InformationWeek Mobile Weblog

Apple Steps Into AT&T-Verizon Ad War

Eric Zeman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:59:47 -0500

AT&T just got a partner it its fight with Verizon Wireless. Apple is stepping into the advertising fray with two new commercials that point out features that the iPhone has that Verizon's phones iDon't.

AT&T's iPhone Stranglehold Ending June 2010?

Eric Zeman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:32:45 -0500

Neither AT&T nor Apple has ever admitted how long the exclusive sales arrangement is for the iPhone. Despite their silence, at least one person strongly believes the deal will end in June 2010, which means the iPhone will then become available via more carriers in the U.S.

Verizon Snags Samsung's Omnia II With WinMo 6.5

Eric Zeman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:35:13 -0500

Samsung adds to Verizon Wireless' inventory of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices with the new Omnia II. This media monster packs social networking powers, a five-megapixel camera, support for Divx and Xvid, and comes with a budget-friendly price of $200.

Will Android Survive?

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:55 -0500

With the Apple iPhone setting the market on fire, it seems difficult to imagine another platform replicating its success. That isn't going to stop people from trying though. If even only half as successful, there is a lot of money to be made. The latest platform to catch fire is Android. Will it succeed, or be an also ran?

Thoughts On The Motorola Droid

Marin Perez — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:57:28 -0500

It's been a few weeks since the Motorola Droid crash-landed on Verizon Wireless, and I wanted to give it a good amount of real-life usage before I reviewed the handset. So, does the Droid live up to the hype, or is it another failed iPhone killer?

Specs For Next Motorola Android Phone Leak

Eric Zeman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:35:39 -0500

Based on the spec sheet that's floating about the Interwebs today, it appears as though Motorola's next Android phone is probably headed to AT&T -- which remains to be the only major U.S. carrier not already offering an Android handset.

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Motorola Promises Fix For Droid's Goofy Camera

Eric Zeman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:25:51 -0500

The Motorola Droid has one of the weirdest bugs I've ever heard about. It concerns the camera. It seems some users are finding that the autofocus doesn't work quite right. Motorola says a software fix is on the way.

Next-Gen BlackBerry Pearl Makes Appearance

Eric Zeman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:11:49 -0500

A generous -- and in-focus -- number of images of the unannounced BlackBerry Pearl 9100 have been posted to the Internet. If you're a fan of the Pearl line of smartphones from BlackBerry, it's time to get excited.

Top Wireless Turkeys Of 2009

Ed Hansberry — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:05:57 -0500

Amid a year when the iPhone 3GS was released, Android exploded on the scene after simmering in the form of the T-Mobile G1 for nearly a year and Verizon launching some great ads talking smack about AT&T's performance, there have been a few wireless blunders that are best forgotten. 2009 isn't over yet, but there would need to be something pretty spectacular to top the turkeys on this list.

iPhone Is No.1, But RIM Owns Top Ten List

Eric Zeman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:05:16 -0500

The stats are in. During the third quarter of 2009, the Apple iPhone 3GS was the top-selling smartphone in the U.S. Research In Motion, however, owned nearly every other spot in the top ten. Who's the real winner here?

Palm's New Smartphones Discounted To Oblivion?

Eric Zeman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:59:19 -0500

The Palm Pre has been on sale at Sprint for about six months now. Its little brother, the Pixi, just hit store shelves this past weekend. Both can (already) be had for a song and a dance.

Is It The Apps Or The Phone That Makes The Platform?

Ed Hansberry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:20:14 -0500

Apple spends a lot of time emphasizing what you can do with the phone, and most of that is related to the apps, not the platform or any of its built in functions. With over 100,000 apps available, whatever you want to do, "There's an app for that." Are the apps more important than the platform? Microsoft's Ray Ozzie doesn't think so.

