Yesterday, two tech greats chimed in on reviews of the Droid.  Both Walter Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal and David Pogue of the New York Times reviewed the phone and both came away with an overall positive overview.  Neither reviewer could stay away from constant iPhone comparisons.

Mossberg’s review

Mossberg reviewed the Droid and only managed to say, “iPhone” nine times.  He thought the phone would be a success on the Verizon network, perfect for loyal Verizon users who lust after a decent smartphone without jumping carriers.  “I regard it as a success overall. It’s the best super-smart phone Verizon offers, the best Motorola (MOT) phone I’ve tested and the best hardware so far to run Android.”

That is not to say Mossberg didn’t find problems, it is no secret Mossberg is a huge iPhone fan.  Things like, “Unfortunately for lovers of physical keyboards, I found the one on the Droid to be pretty awful,” and “Another downside: The Droid’s screen has only three panels for displaying apps, versus 11 on the iPhone, and some large apps, called widgets, hog much of the space on these panels.”

Pogue’s review

Pogue, gets right to the heart of the matter: “So is it true? Is the Droid an iPhone killer?  No, but it’s certainly a killer phone.”  Pogue mentions the iPhone 18 times in his review but is able to sum up the phone’s successes:

Since Verizon seems to want a Droid-iPhone faceoff, here it is: the Droid wins on phone network, customizability, GPS navigation, speaker, physical keyboard, removable battery and openness (free operating system, mostly uncensored app store). The iPhone wins on simplicity, refinement, thinness, design, Web browsing, music/video synching with your computer, accessory ecosystem and quality/quantity of the app store.

Pogue laments not having multitouch when surfing.  He must use that a lot more than I, as double tapping seems to be my predominate way to focus.  Pogue also points out that the Droid won’t work out of the USA, out of CDMA anyway which is a point to consider.  Other phones like the BlackBerry Storm can do both CDMA and GSM networks so it can make the trip, too bad that wasn’t included in the Droid.

Summary

Both writers liked the phone and would recommend it.  The tone of both reviews wasn’t one of giddy excitement as they had when reviewing the iPhone.  Both suggest the iPhone is still the king though the little droid is getting close.

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Wish there was a web app that brought together your email, twitter and Facebook into one, easy to deal with place?  Threadsy is the answer.  I’ve been using it for over a month and it keeps getting better.  Today, I’ve got invites (500) thanks to the fine folks at Threadsy.

The service is still in beta but operation is far better than it was just 30 days ago.  The team is working fast and seems very responsive.  Here is quick recap on how Threadsy works:

Inbound

In the left pane, email is displayed along with @me Twitters and Facebook messages.  The idea is to have only the stuff that was specifically directed to you be in your inbox.  You can choose to view all of this or just the incoming mail from individual providers (like just Twitter).  Users can search through messages and this search was surprisingly fast.  Emails can be composed as either quick replies right from this screen or open and reply seeing the full message.

Unbound

In the right pane (which users can control its width), are the streams you follow from Twitter and Facebook.  As with the Inbound pane, you can choose to filter just Facebook or Twitter streams or view them all.  Another tab on top allows you to access GMail chat, which is very handy.

What’s better?

By bringing Twitter, Facebook and my mail together, I get instant context in reply to friends.  Let’s say I get an email from Gadgetell Editor, Robert Nelson.  Threadsy shows me his latest status updates from Facebook, his bio and his latest Tweets in the right hand pane.  I know what he is doing, how he feels, making my reply that much better.  It is very handy and very powerful.  Incidentally, this is the idea behind Motorola’s Blur UI for Android.  It is a winning idea.

I really like the way Threadsy lets users hover over a message and select delete, archive or quick reply without opening the message.  I am able to work through my GMail much faster.

What’s not?

Notifications on Chat is less than alerting.  The other big thing missing, for me at least, is how GMail handles attachments.  I rarely download anything anymore thanks to “preview in html” and that is missing from Threadsy. 

For me, these are small trade-offs for keeping on top of my communication (or at least believing so).  Check it out and let us know what you think, below is the special invite link just for Gadgetell readers.

Invite link: [Threadsy]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Here in the US, Sony Ericsson isn’t high on my list of phones to check out.  Primarily, their inexpensive phones make the trip across the pond and the American public has yet to really embrace them as a quality brand.  That may change with the new XPERIA X10 which is due to become a flagship Android phone for the brand.  All isn’t perfect yet, though.

Slashgear was received by Sony Ericsson and shown the ropes of this phone due in Q1 of 2010.  There is much to brag about, from the custom UI skin that overlays Android 1.6 (that was something to brag about up until last month, now it seems a bit dated with 2.0 in the wild - no word if the X10 will get the update), an 8.1 megapixel camera, a snappy 1 GHz Snapdragon chipset, and a 480x854 capacitive touchscreen.

What is most interesting about the device are it’s two customized apps by Sony Ericsson: Timescape and Mediascape.  As described by Slashgear:

Timescape handles events, with a single view of tumbling panes each detailing the most recent changes, updates or events. SMS or email messages, calls, voicemails, photos, Twitter or Facebook updates and calendar entries are all pulled together into one dangling stream, and you can tap each pane to see it completely; hitting the Infinity symbol in the top corner then pulls together related information from all across the phone and online.

Mediascape, meanwhile, works in a similar way to Timescape but for audio, video and still image content. Three tabs show photos, audio and video, with the top half of the screen having draggable bars showing local content (split into rows by most recent, most played, etc.) while the lower half has online content. Sony Ericsson are working with content providers and carriers to develop this latter content; right now, the XPERIA X10 has access to YouTube video and online galleries, but there’s the potential for carrier-provided streaming music, PlayStation Network integration or third-party services. We’d particularly like to see Spotify integration too.

It was clear the demo Slashgear got was on an unoptomized software so the apps were sluggish to respond.  One of the fun things about Android is the manufacturers ability to create a branded feel of the OS by using skins.  It looks like Sony Ericsson may be onto something here and offered more Android phones would follow in 2010.

Read: [Slashgear]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

We knew it was too good to be true.  We knew Verizon couldn’t keep it’s mitts off the phone and tweak something to make it less fun. The good news is unlike most of Verizon’s disabled phone, this one can be fixed by throwing money at it.  $15 per month to be exact.

Thanks to the geniuses at Verizon, if you wish to access Exchange mail on your Droid phone you’ll need to cough up another $15 per month.  This is the case for accessing work email on a Microsoft Exchange server as well as accessing GMail via the Exchange platform.  If this seems a bit harsh to you, you’re spot-on.

Verizon’s response to criticism on this is to point out Droid is designed as a non-corporate phone.  A consumer oriented phone like this, isn’t expected to go into Exchange servers, or so the thinking goes.  Tilting the phone as a non-business phone is odd to me.  Horse hockey is what I say.

From InfoWorld: “Verizon offers three data plans for Droid customers: $30 month on top of your voice plan’s rate for non-Exchange usage, $45 per month on top of your voice plan’s rate for Exchange usage, and $50 per month total cost for a data-only plan (whether or not you use it to access Exchange). Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney notes that the requirement to get the $45 “smartphone plan” for corporate e-mail usage applies to any smartphone, such as the BlackBerry—not just to the Droid.”

Contrast that with AT&T’s iPhone and BlackBerry smartphone plan that adds $30 on top of voice and includes Exchange access.  AT&T does have a business plan that mirrors Verizon’s at $45 per month.

While realizing it’s tough being a carrier these days, profiling data is a bad idea.  Data costs the same whether it is a movie streaming, Exchange email or surfing the net.  Verizon should not penalize users based on what data they consume.  Maybe, it’s just $15 a month but it bugs me.  How about you?

Read: [InfoWorld]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Redfly makes a small, instant on netbook-size device that brings your small phone screen to a bigger screen complete with larger keyboard.  Redfly has worked with Windows Mobile phones for some time and now the company announces BlackBerry support.  For users that needs more than the small keyboard and screen a phone offers, this could be a life-saver.

