• blackberry,  blackberry os,  rim,  tour,  verizon

    BlackBerry OS 5.0 Release for Verizon Edition Tour

    Alongside the Motorola Droid 2.1 software update, BoyGeniusReport.com is also running an article that Verizon and RIM have rolled out BlackBerry OS 5.0 for the BlackBerry Tour 9630.

    According to the data sheet posted on the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Tour support website, the key enhancements in BlackBerry OS 5.0 include:

    • Smoother operation in the Camera and video applications
    • Improved Bluetooth functionality for last number dialed
    • Enhancements for English and French voice activated dialing
    • Improved functionality in the SMS messaging application
    • Added Push To Talk

    For the full list of features, visit the Verizon website.

    [Via BoyGeniusReport.com…]

  • android,  google,  motorola,  verizon

    Moto Droid 2.1 Update: Is it Out?

    “Is it or isn’t it available yet?”, that seems to be the question that Verizon Moto Droid customers are asking.

    According to a post earlier this week on BoyGeniusReport.com, the update is available as an over the air update. If you go to the Verizon Wireless Motorola Droid support page, you see a message that the update is “coming soon.”

    On the Droid unit we have in the office, the update wasn’t showing as being available. My advice: check back often if you are a software update junkie.

  • apps,  mobile apps 360,  web os

    pReader for WebOS – Unlock Your eReader Books

    Do you have a new webOS Palm Pre or Pixi? Do you have eReader or Fictionwise account with a lot of ebooks that you can’t read on your new phone? Problem solved! Enter pReader for webOS devices.

    pReader, currently at version 0.8.3, is a free third-party application, written by MHWsoft, that allows you to read a number of popular ebook formats. pReader supports plain-text, HTML, PalmDOC, MobiPocket, eReader, ePub, and Amazon AZW files. That’s a lot of ebook formats for an application that doesn’t cost you a dime.

    Getting started with pReader is easy. First you download and install the application from Palm’s App Catalog. (Search for ‘preader’.) Next, connect your Pre or Pixi to your computer, and put the phone into USB mode. In my Pre’s storage space, I created a new folder called “pReader eBooks” and copied some of my old eReader Pro ebooks into that folder. Lastly, unmout your webOS phone and that start up pReader.

    When you start pReader, tap the Add Book To Library button, select your book, and then, if you have a DRM encrypted ebook like those sold by eReader.com, enter your unlock information, and then the book becomes available for reading.

    With pReader, you have a free way to read your ebooks without having to purchase MotionApps Classic which, in my opinion, is a little bit on the expensive side.

    For more details, check the pReader description page.

  • homebrew,  pixi,  pre,  web os

    Palm: Don’t Overclock Your Phone

    PreCentral.net has posted an official statement from Palm on the webOS hacker community’s attempt to speed up their phones running webOS.

    In the brief statement posted on the PreCentral.net website, Palm writes:

    “We have had a number of questions about the recently released “overclocking” patches and what Palm’s position on them are.

    Palm is working hard to improve the speed and performance of webOS, as shown in our recent 1.4 update. While we appreciate the effort the webOS community has put forth to try and help us along that path, the use of this application is neither endorsed nor recommended by Palm and will likely result in a voided warranty. Palm encourages webOS users to let Palm release official updates that provide safe, reliable, over-the-air features that improve their device in a number of areas, as we have in the past at a rate of approximately once per month.”

    There you have it, folks. Overclock your Palm Pre or Pixi at your own risk! If you you overclock your phone, and you end up getting burned, Palm is going to charge you to repair or replace your phone.

    You can read the full article on the PreCentral website.

    [Via PreCentral.net…]

  • pre,  web os

    Time to Reboot My Palm Pre

    Earlier today I received the dreaded webOS “too many cards open” error message and was forced to reboot my Sprint edition Palm Pre smart(er)phone.

    The funny thing about the error was that I didn’t have any cards open at the time. I know that Palm is working on fixing mutlitasking issues with webOS and that is a good think. But I still don’t have to like rebooting. Besides, it takes forever, doesn’t it?

    The answer to that question is, “Not really.” I waited with my finger poised hovering over the Restart button waiting for the clock on my phone to advance to the next minute. When I saw the time rollover, I jabbed at the Restart button an let webOS do it’s thing.

