• 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,  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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  • 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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  • android,  apple,  galaxy s,  google,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  samsung,  t-mobile

    Android and iOS – It’s a Personal Preference

    August 26, 2012 /

    I’ve been thinking a lot about devices running Google’s Android operating system lately.

    My long time readers shouldn’t worry, I’m not planning a defection any time soon.  I’m still an Apple fan boy and I still very much love using Small, Medium, and Large; more commonly referred to as my iPhone 4S, iPad 3 (ok, ok, ‘the new iPad’, sheesh!!), and my 17-inch MacBook Pro.

    So what’s with all of this Android mind share then?  It just seems that everywhere I look, there is an Android powered something or someone is asking me about whether to get a Samsung or an iPhone. And then there are the technology blogs, newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and all the rest that are talking about Android. Oh, and let’s not forget the little spat between Apple and Samsung that is going on right now.

    But the truth is, and by ‘truth’ I’m really talking about my ‘opinion’ here, is that copied or not, there are a number of interesting things going on with mobile devices running Google’s mobile OS.

    A good friend was over last night with his Samsung Galaxy S II and was talking about all the things that he does with it: file sharing, document and email printing, game playing, interfacing with the computers at work, and yes, the obligatory email and web surfing.  Granted, that he is what many of you would call a ‘computer geek’ and did ‘root’ his phone, still, the enthusiasm was there.

    About a week ago, a co-worker was asking me about whether or not to get an iPhone 4S or a Samsung Galaxy S III.  Connie has an iPad 2, and while she didn’t specifically say, I’m willing to bet that her high school age or older children both have iPod touches or iPhones too.  The query came from a desire to have the ‘best’ phone.  Since we were sitting in a conference room helping ourselves to a free pizza lunch, the other people in the room chimed in on the conversation.  After about a 10 minute discussion, we all agreed that the phone from Samsung was a good phone, that there was an ability to reuse applications from the iPad on the iPhone, but at the end of the day, it came down to costs and not features or vendor lock-in.  She had American Express card reward points to use and they were offering a free AT&T Samsung Galaxy S III.  Not amount of marketing and jockeying for customer mind share can complete with ‘free.’

    And there was an article I was reading about the Samsung Galaxy Note for T-Mobile.  Anyone else seeing a trend developing here?  Anyway, I was intrigued about the Note.  The device is massive.  It measures in at 5.78 x 3.26 x 0.37 inches.  (Not that I’m thinking about it, the Galaxy S III is almost just as big at 5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 inches.)

    The interesting thing about this device is that it’s what I’d call a ‘tween’ device.  It fits in between a smartphone and a 7-inch tablet like the Google Nexus 7.  Who knows if that category of device will take off or not.  I’m sure many people will want to use a device that size, but the question is are there enough people to make it a viable market or not.  Will have to stay tuned to find out.

    The market has spoken and by and large, it’s a two horse race: Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.  The device you pick is your choice to make.  For me, iOS will be my mobile OS of choice.  There are a lot of good things happening with Android, and it is just as powerful and functional as iOS.

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  • google

    Surprise! Yahoo Poaches 13-Year Executive Google Vet

    July 17, 2012 /

    Didn’t see this coming.  I guess a lot of other people didn’t either.  Suddenly, Yahoo! is cool again.

    “In a surprising turn of events it was announced on Monday that long-time Google executive Marissa Mayer tendered her resignation and will start at her new position as president and CEO at Yahoo on Tuesday. 

    The former executive’s departure not only marks a devastating loss for Google but an uncommon win for Yahoo, a company that has had trouble attracting and retaining top talent in recent years. “

    Smart is the new sexy.  Best of luck, Marissa, you are going to need it.

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

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  • android,  google,  hp,  touchpad,  web os

    My TouchPad is Spending Independence Day in Independence, KY

    July 4, 2012 /

    You all know that I’m a Palm junkie.  I have at least two dozen Palm devices in my collection of mobile gear.  My latest acquisition is the ‘super natural’ HP/Palm TouchPad.  I wrote about Walmart.com having a stock of refurbished units for sale in their online store.  Well, fittingly enough, my TouchPad is spending the 4th of July holiday in Independence, KY waiting to complete it’s cross country trek from the left coast to the right coast.

    Android on Your TouchPad

    In other news, the CyanogenMod team, the folks who have been hard at working porting Google’s Android OS to the HP TouchPad, have posted a new nightly build of their Android port that has enabled TouchPad microphone support.

