edited in no time at all. One can even get to share the HD movies on social networks in a seamless manner. Users can make videos and finish these in a movie through iMovie app on the go in no time. One can add music, themes, songs and other graphics to make it look more presentable.
iPhone 4 has dual integrated cam. The frontal camera can support VGA resolutions while the back cam has rich 5 MP resolutions. It can be used to take videos or pictures of thumping moments.
Apple has introduced Face Time technology in iPhone 4. Through the smarter technology interface one can get to benefit from video calling facility in an endless manner on the go in just about no time. Simple taps can be used to connect to people if they accept the incoming video conferencing invitation. There is no need to install any third party software. The front camera will be used to enable Face Time technology.
iPhone 4 can offer better gaming solutions to the owners in a streamlined manner. 6-axis gyro has been implemented in iPhone 4.
On the price front, iPhone 4 looks pretty attractive too. It is available in 2 variants – the 16GB variant is available in $199 while the 32 GB variant can be bought in $299.
iPhone 4 has Retina Display technology. The screen is made from the LCD technology. The overall resolution base is pretty high too, 960X640.
It is one of the sleekest and lightest smart phone available. It is about 9.7 inch in thickness viz. roughly about 25% thinner than iPhone 3GS.
iPhone 4 has been powered from iOS4 which can offer better Multitasking solutions to one and all in just about no time at all. For instance, one can brose websites listen to music, access maps and get weather updates and more at the same time in an unparalleled manner. This has added newer dimensions to the way people share or communicate and gain from a communication device.

iPhone 4 is another breakthrough communication device which can provide high class solutions to one and all in just about no time at all. The smarter featured embedded in iPhone 4 are most sought out for. It can be availed in competitive price too. Apple iPhone 4 is here to make it big in no time.

Apple iPhone 4 Should Be Your First Choice

sarin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:32:19 +0000

The communication masterpiece, iPhone 4 has been release by Apple on June 7, 2010. It promises to be one of the best and robust iPhone so far. It is 9.7 inch in thickness, making it at least 25% thinner than the previous iPhone 3GS and one of the sleekest smart phone models available. IT is jam packed with best in class resolution, on-screen and high definition dual camera system. With iPhone 4 one can do more in less time and in an effective manner on the go in a seamless manner all the time. The frontal camera is VGA based while the backlit LED display cam is 5MP. Once can get to record and edit HD videos on the best in class communication master piece, iPhone 4. On the price front too, iPhone 4 seems to have made it look decent. It is available in two models – 16GB and 32 GB. The 16 GB model is available for $199 while the 32GB model can be grabbed for in $299. Over all iPhone 4 promises to be one of the best smart phones that people have waited for so long,

The video conferencing and calling facility is perhaps the biggest USP of iPhone 4. With a single tap of a button, users can place call amongst each other. The frontal camera comes to use while the video calls are under way. This can provide best in class opportunity for one and all to communicate with their teams remotely and at the same time share the content in the real time. Apple has referred this feature as Face Time. One can benefit from video calling facility without any download of third party software. It has been anticipated that service providers such as Skype would take a hit from this competitive landscape offered by Apple to its users. It can help connecting the world in a better manner. For instance, a parent who is travelling abroad can get to view the party that is being held in their home for their child’s birthday. Vivid pictures and high quality of video can be shared and viewed by one and all over their best in class iPhone 4 in just about no time. The on screen resolution is 960X640 which is double than that of iPhone 3GS which was at 490X320. iPhone 4 has been packaged with better and longer battery life. As a result video calling and conferencing features can be exploited in a far better manner and for longer durations on the go.

From a customers, point of view they could actually end up saving substantially through video calling, Face Time feature of iPhone 4. The world would converge for those who have the power of iPhone 4 on the go. There are endless exploration possibilities through iPhone 4. One can easily benefit from video calling facility of iPhone 4 in a competitive and yet effective manner. iPhone 4’s video calling facility would be brisk and fast on 3G or 2G network on the go.

Top Reasons For Buying iPhone 4

sarin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:50:34 +0000

The best in class communication device iPhone 4 has already sent strong signals across the globe. The buoyant and robust features along with strong brand backing iPhone 4 becomes a must buy product for one and all. The top reasons for buying an iPhone 4 are as below:

Its ability to make HD movies and share it with friends and family makes it a unique phone till date. One can get to capture finer details in foreground and background with the help of in-built functionalities.
The resolution base of iPhone 4 is double that of iPhone 3GS and it helps in detailing out each pixel in its entirety. As a result the final photos that are clicked with iPhone 4 emerge out to be fantastic.
The video conferencing feature, Face Time truly segregates iPhone 4 with the rest. One can easily place video conference calls without any requirement of specialized softwares. It is all built-inside iPhone 4. The users can simply tap the feature to work and the frontal VGA camera will automatically be switched on.
The dual camera in iPhone 4makes it an ideal device for business professionals and individuals. The rear camera is 5MP while the frontal one is VGA enabled and is primarily meant for video conferencing feature. The smarter features of iPhone 4 can be easily leveraged by one and all as per their needs.
In terms of price affordability, iPhone 4 seems to be attractive too. Apple has rolled it out in two variants – 16GB and 32GB. The 16 GB variant is up and available for $199 while the other one can be grabbed for $299 with 2-year contract. The no-commitment price for the iPhone 4 is $599. Therefore, one can get to exercise endless flexibility with their iPhone 4 in no time at all.
iPhone 4 is comparably lighter than iPhone 3GS and is highly portable when compared to other smart phones. This makes iPhone 4 all the more lucrative and must to buy product amidst similar smart phone options on the go in a streamlined manner.
The communication device can be used for video conferencing, placing calls, accessing smarter apps and more at the same time. The multi-tasking enabled iOS4 ensures to deliver maximum throughput without any lapse of time on the go in a seamless manner at all the times.

iPhone 4 can be easily used to meet the communication needs of one and all. So what are you waiting for? Get going and enjoy endless communication benefits by opting to choose from the stunning iPhone 4 today in a seamless manner. Millions of gadget lovers across the globe have already plugged –n to iPhone 4 for their communication needs. It can truly change the way people have communicated with each other in the past. The revolutionary device can be pepped up with smarter apps in just about no time at all in a seamless manner on the go. Get going and ensure to gain all the time.

Access More On iPhone 4

sarin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:51:44 +0000

iPhone 4 is powered with best in class features and functionalities. One can get to use iPhone 4 up to 14 hours with unparalleled 14 hours support on the go. The better OS support enables the users to access more on their iPhone 4 with less overheads on the go in just about no time at all. One can get to enjoy endless multi tasking options on their iPhone 4 such as GPS, Video Chat and voice operations at the same time. The light weight design and easy to use features makes iPhone 4 a best in class communication device amongst one and all. Business professionals and individuals can get to benefit endlessly from iPhone 4 on the go. They need not bother charging their phone at frequent intervals and get going with the optimum charge on the go. It can be easily plugged-in and charged with AC adapter, PC or MAC on the go in a seamless manner. These solutions can easily provide best in class solutions to one and all in just about no time at all. One should utilize these solutions to the maximum extent possible and ensure to utilize iPhone 4 to their maximum extent as possible.

In order to gain more from iPhone 4 one should ensure to capitalize on the intrinsic benefits of the device. Smarter business apps can be easily downloaded from the Apple’s app store on the go. One can get to improvise on the seamless features of Apple’s iPhone 4 in just about no time at all. The search engines are already flooded with iPhone 4 Jail Break apps and solutions on the go. Business service providers and SME’s can in fact get to benefit in a smarter manner from the solutions provided by iPhone 4 on the go in a streamlined manner. One can get to utilize the multi tasking features to the fullest extent possible. Making calls, listening to custom music and accessing the business apps can provide streamlined solutions to one and all on the go. On the price front iPhone 4 seems to fair well too. In order to make an everlasting impression on the business needs one should utilize iPhone 4 intelligently. The 32 GB version can be ideal for SME’s and larger organizations. They can easily power their executives with the higher end models on the go. Packed with more disk space the executives can take smarter business decisions swiftly without wasting much time on the go.

With the power of iPhone 4, business managers can take smarter business decisions in least possible span of time. The deal closure and maintenance can be much faster with iPhone 4 enabled business decisions. These are in fact smarter base of solutions which can provide instant benefits to one and all in just about no time at all. So what are you waiting for? Get going and ensure to benefit from an iPhone 4 in an endless manner on the go. It can redefine the way the business has been conducted across the globe.

Now Video Conference and Share HD Movies with iPhone 4

sarin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:55:49 +0000

Communicating with each other in real time can be an experience of its own kind with iPhone 4. The highly robust and feature loaded device can be easily used by one and all as per their requirements. Video conferencing is perhaps one of the best selling propositions of iPhone 4. One can get to place video conferencing calls with the help of Face Time feature on the go. Simple taps can enable the owner to place calls and start interacting in the video mode. The frontal VGA camera will auto start as soon as the video conference kicks off on the go. Business professionals and individuals can get to connect with each other in a lot better manner through Face Time feature in a seamless manner. Sharing of information and keeping up pace with the work can be a lot easier with Face Time feature in iPhone 4 in a streamlined manner. Millions of smarter gadget owners have already realized the intrinsic benefits of using iPhone 4 for their business operations. The video conferencing mode has also eliminated the need of using any third party softwares such as Skype. Going forward it will be tough for other competitors to sell their video conferencing services on the go.

