Follow me on TwitterRSS Feeds
Archive for June, 2010
Facebook for iPhone Updated to Support iOS 4 & App Switching
Jun 30th
Today Facebook version 3.1.4 has been released for the iPhone, with support for iOS 4. This version of Facebook for iPhone now supports fast app switching and high-res icons. This update doesn’t include any new features, but does include some bug fixes from the previous version. You can pick up Facebook v3.1.4 for iPhone here in iTunes
[Via: Mashable]
Details spilled on Android 3.0 “Gingerbread”
Jun 30th
In a recent Russian Podcast, Eldar Murtazin let a few details slip out about Gingerbread, Android’s upcoming 3.0 OS. Gingerbread is said to sport a revamped UI similar to that of the 3D Gallery app, which was introduced with Eclair. With the new OS, a custom interface (ie: HTC’s Sense or Motorola’s Motoblur) may not be possible, though nothing is confirmed at the moment.
Custom interfaces have been embraced with many users, but it seems at though some have affected the performance of certain devices, which is out of Google’s hands. Google is revamping the UI in an attempt to appease users, while maintaining more control over the OS (a la Apple). Hopefully, Gingerbread will liven up the user experience so that custom interfaces will no longer be desired.
Gingerbread will only be available for devices sporting a 1GHz CPU, 512MB of RAM, and a 3.5″ display or larger. There are a decent amount current devices that will make the cut, but some will be forced to stick with 2.1 or 2.2. There will also be a 1280 x 760 resolution available for devices with screens that are 4″ or larger. Right now it looks like we’ll see some new devices released with Gingerbread in mid-October, along with the upgrade to current devices.
[Via: MobileCrunch, Engadget]
Rogers Officially Announces Chat-r Wireless
Jun 30th
So the rumours are true: The already saturated Canadian market is about to become more competitive with the launch of another new wireless carrier. Chat-r will be a completely new division of Rogers Wireless with unlimited talk and text offerings, similar to WIND Mobile and Mobilicity.
With this addition, Rogers will try to capture even more of the Canadian market. Chat-r plans to launch in five major Canadian cities including Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver later this summer.
Here’s what you can expect from Chat-r on launch:
- Contract-free plans
- Unlimited talk and text only (no data) within Chat-r zones
- Independent customer care centers with an extensive retail presence
- Low cost handsets including: LG Sapphire, Samsung Gravity, and Nokia 2680 Slide
With this announcement many questions arise from my end, but I will save them for a future editorial. For now, I leave it to my loyal readers: What do you think of this announcement? Good move on Rogers’ end? Let us know.
Read the official press release.
Follow me on twitter
eBay for BlackBerry app now out of beta and in 6 more countries
Jun 30th
The Ebay for BlackBerry app has been available for some time now in the App World Test Center and in Beta Zone but has now come out of beta. In addition to North America, it has become available in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Features include:
- Receive alerts when there’s a change in an item’s status
- View and reply to messages sent by buyers
- Pay for an item using PayPal®
- Search by keyword, item number, category, price and more
- Review your sale items, view items that have sold, and relist items
- Bid, buy and watch items from wherever you are and whenever you want
- Pay for items instantly using integrated PayPal® functionality
- Add items to your calendar with just a click of a button. You will never lose track of a deal ever again!
You can pick up the Ebay for BlackBerry App OTA at blackberry.com/ebay or in App World
Palm Eliminates App Submission Fees, Refunds Current Developers
Jun 30th
While Palm may not be the most prominent smartphone manufacturer in the market today, they sure do know how to give off a good impression. In addition to Palm’s ongoing app sale, the company now has completely done away with the $50 app submission fee for the App Catalog. Not only that, Palm is also refunding current developers their previous submission fees, telling developers to expect a credit to their PayPal account for the amount in the near future.
With the removal of the $50 fee it stands to question whether this will open the door to potential developers that had previously been on the fence, or if it will instead open the floodgates for low-quality applications to enter the App Catalog. I have a feeling that a measly $50 fee wasn’t holding any serious developers back from submitting their applications, but I could be wrong. Only time will tell, but personally, I fear for the future of the webOS App Catalog and the ability for quality developers to stand out among the potential saturation in the store.
Feel free to check out Palm’s Developer Blog for the full entry here.
Cheap and Effective iPhone 4 Protection
Jun 30th
No matter the phone I am using at the time (normally 2 or more) I always find myself plagued with the question: “What sort of protection should I use?” Sure, there are many accessories to choose from: plastics shells, rubber skins, holsters and leather cases, to name a few, but those accessories can make the phone both bulky and boring, they also tend to be costly when replaced.
Say hello to Sugru modelling clay. This stuff is strong and easy to use. All you need to do is model 4 small pieces around the corners of your new iPhone and let it dry overnight. These little “nubbins” are durable and will better defend your device from any drops or abuse you may throw its way, while reducing the bulk generally brought on by standard cases.
Pick up some Sugru clay via their website.
PS. I, however DON’T think these nubbins will protect it from being shot!
