If A Droid and Palm Pre Had An Affair…This Would Be The Result
Jul 19th
I am not sure why, since the failure of the Palm Pre, other manufacturers seem to want to make portrait slider phones in the same vein.
Either way, this “Droid Mini’ as it is being nicknamed, will be of a CDMA variety, and is rumored to hit Verizon in the near future. Other than the portrait slide and the glaring red Android eye, there isn’t much to go on specs wise.
Maybe for the next leak, the specs will have a smudge on them, making them as easy to read as this picture is to see.
[via Androidandme]
Follow me on twitterBell To Get HTC Wildfire? Say It Ain’t So!
Jul 19th
Bell, what are you doing? You already have the best low-spec Android phone on the market in the HTC Legend! What’s the point of introducing an even lower-spec Android 2.1 device in the Wildfire? The Legend is $79.95 on a 3-year term, and is almost the perfect marriage of size, power and epic aluminum. The Wildfire is like the stunted, ugly sister to the Legend.
But I digress. They must have a reason for showing the phone in a recent internal document (Act-celerate your Sales. Wow, Bell, can you be any lamer?). And if they do decide to introduce it, perhaps the Wildfire could intro at $0 post-paid, or even be eligible for pre-paid.
The Wildfire has the same 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor as the HTC Magic which was introduced over two years ago. It’s 3.2″ 320×240 screen is a tad low-res for my tastes, but certainly fits well with the small stature of the phone. It has a decent 384MB RAM, also adequate for the smaller texture sizes that have to be loaded into RAM. It’s topped off with a 5MP camera with LED flash. So clearly the phone has some legs. It’s also cute and small for the ladies.
I do hope it finds a home in some Canadians’ pockets, but Bell should be focusing more on bringing high-end Android devices to these shores. K? Thanks.
(via AndroidGuys)
Google’s Nexus One Discontinued. Wherefore Art Thou, Open Android?
Jul 19th
So today the last shipment of Nexus One devices were delivered to Google. Once the inventory runs out, that’s all she wrote for the now-famous direct-buy, no-carrier phone. For its time, the phone’s specs were some of the best ever seen, and really still have not been far eclipsed in the seven months since its online-only release.
The beauty of the Nexus One was in its flexibility and the ease in which it could be hacked to its owner’s content. The open bootrom, in layman’s terms, meant that should you find the stock OS insufficient, a couple lines on a command prompt later you could potentially load any number of user-designed OS’s based on Google’s AOSP (Android Open Source Project). One of the more famous ones now is CyanogenMOD, which is a group project to bring many custom improvements, both visual and performance-wise, to the platform.
The business model was not without its detractors, however. To purchase the phone was to buy it outright (except through T-Mobile): it came unlocked for any carrier, you just chose the radio inside the phone (for T-Mobile/WIND or AT&T/Rogers/Bell/Telus). For $529, this was not the cheapest option, but the fact that there was no contract that needed to be signed. In a sense, the phone, once purchased, was about as free and open as you could possibly imagine.
But the experiment didn’t work: Apple sold millions of iPhones in the time that Google sold only 135,000 Nexus One devices. Perhaps people in the United States just weren’t comfortable buying a phone outright; their allegiances to the subsidized carrier prices were too strong. And what’s a two-year contract in the long run? For me, it’s two years too long.
So now what? What happens to open Android? Where does one go to get his hackable Froyo? For all we’ve heard about Motorola making it practically impossible to hack its new Droid X phone, the move seems to be away from the open concept of Android and into the OEM-controlled UI changes and awful pre-loaded junkware of AT&T and Verizon. When we purchase a phone, we should have the right to remove programs we don’t want and don’t need. But the carriers feel that with their subsidies they have the right to lock down the devices we buy. It’s ludicrous.
So the Nexus One may go down as a failure in Google’s pocketbooks. But the community that has derived from its open nature is far more important. Thousands of people band together on forums like XDA-Developers to try and crack the problems that Google couldn’t. No 720p video recording? No problem. Battery life getting you down? Install a custom Linux kernel. It’s all possible with the Nexus One, and my fear is that in the future Google will be too scared to pursue the same results with a different phone.
The Nexus One will still be sold via Vodafone in Europe, KT in South Korea, and perhaps some other vendors. But when the inventory runs out on Google.com/phone, it will be the end of an era. I don’t think we have to worry about the success of Android as a platform: the Droid X and Droid Incredible are still out-selling most other smartphones in the US, and Android was the only platform to gain users in the Feb-May time period. But for open Android, it’s a different story.
