FROM APPLETELL - Leaked images from Tinhte from Vietnam are again supporting the rumor that the next iPod touch will include a 2 megapixel camera. MORE »
FROM APPLETELL - Steve Jobs recently engaged in an e-mail debate with Valleywag editor Ryan Tate about battery life, Flash, and “freedom from porn.” MORE »
Powermat just released a new bundle: Wireless Charging System for iPhone. This bundle, unlike others from the company is specifically built for the iPhone and features a very small footprint to go with the smaller price. The company is shipping the units now for $69.99.
Unlike previous offerings, the Powermat Wireless Charging System for iPhone works only with one iPhone. It is a one-device, specific product. The mat is a new 1XA and the iPhone case has a specially designed square, so the mat and iPhone orientation is very specific. This isn’t a drop it on the mat and go system, just a hair more attention is required, but hey - still no wires.
And it’s smart: once the iPhone reaches full power, an auto shut off cuts power to protect your battery’s life. An international power cord for the mat is included, which should make life easier for those traveling overseas.
Also new is the receiver case for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G. The back features the male square that looks like it might protrude just a bit, but the case offers some protection, a micro-USB port and supplied cable for syncing.
Expect a review on Gadgetell in the near future. Video:
Facebook might have a slew of privacy complaints against it right now, but that’s not stopping it from announcing some interesting new deals. According to Facebook, about 100 million out of its 400 million users access the site from their mobile devices. It seems that isn’t enough, however, as the company wants those without smartphones to experience Facebook on their cell phones.
The plan to bring in more mobile users comes in the form of 0.facebook.com, or Facebook 0. The site is available in many “emerging economies” such as Brazil, India and Greece among others, along with the UK, Finland and Hong Kong. The idea is that Facebook struck a deal with mobile carriers to make 0.facebook.com free of data charge for users. In exchange, users get a text-only version of the social networking site. If the user is linked to a photo, video or other website then they are charged with data fees. The users will also see a small note at the top of the page saying that they have free access thanks to their mobile carrier.
The amazing part about this is that Facebook accomplished the feat without having to pay for the data usage of those who choose to use it. That, along with the ubiquity of mobile Internet for many could explain it’s absence in the US. If US carriers were to sign onto the plan, it may end up making customers happier, and could possibly even lead to more data plans being sold once people realize the allure of mobile Internet. There is also the chance, however, that many will not want data plans if 0.facebook.com was available because that could be all they want from the web. Either way, the first company to implement it would certainly win the hearts of teens whose parents refuse to pay for data plans.
And here I thought we were protected by the first amendment against this sort of bologna. Apparently the ruling of this brilliant notion has come down to two cases. One of these cases has already been completed (and could possibly be appealed) while the other is scheduled for some time later this year.
The Obscene Publications Act is being used to prosecute Gavin Smith of Swanscombe, England for publishing an obscene online chat he had with another individual. The whole gray area here is whether or not internet chat falls under the “publication” or private conversation umbrella. The fact that Smith’s conversation was posted through a “public electronic communications network” is the very thing that has him nailed to a cross.
It’s obvious that this could spell disaster for those of us with a sick sense of humor. In any case, if this law is passed, Twitterers will need to be very cautious in posting any content that could be seen as “grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing, annoying, inconveniencing or causing needless anxiety.” In other words, you’ll be limited to Tweeting about what you had for lunch.
The KIN TWO from Microsoft has recently been ripped open and photographed, which has resulted in more images than you probably need of the inner guts of the phone. Still, if you like to see the insides such as the boards, image sensor, touch screen controller and processor than this should be right up your alley. Me, I am just glad the Internet is here—that way others can do the teardowns and I can reap the benefits of seeing the images that come as a result. Anyway, hit the two links below and see a pretty complete collection of Microsoft KIN TWO images….
It looks like Sprint is ready to admit that the Palm Pre launch was not all they had hoped for. Or at the very least, the words are coming from the mouth of Sprint CFO Robert Brust who most recently stated that;
“The Pre didn’t work out as well as we hoped,”
Of course, the follow up to that was in regards to the yet to be released HTC EVO 4G so it sort of makes you question it a bit. The follow up was portion dealt with how the inventory for the EVO will not be an issue.
