microUSB Takes One Step Closer To Becoming The Standard Port For Apple, Nokia, RIM, Motorola, Samsung, and More

Slowly but surely, microUSB is winning the battle against the dozens of different types of chargers floating around in sock drawers and land fills everywhere.

Back in 2009, the GSMA announced that it had persuaded a bunch of European manufacturers to switch to microUSB as a standard by 2012. Shortly thereafter, other major industry groups pledged their allegiance and started pushing manufacturers toward the standard.

Today, all these efforts have reached a tipping point; the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission. Tired of acronyms yet?) has announced that it has published their first version of the papers outlining microUSB as a standard, and some mighty big players have jumped on board. Apple, Nokia, RIM, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and Alcatel — many of whom are already using microUSB in a number of their devices — have all signed a Memorandum of Understanding (essentially a non-legally-binding promise. Sort of like pinky swearing, but on paper) indicating their intent to adopt the standard.

So, what do you think: might the next iPhone really rock the microUSB port?

Android LG G-Slate Glimpsed in Video

As far as I am aware there haven’t been that many sightings of the latest Android 3.0 Honeycomb sporting LG G-Slate tablet, but we have one for your viewing pleasure below as the device has somehow found its way into the hands of a YouTube user.

The video footage comes our way courtesy of the guys over at Ubergizmo and by way of Engadget and was spotted in a video by MysteryGuitarMan, and after some weird ramblings by the guy he shows the back of what appears to be the LG G-Slate at almost the end of the footage.

As you will see in the video, albeit very quickly, there is a metal strip on its rear with Google branding and what looks to be a single LED flash along with a couple of unknown connectors at the bottom but other than that there’s not a great deal to see.

Have to say though this LG G-Slate looks somewhat different to me to the LG G-Slate seen in a previous music video, and we don’t get to see the front of the device, so is this tablet the LG G-Slate?

Perhaps LG will get round to pushing out some official images of the device sooner rather than later, so until then I’ll leave it up to you to decide by checking out the footage below…enjoy.

Android Honeycomb Event Wednesday February 2nd

Well now it looks like the Google guys are gearing up to maybe release the latest generation of their Android operating system, you know, the one that’s especially for Android tablets, Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

According to an article over on Slash Gear, the Google guys have now dispatched invites to publishers to their event, which will take place on Wednesday the 2nd of February at Mountain View and will apparently take an in-depth look at Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

According to Mashable Android 3.0 Honeycomb is the first operating system from the Android camp just for tablets, something we all already know, and Android Honeycomb is running on the Motorola Xoom tablet, which they managed to get their hands on a while ago and made a video demo which you can view below.

As for that Android Honeycomb event, apparently it will be streamed live to youtube.com/android once the event begins at 9.15AM California time, after which no doubt the whole world will know all there is to know about Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

Will we find out anything new about Android 3.0 Honeycomb, will Google have any surprises in store? Only one way to find out and that is to check back on Wednesday.

Canalys: Android overtakes Symbian as world's best-selling smartphone platform in Q4 2010

One day somebody will write a book called "The rise and rise of Android" and this moment will be highlighted in bold. Canalys' latest smartphone sales figures show that Android phone makers managed to shift a cool 33.3 million handsets in the last quarter -- more than any other smartphone platform out there, including the previous leader, Symbian, which sold 31 million units. That's a mighty leap from the 20.3 million Android devices the stats agency estimates were sold in Q3 2010. Symbian itself grew from 29.9m in Q3 to 31m in Q4, but Android's pace of expansion has been so rapid as to make that irrelevant.

Show full PR text

Google's Android becomes the world's leading smart phone platform
- Canalys reveals smart phone market exceeded 100 million units in Q4 2010

Palo Alto, Singapore and Reading (UK) – Monday, 31 January 2011
For immediate release

Canalys today published its final Q4 2010 global country-level smart phone market data, which revealed that Google's Android has become the leading platform. Shipments of Android-based smart phones reached 32.9 million, while devices running Nokia's Symbian platform trailed slightly at 31.0 million worldwide. But Nokia did retain its position as the leading global smart phone vendor, with a share of 28%. The fourth quarter also saw the worldwide smart phone market continue to soar, with shipments of 101.2 million units representing year-on-year growth of 89%. The final quarter took shipments for the year to fractionally below 300 million units, with an annual growth rate of 80% over 2009 (see table below).

In Q4 2010, volumes of Google OS-based smart phones (Android, OMS and Tapas) were again boosted by strong performances from a number of vendors, notably LG, Samsung, Acer and HTC, whose volumes across these platforms grew 4,127%, 1,474%, 709% and 371% respectively year-on-year. HTC and Samsung together accounted for nearly 45% of Google OS-based handset shipments.

'2010 has been a fantastic year for the smart phone market. After a difficult 2009, the speed with which the market has recovered has required real commitment and innovation from vendors and they have risen to the challenge,' said Canalys VP and Principal Analyst Chris Jones. 'But vendors cannot afford to be complacent. 2011 is set to be a highly competitive year with vendors looking to use new technology, such as dual-core processors, NFC and 3D displays, to differentiate their products and maintain value.'

At a regional level, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) remained the largest market, with shipments totalling 38.8 million and a year-on-year growth rate of 90%. Nokia continued to lead in EMEA and Asia Pacific, but in 2010 it was overtaken by RIM in Latin America, which shipped over a million more units than Nokia in Q4 2010. The vendor was particularly helped by the popularity of its mid-range smart phones, such as its Curve family of devices.

The United States continued its reign as the largest country market in terms of shipments, at more than double the size of the Chinese smart phone market. RIM recaptured first place from Apple, as the latter experienced its usual US seasonal dip, and RIM benefited from the first full quarter of shipments for the BlackBerry Torch. HTC successfully maintained its third-place ranking in the US for the third consecutive quarter, driven by its speed to market with the latest Android updates and new Windows Phone 7 devices.

'The US landscape will shift dramatically this coming year, as a result of the Verizon-Apple agreement,' said Canalys Analyst Tim Shepherd. 'Verizon will move its focus away from the Droid range, but the overall market impact will mean less carrier-exclusive deals, while increasing the AT&T opportunity for Android vendors, such as HTC, Motorola and Samsung.' Android was by far the largest smart phone platform in the US market in Q4 2010, with shipments of 12.1 million units – nearly three times those of RIM's BlackBerry devices. Windows Phone 7 devices appeared too late in the quarter to take full advantage of holiday season purchasing. As a result, Microsoft lost share in the United States, from 8% in Q4 2009 to 5% in Q4 2010.

Analysis of the published country-level data shows that, around the world, the strength of smart phone performances remained diverse. In South Korea, for example, shipments grew from under 700,000 units in Q4 2009 to just under 3.4 million units in Q4 2010, making the country a top 10 market. In Japan, Android shipments have taken off over the past year, with nearly 1.4 million units shipping from local as well as international vendors, such as HTC. More Japanese vendors have also announced plans to launch Android devices in 2011, such as NEC Casio and Panasonic. Under pressure from Huawei and Samsung in particular, Nokia's share in China slipped to 56%, down from 76% a year ago, despite growing its volume in the country by over 70% in the same period. Albeit from a smaller base, the Chinese market grew 134% year-on-year, notably faster than the US market, which grew at 64% in the quarter.

Canalys analysts in Asia Pacific, the Americas and EMEA are available for press interviews on topics related to mobile devices and the growing ecosystem for mobile applications and services. There will also be a significant Canalys analyst presence at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from 14 to 17 February. To arrange an interview, please send a request to press@canalys.com. Photos and bios of analysts are available from the Canalys web site.

Rumour: HTC Thunderbolt to hit Best Buy Feb 14th

What you’re looking at above is a screenshot from a Best Buy inventory. Pretty amazing, eh? But why am I showing it to you? There seems to be nothing juicy about it. Y’see, it’s not all that it appears to be, my friend…

Pulling off some serous sleuthing, Android Central forum member, paulmike3, noticed that the number seen up the top left of the image (highlighted as number 3) is actually the very same barcode number that appeared on a (since pulled) YouTube video showing an HTC Thunderbolt unboxing.

So, like a double rainbow, I hear you asking “What does this mean!?”

