Posts Tagged ‘review’
Friday, August 21st, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, ATT, Apple
Whoa — we were just sent AT&T response to the FCC’s investigation into the rejection of Google Voice apps from the iPhone app store, and Ma Bell isn’t pulling any punches: according to the letter, AT&T “had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application.” That puts the ball pretty firmly in Apple’s court, but it doesn’t close the door on AT&T’s involvement in App store approval shenanigans entirely, since the letter also says “AT&T has had discussions with Apple regarding only a handful of applications that have been submitted to Apple for review where, as described below, there were concerns that the application might create significant network congestion.” Not only did that result in CBS and MobiTV killing the Final Four app’s ability to stream video over 3G, it also explains what happened to SlingPlayer Mobile — we’ll see what the FCC says about that.
Update: And here come Apple and Google’s responses as well! We’re digesting everything as fast as we can, we’re going to do this semi-liveblog style after the break, so grab a frosty and dive in.
Update 2: Okay, so we’ve read through all three filings and broken them down after the break. Our main takeaway? Apple’s being pretty hypocritical by claiming on the one hand that the iPhone is at the forefront of a mobile revolution and then saying iPhone users can’t figure out how Google Voice is different than the iPhone’s built-in functionality on the other. Either your customers are paradigm-busting visionaries or they’re not very smart at all, Apple — you have to pick one. As for AT&T, well, it just seems like it’s worried about its network above all else, and while we think it’s ridiculous that it enforces the VoIP and SlingPlayer ban on the iPhone and not, say, Windows Mobile devices, we can see why the carrier would push those contract provisions hard. In the end, we’re just hoping the FCC forces everyone involved to be more open and transparent about what they’re doing and the deals they’re making — Apple’s not necessarily exaggerating when it says these are entirely new problems, and whatever happens next will set a precedent for a long time to come.
Continue reading AT&T, Apple and Google respond to the FCC over Google Voice and the iPhone App Store
AT&T, Apple and Google respond to the FCC over Google Voice and the iPhone App Store originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: App Store, Apple, appstoreapprovalprocess, AT&T, breaking-news, browser, fcc fridays, games, google-voice, googlevoice, messaging, player-mobile, review
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Friday, August 21st, 2009
Filed under: Accessories
No, someone didn’t just Photoshop the
Duracell logo on a
WildCharge pad — this actually is the newest product from the ubiquitous battery maker. Available this October, myGrid kits (including charger and one power sleeve) will be available for Nokia, Motorola, and Blackberry handsets, as well as the many flavors of Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. No price yet, but you’ll know as soon as we do.
[Via PhoneMag]
Duracell announces myGrid wireless charger, WildCharge feels a little KIRFed originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: accessories, Apple, breaking-news, charge, duracell, engadget, images, mobile, review, stumbleupon, television, wildcharge, wireless charging, wirelesscharging
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, Features, HTC, T-Mobile, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS
Followers, fans, and casual observers of HTC alike all know that when the company launches a new landscape QWERTY model, it’s a big deal. In fact, it’s more than a big deal — it’s a Big Deal. Many describe it as the ultimate smartphone form factor, the perfect execution of everything a modern handset is capable of doing — and realistically, no company has as much experience or know-how at making powerhouse landscape QWERTY sliders than HTC does.
That’s why droves of subscribers on virtually every carrier are on the edge of their seats awaiting the Touch Pro2’s release. Whether you love, hate, or feel nothing but pure, unadulterated ambivalence toward Windows Mobile, it’s hard to argue that the Pro2 isn’t a gorgeous smartphone at a distance, and T-Mobile USA’s gently-tweaked version is no exception. Unless you’re desperate for SLR-quality photography (which you’re frankly not going to get regardless of what phone you buy), the spec sheet reads like a dream — an expansive 3.6-inch WVGA display, full QWERTY, tilt-up display, all the 3G and WiFi you could ever want, and HTC’s latest and greatest build of TouchFLO 3D constantly working to make sure that WinMo cleans up nice — but is it true love or just lipstick on a pig? Let’s have a look.
