• 05Oct

    While iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and Windows Mobile users have been able to browse the internet with ease this weekend, Sidekick users haven't been so fortunate.  Due to a server failure at Danger headquarters on Thursday evening, Sidekick users across the nation have been unable to perform tasks that pass through the servers - including e-mail, IM, internet browsing, and the contact list.  Texting and calling are unaffected, but as with any outage, users are quite frustrated.

    T-Mobile promised that the service would be up and running yesterday evening, but as of this afternoon, the servers are still down.  Sidekick users, I'm sure you're frustrated - are you going to call in and demand a refund for the downtime?  Submit your frustrated comments here!

    Source: BGR


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  • 05Oct

    In case you haven’t heard, the Palm Pixi that was reportedly supposed to debut at Sprint on October 20th might... well, not.

    According to sources who Engadget says “would definitely have a better perspective on this phone's launch,” the date is inaccurate. By how much? No one’s sure, but speculation still pegs the release in time for the holidays. Previous rumors had put it somewhere in 2010. With discounts on big brother Pre abounding, I’m guessing it won’t be that long. But we’ll know for sure soon enough. There’s only 3 months left before we see the new year.

    [via PhoneArena, Engadget]


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  • 05Oct

    If you’re an iPhone user, you may want to look away. Seriously, it’s kind of painful.

    Everyone else, gather close. I have some good news for you: Adobe Flash — not a knock-off or second-tier version like the craptastic Flash Lite — but the full version of the latest, greatest 10.1 runtime won’t just be for desktops and netbooks. Practically every major mobile OS (Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, WebOS and WinMo) will also be getting the joy.

    For the hardcore geeks, that means its GPU-accelerated goodness will be at your fingertips. (Translation for the non-geeks: YouTube clips in all their HD glory. Bug-free, streaming movies. And Hulu? Theoretically, should offer beautiful playback on your phone. On your PHONE, man. ’Nuff said.)

    There’s a lot of good stuff for both mobile and desktop users. Flash Player 10.1 offers full support for multitouch, gestures and accelerometers, and a new version of Adobe AIR means that programs that run on it, like TweetDeck and the NY Times Reader, won’t be so resource hungry and crash-prone. Computer users will also get support for USB mass storage and enhanced p2p for things like Skype and gaming, as well as multitouch and gesture inputs.

    For any iPhone owners still reading, let me just say that I feel your pain. I’m one of you and, while this is awesome news for everyone else, it just plain stinks for us. But by all accounts, the major snub isn’t Adobe’s fault. In the past, the company has shown a lot of interest in the iPhone, but Apple’s basically ignored all those knocks on the door. (When Gizmodo asked about it, Adobe replied, “Still a closed device and not much progress there.”)

    So Apple locked the door on Flash, but we the users are the ones left out in the cold. Great. Thanks, Cupertino.

    As for the rest of you lucky bums, get a sneak peek at what’s to come by checking out the demo vid of Flash 10.1, running here on a Palm Pre.

    FLASH PLAYER ADOBE RUNNING ON PALM PRE




    [via Gizmodo]

     

    UPDATE: Some readers have asked me about when this is all going to go down. The wide release is definitely happening in 2010, likely by the middle of the year. More specifically, the buzz is that betas for WinMo and WebOS will launch by the end of this year. Android and Symbian will follow at some point early next year, and BlackBerry will follow up the rear (because RIM only just joined Adobe's Open Screen project, so this one will take a little longer). So this isn't launching immediately. It does indeed require a little more patience, but if reality actually lives up to the hype, then it should be worth it.


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  • 05Oct

    geeksphone 1

    How amazingly awesome is it that there's an actual product (we think) called GeeksPhone One?  That's awesome!

    Makes me think of other products that should exist, like "JerkCar XXL" and "SpazBrew XtraBold Coffee."

    Anyway, John's got the goods on this new Android OS device over at DroidDog and while the specs don't sound so super-awesome, how could they be? There's simply not enough room in a single mobile phone for awesome specs and such a totally awesome name, right?

