Posts in Mobile Phones
Missing Map Search TouchFLO tab?
John Chan | Nov 13, 2008
(Credit: HTC)
Update: According to HTC, the Map Search tab is based on Google Maps. HTC is not allowed to pre-install the search giant's free map application in this region, which is why the tab doesn't appear in the unit we reviewed.
We recently reviewed the HTC Touch 3G and found its new TouchFLO interface a joy to use because of the improved speed. Functionally, you can get to most of your phone features right from the Home screen including creating messages, changing basic settings and accessing your bookmarked browser shortcuts quickly.
Strangely, one tab was missing on our Touch 3G review unit--Map Search. We noticed this in a Flash intro of the handheld on the HTC Web site. The image you see above is a screen grab of the original animated header.
There's no mention of this new tab in the initial Touch 3G press release or in its official list of features. We suspect it's probably a text box where you can type in an address and the default GPS application will load to show you where that is on a map. If that's correct, it would be a useful tab to have. We have contacted HTC to check what the tab is supposed to do and why it's not in the final version, and will update this blogpost once we find out more.
New TouchFLO available for HTC Touch
John Chan | Nov 12, 2008
HTC has put a new version of its TouchFLO interface into the Touch 3G, one that looks similar to TouchFLO 3D found in the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro devices--less the fancy animations. Today, it announced that the new TouchFLO can be downloaded for the original HTC Touch. Furthermore, HTC Touch handhelds sold from now on (with a reduced S$548 price tag) will come preloaded with this new version. Aside from the new Home screen, the YouTube application will also come with it so Touch users can now watch streaming videos from the popular video-sharing site over Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the announcement doesn't apply to the Touch Dual and Touch Cruise at the moment.
We lauded the Touch 3G for its fast TouchFLO interface. But we must remember that it comes with a 528MHz processor and 192MB of RAM. The HTC Touch uses a 200MHz TI processor and, depending on when you bought it, has only either 64MB or 128MB of RAM. It'll be interesting to see if this updated interface will work just as well on the original Touch. Current users can download the update from the HTC Web site. If you are going to try it out, let us know how well it works in the Talkback below.
Nokia announces first Eseries with 3.5mm audio jack
Damian Koh | Nov 12, 2008
(Credit: Nokia)
This just in--Nokia's latest messaging smart phone targeted at the mass market. Although the E63 looks identical to the E71, it doesn't have HSDPA, comes with a lower-resolution 2-megapixel camera and records only QVGA videos at 15fps. Still, it's a pretty well-specced entry-level smart phone equipped with a quad-band GSM radio, dual-band WCDMA, Bluetooth stereo, Wi-Fi and a 3.5mm audio jack. Nokia's even throwing in 1GB of free Web space on Files on Ovi, so users can remote access their files even when their PC is offline. According to Nokia, the E63 will ship to Asia Pacific markets this quarter, though it won't be sold in Singapore. Choice of Ruby Red or Ultramarine Blue colors available.
Vertu launches new Ferrari collection, priced out of commoners' reach
Damian Koh | Nov 12, 2008
(Credit: Vertu)
Vertu has launched its new Ferrari collection which, honestly, isn't for everyone. 2,009 pieces of the limited-edition Ascent Ti Ferrari Nero, priced at a costly S$15,900 (US$11,314.31) each, are now available. If you are willing to settle for a little less pomposity, the Rosso and Giallo special-edition models go for S$13,500 (US$9,606.49) each. In case you didn't know, the Ferrari edition uses the same leather and stitching as the actual luxury car's interiors and parts of the phone are designed to resemble details on the automobile. A sapphire crystal display, titanium chassis and recordings of Ferrari engine sounds as ringtones complete the package.
It's not like we get to play with a Vertu everyday, but the last time we had three of the ridiculously priced handsets in our Labs, we fell in love with every single one. We're sure we'll pretty much feel the same if we can afford one of these handcrafted Ferrari models, too.
Rumor: iPhone OS 2.2 coming next week
Tom Krazit | Nov 12, 2008
Google Street View might be available for the iPhone by the end of next week, according to a rumor.
(Credit: iPhoneYap.com)
The next update to the iPhone might be here in time for Turkey Day.
At least, that's what a Greek site called iPhone Hellas is claiming (via Gizmodo).
Google translations can be tricky things, but the site reports that "The iPhone OS v2.2 will be given in circulation on 21 November '08." That could just mean that developers will be getting an advance copy to test against their applications that day, but it could also mean that Apple plans to release the update as of that date.
The forthcoming update is reportedly going to bring iPhone users the Google Street View feature as well as over-the-air podcast downloads, among other things. An earlier report had pegged the release of that software for October, but that clearly hasn't happened.
Via CNET News
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