Motorola Droid X Vs Apple iPhone 4

Posted on USA News Week Blog by Andrew on July 15th, 2010

Verizon Motorola Droid X is here. It is understandable that Droid X is finding it ifficult to beat Apple iPhone 4 as far as first three day sales are concerned, but the smartphone has the potential to compete with Apple iPhone 4, no doubt.

Droid X is powered by Google’s hugely popular- the Android and just like iPhone 4, it has multiple features. The iPhone 4, the fourth generation iPhone, was launched by Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs on June 7 and it went on sale on June 24. Lets do a Droid X vs iPhone 4 analysis.

Apple iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 defied all expectations in terms of sales as 1.7 million units were sold in just three days. The smartphone has a 3.5 inch screen but the display quality is very good. It has higher resolution (960 by 640) and better contrast ratio (800:1). The phone comes loaded with A4 chip, that makes the multimedia experience on this device simply amazing.

The A4 chip makes usage of innovative apps such as the iMovie video editing software, iBooks, iAds, gyroscope, FaceTime, advanced Mail app, folders, wallpapers, gaming and multitasking, quite easy. The ihone 4 runs on Apple’s own OS- the iOS 4. It has two cameras, one in front and one in rear. The front camera is for video calling.


Motorola Droid X

The smartphone is bigger in size than iPhone 4 and it is so because the device boasts of a big 4.3’ widescreen display with a 854 by 480 screen. The Android-powered device has relatively larger batter back up than iPhone 4. It comes loaded with an 8MP primary camera with autofocus and a dual LED flash. The Droid X offers 8GB internal memory and a 16GB microSD card preinstall. The Droid X also comes equipped with Motoblur, Motorola’s in-house application for social networking activities.


To conclude, we can say that both devices have strengths and some weaknesses. Many iPhone 4 users are facing serious reception issues and it is likely that the Droid X users might find it tough to carry the bulky smartphone. Only time will tell, which among the two will race ahead but at this point of time, Apple’s device is clearly ahead of the Droid X.

Apple iPhone 4 vs. HTC EVO 4G

We compare the Apple iPhone 4 vs. the HTC EVO 4G. The gloves are off as Apple’s latest creation goes up against the first 4G smartphone in America.

With the curtain now officially lifted on Apple’s iPhone 4, hoards of Apple devotees have already made plans to ditch their well-worn 3G S models and move onto the next iteration. But if you’re not wearing a heart-shaped locket with Steve Jobs inside, does the move to the iPhone 4 make sense? Where previous iPhone releases have towered over the competition in every way, this year’s release faces stiffer outside competition than ever before. Does Apple still have what it takes to reign supreme in the smartphone market? We stacked the iPhone 4 specs side by side with those of its most intimidating competitor, HTC’s Android-powered EVO 4G, to find out. Read Entire Review

By: Nick Mokey

Steve Jobs Talks At Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital Technology Conference

Mobiledia  Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:34 am

Apple's chief executive Steven Jobs, in a wide-ranging interview, discussed recent news surrounding his company, including its war with Adobe over Flash, the suicides at Chinese contractor Foxconn, challenges related to AT&T's network problems and the rivalry with Google.

Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital technology conference, Jobs started out by touching on recent news that Apple has surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable technology company.

"It is surreal. But it doesn't matter very much," he said. "It is not what's important. It is not why any of our customers buy our products. I think it is good for us to keep that in mind. But it is a little surreal."

The topic then shifted to its battle with Adobe over Flash, the Web technology that Apple has refused to include on its iPhone and iPad devices.

"We didn't start off to have a war with Flash," Jobs said. "It wasn't until we shipped the iPad that Adobe started to raise a stink about it. We didn't raise a stink about it."

He noted that Apple simply made a technical bet that Flash wasn't necessary when competing standards, like HTML 5, would rise and replace it.

"We weren't trying to have a fight. We just decided not to use one of their products in our platform," he said. "Sometimes you have to pick the things that look like the right horses to ride going forward."

When asked whether the lack of Flash would hinder consumers, he said that the success of Apple's products suggests that customers are doing fine without it.

"People seem to be liking the iPad. We sold one every 3 seconds since we launched them," Jobs said. "If the market tells us we are making the wrong choices, we listen to the market."

Meanwhile, Jobs defended its Taiwanese contractor Foxconn, saying that while he was concerned about the spate of employee suicides, the factory wasn't a "sweatshop." He added that Apple is "over there trying to understand what is happening, and more importantly trying to understand how to help."

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company has also been fighting former partner Google in areas such as smartphones, mobile operating systems, Web browsers and music and even in the courtroom.

Jobs said the relationship became strained when Google "decided to compete with us," particularly in smartphones. He quickly added the company has no plans to get rid of the Internet giant's search and maps technology from the iPad and iPhone.

"We have some Google properties on our phone," he said. "Just because we are competing with somebody doesn't mean you have to be rude."

When asked abou the Siri acquisition in May, Jobs said that Apple has no plans to enter the search business, because it was "not something we know about" or "care deeply" about.