    Check out the full specs and video of GeeksPhone One, if you dare!


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  • 05Oct
    Mobile Broadband

    It might have something to do with the recession, or it could just be humans and technology moving with the times, but there has been a noticeable increase in the sales of Mobile Broadband; 43 per cent in the last 2 months to be precise (compared to the same period last year).

    These finding are not surprising, quite the opposite in fact. Reports from Google show the number of mobile users in the US increased from 37million in 2008 to 63million in 2009. It seems more people are ditching the PC and opting for the ‘on the go’ mobile browser solution. As it stands, the active mobile device to active PC ratio is currently 4:1. So what does this mean for consumers? Basically, it’s an assurance that we have the technology and capabilities to become a ‘mobile’ community, and it is happening.

    Google estimates that in 2011, smartphone Internet search rates are expected to exceed PC search rates of 2007. This could happen, how often do you see people killing time on public transport by mindlessly surfing the web? Or grabbing a few minutes to hit the social networks whilst in a queue?

    It’s fair to say the iPhone changed the Mobile game plan. Consumers got a taste of the ‘Pocket PC’ and are looking for faster, more efficient ways to satisfy their multimedia appetite. Apple and RIM split the workload, and between them, kept the gamers, workers and tech savvy happy for a while. Google were the next to step up to the challenge, and quickly made their mark in the smartphone world, ranking number 2 in the web browsing standings after just 5months.

    But for mobile browsing to really take off there has got to be a shift in browser platforms, from Mobile WAP to full scale HTML. The ‘Dial up’ to ‘Broadband’ transition brings with it one major problem, HTML browsing will only be available on high-end devices. So, does this mean consumers will have to pay more for handsets, or could it lead to yet another smartphone price war?

    Battle of the Smartphones

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

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  • 05Oct

     

    Ventus Phone

    A British Firm has created what is possibly the first wind up mobile phone, yep you heard me in order to make a call you’ll have to get those muscles flexing! It’s still in the prototype stage at the moment but the device, named Vertus is scheduled for release sometime next year.

    The company behind the Vertus think the concept would be ideal for countries such as India and Africa, where they have very good mobile coverage but poor power supplies. TCL, the brains behind the design have already successfully produced wind up torches and wind up radios, they say one minute of cranking will provide up to four minutes of talk time. What’s more, as long as the mobile stays in the sunlight, you’ll never run out of power, thanks to the solar panel backing.

    There are no details about specs just yet, somehow I can’t imagine it will be the smartphone of the future, but software aside this looks like it could be a step in the right direction for the eco-conscious among us.

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

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  • 05Oct
    HTC Touch HD2

    As if we weren’t excited enough about the Touch HD replacement, T-Mobile have gone and joined in with the ‘catalogue tease’ that O2 started last week!  This time the phone has been given the name of HTC Touch HD2, rather than simply HTC HD2 that O2 saddled it with last week, and as we all know, getting ‘Touch’ in the name somewhere these days is a prerequisite.

    T-Mobile’s photo also shows TouchFLO, something which O2’s didn’t, preferring instead to let the world know the new HTC uses Windows Mobile 6.5, plus some interesting blank squares below the clock - some new social networking shortcuts perhaps?

    Although the Touch HD2 has its fair share of big numbers running though its spec list - the 4.3″ screen, 5 megapixel camera for example - it’s the 1Ghz number which is the cause for the majority of our anticipation!  The chance to see the Snapdragon chip do its stuff in a phone other than the Toshiba TG01?  Yes please!

    If we are correct, tomorrow could be the day when the HTC Touch HD2 is made official!

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

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  • 05Oct

    About a month ago, we brought the Mobile Phone versus Cancer Battle back to life.

    It was all down to a report by the Environmental Working Group, who are still concerned with the connection between tumours and mobile phone users. With research in hand, the organisation decided that while reports into the matter are still inconclusive, it would be in everyone’s best interests to use a mobile with low radiation emissions.

