• android,  blackberry,  iphone,  windows mobile

    Smartphone Apps for the Rest of Us

    Information Week has an interesting little article on their website about how non-iPhone users can obtain new software for their smartphones.

    “Sure, iPhone users have access to the iPhone Apps Store, but where are the rest of us supposed to get great content for our cell phones? Turns out, all over the place.

    Long before the iPhone Apps Store was a gleam in Steve Jobs’ eye, each major wireless network operator offered up numerous third-party applications to their customers through a variety of storefronts.

    The carriers have their own developer programs, application testing procedures, and delivery systems to get apps into the hands of users. InformationWeek took the time to speak to the carriers and get the scoop on how you can find games, music, and location-based services applications for your phone. “

    Keep reading Smartphone Apps for the Rest of Us

    Other Sources of Software

    While you can go through your wireless carrier’s portal for software, there are even more places you can go for software.

    Palm Software Connection… (Palm OS, Windows Mobile)
    PalmGear… (Palm OS)
    PocketGear… (Windows Mobile, BlackBerry)
    Handmark… (Palm OS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, iPhone)
    Handango
    … (Palm OS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian OS, Android)
    MobiHand… (Palm OS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian OS, iPhone, Android)

    Don’t forget the vendors! Many software developers sell their software directly from their own websites. If you really like a vendor’s software, buying it directly from a vendor’s website ensures that they get the most compensation for their work.

    UPDATE:
    An anonymous Smartphone Fanatics reader has pointed out another great source for mobile software, MobiHand.com.

  • microsoft,  windows mobile

    Live Mesh: Here, there, Nowhere…

    Earlier today WMExperts.com was reporting that Microsoft had released Live Mesh for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1-powered devices along with a Mac OS X client (whoa!!).

    However, I received a much different picture when I went to the Microsoft Live Mesh blog. It seems that after the rollout, Microsoft discovered a bug with the installation process, prompting the company to post a warning about attempting to install the software.

    “Since rolling out the latest Live Mesh release this afternoon, a number of customers have reported trouble installing the Live Mesh for Mobile software. We have identified the problem and are currently working on a new build. We don’t yet have an estimated time of availability, but we will post updates here, on the blog, as we know more.

    In the meantime, please do not try to install the Live Mesh for Mobile software on your mobile phone because installation will fail in most cases.

    Thank you for your patience as we work to get this issue resolved quickly.”

    Visit the Live Mesh blog for updates

  • microsoft,  rumors,  windows mobile

    Rumor: Microsoft Working on Windows Mobile 6.5

    Brighthand’s Adama Brown has an interesting article posted on the mobile computing website. Mr. Brown’s article reads, in part:

    “The interview focused on the news that Motorola would be dropping both Symbian and its in-house Linux/Java platform in order to focus on devices running Android and Windows Mobile (read more). While commenting on the user experience aspect of smartphones, Jha noted that:

    “Windows Mobile 6 has not delivered the experience that I think Apple has been able to deliver, but as you look at the plan that is Windows Mobile 7 and even 6.5, I think there are significant new added features which will help the platform.”

    This reference to an upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5 is the first such information about its existence made available to the public. Previously the next known upgrade to Microsoft’s mobile platform was Windows Mobile 7, a major overhaul which was has been repeatedly delayed, most recently until the second half of 2009.”

    Read the full article on Brighthand.com

    Potential Upgrades

    Unlike desktop operating system upgrades from Microsoft, or even Apple, smartphone operating systems need to be tweaked for the hardware it will run on. Because of that fact, we won’t be able to obtain any upgrade directly from Microsoft. Rather, mobile device manufacturers like Motorola and Palm will need to obtain the software, modify the code, and then have the new software stack certified by each wireless carrier who will carry the upgraded phone.

    Long story short, don’t expect every Windows Mobile 6.0 or 6.1 device to get an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5.

  • google,  t-mobile

    G1 and Removable Storage

    I was just reading an article by Brighthand’s Editor-in-Chief, Ed Hardy, that says the new T-Mobile G1 handset powered by Google’s Android operating system can only use a memory card for additional storage.

    Mr. Hardy writes:

    “The first Android-based smartphone debuted this week, and users have discovered what many will consider a significant flaw: all applications have to be stored in internal memory.

