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HTC Velocity 4G gets lift off, more 4G devices on the way

2012-01-24T22:30:00.001-08:00

HTC Velocity 4G gets lift off, more 4G devices on the way

Telstra and HTC have jointly unveiled Australia's first 4G smartphone, while the telco has promised that a handful of 4G-capable smartphones and tablets will be released in the country by mid-2012.

• HTC Velocity 4G preview• Australia's first 4G smartphone is the HTC Velocity 4G

At a media launch in Sydney last night Telstra and HTC jointly released the Velocity 4G, Australia's first 4G capable smartphone. The device officially goes on sale today and promises mobile data speeds of up to five times faster than Telstra's current Next G network.

Telstra's 4G network, which uses the LTE 1800MHz band, should provide typical download speeds of between 2 megabits per second (Mbps) and 40Mbps, and typical upload speeds of between 1Mbps and 10Mbps. Current 4G coverage stretches across all eight capital cities (5km from GPO) and their respective airports in Australia, along with 80 regional and metropolitan centres (3km from city centre).

The 4G network is best described as an LTE-enablement of the company's Next G HSDPA+ network -- if 4G is not available, the HTC Velocity 4G will "switch across" to the Next G network.

Aside from it's 4G capabilities, the HTC Velocity 4G has a large 4.5in qHD touchscreen with a resolution of 540x960, a 1.5GHz dual core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory and an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash. It will initially ship with the 2.3 "Gingerbread" version of Google's Android OS, though Telstra has confirmed the phone will be upgraded to the latest 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" version of Android "within six weeks".

The HTC Velocity 4G is just the second product to work on Telstra's 4G network, following the launch of the 4G USB modem in September last year. However, Telstra director Andrew Volard confirmed the telco will launch four 4G smartphones and at least one 4G tablet by the middle of this year. Samsung's Galaxy Tab 8.9 Android tablet and the Samsung Galaxy Note Android phone have been rumoured 4G models, though Telstra refused to speculate further only saying the devices are "in development".

The HTC Velocity 4G is available for $0 upfront on Telstra's $79 Freedom Connect plan, which includes $800 worth of calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 2GB of data per month. The Velocity 4G is also available on a number of business plans.

Android vs. iOS: A Video and Flash Comparison

2011-11-25T01:28:00.001-08:00

Android vs. iOS: A Video and Flash Comparison

The mobile video viewing experience should be better on Android than iOS, right? We see how it measures up on a Toshiba Thrive tablet.

I had just finished reviewing the top 20 social media sites for HTML5 usage (there was none) and to gauge how closely viewing the site on an iPad matched the desktop experience (close on some, not so close on others). I had been assuming that if I viewed the same websites on an Android-based tablet the experience would be identical to viewing in a computer browser, but then I remembered what they say about assuming anything, particularly when it comes to computers, browsers, and the web.

So, I bought an Android tablet device—the Toshiba Thrive to be specific—and visited a few of the top 20 sites, focusing on those where the iPad experience didn’t measure up to desktop browsing. The obvious question was, did the Thrive perform better? Well, in general, yes, though the answers varied from site to site. My experience as documented below should be useful to anyone creating a site for iPad or Android-tablet viewing, or for those seeking to choose the best tablet for general internet browsing.

I’ll try to keep it short and sweet.

Simple Flash Usage

For simple Flash-usage, like the big video playback window onwww.starbucks.com, or even the make your own potato chip can onwww.pringles.com, the Thrive worked identically to the desktop browser. With the iPad, the video on www.starbucks.com played, but the site displayed a Flash error message, while on the Pringles site, the Flash-driven can creation routine of course didn’t work.

The Thrive produced the same positive experience on www.converse.com, duplicating the immersive Flash-driven site as viewed in the desktop browser. In contrast, the iPad took me to a prosaic e-commerce site.

Sent to a Mobile Site

Several other sites with immersive Flash experiences, like www.adidas.com, www.drpepper.com, and www.nikefootball.com, sent the Thrive to a mobile site that offered much less functionality than the main site. With Adidas and Dr. Pepper, the iPad was directed to the same mobile site, so the experience was identical. Nike Football offered an iPad site with greater functionality than the mobile, so the iPad experience was superior to the Thrive.

The Simple Solution: Opt for the Main Site

Some sites like Victoria’s Secret and Disneyland sent the Thrive to a mobile site, but let me opt out and use the main HTML site. Once I did, the Thrive produced a better experience than the iPad. With Victoria’s Secret, this meant watching big screen videos of scantily-clad women that weren’t available on the iPad (and telling my daughters it was research). With Disneyland, this meant that videos in the headers played normally, while appearing only as static images on the iPad site.

If you have a mobile site, consider allowing visitors to opt for the main site; if it doesn’t work, it’s their fault and they know to use the mobile site thereafter. If you’re surfing on an Android tablet and end up on a mobile site, check to see if the site lets you opt for the main site as Victoria’s Secret and Disneyland do.

Some Flash Sites Just Didn’t Work on Android

One of my favorite experiences during the top 20 review was Burberry’s excellent Art of the Trench, a UGC site that lets Burberry owners upload pictures of themselves in their Burberrys that others can view while listening to an assortment of music with multiple comment and social media options. Try this on the iPad and you get a message that it’s not available on a mobile device. Watch it on the Thrive and you get ... nothing. The site just refuses to load and stays black.

So what’s the net/net?

For Site Producers

If you’re a site producer, recognize that Android-tablet usage is on the rise. If your site is heavily Flash-intensive, be sure to make sure that it works with one or two Android tables.

In terms of serving the content, the best approach is to auto-sense the tablet and send it to your main site. Otherwise, make sure to include an option on your mobile site for viewers to click over to the main site. Overall, in most cases it will take much less effort to make your Flash-intensive site play nice with Android tablets than it will be to duplicate the same functionality for the iPad.

For Tablet Buyers

I’m aware that trying to convince an Apple fanatic to even consider an Android device would be like trying to convince a choco-holic to consider vanilla. As a choco-holic, I won’t even try.

However, those truly weighing the pros and cons of the two devices should feel comfortable that Android devices will generally provide a superior experience than the iPad on Flash-intensive sites, though definitely not the equivalent of desktop browsing. Between getting sent to mobile sites and Flash functions that simply don’t work, there will be some differences.

Hopefully, both classes of issues will disappear over time as sites factor these types of devices into their development plans. In the meantime, if you do unexpectedly find yourself stranded on a mobile site, look for a link to take you to the main site.

HTC Android phones to get 5GB Dropbox storage

2011-10-24T23:59:00.001-07:00

HTC Android phones to get 5GB Dropbox storage

HTC announced a partnership with Dropbox today via its Facebook page that would provide its Android user base with 5GB of online storage.

The Dropbox app will come preinstalled on all Android phones going forward, and the 5GB of storage is presumably free. Dropbox is a company that provides online storage, typicallyfor a fee if the customer wants more than 2GB.

HTC Radar 4G On T-Mobile To Go On Sale From Nov-2nd

2011-10-14T03:37:00.000-07:00

HTC Radar 4G On T-Mobile To Go On Sale From Nov-2nd

Tmonews today posted the devices launch road map of T-Mobile in US. It is evident from the above image that HTC Omega or officially called as HTC Radar 4G will hit T-Mobile shelves on November 2nd. If you are looking to pickup the device, you have to wait almost a month from now. At least T-Mobile has a launch date, AT&T along with Samsung and HTC have not yet announced their release dates yet. Hope they announce it soon.

HTC Radar 4G sweeping into T-Mobile this holiday season

2011-10-13T03:36:00.000-07:00

HTC Radar 4G sweeping into T-Mobile this holiday season

One of the first Mango handsets to be officially announced at the beginning of September T-Mobile has now made it official that it will be carrying the HTC Radar later this year. While the carrier is being coy with the specifics what it does reveal indicates that the phone won't stray too far from the specs of current Windows Phone handsets.

Key features include a 1GHz processor, 5mp rear-facing camera and a 3.8" display. It is also expected to offer 8GB of internal storage, 512MB of RAM and a front-facing 0.3mp camera for video calling. Unlike previous WP7 devices the Radar comes with a dedicated camera button allowing the user to take photos even when the phone is locked and it's said to be packing a 1520mAh battery which should last for up to 8hrs of talk time.

Externally the phone offers a white and grey aluminium unibody form factor making it at least stand out from the last wave of Windows Phones in terms of its appearance.

Apart from the vague statement that it will be out in time for the holiday season there's no indication of exactly when it will go on sale or how much it will cost. Though the specs aren't exactly exciting they will hopefully make for an affordable handset.

It has been a big week for T-Mobile so far as it has already seen the carrier announce the Samsung Galaxy SII and the HTC Amaze 4G. Unlike those impressively spec'd Android handsets however this Mango phone won't be operating on T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42 network but will have to make do with HSPA+ 14.4 instead.

HTC Radar 4G Coming to T-Mobile, With Mango

2011-10-11T03:35:00.000-07:00

HTC Radar 4G Coming to T-Mobile, With Mango

T-Mobile on Tuesday announced that it will soon offer the HTC Radar 4G, the carrier's first Windows Phone-based smartphone with 4G speeds.

The Radar 4G will run the most recent version of Windows Phone, known as Mango, which was released today.

The device sports a 3.8-inch LCD touch screen display and is powered by a 1-GHz Snapdragon processor. A dedicated camera button provides easy access to the Radar's 5-megapixel camera, even if it's locked. It comes in at 4.7 by 2.4 by 0.4 inches, weighs 4.8 ounces, and has 8GB of on-board storage.

T-Mobile said the HTC Radar 4G will be in stores in time for the holidays. Pricing was not announced.

Last month, PCMag mobile analyst Sascha Segan got some hands-on time with the Radar and HTC's other upcoming Mango device, the Titan. "Of the two phones ... the Titan is clearly the flagship here," Segan wrote, as it boasts a huge 4.7-inch screen and runs a 1.5-Ghz Qualcomm processor.

PCMag also ran benchmark tests on the devices. "The differences were striking and easily noticeable," Segan found. "The Titan scored 32771 on Browsermark, as compared to the Radar's 21026. On Sunspider, where lower scores are better, the Titan got 66.03, while the Radar scored 94.40. The 50 percent better performance translates neatly into the 50 percent faster processor."

HTC launches Sensation XE with Beats Audio, Rhyme and Radar Read more: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-launches-sensation-xe-with-beats-audio-rhyme-and-radar/13693.html#ixzz1aHOHeleB

2011-10-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

HTC launches Sensation XE with Beats Audio, Rhyme and Radar
HTC had a regional event this afternoon to launch their HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio, HTC Rhyme and HTC Radar, which was showcased at last week's Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) event. On top of that, the company also showcased the HTC Explorer, though the phone would only be available in selected countries in Asia.

Read more: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-launches-sensation-xe-with-beats-audio-rhyme-and-radar/13693.html#ixzz1aHOOpqV1

HTC Sensation XE

HTC acquired a majority stake in Beats Audio by Dr. Dre, and today, the company unveiled their new smartphone with the Beats Audio technology that claims to deliver studio quality sound. The HTC Sensation XE is equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 4GB internal memory and 1730mAh lithium-ion battery, and 4.3-inch touch screen with 540 x 960 qHD resolution. You can also plug in your custom made Beats headset to enjoy superb audio experience.

At the rear is an 8-megapixel colour camera with auto focus and dual LED flash. It can also capture video in full high definition 1080p. The HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio will be available at all mobile operators and authorized retailers at a suggested retail price of S$868 by end Q4 2011.

HTC Rhyme

The HTC Rhyme has an elegant exterior design, claims to offer a refreshed HTC Sense experience and comes with a range of integrated accessories such as the docking station, light?emitting cube, sports arm band, headphones, headset and car speaker. When docked, the docking station recharges the phone battery while turning the phone into an alarm clock and music center.

The HTC Rhyme docks seamlessly via the three round connectors below the 5-megapixel rear camera. The phone features a 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD display, 1GHz processor, and weighs just 130g. The HTC Rhyme will come bundled with the docking station, tangle-free headphones and HTC Rhyme Charm, and will be available at all mobile operators and authorized retailers at a suggested retail price of S$699 by end Q4 2011 in clearwater colour.

HTC Explorer

The HTC Explorer has a slower 600MHz processor compared to the HTC Rhyme and HTC Sensation XE, though it didn't really feel too slow when we browsed the home pages and navigate the menu. It is also smaller, with a 3.2-inch touchscreen (320x480 HVGA), and comes with Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and internal GPS antenna.

At the rear is the 3-megapixel camera with fixed focusing. There isn't LED flash which means you would probably not want to take pictures in dim-lit environment. The HTC Explorer is available in selected countries in Asia, and apparently, not available in Singapore though.

HTC unveils latest trio of smartphones

2011-10-09T03:32:00.000-07:00

HTC unveils latest trio of smartphones

12Share

HTC unveiled its latest army of smartphones on October 6.

Of the three phones, the Android-powered HTC Rhyme is the most sophisticated one, with its fresh take on the mobile phone experience.

The sleek design of the phone makes the iPhone 4S pale in comparison especially with its slim form.

The HTC Rhyme also features unique accessories such as tangle free headphones, and a phone charm which discreetly alerts user to incoming calls or messages while the phone is deep in a bag by emitting a light.

Another new offering, the HTC Radar, is HTC's first smartphone to be pre-loaded with Windows' latest mobile platform experience, the Windows Phone 7.5.

The HTC Radar's most outstanding feature is its five-megapixel camera. It features a 28mm wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture to allow for low-light photo-taking.

But the most highly-anticipated of the lot is the HTC Sensation XE. Partnering with the famous Beats Audio, it is the first HTC smartphone catered for users who are audiophiles.

Although it is slightly heavier and bulkier compared to the HTC Rhyme and HTC Radar, its other winning factors are its 1.5 GHz processor and long-lasting battery life.

Music lovers who require extra storage for their songs will be delighted that the phone comes bundled with an 8-gb microSD card.

The HTC Rhyme will come bundled with the HTC Rhyme Docking Station, HTC Rhyme Tangle Free Headphones and HTC Rhyme Charm and will be available at all mobile operators and authorised retailers.

The HTC Radar will be available at all mobile operators and authorised retailers at a suggested retail price of $569 in October 2011.

The HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio will be available at all mobile operators and authorised retailers at a suggested retail price of $868 by end Q4 2011.

iPhone 4 vs HTC Desire vs Dell Streak vs Palm Pre Plus

2010-06-20T03:15:00.001-07:00

iPhone 4 vs HTC Desire vs Dell Streak vs Palm Pre Plus

iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 comes with a revamped OS promising multitasking and a new 5-megapixel camera with an LED photo light and HD video shooting capabilities. The iPhone 4's display is enhanced by what Apple is calling Retina Display, which allows for a sharper display despite the 3.5-inch glass screen not being an AMOLED. The iPhone 4 features protective glass on the front and back and has a stainless steel trim around the edges, which ingeniously incorporates the phone's aerial as well as looking a bit swish.

HTC Desire

The HTC Desire has been out for a few months now, but is still a winner in our books. It has that super rich 3.7-inch AMOLED display, HTC Sense overlay and access to an ever-increasing range of apps. The Android Market can't quite compete with Apple's App Store but there's still some great stuff to be found there. With an update to Android 2.2/Froyo on the cards, the HTC Desire is only going to get better and, of course, Android devices have been able to multitask for ages now...

Dell Streak

Sitting somewhere between a phone and an iPad, the Dell Streak comes with a massive 5-inch screen which dwarfs that of anything else on offer here. Even the HTC Desire's 3.7-inch AMOLED looks weedy in comparison. That said, the Dell Streak will only come with Android 1.6 upon release. Although an update to Android 2.2 has been promised, it'll be a while before you'll be able to enjoy some of Android's finer features on the Dell Streak. Like the iPhone 4, the Dell Streak's screen is covered by a layer of protective glass, but unlike the iPhone 4 it doesn't have a glass-coated back.

Palm Pre Plus

Despite being announced ages ago, the Palm Pre Plus has only been recently released. The Pre Plus has a black belt in multitasking, giving the Desire and the Streak a run for their money and probably able to stand toe-to-toe with the iPhone 4 in this department too. The WebOS interface is super easy to use and the touchscreen is one of the nicest we've seen on a mobile. One area that the Palm Pre Plus can't touch the others handsets in is apps. The WebOS app store can't compete with the Android Market for choice, let alone the Apple App Store.

Samsung Galaxy Q is Going to be a Blackberry Style QWERTY Phone

2010-06-19T05:31:00.000-07:00

Samsung Galaxy Q is Going to be a Blackberry Style QWERTY Phone

Android is changing the fate of many near-to-death smartphone manufacturers. First Motorola got back to life with Android, then Sony Ericsson and now Samsung is rocking with cool Android phones. Samsung’s Galaxy S has already made gadget lovers drool with its amazing AMOLED screen. Unfortunately it is not out yet but from the videos and pictures posted on the web, Galaxy S’ screen looks ever sharper than iPhone 4’s retina display.

Samsung is calling Galaxy S as their iPhone killer. I am sure it is not, but it has really provided a nice display. With Froyo it could have another feature competing head to head with the iPhone. We’d know the release date of Galaxy S soon but for now we have Samsung’s another ‘killer’.

This time it is not the iPhone killer, it is being marketed as the ‘Backberry Killer’. Come on Samsung, why are you guys bent on killing the world? This new phone is going to be called ‘Samsung Galaxy Q’ and will feature a QWERTY keyboard in a one-unit form factor. Got it? Yep, just like traditional Backberrys having an on board keyboard instead of a virtual or a slide-out one.

Galaxy Q will have Android on board and the screen will be a touch sensitive one. It is not yet clear if it’d be an AMOLED or not. Since we have no further details available yet – no specs, no pricing and no renderings – and it is coming out by the end of next year, we can have Froyo.

What it’d look like by the way? Like this:?

Well, we’d see.

Google To Take On Apple iPad In Partnership With HTC?

2010-02-03T19:59:00.001-08:00

Google To Take On Apple iPad In Partnership With HTC?

Days after Apple boss Steve Jobs described Google's “Don’t be evil” slogan as “crap”, it has emerged that Google may be planning to launch a competitor to the new Apple iPad. The revelation comes four weeks after Google rolled out the Nexus One smartphone as a competitor to Apple’s iPhone.

