Just a few months after the N95’s first birthday, Nokia’s prepping to launch it’s big bad brother, the N96. According to rumors floating around the intertubes, this little puppy might be in the hands of Nokia fans as early as October 1st – at least, in the UK. No word yet on US pricing or availability, though past reports have pinned it around $800-$1000 US ducats. Chances are, it won’t be in the bought-on-a-whim price range.
If you like the N95, you’ll want to snuggle up next to the N96 and never let go. They’ve doubled the storage space from 8 GB to 16, upped the screen size, doubled the camera flash, improved audio playback, added support for WMV9 and H.264 playback, and made a ton of design improvements (like the built-in kickstand).
I’m definitely looking forward to playing with this one.
[Via BGR]
Oh background push, how I yearn for you. You bring tidings of fun and communication, whether the application is in the foreground or not. Imagine: the ability to receive instant message notifications, even when the application is off screen. This is the future, people. Our jet packs arrive next week.
As of last night, select developers have begun receiving the tools required to create constantly-aware applications. By tying the applications to Apple’s Push Notification Service server via a persistent connection, applications can continue to receive notifications even when they’re pretty much closed.
As the tools aren’t actually tied to a live server yet, it may still be a while before background-enabled applications hit the App Store. Progress is progress, though, and Apple still has plenty of time before their self-set deadline in 2 months.
When Google announced that they’d added transit information to the Google Maps for Blackberry application, I was beyond pumped. A lingering artifact of a time when pen-and-paper was the only option, transit maps make me angry.
Now Google’s gone and freed S60 and Windows Mobile users from ever having to deal with transit maps either. With the release of version 2.2, both platforms can route directions through the public transportation systems of over 50 cities.
The update also packs in 2 extra features: star-ratings for business can provide a rough estimate of public opinion, while user-generated content on the maps.. uh.. keeps things interesting? I’ve never actually found a use for the user-generated stuff – more often than not, it’s just in my way.
To grab the latest version of Google Maps for Mobile, point your handset at google.com/gmm
When the Samsung Soul went pink back in June, we were a bit surprised that it’s younger brother, the Soulb, wasn’t getting the same treatment.
Turns out, it was – it’s just a few months late to the party. The UK’s Phones4u has announced that they will be exclusively offering a pink Soulb starting in October. It’s all the same inside (HSDPA, 3 megapixel camera with LED flash, and 1 gb internal memory), with a pretty-in-pink casing wrapped around it.
Best part? Dudes who wanna rock the pink but fear the hassling of their buddies have a more than valid excuse: for every Soulb sold, just under 20 bucks (£10) will be donated to fighting breast cancer.
[Stuff Via Engadget]
T-Mobile announced its new ‘Family Allowances’ service, to promote ‘responsible’ use of cell phones by children, or whoever’s phone you are paying for.
Available starting in August, the new service allows parents to easily control and how their family members use their T-Mobile phones and service. Using the online tool, parents can set and change limits for minutes, messages and downloads available for each phone on its family plan. Limits can be set up so that certain numbers can always be allowed, even if a phone has surpassed its allowance. Phones can also be limited to work only during certain times during the day.
Lisa Brown, director of marketing at T-Mobile USA, said in a statement:
“Parents across the country want their teens to have a mobile phone to stay in contact, but also want that phone to be used responsibly. With Family Allowances, parents get peace of mind knowing they can reach their sons and daughters, without having to worry about surprise bills. They can also reward their teens for responsible phone use by increasing their allowance.”
Family Allowances will be available for an introductory rate of $2 per month.
Check out the full press release after the jump.
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Sprint is expanding its femtocell offering nationwide, including cheaper unlimited voice plans. The Airave by Samsung hooks up to your home broadband connection to improve indoor wireless coverage for any Sprint phone (Nextel handsets are not compatible yet). Customers can also opt in for the unlimited in-home calling plan starting at $10 per month. Sprint says the Airave creates a “licensed spectrum CDMA network signal…providing enhanced wireless coverage up to 5,000 square feet.”
Sprint initially launched its ‘mini cell tower’ solution in Denver and Indianapolis in September, the femtocell cost $50 and service was $15 per month for individuals and $30 a month for family plans. Starting August 17, the Airave will be available nationally for $100, with unlimited in-home calling for $10 per month or $20 per month for family plans.
Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product and technology development for Sprint, said: “Customers are using their wireless phones at home more than ever, and with the AIRAVE, Sprint is making it even more convenient for customers to rely on their Sprint phones while in their home or office. For customers who want to reduce their monthly communication expenses by using their wireless phone as their only phone, the AIRAVE offers enhanced coverage that works with all Sprint phones, plus the option of a low cost and worry-free unlimited in-home calling plan.”
Check out the full press release here.
Wuh oh – It’s the G4 Cube all over again.
Less than a month after launch, attentive iPhone 3G users have begun to notice nasty little cracks showing up along the edges of the plastic rear casing. It doesn’t seem to be a matter of user-damage, either – even amongst the handsets that have been pampered from day one, cracks have been spotted.
While white iPhones seem to be the focus of the complaints, it may just be because the cracks are more easily spotted on the white surface. At least a handful of Black iPhones have been found to have similar cracks.
There’s a thread over at MacRumors where users are sharing model numbers in attempt to determine if a specific batch is at fault – give it a look if your iPhone is cracking up.
From TmoNews:
“This poster, taped (poorly we might add) on the wall outside a meeting is our glass slipper, our unwavering proof of a date that will live in T-mobile infamy. Mark your calenders folks, October 1. Wake up, walk outside and breathe that 3G air.”
“Hey Bob – we’ve finally set the date for when we’ll be launching 3G services in 27 launch markets. Should we write a press release?”
“Write a press release? Pah! We’ve got paper and tape!”
Sure, the story is a bit weird, but the guys over at TmoNews tend to be pretty spot on. If they’re saying 3G is coming October 1st, we’ll believe it.
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Earlier this morning, Sprint rolled out the first firmware/software update for the Samsung Instinct. What got fixed, you ask? No one’s exactly sure, just yet. As the update lacks patch notes, finding the fixes has become a bit of an Easter egg hunt for Instinct users. Noted so far are perceived performance enhancements, and a battery meter fix – Let us know if you find anything else.
To update your Instinct, just go to Main -> Settings -> General -> Update Phone.
The next update shouldn’t be more than two weeks off according to Will England, administrator of Sprint’s Buzz About Wireless. From a forum post by Will:
“There are two updates. One will fix the native software on the phone. That’s available today. The second update will be in about two weeks that will update the third party applications to use the new features and changes pushed out today. Both updates will be over the air. There should be no reason to go to the store at all.“
Will also mentions that patch notes for today’s update are in the works and should be available sometime tonight.
Between 2 thousand dollar PS3s and 30,000 thousand dollar hoverboard props, eBay is no stranger to things selling for absurd prices. However, most things that have any value on eBay are those that are .. you know, hard to find.
Someone probably should have mentioned that to the winner of this Sidekick 2008 auction. Just a day before the new Sidekick was readily available at T-Mobile spots around the nation for $149, the unlucky bidder dropped a hefty $999 down for the handset and four $15 dollar face plates in a limited edition cardboard box.
The worst part? Once processed and shipped, the buyer will probably get their Sidekick after everyone who just went to the store. At least it’ll come in a fancy box, right?
Looking to pick up Sony Ericsson’s new K330, but not feelin’ the color selection? According to a tipster over at the Unofficial SE Blog, you’ll soon have at least one more option. Joining gold/black and green/black is a gold/white variant (Pictured above).
Also getting a color revamp is the 5-month old W890, with the addition of a silver/gold model.
Tons of pictures of both new variants at the source.
While most people wouldn’t ever notice that you can’t buy an iPhone without a calling plan, that fact inadvertently shafts a huge group of potential subscribers: the deaf, hearing impaired, and those with difficulties speaking. If you don’t use the voice features to communicate, you don’t really need hundreds of minutes.
With this in mind, AT&T yesterday unveiled a Text Accessibility Plan. For $40.00 per month, qualified customers get unlimited text and unlimited data, sans any allotment of minutes (though the phone can still be used, at $.40 per minute.)
Also offered is a similar package for business users: $65 a month for all of the aforementioned with the addition of unlimited enterprise email.
No hearing/speech impairment, but don’t want to pay for minutes? This isn’t your backdoor. The packages are only offered for those who can certify their disability – if that includes you or someone you know, check out the form here.
[Via Electronista]
If you’re been part of the 1% of MobileMe subscribers unable to actually use their MobileMe accounts, the MobileMe Status blog has good news for you. From a post made yesterday morning: “We have completed restoring Mail service, including historical messages, to all of the 1% of affected members.”
If your MobileMe set-up is still all kinds of broken, they’ve set up a special chat line just for you. They do ask that use of the chat room is reserved for Mail issues, so try to avoid using it for dating advice or Kirk/Picard debates.
