Posts in Handhelds
Palm Pre rumor of the day: June 7 release date
Bonnie Cha | Apr 29, 2009
What's a day without a Palm Pre story, right? Uhh, right. The latest rumor making its way across the Internet tubes comes via SprintGurus, which says the Pre will launch on June 7 and not May 17 as originally thought.
This is based on an internal document posted by the owner of SprintGurus, who goes by "Coal", that shows all the devices that are in alpha/beta testing with Sprint. In the forum, Coal states, "For those asking about the Pre, there are 2 release windows, one is around 6/7/09--the other I cannot say much on." We're not entirely sure where the June 7 date came from as it's not listed on the document.
However, PreCentral.net seems to think the timing appears about right since it falls within the timeline of a viral video Palm may be working on for the Pre. The video will supposedly show a man refusing to leave his apartment until Palm releases the Pre, and in the casting ad for the video, the shoot dates are April 29 to June 5.
If the June 7 release date turns out to be true, the Palm Pre would make its debut just one day before the start of WWDC 2009 and presumably the introduction of a new iPhone. Is the tech world ready for this? Am I ready for this? *Gulp.*
Via CNET Crave
Matte Diamond2 battery cover spotted
John Chan | Apr 29, 2009
(Credit: Slashphone)
One of the reasons someone may steer clear of HTC's Touch Diamond2 is the glossy back which attracts fingerprint smudges. There seems to be a way around this as an alternative battery cover with matte finish has been spotted.
Slashphone reports that it isn't available as a standard option in the Diamond2 retail package but can be purchased as an optional accessory for about US$35. The information and pictures first appeared in Taiwanese forum Mobile01, but it seems the photos have since been removed. That's a lot of money to pay for a thin piece of plastic. We have asked HTC regarding the availability of this accessory and are awaiting a response.
Via WMExperts
Google releases programing tools for Android 1.5
Stephen Shankland | Apr 28, 2009
Xavier Ducrohet announced the Android 1.5 software development kit (SDK) on the Android developer blog.
The forthcoming Samsung I7500 uses Google's Android operating system.
(Credit: Samsung)
The Android 1.5 SDK release notes include details programmers might be interested in, such as improvements in emulating multiple Android devices and gauging performance issues.
And for comic relief, Google added: "We regret to inform developers that Android 1.5 will not include support for the Zilog Z80 processor architecture," an 8-bit chip that dates back to the 1970s.
Ordinary folks, though, will be more interested in the list of new features with Android 1.5, codenamed Cupcake. Among those are video support, faster GPS, stereo Bluetooth, a faster Web browser, a software-based screen keyboard, and user interface changes.
Android 1.5 is due in coming months. In Germany, T-Mobile plans a May release for Android 1.5 to users of the first Android phone, the G1 built by HTC.
Google led the creation of a consortium called the Open Handset Alliance to develop Android in an attempt to jump-start development of higher-end smartphones with sophisticated Web browsers and other software. Google believes mobile computing will drive significant growth in its Internet services.
T-Mobile has sold 1 million G1 phones in the US so far.
Via CNET News
Investigated: Unlocked GSM Palm Pre on sale
Nate Lanxon | Apr 28, 2009
(Credit: CNET Crave UK)
An unlocked, SIM-free, GSM version of the Palm Pre smart phone has cropped up for pre-order on US mobile store Mobile City Online. And with a price: US$699.
We were enormously skeptical, so we contacted the Web site. We were told the smartphones were sourced from Europe, and originated on the Vodafone network. It expects to ship the phones in September.
Back in February at Mobile World Congress, a GSM version of the Pre was spotted with a Vodafone SIM card inside it. Perhaps the same version Mobile City Online is sourcing?
Read more »
Leaked: Skyfire browser's BlackBerry alpha photos
Jessica Dolcourt | Apr 27, 2009
The BlackBerry version of Skyfire looks a lot like the other smartphone versions, just wider.
(Credit: Boy Genius Report)
It seems that the fellas over at The Boy Genius Report got their hands on leaked screenshots of an alpha version of Skyfire's mobile browser for BlackBerry. Their source has proclaimed it "already being the best BlackBerry browser ever".
Wow, that's some potentially overblown praise, especially as Opera's mobile browser has been the alternative of choice for many BlackBerry users. It's also not the first time that the free Skyfire browser has been overhyped. No disrespect meant to Skyfire--its mobile browser for Symbian and Windows Mobile has a solid design, competitive speeds, and supports (imperfect) video playback--but let's give this all some perspective before declaring it the next killer browser.
Read more »
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