by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
Although Apple seem to be seriously struggling to keep up with demand for the iPhone 3G, and are failing I may add, Apple still plans to introduce the iPhone 3G into 20 additional new countries in August, according to macworld.com.
Apparently the word came out during a quarterly conference call with financial analysts where chief operating officer Tim Cook and Peter Oppenheimer, chief financial officer, dismissed Apple?s results for the 3rd quarter.
21 countries were blessed with the iPhone 3G on July 11th, the dreaded iPhone Day, with France becoming the 22nd on July 17th.
Apparently, questions rising about the iPhone 3G supply and demand prompted Cook to mention Apple?s expansion plans. He pointed out that iPhone 3G shortages are a result of ?overwhelming demand? and that Apple is confident they can boost production so they can supply a further 22 countries in August.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
Garmin is expanding its service and has announced Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry, which will be available as a onetime purchase of £89.99 and with full European coverage and will bring BlackBerry customers unlimited use of Garmin Mobile?s turn-by-turn voice prompted directions.
According to the Pocket-lint website, BlackBerry users will also gain unlimited access to Garmin Mobile?s content which includes traffic info, Google Local Search, weather, along with millions of points of interest map data provided via Navteq.
As Garmin Mobile for Blackberry is actually stored online rather than the BlackBerry handset, users will receive the most up-to-date mapping info direct from Garmin.
Garmin Mobile is suitable for use with BlackBerry?s GPS and data plans while non-BlackBerry mobiles can still use the service in conjunction with GPS 10x which is a portable GPS sensor that catches location data from GPS and transmits via Bluetooth to a BlackBerry.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
Garmin, the satellite navigation people has announced their latest version of Garmin Mobile XT which now has access to Google?s location aware Local Search, along with Google?s Panoramio geo-tagging picture sharing service.
Pocket-lint reckons Garmin says the new version of XT is an “all-in-one software solution that turns smartphones with internal GPS into full-feature Garmin navigators.”
This new updated user interface and features for the Garmin Mobile XT will carry no extra cost, and a Garmin spokesperson states: “By including Google Local search and Panoramio in Garmin Mobile XT, customers will have more points of interest and navigation options than ever before.”
The spokesperson went on to confirm: “Other new features include speed limits while driving and the ability to check the status of your flight along with departure and arrival information. Garmin Mobile XT is already compatible with over 100 GPS smartphones, and we expect this number to increase as more smartphones are introduced with internal GPS.”
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
It looks as if Apple iPhone users are all about mobile gaming as according to the latest download figures from the Apple App Store video games have dominated the paid app sales chart and captured seven of the top ten places.
Information Week states the most downloaded paid app is SAGA?s Super Monkey Ball, priced at $9.99. Super Monkey Ball is a game whereby the gamer guides a monkey through mazes using the iPhone?s accelerometer for navigation.
The second most downloaded mobile game for the iPhone was Texas Hold Em, third place goes to Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3-D with Pangea Software?s Enigmo taking forth position.
Mobile games were also top of the free downloads on the App Store with the top spot going to Tap Tap Revenge, a music orientated game similar to Guitar Hero.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
Here?s some news for our Yankee cousins, although you may have heard it all before. Congress, responding to constituents who were complaining of ridiculous taxes on their mobile phone bills previously suggested freezing new wireless taxes from being added to monthly wireless subscription costs, but as usual the bill promptly kicked the political bucket.
However, according to RCR News, a new bill has been proposed which would in essence ban any new wireless taxes from being instituted in the next five years. Senator?s Olympia Snowe and Ron Wyden put forth the bill which would declare a year moratorium on mobile phone taxes from being added to the ever growing list of state and local wireless taxes.
Senator Wyden said: “Americans are being hit hard with rising costs for gas, health care, and food for the dinner table. Americans need to know that their cellphone bills won?t be the next cost to spiral out of control. Keeping our telecom infrastructure cutting-edge keeps our economy moving and helps the millions of Americans and businesses who depend on affordable wireless services.”
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
The Apple iPhone 3G seems to be having a few problems, no really? Yes, especially with the GPS hardware apparently. The iPhone 3G?s GPS hardware gets into trouble when connected to the AT&T 3G network.
