Ah, Apple rumour time. It’s almost always Apple rumour time these days, what with Apple having so many products and services undergoing constant wizardry and revolution, with new photos now potentially revealing Apple’s first iPhone 4 “World” phone that would theoretically work with all the world’s major mobile networks and break AT&T’s iron-grip of exclusivity in the US. While Steve Jobs may have iBliterated any notion that Apple will produce a 7-inch iPad anytime soon, there was no word on whether a CDMA-based iPhone 4 would be making an appearance in the near future.
As we know, Steve Jobs isn’t in the habit of pre-announcing products with any kind of regularity and said as much a couple of times in answer to analyst questions, but given the ongoing rumours about Verizon finally getting to join the iPhone party on its superior network, this one seems a lot more likely to happen, probably by early next year as the rumours suggest.
What’s the latest piece of news doing the rounds to support Verizon’s iPhone 4 rumourology?
It comes from blogger Richy Rich, who posted an “exclusive” featuring what he claims are “Verizon iPhone 4 photos”.
Rich noted the Boy Genius report which suggested the Verizon/CDMA iPhone 4 could come as both a CDMA and 3G/GSM device, thus turning it into a “world phone”, working on almost all of the world’s major mobile networks and giving more choice in some countries, primarily the US, over which network would be used – especially if the phone was available in a fully unlocked edition.
Rich says he’s “happy to report a follow up to that post with live shots of an “N92DVT” device, which was reported to be the CDMA version of the iPhone 4 back in August by John Gruber.”
Rich adds some mystique to the proceedings by suggested that: to his knowledge, “these shots originated from a repair shop in Vietnam, and according to the “DVT” (Design Verification Test) label, it is in final testing stages before production.”
The Vietnamese shop owners, who presumably have excellent contacts within the iPhone 4 manufacturing plans, or who have excellent contacts with excellent contacts, say that there is indeed a micro-SIM slot on the iPhone 4, but as “the device is no longer in my sources possession, therefore I wasn’t able to obtain photos for proof.” Although it does dovetail nicely with Boy Genius’ report, the slot might just be there because it’s not a final production unit, or perhaps because Apple intends to deploy such capabilities in a future iPhone 5.
Rich’s photos also purport to show a “test operating system” similar to a previous one called “Inferno” from previous “iPhone 4 beta test images and video”.
So… it’s all either yet another elaborate hoax… or underground confirmation (or leakage) of Apple’s secret plans, whether to cause mischief or to unofficially alert the world to the imminent arrival of the iPhone 4 to stave off any as-yet unmade Android or WP7 purchasing decisions.
It also makes me wonder… will Apple launch a CDMA iPhone 4 in January 2011, only to follow it up with a non-CDMA iPhone 5 just only three or four months later?
Or is the CDMA iPhone 4 going to make a surprise 2010 pre-Christmas appearance so there’s still plenty of time between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 5 going out the door?
A final thought – how soon before an LTE iPhone makes an appearance, could it come with the iPhone 5, or will LTE-lovers have to wait until the iPhone 6 to get their kicks?
If you are looking for a Smartphone which does it all, Blackberry just might have the answer.
Measuring 111x 62x 14.6 mm it is relatively compact and lightweight at 161 g. The touchscreen aspect of the phone is in the shape of a 3.2 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen which features a pixel resolution of 360x 480 which is capable of displaying up to 16M colours. This is great for viewing photos and videos thanks to the display quality. The slide out QWERTY keyboard offers an efficient method of entering text which is ideal for those more prolific text message or email users, or simply those who prefer to use a physical keyboard.
Both vibration and ringing are utilised in order to alert users to incoming calls and messages with the added bonus of supporting MP3 ringtones, resulting in an aspects of the phone which can be customised. Carrying out handsfree calls a simple thanks to a built in speakerphone system as well as a 3.5 mm headset socket which can be used for both handsfree headsets as well as earphones for listening to music via the internal media player. The media player is versatile and the fact that it supports a whole host of different music and video file formats. In addition to this, there is also a number of pre-installed games (with access to a library of downloadable games) to keep users entertained, whilst social networking fans are catered for thanks to social feeds.