It means that we may now have a release date for the device that was once known as the Zeus, then the Incredible HD, then the Mecha, and, finally, the Thunderbolt.

We’ve previously heard that it would be launching some time after February 19, which could tie in with this rumour, as the date above is just an “in stock” date. We won’t know until February, though.

If it does launch on the 14th, then I ask what better way is there to celebrate your love this Valentine’s Day than going down to your local Best Buy and scooping up one of these Verizon-4G-equipped, 4.3″, Snapdragon-powered, Sense-enhanced Android monsters?

Yeah, that’s right: none.

[via Engadget]

Verizon iPhone Release Gets Dated Down To The Hour

Nothing much to see here folks. Just a bunch of people drooling at the mouth over, to them, the most anticipated phone (ever) moving to a similar, but different network, their network. With tensions so tight, someone had to let people know down to the hour just when they should keep hitting their browser’s refresh button.

3AM. 3AM. Eastern time zone Friday February 3rd, that is. That is when everyone and their mother will crash Verizon’s website.

iPhone will go for $199 and $299 for the 16GB and 32GB respectively. Plans at big red start at $70 for 450 minutes and unlimited data. To tether, they want another $20! Highway robbery, Verizon. SMS charges are the same at 250 for $5 and unlimited for $20. What, you thought it’d be better and cheaper?

BlackBerry Messenger 6 details leaked, we fear for addicts everywhere

Details of the new BlackBerry Messenger are leaking out all over the internet today, and what we're seeing is an app that could make your CrackBerry even more impossible to put away. In a move that shows RIM's eagerness to loosen up a bit, BBM 6 could be adding at least one new feature that isn't exactly boardroom-appropriate: gaming. Rumor has it that the app's new iteration, which will run on OS 5.0 and greater, incorporates a function that allows users to use their BBM name as their gamer name, as well as update their status automatically to reflect completed gaming tasks. BBM 6 would also allow for larger chat groups and cross chat. We've no real way of predicting the app's impact, but if the rumors turn out to be true, we wouldn't be surprised to see a second coming of the BlackBerry massage.

Samsung Tabulates 2 million slates, 80 million phones sold in Q4 2010, breaks revenue records

Score one for Samsung in its eternal struggle against South Korean nemesis LG. Whereas the Life's Good crew were licking their Q4 2010 wounds yesterday, Samsung's had the pleasure of announcing that the final quarter of last year helped it bust through all its previous fiscal records: total revenue ($139b), net income ($14b), and operating profit ($15.5b) all reached all-time highs. The fourth quarter's contribution was $2.7b in operating profit, 80.7 million mobile devices sold, 12.72 million flat panel TVs shipped, and two million Galaxy Tabs distributed to Android lovers yearning for some Froyo. That last number's pretty important as it shows the Tab's sales have almost doubled over the last month of the quarter -- it reached one million sales in early December -- indicating that there is indeed a hunger for slate-based computing. Oh, and if you're wondering what Samsung's planning for the future, there's a reminder that a device with a Super AMOLED Plus screen and a dual-core processor is coming to replace the Galaxy S in the first half of 2011. Good to know.

[Thanks, Tascien]

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Samsung Electronics Announces Fourth Quarter & FY 2010 Results

SEOUL--(Korea Newswire) January 28, 2011 -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced revenues of 41.87 trillion Korean won on a consolidated basis for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010, a 7-percent increase year-on-year. For the quarter, the company posted consolidated net income of 3.42 trillion won, a 13-percent increase year-on-year. Consolidated operating profit for the quarter was 3.01 trillion won.

In its earnings guidance disclosed on January 7, Samsung estimated fourth-quarter consolidated revenues would reach approximately 41 trillion won with an operating profit of 3 trillion won.

The fourth quarter results brought Samsung's full year 2010 revenue to an all-time high of 154.63 trillion won, up 13-percent from last year. Net income reached a record high of 16.15 trillion won, up 65 percent compared with the previous year, while operating profit was 17.30 trillion won, also a record.

Samsung's performance in the fourth quarter continued to be driven by memory semiconductors and strong sales of its cutting-edge smartphones. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, however, profit margins decreased primarily due to weakening pricing for memory semiconductors and LCD panels, as well as price competition in the TV market.

"Despite the difficult business environment including reduced IT demand caused by the economic slowdown, we achieved record-high results both in terms of sales and operating profit in 2010," said Robert Yi, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics' Investor Relations Team. "However, considering overall business conditions, unlike 2010, we expect the traditional earnings pattern of a weak first half, with a strong second half to return in 2011."

Samsung expected price competition to intensify in the consumer electronics, IT and mobile device markets in 2011, while major components prices are also forecast to decline. To offset pressures stemming from adverse market conditions, Samsung will focus on the cost competitiveness of its memory semiconductor portfolio, reducing marketing expenses and increasing shipments of high-end smartphones and tablet devices.

Samsung said the forecast continued appreciation of the Korean won during 2011 could have a negative impact on earnings, but the company's diversified foreign exchange mix would limit the effect of movements in particular currencies.

Capex to Reach 23 Trillion Won in 2011

Capital expenditure on a consolidated basis reached 21.6 trillion won for the entire year of 2010, including 12.7 trillion won for the Semiconductor Business and 4.6 trillion won for the LCD Business.

In 2011, Capex is expected to reach 23 trillion won. As was announced in early January, 10.3 trillion won will be invested in the Semiconductor Business, including 5.8 trillion in memory and 4.2 in system LSI. A further 4.1 trillion won is allocated for the LCD Business, as well as 5.4 trillion won for subsidiary Samsung Mobile Display.

Premium Memory Makes a Difference

Samsung's Semiconductor Business recorded a consolidated basis operating profit of 1.80 trillion won in the fourth quarter. Revenue reached 9.25 trillion won, a 16-percent increase year-on-year. For the full year 2010, the Semiconductor Business registered 10.11 trillion won in operating profit on revenue of 37.64 trillion won, a record-high.

Despite a weakening market trend, Samsung secured profitability by increasing the portion of high-margin products such as server and mobile DRAM, as well as by strengthening its market position with increased production of 40nm-class processes and below.

While the global DRAM market suffered from falling prices and weakening PC DRAM demand, NAND chips did well with help from surging demand for smartphones and tablet PCs. Samsung's market differentiation strategy in the NAND sector was to expand production of 30nm-class processes and below.

The DRAM market is forecast to improve in the second half of the year driven by growth in PC replacement demand from businesses. Samsung will continue to focus on energy-efficient green memory solutions for servers and enhancing technology leadership to maintain the profit margin of the Semiconductor Business.

LCD Looks to Second Half for Rebound

The LCD Business recorded an operating profit of 0.10 trillion won on revenue of 7.20 trillion won in the fourth-quarter, down 1 percent from a year ago as increasing shipments could not offset price falls. For fiscal year 2010, Samsung's LCD Business posted 1.99 trillion won in operating profit with 29.92 trillion won in revenue.

Overall unit sales for the period increased more than 10 percent quarter-on-quarter. While shipments for IT panels climbed supported by demand for tablet PCs, the fall in demand for TV panels was compounded by a buildup of inventory in the TV set market.

Average industry sales prices retreated across all segments in the fourth quarter. The average price for TV panels dropped 12 percent, with prices for monitor panels dipping 5 percent and notebook PC panels falling 3 percent.

Samsung forecasted LCD panel prices will remain low in the first quarter of 2011 due to supply outpacing demand. However, the company anticipated incremental demand increases in the second half led by the economic recovery and inventory restocking by set makers. Samsung aims to drive market growth with a new line-up of entry-level LED panels and explore the high-potential market for tablet PC panels.

Strong Smartphone Growth Powers Mobile Business

Samsung's telecommunications businesses – Mobile Communications and Telecommunications Systems – registered a record quarterly operating profit of 1.44 trillion won for the period, up 38 percent year-on-year. Fourth quarter revenue reached 12.11 trillion won, compared with 10.17 trillion won for same period of 2009. By finishing the year strongly, Samsung achieved full year 2010 operating profit of 4.30 trillion won on sales of 41.20 trillion won for its telecommunications businesses.

Driven by strong year-end demand for the company's flagship smartphones, Samsung's mobile device sales reached 80.7 million units for the quarter, up 17 percent year-on-year. This brought total sales for the year to 280 million units, registering growth of 23 percent and outperforming the overall market.