(via ReadWriteWeb)
Verizon 4G SIM Leaks Out, Looks Like Your Momma’s 3G
Jul 19th
The folks over at Engadget managed to get their paws on a Verizon-branded SIM card slated to enable devices to use their upcoming 4G LTE network. Just the thought of finally being able to swap a SIM between multiple devices instead of having to fuss with ESNs just tickles me to death. 4G-enabled devices won’t be a reality till late this year at the earliest, so for now, keep your panties on.
(via Engadget)
Mobile Lifestyle: How to lose a guy in 10 BBMs
Jul 18th
A boy must have invented the “delivered” versus “received” system on BBM because he certainly did not take into account the potential torture and agony that would ensue. Don’t get me wrong, I love BBM, yet where do you draw the line on who to add and when it is appropriate to add them? To avoid emotional turmoil, and embarrassing conversations like the one below, I have developed some simple rules.
| BBM Conversation | Translation |
| 1:54 am R u still up? | Drunk text to new guy |
| 1:54 am thx baby – had a great time too J | Misdirected message intended to be sent to old guy |
| 2:18am oh! Sorry, wrong person…..lol! eek.. | Back peddling! |
| (messages all received) | The glaring “R” shows up on all messages to new guy |
| 2:19am hello??? | More Back peddling and slight anger at his non-responsiveness |
| 2:21am k listen, don’t worry about that message – its nothing. | …. |
| 2:22am am I | …. |
| 2:22am right? | …. |
| 2:23am k, well ur prolly sleeping | Resignation and acceptance |
| 2:23am are you?? | Disbelief |
| 2:24am I am sorry for waking u up… | Apologetic |
| (all messages received) | Anger and Rage |
| 12:34pm Yah I was. I was fast asleep and I heard my phone beep 10 times. | Good riddance – didn’t like him anyways |
- Do not engage in drunk-texting, sexting or any type of mobile communication after 1:51am. This will ultimately lead to messages sent to the wrong recipients. #fail
- Do not date those that choose to leave your message as “received” with no answer. These individuals are clearly not eager to read your message – how dare they.
- There is also a smaller group who choose to leave the messages “delivered” for up to 3 or more hours that could be on the non-date list as well. These individuals are either a) playing games b) industrial strength phone answering control. In either case, you are a phone junkie and need to know things right away and have no patience for either.
- If you do choose to place your new “special someone” on your instant message list – first think about the implications: 1. You can be reached 24/7 – do you want to be that available? 2. Unfortunately, deleting will be noticed.
- My number one rule going forward with BBM is to just keep it to close friends and family where no miscommunication can occur. If it does, than a simple phone call can alleviate such matters.
Email is sooo 2009, BBM is the new hotness, and in any case it’s more personal than email.
When you add a new contact it’s an open invitation to conversation 24/7. So be mindful and weary as to who you draw into your inner personal mobile space – it can get crowded.
This Week In iPhone 4.11-4.17
Jul 18th
As always, an Apple press event completely shuts down the internet and suffocates all other news. For the most part, it seems that all the news surrounds Apple’s supposed “Anntenna-gate” situation. All this antenna talk has swiftly become a headache for everyone, I suspect that it will be completely forgotten. As for Apple bringing other manufacturers into this, I think it’s a good idea. After Apple posted examples of other phones experiencing the death grip, I have since tried it on other devices and seen it work exactly as described, just like it does on the iPhone. Personally, I believe this is all hype and is only a big deal because the iPhone is a high profile device - no one cares if a Bold has the same “problem” cause no one that matters uses one. Well, that may be a bit of an over-reaching statement, but the point stands, Blackberries and Droids alike lose signal when held. Just seems like everyone who is complaining, doesn’t even own an iPhone 4 and has no place to speak up in the first place. Anyway, here’s the week contained in links.
Free Bumpers for all
Apple Engineer warned Jobs about the antenna design
iOS 4.0.1 now shows how crappy AT&T is (correctly), but doesn’t fix the antenna
Apple’s official antenna page (my blog on it)
Apple’s Antenna-gate press conference video
This Week In BlackBerry 4/11-4/17
Jul 18th
BlackBerry leaks have been very light this week, but RIM has really picked up the slack with their official presence. The new BlackBerry 6 teaser video, BBM commercials and RIM’s Annual General Meeting definitely kept us entertained throughout the week.
Just when everything was calm again, Steve Jobs brought BlackBerry news back to life by attempting to pull RIM into Apple’s faulty antenna situation. Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie usually aren’t the type to respond to other Smartphone companies, but in this case, they felt it was necessary to put Steve Jobs in his place. Antennagate is so newsworthy, even people who normally don’t follow Smartphone news were talking about it and passing phones around, attempting to ‘death grip’. Hit the jump to see what you may have missed this week in BlackBerry.
