Phones

Dell making Android phone?

Smartphone sales are trumping PC and Notebook sales for quite a number of years, you would have expected Dell to be in the market long ago to cement their position as a top manufacturer in the market, and sadly, they stayed on the wayside. Now rumours are popping up everywhere on the Net about a possible Dell Smartphone, it is expected that this Smartphone will be announced at this year’s Mobile World Congress or CTIA and will feature Google Android or Windows Mobile, so far from what I’m reading, Android seems to be the likely contender.

Nokia E71 goes all the way up to 200.21.188

One of my favourite phones of 2008 has received a major update just to make it that little bit more attractive. I didn’t really have too much trouble with the phone and I certainly haven’t heard of many people complaining that it’s buggy. However, Nokia have deemed it necessary to push out an update and packaged some interesting features. Click to read on.

Steve Jobs taking medical leave

Steve Jobs is temporarily handing over control of Apple to Tim Cook, while he recovers from his hormone imbalance. Steve sent an email to apple employees stating that he underestimated the complexity of his health issues. He was quoted in the email saying “In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to  allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June,”. I hope Steve takes the spring to convalesce, and returns in time to make a big iPhone announcement this summer.

Apple approves third party browsers in App Store

MacRumors are reporting that over the past 24 hours, Apple has begun to approve 3rd party web browsing applications for the iPhone. A number of new web browsing apps have suddenly appeared with original submission dates ranging as far back as October. Web browsing applications were previously charged with “duplicating functionality” of other iPhone apps and was felt to be the reason why Opera would never be approved by Apple.

Palm Pre vs. iPhone vs. G1 (and WM as well!)

Gizmodo have put together a fun comparison of the three operating systems that will rock 2009. As you will probably guess from the recent demonstration at CES Palm manages to clean the floor with the others. It’s exciting to read about all these excellent features and how all three compare. Time will tell as there is so much potential in all.
In addition Mobility Site have listed the features and added Microsoft’s Windows Mobile to the rumble. A nice addition. Blackberry and Symbian don’t get a look in…

Live Search for Windows Mobile updated to version 4

Live Search for Windows Mobile has been updated to version 4, with a number of very cool new features. The goodies include a cell-tower-triangulation feature for location-awareness even without GPS; predictive text; and a “bird’s-eye view” feature that presents aerial photos of certain locations.To download, launch your mobile browser and navigate to: wls.live.com

via 4winmobile

iPhone patent application shows new mapping features

Apple has filed a patent for integrated iPhone mapping and calendars, showing it has plans for the handset to plot directions between appointments automatically. It’s far more intelligent than the current iPhone software, and integrates with the address book too. According to Apple’s patent document, appointments will automatically be plotted on a map, with addresses fished from the address book or the appointment itself. The iPhone will also monitor traffic along the route, and be able to alert you if you need to leave early for a meeting to avoid being late. It promises to turn the iPhone into a real digital assistant, which can even text an automated “sorry, I’ll be late” message to the person you’re meeting.

via Electric Pig

Motorola is done with Windows Mobile

Motorola is planning a major restructuring in its handset division. Layoffs, and a scaling back of the number of handsets offered seem imminent. Motorola is also planning on ending development of its Windows Mobile line. Motorola has a rich history of making some of the most interesting Windows Mobile Handsets from the recently announced A3100, the original Q which was the first thin smartphone  front facing qwerty keyboard, to the unfortunately never mass produced MPx which started my interest in Windows Mobile. Motorola will now be focusing all its smartphone efforts on Android.

Source: PhoneScoop

HTC 2009 product road map

Someone in the forums over at PPCGeeks has posted a host of pictures of future HTC devices and if these are legitimate we can see clearly an HTC Touch HD Pro. Basically a Touch HD form factor with a slide out QWERTY keyboard which is a very exciting device. We have all of the pictures after the break including what looks like an update to the Diamond and the Dash. Now which will be Windows Mobile and which will run on Android?

LG GD910 watch phone video

I can’t blame you if you’re still a bit sceptical about the LG GD910 watch phone since it’s the stuff that you only see in science fiction movies and comic books. However, this video showcasing LG’s newest endeavour might finally convince you that it’s real. It comes courtesy of LG Canada and documents their stint at CES 2009 in Las Vegas. The LG GD910 watch phone is the star of the video and just proves to everyone that it is indeed a fully-functional phone that looks as cool (if not better) in real life as it does in the pictures. Enjoy!