Last but not least, they’ve done away with that nasty bug where contacts and calendar data had been disappearing off of iPhones and iPod Touches during over-the-air syncs. The data oughtta restore itself automatically – if it doesn’t, they’ve got a fix for you.
Mobile entertainment company mSpot announced that it has more than four million subscribers. That’s a lot of people downloading media to their mobile phones.
mSpot CEO Daren Tsui, says:
“These numbers are a clear and overwhelming sign that consumers want to do more with their phones than just make calls and send text messages – they want entertainment too. mSpot’s ability to easily and seamlessly deliver the music and movies that consumers love directly to their mobile devices has led to remarkable growth in a very short period.”
Founded in 2004, mSpot currently offers 13 live services with eight North American carriers, delivering content from the likes of ABC, ClearChannel, Fox Sports, NPR, Paramount Pictures and Disney, plus all major music labels and many indie music labels.
Here’s
the full release about mSpot’s latest achievements.
No contract carrier Cricket Wireless has signed a mobile content deal with News Corp division Fox Interactive Media. Now Cricket customers can access Fox’s portfolio of mobile sites including: MySpace, Photobucket, IGN, FOXSports, RottenTomatoes, AskMen and more.
Doug Hutcheson, president and CEO of Cricket’s parent company Leap said:
“This is a significant milestone in Cricket’s efforts to form strategic relationships with industry leaders who can provide rich content and exciting applications to our customers. Research shows that Cricket’s young and diverse customers are already heavy users of mobile content and applications. We look forward to working with Fox Interactive Media to bring their exciting portfolio to our customers.”
Check out the full release here.
As part of its quarterly earnings report, Garmin announced delays for its first mobile phone, while they had previously announced the Nuvifone would be available sometime during the fourth quarter, now don’t expect to see one until the first half of next year.
See CrunchGear for the full scoop.
LG announced plans to launch mobile phones that include Dolby’s Mobile audio platform, which according to the release, is built on “Dolby’s extensive portfolio of technologies,” and has been “optimized for mobile applications.” LG is the first handset maker to include Dolby Mobile in handsets designed for the worldwide market.
Some Dolby Mobile features you can expect to find in upcoming LG handsets: mobile surround sound, sound space expander, natural bass, high-frequency enhancer, graphic EQ, sound level control and mono-to-stereo converter.
LG said it plans to begin launching multimedia phones that incorporate Dolby Mobile technology beginning in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.
Check out the press release here
It’s been a while since we first mentioned the murmurs of Video support purportedly coming to the Sidekick LX. A mention of video playback popped up in a T-Mobile Sidekick LX support page – then nothing.
After two months of silence, T-Mobile and Danger have begun rolling out the goody-stuffed OTA. It’s being distributed at random, so don’t panic if you don’t get the update immediately – just keep an eye on your Sidekick over the next few days.
[Via Hiptop 3]
HTC’s Touch Diamond is one pretty little piece of fun. Unfortunately, the lack of U.S 3G spectrum support outweighs the Touch Diamond’s looks. Slow browsing = suck.
That shouldn’t be a problem for much longer, according to this FCC posting.. Lets see here.. Touch Diamond model number.. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.. WiFi connectivity.. bam! 850/1900 MHz support, perfect for U.S. HSDPA.
No word yet on pricing, carrier, or anything else besides the aforementioned tidbits. With HTC requesting confidentiality until August 31st, hopefully we’ll be seeing it soon.
[Via Phone Scoop]
If you want to take a nostalgic trip back to the original Transformers cartoon that spawned a popular culture phenomenon, you’ll be happy to learn that Glu will publish Transformers G1: Awakening this fall. The game will take players back to the original series and include characters, storyline and visuals that started it all.
The upcoming game is the second title from a licensing agreement between Glu and HPG, Hasbro’s licensing division.
“TRANSFORMERS has a vast consumer base worldwide, and we saw great enthusiasm and reception with the launch of our TRANSFORMERS game last year,” said Jill Braff, senior vice president of global publishing, Glu. “With TRANSFORMERS G1: AWAKENING, we’ve incorporated classic elements true to the original franchise while creating an innovative and enthralling mobile strategy game that will appeal to TRANSFORMERS fans new and old.”
I’m not sure how the price of fuel is going to impact the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, but the action will be fast and furious. There is sure to be plenty of work for a good mechanic when the battle heats up this fall.