    Once I get my TouchPad and start playing with it, I’ll blog about my experience installing the dual-boot software and Android.  I’ve only done a little reading on the subject, as in I know its possible and talked to WyreNut about his experience installing Android.

    Stay tuned.

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  • android,  google,  hp,  touchpad,  web os

    Refurbished HP TouchPad 32GB on Sale at Walmart

    June 28, 2012 /

    Legacy Palm junkies (and I’m a card carrying member of that club) will be glad to hear that Walmart.com is carrying refurbished 32GB HP TouchPads via their online store.

    As you can see from the graphic above, the 32GB TouchPad debuted back in July 2011 at $600…wow…seems crazy now, right?  The TouchPad was a spectacular flame out going on sale for a brief six weeks before disappearing from store shelfs.

    The TouchPad ships with Palm HP webOS 3.0.x, and can be upgraded OTA to webOS 3.0.5.  However, if you are the adventurous type, Liliputing.com has an article about how to load Google’s Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.  A hack to be sure, and some things like the camera and built-in microphone may not work 100% reliably, but still cool none the less.

    I ordered my TouchPad today and should have it next week.  I was running the original Sprint edition Palm Pre all the way to the very end of webOS and HP’s Palm division.  It will be nice to have a webOS device that is functional again.  HP webOS 2.0 on the Palm Pre is just way too slow.

    Thanks to Mark for sharing the TouchPad on Walmart.com link!

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  • android,  google,  motorola

    Verizon Pushes DROID Pro Update Out

    March 24, 2012 /

    The Motorola Droid Pro isn’t exactly the most sexy or coolest member of the DROID product family, but it does get the job done. So I was surprised yesterday when I pulled out my Pro to see that there was a software update available from Verizon.

    The update, who’s official name is 4.7.3XT610.Verizon.enUS, is only a minor maintenance update rather than a full Google Android software upgrade.

    This update addresses:

    • Improved security with DigiNotar security patch.
    • Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System. 
    • Device will no longer lockup or reset after an Over the Air update. 
    • Device will no longer automatically power on after it has been powered off. 
    • Pressing the spacebar key will no longer cause the device to lockup. 
    • Improvements to keyboard backlighting. 
    • Smart Forwarding will no longer cause forwarded messages to remain in the Outbox.

    I’m glad that Verizon and Motorola have figured out a fix for OTA updates, because, well, 4.7.3XT610 is kinda an OTA update, so that’s progress, right?  I’m also glad to see Verizon and Motorola pushing out an update that improves the performance of the Pro’s keyboard.  Pressing the spacebar key should not hang up your phone, it’s never happened to me, but the backlighting on my phone was always a bit schizophrenic.

    And, any software update from Verizon wouldn’t be complete without some new bloatware, so Big Red has thrown in new versions of their V CAST and VZ Navigator apps.  I’m not sure why anyone is still using Verizon’s GPS navigation software when Google Maps and Google Navigation work well and don’t require the extra cost of an additional service on your monthly bill.

    Anyway, you can read the official change log and directions on how to upgrade your Droid Pro on the Verizon website.

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  • android,  google,  sprint

    Sprint announces the ZTE Fury, available March 11th for $19.99

    March 10, 2012 /

    I just saw this over at BGR, it looks like a new, super low cost Android smartphone is coming to Sprint in the very near future.

    “Sprint on Wednesday announced the “family-friendly” Android-powered ZTE Fury. This entry-level handset features a 3.5-inch capacitive display with a 1GHz single-core processor and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. 

    “Providing affordable, Android-powered devices, like ZTE Fury, in our lineup helps give families the tools and information to better manage their wireless usage while still providing the style and functionality they need to keep up with their busy lives,” according to David Owens, Sprint’s vice president-Product Development.”

    The ZTE Fury will sell for $69.99 with a qualifying service plan, and will be $19.99 after a mail-in rebate.

    [Via BGR.com…]

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  • android,  att,  google,  samsung

    BGR: Samsung’s Galaxy Note is the Most Useless Phone I’ve Used

    February 15, 2012 /

    Ok BGR’s headline made me laugh and so I had to read the article.

    “Samsung and AT&T are getting ready to launch a new smartphone, superphone, phablet or whatever else you want to call it, and I picked one up earlier today. It’s the first time I have used or even held the device personally, and I really need to share some immediate thoughts even though a full review is forthcoming. This is a phone, after using it for a few hours, that feels like it is too big to be taken seriously. That’s the end of it.”

    [Via BGR.com…]

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