Since debuting the iPhone three years ago, Apple has faced criticism over the quality of AT&T's network. Jobs said he expects a lot of iPhone network issues to be resolved before the end of summer. But Jobs was far more evasive when questioned about an iPhone for another carrier in the U.S.

"There might be," he acknowledged. "The future is long. I can't talk about that stuff," hinting of a future partnership with other carriers. Analysts have speculated that Apple may soon launch a new version of the iPhone for Verizon.

Lastly, Jobs, who is still frail from recent health problems said, "The last few years have reminded me that life is fragile."

HTC EVO 4G Available June 4th for $199

Not to be outdone by AT&T or Verizon, on May 12  Sprint anounced will release its newest Droid powered smartphone the HTC EVO 4G on June 4th for $199. Features include the first 3G/4G capable smartphone, an 8 mega pixel camera, HD capable video camera, a 4.3" display and the list goes on and on. With all the features the HTC EVO is packed with, $199 seems almost too low!! A complete list of the HTC EVO's features can be found by following the attached link HTC EVO 4G Fact Sheet. Let the games begin!!

HTC Incredible vs. Apple iPhone 3GS

Does the much-hyped HTC Incredible really live up to its name? We compare spec-by-spec versus Apple’s iPhone 3GS to find out.

We have little doubt that HTC’s Incredible is king of the Android mountain for the time being. But even if it stares down at the myTouch puttering around in the foothills and the Droid on a craggy outcropping just below, it still has to measure up against that veritable Everest in the distance: Apple’s iPhone 3GS. How does the HTC Incredible measure up? Break out the altimeter and sextant, we’re going to find out.  Full Article HTC vs iPhone 3GS

Apple Likely to Announce iPhone 4G Release date on June 7 at WWDC 2010 (Will Verizon Announcement Come Too?)

While it is still not clear if Verizon iPhone release date is on the cards or not, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is very likely to officially release the iPhone 4G on June 7th which is the opening day of the WWDC 2010, putting to rest speculations and controversy over the iPhone 4G release date.

It is expected that Jobs would make the key note address at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco ( WWDC 2010) , where Apple has unveiled several of its products in the past.

Notably, the third-generation iPhone was unveiled at last year's conference and was available in market after two weeks. Technology-based blog Gizmodo has already posted the review and pictures of the new phone after buying its prototype from a person, who had found the prototype in a bar in California. The prototype was left behind by an Apple employee.

One of Gizmodo’s editors Jason Chen had written a detailed article over the Apple’s phone. According to Chen, the iPhone 4G would have a front-facing video camera, a higher spec back-camera with flash. He had revealed in his article that the phone will have a Micro-Sim like the iPad. A Micro-Sim is used to make data more secure.

Chen’s review created a media storm and more than three million readers hit Gizmodo’s website within 12 hours to read the review of the phone.

originally appeared in LA News Monitor

Watch Out iPhone, Android Use Is on the Rise

written by Ian Paul


Watch out Apple iPhone, Google's mobile operating system, Android continues to increase its popularity at a growth rate of 32 percent year over year, according to a recent report. Mobile advertising provider and metrics firm AdMob, recently acquired by Google for $750 million , released on Tuesday its March 2010 Mobile Metrics Report that includes some interesting data about the growth of the Android operating system. The report also adds more fuel to the argument that Google's Nexus One really might be a successful flop .
Admob's metrics data is based on ad requests from 18,000 mobile Web sites and iPhone, Android, webOS, and Flash Lite applications that have partnered with Admob's advertising network.

Read the entire article at PC World

Next Generation iPhone Found In Bar

There have been rumors and leaked photos floating around the internet all weekend about a new generation iPhone that was found in a bar in Redwood City. Speculation has been that the new 4th generation iPhone will be released sometime this summer or early fall. Although no official anouncement from Apple has been made of a release date, the potential appears very real.

Gizmodo.com has obtained the iPhone found in Redwood City which was housed in an iPhone 3gs case. After seeing the photos, two things are plainfully clear 1) This is not an iPhone 3gs mobile and 2) This is definetly an Apple iPhone product.

Review Gizmodo's full article and pictures for yourself. What do you think?  This Is Apple's Next iPhone

HTC Droid Incredible coming to Verizon April 29

posted by Mobiledia

Verizon said it plans to sell the highly-anticipated HTC Droid Incredible, a Google Android device with an 8.0-megapixel camera, starting April 29.

The Basking Ridge, N.J.-based carrier said the Incredible runs on the latest version of Google's Android software and features a large and vibrant 3.7-inch AMOLED touch screen, which is 5 percent larger than the display on the Apple's iPhone.

It also comes with an 8.0-megapixel auto-focus camera capable of taking high-definition photos and videos, Wi-Fi and high-speed 3G Internet access and a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor for a smooth and fast user experience.

                                                                                                                                          
The company said the HTC Droid Incredible will be in stores April 29. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

The Incredible is the third "Droid" device -- after the Motorola Droid and HTC Droid Eris -- to be released on the network.

In recent months, Verizon has been in a heated battle with rival AT&T over everything from ad campaigns to fourth-generation technology.

Verizon plans to commercially launch its next-generation network later this year, with its first 4G handset released by mid-2011.

