Super Cellphone Deals & News: Oct 4, 2010

Monday, October 4, 2010

Africa: 3G Licence Prices in Africa - How Are They Set?

Last week, Moussa Benhamadi, the Minister of Post and ICT announced that 3G services will be launched in Algeria in 2011. This announcement follows several other recent announcements by sub-Sahara African countries about their intentions to offer 3G licences.
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Android in the cross-hairs: if you can't compete with it, litigate it

ZDNet: "Android's success in the mobile industry by smartphone handset manufacturers has attracted litigation by industry rivals due to their own failure to compete in the legitimate open marketplace."
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Nokia starts shipping N8

Nokia says it has finally started shipping its long-awaited N8 smartphone after several delays, but canâ€™t say which markets will see it first.
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RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 review

Verizon Wireless' $90m Payback: A Good Start

Verizon Wireless' offer to pay back up to $90 million to over-billed customers is a good start, but doesn't address bigger customer rip offs such as early termination fees, double-dip data billing, and crummy calling plans designed to siphon your wallet dry. Verizon Wireless - Business - Verizon Communications - Wireless - Telecommunications
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Review: Nokia N8

Phone Scoop takes Nokia's first Symbian^3 device, the N8, for a spin. How does it stack up against other smartphone systems, can it hold its own? (follow link to read)
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A Bluetooth Headset Worth Owning

TSC contributor Gary Krakow has a pronounced bias against bluetooth headsets, but that may all have changed with this one from Motorola.
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Commercial Notes for Oct. 4

Microsoft, Motorola Patent Battle: A Lose-Lose-Lose Proposition

Regardless of the motives or outcome of Microsoft's patent suit against Motorola and its Android smartphones, it seems unlikely that anyone will really "win". Microsoft - Android - Motorola - IntellectualProperty - Patent
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Google acquires BlindType

Shaun Nichols in San Francisco, V3.co.uk , Tuesday 5 October 2010 at 02:13:00 Touch-screen software vendor goes to Android maker Google has acquired touch-screen keyboard software developer BlindType. The company said that it had been acquired by Google in a posting to its blog . Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Based out of San Francisco, BlindType develops software which allows ...
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Touch-Screen iMacs: A Few Questions

Analysis: Apple may be testing touch input again; here's what we'd like to know. Apple - IMac - Touchscreen - DigiTimes - Macintosh
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Samsung drops developer support for Symbian

Samsung is dropping support for Symbian from its Mobile Innovator developer support program, it said in a letter sent out on Thursday.
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LG Delay a Bad Omen for Android Tablets

LG's decision to delay its Android tablet may seem crazy, but LG might be crazy like a fox for not rushing to market with a version of Android that is not suited for tablet devices. Android - IPad - LG - tablet - Google
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Microsoft, Motorola Patent Battle: A Lose-Lose-Lose Proposition

Regardless of the motives or outcome of Microsoft's patent suit against Motorola and its Android smartphones, it seems unlikely that anyone will really "win". Android - Microsoft - Motorola - Smartphone - Patent
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Windows Phone 7 Oct. 11 launch: What we know so far

Does Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 have what it takes to compete against Apple's blockbuster iPhone and the Android army? We'll find out October 11 when Microsoft officially pulls back the curtain on its smartphone at an event titled Windows Phone 7 Worldwide Launch Event taking place in New York City.
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Nokia working with stretchable skin smartphone concept

Nokia has a video over on its Research Center website that shows a cool new stretchable skin material that it is using to research future electronics and phones. The stretchable material was developed by scientist Stephanie Lacour. Lacour developed a stretchable electronic skin in an effort to integrate electronics with the brain of patients who are paralyzed. The material is being eyed to make ...
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Finally, Nokia shows comeback potential

Why Nokia's N8 smart phone just might claw back some of the market share the company has been steadily losing to Apple Inc., Google Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd.
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Palm planning keyboard-less 'Mansion' with 800 x 480 screen?

This one is still very much a rumor, but PreCentral is reporting that it's heard from a "very reliable tipster" who says that Palm is prepping a new phone codenamed "Mansion," which may or may not be the same device that recently turned up in a certification database under the name P102. The real kicker, however, is that the phone is supposedly a touchscreen-only device, and that the screen is ...
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T-Mobile Adds myTouch Model With Android 2.2

T-Mobile's latest offering includes a zippy Snapdragon processor, Android 2.2 mobile OS and HD video.
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Sanyo Intros a 2K Projector

The latest projector from Sanyo, the PLC-HF10000L, boasts Real 2K resolution with absolutely no image compression. That means instead of getting the 1920 x 1080 that makes up 1080p video, you'll be seeing your movies in 2048 x 1080. Read more... (http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-news/lcd-front-projector-news/sanyo-intros-a-2k-projector.html)
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Windows Phone 7 Faces Identity Crisis

The clock is ticking to the official unveiling of Windows Phone 7. Soon we will see if Microsoft can succeed with a mobile platform that attempt to be both a portable entertainment device and a mobile business tool at the same time. Microsoft - Windows Phone 7 - iPhone - Windows Mobile - Apple
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HTC Desire, Legend now available in new color schemes

HTC has announced that it will offer the Desire and Legend, two Android powered smartphones, in new hues for its European customers. HTC will offer the Desire in white and the Legend in black. The new paint refreshes are expected to be available this month with mobile carriers and retailers. Read the full story here.
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ATandT gets $8.3 billion tax benefit in IRS review

