Mobile and Communications

Droid 2 out in eight days

By Tom Solari on August 4th, 2010 No Comments

 

According to a blurry photo from Verizon’s comptuers, the Droid 2 to is due for commercial launch on August 12th.  Yes, you heard, the Droid 2 in being launch in 8 days, but theres a catch. As far as we know, its only being launched in America and not down under.  The Droid 2 will run Android 2.2 FroYo on a 1GHz processor with 16 GB of storage (8gb internal, 8gb microSD). It will feature a 3.7″ touchscreen along with Wi-Fi and bluetooth. You can pre-order the Droid 2 on Verizon’s website on August the 11th.

No more IP addresses by this time next year

By Tom Solari on July 26th, 2010 2 Comments

By this time next year, experts predict that there will be no IPv4 addresses left. What does this mean? Everything that connects to the internet is assigned an IP address, at the moment it’s an IPv4 address, which is vital to that device being able to communicate with all the other computers on the internet.

When IPv4 was deployed, nobody ever thought that 4 billion addresses wouldn’t be enough. 30 years later, it isn’t enough and now experts predict that within 340 days there won’t be enough addresses to go around.

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Android to introduce new payment method for apps

By Terence Huynh on July 25th, 2010 1 Comment

Android users will soon have the option to pay for their applications via an alternative method than using a Google Checkout account – by paying it later when they get their monthly bills from your carrier. The revelations come after a change in the Developer Distribution Agreement that prepares for “introducing new payment options” for the Android Market. Developers will have 30 days to accept the new agreement.

The new payment option, which we can relate to (Jamster ringtones anyone?), is currently available in the US with T-Mobile, but more carriers are expected to participate in this new option is made available.

Image from: lwallenstein/Flickr (CC)

iOS 4: 9.00AM Pacific, 2.00AM AEST

By James Wilson on June 21st, 2010 2 Comments

Just a quick reminder that iOS 4 is expected to come out really early tomorrow morning (June 22 at 2.00AM AEST), 9.00AM Pacific Time (or so the rumors around the interwebs say). So don’t forget to mark your downloaders, iTunes, iCals, Alarms and whatever else wakes you up at 2 in the morning to get the latest iOS!

Don’t forget you will NEED iTunes 9.2 in order to update iPhone. iOS 4 does NOT work with iPhone 1st Gen or iPod touch 1st Gen. And yes, it’s free for everyone. Even you, iPod touch user.

NBN/Govt. strikes landmark deal with Telstra

By Terence Huynh on June 20th, 2010 2 Comments

The Federal Government and Telstra have announced that both parties have come to an $11 billion deal that would see NBN able to access Telstra’s infrastructure and Telstra moving its clients to the new fibre optic network after its roll out.

The Government will pay $9 billion in order to access Telstra’s infrastructure – including pits, ducts and wires. It is also a win-win situation for NBN as it will have a large amount of clients using the new network, and Telstra becoming the largest customer. That cost will also be used for decommissioning of Telstra’s own copper network for internet.

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MobileMe gets a Facelift, Find My iPhone App as well.

By James Wilson on June 18th, 2010 1 Comment

What a way to end the week. On top of the news that there has been over 600,000 iPhone 4 orders, a new Mac mini and a FCC inquiry into possible anti-competitive practices by Apple, the big fruit has updated its MobileMe Web Interface and launched a new Find My iPhone App.

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Telstra reveals iPad data pricing: $20 for 1GB, $30 for 3GB

By Terence Huynh on May 9th, 2010 1 Comment

Out the door first with their pricing is Telstra, announcing its pricing for data pricing for the iPad 3G – but what is even better is that it’s effectively pre-paid, meaning that you do not have to be tied to the contract (which also sadly means that you would have to pay the iPad 3G model full price).

Pricing starts at $20 for 1GB, while 3GB will set you back $30, and 6GB is $60. $80 will let you use 9GB of data, while the highest plan – 12GB of data – will cost $100. All plans expire in 30 days.

Since its pre-paid, you can recharge your account using BPay, or visiting Telstra, Australia Post and major retailers like Target, Big W and K-Mart. If you haven’t got a pre-paid account with Telstra, there will also be a kit that will set you up with 1GB of data, or 2GB of data if you activate the kit by 30 June. You will find the pre-paid kit in selected partner stores and most Telstra Stores.