Apple Announces iPhone 4.0 OS Details & Specs

Posted by Jay Krishnaswamy on Apr 8, 2010

Apple’s 4.0 event was just concluded and full with many surprises. Many rumors came true, which definitely enlightened the public. Among new features are Multitasking, App Folders, enhanced Mail, huge Enterprise upgrade, iAD, Game Center (will it replace OpenFeint, Plus+?) and much more.

New iPhone 4.0 OS Features

- Multitasking (7 API’s to developers)

- Background Audio

- Voice Over IP

- Background Location

- Local Notifications

- Push Notifications

- Task Completion

- Fast App Switching

- 5x Digital Zoom with tap to focus video

- Spell Check

- Bluetooth Keyboards

- Folders for Apps (like stacks on Mac), (Up to 2,160 apps can fit on the iPhone now)

- Home Screen Wallpaper

- Universal Mail Inbox (Have all of your inboxes in one inbox)

- Smart App Opening (If you have an attachment in mail, it will open the appropriate app for it)

- iBooks (for iPhone), (Wireless syncing between devices)

- Better Security, Email Encryption, and Data Protection

- Game Center – a multiplayer game service offered by Apple. Will it take down Openfeint and Plus+   

though?

- Social Gaming and Matchmaking

- iAd (Apple Mobile Advertising)

- Built into iPhone OS

- 60% of revenue to developer

- Games within Ads

- Update available this Summer, iPad version comes Fall 2010

- 4.0 OS Update SDK now available (beta).

iPhone OS 4 Compatibility

iPhone 3GS (Summer 2010)

iPhone 3G (Summer 2010)

iPod Touch 2nd Gen (Summer 2010)

iPod Touch 3rd Gen (Summer 2010)

iPad (Fall 2010)

Multitasking available only on iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3rd Gen (32GB, 64GB)

Full details can be found here at Apple’s iPhone page.

Apple iPhone Enterprise business details can be found here.

Please post your comments, tips, and your own reviews below in the comments area!

Press Release

Apple Previews iPhone OS 4


Includes Multitasking, Folders, iBooks, Unified Inbox & More




CUPERTINO, California—April 8, 2010—Apple® today previewed its iPhone® OS 4 software and released a beta version of the software to iPhone Developer Program members. The iPhone OS 4 beta release includes an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with over 1,500 new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and over 100 new features that will be available to iPhone and iPod touch® users this summer. New features include Multitasking for third party apps; Folders to better organize and access apps; improved Mail with a unified inbox, fast inbox switching and threaded messages; enhanced Enterprise support with even better data protection, mobile device management, wireless app distribution and more; Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform; and iBooks, the delightful new ebook reader and online bookstore recently debuted on the iPad™.


“iPhone OS 4 is the fourth major release of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re delivering over 100 new features, including multitasking, folders, a unified inbox, deeper Enterprise support, and an iPhone version of our iBooks reader and online iBookstore.”


iPhone OS 4’s new multitasking offers users a new way to quickly move between apps, and provides developers seven new multitasking services to easily add multitasking features to their apps. These services include background audio, so apps like Pandora can play music in the background, and VoIP, so VoIP apps can receive a VoIP call even when the iPhone is asleep or the user is running other apps. iPhone OS 4 provides multitasking to third party apps while preserving battery life and foreground app performance, which has until now proved elusive on mobile devices.


Folders help users better organize and quickly access their apps. Simply drag one app icon onto another, and a new folder is automatically created. The folder is automatically given a name based on the App Store category of that app, such as “Games,” which the user can easily rename. Using folders, users can now organize and access over 2,000 apps on their iPhone. Users can also create and manage iPhone folders on their Mac® or PC using iTunes® 9.2.


iPhone OS 4 delivers the best mail experience on a mobile phone with its new Unified Inbox, allowing users to see messages from all their email accounts displayed together in a single inbox. With just a few taps, users can quickly switch between inboxes to see messages from any single account. In addition, users can now thread their messages by conversation, making it easier to stay on top of email discussions, as well as open email attachments with compatible apps from the App Store.


iAd, Apple’s new mobile advertising platform, combines the emotion of TV ads with the interactivity of web ads. Today, when users click on mobile ads they are almost always taken out of their app to a web browser, which loads the advertiser’s webpage. Users must then navigate back to their app, and it is often difficult or impossible to return to exactly where they left. iAd solves this problem by displaying full-screen video and interactive ad content without ever leaving the app, and letting users return to their app anytime they choose. iPhone OS 4 lets developers easily embed iAd opportunities within their apps, and the ads are dynamically and wirelessly delivered to the device. Apple will sell and serve the ads, and developers will receive an industry-standard 60 percent of iAd revenue.


The iPhone OS 4 beta release includes a developer preview of Game Center, which contains a set of APIs that allows developers to create apps with the ability to invite friends to play a game, start a multiplayer game through matchmaking and track achievements and compare high scores on a leader board. Apps created with GameKit APIs will work with Game Center, Apple’s new social gaming network available to iPhone and iPod touch users later this year.


