Reviews of Mobile Devices and Gadgets
From the category archives:
Talk about knowing your audience is a bunch of tech geeks, T-Mobile put out a binary message saying G2 News Coming Soon. The G2 is a huge upgrade from the G1 and will run on T-Mobiles HSPA+ network. The runor is the G2 will have Android 2.2 with Flash 10.1 and will be one of the few devices with a pure Android experience. Initially the pricing should be $199 with a 2 year contract, but hopefully it may hit Amazons penny smartphone list. [click to continue…]
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It seems Boy Genius Report has obtained some inside scoop on the 2010, 2011 and some of 2012 roadmap for Verizon Wireless; including our beloved Android in tablets and newest version Android 3.0 (Gingerbread), LTE MiFi units, global roaming phones, and more. Below is a brief outline of the plans revealed:
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In a post earlier today on RIMarkable I talked about the Frazier vs Forman fight in 1973. If I recall the fight correctly Frazier did get up several time, much like BBM service in Saudi Arabia being restored. Either this is the calm before the storm or the government just realized this will impact them as well. Either way the BBC reported that service was actually functional in Saudi Arabis. OH the saga continues. RIM has made many statement explaining how they cannot provide encryption keys but this has to be the most clearly explained on.
"RIM cannot accommodate any request for a copy of a customer's encryption key, since at no time does RIM, or any wireless network operator or any third party, ever possess a copy of the key."
[Via IntoMobile]
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I just said a new country jumps on the BlackBerry security concerns bandwagon daily. So lets summarize who has expressed concerns:
I don't believe I have missed anyone, but I am sure this list will grow tomorrow. At some point you have to wonder what percent of RIM's market is made up across these five countries. It is almost like a game of chicken, on one side your customer's privacy on the other your revenue stream. Something tells me that this game will continue until RIM bows to pressure. Privacy does have a cost and RIM is about to define exactly what that cost is.
However, it is very important to keep in mind that EVERYTHING that makes a BlackBerry a BlackBerry is wrapped up in this issue. People put up with last generation’s UI because they get this security. Additionally, you know that the basics are covered; un-tampered with; and that NOBODY is reading your mail. With the new assertion that the U.S. Federal Government can and will get a court order dents this assertion just a tiny bit, but its not really that damaging. However, if RIM agrees to open up BlackBerry to indiscriminate rummaging by just any old government out there, especially ones with less than stellar records on abusing personal rights, then it may be a blow that they can never recover from. Because then, how are they different than any other platform? They won’t be, and they will still have last generation’s UI and technology. Will RIM pull-in their world territory to stay true and pure or will they be forced to cave to policies of potential abuse? This may end up being life or death for them, whichever way they choose. How do you see this going?
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Google just delivered the pimp hand down and surged from the #3 to #1 in U.S. smartphone sales for Q2 2010. Note this comes with a couple foot notes like this only accounts for consumer sales and ignores corporate/enterprise sales. I only highlight this as people quickly try to relate consumer sales to overall market demand. It is huge that since Q4 2007 RIM has been the dominate smartphone for US consumers. Everyone believed the iPhone would become the new king but that is just not the case. The sales numbers broke down to 33% Android, 28% RIM and 22% Apple.
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Three exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was granted thanks to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).
The most critical of the rulings as it relates to mobile devices is the one that says jailbreaking or rooting your mobile phone to run apps from any source is now legal. This does not prevent manufactures or carriers from implementing technology like eFuse to protect against jailbreaking. The ruling also does not cover the distribution of tool to jailbreak/root devices. It really just says they cannot sue you if you bypass the restrictions.
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Ok so Motorola is confirming the worst part about eFuse. It won't prevent you from installing the 3rd party ROM, it just will prevent the phone from booting after the unapproved ROM is installed. I guess the good news is you can restore the phone without involving Motorola or Verizon. Oh well such a great device gone to waste. If you looking for a hacking friendly device keep looking past the Droid X. I know I will be. [click to continue…]
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I have always hated buying stuff from Apple due to this silly 10% restocking fee. Unless my need is immediate or I cannot purchase any place else I do not shop Apple retail due to this restocking fee. If you purchased your iPhone directly from Apple you have 30 days to return your iPhone with any restocking fee if you are not satisfied. Lets call this what it is, you not have a return policy at Apple that almost every other retail chain offers. This is not a huge move rather a step out of the dark ages.
If you buy from AT&T, Walmart, Radio Shack, Best Buy or other retailers check their return policy. The 30 dyas starts once Apple ships your device.
[Source BGR]
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HTC is reporting and unaudited 33% YoY increase in net profit and top line revenue is up 58% Y0Y. Â No doubt their widely popular Android handsets are the reason HTC is raking in the cash. Â One can only suspect the Droid X is going to keep this train moving forward. Â You have to wonder how the launch of Windows Phone 7 will help drive revenue for HTC later this year. Â If your interested in all the revenue, net profit, and financial numbers read the WSJ article or check out the stock information on Yahoo Finance.
[Source WSJ]
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We have received dozens of emails letting us know abut Hulu Plus. Hulu Plus will cost $10 per month and will feature entire season show and shows that are not available on the Hulu web site. There will be apps for the iPad and iPod via Wi-Fi or 3G. Additionally Samsung connected TV's and Blue-ray players.Vizio and Sony are slated for Fall 2010, XBox 360 early 2011, and Sony PS3 July 2010. Previews to Hulu Plus are available via invite. Sign-up and hopefully you will get in.
Thanks for the heads up to all the sent this in! [click to continue…]
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