GottaBeMobile.com |
- Sprint ID Reveals Samsung Chief, LG Q, LG Optimus B, Motorola Sunfire Android Smartphones
- HP Expanding webOS TouchPad Franchise with More Trademark Filings?
- A Camera Phone Without Compromises: Nokia, Carl Zeiss Talk About Nokia N8
- 2.5 Year-Old Sony Ericsson Satio the Inspiration for Google’s Next Nexus?
- Garmin Announces Navigon Acquisition
- Xperia X10 Gingerbread Update Gets Previewed (Video)
- Verizon Keeping 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Free Through July 6th
- Joby Releases GorillaMobile Ori and Yogi for iPad 2
- Vizio 8-Inch Android Tablet Headed to Walmart for $350
- Motorola Photon 4G Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
- How to Use iOS 5′s Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
- T-Mobile Announces Father’s Day 2011 Sale
- iPad with 3D Display Surfaces in Taipei (Video)
- 5 Reasons Not To Buy A 4G LTE Smartphone Today
- LG Optimus 3D Launch Delayed in UK
- The 10 Most Popular iPhone Passcodes
- Unlocked iPhone 4 Goes on Sale at Apple for $649
- HTC Desire Won’t Be Getting Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- webOS Cloud Music Now a Distant Reality, Labels Doubt HP’s Seriousness
- HP Preparing for NFC Digital Wallets with webOS Smartphones, Tablets
| Sprint ID Reveals Samsung Chief, LG Q, LG Optimus B, Motorola Sunfire Android Smartphones Posted: 15 Jun 2011 05:11 AM PDT
The list of un-announced smartphone names was discovered when a user attempted to download a Sprint Employee Pack ID, where the service then prompted the user to select which phone they own and thus revealed the names of these unreleased handsets. Unfortunately, however, no images were displayed to reveal what these handsets would look like, and a Sprint logo placeholder was used instead. Android Central notes that the Motorola Sunfire could be the Motorola Photon 4G whereas the LG Optimus B could be the LG Optimus Black for Sprint. The Samsung Chief may be a mid-range device and the LG Optimus Q could potentially be an Optimus Slider. If in fact the Motorola Photon 4G will get the Sprint ID treatment, the handset will be as near to stock Android as possible. The near vanilla build of Android would then allow users to customize the handset with additional widgets, wallpapers, apps, ringtones, and more through a Sprint ID pack that's customized and designed for their personalities, lifestyles, and interests.
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| HP Expanding webOS TouchPad Franchise with More Trademark Filings? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 05:02 AM PDT
Though there are no details for what these products may be, potentials could include a 7-inch TouchPad, by name of the TouchPad7, a dual-screen TouchPad by way of the TouchPadTwin, and perhaps a model with keyboard similar to the Asus Eee Pad Transformer as the TouchPadPro name could suggest.
Via: Unwired View
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| A Camera Phone Without Compromises: Nokia, Carl Zeiss Talk About Nokia N8 Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:04 AM PDT
I will admit that although I've never been a Symbian fan in the past–I've forayed into the platform with the stunning Nokia E71 but I wasn't as captivated–but the Nokia N8′s excellent camera now makes it the phone that I grab when I am going out. And the brilliant camera is enabled in part due to a mechanical shutter, glass lens with Carl Zeiss optics, dual Xenon flash, a large image sensor, and smooth 720p HD video recording capabilities. Since I've owned an N8, I haven't used a standalone digital camera, which is a rarity for me as I always carry around a separate camera. The video below highlights the differences in image quality for photos taken with an iPhone 4 and the Nokia N8 and the winner was the Nokia N8:
I know a lot of pro-phone users are put off by Symbian–there are enough rumors going against Symbian with its aged OS that's been continuously re-t0oled to keep apace with Android and iOS, a late foray and lack of experience with touchscreen UIs, slow processor, and lack of apps. In reality, Symbian doesn't need a fast processor as the N8′s CPU is capable of handling most tasks suitably; the OS is optimized such that it doesn't require as much as newer OSes. It has push email, stellar phone and audio quality thanks to Dolby support, advanced features like USB on the go support, and despite its age, is a very capable OS. Most of the basic apps and a lot of popular games–Angry Birds included–can be found on the Nokia Store (formerly of Ovi fame). With free locally stored maps for turn-by-turn voice guidance and custom voice, the Nokia N8–and Symbian–has a lot going for it. After using a plethora of smartphone devices ranging from Palm OS, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, Android, iOS, and BlackBerry, it's still the Nokia N8 that I grab and turn to when I leave the house.