Available in both 7” and 8” models, the Redfly connects to your WinMo or BB smartphone allowing you to bang out emails even faster.  Browsing the web is also possible, though reviewers were not so happy with the results.  Redfly can be used with the BlackBerry Bold 9000, BlackBerry Curve 8900 and BlackBerry Tour 9630.

We’d suggest this device for those who travel often and could use just a little more space.  We’d love the device to be a lot thinner (think Macbook Air thin) a bigger keyboard and a bit more upscale look.  If you are going after business class, you can’t look like economy.  That’s just my opinion though.

There is a contingent that believes this is the wave of the future.  Palm thought this but was ahead of the curve and pulled the program before launching.  As our phones become more powerful and capable, connecting to them seems logical.  To get on the wave, you’ll need $200 or $250 for the 7” and 8” respectively.  Or you can try to win one from Crackberry here.

Read: [Brighthand]

Image credit: Brighthand

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

The Samsung Moment, the world’s first AMOLED screen with slide-out keyboard phone featuring Android is now available from Sprint at $179 after rebates and another 2-year commitment to the carrier.  The phone definitely has some muscle under the hood but does it make up for having Android 1.5?  Read on to find out.

The Moment features a 800MHz processor that drives the phone faster.  Faster than, say, the Motorola Cliq - Engadget found the boot times to be 41 seconds for the Moment and 1:22 for the Cliq, ouch.  A lot of that has to do with the processor and the lack of a skin on the Moment.  The Cliq features a skin on top of the OS called Blur that will add some time to load in.  In other tasks, the faster processor was noticeable making transitions faster and movement through menus faster

The AMOLED or active matrix organic light emitting diode, is inherently rugged, very thin and lightweight and is intended to have lower power consumption rates.  These all add up to a win in the mobile phone market.  In the smartphone wars, every battery-saving advance is a big plus.

Should you buy the Moment?

Sprint recently began selling two Android phones, the Moment which is launching today and the HTC Hero, launched a couple of weeks ago.  The Hero is a physical keyboardless phone running HTC UI skin over the top to give a very specific user experience.  The Hero runs Android 1.5 and it is not clear if an upgrade to 2.0 will be supported (though, we believe it will).

The Moment runs Android 1.5 and again the same upgrade questions abound.  If you need a qwerty keyboard that will fit big hands, the Moment might just be up your alley.  Be warned though, they keyboard is a little on the awkward side: the “z” key extends past the “a” key instead of the other way around.  A nice feature is a row of dedicated number keys.  Keyboard action is good with positive clicks keeping the action familiar.

With just the Cupcake update to the Android system, users will miss out on the updated Android Market, Google Navigation and the goodness that built into 2.0.  Sprint ought to be upfront with potential buyers on the upgrade possibility for this phone.  The phone is capable of over-the-air updates, so upgrading is a real possibility.

My call: hold off until either Sprint makes it clear on upgrades or you get some time on the new Verizon Droid (a 2.0 device) so you can decide if you need the latest.  Nobody likes walking out of a store with last years software and at $179 and two years commitment, you shouldn’t have to.

Product Page: [Sprint]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

I am loathe to use job posting info on what a company is thinking but it is worth mentioning that RIM is looking for a webkit developer presumably to help out with Blackberry’s browser.  In addition to their recent Torch Mobile purchase it seems clear RIM is owning up to the fact that their browser needs some love.  Somebody wise once said, “knowing is half the battle” though that could have been G.I.Joe. 

From CNET on the BlackBerry Storm 2 browser:

“We thought that the BlackBerry browser was slightly faster and easier to navigate than previous versions, but it still needs a lot of work to catch up to the browsers on the iPhone, the Palm Pre, and the HTC Hero. “

Yesterday, Robert Scoble wrote a post on which mobile phone OS developers though was best.  He asked Tim Westergren, founder of Pandora on download numbers for the top three OS for the wildly popular Pandora app.  The results might not surprise you, but Roberts comments caught me off guard.  While the iPhone claimed top honors, BlackBerry was in the #2 slot and Android was #3.  What caught me off guard were comments about which two OS developers were looking at to develop for:

Westergren told me if he were starting development today he’d build for the above three platforms and is seeing more growth in Android than the others, so he’d bias to iPhone and Android, if he had to make a choice of only two platforms to develop on. This is also what I’m hearing from many other developers.

So if developers are looking elsewhere, the browser isn’t a game winner, is the Storm relegated to just an option for BB owners?  Essentially RIM has spent a lot of money on R&D to simply fracture their customers.

Not a good scenario all the way around.

Read [careerbeacon] via [Engadget ]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

New York State has just added a new law that further bans the use of cell phones while driving. Effective immediately, drivers can no longer text while driving and if they are caught doing so they face a fine of up to $150.

While a great law, for me this always goes back to common sense. Personally, I do not mind seeing laws like this but at the same time hate seeing laws that are passed that should just be common sense. Bottom line, it is not safe to text and drive.

Of course, this like many other offenses this is considered a secondary violation. Which technically means that you cannot be pulled over for texting and driving alone. The officer would also need another reason, that said, it seems safe to believe that they could most likely find something. After all, no driver is perfect.

Anyway, the real strange part here is that this texting and driving ban comes a long time after, in fact it comes years after they banned talking while driving. I guess we can just say, better late than never.

Read [Poughkeepsie Journal]  Via [MobileCrunch]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Word is that Verizon will launch not one Droid phone in early November, but two.  You know one, the Motorola Droid, the other looks to be the HTC Eris and is quite unlike the Motorola’s version.  The two will run Android but that is about all that keeps them similar.

OS

The Motorola phone features the hot-off-the-presses Android 2.0 and offers unfettered access to the Android operating system.  HTC, on the other hand, features Android 1.5 with the sense UI from HTC.  The sense UI acts as a skin to provide users a different feel than just Android.  The experience is intended to be simpler for common tasks; HTC is regarded as top dog in the skins world.  It is unclear if HTC will upgrade its sense UI to 2.0 and if so, will the HTC Eris be supported for this upgrade.

Form factor

The Motorola Droid features a slide out QWERTY keypad that is getting mixed reviews.  The trade off for being oh-so-slim is very short key action and the result seems to be a less than stellar typing experience.  As with anything, the more you use it, but better it feels.

The HTC Eris is a true touchscreen phone.  The soft keyboard has more in common with the iPhone than Motorola’s version.  This makes choosing a Droid phone very easy: how do you like your keyboards: hard or soft?

Processors

This is an oft debated aspect, but for what it worth the Motorola has a 585MHz processor while the Eris has a 528MHz

Price

Yesterday, Verizon and Motorola announced their phone would be $199 after appropriate contracts, rebates, spiffs, and insults were done.  The HTC Eris in contrast is rumored to be the working-man’s phone at just $99. 

Marketing

So far, Verizon’s only talked freely about the Motorola version.  Pricing the HTC touchscreen version at the iPhone price seems to suggest the Motorola version is more of an upgrade in buyers’ eyes.  Verizon knows phone folks are going to gravitate to the up-speced version, the Motorola Droid.  Word is the $99 Eris will be just fine for most folks looking to get some of that soft keyboard touchscreen love.

Read: [BoyGeniusReports] and [Phandroid]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Verizon, today, made Droid official.  They’ve been teasing us with the “Droid does” and “idon’t” ads that poked good fun at the iPhone.  Now that it’s here, priced, and dated, we’ve got three surprises they’ve been holding back on.  Each one is a potential game changer.

Surprise 1: Google Navigation

Say what?  I’ve been saying Google Navigation was logical for eons now, but Google finally made it happen and it could be an instant changer.  Available as a free part of Google Maps on Android 2.0 phones, Google Navigation will provide turn-by-turn directions.  By leveraging their simple search engine (just type in or say just about anything and Google will go find it) along with their satellite imagery to make navigating an unknown area feel almost downright home-like, Google nailed this.  While it still remains unclear if there is voice-guided directions, Google is clearly serious about this.

Google has made a point about saying this is only for Android phones and it is free.  The free part is debatable as there is no free lunch - don’t kid yourself you are trading privacy for the chance to have location-based ads served.  Only for Android I am willing to bet is a temporary deal.  Google is an advertisement company first and foremost.  This will trickle down to other OS at some point, you can bank on it.

