It seems Google has finally updated Google Maps to feature multitouch support. Since the Droid runs on Android 2.0, the capability for multitouch was always there, but the program was never written to encompass multitouch.
If you own the Motorola Droid, go to the Android Market app and find the Google Maps app, then press install updates. The 3.4.0 update is about 3.01MB large and takes around 10 seconds to download, depending on your connection. Since I have the Motorola Droid, I was able to check out the latest Google Maps update, and the ability to pinch and zoom into the map definitely makes it easier to use.
FROM APPLETELL - This week is brought to you by iTunes Preview. A useful feature for sure, now you can browse these apps at work. Don’t worry, I won’t tell. MORE »
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. Transparent AMOLED displays are awesome in so many ways, I think my geekiness is about to reach record highs. Just imagine the possible applications of transparent displays, you can replace your windows with it and probably use them as HUDs on your vehicles’ windscreen!
Samsung dropped some tidbits about launch details on upcoming products using transparent AMOLED displays. The first device rolled out by Samsung that uses the technology is an all-in-one MP3 player called the IceTouch. The product functions as a hybrid music player, radio, DVD player, picture viewer and portable storage unit. A demo video is displayed at the bottom of this post.
Samsung isn’t planning to take a time off any time soon, as they are also planning to launch a laptop featuring a 14-inch see-through colour OLED screen within 12 months! Not only that, they are looking to apply this transparent screen technology onto any other devices they can put their hands on, even the ones they don’t currently manufacture. Could my windscreen HUD dream come true? Well, Reid Sullivan, VP of audio/video and digital imaging marketing at Samsung Electronics America, admits that they are also considering to place GPS systems on windscreens. That pretty much answered my question. As promised, here’s a demo video of the Samsung IceTouch:
In the past week we have seen what could be the end of Amazon’s $9.99 pricing model for ebooks. First was the spat between Amazon and Macmillan, then Rupert Murdoch chimed in with Harper Collins and now the Hachette Book Group looks to do the same—sell ebooks at prices higher than $9.99.
This news comes by way of an email that was sent from Hachette Book Group CEO David Young who stated that;
“At Hachette Book Group, we have been considering a new pricing model for some time, and have decided to transition to selling our e-books through an agency model.”
Bottom line, the Hachette Book Group seems to be joining forces with Macmillan and Harper Collins. I just wonder how long before we hear similar news coming from Penguin as well as Simon & Schuster. It seems the iPad, at least in the case of ebooks and the iBook store has (despite not being available for at least two more months) already had a dramatic effect.
Haven’t caught all of the Gadgetell news this week? Here's your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles!
JooJoo: the iPad alternative with Flash, 16:9 and it’s shipping this month “According to a phone interview with Venturebeat, the JooJoo tablet computer will begin shipping to pre-orders later this month, within the time promised by the company. With all the hype behind the Apple iPad tablet, the timing could be perfect for Fusion Garage to…” MORE »
Amazon, Newegg lower Zune HD pricing by $30 and $40 ” Nothing seems to have been officially announced in terms of a Zune HD price drop, however that has not stopped both Amazon and Newegg from recently lowering the price. Can you say price…” MORE »
Google opts out of Google Docs and Sites support in IE6 ” Recently, Google has decided to stop offering key functions of their Google Docs and Sites services for Internet Explorer 6 browsers. The only browsers that can work with Google Docs and Sites include Mozilla Firefox 3.0+, Internet Explorer 7.0+, Google…” MORE »
Zune Phone reportedly set to debut at MWC ” According to a source over at MuyComputer, Microsoft will be unveiling the Zune Phone, which will run on Windows 7 Mobile, at MWC later this month. While Microsoft has not come forth and confirmed this assertion, Jesus Diaz at…” MORE »
Google Street View lawsuit allowed to continue but Google shouldn’t be worried ” The lawsuit filed against Google by a Pennsylvania couple was reinstated by an appeals court, but their demands for $25,000 in damages plus punitive damages are unlikely to be heard and their claims of mental anguish and invasion of privacy were thrown out.…” MORE »
Google’s Nexus One smartphone jumping to AT&T? ” Fresh from network problems yesterday with service from T-Mobile comes what appears to be a AT&T variant of the Android-powered Nexus One. According the FCC an almost identical device was presented for inspection, this one with AT&T capable radios. As with most FCC…” MORE »
Netflix goes Indie, adds 300 new on-demand streaming Indie films ” Netflix is continuing to make forward progress in the streaming market, and this latest move will have Indie movie fans rejoicing. According to the latest announcement, Netfix has partnered with “a number of leading distributors of independent” films which will result in them adding about 300…” MORE »
According to Disney EVP Kevin Mayer , Hulu isn’t transitioning to a paid model of any kind any time soon. Hulu, a video content distribution website partnership between Fox, NBC and Disney, has rocketed in popularity. Mayer did add that Hulu will be asking it’s customers to pay, though it is unclear how that will work or when it will happen.
