Review: HTC Tilt2 from at&t
November 23, 2009 – 12:02 pm | Comments

Having finished my time with the HTC Pure I have now turned my attention to the second device from at&t to sport Windows Mobile 6.5, the HTC Tilt2. After two weeks I must say I …

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eReader »

Ebooks: Good News and Bad News
Posted by Zealot on November 24, 2009 – 1:20 pm |  Comments 
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Kindle_2_-_Front First, the good news….Amazon announced today that a free firmware upgrade will be going out to all Kindles that increases the battery life by 85 percent and adds support for PDFs (hmmm…maybe in support of iMagz?). The upgrade will be installed automatically in the background via WhisperNet. Wow, makes you wonder just how inefficient the code was that a firmware tweak nearly doubles battery life.

As for the PDF support, users can read PDF files by emailing them directly to their Kindle address or by loading them on the device via USB. PDFs can also be automatically converted to the Kindle format by emailing them with ‘Convert" in the subject line.

Not a bad pre Christmas upgrade…BOY Amazon must be feeling the heat.

Now, the bad news? Digitimes is reporting that  Scott Liu, chairman of Prime View International (PVI), the company that makes the screens for most Ebook Readers is telling us not to hold our breath for the $100 reader.

He says the market is just not big enough and competition isn’t fierce enough yet to see screen prices drop in 2010…and as the most expensive element of an Ebook Reader is the screen, we shouldn’t look for any many price breakthroughs for another year at least.

Still, one can hope.

General, Mobilitysite Items, Off topic »

Can your phone do this? (NSFW) Plus bonus site info…
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 24, 2009 – 1:14 pm |  Comments 

questionmark I am not going to say much about this, but if you are interested, hit the jump to see. It’s not all that bad, it involves a little foul language, but hey… I know some might not appreciate it. I find it’s funny and props to the guy that took the time to get it set up.

Merging
In other news, I am going to go forward with merging iPhoneMVP and GotZune into Mobilitysite. I will provide some filtering of content as well as separate RSS feeds. I won’t do this until I have it set up right. Really though, Zune news is slow unless it’s launch time and iPhone News is everywhere already. What we’ll have for iPhone is mostly reviews, tutorials, and commentary.

Big Contest Coming Soon!
Our anniversary (I am going to quit calling it a Birthday) is coming soon. So far we have 5 Pantech Matrix Pro Smartphones and an HTC Snap to give away. More to come…

Droid and HD2
Coverage of our own soon. These both should be sitting in my office now for when I get off work.

Ok, don’t forget to check out this finely crafted message after the break…

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eReader »

Ebooks: iMagz Coming?
Posted by Zealot on November 24, 2009 – 12:14 pm |  Comments 
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time The Observer is reporting on some very interesting information they have from “sources” that may indicate the future direction of electronic magazines. Everyone has heard Wired yapping about preparing custom digital content for “some unannounced device that Apple MAY produce someday…*giggle*giggle*”, but it seems other major magazines are not sitting around waiting for Cupertino to call. Some months ago I reported on the rumor that Time and other big time magazines were looking seriously at electronic distribution methods with an intent towards creating their own Reader device and online Amazon-style store. Considering the number of devices upcoming in 2010 and the buzz over various “tablets”, the Reader option may be off the table. No need for it really if there are so many other devices already out or soon to be released that are not picky regarding where their content comes from.

Instead, the source says that Time and other publishers are looking at setting up a single web portal for downloading magazines from all different companies to any reader device as well as ordering print copies. The sources described it as like iTunes, but for magazines.

BRILLIANT! I like to call it….iMagz.

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AT&T »

HP iPAQ Glisten? What’s this AT&T?
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 24, 2009 – 11:16 am |  Comments 

hp_glisten 
A surprise today for the Windows Mobile world, a smartphone that made it to announcement with no real leak? Maybe I missed it, but this is the 1st I have heard about this one.

