• 02Sep

    ARTICLE: In a direct slap to Google, Apple approves Vonage iPhone app

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    Every so often, a news story comes across my desk that causes me to scratch my head with confusion - this would be one of those stories.  Though Google can't seem to get a foot in the door over at Apple headquarters, Vonage today announced the upcoming release of their application for the iPhone.  As soon as it leaves beta mode, it'll be released full-force into the App Store.

    It'll be interesting to see what the application actually does - considering that Google Voice was rejected for replacing "iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail," I'm not exactly sure how it would function, given the same set of rules.  Perhaps it will be like Skype and work over Wi-Fi only?  More importantly, with the approval of this app, is it going to revitalize the Google Voice - Apple debate?

    Needless to say, if I was an executive at Google, I would be pretty ticked off.

    Source: MobileCrunch


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  • 02Sep

    ARTICLE: Nokia Mural coming to AT&T September 6th

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    Mentioned briefly in my Weekly News In Review segment (now Tidbit Tuesday) back in May as it passed through the FCC's proverbial hand, the Nokia Mural 6750 has been formally announced by the company.  Featuring external "cover colors" that light up in your choice of red, blue, green, orange, purple, and pink when you receive an important notification, the Mural sports a silver RAZR-esque body with a 2.2-inch QVGA screen, S40 operating system, a 2-megapixel camera, external music buttons, and HSDPA connectivity.  

    The Nokia Mural 6750 will be available online and at AT&T retail locations on September 6th for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. 

    Source: Nokia


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  • 02Sep

    ARTICLE: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 announced

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    After what seemed like eternity for Windows Mobile/Sony Ericsson fans, the company has officially (finally) confirmed the XPERIA X2.  Shipping with a 3.5-inch WVGA OLED display, Windows Mobile 6.5, 512MB RAM, A-GPS, an 8.1-megapixel camera with auto focus and 16x digital zoom, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an accelerometer, the device is definitely something to be excited about.  Launching in select markets in Q4, pricing is unknown at this time.

    As if the actual device announcement wasn't enough, Sony Ericsson went on to announce the launch of the Panel SDK for the XPERIA X2, so developers can create content for SE's global market.  According to the release, the Panel SDK includes a "Panelizer" which transforms Flash, Java, and Windows Mobile applications into panels for the XPERIA X2/Windows Mobile 6.5 platform.

    The full press release is below.  Who's excited?

    Sony Ericsson puts developers at the centre of user experience with XPERIA™ X2
    New streamlined development tool maximises revenue opportunities and allows developers to create the first Windows Mobile® 6.5 applications for the XPERIA™ X2

    Lund, Sweden September 2, 2009 Sony Ericsson launches the Panel SDK in a drive to encourage developers to create content for the XPERIA™ X2. The eye-catching interface includes a new range of interactive Panels on the home screen offering business, fun and communication features. By providing unparalleled real estate and marketing visibility, the Panel interface makes the developer central to the user experience.

    The Panel SDK includes a Panelizer which turns existing Flash, Java and Windows Mobile® applications into Panels for the XPERIA™ X2 , and a native software development kit which allows developers to be the first to create panels for the Windows Mobile® 6.5 platform.

    Using the Panelizer, developers are able to maximise the investments they have already made creating compelling applications. In just a couple of clicks and with no separate tool purchase, the Panelizer gives developers a low-cost way to turn their content into the unique Sony Ericsson Panel experience. Panels are then just one touch away from the consumer's home screen, allowing developers to truly shape the user's mobile entertainment experience.

    Besides supporting Panels and native applications, the XPERIA™ X2 is also equipped with a Java Runtime that makes Java/Capuchin applications run as well integrated as native applications.

    Applications accepted as panels will be made available on Sony Ericsson's market place, PlayNow™ arena, giving developers access to an even wider range of consumers using other Sony Ericsson handsets.  Developers from around the world also benefit from the 70% net revenue share offered by PlayNow™ arena, which is available in 18 countries.

    "Putting developers' applications directly in front of consumers is a crucial focus for us," says Christopher David, Head of Developer and Partner Engagement at Sony Ericsson. "We created the Panel SDK to streamline the development process, minimising the time it takes to get applications directly to the consumer and providing developers with additional revenue opportunities."