Don’t forget, the iPad comes out on May 28.

Intel and Nokia to merge mobile OS to create MeeGo

By Terence Huynh on February 15th, 2010 No Comments

Intel and Nokia have decided to announce during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that they will be merging their not-yet-finished, Linux-based mobile OSs into one – and they have called it the MeeGo. While we don’t know which parts of Intel’s Moblin and Nokia’s Maemo will be dropped or present in MeeGo, expect this to be (according to the press release anyways) a variety of devices, “including pocketable mobile computers, netbooks, tablets, mediaphones, connected TVs and in-vehicle information systems”.

“Through open innovation, MeeGo will create an ecosystem that is second to none, drawing in players from different industries. It will support a range of business models across the value chain, building on the experience and expertise of Nokia, Intel and all those who will join us. Simply put, MeeGo heralds a new era of mobile computing,” CEO for Nokia Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said in a statement.

“This is a foundational step in our evolving relationship with Nokia. The merging of these two important assets into an open source platform is critical toward providing a terrific experience across a variety of devices and gaining cross- industry support,” CEO and President of Intel Paul Otellini said.

Expect to see Nokia’s Ovi store on phones; while the AppUpSM Center from Intel won’t be disappearing – it will just be present on devices using Intel’s Atom Processor. And, if you are still worried about this no longer going to be open sourced – it still will be.

Full PR is after the jump.

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Mobile operators unite to bring global apps store

By Terence Huynh on February 15th, 2010 No Comments

Twenty-four telecom operators – including Vodafone, SingTel, China Unicom, China Telecom, Telenor, TeleSonera, Sprint, T-Mobile, Orange , AT&T and Verizon Wireless – have announced that they will form together a group known as the Wholesale Applications Community. The group will have the backing of the GSMA consortium and will be backed by LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

The group was founded on a goal to “establish a simple route to market for developers to deliver the latest innovative applications and services to the widest possible base of customers around the world.” According to the group, it will give them access to 3 billion customers to use the same marketplace, and will do so in allowing developers to build applications using one API for all devices – though that would be hard to believe.

Full press release below.

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Nokia makes navigation free on its GPS devices

By Terence Huynh on January 21st, 2010 No Comments

Nokia has announced that it will make all GPS-enabled Nokia devices allowed to access for free its Ovi Maps service – including turn-by-turn navigation and city guides -to over 74 countries in 46 languages. Previously, Nokia has limited basic map navigation for those using it for free, and turn-by-turn navigation and city guides were additional extras.

By making this free, according to Executive Vice President Anssi Vanjoki, he hopes to make Nokia the largest manufacturer of GPS-enabled devices, like cameras, by making this feature for free.

““By adding cameras at no extra cost to our phones we quickly became the biggest camera manufacturer in the world. The aim of the new Ovi Maps is to enable us to do the same for navigation,” Vanjoki said.

This is seen as a move to better compete with rivals Apple and Google in the smartphone market. Both Apple and Google use Google Maps for their GPS navigation.

Starting today, only ten Nokia phones – including the Nokia N97 Mini, 5800 XpressMusic and E72 – will be able to download the new software; but that is set to be expanded eventually. In March, the company will ship the new Ovi Maps software pre-installed on new GPS-enabled Nokia devices, with the maps of the country and city guides from Lonely Planet and Michelin already present in the software.

Other devices that will be able to download the latest update immediately are the 5800 Navigation Edition, E52, E55, 5230, 6710 Navigator, 6730 Classic and the X6.

Skype Video Goes HD!

By Andrew Booth on January 5th, 2010 1 Comment

Panasonic TV - Skype

CES 2010 BlockToday Skype announced a remarkable step up in the world of video calling. The latest version of Skype is going to suport HD video calling which can be received at up to 720p, Skype has also announced plans to embed the software into televisions that are ‘internet-ready’. Surprisingly this significant upgrade doesn’t come with much of a cost to the end-user, the new FV TouchCam N1 HD webcamera being available in early Feburary 2010 at just $69 without a microphone and $99 with. Skype estimates that the software will run fine on a computer with atleast a 1.8GHz processor & Skype 4.2 BETA. All webcams will be available to purchase in the Skype Shop shortly after release.