Surprise 2: Gmail AND Exchange push

Typically, you can sync your phone with one and only one profile.  For example, if your corporate email uses Exchange, you can set up your iPhone to sync with them while your GMail will be accessed through IMAP or POP, not through the Exchange server as you can only chose one.

Droid, ala Android 2.0 seems to allow multiple profiles.  Sync to this AND that.  Hot diggity dog.

Surprise 3: Flash 10 ready browser

I really didn’t think this would happen but yes, the Droid is slated to have a full Flash 10 which means Hulu will be in the house.  Interesting but it gets better, Flash games anyone? 

To say that the Droid is going to be a big player is easy.  While the form factor doesn’t do much for me, I’ll be extremely interested in the next two Droid phones that are coming down the pipe not to mention the 20 phones Motorola has coming in 2010.  And it should be said, well done to Moto.  It looks like they are back in the game.

Read: [Motorola]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 28th is a big day for Google’s Android operating system.  The biggest carrier in the USA will launch its first Android-powered device.  You’ve read the reviews, you’ve seen the galleries, you’re ready to go.  But what do we really know about Android?  There are some downsides, right?

The Adware attack

That is the argument presented by RoughlyDrafted.  The site takes a long look at how Google will use Android to hunt you down like the depraved internet addict you are.  Android is reduced to nothing more than mobile adware:

Google is an adware vendor. You may decide that this is an acceptable tradeoff, but you can only do that if you actually stop and weigh the costs yourself. It’s completely delusional to blindly buy into Android as the free lunch with no strings.

This attack is a tough one to qualify for consumers.  Roughly Drafted presents it as a free lunch problem (you’re paying at some point, we just don’t know when).  Will it matter to consumers?  Tough to say, the problem with this line of thinking it, the experience is open-sourced so any forced ads are likely to be circumvented in short order.

The no good app attack

Robert Scoble makes an interesting case for why iPhone users are trapped in their world.  The reason?  100,000 apps.

“...now that Apple has apps the world has changed and challengers to the iPhone will find it very tough.  Here’s why: everyone is using a different set of 20 apps. Trillions of combinations. You can see this on Appsfire’s VIP list (my iPhone apps are listed there, along with a number of others). None of us have the same set of apps.

So, to get me off of the iPhone you are going to have to duplicate all my apps (and I’ve gotten several more since doing this list a couple of weeks ago).”

Scoble makes a very real and interesting point: if you’re hooked on the almost infinite variety of apps, moving off that platform gets very difficult to do.  For example, in the past week I’ve used RunKeeper (a program to track my exercising by GPS),  AT&T Navigator for turn by turn, Navionics for navigating by boat, 6 games, Geocaching and eBay.  Each iPhone could be as diverse in apps as their owners personality making replicating the experience on another phone almost impossible.  You’re trading down.

No good apps in the future attack

To fix Scoble’s app problem, Om Malik offers up some data.

“With a number of Google’s Android OS-based smartphones on the horizon, developers are devoting significant resources to the mobile platform, which will result in a boom in Android apps, according to reports from two Silicon Valley startups, Flurry and AdMob. Flurry, a San Francisco-based mobile metrics company, today said that it had seen an unprecedented 94 percent increase in the number of projects started by Android developers between September and October. “

More phones on more networks could work to get Android closer to the Apple App store. Om points out the disparity between earnings for developers between the iPhone and Android platform.  Om loosely suggests that the marketing muscle behind Android will help this cause as well.

Om does not come down on one side or another here, merely points out that we just don’t know.  There could be a boom, offering benefits to Android users and providing a serious threat to iPhone dominance.  The flip side is also possible, users don’t give a darn about what OS their phone is running as long as they can call, text and Facebook, the world is a good place.  What more do you need?

Summary

Android-haters have little tangible to hate.  We’ve seen the “in the bush” potential threat of Google doing evil things and turning your phone into mobile spyware.  We’ve seen the argument of being locked into an app environment and we’ve seen arguments that an Android app boom is looming. 

What does that mean for potential buyers of Verizon’s Android Droid phone(s)?  Personally, I think it means flux.  We don’t know quite what to make of Android yet.  Today it is a very usable OS that is about to get a lot of new users on multiple carriers on a variety of phones with multiple form factors.  Users coming from another other phone other than the iPhone are bound to get excited about the apps and open environment.  Chances are good you’ll like your phone more as time goes on as more apps build in and potentially bad as Google shows more of it’s hand.

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

In today’s world of launch events for new phones complete with anxious customers sleeping in the streets, it is very telling that Verizon has decided to push the BlackBerry Storm 2 out of the back door with very little fanfare, as Verizon announced today that the phone would be available October 28th for $179.  Verizon’s dumped loads of cash to build interest in Droid, their forthcoming Android phone, but almost nothing on the Storm 2, a follow-up device that sold over a million units in the first go round.  So what is wrong with this new phone?

Is it the screen that still clicks?  A big sticking point for many reviewers was the oddity of the entire screen moving and clicking.  While BlackBerry hung tight to the company line: BB users love positive click feedback, the rest of us were not so sure.  Other issues remained making the phone cumbersome at best.

How is the Storm 2 different?  The Storm 2 is faster and more responsive than the original, adds Wi-Fi and more memory.  The display is gorgeous and is great for movies.  The screen tapping feature is refined to allow faster typing than the original.

How is the 2 received by BB experts?

From Crackberry: “Picking up the BlackBerry Storm2, it’s clear that Research in Motion’s thought process here was simply to build a better BlackBerry Storm. They weren’t thinking about building an iPhone killer or worrying about what Palm is up to with their Web OS or what the next wave of Android phones might look like.”

From InfoSyncWorld: “Even with the improvements, and they are significant, using the BlackBerry Storm 2 was a real chore, as the extra pressure required to ‘click’ makes every action a bit harder compared to other touchscreens. The interface design was continually frustrating, even while newer phones, like the HTC Hero on Sprint, manage to surprise and delight with clever and adaptive touchscreen interface ideas”

From PCMag: ” The Storm2’s screen is much better than before, but the UI still lacks the intuitive response of a device designed with touch in mind from the very beginning.”

In any event, each review went on to end up with the same feeling, the Storm 2 is definitely an upgrade to the original but stops short of being best-in-class out there. For BB users, this may be as good as it gets, for others not hooked on BB servers, there are other choices, even on Verizon.  Perhaps Verizon is gun-shy with the Storm 2, after getting a little embarrassed on the first one?

Press release: [Verizon]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

AT&T announced mixed results this week during an earnings call: landlines continue their downward spiral while iPhone activations were up.  Perhaps the most interesting news for consumers was talk of life after the iPhone exclusivity has ended.  Could this mean a Verizon iPhone or other carrier in the US could be up sooner than expected?

While the iPhone is driving new customers to AT&T, it is not clear that AT&T is making a bundle off it.  After all, even the 3.2 million new iPhone activations couldn’t offset the decrease in landlines for the company.  While being the exclusive carrier for the iconic phone carries a bunch of brand cache, AT&T may not be earning the return they were hoping for.  Management breached the issue of iPhone non-exclusivity on this call.

“Even if we lose exclusivity [of the iPhone], we will be the only carrier with HSPA 7.2 [a network specification being deployed at AT&T] and [new devices] will work on our network faster,” AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega said.

The groundwork for the new marketing angle for a non-exclusive iPhone is already being laid down.  De la Vega stressed that AT&T is the network that “works best” for the iPhone and new Android devices.  He touted the ability to connect voice and data simultaneously.  ComputerWorld along with many industry watchers expect exclusivity to run out mid-2010.

What could this mean for you?  If industry watchers are right, the announcement would likely come at the iPhone refresh in June.  Hold out until then on committing to another new phone.  By then, Verizon will have a track record with the Android phones, so you won’t get hit with paying the early adopters fee should the Verizon iPhone be a no-show.  With the marketing tack AT&T is taking, it looks clear to me that there will be an end to the iPhone exclusivity and this is AT&Ts way of preparing analysts for that day.