    How it works

    Developers can submit their applications by following these simple steps:

    • Go to Sony Ericsson's Developer World website http://developer.sonyericsson.com
    • Download the Panel SDK and follow the short Panel SDK tutorial
    • Go to http://submit.sonyericsson.com and upload  ‘Panelized' applicationsWithin 30 days the submission approval process will be complete. Successful applications are automatically available for wider usage on PlayNow™ arena.

    - ENDS

    Sony Ericsson is a top, global industry player with sales of around 97 million phones in 2008.  Diversity is one of the core strengths of the company, with operations in over 80 countries including manufacturing in China and R&D sites in China, Europe, India, Japan and North America.  Sony Ericsson was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London.

    (Image courtesy of Engadget Mobile)




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  • 02Sep

    ARTICLE: Top 5: Aaron’s Fave Five on Verizon - September 2, 2009

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    Motivated by the creative comments from our last "Top Five" segment, the idea of creating a new top five list seemed quite appealing (okay, Noah's top five lists were a deciding factor too - always good to have friendly competition, right?).  But why stop at a top five phone list?  Instead, why not make it carrier based? Wireless devices can differ dramatically from carrier to carrier, so, realizing the importance of this; I decided to follow suit, and do a list for each company.

    In this industry, new devices seem to launch every other day, so keep the date of this article in mind when you're reading this around, say, Christmas. I'm sure the list will look outdated by then.

    More Top 5 lists:

    Noah: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

    Aaron: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile



    1. BlackBerry Tour
    Given all of the phones in Verizon's lineup at present, the Tour is the first device I would choose to carry.  If this was going to press after the Touch Pro2 landed, it would be a tough call, but as of now, the Tour's 3.2-megapixel camera, gorgeous screen, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and good keyboard make it the best choice for now.  Throw in Wi-Fi, and it would be next to perfect.

    2. HTC Touch Pro
    Though the upgrade is right around the corner, the Touch Pro is a feature-rich Windows Mobile smartphone, worthy of consideration by anyone desiring a good PDA.  The Touch Pro offers a 2.8-inch display, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi (b/g), 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a microSD card slot capable of supporting a 16 GB card.  With the recent price drop (most likely to make way for the Touch Pro2), it's earned a spot on the list.

    3. BlackBerry Storm
    Though I'm a die-hard BlackBerry fan, the Storm is not anywhere near my personal list of favorite devices.  That being said, I recognize the importance of this device in BlackBerry's lineup, and due to the popularity surrounding the media-centric 'Berry (or criticism, depending on who you talk to), I feel that it needs to be included.  Love it or hate it, with a large touchscreen, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an emphasis on all things media, the Storm is Verizon's answer to the iPhone.

    4. LG enV3
    The LG enV3 is quite possibly the best dumbphone out there, in my opinion.  The device offers a full QWERTY keyboard, 3-megapixel camera, and a full HTML web browser.  Great for all customer demographics (hey, I recommended the device to my Grandmother and Mother, and they both purchased it), the enV3 packs a lot of features into a small device.  As long as you don't need a smartphone browsing experience or near-instant e-mail, it's a great companion.

    5. Samsung Alias 2
    Featuring "E-ink technology" which customizes the keyboard depending on what you're doing on the device, the Alias 2 is a great phone, and represents a huge improvement over its predecessor.  It sports a 2.6-inch QVGA screen, 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, Visual Voicemail, microSD card slot with support for up to 16 GB.  It's a great device, and as of now, can be had for under $100.

    Honorable Mention: LG enV Touch - Neat phone, unimpressive touchscreen; Motorola Rapture - Good all around device with strong reception.


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  • 02Sep

    The Nokia X3 Also Announced at Nokia World

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    It’s the second Nokia Xseries mobile phone, and also the second to share its name with a BMW SUV, to be launched at Nokia World, but instead of being a range topper with features and a price tag to match, the X3 brings classy looks and XpressMusic coolness to the masses.Nokia X3

    If the design looks familiar to some, it’s because the X3 is the spitting image of the 5330 we previewed way back in March, a phone which never really went on to make a splash.  Anyway, the X3 is an S40 device but unusually, it comes with all the Ovi Store goodness enabled - so you can download anything from games to apps - plus it has an active homescreen and plenty of mobile email and instant messaging options too.

    On the rear of the slider chassis is the lens for the 3.2 megapixel camera while around the front is the 2.2″ screen, which slides up to reveal the standard alphanumeric keypad.  Speakers are mounted at either end of the phone for a stereo experience, and there is a MicroSD card slot which will accept a card up to 16GB.  Aside from this, Bluetooth v2.1, a 3.5mm jack plug and an FM RDS radio complete the feature side.  According to the Nokia Conversations site, the X3 will also have Assisted GPS built-in, although the handset is a 2G device.