The iPAQ Glisten features a full QWERTY keyboard and five-way directional pad for fast, easy and accurate messaging including SMS/MMS and e-mail. The touch-enabled AMOLED screen, among the best displays on the market, allows users to easily navigate through menus, windows, and links with the touch of a finger.

Stay tuned for more info, press release after the break…

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eReader »

My Nook seems to be on schedule still
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 24, 2009 – 10:20 am |  Comments 

With all the buzz that about the Barnes and Noble Nook being delayed and new orders getting ship dates into 2010, I decided that I should take a look at my order since this is my wife’s Christmas present.

nookstatus 
This is good to know, those 2010 dates had me concerned.

Smartphones »

Google Maps for Android updated
Posted by ctitanic on November 24, 2009 – 3:36 am |  Comments 
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google-maps-navigation-layers Google maps for Android updated. We did not have to wait for Android 2.0 to get GPS navigation in Google Maps but G1 owners, don’t get too excited. To use this new feature you have to install a Language package of around 4 MB. Space that in a G1 is hard to find free.

A few weeks ago we launched Google Maps Navigation (Beta) as a free feature of Google Maps on Android 2.0 devices. Today we’re expanding availability of Google Maps Navigation to devices running Android 1.6 (Donut) and higher, such as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G and the G1.

More info at Google.

Steals & Deals »

Get a $100 Check from HTC!
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 23, 2009 – 7:53 pm |  Comments 

money

OK, if you want to upgrade your phone, HTC has the deal for you. From November 27th through December 31st, you can trade in your current smartphone in on the purchase of an HTC Tilt 2, HTC Touch Pro2, HTC Imagio, or HTC Ozone. If your smartphone is on the approved phone list, you can grab a $100 rebate check from HTC. The approved phone list is decent sized too!

The way it works is simple. Once the new phone is purchased, the customer can go to the appropriate site below and enter their specific promotional code. This will provide them with a mailing label, which they use to send their old smartphone, a copy of the UPC code from the new phone, and a copy of the invoice from the new phone. After that, they get a $100 check in the mail!

URLs with promo codes:

List of eligible smartphones for trade-in:
http://www.htctradein.com/htc-smartphone/approved-phone-list.html

Thanks HTC, this is pretty nice of you. Is your smartphone still worth more than $100?

Devices, UMPC »

Hacks and HACKS
Posted by ctitanic on November 23, 2009 – 7:12 pm |  Comments 
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There are hacks and HACKS with upper case. This one is one of those with upper case. The news was posted at GottabeMobile but the pictures can be seen in this other site. A Sony UX where the owner has change everything that could be changed and replaced and even more.

Hardware

  • SSD: 48GB SSD –> 128GB RunCore Pro IV SSD
  • Processor: 1.2GHz Core 2 Solo U2200 –> 1.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7700 overclocked to 1.438GHz
  • WLAN: HSDPA 3G module for voice and data
  • Wifi: Intel 3945ABG –> Intel 4965AGN

bootscreen-300x255

Smartphones »

Android Rising, Motorola in Command
Posted by Zealot on November 23, 2009 – 4:31 pm |  Comments 

Android-motorola-robot According to AdMob, the firm that handles display and text ads for more than about 15,000 mobile Web sites and applications, Android is coming on strong with Motorola riding it back to relevance in a big way. Of course, keep in mind that AdMob is in the process of being acquired by Google (feel the noose tightening?) but still, ad page views don’t lie.

Of course Apple’s iPhone is still the leader in terms devices people use to surf the mobile web, but Android has increased worldwide with it’s main gains in the US. in America, six months ago Android had about 7 percent of the mobile ad requests, now a whopping 20 percent.

Of those 20 percent, about a quarter were on a Moto Droid, while 6 percent were on a Motorola Cliq. This means that Motorola is responsible for about a third of all Android use in the US, clearly making them the Android vanguard. Not bad for a company left for dead last year.