New enterprise features in iPhone OS 4 include improvements in security, scalability and compatibility. The new Mobile Device Management service can be integrated with third party servers to wirelessly configure, query and even wipe or lock managed iPhones, and iPhone OS 4 enables enterprises to securely host and wirelessly distribute their own in-house developed apps to employees. The new Data Protection feature uses a user’s passcode as an encryption key to protect mail messages and attachments stored on the iPhone. iPhone OS 4 now provides the option to set a longer, more complex passcode, making iPhone and its data even more secure. iPhone OS 4 allows IT managers to set up multiple Exchange ActiveSync accounts, is compatible with Exchange Server 2010 and includes support for forthcoming SSL VPN applications from Juniper Networks and Cisco.


Today, more than four billion apps have been downloaded from the revolutionary App Store and more than 185,000 apps are available to consumers in 90 countries. Over 85 million iPhone and iPod touch users around the world can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.


Availability


The iPhone OS 4 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iPhone Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iPhone OS 4 will be available as a software update to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer.* A version of iPhone OS 4 will be coming to iPad this Fall.




*Some features may not be available on all products. For example, Multitasking requires iPhone 3GS or third generation iPod touch (late 2009 models with 32GB or 64GB).


Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch?

By Gregg Binder

The Apple iPad, goes on sale this weekend. Tons of buzz surrounds Apple's tablet, but one has to wonder how it stacks up against the similar but smaller, iPhone and iPod touch. Each device is multitalented, but which will best fit your needs? We've come up with five personas to help guide you when making the tough choice between an iPad, an iPhone, and an iPod touch.

---

The Commuter
If you spend a lot of time sitting on trains or planes, you probably want to kick back with a movie, book, or a magazine. The iPad is the best media device of Apple's three gadgets, and it has two other bonuses for the traveling businessperson: the iBooks e-reader app and iWork for editing documents.

The iPhone is smaller and easier to carry, but the iPad offers much more to help pass the time. Its benefits outweigh the fact that it can't fit in your pocket. After all, it is only 1.5 pounds and is lighter and thinner than a netbook.

Perhaps the two biggest reasons the scale is tipped in the iPad's favor are its 9.7-inch, capacitive multitouch display and iBooks. If you are in for a long commute, the larger screen will help save your eyes when watching movies rented from iTunes. Apple's iBooks is an impressive-looking e-book reader that displays titles in full color, has impressive page turning graphics, and allows readers to quickly flip through pages.

Add those to an already built-in iPod (and all its functionalities) with along battery life, and the iPad has this category licked.

Best Bet: iPad

---

The Social Networker
The iPhone is the premier mobile social networking tool, and nothing has changed there. The iPhone makes clear 3G phone calls, sends and receives text messages, and sports a camera—all social-network-friendly features that the iPad doesn't quite match.

The iPhone offers just as fluid a computing experience as the iPad, but fits in your pocket, so you can take it everywhere you go. Its pocketability and always-on, 3G connectivity make it by far the best device for checking in on FourSquare or Tweeting your dinner menu, while folks with mere iPods hunt for Wi-Fi hotspots. And we probably won't be seeing too many people whipping out iPads at a sporting event or restaurant for a quick status update.

Best Bet: iPhone

---

The Casual Gamer
The iPad takes the existing iPod Touch gaming experience and makes it more cinematic. There will already be plenty of existing iPhone apps that you can purchase that will be scaled up to fit the iPad's screen as well as iPad-specific games. As Apple and third-party developers start to create platform-specific features for their games, the iPad's gaming experience should tower over the iPhone's.

Game creators have a larger canvas to work with on the iPad; the tablet has a screen resolution of 1024-by-768, while the iPhone/iPod is 480-by-320. The faster A4 processor, meanwhile, should boost action games to a new level.

Best Bet: iPad

---

The Businessperson
This one's tough, with the iPhone and iPad running a close race. Initially, the iPhone's go-anywhere Internet connectivity helps it become useful in a wide range of business scenarios. However, after its release, the iPad could pull away.

Both devices offer over-the-air push e-mail, calendar, and contacts from your Microsoft Exchange server or other standard-based servers. But the iPad is faster, with its 1-GHz Apple A4 processor, and its larger screen offers more room for Safari Web browsing or for vertical business apps. An Apple keyboard dock turns the iPad into a quasi-laptop; Apple's other handhelds don't have physical keyboard options.

The iWork suite for the iPad offers touch-enabled word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software for business users. With this feature the iPad becomes more of a portable workstation than Apple's other options. Add on the keyboard, and you might be able to do without a laptop.

Best Bet: iPad

---

The Budget-Conscious Buyer
We didn't forget about those of you on a budget. The iPod Touch provides the total Apple experience for less cash than either of its siblings. You give up the iPhone's 3G and the iPad's size, but you get to keep hundreds of dollars in unspent monthly fees. You can buy an 8GB iPod touch for $199; the 32GB and 64GB devices will cost you $299 and $399 respectively. You can connect to the Web with Wi-Fi, and can add Skype to your iPod touch for phone calls.

iPad pricing goes like this: $499 (16GB Wi-Fi); $599 (32GB Wi-Fi); $629; $699 (64GB Wi-Fi); (16GB Wi-Fi + 3G); $729 (32GB Wi-Fi + 3G); and $829 (64GB Wi-Fi + 3G). And you need to pay for monthly AT&T service on the 3G-enabled models.

