Posts in Mobile Phones
BlackBerry app store open for submissions
David Meyer | Jan 22, 2009
Research In Motion has begun soliciting applications for the BlackBerry Application Storefront, which is due to go live in March.
Submissions for applications opened on Monday. RIM announced in October that it would be launching an app store in March of this year, a move that will bring it in line with rivals such as Apple, Google, and Palm, each of whom has or is about to launch their own on-device app stores.
The vendor guidelines listed on RIM's Web site make it explicit that the Canadian handset manufacturer "reserves the right to accept, deny, or remove any application from the Storefront, at any time". However, it is not yet clear precisely how much control RIM intends to exercise over which applications are chosen for listing--the closest points of comparison being the iPhone App Store, over which Apple retains control, and the Android Market, where Google has a notably low barrier to entry.
RIM is working with PayPal on the payment mechanism for the Storefront. Organizations will also be able to roll out applications to BlackBerry-toting workers. Those using BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Professional Software will be able to control which applications their workers are able to download.
Mobile operators will also be able to put their own customized application catalogues on BlackBerry smart phones.
Developers who successfully get their mobile applications into the Storefront will get to keep 80 percent of their revenue, whereas those selling applications for Apple's iPhone or Google's Android handsets get to keep 70 percent of revenue.
Via CNET News
Early Windows Mobile 6.5 build on video
John Chan | Jan 22, 2009
It looks like Microsoft has integrated some scrolling features as well as modified the Home screen to make the interface less dependent on a stylus. These have, of course, been done by manufacturers like HTC using add-on apps but having it as a default feature of the OS will definitely be welcomed. At another point in the video, you see a finger unlocking the screen using the slide action first found on the iPhone.
(Credit: WMPoweruser)
Aside from the videos, some screenshots have also appeared. These look to have originated from a Chinese-language site and mirror what we've seen on the video.
Via WMExperts
Apple serves notice: Don't rip off the iPhone
Tom Krazit | Jan 22, 2009
Does Apple think the Palm Pre, shown here, rips off the iPhone? We might find out later this year.
(Credit: Corrine Schulze/CNET)
In response to a question from a financial analyst about Palm's new smart phone and its multitouch interface, Apple COO Tim Cook, without addressing the Pre directly, made sure that everyone on Apple's quarterly earnings call Wednesday knew how Apple feels about intellectual property.
"We will not stand for having our IP ripped off," Cook declared, perhaps firing a shot across the bow of Palm and executive chairman Jon Rubinstein, a former Apple employee. To be clear, Cook did not accuse Palm of such an act, explicitly saying "I don't want to talk about any specific company."
But the context--in which Cook was being questioned about the rising threat to the iPhone from competitors like Research In Motion, Google, and Palm--was clear. Palm showed off some some remarkably iPhone-like traits on the Pre earlier this month, such as swiping the screen to move between windows and using multitouch gestures to zoom in and out of Web pages.
Read more »
Spy shots of the HTC G2
John Chan | Jan 21, 2009
(Credit: Gizmodo)
We previously reported on a set of images that showed HTC's lineup for the entire year. Perhaps a second look at that is now in order to see if any of them matches the phone in this spy shot. In any case, we can't confirm the veracity of this new development, but perhaps the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will shed some light.
Click for a larger view of the back
)
Via Gizmodo
GPS-enabled handsets to double as security devices
Damian Koh | Jan 21, 2009
(Credit: Nokia)
Earlier this week, Nokia announced that it's working with Securitas to roll out a new security feature (Safe-2-Go) compatible with all GPS-enabled handsets based on the S60 platform. The service, due out in Sweden in the earlier half of the year, will be available to the rest of Europe later. It connects to Securitas' alarm central which lets users find other people, or be found by others.
It'll also help them locate their friends and receive alerts via SMS when someone leaves a predefined area. It wasn't mentioned what kind of privacy settings will be available, but it'll be interesting to see how this service pans out. As an example, Singapore telco SingTel has already launched a similar service based on cell ID back in November last year. Throw in an app like Enkin which makes use of a phone's camera and the GPS chip to provide a real-time, real-world navigation, and we'll have a really powerful tool at hand.
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