• apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple iOS 6 Set to Arrive Today

    September 19, 2012 /

    iOS 6, the next major operating system update for Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices, is scheduled to arrive today.

    iOS 6 includes a completely new Maps application, replacing the Maps offering that was powered by Google data and has been around on the iPhone since it was released in 2007.

    Apple is also upgrading the features and capabilities of their personal assistant, Siri.

    Also included in the iOS 6 update is Facebook integration similar to last year’s Twitter integration, the ability to share your Photo Stream with the people you choose.

    Passbook is Apple’s new tickets and “rewards cards” system that has the potential to become a big hit with customers and retailers if Apple turns it into a full fledged alternative to Near Field Communications (NFC) payment systems being offered by by Google and others.

    The Phone application has been enhanced with some much needed features on call management when you are unable to answer the call right away – like when you are sitting in a meeting.  Something that I have been waiting a long time for because this is a feature that my 2007 Palm Treo 700 had.

    The Camera app now has a cool panorama photo mode that helps you take some amazing panoramic photos.  I’m actually looking forward to playing with this feature during outdoor fall activities.  It should make for some very nice photos.

    Apple has also included updates to Safari, Mail, and FaceTime.

    To learn more about the major new features in iOS 6, check out the Apple website.

    The iOS 6 upgrade will be available for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS; for the iPad 3 and the iPad 2; and the 5th and 4th generation iPod touch.

    The iOS 6 upgrade is a free upgrade that will be available as an update delivered over-the-air or a download package when you sync your device over the wire with your Mac or Windows PC running iTunes 10.7.  iTunes 10.7 can be downloaded directly from Apple.

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  • apple,  att,  fcc,  ios,  sprint,  verizon

    FCC Complaint To Be Filed Against AT&T’s FaceTime Rules

    September 18, 2012 /

     With Apple’s new iOS 6 operating system being released to current model iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners, customers are eager to get the new update on their devices.  But wireless carrier AT&T will be raining on some customer’s parades tomorrow.

    iOS 6 is the software that allows the iPhone and iPad do all the amazing things we do with them.  One of the new tent pole features of the software is FaceTime video calling over 3G and 4G cellular networks.  Up until now, it has only been possible to make a FaceTime call over a Wi-Fi connection and iOS 6 aims to change that.

    However, AT&T has stated that they will only allow customers who sign up for their new Mobile Share plans will be allowed to place FaceTime calls on their cellular networks.  While customers have been crying foul, AT&T has been trying to limit the congestion on their 3G and 4G LTE networks that caused so much bad press for them with earlier iPhone models, most notably, the 2010 iPhone 4.

    When you look at the Mobile Share plans, AT&T tells you that you can have up to 10 devices included on a single share plan.  Then you look at the pricing structure and the sticker shock sets in.

    For unlimited, traditional voice calling and text messaging plus 1GB of shared data, you will have to spend $40/mo for the service plus and additional $45/mo for each smartphone participating in the plan.  For 4GB of data, the price jumps up to $70/mo plus $40/mo for each smartphone. AT&T is also offering shared data packages in 6GB, 10GB, 15GB, and a 20GB pool.  The larger the pool of shared data, the larger the base monthly fee is, but the monthly cost per smartphone drops.

    As you can see, the monthly totals can add up quickly if you are trying to share a pool of data amongst family members.

    And that’s why Free Press, Public Knowledge, and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute have banned together to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.  The trio feel that it is unfair for customers to have to buy into a shared data plan like AT&T’s Mobile Share plans just to be able to make a FaceTime call over a cellular network.  While they did provide AT&T with notice of the impending filing, at least publicly, no date has been given as to when the filing will be made.

    Customers looking to sign a new service agreement with AT&T do have other options.  Sprint, for example, will be allowing customers who have signed up for their Simply Everything plans ranging from $79.99 – $109.99/month to make FaceTime calls on their network.  Verizon Wireless’ Simplify with Share Everything 4GB share package offers similar features to that of Sprint’s, but will run you about $150/mo when sharing data across two smartphones.