Following its introduction in June, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S smartphone has achieved worldwide sales of 10 million units, while the Galaxy Tab - an Android-powered tablet device - attracted strong year-end demand. In emerging markets, Samsung's diverse product mix of mass-market smartphones and touch-screen feature phones also registered solid sales growth.

While mobile device sales are expected to contract slightly in the first quarter of 2011 due to weak seasonal demand, Samsung forecast high single-digit sales growth for the year overall, driven by the fast-expanding smartphone and tablet segments. Samsung announced it will introduce the successor to its Galaxy S smartphone during the first half of 2011, featuring a dual-core processor and Super AMOLED Plus display to further enrich user experience. With its growing lineup, the company is targeting smartphone sales of 60 million units for the year, double that of 2010. In the tablet market, Samsung will complement its Galaxy Tab with a range of devices to optimally meet various user needs.

The Telecommunication Systems Business continues to strengthen its leadership in Mobile WiMAX and explore new business opportunities in Long-Term Evolution networks, cementing Samsung's position as a total solution provider offering both infrastructure and devices.

Demand for LED TV to Get Stronger

Samsung's Digital Media businesses, which encompass Visual Display, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging, posted quarterly revenues of 15.97 trillion won for the October to December period, up 3 percent year-on-year. The businesses registered a loss of 0.17 trillion won despite improved performance in TV and IT products. For the full year 2010, the Digital Media businesses' combined revenue totaled 57.26 trillion, up 12 percent from 2009, with an operating profit of 0.49 trillion won.

Samsung shipped 12.72 million flat panel TVs in the fourth quarter, a 40 percent jump compared with the previous quarter and a 17 percent on-year increase. LED TVs sales grew strongly during the fourth quarter as consumers in developed markets continued to adopt this new technology. Market demand for LED TVs is forecast to rise further, with the portion of LED models in the overall LCD segment expected to reach 51 percent this year.

In 2011, market demand for flat panel TVs is forecast to increase 11 percent, helped by strong emerging market sales. To enhance profitability, Samsung aims to increase sales of premium products such as LED, 3D and Smart TVs. It will also market region-specific models along with low-cost models in emerging markets.

In order to allow more consumers to enjoy 3D TV, Samsung will expand its 3D TV line-up beyond the premium segment, while offering improved picture quality and 3D glasses technology. Samsung's Smart TVs will get smarter this year by adding various new video and search features, and expanding its portfolio of TV apps from the current 400 to 1,000 by the end of 2011.

Sales revenue of the Digital Appliances Business climbed 16 percent year-on-year due to robust sales in developed markets and some emerging markets, such as Russia. Sales are expected to continue to expand in 2011 with the launch of differentiated products, while the business will expand and improve its overseas operations.

LG Optimus V Availability and Activation Details Surface

For those looking to purchase the long awaited LG Optimus V at Target, the stock number has been revealed as well as the activation instructions, as the phone has not been officially announced by Virgin Mobile for purchase and many customer service representatives have yet to realize the phone is being sold ahead of its official launch date.

The Target DPCI (internal stock SKU) number for the Virgin Mobile Optimus V is 080-02-0724. Use that number when calling Target stores to make sure the phones are in stock, as many stores have limited numbers on hand ahead of the official launch next month.  Pricing for the phone is set at $149.99.

Once purchased, since the standard online activation process for the phone will not work properly due to its unreleased status in Virgin Mobile’s activation system, a workaround has been devised that will activate the device as normal.

After activating, enter (i.e. dial) ##847446# from your new phone
Choose Edit
Enter the MSN that Virgin Mobile gives you (cell phone number)
Enter the MSID (may have unnecessary numbers before the main number)
Choose Done
Your phone will reboot.

Motorola lifts our spirits with new Atrix 4G video

Been feeling down this cold and dreary January? Well, let Motorola "introduce" you to its new smartphone! The CES conqueror we already know as the Atrix 4G has received its first promo video from the mothership, highlighting its laptop and HD multimedia docks (giving us a decent peek at the docked UI for both), dual-core processor and related gaming credentials, and, of course, that gorgeous qHD screen resolution on the handset itself. It's all set to a very uplifting soundtrack, connoting all the beautiful opportunity and potential that our collective smartphone future holds.

[Thanks, engadgeteer]

AT&T Providing Unlimited Data to Current iPhone Users?

Long awaited Verizon’s version of iPhone was announced this month. This came up with as good news for those in areas of shoddy AT&T service, but definitely didn’t come at all as good news for AT&T themselves.

To add to the miseries, Verizon came forth to announce that they would be offering unlimited iPhone data for merely $30 a month-something AT&T had previously done away with. Luckily, if you started on the unlimited iPhone plan for AT&T you have been allowed to keep it but for those who made the decision to switch to the carrier’s tiered data plans have been out of luck in terms of switching back.

But, rumors have just surfaced today that say AT&T will be allowing those who switched to this tiered data plan to change back if they so choose. While it still needs to be confirmed, but seems like a good move on AT&T’s part to probably maintain any customers that would be flying the coop just to receive the unlimited data.

Source: Mobile Whack

Navigon Launches iPhone Car Kit for $49.99

Navigation solutions developer Navigon has announced that it has launched its own iPhone car kit for $49.99 that works with the iPhone 3G/S and 4 and is meant as a complement to its Navigon MobileNavigator navigation software for the iPhone. To celebrate the launch of the car kit at Macworld, Navigon is also discounting the car kit by $5 to $44.99 until February 3rd.

AT&T posts Q4 financials, 2.8 million subscribers added, revenue up 2.1 percent year-over-year

AT&T's numbers are up, and they're good: $31.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, $653 million more than Q4 the previous year. 4.1 million iPhones and 442,000 tablets were put online by the company that quarter, helping to drive 2.8 million new wireless subscribers, 95.5 million total, and a boost in revenue per subscriber of 2.2 percent. That's $62.88 average per month per subscriber -- maybe ditching unlimited data is paying off. Additionally, the company posted its best ever Q4 wireless churn (subscribers switching carriers) of just 1.32 percent (1.15 percent postpaid), but we're thinking the launch of a certain smartphone on a certain competitor could possibly have that number increasing ever so slightly this quarter. We'll circle back in three months and see where things stand.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb emulator has traces of smartphone support

Thought Honeycomb was just for tablets? Well, it's not! Sure, tablets might be Google's main thrust with the release, but we've been able to dig up enough evidence in the preview SDK's emulator released yesterday to suggest that these guys are still keeping their eyes on the smartphone prize.

Here's how it works: the emulator can be set to load at an arbitrary screen resolution. By default, that's WXGA, 1280 x 768 -- perfect for tablets, but obviously a wee bit large for even the biggest smartphones. Well, it turns out that setting the emulator to WVGA (like you might find on a modern mid- to high-end smartphone) triggers a moderately different shell UI that lacks most of the whiz-bang home screen stuff Google's shown on the Honeycomb tablets. In fact, the default launcher crashes out entirely, which means you need to install a replacement (Launcher Pro works nicely) just to play around.

Once you get in, it's pretty raw, but you immediately notice that the emulator's got some traces of smartphone support. Notably, the status bar reverts to a more smartphone-friendly form, albeit one with pre-Gingerbread background coloration and incorrectly-inverted font colors. The lock screen (pictured above) is back to its old form, not the webOS-esque circular lock in the Honeycomb tablet UI. The browser -- which has been completely revamped in Honeycomb -- works, though without visible tabs; Google might be thinking that they'd take up too much real estate on a screen this small.

Again, you can't glean much here, but it's interesting primarily because the emulator knows to revert to a smartphone UI layout at the lower resolution -- a possible sign that Honeycomb will be a true dual-mode, dual-purpose platform from day one. And even if it isn't, it looks like they're setting themselves up for a two-UI strategy down the road.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb emulator has traces of smartphone support

[Thanks, Andrew]

Apple job posts point to built-in NFC capabilities for iPad / iPhone

Ladies and gentlemen of the, ahem, jury, we intend to show -- through rumors and circumstantial evidence -- that Apple might very well be building Nexus S-like NFC capabilities into next-generation iPhones and iPads. We present for your consideration exhibits A, B, and C: three Apple job posts, seeking two managers of global payment platforms and one test engineer for iPhone hardware. According to the original post, the right engineer possesses a background in both ICT (information and communication technology) and RFID (radio frequency identification), which forms the basis for NFC. Suspiciously, Apple removed the "ID" in "RFID" sometime in the past 24 hours. Still not convinced of Apple's NFC involvement? Consider this: Apple's manager of global payment platforms is tasked with contributing "to the analysis and development of new payment types and processes." Okay, so there's not a smoking gun in sight, but a little innocent conjecture never hurt anybody.