Recording HD movie on a phone could have looked liked a distant dream but iPhone 4 ha made it all possible. Users can record HD movies and share it in real time on their iPhone 4. In order to finish the recorded HD clips to movies, the users would be required to download iMovie app from Apple’s app store in $4.99. One of the coolest features of iPhone 4 is its 5 MP camera which can focus on foreground and background equally well. The cutting edge features of iPhone 4 make it a viable product which should be benefitted from in an endless manner.

The lush iPhone 4 is easy to handle and highly portable. The smarter Internet accessibility features such as Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity makes it a complete phone with best in breed internetworking features on the go. Typical iPhone 4 apps are designed around keeping the customers at the epicenter. They can easily maneuver around the possibilities and make the best out of it in just about no time at all in an endless manner on the go. Apple’s team has ensured that the communication masterpiece provides better battery life when used in audio or graphics mode in a seamless manner. Compared to its predecessors it provides 20% more battery power and is 5grams lighter than the iPhone 3GS. One can get to benefit in an endless manner with their iPhone 4 at all times. Business professionals, individuals and housewives can explore the best in breed features of iPhone 4 in just about no time at all. Get going and ensure to make it big with iPhone 4 in just about no time at all and in and endless manner. It is a must but device of the year 2010.

Drive Sales Growth Through iPhone 4

sarin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:43:52 +0000

The communication masterpiece from Apple, iPhone 4 is all set to take the competition by surprise. Its smarter integration with various platforms, best in class features and high class resolution makes it an ideal gadget of the year 2010. More than anyone else, sales managers can drive the sales in their territories with iPhone 4 in an endless manner. Through shorter and crisp mail messages the business sales managers can stay in touch with their executives who are on the verge of cracking a handsome deal for their company. The Face Time feature can let one and all be on the same page through video conferencing on the go in a seamless manner. Sales reviews and reporting can also be attained in a streamlined fashion as the apps to power through these are readily available. One can easily take commanding sales decisions on the growth of sales in a territory or in a specified product. This can enable one and all to stay focused on their pipeline management and track at all times. iPhone 4 is one such gadget which can change the fortunes of an SME if the business parameters are properly understood and followed by the professionals in a seamless manner. Currently iPhone 4 is available in 16GB and 32 GB versions and considering the high profile communication requirements, business managers should avail 32 GB model in order to do more without parking the archived data somewhere else on external hard disks. The conferencing and data management needs of the professionals can be easily managed through iPhone 4 in a seamless manner at all times on the go.

There is no monotonous moment while one has iPhone 4 in their hands. One can get to enjoy thumping music and entertain them while travelling within a territory or internationally. World is a playground with countless opportunities for those who have the power to change the ecosystem principles with an iPhone 4. Sales managers and their teams can easily capture hot leads and devise plans to convert these to opportunities through the sales process in a streamlined manner on the go. There is plethora of apps that an SME can target or have this custom written by the professional iPhone development agencies on the go at all times. Based on their requirements and KPI’s the custom sales monitoring and tracking applications can be set up in just about no time at all. These smarter applications can change the way the business has been done. With technological convergence in almost all spheres of the work environment and industries the core function such as sales cannot be left behind. It is high time for the business promoters and sales mangers to realize the importance of gadget enabled interfaces. Larger organizations and SME’s must initiate smarter change management initiatives in their organisation to bring about the healthy change they have been looking out for to take the competition by utter surprise on the go. Get going and ensure to hit the right sales pitch with iPhone 4.

iPhone 4 – To Revolutionize the Way People Communicate

sarin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:04:08 +0000

The global communication service providers and gadget lovers are glued to the iPhone 4 revolution. The smarter feature such as Face Time which allows users to communicate in video mode without any third party softwares is an instant hit. The VoIP service providers such as Skype are slates to face tough competition from such an enablement. In many ways, iPhone 4 is a complete powerhouse gadget for business professionals who have always wanted to stay connected with work and personal tasks at the same time. It has been turned into a reality by the lush and robust iPhone 4.

The inbuilt functionality enables the users to create HD movies and share it with their friends and colleagues in just about no time at all. The real time integration with web 2.0 makes iPhone 4 the most sought out for smart phone in the global market. On the price front, the piece looks attractive too. One can get to avail iPhone 4 in $199 for 16 GB version and $299 for 32 GB version with 2-yr contract. The no-commitment phone can be availed in $600 from AT&T. Get going and power through your communication needs with iPhone 4.

Should Gadget Lovers Buy iPhone 4?

sarin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:51:42 +0000

The lush and feature rich iPhone 4 has hit the US and Canadian markets with high sales numbers for Apple Corp. However, as a prospective buyer one should also confront the odds or cons of buying an iPhone 4. Already the initial users of the device have been facing reception concerns in their iPhone 4. The Wi-Fi connection on iPhone 4 looks to be weaker too and recently Apple Corp has announced a free protective case for iPhone 4 users because of death grip. iPhone 4 is studded with robust features such as Face Time, 5 MP camera, better battery life and better iOS4 but are these features practical?

International markets such as Asian markets are still to leverage from 2G or 3G networking, leave apart the 4G platform. HD interface is still growing in International markets and people are not keen or either the internetworking infrastructure is not proper to support such high end operations. Therefore, a buyer should ensure that they would be able to leverage most of the features of studded iPhone 4 and then decide to purchase the best in class communication device on the go. If you haven’t used an iPhone before, the touch screen takes some getting used to before you can dial phone numbers with ease.

Kindle Price Cut?

markracz — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:51:18 +0000

As most of you know by now (and some probably pushed the appropriate “buy” button), Amazon cut the price of the Kindle e-reader from 259 to 189 dollars last week. Some say it’s a response to the Barnes&Nobles move, which also dropped the price of the Nook e-reader, from 199 to 139 dollars. And, of course, it all comes down to Apple, as always; the new iPad has a built in e-reader and Apple could easily mesmerize the bulk of the e-reader market by offering this technology alongside all the features the iPad already packs.

So what, you might say, they’re still cashing in huge profits, as the manufacturing process of e-readers is cost effective (that means cheap). Not really. The people over at iSupply, a company that takes gadgets and breaks them into pieces (cool job) to know how much it costs to build them say that Amazon and Barnes&Noble are not making any money of their e-readers because their new trimmed down prices are equal to the production costs- corporations not making a profit, that’s weird. Well, it’s not, because the move aims to sell more e-books and the money supposedly lost by the price cut of the e-reader will be gained by a huge increase of book sales. It’s a move similar to a historical marketing stunt made by King Camp Gillette, who sold razors at a small price, but the razor blades were extremely expensive.

So don’t hope for a price cut also for the e-books. You’ll end up paying more for your e-reading experience overall, even if the actual device is apparently cheaper. And yes, it’s the same model like the one with the cheap console and increasingly expensive console content.

Via : http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/24/kindle-amazon-nook-technology-ereader.html?boxes=techchannellighttop
Also: Kindle @ Amazon.com

Drive, Don’t Tweet!

markracz — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:29:35 +0000

According to a study made by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, adults are as prone to text while driving as teens are. The test was conducted in May and states that 27% of the adult respondents said that they text while they drive, while ONLY 26% of the teens driving a car (that’s a catastrophe in the first place) use to text behind the wheel. “Even those of us who make a conscious choice to put down our cellphones while driving may still be at risk when we are passengers simply sharing the road with other distracted drivers,” Pew Senior Research Specialist Mary Madden said.

We are so caught up in texting while driving that 16% of people (that’s one in six) actually hit something while driving ( a little bit of explanation about the “something” would have been nice though). The results of the Pew study are the opposite of another survey held in February by the Insurance Institutes of Highway Safety. They claim that the highest rate of texting while driving is found in the 18-33 age range and the incidences decline with age.

There are, of course, laws that ban the usage of cell phones while driving, but they have no effect on textaholic drivers, thinks Russ Rader, a spokesperson for the Insurance Institutes of Highway Safety. In the end, it seems that technology will solve this problem too (considering that it caused it in the first place) because it is possible to block the cell phone signal while driving. More, technology will help deal with all forms of distracted driving, as car manufactures are increasingly interested in collision warning systems, solutions that will automatically stop the car if an accident seems imminent and sensors that can determine when the driver falls asleep.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Texting-While-Driving-Everyones-Doing-it-70250.html

Watch Google’s “Froyo” Presentation

J. Matthew Zoss — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:21:54 +0000

If you’re at all interested in mobile phones or Google, you’ve heard about Froyo. That’s the code name for Android 2.2, the latest version of Google’s mobile phone operating system. You’ve probably heard its main selling points as well – a massive speed increase, Flash support, better Gmail and phone-to-laptop “tethering.” But if you’re a big dork about your Android phone (like me), you may want more information about the software update beyond the bullet points. Well, don’t say we never gave you anything, because here’s the complete Froyo presentation from the recent Google I/O conference. It’s a beefy 45 minutes long, but obviously it answers pretty much any question you might have.