Mayer suggested it will come in the form of subscriptions, one-time rentals, or perhaps movie rentals. The company hopes to augment it’s ad-supported free content with a revenue stream to capture dollars as some consumers consider transitioning to an online TV entertainment scheme. The perhaps dangerous question for Hulu quickly becomes: will forcing consumers to choose between traditional cable and satellite TV subscriptions and online subscriptions hasten the transformation of their current business model?
It is interesting to note that Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, is on the Board at Disney and is a staunch advocate for removing Flash (on which Hulu is based) from our future. Both the iPhone and coming iPad lack Flash support and that stance doesn’t look to change as more companies embrace HTML5.
Fujitsu has just recently added the LifeBook MH380 into the available category. The netbook is selling for $449 and as of this posting is showing an estimated shipping date of February 8, 2010.
Spec wise the MH380 has a 10.1-inch display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, built-in webcam and a 6-cell battery. In other words, it has the netbook standard of specs. Additionally the MH380 ships with Windows 7 Starter and weighs in at 2.97 pounds.
As of now it looks like the model that is available is the glossy ruby red, however it is also expected to become available in black, white and brown.
A leak on the Microsoft website has revealed some details in regards to how those who purchase Office 2007 between March 5 and September 30 of this year will be able to get a copy of Office 2010 for free upon release.
Of course, that page was also quickly removed, which means that Microsoft was either not ready to make that deal official or that the offer may still be subject to change.
Either way, what we can tell you is what was on the page when it was showing—and that was that any customer who purchases Office 2007 between March 5 and September 30 will be able to get Office 2010 for free. The catch here is that you will need to not only purchase the software, but also make sure you activate the software and also save your dated receipt.
Welcome to this weeks look back at the dumbest moves in tech I could find. The thrum of iPad talks are dying as we enter the Apple waiting game for a few months while hot phones are expect to show up in Barcelona later this month. Here are the nominees for tech moves sponsored by illegal narcotics:
nook says customers come last
Sony to build Walkman tablet
Kindle stumbles
Our Editor pays for IT
nook says owners are bottom of totem pole
This week a leaked memo revealed a firmware upgrade for the nook, version 1.2. Our Editor, Robert Nelson wrote, “Unfortunately, while the memo revealed that the in-store display units would be receiving the update, it also revealed that they would be receiving it before the customers.” The memo made no note of when existing users can upgrade, other than it won’t be first.
This is actually a good business practice, as I hold the “buyers are liars” and customer is #453. That is the model you should build on as alienating your early adapters can only bring good things. Witness the iPhone: charge them an early adopter fee, then pull the rug out and drop the price - and the iPhone went on to win us all. You can’t fault the nook folks for following such grandiose steps. Also, can’t we just stick to normal capitalization rules. Not capitalizing the nook seems disrespectful, crackheads.
Sony to build Walkman Tablet
Gadgetell writer Cheng Hung posted this about Sony, “Can Sony make one that's on par with its rival? Oneda (Sony's CFO ) admits that they are lagging "a little" behind Apple, but given their track record, Sony is usually a year behind Apple in terms of handheld devices. “
3 things bug me right there: 1. As a marketing rule, you don’t let the CFO intro new product directions or concepts. CFO’s follow money and while that is dandy they usually don’t buy into marketing vision or product vision. So you end up with “we’re making this freakin’ awesome tablet that is going bring in bucket loads of cash.”
