| RIM dev webinar hints at BlackBerry OS of the future? Posted: 01 Mar 2010 04:30 PM PST See that Storm-esque device there? You may have noticed that the home screen looks positively nothing like the experience you're used to -- and that's because it's not. Shown off as part of a slide deck in RIM's "Super Apps" webinar for developers last week, the company's official explanation is that this is a pure, off-the-cuff mockup, not indicative of anything they're working on for future devices or releases of BlackBerry OS. To be fair, when you take the shot in context with the bullet points and the fact that this presentation was geared squarely at devs, we can imagine that they really were just using it to get folks' creative juices flowing -- but it makes you wonder, doesn't it? There's enough active and location-aware content here to make even a heavily-widgeted Android home screen drool, so seriously, why not do this in 6.0, RIM? RIM dev webinar hints at BlackBerry OS of the future? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Windows Phone 7 Series themes for WinMo abound in dev forums Posted: 01 Mar 2010 02:58 PM PST  We know that it ain't always practical or desirable to put money down on a phone every time a new OS or interface comes out -- so what is a gadget hound to do when they realize their hardware won't be supported by Windows Phone 7 Series? Well, if you're anything like these enterprising individuals you roll your own. Both Jaxbot and LeSScro, members of the XDA Developers forum, have skins in the works that mimic the new OS on WinMo devices with varying degrees of success. The work of the former is still pretty slow and buggy but it does offer some functionality -- including info on live tiles and the ability to see upcoming appointments on your lock screen. The latter theme, on the other hand, sports time, date, and notifications on the lock screen, profile settings, transitional animations, a handful of hubs (including games, media, and Office), and an apps launcher. Check out the source links for more info -- but not before checking out the demo videos after the break. [Thanks, Geever] Continue reading Windows Phone 7 Series themes for WinMo abound in dev forums Windows Phone 7 Series themes for WinMo abound in dev forums originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Rosum's Alloy chip promises 'precise' location using TV signals Posted: 01 Mar 2010 02:09 PM PST Though plenty of firms ( including some big ones) have been trying to commercialize consumer-facing indoor positioning technologies for years, none have succeeded on a wide scale -- which certainly seems to leave the door wide open for a system that actually works to be wildly successful, doesn't it? Rosum has been toying with the idea of using plain old TV signals to accurately locate people and objects within GPS-hating structures for years, and with today's launch of its so-called Alloy system with partner Siano, the company could be closer to wide-scale deployment. Basically, Alloy combines AGPS (for maximum precision outdoors and in marginal areas) with support for a variety of types of TV signals to enhance coverage and provide <150 meter accuracy even in the deepest, darkest, dankest corners of your home where traditional GPS would never dream of going. What's more, Rosum touts that TV positioning is several orders of magnitude more power-efficient than AGPS, music to the ears of anyone who's struggling to get a full day's battery out of their phone. They're sampling chipsets beginning this month, but don't expect it in handsets right away -- Rosum's primary target appears to be femtocell makers. The devices traditionally require GPS reception, requiring unsightly remote GPS antennas if you're not interested in balancing the cell on a window sill, so a technology like this should let you properly bury that network extender behind a bookshelf where it belongs. Follow the break for Rosum's press release. Continue reading Rosum's Alloy chip promises 'precise' location using TV signals Rosum's Alloy chip promises 'precise' location using TV signals originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Microsoft sending mixed signals on Windows Phone 7 Series upgrades, HTC HD2 still in limbo Posted: 01 Mar 2010 12:37 PM PST The fate of the mighty HTC HD2 seems to be getting murkier by the minute: Microsoft UK VP Alex Reeve said last week that an upgrade to Windows Phone 7 Series might be left up to hardware partners, but now Natasha Kwan, General Manager for Microsoft's Asia Pacific Mobile Communications Business says the 1GHz handset "doesn't qualify because it doesn't have the three buttons" required by WP7. Making matters even less clear, we asked Microsoft's Director of Consumer Experiences Aaron Woodman about the HD2 directly on The Engadget Show, and he politely declined to tell us about the device's upgradability, and said that WP7's final required specs would be revealed at MIX '10. We'll be honest: we're taking all this confusion to mean that Microsoft hasn't quite figured out how to say the HD2 is at a dead end just before it launches on T-Mobile US, but hey -- maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised at MIX. Microsoft sending mixed signals on Windows Phone 7 Series upgrades, HTC HD2 still in limbo originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Motorola Backflip for AT&T unboxing and hands-on Posted: 01 Mar 2010 11:59 AM PST We've just taken delivery of an AT&T-branded Motorola Backflip -- the carrier's very first Android device -- and we wanted to share with you our magical first moments putting the phone through its paces. Here's a quick rundown of our first impressions: - It feels solidly-built -- probably a notch better than the CLIQ. There's no wiggle or weirdness in the hinge whatsoever. Of course, we know from personal experience that "feels solidly-built" doesn't necessarily mean it is solidly-built, so the jury's still out on how it'll hold up with regular use, especially with the keyboard exposed full-time.
- Opening and closing the phone isn't a natural one-handed operation, unless you're comfortable putting it at extreme risk of an unfortunate tumble.
- It's laggy right out of the box, which doesn't bode well for usability once you load it up with your own apps. Of course, it uses exactly the same processor as the CLIQ, so that doesn't come as a surprise.
- It's filled to the brim with pre-loaded AT&T stuff: AllSport GPS, AT&T Maps, AT&T Music (which takes the place of the standard Music app), AT&T Navigator, AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots, Mobile Banking, MobiTV, MusicID, Where, and YPmobile. We strongly prefer the approach of offering a special branded Android Market portal where you can download your carrier's recommended apps.