Via Android Central

America Loves Android Phones

J. Matthew Zoss — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:18:59 +0000

Okay, so America doesn’t love Android phones more than it loves other phones like the iPhone or Blackberry (although the number of Android users is growing quickly. But America loves Android phone more than any other country. A new survey by advertising server AdMob has found that 75% of Android owners live in the United States. Here’s a bit more from the study:

Some 75 percent of unique Android devices are in North America. Asia has 12 percent of Android devices, followed by Western Europe with 11 percent.
In the United States, the iPhone has about 10.7 million devices, and Android makes up 8.7 million. (If you count the iPod Touch along with the iPhone, Apple’s share jumps to 18.3 million.)
Worldwide, there are about 11.6 million Android devices pinging AdMob’s servers, compared to 27.4 million iPhones and 40.8 million for the iPhone/iPod Touch.
Top Android smartphone in the United States in April was the Motorola Droid, with 16.1 percent of AdMob advertising requests. The HTC Magic (myTouch) followed with 5.3 percent, the HTC Dream (G1) with 5.0 percent, Motorola Cliq at 4.5 percent, HTC Droid Eris and Hero each at 4.3 percent, and Samsung Moment at 3.3 percent.
Android phones showing gains in April were the Magic (0.5 percent), Droid Eris (0.2 percent) and Moment (0.2 percent).

Source: Android Central

Android 2.2 Coming to Droid “Soon”

J. Matthew Zoss — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:22:36 +0000

Anyone with a passing interest in smart phones has heard a lot about Android 2.2 lately (or “Froyo,” as its known). If you’ve got a slightly older Android phone, you may be wondering if the improved version of the operating system is coming your way. The short answer is yes, it is – at least if you have a popular Google phone like the Droid. Here’s the official statement from Motorola:

“We’re excited to see Google’s news of the next version of the Android operating system and look forward to integrating it on our Android-based devices as it’s made available to the open source community.”

While I can’t comment on specifics, we do expect DROID by Motorola users will receive Android 2.2 as a software upgrade in the near future.”

Excellent. Froyo adds several new features to the operating system and reportedly boosts performance speeds by 450%. As a Droid owner, I’ll be upgrading as soon as possible.

Source: Android Central

This is Clearly the Best Phone Charger Ever

J. Matthew Zoss — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:55:42 +0000

I’m really not sure how that headline can be argued. It’s a phone charger and a giant robot model! Actually, for those of you who aren’t genuine nerds, the robot is actually a Gundam – a mechanized character from a long-running Japanese toy line and anime series. Obviously, this phone charger is a Japanese-only type of deal, as it’s for the Softbank network and includes a Gunpla phone. Heard of them? I didn’t think so.

The kit includes a 1:100 scale Gundam model, the phone crandle, decals and a 12.1 OLED phone. Sometimes I wonder why I don’t live in Japan.

Via Gizmodo

Starbucks Offering Coupons Via Foursquare

J. Matthew Zoss — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:42:36 +0000

You probably have one or two reactions when you hear a news story about Foursquare. You might be like “Huh? What are you talking about, you crazy person?” Or you may be like “Yep, I use it. Tell me more, good sir!”

For those of you in the latter camp, you won’t need too much explanation for this story. Starting today, if you become the mayor of a Starbucks location, they’ll give you a $1 off coupon. Not bad, eh? It’s a one time deal and only available until 6/28, but still pretty slick.

Now, if you were part of the former camp, you may need some of that interpreted for you. Foursquare is a mobile app that lets you “check in” at the various places you visit and earn points. The lucky individual with the most points at a certain location is the “mayor,” a title that means nothing other than that person spends too much time at Starbucks.

Via Gizmodo

Google Kills Online Sales of Nexus One

J. Matthew Zoss — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:18:50 +0000

Google all but admitted the failure of the Nexus One phone today with the news that it would no longer sell the phone online. The company hasn’t given up on the Android phone platform, however. Google will continue to use its website to promote the various Android-based phones out there and partner with providers to cell the phones in their stores. But after the slow dissolution of cellular service partners looking to bring the Nexus One to their networks, it looks like Google’s grand experiment of selling a single phone that could follow you from carrier to carrier is dead.

Source: Engadget

Android 2.2 Boosts Speeds by 450 Percent

J. Matthew Zoss — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:10:11 +0000

I recently jumped aboard the Android phone market, so I’m a little obsessed with any new items that possibly affects my shiny new gadget. Fortunately, most of the news concerns upcoming improvements and enhancements. The latest version of the Android operating system is on the way, and according to tests by website Android Police, Android 2.2 boosts the speed of your device by a whopping 450 percent.

With that speed boost, several new features will be added to your phone, although few are confirmed at this point. One upgrade that’s almost certain to be included is Flash 10.1. Smartphone users will recognize Flash support as a weak spot pretty much across the board, but this should take care of that issue. Heck, with a 450 percent speed boost, I can’t imagine what issues Android 2.2 won’t solve.

Source: Android Police via Android Central

Dolphin Browser HD Adds Slick Features to Android Phones

J. Matthew Zoss — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:09:15 +0000

Looking for a great browser for your Android phone? Dolphin Browser HD adds a ton of improvements over the default Android browser, which you can see in the video above. It only works on Android 2.0 or higher, but with Google rolling out software upgrades to many Android-based phones, that shouldn’t be a problem for most users.

Android Phones Outsell iPhone in Q1

J. Matthew Zoss — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:45:12 +0000

The end of Apple’s dominance of the mobile phone market is at hand! Okay, that’s overstating it by a long shot. But the analysts at NPD are reporting today that in Q1 Android-based phones captured 28 percent of the market, while the iPhone claimed 21 percent. Of course, there are several important caveats here. First, both Google’s Android phones and Apple’s iPhone were outsold by Blackberry-based phones, which grabbed 36 percent of the market. Second, there are multiple different Android phones (Droid, Nexus One, MyTouch, etc.) and only one iPhone, meaning that no individual Android phone is presenting a real threat to the iPhone. Third, a strong “Buy One Get One Free promotion” on phones like the Droid definitely helped with sales. So even though I recently joined the Android team, it’ll be a long time before we can declare victory over our rival Apple.

Source: Android Central

HTC Incredible Undergoes Incredible Price Cut

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:00:13 +0000

What’s this? Were you planning on paying $200 + a two year service contract for your HTC Incredible? How dare you, sir, throw away good money like that in the middle of a multi-year recession. It’s a good thing you read Technomaly (and that we read InformationWeek), because you can find the Incredible for $149.99 + a two year service contract on Amazon.com.

For those of you who didn’t read the article we did about the Incredible two days ago (again, how dare you), it’s HTC’s new Droid phone. It’s got an 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash (which means like, two flashes? I don’t understand. I’m so dumb), touchscreen, 8 gigs of onboard memory, microSD expansion slot and Friend Stream, which is one of those little programs that puts your Twitter, Facebook and Flickr together into one easy to ignore mess.

People are calling the Incredible the fastest Droid phone on the market, which I’ll decide for myself once I get my dirty hands on one of these bad boys. But for now, I’m swept up in the new-cell-phone excitement!

Microsoft’s Kin Phones Coming May 13?

J. Matthew Zoss — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:22:21 +0000

Yep, looks that way. This leaked memo shows that Microsoft’s pair of Kin phones are scheduled to hit on May 13, with pre-orders starting on May 6. You may have seen the commercials for the phone running already, as light on details as they are. There are actually two phones on the way, the Kin One and the Kin Two and while the two devices are actually pretty different, they share a lot of the same basic functionality, all built around Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7 platform.

More information on the Kin phones is available at the official site.

Source: Gizmodo

The Incredible Is Here

J. Matthew Zoss — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:25:23 +0000

Even if you’re not a phone freak, expect to hear a lot about the HTC Droid Incredible. The latest Google Android-based phone arrives today, and according to the first reviews, it definitely lives up to its name. CNet rated the phone as excellent, calling it the best Android phone to date and the best phone on the Verizon network.

Some of the features that are garnering the phone attention are its speedy 1 GHz processor, 8 megapixel camera and Sense UI, which allows for such swank features as unified multiple email inboxes and a multiple home page widget.

The Incredible is available for $199 bucks with a two-year Verizon contract.

Nexus One Not Coming to Verizon

J. Matthew Zoss — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:40:23 +0000

While at first it seemed like Google would push its first internal smartphone to every cellular network, there’s confirmation today that the Nexus One won’t be making it’s way to Verizon. Instead, Google is directing Verizon customers to buy the new Android-based Incredible, which hits the market on the 29th:

We won’t be selling a Nexus One with Verizon, and this is a reflection of the amazing innovation happening across the open Android ecosystem. Verizon Wireless customers who want an Android phone with the power of the Nexus One can get the Droid Incredible by HTC.

Thanks a lot, Google. I was this close to buying a droid, and now there’s another phone that’s apparently much, much better. I think I’ll skip the whole smartphone arms race and just stick with my little cheapo phone for now.

Microsoft Kin Unveiled — Looks Sleek, Social

Nick Upton — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:07:07 +0000

Microsoft unveiled the new UI for a pair of new phones, the Kin and Kin Two, and it is designed especially for the social phone user.

All those Facebook and Twitter updates come right into your contact list and directly to the home screen. It’s nothing new, but it is certainly streamlined and very stylish.

I’d like to see how it actually runs, since I’m forever a skeptic about new devices and how they actually run. Everything looks slick now, but after eating through the memory with pictures, apps and texting, I want to see if it really is that quick.

The Kin does have a few really cool features that Microsoft has clearly been working on for a long time.

The Kin Spot looks like a great little perk for getting all your media everywhere you want it with a simple drag and drop motion. It’s like a clipboard for everything and something that should be on every touch device out there, no more awkward copying and pasting via touch screen anymore.

The coolest thing, however, is the Kin Studio, it’s basically a user’s own personal social cloud that holds all their social dealings right on the site. It solves the old problem of trying to remember the where your saw that cool link or crazy picture while sifting through all your social sites, texts and e-mails.

It’s also a spot to manage all that content on a real computer instead of forcing you to tab through all your applications, contacts etc. on your phone.

