Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile, Web, Web 2.0 / Social Networking HootSuite has released another mobile app, this time for the BlackBerry. Though a word of caution, while available for anyone to download and begin using—the app is technically still in beta. That said, the HooteSuite app works with both Twitter and Facebook and offers features to include the ability to manage multiple social identities and networks, get background notifications for updates, create custom views for tags and searches, schedule messages to be sent in the future, upload images and even shorten URL’s with the ow.ly shortener. Basically, this will make a nice compliment for those sporting a BlackBerry and who happen to also be using (or interested in using) the HootSuite web app. Download [HootSuite for BlackBerry] Via [CrackBerry] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile It looks like AT&T has added to their “Free Entertainment Pack” offer for those who purchase a Windows Phone 7 handset from them. The offer, which is valued at $29.97 now includes ilomilo (a free Xbox Live game), 30 days of AT&T U-verse Mobile and a 30-day trial Zune Pass. Bottom line, this is certainly not going to convince me to make a purchase, but at the same time it should make for a nice add-on bonus for those who were already planning to go Windows Phone 7 with AT&T. Of course, that free month for U-verse and the Zune is likely to just get you hooked in, which means your monthly costs will end up going up after that first month. And a word of caution, while this entertainment pack is free, it comes with a catch, the U-verse service will “automatically be charged a $9.99 monthly subscription fee on your AT&T wireless bill unless you cancel.” Read [AT&T] Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile Perhaps bigger than the announcement of the Palm Pre 2 is the announcement, and rebranding of WebOS 2.0. The OS will now be known as HP webOS 2.0, and has a lot of features that we already heard about, and a few surprises. HP webOS 2.0 has all the features we heard about when the SDK was first released, including Stacks, Just Type, Exhibition (for Touchstone-specific functions) and the also-rebranded HP Synergy (which can now be integrated into apps). The new OS also features a beta of Adobe Flash 10.1, which we knew was coming eventually, but is now official. In addition to Flash, the browser now supports HTML5, like all other modern mobile browsers. HP is touting document support for Word, Excel and Powerpoint as well as Google Docs with Quickoffice Connect Mobile Suite, though it’s unclear if the app is included or needs to be downloaded separately. The final big update is the ability to connect Bluetooth keyboards to HP webOS 2.0, so document editing can be a lot easier if you have hands that are too big for the slide-out keyboard. It’s almost sad that there aren’t any real surprises in HP webOS 2.0. It perhaps would have made more sense to wait for January at CES to announce the update, just the added time to bake in new features. Stacks, Just Type and Synergy are very important, but it would have been nice to see something else, a virtual keyboard at the very least. Perhaps we’ll have to wait for the eventual HP webOS 2.0 tablet for anything like that. Read [Palm] and [HP webOS 2.0 page] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile Google has rolled out the latest update in terms of the Google Voice app on Android. The update brings the version up to 0.4.2.8 and comes in at a 1.10MB download. As for what has been added or changed, in this case it is added, the ability to “search your voicemail transcripts and text messages.” As always, the update for the Google Voice app can be found within the Android Market and is available as a free download. With that, one word of caution when updating—after the update process has run—make sure you open the app so your calls will route themselves properly. Hint, while many now have the ability to “allow automatic updating” in the Android Market, this may not be the best app to do that with. Read [Google Mobile] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile Just about a week after we see leaks of what could have been the Palm Pre 2, we are formally introduced to the phone. Turns out those leaked photos spoiled the surprise, if there was any to be had with the Palm Pre 2. The Palm Pre 2 has been announced as coming to French carrier SFR this Friday, which explains why the leak came from a French blog. It will pack in a 1 GHz processor, 5 MP camera with LED flash and 16 GB of internal storage. The Pre 2 also features a glass display, and a “sleeker, streamlined design,” so it’s a bit thinner than previous models. The screen is still 320x480, the slide-out keyboard is still there, and it’s ready for the Touchstone with a battery cover designed for the charger being included with the phone. For Americans, the Palm Pre 2 will be coming to Verizon Wireless “in the coming months.” Not very specific, but hopefully HP can bring the phone out before January when everyone will be waiting for the Verizon iPhone, whether it exists or not. As I said when the device was