The guys at iPhone Atlas report that some iPhone 3G users are moaning about inaccurate GPS positioning when the 3G data setting option is turned on.
As most know, the iPhone 3G uses aGPS which is assisted GPS so means the mobile network aids in positioning the mobile handset and giving the GPS hardware less to deal with. This means super fast GPS lock on.
However, it appears that some iPhone?s are receiving conflicting data from the 3G data network and the built-in GPS receivers thus leading to incorrect GPS positioning.
So here?s a fix from the iPhone Atlas guys: Go to settings, general, network, enable 3G and toggle off. Next locate yourself using the iPhone 3G?s GPS receiver, and then go to settings, general, network, enable 3G and toggle on.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
It would appear that Sony Ericsson is finally just about ready to release the long overdue PlayNow Arena mobile media store in one or two European locations. Seems to be several of these online stores popping up now that the Apple App Sore is online.
Anyway, SEMC Blog has grabbed the stats and a few screens on both web based and mobile based versions of the Arena client, although it bets the question as to why Sony Ericsson has taken so long to get this underway.
So, PlayNow is a unified portal for purchasing images, music, and games, great, but not exactly original is it? It?s vaguely interesting that many modern Sony Ericsson mobile handsets should have a tight integration with it out of the box.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
So Apple is bragging the iPhone 3G has jumped over the magical million point, which is all well and good, but what does that actually mean? As always the answer is in the details, so yes we?ll give Apple the fact that the original iPhone only took 74 day to reach that particular milestone, but it was available in far less countries.
There are some referenced being spoken apparently that Apple is making reference to the number of iPhone 3G?s sold to its carrier partners rather than to actual users, which could bring the definition of ?sale? under scrutiny, although Cupertino perspective would make sense as Apple?s payday does end with the carriers.
Now here is something quite interesting, Engadget has got hold of a few stats on number ports in and out of T-Mobile USA handled by a national carrier. What they have is data of the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G launches.
Here?s the ting, in excess of 1000 ports in total, ports to AT&T represent under 40% of the company?s total outflow during the days surrounding the launch of the iPhone 3G whereas virtually 70% last time round.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
As I tried out the Nextar T30 Portable Media Player, I had a déjà vu experience. I suddenly remember the Philips SA6145 4GB/Go, and saw some startling similarities.
I noticed the menu looked the same with almost identical icons, and the user could chose from Music, Video, FM Radio, Photo Viewer, and Voice Recorder. The only difference is that none of the controls are on the front of the unit, but tucked-in conveniently on the sides. The screen of the T30 is the same size as the SA6145, a 3.5 TFT.
The Philips SA6145 also has the same amount of memory: 4GB. The T30 has the option for upgrading the memory with an SD card reader that can support up to an additional 2GB.
The Nextar T30 is a lot lighter at 3.7 ounces, which is more than a third the weight of the SA6145. While both PMPs use Lithium battery power, the T30 can actually do less at a full charge at 8 hours of music playback or 4 hours of video. The SA6145 can do up to 20 hours of audio on a full charge.
Still, the Nextar T30 is a definite sign of the time for Portable Media Players, as we now demand that our PMPs play tunes, play videos, show photos, record sounds, and listen to FM radio all on one device. Yes, you have seen it before, and yes, you will see it again.
by Techno Witch on July 23, 2008
Yesterday AT&T announced that the new AT&T Navigator Global Edition the software which provides navigation capabilities is to extend its reach in 20 countries.
AT&T?s Navigator Global Edition coverage areas on AT&T powered smartphones will include most of Western Europe, North America and the U.S, the Caribbean along with the six cities in China which will be hosting the Beijing Olympic Games.
Senior vice president, Mobility Marketing and Operations for AT&T’s wireless operation, Jeff Bradley says: “The introduction of AT&T Navigator Global Edition is just another example of how AT&T is the nation’s leading provider of international wireless services. AT&T not only gives customers the ability to use their mobile phones in more countries than any other U.S. carrier, they now can use our robust GPS-based navigation offering whether at home or abroad to easily get from point A to point B or to find and get directed to a local business or service.”