Author Archive: Gareth

Google Sandbagging Palm Over Voice?

A lot of people are up in arms over Apple refusing to allow a Google Voice app on the iPhone. Several high profile users have been blasting Apple over it, and now the Feds are looking into it the entire matter.  Apple has even gone so far as to post a letter defending themselves about this issue on the front page of their website. Many people want Google Voice due to the freedom it gives them to (among other  things) have multiple numbers all ring the same phone, as well as being able to have their number easily travel with them as they change phone service providers. Considering the massive amount of money Apple is making from AT&T to keep the iPhone exclusive, it is clear why Apple hates Google Voice and is willing to risk a lot to block it for as long as it can.

Next Generation Mobile TV Comes to Android Phones

St. Petersburg, August 26th, 2009 – SPB Software, a leading maker of mobile applications, announces the release of SPB TV for Android phones. SPB TV is a subscription-free mobile IPTV viewer, designed for tuning in to publicly available digital TV channels from all over the world. SPB TV features exclusive and patent-pending usability innovations like picture-in-picture mode and gives the mobile subscribers easy access to over a hundred of international TV channels, directly from their phones.

Tesco stocking Smartphone

3G.co.uk are reporting that UK Supermarket Tesco is due to start stocking ‘Smartphones’. Presumably this is an attempt to drive up Subs on their MVNO network, but the fact that they are aiming to get eight handsets in-store by year-end, definitely means they are serious.

There is apparently some clarity on which the first two of these handsets will be – namely the Alcatel Tribe OT-800, and LG GW-300. These are budget devices, and depending on the definition you subscribe to, these don’t look to be strictly in the smartphones category, but rather devices that focus on messaging – both are rocking the QWERTY keyboard for example.

Tesco will of course be rolling out the usual incentives, such as free Internet access (for 3 months), and dropping the cost on the device itself – expect the Alcatel to weight in at about £50, with colour variants of pink and black.

I’m intrigued to see what the other handsets are – budget is good, but one of the keys tohandset purchase is the desirability factor – and that’s something you mostly get with the from the usual handset vendor suspects…!

[Thanks Andy, source Intomobile Via: 3G.co.uk]

Samsung Blue Earth S7550 Preview

Phonearena has a great preview of the upcoming Samsung Blue Earth. The Samsung Blue Earth S7550  is created with environmental protection in mind. The phone body and packaging are both made from recycled materials and the device features a solar panel that extends its battery life. Unlike most similar devices, this is not all about it. The phone features a 3-inch touch sensitive screen, TouchWiz interface and a set of quite decent functions to make it an appealing handset for the wide public.

Motorola Android event on September 10th

Motorola have given Android Community sibling-site SlashGear a heads-up to save September 10th for what certainly looks to be an Android announcement.  The event, to be held in San Francisco, would seem to be in aid of launching Motorola’s first Android smartphones, potentially the much-leaked Morrison and Sholes.

O’Reilly Media started to release books as apps on iPhone

Tim O’Reilly is an Irishman born in Southern Ireland, who later emigrated to USA, and created O’Reilly publishing company.

Nokia 5230 Announced

 

 

Nokia Conversations today announced a new low cost touch screen phone, the 5230 takes it design cues from the 5800 and packs a lot into a device that will only cost €149 unlocked or €259 for the Comes with Music version and will be in the shops in time for Christmas.

The Nokia 5230 brings a 3.2-inch touchscreen with HSDPA data, A-GPS, 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, and Bluetooth 2.0 with the promise of 33-hours of music pumped over its 3.5-mm audio jack and comes in six color variants: red, pink, blue, yellow, silver, dark silver.

Useful Creativity releases Street Scene 09 – Feature Rich Event Guide

Useful Creativity today announced Street Scene 09, the first in a line of premium event apps. Street Scene 09 is an iPhone guide for Street Scene 2009 in San Diego, CA on August 28th and 29th, 2009. This new guide includes all the info on the event and artists, a schedule, an interactive event map, specialized parking tools, trolley maps, a custom Twitter client, community photo wall, and a push notification system that is used in a completely new way.

Blowfin releases Ninjahit 1.01 for iPhone – Interactive Social Gaming

Utah based Blowfin Inc. today is delighted to announce Ninjahit 1.01, an update to their popular social interactive mobile game for the iPhone platform. Designed specifically to leverage the iPhone as a virtual weapon, Ninjahit is a ninja assassination game played with friends and co-workers. The concept behind Ninjahit is to be stealthy and sneaky like a Ninja. The object of the game is to get a sneaky snapshot of the opponent target with the iPhone’s camera feature.

Global Brands Launch Into iPhone & iPod Mobile Marketing With Notescasts

Leading global brands are recognizing the need to employ an all new set of marketing tools to reach out and effectively speak to their customers in their mobile lives. One of those tools is custom Notescast titles for the iPhone. With a custom Notescast title, companies can promote their products and services with up to 1,000 pages of in-depth content, all linked to related photos and video, which their customers can now review in the palm of their hand wherever they go and whenever they want. Businesses can also work with social media agencies like Social zinger to reach prospects and customers online.