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Jon of Tehkseven rounds up all of the big cellular news PhoneDog highlighted the week of May 23rd - May 29th, 2010. Reviews highlighted this week include Noah's videos of the HTC Evo, HTC Droid Incredible, and myTouch 3G Slide. Jon also gives us an exciting reenactment of how Noah injured his finger in the kitchen.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
Interested in picking up a shiny new EVO 4G but hate contracts? Well, now you can buy your EVO straight from HTC for the low, low price of $549.99. Unlike Sprint, Radio Shack, etc., they don't really care if you sign up for a contract as long as you get the phone somehow, so they make it relatively easy to buy the device without signing two years of your life away. It may not be the best deal around, but it's certainly an option. One thing to note is that you'll have to wait a little longer than everyone else since HTC won't be shipping the phones until the June 4th launch date. You can also purchase the EVO for $199.99 with a new contract or for $299.99 if you have an existing contract and will agree to an extension. All three choices do include free shipping, so that is one upside. So are any of you picking up the EVO off-contract or is that a little too much to swallow?
Via Good and EVO
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
With the HTC EVO 4G right around the corner and the next-generation iPhone rumored for next week, BlackBerry enthusiasts and casual users alike have been asking the same question: "What does the future hold for BlackBerry?" Sure, BlackBerry 6 offers some improvements, but in every post I've seen regarding a BlackBerry advancement, there's at least one negative user comment. Let's be honest - RIM is behind in a lot of ways, and though they command the highest smartphone marketshare in the United States, the explosive growth of Android (and continued success of the iPhone) is proof that the wireless industry is being driven from the consumer side.
So, I ask you, dear readers - what do you think the future holds for the Canadian-based company? Take your pick, and hit the comments section with your thoughts!
{Widget type="poll" id="3281842" name=""What do you think the future holds for BlackBerry?"}
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
Tablets seem to be the hot topic these days. Earlier today Apple notified the world that they had sold two million iPads, and while other companies are probably itching to do the same thing, most are far away from that lofty goal. But, it looks like there's one guy who thinks if anyone can do it, it will be done with Android. Today at Computex - an annual technology trade show held in Taipei, Taiwan - Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO of Nvidia, gave some major props to Android as a highly capable operating system for tablet computers. According to Huang, "The good news is that we finally have an operating system to unite behind. Android is an operating system that has gained a tremendous amount of momentum all over the world."
Huang also said that "Android has become the fastest growing mobile operating system in the world and, in fact, it has surpassed the iPhone in terms of growth and in terms of users." Clearly, Huang is a proponent of the OS, however, he also acknowledges that there is still work to be done if Android is to combat Apple's iPad. Specifically, Huang suggested that graphics performance is an area that needs to be addressed before Android will have a real shot at winning the tablet war. Though the young operating system is not yet fully matured (for a tablet device to compete with the iPad), Huang seems to have faith in Andy Rubin and the folks over at Google, suggesting that they "know exactly where the industry needs to go." Where do you think Android needs to go?
Via IntoMobile, PCWorld
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
What's Good: Nice addition to Verizon's Android lineup; physical QWERTY keyboard is nice and easy to use.
What's Bad: Erratic touchscreen; laggy at times; a bit bulky.
Verdict: The LG Ally is a welcome addition to Verizon's lineup (hey, the more Android devices, the better), but given the price point, I would consider spending a bit more and getting a DROID instead.
I like choice. Regardless of what device I would carry, it's nice to see that most of the carriers are embracing Android and offering devices at different price tiers, because let's face it: one device doesn't fit all. On that note, the LG Ally launches somewhere in between the mid-range Motorola Devour and high-end Motorola DROID. Between the Eris, Devour, DROID, and Incredible, does the Ally distinguish itself and hold its own?
The Ally ships in a small white box similar in size to the Devour and DROID's boxes. Inside, you'll find the device, battery, an AC adapter, USB cable (which doubles as the adapter cord), and instruction manuals. Coming in at 4.56 inches long by 2.22 inches wide by 0.62 inch thick, the device weighs 5.57 ounces, making it just a bit heavier than other devices on the market. The left side of the device contains a volume rocker and microUSB charging port, while the top of the device houses the 3.5mm headphone jack. The front of the device sports the back, menu, home, and search keys, along with physical send and end keys. The microSD slot can be found on the right side of the device, along with the camera button. The camera and speaker are located on the back.