Glen Murphy, one of Google's Chrome OS designers, has revealed a video showing a touch tablet PC. The device, which reportedly will be made by HTC, which also makes the new Google Nexus One smartphone, will have an Android application store similar to Apple's, as well as access to YouTube videos and a new eBook service that Google insiders are tipping will be launched shortly.

The video, posted to the Chromium website, the open source home for Google's Chrome web browser and operating system, shows a mock-up of a tablet user interface. It shows how both sides of a single, large screen could be used simultaneously to carry out computing tasks, such as writing emails and searching the web.

Last month a HTC executive, Anthony Petts, the Sales and Marketing Manager of HTC's Australian operations, told SmartHouse that the company had recently suspended the development of a touchscreen tablet PC.

The concept of a Google tablet PC emerged late last year when executives from Google went to HTC with a concept for costing, say sources in Taiwan. Shortly afterwards, HTC mocked up a tablet based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

HTC Trophy Images, Specs Released

2010-02-03T19:58:00.001-08:00

Folks at HTCPedia have come across an image and specification details of an upcoming Windows Mobile handset from HTC. The HTC Trophy -- as the device is called, happens to be a device laden with both - a full QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen

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The features of the HTC Trophy, from what we now know, will come with a 3-inch touchscreen capacitive display. The resolution of the screen is not yet known but since it is Windows Mobile, we can be sure about the 65k color reproduction on the screen. It is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 processor that has a clock speed of 600MHz. The phone, when launched, will come with 512 MB ROM and 256 MB RAM. The internal memory can be increased with the help of microSD cards.

Being an HTC touchscreen device, it will also come with TouchFLO 3D. The phone is quite slim - measuring just 11 inches across. On the imaging front, there is a 5-megapixel camera which should ensure decent picture quality. The smartphone is also WiFi and 3G ready. A 3.5 mm jack ensures that you can use any headphones of your choice with the phone.
The expected launch date or pricing details of the HTC Trophy is yet to be known. The Mobile World Congress could see this one making an appearance officially.

News - Motorola’s next Android phone is no Droid

2010-02-03T19:56:00.001-08:00

For its next Android phone, Motorola will reacquaint with its social network-centric Blur interface.

The Motorola Devour drops the macho look of the phone maker’s previous effort, the Droid, in favor of a silver slider phone with turquoise accents. It also abandons the Droid’s straight-up version of Android in favor of Blur, a customer interface that debuted with last year’s Cliq Android phone. Blur constantly pushes updates from Facebook, MySpace, Twitter onto the main page, and melts e-mails and text messages into a single home page widget.

The Devour will also be the first Android phone for Verizon Wireless that doesn’t use Droid branding. However, by the time the Desire arrives in March (price unknown), Google’s Nexus One shouldn’t be far behind, as it’s due to land on Verizon in the spring.

Other specs for the Devour include a 3.1-inch capacitive touch screen, a touch-sensitive navigation pad (presumably for positioning a text cursor), a pre-installed 8 GB memory card, Bluetooth and integrated GPS. The phone also automatically backs up contacts, social network messages and customizations to a secure server for recovery. If the phone is lost, you can use GPS to track it, or wipe its data remotely.

Strangely, Motorola’s press release doesn’t mention a camera. I’d be surprised and somewhat turned off if it didn’t have one, especially since this phone is geared towards socializing. If I was constantly sending out Facebook and Twitter updates, I’d want to include photos once in a while.

The Devour is one of roughly 20 Android phones Motorola plans to release in 2010, including one sold directly by Google. I’m curious to see how all these phones differentiate themselves, and bringing back the Blur interface is a start. The Cliq got good reviews, but not great ones, mostly because of a weak processor, poor battery performance and some minor user interface gripes, such as the lack of a file manager. Hopefully Motorola can fix those mistakes with the Devour.

Midnight Bowling Game for Windows Mobile

2009-07-28T20:35:00.001-07:00

Midnight Bowling Game for Windows Mobile

Whether or not you’re familiar with the first game, prepare for ultra fun gaming thanks to a new physics engine that lets you control your throws with more spectacular special effects and realistically simulates the impact of your ball on pins. Whatever your level, train in practice mode and travel the world to confront opponents of all levels in the most glamorous cities. Bring your A game and stack strikes to the hit tune “Call on Me” to electrify the audience and become the star of Midnight Bowling 2!

Features:

The sequel to Midnight Bowling full of innovations that completely reinvent the gaming experience.
An easy-to-learn throwing system and advanced spin effects for bowling pros.
New Career Mode full of challenging opponents at all skill levels.
New Practice Mode allows you to improve your precision, your speed, your effects, etc.
6 trendy locations that will immerse of you in the ultra fashionable universe of Midnight Bowling.

Official site: http://www.gameloft.com
Application version: 1.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/258391903/MNB2_i900.jar
http://www.ziddu.com/download/5711646/MNB2_i900.zip.html

Golden Balls Game for Your Windows Mobile

2009-07-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

Golden Balls Game for Windows Mobile

Welcome to Golden Balls! Immerse yourself into the set of the popular TV show and meet famous host Jasper Carrott just by downloading the official mobile game of the hit series onto your phone. Gather the biggest possible amount of pounds by kicking out the killer balls and saving the cash. Guess who’s lying while you decide whether to tell the truth or to lie…and in the end, choose to split or steal the final jackpot! You’ll have to trust your instincts and pay special attention to the hints that you can acquire from your opponent’s dialog.

Features:

Play the mobile game of the hit TV show with all the official rules!
Relive the tension of the original game: 3 different rounds, dismissals, bin or win, split or steal, etc.
Choose to be a barefaced liar or a truthful person and find out who is bluffing to stay in the game!
Faithfully rendered set for a total immersion into the show’s specific atmosphere.
Features the popular host of the TV show: Jasper Carrott as along with his famous, humorous quotes!
An infinite lifespan, as every game is different and depends on you and your opponents’ attitudes.

Official site: http://www.gameloft.co.uk
Application version: 1.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/259397101/Golbi900.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/5748714/Golbi900.zip.html

TouchPal for Windows Mobile

2009-06-28T20:09:00.001-07:00

TouchPal for Windows Mobile

TouchPal is an innovative software keyboard powered by T+ input technology, which significantly improves the inputting experience on touchscreen handheld devices. Check out the video below for a quick tour.

Video Tour:

Key Features:

Cool and Easy!

Up to 450 chars/min, faster than your hard keyboard!
3 layouts with finger geature switching!
Resizing your keyboard anytime!

Simple and Smart!

Big buttons. Finger friendly.
Context-based mistyping correction and prediction
Word association. Input -ing/-ed/-s rapidly.
Predict next word.

Multilanguage and platforms!

Support 20+ languages
Support Windows Mobile and Android
Linux, Symbian support are coming soon

Official site: http://www.cootek.com
Application version: 4.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/247330873/CTTP_4.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/5295833/CTTP_4.zip.html

hdWobble for Your Windows Mobile Device

2009-06-28T20:08:00.001-07:00

hdWobble for Your Windows Mobile Device

This app was brought by Yoan with all credits go to its developer, elAlem. Plz give them thanks!

If your remember the app IBoob. Then you will absolutely adore this app. IBoob let you shake a pair of digital boobs around on the screen of your iphone, What hdWobble does is let you shake a pair of REAL Boobs around on your PPC. All you have to do is place a point on where the women’s breasts are, then press ok, then shake your phone around and the woman’s breasts wobble. Let’s see how it works on the following demo video!

Features:

supports VGA, QVGA, WQVGA and WVGA displays
custom image loading (tested so far: jpeg, png, bmp)
adding any number of round wobbling objects
deleting wobbling objects
resizing wobbling objects
vibration feedback when wobbling objects are pressed or dragged
start wobbling using g-sensor, stylus, fingers…

Requirement:

.NET Compact Framework 3.5

Developer’s site: http://forum.xda-developers.com
Application version: 0.5.3446.26966

Download here

http://www.1800pocketpc.com/shared_files/hdWobbleSetup.CAB

WunderRadio for Windows Mobile

2009-06-22T20:26:00.001-07:00

WunderRadio for Windows Mobile

Winner of MacWorld’s 2008 Best Radio App, terrestrial division. Now available on Windows Mobile!

Over 36,000 radio stations on your Phone!

Wunder Radio provides a quick and easy way to listen to thousands of streaming Internet radio stations and other audio streams on your Windows Mobile phone. Download the application to your phone today and browse the enormous directory of stations provided by RadioTime, searching by location and over 400 different genre such as music, talk, sports, and entertainment.

Some Features:

Huge directory of stations
Currently playing information displays current song and artist
Listen to your local hometown radio station from anywhere in the world
Find specific stations using the extensive search function
Use GPS capabilities to generate a list of all local stations
Keep up-to-date with international news and current affairs
Listen to live commentary and sports talk
Build a list of your favorite stations and shows
Play back popular shows at your own leisure if you missed the live broadcast
Check emergency scanner streams from ScanAmerica.us
Check weather conditions on local NOAA weather radio streams
Get local railroad information from RailRoad.net

Official site: http://www.wunderradio.com
Application version: 1.5.1.321

http://rapidshare.com/files/247346339/WDRD_141321.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/5296297/WDRD_141321.zip.html

wmTorrent for Windows Mobile

2009-06-14T20:39:00.001-07:00

wmTorrent for Windows Mobile

WinMobile Torrent (wmTorrent) v.3, the world’s first torrent client for Windows Mobile, has evolved far beyond its previous version. It now provides advanced features on par with other desktop torrent clients. wmTorrent now supports DHT (trackerless torrent); PEX (Peer Exchange); plain text and RC4 Protocol Encryption; HTTP Seeding; torrent extensions and many more. Join us in the wild, torrential, virtual world with our state-of-the-art software, wmTorrent v.3.

Official site: http://www.wmtorrent.com
Application version: 3.2.0.1

http://rapidshare.com/files/244500217/wmtrnt_3201.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/5188834/wmtrnt_3201.zip.html

Google's Android seen gaining support

2009-06-01T02:31:00.001-07:00

Google's Android seen gaining support

A screenshot of the Google mobile operating system Android.

Photograph by: Google,

HELSINKI - Google's Android operating system is gaining support in the mobile industry, with 8 million Android phones to be sold in 2009, up 10-fold from a year ago, research firm Strategy Analytics said on Monday.

With the overall handset market shrinking as economies slow globally, the mobile industry is focusing investment on more advanced smartphones and their software.

Google's Android was introduced in the United States in the second half of 2008, and now all top cell phone vendors except Nokia have said they would use Android. "Android is now in a good position to become a top-tier player in smartphones over the next two to three years," said Neil Mawston, a director at Strategy Analytics.

Mawston said handset vendors and operators like T-Mobile and Vodafone are attracted to Android's relatively low-cost licensing model, its semi-open-source structure and Google's support for services.

Despite the 10-fold growth forecast for 2009, with 8 million phones sold Android would lag far behind market leader Symbian, and Research in Motion, Microsoft, or Apple.

On average, the smartphone market is expected to grow 10-20 percent this year from 152 million phones sold last year.

Roughly half of these used Symbian operating system, while RIM sold 23.5 million, Microsoft 20 million and Apple 13.7 million phones, Strategy Analytics said.

Nokia bought out other shareholders of Symbian last year and gave all its software to an independent foundation, which now develops it on an open-source basis.

Nokia uses only Symbian software in its smartphones, while Symbian is also the key platform for Sony Ericsson, which has said it will also use Windows and Android as complementary offerings.

Guide: Updating your T-Mobile G1 to Android 1.5 (Cupcake) manually

2009-06-01T02:27:00.001-07:00

Guide: Updating your T-Mobile G1 to Android 1.5 (Cupcake) manually

Here is a guide for how to update your T-Mobile G1 to the new and hotly anticipated Android 1.5 (Cupcake) firmware update, manually, instead of waiting for the OTA (over the air) update that could take weeks to fully rollout. Be noted this works for other RCs as well, but for this guide I will specifically be using the new 1.5 update. Please also note if you phone is rooted (we will have guide for that up soon), then this will remove your rooted firmware, un-rooting your phone.
First off, you will need to download the update from the following link: Official US Android 1.5 update.
If you are from a different nation that offers the phone, please visit here for your update: Android 1.5 (Non-US)

Once you have downloaded the update, rename the archive to update from signed-kila... so that the full archive is intact (unpacked) and is Update.zip.

The next part is important. Insert your microSD card into the slot in your G1 and plug the phone into your computer. Your phone will give you a notification that you are now connected via USB so open the notification and select Mount. Your SD card will now be accessible via the computer as a removable drive. Move the Update.zip to the SD card, in the main directory, not within a folder.

For the next step, turn off your phone. When rebooting, hold Power and Home and you will restart in Recovery Mode. There should be a small logo on your screen that shows the phone next to a large exclamation point.
Hit Alt+L to get to the Boot Menu.
Hit Alt+S to begin the update process off the SD card.
When the process is complete, reboot as instructed on the screen and the update will complete. You are done!

Full list of the 1.5 updates

System-wide:

o Refinement of all core UI elements
o Animated window transitions (off by default)
o Accelerometer-based application rotations

UI polish for

o In-call experience
o Contacts, Call log, and Favorites
o SMS & MMS
o Browser
o Gmail
o Calendar
o Email
o Camera & Gallery
o Application management

Performance Improvements

* Faster Camera start-up and image capture
* Much faster acquisition of GPS location (powered by SUPL AGPS)
* Smoother page scrolling in Browser
* Speedier GMail conversation list scrolling

New Features

On-screen soft keyboard
o Works in both portrait and landscape orientation
o Support for user installation of 3rd party keyboards
o User dictionary for custom words

Home screen

o Widgets
+ Bundled home screen widgets include: analog clock, calendar, music player, picture frame, and search
o Live folders

Camera & Gallery

o Video recording
o Video playback (MPEG-4 & 3GP formats)
* Bluetooth
o Stereo Bluetooth support (A2DP and AVCRP profiles)
o Auto-pairing
o Improved handsfree experience

Browser

o Updated with latest Webkit browser & Squirrelfish Javascript engines
o Copy 'n paste in browser
o Search within a page
o User-selectable text-encoding
o UI changes include:
+ Unified Go and Search box
+ Tabbed bookmarks/history/most-visited screen

Contacts

o Shows user picture for Favorites
o Specific date/time stamp for events in call log
o One-touch access to a contact card from call log event

System

o New Linux kernel (version 2.6.27)
o SD card filesystem auto-checking and repair
o SIM Application Toolkit 1.0
* Google applications (not available in the Android 1.5 System Image that is included in the Android SDK)
o View Google Talk friends' status in Contacts, SMS, MMS, GMail, and Email applications
o Batch actions such as archive, delete, and label on Gmail messages
o Upload videos to Youtube
o Upload photos on Picasa

New APIs and Manifest Elements

UI framework

o Framework for easier background/UI thread interaction
o New SlidingDrawer widget
o New HorizontalScrollview widget

AppWidget framework

o APIs for creating secure home screen AppWidgets. For information about how to use AppWidgets, see the Developer's Guide AppWidgets documentation. Also see Introducing home screen widgets and the AppWidget framework on the Android Developer's Blog.
o APIs for populating Live Folders with custom content.

Media framework

o Raw audio recording and playback APIs
o Interactive MIDI playback engine
o Video Recording APIs for developers (3GP format).
o Video and photo sharing Intents
o Media search Intent

Input Method framework

o Input Method Service framework
o Text-prediction engine
o Ability to provide downloadable IMEs to users

Application-defined hardware requirements

Applications can now use a new element in their manifest files, to indicate to the Android system what hardware features they require in order to function properly. For example, an application might use the element to specify that it requires a physical keyboard or a particular navigation device, such as a trackball. Prior to installing the application, the Android system checks the attributes defined for the element and allows the installation to continue only if the required hardware is present.

Speech recognition framework

o Support for using speech recognition libraries via Intent. See RecognizerIntent.

Miscellaneous API additions

o LocationManager - Applications can get location change updates via Intent
o WebView - Touch start/end/move/cancel DOM event support
o Redesigned Sensor Manager APIs
o GLSurfaceView - convenience framework for creating OpenGL applications
o Broadcast Intent for app update install succeeded - for smoother app upgrade experience

IN DEPTH REVIEW: HTC Magic continues the Android dream

2009-06-01T02:24:00.001-07:00

IN DEPTH REVIEW: HTC Magic continues the Android dream

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The Magic is HTC's second Google phone outing, running the open source Android operating system rather than Windows Mobile, which is found on most other HTC phones. The Magic follows on from the world's first Android phone, the HTC Dream (also dubbed the T-Mobile G1).
The Magic, also known as the G2, lacks the slide out QWERTY keyboard of the original Dream, instead featuring an onscreen virtual keyboard, courtesy of the pre-installed Android 1.5 "Cupcake" software update. The virtual keyboard is one of the best we've used on a smartphone and is certainly on par with the iPhone.

Hold the Magic in your hand and you're immediately impressed by the responsiveness of both the touchscreen and the trackball compared to most other smartphones. The menus are also responsive thanks to the lack of fancy eye candy.

As for the onscreen keyboard, the Magic's virtual keys are roughly the same size as those on the iPhone but there's less spacing between them - due to the fact the Magic features a 3.2 inch touchscreen display compared to 3.5 inches on Apple's wunderphone (both offering 320x480 resolution). Thankfully, as with the iPhone, you're assisted by excellent auto correction which allows you to type quite quickly on the Magic without worrying too much about hitting the correct key (unlike phones such as the LG Arena which force you to stop and accept every correction). A slight vibration offers physical feedback as you press each virtual key.

Shedding the keyboard gives the Magic a slim and attractive look compared to the functional-but-frumpy Dream.
The sleek Magic would be equally at home in a boardroom or a cafe, being 7 mm narrower than the iPhone and weighing 17g less, which helps it sit better in your hand.

Under your thumb is a Blackberry-esque trackball, as with the Dream, but the Magic adds a dedicated search button to sit amongst the Call, End, Back, Home and Menu buttons. The search button generally calls up a Google search box, but also searches within applications such as contacts, email, Google Maps and Android Market.
You'll still find volume buttons on the left edge of the phone, but the dedicated camera button on the right has been lost in favour of pressing the trackball in order to capture a shot - which is still preferable to tapping the screen.