Read [ComputerWorld]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Pantech and AT&T kick off the holiday line up of quick messaging phones with the release of the sleek slider Reveal.  One of the only phones I am aware of that has both number keys and qwerty keys always active, the Reveal is destined to become a hit with the texting crowd.  The phone will cost $79.99 after 2-year contract, AT&T mail-in rebate.

Those looking to attempt scoop one of these phones for free can do so via Pantech’s contest on Facebook.  To enter, simply become a fan of Pantech and make a Reveal-related post on the fan page wall.  A new winner is chosen every day.

AT&T’s new HTML mobile browser and att.net home page are preloaded on the Pantech Reveal.  The browser is reportedly very fast and should be a standout feature.  Other features include 3G service, GPS (with available turn-by-turn directions for a monthly fee),  Napster and eMusic compatible as well as video and still pictures.  Pantech is sending out a review unit so check back in as I share my thoughts on this new gadget.

Product page: [AT&T]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Verizon’s running ads everywhere (even on our site) for their first Android phone dubbed Droid (they actually had to license using that name from Lucasfilm, how cool is that?) in anticipation for a launch next month.  In today’s have-it-now world, why wait?  Gadgetell has your back and can point you to eBay where you circumvent all the hype and just get the biggest phone to hit Verizon in recent memory.

Over on eBay, one can bid on the Droid auction, currently at $899 with one bid.  The auction is set to end on October 29 at 15:42 (PDT) and the phone ships from Glendale, CA.  Of interest, the phones specs are listed and among them are a surprising 8GB SD card that comes with the phone, nice touch.

It isn’t clear if the auction-er actually has the phone or is going off an expected launch date of October 29th at this point.  The ads I’ve seen say November and that correlates to a promotional mailing to press citing 11.09.  It seems likely the image was taken from Verizon’s website and the auction says the phone has never been opened.  If the phone is available on the 29th, the auction winner will have it more than a week ahead of the general public, is that worth a premium to you?  If so, bid it up as it might be a fair bet that a large number of Verizon subscribers will be looking for this phone.

Questions to the Ebayer were not immediately answered.

Product page [eBay] via [MobilitySite]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Google is a self-proclaimed advertising company.  They sell ads.  It is their bread and butter.  Now it seems, they might be using give-a-ways like phones and phone service as a way to create a new place to serve ads.

Android was all about this plan though, we’re still not sure how it helps Google other than, perhaps, a guinea pig testing ground until it perfects the Android OS.  Back years ago, Google honcho proclaimed, “phones should be free” and it rings in my head every time a new rumor spouts about a true Google phone. 

Today, TheStreet.com writer Scott Moritz says:

Google is working with a smartphone manufacturer to have a Google-branded phone available this year through retailers and not through telcos, according to Northeast Securities analyst Ashok Kumar, who has talked to Google’s design partners about the plan.

Not through telecos

This will not be through telecos.  It will not be a Verizon phone, nor AT&T or any other.  This will be a freed phone, if you will.  Now, take with a grain, make that a whole bag, of salt as analysts tend to spout rubbish from time to time, but the idea is right.  The senario being painted is this: Google leases services (think MNVO) and provides users with a special Android OS phone that is unleashed.  Google foots the bill for service (perhaps within reason) while serving up ads.

The big question becomes what phone and how intrusive are the ads?  Would a rotating wallpaper serving ads be too far?  Would hijacking the browser upon opening to an advertisers page be too much?  Of course, that’s assuming this analyst actually knows what he claims to.  A big “if.”

Read [TheStreet]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

AT&T Navigator just updated to 1.3i for iPhone users and the update included more than just some bug fixes.  TeleNav, the company behind AT&T Navigator, updated the software with some substantial new features that make GPS navigation on your phone a much better experience.  The update addressed the looks, sounds and options on the device, all for the better.

Looks

Historically, AT&T Navigator allowed only navigation in portrait mode.  At launch, I thought this was an odd feature not to have the option to switch to landscape.  V1.3i ends the oddity and frankly, I hate it.  Navigating in landscape is difficult as the screen real estate is much smaller and in portrait you can “see” further down the road.  I’ll be keeping the phone in landscape, but now I’ll not think I am missing anything.

Sound

In version 1.3i, Gisselle, the name I’ve given the women’s voice of AT&T Navigator, sounds much crisper, especially when played over my car’s speakers.  The voice guidance is now much better and is finally on par with a stand alone device spoken instructions.  Nice job, TeleNav.

iPod Control

One quirk on the iPhone is previously if you wanted to listen to your iPod while navigating, you had to do the dance.  That dance is open the iPod, get the music playing then open Navigator.  From there a careful double click will bring up music controls.  With version 1.3i, an iPod control is now nested in the window and can be utilized at anytime. 

It is actually pretty slick and well done.  The icon is unobtrusive yet is easy to hit while driving.  This is a very welcome feature for those of us wishing to hear tunes while driving.  If only they could incorporate the Pandora app.

TeleNav was kind enough to supply us with this video:

Navigator is a free download on the Apple App Store but using it costs $9.99 per month.  The program replaces your stand alone GPS device and has many of the same features.  From voice turn-by-turn directions to 1000s of POIs, my favorite feature is it looks up maps for every trip, providing you with the latest info every trip.

Company site: [TeleNav]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Over the weekend, Verizon taunted the iPhone with television ads featuring the phrase “iDon’t” followed by a series of things the iPhone on rival network AT&T can’t do.  This morning, we are treated to an early hands-on of the phone to perhaps confirm some of the ads claims.  The ad encourages viewers to visit droiddoes.com, presumably where they’d find a phone from Verizon that can do those things.  I still have to pinch myself that they are this excited about a Motorola phone.

The Motorola Droid, a touchscreen phone with slide out QWERTY keyboard is the new hope for a home run on the Verizon network.  Boy Genius got some hands-on time and gushed at the phones amazing speed, beautiful screen, thin lines and ease of use.  To sum it up:

“the Droid, even in its non-final form, is the most impressive phone we’ve used since the iPhone. It’s positively amazing”

Verizon’s TV spot points out some of the iPhone flaws: no simultaneous apps, no night images, no real keyboard, no open development, etc.  Verizon’s website touts the things Droid does: high definition, multitasking, speech recognition, video, tunes, 10,000 apps and more.  The tactic is interesting in pointing out the differences.  While I’d rather see Droid stand on its own, Verizon is under pressure from the iPhone, so they succumb to the Instinct-like comparisons.

It seems Google had a bigger hand in this phone than perhaps most Android phones.  It seems Verizon brought Google in directly to work with Motorola down to Google calling out specs of the phone for total optimization.  The Droid does not have the Blur skin that Motorola is so proud of, rather it runs Android 2.0.

While the hands-on was on a pre production device, we believe the high points of the phone will remain unchanged.  This is going to be a important device on the Verizon network.

Read [Boy Genius Report] and [droiddoes]

Image credit: Boy Genius Report

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

This week I was forced to get out amongst the people and away from tech.  That doesn’t stop the tech world from moving on and making huge missteps and this week was no exception.  Here are the moves that make me suspect narcotics might be involved.  It would be worth just having the dog sniff around here, right?

• Sidekick melts down
• Openmoko rolls out web device fit for 1997
• Harnessing the power of the Sun is stupid
• Google Voice becomes “person of interest” to the feds

Sidekick brand is tarnished

If you needed a quick step program on how to tank your mobile phone brand, look no further than the great “Sidekick Fiasco of 2009.”  Server issues brought the devices down for a couple of days and phones that were reset during this period had their data erased.  Not cool.

What the T-Mobile Sidekick team missed is this: a golden opportunity.  Had they had a new product in the wings, they could have chosen to nuke all Sidekick info, prompting an apology and a discount on new hardware that “can’t” have this horrible data problem happen to it ever again.  By presenting the problem and the solution, T-Mobile would have been seen as the innovator and cashed in on a bunch of new Sidekick sales.

As it stands now, Sidekick’ers are going to find they really like the rash of Android phones headed down the pipe.