The Ally sports a 3.2-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen with 262,144 colors and 480 x 800 pixels. It's basic as far as device displays go, but it gets the job done. The Ally packs a 600 MHz CPU, and while it sailed through most things I threw at it, there were times where a lag was present. It's not a deal breaker, but coming from Snapdragon-powered handsets, the delay is noticeable.
Like the Nexus One and other devices running the stock version of Android 2.1, the menu "bar" has been replaced by a menu "grid." Icons scroll up and disappear in what I like to call "Star Wars text" fashion, and circles in the bottom left and right hand sides of the screen let you know what tab you're in (similar to the iPhone). Complete with live wallpapers, the device offers a number of custom LG widgets - Alarm Clock, Dual Clock, LG Calendar, LG Socialite, and Weather, just to name a few. Verizon offers Visual Voicemail, though it will cost you an extra $1.99 monthly. LG did a great job of keeping the Ally as close to vanilla Android as possible, though small things like the dialer are distinctly LG.
The Ally's shining feature is its keyboard. In an age where everything seems to be migrating to touchscreen-only and physical QWERTY keyboards are an afterthought, you can tell that LG spent a great deal of time developing the Ally's keyboard. Though the D-pad is in the exact same place as the DROID, I had no issues typing around it (most likely due to the curvature of the unit versus the DROID's boxy design). The keys are very tactile, and offer an audible "click." If I had to change anything, I would have added an extra row for the space bar and symbols. For those times that you don't want to slide the device open, the Ally also offers the stock Android virtual QWERTY board. Though the keyboard looks small at first glance, I was able to type without issue, thanks to the powerful auto-correction software in Android 2.1.
I found the screen to be exceptionally inconsistent. At times, it would take me two or three attempts to successfully select an application, and other times, it would operate right away (as I'm typing this, it just took me four attempts to unlock the device). Though the screen is capacitive, it had the feel of a resistive touchscreen. The lagginess itself is inconsistent as well - today, for example, I had to click "Gmail" twice to get it to register, while last week, I had no issues with opening it. It seems as if it's one to two seconds behind at all times, and over time, I found it incredibly frustrating.
The Ally offers a 3.2-megapixel camera, and as expected, pictures paled in comparison to the 5.0 and 8.0-megapixel Android devices on the market. Colors appeared to be washed out and blurry. As a basic camera, the Ally will work fine, but for someone who's looking for a powerful camera and video recorder, the Ally isn't the device. The usual editing options are present, along with a video camcorder.
I tested the Ally in the Charlotte metro area, and throughout testing, call quality was very good. My callers were able to hear me well, and there were no volume troubles on my end. When visiting a known Verizon Wireless dead spot just outside of the area, the device performed well, despite the occasional audio dropout. When testing the speakerphone in a noisy coffee shop, I was able to hear my callers without issue. Though they noticed the loud noises around me (after all, the blenders aren't quiet), we were able to carry on a full conversation. I successfully paired two Bluetooth headsets to the device, and callers were pleased with the overall audio quality.
The device offers a 1500 mAh battery with a rated talk time of 7.5 hours, and roughly 21 days of standby time. In my testing, the battery life was decent, given the "always-on" nature of Android. With moderate use including calling, text messaging, browsing the internet, use of the Android Market, Google Maps, and use of several widgets, I was able to use the Ally for about a day and a half before the low battery warning flashed. For a smartphone, battery life was surprisingly decent, though I've learned to keep a car charger handy at all times.
With EVDO Rev. A capabilities, the Ally performed well in the data department. The full MSNBC webpage loaded in about 29 seconds, and the PhoneDog homepage loaded in about 34 seconds. Other data-intensive apps such as Google Maps, Google Talk, Google Voice, the Amazon MP3 store, and YouTube worked without issue. In addition to cellular data, the Ally is Wi-Fi capable, and supports 802.11b, g, and n.