- Blur looks and feels the same as it does on the CLIQ, though the main Blur widgets -- Social Status, Messages, and Happenings -- have been moved one home screen left of the main one (we prefer this configuration anyhow).
- Yahoo has replaced Google as the default search provider throughout the phone. It's crazy: the home screen widget, the browser, everything's been programmed to use Yahoo. We love us some irony, but golly, we'd prefer Google searches most of the time.
It spontaneously rebooted for us once in about an hour of use -- a concerning sign, particularly considering Motorola's inability to pump out a solid firmware for the CLIQ -- but we'll need a little more time with it. Want more right now? Follow the break for some more impressions, video, and a sample shot from the camera. Continue reading Motorola Backflip for AT&T unboxing and hands-on Motorola Backflip for AT&T unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| MetroPCS goes a second round with Mister Cartoon for Moto's VE440 Posted: 01 Mar 2010 10:59 AM PST Motorola's unassuming VE440 candybar was not a phone that we'd ever taken as the kind of device a company would revisit to craft a special edition -- but then again, we don't really understand Mister Cartoon either, so what do we know? That's right: just as it did last year with the Samsung Messager, the regional has paired up with tattoo guru Mister Cartoon to coat the VE440 in black and chrome trimmed with two positively frightening interchangeable covers. The new version comes bundled with a 1GB microSD card and two "exclusive" Snoop Dogg tracks, which -- considering the phone's $89 off-contract price after rebate -- might be worth the cost of admission alone. It's available now; part of the proceeds will be donated to youth centers within MetroPCS' market areas, so you can feel good about the purchase despite what the glaring skull on the back of the phone wants you to believe. MetroPCS goes a second round with Mister Cartoon for Moto's VE440 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| T-Mobile CLIQ XT spotted in the wild Posted: 01 Mar 2010 08:28 AM PST |
| Qualcomm's 7x30 offers stellar 3D and multimedia performance, coming this year (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2010 05:43 AM PST Feeling the post- MWC blues? Not enough smartphone hardware talk to get you through your Monday trudge? Fear not, we've grabbed a pair of Qualcomm demo videos from this year's event in Barcelona that show off its MSM7x30 smartphone platform (first announced in November of last year). It has now made its way into some demo devices and its early performance points to a very happy future for all of us mobile media vultures. Equipped with the same CPU as resides inside Qualcomm's Snapdragon, this system-on-chip comes with an HDMI output and the ability to play back 720p video on both its host device and your nearest HDTV. There's also some very welcome 3D gaming on show as well as YouTube playback using Flash 10.1 (smooth and silky), but our attention was captured by a nifty picture browser provided by Scalado. It allows you to view up to 1,000 images at the same time, zoom into each individual one, or sort them by name, color and other attributes. Being able to handle all that, with only minor perceptible lag, shows we're looking at what's shaping up to be a pretty beastly chip. Check it out after the break, and expect it to show up in a lust-worthy smartphone near you by the end of 2010. [Thanks, TareG] Continue reading Qualcomm's 7x30 offers stellar 3D and multimedia performance, coming this year (video) Qualcomm's 7x30 offers stellar 3D and multimedia performance, coming this year (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Pelikon's MorphPad demoed, combines touchpad, morphing keyboard into one awesome rectangle Posted: 01 Mar 2010 05:06 AM PST British firm Pelikon was showing off its MorphPad technology at MWC this month, undoubtedly hoping to score some interest from representatives of handset manufacturers who just happened to be wandering the show floor -- but this isn't just any old morphing keyboard, you see. Not only can the board be dynamically reconfigured by backlighting different portions of the keys -- the entire surface of the thing doubles as a touchpad, which you can probably imagine has virtually limitless utility in a mobile device where the space for a true touchpad simply doesn't exist. Pelikon already works with Toshiba on its domestic-market Biblio, but we'd love to see it hit devices around the world -- in fact, we wouldn't really mind if they just released this prototype they're showing as a Bluetooth accessory. diNovo Mini competitor, anyone? Follow the break for video of the touch-enabled MorphPad in action. Continue reading Pelikon's MorphPad demoed, combines touchpad, morphing keyboard into one awesome rectangle Pelikon's MorphPad demoed, combines touchpad, morphing keyboard into one awesome rectangle originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Samsung Corby Folder official, just for Korea so far Posted: 01 Mar 2010 01:59 AM PST Samsung's Corby line has a reputation as a fun, simple, cheap, colorful range of handsets, and that trend looks to continue now that the Corby Folder has gone official -- in the domestic South Korean market, anyway. The first Corby with a hinge keeps it relatively simple (by Korean standards) with a 2.6-inch QVGA display, 3G data (HSPA or EV-DO Rev. A depending on the carrier), Bluetooth, microSD expansion, a 3 megapixel camera, and naturally, DMB mobile TV reception. It looks like it's available now on SKT, LGT, and KT in your choice of Candy Pink, Lime Green, and Blue Black (which is an oxymoron, as far as we know) -- no word, though, on when we might see versions in other markets. Samsung Corby Folder official, just for Korea so far originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| T-Mobile G1 getting ultra-minor firmware update Posted: 28 Feb 2010 06:27 PM PST Feeling like the world is passing you by, G1 owners? That Android has moved on? That no one loves you anymore? Well, take heart: T-Mobile isn't done updating you yet. The tiniest of updates is now in the process of rolling out to G1s across the land, featuring improved "call performance" without "any additional feature enhancements." In other words, this is a one-trick pony -- but probably a good one, and it's still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. The update's already being rolled out, and all customers should have it by March 15. T-Mobile G1 getting ultra-minor firmware update originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