News
RIM Releases Another BlackBerry 6 Teaser Video
RIM Finally Starting To Push BBM Through TV Commercials
BlackBerry 9800 Slider Parts Starting To Surface
Another Year, Another RIM-shot
Bell Dropping the Blackberry Bold 9000?
Blackberry 9800 To Be A Rogers Exclusive?
Apps
Bolt Browser updated to v2.11 fix a major bug!
Editorials
Viigo app to become a thing of the past?
Accessories
BlackBerry Accessory Review: Otterbox Commuter Case for Bold 9700
This Week in Android 4/11-4/17
Jul 17th
It was kind of a slow week for the Android community with the iPhone signal issues and press conference stealing most of the spotlight. Still, we had two highly-anticipated device launches this week-the Motorola Droid X and the Samsung Vibrant. The Droid X and the Samsung Vibrant launched Thursday the 15th for Verizon and T-Mobile respectively, each priced at a dollar short of two benjamins with a two-year agreement. With the launch of the Droid X there was a lot of hubbub surrounding Motorola’s inclusion of an eFuse chip which could potentially halt hackers’ attempts to unlock the bootloader. It still isn’t confirmed that the eFuse will actually brick the phone if it’s meddled with. Even Motorola’s highly-hackable original Droid had the same eFuse chip onboard though it wasn’t implemented to stop modification of the software.
We also got word that the Motorola Droid is nearing its end of life. If the Droid X proves to be too much for Android modders then the Droid may be the last truly open Motorola handset we see. Time will only tell if rooting the Droid X will be a reality, but I have a feeling nothing will stop the Android community from opening up this phone. Check out this week’s Android news after the break.
Will the Droid be Motorola’s last hackable phone?
Motorola Droid, Droid Devour, and BlackBerry Tour End of Life Imminent
Sorry Stevie, I can make lefty calls with my Bold 9700! See RIM’s Official Statement.
Jul 16th
Yesterday at the Apple iPhone 4 Conference, Steve Jobs made a claim that the BlackBerry Bold 9700 amongst other devices, loses signal when gripped in a certain way. Apple even went as far as launching http://www.apple.com/antenna/ showing diagrams and videos of how Smartphones lose signal when gripped ‘improperly’.
Being an AT&T subscriber with a Bold 9700, I tried gripping my device just like Apple’s diagram showed, but it held strong at 5 bars. I should add, don’t have a case on my 9700, as it is completely naked. I tried again several times for lengthy enough periods to make sure there was no signal degradation. I even tried completely covering the bottom of my 9700 with both hands and it still did NOT drop a single bar. Also see RIM’s official statement below.
“Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.”
- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
I can’t personally speak for the other devices Apple claims have antenna issues, but I believe it would have been wise for Stevie to leave the 9700 out of this, being that it’s an AT&T device with absolutely no antenna issue. It would have been much more respectable if Apple just owned up to the issue in the first place, offered free cases or refunds, and left it at that. Making false claims about an error in the software and then about competitors devices, simply makes Apple look foolish. Feel free to drop a comment below and let us know how you feel about Apple’s new false claim.
[Source: CrackBerry]
Did Apple Deliver Today?
Jul 16th
Sound off in the comments with your thoughts and ideas on today’s conference regarding Apple’s response to the antenna problem. How do you think Apple should have realistically handled the situation? Did they satisfy your qualms? I’d like to hear from iPhone 4 owners in particular - everyone else seems to be entirely non-objective on the matter (although I’d still like to hear what you have to say). My personal opinion may be a bit unique. I wholly support the idea of a full refund with no restocking fee for anyone that doesn’t want the phone. However, I think the free case is overkill and really shows that Apple wants to bend over backwards. I actually don’t believe that there is a hardware flaw or design flaw.
The phone is, as Apple designed it, attenuation and all. While everyone may not agree with it, it’s not a mistake. Same way sidetalking on the N-Gage is, way back when. Not a mistake, not a flaw - as designed. The free case but no redesign suggests to me that Apple agrees with me, but wants to avoid explaining themselves and just get people to shut up. This is more than acceptable. Complainers get a free case, or a refund. Those that don’t want to use the phone any more don’t have to and are welcome to leave. Anyone that still wants to “endure” the “hardship” of using an iPhone 4 must really think the phone is something special.
Anyway, leave a comment with your thoughts. Thanks.
I feel like most people will fall into the following categories of responses:
- A free case, or full refund both solves the problem for those that want to stay and/or grants freedom for those that aren’t happy and want to find a different phone.
- I’m more or less satisfied, but I would have rather had a hardware redesign.
- I’m pissed that Apple isn’t going to completely redesign the handset and instead is just going to cover it with a semi-literal bandage.
- I’m too much of an Apple hater/lover to give a non-biased opinion.
Picture from Hijinks Ensue
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