Samsung Ultraslim TV Looks Like Giant iPhone 3G [Ifa 2008]
August 30, 2008
Scratch one more notch for Apple design influence, because next year’s top-of-the-range Samsung Ultraslim LCD Television All-In-One 1 looks like an oversized iPhone 3G, down to the finish in black or white. The 52-inch TV—which is 1-inch at its thickest point—includes all the circuitry and ports in its ultra-slim body, with no breakout boxes or hunchbacks. The result is the slickest TV we’ve seen in… Continue reading
Scratch one more notch for Apple design influence, because next year’s top-of-the-range Samsung Ultraslim LCD Television All-In-One 1 looks like an oversized iPhone 3G, down to the finish in black or white. The 52-inch TV—which is 1-inch at its thickest point—includes all the circuitry and ports in its ultra-slim body, with no breakout boxes or hunchbacks. The result is the slickest TV we’ve seen in… Video: Hands-on iriver’s SPINN, the first true iPod killer
August 30, 2008
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
We’ve seen iriver’s SPINN (above between the HTC Touch Dual and iPhone 3G) floating around Korea in photos and video for a few weeks now. But damn if this little 3.3-inch DAP doesn’t make a distinct impression in person. Of course, you’ve heard the term “iPod killer” tossed around for years with obvious effect. But this, this little SPINN with brilliant OLED display and up to 16GB of storage looks to be device-for-device better to the more massive iPod touch. The SPINN navigation is very well implemented and grants for natural and precise one-handed operation with heavy tactile control — touchscreen too if that’s your preference. Of course, making an iPod killer is about more than just the device — it’s the ecosystem of PC software, third party accessories, and daunting global distribution and retail model which faces any upstart vendor. On sale now in Korea, iriver hopes to address the latter piece of the puzzle as they prepare for a global (US, UK, and Europe) launch in September or October — assuming they can sort out the necessary distribution / retail channels this week at IFA. Remember, it’s already got FCC’s nod of approval.
Continue reading Video: Hands-on iriver’s SPINN, the first true iPod killer
Google talks Android Market app store
August 30, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones
Android’s gaining a head of steam as it heads towards release — Google just posted up some details on the upstart OS’s app distribution system, Android Market. Just like Apple’s iPhone App Store, Android Market will run on Android phones like the HTC Dream and allow users to browse and install apps, as well as comment on and rate apps they’ve already bought. (Somewhat terrifyingly, Google describes the rating and comment-system as “similar to YouTube,” but we’re hoping the reference is to user-generated ratings in general and not the grammar and language catastrophe that is YouTube comments.) Unlike Apple’s store, however, Android Market will be open to all — Google wants devs to “have an open and unobstructed environment” for their apps, and it’ll only take three steps (register, upload, describe) to put content on the service. The first Android handsets will come with a beta version of Market that supports free downloads only, but a version that has app sales, versioning, and other features will arrive soon after launch — given the number of mediocre apps that have somehow passed Apple’s vetting process, it’ll be interesting to see what shows up in Google’s store with no filters at all. More screenshots after the break.
[Via Mobile Burn]
Continue reading Google speaks Android Market app store
Good news for some of AT&T’s business customers …
August 30, 2008
Good news for some of AT&T’s business customers who don’t live near a AT&T or Apple Store: if you’re part of with AT&T’s Premier Enterprise program, you can now purchase your iPhone on the web. [Personal computer World]
Lighting Review: Sony Ericsson TM506, T-Mobile’s First 3G Phone [TM506 Review]
August 30, 2008
The Gadget: Sony Eriscsson’s TM506 is the first phone to be sold by T-Mobile that supports its still-rolling-out HSDPA network on the 1700/2100 MHz band.
The Price: Still not official, but T-Mobile states it will be less than $100 with contract when it drops in early September.
The Verdict: Solid, everyman 3G for the masses.
If you didn’t know it going… Continue reading
Video: Hands-on iriver’s SPINN, the first true iPod killer
August 29, 2008
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
We’ve seen iriver’s SPINN (above between the HTC Touch Dual and iPhone 3G) floating around Korea in pics and video for a few weeks now. But damn if this tiny 3.3-inch DAP doesn’t make a distinct impression in person. Of course, you’ve heard the term “iPod killer” tossed around for years with obvious effect. But this, this little SPINN with brilliant OLED display and up to 16GB of storage looks to be device-for-device better to the larger iPod touch. The SPINN navigation is very well implemented and grants for natural and precise one-handed operation with heavy tactile control — touchscreen too if that’s your preference. Of course, making an iPod killer is about more than just the device — it’s the ecosystem of Computer software, third celebration accessories, and daunting global distribution and retail model which faces any upstart vendor. On sale now in Korea, iriver hopes to address the latter piece of the puzzle as they prepare for a global (US, UK, and Europe) launch in September or October — assuming they can sort out the necessary distribution / retail channels this week at IFA. Remember, it’s already got FCC’s nod of approval.
