• 28Jan

    Motorola Backflip

    In an earnings call today, Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha confirmed that Motorola will launch "at least one direct-to-consumer device with Google" this year.  Given Google's strategy, this appears to mean that Motorola will offer one of the followup devices to the HTC-manufactured Nexus One.

    The Google-Motorola device is only one of 20 Android smartphones that the company expects to launch this year, ten of which will run Motorola's MOTOBLUR customer user interface.  Formerly geared at consumers, MOTOBLUR has its sights on the business market as well, with a new version due out this year that will address "additional security and device management functionality."

    The company also announced that it continues to back out of the mid-to-high-end feature phone market, stating that the market will likely "decline throughout the year."  Motorola plans to focus on smartphones and low-end devices.  The low-end devices are slated for China, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, with few models coming to the United States and Europe due to the company's focus on smartphones in those regions.  The US will "dominate" smartphone sales, Jha said.  Motorola shipped 2 million Android devices in the fourth quarter of last year, and expects to ship 11 to 14 million this year.

    With the launch (and subsequent success) of the DROID, has your interest in Motorola been re-ignited?

    Via Gearlog


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  • 28Jan

    AT&T logo

    For more Q4 2009 numbers: Verizon

    AT&T today announced their fourth-quarter earnings, and the numbers were surprisingly strong.  Among the data:

    • Fourth-quarter revenues totaling $30.9 billion with a net income of $3 billion.
    • 2.7 million total wireless customers were added in the quarter to total 7.3 million customers added in 2009 - the company's best yearly total ever.  Total customer count stands at 85.1 million.
    • 1.19 percent postpaid churn, with 1.44 percent total, which marks their best-ever fourth-quarter churn numbers.
    • Postpaid data ARPU (average revenue per user) was at $19.16, an increase of 17.5 percent over the year-earlier quarter.
    • 3.1 million iPhones sold in quarter.

    These numbers tell me one of two things.  Either the perception of AT&T in the consumer arena is entirely different than we see in tests conducted by Consumer Reports, PC World, and the like; or people are aware of AT&T's service issues and continue to sign up for the benefit of using the iPhone.

    Do the pundits have an inaccurate view of AT&T's coverage?  Are our tests, arguments, and general frustrations with the company's wireless coverage tailored from a "nerd-specific" mentality (i.e. I should have coverage 100 percent of the time, or it's not worth having)?  Don't get me wrong, I rely on my cell phone every day as an essential tool, and while I may complain more than the average consumer, a dropped call is a dropped call.  Just like I get mad when my phone makes that telltale "call failed" noise, so does everyone I know.

    I ask because whenever I spend time in a large city like New York, San Diego, Charlotte, or Las Vegas, I hear frustrations from friends and fellow colleagues about service issues.  Whenever I poll readers about coverage, I always hear the most complaints about AT&T.  But clearly, the frustrations aren't translating into a mass exodus away from AT&T - in fact, quite the opposite is happening.  AT&T's growth is better than ever (as they said in their release).

    Have we become a society that is so driven by a particular phone model (read: iPhone) that we're deliberately ignoring the inevitable coverage issues that will come as a result of a two-year pact with AT&T?  Or are there areas in the United States where AT&T noticeably excels above and beyond any other wireless carrier offered?  Yes, I've worked in wireless for years, and I'm aware that coverage varies with each carrier depending on where you're at.  That being said, I've heard a far greater number of complaints about AT&T versus any of the other carriers, and it's not region-specific.

    So, I want to hear from you.  Is it the devices (well, device) that's driving people to AT&T, or is it the coverage?  More importantly, if the service complaints are so high, then why is the company celebrating it's best year ever?  Where's the disconnect?

    View the full press release here.


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  • 28Jan

    HTC SupersonicIt looks as though HTC are the ones to watch this year… but we all knew that already didn’t we? Details of a previously unknown handset have emerged and it sure looks pretty, meet the HTC Supersonic.

    A semi-clear image of the WiMax smartphone beauty has been leaked and it looks very familiar to the well established HTC HD2. It has the same monstrous 4.3″ touchscreen, although the Supersonic is reported to have AMOLED technology within and the same speedy 1GHz Snapdragon Processor. So what’s new I hear you ask, ah the Pièce de résistance, the HTC Supersonic is an Android device.

    HTC has definitely done its research offering two top end devices on two of the biggest platforms. The Supersonic’s rumoured to run Android 2.1 partnered with HTC’s Sense UI. So far all signs point to a spring release for the US, but nothing has been mentioned for other regions.

