Into iPhone

Rogers Cuts HTC Dream and HTC Magic to $99.99 on Contract

James Falconer — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:53:42 +0000

Rogers has done a little price-chopping on the HTC Dream and Magic… much sooner than I ever could have guessed. The Rogers HTC Dream and HTC Magic can now be picked up for only $99.99 on a 3-year contract, a drop of $50 from the original $149.99 price tag.

Is this a sign of weak sales and poor performance for the 2 first Android-powered handsets in Canada? Out of curiosity, I popped into a Rogers (NYSE: RCI) store yesterday, and asked how the Magic and Dream devices were selling… the answer from everyone in the store was a clear and concise ‘Terrible… we’re not selling many’. When questioned further, staffers pointed out to me that the current ‘hot’ device was clearly the iPhone 3GS. In fact, at this particular Rogers location, when the iPhone 3GS went on sale, a lineup ‘larger than we’ve ever seen’ formed outside of the store in hopes of nabbing a 3GS.

Hopefully for Rogers’ sake the price drop will lure in a few more customers. $99.99 seems like a great price to me (of course, I’d prefer FREE). Might be tough though… Living and working in Canada as I do, I can tell you this… Canada is clearly BlackBerry country… With the iPhone making gains fast and furious.

[Via: BGR]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Palm App Catalog Due to Expand This Coming Week?

James Falconer — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:41:32 +0000

Looks like this coming week could be a big one for the Palm Pre users out there… Especially the Pre users fed up with the limited number of apps currently available in the App Catalog.

My bud Phil over at PreThinking has reported that multiple developers that have been accepted in the SDK Early Access program can now submit apps to Palm (NSDQ: PALM) for consideration in the Beta App Catalog… as of yesterday!

The official note from Palm:

We are pleased to announce a limited expansion of access to the Beta Application Catalog for our SDK early access partners. Starting today, you can submit your application for consideration to be included in the Catalog.

Hopefully the review process is a speedy one, and we start to see more and more apps pop into the App Catalog this coming week! Should be interesting to see what happens. Would be nice if the SDK opened up to the public sometime in the near future as well… Palm needs to put the pedal down to foster app development!

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Remember The Milk iPhone app gets push notifications

Dusan Belic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:12:21 +0000

Now that the iPhone 3.0 OS is live, we’re starting to see a flood of updates for the existing apps. One of the most popular to-do list management apps/services, Remember The Milk, is no exception and it now supports push notifications, enabling “instant task reminder alerts to your device.”

Aside from this important and way useful feature, the updated Remember The Milk app also improves stability and performance and fixes some bugs. For instance, the “swipe to complete” feature is back!

And that’s about all we can report about the updated RTM. If you still haven’t used it, now may your chance to do so. It’s arguably the single best task management service on the Interwebs, and a personal favorite of mine. AppStore link is here.

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Samsung MBP200 micro-projector goes on sale in Europe

Dusan Belic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:10:40 +0000

Remember Samsung’s micro-projector MBP200 we’ve seen at this year’s CES in Las Vegas? Well, it’s finally available for purchase in Europe, at least in Germany. I’m saying “finally” because it was initially slated to be released in May, but I guess something went wrong.

Anyhow, those who are looking to have a small projector with them all the time will be glad to know they can now do that. The MBP200 measures 110×49x19 millimeters and can project images at resolution of 480×320 pixels. 2.2-inch QVGA screen is also part of the device, and so is a touch-sensitive keypad, media playback software, 3.5mm headset jack, as well as a microSD memory card slot. All this could be yours for 500 EUR, which is about $700. Kinda steep, but then again, do you know someone else with a projector in his/her pocket, ha?

[Via: Unwired View]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Meizu M8 to get a new user interface

Dusan Belic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:09:07 +0000

It seems folks of Meizu have finally started realizing that in order to sell its phone in the Western hemisphere, they’ll need to seriously change the user interface and make it less iPhone-like. What we have here today looks quite decent and is supposed to be a part of the device’s firmware updated, slated for August release. I like the way it looks and would be thrilled to give the M8 a try. Any thoughts?

