• 05Jul

    Rumor: Sprint bringing webOS update 1.4.5.1 on July 7th

    Industry, News No Comments

    Palm Pre update

    Sure, webOS 1.4.5 may finally be rolling out to Sprint Palm Pre and Pixi devices. Rather than rest on their laurels, though, Palm/HP and Sprint may already have another update prepped for users.  PreCentral has received a tip from their forum member and "presumed Sprint employee" that goes by the name leprecub has learned that Sprint will be pushing out webOS update 1.4.5.1 on July 7th.  On top of what the 1.4.5 update brings, 1.4.5.1 is said to contain the following upgrades and fixes:

    Palm Pre Software Update to webOS 1.4.5.1
    Customers: Palm Pre Users
    Effective Date: 7/7/10

    This should update your Sprint configuation to 2.5.

    Details: A software update is available for the Palm Pre on 07/07/2010.
    Fixes, Feature Updates and Enhancements

    Web: Podcasts now download correctly.
    Web: text entry can now be entered correctly
    Email: Sprint branded default email signature correctly branded
    Power consumption / battery optimization
    Videos: A user can now send a video via multimedia messaging from the Video application
    Video: the video trim feature now works to send in a message.
    Sprint TV: Upgrade to V 3.5.4
    Sprint TV: Enhanced Parental controls

    All of these updates sound great, but I'm betting that the power consumption and battery optimizations are really going to please you Pre and Pixi owners.  After all, if your device sucks away all of your battery power, none of the other changes will even matter.  It sounds like webOS 1.4.5 hasn't hit everyone's handsets yet, so if this news is true, owners may as well just skip 1.4.5 and go right on to 1.4.5.1.  July 7th is only a couple of days away, so all will be revealed shortly!

    Via PreCentral

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  • 05Jul

    Motorola Charm spotted in the wild

    Industry, News No Comments

    A few days ago, the Motorola Charm was teased via a back to school teaser poster courtesy of T-Mobile.  Also known as the "Motorola Basil" or "Project Basil," the Charm is expected to be sporting Android 2.1 and some sort of enhanced version of MOTOBLUR.  It just so happens that our friends over at TmoNews have received the first image of the device posing in the wild.  The source that leaked the image mentioned that there's a touchpad on the back of the phone similar to AT&T's Motorola Backflip.  Weird, but ok, let's just run with it.  He was unable to confirm that the Charm is running Android 2.1, but they did say that the screen is roughly 3-inches.

    Additionally, it looks like T-Mobile is starting to send out supporting material labeled "Motorola Basil Project," to several T-Mobile retail stores, purportedly to prepare them for the upcoming launch of the Charm, which is expected (yet still unannounced) to happen toward the end of this month.  T-Mobile seems to be putting a lot of effort into this less-than-exciting device, so I hope they have some trick up their sleeve otherwise, I'll just be waiting for the Samsung Vibrant, thanks.

    Via TmoNews, Engadget

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  • 05Jul

    Aaron’s First Impressions: Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T)

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    Apple iPhone 4

    I spent the weekend using the iPhone 4 as my primary device, and came away very impressed.  First, the build quality.  On design alone, Apple seals the deal in my book.  I've always been a fan of the industrial look, and iPhone 4s squared edges do the trick.  At first glance, it looks larger than its predecessor, but at 4.5 inches long by 2.31 inches wide by 0.37 inch thick, it's noticeably smaller in the hand.

    Apple's iOS 4 is installed on the device, and offers new features like "multitasking" (which is really fast application switching), iBooks, threaded e-mail inboxes.  It's a nice revision over iOS 3, but I feel as if iOS4 has fallen behind in the mobile OS race in comparison to the other OSes on the market.  First, the iPhone is in desperate need of a good notification system.  Nearly every notification on the iPhone is delivered via a pop-up.  SMS, push notification, missed calls - they're all delivered using the archaic method.  I'd like to see Apple develop a more productive and unobtrusive notification method like that found on Android or webOS.  Widgets are another crucial element that Apple has left out of the fold.  After using the iPhone for a few days, I find myself missing the convenience of flipping to a "page" on the EVO and checking weather without opening a separate application.