There are still a few flaws with the Nokia N8, however, that I hope Nokia will address as it migrates towards Windows Phone 7. For an awesome camera, the glaring omission of a tripod mount mechanism seems like a flaw than an oversight just because Nokia could have played up the camera even more on this smartphone. Additionally, via the Nokia client to connect to Facebook and Twitter, images that upload were lower resolution than should be, and don't highlight the camera's true potential. Additionally, native panoramic mode, like on some of Samsung's Android phones, would be welcomed as would be an option for tap-to-focus like on Apple's iPhone. At the end of the day though, I think the thing that draws me most to the Nokia N8 is that it's one of the few iconic smartphone devices in recent memory. Aside from the iPhone 4, original Motorola Droid, and the Droid X, I think the Nokia N8′s unique industrial design is subtle, yet refined. And unlike the colder minimalism that Motorola's Android devices sport or the simple clean lines of the iPhone 4, the Nokia N8′s curvatures make it not only ergonomic and easy to hold, but warmer to behold. Glass and metal parts help to lend a feeling of a high-end handset that is almost befitting of Nokia's premium Vertu brand. The choice of bright colors help make it feel more warm and friendly than other smartphones despite the fact that the N8 is ensconced in cold glass and metal construction. The capabilities of the N8 doesn't just end with photos. It's 720p HD video recording renders smooth videos. In fact, the above video made by Nokia and Carl Zeiss was shot on the Nokia N8. You can see the Dragonfly Love feature that was mentioned in the video as well, below, as that short film was also shot on the Nokia N8. Dragonfly Love video mentioned in the film: Director Thomas Hilland was asked to test drive the Nokia N8, and make a film that made the most of the smartphone's impressive HD camera. The film features music by Kap Bambino, remote-controlled dragonflies, a stunning Norwegian landscape, and some men in colourful costume. See how they did it in the 'making of' film below.
The making of Dragonfly Love:
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| 2.5 Year-Old Sony Ericsson Satio the Inspiration for Google’s Next Nexus? Posted: 15 Jun 2011 12:05 AM PDT  Image via Droid-Life Google had used an un-named smartphone rendering on stage to debut its new search feature for mobile, leading many on the Internet to question if the near-buttonless smartphone is the design inspiration for the oft-rumored next-generation Nexus 3 that will succeed the Samsung-made Nexus S. However, upon closer inspection, the smartphone resembles a smartphone that was announced nearly 2.5 years ago at Mobile World Congress in early 2009. The smartphone design in question looks a lot like the Sony Ericsson Satio–codenamed Idou, a Symbian-powered smartphone that boasts a 3.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.1-megapixel camera. The phone has three buttons on the bottom–which are clearly seen on the smartphone render for Google's search announcement–for call send and end, and what appears to be a menu button. In fact, what appears to be a lanyard loop at the bottom center is also carried over to the Google search image render as well. Here's what the Sony Ericsson Satio looks like below, which you can compare to the image at the upper right for the Google Search phone:
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| Garmin Announces Navigon Acquisition Posted: 15 Jun 2011 12:01 AM PDT
"This acquisition is a great complement to Garmin's existing automotive and mobile business. Navigonhas invested significantly in the European automotive OEM business, and we feel that we can rapidly expand our automotive OEM footprint and capabilities through this transaction," said Cliff Pemble, Garmin's president and COO. "With Navigon, we are also acquiring one of the top-selling navigation applications for the iPhone and Android platforms – something that we expect will help drive revenue for the combined company going forward. Combining Navigon's and Garmin's strength also improves our competitiveness and standing particularly in Europe." Though Garmin had tried to expand into the smartphone market in the past with a GPS-phone through a venture with Asus, the Nuvifone and Garminfone brands have not taken off leaving the two to disband their partnership.
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| Xperia X10 Gingerbread Update Gets Previewed (Video) Posted: 14 Jun 2011 05:53 PM PDT While the wait for Sony Ericsson to roll out the Android 2.3 Gingerbread to the Xperia X10 continues, owners will be happy to know that a preview video of the update has surfaced and it gives us a quick taste of what the update will bring when it finally gets around to rolling out.