The iPhone 3G is just $99, and the 3GS costs $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB, but then you have to tack on your monthly voice and data fees.

Best Bet: iPod touch

Apple iPhone 4g Release Date 2010 and iPhone 4.0 Details

Apple iPhone 4g Release Date 2010 and iPhone 4.0 Details. Everyone loves the technology behemoth Apple. Every time they have a new innovation the world is receptive and ready to snatch it up as fast as the company can make them. The iPad is the newest innovation, but there’s something that excites some Apple aficionados even more – the iPhone 4g using iPhone OS 4.0.

Of course, we all know that the iPhone is currently only available on AT&T. The 3G network needs some upgrades if the company is to offer 4G any time soon. 4G LTE speeds could be available in 2011, but Sprint and Verizon are said to have a leg-up with their networks – but that won’t stop Apple from offering handsets capable of the 4G speeds.

The 4.0 OS is also something that excites many. Some are hoping that the new OS will allow them to run more than one app at a time -something that the Google Android OS allows you to do and one of the major complaints of the Apple handset.

The rumors for the iPhone 4G release date is sometime this summer. Some are pointing to the handset being available as early as June 2010. Apple needs to act swiftly so that the most tech savvy customers aren’t lured away by the Google Nexus One and other smartphone handsets.

We predict that the advent of other companies handsets won’t have a huge effect on the iPhone. The customer base remains loyal, and from what we can tell from comments on a piece we wrote about Apple vs Blackberry, people prefer the Apple hands down.


by Jesse Smith

Line2 Adds a Second Line to Your iPhone [VIDEO]

Line2 is a mobile app from Toktumi that’s a refreshing option for iPhone users who need to maintain a separate personal and a business phone number.


It’s also useful — and potentially revolutionary — for iPhone owners who want to cut down on their monthly voice minutes by allowing them to place calls over Wi-Fi as well as over 3G Voice Over IP (VOIP).

As opposed to the Google VoiceGoogle Voice approach, which routes a single number to multiple phones and requires you to determine whether any particular incoming call is business or personal, Line2 easily separates your personal and business contacts into separate tabs and allows incoming calls to easily sort themselves based on context.

The interface of the app is intuitive and easy to use — in fact, it’s visually identical to the iPhone’s own phone interface (which is an impressive feat considering App Store rules that typically frown on precisely that). A sophisticated web interface management tool also allows you to set up highly granular rules for incoming calls — imagine being able to send all business calls direct to voicemail after 7 p.m. or on the weekends, for example.

Besides visual voicemail management and call-routing tools, the web control panel can be used to transfer calls, set up call forwarding rules, trigger auto-attendants, and more — think Google Voice on steroids. Line2 also supports easy conference calling for up to 20 participants, and all calls including conference calls can be placed over regular voice, Wi-Fi, or 3G VOIP — once again potentially saving you voice minutes, and giving you alternative options in low AT&T voice service areas.

Unlike other iPhone apps that support VOIP calling, incoming voice calls won’t kill your in progress VOIP connection; you can simply choose to send the voice call to voicemail and continue your VOIP call or conference.

Line2 is available in the App Store now for $0.99, which includes a 30-day free trial of the full service. If you like what you see after 30 days, you can continue the service for $14.95 a month, which includes unlimited U.S. and Canada calling and conference calling.

For small businesses, Line2 could be an attractive and web-savvy alternative to traditional PBX infrastructure, and the app’s appeal extends into the consumer market for anyone who wants to maintain two separate and easily manageable numbers or take advantage of sophisticated call routing and management.

We sat down with Toktumi CEO Peter Sisson for a demo of the app; check out the video below for a walkthrough of some of Line2’s featureset (pardon the slight blur due to focal distance limitations of the camera we had on hand).

Line2 Demo on You Tube

For more info, check out Toktumi on the web and Line2 in the App Store.

Study: Mobile app market to hit $17.5 billion by 2012

According to a study sanctioned by app company GetJar, the mobile application market will reach $17.5 billion by 2012, at which point there will be some 50 billion programs available, compared to 7 billion last year.

Those figures are in line with other estimates, such as a recent report by Gartner, which suggested app revenue would hit $29.5 billion by the end of 2013. Such projections emphasize the rapid shift to mobile computing solutions, and other portions of the study further underscore the mobile sector's expansion.

For instance, over the past year, the number of app stores grew from 8 to 38, and more are on the way. Naturally, Apple's store leads the pack with an estimated 150,000 mobile applications and 3 billion downloads to date. Google's Android marketplace is also growing quickly with over 30,000 apps.

It seems Google's CEO isn't alone in envisioning a future without desktops. GetJar's chief executive told AFP that mobile apps will not only eclipse the traditional desktop Internet, but that "mobile devices will kill the desktop."