leaked, the Palm Pre 2 looks pretty good, a streamlined Pre 1 isn;t a bad idea. That 3.1-inch screen with 320x480 resolution is truly depressing, though. Maybe HP is waiting for tablets to make WebOS 2.0 relevant, because this, unfortunately, is already behind phones that are readily available. Read [Palm] and [Palm Pre 2 page] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile While we have already seen reports of Wal-Mart recalling the current Droid 2, we have yet to hear anything official from Verizon in terms of when the replacement (the Droid 2 Global Edition) would come available. That said, while they have not offered up anything official, say, in the form of a press release, they have begun advertising the Droid 2 Global Edition for those calling in to the 1-800 support line and sitting on hold. Seems a strange place to ‘unveil’ a phone, but maybe they are simply going to do a quite remove and replace with the current Droid 2 and the world edition Droid 2. Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks It’s been a few months since Barnes & Noble released a firmware update for it’s Nook ebook reader. In that time, the company released Nook apps for several platforms, which has brought about a few annoyances for users. Next month, a few of those issues will be resolved. With Nook 1.5, Barnes & Noble will finally be implementing progress syncing, so you can read books on an app or the Nook and pick up at the same spot. The features has been a part of the Kindle for quite some time, and has even been in Apple’s iBooks since that app came to the iPhone. The Nook 1.5 update will also bring better search to the device, presumably for in-book searches. An interesting new features is password protection, which could be useful for those who want to hide what they’re reading from others, though it could prove annoying with the occasionally spotty Nook keyboard. The last big update is the ability to rearrange your library, which could prove very useful for those who hate searching through screens of books to find the one you want to read. Barnes & Noble is saying that this is the biggest change to the Nok since it was released about a year ago. While that’s great, it might be nice to see somewhat different hardware. Perhaps something that’s a bit faster with a more responsive touchscreen. Still, adding the syncing feature is great for those who are loyal to the platform, much better than having to rely on just one device to read so you can keep your placement. Read [Barnes & Noble] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile 
Did I miss the start of this bitter war? In yesterday’s Apple earning call, CEO Steve Jobs went on the attack (or was it defense?) with gruff words for Google. RIM was shot down quickly, but most of Job’s speech was directed at Google. Has paranoia reached Apple HQ? Google isn’t going anywhere with their Android but up. Look at any study done as of late and they’ll tell you more phones on more carriers = win. Especially in the US where we tote around more smartphones than anywhere. Hanging the iPhone on one carrier has proved to be a limited success. So if Android isn’t going anywhere and Apple seems to keep selling more and more iPhones (up 91% year over year). What happens? Apple side: We’ll see Apple retrench further from Google. Search: There’s a lot of players in search. Stats just revealed Google still owns 98% of search on the iOS, but Apple could throw that. Safari will most definitely switch Google search from the default search engine in it’s Safari browser. Maps: Apple’s made two stategic purchases to combat the uber-easy Maps app that relys on Google’s mapping. First the company bought Placebase back in 2009 and then Poly9. It looks like Apple will build Google out of maps for iOS devices. Apps: With the FCC watching every more they make, Apple won’t be able to do much on the app front. Though I wouldn’t expect to see a Google app featured in the app store any time soon. Advertising: iAds were created to control the ecosystem. There is cash to be made here and Apple jumped on it first. Is keeping Google from iCustomers enough? With the launch of a Verizon iPhone, it might be. Google’s side: Apple doesn’t provide any of the services in Android, so the list is a bit different for them. I suspect they’ll continue to want access to Apple’s base and will use their control of “free” services to irk Apple. Search: Google will still be an option in search in Safari (remember, big brother is watching - and Google does not fear some fun litigation). Are iOS customers too lazy to change the default search if it brings us to our warm and friendly Google search results? Navigation: I suspect Google will bring free navigation to the iPhone. Apple would have to search hard to find a way to keep it out of the app store and Google knows this. Bringing their free navigation to the iPhone would disrupt (to some extent) the paid navigation ecosystem that currently exists. From helping partners like AT&T with AT&T Navigation, to the big names like TomTom and Garmin, there’s good money to be made in app sales. Free navigation from a name like Google could spoil that. And irk Apple. Business