This isn’t the biggest surprise, but considering the recent legal battles between Palm and Apple over some multi-touch patents, it’s still nice to see that to mobile giants can get along.
We received confirmation that the Palm Pre will be able to fully sync with iTunes without any problems. This is good news for Mac users and iTunes lovers alike. It will make transferring videos, pictures and especially music to your new smartphone in the blink of an eye. The only restriction will be to digital rights protected songs that are oh-so touchy about moving from one device to another.
So just a few more days before this baby hits the streets and until we hear cries from worshippers and detractors. What do you think about this whole rigamarole? Will it hit big or fall flat?
iPhone users should be drooling over this one. This is an app for New York tourists and locals alike. UpNext NYC is a fully navigateable 3D map of Manhattan which lets you explore without exploring. Use the map to find out where to eat, the closest subway, the bus schedule or just what the hottest happenings of the night are. The versatility is amazing and it will give you a new look at the Greatest City on Earth every night of the week.
This is a useful app for anyone who’s trying to keep track of information and needs a way of filing and accessing it in an easy way. You can “capture” information from your phone, save it and sync it with all of your devices for universal access. Did you see a webpage that you need to remember for reasearch? Evernote it and then access it on your computer when you need it later. Not only web content you can capture Tasks, Notes, Whiteboards, Business cards and any other info that you need. Perfect for any Blackberry business fiend out there. Check the demo of a key feature below.
Skyfire announced today that version 1.0 of the mobile web browser is now available for download to the public. The Skyfire browser made waves and has been gaining popularity due to its versatility and basic ease of use. The browser gained notoriety for being able to handle plug-ins such as Flash, Silverlight, Java and more all on your small device.
Previously only available for Windows Mobile devices the 1.0 version is now available also to Symbian S60 smart phone users. So you can load up Skyfire on your Nokia 5800 XpressMusic to have a great web browsing experience. The 1.0 version also addresses many speed and fluidity issues that people were experiencing in earlier beta versions.
Unfortunately the people who are still left behind are the Blackberry users who are in desperate need of a more versatile web browser. Skyfire stated that they are currently developing a version to be compatible with the Blackberry OS, but it still isn’t in the immediate future.
Check out and see if Skyfire will work with your mobile.
The Samsung i8910 Omnia HD is itching to be released and it is expected within the next few weeks. The anticipation is palpable and more and more info is coming to light everyday.
Check out this new demo video highlighting some of the i8910’s great features. We can’t wait to get our hands on one of these.
The recent launch of Nokia’s online Ovi Store has just pushed Nokia further into the software battle. The site launched recently to mobile users all over the world. Unfortunately North American access is not currently available, but AT&T is currently developing a version of the store to integrate with their service.
If you visit the store (http://store.ovi.com) on your browser or mobile you’ll see a multitude of media and applications available to download specifically for Nokia mobiles. So far the Audio & Video section is quite sparse but the applications look like there is some promise. If you register with the site you can select your mobile and filter applications available for your own phone.
This is a continuation of the trend of software on mobile devices. As the Apple iPhone has proved to us people are less concerned about with hardware and more concerned with software. The Apple iPhone can be totally out classed in the hardware category, even Nokia’s N86 8MP camera is just one example, people flock to devices like the iPhone because they can personalize it and have it doing what they want it to do.
Nokia is making the right move by following the trend and keeping themselves viable by not ignoring the mass cries for more customizability and more software. We can’t wait until it makes it over the pond.
While we’re all awaiting the upcoming Apple technology lovefest coming up in June people are whetting their appetites of what may be coming.
We’ve had some pretty reliable information indicating that the next generation Apple iPhone will likely have a 32GB model, as well as a 3.15 MP camera. But what about design changes? At the moment it isn’t likely, but we can dream can’t we?
Well designer Mat Brady of Planet Mat can definitely dream. He’s mocked up some iPhone designs, dubbed iPhone Elite, with some interesting additions. One which has been catching eyes around here is the dual sliding keyboard. One way you have a very Apple-esque full QWERTY keyboard and go the other way you have a gaming pad. In addition to that the phone will now (at least in Mat’s mind) feature a 5MP camera with a protruding lens.
While it’s not likely that anything like this is going to happen anytime soon, especially in the slide out keyboard front, but we do know from previous experience that Apple does listen to its customers and addresses demands.
Anyone else have any cool concept designs they’ve seen or made?
Nokia has just updated their Ovi Maps service with some fantastic new features. The features include a Ovi Maps Player API, a multitude of high resolution maps which are viewable in 2D and 3D, as well as the ability to embed map videos into any website.
These new features are turning Ovi into an incredibly powerful and fun to use navigation device. The 3D maps feature landmarks and streets in an easy to use interface. The ability to create and embed videos lets you share your directions and your journeys with all of your friends.
Ovi also gives you real time weather and traffic updates and lets you mark points of interest and share them with your friends. The possibilities are endless!
Ovi Maps is still in its beta version and is available to try out here!
This week we’re going to give you the scoop on some great games. For the Apple iPhone we’re highly recommending SimCity. This is a classic game which lets you play a municipal God and design your city the way you want it to be. The Sim series of games has always been a mainstay of any game lover and it’s a must have for any iPhone user. We would pick this one up right away!
This is a newer classic which is specifically for Blackberry Storm users. Guitar Hero has probably eaten many hours of all of your time and why not let it do it on the go? With 15 built in songs and new songs added monthly your fingers are more likely to get tired before you get bored of this great game. Check it out!
Were you listening to Electric Ladyland recently and felt a bit more electricity running through the music than usual? Well you may not be alone as Apple has added a support page to their website giving advise to iPhone and iPod users who have been experiencing shocks through their earbuds.
Apparently users have been getting little jumps of electricity upon the removal of ear buds due to the iPhone being a bit of a static magnet.
How do they recommend dealing with it:
Use a humidifier
Use anti-static lotion
Avoid use in dry climates
Avoid clothes made from synthetic fibers
The list goes on and it adds to Apples ability to give me useful life advice. I never thought I’d be getting useful fashion tips for accessorizing with my iPhone. It’s all white linen suits for me from now on!
So if you’ve ever gotten a shock and you’re looking for help you can check the support page here. Just remember as they say on the site:
“This condition is not limited to Apple hardware and static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be discharged using any brand of earbuds.”
Microsoft has launched the MyPhone service to the public. An earlier beta version was released in February, but not it was available to any Windows Mobile user who wants to try out the over the air back up service.
The service is compatible with any Windows Mobile 6.0 (or greater) phone and allows users to have 200MB of online storage space to back up any files they wish to access at anytime through your phone or computer. At this point the service is quite basic and the storage space is limited, but if you’re just looking to save your contacts and text messages 200MB should be more than enough to keep you covered.
Another useful feature is a restore function which will allow you to transfer data from your previous phone (whether you have it or not) to your new Windows mobile phone. So did you “lose” your HTC Touch Diamond and now just have to upgrade to the Diamond2? Well don’t worry your little fingers. You won’t have to be typing all of your contacts in again if you’ve already backed up your info to MyPhone.
The beta version is currently in development and other features which are expected to be added are GPS tracking to find lost or stolen phones and also remote data wipe which will let you delete all of your personal information off of a phone that has been stolen.
Right now we think the service is too simple to go nuts about, but it will be interesting to see how it develops in the lead up to Windows Mobile 6.5 and the hotly anticipated Windows Mobile 7.
You can check out the new service for your phone here.