    If the release date’s to be believed, we would expect official confirmation pretty sharpish!

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

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  • 28Jan

    PhoneDog just can't cram every bit of analysis, in-depth coverage, and tip/trick/how-to goodness onto our home page. So we've built a few more home pages to hold it all.

    Here's what's happening right now on PhoneDog Media's network sites: Today's iPhone, BBerryDog and DroidDog:

    App Review: NBA League Pass Mobile

    iPad: The future as we (don't yet) know it

    POLL: So who wants an iPad, anyway?

     

    Video of new BlackBerry "Magnum" Prototype

    RIM teases 9650 on Facebook

    Verizon to offer prepaid BlackBerrys?

     

    Nexus One Dock Goes on Sale

    Beginner's Guide: G1 Hacking

    Archos 7 Internet Tablet

     

     


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  • 28Jan

    Zune Phone

    The Microsoft Pink Project rumour has been circulating for what seems like an age. When supposed images of the Microsoft mobile phones leaked last year, reports of Zune features came with them. Now just ahead of mobile World Congress, more fuel has been added to the fire.

    Information surrounding a Zune software update has surfaced, showing 3 extra digits within the driver files. Now this might not sound like a lot, and as per usual Microsoft hasn’t commented, but what’s got everyone going is that those little numbers correspond to hardware i.d numbers, and it just so happens they’ve been given the title ‘Phone.Device’ opposed to the original ‘Zune.Device’.

    Now it doesn’t take a genius to work that one out. We’re hoping MWC will shed some light on the subject but for now we’ll just have to imagine what Microsoft could possibly bring to the table this year.

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

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  • 28Jan

    HTC BravoThe unwritten law of leaked pictures is that the better quality they are, the closer to release the product is.  If this is true, then the Bravo could indeed be headed for its rumoured March date, as this latest snap is the best yet.

    The Bravo is likely to essentially be a non-Google branded version of the Nexus One, as it shares many of its features.  A Snapdragon processor leads the show, closely followed by the 3.7″ OLED touchscreen with WVGA resolution, plus 3G, a 5 megapixel camera and GPS.  The major differences appear to be design-based, with an optical trackpad visible on the pictured version and hardware buttons instead of the Nexus One’s touch sensitive items.

    The picture, from a Polish website dedicated to Android, also gives us a look at Android 2.1 and HTC’s Sense UI over the top.  With the Bravo still unofficial and only a few snippets of information coming to light following the roadmap leak, all this is pure speculation.  All this aside, there is no denying the very real-looking mobile phone seen here, and we can’t wait for more details!

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

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  • 28Jan

    Startups pop up all over the place and disappear just as quickly. It’s hard to tell which ones will make anything that is worth paying attention to in the long run. But even those that don’t last long sometimes bring innovative and interesting stuff to the table. That’s why we’ve been eyeing some of the most recent mobile startups. We want to know what the future holds and we think these folks have some insight into that regardless of whether or not their businesses last over time.Here’s a look at 12 new and interesting mobile startups that are worth glancing twice at:

    TextaurantTextaurant. This is a genius little startup catering to people who are not interested in wasting their time anymore. It’s basically a company that connects restaurants to patrons to make it easier for both parties when there’s a line at the restaurant. You can go anywhere at all and you’ll be texted when your table is ready so you don’t have to just stand in line waiting for your little buzzer to let you know it’s okay to come in. This kind of technology could end up being used in any type of setting where waits are common which would be great for busy people today!

    TaxiMagic. One of the other things that you might frequently find yourself waiting for is a cab. But not anymore if you start working with this startup company. It lets you easily book a cab from your mobile phone. But that’s not all; you can also keep track of your cab’s whereabouts in real time using your cell phone. This allows you to avoid waiting in the rain or missing your cab because you want to run into a store.

    KanGoGift. This is a great mobile gift giving service that we’re likely to see a lot of in the years to come. Essentially, you choose a gift for someone (let’s say a dinner at her favorite restaurant) and pay for it through your mobile web account. Then the recipient gets a text message with the information. She can head to the restaurant, show the message to the cashier there and receive her gift with no-hassles. This is a great green way to give gifts in the modern world. (more…)

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

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  • 28Jan

    Apple iPad

    With as much hype surrounding it as the original iPhone, there can be few interested in consumer electronics who didn’t know that Apple were holding a new product launch yesterday evening and sure enough, the Apple iPad was launched.