Check out the Microsoft King video in it’s entirety below — if you’ve got a half hour to kill.

[Via Engadget | Microsoft]

How To Make Calls From Your iPad

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:00:29 +0000

Well, the thing’s not even out for a week and already someone’s turned the thing into a giant iPhone.

If you’d like to make calls from your iPad, check out the Truphone app, which allows iPad users to make calls over VoiP. Calls are free to other Truphone, Skype or Google Talk users, and are $.05/minute over telephone lines (cheaper if you sign up for the monthly plan).

Why would you want to make calls from your iPad? Well, maybe your iPhone died because you tried to do two things at once with it. Maybe you like feeling like a very tiny man. Whatever your reasoning, just the very fact that you can do this is kinda cool.

Here’s video of a man using his iPad as a giant iPhone off TechCrunch:

New Updates Hit Google Maps Mobile

J. Matthew Zoss — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:04:39 +0000

Google is hard at work to make the Android operating system the best it can be, and part of that process is releasing constant updates to existing applications. The new Google Maps 4.1 for Android phones adds a bunch of new features, the best of which is an improved search results page. When searching for a business like the place on the left, you no longer have to zoom and tap to hunt for other results. Now you can just swipe to the side to move on to the next search result.

Along with the changes to searching, the new update adds a Google Latitude widget, which shows you which of your Latitute-using friends are where on the map. Finally, the new version of Maps also allows you to switch between multiple Google accounts if you have them – which is great, because my real identity and my “spy” identity James St. Royce have very different places we need to go!

Image and story source: Google Mobile Blog

Google Car! First Android Equipped Auto Launches in April

Asterios Kokkinos — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:00:42 +0000

Here’s a fun one out of the Beijing Auto Show: a car with Android 2.1 built in.

Chinese luxury carmaker SAIC (which stands for the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) have slated for a late April release the Roewe 350, a brand new luxury car. What makes the Roewe 350 unique is it’s GPS, which runs on the same Android OS that the Droid or Nexus One run on. In addition to being able to get you from place to place or calculate traffic, the Roewe 350 can also browse the web & engage in a little instant messaging (though hopefully, not while you’re driving said car.)

The Roewe 350 will go for between $10,000 to $19,000. No details yet on exactly how it’ll connect to the internet, or if you’ll have access to the app store from the device, but it’s nice to see yet another barrier broken by the fine folks at Google.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

Transfer Cash By Bumping iPhones

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:06:51 +0000

For months we’ve been reading stories of upcoming technology designed to turn your iPhone into a device to collect money – through credit card swipe readers, mostly. Today, PayPal’s jumped in on the action by releasing a new iPhone application that allows the transfer of money from one person to another via the bumping together of iPhones.

The app uses tech from Bump Technologies, which originally developed the software to transfer contact information between phones. It also comes with a feature to split a dinner check, including tax and tip, so everyone can transfer their cash to a single person who’d then pay the entire bill.

According to the New York Times, payments are free between PayPal accounts or banks, and fees vary if a credit card’s used. Given that PayPal’s motto is, “Give us 2% of everything you own,” I can see them making a ton of money off microtransactions here. In fact, mobile transactions with PayPal jumped from 24 million transactions in 2008 to an astounding 140 million transactions in 2009, so there’s definitely a market here.

Get bumpin!

Turn Your iPhone Into A Universal Remote With RedEye Mini

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:00:25 +0000

For the longest time I’ve wanted something like this – meet the RedEye Mini, a micro-sized dongle that plugs into your iPhone or iPod Touch through the headphone jack. It blasts IR signals directly at whatever device you’re looking to run – be it your DVD player or television or what have you – allowing you to control it from your phone, which will help you feel like a big man.

The coolest part? You can design your own button and macro layouts, meaning that instead of going powering on your DVD player and going through a DVD menu you can simply hit one button called “Play DVD.” If you want a button dedicated for “Cartoon Network,” you simply build it. Simple as that!

The RedEye Mini runs for about 50 bucks, and is cool as hell. Go out and buy eight of them, and then give me one, because I’m poor.

Source & Photo Source: Macworld

What The Hell Is “Chomp?”

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:00:50 +0000

Well, Chomp, you got my attention. I just read a headline marked, “Chomp surpasses 300,000 users,” which makes sense as the service is named Chomp, and Chomp is a cool name for something. But what the hell is Chomp?

Well, Chomp is an iPhone app that allows you to review other iPhone apps. Recursiveness aside, there’s a need for this, as the iTunes app store is a confusing, frustrating maze of content and wasted money. You can see what apps your friends recommend, or what the entire Chomp community thinks of an app.

App developers can also add a “Chomp Connect” button to their apps which allows users to chomp the app without even loading the program.

Has anyone reviewed Chomp on Chomp yet? Someone hurry, Chomp may at this point be unChomped!

Source & Photo Source: TechCrunch

Search Android Phones With Gestures

J. Matthew Zoss — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:00:46 +0000

There seems to be an obsession with developing new ways to search for content on your phone. There are search suggestions, voice searches, and now even gesture searches. Thanks to a new app available on the Android Market, all phones running Android 2.0 or higher are now searchable by drawing on the screen. Drawing an “A” will bring up content and contacts that start with that letter, and drawing another letter will further narrow your search. Here’s how it works according to the Google Mobile Blog:

Say you want to call your friend Anne. Just open Gesture Search and draw letter “A”, and Gesture Search returns a list of items that have words starting with “A”. If your handwriting isn’t all that neat, that’s okay. If the “A” you draw looks a bit like an “H”, as seen in the bottom left corner of the screenshot, “H” results will be brought up as well. If needed, you can also erase a query by crossing it horizontally: left to right erases the entire query, and right to left removes the last letter or space in the query. Now you can either scroll down the list to find Anne or write more letters to refine the search.

Sounds like a cool feature to me, although I’m unconvinced that it’s anything more than a neat trick at for the time being. Still, I plan on checking it out as soon as I upgrade to an Android phone. I’m still carrying around one of those early 1990’s car phones that’s attached by a phone cord to a briefcase.

Source: Google Mobile Blog Via Lifehacker

More Microsoft Tablet Photos “Leaked”

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:00:09 +0000

Well, I’m sure these “leaked” photos are coming directly from Microsoft’s marketing department, but still – at this point, I am actually somewhat excited about a mobile product from…Microsoft? That doesn’t sound right. Still, these photos are pretty sweet.

The product’s a “digital journal” dubbed Courier, and we got the info on this via Mashable, which got it via Engadget. Ah, the circle of internet news.

Take a look at these photos! Microsoft? The Zune guys? I can’t believe the guys who made an unattractive brick of an MP3 player are designing this thing – the specs from Mashable are:

Handwriting recognition (take that, iPad)
When folded, it’s slightly larger than a 5×7 print.
Less than an inch thick, slightly heavier than a pound
Runs Windows Mobile 7

The device is to be released “in the second half of 2010.” I have to say, its foldable design makes it a very attractive device – especially as an e-reader, as it’s the first tablet design that I’ve seen that looks like an actual book.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

Nintendo Enters The E-Book Game…Sortof

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:00:02 +0000

Recently, Nintendo announced the launch of a new product, the DSi XL, a Nintendo DS that boasts a screen that’s 93% larger than the previous model. It’ll launch in late March, and with it comes some more fun news: one of the first carts for the new system will be an e-book.

To be fair, it’s 100 e-books crammed together onto one cart called “100 Classic Books,” which will include entries from Shakespeare and Dickens.

Does this mark the entrant of a new competitor to the e-book reading crown? Well, not exactly – Nintendo Marketing VP Cammie Dunaway has announced that the company “has no plans” to compete with the big boys like the Amazon Kindle or the soon to be released iPad. That, and the DSi XL won’t use the same “e-ink” display scheme as a lot of e-book readers, which would mean eyestrain enters into the equation.

Still, it’s pretty cool that Nintendo’s putting out a game that’s actually one hundred books. Now if only any of them were playable…two player WiFi The Tempest, anyone?

Source & Photo Source: Christian Science Monitor

Firefox’s Mobile Browser “Fennec” For Android

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:00:17 +0000

Hey, I’m using Firefox right now. I like Firefox. I think Firefox is pretty great. So it only stands to reason that I’ll also be into “Fennec,” which is Firefox’s mobile version of its veritable, hard charging browser.

Better news? It was recently spotted running on Android, my current favorite mobile operating system. This wasn’t always going to be the case – for a while, it looked like Mozilla wouldn’t put Fennec on Android because Google was going to force the program to run on the Dalvik virtual platform instead of natively on Android, a sentence which is gobbeldygook to me but will likely make sense to you, the reading public. Google relented, allowing Fennec to run natively.

At the time, Mozilla was only working on Fennec for Nokia & Windows Mobile.

Looking forward to Fennec on your iPhone? Well don’t! Mozilla’s not bothering, as they believe it’d be blocked by Apple, who would probably block it faster than a photo of a girl in a bikini. God knows they’re protective and fickle about what can or can’t run on their precious iPhone.

Source & Photo Source: PCWorld

Netflix Streaming Coming to iPhone?

J. Matthew Zoss — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:18 +0000

Tech companies often use online surveys to gauge interest in new features or products, and oftentimes these surveys lead to leaks of the proposed features. The most recent Netflix survey has leaked online, thanks to a very interesting potential feature that was mentioned: a new app that would bring Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” feature to iPhones. That’s a picture of the question at the left, and the full text is below in case you don’t like squinting.