With Skype embedding the software into HDTVs it will make the video calling experience much more comfortable and ‘at home’. Skype announced that users can expect the following from their new Skype HDTV.

  • Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls
  • Calls to landline or mobile phones at Skype’s low rates
  • The option to receive inbound calls via a user’s online Skype number
  • Skype voicemail, if it is set up
  • Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties
  • Support for up to 720p HD video calls, depending on the availability of high-speed broadband and a HD webcam

At CES, Skype announced partnerships with LG and Panasonic for the new televisions. Skype will be installed on Panasonic’s 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs & LG’s 26 new LCD and Plasma TVs with NetCast Entertainment Access. Both series are expected to be available in mid 2010, LG and Panasonic will be selling specialised webcams which can be plugged into the televisions and optimize the Skype experience. The webcams will record video in 720P HD and have microphones that can pickup audio in your living room or where ever your HDTV might be located. Skype recommends an internet connection of 1MBPS symmetrical bandwidth to achieve the best possible results.

2010 – Adolescence meets the Internet: Lookout! (Pt 1)

By James Wilson on December 29th, 2009 No Comments

image

The 00’s – what a decade. Filled with ups and downs. Bubbles and bursts. Revolutions and extinctions. Moving into 2010, I thought it nice to start a little series called 2010 – Adolescence meets the Internet. This series will look at what we can expect from 2010 and beyond while reflected on the 00’s.

Today’s article looks at the cloud and it’s possibility of extending all mobile phones. To help us with this, we will look at an exciting new product called Lookout [previously known as flexilis].

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Apple files countersuit against Nokia – claims that its violating iPhone patents

By Terence Huynh on December 12th, 2009 No Comments

Remember in October when Nokia filed a lawsuit against Apple for patent violations that relate to wireless handsets? Well, we are never going to hear the end of this since Apple has filed a countersuit against Nokia for basically the same thing, but this relates to a range of patents that include scaling and rotation on a touchscreen. Apple is also asking for monetary damages and legal fees.

According to Reuters, Nokia starting to focus on its patent portfolio after it lost a lawsuit to Motorola in 1989 for breaching its patents, with the Finnish phone maker – which was a newcomer to the market at that time – paying $10 million to settle.

As well, it is said that virtually all of the mobile manufacturers, with the exception of Apple, that have signed license arrangements with Nokia.

In the lawsuit filing, Apple also claimed that Nokia wanted unreasonable licensing terms for their patents, including a cross-license for Apple’s patents on various patents relating to the iPhone – something that Apple was not going to give; though, Engadget also points out that Nokia asks the court to make Apple pay the due license fees on its patents.

Full document is below.

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Nokia sues Asian LCD makers over price-fixing allegations

By Terence Huynh on December 1st, 2009 No Comments

nokia-logo Nokia, the largest maker of phones in the entire world, has decided to sue Asian LCD panel makers – including LG, Sharp, Hitachi and Samsung – after alleging that all the parties colluded with each other to fix prices for their LCD displays, which are used almost anywhere today – including phones. Turns out, this is pretty common, with several LCD makers pleaded guilty in price fixing late last year in the US and were fined.

Nokia claims that it “suffered damages … and is entitled to treble damages and injunctive relief to remedy these injuries”, according to the Wall Street Journal. I’m guessing that Nokia is really looking to shore up its finances, especially when it launched a lawsuit with Apple over patents – though, the LCD one does make some sense, as you would obviously be angry if you were paying a higher price for the LCD screens than what it actually costs.

Samsung releases new OS named Bada

By Terence Huynh on November 10th, 2009 No Comments

bada

Ignoring the fact that the world has other alternatives like the BlackBerry OS, Apple iPhone OS, Google Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian OS, Palm WebOS and even Linux; Samsung has announced today that it will be launching its own mobile operating system for its phones. The name apparently means ocean in Korean, and will be open to a variety of platforms. The SDK won’t be released until a London launch event; and phones are expected to come out within Q2 of 2010.

Full press release below.

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