    The iPad is a tablet computer which can be simply described as visually being a ‘large iPod Touch’.  Initially available for sale only in the USA, with other regions expected to follow in the early summer, the device is powered by a new 1Ghz Apple A4 processor and is loaded with Wi-Fi 802.11n and v2.1 Bluetooth, plus the usual Apple software including iTunes and the App Store, Mail, Calendar and Safari.  The LCD screen measures 9.7″, while the whole device is a mere 1.3cm thick and weighs a touch under 600 grams.

    The iPad will be available as both a Wi-Fi and a 3G/Wi-Fi model, with a 16GB, 32GB or 64GB Flash storage version for each.  Pricing appears reasonable in the USA, with the Wi-Fi iPads costing $499, $599 and $699 respectively, while the 3G enabled tablets will require another $130 to be added on to that.

    Apple also used the event to launch their iBookStore, where they will be selling eBooks for use with the iPad, plus news that current iPhone app developers will be creating new apps especially for the iPad, in order to take advantage of the new screen size.  Saying that, all existing iPhone apps will work and users will have the option of increasing their size to fill their new screen.

    Notice we described the iPad earlier as like a big iPod Touch and not an iPhone?  Well, it’s because the iPad doesn’t have a phone function, or a forward-facing camera for video calls, so anyone owning one will still have to carry their mobile phone.  There was also no mention or demonstration of multi-tasking ability or Flash compatibility, and the LCD display hardly lends itself to longer periods of eBook reading pleasure.

    Still, it’s sure to be a massive seller, but we have the feeling future editions will be far more impressive - just like the iPhone before it.

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

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  • 28Jan

    Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Curve 8530

    Despite the increasing popularity of prepaid, smartphones have been notoriously absent from the mix.  Thanks to Verizon Wireless, new plans may enter the picture.

    According to rumors, Verizon Wireless will launch prepaid BlackBerry plans within the next three months.  The e-mail and web plan will cost $35 monthly, and will be in addition to an applicable voice plan.  Given the proximity to postpaid plans, I'd say that's a pretty decent deal.  No word on the costs of the various devices (or what devices will be available, for that matter), but the idea of additional contract-free options seems pretty tempting to me.

    With the T-Mobile prepaid options, the BoostBerry, and now this, prepaid is becoming a bit more enticing.  Anyone agree?

    Via BGR, BBerryDog


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  • 28Jan

     

    Hey, what's up PhoneDog crew? No doubt, you followed the Apple event covered by our own Noah Kravitz. I've been doing Today's iPhone duty covering it on our subsite. But you didn't think I'd forget about you, didya? No way. 

    Now I just wrote up a post about my first thoughts on the Apple iPad for TiP (which you can access at this link), but let me share a little with you guys here as well. 

    My first impression of the announcement today was: "iPad? Seriously? Okay, I would not have placed bets on that." If you've been following me on Twitter, you already know that for me, this calls to mind something decidedly non-techie, and maybe even kind of "femininey." Okay, 'nuff said. 

    I'll be honest. I was also slightly underwhelmed by the device. It does look like a big iPod Touch, I know. And the 3G version is being subsidized by/will work on AT&T? So instead of making an announcement that could've liberated the iPhone from Big Blue, Apple instead jumps further into bed with them. And so I warned iPhone-using friends back home in New York and in San Francisco — in two months, don't be surprised if your already dismal cellular/data service gets worse. 

    But, I have to admit, I'm trying to get past all this negativity and see things more positively — or at least objectively. Any product with this much buzz was destined to disappoint on some level. Rarely does a device meet overblown, over-done, over-anticipated hype.  

    And you know, there are some positives in all this to balance out a few of the negatives: 

    As a gaming device, this looks sweet. In fact, TiP's senior editor, Ron Sullivan, actually gasped at one point while watching the NOVA first-person shooter on the iPad. It is stunning. I also think it succeeds in its intention to be a media consumption vehicle, one that enhances the experience of enjoying YouTube clips (in HD!), music, books, movies, TV and newspapers/magazines on a beautiful IPS (in-plane switching) screen, which is generally used in higher-end computer monitors. And they did manage to squeeze in some creation tools, with programs like the revamped iWork suite and Brushes. 

    So it may not be a perfect device, but there are some good things to say about it too. And you know what? If these were my first thoughts on this "Kindle Killer," then let me share the thought that came in almost immediately afterward: If this iPad is hooked into the iPhone OS — well then… hmmm, can I jailbreak it? And it is that, my friends, that had me smiling from ear to ear. 

     

    For more coverage on the Apple iPad, hit up TodaysiPhone.com


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