The video, from ThaiAndroidPhone, clearly shows Android 2.3 Gingerbread running on the X10 and while it's only a brief little peek, it's a peek nonetheless and a sign that things are still in motion. Gingerbread will apparently bring some other nice things to the X10 including support for 16 million colors, a new kernel, and quite possibly an unlocked bootloader which is pretty exciting. Other than that, the details are scarce but from what we're seeing, this is shaping up to be an excellent finale for the Xperia X10. Keep in mind though, Sony has made it clear that the update might not roll out to every single X10 owner out there. We're looking at you, AT&T X10 owners. So unfortunately, this video might be the closest some of you ever get to the official update. So, keep those fingers crossed. Via: Phandroid – Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Running Android 2.3 (Video)
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| Verizon Keeping 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Free Through July 6th Posted: 14 Jun 2011 04:49 PM PDT In a move that will certainly delight owners of the HTC ThunderBolt, Samsung Droid Charge and LG Revolution, Verizon has apparently sent word that it will be extending the free 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot promotion through July 6th. For the last couple of months, 4G LTE smartphone owners on Big Red have enjoyed free mobile hotspot support, a bright spot amidst the some of the blights that 4G LTE owners have had and still have to deal with. Here is what Verizon had to say in regards to the extension, notice that there is no mention of how expensive this might be when July finally rolls around.
So kids, enjoy it while it lasts because as soon as July 6th rolls around, it's gone. And who knows what kind of nasty surprise or surprises Verizon has in store when that day arrives. Read: "The $20/GB (Gigabyte) plan will not be available on 4G LTE Smartphones." Via: Droid-Life
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| Joby Releases GorillaMobile Ori and Yogi for iPad 2 Posted: 14 Jun 2011 04:29 PM PDT Joby has announced that it has released updated versions of its GorillaMobile Ori and GorillaMobile Yogi stands for use with Apple's iPad 2.
The GorillaMobile Ori is Joby's case that can also transform into a stand. It's inspired by origami and has been "engineered from superlight German aluminum/polypropylene used in high-performance cars for sleek ergonomic positioning." What this means is that it's not only a lightweight case but an extremely versatile device for watching movies and shows on your iPad 2. If you've been looking for a sleek case or stand for your iPad 2 and want them both wrapped into one, the GorillaMobile Ori can be found at Amazon or through Joby for $70.
As for the GorillaMobile Yogi, it's Joby's flexible stand and it will allow you to take advantage of the iPad 2′s cameras. Using it's legs, you'll be able to stabilize the iPad 2 in positions that you normally wouldn't be able to. And if you're on a road trip, you can even do something like wrap it around the car seat and to have your iPad 2 suspended in front of you to watch movies or TV. The Yogi is currently available at Joby and Amazon for $40.
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| Vizio 8-Inch Android Tablet Headed to Walmart for $350 Posted: 14 Jun 2011 03:05 PM PDT All the way back at CES, Vizio announced that it would be bringing a phone, a tablet and a Google TV device to the market. While details on the Google TV device has been scarce, we've seen the Vizio Smartphone and the Vizio Tablet pass through the FCC meaning that a release was on the way. Well, no new details on the phone, but the company's 8-inch Android tablet appears ready to hit Walmart.
Today, more evidence popped up suggesting that Vizio's 8-inch Honeycomb tablet will cost $350 when it hits Walmart. There is still no concrete release date but Los Angeles Clippers player Blake Griffin posted a video on his YouTube page showing off the tablet and if that's any indication, a release could be close. The evidence unfortunately doesn't confirm much in the spec department other than the 8-inch screen, GPS and a front facing camera. It's also unknown whether or not it's going to be coming with Android Honeycomb and from the looks of things, it might not. If that's the case, it's likely going to be competing against the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab that is currently stuck with Android 2.2 Froyo with no update to Honeycomb in sight. Via: ThisIsMyNext – Blake Griffin And The 8-Inch Vizio Tablet (Video)
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| Motorola Photon 4G Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup Posted: 14 Jun 2011 02:28 PM PDT On June 9th, Motorola and Sprint hosted an event in New York City where they introduced Motorola's first WiMax smartphone, the Motorola Photon 4G. The Photon 4G had been rumored to be Sprint's version of the Motorola Droid X2 but as it turns out, the Photon 4G is actually quite different than its relative on Verizon. In fact, the Photon 4G is more like a souped up version of the Motorola Atrix 4G on AT&T.