Now, if Motorola will be able to base long term growth on these numbers or if they are just reaping the short term benefits of being Google’s Android 2.0 poster child remains to be seen. Remember word is that Google has already moved on and is holding HTC’s hand as they make the NEXT flagship Android device, the Dragon. Without Google pushing them along Motorola could very easily make the Droid their new RAZR, churning out subtle variations and updates on their hit phone for years until they have sucked it dry….and then have nothing new to offer.

Opinion »

Windows Mobile vs. Android OS – My Take
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 23, 2009 – 2:48 pm |  Comments 

winmovsandroidI was just reading a great read from James over at JKontheRun on the subject and thought it would be a good time for me to weigh in with my views on the debate. Gil also posted a revamp to his Mobile OS battle recently here and since I have been mixing it up with what I am using, I feel it’s time for me to speak up too.

I have been a avid, almost blind supporter of Windows Mobile since the days of the Pocket PC, so my views are a tad bias, but consider this, I am using an iPhone 3GS right now. Well I am using the iPhone until tonight when I get to my office to unbox the Motorola Droid from Verizon.  I have used the T-Mobile G1, HTC Hero, and I am finishing up a review on the Samsung Moment right now. These are the only Android phones I have used so far and I have enjoyed them a little more each time. I can’t wait to check out the Droid for the next couple days. I will bounce this back and forth with the HTC HD2 as well.

James talks about Android and Windows Mobile based on the major areas that are most important to the bulk of smartphone users. He covers Multi-tasking, Available apps, User interface and Computer desktop integration. Of those things, only 3 are really important to me, the 4th being integration. I often overlook integration since I use Exchange 2007 and all the info I need synced is handled in a 2-3 minute setup for each new device I get.

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Review: HTC Tilt2 from at&t
Posted by Stephen Borders on November 23, 2009 – 12:02 pm |  Comments 
Review: HTC Tilt2 from at&t

Having finished my time with the HTC Pure I have now turned my attention to the second device from at&t to sport Windows Mobile 6.5, the HTC Tilt2. After two weeks I must say I …

Ikee-B Threatens iPhones
Posted by Zealot on November 23, 2009 – 10:41 am |  Comments 
Ikee-B Threatens iPhones

A new wrinkle has appeared in the smartphone security picture, as the first truly harmful worm has surfaced that effects jailbroken iPhones. This one is designed to steal passwords and financial details of people …

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Available on AT&T website now
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 23, 2009 – 8:55 am |  Comments 
BlackBerry Bold 9700 Available on AT&T website now

The Blackberry Bold 9700 went on sale this weekend on the AT&T website. $199.99 after rebates with a 2 year contract will get you out the door on this one. The 9700 has already …

Xperia X10 to AT&T?
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 23, 2009 – 8:46 am |  Comments 
Xperia X10 to AT&T?

This is a hot looking Android phone and Engadget is speculating that it’s headed towards AT&T when it finally becomes available..
…the XPERIA X10, is still a long way from being released, but already we …

Samsung and Verizon Announce the Samsung Omnia II
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 23, 2009 – 8:36 am |  Comments 
Samsung and Verizon Announce the Samsung Omnia II

Here’s a good surprise for your Monday morning, Verizon gets the Samsung Omnia II. The Samsung Omnia II is a Windows Mobile 6.5 touch screen phone and Verizon will have it on Dec. 2 …

Droid Invades Mobilitysite Tommorow
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 22, 2009 – 12:47 pm |  Comments 
Droid Invades Mobilitysite Tommorow

After a long run of Windows Mobile devices, I tried Android back when the T-Mo G1 hit and wasn’t overly impressed. The chin phone failed to capture my enthusiasm. Then came the HTC Hero …

Winner: YouTube HD Camera Video Contest
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 22, 2009 – 12:32 pm |  Comments 
Winner: YouTube HD Camera Video Contest

I held a contest on YouTube for a Sanyo VPC-CA9 HD Video Camera and the winner is in. I am announcing it here on Mobilitysite for the archives. Thanks to all that entered.