    It turns out that “forever” is really about 3 minutes. Not took bad, and certain less than forever. I know it can seem like forever when you are waiting for the the phone to close up shop, reboot, and reload everything. Sorta like a watched pot will never boil kind of thing.

    Fortunately for me, I don’t get the too many cards error message on my Pre. Maybe it’s because I don’t load too many third-party apps on my Pre. Na. Maybe it’s because I don’t keep a lot of cards open all the time. Na. I’m not sure, really, why I don’t get the error message as often as some people report. It probably really does relate back to how we all use our phones and how webOS handles multi-tasking and background tasks. Then again, I’m not a software developer, so I can’t say for sure.

    Anyway, the time to bet is 3 minutes to reboot a Palm Pre smartphone. I’ll have to reboot my 8GB 2G (first generation) Apple iPhone and see how long it takes to start up. Could be interesting.

  • pixi,  pre,  sprint,  verizon,  web os

    Sprint Only: webOS Yahoo IM

    I just found out from a reliable source that only Sprint edition webOS devices, namely the Palm Pre and Pixi, are the only webOS devices that can use Yahoo IM from inside the Palm Messaging application.

    No reason was given as to why there is a difference between the Sprint and Verizon webOS phones – only that Sprint phones can and Verizon phones can’t.

    Go figure.

  • android,  google,  sprint

    Sprint Announces the HTC Evo 4G

    Sprint and HTC Corporation today announced summer availability of the world’s first 3G/4G Android handset, HTC EVO 4G exclusively from Sprint. HTC EVO 4G delivers a multimedia experience at 4G speeds that is second to none, making it possible to download music, pictures, files, or videos in seconds – not minutes – and watch streaming video on the go with one of the largest pinch-to-zoom displays, at 4.3 inches, in the wireless industry.

    Sprint 4G offers a faster wireless experience than any other U.S. national wireless carrier, and Sprint is the only national carrier offering wireless 4G service today in 27 markets. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G1,giving HTC EVO 4G the fastest data speeds of any U.S. wireless device available today.

    “Sprint continues to lead the 4G revolution as we introduce HTC EVO 4G to give our customers an experience that is unlike anything available in wireless to date,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “Not only is this feature-rich device incredible on our Sprint 3G network, but Sprint 4G speeds will take mobile multimedia, including live video streaming, gaming and picture downloads, to a whole new level.”

    “HTC and Sprint have a strong history of working together to bring consumers technologies and advancements that make their lives easier,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. “We believe that the HTC EVO 4G represents the best of Sprint and the best of HTC working together to bring an unmatched device to the U.S. This combination of HTC and Sprint innovation will allow people to do even more while on the go, faster than ever on the Sprint 4G network.”

    HTC Evo 4G Specifications

    Productivity

    • 3G/4G capability
    • Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ QSD8650 (1GHz) processor
    • 4.3” capacitive display with pinch-to-zoom and tactile feedback
    • World-class HTML browser
    • Android 2.1
    • Google mobile services: Google Search, Google Maps, Google Talk, Gmail, YouTube, and syncs with Google Calendar
    • Sprint Navigation, with turn-by-turn driving directions and 3D maps
    • Updated HTC Sense, which includes Friend Stream to integrate Facebook, Twitter and more
    • Visual voicemail
    • 4G data speeds (WiMAX) – peak download speeds of more than 10 Mbps
    • 3G data speeds (EVDO Rev A.) – peak download speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps

    Entertainment

    • 8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash and 1.3MP front-facing camera
    • High-quality video streaming and downloads at 3G and 4G data speeds
    • Capture and share HD-quality video (720p) from your phone
    • Output pictures, slides and videos in HD quality (720p) via HDMI cable (sold separately)
    • Live video sharing with Qik
    • Built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing
    • Media player with 3.5mm stereo headset jack
    • FM radio and Amazon MP3 store
    • Sprint applications including Sprint TV and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
    • Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP Stereo and EDR
    • Built-in WiFi: 802.11 b/g
    • Digital compass, G-Sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor, GPS
    • Expandable memory: 8GB microSD card included; supports up to 32GB

    Hardware Specifications

    • Dimensions: 4.8″ x 2.6″ x .5″ (LxWxT)
    • Weight: 6 ounces
    • Main display: 4.3” WVGA (800×480) 65K colors
    • Standard removable 1500mAh Lithium (Li-on) battery
    • Memory: 1GB ROM, 512MB RAM

    Pricing and Availability

    Customers will be able to purchase HTC EVO 4G through all Sprint channels and through national retail partners, RadioShack, Best Buy and Walmart, this summer. Pricing will be announced at a later date. Pre-registration begins today at www.sprint.com/evo.

