Posts in Mobile Phones
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
Amazon gobbles up iPhone e-book reader app Stanza
David Carnoy | Apr 28, 2009
(Credit: Lexcycle)
Maybe Steve Jobs doesn't think there's a market for e-books on the iPhone, but Amazon seems to. On Monday, it acquired Lexcycle, the company that developed the popular Stanza iPhone and iPod touch e-book reader application, for an undisclosed sum.
At first glance, it's unclear exactly why Amazon would buy Lexcycle when it has its own successful Kindle iPhone e-book reader application. But it appears to be hedging its bets by picking up what it thinks is "an innovative company" that works across multiple mobile platforms.
Read more »
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 »
Samsung's first Android phone announced
John Chan | Apr 27, 2009
Till now, the only two Android phones that have been announced are the HTC Dream and Magic. The Dream is commercially available, while the Magic will go on sale in Europe starting May 5. Today, we can add another to that list: Samsung's first Android-powered smartphone, the I7500.
Like the Magic, the I7500 will come with a large touchscreen display and no physical QWERTY keyboard. The difference is that its 3.2-inch HVGA (320 x 480) screen is of the AMOLED variety, still a rarity compared with the more commonly seen LCDs on mobile phones. These are supposed to be thinner and provide better battery efficiency, though, in our experience with some of the handsets which employ this display technology, they are also difficult to see when used in direct sunlight.
Another key difference from the HTC Magic is the availability of a 3.5mm audio jack. This will allow you to plug in your favorite pair of headphones for music and video playback. Read more about the features of the I7500 in our first take here.
The I7500 will be available in Europe starting June, but its price is still undisclosed. Samsung says the phone will be out in Asia, but we will have to wait a little longer as it will ship here only in Q3.
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