• android,  google,  motorola,  t-mobile

    Motorola CLIQ for T-Mobile Announced

    September 11, 2009 /

    Not wanting to be left out of the “new product announcement party”, Motorola joins Apple and Palm this week with the unveiling of T-Mobile’s next Google Android powered smartphone.

    T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming availability of the Motorola CLIQ™ with MOTOBLUR™, the first Android-powered device from Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) and the first device to feature the innovative MOTOBLUR solution. The CLIQ will be available exclusively in the U.S. from T-Mobile later this fall.

    Developed by Motorola, MOTOBLUR is an innovative solution that manages and integrates communications – from work e-mail to social networking activity – on your CLIQ. Updates to contacts, posts, messages, photos and more are streamed together and synced from sources including Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace®, Gmail™, and work and personal e-mail. MOTOBLUR automatically delivers these updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams so there is no need to open and close different mobile applications to keep up with the latest content. A 3G-capable smartphone featuring a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a full touch-screen display, the CLIQ is designed to keep the conversation moving, enabling fast messaging on the fly and easy navigation through MOTOBLUR’s streams and widgets.

    Cole Brodman, chief technology and innovation officer with T-Mobile USA, jointly unveiled CLIQ with MOTOBLUR today with Sanjay Jha, co-CEO of Motorola and CEO of Motorola Mobile Devices, at GigaOM’s Mobilize 09 conference. 


    “T-Mobile’s highly social and always-connected customers have a natural affinity for mobile social networking, and we’re excited to feature the Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR prominently in what’s shaping up to be our most innovative holiday product lineup ever,” Brodman said. “The CLIQ lives up to Motorola’s tradition of great design and quality, and to our history of working together to create products that enhance the lives and the relationships of our customers.”

    Availability

    Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR will be available exclusively to T-Mobile customers later this fall in two colors — Titanium and Winter White. Pricing will be announced at a later date. Customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com/cliq for more information.

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

    Read More
  • apple,  itunes,  palm,  pre,  web os

    Apple iTunes 9.0 vs. Palm webOS Media Sync

    September 10, 2009 /

    Yesterday, the world got it first look at Apple’s new jukebox software, iTunes 9.0. Yesterday Pre owners also learned that the Apple/Palm cat and mouse game with iTunes and Media Sync is still very much alive and well.

    So, Pre owners, what are you going to do? Are you going to stick with iTunes 8.2.1 and Media Sync or are you going to make the jump to iTunes 9.0?

    After watching Apple’s keynote presentation last night, and yes, Steve Jobs did take the stage, I’ve decided to make the jump to iTunes 9.0 and iPhone OS 3.1 for iPod touch. In my opinion, there where just too many cool new features in Apple’s new software that I wasn’t going to hold back.

    Take for example, the new sync features for iPod touch and iPhone. I welcome the expanded sync controls over what content lives on my Mac and on my iPod. It becomes super easy to make sure that I have some of my favorite movies (Iron Man) and TV shows (Looney Tunes, Mythbusters, Law & Order) always with me without having to keep marking them as new.

    I also like the new control of your applications for the iPod touch. I have some 60-70 apps on my touch and the newly redesigned applications tab will greatly help my quickly add new apps and reorganize the ones I already have.

    And let’s not forget the new Home Sharing feature in iTunes 9.0. If you have more than one computer in your home, this is going to be a great feature to have. I’ll be able to quickly keep my MacBook and Mac Pro iTunes libraries in sync so I always have all of my music with me when I’m at home or traveling for work and play.

    With brings me back to my Palm Pre and the Media Sync feature. I was really surprised when Palm announced the Media Sync feature and I quickly started syncing content to my Pre from iTunes. With iTunes 9.0, Apple has chosen to close the door to the webOS Media Sync feature. I’m sure Palm or someone from the webOS homebrew app community will figure out a way to re-enable native syncing with iTunes. The bottom line for me is that my iPod touch, combined with iTunes, still represents the best over all user experience for purchasing content, loading it on my device, and interacting with it on the go.

    So for now, the iPod wins, and iTunes 9.0 is on my MacBook. The good news is that I can still sync the Pre with my Mac Pro which I’ve left back at iTunes 8.2.1. Sure, I can’t use the Home Sharing feature, but at least I can get my iTunes Plus tracks synced down to my Pre easily.

    Read More
  • pixi,  sprint,  web os

    Palm Pixi webOS Smartphone Coming to Sprint

    September 9, 2009 /


    Today, Palm announced their next webOS-powered smartphone, the Palm Pixi, for the Sprint wireless network.

    Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) today introduced the Palm® Pixi™ phone for faster, more intuitive and personal communication in a compact and customizable design. With the instinctively useable Palm webOS™ platform, strikingly thin design, a visible full keyboard and fashionable personalization options, Palm Pixi lets you express yourself in amazingly useful ways. It’s scheduled to be available exclusively from Sprint in time for the holidays.