Continue reading Video: Hands-on iriver’s SPINN, the first true iPod killer
Orange says Polish iPhone 3G customers weren’t paid actors
August 29, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones
Folks, be honest with us here — did you really anticipate Orange and / or Apple to say anything other than this? Amidst reports that iPhone 3G line sitters at Polish Orange stores were actually paid to be there, the carrier has shot back in order to defend its dignity. In an e-mail reply to an Ad Age inquiry on the matter, a spokeswoman proclaimed that as “part of the excitement around the launch of the iPhone, some of [Orange’s] team has been joining customers outside [of the] shops.” She also noted that “sales were strong” and that Orange “was happy,” though actual numbers weren’t revealed. So there you’ve it, now make of it what you will.
[Image courtesy of AppleBlog]
Android Developer Challenge winners announced
August 29, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Google has wrapped up judging on its very first Android Developer Challenge, and some twenty dev shops (or in some cases, individual developers) are finding themselves considerably richer as a result. Of the fifty apps to make it through to the final round, ten have been awarded $275,000 each and another ten have made off with a cool hundred grand — good coin for some really good ideas. As you might anticipate of anything being backed by Google and the Android platform, a good number of the finalists made location-based services an integral theme; take grand prize winner Locale, for example, which automatically switches device settings based on your current location (if that’s not a “why didn’t we think of that?” kind of product, we don’t know what is). The more we scan it, the more we realize that the list of winners reads like a who’s-who catalog of apps we know we want installed on our Dreams out of the gate — and more importantly, it looks like Google has a great way here to encourage best-of-breed Android development over the long run.
UK’s Advertising Standards Authority yanks iPhone ad for being misleading
August 29, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones
Apple’s iPhone 3G ads paint a pretty cheery picture of the device in action, but just as many of you’ve noted, the omission of Flash and Java means there’s a large difference between what the “the real internet” and what’s on the iPhone — enough so that the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has… Continue reading
AT&T’s Customer Service Has No Damn Clue What’s Going On With The New iPhone
August 29, 2008
Reader Micah is under contract with AT&T, and is interested in getting the new iPhone when it comes out. Unfortunately, Micah’s account isn’t currently eligible for an upgrade, so AT&T keeps telling him that he’ll need to cancel his phone, and pay an ETF in order to get the new iPhone. As far as we can tell, this just isn’t true.
Micah writes (to AT&T):
First I would like to state that I have been a loyal Cingular / AT&T wireless customer for over three years. Unfortunately last year my smart phone was stolen and since I’ve after hours duties and responsibilities, as many professionals, I was forced to purchase a phone the same day to meet employment regulations; gladly re-upping my two year contract since at that time I was satisfied with the service I received from AT&T (and still am).
Given the nature of my job and on call responsibilities, the ability to VPN to my work / home environment, visual voice mail, true push e-mail integration the new iPhone 3G seams to be a viable choice for myself and others in my situation. To be honest, I was very excited by many of the new features and was planning to rush out and buy one of the new 3G models as soon as they hit stores and even took a vacation day.
Granted since I was still under contract with AT&T I expected that I would have to pay a higher price than that of the individual switching service or creating a new line (which I might not agree on principal with but I understand the subsidized service model that the cell phone industry works on; I have been overall very happy with the service I received). However, when I visited a local AT&T store and spoke with a friendly representative I was informed that my phone upgrade period was on up until late November. And that while I could purchase any other phone in the store for full price, that I couldn’t buy the iPhone without canceling my active account and re register in which case they couldn’t guarantee that I would keep the same number and would have to pay a $175 early termination fee.
Finding this hard to believe I called the AT&T Shop division and the AT&T Customer support desk and asked them what I could do in my situation and if I could purchase out the remaining 5 months of my “upgrade clause”. One of the representatives at the AT&T Shop suggested that I add a second line to my account which would be the new line that I “activate” the iPhone over and then move the iPhone to my regular line before canceling the existing line and incurring another $175 early termination fee. The second representative I spoke with stated that since I wanted to keep my number I wouldn’t be able to buy an iPhone period.
Our lovely tech-obsessed sister site Gizmodo published a internal AT&T memo that says that customers such as Micah (who are under contract, but not eligible for an upgrade) will be able to purchase the iPhone at a price that has not yet been determined.
Upgrade Eligibility and Qualified Upgrade Pricing
Upgrade eligibility will be determined based on standard upgrade eligibility rules. Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing. However, not all customers will be qualified upgrades. AT&T has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades.All customers will be required to sign a 2-year agreement. There will not be a “no commitment” price for the iPhone 3G.
Note: When the 3G device launches, all active postpaid customers in good standing with a 2G iPhone will be eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing for a 3G device regardless of service tenure. (Customers that wouldn’t otherwise be eligible due to tenure will be made eligible at launch).
Maybe AT&T should read their own leaked memos.
AT&T Memo to Retail Managers Shows iPhone 3G Policy [Gizmodo]