    [Via GigoOm.com…]

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  • android,  editorial,  google,  hp,  smartphones,  web os

    HP’s “Bender” Smartphone Prototype

    September 18, 2012 /

    Last Friday many mobile new websites, including BGR.com, reported that HP has aspirations to build another line of smartphones.

    Today, BGR ran another story indicating that not only are plans underway to develop a new line of smartphones, that a test device, code named “Bender”, has already been created and is being tested.  The kicker?  The prototype device is said to be running Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) operating system.

    Huh?  After HP ingloriously put Palm webOS, Palm’s hardware, and people out to pasture HP is trying to jump start things again with an Android phone?  I’m sure this is very frustrating for WebOS’s fans.  HP said that they wanted to get out of the smartphone business when they shutdown production of the Pre3, Veer, and TouchPad – the last three webOS devices – and then making webOS open source.

    Then a year later, things are going gang busters again?  This seems totally inefficient to have a smartphone and mobile OS division up and running, shuttering things, and then rebuilding a hardware and software team to, essentially, re-inventing the wheel with a new hardware platform and Android ICS.

    To be fair, I can see why HP decided to go with Android over their in-house webOS hardware and software software assets.  Android, and Apple’s iOS, have gobbled up an insane amount of marketshare in the mobile space.  webOS, even in it’s hay day, back in 2009 when the original Palm Pre launched on Sprint, never achieved a significant foothold.  When I chose to switch from the Sprint Palm Pre to the iPhone 4S in 2011, webOS was below 2% marketshare.  If you are trying to become relevant in the smartphone space, you need an option that will draw customers, developers, and carriers to your platform.  webOS isn’t that platform.  Just ask Nokia, Research in Motion (RIM), and Microsoft about their efforts to increase their smartphone marketshare.

    But, seriously? This seems like a gigantic waste of time, money, staff resources, and momentum.  Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nokia, and RIM have all realized that they need to control the customer experience “end-to-end” from the hardware and software, to the online software store, and ultimately, the customer experience.  This tight integration has propelled Apple and Google to amazing heights and others are trying to replicate it.  Palm, with webOS and their webOS device line up, offered the kind of solution that HP is trying to fabricate with Android and new hardware.

    If I was an HP shareholder, I would be furious at the opportunity costs associated with tearing everything down, and then, essentially, outsourcing the software development to Google, and ultimately, putting Google in the driver’s seat for the software development of HP’s new ‘gotta do it’ smartphone strategy.

    At the end of the day, the only thing that is clear for me, is that I won’t be replacing my iPhone 4S with a new HP smartphone.  I’ve made my peace with webOS and will remember Palm fondly.

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  • android,  games,  ios,  mac os x,  rovio,  windows

    Rovio Bad Piggies “Launches” Sept 27

    September 18, 2012 /

    Rovio announced today that their next game, “Bad Piggies” will launch for iOS, Android, Mac OS X, and Windows on September 27.

    “Bad Piggies” is based on Rovio’s Angry Birds universe, but is not an Angry Birds game.  Think of Bad Piggies as what Amazing Alex should have been, and cross it with Angry Birds.  Check out the linked to video for a preview of what the game play is expected to be like – Bad Piggies Game Play Trailer.

    [Image via BGR.com…]

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  • apple,  apple store,  att,  ios,  iphone,  sprint,  verizon

    Apple: iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Top 2 Million in 24-Hours

    September 18, 2012 /

    Earlier today, Apple announced that pre-orders for the iPhone 5, which goes on sale Friday, September 21, sold over 2 million units in the first 24-hours of being available for online ordering.  At this point, if you want an iPhone 5 on launch day, and weren’t able to secure a pre-order slot, you’ll be waiting in line at an Apple Store or at a wireless carrier’s retail location near you.  Apple’s press release appears below.