The Magic's onscreen keyboard makes it much more user-friendly than the Dream, because you no longer have to go through the motions of turning the phone and sliding out the keyboard every time you want to enter the tiniest bit of text. The virtual keyboard will also switch to landscape mode if you turn the phone on its side. Of course the 1.5 "Cupcake" update is coming to the Dream as well, which will then offer the best of both worlds -- except for its chunky form factor.

Keyboard aside, the Magic's hardware specs are almost identical to the Dream. You've got the same processor, the same screen and the same 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera. You need to remove the back of the phone to get at the microSD card slot, but thankfully it's not underneath the battery. HTC has still stuck with its lame USB audio out, which means forced USB-to-headphone adaptor accessory purchase, rather than a 3.5mm audio jack but, at the Australian HTC Magic launch, journalists were assured that a 3.5mm jack is coming on future devices.

When it comes to connectivity, the Magic boasts 802.11b/g wifi, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR and GPS for using with applications such as Google Maps. Unfortunately the Magic still only offers 7.2 Mbps HSDPA on the 900 and 2100 MHz bands - which is acceptable considering it's available from Vodafone and Three, but this is useless for Telstra's 850MHz network. If you switch to Telstra, you'll be stuck on 100 kbps-ish 2G EDGE speeds, and you won't benefit from the vast coverage of Next G. On the other hand, if you switch to Optus in the future, you'll get their expanded regional 3G reception, which is claimed to cover 97% of the Australian population now.

Criticism over the Dream's poor battery life has been addressed by boosting the Magic's battery capacity by almost 20 percent to 1340 mAh, and the Cupcake software update also slurps less power, thus offering improved battery life.

Just to confuse things, there are slight differences between the "HTC Magic with Google" available from Vodafone and the "HTC Magic" available from Three. Only the the Vodafone model is designed to receive over-the-air software updates, while the Three model must be updated via a PC. Meanwhile the Three model features more RAM (288MB compared to 192MB) and A2DP Bluetooth stereo, as well as a pre-installed Exchange email client and smart dialler. Such applications can be added to the Vodafone model via the Android Market apps store. Access to an apps store means you can customise the phone to meet your needs.

The combination of Android 1.5, Android Market and the Magic's large, responsive touchscreen offers a worthy successor to the Dream. It also offers a tempting alternative for those who crave the iPhone's useability but are put off by Apple's heavy-handed restrictions on features.

Facebook Application for Windows Mobile

2009-06-01T02:19:00.001-07:00

Facebook Application for Windows Mobile

New from Windows Mobile: a Facebook application for your phone! Download the new Facebook application for Windows Mobile and:

Send messages to any of the people in your Friends list.
Take pictures and videos on your phone, then upload them right to Facebook.
Send messages or call people in your Friends list.
Manage your profile and post anytime, anywhere.

Keep up with the latest news and posts with Facebook on your phone. Now your status updates can be up-to-the moment accounts of what you’re doing. Photos and videos are about as close to live-action as you can get. Show your friends what you’re up to, while you’re out and about.

Connecting and sharing on Facebook just got a lot livelier!

** Thanks Danny for telling me the source!

Official site: http://www.microsoft.com
Application version: 1.0.0.7

http://rapidshare.com/files/233373200/facebook_1007.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4764893/facebook_1007.zip.html

Puzzle Quest : Warlords Game for Your Windows Mobile Phone

2009-05-26T03:39:00.001-07:00

Puzzle Quest : Warlords Game for Your Windows Mobile Phone

Play the epic warlord adventure based on the popular handheld game. The award-winning blend of puzzle, strategy, and RPG is now on mobile - Puzzle Quest!

Play the epic warlord adventure with an addicting combat system based on the popular handheld game. Engage in puzzle battles, complete mini-quests, and collect gems for skill upgrades and spells. Your victories open up new levels as you move closer to the final battle with Lord Bane. The award-winning blend of puzzle, strategy, and RPG that is Puzzle Quest is now on mobile!

Official site: http://www.magmic.com
Application version: 1.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/235166880/PQW_1.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4828593/PQW_1.zip.html

Uno Game for Omnia

2009-05-12T02:52:00.001-07:00

Uno Game for Omnia

Uno by GameLoft

Play the #1 classic card game for fun with friends and family on your mobile phone! Compete against the AI or friends all over the world in online thrilling games. Relive all the crazy fun of UNO™: match colors or numbers with all your favorite cards or challenge yourself with increasingly difficult games in Tournament Mode. Choose your favorite way to play, use your Action Cards wisely and don’t forget to call “UNO!” when you have only one card left!

Features:

UNO™ on mobile reproduces the classic card game: Easy-to-understand rules offer challenge and excitement to all
Use your Action Cards wisely and don’t forget to call “UNO™!” when you have only one card left
All your favourite Action Cards are here: Wild, Reverse, Draw 2, and more
Customize your game with 9 different rule sets to play your way including 7-0 and Jump-in
Progress through the increasingly difficult challenges in Tournament Mode to collect prizes
Play against the AI or your friends on one device in Multiplayer Mode.

Official site: http://www.gameloft.com
Application version: 1.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/210786806/UNO_i900.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3914907/UNO_i900.zip.html

Uno Game for Omnia

2009-05-12T02:51:00.001-07:00

Uno Game for Omnia

Uno by GameLoft

Features:

UNO™ on mobile reproduces the classic card game: Easy-to-understand rules offer challenge and excitement to all
Use your Action Cards wisely and don’t forget to call “UNO™!” when you have only one card left
All your favourite Action Cards are here: Wild, Reverse, Draw 2, and more
Customize your game with 9 different rule sets to play your way including 7-0 and Jump-in
Progress through the increasingly difficult challenges in Tournament Mode to collect prizes
Play against the AI or your friends on one device in Multiplayer Mode.

Official site: http://www.gameloft.com
Application version: 1.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/210786806/UNO_i900.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3914907/UNO_i900.zip.html

Soul of Darkness Game for Your Windows Mobile Phone

2009-05-12T02:49:00.001-07:00

Soul of Darkness Game for Your Windows Mobile Phone

Soul of Darkness by GameLoft

Use your sharp blade and your transformation powers to save your beloved’s life… and yours

Features:

Enter an absorbing gothic environment thanks to impressive music and a 3D-like graphic background;
11 levels to explore, from huge castles and cathedrals to dark woods and caves;
Great replay value: play through levels you’ve already finished to discover additional secrets;
Challenging gameplay: use your transformation ability to reach hidden inaccessible spots;
Upgrade your fire sword and ice spear to perform more powerful attacks and magic;
Legions of dark creatures to fight (werewolves, gargoyles, zombies, etc.) in fabulous decors.

Official site: http://www.gameloft.com
Application version: 1.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/220473050/SOD_i900.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4263767/SOD_i900.zip.html

Third HTC Android Smartphone Leaks

2009-05-07T01:37:00.001-07:00

Third HTC Android Smartphone Leaks

After what in hindsight I think many will agree has been something of a slow start, it seems Android is finally beginning to take off. The long solo T-Mobile G1 has recently been bolstered by the HTC Magic, Samsung I7500, imminent Cupcake arrival and now this...

Images have leaked of HTC's third entry into Googlesphere with the so-called 'Hero', a heavily chinned (even for HTC standards) handset that has a similar form factor to the G1.

Central to this comparison is a physical sliding Qwerty keyboard though the screen itself has been much enlarged and while we don't have any specific specifications, looks to have a much higher resolution. The trackball also disappears which might annoy some, though they should be appeased by the appearance of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

Other HTC fundamentals like HSDPA, WiFi, aGPS, Bluetooth, a microSD slot, yada yada should also make it through to the final spec.

Naturally some scepticism remains over the validity of these shots, but given HTC's glass door security I fully expect this model to pan out. Besides, if you were going to fake the next Android handset would you really spend your time conjuring the love child of a G1 and Diamond2?

Hmmmn, maybe...

Ringtones Deluxe for Windows Mobile

2009-05-05T01:08:00.001-07:00

Ringtones Deluxe for Windows Mobile

The ultimate ringtone collection just got bigger!

Ringtones Deluxe is the latest in the series, with over 250 high-quality realtones and notification sounds for your phone, including over 100 VOICE realtones of all styles: business, funny, cartoon, scifi,weird, fantasy, horror…. Let your Phone/PDA come to life with and impress your friends and family with these unique realtones!

All sounds are exclusive material, recorded and mixed in the studio with the highest possible quality and perfectly sized for your device!

The sounds can be used for individual and global ringtones, alarms, reminders, new email, new sms, new mms, new instant message, new voice message and all other customizable notifications.

With this original collection of 250 high quality ringtones, your phone will sound absolutely fabulous! Stand out of the crowd and personalize your phone with Ringtones Deluxe!

Official site: http://www.aimproductions.be
Application version: Volume 1 and 4

Ringtone Deluxe Volume 1

http://rapidshare.com/files/222302484/RDLX_VOL1.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4331829/RDLX_VOL1.zip.html

Ringtone Deluxe Volume 4

http://rapidshare.com/files/222303986/RDLX_VOL4.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4331901/RDLX_VOL4.zip.html

Prince of Persia HD Game your Windows Mobile Phone

2009-05-05T01:03:00.001-07:00

Prince of Persia HD Game your Windows Mobile Phone

The Prince is back in a new kind of adventure in full 3D where cooperation with the mysterious Elika will let you perform actions never before seen on a mobile. Partnered with Elika, prepare for amazing acrobatics and fight gigantic monsters in 360° with a mix of magic and electrifying combat techniques! To save the world from a magical menace that has contaminated everything in its path, you must be ready for anything: ride a dragon, swing from precariously high ropes and fight a multitude of enemies in gigantic 3D environments full of traps and secrets to discover.

Features:

The official high-definition version of the new Next Generation console game from Ubisoft. New cooperative gameplay allows you to perform acrobatics and spectacular attacks. Spectacular 3D graphics: Characters, animations, and designs adapted from the next-gen version of the game. All New: Fight airborne enemies atop a dragon, swing on ropes, unleash special attacks, and more! Dive into the universe of 1001 Nights thanks to sumptuous 3D designs and dynamic lighting.

Official site: http://www.gameloft.com
Application version: 1.0.3

http://rapidshare.com/files/167199536/Prince.Of.Persia.HD.v1.0.3.CAB
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4305783/POPHD.zip.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/221575333/POPHD.zip

Samsung unveils Google phone, Vodafone NZ firms up Android plans

2009-04-28T23:17:00.001-07:00

Samsung unveils Google phone, Vodafone NZ firms up Android plans

Google’s Android operating system continues to gather steam.

Samsung has become the first A-list consumer electronics maker to show off a cellphone running on Google’s Android software.

The Korean company - the world’s number two cellphone seller beyond Nokia - will release the Samsung i7500 in Europe in June, and through the US and Asia during the second half of the year.

Beyond Google’s operating system software, the i7500 (pictured) features a raft of mod-cons including a 5 megapixel camera and 3.2-inch organic light emitting diode (OLED) touchscreen.

Vodafone NZ says it is in talks with Samsung, and should have the i7500 on its 3G network later this year.

The i7500 will operate at either 850Mhz (the frequency used by Telecom’s 3G network launching May 13) or 900MHz (used by Vodafone’s 3G network).

So far, only HTC has released an Android phone, the G1, and only through US-based carrier T-Mobile (although unlocked, parallel-imported models are sold here).

Soon the G1 will be joined by the HTC Magic, aka the G2, which Vodafone will sell worldwide including New Zealand. Talk has been of G2 release in the second half, but a Vodafone New Zealand spokesman says to expect the Android handset here “mid-year”.

Telecom, which has a closer relationship with Samsung than Vodafone, has yet to respond to queries regarding the i7500, but in previous comments has taken a guarded approach to Google’s OS.

“The Android platform is a newly developed, open source environment that is in its infancy, and [Telecom] will closely monitor its uptake and stability with customers before we launch devices. We look forward to more handset manufacturers launching devices with this as their primary operation system,” said a spokeswoman.

Motorola and Sony Ericsson also have Android handsets slatted for the second half of this year, which should both see New Zealand release, while HP could shortly become the first mainstream PC maker to port Android to a netbook.

Twikini : Twitter Client for Windows Mobile

2009-04-28T23:15:00.001-07:00

Twikini : Twitter Client for Windows Mobile

Twikini offers a powerful and efficient way to use Twitter on your phone. It conveniently updates your favorite feeds in the background, and leverages the camera, GPS, media, touch screen, keyboard, graphics and storage capabilities of your device.

Twikini is currently in public beta - you’re welcome to download and use it for free.

Our goal is to make Twikini the best designed Twitter app for Windows devices in the world.

Main Features

FAST! Unlike other Twitter apps for Windows® Mobile, Twikini is written entirely in native C++ code for maximum performance and the fastest load time possible.
Simple, uncluttered, and customizable user interface. Choose from a variety of themes for the best reading experience.
Post tweets using a full screen editor. Optionally, set your location (either manually or using GPS) along with your status updates.
Twitpic integration to post photos with your status updates. Select existing photos or click new ones from your device’s camera.
Read status updates just like browsing a web page. Quickly reply, retweet, favorite, or email other people’s tweets.
Windows Media Player integration. Automatically tweet the song and artist you’re listening to.
Single download that is compatible with all Windows® Mobile devices - both touch and non-touch.
And lots more…

Official site: http://www.trinketsoftware.com
Application version: Free BETA

http://rapidshare.com/files/223667941/twikini_B.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4383669/twikini_B.zip.html

Google explains Android OS 1.5 and homescreen widget support

2009-04-23T00:33:00.001-07:00

Google explains Android OS 1.5 and homescreen widget support

The thing about Android OS is that it launched in a sort of half-baked form. The Android OS feature-set wasn’t yet complete, lacking support for homescreen widgets and an on-screen keyboard. T-Mobile G1 users were forced to flip open the QWERTY keyboard for even the simplest of text entries, and were limited to the homescreen widgets that came out of the box. Fortunately, Google changed all that with the Android OS 1.5 update. In addition to the virtual soft-keyboard, Android OS 1.5 features support for “widgets.”

Google recently posted details on just how Android OS 1.5 will work with third-party widgets. Widgets in Android OS will give users a “quick glimpse into full-featured apps, such as showing upcoming calendar events, or viewing details about a song playing in the background.” Users can also interact with an application through the widget - pause music, change tracks, show tomorrow’s calendar schedule, etc. The widget takes up a reserved space on the Android OS homescreen, allowing it to display its info unobstructed.

Android widgets will also support push updates. Developers can push updates on their own time, or they can use the AppWidget framework to push out automatic updates to Android apps and their widgets.

Android OS 1.5 will be an exciting release, and definitely a mobile OS to watch. Sadly, the launch of Android OS 1.5 may be eclipsed by the launch of the Palm Pre, WebOS, the new iPhone and iPhone OS 3.0.

Preview: HTC Magic Android Phone

2009-04-23T00:31:00.001-07:00

Preview: HTC Magic Android Phone

Overview:
Remember at the Mobile World Congress last month when the rumours that surfaced before the event on all the Google Android phones that were predicted to be announced? Well, it all seemed to end in a pool of disappointment as there weren’t as many announcements as predicted in the end.

However, that aside the big announcement from HTC was the speculation of a brand new Android based phone which was set to follow on in the footsteps of their previous phone, the HTC G1. Codenamed the HTC Sapphire, the Magic was unveiled by Vodafone and they will be the sole carriers of the phone in the UK, Spain, Germany and France with more countries to follow. Vodafone are set to start shipping the HTC Magic from May 5th. So that’s enough of the boring stuff, lets get down to how much of a punch the phone packs!

Preview:
Ok, so to start with I thought I would go through the hardware inside the HTC Magic as this seems to be a popular talking point of the phone. This is because it actually appears very similar to the G1, however this is because much of the phone’s operating platform plays a significant part in the user’s experience. Therefore the hardware behind the phone is it’s key point really, so lets take a look:

Touchscreen - The main focus point of the HTC Magic is the touchscreen. It is a 3.2 inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320×480 HVGA revolution, and this is up-to date in terms of touchscreen technology. The screen has been designed in such a way that it actually stands out as a key advantage to the phone.
Wi-Fi - The Magic has been designed to let you connect to the internet anywhere where there is a wireless network available.
GPS - An interesting area on the Magic is the GPS, and this is because the phone is also obviously powered by Google services too, so with the GPS added as well it could be used as an advanced Smartphone.
Bluetooth - HTC fans will like the idea that the Magic has bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
Camera - The Magic has a 3.2MP camera with built in flash and auto-focus, which is not the best but would this really matter to the target user?

All sounds pretty good doesn’t it but the Magic’s features don’t end there, it also has pre-installed software that defends it’s corner:

G-mail
Google Maps
Google talk
YouTube

The Gaj-It Verdict:
Design: 7/10
Features: 9/10
Value: TBA

We Say:
So that is all the main features behind the HTC Magic, and it seems to pack quite a punch! Also it’s looks aren’t too bad either, could be better and could be worse, I think you’d agree, so it will be interesting to see what degree of sales HTC receive from this new venture.

As previously said, the HTC Magic is expected to be shipped in by Vodafone by May 5th, but this could obviously change as with a lot of things in the mobile phone world. If this phone tickles your fancy, I’d say go for it and enjoy!

For more information on the HTC Magic please visit HTC’s website by clicking here.

Ringtones Deluxe for Windows Mobile

2009-04-20T01:07:00.001-07:00

Ringtones Deluxe for Windows Mobile

The ultimate ringtone collection just got bigger!

All sounds are exclusive material, recorded and mixed in the studio with the highest possible quality and perfectly sized for your device!

The sounds can be used for individual and global ringtones, alarms, reminders, new email, new sms, new mms, new instant message, new voice message and all other customizable notifications.

With this original collection of 250 high quality ringtones, your phone will sound absolutely fabulous! Stand out of the crowd and personalize your phone with Ringtones Deluxe!