    Apple iPhone 4

    I've tested signal strength in Charlotte and the surrounding areas, and have had no problems making or receiving calls.  Call quality has been very good, and my callers have told me that they've had no issues hearing me.  I've spent the weekend trying to duplicate the left-side signal issue that's plaguing users across the world to no success.  I'll keep trying, but in high and low signal areas, it hasn't dropped a single bar yet.  I was hit with the dreaded proximity sensor issue, however.  While on a call Saturday evening, the device tried to start FaceTime, switched off of speaker, flashed on and off, and hung up unexpectedly.

    Battery life is absolutely fantastic on the iPhone 4.  With moderate use including text messaging, e-mailing, calling, and internet use, I've made it almost two full days  As it stands, I've logged 4 hours, 47 minutes of continuous usage and 1 day, 6 hours of standby, and I'm still sitting at 45 percent.  It's a drastic improvement over past iterations of the device, and much better than most smartphones on the market today.  A year ago, I struggled to make it through a day with the 3GS, and now, I'd place it right behind BlackBerry devices.

    Apple iPhone 4

    The iPhone 4 is an HSPA device, and as a result, data speeds have been pleasant.  Apps, the web, and other data-centric things have worked without issue.  I'm still working with specific times, but the PhoneDog home page loaded quickly, and mobile pages loaded with little to no lag.

    With a stunning display, improved processor, better camera, forward facing camera, and multitasking (or fast app switching, at the least), there's a lot to like in the iPhone 4.  That being said, it's the first production run, and like any other device, it has issues that will likely be rectified in the coming weeks.  In today's world, most devices have issues at launch, but Apple's exposure in the press combined with stellar sales numbers have magnified the situation.  As always, full review to come soon!

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  • 05Jul

    T-Mobile taking HSPA plus to 42 Mbps in 2011?

    Industry, News No Comments

    While 4G seems to be all the rage these days, the only carrier offering it right now is Sprint.  Verizon is currently working on getting their LTE (4G) network up, and expects to have it available in 30 markets by the end of the year. AT&T hasn't been entirely vocal about their LTE plans, and T-Mobile has been focusing their efforts on HSPA+ technology which currently offers "4G-like speeds" to 32 markets with planned expansion to 185 million people.

    Today, our good friends at TmoNews have received a picture from a managers meeting in Seattle displaying a graph that shows "HSPA+ delivers 42 Mbps in 2011."  What does it mean?  Well, there's no real information that came with the picture, but one would certainly assume that T-Mobile is planning on doubling their HSPA+ speeds from 21 Mbps to 42 Mbps sometime during 2011.  Additionally, looking at the graph, T-Mobile is suggesting that their network will have higher speeds than any of its competitors, even with VZW's addition of LTE to its network.

    It looks like T-Mobile plans to put up a solid fight in the coming months, what with their continuous HSPA+ implementations and planned doubling of the networks current speeds on the horizon.  Anyone care to join them for the ride?  It could be fun!

    Via TmoNews

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  • 05Jul

    Motorola Charm shown off in T-Mobile ad before it’s announced

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    Motorola Charm

    I always like it when a carrier shows off a leaked phone before it's announced because it makes our jobs here at PhoneDog that much easier.  T-Mobile has gone ahead and done just that, sneaking the recently leaked Motorola Charm into one of its back to school ads.  The Charm can be seen way in the background, almost as if someone was trying to hide it there.  Since the ad says that messaging "phones are free" (with a 2-year contract, of course) and shows off the Charm, it's looking like you'll be able to snag a Charm for free in the near future.  We still haven't heard any solid release information for the Charm, but since everyone will be going back to school in about a month, I'm sure we'll be hearing something soon.

    The Motorola Charm may not be meant for the the high-end Android enthusiast, but it definitely looks like a capable messaging handset.  This becomes doubly true when you consider that the Charm has the Android OS while most other messaging devices rely on a proprietary dumbphone OS.  Have the unique form factor, Android OS, and free price charmed you into picking up a Motorola Charm?

    Via TmoNews

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  • 05Jul

    Garminfone sales headed in the wrong direction?

    Industry, News No Comments

     

    It's been less than a month since the Garmin-Asus Garminfone became available for sale on Magenta, and already reports are suggesting that the phone is not selling as well as some would have hoped.  According to Yair Reiner, an analyst for Morgan Keegan, T-Mobile has sold an estimated 20,000 phones since its launch.  When you think about phones like the DROID Incredible, EVO 4G and the Apple iPhone who sold considerably more than 20,000 phones in one day, you begin to realize how small the number really is.