[via Mobile Crunch, Source Gadget Labs]
Follow me on twitteriPhone on Verizon Rumors, Again
Jun 29th
The Verizon iPhone drum is beating again, and it’s louder than ever. The official report from Bloomberg suggests that “it’s totes for real this time, I promise!” Bloomberg supposedly has unnamed sources (how convenient) that support the claim that the vPhone will launch in January 2011. They go on to imply that “pressure” from Android and RIM is “forcing Apple” to move multiple carriers to compete. That last bit is pure analyst conjecture. Actually, the entire article is pretty devoid of anything useful. Bloomberg provides no evidence, then changes subjects to how it would be a good business decision — this, to me, is just not conclusive enough. Especially when Verizon is still mounting their massive anti-iPhone campaign… We’ve been here before people. Until I see some real evidence, I choose not to believe this.
via Bloomberg
Rogers & Shoppers Drug Mart pilot project already started?
Jun 29th
Originally posted back in April, Rogers was to launch pilot distribution arrangement with Shoppers Drug Mart on July 1st. Today, MobileSyrup posted the picture above, taken from inside a Shoppers Drug Mart. It seems at though the program is already in effect at several locations, with a full line of Rogers/Fido Smartphones and Rocket Sticks in store. The promotional sign is showing an offer of 50,000 Shoppers Optimum bonus points, (an $85 value) with a new Rogers or Fido activation. Seems like a pretty good deal. And yes we all see the typo. Drop a comment below if you happen to see a Rogers stand at your local Shoppers Drug Mart.
[Via: MobileSyrup]
Numbers - The Bigger, The Better?
Jun 29th
So, there are all these charts trying to blast the iPhone 4 away because “its megapixels aren’t good enough” or “512 MB of RAM is nothing!” My feeling is that these specifications shouldn’t mean anything. It’s not even uncommon for people to have 512 MB of RAM (or less…) in their home computers, so why is it a big deal that the iPhone 4 doesn’t have 1 GB? I feel like these numbers are a hold out from the PC era, where everything was about specifications plus a general ignorance about the market.
I mean, people still think more megapixels = better pictures. This has been proven over and over to be not true. These numbers (processor clock, memory, storage, etc), are put on charts to try and judge a device. The intention is, that someone could look at this chart and decide that something is better. The bigger the number, the better the phone, right? It matters to people because their ignorance is high, and so are “the numbers.” These days, since every mobile phone environment is more controlled, it’s more a matter of “How well does my phone run?” rather than “What’s in my phone?”
If my phone streams to bluetooth speakers, scrolls through lists smoothly, runs all my apps and games, and never gets in my way,.. then why do numbers matter? It’s about the experience those numbers provide, and more numbers, doesn’t mean it’s a better device. So all those folks with “irrelevant” G1s, Droids, iPhone 3Gs, Palm Pixis, and Blackberry Pearl Flips - do you like your phone? Does it run well? Does it get in your way?
Ignore the number folk, they just don’t get it.
Idea via Engadget
Will Your Device Support The BlackBerry 6 OS?
Jun 29th
Since WES 2010 and the official announcement of the BlackBerry 6, there has been much speculation as to which devices will be released with the OS and more importantly, which current devices will get the upgrade. RIM has been very tight-lipped about the situation, only releasing a video of BlackBerry 6 running on a Storm touchscreen device. It wasn’t too long after that, we at TheCellularGuru.com got our hands on BlackBerry 6 running on the elusive Clamshell 9670 (a non-touchscreen device). Since then, videos have popped up of it running on basically all pre-released devices; which has led to the question? “Will my current device support BlackBerry 6?”
Our friends over at BerryReview decided to do some digging themselves and although it’s all still speculation, have released a list of current and future model devices slated to be released running the newest OS, take a look:
- The following devices will get BlackBerry 6 at launch: The Clamshell 9670, Bold Slider 9800, Atlas 8980, and Kepler 9300
- The following devices will get BlackBerry 6 as an update from OS 5: The Bold 9650, Pearl 9100 and 9105, Bold 9700, and the Storm 9520 & 9550
While to BlackBerry fan boys none of this really comes as a surprise, another popular speculation has been a release date. Some have said summer time, while others have said back to school time at best. Rumor has it, BlackBerry 6 is tentatively set at a Q3 launch, although this is still hard to believe because the OS is still in beta, and carrier testing hasn’t even begun yet. If you are unaware of the new features to come in BlackBerry 6 see below:
- Graphical context menu in tables list and tabs.
- The long context menu has ended Unified search framework included in 3rd party app data
- Multiple contact lists
- Message list enhancements (displaying pushed 3rd party app data)
- Wi-Fi LBS supports
- reverse geo coding (geo to zip)
- travel time service within Canada and USA
- trackpad support for swipe gestures.
- Barcode 1D/2D scanning support
- Auto-Focus enhancements (Camera lens and Auto-Focus are now separate)
As you can see this is a big step up from OS 4 & 5 we’ve all grown to know and love/hate. Only time will really tell what is truth and what is rumor. Until then, speculate away in the comments!
[Via: BerryReview]
Follow me on twitter
Interact With Us