Official site: http://www.aimproductions.be
Application version: Volume 1 and 4

Ringtone Deluxe Volume 1

http://rapidshare.com/files/222302484/RDLX_VOL1.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4331829/RDLX_VOL1.zip.html

Ringtone Deluxe Volume 4

http://rapidshare.com/files/222303986/RDLX_VOL4.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4331901/RDLX_VOL4.zip.html

HTC Fiesta Is Another Android Phone

2009-04-13T02:51:00.001-07:00

HTC Fiesta Is Another Android Phone

Posted on Apr 12, 09 07:42 PM PDT

More rumors hit the ground running - it seems that the Bluetooth SIG group have just revealed HTC's 2009 lineup complete with details of certain handsets although they have kept mum on the upcoming HTC Fiesta, which points toward a 2010 release. All we do know about the upcoming Fiesta is it has received Bluetooth SIG approval, will be released across Asia, Europe and North America, and most importantly, run on Android. What do you think are the other specifications that will be included by HTC apart from the standard high-megapixel count camera, push e-mail support, etc?

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. Game

2009-04-13T02:41:00.001-07:00

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. Game

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?nlo2wennlsj

Abracadaball Game for your Phone

2009-04-13T02:31:00.001-07:00

Abracadaball Game for your Phone

Download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?txey4vsx1nm

Block Breaker Deluxe for your HTC Phone

2009-04-13T02:29:00.001-07:00

Block Breaker Deluxe for your HTC Phone

Download Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?apsxxddiend

MySportTraining for Windows Mobile

2009-04-08T23:55:00.001-07:00

MySportTraining for Windows Mobile

To feel better, have more energy and live longer, look no further than regular, old-fashioned, sweat-inducing exercise. By introducing a moderate amount of exercise into your daily life, you can significantly improve your overall health, well-being and quality of life. The health benefits of exercise can be achieved by virtually everyone, regardless of age, sex, race or physical ability. The merits of exercise - ranging from preventing chronic health conditions to boosting your confidence - are hard to ignore: regular physical activity helps extend life and improve its quality.

VidaOne® MySportTraining® is the premier health & fitness software for Pocket PC designed to track and improve your health & fitness, and to motivate you to exercise to achieve a healthy lifestyle, at a fraction of the cost of some sports equipment or gym membership.

Official site: http://www.vidaone.com
Application version: 6.1.2

http://rapidshare.com/files/216810916/MST_612.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4130212/MST_612.zip.html

T-Mobile to put a Google Android in every home

2009-04-07T22:23:00.001-07:00

T-Mobile to put a Google Android in every home

T-Mobile is planning on invading your living room in 2010 with a new household device that runs on Google's Android operating system. A piece in the New York Times reveals that T-Mobile is developing a cordless phone and base station that has a 7-inch touchscreen, and no physical keyboard:

"Its tablet-size phone device resembles a small laptop without a keyboard and has a seven-inch touch screen… The phone will plug into a docking station and come with another device that handles data synchronization as it recharges the phone's battery."

As we understand it, the touchscreen part of the device would act as a kind of base station and charger for a cordless handset. Presumably, you'd be able to make VoIP calls on the handset, much like you can with the Hub Phone on the BT Home Hub.

Through the touchscreen you'd be able to check on a number of things such as weather and traffic reports via a wireless internet connection. It would also allow for the managing of data across a variety of devices in the home. All of this sounds similar to O2's Joggler digital pin board which is available to buy now, save that it doesn't come with a handset attached and doesn't run on Android.

It would be pretty sweet if you could download apps from the Android Marketplace and customise the device with apps such as Steamy Window or Google Maps Streetview. This could be really huge so we'll definitely be keeping an eye on it.

Google animates 'offline' Gmail for iPhone, Android

2009-04-07T22:19:00.001-07:00

Google animates 'offline' Gmail for iPhone, Android

As promised, Google has unleashed a new web-based Gmail incarnation that runs on both the Apple iPhone and Google's very own Android mobile platform.

Last week, at Tim 2.0'Reilly's Web 2.0 Expo, Google vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra showed off a "technical preview" of the new HTML 5 Gmail, hinting that a release was just around the corner. And this morning, the company followed through, announcing the new web service with a post to the official Google Mobile blog.

Gundotra pitched the new Gmail as a mobile watershed. "For the first time on phones, the internet - the web - is emerging a real platform for apps," he said. "My development team was able to have one code-base using the rich new features of HTML 5...and it runs on both the iPhone and Android. Imagine being able to run apps that run across all phones - because of the web."

By way of Google Gears and HTML 5 - the next-generation web lingua franca still awaiting approval from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - the new email service benefits from so-called "app caching," letting you access recently received messages even when you're offline.

"If the data network drops out on you, rest assured that Gmail won't," reads today's blog post. "You'll still be able to open recently read messages and to compose over a flaky, or non-existent, network connection."

Google has also added what it insists on calling a "floaty bar," designed to help with message sorting and navigation. As you move through your messages, this compact menu moves with you, letting you, say, archive or delete messages without scrolling back to the top of your inbox. Scrolling back to the top is required if you want the search box, but that's better than scrolling to the bottom, where the box used to be.

And naturally, Google says the new service is faster - and better looking. "Labels are easier to read and are more in-line with the familiar Gmail labels you see on your desktop."

That's it. But Google boasts that the switch to HTML 5 and Google Gears will speed up future tweaks. "The full impact of this new architecture isn't visible yet, but it will enable us to significantly improve performance and quickly roll out new features in the near future," Google mobile engineer Joanne McKinley writes.

The new Gmail for mobile runs on any Android phone, but if you're an iPhone or iPod Touch user, you'll need the Apple's 2.2.1 firmware or later. Otherwise, you'll be redirected to the existing version of Gmail for mobile ®

Google restores tethering app for Android users outside U.S.

2009-04-03T05:53:00.001-07:00

Google restores tethering app for Android users outside U.S.

Google confirmed that it pulled a Wi-Fi tethering application from the Android Market because it violated T-Mobile's terms of service, but said it hadn't intended to pull that application from the market entirely.

Earlier this week an Android developer said his tethering application--designed to let PC or Mac users get on the Internet through their Android phones--was removed entirely from the Android market because T-Mobile, the exclusive U.S. carrier of the only Android phone on sale in the U.S., does not allow tethering. T-Mobile users still can't get that application, a Google spokesperson said, but the ban should not have applied to Android users running HTC's Dream phone in Singapore and Australia, as well as those who paid extra for an unlocked phone.

The company released the following statement:

On Monday, several applications that enable tethering were removed from the Android Market catalog because they were in violation of T-Mobile's terms of service in the US. Based on Android's Developer Distribution Agreement (section 7.2), we remove applications from the Android Market catalog that violate the terms of service of a carrier or manufacturer.

We inadvertently unpublished the applications for all carriers, and today we have corrected the problem so that all Android Market users outside the T-Mobile US network will now have access to the applications. We have notified the affected developers.

It appears Google's commitment to making Android a completely open operating system will be tested by the reality of how wireless carriers have traditionally controlled the applications that run on their network.

iSecretary : Answering Machine Apps for Windows Mobile

2009-03-30T00:08:00.001-07:00

iSecretary : Answering Machine Apps for Windows Mobile

A lot of Windows Mobile users have been asking for answering machines for years. While it has long been available on competing mobile smartphone platforms (for example, Smart Answer for the S60), for Windows Mobile, so far, there wasn’t a generic one - that is, one that wasn’t shipped along with a specific Pocket PC model only.

Now, this seems to be changing: the first “real” answering machine has been released for WM Pocket PC’s.

Features:
· lifts the handset automatically when the preset time expires;
· plays the file to the caller;
· records your caller’s message within the limits of preset time and hangs up;
· contact list filter (choose an individual wav for each contact or group of contacts);
· ignore list;
· compatible with speakerphone (for PDA which can not work with signal in line);
· autoload after SoftReset;
· speakerphone volume control;
· microphone control (its work with some PDA, For example: ASUS P525);
· black list, reject ringing (filtering by phone number);
· notify system;
· task bar icon;
· Events system, send sms or voice message by rules;
· Emulate sound around you.

Installation:
Download the application, transfer the contents of it to your Pocket PC and run iSecretaryXXX.cab. You can safely minimize it / suspend the phone: whenever an incoming call arrives, the answering machine activates, plays the default message (you can easily change it in the Answer List tab) and starts recording the caller’s voice. If it can, that is - the same restrictions apply as with traditional call recorders like PMRecorder. .

Requirements:
- 200MHz ARM processor
- Windows Mobile 5 or more
- Compact FrameWork v2

Official site: http://www.isecretary.net
Application version: 4.6

http://rapidshare.com/files/159344100/iScrtry4_6.cab

Fart Machine for Windows Mobile

2009-03-30T00:02:00.001-07:00

Fart Machine for Windows Mobile

Fart Machine is a hilarious application that let your Windows Mobile pocket PC creates fart sounds in different types. This is one of those app that fall in to you like it or you hate it category and if you are in the like em category go get it here and start annoying every one. Go use this at a party!

(NOTE: blue tapping does not work yet)

Fart types:

Normal
High Pitch
Deep
Wet
Cheesy

Requirements:

WM2003 or higher
.net compact framework 2.0 or higher
Install to device!
VGA and QVGA tested so far

Official site: http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-fart-machine.html
Application version: 2.0

http://rapidshare.com/files/212147361/fartm_v2.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3961894/fartm_v2.zip.html

Android gets a new market, Flash and document editing

2009-03-29T21:02:00.001-07:00

Android gets a new market, Flash and document editing

New stuff for Android continues to flood the space. No, there isn’t an on-screen QWERTY keyboard, at least for now. Still, those who are not satisfied with Google’s online store for mobile applications, the Android Market, might just find something that would suit their taste better.

The new solution is freshly called SlideME and it also features a special app, bearing the lively name of SAM, the purpose of which is to assist you in managing and purchasing applications. Users will be able to pay with credit cards via PayPal or a SlideME MasterCard debit account. Fortunately, free apps will also be on board.

SlideME is an alternative to Android Market

Another goodie for Android users comes from the company BSQUARE, which has announced its intentions to bring Flash to the platform. There isn’t much information about this one, but the source informs that all this would happen on behalf of a “global Tier 1 carrier”.
Last but certainly not least, the much-anticipated Office document managing application DocsToGo has finally hit Android Market. The Android version of the popular program will allow for viewing, editing and creating of Microsoft Office documents. Unlike its Windows Mobile and BlackBerry variants, it currently manages only Word and Excel files. DocsToGo (Standard Edition) is compatible with Office 97-2008 documents and will be able to view and download Gmail attachments. You can get the app at an introductory price of $19.99. Its regular price will be $29.99.

source: PhoneDog and Andronica via Engadget

SPORE Origins Game

2009-03-24T03:31:00.001-07:00

SPORE Origins Game

Eat-or-be-eaten in SPORE: Origins mobile! Guide your creature through its early evolution and shape its destiny. Devour smaller creatures, explore primordial worlds filled with bizarre organisms, and avoid larger, lethal life forms. Grow your creature from single-cell to complex predator as you rise through 18 interactive levels. Customize your SPORE creature, increasing offense, defense, perception, and movement. Take on your friends by exporting your creature or fighting online in Arena mode against players around the world!

Features:

An original mobile action-puzzle game based on Spore for the PC and Mac, from the creators of The Sims™.
Explore 6 unique zones on an engrossing evolutionary journey.
Customize your spore with parts (over millions of different combinations) to fit your play style.
Enjoy three distinct game modes: Evolution, Survival, and Arena.
Protect your spore and attack bizarre creatures in dynamic settings.
Vivid graphics, and unique animated environments.
Dramatic ambient effects and original soundtrack enhance the action.
Challenge the global community via your phone or web-interface.

Official site: http://www.eamobile.com
Application version: 1.0.4

http://rapidshare.com/files/211280928/SPOR_104.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3927518/SPOR_104.zip.html

The Android handset war begins in 2009

2009-03-16T22:55:00.001-07:00

The Android handset war begins in 2009

Google's Android will be rolled out on handsets by a number of major manufacturers in 2009 and beyond.

March 16, 2009 While Apple's iPhone has enjoyed enormous success using a highly controlled, locked-down handset, operating system and application store, Google's touchscreen smartphone platform takes the opposite approach. Android is a completely open-source operating system, meaning that developers can write whatever abilities they want into it - and Google doesn't make or recommend any particular handsets. The HTC Dream (AKA the T-Mobile G1) gave Android a start in the market - but several big-name competitors are working on Android smartphones to be released sometime this year. The battle for Android handset supremacy is about to begin - let's take a look at the challengers.

While Apple has kept things incredibly simple and controlled with the iPhone, Google's Android platform is entirely based around consumer choice - for better or worse. Where the iPhone offers too few options in many cases, Google's OS will dazzle you with choice.

Android is both completely open-source and pretty much handset-independent - so once handset manufacturers start producing serious options, you can expect to see a huge range of different phones available running the Google OS - incorporating different screen sizes, resolutions, keypad options, processors, inbuilt memory options, communications devices, price points and every other imaginable variation.

The HTC Dream, or T-Mobile G1, was rushed to market in October last year as an iPhone alternative, but has failed to ignite interest or capture the public imagination in the way Apple has. Not to worry, plenty of opportunities are coming - Google has an even bigger fan base in the computing world than Apple, and a number of manufacturers are gearing up to release Android handsets in 2009.

Samsung

Samsung plans to have "at least three" Android phones in its lineup by the end of 2009. The first unit has already been flagged - it should hit the Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile networks in America by June.

LG

LG will dip its toe in the water with an updated version of its KS360 handset tweaked to run Android and scheduled to launch this (American) Summer. The KS360 is a budget handset with a 2-megapixel camera and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

There's another two Android phones in the works, expected by the end of 2009, so hopefully we'll see what LG can do with a high-performance Android handset before too long.

HTC

While HTC's Dream/T-Mobile G1 was the first Android handset to make it to market, it didn't light a lot of fires with consumers. But HTC is planning to capitalize on its 6-odd months of market experience by launching a second Android handset very shortly. The HTC Magic has already been shown in pre-production form, and it's launching very soon in Europe.

The Magic is slick, pretty and it looks fairly fast as well. Unlike the G1, the Magic is a fully touch-screen phone, using a software keyboard. It looks fantastic, and hopefully will be one of the first truly attractive options to pull customers away from the iPhone.

NVIDIA

Mobile phones are absolutely going to be the hottest media delivery platform of the next decade or so - so it should be no surprise that graphics hardware specialists NVIDIA are planning to take a bite at the handset cherry.

NVIDIA's Tegra chipset will soon find its way into a consumer-level touchscreen internet device and smartphone - and the platform has already been demonstrated with a hastily slapped-on Android installation. While it's still buggy and in its infancy, the NVIDIA phone's massive graphics handling capability will allow it to play movies in full 1080p HD - and output the signal to a big-screen TV. That's a serious selling point; your phone becomes a portable digital video drive. We can't wait to hear more.

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson caused a rush of speculation when it joined the Open Handset Alliance and committed to build an Android handset at the end of 2008. While it's unlikely that they'll get anything to market by the end of 2009, the potential for a Sony Android phone is very exciting.

The first handset will be a high end product, according to the Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog, and it will be followed by more affordable mass-market products. The company will continue to make Symbian and Windows Mobile phones as well. We're sure to hear more later this year.

Archos

While most of the focus will understandably be on the phone handset market, Android's capabilities will make it a good fit for a number of other applications - some of them very exciting indeed.

Archos is implementing Android on an "Internet Media Tablet" - bigger and more powerful than a phone in every way, with a 5-inch HD touchscreen, digital TV recording and playback, fast processor, 500GB hard drive and a battery capable of 7 hours of video playback. With phones replacing computers in so many areas, perhaps we can expect more of these larger touchscreen devices to come out of the woodwork.

Archos is understood to be charging to market, so we can expect to see this device sometime in 2009. It will be interesting to see if its resolution, big storage and grunt will make up for its size and baffling use of spinning hard drives.

What do you think

In the next 12 months you'll be seeing a cavalcade of new Android phones, running a broad spectrum of capabilities. Some will be hugely powerful, others very affordable.

Will the Android phones combine to take a proper bite out of Apple's market share? Will the techie crowd jump on board when they see a handset that's powerful and sorted enough to raise their eyebrows? And will the mass market follow, now that the iPhone has irreversibly raised their expectations of what a phone can do?

ShakeAndSave Screen Capture for Your Phone

2009-03-16T22:52:00.001-07:00

ShakeAndSave Screen Capture for Your Phone

Shake and Save is a print screen program for windows mobile. Just shake your mobile, and the app will save the screen as image. Supported 4 image formats (.Png, .Bmp, .Gif, .Jpeg). Choose the format and start the ShakeAndSave, when you want to take the print screen, just shake the phone. Then press “Yes” to exit or “No” to continue the screens shots. Supported multiple screen shots.

Hold you phone tight. We are NOT responsible in case you drop it.

These stands for ALL the versions of ShakeAndSave.

Requirements:
- HTC Touch Diamond/Pro,HTC Touch HD or Samsung OMNIA.

Official site: http://www.extreme-apps.com
Application version: 1.1

http://rapidshare.com/files/209963440/SAS_11.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3889078/SAS_11.zip.html

Surplus store

2009-03-13T02:43:00.001-07:00

Surplus store

Source: nma.co.uk | Published: 12 March 2009 00:00

As all the major mobile players follow Apple's lead and ready their own mobile app stores, can developers cope with all the platforms, and is there a risk of too much of a good thing?

Since Apple's App Store was launched last July, more than 500m applications have been downloaded and it's expected to generate over £556m in its first year. Apple has jumpstarted the market and a host of other companies are trying to get a piece of the action. Network operators, handset providers and technology specialists all see mobile app stores as a way to bolster revenue. But as the opportunity to distribute mobile apps grows, what does it mean for the increasing number of brands embracing this channel to reach consumers?

While there's no limit to how brands can capitalise creatively on the opportunities to engage with consumers via rich mobile apps, ensuring they reach the right people is arguably the biggest challenge. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month, Microsoft, Nokia, Orange and Samsung all announced their own versions of online markets for apps, while stores for Google Android, BlackBerry, O2 and Palm Pre apps have also been announced or recently opened.

This land grab presents a risk, however. Speaking at MWC, Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of US operator giant AT&T Mobility, warned against too many mobile app stores creating "islands of innovation". "The success of an app is directly proportional to the number of people who can access it," he said. "This is potentially compromised if we have islands of apps. We need to get apps working across platforms, devices and operating systems."

Christian Hernandez Gallardo, head of distribution partnerships for Google, has said the number of available platforms presents a challenge for mobile app developers. "At the moment you spend a lot of resources creating many different apps; it's expensive and on top of that you have limited distribution," he told nma mobile at MWC.

