InformationWeek Mobile Weblog

iPhone News Bit Round-Up

Eric Zeman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:59:37 -0500

Believe it or not, there's actually a few interesting tidbits of iPhone-related news floating around out there today. Some are blaming Apple for the iPhone's connectivity woes, others predict that Apple will sell 10 million iPhones this quarter, and yet others say evidence of the next iPhone has been spotted.

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Nexus One Google Phone: Sorting Fact From Fiction

Eric Zeman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:23:29 -0500

The amount of information that has hit the Internet about the Nexus One Google Phone is bordering on the ridiculous. Not all of it is accurate. Here's a quick look at what's real and what's not.

Windows Mobile 7 Now A Q4 Release

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:03:46 -0500

It looks like Windows Mobile 7 has been pushed back to the fourth quarter of 2010. Actually, Microsoft has not published any release date for the mobile platform so what is really being pushed back are the expectations that the previous round of rumors had. This pushes the release closer to the holiday season though. Any release after that wouldn't bode well at all.

'Nexus One' Is Google's Android Phone For Consumers

Eric Zeman — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:29:18 -0500

Mere hours after Google posted a blog about an unnamed Android device that it gave its employees, the Wall Street Journal confirmed that the device will in fact be sold to consumers as the Nexus One. This is the real, actual, Google Phone, and it will be available in early 2010.

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Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:29:18 -0500

Google Admits That the 'Google Phone' Is Real

Eric Zeman — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:25:12 -0500

In a cryptic post on The Official Google Mobile Blog today, Google admitted that a Google phone does indeed exist. But it's for employees only, and only for "dogfooding" activities. Oh, and Google doesn't call it the "Google Phone."

Motorola Droid Is Gadget Of The Year

Eric Zeman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:55:54 -0500

Time Magazine has named its top ten gadgets of the year. To what I am sure is the bitter disappointment of Apple, Motorola's Droid took the top spot. Does the Droid deserve such honors? Who was left out?

Apple: Nokia Stole Our Ideas

Eric Zeman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:39:41 -0500

In response to the lawsuit that Nokia filed against Apple in October, Apple has responded with one of its own. It goes so far as to say that Nokia "stole" from Apple. This could get ugly.

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Motorola Droid Software Update 2.0.1 Is A Winner

Eric Zeman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:50:45 -0500

The Motorola Droid review unit I have recently updated itself to system 2.0.1. The changes are subtle, but executed perfectly. Not that the Droid was a dog before, but it now operates much better.

Palm Pre Owner Demands Reliable Backups

Ed Hansberry — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:04:38 -0500

Some Palm Pre owners are less than pleased with the backup system that Palm and Sprint use to ensure that user's data is retained. One customer has sued Palm and Sprint in Federal court and is seeking class action status.

Carrier Billing Finally Hits T-Mo's Android Market

Eric Zeman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:55 -0500

T-Mobile is rolling out an update to its Android customers that enables one important new feature: carrier billing. With this feature now working, customers will be able to have Android Market purchases added to their monthly bill rather than their credit card.

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Skype Beta Now Available To Symbian S60

Eric Zeman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:59:20 -0500

For the first time, Skype is offering a version of its software to Symbian S60 3rd Edition devices. It covers the basics, such as Skype-to-Skype calling and instant messaging. The initial set of devices it works with is limited, but Skype promises that will grow quickly.

Google Revs Up iPhone Search App

Eric Zeman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:17:28 -0500

Google has taken the opportunity to offer a new version of its mobile search application for the iPhone. The new software makes several improvements to the usability of the application, including the ability to recognize Australian accents.

HTC Droid Eris Receiving OTA Update From Verizon

Eric Zeman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:17:30 -0500

Verizon Wireless has announced a software update for the HTC Droid Eris. This is not the promised update to either Android 2.0 or 2.1. Instead, this new boot ROM and radio software fixes some minor performance issues on the device.

