• android,  apple,  google,  microsoft,  motorola

    Google Android: Now With Motorola Inside

    August 16, 2011 /

    Early this morning, Google announced their plans to acquire Motorola Mobility – the Android smartphone OEM.

    Writing for AllThingsD.com, John Paczkowsi states:

    “With its $12.5 billion deal to acquire Motorola Mobility, Google is gaining not only a major Android handset manufacturer, but a vast trove of intellectual property with which to defend it.”

    The punch line here folks is that Google was feeling a little light in the Intellectual Property (IP) department, so they when out and acquired a company that already had a lot of IP build up.  Google intents to use their new found IP and patents to protect not only themselves, but their Android licensees from patent trolls like Microsoft and Apple.

    [Via AllThingsD.com…]

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  • apple,  case,  ipad

    KHOMO Waterproof Cover for Apple iPad, iPad2

    August 7, 2011 /

    I still have a few weeks to go before I get to take my summer vacation, during which time, I will be forced to sit on a beach in direct sunlight.

    While looking for accessories to protect my gear, I came across the KHOMO Waterproof Case Cover for iPad 2.  As far as I can tell, this kit is compatible with the original iPad also.  The kit comes with what looks like a giant zip bag with a velcro secured flap.  The bag also features a plastic loop that connects to a carry strap.  The bundle I found over on Amazon also includes a 6-foot black sync cable and sells for $12.99 plus tax and shipping.

    There are other waterproof options available, all of which cost more than this bundle.  If your iPad spend a lot of time near water, you might want to spring for a more expensive solution. Since I only go to the beach, if I’m lucky, twice a year, I might consider other options.  Since I’m most worried about keeping sand and drink spills away from my iPad while I”m traveling, this looks like the perfect balance between protection and cost.

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  • apple,  att,  google,  iphone,  jailbreak,  verizon

    End of the Road for Jailbreakers Stealing Cellular Tethering Service

    August 6, 2011 /

    If you have a jailbroken/rooted Apple iPhone of one of the many Google Android and have been using apps to essentially “steal” wireless tethering services between your phone and your notebook or tablet computer, your days of “free” service are almost over.

    AT&T and now Verizon are putting technology in place on their networks that allows them to sniff out people who are tethering devices like laptops, typically over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, to their smartphone’s data plan as a sort of wireless modem to get on the Internet.

    Both AT&T and Verizon required you to subscribe to an additional service before you can tether another device to your phone.

    I may not be a fan of the prices that are charged to tether or setup your smartphone as a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot, but I like the idea of people stealing bandwidth and driving up the cost of my smartphone data plans even less.

    [Via EngadgetMobile.com, Electronista.com…]

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  • hp,  touchpad,  web os

    HP TouchPad – $100 Off This Weekend Only

    August 6, 2011 /

    HP is running a $100 instant rebate promotion this weekend only (Friday – Sunday) on their new webOS 3.0 TouchPad when you purchase the tablet online directly from the HP.com website.

    I have mixed feeling about the TouchPad.  In the time since I purchased my Palm Pre, the webOS market share has failed to catch on.  Then, once it became painfully clear that HP and Sprint would not bringing webOS to the Pre and Pixi smartphones, nor where they going to released updated models, HP “graciously” offered early Pre owners $50 off the TouchPad.  Now, less than 60 days after launch, HP is cutting the price of the TouchPads by $100.  This weekend only, the 16GB TouchPad is $299 and the 32GB model is $399.

    If you are inclined to get a tablet, and don’t want an iPad, or confused by all the various Google Android tablets, then the HP TouchPad is probably the device for you.  If you don’t need a massive selection of apps.

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  • apple,  ios,  iphone,  rumors

    Rumor: iPhone 5 to Launch in October

    August 2, 2011 /

    Ugh!  This was not the news I was hoping for today if John Paczkowski over at AllThingsD.com has reliable information on Apple’s new iPhone.

    “So those rumors claiming the iPhone 5 will debut in late September? They’re wrong.

    Instead, it’s going to be an October surprise — the month in which Apple plans to launch its next-gen iPhone.”