VZ Navigator Version X breaks cover, adds 'virtual city' maps, social features, and more

Paying a monthly fee -- or any fee, for that matter -- for turn-by-turn navigation on Android devices has felt pretty unpalatable ever since Google Maps Navigation happened, but Verizon's still trying to make things interesting with the latest version of its VZ Navigator product. A quick feature rundown of its new "Version X" is up on YouTube right now, and we'll admit, we're a little intrigued by some of this stuff: realistic 3D buildings in major cities (unlike the nondescript boxes in Google Maps, we imagine), some form of dead reckoning capability for those times that you don't have GPS reception, satellite maps, overhead street signs, social integration for letting folks know where you are, and a whole bunch of views for customizing the experience. We're assuming service is the same $9.99 a month that Big Red charges currently, but there'll also be a free version -- VZ Navigator Maps -- that dispenses of some of the crazier features. We're hearing this might be officially announced in a few hours, so more details will presumably be in tow; in the meantime, follow the break for the teaser video.

[Thanks, Misty]

Facebook puts the kibosh on branded HTC phone rumors, still plans to sweep the Oscars

"The rumor got twenty-two hundred hits within two hours?"
"Thousand."
"I'm sorry?"
"Twenty-two thousand."
"Wow."

And so it was. Once again, the powers that be at Facebook have been forced to come forward and deny yet another rumor that a FB-branded handset was on the horizon, this time crushing hopes and dreams of an HTC device. Dan Rose, head of business development at the company, came forward with the following statement: "This is really just another example of a manufacturer who has taken our public APIs (application programming interfaces) and integrated them into their device in an interesting way. The rumours around there being something more to this HTC device are overblown." When asked whether or not the handset in question would be Facebook-branded, he followed with this: "No. There's no such thing as Harvard law. And there's no such thing as a Facebook phone."*

*Liberties taken with the quote.

O2 Blackberry Business: An Office On The Move

Fresh off the trail of Blackberry’s widely lauded Diplo fronted campaign for the Blackberry Torch comes a new UK focused campaign once again playing on Blackberry’s strengths as an office out of the office.

Played out in real time and set within real offices, O2 Blackberry have ditched a highly stylized approach favoured by some competitors and have instead chosen to concentrate on the bare bones functionality that Blackberry offer its users. This is not to say that they don’t know their way around hi tech applications – the new Torch is bristling with technology.

However, this video is an excellent example of a trusted company playing to its strengths, packaged without a million dollar budget spent on celebrity endorsees or CGI. A wholesome and honest effort.

The video below provided via YouTube is well worth watching, O2 BlackBerry is an office in your pocket and businesses realize this, please let us know what you think of the video below.

BlackBerry Monaco Touch, Curve Touch, CDMA 2011 roadmap gets leaked

Wondering when the new BlackBerry smartphone we’ll be released? If so, then this leaked roadmap should help you out. Do take note, though, that this just features their CDMA offerings, which explains why the Curve Apollo is not here. The Sedona, scheduled for Q4 2011 release, is its CDMA counterpart.

In addition to giving us a timeline as to when we can expect this new treats to come out, it also showcases two new RIM smartphones we haven’t seen before: the Monaco Touch and the Curve Touch.

Based on this slide highlighting the various features of the Monaco Touch, this appears to be one and the same as the purported BlackBerry Storm 3 leaked last October albeit coming with less internal memory (4GB vs the reported 8GB).

The Curve Touch codenamed the Malibu, meanwhile, also packs a 5-megapixel camera with HD video recording, optical trackpad, WiFi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, accelerometer, and CDMA EvDO Rev. A connectivity. Think of this as basically the toned down version of the Monaco Touch.

Uninterested because these are CDMA phones? Well, the good news is RIM appears to have a GSM versions for each of their CDMA offering this 2011. Meaning, it’s not a far-fetched idea to see a GSM Curve Touch in the sometime soon.

More leaked slides and info on the new BlackBerry 6.1 OS can be found over at Crackberry.

HTC to Announce the Facebook Phone at MWC 2011

It has been a long yard of time that HTC is been making the headlines for their Smart phones. Also, we all are aware of the fact that Face book is covering more than 500 million users in its database.Well, at this MWC 2011, HTC for the first time would announce a Facebook phone, which could set off a new trend in the mobile industry.

Setting all rumours of the Facebook phone being a hoax aside, the device will eventually make it to the production floor. It will arrive with Facebook applications to give you a totally Facebook oriented phone. The phone or phones, if there will be more than one, should include direct integration of news feed, home screen widgets, Facebook chat, voice calling etc.
It will also have a Facebook branding as well, and most likely it will be equipped with a hardware QWERTY keyboard which is quiet generous from HTC.

However more will be revealed about the phone at MWC 2011 so stay tuned for the latest information about the Facebook phone when the coveted event gets underway in the second week of February.

Source: Fonearena

Verizon Samsung Continuum Receives an OTA Update, But It’s Not Froyo

Samsung Continuum has always been a device that has attracted special attention and that is beacuse of its dual display. Just so if you don’t remember, the Continuum comes with a main display and then there is a ticker display in place as well.

Samsung wants this device to stand in good stead and that is the reason, the new fangled top smartphone(s) manufacturer has made an update available for this device. Now before you get too excited, the update isn’t an Android OS upgradation, but an updation which improves a number of important functions this device renders.

The Continuum owners might already be aware of this update as it is being relayed via the OTA medium and the ones who do not have a clue about it should look up for the new updates in the System Updates in the about phone section.

To name a few changes this update brings in, it improves Visual Voice Mail functionality, as well as voice dialing response time when connected to a Bluetooth headset or car kit. What is more is that you’ll also have the V Cast apps installed once you update is in place.

[Source: UWV]

Nexus S coming in a new AT&T flavor?

Up in Canada, Mobilicity's CEO made an odd comment recently that Bell, Telus, and Rogers will all be getting the Nexus S around the same time that his carrier does in March. Why is that odd? Well, as it stands, no variant of the Nexus S supports the 850 / 1900MHz WCDMA that would be necessary to run (at high speed, anyway) on those three networks. Circle back around to the Bluetooth SIG, where PocketNow has discovered an entry for a GT-i9020A; you might recall that the European version of the device is the i9020, while T-Mobile's AWS-compatible build is the i9020T, with "T" ostensibly standing for "T-Mobile." By extension, it's definitely conceivable that the "A" here is for "AT&T" -- which, again, would line up with the Mobilicity exec's verbiage. If this is true, it's theoretically possible that we could see AT&T and its similarly-equipped Canadian cousins get their own Nexus S as soon as five-odd weeks from now. Like the Nexus One before it, we've got a hard time picturing AT&T officially subsidizing this thing -- but hey, an unlocked full-price version is a solid start, we'd say.

The Elusive White iPhone Appears On The German Apple Website [Update: Pulled!]

Quick! Before it’s gone! Click over to the German Apple iPhone 4 vs iPhone 3GS page to see a pic of the white iPhone 4. It’s a tad small, but you get the idea. It’s just another piece of evidence in the developing case that the white iPhone is finally nearing release.

The phone was originally supposed to be release in the weeks following the iPhone 4′s launch date. But then it was pushed back. Again. And again. Until it was finally pulled completely from Apple’s website. Now a report surfaced claiming a new “miracle painting material” solved the previous issue.

The snow white iPhone is still no where to be found on the US Apple website. Even pics of it with bumpers were pulled weeks ago. But this little pic, buried in a random, but still official, section of the iPhone’s product pages suggests that it might be coming after all.

Still, one question remains: Will Verizon get the white iPhone?

[Thanks for the tip, Josi!]