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Skyfire 1.5 Browser For Windows Mobile Launches

Ed Hansberry — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:04:48 -0500

Skyfire has just taken their browser and upgraded it for Windows Mobile phones. The browser now supports Flash and Silverlight right in the browser just like your desktop. It also supports Ajax, which is what Gmail and other sites use to easily change what is on the screen without forcing a refresh.

Android And Windows Mobile On One Phone

Ed Hansberry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:02:21 -0500

Lots of people run multiple operating systems on their PC. Some PC users have been dual or multibooting between various versions of Windows and Linux for a number of reasons. It isn't unusual for an Apple OS X user to have a copy of Windows they can boot into on their Mac. Through the use of virtual machines, you can run these operating systems simultaneously and switch just as easily as you switch apps on a single OS. Now it seems you may be able to do the same thing with Windows Mobile and Android.

Hands-On With The JooJoo

Marin Perez — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:52:05 -0500

The JooJoo Web tablet has sure caused a stir with all of its issues with TechCrunch, but is the device good enough to overcome all this drama? I spent a little time talking with Fusion Garage CEO Chandra Rathakrishnan today going over the JooJoo and feel like it's an impressive product that may be hindered by its price. Hit the jump for deeper impressions and a demo video.

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Samsung Redefines Vaporware: 'Bada'

Eric Zeman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:04:27 -0500

Samsung herded up the tech press in London today to share more information about Bada, its new homegrown mobile operating system. Yours truly hopped the Atlantic to attend. Unfortunately, all Samsung demonstrated was its ability to fling every buzzword in the book at attendees.

Verizon Wireless Starts Updating The Motorola Droid

Eric Zeman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:20:44 -0500

Verizon Wireless has started updating the system software of the Motorola Droid. The changelog is pretty long, and includes, among other things, better battery life, a fix for the camera, and more OS stability.

HTC Roadmap For 2010 Leaked

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:59:30 -0500

HTC's roadmap for the first half has been leaked and there are tons of pictures and specifications. Looks like there will be plenty of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices as well as some based on Android.

Hospital Goes Mobile For Holiday Fundraising

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:58:22 -0500

Non-profit organizations count on the giving, holiday spirit for end-of-year fundraising campaigns, but with the tight economy, generosity is being rationed by many people. Children's Hospital Boston is hoping a new text messaging campaign underway will drive smaller donations that will add up all year.

AT&T Asks Users To 'Mark The Spot'

Eric Zeman — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:39:58 -0500

I can't believe AT&T is taking this step. It is officially asking its customers to tell them where coverage is less than optimal with a new application for the iPhone called "Mark the Spot." As in, mark the spot where AT&T failed you.

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Google Android A No-Go In Europa

Eric Zeman — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:34:35 -0500

Apparently our friends across the pond aren't too taken with Google's Android operating system. Its presence in European markets has increased in recent months, but only slightly, and not nearly as much as in the U.S. Could it be that Europeans don't like the little green android?

Why Femtocells Aren't Taking Off

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:42:58 -0500

It seems to me a femtocell is a no brainer for the carriers to push. These miniature cell phone base stations go in your house and connect to your broadband internet service. This is ideal for people that have a number of dead spots in their house or no coverage at all if in a rural area. Their use, however, remains very low.

Verizon Calls iPhone A 'Digitally Clueless Beauty Queen'

Eric Zeman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:45:08 -0500

With the court case safely behind them, Verizon Wireless continues to pull no punches in its anti-iPhone marketing campaign. The latest assault takes on the masculinity of the iPhone, and essentially says that it has none. Them's fightin' words, Verizon!

Big Mega Ultra Friday RIM Round-Up

Eric Zeman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:57:00 -0500

Lots going on in the world of Research In Motion today. Some of the items you'll find in this post include a nifty sale going on at AT&T stores today as well as an upgrade to BlackBerry Apps World. More inside!