    “With Palm webOS, we’re creating a new, more intuitive smartphone experience defined by unmatched simplicity and usefulness,” said Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer. “Palm Pixi brings this unique experience to a broader range of people who want enhanced messaging and social networking in a design that lets them express their personal style.”

    “Palm Pixi continues Sprint’s leadership in providing useful and innovative devices on America’s most dependable 3G network,”(7) said Dan Hesse, chief executive officer at Sprint. “We are pleased to be the first carrier to bring this device to market and offer both devices in the growing Palm webOS family. Sprint’s Everything Data plans, which provide unrestricted access to the Internet, mobile content and applications, and our Ready Now retail experience make for a perfect combination with these new Palm products.”

    Palm Pixi Features

    • High-speed connectivity (EVDO Rev. A)
    • 2.63-inch multi-touch screen with a vibrant 18-bit color 320×400 resolution TFT display
    • Gesture area, which enables simple, intuitive gestures for navigation
    • Exposed QWERTY keyboard for fast messaging
    • Robust messaging support (IM, SMS and MMS capabilities), including Google Talk, AIM and Yahoo! IM
    • High-performance, desktop-class web browser
    • Integrated GPS
    • Multimedia options, including pictures, video playback and music, and featuring a 2-megapixel fixed-focus camera with LED flash, and a standard 3.5mm headset jack
    • Email, including Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers), as well as personal email support (Google push, Yahoo! push, POP3, IMAP)(9)
    • Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
    • 8GB of internal user storage (~7GB user available)
    • USB mass storage mode
    • MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
    • The first handset to launch with Qualcomm’s high-performance MSM7627™ chipset
    • Proximity sensor, which automatically disables the touch screen and turns off the display whenever you put the phone up to your ear
    • Light sensor, which dims the display if the ambient light is dark, such as at night or in a movie theater, to reduce power usage
    • Accelerometer, which automatically orients web pages and photos to your perspective
    • Ringer switch, which easily silences the device with one touch
    • Removable, rechargeable 1150 mAh battery
    • Dimensions: 55mm (W) x 111mm (L) x 10.85mm (D) [2.17 in. (W) x 4.37 in. (L) x 0.43 in. (D)]
    • Weight: 99.5 grams (3.51 ounces)
    • Sprint services, including Sprint TV® and Sprint Radio, Sprint Navigation, Sprint’s exclusive NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile Live

    Pricing and Availability

    The Palm Pixi phone is scheduled to be available from Sprint in time for the holidays. Pricing for the phone, as well as the limited-edition Palm Pixi Artist Series covers, will be announced closer to availability. Customers who would like to register to receive additional information about Palm Pixi and be notified when it’s available can register at www.palm.com/pixi.

    Additionally, starting today, Palm and Sprint will be lowering the cost of the Palm Pre from $199 with a new two-year service agreement by $50 to $149 after an instant $150 rebate and a $100 mail-in rebate.

    The full Palm Pixi press release can be read on the Palm website.

    Read More
  • pre,  sprint,  web os

    Spring Jumps the Gun on Palm webOS 1.2 Release Notes

    September 9, 2009 /

    If there was any doubt that Palm is on the cusp of releasing webOS 1.2 for the Sprint Pre, PreThinking.com has posted Sprint’s release notes for webOS 1.2.

    Based on the full release notes that PreThinking.com has on their website, if correct, Palm webOS 1.2 is shaping up to be a very feature rich update to further refine webOS and to fix some really annoying issues, like the Bluetooth car kit support.

    At the time of this writing, the webOS 1.2 update is still not available via the Pre’s Updates application.

    Check out the full list of features, fixes, and enhancements on PreThinking.com.

    [Via PreThinking.com…]

    Read More
  • apple,  rumors

    Rumor: iPod touch Shipments Delayed

    September 8, 2009 /

    Bad news, iPod fans! If a recent article on AppleInsider is correct, new iPods could be delayed due to bad cameras – a feature long rumored to be in the next generation of Apple’s music players.

    “A person with a strong track record in predicting Apple’s upcoming product launches recently told AppleInsider that the iPod maker has experienced technical problems (bad parts) with the cameras modules. The person said that it was uncertain whether the new hardware, which has been widely expected to debut at Wednesday’s “Only rock and roll” media-centric event, would make the cut for early September retail distribution.”

    I doubt that this news will derail the Apple event scheduled to take place tomorrow. It can, however, put a damper on things. If Apple does unveil a new iPods with digital cameras, don’t expect wide availability of the new devices for a few weeks.

    We’ll have more from the Apple front after tomorrow’s keynote.