The Photon 4G is going to be one of Sprint's flagship devices, joining the HTC EVO 3D, when it arrives this summer and it's going to directly appeal to those that do a lot of traveling because the Photon 4G is a world phone and will be capable of working on GSM networks around the globe. Besides being 4G and global, the Photon 4G also boasts an impressive specification sheet that should excite those who have been looking forward to a Motorola device on Sprint. What is the Motorola Photon 4G?The Motorola Photon 4G is a dual-core, world phone from Motorola and Sprint that will run on the U.S. carrier's 4G WiMax network. It sports a large 4.3-inch touchscreen with qHD (Quarter High Definition) display – the Atrix 4G has a 4-inch screen – and is powered by a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. It also possesses 1GB of RAM and will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box. The Atrix 4G runs Android 2.2 Froyo.
It also has dual cameras for those that enjoy taking pictures with their phone. On the front, we have a VGA camera for things like video chat and in the rear, an 8MP shooter that has dual-LED flash. Like the Atrix 4G, the Photon 4G will also be compatible with the Motorola accessory dock which turns the smartphone into a laptop hybrid. Motorola Photon 4G Release DateMotorola and Sprint were unfortunately coy about a specific release date only to say that the Motorola Photon 4G would be out at some point during the summer of 2011. Not surprising, considering Sprint is launching another flagship phone, the HTC EVO 3D, on June 24th. So, look for the Photon 4G to hit shelves sometime in July or August. Motorola Photon 4G Hands-On Video
A hands-on video with the Motorola Photon 4G courtesy of ThisIsMyNext. We are unfortunately couldn't make it all the way to New York. Motorola Photon 4G FeaturesTegra 2 Dual-Core Processor: The Tegra 2 dual-core processor has finally come to Sprint and along with the WiMax connectivity, makes the Photon 4G a device to be reckoned with. World Phone: Because the Photon 4G is a global device, it will allow you to access emails, calendars and news around the world. High-Resolution Display: The Motorola Photon 4G rocks a 4.3 qHD display which means that it has a screen resolution of 960×540 screen resolution. It's extremely crisp and is a big step up from the displays that most phone owners are accustomed to. 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot Capabilities: The Photon 4G's mobile hotspot supports up to eight devices on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks and one while roaming internationally on GSM. Motorola Photon 4G PricingLike the release date, the pricing on the Motorola Photon 4G remains a mystery. However, we don't expect it to cost any different than the HTC EVO 3D which is currently available at most places for $199 on a two year contract. In other words, $199 for the Photon 4G seems very probable. Motorola Photon 4G vs HTC EVO 3DSprint is releasing two flagship smartphones this summer and that means many people will have a tough choice on their hands. Motorola Photon 4G or HTC EVO 3D? Well, there are some key differences between the two that we'll point out that might make your decision a little bit easier. First, the EVO 3D as you can tell by its name, has a display that is capable of showing 3D content. It can also shoot 3D video. The Photon 4G on the other hand cannot do either. If you're a fan of 3D or just want to have it handy, the EVO 3D wins here. Second, and we're going to hammer this home, the Photon 4G is a world phone. You can travel with it and it will work internationally as long as there is a GSM network to be found. The HTC EVO 3D does not possess this feature. So, if you travel for pleasure or business, it might be worth snagging the Photon 4G. Next, the EVO 3D has HTC Sense 3.0 while the Photon 4G will have the new MotoBlur over the top of Android. This is really up to your personal preference as both offer some neat abilities although we should point out that most people like Sense over MotoBlur. Last, the bootloader on the HTC EVO 3D will be unlocked by a software update in the future. And while we had believe that the Photon 4G's bootloader would be unlocked at launch, that's not the case. The Photon 4G's bootloader will be unlocked later on this year if Sprint approves it. No guarantees. Motorola Photon 4G Hands-On, Review Videos
An official video from Sprint showing off the specifications of the Motorola Photon 4G. – An extensive look at the Motorola Photon 4G courtesy of BWOne. –
A demo of the Photon 4G docked in the multimedia docking station from UnwiredView. Motorola Photon 4G Specs
Motorola Photon 4G Gallery
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| How to Use iOS 5′s Custom Keyboard Shortcuts Posted: 14 Jun 2011 01:40 PM PDT One of the cool new time saving features coming in iOS 5 is the ability to add your own customized keyboard shortcuts. This allows you to type nbcm and have iOS 5 expand it to Notebooks.com, saving time and possibly some auto-correct issues if you add the right shortcuts. You can add almost anything you like as an iOS 5 shortcut, so that you can personalize the new shortcut feature to meet your needs. I will show you how iOS 5 shortcuts work and suggest some options to get you started. If you fall in love with shortcuts, you may like Text Expander, which does the same thing on your Mac. To use this feature today you will need to be running the iOS 5 Beta. If you can't put up with bugs or glitches, consider this a preview and wait for the official release this fall, otherwise you can get the iOS 5 Beta for free or as low as $5. How to Add Shortcuts To add a custom iOS 5 keyboard shortcut, go into the Settings App and choose General. From there choose Keyboard. At the bottom you will see an entry that says, "Add New Shortcut…". Select it and you will see a screen like the one below.
