When Motorola introduced the Droid Razr, the handset's internal water-resistant coating appeared to be a unique feature in the smartphone market. Electronista spoke with a separate company, HzO, that has taken the technology much further, enabling smartphones to be completely submerged underwater without the need for an external case.
Ford has released a free software update for its SYNC in-car system. Version G1 V3.2.2 will give more SYNC users the ability to have text messages read aloud to them while driving through the emerging Bluetooth Message Access Profile (MAP). Last year, Ford praised RIM for embracing the standard, and called on other manufacturers and OS developers to do so. HTC, Samsung and LG have all only recently been certified for the MAP protocol.
HTC's unannounced Runnymede handset has resurfaced, with a fresh leak showing the handset from several angles. The press rendering, which was posted by ePrice China, follows HTC's typical style for other smartphones, enabling viewers to take a look at the facade, backside, and a profile view that shows a relatively thin build.
Samsung is reportedly building new partnerships with Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo and several other companies to develop chips that will be used in upcoming smartphones. According to a Nikkei report (sub. required), the South Korean company is attempting to decrease its dependence on components produced by competing chip maker Qualcomm.
Smartphones stolen during the recent rioting in London and elsewhere in the UK will be turned into tools to help police locate looters, or blocked from being used in the UK, MacWorld UK reports. The stolen handsets all contain hardwired IMEI numbers that can be reported to a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) that all major networks have access to. Once a phone is reported, it can be blocked in as little as 24 hours.
A leak reportedly details the launch time-frame for RIM's BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9810 smartphones through the Canadian carrier Bell. Screenshots allegedly showing the carrier's internal documents, which were posted by CrackBerry, suggest both the Bold 9900 and Torch 9810 will be available at Bell on August 16.
MacNN has reviewed the Verbatim Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, a re-branded version of the Freedom i-Connex bluetooth keyboard that features a folding design, media keys to control iTunes, a tucked-away stand for the iPhone or iPod Touch and other controls aimed at iOS device users -- but which can also be used with other smartphones and tablets. Our review reveals a few surprising touches, along with a few portability compromises -- read the full review for more.
Several of Dell's upcoming smartphones and tablets have reportedly surfaced in alleged internal roadmaps for the company's 2011 plans. The handset document, which was posted on WP Central, shows an improved version of the current Venue Pro, named the 'MLK' version, along with a similar device paired with the code-name Wrigley.
QNX, a company recently acquired by RIM, has previewed a RealVNC system that connects smartphones, such as BlackBerries, to touchscreen interfaces found in many vehicles. The software is said to be one of the first to integrate Nokia's Terminal Mode technology, which replicates the smartphone interface on the dashboard. Drivers can then control their smartphones using the touchscreen or steering wheel controls.
Samsung has introduced three new phones in its Wave series of low-cost smartphones. The Wave525, Wave533 and Wave575 are each based on Samsung's own Bada platform, which utilizes the TouchWiz interface. The devices are built with 3.2-inch WQVGA touchscreens, Wi-Fi radios, GPS receivers and 3.2-megapixel cameras.
Until recently, most prepaid carriers have lacked smartphone options and appropriate plans for heavy data usage. Boost Mobile is one of the first companies to accommodate prepaid customers who want to upgrade their hardware and take advantage of the same level of service typically tied to yearly contracts. Electronista has taken a closer look at Boost Mobile’s latest smartphones, including the Blackberry Curve and Motorola i1. We were surprised to learn that both devices can be linked to formidable smartphone plans, with lower monthly fees than most of the leading carriers charge for similar monthly service on a two-year contract.
Nokia reportedly sold less than 100,000 N900 smartphones in the five months since it has been available on the market, according to research firm Gartner. After launching the device in November, the company sold 50,000 in 2009 before sales began to drop off in the first quarter of 2010.