For those of you who can’t be bothered to read multiple paragraphs, it comes down to this: You’d be able to watch movies and shows on your iPhone for no extra cost, provided that you have a Netflix account. However, you would only have access to the feature while connected to a Wi-Fi network, rendering the app pretty useless on a car trip and in many other situations. But even many planes have Wi-Fi now, so if this feature does come to pass I’d expect it to become pretty popular pretty quickly.

“Imagine that Netflix offers its subscribers the ability to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on their iPhone. The selection availability to instantly watch includes some new releases, lots of classics and TV episodes. There are no advertisements or trailers, and movies start in as little as 30 seconds. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause or watch again. The movies & TV episodes you instantly watch are included in your Netflix membership for no additional fee.

Whenever you want to instantly watch content on your iPhone, your iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (such as one you might have at home or at work, or in public places like coffee shops, book stores, hotels, airports, etc.)

If this functionality were available, how likely would you or someone in your household be to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on your iPhone via a Wi-Fi network?”

Image and story source: Hacking Netflix

New App Measures iPhone Radiation

Asterios Kokkinos — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:38 +0000

Israeli startup Tawkon (get it? “talk on?”) has developed an iPhone app that claims to monitor the radiation emitted by your iPhone at any given point in time. The app, which is not a hilarious “joke app” designed to scare you about cancer, was apparently in development for 18 months, uses complex algorithms, and has some very scary graphics that essentially make the iPhone look like a cancer machine.

How exactly does the program claim to measure radiation? I’d explain it here, but it’s pretty complicated – here’s a list of the variables the program uses to judge radiation output:

distance from cellular towers
weather
proximity of the antenna from the body
the way in which you’re holding the iPhone
bluetooth
accelerometer
GPS
terrain
travel speed

I’ve got no idea if this thing works at all – and you may never find out, as the app’s been held up in iTunes App Store approval limbo for weeks. Still, if the program does come out, it’ll be in the $5-$10 dollar range. Additionally, android and blackberry versions are being developed, and the approval process for those stores is much less insane.

Source & Photo Source: TechCrunch

iPhone Books Now Outnumber Games

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:00:48 +0000

Here’s a fun fact for those who think reading is dead – the number of books available for the iPhone/iPod Touch has just exceeded the amount of games on the platform.

According to Mobclix, we’re currently at 26,569 books compared with 25,079 games, which is incredible for a system that displays books in a tiny, hard to read format without any Kindle style e-ink tricks.

Could this be the publishers preparing for an avalanche of iPad sales? Could be, but think about this – it’s much easier to get an existing book converted to digital form than it is to create an entire game from scratch.

10% of the current stock of iPhone/iPod books are 100% free, which is a bit of a surprise – you can download the collected works of Shakespeare, for example, for free. It weighs in at a slim 29 megabytes, and owning it is sure to make you look much smarter than you are.

Source & Photo Source: VentureBeat

Wi-Fi Stumblers Vanish From App Store

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:18:27 +0000

Apple’s really gotta knock this off. Once again, we all wake up to a story of Apple arbitrarily removing apps from their iTunes App Store – some which have been sold for years – for vauge and arbitrary reasons.

Today’s victims? Wi-Fi stumbling programs like WiFiFoFum, WiFi-Where and yFy Network Finder, which are all designed to help you find open wireless networks. You know, the same thing your iPhone does when you ask it to.

The reason? “Using private frameworks to access wireless information.” What? Why not just ban the iPhone from accessing any unprotected network, then? Because that’d have an even better effect on halting access to unprotected wireless networks.

The days of the one-man iPhone app developer are quickly vanishing – if you can’t be sure that your app won’t be removed for no good reason, why even bother spending the hours and hours coding the program in the first place?

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

Confirmed: iPad To Launch April 3rd

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:07:12 +0000

Yesterday, we ran a story reporting on a rumored release date for the iPad. Apple just confirmed that rumor as false – the “magical and revolutionary” iPad is launching on April 3rd.

Well, the Wi-Fi version, anyway. The model that can tap into AT&T’s 3G network arrives in “late April.”

The model will be shipping with 12 apps built in, all designed specifically for the iPad, and obviously the iPad will be able to run any of the 150,000 apps in the iTunes App Store as it is simply a gigantic iPhone.

Here’s a short little bullet of information from Apple HQ:

iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the United States for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. iPad will be sold in the United States through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

Source & Photo Source: NYTimes

Rumor: Playstation Phone Finally On The Way

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:20:27 +0000

Today, the Wall Street Journal reported that “people familiar with the matter” said that we’re going to see a Sony smartphone this year that doubles as a PSP, or PlayStation Portable, later this year.

I know what you’re thinking – didn’t they just launch another PSP? Well, they did, the PSP Go, which was launched not-too-long ago and we all wondered why we needed. Turns out, we didn’t, as if this rumor is true, it’ll be immediately replaced!

The second half of the rumor? The Wall Street Journal follows up by saying they’re going to release a device that “blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable, or PSP.” Sounds to me like Sony’s releasing some kind of tablet that’ll be immediately clobbered by the iPad! Great idea, Sony!

Why do other companies even bother? Remember all those supposed “iPod Killers” that were going to launch? Even when they were better, cheaper devices, people still chose the iPod for the street cred of it all. People are gonna wise up and stop caring about that now? Not likely.

Source: PCWorld

Photo Source: Slashgear

Rumor: iPad Launch Date is March 26th

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:04:19 +0000

iPhone Launch In Paris, 2007

We’ve all heard the rumors of production problems with the iPad, and we know the official release date is said to be sometime “in late March.” Now, the websites Examiner and MacRumors are both reporting that the iPad will launch on March 26th.

If correct, that’d mean Apple’s launching the same week they launched the iPhone way back in 2007. Remember those pre-iPhone days, before all your friends did was play with apps in front of you? Good times. Anyway, the second half of the rumor is that employees would get their hands on the device on March 10 for in-store demos, which would be the same day a massive commercial campaign for the iPad launches.

The thing about rumors is that…well, they’re rumors, and we won’t know if they’re true for a little bit now. Still, I hope they’re right, if only so I can finally play with one of these things and see what all the fuss is about.

Source & Photo Source: Christian Science Monitor

New Dell Tablet Sounds Pretty Cool

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

With all this talk of the iPad, it’s hard to remember that yes, other idiots are also trying to make a device designed only for fun during a massive recession. If I had a bunch of expendable cash, I think I actually might buy this new Dell tablet, the Mini 5. Here’s what it’s packing:

Flash compatibility, unlike the iPad
Make phone calls
Runs on Android, which is always a plus
Front facing webcam, rear facing 5 megapixel camera
16:9 aspect ratio, perfect for HD media
A “competitive” price, which I hope is code for, “Much cheaper than the iPad”

For the record, the iPad’s screen is nearly double the size of the Mini 5, has access to the hundred thousand apps in the iTunes App Store, and is a gigantic iPhone. Gigantic versions of things people already love seems like a winning strategy in the coming tablet-wars.

I once again raise the question: does anyone out there actually need a tablet computer? I suppose the real question, though, is, will anybody want one.

Hulu Coming To iPad

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:00:17 +0000

The good news: Hulu’s coming to the iPad, giving people one more reason to buy one of the damn things. Access to every single episode of Lost on a beautiful screen while waiting at the airport? That’s a good thing.

The bad news: they may charge money for the app, which as we all know, is free over the internet. That’s according to All Things Digital’s Peter Kafka, who says he’s got this news from multiple sources within the organization.

Makes sense to me – Hulu’s not making any money right now; it’s kind of losing its shirt in fact. Those little fifteen second commercials they run between acts of your favorite television shows aren’t making the networks much money at all, so the idea of Hulu charging a premium for iPad access makes sense. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’d be the surest way for the service to make a little cash. If you’ve got the scratch for an iPad, surely you have the $5-$10 for an app that’ll allow you to access all of Babylon 5.

Still, I’m bracing myself for the nerdrage. “Boo! Give us everything we want, right now, for free or we’ll murder you!!”

Source & Photo Source: The Christian Science Monitor

iPad To Be Sold At Best Buy

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:18:19 +0000

Some interesting news out of Apple COO Tim Cook – he recently announced that the iPad will be sold at retail locations, like Best Buy, soon after it launches.

He also revealed that Apple considers itself to be a “mobile device company,” which makes sense as it pulls in most of its revenue from iPhones, iPods and laptops.

Additionally, when asked if the iPad would b e a replacement for netbooks, Cook completely trashed them – much like Jobs does at every opportunity.

Finally, when asked about the apparent failure of the Apple TV, Cook mentioned that the product had seen a 35% year over year growth, and was seen to be a “hobby” device.

The idea of picking up an iPad at retail locations makes a lot of sense – there’s something about a device that seems to exist only for fun that makes it the kind of impulse buy you’d pick up at a Best Buy, or a Target, or some other kind of general shopping store.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

Google Shopper Allows For Mobile Comparison Shopping

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:00:20 +0000

Another useful, mind bending app from Google Labs? Yeah, it’s expected at this point, but still very cool – a few days ago, Google introduced “Google Shopper,” a program that turns your Android handset into a mobile price scanner. You simply point your phone at the box art or barcode of something you’d like to buy, and presto – instant product information and price comparison across other retailers.

In addition to the barcode or box art scanners, you can also do a traditional text search or voice search. I think I’ll stick to the barcode scanner for obvious reasons of coolness and helping me feel as if I’m in the future. The app, which is currently a Google Labs feature, could well soon be bundled with new Android handsets, which would deal a real blow to price gougers everywhere. Knowledge is power!