And the winner …

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Ebooks: Nook and Kindle News
Posted by Zealot on November 22, 2009 – 7:00 am |  Comments 
Ebooks: Nook and Kindle News

In terms of Holiday Ebook Reader Sales it appears that it is boiling down to a two horse race, the Kindle versus the Nook….and with the Nook the jumps just keep getting higher and …

Android’s Motus Operandi or X10
Posted by Marilyn Torres on November 21, 2009 – 1:25 pm |  Comments 
Android’s Motus Operandi or X10

During the gaping silence from AT&T regarding all things Android, there has been a small admittance to the end of the iPhone exclusivity to AT&T, yet Android seems to be overtaking market. Sprint has launched …

Google Chrome OS, all time connected
Posted by ctitanic on November 20, 2009 – 6:47 am |  Comments 

Recently I found a video, and honestly I do not remember where in the web,  where Google explains What’s Google Chrome OS. To summarize, an all time connected to the cloud OS. A version of …

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Need to call someone special on Thanksgiving?
Posted by Jack Cook on November 19, 2009 – 12:24 pm |  Comments 
Need to call someone special on Thanksgiving?

This is a great opportunity to call your friends and relatives on Thanksgiving if you do’nt have nationwide dialing.  Truphone just announced that for 12 hours on Thanksgiving 2009 all calls made on Truphone to …

Ebooks: Misses and Hits
Posted by Zealot on November 19, 2009 – 7:27 am |  Comments 
Ebooks: Misses and Hits

The biggest miss in the Ebook world this week has to be the Sony Daily Reader, the 7 inch, wireless equipped device that Sony is intending to compete with the Kindle DX (as well …

Symbian Rejected Again…by Nokia??
Posted by Zealot on November 19, 2009 – 5:29 am |  Comments 
Symbian Rejected Again…by Nokia??

This has been a tough few weeks for Symbian. A few days ago it was given the old heave-ho from Samsung smartphones in favor of bada, a new OS they haven’t even RELEASED yet, …

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“Honey, they Shrunk my Thinkpad”
Posted by Zealot on November 19, 2009 – 4:02 am |  Comments 
“Honey, they Shrunk my Thinkpad”

I have been a fan of Thinkpads since they were the mainstay of the IBM empire and have used them as my primary laptop almost exclusively for around 10 years now, starting with a …

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One site for all your Mobility?
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 18, 2009 – 3:26 pm |  Comments 

I wanted to query our readers to see what you think if the idea. I have been unifying the forums for the last year and now that it’s complete, I am thinking about bringing GotZune …

Office Mobile 2010 Beta Now Available
Posted by Stephen Borders on November 18, 2009 – 2:33 pm |  Comments 
Office Mobile 2010 Beta Now Available

If you are an early adopter of software or are a developer the New Office Mobile 2010 Beta is now available in the Marketplace for Mobile. I was released today along with the Public …

Zune 120 or Zune HD – Which would I choose?
Posted by Chris Leckness on November 18, 2009 – 2:30 pm |  Comments 
Zune 120 or Zune HD – Which would I choose?

I just got an email from one of my long time YouTube viewers asking which I would choose and why.
I was just wondering, if you had to choose between the Zune HD and the …

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To gPhone, or not to gPhone
Posted by Zealot on November 18, 2009 – 6:03 am |  Comments 
To gPhone, or not to gPhone

Michael Arrington at TechCrunch is stirring the pot again. In a recent post, he states that the long theorized Googlephone is about to be released based on rumours from unnamed sources. A phone designed …

Jailbreaker Makes CNN
Posted by Zealot on November 18, 2009 – 5:27 am |  Comments 
Jailbreaker Makes CNN

Whether you consider him a genius, a rebel, a thief or an arrogant putz, George Hotz (aka GeoHot) sure has a lot to say, and he says it in a recent CNN profile. Credited …

Windows Mobile Gets More Game
Posted by Zealot on November 18, 2009 – 5:02 am |  Comments 
Windows Mobile Gets More Game

Slowly but surely the Windows Mobile Marketplace is gaining applications. The newest bunch are six fresh games from Konami designed to be played on full touchscreen phones. The games feature sharp graphics and on …