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Oxygen Phone Manager II for Nokia and Symbian phones updated!

Dusan Belic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:56:35 +0000

Oxygen Software is eager to keep its software up to date, like all the time. That said we got an email from them informing us that Oxygen Phone Manager II for Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Vertu phones, and Oxygen Phone Manager for Symbian OS smartphones have been updated.

Most notably, the updated software packs support for new devices as well as some small internal improvements.

Oxygen Phone Manager II for Nokia and Vertu phones v2.18.4 adds support for the following devices:

Nokia 2730 classic
Nokia 2720 fold
Nokia 5330 XpressMusic
Nokia 6260 slide
Nokia 7020
Nokia 7510 Supernova

As for the Oxygen Phone Manager for Symbian OS smartphones v2.18.11, it now supports the sexy-lookin’ Nokia E72 and Nokia 6730 classic, while support for the Nokia E52, Nokia N97 and Nokia 5730 XpressMusic has been improved.

All registered customers can download the new versions from their personal pages, using the link provided in registration confirmation message.

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Virgin Mobile interested in French 3G license?

Dusan Belic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:53:32 +0000

Virgin Mobile is in the midst of talks with various potential partners such as cable operator Numericable, and has yet to decide whether it will bid for the French 3G mobile phone license.

Last month, the head of French telecoms regulator ARCEP said he expected the fourth 3G mobile phone license to be awarded in January of next year and at least two candidates would probably be in the running. The suggested price tag is set at 240 million euros, up from the 206 million announced by the government in February.

Virgin Mobile’s Philippe Maugest thinks the price is “relevant and fair,” and said they [Virgin Mobile] will take a decision on whether to bid for the license “once the tender is launched.”

Aside from Virgin Mobile, France’s number 2 broadband operator, Iliad, is also expected to compete for the license.

France’s current trio of operators include Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, all which paid 619 million euros in 2001 and 2002 for their 3G frequencies.

[Via: Reuters]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Adfonic launches comprehensive mobile advertising marketplace

Dusan Belic — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:50:37 +0000

Adfonic is a brand new mobile advertising exchange/marketplace, designed to “enable advertisers and agencies to bid for advertising on mobile sites and applications.” It’s a self-service platform which prides itself with sophisticated mobile campaign management tools, offering “the most advanced targeting capabilities in the market”, detailed web-based real-time reporting and analytics, and an intuitive user experience.

It seems obvious that bids are high on the mobile advertising market. I haven’t had a chance to try out Adfonic, but it certainly sounds promising. As a matter of fact, the company’s CEO Victor Malachard believes that mobile has the potential to be the most powerful channel in the marketing mix, adding that Adfonic’s goal is to “turn that potential into reality.”

And that’s about all I can say about Adfonic. You can get additional details from their website. While there, you are also free to sign-up either as advertiser or publisher…

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

The Signal Podcast #30: Prodigal Sons and iWear Giveaway

Simon Sage — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:07:27 +0000

Well, well, well. Look who came crawlin’ back.

Well, not really crawling; it’s awesome having Stefan back. This week we’ve managed to wrestle time zone issues down and got the prodigal son, Stefan Constantinescu, to get on the weekly podcast. Considering his time at Nokia (NYSE: NOK), we go over the N97 a fair bit in preparation for our head-to-head review with the Touch Pro 2. The Android-powered Hero gets sufficiently gushed over, as well as the introduction of HTC’s Sense user interface.

We’ve got a fresh giveaway this week - you might have seen Ben writing about Vuzix here, there and everywhere, and now we’ve got a pair to give away! These glasses work with iPhones, computers with S-Video and any mobile phone with video out to provide an immersive multimedia experience. This particular model, the AV310, usually retails for $249.95, so it’s well worth your while to drop a comment for a chance to win ‘em.

Music by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, as featured on Tap Tap Revenge for the iPhone.

The Signal is a part of the Tech Podcasts Network.