Update: That was fast. Minutes after posting, the whole section shown in the screenshot above of the translated German site disappeared! It’s a slippery devil.

Playstation Suite: Sony Brings Playstation Games To Android Phones

At their PSP2 launch event today, Sony did not only unveil the new device but also introduced “Playstation Suite”, a new cross-device game platform the company will use to bring Playstation 1 titles to Android phones and tablets (version 2.3 and up). In other words, Sony games will not exclusively be distributed to owners of the Playstation Phone that’s supposed to be officially announced next month.

Sony said that Playstation Suite will be launched by year-end (just like the PSP2, by the way). Android users will be able to buy a host of different titles “in an integrated fashion through the PS store”. All games will have come with a “PlayStation Certified” mark so users can be sure they are licensed and tested before being pushed out to the store.

According to Sony, users of the new PSP, codenamed “Next Generation Portable”, will also be able to access Playstation Suite.

At the event, some titles previously available for the PS1 were shown, too, for example Wild Arms (an RPG), Cool Boarders 2 (a snowboarding game), or Syphon Filter (action).

We’ll keep you updated.

Update:
Sony Japan just released a press release in English on the Playstation Suite.

Facebook Denies HTC Phones Rumour Again

Earlier today I posted a rumour that the Facebook phone was once again amongst the living as rumours have hit the net waves that HTC was producing not one but two Facebook phones, you can check out that article by hitting up (here).

However according to an article over on Engadget by Darren Murph, and by way of Reuters, it appears that those rumours are unfounded as apparently the Facebook guys have come out an flatly denied the HTC Facebook branded handsets rumours.

Apparently the head of business development at Facebook, Dan Rose has said…“This is really just another example of a manufacturer who has taken our public APIs (application programming interfaces) and integrated them into their device in an interesting way. The rumours around there being something more to this HTC device are overblown.”

When pressed on whether the devices would carry the Facebook brand, Rose answered…“No. There’s no such thing as Harvard law. And there’s no such thing as a Facebook phone.”

So there you have it, now maybe just maybe the rumours of a Facebook phone will die away, but then if there is a Facebook movie then why not a smartphone, perhaps someday in the future. Any of our readers interested in a Facebook phone or is it all just hype and not something most would be interested in anyway?

Reference Guide for Switching from BlackBerry to Android

CompanionLink Software, Inc., a leader in data synchronization between wireless mobile devices and desktop contact managers, today published a white paper, “Switching from BlackBerry to Android,” that reviews migration strategies, third-party apps and Q&As that address common concerns for business people making the switch from BlackBerry to Android™-based smartphones.

With emphasis on how to achieve BlackBerry-like productivity from Android, the free paper is written for people who rely on their smartphone for productivity and business communications. The paper examines four areas in depth:

 

1. Describes common concerns people have when migrating from BlackBerry to Android

2. Educates on the business value and productivity limitations of Android devices

3. Lists several third-party Android apps that help to achieve business productivity

4. Explains how to retain the four capabilities BlackBerry users universally love: secure integration with enterprise email, strong PIM (Personal Information Management) features, powerful instant messaging, and a real keyboard.

Research from Gartner predicts Android will pass iPhone sales to become the most popular smartphone operating system in the U.S. and the second-most popular platform (behind Symbian) in the world. Also, in a December 2010 tweet by Andy Rubin, co-founder of the Android mobile operating system and VP of Engineering at Google, he said that more than 300,000 Androids are being activated every day.

Says Rushang Shah, Director of Marketing for CompanionLink, “The most important thing to figure out before switching is how to migrate all of your rich business data that you have built up over the years. Losing data will drive your business to a screeching halt. We hope our reference guide helps people make a painless switch.”

CompanionLink offers a host of options for bi-directional data transfer between mobile devices and contact managers and CRM suites such as Microsoft Outlook, Palm Desktop, Sage ACT!, Salesforce CRM, Lotus Notes, and GroupWise. CompanionLink synchronizes address books, calendars, tasks and notes with the world’s most popular smartphones and mobile devices including Google Android, BlackBerry, Apple iPhone and iPad™, Windows Mobile, and Palm webOS.

To download your free copy of the white paper, please visit http://www.companionlink.com/whitepapers/.

MWC 2011: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and S 2 Unveiling

Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona isn’t that far off and it appears that Samsung will be unveiling a couple of new Android products during the event if the info a Samsung PR plan has revealed is correct.

According to an article over on Yahoo! News, the boys over at Pocket-lint, by way of Intomobile, have come across a Samsung PR plan, which touts the next generation Samsung Galaxy Tab and next generation Samsung Galaxy S.

The Sammy PR plan list both the new devices, the Galaxy S 2 and the Galaxy Tab 2 under “Product Presentations,” so we could possibly see both devices unveiled at MWC 2011 on the 13th of February.

Apparently rumoured specifications for the Samsung Galaxy S 2 handset are, a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED 2 touch screen, 1GHz per core dual-core processor, 8 megapixel camera with flash, 1GB RAM, HD video recording and Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.

The Pocket-lint guys also list a few leaked specs to do with the Samsung Galaxy Tab which are, a 7 inch Super AMOLED Gorilla Glass display, NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 8 megapixel camera wit dual LED flash and 1080p video, 3 megapixel front facing camera, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread which will be updated to Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

So it would appear that Samsung gear fans have much to look forward to when MWC 2011 kicks off. Any of our readers interested in the Samsung Galaxy s 2 or Samsung Galaxy Tab 2?

zBoost Your iPhone and iPad

Wi-Ex, a leading provider of consumer and commercial cell phone signal boosters, showcased its zBoost line of cell phone signal boosters at Macworld 2011 in West Hall, Booth #543. The award-winning zBoost home and office solutions help today's connected consumers including iPhone, iPad, DROID, Blackberry and smartphone users with dropped calls and slow data.

The zBoost-SOHO is one of the Macworld First Look honorees and will also be on display in the First Looks kiosk during the show. zBoost will also offer special show pricing for Macworld attendees interested in purchasing during the show.

Recent Wi-Ex smartphone data speed tests, showed a data speed increase of more than 180 percent - almost three times as fast with the addition of a zBoost-SOHO or zBoost-METRO.*

The zBoost line allows consumers to take full advantage of data, voice and Internet services on their iPhones, iPads, connected devices and smartphones including 3G high-speed data and video, instant messaging, pictures and more - at home, in their personal workspace or in the office, both in the U.S. and abroad.

“We hear from Apple users all the time thanking us for the zBoost products which allow them to use and enjoy their iPads and iPhones,” said Julie Arko, Wi-Ex Marketing Manager. “Industry stats show that global mobile data has nearly tripled in the last year, growing more than ten times faster than voice. When you combine this with the staggering growth of iPhones, iPad and other connected devices, products like the zBoost line of cell phone signal boosters become a necessity for consumers.”

The zBoost line of cell phone signal boosters improve signal strength for better voice and data transmission while maintaining the integrity of the carriers’ networks using patented technology. Poor in-door cell phone signal continues to frustrate today’s mobile consumer. Currently, consumers have three options when it comes to improving in-door cell phone reception including a cell phone signal booster like the industry leading zBoost, a femtocell from their carrier or as most consumers have experienced at some point - standing by a window or going outside. According to the annual zBoost "State of the Cell Signal" Survey, commissioned by Wi-Ex and conducted by Harris Interactive®, nearly 70 percent (66 percent) of cell phone owners consider their cell phone their essential voice and/or data communication tool.

“Our home has always had issues with dropped calls and it got even worse when I switched to an iPhone two years ago. After going outside to make and receive calls, as well as respond to emails and texts I finally added a zBoost cell phone signal booster,” said Rob Davis, a zBoost customer in Atlanta, Georgia. “The zBoost for home and office has enabled me to work from home with both my iPhone and now my iPad. It works so well that we were able to drop our landline.”

iConsumers

“As data consumption and connected devices continue to increase, there is a greater need for a reliable cell phone signal. We know that iPhone and iPad users are at the forefront of today's ever changing digital lifestyle and by taking a look at their lifestyles and preferences we can provide them with a zBoost solution to fit their needs,” said Sharon Cuppett, Wi-Ex vice-president of marketing and product development.

iPad Techie - With iPad sales expected to grow 128 percent in 2011, Americans are taking to iPad for work and pleasure. Top activities on today's iPad and tablets include browsing the Internet, reading e-mail and catching up on work.

iPhone Savvy - The smartphone is a staple in today's hyperconnected world with iPhone leading the way. The end of 2010 saw the iPhone smartphone market share grow from 27.9% to 28.6% with Americans using their iPhones to keep up with their schedules, check personal and work emails, the weather and stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

iFamily - Teens would rather text than talk and are taking the rest of the family with them. Grandparents and parents are learning to text so they can stay connected. Teens averaged more than 1700 texts per month.