The blackberry brand is renowned for its comprehensive connectivity features, and the Blackberry Torch is no different. Class 10 versions of both EDGE & GPRS provide the handset with its connections to the relevant cellular networks, whilst an HSDPA connection allows users to browse the web in areas covered by 3G. A faster Internet connection can be attained thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity whenever local Wireless Networks are available. To connect to other devices, both Bluetooth and micro USB connections are included.
The Blackberry Torch is equipped with a handy 5 mega pixel camera which does a great job of taking high quality still images thanks in no small part to the inclusion of Autofocus, LED flash and image stabilisation. Should users wish to shoot video footage, they have this option is the camera is also capable of shooting VGA quality footage at a rate of 24 frames per second.
Blackberry handsets are well known as a choice for business professionals thanks to their ability to view the front door connect types. The Blackberry Torch features a document viewer which is compatible with Microsoft Office documents including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. There are additional productivity tools in the form of an organiser as well as voice memo recorder, meaning the Blackberry Torch is an ideal companion for staying productive even when out of the office.
The Blackberry Torch is an ideal choice for many types of user ranging from social networking and multimedia fans 3G the business professional. With software which is equally as impressive as the hardware, it is hard to find anything to dislike about this versatile Smartphone.
New Technology To Integrate Smartphones Into Car Infotainment Systems
The demonstration was carried out by Nokia, its subsidiary, NAVTEQ and Magneti Marelli Electronic Systems.
Connectivity between the smartphone and the car may provide key information such as fuel levels and engine status and combined with GPS information from the smartphone or car, could enable location based services. These services might include the nearest petrol station with the day's lowest prices or even offering an e-coupon for a free coffee if the driver chooses a particular station. In addition, ADAS based safety features may also be supported, for example, to warn drivers to slow down for an upcoming sharp bend. The integrated system mirrors the display of the smartphone on the larger screen and commands can be given either by voice, gesture, touch or traditional in car controls to enable ease of use.
"This collaboration offers Magneti Marelli the opportunity to make its know-how available for the integration of complex systems in the automotive field," stated Giuseppe Rosso, CEO of Magneti Marelli Electronic Systems. "In this case, through specific management of the vehicle's infotelematic node, Magneti Marelli enables communication between the car - and more precisely between certain functions and data concerning the car - and the new generation of smartphone devices. So, by combining the capabilities and functions of consumer devices with the added value of a "graded" automotive system embedded in the vehicle, the best possible system integration is provided, especially from the standpoint of ergonomics and safe use".
Connection from the mobile device to the infotainment system is made either via Bluetooth or USB cable which is a useful choice depending on the length of the journey. For a short distance the driver could leave the phone in a briefcase and connect wirelessly but for longer journeys, the smartphone battery can be preserved by connecting with a cable.
This technology known as "Virtual Networking Computer layer" is in alpha phase and was developed in collaboration with Nokia Research Center, Palo Alto.
LG Electronics has shown off its first Android based mobile phone, just a week after it announced plans for three new Windows Mobile based smartphones. The new android OS based LG-GW620 features a 3-inch full touchscreen and slide out QWERTY keypad.
"The LG-GW620 will appeal to first-time smartphone customers by offering a new and different kind of user experience," said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Our objective is to provide a wide selection of smartphones to satisfy the diverse preferences of today's consumers. This Android phone is just one of many smartphone models we plan to introduce worldwide in the years ahead."
In addition to the Android model, LG announced in early September that it will be introducing a minimum of 13 new smartphones over the next 16 months that utilize Microsoft's Windows Mobile. The newest release, version 6.5, was announced just last week.
The LG-GW620 will be available in the fourth quarter of this year in select European markets. Pricing and technical specifications are still to be confirmed.
Nokia USA has already put up the Maemo-powered N900 up for pre-order already, but if you’re waiting for an exact release date to be announced, then better listen up because that’s what we’ve got for you right now.
According to The Nokia Blog, the Nokia N900 will hit distribution centers on September 27th. Granted that this is true and no further delays are encountered, this feature-packed QWERTY-equipped touchscreen slider should be available in the first few days of October at best. So, from the looks of it, the US will indeed be among the select markets which the Nokia N900 will become available in by next month.