By Matthew DeCarlo, TechSpot.com 

Microsoft gets official on Windows Phone 7 cut-and-paste and unlocked emulator goodies

There’s a lot of chatter going on right now about whether or not cut-and-paste and true multi-tasking will ever make it into Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s Windows Phone 7 Series platform. Well, today Microsoft themselves are getting a little more official – if just as vague – on the whole issue of which features may, or may not, make the cut for WP7. The folks at Redmond confirmed to Engadget today that the future of cut-and-paste functionality and multi-tasking is not completely out of the picture, but stopped short of mentioning when those features would get a chance to play with the new Windows Phone 7 playground.

This is what Microsoft has to say about cut-and-paste on Windows Phone 7:

Windows Phone 7 Series will not initially offer copy and paste; instead, we try to solve the most common uses for copy and paste via single-tap action. For example, people often want to take an address and view it on a map, highlight a term in the browser and do a search or copy a phone number to make a call. Instead of the user manually doing a copy and paste in these scenarios, we recognize those situations automatically and make them happen with just one touch. In our early testing people have been pleased with this approach, but we’re always listening to feedback and will continue to improve our feature set over time based on what we hear.

As far as multi-tasking is concerned, Microsoft had this to say:

We are extremely pleased with the level of excitement we’re seeing for Windows Phone Developer Tools. When we decided to provide a Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator as part of the tools, we anticipated that people would attempt to unlock and explore the code. We have been very clear that the emulator is based on early code and is not reflective of the final user experience. Windows Phone 7 Series is still under development. The UI has been disabled to avoid confusion and allow developers to focus on testing applications on the underlying platform. We continue to recommend that developers use the emulator as provided to avoid any issues and unpredictability that may be introduced by an unlocked version.



We had a chance to get some additional info from Microsoft as well. In regards to the decision to keep third-party apps from having multi-tasking functionality in Windows Phone 7 Series, we were told that it was “by no means a policy decision.” While native apps will be allowed to run simultaneously (like the iPhone), Microsoft’s self-imposed timeframe for the launch of WP7S was the impetus for prohibiting global multi-tasking. Instead, Windows Phone 7 will initially focus on the paradigm shifting user experience, which includes long battery life, and give apps the ability to use push notifications and saved states rather than allow them to run in the background. Microsoft reiterated that the WP7 platform will “fully support multi-tasking.”


Keep in mind that a lot of copy-paste functionality won’t be required, as Windows Phone 7 takes advantage of contextual single-tap actions. Tap on a phone number and it calls the number. Tap on an address and you can view it on Bing Maps. That methodology should keep most users satiated until Microsoft can figure out how to bring global text copy features to its mobile operating system.


We’ll have more Windows Phone coverage from CTIA 2010 Las Vegas. Make sure to stay tuned!


By Will Park
[Via: Engadget]

Google Launches Nexus One for AT&T

Google today began selling a new version of the Nexus One -- its own touch-screen smartphone -- that is compatible with AT&T's 3G network for $530.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based search giant said the new handset runs on the carrier's tri-band 3G bands, in addition to quad-band GSM frequencies. It features the same 3.7-inch touch screen with vibration feedback, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5.0-megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash and runs the latest version of Google's Android operating system with the Internet giant's services such as Gmail, Maps and Search.

Since releasing a version of the Nexus One for T-Mobile in January, Google has sold a less than stellar 135,000 units in the first 74 days on the market. By comparison, Apple sold one million original iPhones and Motorola shipped one million Droid phones during the same timeframe.

But the Nexus One, unlike the iPhone or Droid, has only been available on Google's Web site and not sold in retail stores. The company has also foregone high-profile television ads that both rivals had used.

The decision, in part, is due to Google's broader strategy has been to grow its base of devices from handset makers that use its Android software.

For now, the handset only works with AT&T and T-Mobile networks, but the company said it plans to sell a version of the smartphone for Verizon this spring.

Earlier this month, Apple filed a lawsuit against Taiwan-based HTC, maker of the Nexus One, accusing it of infringing on 20 of its patents related to the iPhone.

Google is selling the new Nexus One on its Web site for $530.

Source: Mobiledia

Verizon to Launch First 4G Phone in Mid-2011

Verizon said it will sell a smartphone that runs on its super-fast fourth-generation network as soon as mid-2011, six months earlier than the company had said before.
The Basking Ridge, N.J.-based company said the new device, which could arrive three to six months after the carrier launches 4G service known as Long Term Evolution, will be able to send data up to 10 times faster than current networks. The company expects to begin rolling out the service by the end of the year.

It will be some time before full coverage is available, so the new handset will feature dual chipsets to be compatible with both LTE and Verizon's existing cellular technology.

"Very likely, we initially won't have a single, integrated chip," said Anthony Melone, Verizon's chief technology officer.

Rival Sprint already sells 4G service in some markets on a competing technology known as WiMax through a partnership with Clearwire. Last month, the carrier said it plans to release its first 4G handset as early as this summer, as part of a turnaround effort to win back subscribers.

AT&T and T-Mobile are still planning their 4G networks.