Personally, I cannot recall reading about any inventory issues or the Pre selling out with Sprint, but maybe that part of my memory has faded. Still, I guess for those looking for the EVO 4G—this is good news.
In the new beta (iPhone 4 beta 4) released yesterday, Apple included settings to control tethering. iPhone users around the world have been using tethering for some time, but here in the States, AT&T denied access to the service. AT&T’s already strained network needed to save face, so they’ve pushed it off. Perhaps we are seeing the first crack in the crumbling of that policy?
It’s a smart move by Apple: slowly add features to the new OS build. Just enough to keep us all interested in what is coming and perhaps keeping customers from purchasing a competing product as the iPhone slowly does a strip-tease, revealing more and more with each build and Vietnamese leak.
Of course, this could quickly be a “be careful what you wish for” scenario. Using a cell device as a hotspot provider, burns through battery life at a good clip. Perhaps that is part of the thinking behind the larger battery in the rumored iPhone 4 hardware. And, users can expect to pay AT&T for the privilege of sharing that data connection.
However, those looking to get by with just a WiFi version of the iPad and avoid the 3G radio who happen to also have an iPhone may soon be able to connect the iPad through the tethered connection from the iPhone.
When HP won the 5 company bidding war for the rights to Palm, just about every tech blog predicted HP tablets with webOS. Well today, these tech blogs have their answer from the Twitter account @HPNews.
In the tweet, “Hurd” (as in HP’s CEO Mark Hurd), announced that webOS will not be limited to phones, but tablets and printers as well.
We had all expected the tablets part of the announcement, but I wonder what a webOS printer would do? I can hear the promo now: “Surf the web, follow your twitter updates, and update your Facebook, just in case you think you are wasting your time while a document is printing!”
In all seriousness, it will be interesting to see what HP has up their sleeve with their new shiny OS. As long as HP can push out some decent hardware, I would not count them out of the tablet, or printer, game.
And just like that, the official Android 2.1 update for the Sprint branded HTC Hero is here. Certainly good news for any Hero users as they can finally leave behind Android 1.5 and in turn pick up a few new apps such as Maps Navigation and Google Goggles. Of course, there are a few other apps that would not work on 1.5 either such as Runkeeper and the official Twitter app. That aside though, Sprint Hero users can head on over to the Sprint support page (link below) and get the full details and directions for updating your phone. And, sorry this one is not an over-the-air update. In other words, you will need to download the ROM and hook your Hero up to your computer for the update. Still, at least you will be on 2.1 after its all said and done.
Powermat just released a new bundle: Wireless Charging System for iPhone. This bundle, unlike others from the company is specifically built for the iPhone and features a very small footprint to go with the smaller price. The company is shipping the units now for $69.99.
It looks like Sprint is ready to admit that the Palm Pre launch was not all they had hoped for. Or at the very least, the words are coming from the mouth of Sprint CFO Robert Brust who most recently stated that;
In the new beta (iPhone 4 beta 4) released yesterday, Apple included settings to control tethering. iPhone users around the world have been using tethering for some time, but here in the States, AT&T denied access to the service. AT&T’s already strained network needed to save face, so they’ve pushed it off. Perhaps we are seeing the first crack in the crumbling of that policy?
And just like that, the official Android 2.1 update for the Sprint branded HTC Hero is here. Certainly good news for any Hero users as they can finally leave behind Android 1.5 and in turn pick up a few new apps such as Maps Navigation and Google Goggles. Of course, there are a few other apps that would not work on 1.5 either such as Runkeeper and the official Twitter app. That aside though, Sprint Hero users can head on over to the Sprint support page (link below) and get the full details and directions for updating your phone. And, sorry this one is not an over-the-air update. In other words, you will need to download the ROM and hook your Hero up to your computer for the update. Still, at least you will be on 2.1 after its all said and done.
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