Continue reading T-Mobile Touch Pro2 review
T-Mobile Touch Pro2 review originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: accessories, battery, edge, handson, HTC, network, review, touch-pro2, touchpro2, windows, Windows Mobile, Windows Mobile 6.1
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Friday, July 31st, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, Reviews, Nokia, ATT, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA
Some might say that the phone you’re peering at above is the most un-Nokia-like Nokia device produced in quite some time (if not ever), but remember, this one was custom made for US consumers and AT&T’s audience — something that’s not true for too many Espoo-sourced handsets. Once known as the Mako, Nokia’s Surge (or 6790 in international speak) is certainly unorthodox in design, though the actual specs list is fairly familiar. We get the feeling that Nokia was aiming to hit a very specific niche with this device, somewhere in-between the text-happy handsets adored by tweens and the smartphone desired by Mr. Suit. Care to see if we think Nokia accomplished said goal? Then head on past the break, vaquero.
Continue reading Nokia Surge review
Nokia Surge review originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: browser, device, features, messaging, phone, review, S60, Symbian, Symbian S60, symbians60
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Friday, July 31st, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, Reviews, Nokia, ATT, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA
Some might say that the phone you’re peering at above is the most un-Nokia-like Nokia device produced in quite some time (if not ever), but remember, this one was custom made for US consumers and AT&T’s audience — something that’s not true for too many Espoo-sourced handsets. Once known as the Mako, Nokia’s Surge (or 6790 in international speak) is certainly unorthodox in design, though the actual specs list is fairly familiar. We get the feeling that Nokia was aiming to hit a very specific niche with this device, somewhere in-between the text-happy handsets adored by tweens and the smartphone desired by Mr. Suit. Care to see if we think Nokia accomplished said goal? Then head on past the break, vaquero.
Continue reading Nokia Surge review
Nokia Surge review originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: 6790, browser, data, hands on, Nokia, nokia surge, phone, review, S60, surge, Symbian, symbians60
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, Features, Reviews, HTC, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Android
The HTC Hero has been an object of lust for some time now for gadget enthusiasts. Even from the earliest days of leaked hardware shots and blurry demo videos of its UI, smartphone fans seemed to agree that the company had finally achieved what has been missing in the world of Android. Namely, a polished and attractive device — polished enough to go head-to-head with the iPhone — that kept its open source heart. So, here we are months later with an actual, bona fide Hero in our midst. Yes the reports were true, it is a beautiful device, both inside and out (though of course opinions differ on that chin). But does being a beautiful device mean Android is about to move to a bigger stage? Is HTC’s spit-shine enough to overcome some of the hurdles that have plagued the platform? That question — and more — is answered in our review, so head on over to Engadget for the full story.
HTC Hero review originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: accessories, features, handsets, HSDPA, HTC, iPhone, review, rogers-wireless
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
Filed under: Vodafone, MVNOs
Talks had apparently been going on for a while to start a Blyk-branded Dutch MVNO, but to better align with with its revised business strategy, the company is switching up its strategy and working with Vodafone to use its existing infrastructure exclusively. With the new plan, Blyk will be responsible strictly for the ad delivery technology, but either way, the result is pretty much the same: young’uns in the Netherlands will be able to get some voice minutes and texts every month in exchange for being delivered targeted advertising on their phones. The company claims that an “overwhelming” number of carriers in Europe and Asia are asking Blyk to take over their mobile advertising businesses entirely, so it seems the start-up could have a very successful future despite the slow start it’s gotten with its own-branded MVNO in UK. We’re still not sure we’d be willing to get blasted with frighteningly well-targeted ads (robots, console emulators, pizza joints, you know the drill) in exchange for a pittance in minutes, but for teens just getting their start, it could still be a power play.