In the Phrase box type in the string that you want the shortcut to expand to. Above I typed the address to our sister site Notebooks.com. In the Shortcut box type in the shortcut that you will actually type. I chose nbcm. Be sure to use something that you would not normally type at other times. I thought about using nbc, but what if I was writing an email to a friend about a show on the TV Network? It would automatically ask to expand to Notebooks.com every time I typed the network name. Suggested UsesHere are some suggested shortcuts that you might want to add with a suggested string of letters to use:
From now on, whenever you type the shortcut, iOS will popup a suggested spelling for the letters you typed. See below.
You can accept it by hitting space or return or reject it by tapping the little X in the popup just as you would with typical spelling autocorrect. Another cool new iOS 5 feature we highlighted was the ability to add customized vibration notifications for incoming calls from specific people.
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| T-Mobile Announces Father’s Day 2011 Sale Posted: 14 Jun 2011 01:10 PM PDT Last year, T-Mobile's Father's Day sale was a sight to behold. The carrier offered up all of their phones for free for those signing new contacts or customers that were adding a line. Unfortunately, this year's sale on June 18th is far less extravagant and the mobile carrier will, instead of phones, be offering free data for customers signing up for the $10 200MB data plan.
The deal applies to new customers and also for those who have had a contract with T-Mobile for 18 months or more. The account must also be in good standing with T-Mobile or else you're ineligible. For those of you looking to sign up for the 2GB, 5GB or 10GB high speed data plans, you'll received a $10 credit on their monthly bill for 12 months. Translation: You'll save $120. The deal is only going to be available on Father's Day and will be offered at participating T-Mobile retail stores, national retail operators as well as online. If this sounds like an offer that you can't refuse, you can find more info on T-Mobile Father's Day Sale site. For more Father's Day gift ideas, be sure to check out our Father's Day 2011 Tech and Gadgets Gift Guide.
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| iPad with 3D Display Surfaces in Taipei (Video) Posted: 14 Jun 2011 11:41 AM PDT At the Display Taiwan conference in Taipei, display manufacturer CPT gave NetbookNews a glimpse at an iPad prototype that has a 3D display.
The iPad 3 will likely make its debut at some point in the year 2012 and it will likely bring some sort of upgrade in the display department. It's very possible that that upgrade might be a move to 3D and this little prototype gives us a glimpse of what could be coming our way in the future. What you see here is an iPad 2 modified with a 3D screen that requires glasses. The 3D apparently looks stunning and from the looks of things, it appears that the iPad 2 is very capable of handling a 3D display. So, might we see CPT or another company making 3D screens for Apple in the future? It's possible as 3D is a space that Apple is certainly looking into. So, we have to ask. Would you buy an iPad with a 3D display? – Apple iPad Prototype with 3D Display (Video)
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| 5 Reasons Not To Buy A 4G LTE Smartphone Today Posted: 14 Jun 2011 11:14 AM PDT Hardly a day goes by when I'm not tempted to buy a ticket (OK, fine, sign a two year contract) and hop aboard the 4G LTE smartphone train. A few of my friends have LTE devices and love the upload and download speeds that they've been getting. They tell me to get one when my iPhone 3GS contract runs out. The Verizon store reps in my neighborhood rave to me about the Droid Charge and the HTC ThunderBolt. My co-workers have bought into 4G LTE.