ATT Inc. said Friday it will take an $8.3 billion tax benefit in the third quarter, thanks to an Internal Revenue Service review of the company's purchase of Cingular Wireless in 2006.
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Sprint Prepping Network Overhaul and iDEN-to-CDMA Transition

Sprint is planning a drastic overhaul to its entire wireless network in order to achieve several goals, said Bob Azzi, senior vice president of networks at Sprint. It plans to whittle the number of base stations it operates down from 66,000 to 46,000. Sprint will replace many of the antennas and radios at the base stations with ones that have better power output ratings as well as improved up ...
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Windows Phone 7 Faces Identity Crisis

First Looks: Pyramid Distribution ProMini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

Lying somewhere between Apple's Wireless Keyboard and a typical mobile phone keyboard is the Pyramid Distribution ProMini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard ($70, aka Magic-Pro ProMini BT-Touch), a handheld, pocket-sized physical keyboard that can be used with iOS and other portable devices. It uses Bluetooth 2.0 for its connectivity, and features a full QWERTY layout, backlighting for use in dim areas ...
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Developers: Android will need third-party tools for enterprise

Google has added many useful features in Android version 2.2, but it isn't enough to satisfy all enterprises Google alone will not turn Android into an enterprise-ready OS, instead it will be up to third parties to add necessary features for businesses, according to Android Developer Challenge winners Konrad HÃ¼bner and Henning BÃ¶ger.
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Windows Phone 7 Launch Set for Oct. 11, Microsoft Says

Microsoft made it official. On Oct. 11 it will debut its Windows Phone 7 at a press event in New York City. Here is what we know so far about the phone leading up to its launch. Microsoft - Windows Phone 7 - New York City - IPhone - New York
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Touch-Screen iMacs: A Few Questions

Analysis: Apple may be testing touch input again; here's what we'd like to know. Apple - IMac - Touchscreen - DigiTimes - Macintosh
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RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 review

MobiTV Plans to Enter Living Rooms After Decade of Providing Mobile Video

If youâ€™ve watched the World Cup or NFL games on your mobile phone, you probably used MobiTV Inc. â€™s services without knowing it. Now the company is working to bring its technology into your home.
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GPS and the police state we inhabit: living in Oceania

VOICING HIS discontent with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appealsâ€™ ruling in United States v. Pineda-Moreno, which declared the warrantless use of a GPS tracking device to be constitutional, Chief Judge Alex Kozinski warned, â€œWe are taking a giant leap into the unknown, and the consequences for ourselves and our children may be dire and irreversible.
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Android, its app store and position in Asia

I recently blogged on Android's huge 400 percent increase across Southeast Asia . However, despite this growth it is important to note that the devices are growing from a low base, which means that while these figures are impressive Android is not about to take Southeast Asia, or the Asia region, overnight. However, it will continue growing despite overlooking much of Asia when it recently added ...
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BlackBerry backup encryption broken by Russians

Alleged flaw gives access to archive file A Russian company that specialises in cracking tools claims it has broken the password protection used to secure data backups from BlackBerry smartphones.
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T-Mobile myTouch HSPA+ Android smartphone announced

Today T-Mobile USA announced its myTouch smartphone. The myTouch supports T-Mobile's HSPA+ networks, has a front-facing camera for video chats, and offers support for Wi-Fi calling over UMA. The Android 2.2 powered myTouch will be available in time for the holidays. Read the full story here.
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Mobile lessons

Phone firms need to learn the lessons of their past failures
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T-Mobile Announces the New T-Mobile myTouch Smartphone with HSPA+ 4G

T-Mobile USA today announced a new addition to its exclusive line of Android-powered T-Mobile myTouch smartphones and the continued expansion of its new super-fast HSPA+ mobile broadband network. The new T-Mobile myTouch features Video Chat over T-Mobile's network or ...
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New T-Mobile MyTouch coming this holiday season

T-Mobile's MyTouch family of Android smartphones continues to grow with the announcement of a new model. Find out more about the Android 2.2 device here.
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Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 - Offering The Versatility Of The Android Operating Syatem

Sony Ericsson is due to release a new handset in the very near future. The XPERIA X8 provides an ideal option for those looking for a budget Smartphone which does not compromise and features and versatility.Initially very similar in appearance to the XPERIA X10, it is slightly more compact, it boasts a number of key features including Wi-Fi Internet access, a 3.15 mega pixel digital camera and ...
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Microsoft sues Motorola for patent infringement within Android

Microsoft has kicked off the fall with a lawsuit against Motorola and its use of the Android operating system in its smartphones. Microsoft claims that Android contains patented technology owned by Microsoft in the areas of synchronizing email, calendars and contacts, scheduling meetings and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and power. In addition [...]
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GPS and the police state we inhabit: living in Oceania

T-Mobile myTouch official: HPSA+ and 3G/WiFi video calls

T-Mobile USA has outed its next HSPA+ capable Android smartphone, the T-Mobile myTouch. Previously tipped as the myTouch HD , the new handset has a 3.8-inch WVGA resolution touchscreen, Qualcomm 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8255 processor and a front-facing camera for video calling over 3G and WiFi. Thereâ€™s also a 5-megapixel camera on the back â€" which can record 720p HD video â€" together with an 8GB ...
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