    You can read the full version of today’s announcement on the Sprint website.

  • amazon,  apple,  ipad,  iphone

    Amazon, Barnes & Nobel to Release iPad Ereaders

    According to AppleInsider.com, both Amazon and Barnes & Nobel will be developing their own iPhone/iPod touch/iPad application.

    “Both companies revealed to The New York Times that they will create new digital readers and storefronts in addition to their existing applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. The App Store software will also compete with Apple’s own iBooks application and accompanying iBookstore, which will also be available for download on the App Store rather than coming preinstalled on the device.”

    You can read the full article on AppleInsider.com

  • att,  pixi,  pre,  web os

    Palm Pre Plus, Pixi Plus Announced for AT&T

    Palm’s webOS smartphones, the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus, will be arriving on AT&T “in the coming months.”

    AT&T’s 80 million customers will soon have a new choice for staying connected in their fast-paced lives — the Palm(R) webOS(TM) platform. Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ:PALM) today announced that the Palm Pre(TM) Plus and Palm Pixi(TM) Plus phones will be available on the nation’s fastest 3G network for $149.99 and $49.99, respectively, with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate.

    “AT&T and Palm have a history of smartphone leadership, and today’s announcement is a significant milestone for us,” said Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer. “With Palm webOS phones coming to AT&T, Palm can help most anyone in the United States stay connected so they never miss a thing.”

    “We’re offering our customers even greater choice by adding Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus to the nation’s best smartphone portfolio,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Palm webOS plus included access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network and the ability to talk and surf the web at the same time is a powerful combination.”

    Pre Plus and Pixi Plus also support a variety of AT&T services, including AT&T Navigator for audible turn-by-turn navigation (subscription required), AT&T Address Book to easily synchronize online contacts to your phone, and YPMobile to quickly find local businesses. They also include the following features and specifications. (NOTE: A complete list of features and specifications for each phone is available at www.att.com/WebOS or www.palm.com/PrePlus and www.palm.com/PixiPlus.)

    • Palm Synergy(TM), a key feature of Palm webOS that brings your information from all the places it resides – including Outlook(3), Google, Facebook, Yahoo! and LinkedIn – into one logical view that links your contacts and calendars, so accessing them is easier than ever
    • The ability to run multiple applications simultaneously and easily move between them
    • Unobtrusive notifications
    • Universal search
    • Over-the-air software updates delivered directly to a user’s phone
    • High-quality applications from the Palm App Catalog
    • High-speed connectivity
    • Gesture area, which enables simple, intuitive gestures for navigation
    • Full QWERTY keyboard
    • High-performance, desktop-class web browser
    • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
    • Integrated GPS
    • Robust messaging support (combining IM, SMS and MMS capabilities)
    • Multimedia options, including music, photos, video recording and playback, a camera with LED flash and a standard 3.5mm headset jack
    • Email, including EAS (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers) and personal email support (Google Gmail push, Yahoo!, POP3, IMAP)
    • Bluetooth(R) 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
    • USB mass storage mode
    • Charger/microUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
    • Proximity sensor, which automatically disables the touchscreen and turns off the display whenever you put the phone up to your ear
    • Light sensor, which reduces power usage by dimming the display if the ambient light is dark
    • Accelerometer, which automatically orients web pages and photos to your perspective
    • Ringer switch, which easily silences the device with one touch
    • Removable, rechargeable battery
    • Band/modes: UMTS bands/HSDPA 3.6: 850/1900Quad band GSM/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900; GSM/GPRS/EDGE Class 10


    Pricing and Availability

    Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus will be available in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming months for $149.99 and $49.99, respectively, with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. More information is available at www.att.com/webOS.

    Analysis

    With all of the negative press that Palm has received over the last week or two, I’m really surprised that Palm isn’t talking about ship dates for the AT&T versions of their webOS phones. I realize that carrier testing can be sort of a mystic black art that can consume lots of time of software developers and system engineers both at Palm and AT&T. I really do believe that time is of the essence here and that Palm and all of their carrier partners here in the US really need to take things up a notch and get on the ball with their marketing A-game so to speak.

    You can read today’s full press release on the Palm website.