Choi Jee-sung, Samsung's chief executive officer, told reporters at Mobile World Congress that the company's investment for mobile device software would exceed last year's total of $113 million. The world's second largest mobile phone manufacturer plans to gain market share in the smartphone segment with a revised marketing strategy that emphasizes content, apps and services. The company expects to bring its app store to 50 countries this year and has released a software development kit for its quasi-open source Bada operating system.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy 2 smartphone has been spotted, with a press image surfacing on AndroPhones. Like the Nexus One and several other high-end smartphones, the Galaxy 2 reportedly integrates a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU and a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen. Other features include a 5MP camera and 32GB of internal memory, along with the standard smartphone specs such as GPS and Wi-Fi.
Intel CEO Paul Otellini, speaking at a CES keynote, addressed a variety of current and upcoming trends such as 3D video, smartphones, apps, and the company's new Wireless Display Technology. The executive predicts that 3D -- the dominating topic this year at CES -- is the next big thing that will gain popularity in consumers' homes.
Verizon Wireless has allegedly placed an order for 400,000 Palm devices, an unnamed source has told the Boy Genius Report. The order is claimed to be an even split between two devices, with 200,000 Pre smartphones and 200,000 Pixi handsets.
The FCC has granted Verizon additional time to finalize an explanation of the new fee structure for early contract terminations. The Commission raised questions regarding why the carrier doubled the ETF amount for "advanced devices" such as smartphones.
German computer maker Smartbook AG has continued to threaten companies, including EE Times, that have been using the term "smartbook." The manufacturer recently sought a restraining order against the chip maker Qualcomm. Although Qualcommm and other companies, such as Freescale, use the term smartbook as a generic reference to portable Internet-ready devices that fall between the typical classifications for netbooks and smartphones, Smartbook AG has argued that it owns the sole rights to the trademark.
Pyramid Research has released its Q3 2009 Handset Forecasts, projecting a large shift in the US market for new handset sales. Based on the increase in demand for smartphones, the research group estimates the segment to reach 31 percent of all new handsets sold in the US for 2009. The numbers mark a doubling of the 15 percent growth witnessed two years prior. By the year 2014, Pyramid Research predicts that roughly 60 percent of new handsets will be comprised of smartphones.
Sumitomo 3M has previewed an optical film capable of bringing naked-eye 3D to small- and medium-size LCD panels without requiring the viewer to wear special glasses, according to Tech-On. The technology, demonstrated at FPD International 2009, is claimed to retain spatial resolution and enables quick switching between 2D and 3D content.
Eltima Software has released SyncMate 1.4.0.365 for the Mac. It allows Mac users with Win Mobile pocket PCs and Smartphones to sync contact info, calendars and more. The new version adds First Name/Last Name order management, repairs some interface quirks and fixes duplication of contacts during an "all" category sync. The .365 upgrade also fixes AM/PM processing, Time zones problems, deletions of SMS in bulk and problems with contact note attachments. The software supports USB and WiFi, syncs iCal, iPhoto, iTunes, Notes, Time and bookmarks and manages SMS.
While Apple CEO Steve Jobs' concerns about 3G's impact on the iPhone's battery life were valid, the iPhone 3G still maintains a longer-running battery life than other popular competing mobile devices, including the new Samsung Instinct. PC World investigated several 3G smartphone handsets, showing that the iPhone 3G bests the Instinct, the HTC Touch Dual, and the LG EnV with 5h 38m, the only three others which featured over five hours of talk time.
Sprint has finally unveiled the Palm Treo 800w, more than a week ahead of schedule and after some stores began unofficially selling the device last Friday. The 5oz device, which appeared on Palm's online store on Sunday, includes Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Software as well as advanced GPS functions --with both autonomous and simultaneous GPS using Sprint Navigation for turn by turn directions along with points of interest searches. It supports outlook email with Microsoft Direct Push Technology and HTML support as well as the ability to receive email from multiple corporate and personal POP/IMAP email accounts and offers a central five-way navigation button for easy access to menus and one-handed operation. The phone is on-sale for $600 with a $250 instant savings offer and $100 mail-in rebate, bringing the final price to $250 with a 2-year contract.