The search giant is aware of the potential strain. "It's a hassle to build for 10 or 12 different platforms," said a spokesman. "Google feels it more than most because we've probably built more apps for more mobile operating systems than any other company in the world. We're acutely aware of the engineering burden that entails."

Developing several versions of an app for competing operating systems results in additional expense and resources being required. It's this age-old problem of the diversity of operating systems and handsets that's still widely perceived as the biggest obstacle when it comes to capitalising on mobile applications. From a developer's point of view, each operating system has strengths and weaknesses, such as the ability to determine the location of a device or access its phone book, which lend them to working on a particular platform.

Music-recognition service Shazam has always been keen to move onto new platforms but its CEO Andrew Fisher still cites fragmentation as a sizeable hurdle. "It takes both time and money and can lead to frustration for consumers because one beloved application is only available on certain handsets or operators," he says.

Record label Ministry of Sound has also capitalised on the opportunities to develop rich services, such as music-creation app iDrum. Head of mobile Patrick Hagenaar (pictured) agrees that the glut of stores is a major concern. "You have to make several versions, which makes it very costly and very challenging to produce a good app."

Others dismiss the concerns as avoidable if the web is used as a distribution channel. Scott Seaborn, head of mobile technologies for Ogilvy Group, denies there's any technology barrier. "It boils down to getting something on as many handsets as possible, which is easy," he says. "A decent mobile app will work on 85-90% of phones. Do one for the iPhone as well and you've got it covered."

Out of reach

With sales of next-generation smartphones forecast by Juniper to rise by 95% to more than 300m by 2013, comprising around 23% of all new mobile phones, brands need to think carefully about how to effectively tap into this growing distribution channel.

Reach is one reason why Apple has had such success. By integrating its apps with its hugely popular iTunes store, it has been able to piggyback existing traffic to drive take-up. Rival stores, which claim to have vast potential reach, can't rely on similarly huge existing traffic levels to drive usage.

Ministry of Sound is launching three more mobile apps this month and is looking at opportunities beyond the Apple App Store. But volume is key. "For us, apps are mainly a revenue generator and stores other than Apple's don't really have the numbers yet," says Hagenaar. "The iPhone had the right audience, a mass market and we only had to develop our first app for one device."

Target audience behaviour is also a crucial consideration, and at the core of the Fanta Stealth Sound System, a Java-based app that claims to run on 99% of mobile phones. It's important to think beyond the Apple ecosystem, says Prinz Pinakatt, European interactive marketing manager for Fanta brand owner Coca-Cola. "I love the Apple App Store but I'm sure only a minority of its users are Fanta consumers, because most couldn't afford an iPhone," he says. "The task is for content developers to produce something that runs on all the different platforms if you really want to reach 100% of target audience."

Fears also surround a drop-off in quality as the sector becomes crowded with further distribution channels encouraging both small and large developers to contribute apps. Anthony Diver, head of digital at marketing agency SASS, calls this threat to take-up "application clutter". "We're already seeing apps flooding the distributors, many of which have little substance or use," he says. "If this continues, finding quality functionality may become increasingly difficult and this could turn people off."

Always to hand

With mobile internet sites failing to hit the same levels of usage, apps offer a way for brands to reach consumers on the move. SASS's Diver says a mobile app appeals more to consumers because it offers flexibility, personalisation and convenience. "WAP sites are fading as people are becoming increasingly savvy to lead-generation marketing," he says. "The smartphone user is expecting sophistication and added value, not just content and limited functionality from a mobile website."

Ministry of Sound's Hagenaar agrees that mobile sites have limitations, citing its iDrum app launched late last year as a rich service that allowed iPhone users to remix more than 300 club tracks by tapping the screen to build up layers of bleeps and beats. "The mobile site is just a site, as it says, and somewhere we can sell our music," says Hagenaar. "Apps give us more freedom to do other things that link to our brand. The goal [of the iDrum] was to generate revenue, but we only want to do quality apps, so it's a good branding exercise too."

Coca-Cola's Pinakatt is clear about the benefits of a mobile app over a mobile site. "If you put something on your website, you have to pull the consumer to that site to interact with your brand. If you have an app, once it's on the user's mobile it's in their face every time they use it."

Welcome return

Being in the consumer's face isn't everything, though. The real proof of success of any marketing strategy lies in return on investment. Seaborn describes ROI on mobile apps as "terrific" and says, "If they're done right, the results are great and not price prohibitive."

A good return also depends on a brand's objectives. SASS's Tub Thumper app, the first Android drum machine and designed to demonstrate the agency's creative capabilities, achieved 32,000 downloads in 24 hours and went straight into Google's top ten downloads. Diver (pictured) says the agency "could never have reached such an extensive audience via any other channel so cost effectively and so quickly", raising brand awareness and generating a buzz which more than delivered a return.

Anthony Douglas, head of content at O2, also sees "less stark" but equally valuable returns on apps. "We do things to add value to the experience and we see apps as offering indirect value in terms of customer satisfaction," he says.

Testing the water with free applications linked to softer goals of brand awareness objectives seems to be the order of the day while the market finds its feet. The emphasis is on hearts, not wallets. Alex Reeve, UK director of Microsoft mobile communications, says this is one of the biggest trends. "Companies want to give away apps so their advertising is exposed. Much like viral video, it's a question of capturing people's imagination," he says.

Dan Rosen, head of mobile for digital agency AKQA, says the most popular apps tend to be those that prove valuable in everyday life. "Those which have spent the most time in the download charts have been apps that are useful and make users' lives easier," he says. "Google Earth and Tube Status are good examples of that."

User engagement rather than a premium revenue stream can be enough, according to mobile media agency Yodel. MD Justyn Lucas is confident this can justify investment. "The major advantage of brands offering free apps for phones is the time people are likely to spend interacting with that brand in the future," he says. "Coca-Cola's free iPhone game Spin the Coke was the most downloaded game in the UK in the week it launched."

At a time when marketing budgets are under scrutiny, mobile apps can gain valuable attention. "The brand exposure time that Coke has been receiving through use of its app far outweighs ordinary 30-second TV or radio ad exposure," says Yodel.

Android Market Announced for Android OS Applications

2009-03-13T02:41:00.001-07:00

Android Market Announced for Android OS Applications

Google has unveiled Android Market for the first time, which is an open content distribution system for Android OS users. When available, you can find, purchase, download and install various types of content directly on your Android devices. Feedback and rating system will be created too.

Similar to the iPhone App store, the Android Market will combines both free and paid applications. The first available version of Android Market in the upcoming Android phones will contain free applications. Paid Android applications will be available after the initial launches via an software update. No words on profit sharing detail between the Android developers and Google at the mean time.

According to the blog post

Developers can expect the first handsets to be enabled with a beta version of Android Market. Some decisions are still being made, but at a minimum you can expect support for free (unpaid) applications. Soon after launch an update will be provided that supports download of paid content and more features such as versioning, multiple device profile support, analytics, etc. Below are some screenshots that illustrate some of the security features and workflow.

Android Market turns on paid-for apps

2009-03-13T02:40:00.001-07:00

Android Market turns on paid-for apps

Online store now open to UK users

Users of the T-Mobile G1 handset in the UK now have access to paid-for applications from Google's Android Market, which should lead to a broader choice of software.

Developers can now set prices for customers to download and use applications from Android Market, the online store for Google's Android smartphone platform. Previously, only free-to-download applications were available in this country.

Android Market started accepting priced applications from US and UK developers in February, but these were available only to US customers.

One of the first paid-for applications to go live is a video game, Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile.

Richard Warmsley, T-Mobile's head of internet and entertainment, said that the openness of Android made it easy for developers to put an application onto Android Market.

"For a T-Mobile G1 customer, this means more choice, and some very exciting ideas coming to life from all over the world," he said.

T-Mobile's G1 handset, available since last December, is currently the only Android smartphone shipping in the UK. However, Vodafone recently announced plans to release the HTC Magic handset in April.

Google also announced an updated version of the Android platform earlier this week. Version 1.1 adds a few user interface features and a number of fixes, according to a blog post.

The update was delivered to T-Mobile G1 users a few weeks ago, while developers can now download a compatible developer kit for the Android Dev Phone.

PocketBreeze Agenda Manager

2009-03-09T01:54:00.001-07:00

PocketBreeze Agenda Manager

Manage your busy agenda using the all new PocketBreeze, placing your important agenda information directly on your Today screen wrapped with a stylish design that will guarantee a dramatic improvement in your daily productivity!

PocketBreeze is a tab-based Today screen plugin featuring tabs for: Calendar, Tasks, Notes, Contacts, Messages and Special Events. PocketBreeze brings your most important information directly to your Today screen, making sure you’ll never miss an upcoming appointment again! Designed especially for use with mobile devices featuring complete one-hand navigation, modify/create items with intuitive operations, QWERTY keyboard device support, square screen support and much more!

Official site: http://www.sbsh.net
Application version: 5.5

http://rapidshare.com/files/206850754/PcktBrze_55.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3785971/PcktBrze_55.zip.html

Spb Traveler for Windows Mobile

2009-03-02T02:39:00.001-08:00

Spb Traveler for Windows Mobile

Spb Traveler is a mobile travel assistant application that helps to keep track of trips, stay on top of meetings even when abroad. Spb Traveler provides travelers with world time and global weather forecasts, with must-have travel tools such as flight search, currency, unit, time and clothing size converters, tip calculator, phrase book, a 3D globe, and even a geographical game for fun self education.

Compatibility:

Windows Mobile 5 Phone Edition
Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC
Windows Mobile 6 Classic
Windows Mobile 6 Professional
Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic
Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

Official site: http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com
Application version: 2.0.2 Build 2232

http://rapidshare.com/files/204083278/SPBTVLR_202.zip
http://www.ziddu.com/download/3690029/SPBTVLR_202.zip.html

Ten iPhone apps that didn't make the App Store

2009-02-27T07:33:00.001-08:00

Ten iPhone apps that didn't make the App Store

Apple has irked more than a few iPhone app developers by rejecting their creations for inclusion in the App Store, sometimes for reasons that seem to have little sense. The company won’t reveal much about its mysterious and often seemingly-arbitrary process (representatives didn’t respond to multiple requests to comment on this story), but we had no problem tracking down developers whose apps had been snubbed.

So cue the 2 Live Crew, smart-phone fanatics: We’re delving into 11 iPhone apps banned in the U.S.A. and beyond.

1. Obama Trampoline

Swamiware’s Obama Trampoline game, rejected by Apple this month, lets you place one of 18 politicians onto a giant trampoline, then use his or her body to pop balloons floating across the screen. Barack Obama, John McCain, and other politicians from both parties were among the character choices.

“It’s cartoony,” says Swamiware President and CEO Patrick Alphonso, hoping to deflate any implications of disrespect. “It’s a game.”

Apple, of course, didn’t see the fun, and the game didn’t get in. Swamiware is now working on retooling Trampoline for another try, but the guesswork is leaving its team less than elated.

“We spent a lot of time and money on this product,” Alphonso says. “It sucks to develop an app and get it rejected for reasons that you weren’t aware of.”

2. MyShoe

The journalist who chucked his shoe at President George W. Bush missed his mark, and so too did an iPhone game based on the now-infamous incident. MyShoe, conceived by a Pakistan-based programmer, turned the iPhone’s accelerometer into an apparatus for imaginary footwear-flinging.

The developer has been quoted as saying the game also let you take aim at Bin Laden and other public figures. Even so, it appears that Apple wanted to dodge the controversy, with its reviewers citing the App Store’s rule against “ridiculing public figures” and flinging this idea right into the trash.

3. I Am Poor

You probably remember the ill-fated (and, most would say, ill-inspired) I Am Rich application. The $1,000 function-free program—all it did was place a silly, shiny icon on your screen—got snubbed out just days after its debut. Grabbing less attention, though, was the far more affordable alternative, I Am Poor.

“It was the poor man’s I Am Rich,” explains developer Hardy Macia of Catamount Software, perhaps better known for its Prohibition 2: The Dope Wars game, also rejected by the App Store.

Priced at 99 cents, I Am Poor placed images of ramen noodles, tuna, and mac-and-cheese onto your humble home screen. Apple, however, didn’t find the idea appetizing and slapped a “no user functionality” stamp on it.

“Their policies and approval are shrouded in mystery,” Macia says. “Whenever an app is submitted, it seems like playing Russian roulette.”

4. The South Park App

If anyone’s accustomed to battling censorship, it’s South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The same guys who made The Guinness Book of World Records for squeezing 399 cuss words into a single movie have just given up their fight to get into the App Store.

“After a couple of attempts to get the application approved, we are sad to say that our app has been rejected,” the duo explains. “According to Apple, the content was ‘potentially offensive.’” The app would have allowed iPhone users to access episode clips, read South Park news, and grab wallpaper and other South Park-related downloadables. Some of this content, we gather, contains some R-rated words or concepts. But then again so do the South Park episodes Apple already sells in its iTunes store.

One glimmer of hope for anyone waiting on a mobile Mr. Hankey: Parker and Stone say that Apple told them its standards could “evolve” over time. Hey, maybe by the year 2014, images acceptable on cable television will be allowed on mobile devices, too. Maybe.

5. Pull My Finger

Another app found to be full of hot air was Air-O-Matic’s Pull My Finger—you know, the adolescent-aimed emulator of flatulent tones. (That’s the technical description, anyway). When Apple first caught wind of the concept, it said no thanks. Right away, the app’s originators sensed something didn’t smell right.

“Their reasons for banning us really didn’t add up,” says developer Sam Magdalein.

Apple initially said Pull My Finger had “limited utility,” Magdalein remembers, then went on to explain that it might offend some of the iPhone’s more sophisticated overseas shoppers.

“After that, they pretty much stopped talking to us or returning e-mail and voicemail,” Magdalein recalls.

A month later, Apple reconsidered. A rep told Magdalein inspectors had been caught off-guard with this “genre” of apps and had needed to carefully consider which submissions should be approved. Pull My Finger was in, then, and it didn’t take long for the app to propel its way into the store’s list of bestselling items.

6. iBoobs

While a bodily function ended up getting approval, a bodily bounce did not. We’re talking, of course, about iBoobs—the breast application Mystic Game Development ever created. (You can see a video demo here, if you’re into that sort of thing.) The app lets you interactively jiggle a particular part of the female anatomy. Unfortunately, the only thing shaking on Apple’s reviewer was his head. The program featured “inappropriate sexual content,” Apple said, along with “obscene, pornographic, offensive, or defamatory content.”

“Watching an episode of Baywatch on TV shows a lot more than iBoobs,” counters MGD Development Director John van der Burg. “Besides that, iBoobs is just a 3-D model and not even real,” he says.

Van der Burg’s biggest beef was not being able to know in advance if the idea would fly. Had Apple answered his predevelopment inquiries, he says, it would have saved everybody some time.

7. Slasher

The same “offensive content” tag slashed Slasher’s chances at App Store success. The simple program was cut from the catalog just one day after it was approved.

“In a word, I was upset,” says Josef Wankerl, the app’s creator. “I tried contacting Apple to see if there was any way to resolve their concerns, but they never answered my e-mail.”

The seeming lack of consistency is what really twists the knife in Wankerl’s side: Apps with comparable violence, he notes—such as one in which you use a broken beer bottle as a weapon—have been allowed into the store. Slasher, which only showed an image of a kitchen knife and sounded a scream when you shook it, was not.

8. Murderdrome

Non-kid-friendly content has been a contentious issue for Apple since the App Store’s earliest days. Comic creator PJ Holden was one of the first to find this out when his Murderdrome digital comic was deemed too hot for the iPhone.

“Aside from a few random voices suggesting that the material deserved to be banned, most people took the same reasonable view we did,” Holden says. “Apple should really extend their ratings system for games onto the other applications that the App Store has.”

Holden has since used the engine built for the Murderdrome app to create more family-oriented comic applications. Still, he believes Apple isn’t painting a picture of fairness with its current system—and that, he says, may be keeping talented artists from bringing their work into its platform.

“Apple’s ‘reasonable judgment’ seems to depend largely on an individual reviewer’s judgment rather than any simple-to-gauge metric,” he says.

9. Podcaster

Sometimes, a rejection is issued for a simple reason: Apple doesn’t want you competing with its own offerings. That’s the exact scenario developer Alex Sokirynsky found himself in with his highly anticipated Podcaster application. Apple told Sokirynsky the app was too similar to iTunes and wasn’t welcome on its virtual shelves.

“Although my app does allow you to listen to podcasts like iTunes, it also allows you to download them directly to device, and that is something Apple does not offer,” Sokirynsky points out.

Sokirynsky ended up distributing his app to jailbroken phones via a backdoor distribution system. He also created a scaled-down version of the program called RssPlayer that got the App Store green light in late January.

10. Freedom Time

E ver wonder what Steve Jobs would have said about all the recent rebuffing? One developer did, and he decided to ask. Apple put the kibosh on Alec Vance’s presidential countdown clock, Freedom Time, before the counting ever kicked off. Inspectors said that the app—designed to tick down the final moments of the outgoing administration—defamed or demeaned political figures.

“Defamation means making an untrue claim about someone in order to hurt their public standing,” Vance wrote in a blog posting at the time. “This app makes no untrue claims whatsoever.”

Vance went on to e-mail Jobs directly to express his concerns. A day later, he says, he received the following response: “Even though my personal political leanings are Democratic, I think this app will be offensive to roughly half our customers. What’s the point?”

Vance got his answer, then, but he’s one of many developers who feels it came a little too late. “By the time you get rejected, you’ve already wasted all the development time and expense,” he says, “and there’s no recourse to get [the application] accepted.”

Propelled by bans of high-profile apps like NetShare and MailWrangler, a movement has been growing within the developer community to persuade Apple to use a more open and transparent application process for new iPhone apps. One programmer has suggested appointing an “App Store evangelist” who would coordinate with developers. Others have asked for a pre-approval process that could provide a tentative “yes” or “no” before any major investments are made.

CapSure Screen Capture App for Windows Mobile

2009-02-18T09:21:00.001-08:00

CapSure Screen Capture App for Windows Mobile

CapSure is a better screen capture application for Windows Mobile. It supports screen captures in BMP, GIF, JPG formats.