    CUPERTINO, California—September 17, 2012—Apple® today announced pre-orders of its iPhone® 5 topped two million in just 24 hours, more than double the previous record of one million held by iPhone 4S. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on September 21, many are scheduled to be delivered in October. iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina™ display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless technology*—all while delivering even better battery life.**

    “iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we’ve ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do.”

    iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new user features including: an all new Maps app with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and an amazing new Flyover™ view; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center; Passbook®, the simplest way to get all your passes in one place; new Siri® features, including support for more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings;*** Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari® and Maps; and Shared Photo Streams via iCloud®.

    Pricing & Availability
    iPhone 5 will be available at 356 Apple retail stores in the US beginning at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, September 21. Every customer who buys an iPhone 5 at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPhone 5 by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more, so they’ll be up and running with their new iPhone before they leave the store.

    iPhone 5 comes in either white & silver or black & slate, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 will be available from the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, select Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4S will also be available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 will be available for free with a two-year contract.****

    * LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
    ** Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
    *** Not all features are supported in all countries.
    **** Availability varies by carrier.

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  • android,  att,  google,  pantech

    Pantech Flex Smartphone Coming to AT&T Wireless Sept 16

    September 5, 2012 /

    Pantech has been hard at work developing their latest Google Android smartphone offering, the Flex.

    The ‘hook’ for the Flex is that in addition to being an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the phone will offer a custom User Interface (UI) overlay called “Easy Experience”.  The intent of Easy Experience is to minimize the complexities of the Android home screen and application launcher ‘drawer’ that can be overwhelming or confusing for some customers.

    On the Flex website, Pantech says the new smartphone as has “an intuitive interface with enhanced usability and efficiency: it’s easy to toggle back and forth from Easy Experience to Standard Experience.”

    Some other key features of the Pantech Flex include:

    • Easy Experience: for people wanting a simple, straightforward view of their phones’ features Simplifying everything without sacrificing anything
    • One home screen with quick access to key features: Phone, Camera, Messages, and Menu
    • Large, easy-to-read text and buttons
    • Shortcut icons with access to: Web, Quick Contacts, App Shortcuts
    • Easy navigation with limited scrolling
    • Uncomplicated setup process
    • Keep benefits of smartphone technology

    For now, it looks like the phone is going to be sold in the United States on AT&T, however, Verizon Wireless is also listed on the “Where to Buy” page which suggests that the phone will available on the nation’s two largest carrier networks.

    There always seems like there is an endless supply of Android smartphones coming to market with a dizzying array of features that cover the range from novice to ‘hackers’ who love to ‘root’ and tinker with their phones.  I thought that this phone has a clean and simple hardware and software design that it can be a good first smartphone for people upgrading from ‘feature phones’.

    The Pantech Flex is expected to go on sale at AT&T Wireless on September 16 for $49.99 with a new 2-year service agreement.  For more information, visit the Pantech Flex website.

    [Via BGR.com…]

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  • apple,  ios,  iphone

    Apple Sends Out Sept 12 Event Invitations

    September 5, 2012 /

    Yesterday, Apple sent out media and press invitations to a September 12 event that is widely expected to be the unveiling of the next generation iPhone, the so called ‘iPhone 5’.  The final golden master version of iOS 6, which was previewed at this year’s World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) is also expected.

    As you can see from the graphic, the date is 9/12 and the ’12’ is casting the shadow of a ‘5’ indicating the ‘iPhone 5’ that has been rumored for months now.

    AppleInsider.com, who received an invitation, writes:

    “The invitations sent out read “It’s almost here,” with a large number 12. Below the date of the event is a shadow cast with a number “5,” implying the unveiling of Apple’s next-generation iPhone, the successor to the iPhone 4S.
    The event will be held next Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Calif.”