PSP 2 NGP Specs: WiFi, 3G, GPS & Android Gaming

Sony has just announced its new gaming device called the Sony PSP 2 with a codename of “NGP”, which should be releasing at the end of 2011 if all goes according to plan.

Some of the specs are amazing and we have all the goodness just for you, the main features that stands out and smacks you in the face has to be the quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, quad-core GPU and Android gaming capabilities.

This is going to be the ultimate gaming device that will make Apple iPhone gaming look antique, not only are you getting the best of the gaming world you are also getting one of the best social networking experiences on a handheld device. In a nutshell you are getting the best of both worlds from both PSP and PS3 systems.

The PSP2 has both 3G and WiFi network connectivity and Engadget reports that it will feature various applications that will enable infinite possibilities for users to “encounter,” “connect,” “discover,” “share” and “play”.

This is the most powerful handheld device and with PowerVR SGX543MP4+ GPU and quad-core Cortex-A9 and a quad-core you know it will be something to awe.

Main Specifications Include: ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core), SGX543MP4+ GPU, 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm, Capacitive Rear touch pad Multi touch pad, Front camera, Rear camera, Built-in microphone, Built-in stereo speakers, Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass and Built-in GPS.

The PlayStation Control Buttons: PS button//Power button/Directional buttons/Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square), Right stick, Left stick, Shoulder buttons (Right/Left), START button, SELECT button and Volume buttons (+/-).

Other Features Include: Wi-Fi, Mobile network connectivity (3G), IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode) and Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR A2DP/AVRCP/HSP.

For more information please visit Sony & Engadget. The ability to have Android gaming on the device as well via the new Sony PlayStation Suite is great news for mobile gamers (We will report more on this Suite a little later). Please do post all your comments below. Below you can see some press shots, see full gallery via Engadget.

O2 UK Free WiFi to Double BT Openzone & Cloud

O2 UK is going to offer free WiFi network hotspots to its customers and with launching beginning with 450 location sites it is said to double BT Openzone and The Cloud combined by 2013.

The new Wi-Fi platform service launch offered by O2 will give premium hotspots and will be handled through partnerships with key venue owners that will allow customers to access for free, and the good bit is it does not matter what broadband or mobile provider you are with.

According to The Telegraph users will be able to log on to the new network “seamlessly”, although each web usage in a new venue and will be preceded by a “splash screen” detailing offers provided by O2 and its partners.

O2 say that they will not be offering widespread ‘mesh’ coverage, as they will be focusing on traditional hotspots, instead of replacing 3G mobile networks.

This service will be fantastic as in the future new additions will include restaurants, shops and many other locations across the UK. All the above is very good for the non-O2 customers as this service will be available to them as well.

For more in depth information please visit O2 Press Release, please let us know what you think of the new upcoming service offered by O2 UK.

Source – The Telegraph and The Guardian

Android 3.0 SDK Developer Preview Available

The Android Developers Blog has been updated with the preview version of the forthcoming Android 3.0 SDK, also known as Honeycomb. Google has continuously insisted that Android 3.0 is strictly for tablets and that no Android phones will be made available with Honeycomb.

The preview SDK features a new user interface framework for scaling of apps to tablet displays as well as native tablet app development, new graphics framework for improved graphics and performance, new 3D rendering engine, improved support for single-core and multi-core processors, HTTP Live streaming support (championed by Apple), new DRM framework for consistent DRM across devices, improved enterprise support such as policy control for encrypted storage and password expiration as well as improved management.

For users, this means a redesigned user interface, a new systemwide notification bar, an action bar for app control, multiple custom home screens, new keyboard, improved text selection and copy/paste, USB Media/Photo Transfer support which means easy drag and drop of media without pre-mounting devices, improved support for hardware keyboards and updated standard Browser, Camera, Gallery, Contacts and email apps to take advantage of larger tablet displays.

AppToyz iPhone-controlled RC car and copter are more reasons to have fun with your phone (video)

We, like you, have looked longingly at the Parrot AR.Drone. We've had a lot of fun experimenting with its augmented reality gaming ways and spent a lot of time sighing at its $299 price. Thankfully there's now a much cheaper option -- much less sophisticated, but one that is nevertheless cheaper. It's the AppToyz helicopter, coming to retail soon and costing a (relatively) affordable £50, or about $80. It looks to be evolved from the standard, tiny, IR-controlled helicopters that are everywhere now, but this one's controlled by your iPhone or iPod touch courtesy of an attachment that clips into the headphone port, much like the suite of universal remote iPhone dongles we've seen over the years. There's also an RC car coming, somewhat more affordable at £30, though only the copter is demonstrated in the video embedded below. Go ahead and watch, and then start eagerly awaiting their release, currently slated for April.

Heywire Android App Combines Facebook, Twitter and SMS

If you love Facebook Chat, Twitter and SMS messaging you will love the new HeyWire Android App that is available as of Wednesday, this app allows you to combine all three together.

HeyWire for Android is new out and is a great social messaging app for mobile devices; thanks to Mashable they have some very good information about what it can give you. Combining Facebook Chat, SMS and Twitter is definitely a great idea in the world of cross-platform messaging.

The HeyWire App for Android allows users to message other users or groups; you can message up to 10 people in the group. You can pull from Facebook chat or your mobile phones address book, you can also send messages to Twitter or another mobile phone.

Basically in a nutshell HeyWire offers free texting after users are given their own dedicated numbers, main features include a home screen widget for easy access and text message alerts via your Android device’s notification bar, other features include a Swype Keyboard message composition.

For more information please visit the official HeyWire website, you can also read the PDF file here.

LG to unveil Optimus 3D at MWC, Glasses-free 3D phone?

LG’s still being secretive about what they have in store for us at the MWC, but this invite does suggest something, something which, according to All About hones, could very well be a 3D capable phone.

The officially name isn’t known yet. However, an accidental posting over at Phone House listing their upcoming handsets revealed that LG’s got a new device in the works named the Optimus 3D. Coincidence or one and the same as what LG will be unveiling next month in Barcelona? We’re guessing it’s more of the latter. Specs, unfortunately, are still pretty scarce at the moment, but word is it will come with a glasses-free 3D display a lot similar to one used on the Nintendo 3DS. That’s about it for now, but rest assured, we’ll have more on this once new info becomes available.

In the meantime, you can continue to stare at the silhouette in this invite and conjure up your own theories as to what this upcoming LG device really is.

[source]

Next Generation Apple Peel 520 Sports GPRS: Video

When the original Apple Peel 520 came along the device basically it changed your iPod Touch into a working iPhone accepting a SIM card and enabling the user to shoot off texts, and there appears to be a new version on the horizon.

What we have here courtesy of the guys over at Engadget and by way of Yosion and also M. I. C. Gadget is some video footage of the second generation Apple Peel 520, which as you will see in the footage enables the use of GPRS data.

This second generation Apple Peel 520 also looks to add a lot less bulk to your Apple iPod this time round and more resembles the iPhone 4, which isn’t a bad thing.

Unfortunately though no other details have been revealed about this 2nd-gen device so we’re not too sure when we are likely to see it become available, and what price it may command. Still nip on down and check out the three minute video to see what you think…enjoy.

MetroPCS Launches LTE in Four More Markets

MetroPCS has expanded its LTE network to four more markets with the newest cities in Atlanta, GA.; Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando, Fla. The Samsung Craft is also now available in those markets with MetroPCS’ new LTE plans now ranging from $40 to $60.

The next LTE phone in the MetroPCS lineup will be the Samsung Indulge launching late next month for $399.99. The Indulge is MetroPCS’ first LTE-enabled Android smartphone and is a hardware variant of the Sprint Samsung Transform.