    To guide us through the process they’ve developed an emissions list covering over 1000 phones on the market, but we already know that. What some of you may not know is how to help protect yourself from the risks of radiation and guess what, they’ve provided a guide for that too.

    Here are eight simple tips to help cut phone radiation:

    phone1.JPGBuy a Low Radiation Phone - As we’ve already mentioned if you’re having trouble finding out radiation levels, you can check online with EWG’s buyers guide. Alternatively, you should be able to get this information in store. If you’re worried about your current phones emissions, consider replacing it with one that emits the lowest radiation possible and still meets your needs.

    Use a Headset or Speaker - In a busy environment this is sometimes impossible to do, but it has been proven that headsets emit much less radiation than phones. Some wireless headsets emit continous, low-level radiation, so take your off when you’ve finished a call. Using your phone in speaker mode also helps reduce radiation exposure to the head. 

    Listen More, Talk Less - If you’re a chatterbox, save it for face-to-face interaction.phone2.JPG Our phone emits radiation when you talk or text, but not when you’re receiving messages. Listening more and talking less reduces your exposure.

    Hold the Phone Away From Your Body - It may seem pretty straightforward advice, but if you’re on speaker or talking through a headset it’s best to hold the phone away from your body. Keeping it in a pocket or attached to a belt is also risky, because of the soft body tissue that will absorb radiation.

    Choose Texting Over Talking - Phones use less power (therefore less radiation) to send a text than call. Unlike when you speak with the phone at your ear, texting keeps radiation away from your head.

    Poor Signal? Stay Off the Phone - The less signal you have, the more radiation yourphone3.JPG phone will emit. This is because it’s trying to get a stronger signal form the nearest signal tower. Try to make and take calls when the phone has strong signal.

    Limit Children’s use - It doesn’t take a genious to work out that young children’s brains will absorb more radiation than an adults, double the amount to be precise. Realistically, children’s mobile usage should be limited to emergencies.

    Skip the “Radiation Shield” - Radiation shields, such as antenna caps or keypad covers reduce the connection quality and force the phone to transmit at a higher power with higher radiation.

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

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  • 05Oct
    Samsung Behold 2

    T-Mobile is hogging the Android spotlight, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to budge. So the addition of the new Samsung T939 to the network’s Android inventory comes as no surprise.

    The Samsung Behold 2 is similar to other Android powered handsets from the Koreans. It’s a GSM phone with a 3.2 inch AMOLED display and will have TouchWiz UI installed on top of Android OS. Other features include a 5megapixel camera with autofocus and that all-important LED flash. Connectivity-wise it’s got your standard Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1.

    T-Mobile’s keeping pretty quiet about both pricing and release dates for now, but are assuring consumers it will be available in time for Christmas.

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

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  • 05Oct

    Living in a neurotic nanny state we’re used to safety insanity, like outlawing scissors and school ties because the government genuinely doesn’t believe we can use them without killing something.  But some safety systems are even stupider - because they’re not just pointless, they’re outright suicidal.

    1.  The Burj Dubai Safety Refuges: Every building has to have an escape plan, because buildings burn and people don’t like being inside them while that happens.  But the Burj Dubai tower is the tallest man-made structure ever built, with over one hundred and sixty floors, it makes the fire alarms the only ironic  evacuation alert ever.  Apparently they still make siren noises instead of shouting “Go on, just try to get out of here in time.”

    burjdubai1.jpg

    It would be impossible to escape from a three-digit floor by stairs even with a week’s head start and a team of sherpas, never mind through a towering inferno, so the building comes equipped with pressurised “refuge areas” every twenty-five floors.  Here people can wait out any alert,  assuming they don’t understand exactly what fire does to a building - never mind a super-skyscraper so immense it has specially crafted walls so that the wind doesn’t knock it over.

    The urge for an escape route is why we evolved, while braver monkeys bounded into the bellies of tigers, but when you travel over half a mile up an architect’s concrete penis extension you’re entering into an unspoken contract with the owners: they agree to do everything they can to prevent fire, and you agree to burn to death if they screw up. (more…)

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

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