Download The Signal ( Episode 30 ) - iTunes - RSS - (21:53)

Headlines

Sprint BlackBerry Tour Launch Date and Price Gets Official: July 12, $199

Palm Pre Sales Top 300,000 in June

HTC Hero: Android, 3.2 inch screen, 5 megapixel camera, Teflon coating, coming out late summer

HTC Sense UI - Taking Android to the next level

Rumors

Samsung Gravity 2 Passes FCC

BlackBerry 8520 Curve (Gemini) Passes FCC

Blurry Video: Nokia 6790, the Surge, assultued with multiple branchs from the ugly tree

TerreStar’s Windows Mobile Satellite Phone Counting Down to Launch

Bell BlackBerry Tour 9630 Arriving July 17th

BlackBerry Tour 9630 Coming to Alltel

LTE-Ready LG Device Passes FCC

HTC Firestone Release Bumped up to August?

Don’t Call it a Comeback… Call it a Samsung Comeback

Nokia 3720 leaks: Espoo’s first water and dust proof mobile, due in September

Video: Sony Ericsson Satio hands on, will cost less than €600, and come out in October

Android-Toting Motorola Morrison Spotted?

Releases

US Census survey to use Sprint’s wireless network for census-ing

Verizon BlackBerry Tour 9630 Coming July 12th for $199

Sprint launches the Motorola Clutch i465 as first QWERTY iDEN messaging phone

Four Low-End Samsung Phones Revealed

Businessy Samsung C6625 Hits Vodafone UK

Nokia 7510 Comes to Rogers, offers TalkSpot Support

Virgin Mobile Canada Release Samsung Vice & LG Rumour 2

TELUS Launches Samsung M220 Flip Phone

HTC Ozone Announced by Verizon

Samsung i7500 Galaxy available from O2 Germany for 69.99 EUR

Sony Ericsson T715: 3.2 megapixels and not much else

Dual-Sliding Samsung Exclaim Available on Sprint

Rogers Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 and C510a Now Available

HD Video: Tour of the new AT&T Motorola Karma QA1, the hockey puck that makes calls

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Available for Pre-Orders July 8th… Launching in August!

Rogers Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Now Available!

US Cellular launches Samsung Axle

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Drinkspiration for iPhone Helps you Pick 4th. of July Boozamahol

Simon Sage — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:10:49 +0000

Vodka veteran Absolut has just released a free iPhone app that suggests drinks depending on a wide variety of criteria, like time of day, mood, type of liquor, occasion, and lots of others. After picking one, it even includes instructions on how to mix one up. As a reference alone, that’s a pretty sweet app, but you can even tweet and update your Facebook status about what you’re drinking. (Hey, some people even blog about their drinks.) GPS integration also lets you see what’s being drunk in your area and around the world. Fine timing on the launch, considering Independence Day is tomorrow… Interested? You can nab Drinkspiration from the iTunes App Store here.

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Best Buy Mobile Reveals TELUS HTC Snap and Touch Pro2 as ‘Coming Soon’

James Falconer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:07:04 +0000

One more tidbit of Canadian mobile news before I take a breather over here. Best Buy Mobile has confirmed that the TELUS (NYSE: TU) HTC Snap and HTC Touch Pro2 are ‘coming soon’. Rumored pricing to purchase the HTC Snap outright is sitting at $449.99, while the Touch Pro2 is coming in at $549.99.

No launch details for the Snap or Touch Pro2 were revealed, but in the flyer above, all details within are ‘good until July 30th’. So, chances are we’ll see all 3 of these devices before then. In fact, the TELUS BlackBerry Tour is scheduled to drop on July 15th (starting at $249.99 on a 3-year contract), so we could very well see all three devices launched on that date. That said, I’d lean more towards a solo Tour launch on the 15th, with the Snap and Touch Pro2 coming sometime between the 16th and the 31st. We’ll see!

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Premium Fusion Theme for BlackBerry 8900 and 9000

James Falconer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:51:40 +0000

This one caught my eye the other day… thought there may be a few Curve 8900 or Bold 9000 users out there wanting to give this the once-over. Designed by Ahead of the Curve Designs, their new Premium Fusion theme features custom fonts and icons, and is very sharp, clean, and easy to use. Six user-selectable home screen icons are also built into this one as a nifty feature.

