GuruRicky
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Posts by GuruRicky
reMail acquired by Google…but why?
Feb 20th
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m REALLY looking forward to this war brewing between Google and Apple. I think it’s fair to say Android phones and the iPhone are primarily marketed more towards consumers than business users and, with that market constantly growing, these two tech giants aren’t going to be pulling any punches.
Want proof? (I mean other than the in-again, out-again of Google Voice in the Apple’s App Store)
Twitter for BlackBerry vs SocialScope
Feb 19th
It’s been just over a week since Twitter for BlackBerry came out so I figured it’s about time to compare it to my preferred Twitter app: SocialScope.
I’m only going to be comparing the similar functions of the two apps so even though SS carries Flickr (anyone use this? what’s it for?) and foursquare support, I won’t be discussing them further than this sentence that ends right here.
After waiting for months for a SS invite, I finally got one on Christmas Eve (talk about timing!). I actually got it from a friend who had an extra – like my own personal Santa. With most BB apps, it’s the little things I appreciate. For example, SS puts all of the tweets I send facing the opposite direction (the people I follow show up avatar then tweet; mine show up tweet then avatar), making it easier to find my own tweets; T4BB doesn’t have this option. SS also has the option for 2 accounts, though it’s possible T4BB will add this feature in the future.
Guru RickyAlca-droid? Andratel?
Feb 18th
What do you get if you take a Palm Pre twin, give it the Android OS and throw in an early 90’s color scheme? Well you get the Alcatel OT-980.
First, I have to say, I don’t get a slide-out keyboard on a touchscreen phone. They all feel either too flimsy (like the Pre) or just add awkward weight (like the Motorola Droid).
Beyond the confusingly useless keyboard, this is actually a pretty decent little phone. This slider packs 192MB of RAM, WiFi, 3G and a compass (which seems to be the new “it” feature – compasses are the new WiFi?). This 2.8 inch screen is rumored to run Android 2.1 – making it a “better” phone than most Android phones on the market today.
The OT-980 will be the European company’s first venture into the smartphone realm and they seem to have a good plan – design a quality, consumer-friendly phone and sell it at a low price.
The OT-980 won’t be available for a few more months, but it should find some very interested users when it hits the market.
Kindle comes to the BlackBerry
Feb 18th
How many of you are as addicted to books as you are to your BB? Well I’ve got great news for you: BlackBerry now has a Kindle app! It’s a free download on the app, with books being the usual $9.99 (unless otherwise marked – thanks Apple for messing that up). Though new, the app has all the same functionality as a normal Kindle with over 400,000 books available and free book samples. Also, the books you purchase can be read on your BB, your Kindle, your computer or any other Kindle app. Probably the best feature is that it automatically syncs where you left off between the different apps, meaning no more lost bookmarks! The only downside is that the app is only available for US customers, though I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t change in the future.
To download, head to amazon.com/kindleBB from your phone’s browser or go to the link below to send the link to your phone via email.
More info on Amazon’s site here.
Way to go, Ms. Kardashian
Feb 17th
Ok, maybe Twitter is just too much technology for some people. No, I’m not talking about your 78 year old grandma (who’s having a blast in Cancun, by the way). Nor am I talking about your dog. I’m talking about people like Kim Kardashian – of, well, some sort of fame.
Apparently Ms. Kardashian was on a flight yesterday and broke a MAJOR airline-safety taboo: DON’T TWEET ABOUT THE AIR MARSHALS!
Leave it to a “celebrity” to ruin something as great as in-flight WiFi!
That’s a lotta phones!
Feb 17th
I happened across an interesting article this morning over at Gizmodo and though it would be a nice follow-up to our deficit post from the other day.
Of the 6.5 billion people in this world, there are close to 5 billion cellphone subscriptions. We (the people of the world) hit 4.6 billion subscriptions by the end of 09 and are still growing. Personally, I only have one, but I’m considering adding more. However, my dad has 2 and I have a few friends with upwards of 5!
For more, check out Gizmodo’s article.
More Verizon BOGO Excitement
Feb 16th
Just a heads up, Verizon Wireless started up another BOGO sale today.
This sale includes it all - BlackBerry, Android, webOS as well as their entire line of 3G phones and internet devices.
Puma steps up to the plate
Feb 16th
I’ve always been a fan of Puma. I mean, who else can sell a purple plaid hoodie and make it awesome? And have you seen their Mongolian Shoe Barbecue stuff? Well, now there’s a whole new reason to love Puma – they make phones! Well, sort of.
Puma has teamed up with Sagem Wireless to produce the first Puma phone! From what we’ve seen so far, it has all the standard phone tech – 2.8 in touchscreen, 3.3MP camera with 6X zoom, GPS – but it comes with some rather sporty features as well like a pedometer and a GPS tracker. Probably the coolest part of the phone (other than the fact it’s a Puma phone) is the solar charging panel. Yes, Puma and Sagem beat Apple, HTC, RIM and everyone else to the punch here. This is a great idea, especially since I’m sure they’ll be marketing this to those with active lifestyles (think running, not drinking).
The Puma Phone (yes, that’s what it’s called) is said to be available in April over in Europe, with no word about availability here in the North America and sold through both carriers and Puma retail stores.
No word on carriers, though the picture definitely says T-Mobile.
See the full press release here
*Picture courtesy of Engadget
Guru RickyLet’s get down to BIS-ness
Feb 16th
Looks like Today is going to be big in the BlackBerry world, with RIM expected to make a big announcment regarding changes to the way BIS works with your phone. We don’t know too much yet, but we (as always) do have some rumors to work with.
First, it looks like RIM is going to be making BIS work more like BES with “BlackBerry Shield for BIS”. These features (as reported yesterday by BBleaks) are likely to include OTA syncing and remote wiping, as well as al your other BES goodies. I’m on a BES server and I have to say, I think OTA syncing is probably my favorite thing about my BB. No matter where I am, I can add/update a contact and have it sync with my desktop – excellent for when traveling or on business trips. So, for all your BIS users (both consumers and small business users), you’ve got that going for you…which is nice.
Also, RIM is rumored to be announcing a little something called BESX – BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express. This is supposed to include a free, and unlimited, BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
The features are allegedly debuting March 1.
That’s about all we know for now, but we’ll keep you updated. And be ready for big news later today!
****UPDATE****
We just received word that BESX has been confirmed via Blackberry.com
Guru RickyNokia: They “Feel” your pain
Feb 15th
The team over at Engadget has an interesting article about a new Nokia app called Feel. Basically, the app has a list of emotions and when you click the one you’re feeling, it suggests an activity to do with the phone. The video uses the example of feeling “Creative” and then suggests taking a picture, though there seems to be more options available.
There’s also a “Shuffle” feature, in case you’re not sure how you feel I guess. Also, did anyone else notice that the Shuffle icon looks a whole lot like the Shazam app logo?
For more info, check out the Nokia Beta site
Guru Ricky