As expected, the retail price of the Nokia N900 is a dollar short of $650 making it the current most expensive handset from the Finish mobile phone maker in the US. T-Mobile hasn’t announced it yet, but you shouldn’t encounter any problems connecting to this particular US carrier’s 3G network as this version of the N900 comes with T-Mobile friendly WCDMA 900/1700/2100MHz bands.
Iowa senator Tom Harkin, who became the committee head after the death of Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, said that he was concerned that no one has been able to prove cell phone do not cause cancer.
"I'm reminded of this nation's experience with cigarettes," said Harkin. "Decades passed between the first warnings about smoking tobacco and the final definitive conclusion that cigarettes cause lung cancer."
Some researchers believe that low levels of radiation from cell phone use may cause cancers of the brain and central nervous system -- similar to the malignant brain tumor that Kennedy had been battling with.
Years of research have failed to establish any clear link between their use and several kinds of cancer, including brain tumors.
Four years ago, Danish researchers studied the cell phone usage of brain tumor patients and reported that the two were unlikely connected but said that "we won't be able to make any firm conclusions until we can confirm these results with studies with more long-term and heavy cell phone users."
Studies in France and Norway last year reported similar results.
However, recent worries have been raised by U.S. and British researchers who suggest that many of the previous studies were telecom-funded and had a "systemic-skew" that greatly underestimated the chance of tumors, such as excluding people who "had died or were too ill to be interviewed as a consequence of their brain tumor and children and young adults who are more vulnerable."
While no solid link between cell phones and cancer has been established, studies indicate the likelihood of such a connection calls for a precautionary approach.
An estimated 275 million people in the U.S. and 4 billion worldwide use cell phones.
By Rachel Metz
Struggling phone maker Motorola unveiled its first device using Google's Android system Thursday, banking on it to power features that will attract consumers looking to use their phones to connect with friends, family and colleagues.
The Cliq comes with a touch screen and a standard, "QWERTY" keyboard that slides out from its side. Software on it will let users aggregate contact information from various social networks and e-mail accounts. Small application "widgets" will show such information as your friends' Facebook status updates on the home screen.
The new device also sports a five-megapixel camera, allowing for sharper images than most other phones, including Apple Inc.'s iPhone and its three-megapixel resolution.
The Cliq, which Motorola unveiled Thursday during a GigaOM mobile Internet conference in San Francisco, will be available from wireless carrier T-Mobile in time for the holiday season. Pricing and release details will be announced within three weeks.
Motorola plans to unveil a second Android phone in the coming weeks. It will also be available for the holidays, most likely through Verizon Wireless, which has already said it will be one of the U.S. carriers for a Motorola smart phone.
The company's Android-based phones could be key to luring back customers. The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company hasn't produced a hit since the wildly popular Razr phone in 2005.
Sanjay Jha, Motorola's co-CEO and head of mobile devices, said Google Inc.'s Android software is a modern, well-written operating system that allows people do many different things with their phones. He said a vibrant community of programmers has sprung to build tools around Android. Thousands of applications are already available for free or for sale directly from Android phones.
With Android, which Google encourages manufacturers to use and customize for free, Motorola can also offer distinctive features — something that will be key in convincing cell phone shoppers that the Cliq is more worthy of their dollars than the iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry devices.
"I see this as a first step in a long journey where we develop the kind of products which are really relevant for consumers," Jha said in an interview.
Jim Kelleher, an analyst at Argus Research, said the Cliq may be Motorola's best stab at the smart phone market thus far.
"I think for Motorola to retain its tech edge and reputation for engineering, it really has to hit a home run — not necessary with this particular phone, but with its phones in the coming year, including this one," he said.
Outside the U.S., the Cliq will be known as the Dext. It will be available through wireless carrier Orange in the U.K. and France, Telefonica in Spain and America Movil in South America.
Currently, T-Mobile sells two Android-running smart phones made by HTC Corp., and Sprint Nextel Corp. is releasing one also made by HTC on Oct. 11. Samsung Electronics Co. has said it is making an Android phone as well.