Official description:

This theme is all business! Featuring my newest Icon Set-Fusion; this combines my favorites of the precision icons with an all new icon set. The Home and Applications Screens are unlocked allowing you to change the images to your favorite wallpaper. The Message List Screen is set to device default letting the end user choose their preferred font.

Not sure if any copies are left, but BerryReview is running a 40% off sale on this theme (regular price $6.99) for the first 50 copies sold. Check out either the 8900 or 9000 version of the theme and enter coupon code ‘BRdiscount’. Hopefully it works for ya!

[Via: BerryReview]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Samsung ‘Link’ Coming to Bell July 15th?

James Falconer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:38:07 +0000

Here’s the latest rumor from the land of Canadian mobile. Word has it that Samsung lovers in the Great White North are in for a treat. Samsung is set to release the ‘Link’ via Bell on July 15th. Not much else is known at this point (no pricing or device specs), but as you can see from the amazing image above (can you feel the sarcasm?), the Link will at the very least feature a full QWERTY keyboard. No slider here.

Stay tuned for more on the Samsung Link… I’m very interested to learn more about this one!

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Facebook for iPhone 3.0 Coming Soon

James Falconer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:29:10 +0000

Facebook for iPhone is awesome. Anyone that has used it usually raves about it, as It makes interacting with the site ultra-easy (and fun)… and I have to admit, I pop it open once a day just to see what’s going on. Awesomely, (Is that a word!?) Facebook has announced that the new Facebook for iPhone 3.0 is nearing completion, and we should see it available for download in the near future. Look for enhancements such as a new homescreen, new notes and events pages, plus an updated news feed. Also, and probably much more noteworthy, Facebook for iPhone 3.0 could very well let you create photo albums, upload photos, zoom photos, tag photos, and a lot more. Stay tuned for more on this. It’s coming soon… I can feel it.

[Via: UnwiredView]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Concept: The Booze Powered Cell Phone aka ‘Cheers’

James Falconer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:16:25 +0000

Now how cool is this concept… This is a device I could take out to the lake with me!

This ‘Cheers’ mobile phone concept by Tryi Yeh is truly one of a kind. The device is powered by a green alcohol-cell, which would be much more energy efficient according to the designer. There’s also a function button on the top of the device which allows you to easily access any of the phone’s functions. This one would be all touchscreen as well, with no buttons to speak of other than the function button/booze cap on the top of the device.

‘Cheers’ to Tryi on this one. Never seen anything like this before… and I want one… ‘What are you talking about officer!? Nah, that’s my cell phone!’

[Via: Tuvie]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid Now Available

James Falconer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:59:49 +0000

Awhile back we had heard rumblings that Rolando 2 was coming to the iPhone very soon… I had actually almost forgotten about it, until last night when we received an email about it. Yes, thankfully, Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid is now available in the App Store! It’ll set you baak $9.99, but in my opinion, it’s one of the best puzzle/strategy games out there.

No ‘Lite’ version of the game is available just yet, but I would not be surprised if one pops up in the near future. The original Rolando game spawned a free version as well, but it appeared some time after original release. So, if $9.99 is a little too rich for your blood, just hang on… a free version may become available.

Check out Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid in the App Store (iTunes Link).

ngmoco IS ON A ROLL WITH ROLANDO 2 ON APPLE (NSDQ: AAPL) APP STORE

Sequel to Critically Acclaimed Rolando Delights iPhone and iPod touch Users
with an All-New 3-D Adventure

San Francisco, CA, – Jul. 1, 2009 – ngmoco (http://www.ngmoco.com), creator and publisher of games exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch, is excited to take gamers on a wild new adventure in Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid (http://rolando2.ngmoco.com/), now available on the Apple App Store. Building on the huge success of the award-winning Rolando, which took the App Store by storm in December 2008, Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid spans the seas on the way to the mysterious island of Fontanis and follows the heroic quest of a funky new cast of characters from the Kingdom of Rolando.

“ngmoco is excited about this amazing sequel to Rolando. It’s bigger, bolder and more beautiful than ever with huge additions to Rolando’s signature gameplay that fans and newcomers alike are going to love,” said Neil Young, CEO & founder of ngmoco. “Developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch, Rolando 2 is a classic example of just how deep, polished and meaningful pocket-sized games can be when they embrace the unique capabilities of these powerful devices.”