Verizon to Charge Additional $20 Monthly for Mobile Hotspot on iPhone

Following up on this morning’s confirmation of unlimited data for the iPhone on Verizon as a limited-time promotion for $30 per month, Verizon spokesperson Brenda Raney has confirmed to Macworld that pricing for the included mobile hotspot functionality will be the same as on Android smart devices for 2GB of data transfer per month at an additional $20.

Were a customer to add both unlimited iPhone data and mobile hotspot, the monthly charge would add $50 on top of a voice plan per month. Another, much less costly alternative for the time being would be purchasing the Palm Pixi on prepaid for $79.99 and adding the $15 150MB data plan which grants 5GB of data, perfect for tethering to the iPhone.

Amazon Web Services Launches Amazon Simple Email Service

Amazon Web Service, Amazon Email Service, Amazon Simple Email Service, Amazon SES

Amazon Web Services LLC (AWS), an Amazon.com company, today announced Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES), a highly scalable and cost-effective bulk and transactional email-sending service for businesses and developers. Amazon SES eliminates the complexity and expense of building an in-house email solution or licensing, installing, and operating a third-party email service. The service integrates with other AWS services, making it easy to send emails from applications being hosted on services such as Amazon EC2. With Amazon SES there is no long-term commitment, minimum spend or negotiation required – businesses can utilize a free usage tier, and after that, enjoy low fees for the number of emails sent plus data transfer. To get started using Amazon SES, visit http://aws.amazon.com.

Building large-scale email solutions to send marketing and transactional messages is often a complex and costly challenge for businesses. To increase the percentage of emails that are successfully delivered, businesses must deal with hassles such as email server management, network configuration, and meeting rigorous Internet Service Provider (ISP) standards for email content. Additionally, many third-party email solutions require contract and price negotiations, as well as significant up-front costs.

Amazon SES eliminates these challenges and enables businesses to benefit from the years of experience and sophisticated email infrastructure Amazon.com has built to serve its own large-scale customer base. Through a simple API call, businesses can now access a high-quality, scalable email infrastructure to efficiently and inexpensively communicate to their customers. For high email deliverability, Amazon SES uses content filtering technologies to scan a business’s outgoing email messages to help ensure that the content meets ISP standards. The email message is then either queued for sending or routed back to the sender for corrective action. To help businesses further improve the quality of email communications with their customers, Amazon SES provides a built-in feedback loop, which includes notifications of bounce backs, failed and successful delivery attempts, and spam complaints.

“Customers have consistently asked us for the ability to send large quantities of high-quality email from Amazon EC2. Amazon SES makes it very easy for businesses to send email from applications running on Amazon EC2 and other AWS services,” said Adam Selipsky, Vice President, Amazon Web Services. “With Amazon SES, businesses no longer have to worry about the details of building and maintaining their own email-sending solution or negotiating and paying for expensive outside email services. Instead, they can focus on improving customer communication and reducing costs.”

Amazon is able to pass on the efficiencies of its scale to customers, and pricing for Amazon SES is only $0.10 per thousand email messages sent. Additionally, a customer can send 2,000 email messages for free each day when these emails originate from Amazon EC2 or AWS Elastic Beanstalk (data transfer fees may still apply if a customer exceeds their AWS free monthly bandwidth allowance).

Neustar, Inc is a managed services provider that enables seamless connectivity across networks, technologies and applications for carriers and enterprises. “Amazon SES has been invaluable to our business by letting us no longer worry about email deliverability – just as Amazon SQS lets us do so for our own queuing, Amazon S3 lets us do so with file storage, and Amazon RDS for databases,” said Patrick Lightbody, Director of Product Management at Neustar, Inc. “For our self-service SaaS business, the email signup process must be flawless. Any delay in delivery can have significant impact on our signup rates, which require email verification, and Amazon SES has already improved those signup rates by about 10%.”

“Reliable email deliverability has become more of a challenge as spam volumes have increased and ISP’s have rightly become more aggressive in their efforts to shield end users from unsolicited messages,” said George Cook, Vice President of Technical Architecture, 42 Entertainment, a digital entertainment and content development agency that develops alternate reality games. “Amazon SES gives us a simple way to send high-quality email directly from Amazon EC2 for in-game messaging. By providing feedback and insight into the quality of the email we’re sending, we can further improve our communication with customers.”

EyeJot is an easy-to-use video mail platform that can be used by both consumers and businesses to send video messages. “EyeJot is excited to be working with Amazon SES and we plan to use the new service for all our transactional email sending. Since email is an integral part of just about every business, including our own, it’s nice to know there’s a resource that product developers can employ that simplifies the task of sending email,” said David Geller, CEO and Founder, EyeJot. “Amazon’s well-documented API allows developers to send email without having to configure and manage SMTP servers. Amazon SES is easy to set up and use, and will enable us to more effectively deliver our video mail notification messages to our customers.”

iOS 4.3-ready apps begin turning up in the App Store

Apple still isn't offering much of a hint about an iOS 4.3 release date -- other than a busier than usual beta schedule -- but it looks like we could now be one step closer to a general roll out. What appears to be the first app that takes advantage of some iOS 4.3-specific features has now garnered Apple's approval and turned up in the App Store, which would seem to suggest that there's no more major changes or bugs that need to be ironed out (though that can certainly always change). The app itself is Matthew Gallagher's StreamToMe, which runs $2.99 and now incorporates the AirPlay video support that has come to apps in the a latest revision of the OS -- hit up the source link below to check it out for yourself.

Zoompass app with Western Union services now Available for the iPhone, Android devices

Are you an iPhone/Android-toting Zoompass or Western Union user? If so, you’ll be happy to know that there’s now an app for you guys too.

Zoompass and Western Union has just come out with a mobile app not just for the iPhone, but also for Android devices and the new BlackBerry Torch as well. Their mobile app was first only initially available to BlackBerry smartphones. This debuted back in December. With the release of their new set of mobile apps, more users can now enjoy sending and receiving money while on the go. Zoompass is free to download, but do note that there is a $9+1% charge for sending money.

To download this for your iPhone, click here to be redirected to the iTunes App Store. Android users, meanwhile, can simply search for Zoompass at the Android Market. For more info on Zoompass, just head on over here.

[source]

Motorola Cliq 2 Review

The Motorola Cliq 2 is an excellent phone with good keyboard, attractive display and various other features. The multimedia performance and call quality are excellent with this phone. One minor drawback is presence of memory card at the back of battery cover. The phone comes with dual-core processor which ensures very smooth and faster performance. Also the 4G support and slim design makes the phone really impressive.

The phone is available for $129 along with 2-year contract with T-mobile. Such mobile phone contracts are very popular in United States and you can phones for cheaper price by signing up 2 years contract with any major mobile operator. The Motoblur Interface is great with this phone and it runs with Android 2.2 operating system. The phone is similar to its previous version with slider keyboard, same design and positioning of buttons similar to other phones. The dimensions of phone are 4.56×2.34×0.57 inches and weighs 6.17 ounces. It is bulkier than other phones and sturdy finish. The back cover has textured soft-touch material which gives comfort while holding in hands. The display is 3.7 inches and has resolution of 854×480 pixels. It has very responsive touch screen along with proximity sensor, accelerometer and light sensors. Overall Motorola Cliq 2 is an excellent phone with great feature set and its available at Dial A Phone

Android 2.2 Froyo for T-Mobile Vibrant Held Back By Samsung?

If you happen to be an owner of the T-Mobile Vibrant smartphone and have been patiently waiting for the Android 2.2 Froyo update to be released by T-Mobile for your device, this bi of news may make you quite annoyed.

According to an article over on the Boy Genius Report by Andrew Munchbach, a report over on Android Spin has it that a T-Mobile source has said T-Mobile already has an over the air Android 2.2 Froyo update ready but Samsung has told them not to release it.

Apparently the reason Samsung doesn’t want the Android 2.2 Froyo update delivered to the T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant is because they fear it will “decrease the value” of the newly announced Samsung Vibrant 4G.

Here’s what the source has said according to Android Spin…”Some disturbing things have happened the last week or so concerning our “Vibrant”.  Samsung has NOT allowed us to push the update OTA for 2.2 because they feel it will decrease the value of the upcoming Vibrant4G +. While from a marketing aspect i totally understand, as the Vibrant 4G is what the original Vibrant should have been in the 1st place. But to shun off and bold face lie to customers is NOT what T-Mobile is about.