WikiReader part of new gadget-to-trash bin series

My editor hates when I do this, but I think Gadgetell writer Shawn Ingram is nuts.  I am not suggesting contraband is in play here, but, well, read for yourself and remember we are talking about a monochrome device that freezes a portion of the web for offline viewing:
“Sure, those of us with smartphones could just browse to the website, provided there’s decent, reliable data service, but a dedicated device makes sense.  It brings the community encyclopedia into anyone’s pocket and could prove very handy for quick references.”

I dig Openmoko’s ideas (normally) but this one is so far off the reservation, there is just no hope.  Really, Wikipedia?  The resource ridiculed by the Office’s Michael Scott for being his only place of real information?  What is next, an offline device for Facebook so we can see what friends status was back in March?  This flies in the face of the always on networks, WiFi networks and the future we see evolving in front of our eyes.  Is Openmoko really inviting us to take a giant step backwards?  I am passing.

LG looks to sun to recharge ebook readers, darkness is pissed

This week, our Robert Nelson told us about a new ereader that looks to alternative energy for power.  Clever.  Robert says,  “The Solar Cell will have a 6-in TFT-LCD that can get an extra day of reading from roughly about four to five hours of sunlight.  This extra juice comes by way of a thin-film 10-cm x 10-cm solar cell, ...  In other words, it is about as thick as a credit card and as heavy as a fountain pen.”

Sounds great right?  Only what happens to readers like this and other solar powered devices when the star (that is the Sun) begins to fade?  Increasing reliance on the Sun as a source of power is going to send us right back to the waiting arms of dino-flesh and the folks lucky enough to be standing above where the dinos bit it, so to speak.  We know stars fade out over time and setting up an industry with an expiration date is just a temporary move at best.  I can hear my great-great-great grandkids saying, “I remember when I could recharge our flying car from the sun in just an hour, now it takes a day.”

Forget the normal excuses of cloudy days, that fact that most people read on planes and in buildings (both notorious for the overhead obstructions) or even the happy-go-lucky “every little bit helps” song and dance.  We consumer are being set up by an industry that is looking for a short term fix to get us out of this economy.  Selling snake oil, like expiring solar power, isn’t fooling anyone.

Google Voice to get FCC scrutiny, darn

This isn’t good.  Seems when Google Voice become the hot topic over the Apple/AT&T iPhone App store debacle, the FCC opened up a can of worms.  Our Shawn Ingram reports, “Specifically, the FCC is interested in how Google handles phone calls to rural areas, 900 numbers, or any number that is expensive to call.  For telecoms there is a rule that says they must connect every phone call possible.”

And here is the bump in the road: no one really knows what the heck Google Voice is.  Is it a telecom and thus should be governed by the same rules?  If not a telecom, then what? 

The humor in this is some of the rural number AT&T cites that Google Voice won’t connect to are a convent of nuns (as opposed to ones filled with bagels I guess), a politician’s office and a payphone for woodland creatures.  I suspect AT&T had some interns dialing numbers at random for a long time to come up with these.  It is probably a “what I did on my summer internship” report somewhere.

I’ve got a sneaky suspicion things will change at Google Voice at the FCC’s hands.  Which is a shame as clearly, the service has a lot of folks (who happen to make large political donations and have more than a few lobbyists on the payroll) nervous.  What say you?  Will Google Voice get classified as a telecom?  Or will the FCC leave it alone and watch what happens?  Let us know in the comments.

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

RIM has released an updated version of its popular messaging program.  BlackBerry Messenger 5.0, which allows BlackBerry users to chat with each other in an instant messaging format, has received a slick makeover.  Users now have the option of using an avatar, can share pics, and files up to 6MB in size.  The app also features a new group chat feature, but the most interesting new thing about BBM 5.0 are the new bar codes.  Now instead of sharing PINs or emails to connect, BB users need only snap a pic of each other’s bar codes.  BBM 5.0 can translate the image and add you to each other’s contact lists.  Another great new feature is the ability to back up your BBM information locally and/or remotely.

I just downloaded BBM 5.0 for my Tour and it is a huge improvement over previous versions.  The avatars and ability to use color add life and interest to the app.  The group feature is a lot of fun and they are easy to start, join and invite people to, and it also lets you organize events.

Some people have reported that their BlackBerrys bricked when they installed the update, but most of them seem to have been running hybrid or leaked OSes.  I have the most recent official one and had no problems, but just in case it would be a good idea to back up your data and 3rd party apps before installing it.  The update can be found at BlackBerry App World and is only available as an OTA download.

Read [CNet]

Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

AT&T Wireless CEO Ralph de la Vega raised eyebrows during a speech to industry professionals in Las Vegas yesterday.  De la Vega was quick to point out that 40% of all smartphone data is used by just 3% of the company’s smartphone users.  While he didn’t go into specifics, it’s safe to say that 3% is made up of iPhone users, and those users have not been shy about voice their displeasure about AT&T’s foot dragging where MMS was concerned (it was finally rolled out last month),  lack of VoIP services, and their general unhappiness with the network in general.

De la Vega went on to make a statement that many iPhone users found ominous:

“We have to manage the network to make sure that the few cannot crowd out the many,” De la Vega continued. He said the words “crowded out” at least five times in that part of his keynote address.

What exactly he means by managing the network is not yet clear but it certainly sounds like price increases on data plans, data caps or throttling could be in store for the future.  While such moves may certainly ease the burden placed on the network, it will most certainly anger iPhone users, many of who are already unhappy.  If a cap or throttling is put in place and Verizon or another carrier is successful in getting the iPhone, AT&T could see a huge loss in customers, even though it could mean having to buy a new iPhone if it ends up on one of the CDMA carriers.

Data managing has not gone over well in the past. Comcast found itself in hot water after it began quietly throttling the bandwidth of users who regularly used bittorrent or streaming video services.  Time Warner introduced data caps and tiered data plans in some cities as a test, and it has not done well.  While it’s clear that the iPhone is a data hog and as such is placing a huge strain on the network, a solution that would solve the problem without angering users will be hard to come by.

Read [PCWorld]

Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Android is finally getting the attention a major mobile phone OS deserves.  Today, named among the ranks of Android phones is Samsung Moment, a slider form factor that is due to hit the Sprint network at just $149 due November 1.  The phone adds to the argument that users don’t want skinned Android phones.

The Moment (formerly the InstinctQ) packs “an 800MHz processor, a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen, optical trackpad and a 3.2 megapixel camera.”  Sprint dropped both the Instinct brand as well as any kind of skin over the OS instead deciding to go with a Google-on-board message.  This is Samsung’s first Android offering in the US.

The InstinctQ was rumored to be a high end offering of the Instinct and the Moment doesn’t disappoint in features: Android apps, GPS, bright screen, accelerometer and WiFi.  Memory can go up to 32GB via SD slot.

The $179 price is after $100 mail in rebate and $50 instant savings. 

Product page: [Sprint] via [Engadget]

Image credit: Sprint

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

With all the new phones announced, revamped OS displays and carriers getting nutty, let’s look at where Palm stands today.  This past week, two developments are changing how the world sees webOS and just how soon we’ll see its second device.  Things are starting to move quickly for the little engine that could.

Palm announced it would be open.  Giving developers almost run of the joint, Palm decided it would be the un-Apple.  Forget the walled garden, Palm is as free as a flasher in the park.  Developers can choose how much help they want in promoting their app. 

Developers that choose to use the open source code and distribute the app themselves are free to do so with no charges.  Or developers can pay to use the non-open code.  If developers want to get the app in Palm’s App Catalog, Palm charges $50 per app to do so.  On the whole, this is pretty cool as it frees developers and users from the walled garden approach.

The downside is things may start to get blurry fast.  A powerful player for Apple is all the apps in one spot.  Palm has always been quirky with apps here and apps there, things could head down the same path, but for the masses, the Palm App Catalog may be all they need.  The choice is there and that plays a big role.

Another bit of news is on the diminutive Palm Pixi.  Another siting of the GSM model came to light, this time in Vietnam.  The one leaked is a 4GB GSM version not like the 8GB that Sprint is expecting which is a little odd, but preproductions usually are. 

Will Palm’s move to keep the phone open pay off?  Will Apple’s closed loop change under pressure? 