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

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  • astraware,  atari,  ea games,  gameloft,  games,  hp,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch,  palm,  touchpad

    Labor Day Mobile Games Sale Is ON!!

    September 1, 2012 /

    It’s Labor Day weekend here in the United States and that means there there are some good sales going on for some great mobile games – to help you NOT labor.

    Gameloft and Electronic Arts have many games in Apple’s App Store on sale for $0.99.

    Atari and APPODAY are running a promotion on the Atari’s Greatest Hits game for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.  You can download the complete 99-game pack for FREE between August 31 – September 1!  Better get cracking, as this offer expires TODAY!  Once you download the games to your iOS device, you can have unlimited play until you delete the Atari’s Greatest Hits games off your device. Once you do, you have to pay $9.99 for all the games, or $0.99 for a game pack.

    Astraware HP TouchPad Word Games on Sale

    Astraware, a long time creator of mobile games is running a promotion for their HP TouchPad webOS word games. For more details, checkout the HP App Catalog or the Astraware HP TouchPad word games website.

    Thanks to RobT for the tip!

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  • amazon,  android,  fire,  google,  kindle,  tablet

    Amazon Kindle Event Next Week

    September 1, 2012 /

    This coming week, Amazon is expected to host a media event next week at which many have speculated will unveil the next generation Kindle tablet.

    Amazon flamed the “Fires”, sorry obligatory pun was necessary, when it published a press release on Thursday (8/30/12) stating that the current model Fire has sold out.

    ““We’re grateful to the millions of customers who have made Kindle Fire the most successful product launch in the history of Amazon,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. “This has been a big year for digital products on Amazon—all of the top 10 sellers on Amazon.com since Kindle Fire launched just less than a year ago are digital products. Kindle Fire is sold out, but we have an exciting roadmap ahead—we will continue to offer our customers the best hardware, the best prices, the best customer service, the best cross-platform interoperability, and the best content ecosystem.””

    So it took Amazon nine months to sell out of their Kindle Fire.  I guess that isn’t too bad.  While boasting “over 10,000 5-star customer reviews” and having “captured 22% of tablet sales in the U.S.,” Amazon continues to keep sales numbers to themselves.

    Regardless, the Kindle Fire is likely the best selling Google Android-powered tablet on the market today.  But it may not stay that way for long.  Google has recently started shipping their own 7-inch Android tablet, the Nexus 7 to rave reviews.  And Apple, not wanting to lose any sales opportunities, is rumored to be launching a new 7-inch “iPad Mini” in October, just in time to ruin Google’s and Amazon’s holiday sales numbers.

    While we don’t know if Amazon will be unveiling one or two new Kindles next week, what does seem pretty clear at this point is that the online mega retailer won’t be releasing a 10-inch iPad competitor.  AppleInsider.com writes:

    “While a larger Kindle Fire may still be in the works, the source says Amazon is sticking with the 7-inch form factor and will announce two new models next week, including a slightly reworked version of the existing tablet. The decision is thought to be a defensive move in response to a growing small form factor tablet market, with new devices like Google’s Nexus 7 offering stiff competition to Amazon’s device.”

    We’ll have an update on Amazon’s new Kindle offerings next week.

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  • apple,  fusion,  mac os x,  next,  openstep,  os,  parallels,  steve jobs

    Narrowing In on NeXT OpenStep

    August 30, 2012 /

    A few days ago I talked about wanting to get NeXT’s OpenStep running on my MacBook Pro in either Parallels or VMware Fusion.

    I’m narrowing in on a vendor that has the software I’m looking for.  Bonus points for the vendor for having the authority to resell the software with Apple’s blessing.  I will post more details about the vendor and purchasing options once the software becomes available for purchase.

    In the mean time, check out the video below for a ‘live’ demo of NeXTStep running on a greyscale NeXT Cube powered by none other than the Motorola 68040 processor.  The same processor that was used in the 1991 Apple Macintosh Quadra 900.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXHFfc3btCI]

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