as usual: Google seems content to make a small amount on the sale of each phone vs. a large amount (ala Apple). Apple can afford smaller volumes of phone sold and still do better than Google. What’s interest is Google doesn’t necessarily need the smartphone business, whereas Apple does. If they get pissed off: If Apple keeps throwing barbs and getting under Google’s skin, things could get interesting. What if Google subsidized the monthly service charge for Android customers? The customers simply agree to have their lock screen to be an advertisement and you’ve got a revenue stream to begin to support such a move. And that’s just one idea from a dumb blogger, not the geniuses locked up in Google HQ. Preposterous? Perhaps, but Google’s shown they are willing to experiment in the space (Nexus One anyone?) and they’ve now got the clout to give it a go. That’s my take on what we’ll see develop over the next 6 months. What yours? Image credit: erictric.com Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Computers, Mobile Computers We mentioned that the Archos 43 and 28 as well as the Archos 101 and 70 tablets appeared for pre-order with Tiger Direct back on the 15th, and now it looks like those waiting for the Archos 43 now have another option for making the purchase placing a pre-order. The device has been listed with Amazon, though at the present time the only model listed is the 16GB which will set you back $249.99. Otherwise, no sign of the 8GB Archos 43 or any of the other models on Amazon just yet. Not to mention, Amazon has not offered up a release or expected shipping date. That said, the Tiger Direct listing had the Archos 43 as shipping on October 31st so we will continue to hope for that. Read [Amazon] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Mobile, Web, Google Ad network Chitika has just released some interesting figures covering the iPhone search market. Do you really have to guess which search engine is dominating in this search space? - Google. What’s interesting about this Chitika report is the fact that Google is dominating the iPhone search market both through its iPhone app and the search bar in the Mobile Safari web browser. This doesn’t even include the search conducted from the Google mobile search website access via Safari. Here are the specific numbers. The Google app accounts for 8.68% of Google’s iPhone traffic, the Safari Mobile web browser toolbar accounts for 49% and searches conducted on Google homepage plus some other sources account for 42.24%. That brings the total market search of Google in the iPhone search market to a whooping - 96.96%! Meanwhile, both Yahoo and Bing are nowhere near Google’s iPhone search market share. Yahoo managed to grab only 2.25%, while Bing go a mere 0.58%. Pretty interesting, right? This could very well serve as a wake up call to both Microsoft and Yahoo to possibly beef up their mobile search presence, specifically in the iPhone market. We can’t help but wonder how much is Google earning from mobile search ads considering that huge market share, or is it earning at all? Read [Chitika] Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Mobile Last week we mentioned how Verizon was planning to begin charging $3.50 if you wanted to pay your bill using a credit or debit card. Well, flash forward till today and we have a bit of good news to report back—Verizon has changed their mind. A new message has appeared where the last was, and this one gives the good news. “Important: We recently let you know that one-time payments using a credit/debit/ATM card would soon be processed by a vendor who would charge a $3.50 fee. This change will not take place as scheduled and we will notify you in advance of any future changes.”
Bottom line, you can continue to pay your Verizon bill with your credit or debit card and not have to pay any extra fees. Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile  Interesting. It seems as though Microsoft is implying that Windows Phone 7 will be unlike other smartphones in the sense that people will not be distracted from their day-to-day routines whilst using the device. There have been talks at developer’s conferences that the Phone 7 was very stripped down and basic when it came to its features. This seems to be the secret formula that Apple aficionados love about Mr. Jobs and company, isn’t it? But how exactly will Microsoft loyalists feel when their generally complicated and cumbersome product becomes “dumbed down” to match the rest of the smartphone world? I for one can’t wait to see this change. The Windows Phone 7 will take advantage of Microsoft's services such as Xbox live, Zune, Exchange, Office and also third party social networking services right from the get go. Feast your eyes on the chart of simplicity: The Phone 7 seems to be pretty close to that sweet medium spot that will have users happy in terms of both simplicity and functionality. I might be hyping this thing up way too much. After all, this is Microsoft we’re talking about here. Read [NoMediumSpared] Full Story » | Written by Tarun Kunwar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
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