Features:

Supports screen captures in BMP*, GIF*, JPG, PNG formats (*not on all devices)
Add captions to screen captures
Obscure sensitive information in screen captures
Choose the saved image file name
4 Capture options
1. Screen - Capture active app
2. From task list - Capture a specific app from task list
3. Timed - capture screen after time interval
4. Repeat - Repeat any of the above captures with user-selected interval and user-selected max captures
Command line options (separated by spaces)
1. quick - take one capture
2. shoot - run captures according to above settings
3. silent - in combination with one of the above closes app after capture(s)
Example: Capture the screen without showing the CapSure window. CapSure.exe silent quick

Requirements:

Windows Mobile 2003
Windows Mobile 5.0
Windows Mobile 6 Professional
.NET CF 2.0
Uses ~175 kb storage and ~1.2 mb memory

Official site: N/A
Application version: 1.11g

Download here

SpaceTime 3 Math Calculator for Windows Mobile

2009-02-16T00:35:00.001-08:00

SpaceTime 3 Math Calculator for Windows Mobile

SpaceTime 3.0 by SpaceTime Mathematics is a revolution in mathematics software with 2D, 3D, and 4D graphing with MobileCAS® Technology for computer algebra and calculus. Explore mathematical concepts in an innovative interface with interactive tutorials that teach you how to plot graphs, solve equations, and write your own scripts in our new powerful programming language.

From the high school student to the professional engineer, SpaceTime 3.0 allows you to explore mathematical concepts in an easy-to-use interface with helpful tutorials that show you how to plot graphs, calculate equations, and solve formulas in seconds. SpaceTime turns monochrome math into full color, real-time art.

Official site: http://www.spacetime.us
Application version: 3.0 update 9-2

http://rapidshare.com/files/180371027/Spcetme_392.rar

Firefox Mobile browser Fennec released as pre-alpha test for HTC Touch Pro

2009-02-11T19:16:00.001-08:00

Firefox Mobile browser Fennec released as pre-alpha test for HTC Touch Pro

Mozilla's Firefox Mobile web browser, codenamed Fennec, is now available for download for Windows Mobile powered HTC Touch Pro devices. This pre-alpha release is intended to entice early adopters who can provide feedback and bug reports. The initial release of Fennec is limited to the HTC Touch Pro, relying on the device's VGA screen, control layout, and hardware keyboard.

Mozilla's Brad Lassey said that in a hurry to reach the milestone release, automatic updates and plug-in support are disabled. Also, users will have to slide out the keyboard to enter text as soft-keyboard support is not yet available. Users can download the installation file to their device or install it using ActiveSync.

HTC Touch Cruise gets makeover, debuts with new Footprints software

2009-02-11T19:13:00.001-08:00

HTC Touch Cruise gets makeover, debuts with new Footprints software

The new HTC Touch Cruise

(Credit: HTC)

On Thursday, HTC revealed a revamped version of its HTC Touch Cruise smartphone, complete with an updated look and souped-up geotagging software called HTC Footprints.

The new Touch Cruise replaces the original model, which debuted in January 2008, and expands on the capabilities of the GPS-centric smartphone with HTC Footprints. The application not only lets you geotag photos that you take using the device's 3.2-megapixel camera, but you can also add notes and audio clips to these digital "postcards."

In addition, Footprints will automatically name each postcard with its general location or area, so you have all the information as you flip through the images at a later time. The HTC Touch Cruise can be used as an in-car navigation system as well and comes with a car cradle that allows for turn-by-turn directions.

Other goodies on the Windows Mobile 6.1 device include a 2.8-inch QVGA touch screen with HTC's TouchFlo interface, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and a slimmer, sleeker design. HTC said it will bring an unlocked version of the smartphone to the United States that will support our 850/1900 HSDPA bands (that's AT&T's 3G bands, FYI). Expected ship date for the HTC Touch Cruise, here in the States and globally, is this spring for an unlocked price of $500 to $600.

HTC Touch Cruise 09 (HTC Iolite)

2009-02-11T19:11:00.001-08:00

HTC Touch Cruise 09 (HTC Iolite)

Expected Spring 2009
22nd January 2009

It's one of the oddest sounding phones that we know of: the HTC Touch Cruise 09. This is the second phone in HTC's line-up to feature the "Touch Cruise" name, the original version (perhaps it should be called the HTC Touch Cruise 07?) was a clunky looking device, but the Touch Cruise 09 is significantly sleeker and more elegant.

Mobile Gazette readers may recognise the Touch Cruise 09 as O2 announced it late last year under the name O2 XDA Guide. This particular phone is also known as the HTC Iolite, which was its codename during development.

What we have here is a compact Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone with a 2.8" 240 x 320 pixel touch-sensitive display, HSDPA and UMTS support with a maximum download speed of 7.2 Mbps, WiFi, built-in GPS, a 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD expandable memory and Bluetooth.

The "Cruise" part of the name relates to the phone's A-GPS receiver. Although you can use the Touch Cruise 09 with your favourite personal navigation software, it also comes with something called "HTC Footprints". Footprints works by allowing users to take a "digital postcard" comprising of a photograph, audio clips and accompanying text which is then geo-tagged with the location. Not only does the geo-tagging include the GPS coordinates, but the Touch Cruise 09 also looks up the name of the location and stores it.

The GPS unit can then trace your way back to when the postcard was saved, which is something that seems to be unique to HTC Footprints. Another interesting feature is that the geo-tagging works indoors as well as outdoors, which other devices struggle to manage.

Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional comes with all the usual software that you would expect, plus HTC's TouchFLO interface which makes it a much nicer experience.

Considering how much technology is in the Touch Cruise 09, the phone itself it a relatively lightweight handset weighing just 103 grams. Inside is a 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor with a useful 256 MB RAM. Talktime is a maximum of 6 hours with up to 14 days standby time.

HTC say that the Touch Cruise 09 should be available sometime during the Northern Hemisphere's spring. Bearing in mind that the O2 version of this is due in February, we suspect that the HTC version may be out in early March.

HTC Dream is the first HTC-branded Android phone

2009-02-08T21:19:00.001-08:00

HTC Dream is the first HTC-branded Android phone

HTC have just announced their new HTC Dream, an HTC-branded clone of T-Mobile G1. HTC Dream will be targeted at Asia and Australia exclusively thus becoming the first Android handset Down Under (sorry, Kogan).

In an obvious attempt to stay out of the way of T-Mobile G1, HTC are releasing their Android-powered HTC Dream only in Asia and Australia. Customers of SingTel and their Australian subsidiary, Optus, should soon be able to get their hands on the HTC Android device.

HTC Dream will be available in Asia and Australia

We can't really say anything new about the HTC Dream specs - it's identical to T-Mobile G1. You get a 3.2 megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch slide-out touchscreen plus a full QWERTY keyboard. There's Wi-Fi and GPS on board and you can rely on HSDPA for fast cellular data transfers.

All the Google goodies such as Gmail, YouTube, Maps with Street View and full wireless PIM syncing are included as well just as with the initially released T-Mobile G1.

There's no word of a white colored Dream, which is strange since we're hearing "white" is the new "black" in Asia.

Pricing and availability for the HTC Dream in SingTel networks will be announced later on, while Optus Australia will offer the device from 16 February 2009.

Optus Post-Paid customers will be able to purchase the HTC Dream on one of four new monthly plans starting from $59 AUD per month, plus handset costs.

You can get more info about the Optus plans here.

Google Latitude: An In-Depth Look

2009-02-06T23:37:00.001-08:00

Google Latitude: An In-Depth Look

This Wednesday, Google launched its much-anticipated location-tracking service, Latitude, which uses the GPS hardware found in smart phones (such as Google Android phones and BlackBerry and Windows Mobile handsets) to pinpoint your position on a map and share that information with your friends. I've been playing with the software on my BlackBerry for a couple of days, and I've taken the time to explore its features. Here's a guided tour of the Latitude experience.

Web Registration

If you already have a Google Account, you can get started simply by adding Latitude to your iGoogle page on the Web. If you take this approach, you can use your full keyboard and mouse to populate your Friends list. Alternatively, you can browse to google.com/latitude on your smart phone and download the latest version of the Google Mobile app, which has Latitude functionality built in. Once it's on your phone, you can log in and get started.

Add Friends

Before Latitude can do you much good or harm, you'll need to add some friends with whom you'd like to share your location. Gmail users already have a heavily populated contact list to select from, but you also have the option to enter e-mail addresses manually.

Once you've added some friends, their avatars will appear on your map. You'll also be able to see how long ago they last updated their location, either by clicking their avatar in the map view or by looking at their listing in your Friends list. If your friends haven't entered a location for themselves and haven't enabled GPS tracking on their smart phones, you'll just see 'Unknown Location' by their names. In some cases, you'll also see a tiny icon that looks like an eyeball with a slash through it. You might think that this means your friend has chosen to hide his or her location from you, but it actually means the opposite: The friend can't see your location. In this case, you'll need to select that friend and enable the level of location sharing you want to confer.

Privacy

You have three options for sharing your location: You can have Latitude detect your location to the best of its ability and automatically share it; you can set your location manually by entering an address or city; or you can hide your location entirely. You select the option you want in the oddly named Privacy menu. I think that a better label would be Location Sharing, which describes what actually happens here.

This menu sets your sharing preferences universally for all of your friends. If you like, however, you can change your sharing options for each friend individually. More on this later.

Because you can enter any address you want when you set your location, it's very easy to spoof your position with Latitude. For instance, I'm toying with the idea of telling my friends that I'm in Timbuktu, Mali, because I want them to think I'm a hip jet-setter with a taste for exotic locales. (Sure, it's a stretch, but some of my friends are pretty gullible.)

Mobile Latitude

Unless all you want to do is track where your friends are all the time--which sounds sort of creepy, if you ask me--you'll probably spend a lot of time using Latitude's mobile interface. The interface varies a bit, depending on the device you're using it on, but this walkthrough of the screens on my BlackBerry Curve will give you a good sense of what it's like.

Google Mobile & Maps

On the BlackBerry, Latitude lives in the Google Mobile App, which you can download by browsing to www.google.com/mobile on you device. Even if you already have Google Mobile and Google Maps on your BlackBerry, you must download the latest version to get the Latitude features.

In Google Mobile, select Maps from the menu. If you have an older version of Maps on your phone, you'll be prompted to download an update now.

Initially, Latitude won't be enabled on your phone. Hit your menu button and then select Latitude to enable it. You'll need to enter your Google account user name and password, but afterward you'll have access to the features I discussed earlier in the Web interface section.

Mobile Friends List

The Friends list in the mobile version is just like the Friends list on the Web, except that it's slightly truncated because of the smaller screen. Instead of sitting off to the left of the map window, it hovers over the map, so you can't see what everyone's doing while you're looking at their position.

To add a new friend, click Press menu to add friends at the top of the Friends menu; you'll be taken to a screen that gives you access to all of the same contact list options that you had on the Web, including the option to enter new addresses manually. The Most Contacted option is quite helpful in this context, because it saves you from having to scroll through the names of hundreds of people you don't want to track or share your location with.

Friend Options

To customize the options for a given friend, highlight the person's name in the Friends list, and then press Enter to bring up the person's Options menu. Here you can get directions to the friend's current location (which could be unhelpful in light of possible spoofing), search for things near that location, adjust the level of sharing you'd like to enable for the friend, or dump the person from your Latitude tracking group.

Satellite and Traffic Views

Because it's built on Google Maps, Latitude has all of the same traffic reporting and satellite views you're accustomed to working with on your phone. Simply enable these options in your menu to see the corresponding details on your maps.

The Traffic view is especially cool when you want to see whether a friend you've arranged to meet will be on time. Just look for any red lines between that person's location and yours; such lines signify traffic delays. If the roads are all green, the friend will have no excuse for being tardy.

Quirks and Issues

Latitude is a brand-new service, and it's not without issues. But it's difficult for me to tell how many of these issues are the software's fault and how many are the result of the phone's underpowered GPS hardware. Mobile phones have long suffered from inaccurate GPS readings, resulting in all kinds of headaches with turn-by-turn directions and other basic location features.

It's not surprising, then, that Latitude often reports strange and inconsistent locations for its users. In my case, it generally showed my friends that I was several blocks--and sometimes several miles--from my actual position. Furthermore, it often bounced me around from one second to the next, showing me at my house one second, five blocks east the next, and then in a field a mile to the west a few seconds after that.

So while Latitude is an impressive little tool for keeping in touch with your friends, coworkers, and employees in real time, it's not exactly reliable if you're hoping to track them down to within a city block. Of course, anyone who is worried about privacy probably won't mind these little discrepancies at all.

Google pushes e-books onto iPhone, Android devices

2009-02-06T23:31:00.001-08:00

Google pushes e-books onto iPhone, Android devices

Get out your glasses and start reading Shakespeare or Poe on your Apple iPhone

Google Inc. today released a mobile version of its Google Book Search, which means iPhone or Android phone users will be able to read Mark Twain or Jane Austen on the train or in the park.

The question, according to analysts, is will they want to.

"Even with people with younger eyes than mine, I see few people really reading on their iPhone," said Gordon Haff, an analyst at Illuminata Inc. "Google has a rather longtime horizon with this. On a mobile phone, this is almost a technical pilot because I don't see mainstream audiences reading Shakespeare on their iPhone."

Members of the Google Book Search Mobile Team announced in a blog on Thursday that Google's collection of 1.5 million mobile public domain books in the U.S. are now available on the iPhone and Android. The books were already available for desktop and laptops via Google Book Search, but the new mobile editions are optimized to be read on a small screen, they added.

The team also noted that the mobile application uses optical character recognition (OCR) techniques.

"The extraction of text from page images is a difficult engineering task," wrote the team members. "Smudges on the physical books' pages, fancy fonts, old fonts, torn pages, etc., can all lead to errors in the extracted text. Imperfect OCR is only the first challenge in the ultimate goal of moving from collections of page images to extracted text-based books. The technical challenges are daunting, but we'll continue to make enhancements to our OCR and book-structure extraction technologies. With this launch, we believe that we've taken an important step toward more universal access to books."

John Byrne, an analyst at Technology Business Research Inc., said that he found, after trying out the application today, that the new mobile Book Search application requires a lot of scrolling -- something he wasn't totally comfortable with.

"And right now, it's only offered for books that are in the public domain," he added. "In effect, they don't currently have a mechanism for you to buy the latest John Grisham novel. That's something that Kindle will be quicker out of the gate [with] when they introduce the mobile version of Kindle. But, longer term, you can expect to see that sort of mechanism in place."

Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group Inc., noted that he's seeing a lot of people using Amazon's Kindle, so there's a growing market for e-books and e-readers.

"It's a smart move for Google to continue to expand the range and flexibility of the mobile devices that run their software, no question about that," he added. "But the next step is getting something in place so users can access what they really want -- current books, magazines, newspapers, etc. This can be done either by Google or by third parties, but it is essential that it happens if they want to have a true competitive advantage and become a product that moves across markets."

And both Byrne and Olds noted that Google needs to figure out a way to make current book releases available.

"For this new feature to be compelling to users and drive sales, someone will need to address the issue of getting more and better content," said Olds. "Reading Silas Marner on a plane will just make the plane ride longer."

Google phones to go on sale soon in Australia, Singapore

2009-02-06T23:25:00.001-08:00

Google phones to go on sale soon in Australia, Singapore

The first smartphones in Australia and Singapore to be armed with Google's Android mobile OS and software were unveiled on Thursday.

High Tech Computer (HTC) of Taiwan, which developed the first handset for Android, launched its 'Dream' smartphone with Singapore Telecommunications. SingTel is the largest mobile phone service provider in Singapore and owns Optus, which will offer the smartphones in Australia.

The first version of the Dream was announced last September by T-Mobile in the U.S., in tandem with Google and HTC. T-Mobile calls it the G1.

Singaporeans will have to wait a bit longer. SingTel said pricing and availability of the handsets will be announced at a later date.

The HTC Dream has a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3.2-megapixel camera, and can handle flash memory cards up to 8GB. The smartphone includes a host of software developed around the Android OS and platform and is aimed at people who want to surf the Internet via their handset. The device and software are designed to work well with Google offerings such as Google Maps and Street View, as well as other applications.

The smartphones work on 3G mobile networks and can also access the Internet wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

HTC Dream: hands-on with the Google Android-based phone

2009-02-06T06:15:00.001-08:00

HTC Dream: hands-on with the Google Android-based phone

The HTC Dream

Following the Australian launch of the Android-based HTC Dream mobile phone, we were lucky enough to get our hands on a review unit of this long-awaited device this morning.

You are probably already waiting for the question: is this better than the iPhone? Well, having only had a few hours to play with it, we can't provide that answer yet. We can, however, give you our initial impressions of the Dream — and the good news is, they are largely positive.

The Dream looks and feels much better when it is in your hands than it does on any of HTC's promotional images. Although it is not as stylish or sleek as the iPhone, the Dream is not as chunky or bland-looking as we initially thought it would be. The soft, matte black finish gives a look of sophistication and although it is quite large, you have to consider that it packs in a full slide-open QWERTY keyboard.

One thing we definitely do not like is the angled bottom of the handset, which houses the controls and trackball. Although it brings the microphone closer to your mouth when you hold the handset to your ear, it interferes with your right hand while typing. The keyboard is excellent; however, its design means makes it almost impossible to type one-handed. There is also no on-screen keyboard, so you have to flip open the screen each time you need enter text. Pleasingly, this will be corrected in the near future by way of Android's "Cupcake" software update.

The touch-screen interface is responsive and the home screen is eye-catching and well designed. The graphics are rather cartoon-like — this may not be everyone's cup of tea. Strangely, the home screen is limited to three panels and you can't customise your own widgets — yet. You can however move any icon from the main menu onto the home screen, simply by pressing and dragging it.

Perhaps the best part of the interface is the notification and status bar. On the right you get a clock, and the regular icons like battery meter, reception indicator and connectivity status such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. On the left, you get notification icons for most applications including new e-mails and SMS alerts, voicemails and calendar reminders. But the best part is tapping the status bar and dragging it downwards to reveal a full screen of your latest notifications. These remain here with full details until you clear them. This drop down screen is available wherever you see the status bar. We've only played with the handset for a few hours, but already that’s enough to declare it by far the best notification system we've seen on a mobile phone.