Read: [Palm Developer Network Blog]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

One big piece of info coming out of the Google/Verizon announcement today is that Google Voice will be a big part of the Google phones Verizon will carry, starting with two this year.  Verizon and Google have been working together for over a year on this and they expect the multi-year partnership will produce more phones every year.

Google Voice made the headlines when it was denied from the Apple App Store for the iPhone and prompted government questioning from the FCC.  The service from Google allows you to have one phone number that can ring other numbers along with a host of advanced digital services.  The service has the potential to shift costs from a mobile line to a landline but Verizon doesn’t seem to pay that any mind.  Instead, Verizon is using it as a differentiator to keep AT&T at bay.

“Verizon plans to support Google Voice. You either have an open device or not. This will be open.” Lowell McAdam, CEO Verizon Wireless.

Also noted in the talk, Google will have input on the hardware.  Google is not getting into the hardware game but will advise which form factors might work best with their OS.  Interesting huh?

Read [Silicon Valley Insider]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

If you are a mobile phone fan like me, so far CTIA has been a bit disappointing.  Two phones that I have been looking forward to fondling are reportedly major duds and have each earned a “don’t touch with a 10 foot pole” warning.  It is up to Google and Verizon to cheer me up.

Garmin Nuvi phone

I barely recall that New York evening where Garmin announced they were working on the Nuviphone.  Back then, the idea was fresh and exciting but then development slowed and they took on Asustek as a partner to finally get it to market.  The phone is finally stateside on AT&T and is priced at $299 (though, it looks like Amazon will sell it to you for $149).  The reviews haven’t been kind:

From Gizmodo:  “the first Nuvifone should have been euthanized, not put on AT&T shelves”
PC Mag says: “...it’s a one-trick pony that falls short in nearly every other way”
Business Week “The problem is, the phone part of the nüvifone is mediocre at best. It’s a basic handset with a minimal e-mail program and Web browser and a camera that’s merely O.K.”

Windows 6.5

Microsoft launched their latest update: Windows 6.5 this morning and despite our high hopes, things don’t look rosy for the mobile OS.  The review phone everyone’s got their hands on is the HTC Pure.  Here’s what’s being said:

ZD Net: “...(I) would never recommend anyone actually purchase a new device just to get this update on their smartphone.”
Slashgear says, “Enterprise users will likely find this latest version a decent mixture of the familiar and the new, but Windows Mobile 6.5 still falls short of a knock-out blow against webOS, Android and the iPhone.”
From Engadget: “...it’s very much a stopgap, complete with duct tape, bubble gum, and Bondo.”

Verizon’s Google Phone

There is hope for us phone gadget freaks.  Late yesterday, Google and Verizon said they would have a surprise announcement this morning.  This should be the announcement of the Google-powered Android phone from Motorola.  This phone should make a splash on the Verizon network and has a chance to become to the best selling Android phone yet, based on just how big the Verizon network is and the lack of smartphone options in the Verizon stable.  Check back later today to have my suspicions confirmed (or debunked).

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Pantech has two new quick messaging phones on AT&T in time for the holidays this year.  The Reveal and the Impact both feature a full QWERTY keypads that easily slide out so users can bang out quick messages on AT&T’s 3G network.  Pantech’s phones are typically economically priced.

The Reveal is interesting in that its number keys stay on the screen as opposed to most sliders whose keypad gets covered.  Only the qwerty keypad slides down.  When typing, the number pad stays active so adding numbers is easier then finding the function key - pretty original.  GPS is on board and the phone is set to launch October 18th.

The Impact is a bit flashier with a bright OLED screen and haptic touchscreen in addition the slide out qwerty keypad.  A unique feature here is users don’t need to slide out the keypad, instead they can tap on the soft keyboard (on screen).  This was one of my big issues with the Palm Pre.  No word on a date yet but the phone will be available in Pink and Blue. 

Company site: [AT&T]

Image credit: Pantech

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

A new feature arrived in Gmail over the weekend, and despite a pretty banal sounding name, it does seem interesting.  Anyway, officially the feature is called “Sponsored mail with enhanced content” which sounds really official and sort of like something that will end up giving us more ads to stare at try and ignore.

Thankfully this is not going to be bringing more ads for everyone.  It adds an “interactive gadget” which appears to be a fancy name for a favicon, along with the email message which will appear on the subject line just to the left of the time the email was received.  What it will do is actually pretty neat; it will allow you to interact with the website without leaving Gmail. 

So far I have not seen a full listing of sites that would be sending mail with a favicon, but according to the description it sounds like Babycenter will be participating.  Additionally, I have seen a few reports that also mention Netflix.  In terms of Netflix it looks like users will be able to do things like view and/or add movie recommendations to their queue.

Like I mentioned earlier, this feature will not be bringing ads to everyone.  In order to see these favicons you will need to be on the sender’s mailing list and that sender will have to be part of the program.  Of course, in the good Google way, you can also choose to disable these if they are bothering you.  To turn this feature off:

“just open a message and click the down-arrow in the upper-right corner of the message and select Do not customize mail from [sender].”

Read [Gmail Help] Via [Google Operating System]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Really?  According to iSuppli, who claims to “helps clients improve performance in the electronics value chain by providing them with the facts, analysis and advice they require to know precisely how to succeed”, Windows Mobile is far from out, in fact, they’ll take over the #2 position in mobile operating systems thanks to 3 major factors.

Factor 1: Complete ecosystem

The ace card in Windows Mobile’s hand is ownership of a complete infrastructure essential for the success of a smart-phone operating system.  I would dumb this statement down to merely: “it works with Windows” and move on. 

Factor 2: Licensees

Companies like HTC and LG license Windows Mobile to put on their phones.  Windows Mobile has more licensees than anyone, including Symbian.  iSuppli says Windows Mobile has 14 licensees while Symbian only has 11. 

Factor 3: Windows 7

iSuppli is certain that Windows Mobile 7 will wipe away and shortcomings the OS has and more. 

“Microsoft in 2010 will introduce an updated version of its operating system, Windows Mobile 7, which is expected to sport an enhanced user interface and browser as well as multi-touch control,” Tina Teng, senior wireless communications analyst for iSuppli, predicted. “This will make it much more competitive with the alternatives on the market.”

Gadgetell’s Analysis (or complete lack thereof)

Really?  Here is my take:

• Ecosystem: not as critical now with the proliferation of apps.  Take a look at the Apple App Store; think of almost anything and there is at least 3 apps for it.
• Licensees: Get it while you can.  With the explosive growth of Android, which is free by the way, paid OS could soon very well become a thing of the past.  Symbian may have fewer licensees but Nokia is one of them.
• Windows Mobile 7: From what we’ve figured out, maybe.  But the problem remains that it is starting so far behind in the app game, it might not matter too much.  Apple says it’s passed the 2 billion apps download mark and 85,000 of them on the shelf.  Just today another analyst predicted that when/if Apple ends the exclusive with AT&T and heads to Verizon, Apple could double the already lucrative market for the iPhone.  That’s a big deal and might be too tough for WinMo to overcome.

Read [iSuppli]

Image credit: phonesarena

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Our Editor Iyaz got some hands on time with Windows 6.5 and surprisingly, it looks pretty good.  Internet Explorer loaded really slow, but indoors is always a toss up.  This phone is not slated for the US as of yet.  Too bad, it looks good too.

Flash lite is supported.  No accelerometer on this model but the rep says it will be on US builds.  Overall, the Zune-inspired UI looks pretty nice.

Iyaz angles for some Zune - Windows Mobile convergence but the rep doesn’t tip his hand other than to say, “they share a lot of DNA”.

Enjoy

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

A TechCrunch 50 finalist, Threadsy is a compelling way to consolidate communication.  I’ve been using Threadsy for the past week instead of GMail and the results have been impressive.  Here is how Threadsy might make your life easier.

Inbound

In the left pane, email is displayed along with @me Twitters and Facebook messages.  The idea is to have only the stuff that was specifically directed to you be in your inbox.  You can choose to view all of this or just the incoming mail from individual providers (like just Twitter).  Users can search through messages and this search was surprisingly fast.  Emails can be composed as either quick replies right from this screen or open and reply seeing the full message. 