AT&T Airs Weak 'Comeback' Commercial Against Verizon

Eric Zeman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:15:12 -0500

Though the current feud between AT&T and Verizon Wireless borders on the ridiculous, it isn't stopping either company from continuing the schoolyard brawl. AT&T was dealt a blow in court today and came out swinging in response. Its own "attack ad" -- if you can call it that -- misses the mark.

The Ads, Oh They Are A Commin

Ed Hansberry — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:14:14 -0500

Apple and Google have been planning to leverage the popularity of mobile devices to serve up ads to enhance their bottom lines. Now that devices are powerful enough to browse the normal web and bandwidth concerns are minimal, this looks like the perfect time to jump in in a big way.

Surprise: Microsoft Intros Office Mobile 2010

Eric Zeman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:27:47 -0500

Right smack in the middle of today's announcement of Microsoft Office 2010 was a teeny little paragraph noting that Office Mobile 2010 is already available to Windows Mobile 6.5 phones in beta form.

Airport Wi-Fi Users Are Rich And Big Spenders

Eric Zeman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:17 -0500

A new study from JiWire unearths some interesting bits of information regarding Wi-Fi use at airports. More than half of users tend to make more than $100,000 per year, and 75% plan to make a big-ticket purchase in the next 12 months. Does that describe you?

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Verizon Lashes Back At AT&T Over Lawsuit

Eric Zeman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:59:04 -0500

On Monday, Verizon Wireless officially responded to lawsuits filed against it by AT&T. Verizon calls AT&T's lawsuits "meritless," points out that the ads are factually accurate and that "the truth hurts."

Windows Marketplace For Mobile Deep Dive

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:02:23 -0500

As indicated previously, Microsoft has released a client for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 users giving them access to app store that WinMo 6.5 users have had access to for just over a month. Deciding on whether or not to install this is a no brainer - do it. You won't regret it.

WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 Gain Access To Marketplace

Eric Zeman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:28:24 -0500

Have you been longing for access to applications on your Windows Mobile 6.0 or 6.1 smartphone? Jealous that Windows Mobile 6.5 can and you can't? Be jealous no more, as users of WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 can download and install Microsoft Marketplace for Windows starting today.

Palm Talks Smack About Android

Eric Zeman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:25:31 -0500

Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein recently said that Android is for "techies" and webOS (its own smartphone platform) is for "people." He also said that he thinks webOS doesn't need 80 gazillion applications to become appealing to the masses. Really?

Samsung Goes Sci-Fi With Galaxy Android Phone

Eric Zeman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:59:18 -0500

The onslaught of Android devices is fully under way. The latest salvo comes from Samsung, which announced the Galaxy Spica i5700 Android device. The Galaxy totes an 800MHz processor and a couple of multimedia surprises under the hood.

Samsung Not Bailing On Windows Mobile

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:31:35 -0500

Oh the dangers on blogging on rumors and speculation. Every once in a while, you get it completely wrong. Contrary to what I talked about last week, it seems Samsung is not bailing on Windows Mobile. Quite the contrary - they anticipate increased volume of device powered by Microsoft's mobile platform.

Palm's webOS 1.3.1 Now Available For Pre

Eric Zeman — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:59:52 -0500

Palm recently made a major system update available for the Palm Pre, its first webOS device. webOS 1.3.1 doesn't introduce any new applications, but it brings in a wide range of improvements to existing applications. The biggest changes are support for Yahoo IM, Calendar and Contacts, and the native email program also sees some major updates.

Thoughts On The BlackBerry Bold 9700

Marin Perez — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:10:07 -0500

I've been putting the latest top-of-the-line BlackBerry through the wringer, and it shouldn't be surprising that this is a rock-solid smartphone. But I did have a few minor and major concerns about our favorite messaging smartphone, and continue reading for a full review.

Windows Mobile Upgrades Not Always Pleasant Process

Ed Hansberry — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:20:29 -0500

Even when you have an upgrade available for your Windows Mobile phone, it may not be the most pleasant device upgrade you've ever done. In fact, it can be one of the worst. There is speculation that the WinMo 7 upgrade story will be vastly improved, but for now, we don't have that.