AT&T reportedly paying a $325 for each iPhone 3G, an unprecedented dollar amount that would put the device well above competing smartphones and mobile devices in terms of carrier-supplied financial assistance. Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner told Barron's that typical smartphone gets a subsidy of about $200, but the iPhone will command a dramatically higher subsidy because of "AT&T's faith in the iPhone's ability to attract new subs and increase ARPU." The report also claims that AT&T is paying Apple an extra $100 for subscribers signed up in Apple stores, for a total commission of $425.
For anyone who needs a low-cost smartphone that still offers advanced features, take a look at the Samsung BlackJack II smartphone. The BlackJack II may lack fancy features found in more expensive smartphones, such as a touchscreen, but its still more than functional. Since the BlackJack II uses Windows Mobile, it’s especially handy for synchronizing data with a Windows PC (but less desirable for Mac users).
Samsung on Wednesday announced the release of its newest bar-style smartphone, the i200. The tri-band GSM phone is aimed at business professionals with its use of the Windows Mobile 6.1 OS with Office Mobile. For wireless data transfer or Internet capability, the i200 supports HSDPA and EDGE data networks.
Microsoft is extremely confident that Apple will not catch up to it in smartphone sales, noting that it had shifted more licenses of Windows Mobile than both Apple and RIM combined in the past year. According to Pocket-lint.co.uk, the announcement came as part of an interview with group product manager for Microsoft's mobile communications department Scott Rockfield when asked about how the company expects to keep ahead of competitors.
Palm today announced that it has sold 1 million of its Centro smartphones, which has company representatives attributing to its lower price tag. According to The NewsMarket, the phone accounted for 11-percent of all domestic mobile phone sales during 2007, and is currently available in 10 countries – Palm also confirmed it has desires to sell the device in additional areas, but has not announced a formal timeframe for the move.
Puretracks, with labels Universal, Sony BMG, Warner, EMI, and various independents under its belt, is offering a new DRM-free mobile music store and service for BlackBerry smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM). As the latest company to take a stab at Apple's music download dominance, the new music service competes directly with Apple's WiFi iTunes store for the iPhone and iPod Touch and will work with the BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry 8800 series smartphones. Using compressed DRM-free AAC/AAC+ file formats, Puretracks Mobile Edition will be unveiled March 12 at the South By Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin, Texas. A full version of the mobile music service is expected to launch at CTIA Wireless April 1.
Apple ranked third in the global hardware market during the fourth quarter of 2007, according to canalys.com, with its iPhone garnering a whopping 28 percent of the smartphone market. Smart mobile device shipments reached 118 million last year, up 53 percent over 2006, while converged device shipments of smart phones and wireless handhelds rose 60 percent to hit 115 million in 2007. Apple entered the market late in the year, and has thus far shipped only one device.
Palm recently announced the availability of unlocked Treo 750 smartphones, shipping with Windows Mobile 6. Previously available only through AT&T, the unlocked smartphone can be used through any GSM service provider. The Treo 750 features a Palm handheld PDA in the same package as a five-band world phone. With Windows Mobile 6 built-in, the device can sync with Exchange Server 2007. Palm is selling the unlocked unit through its retail and online stores for $550.
Nokia has developed a unique way of incorporating a camera into a phone that can adjust for different shooting modes while improving quality of the resulting shots, a patent filing published late last week reveals. The design would rest the camera in a bar mounted sideways at the top of the phone, taking up no more space than an average camera; it could then swivel when the user wants to capture photos to face both outwards for everyday images or inwards for self-portraits and video calls. Such an invention would allow more advanced sensors and lenses to fit with the same flexibility as many other phones, Nokia says.
Apple had a strong third quarter this year with the iPhone, shipping over 1.12 million iPhones in the US, while industry analysts are predicting the company will see an increase of one-percent in global laptop market share. According to Alley Insider, Apple seized 27-percent of the smartphone market in its third fiscal quarter, or 1.12 million out of 4.2 million units sold. Demand for smartphones has tripled since last year, with smartphones making up 11-percent of a total 38 million cell phones sold, with the previous year showing 1.5 million smartphones out of 36.5 million phones sold (4%).