    According to Reiner, several days after the initial launch of the phone, several stores (out of the 50 he used in his research sample) "had not yet put the handset out on display, which was probably not very beneficial for sales. Others had not sold any despite displays being setup and several sold a few (less than 5). As of the beginning of this week stores have yet to show any meaningful sales numbers with maybe 5 sold on average per store since launch."

    The Garminfone, while said to have an excellent navigation interface (one would certainly hope), comes with Android 1.6 which in and of itself probably makes the phone a difficult sell.  That and the fact that phones with Android 2.1 come stock with Google Navigation, who needs a phone specifically set up with navigation when resources can be allocated elsewhere?

    Via Phandroid, CellularNews

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  • 05Jul

    Froyo and Sense spotted together on HTC Desire

    Industry, News No Comments

    When it comes to Android, having the most recent version of the OS seems to be on most people's mind.  With Froyo just recently becoming available for the Nexus One and Gingerbread reportedly on its way, people with higher-end devices are starting to wonder when they'll get the upgrade to the next best thing.  That being said, there could be some good news for HTC Desire owners.  According to a thread on the XDA Developers website, the picture you see above (and video below) is an official build of Android 2.2 with Sense UI running on the HTC Desire.  Of course, you can take this with a rather large grain of salt, as it seems there's no confirmation that it's the real deal.  But if it is, I hope it means that HTC is readying itself to update many of their newer Android phones such as the HTC EVO 4G and DROID Incredible.  That would likely make many folks very, very happy!

    {Widget type="youtube" id="PEF-U_eBrEQ" }

    Via AndroidCentral, XDA Developers

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  • 05Jul

    Jailbroken iPads can do Flash with Frash

    Industry, News No Comments

    Still can't get over the need to have Flash running on your iOS device despite Apple being adamantly against it?  Well, that's OK, you're not alone.  A developer that goes by the name @comex - the same guy behind the Spirit Jailbreak - has managed to port Adobe's native mobile Flash plugin to iOS.  The plugin being used is that which Adobe released for Android, and currently only works on the iPad via Safari.  The developer is calling it Frash, and you must have your iPad jailbroken if you're interested in giving it a shot.  According to @comex, support for the 3GS and iOS 4 are next on the list, and there is a call to developers to help move the project forward.  See for yourself below, and don't forget to let us know how it goes for you if you decide to give it a run.

    {Widget type="youtube" id="adouTnXgelE" }

    Via CNET, appadvice

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  • 05Jul

    iPhone 4 (AT&T) - Full Review, Part 1

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    Superphone for the Beta Age: Noah reviews Apple's iPhone 4. Part 1 of 2.

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  • 05Jul

    Best Buy pre-sells DROID X for Verizon, again

    Industry, News No Comments

    Last week we reported that Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stopped their pre-sale of the Motorola DROID X after receiving more pre-orders than they would have phones to give out.  In an interesting turn of events, Best Buy has decided to make the pre-order available again.  The limited pre-sale event started yesterday July 4, 2010 and is expected to last until Saturday, July 10th 2010.  There is a caveat, however - availability is not guaranteed.  If you pre-order a DROID X in this second pre-sale event, your order will be fulfilled in the order it was received.  For more info, see the bullets from Best Buy's Community forums below:

    Does pre-ordering the Droid X by Motorola at Best Buy® guarantee me a phone on launch day?

    No. However, we do fulfill pre-orders in the order they were placed.

    Did Best Buy® take pre-orders for the Droid X by Motorola?

    Yes. We began accepting pre-orders for the Droid X on June 25th, 2010, but we stopped taking pre-orders on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010.

    If I pre-ordered the Droid X by Motorola at Best Buy®, does that mean I am supposed to get it on launch day?

    Ideally, yes. But, this is not supposed to be guaranteed and is completely dependent on how many the store receives from the supplier. Any inventory received will be used to fulfill outstanding pre-orders in the order they were placed. For example, if the store has twenty pre-orders on launch day but only received fifteen phones, then the first fifteen pre-orders should receive their phone on launch day.

    The DROID X is a hot commodity, as are most new high-end Android devices.  Just about every recent top notch Android phone has sold out within days of its availability.  Are you going to pre-order now, knowing you may still have to wait to get your device, or will you camp out in front of Verizon the night before launch day?

    Via Droid-Life

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