2. Sony is lagging “a little” behind Apple; a year behind Apple in handheld devices. From the CFO’s POV perhaps. But from everyone else’s view, um, no. The easiest comparison for me is the XPERIA vs iPhone. Sony’s come a long way but still isn’t there. Maybe by little, he mean like how there were little dinosaurs that were as big as my house.
And 3. Facts I can tell you about Sony’s tablet: it will look pretty and be expensive. Can they build something amazing? Maybe. The new XPERIA X10 looks handy with Android and they could parlay that into a tablet form that might work. It will take a lot of work to get it to Sony standards (and by that I do not mean something that is liable to catch on fire). A Sony tablet with nothing new to offer (aka most of Sony’s products for the past 15 years) will fall short of their and probably my expectations. Don’t get me wrong Sony, I want to love you, it’s just you need to get off the rock and realize Sony doesn’t mean today what it meant in the 80s, in consumer products anyway.
Kindle stumbles
It was a good run, Amazon. The dream of all books $9.99, peace and harmony in the world. Well, that’s gone down the crapper: Our Robert Nelson writes, “Macmillan was upset because of the $9.99 pricing with Amazon, Amazon pulled their content, Amazon then later allowed them back in at the prices they wanted.”
Much has been writ in the media about Amazon blew this or Amazon won this. The truth is Amazon got beat up in the school yard with everyone watching. Now, Amazon doesn’t even both bringing in lunch money as it knows everyone is coming for a similar beating. The cocky and possibly high, cool kid just got served, to use the vernacular of kids of 5 years ago -I am phat like that.
Amazon’s big plan is in turmoil, pricing is expected to go fruity, the Kindle’s next gen device can’t get here fast enough and now the king of integrated buying (iTunes) is coming to play. Competing on price looks to have failed for Amazon, so what’s next?
Our Editor pays for IT. I like to pick on Robert, mostly because (a) I knows he reads this and (b) because he can take it. Last week, Robert revealed what he is willing to pay for in terms of web services.
“Personally I have never been one to shy away from a paid service, that is, assuming I actually use it and find value in it. The services that I pay for vary from time to time, but there always seems to be a core group that I keep.”
In looking at his list, so many are paid for options for more storage. Photo storage, Evernote storage, MobileMe storage, SugarSync storage… Good God man, how prolific a writer/phototog/digital content creator are you? You’ve got more storage than a fleet of U-Hauls!
Not that I want you to change, heavens no. Your generous contribution to all these paid offerings mean you shoulder my weight at most of them. I take the freebie road and max out. Then I add another alias and max that out. You get a goodwill feeling for flashing the cash while I get a free smugness on how I am gaming the system. That’s a win-win - so thanks Robert. Even though I think you are on Crack for having that much storage. Maybe that will change now that you’ve fallen for a pink Pogoplug?
Earlier this morning we saw the leaked memo detailing the software update plans for the nook. That memo stated that the stores would be receiving the update “this week” and that the employees would be able to side-load the version 1.2.
Well, it seems that this week is here for the customers, because reports of the new update rolling out have begun to roll in. According to Matthew Miller from The Mobile Gadgeteer, his nook was updated earlier this morning. At least in his case, the update, which brought he version up to 1.2.0 came over-the-air on a 3G connection. Some of the changes that he pointed out included;
Newly designed icons are present in the lower color display
The navigation up and down button in the lower touch display are bigger (one of my favorite improvements)
You can sort you My Documents library by title and author
The Lend Me icon is clearly present so you know which books can be loaned out
There are no longer weird title issues in content I side-loaded myself from other ebook stores
Overall response to touch and navigation seems snappier with
Spotify looks to woo music labels with the idea that the album is not dead, as iTunes would have us believe. In fact, Spotify says 30% of music download on their site is albums. Spotify uses a subscription method that looks to transform users buying habits and it is using this concept to muscle into the US market.
According to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, Spotify launch is looking “pretty good” and he expects to launch inside of 2 months time. The CEO stressed that Spotify is more than just a medium to sell music, it will be a way for artists (and labels) to touch their customers, to learn more about their demographics and open a direct line of communication to them. So much more than that other sales tool, iTunes.