    Like the X6, the X3 is expected to be released by the end of the year, but at a considerably lower price point.

    Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

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  • 02Sep

    ARTICLE: Snow Leopard, and what it means for the iPhone

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    The Snow Leopard has landed. Mac users are well aware that the next iteration of Apple’s computer OS X has just launched, even though it hasn’t created quite the same buzz in the tech industry as previous Mac OS launches. The reason for that has to do with the fact that 10.6 is more of an enhancement of the previous version, rather than a complete overhaul.

    It may not be setting the general tech industry on fire, but interestingly, there may be something here for mobile phone pundits to chew on.

    Among the refinements in Snow Leopard is a little something called Grand Central Dispatch, and this geeky new feature has one expert ruminating about what it could mean for the future of the iPhone.

    Here’s the gist:
    Basically, GCD is a new way of coding applications so that they work across one or several processors. Since the iPhone fundamentally runs on Mac OS X, analyst Carl Howe, of Yankee Group, thinks GCD might be an indicator that multi-core processors could be (or should be?) in the iPhone’s future.

    But wouldn’t it be overkill to put multiple cores in a cell phone? Well, sort of, says Howe. The iPhone already has a 600 MHz ARM Processor, which is very respectable for a mobile phone. But fast processors generally mean higher energy consumption. Now imagine that you could offer the same or better performance using multiple cores running at slower speeds. Suddenly you’d have a nimble device that doesn’t suck your power dry in a couple hours or die after a couple of years.

    In a word, we’re talking batteries, people.

    According to Howe: “In some cases, depending on the design and if unused cores are turned off when they aren’t being used, they can last a LOT longer, by factors of 2 to 5 times.” For the technically fluent, the analyst offers the geekspeak version on his company's blog. (Click here to go directly there.)

    Battery drain has been one of the biggest complaints of iPhone users, so it’s great to see that Apple already has the technology to address this. Could it also help with the alleged built-in battery explosion problem — you know, the one the iPhone-maker is under investigation for in Europe? Well, it would be a welcome, if unintended, benefit since multiple cores don’t tend to run as hot.

    I can’t believe I just wrote that phones not exploding in people’s faces would be a side benefit. Even if it was the only benefit, it should be plenty of reason to include it in the next version of the iPhone. But considering potentially faster performance, smaller heat signature, and better battery life — plus the fact that the technology’s already available to make it happen — Cupertino would be crazy not to jump on this.

    C’mon Apple: Multi-cored iPhones, FTW!


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  • 02Sep

    ARTICLE: Apple press event confirmed for Sept 9

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    The rumored September press event from Apple has been made official. The invitations have just gone out, and media folks are anticipating some music-oriented news to hit the podium on September 9th, as PD previously reported.

    The iPod clearly takes center stage in the image accompanying the invitations (below), so if you’re looking forward to some new iPod announcements, there just might be something for you there. Also expected is the public debut of social networking–enabled iTunes 9, which could go live the same day.

    Will the new iPods feature a camera? Is the new iTunes going to make sharing easier? Will The Beatles finally come to iTunes? And is there any chance at all that the mythical Apple tablet might rear its head? All will be revealed at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco, CA at 10AM Pacific. Stay tuned.



    [via The Apple Blog]


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  • 02Sep

    Nokia X6 Launched at Nokia World

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    Nokia X6It was back in late July that we first heard Nokia could be planning an Xseries device and now, at the Nokia World conference held in Stuttgart, the Xseries has indeed become reality with the launch of not one, but two new mobile phones!  The X6 is a new Comes With Music touchscreen mobile phone, occupying the upper end of their range, and judging by the pictures, it’s a bit of a stunner!

    The X6 looks to be something of a successor to the 5800 XpressMusic, as it shares many of the same features.  The operating system is S60 5th Edition and it’s a 3G phone with HSDPA and Wi-Fi , plus you have Assisted GPS, a 5 megapixel Carl Zeiss camera, a 3.5mm jack plug for headphones and TV-out plus a massive 32GB of internal memory.  The touchscreen is 3.2″ and has a 640×360 resolution, giving it a 16:9 widescreen look.  The familiar Nseries media player handles your music and video, while all the usual Ovi services and Nokia Maps are also pre-installed.