Unbound

In the right pane (which users can control its width), are the streams you follow from Twitter and Facebook.  As with the Inbound pane, you can choose to filter just Facebook or Twitter streams or view them all.  Another tab on top allows you to access GMail chat, which is very handy.

Impression

I really dig this web app.  Bringing all this together enriches the experience and should make communication better.  Neatest trick: open an email and Threadsy shows you their latest Tweets, latest Facebook status and bio; pretty slick.  This is the application I’ve been looking for.

Overall, Threadsy was speedy and didn’t have too many problems.  Keep in mind, this thing just went live last month, so there are some kinks.  Things like sometimes emails I deleted would show up again, the feed from Facebook would show status updates with the incorrect time (making them seem like they were new), new chat messages don’t alert you very well that a reply is expected and the program sometimes felt sluggish.  There are some quirks, to be sure, but the app has enough things going for it to overlook these for now.

Will I keep using Threadsy?  Heck yes.  Bringing together all these streams of communications is awesome.  While I too can’t wait to see what Google Wave has up its sleeve, Threadsy has a lot of great features going for it and it is only getting better.  The company is currently in a private beta but invites seem to be steadily flowing out.  So sign up to get an invite and check it out.

Product page: [Threadsy]

Image Source: Technologizer

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Yesterday, I got on Microsoft’s case regarding using a stylus as the means to input data in their Courier project.  Today, I am still on the job questioning whether Microsoft has gone completely insane or just lost their way.  The purported new Pink phones, leaked by Gizmodo, suggest a road map that no one can read.

The new Pink phones take two form factors, both variations on a slider QWERTY.  The phones are definitely designed to attract younger users and are surely the result of the Danger acquisition, so a Sidekick-like feel makes some good sense.  The same image is used on both screens, so there is little we can ascertain about the UI.

My vote is MS has gone completely nuts.  MS looks to have designed a cheap looking device to compete with LG, Samsung, heck even the much maligned Motorola.  Why would you want to do that?  These look like mass phones that should be free or cost $49.  Plastic-y and instantly forgettable.  I have to keep looking up to the title of this post to remember what I am talking about.

The expectation was Pink was going to blow us away, and it still might (sure we’ve only seen the form factor) but I don’t see anything that is going to make me look twice, do you?  Yep, I’ll judge a book by the cover.

The heart of mobile is data input.  MS has beaten us down with a stylus for years, now it looks like they are going to ditch the stylus (hooray) and go with just keys.  Still, if the hottest phones are built on touch using Android or iPhone or BlackBerry OS, the MS entry is already off the back.

I think it is clear that I don’t get it.  Could the UI have something that might blow us away?  We can hope.

Read [Gizmodo]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Rumors swirled over Nokia’s potential purchase of Palm which sent Palm’s stock up and caused analysts to take a step back to see how this might play out.  If Nokia is shelling out the cash for Palm, estimated at a $3 Billion deal, then it must have a very real problem.  The problem: entry into the US market.

Nokia is bigger than big.  They pump out 13 phones every second.  They own 40% of the world’s mobile phone marketshare and have 1.1 billion customers.  Nothing could be better, right?  Well, not in the US.

In the US, Nokia is still struggling to find a win.  They’ve got phones at major carriers but nothing to drive people to these them.  There is no wow factor with their current offerings.  Nokia’s smartphones can’t seem to get a foot in the door while running Euro-popular Symbian and Maemo as both seem to fall into Apple’s shadow.

Would Palm add more than a brand name for Nokia?  Analysts say Palm adds a “solid name” to the pot, but not much else, despite moving almost 1 million Palm Pre phones.  Having another OS to deal with would present some issues for Nokia, particularly back home in Europe where Symbian is top dog.

Motorola’s name gets put into the ring as well as a potential suitor.  Moto’s struggled over the past years but their new MotoBlur skin atop Google’s Android looks to be a winner (even winning over Moto-disliker Iyaz, our editor).  Perhaps Moto would add webOS to their top end while the Blur OS would live, quite happily, at the mass level?

In a move, perhaps to get Nokia to show its hand, Palm announced the intention for an IPO.  You might recall how much Palm hated being publicly traded, saying it added too much to the stress level.  Perhaps they have no choice.  In any event, things are moving quickly for the little company.

Read: [Computer World] and [Wall Street Journal]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

The big news today is that finally, Google has push email and push calendar updates for the iPhone and other smartphones that can use the Exchange protocol.  Users can now have their inboxes and calendars always up the the second they are updated thanks to a license to use the technology from Microsoft.  I’ve got to wonder though, is MS giving away the farm on this?

The Microsoft Exchange protocol is extremely stable and reliable.  Windows Mobile phones have had this benefit for years, but recently, Microsoft began licensing the tech to companies that wanted to attract corporate market share.  Another way to read that is companies came to Microsoft to license the tech to steal business from Windows Mobile.  And Microsoft says, “Here are the keys to the castle.”

Was it short-term thinking on Microsoft’s part?  Take the cash now for the license, make your competitors pay you?  Could they have been thinking, “Hey if this whole WinMo train wreck doesn’t turn around, we can still sell software, you know, our core competency?”

I am not alone in this thinking.  Kevin Tofel over at jkOnTheRun agrees, “I know I’ve said this before, but what’s interesting to me is that Google Sync uses the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol to make the magic happen. A primary differentiator and advantage that Windows Mobile devices used to enjoy in the early days was this rock-solid sync method. Now that Microsoft has licensed it away to several phone platforms, that advantage is lost….I still find it bad for the Windows Mobile platform as a whole — it requires Microsoft to deliver another “killer feature” for WinMo.”

Today, iPhone users not using Exchange for work are thrilled, I am sure.  For those of us that do pull email and calendaring from our corporate exchange servers are left out wishing the iPhone could handle more than one profile for these functions.

Read [Google] via [jkOnTheRun]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

I used to be a Windows Mobile guy.  Now, looking at most of the offerings I find most of them lacking.  That is, until I spied the HTC Leo.  This phone, while on the large side, is super thin and the best looking WinMo smartphone I’ve ever seen.  A monster 800 x 480 display will make media, spreadsheets, and docs almost enjoyable while on the go.  The preliminary specs say this has a capacitive screen.

The UI in the spy shots suggest HTC has not strayed too far from their previous skin on Windows Mobile phones.  I’ve found this to work pretty well for casual users, but power users will come face to face with the ugly underpinnings of the base OS.  It’s good, but to a point.  Other shots confirm HTC will rely on the honycomb-like icon display that is part of 6.5.

The screen looks to be glass and the unit has a host of hard buttons below the screen.  Those buttons are still needed to tame Windows Mobile.  No word on a stylus yet.  The big screen and capacitive touch interface should make for some fun.  I am still very skeptical that this will be any improvement over Windows 6.1 but we’ll see.  Hopefully, HTC will change it up a bit more.

Read [WM Power User]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Today, in San Fransisco Motorola took the covers off their new comeback plan and it is Android all the way.  The company announced CLIQ , the first phone to feature Motorola’s new customized Android UI and so far, the response has been impressive.  The phone looks to make apps simple, instead of just offering thousands of them.

One of the big features of the phone is no logins.  All your social networking, like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace are all right there on the homescreen.  Motorola says you can update all your networks at the same time through the same simple interface.  The demo over at Moto’s site shows this is pretty simple but very efficient stuff.  They call it “streaming your friends”.

The calendar looks to incorporate both your work calendar (confirmed Exchange) and your personal calendar.  Sweet.  Further, Contacts adds status updates from Facebook, Twitter and MySpace as well as profile images and history.  Very impressive.  Profile pics and latest status updates appear when contacts phone you, now that is slick.

The messaging app as some cool sorting abilities (group, friend, type of message, where it came from or when it arrived) as well as not needing to open an app.  Since the widget is on the homescreen, the latest emails, texts and updates are all right there.  Users can simple click on them to respond.

Motorola is also emphasizing security.  From Motorola’s site:

MOTOBLUR continuously updates and backs up your information into a secure environment. So you’re connected and protected, even if you lose your phone. Your friends and feeds are back on your new phone in a few simple clicks.