However, I'm not ready to hop aboard the train just yet and here are some reasons why. Lack Of HardwareFirst and foremost, there isn't a wide selection when it comes to 4G LTE smartphones. In fact, you can count all of them on one hand. We've got the HTC ThunderBolt, the Droid Charge and the LG Revolution. Essentially, I can choose between three phones that I wouldn't consider without LTE. No dual-core and really nothing that stands out except the Droid Charge's Super AMOLED Plus Display. They are all single-core phones. They all boast a 4.3 inch screen. There is nothing that truly separates them besides the Droid Charge's display, the different UI's over Android and their form factors.
Until there is more hardware diversity, I'm taking a pass. Early Adoption IssuesEarly adoption does not appeal to me at all and I'm pretty sure that there are more than a few people out there that bought the HTC ThunderBolt or Droid Charge without knowing what they would have to deal with. Plain and simple, it doesn't look like fun. HTC ThunderBolt owners are seeing random reboots. Most 4G LTE smartphone owners suffer from unstable battery life. The entire 4G LTE network has gone down and it wouldn't be shocking to see it go down again.
All in all, it's probably worth waiting for a more mature network and more stable devices to arrive. Verizon itself has even said that there are trade-offs when it comes to buying in this early to 4G LTE and I'm not willing to pay to be a test subject. Verizon Is The Only Major U.S. Carrier Offering 4G LTEBesides the limited hardware options, there is also a lack of options when it comes to the 4G LTE service itself. Currently, Verizon is the only carrier that offers it in the United States with AT&T confirmed to be rolling out their network in five cities this summer and U.S. Cellular green lighting its 4G LTE network this holiday season. But what about MetroPCS you might ask? Yes, the mobile carrier offers 4G LTE but they also only have one phone available for it, the Samsung Craft, and it's definitely not something you want to sign up for. That's not the only thing that should keep you away from MetroPCS' network either. As for the other two major U.S. carriers, Sprint currently uses 4G WiMax which is slower than 4G LTE. There have been rumors that it is considering a move to 4G LTE but things have been relatively quiet lately. And as for T-Mobile, it employs a HSPA+ network which is slower than both WiMax and LTE, not that it stops T-Mobile from calling their network 4G. So ultimately, this comes down to options and I'm not sure I'm willing to just throw my money at Verizon or MetroPCS without any other options on the table. And unfortunately, it's going to be awhile before any viable options are. 4G LTE Service Isn't EverywhereYes, there is 4G LTE service here in the Bay Area but what if I decide to go visit my brother in Eugene, Oregon? I'm not going to have 4G LTE service. And even then I'm lucky. Many people live in places that don't yet have 4G LTE service and may not even see it until 2013 as that's when Verizon plans to have the entire network rolled out.
If you're willing to roll the dice and bet that you're going to get 4G LTE before then, you'll at least want to wait for next-generation hardware to come out and that way you'll have one thing going for you in case your bet turns out to be a bad one. Maybe I Don't Want Android/Few Optimized ApplicationsThe three 4G LTE options on the market right now are all Android smartphones. As much as I like Android, I also like what I am seeing from iOS 5 and Windows Phone 7.1 Mango is looking amazing as well. It's unlikely that we'll see a 4G LTE iPhone this year so that means it's likely going to be 2012 before iOS gets in on the fun and it's unclear when Windows Phone 7 will get its first LTE device. And while it's easy just to make the move to Android because it's a fabulous operating system, I want the same choices with software that I want with hardware. A smaller point that I should also point out is the lack of applications on the Android market that take advantage of 4G LTE speeds. Netflix on the LG Revolution is one but there really isn't anything else out there that catches my eye. Ok, so you can browse the web at blazing speeds (a dual-core processor would help) but you can't really do much else with it. And I'm talking about average stuff here, not everyone gets a phone to perform speed tests or to tether.
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| LG Optimus 3D Launch Delayed in UK Posted: 14 Jun 2011 11:03 AM PDT Yesterday, it became apparent that the upcoming LG Optimus 3D smartphone might be released on June 20th as Amazon's UK site had that listed as the probable shipping date. However, that's not going to be the case as LG has confirmed that the device has been delayed and that they are hoping to get some units by the end of June, although that appears to be shaky.