    One area where the X6 improves over the 5800 is in social networking.  The phone, along with the N97 Mini, will feature Lifecasting with Ovi, a new service which lets you change your status on Facebook without the need for an app or the browser, plus display 20 shortcuts to your friend’s profiles, all from the homescreen.

    So, with the Comes With Music service - which allows unlimited music downloads from the store - and the new social networking features, the X6 represents the cutting edge of modern, fashionable, mobile telephony, something also reflected in its very stylish design.  The X6 is due out at the end of this year, however Nokia still list it simply as ‘coming soon’, so we’ll let you know as soon as the actual date is made public.  Until then, enjoy the official Nokia pictures!

    Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

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  • 02Sep

    Windows Mobile 6.5 Meets With Lack of Enthusiasm in the Market

    Industry, News No Comments

    Windows mobile 6.5Microsoft has made an announcement that the release date of the somewhat-anticipated Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones is now officially set for October 6th. Although there have been some interesting things announced about this new OS in the past few months, the majority of the industry seems to be greeting this news with a yawn. Many say that Microsoft simply hasn’t kept pace with other smartphone developers and that this new release doesn’t bring them any closer to doing so. The company seems to know that this is a problem because even as it has hyped up the WinMo 6.5 announcement it’s also started looking at making money off of phone partnerships that don’t run the system. (more…)

    Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

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  • 02Sep

    ARTICLE: Top 5: Noah’s Fave Five on Verizon - September 2, 2009

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    By way of a different take on the beloved Top 5 lists, I decided to go carrier by carrier instead of phone type by phone type. I'm sticking to the four major US carriers since theirs are the phones I regularly review and are available to the widest swath of our audience.  Maybe I'll have to do a Top 5 unlocked phones list, too.

    As you peruse these lists and come up with counter-arguments and nasty names to call me, bear in mind that we should see a nice big handful of new devices hit all four of these carriers between now and Thanksgiving. So these lists could change drastically over the next few months.

    More Top 5s for Sept. 1, 2009

    Noah: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

    Aaron: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

    Noah's Top 5 Verizon Phones


    1. BlackBerry Tour

    If I had to sign on with Verizon right now I'd choose the Tour as my daily phone. Honestly, it's a tough choice between Tour and enV Touch, and earlier this month I gave the LG the nod on my Top 5 Phones list.

    But that was, in part, because I already had one BlackBerry (AT&T's Bold) in my five. Now, thinking about my day to day usage, I think I'd rather have Tour in my pocket if I had to choose. That keyboard is nice to type on and accessible without having to open a flip, and smartphones are easier than featurephones to sync with desktop calendars and media apps. And, of course, nothing feeds an E-Mail addiction like a BlackBerry.


    2. LG enV Touch

    The featurephone that does it all, LG's enV Touch is just about good enough to make me forget all about fancy smartphones. Widescreen displays, tabbed Web browsing with Flash support, 3.5mm headphone jack, full QWERTY. Throw in some WiFi and easy desktop syncing with my Mac's calendar, contacts, and media apps and I'm sold. If you don't need true smartphone functionality but want to do it all on the go. enV Touch is a worthy upgrade from the popular Voyager it replaced.

    3. Samsung Saga

    Verizon's version of HTC's Touch Pro is, for whatever reasons, crippled and sluggish as compared to its AT&T and Sprint brethren. Saga steps in as the best QWERTY smartphone in Big Red's current lineup. Though I prefer the more squared-off form factor on the otherwise similar Samsung Epix (AT&T), Saga's sleek blend of touchscreen, QWERTY and optical trackpad serves Windows Mobile well. While I wish the phone supported global 3G data, at least it supports global voice and 2G data via an integrated SIM card slot.

    4. LG Dare

    I still have a soft spot in my heart for Dare more than a year after its release. Even though it wasn't officially a Dare successor, I had high hopes for LG's Versa when it came out. But Versa's modular accessories proved more clunky than useful, and I missed Dare's slightly larger touchscreen and better camera. A Dare 2 with acapacitive touchscreen and updated UI would be kinda sweet, no?

    5. LG enV 3

    Wow, Verizon is all LG all the time, huh? If you don't need high-res touchscreens and tabbed browsing getting in the way of your TXTNG sessions, enV 3 is the latest update to the incredibly successful line of LG/Verizon messaging phones. Thousands of teens ignoring math class to send text messages under their desks can't be wrong, right?

    Honorable Mention: LG Chocolate 3, if you want a flip phone


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