InformationWeek Mobile Weblog

HTC Droid Eris To Get Android 2.0 Update

Eric Zeman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:54:53 -0500

Verizon Wireless has said that the HTC Droid Eris will receive a significant system update at some point in the fist quarter of 2010. The update will boost the Eris' version of Android to at least 2.0, and possibly even 2.1.

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Why Did Microsoft Give Up On WinMo 6.5?

Ed Hansberry — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:02:37 -0500

Windows Mobile 6.1 had been getting a bit long in the tooth. Not much had changed from the user's view since 2005 when WinMo 5 launched. WinMo 7 is what people are waiting for, but in the mean time, Microsoft released an update to the platform that had the most radical changes since WinMo 5 was released without the desktop style menu system. Microsoft appeared to give up on 6.5 even before it launched.

Verizon Says Droid Fix Coming In A Few Weeks

Eric Zeman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:30:01 -0500

This evening I received an email from Verizon Wireless. It contained some welcome news for owners of the Motorola Droid. You see, Google has pushed out new SDKs for Android 2.0.1 and Android 1.6. This means the folks over at Motorola and Verizon can dig their hands into the code to fix the Droid's camera issue. Oh, and I have some info on the Droid BOGO event happening this weekend.

BillShrink: Check TCO Before Buying Smartphones

Eric Zeman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:59:02 -0500

The average selling price of smartphones may be dropping these days, but that doesn't mean that contract plan prices have dropped, too. BillShrink put together a list of devices and what their total cost of ownership is. Check it out.

iPhone Headed For T-Mobile?

Ed Hansberry — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:10:38 -0500

For the US, it is generally assumed that the ultimate marriage between device and carrier would be the iPhone on Verizon. The iPhone is unquestionably the most popular single phone out there for consumers and Verizon is the largest network in the US with impressive coverage and a great 3G network. The iPhone though may be headed to T-Mobile first.

Windows Mobile Phones Get A Better Bing

Eric Zeman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:25:43 -0500

Using a Windows Mobile device? Like performing lots of searches when on the go? Need better performance all around? Get ready for a better Bing. It's free, and it's here today.

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Latest Motorola Android Phone To Feature HDMI Out?

Eric Zeman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:35:14 -0500

Images have appeared of what purport to be a new Android device from Motorola. One quick glance is all it takes to discern that this device is a non-keyboard version of the Droid. Closer inspection, however, reveals a truly unique feature: an HDMI out port.

An Eyewitness To Ousted CEO's Impact At GM

Mary Hayes Weier — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:42:32 -0500

We were in a meeting yesterday at General Motor's headquarters with Kirk Gutmann, chief technology and strategy officer, when a woman walked in and handed Gutmann a note. I could see type highlighted in bright yellow. She said, "You need to be in a 4 p.m. board meeting that just got called." I saw a flash of concern pass over Gutmann's face. We shook hands, and our meeting was quickly adjourned. Less than an hour later, I learned CEO Fritz Henderson had resigned.

Can You Support Remote Workers In Case Of Flu Outbreak?

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:56:38 -0500

With the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention this week reporting widespread H1N1 flu outbreaks in 32 states, many companies are dealing with or anticipating the need for staff to work remotely in the months ahead. This can present a challenge for IT organizations that haven't in the past dealt with large numbers of remote workers.

Carriers Selling Info About You To Government

Ed Hansberry — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:01:47 -0500

The companies you use to access the internet, both household broadband as well as wireless, have an incredible amount of information on your online habits. They know where and when you to go to sites and in the case of wireless carriers, they usually know where you are in the real world. To supplement their revenue, they are apparently selling this information to the government.

Twitter Founder Wants To Pay With iPhone

Marin Perez — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:39:04 -0500

Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of that little thing called Twitter, is showing off his latest project, and Square is trying to turn iPhones into a mobile payment hub for merchants. It's a very interesting idea, but, like Twitter, I'm wondering how it's going to make real money.

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Motorola's CLIQ Improves With New Software Update

Eric Zeman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:35:26 -0500

Some good news for users of the Motorola CLIQ. Motorola is offering a system update for the device that makes some major improvements in battery life, screen accuracy and accelerometer accuracy. Too bad the CLIQ is stuck on Android 1.5, though.