The Optimus 3D was originally announced back at MWC and was labeled the world's first 3D smartphone. However, it has taken quite awhile to get to shelves and now it appears that another 3D smartphone, the HTC EVO 3D, is going to beat it to market. Yesterday, Amazon had the phone listed as coming out on the 20th. It was a little suspicious and those suspicions were confirmed when UK carrier Clove confirmed that it wouldn't have the phone until July 11th. LG then chimed in today and corroborated that by announcing that the LG Optimus 3D had been delayed and that it was expect to get some units by the end of the month. What this means is that if we're lucky, we'll see some Optimus 3D units out and about in the UK in June. More likely though, the Optimus 3D is looking like it will arrive at some point during the month of July. A bummer for those of you who have been waiting for Europe's first 3D smartphone, we're sure of it. Via: UnwiredView
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| The 10 Most Popular iPhone Passcodes Posted: 14 Jun 2011 10:31 AM PDT Ever wondered what the most popular passcodes on the iPhone are? Well, thanks to app developer Daniel Amitay, we now have a look at the top 10 passcodes that iPhone owners use to lock up their phones.
The data was gathered using Amitay's Big Brother Camera Security application which records the passcodes of its users anonymously. While the data is a small sample of the millions of iPhone users, it does point to some interesting trends. If his data is anywhere near accurate then this is how it breaks down. Out of the 204,508 passcodes he plucked, the top ten passcodes are:
The least obvious one here, as Amitay points out, is 5683. Wondering why that is in the top 10? Well, it's because those digits spell out the word 'Love'. You devilish iPhone owners you. You also might be wondering about 2580. Well, those are of course the digits running down the middle of the keypad. It also appears that iPhone owners like using years as passcodes as 1990 to 2000 all appeared in the top 50. While this is a neat little look into iPhone owners habits, it's not all fun and games. It's a very clear sign that many iPhones out there aren't well protected. Amitay thinks that a thief would have about a 1 in 7 chance of getting the phone unlocked,especially if the thief is familiar with the owners birthday or relationship status. So, word of advice, keep this in mind when you start flaunting your new iPhone 5 this September. Via: PCMag
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| Unlocked iPhone 4 Goes on Sale at Apple for $649 Posted: 14 Jun 2011 09:22 AM PDT There had been a rumor flying around stating that Apple would begin selling an unlocked version of the iPhone 4 at some point this week and sure enough, an unlocked version of the device has appeared on Apple's website with a steep price tag of $649.
For those of you in the United States, that price tag is probably going to be a bit steep for a phone that's only going to work on AT&T's 3G network. However, if you travel around a lot whether it's for business or pleasure, an unlocked iPhone 4 will allow you to switch out the microSIM as much as you want.
Now, if you're looking to get your hands on one, it's going to cost you a pretty penny. A 16GB iPhone 4 is going to cost $649 and if you want to get a 32GB iPhone 4, you'll have to cough up $749. If you want the black model, Apple lists it as shipping out in three days while the unlocked white iPhone 4 is going to take a little bit longer and will ship out in three to five days. If interested, you can find the unlocked iPhone 4 online at Apple's store right here. Via: Engadget
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| HTC Desire Won’t Be Getting Android 2.3 Gingerbread Posted: 14 Jun 2011 08:58 AM PDT In some horrible news for HTC Desire owners, HTC has posted on its Facebook page and has indicated that the HTC Desire will not be getting a bump up to Android 2.3 Gingerbread which is sure to be a huge blow for those that had been waiting patiently for it to arrive.
While it's nice of them to be up front, it's not going to be music to owners ears and we get the feeling that HTC Sense probably made more than a few enemies today. So, if you own an HTC Desire, it's probably time to look into rooting and custom ROMs as that will be the only way you'll be able to get Gingerbread on your phone in the future. Huge bummer but at least owners have alternatives.