    I guess it’s a good thing that I was able to my Sprint Palm Pre screen repaired by Sprint and then upgraded my Pre to HP webOS 2.1.  Looks like we’re in for a few extra weeks of waiting.

    [Via AllThingsD.com…]

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    iCloud.com Beta Goes Online

    August 1, 2011 /

    I saw that iCloud.com has gone live today and I was able to log in using my existing Apple ID.  Aside from being able to look around, I’m not sure that there is much more we can do until we get iOS 5 installed on our iDevices or a update to Mac OS X that replaces the MobileMe control panel with the iCloud control panel (I’m assuming that there will be a new control panel or other software integration with the Mac OS X or Windows PC).

    If you are registered as a paying Apple software developer, you will be able to download some additional API tools for building into your applications.

    I was able to login to iCloud.com from my MacBook only.  When I hit iCloud.com from my iPad, I was greeted by a beta page.

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  • developer,  hp,  pre,  sprint,  web os

    Meta-Doctoring: Part 5 – Sign of Life Check [Updated x2]

    July 30, 2011 /

    The installation of the meta-doctored webOS 2.1.0 install has completed!

    Now the hard part – making sure everything is still working!

    Update: All features and functions of webOS 2.1 appear to be working! Whoo-hoo!

    On the agenda for the post software load is to:

    1. See if I can log into one of my Palm profiles – Working!
    2. Verify that webOS is running as expected – Working!
    3. Connect to a Wi-Fi hot spot – Working!
    4. Verify developer mode is on or can be activated – Working! (webos20090606)
    5. Restore my Sprint PRL software – Working! (no update possible going forward)
    6. Install the latest build of Preware – Working!
    7. Apply some basic patches – Working!
    8. Apply software tweaks from the webos-internals.org webOS 2 upgrade wiki post – Working!
    9. Backup the Pre to my alternate Palm profile – Working!
    10. Access the HP App Catalog, install software – Working!
    11. GPS access – Working!

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  • developer,  hp,  pre,  sprint,  web os

    Meta-Doctoring: Part 4 – Building the New Doctor File

    July 30, 2011 /

    Continuing to play around with applying an unofficial version of webOS 2.1.0 to my Sprint Original Palm Pre smartphone, I’ve installed all the required tools to get the job done.

    I’ve also taken the precaution to backup my PRL software so I can continue to apply Sprint preferred roaming list updates once the upgrade to webOS 2.1.0 has completed.

    Now, I’m running the Unix command line tools on my Mac to download the webOS 2 doctor files, mash them all together, and churn out a new custom meta-doctored webOS doctor restore file.

    There is a lot of Unix “gook” scrolling across my Terminal window which, I have to admit, not being a Unix/Linux propeller head, I have no idea what it’s doing.  (I know my limits and I’m not a programmer nor am I a Unix geek.  I know just enough Unix and Linux to get myself in to serious trouble!)

    So, with Daft Punk’s Tron soundtrack thumping in the back ground, the lights down low, I’ll grab my eighth Diet Coke for this project, and get to installing the new webOS Doctor!

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  • developer,  pre,  sprint,  web os

    Meta-Doctoring: Part 3 – Sprint PRL Backup

    July 30, 2011 /

    In preparing to perform an unofficial webOS 2.1.0 upgrade on my Sprint Palm Pre, I have read that you need to backup your PRL software so I can restore it to my phone later on.  This is an important step because Sprint doesn’t offer webOS 2.1.0 for the Original Pre and you won’t be able to use properly update your PRL on a meta-doctored Sprint Pre if you fail to do this step first.

    What is PRL you ask?  Good question.  I don’t really know either.  PRL stands for Preferred Roaming List.  Is is a database that gets downloaded to a smartphone that uses CDMA radios just like the ones in Sprint and Verizon Pre/Pre+ phones.  The database has a list of network IDs that Sprint has network sharing contracts with to allow your phone to “roam” on other carrier’s network towers. (source)

    The good folks at webos-internals.org have a wiki page up on how to backup your PRL data before you go ahead and do the meta-doctor webOS 2.1.0 upgrade.

    Just an important note: You must use your own PRL data.  It is tied specifically to your phone!

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