Video Calling Now Possible With iPhone

Eric Zeman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:19:34 -0500

Video calling is one of those features that has the "neat-o" effect on people. It's fairly common in some European markets, but has yet to make much of an impact in the U.S. Perhaps the newest version of fring for the iPhone will change that, as it allows one-way video sharing from the iPhone to another device running either fring or Skype.

Motorola Might Sell 1M Droids By Year's End

Eric Zeman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:28:59 -0500

Neither Verizon Wireless nor Motorola have reported official sales figures for the Droid smartphone, but estimates place current sales between 700,000 and 800,000. That makes reaching the one million units sold milestone (pun intended) within Motorola's grasp.

Black Friday Boosted By Mobile Phones

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:01:49 -0500

Black Friday in the US was boosted by mobile phones, but perhaps not in the way you think. Yes, there were definitely some good deals on mobile phones, but I'm talking about people using mobile phones to hone in on good deals and even complete some purchases.

Nokia Slows Maemo Investment To Just One Device?

Eric Zeman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:05:15 -0500

Today, citing people familiar with Nokia's 2010 product roadmap, Reuters is reporting that Nokia will release just one new device in 2010 running its Linux-based Maemo platform. That's a bad idea, Nokia.

LG Intros eXpo WinMo Smartphone With Pico Projector

Eric Zeman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:29:43 -0500

Today LG and AT&T introduced a new Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone, the eXpo. The device's defining feature is a removable Texas Instruments DLP pico projector, which can be used to share movies...er...PowerPoint Presentations when on the road.

Sprint Targets Cyber Monday Instead Of Black Friday

Eric Zeman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:04:15 -0500

Just before the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless all announced sales for Black Friday and over the weekend. Conspicuously absent was any sort of sales event promoted by Sprint. Turns out Sprint was saving its deals for Cyber Monday instead of Black Friday.

Google Branded Phone Rumored in 2010

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:18:56 -0500

Ever since Google's Android phone has been known about, there has been speculation that Google would make a "Google Phone" to sell. Google has steadfastly maintained they don't want anything to do with hardware though. They are satisfied with making the platform and working with hardware makers to bring Android to the consumers. That may change.

AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon All Offering Black Friday Sales

Eric Zeman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:25:03 -0500

At least three of the four major network operators in the U.S. have announced sales on devices for the Black Friday shopping bonanza. Here's a round-up of what AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless are offering. My favorite deal is the buy-one-get-one BlackBerry offer that Verizon has scheduled for Friday, November 27.

Best Buy Rolls Out $99 Android Sale

Eric Zeman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:45:11 -0500

The holiday shopping season has fully arrived, and stores across the country will be opening early and offering bargains. If you're brave enough to hit the big box retail stores this weekend, Best Buy is offering five different Android handsets for $99 each.

A Chink In Apples App Store Armor

Ed Hansberry — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:08:31 -0500

I've said before the iPhone is nice but what really makes the platform stand out is the App Store that now has over 100,000 apps available. There are grumblings however from an increasing number of developers not happy with the way Apple is treating those that keep the App Store's shelves stocked.

HP Picks Worst Name Ever For New Smartphone

Eric Zeman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:42:46 -0500

Hewlett Packard has occasionally tossed a new iPAQ-branded smartphone into the market more as proof that it can still make them than to scare up any real sales. Its latest smartphone is perhaps one of the best-looking it has ever crafted, but HP crippled it with a terrible, horrible, no-good name.

Apple Says Users To Blame For iPhone Virus

Eric Zeman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:07:35 -0500

Did your iPhone catch the new "Duh" iPhone virus? If so, Apple says it's your own fault for jailbreaking the iPhone. iPhones that have not been jailbroken are not susceptible to the virus, and jailbreakers can take steps to protect themselves.

iPhone And Android Dominate Mobile Web Browsing

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:03:16 -0500

The iPhone and devices based on Android make up 75% of mobile web traffic according to a recent report by AdMob. These two devices together don't make up anywhere near 75% of the device sales, but they have a disproportionate share of web browsing.