Section: Computers, Mobile Computers  Apple and Adobe are really in a rough patch right now. With Adobe dependent on Apple for a lot of the revenue they depend on, panic is starting to set in. Clambering around for a new outlet for their service, Adobe went for Apple’s closest competitor in the mobile space, Android.
Flash has been left for dead by Steve Jobs, but just about anything goes on Android. The new Creative Suite 5 allows programmers to program a game or application in Flash, and then convert it to be used on several different platforms including Air, the browser, Android, and even Apple’s proprietary format before it was banned.  Adobe has even rumored to be getting free phones for all of their developers because of their devotion to the new Flash for Android project. That said they have already made progress with the new project including making a prototype of an Android tablet run flash pretty well. Even more interesting: it runs Adobe Air as well.  Looks a lot like a certain Apple tablet doesn’t it? Read [TechLand] Full Story » | Written by Hunter Clarke for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile 
We don’t get it. That about sums up the early reviews of Microsoft’s Kin One and Two. It has been clear from the start that Microsoft wanted to target a specific audience that isn’t the smartphone-toting gadgeteratti, no their target is the youth of America. Not a bad target to go for with the right product but judging from the early reviews, these are not the right products and not the right plan from Verizon. Hardware Microsoft’s Kin One is a funny little thing, shaped like a turtle it stands out as cute while the Kin Two looks more like a cheaper version of the Palm Pre. Both KINs feature slide-out keyboards and they seem up to the job. According to Joshua Topolsky at Engadget, “from an industrial design standpoint, there isn’t a lot that’s laudable here—but there’s also not too much to complain about.” Moreover, the devices don’t make you stop in your tracks but you probably won’t return it for hardware’s sake. If there is a highlight, it’s the 5 and 8 megapixel cameras on the KIN One and Two. The Two does 720p video and does it fairly well. Software Given Microsoft’s presumed target market, the software should be capable of handling the social side of things. Facebook, IM, and SMS should be the main attraction. Here are Tolpolky’s words describing the software:
“Microsoft misses the mark by a long shot. It’s not even close.”
“...it makes very little sense.”
“...as though decisions about how things should work were made almost arbitrarily, without anyone stopping to test them in the real world”
“Overall, it’s just a deeply, deeply frustrating and inconsistent experience.”
And one from Sascha Segan of PCMag, “smartphones still run circles around this gadget”. Insulting Now here’s the rub, given the above, maybe an argument could be made that with a slick marketing campaign that hits the target like an arrow from Robin Hoods quiver and the right pricing, Microsoft could still have a fighting chance. Here’s the part that gets us mad: the phone checks in for updates every 15 minutes and sometimes not that fast. For teens and others on the go, how is this acceptable? How is this not plastered on the box as a warning? Perhaps something even you should have to sign that says you understand that this phone will put you in a 15 minute time delay bubble, secluded from the rest of the world. Social doesn’t happen ever 15 minutes, social is in the moment and Microsoft has missed this fact. And here comes the insulting: Verizon will charge you the full data plan price - even though the phone is throttling usage. That’s right a full $29.99 per month just for the data that is given to you in 15 minute intervals. I’ve gone back and read this 4 times now as I was sure I misunderstood it. It just doesn’t seem logical, fair or quite possibly human. If anything, the throttled data should be free. Consider a booby prize for having to wait for the data green light. Word is you can trick the phone into faster updates by turning it on and off again. A trick I am sure you’ll appreciate as you consider the full data price you’re paying for but only getting to use part time. Insulting. Read more on the KIN [Gadgetell] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile We have long known the Palm Pre Plus was heading to AT&T, in fact they have even run commercials teasing and have posted a mini promo site. Still, we have yet to hear anything official in terms of pricing and availability. Unfortunately, we still have nothing official—but we do have another rumor. The latest is suggesting that the Pre Plus will launch with AT&T on May14th. That and, it will come running webOS version 1.4.2, which for those keeping track of webOS is slightly ahead of the current version that is running on the Verizon Wireless branded model. Via [Everything Pre] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile It looks like the details on the Microsoft KIN ONE and KIN TWO have been made official. If interested you will be able to grab either handset as of May 6th. Though initially, they will only be available online. As for in-store availability, that comes a short while later on May 13th. Otherwise, the KIN ONE will be priced at $49.99 and the KIN TWO will be priced at $99.99. Unfortunately, those prices come after a $100 mail in rebate, which means you will have to shell out $149.99 and $199.99 to get out the door. Both handsets also come with a two-year agreement with Verizon Wireless, of course that is a given. Finally, customers that purchase the KIN ONE or KIN TWO will also need to sign up for a $29.99 “email and web for smartphone” data plan—in addition to the regular voice plan. Yup, it looks like Verizon has turned the KIN ONE and KIN TWO into smartphones. Plus, if you want to take full advantage of the Zune functionality you can expect to toss in another $14.99 a month for that. In the end, these are expensive phones, both in terms of initial layout and monthly. Read [Microsoft] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
More Recent Articles | 
No comments:
Post a Comment