Here’s Google’s self released video of the app in action.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

The App Store: Now With 100% Less Fun!

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:00:50 +0000

Many of you have likely been hearing about the iPhone App Store’s crackdown on suggestive or titillating apps. The common thread in all the stories has been a deliberate vagueness on Apple’s part – they know if they define the content they don’t want as a list of rules then developers are just going to create content that follows those rules but is still suggestive. By keeping the definition of suggestive as “whatever we say it is,” Apple retains editorial control.

So given that infuriating but suggestive strategy, one wonders why an Apple employee defined the do’s and dont’s of the iPhone App Store for TechCrunch. Regardless of the brightness of the move, here’s the list:

No images of men or women in bikinis or ice skating tights. No word yet as to bikinis over ice skating tights are OK.
No “skin”? Hilariously, the TechCrunch reported then asked the Apple employee if Burqa’s were OK, and the Apple guy got angry.
No suggestive silhouettes. Damn, so much for my new iPhone app, “ShadowBreasts.”
No innuendo…and we all know what that means! I’d censor that app anyday!
Nothing that can be sexually arousing. Sorry Anderson Cooper, you’re outta here!
No apps that in any way imply sexual content, although apparently, the Playboy app is still in the store.

It’s a brave new world for Apple, or 1984, or whatever – pick your crappy literary metaphor that I have a tenuous hold on – this is straight up bad news.

Source: TechCrunch

Vodaphone Introduces Sub-$15 Handset For Developing Nations

Asterios Kokkinos — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:00:15 +0000

Some cool news for developing countries: British mobile carrier Vodaphone has announced super-cheap cell phones aimed at Turkey, India and eight different African nations.

The phones, which cost $15 or $20, support voice calls, SMS text messages and allow users to pay their bills via mobile.

The $20 version features a color screen and an FM radio, which is pretty awesome, as my phone doesn’t even have a damn FM radio on it.

Here’s a video from Vodaphone explaining the phone and it’s purpose:

A $15 dollar handset could change a lot of people’s lives. It seems you can’t turn on NPR anymore without hearing a story of a poor country getting ahold of mobile phones followed by an explosion in social communication for the area – people texting relatives halfway around the world from small huts has long been the anecdote du jour for the liberally minded. Glad Vodaphone’s helping people who never had the opportunity before to stay in touch keep in touch.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

60,000 Android Handsets Shipped Daily

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:00:04 +0000

Android invasion! In an announcement that serves to only further infuriate me, a man who cannot afford an android handset, Google’s just announced that 60,000 android enabled handsets are shipping daily. That’s 21.9 million handsets per year.

The idea of a standardized, universal operating system for phones has long been a dream of the mobile consumer. Google, answering our prayers, has filled in this gap with the introduction of the open source Android operating system. The advantages of a universal open source operating system are obvious: we can all use the same programs, and have those programs talk to each other.

For example, if this guy on a Nokia and this guy on an LG are both running Android, then they can both use gChat to talk to one another, or play the same games head to head, or transfer files between them without confusing operating system garbage.

As a point of reference, the iPhone moved 8.7 iPhones last quarter, so the yearly figure well dwarfs the android figure. Still, it’s pretty impressive for a system that’s only a little over two years old.

Source: MobileCrunch

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Wired Magazine: Now On The iPad

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:37 +0000

Wired Magazine’s new iPad application is essentially an issue of Wired you can read on your iPad. Which is pretty much all I need to hear to get excited. Although saying that Wired’s on the iPad now is the exact same thing as saying, “Wired Magazine just got much more expensive and harder to read! Also, unlike now, when you drop it you break it entirely!”

Below is some sweet, sweet video of the iPad/Wired combo platter in action.

While the iPad at this point refuses to promote Flash, it’s more than happy to promote the fact that the magazine runs on Adobe AIR. Interesting double standard, Apple.

Mashable had some nice observations that I completely missed, namely: the fact that the magazine can be turned 360, hand gesture navigation, dual axis navigation (which I do not understand), and Twitter/Facebook integration. I must admit, the idea of highlighting and tweeting text directly from an issue of a magazine out to your friends is pretty damn cool.

I’m still skeptical as to whether or not we even need an iPad, but hey, let’s hope we keep getting impressed by these apps.

Droid Updating to Android 2.1 This Week

J. Matthew Zoss — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:00:06 +0000

If you bought a Motorola Droid only to get bummed out by the additional features of the Google Nexus One, we’ve got some good news for you. Droid is updating to the Android 2.1 software sometime this week. Droid users will probably receive the updated software in waves, but it will be worth the wait. The biggest addition is obviously multi-touch browsing, but other new perks include the Nexus One’s news and weather widgets. Also included is the Google Goggles visual search tool, which sounds like a fun toy that’s pretty much useless in reality.

So congrats, Droid users. Your phone is about to get cooler. My phone, on the other hand, still has a spiral cord and this big circle dial thingy in the middle.

Source: Engadget

Nexus One Moves “Only” 80,000 Units

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:00:21 +0000

The same Flurry mobile analytics team who estimated that the Nexus One sold 20,000 units in its first week has come back with first month numbers – 80,000 units sold.

At first glance, these numbers aren’t great. The iPhone sold around 600,000 units in their first month, and the Droid recently moved about 525,000. But this is a false comparison – both the iPhone and the Droid plastered the entire country in billboards, commercials and those Steve Jobs black-turtleneck/blue jeans presentations that reporters find irresistible.

Compare this to the Nexus One, which had no marketing blitz, and is being sold directly to consumers through the Google website. Those are two things smartphone buyers have no experience with, so it’s no surprise the handsets aren’t flying off the shelves.

And sure, there’s been a rash of news stories about poor Nexus One customer service, or no AT&T 3G coverage, but you need to factor that against Google’s sterling reputation. We’re all on Gmail, a lot of us use Google Maps, and we do all our Googling with…Google.

My guess is that once people start to buy these phones and show them off to all their friends, more people will want them. It’ll be a slow burn, but it’s always a good idea to bet on Team Google.

Source: Mashable

Photo Source: ShowBizGalore

Wolfram Alpha Updates Their $50 iPhone App

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:00:11 +0000

For those who don’t remember, Wolfram Alpha is a website that answers user questions by directly computing the answer, instead of crawling the web for the answer like a traditional search engine. They sell an iPhone app of their website that sells for…get this…FIFTY DOLLARS.

Going to the Wolfram Alpha website? Free. Visiting the Wolfram Alpha website on my iPhone? Free. Downloading an app that replicates the website experience? FIFTY DOLLARS.

Well, to help users get more bang for their buck (or FIFTY BUCKS), Wolfram Alpha has released a new set of keyboards for their app that are actually quite cool. Alpha now comes with a “math” keyboard, a “symbol” keyboard, and a “Greek keyboard, all designed for nerds to enter their nerd math quieres in a more nerdly way.

Still, FIFTY DOLLARS? How about I give you geeks wedgies until you give it to me for free? Oh who am I kidding, these guys could probably use their fancy computer to calculate my weak spot with amazing accuracy.

My weak spot? Cake.

Source & Photo Source: TechCrunch

Apple Bans The Word “Android” From The App Store

Asterios Kokkinos — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:55 +0000

“Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?” could soon read, “Do ********s Dream Of Electric Sheep?”

At least in the App store. Last week new regulations came down the pipe from Apple banning the word “Android” from being mentioned in any app descriptions. The culprit that caused the ban was Tim Novikov, whose “Flash of Genius” SAT prep flashcard app mentioned its status as a “finalist in Google’s Android Developer’s [sic] Challenge.”

First off, you probably shouldn’t be using the word “developer’s” in that context if you’re creating SAT prep materials. But besides that, it seems like a fairly innocuous mention of a competitor.

“Competitor? SMASH THEM!” responded Steve Jobs. Actually, here’s the official statement:

“Providing future platform compatibility plans or other general platform references are not relevant in the context of the iPhone App Store.”

Other words banned from the app store? “Boobs” and “Booty.” The word “Android” sure is joining some illustrious company.

Source: Appscout

Guy To Create iPhone App Live, Over One Week

Asterios Kokkinos — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:06 +0000

Starting Sunday, February 7th, iPhone app developer Sahil Lavingia will be creating an iPhone app live at www.oneweekapp.com. Lavingia, creator of the iPhone app’s Twizzle and Color Stream, says he’ll be posting “timelapses, screenshots, and other notes” in order to allow you to watch the work of an iPhone app, from scratch, happen.

What will the app be? We don’t know yet! Will he be able to accomplish his task? We don’t know that either! I do know this – I’d like it to be a game where iPhones punch Nexus One’s in the face for control of the galaxy.

That or some kind of really, really good calculator. Anyway, we at Technomaly will be following the progress of this guy’s app, and will alert you if it’s not incredibly boring.

Source: MacWorld

Astronauts Twitter From Space, It’s Still Boring

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:00:24 +0000

@astro_mike: tell the astronauts planet earth says hi!

The space shuttle Endeavour takes off today, carrying with it a crew that will deliver and install the Tranquility node to the International Space Station. Also going with them are their Twitter accounts – Astronaut Mike Massimino (@astro_mike) will be accepting tweets down at mission control at the Kennedy Space Station and beaming them up to astronauts, who’ll respond to questions about the mission.