Blyk hooks up with Vodafone in Holland originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: accessories, culture, engadget, features, messaging, mobile, netherlands, network, review, rogers-wireless, Vodafone, vodafone netherlands, Windows Mobile
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Android
Not satisfied with your Android selection? Looking for something a little easier on the pocketbook, perhaps? Well, that’s cool, partner — look no further than the HTC Click. This thing hasn’t been announced, but rumors have been swirling for a few days now that the Click would be taking HTC’s Android ambitions decidedly downmarket, and like clockwork, we’ve now got a couple alleged pictures of it. We can’t verify the authenticity of this stuff, but we certainly don’t have any reason to doubt that it’s real — it’s pretty much what we’d envision a low-end HTC Android phone would look like. One open question would be the mystery surrounding that crazy pad arrangement where we’d normally expect a trackball to be — don’t get us wrong, we’re not married to the trackball by any stretch, but it’ll be interesting to see how well this works in practice. We don’t have any details on the Click’s release, but you can bet your sweet little green robot we’ll be passing that on just as soon as we get it.
HTC Click in the wild — Android on the cheap? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: culture, engadget, engadget-mobile, features, HTC, inthewild, messaging, network, News, podcasts, review, rumor, softbank-mobile
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Monday, July 20th, 2009
Filed under: Handsets, Others
The Rolex watchphone is neither a
Rolex nor a
watchphone — unless your definition includes handsets with a watch face embedded on the outside (and ours doesn’t). But either way, it’s probably safe to say that this bad boy does not sport a precision-made Swiss timepiece. Features include a 2.6-inch display, dual SIM, an FM radio, and presumably some sort of camera. Unlike the Swiss Rolex, the Shanzhai Rolex can be yours for the low, low price of 690 yuan (that’s about $101). More mouth-watering KIRFness after the break.
[Via Cloned In China]
Continue reading Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXXVII: Rolex watchphone is, in fact, neither
Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXXVII: Rolex watchphone is, in fact, neither originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: engadget, games, handsets, kirf, messaging, network, review, rogers-wireless, shanzhai, softbank-mobile, watchphone
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Monday, July 20th, 2009
Filed under: Software, Palm, webOS
Palm’s webOS has never been a platform to stir the interest of the casual gamer. While there are many advantages to being built around HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, those tools don’t excite game developers who need direct access to advanced graphics hardware to render animations smoothly. Unfortunately, as described by Craig A. Hunter, a self proclaimed “pretty dedicated iPhone developer” who’s been poking around the WebOS SDK, Palm does not provide the environment to develop serious games or the kind of sophisticated apps users now expect from their handhelds. Chief among his concerns is lack of OpenGL access despite the hardware supporting it. Palm also limits devs to a 4Hz sampling of raw accelerometer data, far short of the 20Hz minimum required for games utilizing tilt control. In his summation:
With such amazing software capabilities flourishing on the iPhone, Palm can’t afford to wait a year while they make the transition from web apps to native apps in their SDK. Palm might have had a chance against the 2007 Apple SDK, but not the 2009 version. Not even close. With this limitation, webOS will not be taken seriously by consumers who place importance on games or sophisticated third party apps.
Of course Palm, now with its deep Apple roots isn’t blind to the issue. In fact, the kids at PreCentral have uncovered a Palm job listing from June 29th seeking Game Frameworks Engineers who will “design, implement, debug, and optimize frameworks for game development.” So while the beta release of the webOS SDK might be limited, we’ll key on the word beta for now. Remember, Super Monkey Ball wasn’t built in a day — it took a bit more than 365 of them before being offered after the launch of the original iPhone.
Read — Craig A. Hunter
Read — Palm game engineer listing
webOS SDK bemoaned by iPhone developer as Palm seeks game engineers originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: accessories, Apple, culture, gaming, opengl, Palm, podcasts, pre, review, webos
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