…Being that, Vibrant 4G and Vibrant have exactly same stats, added FFC and a new movie and the 4G. But i will tell you this, the original vibrant CAN utilize 4G FULLY. Yes FULLY. not what they are telling you.”

Whether this information is spot on or not isn’t known but apparently Samsung has been contacted but has thus far not commented.

So what do our Samsung T-Mobile Vibrant owning readers think of this ? Does Samsung have the right to stop T-Mobile delivering Android 2.2 Froyo to your device or should T-Mobile just release it anyway?

Verizon confirms iPhone will get $30 unlimited data plan, we try to act surprised

Hot on the heels of re-tooling its data plans Verizon is now confirming that the iPhone will indeed be eligible for the company's $30 unlimited data plan. COO Lowell McAdam told The Wall Street Journal "I'm not going to shoot myself in the foot," thus confirming what we already knew and showing his keen sense for both business and self-preservation. No comment on whether discontinuing the company's $15, 150MB monthly data plan will result in penetration wounds to any other appendages, but time will tell on that one.

Update: As spotted by SlashGear, WSJ has posted an update indicating that the unlimited plan is a decidedly limited time thing, with tiered pricing to come in the "not too distant future." Intrigue!

[Thanks, Mike]

Bloomberg: Apple to Add NFC to iPhone 5 and iPad 2

Bloomberg has filed a report stating that Apple plans to add NFC support to the iPhone 5 and iPad 2 in order to support mobile payments with both hardware and software integration.

Apple had previously hired Benjamin Vigier to head up a new Mobile Commerce group last year in order to explore ways to integrate NFC into Apple hardware. Should the timeline prove correct, the next iPad would mark the debut of NFC and a new loyalty system also mentioned in the report tied to iTunes.

In simple terms, NFC is a short range radio platform that can transmit information. The technology is meant to be implemented in cellphones. Closer to the US, Bank of America, Mastercard and Nokia have conducted trials of or have deployed NFC-based payment services with varying degress of success.

Other major manufacturers, conglomerates and platforms have embraced NFC to varying degrees, with Google embracing NFC via the Nexus S with built-in hardware and the forthcoming Isis transaction platform being launched by T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T.

The biggest obstacle to widespread adoption of NFC as a widespread transaction platform lies in the standardization and ubiquity of the service. Should the report pan out, Apple could do for NFC what it did for mobile web browsing and mobile data access with the iPhone, at least in the US.

Life360's Family Safety Application Hits One Million Families

Life360 today announced that one million families now utilize its award-winning family safety application for the iPhone and Android. The app addresses parents’ top safety and security concerns with a focus on real-time information on the location of their children. The company has doubled the number of family accounts since November 2010, signifying the rapid adoption of Life360’s innovative use of location-based services (LBS) as part of an overall family safety solution, and its strong leadership position within the market.

Life360 saw rapid growth in late 2010 after several updates to its mobile application. It became the first family safety company to offer check-in capabilities, which provide a non-intrusive way for maintaining communication between parents and kids. Life360 wanted kids to be comfortable with – and therefore more likely to use – a check-in function versus forcing the parents to track their whereabouts all the time.

 

In addition, Life360 expanded its family safety app to multiple platforms – with compatibility on the nation’s two largest mobile operating systems, iPhone and Android. In fact, Android downloads increased significantly after the launch of the Life360 iPhone app because more families can now use the app, regardless of the type of phone.

“The fact that increasing numbers of families continue to download our app is validation that Life360 fills an important need in an expanding market,” said Chris Hulls, co-founder and chief executive officer of Life360. “Life360 is excited to bring location-based services to people who gain a real benefit from the technology. We thank our users for their trust and support, and will continue to innovate to better keep their families safe.”

The company offers free apps in the iTunes App Store and Android Marketplace, and expects to release several more upgrades on both platforms soon. Versions for other mobile platforms are in development. For more details on Life360, including additional family safety services, visit www.life360.com/mobile.

Windows Phone 7 jailbreak devs 'genuinely excited' by Microsoft's roadmap

Microsoft's been playing it really cool with the nascent Windows Phone 7 hacker community so far, which is winning them friends in all sorts of important places -- not the least of which is the ChevronWP7 team itself. The first guys to split the platform open for homebrew apps were recently invited up to Redmond for a powwow with the guys in charge, and it seems the meetings were fruitful to say the least; though much of what they saw was under NDA, they say they're "genuinely excited" by what Microsoft has in the works. Furthermore, Microsoft was kind enough to give the team a heads-up that an upcoming platform update would break the existing ChevronWP7 tool, though they say they're "collaborating with Microsoft on an interim solution that will continue to support homebrew developments after the update." Considering that they've already reached out to jailbreaker extraordinaire Geohot as well, it's clear that Microsoft doesn't believe this is a black-and-white situation -- the ChevronWP7 guys seem to think homebrew has a place somewhere in the platform's future, it just remains to be seen how that's going to play out.

Samsung Gem Touchscreen Smartphone

Samsung has announced the Samsung Gem that allows you to post photos, messages or emails to all your favorite social network sites with the touch of one button. It keeps track of contact info and email addresses which can be scanned in a single view. And with its built-in calendar, you can organize all your social and business appointments.

The Gem comes with many of the features of more expensive phones, at an affordable price. It's the smartphone at a very smart price.  The screen on the Gem is made with advanced anti-scratch, anti-smudge, anti-reflective glass. You'll be able to type with Swype, the innovative one-fingered system that allows you simply slide your finger from key to key and only raise it between words. You'll also be able to drag and drop various widgets and icons to personalize your own one-of-a-kind start-up screen.

The Gem comes equipped with the fastest processor in its category. Web browsing is faster, downloads are faster and uploads are faster, thanks to the 800 MHz central processing unit.  No word as yet about which carrier to have the Gem.

 

Virgin Mobile Lining Up LG Optimus

Virgin Mobile has confirmed in a comment thread found on its Facebook page that it will launch its own version of the LG Optimus S Android smartphone, with no word on pricing or availability.

The phone is currently available on Sprint as a mid-range smartphone with a 600MHz processor and Android 2.2 and also features mobile hotspot support for an additional fee. Should Virgin Mobile go through with releasing the Optimus as available on Sprint, it would mark the first Android device with support for mobile hotspot access on the virtual operator and follows its recent implementation of a soft cap on its Broadband2Go mobile broadband service.

Palm Topaz Tablet Revealed

The first confirmed information and specifications regarding the long rumored Palm Topaz webOS based tablet have surfaced.

The Topaz will feature a 1.2GHz Qualcomm-based processor with an integrated Adreno 220 GPU, 512MB of DDR2 memory, 9.7-inch capacitive display at XGA (1024 x 768) resolution with an oleophobic (germ resistant) Gorilla Glass front , Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and dual-band 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi radio.

Additional features will include 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, optional mobile broadband, accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor, microphone and an eight hour battery. A WiFi-only model is also planned and will be released as well with HSPA, LTE and CDMA variants also being rumored with carrier SIM locks and A-GPS support.

Read More for the improvements to Touchstone, known as v2

Touchstone v2 will be the evolution of Touchstone inductive charging system found on the current Palm webOS series of devices and is being developed with a new communication coil design in order to support the following functionality:

Wireless charging

Wireless picture sharing

Wireless website sharing

Wireless audio streaming via Bluetooth to speaker dock

Wireless map and directions

Wireless music sharing from Palm smartphone to Topaz

Wireless contact sharing

Wireless printing

Wireless video streaming from Touchstone video dock to VGA or HDMI out

Wireless video game playing via Touchstone video dock

Other major functionality being planned includes “tap to share” which would allow for the above functionality with the new coil design. To close out, the last major feature being developed for the tablet is a suite of cloud services based off of HP’s current suite which includes the following:

Snapfish photo sharing and management

Melodeo music integration

HP Cloud Drive

HP Cloud Canvas, which has yet to be elaborated on and is rumored to be the backbone behind the Touchstone v2 sharing capability.

The Topaz is expected to be announced next month during Mobile World Congress after its original CES announcement was delayed.