The LG Ally is a decent mid-range Android device in Verizon's portfolio, though I would have a hard time recommending it over other Android-powered devices like the DROID and the DROID Incredible. Though the keyboard is easy to use and offers a great typing experience, the lag and occasional screen issues were present enough to where I would have a challenging time using the Ally on a daily basis. Play with it in the store, but be sure to compare it to the other Android devices in Verizon's lineup.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
Chinese-based site Zol, which is owned by CBS Interactive, is reporting that Apple has plans to give financial benefits to Foxconn employees in an attempt to stop their recent suicides. Foxconn, who have recently had several workers attempt to kill themselves by jumping from the top of their Shenzhen building, has been in the media spotlight for providing poor working conditions for their employees, including a $130 monthly salary for employees. Apple, one of Foxconn's biggest customers, recently commented on the matter, stating that they were taking the matter seriously and were "in direct contact with Foxconn senior management." Reports are that Apple is giving one or two percent of profits to Foxconn's employees, although nothing has been confirmed. If true, this is definitely a good way to begin to stop the suicides. Hopefully there will be more companies that step in and help to make the situation right.
Via Zol, MIC Gadget
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
We're paraphrasing here, but recently, Andy Rubin of Google/Android said that the pace of innovation for Android had increased by two-thirds (it's gone from 18 month blocks to 6 month blocks). It seems to be the case that Android developers are working at light speed as well. It's only been about a week since the HTC EVO 4G was rooted (just days after developers got their hands on the device at Google I/O), and now AndroidCentral is reporting that some developers have been able to run Froyo on the device.
Below you can see a video of the EVO 4G running Android 2.2. There's no directions on how to perform the upgrade just yet, but given the excitement surrounding the device, I imagine they'll follow shortly. Who plans on serving up a helping of Froyo on their EVO 4G?
{Widget type="youtube" id="gWuXrfNlouM" }
Via AndroidCentral
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
Having trouble getting your hands on a Verizon Droid Incredible? Rest assured that when you finally do get your very own device, you'll be able to root it and tinker away. Following the still-unreleased EVO 4G in being rooted, Android Guys has reported that Jake Day and BoostdScoob from Alldroid.org have gained root access to the Incredible. All that we have to go on is one photo, but nearly everyone agrees that this is legitimate. Jake Day says that the download, along with instructions, should be live soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
Via Android Guys
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
There's not much arguing that HTC devices are pretty hot these days. The HTC HD2 - a windows mobile device - on T-Mobile sold out at least three consecutive times and was next to impossible to get if you weren't prepared in advance. The HTC Droid Incredible seems to be following suit, as it didn't take long for the CDMA Nexus One cousin to sell out either. In the case of the Incredible, shortages were blamed on manufacturers not being able to pump out components fast enough, but no-doubt the demand for the hot device played a major role. Unfortunately, Verizon has had several estimated dates when the phone would be available, and I have heard of people receiving their Incredible's in between these times. June 4th was one of the first dates the phone was supposed to become available again, followed by the 16th. Now, according to Phandroid, the availability of the Droid Incredible seems to have been pushed back - yet again - to the 22nd of June. It's a shame both the manufacturers and Verizon were not prepared to handle the high demand for this device, but let's all hope they pick up the slack in the months to come. If you've ordered an Incredible and are still waiting for it, let us know what's going on.
Via Phandroid
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
Today, nearly two months after the launch of the self-described magical and revolutionary device, Apple has announced they have sold two million iPads across the globe. The iPad has been under a good deal of scrutiny since before the device was announced in late January of this year, and after the name was revealed it took an even bigger hit. But, there's one thing you can't argue, and that's numbers. On the first day of its availability, 300,000 iPads were sold, since then many more have been purchased. And likely due to the release of the device "in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK this past weekend," Apple is sweeping the market. According to Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, “Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do...We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.” Several companies before and after have announced similar tablet-like devices, but none seem to have reached the level of success Apple has announced today. Do you own an iPad? Do you wish you did? Let us know in the comments!
Apple Sells Two Million iPads in Less Than 60 Days
CUPERTINO, California—May 31, 2010—Apple® today announced that iPad™ sales have topped two million in less than 60 days since its launch on April 3. Apple began shipping iPad in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK this past weekend. iPad will be available in nine more countries in July and additional countries later this year.
“Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”
iPad allows users to connect with their apps, content and the Internet in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*
Developers have created over 5,000 exciting new apps for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics. iPad will run almost all of the more than 200,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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