Source: Mobilmedia

BlackBerry Slider Spotted in the Wild

The BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) slider of which we’ve been hearing whispers has made its first public appearance in these two blurry, but telling pictures. As you can see, it’s got a trackpad, a Bold-style fretted keypad, navigation keys in a unified, and a single-button style for the navigation keys much like the Storm2.

If we’re to take the specs that were leaked out earlier at face value, this slider should have OS 6.0, Wi-Fi n, have a 360 x 480 screen (possibly a SurePress touchscreen), and run on GSM networks. If it does, indeed, have both a trackpad and touchscreen, it will make for an interesting combination for a BlackBerry, but not entirely unfamiliar in the grand scheme of manufacturers. The prototype of the apparently-discontinued Magnum opted for a touchscreen without a trackpad, which could have also worked, but for fine cursor manipulation, the finger isn’t ideal.

I might take this opportunity to toot my own horn a bit for calling a BlackBerry slider at WES ‘09, although that was really based on sheer logical might rather than any kind of insider information. Personally, I think a slider makes good sense for RIM. Ever since the Storm, they’ve been experimenting with new form factors, and so far, the Pearl Flip is the only one to really make a stab at the feature phone crowd. Even if all of the specs under the hood are ho-hum, your average consumer will be more interested in how it feels and looks, rather than counting than comparing RAM or processor speed. It’ll be interesting to see if it does, indeed, pack OS 6.0, but so long as it has Wi-Fi, 3G, and GPS in there, the slider should do just fine.

Another pic of the device closed after the jump… Videos and more pics are on the way, apparently, so stay tuned!

By Simon Sage on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 7:37 AM PST



In BlackBerry, Rumors

Entrepreneur's Journal: Five Cool iPhone Apps for Your Business

Since hitting the market in 2007, Apple's (AAPL) iPhone has seen incredible growth. The design is sleek and the experience is user-friendly. Besides, there are more than 140,000 applications to download.

Interestingly enough, more and more entrepreneurs are using the iPhone to help run their businesses.

So what are some of the top apps? Well, I had a chance to talk to Rick Singer, who operates TechStartUps.com (which is a site that provides coverage of business technologies). Yes, he's an avid user of the iPhone and has provided some apps to consider. Let's take a look:

Bento ($4.99): This is part of FileMaker, which is actually wholly-owned by Apple. Bento helps you perform tasks like keeping track of your contacts and calendar, monitoring your projects, setting up to-do lists and even cataloging inventory. You can also use it for personal things, such as to log the progress of your diet. In fact, Bento has a template exchange that allows you to download hundreds of tasks.

Box.net (free): What if you're working with a client and need to share large files and make edits? Or, you have a programmer who is off-shore and you need to manage a project? This is easy to do with Box.net, which is a web-based collaboration service. As for the iPhone app, the latest version allows you to post, view and reply to comments on any file or folder. It's also possible to edit Microsoft (MSFT) Word and Excel files.

HoursTracker ($2.99): With this app, you can track the time sheets for workers and contractors. It's a matter of just tapping on a clock and adding a description. You can also add hourly rate information and the estimated tax percentage, which is automatically calculated.

Invoice2go ($9.99): As the name implies, you can create invoices, bill clients and generate reports. There are a variety of templates for invoices, allowing for customization.

Business Card Reader ($4.99): Have a stack of business cards you need to enter? You can take pictures of the cards, which will then be scanned and converted into a contact list.

Posted Feb 21st 2010 5:40PM by Tom Taulli

Tom Taulli advises on business tax preparation and resolving tax problems. He is also the author of a variety of books, including The Complete M&A Handbook. His website is at Taulli.com.


Tags: AAPL, Apple, apps, Bento, Box.net, featured, HoursTracker, Invoice2go, iPhone, Rick Singer, TechStartUps.com

RIM’s BlackBerry Presenter Connects BlackBerry And Projector

RIM’s BlackBerry Presenter Connects BlackBerry And Projector

iPhone vs. Nexus One

With the Nexus One from Google as the latest addition into the smartphone market, a lot of people are starting to look at the landscape and ask themselves if the iPhone is still the dominant product. These days, customers have more options and subsequently want to know which device would win in an iPhone vs. Nexus One matchup, and if other smartphones like the Droid should enter the fray as well. Let's match these gadgets up to really find which smartphone rules the market.


Checking out a straight feature-by-feature matchup of the iPhone and the Nexus One, we see immediately that the storage space on the iPhone - currently available as either 16 GB or 32GB - dwarfs the Nexus One, coming in at a paltry 4 GB. The Nexus memory is expandable up to 32GB, but you'll need to buy that as an extra (Around $100). The battery lives are comparable, with Nexus One winning in the "talking time" department and the iPhone winning in "standby mode."

Other features that customers have come to expect, like GPS, voice activation, WiFi access and cameras are available on both the Nexus One and the iPhone, so you won't miss out if you choose either one or the other. There is, of course, always iPhone's massive App store to consider - the Apps available for the Nexus One are still adequate, but don't reach near the volume of the Apple App store.

With pretty similar features thus far, half of the iPhone vs. Nexus One debate comes down to price. Which smartphone simply offers the best bang for the buck? In The US, Nexus One's T-Mobile connection pits against the iPhone's AT&T network and comes in with around $50 less for an unlimited usage plan, while the gadget itself (with plan attached) shaves $20 off of the iPhone price.

Over 24 months, you would save over $1,000 with the unlimited Nexus One plan over the iPhone unlimited plan, but the prices are more comparable when comparing the "average" plans, which sees Nexus Phone still at a $500 advantage.

Understanding which smartphone you'd like to purchase comes down to your priorities: Do you want access to the thousands of Apps available for the iPhone, or are you ok with the decent but limited offering for the Nexus? Is price the bottom line as you're trying to scrimp and save for other worthy purchases? Ask yourself these questions and you'll have a better idea of which phone to buy.

The bottom line? In this iPhone vs. Nexus One debate, you would be hard-pressed to regret making either purchase decision. The prices are better for the Nexus One, but out of the box, the storage capacity is at least four times as good with the iPhone - just about every other feature is present in both phones, except for the famous iPhone App store, which remains an advantage over other phones.

By iphoneauctions

Unlock and Warm Up Your Car With Your iPhone

Directed Electronics SmartStart, an iPhone app made by car-security firm Directed Electronics, allows users to lock, unlock or start their cars from their phones.

Directed Electronics, the company that sells the Viper car-alarm system, has developed an accompanying app called SmartStart that lets customers use their phone to lock or unlock the car, or turn the alarm on and off.

“There’s so many apps that are neat but don’t necessarily bring much more utility to the user,” said Kevin Duffy, president of Directed. “This really makes your life better.”

They can also press a button to start it — something customers like because they can avoid a chilly ride this way, he said — open the trunk, or press a panic button that makes the headlights flash and sounds the horn. The panic button doubles as a car finder in crowded parking lots and has been known to be used as a wake-up call as well, he said.

For several years, the company has sold key fobs that can start customers’ cars as far away as two miles, but buildings can interfere with its range, he said. The iPhone app, which also works on Apple iPod touch, is so much more robust that he’s used it from New York to unlock his wife’s car in California when she accidentally locked her keys inside, he said.

SmartStart has been downloaded more than 100,000 times since it was introduced on the App Store in mid-October, Mr. Duffy said. It is free but doesn’t work on your car unless it has Viper’s system installed, which costs $300 to $500, plus a service agreement. Best Buy, and eventually other electronics retailers, sell the system, he said.

The company is working on additional features, such as alerts when the alarm activates or if the car doesn’t start, down the road, he said.

 WSJ written by Andrew LaVallee

Who says no to Google? Apparently, Sony Ericsson.
In an interview with Swedish newspaper Sydsvenskan, Sony Ericsson CEO Bert Nordberg revealed that Google first approached his company to build the Nexus One smartphone but it turned the opportunity down, making way for HTC to produce it.
Berg said Sony Ericsson wants to release phones under its own brand only and prefers to rely on its own efforts to make it in the U.S. market. Now, we can certainly admire the company's determination, but come on, Sony Ericsson, there's a time when you have to put your pride aside and do what's right for the business. You don't exactly have the largest marketshare in North America, let alone the world.
Despite all this, Sony Ericsson is still committed to the Google's Android platform and even introduced two new Android devices at Mobile World Congress 2010, the Xperia X10 Mini and the Xperia X10 Mini Pro, which are both due out in Q2. The company's first Android phone, the Xperia X10, is expected to be released later this month.
(Source: ZDNet)

Originally posted at Android Atlas

I had several goals in mind when I started cellphonestore4u.com. The first was to learn as much as I could about the internet/ecommerce business. Secondly, I thought it would be a challenging but fun business venture. Needless to say, both have proven to be true thus far.

So with a very tiny shoe string budget in hand, the continual support and patience of my MUCH MORE BUSINESS SAVVY wife Carmen, I have launched the website and have truly been learning as I go!!

So why, you might ask, did I pick a cellular website that focuses on cell phones and celluar accessories? Well as a consumer, I found myself constantly searching for cellular phones and accessories on different websites. It would usually start with a google search followed by a destination website followed by another google search followed by another site etc. etc etc. (Well you get it).

This brings me to my third goal which was to develop a website where someone looking to purchase anything to do with cell phones could go and feel comfortable browsing, finding and hopefully purchasing the cellular items they need. I believe cellphonestore4u.com accomplishes this.

So what's the difference between cellphonestore4u.com and other cellular websites. The answer is me! I am not a capitalist nor am I looking to make millions on the website (although I wouldn't dread the idea). I am a consumer, just like most of you who visit the website. I want what all of you want. I want a place where I can go to find all my cellular needs and I believe cellphonestore4u.com accomplishes this.

If you noticed, none of my primary goals relative to the website revolved around money!! This might be hard to believe but it is true. Will I need money to keep the website up and running? The answer is yes but, I assure you, my business plan focuses more on what I believe the website will bring me in expereince.

Thanks for checking out my blog, the website, for your support and hopefully your business. If you like what you see on the website and/or see value in it, please tell a friend, if something on the website leaves you curious or you have questions, please let me know.

Peace,

cme117