HTC Source

Sync your Android phone with DoubleTwist

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:17:46 +0100

I woke up this morning to find an email in my inbox from DVD Jon. Yes, the same DVD Jon who broke the copyright protection on DVD’s about a decade ago. So what does this have to do with cell phones? Well, earlier this year, DVD Jon launched a new Mac and PC application called DoubleTwist. The idea behind the application is to allow any portable device (even your Android phones) to seamlessly sync up your music, playlists, pictures, and videos to your computer just like iTunes does with your iPod. DoubleTwist also allows you to share all your media with friends, but also allows you to upload content to sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr in only a few clicks. Ok, so your Android phone can already do all that sharing nonsense on its own, but what it can’t do is convert video. I’m sure we all have a few video files on our computer that we want to put on our new HTC Magic, but it’s a bit of a hassle since you need to download and install a video converter, convert the files, make sure they are the right size, and then drag the file onto the phone. DoubleTwist does all the hard work for you by automatically converting your video files to the right format and size for your specific handset. Just drag the file onto your phone in DoubleTwist and you’re done! I have not had a chance to use DoubleTwist with my G1 quite yet, but I’ll be sure to post a full review once I get it install on my PC this weekend. If you want to try it out for yourself, head on over to DoubleTwist’s website (http://doubletwist.com). After the break, there's a few screen shots and a short clip that shows just how you can use DoubleTwist with your Android phone.

Hands-on with the T-Mobile Dash 3G

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:43:53 +0100

As promised, I took a little excursion to the T-Mobile store over my lunch break to check out the new T-Mobile Dash 3G. They had just finishing setting up the demo unit as I walked in. I was a bit disappointed that they placed the security tether on the side of the screen, blocking nearly ¼ of the view. My wife currently owns the original Dash with Windows mobile 6.1 installed, so the UI was pretty familiar to me already. Holding the Dash 3G in my hand, it felt very similar to the old one, but the new styling, bigger buttons, and new trackball make the handset look a lot sleeker. I spent nearly ten minutes going over the new Dash 3G while trying to get the sales reps to buzz off. A few thoughts on the new T-Mobile Dash 3G Form Factor – The new handset is very similar to the old Dash. This is a good things since the phone feels great in your hand. The new larger buttons on the QWERTY keyboard make typing even easier. Trackball – The Dash 3G’s trackball is eye catching since it’s the only white feature on a predominantly black and red handset. It works well for scrolling through menus and lists, but I wish it was more responsive and scrolled faster. Software – Windows Mobile 6.1 worked quite fine on the new Dash 3G. Unfortunately there was nothing new added. HTC did include additional software to take advantage of the new 3G and GPS chipsets. Telenav was pre-installed for GPS navigation and HTC’s YouTube app was present as well. Overall, the T-Mobile Dash 3G is a great phone, but I’m a bit hesitant to say that it is a good replacement for the old Dash unless you really need 3G data and GPS. Now I just have to convince my wife that she doesn’t need a new phone just because it's new and shiny.

Pink HTC Hero expected to launch this month in Europe

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:44:20 +0100

The HTC Hero is no stranger to the color pink. The first time we saw the Hero on HTC’s leaked 2009 lineup documents, it was clad in hot pink. I was a bit relieved two weeks ago when the Hero was launched and the hot pink model was nowhere in sight. HTC is now planning on releasing a pink version of the HTC Hero in Europe some time this month. Fortunately, it’s not the same shade of pink that we have all come to know too well. I’m hoping that the introduction of this new color could be an indication that HTC will be launching a handful of new colors for the HTC Hero Source: UnwiredView (http://www.unwiredview.com/2009/07/08/pink-htc-hero-to-be-available-in-the-uk-this-month/)

AppPackTM to bring Visual Voicemail to myTouch 3G and G1?

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:04:05 +0100

The image above really tells the whole story here. We've known for a long time that T-Mobile is planning on rolling out Visual Voicemail on their network. T-Mobile virtual tour page for the myTouch 3G gives us an indication that they are planning on having an app on the Android Market called AppPackTM that will give myTouch 3G users (and we're hoping G1 users) access to Visual Voicemail on their handsets. If you're wondering why T-mobile would release Visual Voicemail as an app rather than including it in the phone itself, the answer is quite simple. If the myTouch 3G shipped with this application pre-installed, any updates to it would requite an OTA firmware update. Having AppPackTM on the market will make it a lot easier for T-Mobile to improve the service and push out updates to those who want to use the feature. Check out the page (http://www.t-mobilemytouch.com/get-started) yourself and be sure to share your thoughts

T-Mobile myTouch 3G avialable for pre-order

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:50:30 +0100

Current T-Mobile customers can now head on over to T-Mobile’s website and pre-order the myTouch 3G. As expected, you will need to part with $199 if you are eligible for a full upgrade or else they will be charging you $499. Customers who pre-order the phone can expect to get it in the mail on or before August 3. One interesting thing that I noticed on T-Mobile's site (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=MyTouch-3G-Merlot) is that the image they are showing off features a custom Home screen which looks very similar to aHome which can be picked up from the Android Market. I wouldn’t read much into it, but it could be that T-Mobile will be including the app on your phone so that you have more options to customize your myTouch 3G.