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| webOS Cloud Music Now a Distant Reality, Labels Doubt HP’s Seriousness Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:32 AM PDT
The reason is that although HP has opened talks with the major labels, the company hasn't yet detailed any specific plans for the service. Billboard editor Ed Christman writes, "music industry sources caution, as recently as this week, that the discussions remain in the early stages, and that HP has yet to set up parameters for what it wants to do-or even a timeline." Music labels don't know how serious HP is about this new venture into the cloud. Sources say that HP's service can be broad, perhaps like Sony's Qriocity service, which can stream a number of different media across a broad spectrum of HP devices ranging from PCs to webOS mobile products. Though HP may lack the vision or organization on the software side when it comes to music, the company seems dedicated on the hardware side, bringing Beats audio to consumer and enterprise systems, including on the HP TouchPad tablet. Beats audio, developed with music industry veterans, is intended for users to experience music the way the artists envisioned, and as such, HP has the foundation for a music offering on its systems, it just needs the proper software, ecosystem, and perhaps cloud-based offering to do so. So far, HP's rivals have implemented vastly differing mechanisms for music in the cloud. Microsoft, with its Zune integration on the Windows Phone 7 platform, allows on-demand streaming through a subscription service. Apple, with its a la carte purchases of tracks and albums, is leveraging iCloud with an optional annual subscription fee to mirror any and all music content on the user's computer to the cloud–no uploads necessary–and will allow users to access their entire music collection from said iCloud wherever and whenever they have Internet access. Google, which doesn't have its own music store right now, requires a user to upload content to the cloud with its beta service. Amazon, perhaps as a hybrid of Apple's and Google's offering, allows a user to upload their music to the cloud, but content purchased through Amazon's own MP3 store will automatically get uploaded to the cloud. If Billboard's reports are accurate, it seems unlikely that an HP music cloud service would be ready in time for the launch of the TouchPad.
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| HP Preparing for NFC Digital Wallets with webOS Smartphones, Tablets Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:11 AM PDT In a bid to rival Google and Android, Hewlett-Packard may be readying some webOS devices with built-in near field communications (NFC) technologies that would enable its smartphones and tablets to be used as digital wallets. HP's venture into the NFC world would utilize the technology not only as a point of payment mechanism, but would allow customers to receive coupons, loyalty points, and discounts by tapping their webOS-empowered smartphones and tablets to nearby posters, advertisements, and banners. The new NFC-enabled webOS devices could be ready by the end of the year.
With RIM, Nokia, Microsoft, Google, and Apple already exploring, launching, or rumored to be introducing hardware and services with NFC capabilities, HP would need to introduce the capability to remain competitive. Google is preparing to offer users in select cities the ability to pay for goods with a linked credit or debit card using its Nexus S 4G smartphone. According to a Businessweek source, HP would allow developers to tap into the technology to develop apps and programs. Though the U.S. has been slow in adopting NFC for mobile payment, the market is expected to explode within the next couple years. NFC-enabled mobile payment could–and is designed to–replace a user's wallet as a user can leverage their smartphone to pay for physical goods and merchandise in retail stores. With a linked credit card, a user can merely wave or tap their NFC-equipped phone to an NFC reader to pay for merchandise, rather than swipe a credit card. The technology is also being investigated in other ways as a way to share information without having to initiate Bluetooth or other complicated sharing protocols. Users, for example, can swap business cards by tapping two NFC devices together. Apple is rumored to be working on a way to save a Mac's settings on an NFC-powered iPhone so that a user can just use their iPhones and tap it to any Mac computer to bring up their settings as if they were using a home computer. Currently, HP is using its Touchstone technology to enable sharing in a limited function between its TouchPad tablet and its webOS Pre smartphone. For example, a user can begin browsing the web on their HP TouchPad tablet, and then tap their Pre smartphone to the tablet to instantly share the webpage from the tablet to phone to resume browsing while they are mobile. That functionality, perhaps, can also be replaced by utilizing NFC technology.
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Sprint's unique Android customization service dubbed Sprint ID has revealed four new smartphone names and placeholders for handsets that have not yet launched on the carrier, including names like Samsung Chief, LG Q, LG Optimus B, and Motorola Sunfire.
Hewlett-Packard may be looking to expand its webOS-empowered 
Carl Zeiss and Nokia explains why the Nokia N8 is simply the best camera phone, highlighting the materials, build quality, and technologies that go into the handset to enable a superb 12-megapixel Symbian^3 smartphone.
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The Google search presentation displayed features on already released Android smartphones, including the Motorola Droid 1 and the Nexus S, which led some to question if the rendering could potentially be a prototype for an Android Ice Cream Sandwich-powered Nexus 3. As the device lacked the traditional capacitive touch or physical buttons for Android navigation, like those for home, back, search, and menu, some sites believe that the hardware could be the next Nexus. In fact, upon closer inspection, it seems that Android is just borrowing an old Symbian handset and slapping what appears to be a keyboard from Android 2.2 Froyo on top to highlight the search feature.
Garmin has announced that it has acquired Navigon, one of the leading GPS software solution for voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions on smartphones.
A few weeks ago, reports circulated on the Internet that HP was readying its own cloud-based music service to rival Apple's, Google's, and Amazon's offerings, but a recent report on 
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