While that may not technically be tweeting from space, don’t worry – last month, astronaut T.J. Creamer – a.k.a. @astro_TJ – sent tweets to followers directly from the internet connection at the International Space Station. On January 22nd at 3:38 PM EST, the first space tweet was sent out. The message?

“We r now LIVE tweeting from the International Space Station—the 1st live tweet from Space!”

See? I told you astro-twitter would be as boring as regular twitter. Why not just tweet what you had for lunch today while you’re at it, guys? It’s as simple as writing “@earth: ate even more food from tubes!”

Finally: Skype Over iPhone 3G Clears Hurdles

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:00:09 +0000

Your dream of being able to call China over Skype using your iPhone just got a little closer to reality, with Skype’s announcement that a version of iPhone Skype that works over 3g will be coming “real soon now.” Here’s the leader of the Skype for iPhone team talking up the new development:

How soon “real soon now” is I’m not sure, but I am excited by the news. Apple’s blocked the ability to make VOIP calls from a 3G handset for a while now, with the not-so-secret intention of shielding AT&T from customers who’d try and drop their minute plan entirely, relying only on Skype for their incoming and outgoing calls. A small compromise was reached in that the current version of Skype for iPhone can call out over WiFi, but that means without a hotspot, you’d be beholden to AT&T’s outrageous rates.

With this new announcement – which Skype assures us will contain “CD quality sound” – iPhone users have a new reason to rejoice.

Source: Mashable

The Motorola “Devour”: Great Function, Crappy Name

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Motorola & Verizon are releasing a brand new Android phone, which is always welcome news. It’s got a snazzy new Android-variant built in called “Motoblur,” which includes a “happenings” widget that’ll immediately alert you to new messages/updates on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace (for the eight people still using MySpace). It shoves these updates, as well as your texts and emails, into a “universal inbox,” which is a great time saving concept.

It also comes with a preinstalled 8GB MicroSD card, preloaded apps for Gmail, Google Talk, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Maps and a GPS locator built in so you can find your lost phone (or wipe it remotely).

Sounds like a great phone, right? Yeah, except it’s called the “Devour.” What, was the Motorola “Consume” already taken? Will the next model be the Motorola “Stuff Your Face?” C’mon, Motorola, get your head in the game! What paranoid about her weight 13 year old girl’s gonna wanna walk around with a phone called the “Devour?” I’ll tell you which one – an unpopular one.

Get it together, Motorola!

Source & Photo Source: Gearlog

The App Store Is Coming! The App Store Is Coming!

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:14 +0000

Google’s App Store is right around the corner – hooray for the 12 people out there who own a Nexus One!

Actually, this is great news for anyone running Android – soon, you’ll be able to download crappy application after crappy application just like your iPhone’d counterparts.

According to the Wall Street Journal, many of the applications planned will be third party add-ons to Google’s existing suite – programs like Gchat, Gmail, Google Maps may soon get programs enhancing their security, filling in gaps in their word processing or allowing for better porting of information.

As someone who’se already in love with the Gsuite (I’ve been using Gmail since college), this is pretty cool news. Hopefully Google won’t be as iron fisted about what they allow or disallow as Apple, who, according to NPR, rejected an application for including the word “fuck.”

Rumor has it that Google will drop it’s announcement in March – when we get more information, we’ll let you know.

Source: Mashable

Image Source: HTCpedia

Multitouch Comes To Nexus One!

Nick Upton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:02:31 +0000

A small section of a Google announcement carried a lot of weight today.

Pinch-to-zoom functionality: devices will now include a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone’s Browser, Gallery and Maps applications

That little, innocuous and unpunctuated comment is HUGE! Until now, only the iPhone has had native multitouch — and it took a lot of hassle, hacking and unlocking to get it on other phones.

The Nexus One was already at the top of my gadget wish list, and now it’s taken over part of my number two gadget.

Watch the video to see the multitouch in action.
Also included in the update was native Google Goggles AR application and synchronization with online Google maps via the Maps application — making it easy to search online and mobile history on board.

[Via Google]

Apple Exec Promises AT&T Network Upgrade

Nex — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:09:25 +0000

Everyone loves the iPhone, right? It’s the hottest gadget since Eli Whitney started cleaning cotton fibers, but there is one glaring problem with the lil’ status symbol: It’s exclusively tied to AT&T’s cellular network, and AT&T’s cellular network is exclusively tied to dropping calls and spotty service.

Good news for all those iPhone owners trapped in a two-year contract however, as the wireless carrier has approached Apple with a plan to improve its network in direct response to complaints from iPhone owners — assuming you believe Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook. “We have personally reviewed these plans, and we have very high confidence that they will make significant progress toward fixing them,” said Cook during a conference call Monday.

The interesting bit here is that AT&T has refused to comment on Cook’s claims. That could just be an attempt at playing coy, or — and the conspiracy theorist part of me is really pulling for this option — perhaps the entire promise is a ploy by Cook to force AT&T into upgrading their network. It would look terrible for the carrier to renege on promises made, even on their behalf, but this saves Apple the trouble of threatening to move their iPhone to a competing network.

And yes, I imagine Cook tenting his fingers and laughing diabolically throughout the conference.

Source: BusinessWeek

Photo Source: Apple

Rumor: An iPhone For All Carriers?

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:00:02 +0000

On January 27th, Apple’s next gigantic, media-friendly launch event occurs, and the rumor mill is cranking into high gear. Mashable reports that Bloomberg reports on a rumor from Tim Horan, an Oppenheimer & Co Telecommunications Analyst.

The rumor? AT&T’s exclusivity agreement with Apple expires mid-2010, and T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and Clearwire will all get iPhone access quickly thereafter. Bloomberg goes onto say that T-Mobile will get it first, which wouldn’t be a surprise – the way they’re snapping up smartphones from Google, it’ll be about time they get their iPhone.

Fun fact: the iPhone is sold by four different carriers in the UK, so the model for this kind of multi-carrier battleground already exists. Here’s my hope -the iPhone’s new universality will lead to price wars unlike the world has ever seen, and the iPhone will come free with a two year agreement that’s actually fair to the consumer. Is that possible at all? Stay tuned – on the 27th, we’ll know a lot more.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

iTunes Update Rumored To Include Cloud MP3 Storage

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:07:42 +0000

PC Mag is reporting that TechCrunch is reporting that the founder of MP3.com says that a soon to be released iTunes revision features cloud storage of MP3s. And now, we at Technomaly are reporting on PC Mag’s TechCrunch MP3.com scoop! This is how the internet works, folks – one big game of telephone, and at the end of that telephone is the movie Snakes On A Plane.

According to MP3.com’s Michael Robertson, Apple’s purchase of LaLa.com (a music service that stores your purchases in the cloud) means an iTunes integration – the ability to hear your entire iTunes library from any web browser in the world.

Too good to be true? We’ll find out soon enough – Apple’s rounding out January with a launch event, but this idea makes a lot of sense. How great would it be to watch your iTunes television library streamed through the web? Or listen to a podcast on your home computer from your work computer sans iTunes? File this one under “we’ll see,” and then put that file in a bigger file marked, “I sure as hell hope so.”

Source: PC Mag

BarMax: The $1000 Dollar iPhone App

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:00:21 +0000

$1000 dollars for an iPhone app? It’s not what you think – the program’s called BarMax, and helps you prepare for the bar exam. It’s based on software that costs $3000 to $4000, is a gigabyte in size and comes with hundreds of hours of prerecorded lectures.

Not bad! But with success comes imitation – here are a few more $1000 iPhone apps launching this month:

*I’m An Idiot! – the iPhone app that tells you if you are or are not an idiot. The answer is always yes.

*I Have $1000 Dollars - this iPhone app connects with nearby iPhones to inform them that yes, at one point you did have $1000 dollars.

*My Priorities Are Wrong - an iPhone app that acts as an additional scheduler, only every appointment of every day tells you to find a therapist.

Texting While Driving: The Most Melodramatic PSA Ever?

Geoffrey Golden — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:17:36 +0000

This bloody, gruesome PSA about texting while driving is as ridiculously violent as a Tarantino film. In the video, a young girl is chatting with her friends and text messaging on her phone, instead of watching the road. What results is :20 seconds of gory, slow motion car crashes, followed by 3:30 minutes of hysterical crying and a little girl asking why her parents aren’t waking up.

I understand that the filmmakers were striving for “realism,” but too much melodrama makes the video feel like an awkward exaggeration. I think you’ve got to decide between the teenager constantly crying, the newly orphaned little girl and the lifeless baby. Put in all three, and you might as well add a school bus crashing into a zoo, killing all the children and several sneezing panda cubs.

Chinese Monitor Text Messages, Quickly Become Bored

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:00:24 +0000

Chinese state-run media reported on Tuesday that the government will be scanning text messages for “illegal or unhealthy content.” They say it’s part of their wider pornography crackdown, but we all know what they’re really after. They want to know if Jenny Ryerson was lying to them about “being busy” tuesday night.

That slut! According to these text messages the Chinese government surreptitiously read, she went to the movies with Josh Anderson! Oh man, the Chinese government is gonna be heartbroken.

I hope the Chinese government doesn’t do something crazy like show up with a boombox in the rain outside of Jenny’s house, playing Peter Gabriel songs.

Poor, poor Chinese government. Oh, also they’ll be looking for dissident activities. But I’m guessing that comes second to winning Jenny Ryerson back!