Of course, there are many things we don’t like. The Dream does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, does not offer A2DP Bluetooth and, from our limited use, the regular e-mail client (not Gmail) is lacking some very basic features, such as the ability to mark and delete multiple e-mails. The Dream doesn’t support Microsoft Exchange, either. There is no video recording function (although an app can be downloaded from the Android Market), the accelerometer only works when you open the screen, and the phone lacks multi-touch, meaning you cant pinch the screen to zoom in and out as you can do on the iPhone 3G. Keep in mind, though, that some of these issues will be corrected in the Cupcake software update, which HTC yesterday confirmed will be pushed to the Dream as soon as it is made available.

Be sure to check back next week when we publish a comprehensive review of the HTC Dream.

Resco Contact Manager for Windows Mobile

2009-02-06T02:18:00.001-08:00

Resco Contact Manager for Windows Mobile

Manages your contacts in a fast and pleasant way

Resco Contact Manager is fully touch-optimized while offering superior tools in order to manage one’s contacts. The application allows you to easily navigate, search quickly by letter navigation, view text message conversations in a chat-like view and much more.

Full Touch Optimization
Navigate through your list of contacts easily using your finger

Letter Bar Navigation
Features the letter preview of the contacts you would like to access

Threaded Text Messaging
Very handy chat-like ordering of text messages

Quick search using keypad
Instantly filters contacts by typing in the starting letters

Screenshots:

Official site: http://www.resco.net
Application version: 0.90 BETA

Note: It’s a free beta version

DOWNLOAD HERE !!!

Resco Photo Viewer Pro for Windows Mobile

2009-01-26T02:05:00.001-08:00

Resco Photo Viewer Pro for Windows Mobile

Resco Photo Viewer, the favorite image viewing application has just made storing photo albums and editing pictures easier and more enjoyable.

The Professional Edition has been specially designed for people working as photographers, journalists or anywhere else in the media where they need such a tool handy at all times.

Key Features:

Easy browsing
Browse through pictures in folders in a way you are used to it!

Slideshow
Impress your clients, colleagues or friends with a slide-show presentation!

Beyond standard editing tools!
Set as wallpaper, make notes or drawings, adjust the contrast, brightness …

Uploading to Flickr.com
Share your pictures with your loved ones just seconds after you take them!

Video and animation preview
Animated picture or even a video? No problem!

Add to contact
An easy way to add enhanced and cropped photos to your contacts!

Requirements:
- Windows Mobile 5
- Windows Mobile 6

Official site: http://www.resco.net
Application version: 6.33

Download Here

Spb Online for Windows Mobile

2009-01-26T02:00:00.001-08:00

Spb Online for Windows Mobile

SPb online combined mobile TV, radio, news, weather, online games and on-device catalog in one application with breakthrough usability optimized for windows mobile pocket pc.

IP-TV with usability optimized for mobile devices

Fast channel switching
Picture-in-picture
Integrated TV guide
On-screen controls

Hundreds of radio stations

Finger friendly interface
Built in radio stations catalog
Real time radio streaming

On-device catalog

All content for user’s smartphone in one place
Payment system integrated with Mobile Operator billing
Automatic program downloading and activating
Integrated download manager
Smart caching
“One-click” purchasing

Casual multiplayer online games

Play with real people
Easy to play casual games
No configuration - just play
Checkers, Hexagon, and Reversi as default games
Download more games from online catalog

Full text news on your device

Offline reading with pictures
Article thumbnails
Catalog of 500+ best news channels
Full RSS, Atom support

Detailed weather forecast for multiple cities

5 days weather forecast
Up to 10 cities
Detailed morning/day/evening information

Requirements:
- Windows Mobile 5
- Windows Mobile 6

Official site: http://beta.spbsoftwarehouse.com
Application version: 1.2
Status: not test yet

Download here

MASPware GuardMobile for Windows Mobile

2009-01-26T01:55:00.001-08:00

MASPware GuardMobile for Windows Mobile

MASPware GuardMobile is a security and control system for Windows Mobile devices. Its a silent, hidden program, which (e.g. after a thievery) executes commands remotely initiated by the device owner.

Protect your device and data! Even after a thievery and even after a sim-card change!

Here an application example:

Imaging, your cellular windows mobile device has been stolen. What can you do now?

You can initiate an alarm and lock the device
You can locate your device (GPS receiver is required)
If your stolen device contains top secret data, you can do a hardreset remotely to erase all data! (Use carfully!)
You can initiate a callback to overhear the thief

How does GuardMobile work?

The device owner installs and configures GuardMobile. He sets an arbitrary device PIN and adds cellular numbers, which can control this device, to totally prevent abuse. After activation, the program stays “silently” in background until its asked to do some action. When GuardMobile is active and “exited”, it does not use any program memory (only a few bytes) or cpu power! It is “sleeping” until it is asked to do some action (via SMS).

Since every device supports SMS nowadays, the whole communication is done via SMS, which means you can control your device using any other cellular phone (no Windows Mobile required!). No internet access is necessary. The device replies all actions with a confirmation SMS.

Features:

Very tiny, fast and “silent” program
integrated client application to control other devices
runs hidden in the background. It even survives softresets.
it can be removed completely by the device owner
uninstall protection
hidden file system
infocard (PDF) for printing (all commands for your pocket)
device localization (incl. instant map view!)
GSM cell id request
activation/deactivation of screenlock
activation/deactivation keylock
alarm (loud beeps and vibration) activation/deactivation
initiate callback
initiate soft/hardreset (please use with caution!)
Notification on sim-card change
Fail log enabled
Presets for clients (faster access)

Requirements:
- Windows Mobile 5
- Windows Mobile 6

Official site: http://www.maspware.com
Application version: 1.09.3292

Download Here

Las Vegas Nights: Temptations in the City by GameLoft

2009-01-26T01:53:00.001-08:00

Las Vegas Nights: Temptations in the City by GameLoft

Live it up in the city of temptations: non-stop partying, get-togethers, and money galore!

Cruise down the famous Strip with your pockets full of cash, spend fortunes in the most famous casinos, sprawl out in the most incredible suites, enter the city’s hottest clubs, and flirt with the most glamorous stars before it’s your turn to become the king or queen of the city. Once Las Vegas Nights: Temptations in the City is downloaded onto your mobile phone, all this will be within your reach! But hold on… Glory and wealth have to be earned. It’s up to you to work (honestly or not!) and meet the right people who can help you achieve your dreams.

Features (may vary by handset):

The latest installment of the Night series, the benchmark of mobile social simulation games.
The funniest, quirkiest game of the genre, with hilarious situations, scenarios, and dialogs.
A feeling of freedom unmatched on mobile: open settings, maximum interactivity with individuals and surroundings, limitless avatar customization.
Memorable characters: meet celebrities, local look-alikes, or gangsters!
Various fun mini-games: singing, poker, flyer distribution, dance, blackjack, etc.
Crazy missions typical of Vegas: work for the mafia, become a dancer or casino manager!

Requirement:
- Java Mobile

Official site: http://www.gameloft.com
Application version: 1.0

Download Here
Or Download Here

Spb Phone Suite for Windows Mobile, for your HTC Windows Mobile

2009-01-26T01:50:00.001-08:00

Spb Phone Suite for Windows Mobile for your HTC Windows Mobile

Spb Phone Suite is a collection of all phone features you missed in Windows Mobile. These are features like profiles, call filtering, missed call notifications, reject and reply with SMS, etc.

Features:

Profiles
Missed call notifications
Unread SMS notifications
Call filtering
Reject & reply with SMS
Photo speed dial
Photos in call log
Wireless manager
Automatic profile
Wireless settings in profiles
Customizable Today plug-in

Requirements:
- Windows Mobile 5 Phone Edition
- Windows Mobile 6 Professional

Official site: http://beta.spbsoftwarehouse.com
Application version: 1.3.1 build 1658 beta

Download here

More Games (JAR) for your HTC Phones!

2009-01-26T00:57:00.001-08:00

More Games for your HTC phones!

A huge collection of trivia facts. All the things you never wanted to know!

Download here

Attack Brain

Use logic and intelligence to solve secret color codes! 3 Online leader-boards!

Download here

3D Attack Chopper

360 degree targetting system. One thumb, smoothest gameplay ever. Full version!

Download here

Piglympics

The sporting event of the year!

Download here

GoPuzzle

An unlimited supply of slider puzzles, choose your own picture and GO!

Download here

Android-powered HTC Sapphire handset to come out in May, say sources

2009-01-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

Android-powered HTC Sapphire handset to come out in May, say sources

High Tech Computer (HTC) is expected to launch its second Android-powered handset, codenamed Sapphire, in May, according to sources familiar with the company's latest roadmap. Earlier market rumors indicated that HTC's second Android-based handset will come out in March or April.

In addition to continuing to cooperate with T-Mobile, HTC will also team up with Vodafone to jointly promote sales of the Sapphire handset, the sources indicated.

Starting the second quarter of 2009, HTC will introduce more Android-based handsets for other telecom service providers worldwide, added the sources.

Meanwhile, HTC continues to push sales of its smartphones by releasing, on January 22, its latest GPS-enabled handset, the new HTC Touch Cruise (Iolite).

The new HTC Touch Cruise is the first mobile phone to offer HTC Footprints, an application that enables people to permanently chronicle their special moments by capturing a digital postcard on their phone. Once captured, Footprints provides the ability to take notes and an audio clip detailing the location. In addition to identifying each postcard with its specific GPS co-ordinates, Footprints also auto-names each postcard with its general location or area, the company said.

The HTC Touch Cruise is also includes an in-car navigation system. When placed into its accompanying car cradle, the HTC Touch Cruise automatically transforms its user interface into a one-touch interface that provides turn-by-turn directions, the company added.

O2 will market the new HTC Touch Cruise under its O2 XDA Guide tradename, the sources indicated.

The new HTC Touch Cruise handset
Photo: Company

Android 'Cupcake' Virtual Keyboard Tested, Pictured

2009-01-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Android 'Cupcake' Virtual Keyboard Tested, Pictured

The latest development build of the Google Android OS, named Cupcake, shows a variety of tweaks and new functions (new notepad app, list of running applications) but the one we're interested is the virtual keyboard, pictured above.

Google has to get this right. The iPhone only works because of its excellent predictive text and error correction. The UI also helps let you know you got things right, with its pop-out letters. The only current Googlephone – the T-Mobile G1 – has a real physical keyboard, but if Google wants to expand Android into a proper range, it needs to make its virtual input perfect.

So, how does it do? Arron La, Android developer, gave it a go:

Because the phone does not auto-rotate (an option exists but it doesn’t work), it’s very hard to type on it. The sample keyboard also does not provide auto-corrections.

Not too good. This is, though, a development version, so things will doubtless improve. Remember: the Android OS itself went from a demo to finished product in less than a year.

Android Market swells to 800 apps

2009-01-23T08:17:00.000-08:00

Android Market swells to 800 apps

Or 5.3% of the App Store, if you like

Google has revealed that Android Market now has 800 applications available, which would be more impressive if Apple hadn't just talked about its App Store passing the 15,000 mark.

Numbers aren't everything, of course - there's genuine concern about how users are finding their way (or not) around the App Store's huge catalogue.

Plus, of course, Android Market only launched last October, and currently only allows people to distribute apps for free, rather than charge for them.

The key question, then, is whether Android Market will get a significant boost in the number of apps once Google brings in its payment model - expected to be imminently.

Meanwhile, the blogosphere is still awash with rumours of new Android handsets - including one suggesting that HTC's upcoming G2 will ditch the G1's physical keyboard.

We expect a number of new Android phones to be announced officially at Mobile World Congress next month. Naturally, we'll be there on the ground reporting on them.

News - Android Advances as T-Mobile Takes G1 To Europe

2009-01-20T18:37:00.001-08:00

Android Advances as T-Mobile Takes G1 To Europe

The Android open-source mobile platform is moving to Europe as the World Mobile Congress draws near. Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile will soon sell its G1 Android phone in several European countries, with the price set $1.33 in Germany. An analyst said all the big companies except Apple, Nokia and Research in Motion will have Android phones.

With the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona coming up next month, new developments around the Android open-source mobile platform are beginning to build expectations.

On Monday, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile announced that it will soon begin selling its G1 Android phone in several European countries. The phone has been available for the last few months only in the United States and Great Britain. The first countries on the list are the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Poland.

$1.33 in Germany

The initial response to the G1 has been very strong, with hundreds of thousands sold in the U.S. by the end of 2008. T-Mobile Chief Executive Hamid Akhavan has described the phone as the most successful ever sold in this country. According to news reports, the G1 will be offered for the subsidized price of $1.33 (EU1.03) in Germany, along with a two-year contract. In the U.S., it sells for $179 with a two-year contract.

Except for an Android phone released by a small manufacturer for the Australian market, the G1 has been the only Android device on the market. But that will soon change. Samsung, which had announced that it would bring out an Android phone, is now saying the device will come out by the second quarter of this year.

Avi Greengart, an analyst with industry research firm Current Analysis, said the list of companies intending to release Android phones is more efficiently described by citing those who won't have Androids -- Apple, Nokia and Research in Motion. "It seems that it's everybody but these three," he said.

He added that "all the biggest licensees are hedging their bets" by releasing Android products. Greengart pointed out that Microsoft and Symbian are two of the biggest potential losers if Android becomes a major platform. Given that there were no major Android announcements at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, he said "there could very well be some" next month at the Barcelona show.

Cupcake Coming

There are also reports of a major update to the Android software, code-named Cupcake. The update, whose release was expected last week but reportedly has been delayed to the end of this month, is expected to support video recording and video sharing.

The Android mobile platform was launched in late 2007 by Google, along with a consortium of other companies who endorsed the open-source platform. A large community of third-party developers has begun to create applications for Android, which can help drive sales. In addition to games and basic applications, developers are beginning to turn to more business-oriented software.

Patrick Townsend Security Solutions announced last week that its new Alliance Key Manager appliance will support security keys on the Android platform. Townsend's software is used on Windows, UNIX, Linux and other major platforms. Townsend said that it feels "business users will increasingly use the Android platform for applications requiring advanced data security."

Android's growing stature is also demonstrated by the attention given the recent announcement that Steven Horowitz, Google's engineering director for Android, is moving to Coupons as its chief technology director.

The 10 Best Android Apps of 2008

2009-01-15T00:41:00.001-08:00

The 10 Best Android Apps of 2008

Following only two months behind iPhone 2.0 (but at a significant installed-base disadvantage), Android still has a long way to go. But there is definitely some early potential. Here are our favorite apps of the year.

I still think Android, and its openness toward developers, can do some magical things and give iPhone a run for its money. But as we stated before, a lot needs to happen first—Android devices need to be a lot more numerous in consumers' hands, numerous enough for third-party developers (along with Google's first-party talent as well) to have a major incentive to drive the platform forward. It also has some major network power-management issues to overcome; the G1's battery never makes it through the day for me, and while that may just be because it's a shitty battery, Android's always-on approach to network access and background processes surely plays a part.

The Android Market is not yet the iPhone App Store, but here is a taste of what is, hopefully, a lot more to come.

Anycut: Anycut takes advantage of one of Android's fundamental strengths—the distillation of every possible event your phone can do—send a text message, go to a specific URL in a browser, etc—into a system-wide Intent, which any app can in turn access. Anycut allows you to take any intent and create a desktop shortcut for it—say, opening all of your Gmail messages labeled with a specific tag, or sending an SMS message to your most-texted contact.

Compare Everywhere: Like a hybrid of Japan's QR codes and Google SMS's UPC price check feature, Compare Everywhere reads barcodes (of just about everything, from a Criterion Blu-ray of The Man Who Fell to Earth I just watched to the stick of Right Guard sitting on my desk) and gives you a list of best prices—from online sources as well as physical brick-and-mortar shops near your GPS coordinates. The haptic buzz indicating a successful scan is unbelievably satisfying, and saves you money.

Shazam: Shazam's same great song identification skills—able to snatch notes from the barroom's speakers and pick the song in seconds—here on Android, co-existing with its identical iPhone version and similar ones for dumbphones. It's an amazing trick, regardless of the platform, and good to see one of the bigger hits on the iPhone quickly and smoothly ported over.

TuneWiki: Still jailbreak-only for the iPhone since apps can't access your iPod music, TuneWiki can show its full potential on Android, grabbing lyrics (that scroll karaoke style) and videos for all of your music as it plays.

Video Player: Video player plays H.264 MPEG4 clips, making up for a glaring hole left open in Android's first release: no video player. It gets the job done, and is a prime candidate for something to get sucked back up into the core Android distribution, as is an open source project's frequent wont.

Power Manager: Another necessity that's both a blessing and a curse, Power Manager lets you take limited control over the things that influence how long your battery will live—turning on/off all the radios, GPS, adjusting screen brightness, etc according to your current power level. It shouldn't be a necessary app for G1 owners, but it is; on the other hand, it shows how easy it is for a developer to fill a need and access hardware directly without having to ask permission. System-level functions like this, in large part, are not available to iPhone developers, and that's notable.

WikiTude: One of the apps we were most excited about at launch, WikiTude could still use some polishing, but it shows just how cool augmented reality apps can be. Overlaying link to geo-tagged Wikipedia articles on your camera's live view image utilizing the G1's built-in compass and accelerometer, it's an amazing thing to fire up on my roof in Brooklyn. Not so useful in the living room, but it's a great proof of William Gibson's classic notion—overlaying data from the web onto our live view of the world.

PhoneFusion Visual Voicemail: Solid visual voicemail support for Android. Another example of something other platform/carrier combos make you pay for (ahem, Verizon) or don't let you access at all.

Chomp SMS: Well, what do we have here. This looks familiar. Chomp is a replacement SMS app that mimics the iPhone's iChat-inspired text interface, and also happens to include a great soft keyboard looking exactly like the iPhone's, but adding haptic feedback—something coming to future Android distros. It also ties into Android's system-wide notification services, so if you want to drop the default SMS app altogether, you can.

Locale: In early versions, Locale was cool: it changed your ringtone or a few other phone settings based on your GPS location. Then, the features started coming, like the ability to send Tweets or use several other of Android's Intents, and it became clear exactly what Locale is—a framework (like Applescript, essentially) for triggering anything on your phone according to your location. When I'm at the office, set Facebook status to frowny face. When I get home and it's before 4PM, tweet "meet me at the bar" and start playing "O Happy Day."