Says Ek, “we’re not only an ad-supported music company. We’re a subscription music company. And we’re a download music company, too. In certain territories, in downloads we’re number two or three after iTunes. So, through our platform there are different monetizations that are happening.”
When asked how the company will set itself apart, Ek replied, “I think if we start getting the entire music industry with us on this, we can see them experimenting on things like putting lyrics next to every track, or videos, or behind-the-scenes videos if you actually buy the album. Or you might be getting a playlist with the live set list of the show you saw.”
Spotify inked a deal with Telia in Sweden that preloaded Spotify on devices and even 3G data cards. Not only did this grow Spotify, but according to the company, reduced churn for the teleco. That is something Spotify will use to get it’s hook into the US market. Reports have suggested even Google is on board.
Clearly, Spotify is looking to gain support from music labels and mobile carriers as they know consumers will follow. With iTunes seen as the backbone of the iPhone, Spotify could be a welcome competitor.
A recently leaked internal memo has revealed some update plans for the Nook ereader. The memo highlights how the stores will be receiving version 1.2 of the software sometime “this week” and that they will be able to “easily side-load” the update. Unfortunately, while the memo revealed that the in-store display units would be receiving the update, it also revealed that they would be receiving it before the customers. There was nothing in terms of what users can expect feature (or fix) wise. Additionally, new Nook units that are going to be making the trip into a store will start coming with version 1.2 pre-loaded. Bottom line, I guess Nook owners should be on the lookout for a firmware update, lets just hope that it is not to far into the future.
Aside from the fairly obvious similarities with the Kindle 2, at first glance the Samsung E61 has a keyboard that does not look all that nice. Of course, that is just based on looking at an image, so we are going to have to reserve a final opinion until we get some hands on.
That said, otherwise the Samsung E61 appears like it could be a competitive device in the e-reader market. But again, that is based on specs and the opinion of someone else.
So far there has not been anything mentioned in terms of a release date or pricing, although it seems logical that if people are getting hands-on the release cannot be all that far off.
Details about the E61 reader include a 6-inch display with a 600 x 800 resolution, removable battery, 2GB of internal memory, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi and support for epub, PDF and plain text.
A new, and still unannounced LG netbook has recently been spotted in an FCC listing. The model in question is the LG X20, and so far it looks like we have a pretty complete set of specs but nothing in terms of when it will be available, or for how much.
Spec wise, the X20 will have a 10.1-inch (1366 x 768) display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, Intel 3150 GMA graphics, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, a 1.3-megapixel webcam and Bluetooth. Additionally, the X20 appears to be able to support up to 2GB of RAM and have 3G capability, though the later will likely be included as an optional accessory.
Other details include that the X20 will be running Windows 7, ship with a 4-cell battery and weigh in at 2.6-pounds (with the battery installed).
Due in part to the 3G mention, it would appear likely that this will end up with a mobile carrier, but again no clue as to which one.
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. Transparent AMOLED displays are awesome in so many ways, I think my geekiness is about to reach record highs. Just imagine the possible applications of transparent displays, you can replace your windows with it and probably use them as HUDs on your vehicles’ windscreen!
According to Disney EVP Kevin Mayer , Hulu isn’t transitioning to a paid model of any kind any time soon. Hulu, a video content distribution website partnership between Fox, NBC and Disney, has rocketed in popularity. Mayer did add that Hulu will be asking it’s customers to pay, though it is unclear how that will work or when it will happen.
A leak on the Microsoft website has revealed some details in regards to how those who purchase Office 2007 between March 5 and September 30 of this year will be able to get a copy of Office 2010 for free upon release. 
Aside from the fairly obvious similarities with the Kindle 2, at first glance the Samsung E61 has a keyboard that does not look all that nice. Of course, that is just based on looking at an image, so we are going to have to reserve a final opinion until we get some hands on.
A new, and still unannounced LG netbook has recently been spotted in an FCC listing. The model in question is the LG X20, and so far it looks like we have a pretty complete set of specs but nothing in terms of when it will be available, or for how much.
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