Source: NY Times

McDonald’s Introduces Wi-Fi, Fat People Rejoice

Asterios Kokkinos — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:00:28 +0000

Last week, McDonald’s introduced free wi-fi in 11,500 of its 14,000 US stores. It had previously cost $3.00 for 2 hours, but AT&T’s changed all that – you can now check your gmail while you drink your McFlurry while you get fatter. Much, much fatter.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go shove 20 mcnuggets in my mouth as fast as is humanly possible.

Source & Photo Source: Mashable

Google Android’s Super Sucky Tech Support

Geoffrey Golden — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:29:14 +0000

Google Android is the most buzzed about tech today, but not all the buzz is good. Reports say that customer service for the smart phone is abysmal. Slow response to consumer problems may be because the search engine giant doesn’t have adequate tech support in-house for dealing with hardware issues. Until this point, Google was never in the hardware business.

Google insists that the complaints about their service are coming from only a small number of customers. Still, reports of consumers having to email their technical support questions to Google, and getting a response 2 days later, does not speak well of Google’s support strategy. Hopefully, T-Mobile can pick up the slack while Google gets its groove back.

[Image via]

BBC Reporter Breaks The Unbreakable Phone

Nex — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:09:27 +0000

It can survive a 10-story drop. It can be submerged in water for up to half an hour. It can even be used to drive nails into walls.

Yet there was one force that the cellular phone designers at Sonim didn’t count on when they unveiled their “unbreakable” phone at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas: The power of a tiny Anglican tech reporter.

BBC journalist Dan Simmons spoke to Sonim CEO Bob Plaschke who was so confident about his product’s durability that he promised to give a free handset to anyone who could actually manage to break anything. Fate, seemingly taking Plaschke’s words as a direct challenge to her rule of all known reality, giggled maniacally, then clapped aloud as Simmons smashed the phone to pieces on the side of a glass fish tank no more than 40 seconds later.

Plaschke attempts to maintain his cool, but it’s obvious that he’d rather crawl into a hole and die. Today Schadenfreude tastes like broken plastic.

Speedy Motorola Backflip Wins Honors At 2010 CES

Nick Upton — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:06:21 +0000

The Motorola Backflip was named the top upcoming cell phone at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and I can see why, it was incredibly fast.

The modified Android system was set up for social media especially and got tweets, Facebook updates and the like to the screen nearly instantly.

Launching with Android 1.5, the Backflip will be upgradable to Android 2.1. It will also feature a 5 megapixel camera, 3.1 inch HVGA — which was very responsive — and a 528 MHz Qualcomm processor. The phone also comes with Motoblur functionality; which backs up all the contact information including social media data and pictures.

CNET said that the Backflip had one especially novel feature:

Another unique feature of the Backflip is the trackpad, which Moto calls Backtrack, located on the back of the display (when the phone is open). It works just like a traditional trackpad, allowing you to navigate through menus, flip through photos, scroll through the home screen panes, and more.

AT&T Finally Sucking Up To Google, Supports Android

Asterios Kokkinos — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:54:00 +0000

I’ve had AT&T forever, and their refusal to incorporate support for Google products has been infuriating. Their phone’s email client has support for Juno but not Gmail. Juno! You remember Juno – the thing that Hotmail replaced? You remember Hotmail – the thing that Gmail replaced? AT&T’s supported both, but no Gmail!

So finally, AT&T’s releasing 5 Android phones. Why? Because as soon as their iPhone exclusivity ends, they’re going to lose every customer they have. Why? Because AT&T is insanely expensive and has no coverage. It costs $1,200+ a year to have an iPhone. That’s several student loan payments.

I’m on AT&T, and I get 450 minutes a month + unlimited internet/text. This costs $80. My friend has the same exact plan on Verizon for $40. Additionally, AT&T’s consistently poor coverage in the middle of the country has been the fodder of many-a-blogger. I live in Los Angeles and can’t get a signal at my house!

So AT&T’s finally getting some Google phones, as if that’ll keep us around. They’d better lower their prices while they’re at it – they’re costing me so much money, it’s almost worth breaking my contract at this point.

Source: PC World

Photo Source: Google

iPhone Drone Attacks At CES (Run For Your Lives)

Nick Upton — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:28:42 +0000

This is by far the coolest thing I’ve seen at the Consumer Electronics Show so far. The iPhone drone is just so, so awesome.

The possibilities of this thing are nearly endless. Citizen journalists could use this as a front line video capture device, sending video stories high directly to the internet. Firefighters and rescuers could use it to peek in windows and in unstable rubble to look for victims or survivors.

And of course you can use it to spy on your neighbors, scare the dog and generally goof around.

Reps I talked to said the price point would likely be around $249. It’s still a toy, surely, and I’d like to see how it handles in a little wind, but what a great gadget. I’ve seen larger industry versions for photographers, but the price reaches toward $5,000 and up.

Reps said there is no plan for an Android app, but they didn’t rule it out.

Google Launches “Near Me Now” Button, Delights Millions

Asterios Kokkinos — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:45:52 +0000

Google’s mobile suite has been nothing short of fantastic. Mobile Gmail is simple and powerful, and Mobile Google Reader keeps you in touch with your RSS feeds on the road. Now, Google raises the stakes with “Near Me Now,” which replaces the need for an separate GPS app to tell you what’s near you with the click of a link.

It just launched today for iPhone and Android models. What makes this particularly exciting is that it’ll tap into Google’s pre-existing review database – everything on Google Local has the ability to be reviewed & rated (much like Yelp), and “Near Me Now” will pull up those reviews when it tells you what’s around you.

I can’t wait to see what this feature looks like on the Nexus One. It’ll probably straight-up teleport you to your next location or something.

Source & Photo Source: FastCompany.

Skimble: The iPhone App That Tracks How Fat You Are

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:19:47 +0000

Skimble is a workout website that tracks your fitness progress with scheduling tools, workout regimens and handy exercise suggestions. It’s pretty cool, but it just got cooler – they launched an iPhone app a few days ago, which is reviewed in depth at TechCrunch.

The app uses the iPhone’s GPS to track your workout, which is pretty brilliant – no more lying to yourself about how many miles you ran. It can also manually track up to 15 different exercises (such as hiking, running, skiing, biking and weightlifting) and upload that information directly to your Skimble profile.

Pretty cool. But can it track how many donuts I’m about to eat? I sure hope not

Source: TechCrunch

Photo Source: Skimble

Augmented Reality Ads A Necessary Evil?

Nick Upton — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:03:53 +0000

With all talk about how cool Google Goggles is and the Layar Reality Browser and the slew of smaller social players it’s no surprise that advertisers are getting into the space.

The old adage — find your users where they live — is heard loud and clear as services like Brightkite implement ads via augmented reality browsers. But how these ads will continue to be implemented will be interesting or incredibly annoying to see.

If done correctly, users will be able to find incredibly targeted, useful ads, coupons and special offers while they are already out and about with shopping or eating on the brain. But if done wrong, these ads could become nothing more than an annoying popup over the augmented reality.

These ads could be a quick way to turn people off to a particular browser, especially when it blurs the line between a social fun time and an advertising space. Tech-savvy users could run as soon as they start thinking about how these reality browsers are taking their information and spitting ads back at them.

Hopefully advertisers will tread lightly.

Google’s Nexus One: It’s Here! And I Want It!

Nick Upton — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:15:57 +0000

It’s been hard to jump on the hype train for the Nexus One, but I held my itchy blogger finger and waited. But now it’s here!

Google’s first act of a big year was to unveil the Nexus One at a press event.

It looks like the Nexus One is at the top of the cell phone pile with a lot of impressive specs, but how do the official specs compare alongside the iPhone or the Droid?

Firstly, it has a sick processor, the Nexus One clocks into the cell phone fray with a Qualcomm QSD 8250 1 GHz. You’d have to put the Droid (550 MHz) and the iPhone 3GS (833 MHz underclocked to 600 MHz) to beat that — and I doubt that would work.

HD video at 720×480 is the second thing that sets the Google Phone apart, encoded as H.263 at 20 fps it rivals most current, quality point-and-shoot cameras and dominates the cell phone market. It’s a good step toward better video sharing across the industry. I have a dream of America’s Funniest Home Videos in full HD glory.

The megapixels on the phone are on par with the competition at 5 megapixels — compared to the iPhone with 3 and the Droid at 5. It’s good, but well behind dedi dedicated camera-focused phones like the Samsung Memoir or the Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot (with 8 megapixels).

The camera does have an LED flash, which is a sticking part of some other Android devices such as the MyTouch.

Connectivity is key to the Nexus One, It’s got plenty of wi-fi capabilities (b/g/n) and download speeds up to 7.2Mbp so you can go right to Google, Gmail and the rest of the internet.

The AMOLED screen is nice and big at 3.7 inches with a resolution of 800×480 it trumps the iPhone’s screen at 3.5 inches at 320×480 and the same size as the Droid’s screen at 3.7 inches at 854×480. The iPhone’s standard multi-touch functionality isn’t there, but some people have gotten similar capabilities on other Android devices. Android 3 is also due out this year, and rumor has it that multi-touch will be included.

The Nexus One also has a large capacity for memory with a 32Gb expandable slot — on par with the iPhone 3GS and the Droid’s 32Gb. Filling that 32Gb with music and movies is perfect pairing with the wonderful, great, should-be-necessary-in-all-phones 3.5mm headphone jack.

And finally, it looks great and if the other HTC trackball phones are any indication, it’s incredibly intuitive and the Android system is quick and easy to use — but there is still a lack of sleek apps. Hopefully the popularity boost will bring more developers from the iPhone market.

Via Google/Phone.