How to build your own Google Android app

2009-01-15T00:32:00.001-08:00

Operating systems News

How to build your own Google Android app

Get started using freely available development tools

Google's Android mobile development platform has rightly caused a stir.

Based on Linux and with built-in 3D, SMS and web browsing courtesy of WebKit, it's an entirely self-contained and free mobile operating system.

Though there are only a few devices that currently support Android out of the box, it's designed as an open, free platform to simplify the process of programming mobile applications on Java.

Getting started

The Android SDK is easily installed, though it's worth noting a couple of things before starting. The latest version can be found at http://code.google.com/android/download.html.

The Windows version is archived in a zip file. We'd advise extracting the archive to the root of your main hard drive, taking care to maintain its folder hierarchy. Once extracted, you'll have a folder named something like 'android-sdk-windows-1.0_r1'.

We'll be using an IDE – the open-source development environment Eclipse – to examine and develop apps, so keep the path and path name simple. Rename the main folder 'android-sdk'.

You'll be adding the SDK path to Eclipse when we install it, but you can protect against problems by adding the path to Windows' system settings. Right-click on the My Computer icon, choose 'Properties' and click 'Advanced'. Click the 'Environment Variables' button. In the 'System Variable' section, click 'New' and create a new variable named 'android', giving the path 'c:\android-sdk\ tools', where 'c' is your main drive.

Android's application programming framework sits on top of Java – so you'll need to install the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 6 before you go any further. The specs call for Sun JRE 5 or 6 too. You'll find the full package for Windows and other OSes at www.developers.sun.com/javase/downloads. By default, the JDK will install into the Program Files folder. Simplify folder names and move to the root of your local machine to ensure that all of your command line tools work properly.

Google recommends Eclipse as the IDE for Android, and the tools it supplies for the platform provide tight integration with the SDK. To get started with the program, grab it from www.eclipse.org/downloads. There are several versions listed, but we suggest you use the Eclipse for Java EE Developers, because it includes WST (Web Standards Tools), a set of components for working with web scripting languages in Java.

Again, install Eclipse in the root directory of your hard drive rather than your Program Files folder; this makes it easier to set up paths to the IDE and reduces the likelihood of errors caused by calls to DOS-based SDK components. The archive simply extracts – there is no installer. You can create a shortcut to the Eclipse runtime by selecting 'eclipse.exe' and [ALT]+dragging a copy to your desktop or Start menu.

Once Eclipse is installed, you can add the Android tools that are required to develop and work with existing apps. These integrate some Android SDK components into Eclipse. Start the program, then go to 'Help | Software Updates'. Select the Available Software tab.

Choose 'Add Site', type in the full URL (https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse) and then click 'OK'. The 'Software Updates and Add-ons' window should update, showing the newly entered URL. Open the hierarchy by clicking the '+' sign and then check the box next to 'Developer Tools'. Click 'Install'.

In the next window, check both 'Android Developer Tools' and 'Android Editors', then click 'Finish'. Finally, restart Eclipse.

Go to 'Window | Preferences' and choose 'Android' from the list. Browse to the Android SDK folder, or enter its path.

Google Android G1 users to get paid-for applications

2009-01-09T02:27:00.001-08:00

Google Android G1 users to get paid-for applications

The T-Mobile G1, the first handset to run Google's Android mobile phone software, was released in the UK in November, but users have been frustrated by the dearth of software programmes.

The wealth of applications available for the iPhone – from the musical tool Ocarina, to local information services like Vicinity and Around Me – have helped propel the Apple handset into first place in the smartphone market.

G1 users can now expect a raft of their own applications, games and gimmicks after Google announced that developers would be allowed to make a profit from the software they create for the handset in the next few months..

Currently all the applications available from Android Market are free to download.

"I would like to confirm that Android Market will support priced applications starting early Q1 2009, as we'd originally stated last fall," Google wrote in an email to developers.

Phone users in the United States and Britain will be the first to get a chance to buy applications, followed by customers in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands. France, Italy and Spain. Developers will keep 70 per cent of the software fees, with Google taking 30 per cent to cover its costs.

The profit incentive is likely to see hundreds of new Android applications released this year, but Google has a long way to go to match the popularity of the iPhone's applications, 10,000 of which are now available from the Apple's App Store, the majority for a price.

In November, Apple said users had downloaded more than 300 million applications from the App Store.

The G1 is likely to be the first of dozens of phones launched to run Android, which is designed to bring the desktop computing experience to mobile devices.

Google vs. Apple: The battle to rule mobile applications

2009-01-09T02:25:00.001-08:00

Google vs. Apple: The battle to rule mobile applications

So what's your list of top 10 mobile applications of 2008? Does it include Twitterberry, Facebook, MySpace, BioWallet, Locale? Or do you favor Super Monkey Ball, Koi Pond, iSteam, iBeer or iFart?

Google's Android operating system may lack the sleek body of Apple's iPhone, but it's catching up.

If any one of your preferred applications was among the latter five, chances are you have an iPhone or iPod Touch -- applications developed for Apple's mobile platform only work on Apple's mobile devices. And so far, most of Apple's best-selling apps are familiar brands, social networking, games or novelty.

Yet thanks to Apple's proprietary, vertical and exclusive way of doing business -- making the iPhone highly desirable and its accompanying App Store highly accessible -- the general public demand for mobile applications of all kinds is finally taking off.

"As soon as the iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit) was first released [in July 2008]," says John Lema, co-founder of ScrollMotion, "we realized that this was going to be a great opportunity for consumers and content providers, and we dedicated our efforts to developing platforms for iPhone and similar devices."

In particular, ScrollMotion's upcoming Iceberg Reader, the first application to partner with several major publishers of copyrighted books, promises to make full use of the iPhone/iPod Touch as a fully functional e-book reading device.

"Apple has built an incredible SDK for the iPhone/iPod Touch," adds Kayvon Beykpour, co-founder of Terriblyclever Design, whose iStanford app provides a living guide and working tool for Stanford students. (The free application was downloaded more times than there are individuals registered on the California Bay Area campus.)

"It's not just a recent development, it's the product of years of work that went into the Cocoa platform back from the NextStep days. That platform, combined with the equally important distribution platform, make the iPhone/App-Store a killer combo for developers," said Kayvon.

Apple may hold the winning hand for now, but ever since Google's open-source operating system was announced in November 2007, Android has been gradually creeping out of the shadows to challenge Apple's dominance of the mobile applications market.

"Mobile devices are essentially small computers that have the capability to do so much, yet carriers have purposefully disabled them for corporate profit," says Phandroid founder and evangelist Rob Jackson. "The 'walled garden' comes in the form of proprietary operating systems."

"Android, on the other hand, is about enabling users, knocking the walled garden down. Google's philosophy, in everything, seems to be: Provide the best and most extensive service you possibly can and people will love it... and then monetize it.

"Android is carrier-independent. Android is manufacturer-independent. And the more people that have Android, the more powerful it becomes," he said.

Applications want to be free

Even if Apple is where the money is, it is no coincidence that unlocking (opening to another mobile phone carrier) and jail breaking (opening to other platforms) the iPhone is so popular -- because applications want to be free.

Shazam, a pioneer in live music identification via mobile phone, released both its iPhone and Android versions shortly following the launch of each platform's applications store. On Android, each Shazam-tagged song is seamlessly linked to the Amazon MP3 Store as well as the artist's MySpace page.

Loopt, another application that adds the dimension of physical location to social networking, is a favorite of Scott Webster, editor of AndroidGuys.

"Location-based apps that run in the background will help separate Android from other operating systems," he says. "It's simple to find out where your friends are at any given moment and see what they are up to. You can let the app run in the background of your G1 (or other Android device) and constantly give people updates as to your whereabouts."

In Loopt for iPhone, "users must be logged in and ping locations from people, [whereas] Android owners will be able to enjoy always-on, always-available status."

Still, there is no shortage of developers who continue to apply to download Apple's SDK for the ever-marketing-savvy price of $99. Not only does Apple build excitement, it creates desire.

Meanwhile the relatively unassuming Android is open source, free to download and document, and is the flagship software of the 48-member-strong Open Handset Alliance.

If only currently available on the G1 phone, Android is set to run on upcoming gPhones manufactured by HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Toshiba, LG, ASUS, Garmin and Huawei, and will be supported by mobile networks including T-Mobile, Sprint Nextel, Vodafone, China Mobile, KDDI, DoCoMo, Softbank Mobile, Telecom Italia and Telefónica.

As for monetary remuneration, paid Android applications are already available from third-party sites such as Handango and MobiHand's OnlyAndroid, but will also soon appear in the official Android Market.

However security is always a concern in such open environments, and device-specific nuances may vary uncontrollably from handset to handset. But if this sounds vaguely familiar, perhaps we can recall the relationship between Web browsers and the Internet circa 1995.

"Open and closed platforms each have their own set of pros and cons," observes Alex Ahlund, founder of AppVee.com, a site that offers comprehensive reviews of applications for both iPhone and Android.

"On the plus side, with Android being so open, developers can take advantage of all the features of a device and release applications without [Apple's] lengthy (and sometimes, unpredictable) approval process. The flip side to that is a platform loses its ease of use, elegance, and filter when there are no proper gatekeepers."

Long-term winner?

As they said in the prime time of the dot-com bubble: Developers hate designers because they dress nice and have friends; designers fear developers because they have the power to make the magic. Does Android hate Apple any more than Apple fears Android?

And in particularly wired and trend-conscious societies such as Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, it's often the handset that sells the rest.

"No matter how good the iPhone is, it will not be able to come up with new models every month compared to Symbian- and Windows-based phones," remarks Dr. Lawrence Cheung of the Hong Kong Productivity Council.

"I am a bit skeptical about the gPhone. The slim and sexy look of a phone is particularly important in Asia," says Cheung.

Ahlund is more optimistic for Google's flagship OS: "The long-term potential market share is what gives Android the edge. The iPhone is going to continue growing with a massive community and hardware updates to keep up with new mobile demands, but in my opinion Android is and will be the de facto operating system for most future handsets."

"We are going to see a huge shift in the next five years," he continues, "with a lot of our computing life being pulled away from the desk (and lap) into our pocket. We're constantly evolving as a mobile society, and since we have finally realized that processing power and ease of use is possible without being plugged-in and stationary, we're going to start seeing more and more digital nomads."

We have already verbalized "googling" for searching on the Web. The question now is, will the next branded synonym of "smartphone" be iPhone or gPhone?

Skype Launches Lite for Android, Java Phones

2009-01-09T02:24:00.001-08:00

Skype Launches Lite for Android, Java Phones

Las Vegas—Android phones will now have at least one edge over Apple's iPhone: They'll be able to make Skype calls. Announced today by Skype COO Scott Durchslag at the Consumer Electronics Show, the new Lite version of Skype will offer voice calling to other mobile or desktop versions of Skype, but doesn't yet offer video calling. The Lite version of the popular VOIP (voice over IP) software also works on more than 100 Java-enabled phones from five handset manufacturers—LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

"Making the Skype experience available for download to Android-powered devices, as well as hundreds of other mobile phones from the world's leading handset manufacturers is a major step forward for Skype," said Scott Durchslag, COO of Skype. "Nearly half the world's population are mobile phone users today and we know that many people who already use Skype want the option to use Skype on their mobile phones. We are committed to working towards our goal of getting Skype into the pockets of the mobile masses."

Also today at CES, the eBay-owned company announced that the next version of its extremely popular Windows version, Skype 4.0 would launch in early February. The update to this software, which is used by over 370 million people worldwide, has been in beta since last spring.

A third announcement made today at CES was the availability of Skype 1.0 Beta for Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs). The company worked with Intel to develop a new mobile version of Skype for MIDs based on the Intel Atom processor and Moblin-based Linux OS.

Earlier this week, a new version for Mac OS, version 2.8, was announced at Macworld in San Francisco, so it's been a busy week for Skypers. The new Mac version adds screen sharing and Skype Access, a worldwide, pay-per-minute WiFi hotspot service provided by Boingo Wireless. Users can pay for this access using their Skype call credits.

In this past year's economic downturn, Skype has managed a 50 percent growth rate in most measures of its business: number of users, revenue, and minutes spent using the service. It's also reported seven consecutive quarters of profitability. They also claim a 70 percent brand recognition in the world's most important markets, and that 8 percent of the total number of call minutes in the world were carried over Skype. Even Oprah has joined in, using the service several times a week for a seminar based on Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth.

While the new Android version doesn't support video calling, a Skype official told me that it was on the horizon, though he wouldn't give any concrete timing information. The new Skype for Windows 4.0, on the other hand, brings video calling to the forefront. Durchslag stated that this past New Year's Day, a new high of 47 percent was reached in a portion of calls that included video. The redesigned interface gives prominence to video, and Durchslag said the company wouldn't be happy unless the percent of video calls surpassed 50 percent over the next 18 months.

Though the first beta of Skype 4 met with an outburst of criticism from longtime users, Durchslag said that in the company's latest survey of 4,000 users, 88 percent preferred the new client design. Not only has the interface been revamped, but the new Silk audio codec delivers audio twice as efficiently as the previous codec, which in turn leaves bandwidth available for better video quality. The new software will be capable of 30 frames per second at full-screen video. However, the application still lacks multi-party calling, like what's possible with the Web-based TokBox service.

The Android version means that Google phone users will be able to save money on expensive international calls, by using Skype Out low rates to worldwide phones or calling desktops anywhere for just the cost of data connection, usually included in these phone's plans anyway. A company rep said that the Android version would not be taken out of beta until it met their standards for call quality, power management, and security. Remember, it's a P2P service. In addition to the Android and Java versions, Skype for Windows Mobile has been downloaded 11 million times.

The new client for Mobile Internet Devices using Intel Atom chips will include video calling, in addition to voice and instant messaging. Industry analysts project that there will be 68 million of these MID units by the year 2013. The devices are expected to come equipped with both 3G and 4G connectivity in the future.

To download the new Skype Lite to LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson phones, users can visit www.skype.com/m using the mobile browser on their phone or www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload from a computer. Get Skype for Windows, either in the current 3.8 release or beta 2 of version 4.0 from Skype.com. Find out more about Intel MIDs at www.intel.com/products/mid.

Google Cell Phone Raises HTC Revenues 22%

2009-01-09T02:22:00.001-08:00

Google Cell Phone Raises HTC Revenues 22%

It was only a few years ago that HTC was a relatively obscure smartphone maker, but the company has had a slate of successful devices and its fourth-quarter earnings reflected that.

For the fourth quarter, HTC reported revenue of about $1.4 billion, an increase of 22% from the same period last year. For all of 2008, the company had more than $4.6 billion in revenue.

Overall, the yearly net profit was about $870 million, a slight dip from the previous year. HTC said this decline was because of a new Taiwanese accounting practice that makes businesses expense employee bonuses every quarter.

The company has been making its mark with Windows Mobile smartphones, as it's the largest manufacturer of smartphones with Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)'s mobile operating system. It has been quite successful with its Windows Mobile-powered Touch line of smartphones, including the Touch Diamond and the Touch Pro. These smartphones feature touch-friendly user interfaces and sleek designs, and they've been picked up by almost every major mobile operator.

HTC's design expertise caught the attention of Google (NSDQ: GOOG), and the search company hand-picked HTC to manufacture the first handset to use the open source Android mobile operating system. The T-Mobile G1 has been met with mostly positive reviews, and many customers have been drawn to its ability to access new mobile programs through the Android Market, which is similar to Apple's App Store. HTC had originally predicted it would sell 500,000 units in 2008, but it has recently bumped up its estimate to 1 million because of strong demand.

Analysts are predicting a strong 2009 for HTC even as the overall cell phone market contracts. HTC said it expects to bring out about 10 new smartphones, most of which will be powered by Windows Mobile. But the company already is working on an Android-powered successor to the G1 that may be available on multiple carriers.

Download Free Games from GAMELOFT!

2009-01-07T02:25:00.001-08:00

Download Free Games from GAMELOFT!

Take off for Bubble Island and make your way through the 100 levels of this surprising puzzle game! Join Temaru and Maëva in their quest to find the Island treasure. Take a break in Bubble Bash's tropical setting and have ultimate fun as you test your skills. Burst bubbles by forming rows of at least 3 of the same color. But watch out, because there will be lots of obstacles along the way! The island's animals are rather determined to slow you down. You'll need some quick thinking and a whole lot of skill to shake off the angry monkeys, spiders, and parrots.

Fring updated with new features for Windows Mobile smartphones

2009-01-07T02:21:00.001-08:00

Fring updated with new features for Windows Mobile smartphones

A new dose of fring for Windows Mobile smartphones brings several much needed features to its mobile VoIP users. For instance, the latest release of fring for Windows Mobile (officially version 3.34) carries new & improved fring Add-ons. And it now supports the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and Samsung Omnia, to name a few.

What else is new in the updated fring for Windows Mobile? The File Transfer function is one, giving users the option to send digital files to all fring, Skype, MSN & Yahoo buddies at the click of a button. This is all done via the Internet, so wires/cables, Infrared connections, or Bluetooth pairing won’t be required.

Improvements to navigation and functionality have also been added, with the inclusion of a new ‘Go- To menu’, Privacy and ‘Joystick-In’ settings, typing indication and new Add-Ons Managment screen. These all add up to make the overall user experience simpler.

HTC users will be glad that they’re the only ones getting support for earpiece use in this update, so that they can carry on their VoIP conversations over an earpiece, but owners of other devices powered by Windows Mobile should feel the difference just the same.

News - Pandora Hits Windows Mobile

2008-12-17T00:40:00.001-08:00

Pandora Hits Windows Mobile

It's been a long time coming, but Pandora Media just announced that Internet radio station Pandora is now available for Windows Mobile smartphones — at least in a limited fashion.

As with other versions, Pandora for Windows Mobile lets you key in any artist or song; the service will then create a custom Internet radio station that plays that music plus other similar songs.

At this point, the Windows Mobile version works on the Sprint HTC Touch, the Verizon XV6900, and the Motorola Q9c - on both Sprint and Verizon. Since that short list includes both Windows Mobile 6 Standard (non-touchscreen) and Professional (touch-enabled) smartphones, I imagine other handsets will follow soon.

To download it, key in www.pandora.com from your smartphone's Web browser.

Two weeks ago, Pandora announced that it registered its two millionth iPhone user, marking the app as the most popular free download in Apple's App Store.