The spec list is impressive: 5mp camera, GPS, 3G, 320x480 HVGA screen, Video, WiFi, 6 hour continuous usage battery.  Sounds like everything one could hope for.

Check it out: [Motorola]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Today, Palm announced the next webOS phone, the Pixi.  We’ve assembled three lesser know facts that were not covered by most media outlets in announcing the new phone.  These secrets might play a big role in how well the phone is received by consumers.

Secret 1: Touchstone, baby

Like the Palm Pre, the Pixi is designed to be compatible with the unique, wireless charging Touchstone.  The toadstool-like accessory plugs into a wall then allows your phone to magnetically stick to it and recharge.  Your phone stays active and you can even use the speaker phone to take calls while charging.  Palm says the phone is compatible with the Touchstone which is currently selling for $49.99.

Secret 2: Are you an Artist?

The Palm Pixi will be available in five different Artist Series designs.  These limited editions add some flare to the sea of black phones out there.  Five different artists were commissioned to create art for the phone that will cover the back and sides of the phone.  Note the backs are compatible with the Touchstone, so unlike the Palm Pre, the Pixie Artist Series won’t need a door change to allow wireless charging.  How’s that for forward thinking?

Secret 3: Remote Erase

Like the Palm Pre, the Pixi owner can erase the memory of the Pixi should it happen to fall into the wrong hands.  It does this remotely via SMS and will erase all of the users data and returns the phone to factory settings.  While it removes up to 8GB of memory, the phone will appear “bricked” but is just going through the erasing sequence, a bonus appearance for would-be thieves.  Interestingly, the phone will only be erased when an SMS is recieved within 24 hours after being sent.  Older “kill” SMS orders will be ignored.

Are these enough to peak your interest in what appears to be a super slim phone, with the fun webOS, an always out keyboard and fancy colorway options?  Expect this phone to be on Sprint by the holidays and everywhere else before the ground thaws.

Product page: [Palm]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

In what might be a sign that the maker just isn’t sure what Android is going to do for LG, Vodafone showed off LG’s first offering with Google’s Android OS, the Etna.  The phone was shown off at IFA over in Germany at the Vodaphone booth.  The phone looks able to compete with many of the Android phones slated to hit the market this fall.  So why did the phone show up like a mysterious throwing star found in someone else’s booth?

From the photo, we can see a 3-inch screen with slide out keypad form factor.  We’re told it has a 5mp camera and USB connections.  From the image, it is clear that LG did not invest in a custom UI for this Android phone like HTC has.  Is it me or does the stock background and UI on Android feel dated already?

Rumor has it this could be the replacement for the LG Neon over at AT&T.  The LG Neon is currently being hyped as a “quick messaging phone” and being offered with a Bluetooth headset for just $29.99 with a 2-year contract (AT&T throws in overnight shipping for free).  If this is the replacement, AT&T will lose the Neon’s distinctive bubble-like circle keys that really made that phone stand out.  This new Etna lacks a distinctive look, but maybe Android will make up for that?

Read: [Phandroid]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

*UPDATED BELOW When word broke that eBay was considering selling Skype, Google was the first company to come to mind for many.  Google Voice would be a great fit with the VoIP enabled Skype and hopes became high for a nifty solution and good home for the unit, but Google walked away.

eBay bought Skype, a company that allows users to call other users for free via VOIP and ring landlines at discounted rates for $2.6 billion back in 2005.  Word is expected to come today that Skype will be sold to a private investor group that hopes to restore the the company’s vision and track to an IPO.  It is expected to be sold for $2 billion.

So why did Google walk away?  It couldn’t have been a lack of subscribers.  Since being acquired by eBay, subscribers went from 53 million to 408 million.  Could Google’s decision be based on cash flow?  Skype is expected to bring in $600 million this year.

According the the New York Times, Google was in negotiations last month when it learned of some potentially damaging litigation taking place now in England.  The dispute is over ownership of the core peer-to-peer technology.  Without a successful outcome for Skype in this matter, Skype looks like nothing more than a hollow brand name.  Interestingly, Google passed on Skype back in 2005 when eBay snatched it up.

The trial between Skype and JoltId, the company that produced the Skype technology, appears to be over the licensing terms of the technology and is expected to take place in June of 2010.  eBay hasn’t said what part of Skype runs on the licensed tech, but has said that without the license, there is no Skype.  Skype engineers are at work to create their own software but it isn’t clear how close they are and how much of a drain on resources that will be or even if it can be done.  Gulp.

Update: EBay has announced they are selling 65% of Skype to Silver Lake Partners.  The move puts the value at $2.75 billion, a loss for EBay.  EBay says it will hold onto the remaining shares.

Read: [NYT] and [CNN]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Hot on the heels of the Palm Pre launch from Sprint, it looks like Palm has cooked up some new phones that we’ll see this fall.  And even better, we’ll see them on two networks: Verizon and Sprint.  From the looks of the part numbers, we’ll be in for a surprise.

From Verizon, the screen shot leak introduces a P101 which most expect to be a varient of the Palm Pre.  Way back when, Verizon said they would have the Palm Pre, so we can expect this is pretty close to real.  The other part number listed in the leak is P121.  To date, we have not seen anything regarding this part number, though many speculate this the Palm Eos.

Interestingly, a leak I found this morning shows Sprint with some new numbers as well.  In Sprint’s leak, we find the P100 for $549 (the current Palm Pre), the P120 for $1 and the C40 for $1.  Presumably the $1 is just a place holder, but we can dream.  PreCentral suggests the P1xx is the basic Palm Pre, the P12xx is an slightly upgraded (memory?) version, and the C40 is the Centro replacement Eos/Pixie. 

This logic suggests Verizon will have 2 versions of the Pre for launch?  Could they be following AT&T’s logic in launching the iPhone in 8GB and 16GB?  Or is two distinct phones?  We expect all these phones to run the new Palm webOS.  This is their franchise OS now and these phones will aim at bringing its goodness to more users.  More as this develops.

Read [PreCentral]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Yesterday, invitations went out to press and analysts with Google’s lovable Android mascot featured on it for an event in San Francisco on Septemeber 10, 2009.  The question is no longer if Motorola will build an Android phone, but how many?  Motorola could use a win since falling off after their RAZR phones and rumor has it their hopes are pegged on Android phones.

Google’s Android is finally starting to make a significant showing in numbers we expected a while ago.  HTC has been showing Android phones with a custom UI that looks very slick, in typical HTC fashion.  It will be interesting to see if Motorola has applied a custom UI as well.

Their UI, called Blur, according to sources mimics webOS’s web-attached functionality.  From pulling contact info from the web to accessing social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, the device will be connected in real-time according to the rumors.  We expect Blur to be on all Motorola Android phones.

Likely candidates

Old Calgary

The phone shown there is the old Calgary.  It has been leaked for what feels like eons now but just the same, the form factor looks attractive.  Will this be one of the official Android phones? 

Back to Shules

The Motorola Shules (to be launched under a different name, hopefully) looks interesting.  This is a pre-production prototype that floated around a bit ago.  The slide out keyboard and big 3.7” screen would make a great home for that much web interaction.  Word was this was coming to Verizon in October and have a 5MP camera on board, probably a Kodak branded one as Moto has been working with them for some time.  Some sites say this is 100% confirmed to be official.

I am Ironman, na na na nu na na na

There is also some hope for the Motorola Ironman, a slider form factor phone.  It looks launch-ready and is said to feature the same Blur OS.  This one looks like a powerhouse as well as the leaks emphasize a fast processor, big camera and touchscreen.

Safe bets

Beyond these, I suspect a full touchscreen version without a physical keyboard is likely too.  Though I’ve not seen leaks to confirm this, something tells me Moto isn’t going to lay off this corner niche of the market.

If half of these make a showing at the event, Motorola could be back in the game pretty quickly as these look pretty slick.  Android plus some creativity could spell success for the brand many of us counted out.  Let’s hope they get a few wins with these entries.

Read: [Boy Genius Reports]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »