Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile 
Really? According to iSuppli, who claims to “helps clients improve performance in the electronics value chain by providing them with the facts, analysis and advice they require to know precisely how to succeed”, Windows Mobile is far from out, in fact, they’ll take over the #2 position in mobile operating systems thanks to 3 major factors. Factor 1: Complete ecosystem The ace card in Windows Mobile's hand is ownership of a complete infrastructure essential for the success of a smart-phone operating system. I would dumb this statement down to merely: “it works with Windows” and move on. Factor 2: Licensees Companies like HTC and LG license Windows Mobile to put on their phones. Windows Mobile has more licensees than anyone, including Symbian. iSuppli says Windows Mobile has 14 licensees while Symbian only has 11. Factor 3: Windows 7 iSuppli is certain that Windows Mobile 7 will wipe away and shortcomings the OS has and more. "Microsoft in 2010 will introduce an updated version of its operating system, Windows Mobile 7, which is expected to sport an enhanced user interface and browser as well as multi-touch control," Tina Teng, senior wireless communications analyst for iSuppli, predicted. "This will make it much more competitive with the alternatives on the market."
Gadgetell’s Analysis (or complete lack thereof) Really? Here is my take: - Ecosystem:
not as critical now with the proliferation of apps. Take a look at the Apple App Store; think of almost anything and there is at least 3 apps for it. - Licensees:
Get it while you can. With the explosive growth of Android, which is free by the way, paid OS could soon very well become a thing of the past. Symbian may have fewer licensees but Nokia is one of them. - Windows Mobile 7
: From what we’ve figured out, maybe. But the problem remains that it is starting so far behind in the app game, it might not matter too much. Apple says it’s passed the 2 billion apps download mark and 85,000 of them on the shelf. Just today another analyst predicted that when/if Apple ends the exclusive with AT&T and heads to Verizon, Apple could double the already lucrative market for the iPhone. That’s a big deal and might be too tough for WinMo to overcome.
Read [iSuppli] Image credit: phonesarena Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video, Communications, Accessories, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, Features, Originals, Columns, Who's On Crack 
Crack. Snort it, lick it, heat it and smoke it; whatever their doing, the following companies seem to have had too much. Local hospitals are on alert. The police force is notified. Let’s take a look at who looks to be on the rock this week: Table the Tablets
Every blogger that says 2010 is the year of the tablet, take one step closer to rehab. Yes, Brian Chen, I am looking at you. 2010 may be the year some of these dream machines finally get stateside but it will be far from everyone’s favorite. The answer is as easy as q-w-e-r-t-y. Typing on your touchscreen smartphone is pretty easy, right? Sure it is, you tap away with your thumbs at blazing speeds. Now imagine your shiny new lust-worthy tablet is between your hands; now start typing. Whoa! Hold up there cowboy. OK fine you say, I’ll just put the tablet down on my table and type. But then you can’t see the screen anymore, and lap typing? The only thing going on my lap is dancing, thank you very much. Microsoft is ready to hit the buzzer at this point with their Courier videos. “Stylus, stylus” they shout. BZZZP. No, sorry thank you for playing. I don’t see us all going back in time to learn PDA Graffiti, do you? So were are stuck without a decent way to input text and without it, these dream machines will be more of a punch line at a party in six months. The revenge of Windows Mobile
Proving that the geniuses in Redmond have more lives than a cat, their new preview of Windows 6.5 dropping soon looks pretty darn good. I’d written them off but just like Motorola, they seem to have something going. Our Editor-about-town got a hands on with the new OS and came away surprised.
Love the new look of Windows Mobile? Thank Apple. Competition rules, look it up. Walmart hates Zune HD - wants you to too
This is my favorite story of the week. I found working units of Apple iPods alongside bricked Zune HDs in my local Walmart. WTF? Who’s idea of a fair fight is this? And that is just it: it isn’t a fair fight but I still am unsure who is rigging it. Walmart? Apple? MS? Who’s the culprit here? Who is complicit?
I don’t like the smell of this and plan on finding out. iPhone exclusivity ends
Hot dog! Wait, oh what’s that? Not in the US? Bummer.
Seems Apple didn’t renew or didn’t chain themselves to a carrier long term overseas and are opening up the field. Sweet, for them. Meanwhile, back in the US, where the iPhone is still the rock star, bloggers question whether the iPhone is hurting AT&Ts image. How much longer will iPhone fans have to endure the antics of AT&T instead of their prefered carrier? Only Apple, AT&T and I guess the FCC know for sure. Yep, the FCC is still considering doing something about exclusive phones on carriers. And you can bet that fight is all about the iPhone, now the Verizon Razzle. Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks 
Over the past two weeks, 50 students and professors from Princeton University students were given the Amazon Kindle DX as a way to test their ability as an academic tool. Although some of the feedback indicated benefits to the electronic reader, many of the users have found the device difficult to use and awkward. The main issue seems to be that students need to completely overhaul the way that they do coursework in order to use the Kindle DX. Instead of marking up texts or using post-it notes to highlight important points, you are required to use the annotations feature in the Kindle DX. Students feel that this feature takes too long to enable and it is much quicker to simply use a highlighter on a book. One student involved in the pilot described the DX as, "It's clunky, slow and a real pain to operate." In May, the university had announced that they would be partnering with Amazon to run a pilot program as part of a sustainability initiative to save paper. Amazon.com was founded by Jeff Bezos, who graduated from Princeton University in 1986. There have been rumors that the university may decide to not continue using the Kindle next year. Read: [The Daily Princetonian] Image credit: Amazon Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, VoIP, Mobile Our Editor Iyaz got some hands on time with Windows 6.5 and surprisingly, it looks pretty good. Internet Explorer loaded really slow, but indoors is always a toss up. This phone is not slated for the US as of yet. Too bad, it looks good too. Flash lite is supported. No accelerometer on this model but the rep says it will be on US builds. Overall, the Zune-inspired UI looks pretty nice. Iyaz angles for some Zune - Windows Mobile convergence but the rep doesn’t tip his hand other than to say, “they share a lot of DNA”. Enjoy Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Haven’t caught all of the Gadgetell news this week? Here's your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles! - Is Walmart trying to kill the Zune HD?
” I finally got around to checking out the Zune HD yesterday. Like everyone else, I hit up my local Walmart’s newly refurbished electronic area; no special press access for me, thanks. I like to think of it not as a snub from MS, but more along…” MORE » - Sprint branded Chinless HTC Hero continues to arrive in reviewers hands
“It was a few weeks back when we saw a few Sprint branded HTC Hero reviews pop-up online, and now it looks like round 2 of that process has begun. Except this latest seems to have focused on…” MORE » - iPhone exclusivity ends - but not in the U.S.
” Over in the U.K., Apple iPhone exclusivity is over. Welcome to the new world order. O2 and Apple were like peas and carrots, but now Orange will also be able to sell the iPhone…” MORE » - MS and Apple square off on tablets: both sounding like things you won’t buy
” Apple Tablet Mockup New rumored details emerged today about tablets from two competitors: Apple and Microsoft. iLounge says they have 10 new pieces of info on Apple’s tablet…” MORE » - Waterproof gadgets on the way - invisibleShield maker, ZAGG, gets some waterproofing tech
” A lot of people use ZAGG's invisibleShield product to protect their electronics since they add little bulk but protect screens and other parts of your device from scratches. Now, ZAGG…” MORE » - Missed the big tech news? Get caught up with InterrupTech for September 28, 2009
” Download: iPod/iPhone version (mp4) | Audio version (mp3) Welcome back to InterrupTech where we catch you up on the most important tech stories. This week there's plenty to cover: Microsoft’s new…” MORE » - Gadgetell Review: Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder
” What is it? The Kodak Zi8 is a pocket camcorder capable of shooting 1080p video for under $200. What's in the box? Kodak Zi8 camera Rechargeable battery USB charger, charging cable HDMI cable Composite video…” MORE » - Go green by recycling your tech with uBid
“If you're looking to get rid of some of your gear, you can check out this excellent Gadgetell Guide on how to stay on the bleeding edge of tech. If you're feeling a different type of green,…” MORE » - No invite for Google Wave? Check out all-in-one Threadsy
” A TechCrunch 50 finalist, Threadsy is a compelling way to consolidate communication. I’ve been using Threadsy for the past week instead of GMail and the results have been impressive. Here is how Threadsy might make your life…” MORE » - Gadgetell Guide: Stay on the bleeding edge of tech using the web and common sense
“I was originally approached to write something about how to sell your gadgets on the web, but thought that was a little boring, after all, most Gadgetell readers know…” MORE »
Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, Miscellaneous 
It seems the current economy can now be blamed for both the rich as well as the poor losing money. In recent news Bill Gates has lost $7 billion in this last year. Of course, while that may sound bad, truth be told he is still very rich. According to the recently published Forbes list of “400 Riches Americans 2009” list, Bill Gates is still worth a whopping $50 billion. Ultimately that means his net worth has dropped from $57 billion down to $50 billion. Overall, that is an incredible sum of money, and it is certainly more than I even dream about making in my lifetime, much less losing in the course of one year. But what I wonder is whether he would even notice this drop in net worth. Maybe this is like his version of misplacing a $50. Finally, a few of the other individuals that topped the richest Americans list are Michael Dell and Jeff Bezos. And while, Michael Dell was also down, he only lost $600 million. Of course, both Michael Dell and Bill Gates look bad as compared to Jeff Bezos who managed to go up by $100 million dollars. But sadly (can I really use sadly when speaking about millions and billions?) Bezos is still only worth a little over what Bill Gates lost last year. So I guess even with a $7 billion loss, Bill Gates is still clearly the winner. Finally, two other notable names include Eric Schmidt and Steve Jobs, who are still very wealthy but managed to lose $400 and $600 million respectively. Read [Forbes] and [Fortune] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile 
Those who are waiting for the follow up to the Palm Pre may soon find their wait coming to an end. Well, that is assuming that this latest rumor is accurate. The rumor is dealing with the second webOS based handset, which has been dubbed the Palm Pixi. Anyway, according to that rumor, the handset will be available as of October 20. Unfortunately, the rumor is just that and comes with little evidence, but judging from how we have already heard that the Pixi will be available before the end of the year, it sort of fits in the timeline. If this does prove true, expect to find the Pixi at Sprint retail locations as well as Best Buy. Via [BGR] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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