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

    Read More
  • mozilla,  windows mobile

    Fennec Alpha 3 for Windows Mobile Released

    September 8, 2009 /

    While reading the Mozilla blog, I learned that the Fennec Alpha 3 build has been released for Windows Mobile devices.

    “We’re very happy to announce the availability of Fennec Alpha 3 for Windows Mobile. There are lots of great features and fixes included in this release. You can find the release notes here and a cab installer here. Personally, I’m turning off my iPhone to switch to a Windows Mobile device with Fennec.”

    Since the last release of Fennec for Windows Mobile, the Mozilla team has been working on improving the start up time for the mobile browser, they have improved panning, and they “now support a wider range of screen resolutions through the use of CSS media queries.”

    Just keep in mind that this is still an alpha version of the software and it will have some rough edges.

    If you are not familiar with the Fennec project, you can learn more about it on the Mozilla website. If you are not familiar with fennec foxes (Fennec is the little brother of Firefox after all!), you can learn more about them from Wikipedia.

    Download Fennec Alpha 3 for Windows Mobile now…

    Read More
  • pre,  rumors,  sprint

    Rumor: Palm Pre Going On Sale for $149

    September 7, 2009 /

    The Palm Pre Labor Day, or should I say “Leak Day”, weekend continues. This time, PreCentral.net is reporting that they have received word that Palm will be cutting the price of the Pre from $199 to $149 for qualifying buys when you purchase a Pre from an indirect Sprint retailer.

    “From September 8 to October 31, 2009, “indirect partners” will be able to sell the Pre for $149.99 after mail-in rebate. This information applies only to these indirect Sprint retail channels, though it seems reasonable that identical price cuts will take place via Sprint’s own channels (retail stores, telesales, and Sprint.com). And as usual, the price of admission comes with an Everything Data or Simply Everything plan attached.”

    At this point in time we can only speculate that this price cut is partly in response to the Android-powered HTC Hero coming to Sprint on October 11, 2009.

    [Via PreCentral.net…]

    Read More
  • safety,  smartphones

    Accidents 23% More Likely When Texting While Driving

    September 5, 2009 /

    I was reading the latest issue of MacWorld magazine (October, 2009 cover date) which had an interesting statistic on page 26: accidents are 23% more likely when you are driving. It was an interesting statistic to be sure; however, the statistic was not documented.

    A few minutes and Google searches later, I discovered that the statistic was taken from a July 27, 2009 paper from the VirginiaTech Transportation Institute.

    “Several large‐scale, naturalistic driving studies (using sophisticated cameras and instrumentation in participants’ personal vehicles) conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), provide a clear picture of driver distraction and cell phone use under real‐world driving conditions. Combined, these studies continuously observed drivers for more than 6 million miles of driving.”

    In the provided table was the statistic that was reported in MacWorld: Text messaging – 23.2 times as high as non‐distracted driving.

    The bottom line on this one: DON’T DO IT!!

    You can read the report that I found on the VTTI website (includes a PDF download link) or you can read an article that was published in the New York Times.

    Read More
  • pre,  web os

    More Info Revealed About webOS 1.2

    September 5, 2009 /

    The folks at PalmInfoCenter.com have done some more sleuthing around the recently leaked Palm webOS 1.2 update for the Palm Pre.

    PalmInfoCenter.com is reporting the discovery of two new features: blinking notifications and remote application removal.

    “Good news first: LED notifications are on the way! The much-requested feature has been discovered within the “securityconfig-scene.html” file, which contains the following info-text: The gesture area blinks when new notifications arrive.”

    “And now the other, not-so-good thing: apparently webOS 1.2 will give Palm the ability to remotely remove apps from your device, and you won’t have much of a say in the matter. In the file “usr\lib\luna\system\luna-systemui\app\controllers\apprevokedalert_scene.html”, we can see this info-text: ‘Palm had to delete this application from the App Catalog and your device. If you paid for this app, your money will be refunded.'”

    I’m not so sure that the app removal function is completely a bad thing. Apple has implemented it. Palm appears to be ready to implement it. I’m sure Microsoft, Google, and Research In Motion have the feature in their phones as well. And with the recent George Orwell 1984 Amazon Kindle disaster, people are more than little bit sensitive over the issue. It is kind of ironic that Amazon deleted the digital version of 1984 from people’s Kindles.

    There are some benefits to having the app removal feature on the Pre. Consider what would happen if a really poorly functioning application gets into the App Catalog and starts causing Pre’s to crash to the point of not being able to be used. It would be kind of hard to use the Pre as a “business tool” if the phone can’t connect to a corporate Microsoft Exchange server. What happens if a virus or other web-bases malware gets injected into webOS. Not good.

    If the app removal feature is used for the greater good, not to the benefit of Palm or one of their carrier partners, it can be a good thing. The same is true for Apple and Amazon.

    [Via PalmInfoCenter.com…]

    Read More