    This means that all third-party software has to fit in the 70 MB of internal storage that the T-Mobile G1 has set aside for this. The device comes with a 1 GB removable memory card, and it supports at least 16 GB ones, but none of that storage capacity can be used for holding applications.

    The storage card is used only for holding files, like music and video.”

    Personally, I welcome the Android users into to the proverbial swimming pool. Palm OS users also have to wrestle with this issue. I do hope that Palm OS customers get some relieve in 2009 when Palm is scheduled to release the successor to Palm OS 5, Palm OS II/Nova. I would also like to see Google roll out an update to Android that adds the ability to run apps of a card in the near future.

    Read the full Brighthand article

  • att,  blackberry,  rim

    BlackBerry Bold Headed for AT&T on Nov 4th

    In a press release issued earlier today, Research In Motion announced that the new BlackBerry Bold will be launching on AT&T’s 3G wireless network on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

    “The BlackBerry Bold smartphone’s design and performance live up to its name. The elegant smartphone features a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome-finished frame and stylish, leatherette backplate with a stunning half-VGA (480 x 320 at 217 ppi) color display for eye-popping visuals and a newly designed full QWERTY keyboard for exceptionally fast and easy typing. On the inside, the BlackBerry Bold features built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, a powerful new 624 MHz mobile processor that provides impressive performance, more storage memory than ever before — 1 GB on board and up to 16 GB via its microSD/SDHC expansion slot — and a rich set of multimedia capabilities, including an advanced media player for music, videos and photos and a 2 megapixel camera with built-in flash, zoom and video recording, as well as an optimized Web-browsing experience with desktop-style depiction.”

    “The BlackBerry Bold is the best BlackBerry smartphone ever, backed by the nation’s fastest 3G network and the hands-down best international coverage of any carrier,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Mobility. “The BlackBerry Bold is the complete package, providing customers with an absolutely outstanding mobile experience whether doing e-mail, browsing the Web, viewing streaming video or simply making a phone call. And it is being introduced in the U.S. only from AT&T.”

    The new BlackBerry Bold will sell for $299 with a qualifying 2-year service agreement that includes voice and data.

    Read the full RIM press release

    I have to say that I’m really interested in the BlackBerry Curve, and what can only be it’s successor, the Bold. What I like most about them is the hardware keyboard and the navigation ball on the face of the device. Being a long time Palm Treo customer, I really rely on having that hardware Qwerty keyboard. I just can’t seem to get used to the soft keyboard that has been implemented on Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. I’m all about the keyboard.

    The other feature that I really like is the placement of the trackball. With the older BlackBerry devices that I’ve used, I really hated the fact that the scroll wheel was always on the right side of the device with me being left handed.

  • google,  t-mobile

    Gizmodo: T-Mobile G1 Software Update Hits Tomorrow

    GadgetsOnTheGo has a link to an article on Gizmodo that T-Mobile and Google are rolling out the first update for the G1 tomorrow. Man that was fast!

    Gizmodo is reporting that T-Mobile will be releasing the first software update for the T-Mobile G1 tomorrow. It will be sent to all G1 devices over the air. The update is expected to be minor, addressing some bug fixes and light “enhancements”.”

    Get all the details on the G1 goodness here…

    Via GadgetsOnTheGo.net

  • dell,  umpc

    Dell Inspiron 910

    Ok, so we all know that I’ve spent waaaay too much time obsessing over the Foleo. I can admit that. But today I ordered the device that I hope can replace my desire to have a Foleo, the Dell Inspiron 910; aka the “mini 9”.

    So that is the good news. The bad news is that because the ultra-light/UMPC market is so hot right now, the expected ship date for my black Dell mini 9 isn’t until 11/19/08!!

    I’ll keep you posted.

  • google,  t-mobile

    T-Mobile G1 Specs

    Hardware

    • Size: 4.6 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches
    • Weight: 5.6 ounces
    • Included battery: 1150 mAh Lion
    • Talk time: up to 5 hours
    • Standby time: up to 5 days
    • Band (frequency): 850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz

    Fun

    • Easy access to Google applications
    • IM/Text/Email*
    • 3MP Camera
    • Video playback

    Communication

    • Touch Screen
    • QWERTY keyboard
    • Bluetooth® wireless technology

    Information

    • One-click Google Search
    • Real web browsing capabilities
    • 3G Network and Wi-Fi access

    The full list of features can be found here.

    The G1 will go for $179 with a new two-year service agreement.