Lovingly crafted by Simon Oliver’s HandCircus microstudio, Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid’s unmistakable style combines incredible gameplay with the bouncing rhythms of renowned break-beat artist Mr. Scruff and the vibrant, endearing visuals of pop illustrator Mikko Walamies.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops for Rolando 2,” said Simon Oliver, Founder of HandCircus. “Since the release of Rolando, we have been hard at work developing all-new gameplay mechanics, a new 3-D graphics engine and much deeper story featuring all new Rolandos. The final experience will surprise and challenge iPhone and iPod touch gamers everywhere.”

With 46 levels and six unique chapters, each with its own distinct visual style, Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid expands on the success of the original with an epic new quest filled with surprises behind every touch. Using the accelerometer and the innovative Multi-Touch user interface of iPhone and iPod touch devices, players will lead an ensemble cast of delightful characters and directly manipulate the game environment as they face tribes of savage new enemies, cunning physics puzzles and an exciting, tropical world with a fresh new look. Drawing players further into the adventure, Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid features a non-linear story design where players choose the order in which the narrative unfolds.

Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid leverages the connectivity of ngmoco’s Plus+ Network, which harnesses the latest OS3.0 technology to power a robust social network to gamers. Using the Plus+ Network, players can challenge friends to beat their score on any level using push notification and compare scores on the global leaderboards to keep the competition rolling.

The epic tale of Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid opens with a deadly curse that has ravaged the Sages of the Kingdom of Rolando. To save the ailing Sages, General Sir Richard Smythe, noble explorer and Captain of the HMS Plunderful, is tasked with leading a diverse and charming team of brave Rolandos to retrieve the rare and mysterious Golden Orchid from the summit of Stormtop Mountain. From the zaftig William “Billy” Loutfish, able to move heavy objects and dive gracefully to access hidden underwater treasures, to the cunning, agile Major James Cardigan, who is equipped for special climbing and navigation tactics, each member of the Rolando expedition brings special charm to the quest.

Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid is available for $9.99 from the Apple App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at http://appstore.ngmoco.com/rolando2

Established in June 2008, ngmoco has already developed and successfully released multiple iPhone and iPod touch games including the chart topping MazeFinger, Topple, Topple 2, Dr. Awesome, Dropship, Word Fu and the just released Star Defense. With five top-ten products and its games having been installed more than nine million times, ngmoco is one of the leading game makers and publishers for the iPhone & iPod Touch.

To witness the lives and minds of the ngmoco team at work on the future of iPhone and iPod touch games, visit http://www.ngmoco.com.

Thanks Sarissa!

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Former Intel CEO Craig Barrett: Will be a few years before you see anything useful from Nokia deal

Stefan Constantinescu — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:23:36 +0000

Way to crush people’s dreams Craig. Just over a week ago I live blogged the Intel-Nokia (NYSE: NOK) conference call where they announced they’ll be working together to create a new class of devices and usher in an era of unprecedented connectivity. Former Intel CEO Craig Barrett was in Helsinki yesterday and he told Retuers that “we will have to wait a few years to see if the deal is successful.”

Not one, not a couple, but a few. I’m not surprised really, an Intel Atom processor still consumes an order of magnitude more than the equivalent ARM processor, just keep your expectations in check. Don’t expect to see Intel based smartphones for a long, long time. 2011 we may see high end models, but 2012 is more likely.

[Via: The Inquirer]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

ZTE Coral 200FM hits the FCC: First solar phone to come to America?

Stefan Constantinescu — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:09:20 +0000

ZTE, the Chinese handset maker who makes devices for operators world wide and has a nice chunk of market share in China, has submitted the Coral 200FM to the FCC for approval. It’s a budget device, specs are unknown, but the thing that stands out is the solar panel on the back. We heard about this thing back during Mobile World Congress, and people said it would be nothing by vaporware. Looks like they’re wrong.

One more photo after the jump.

[Via: Mobile Review]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

Video: Unboxing of the limited edition red Nokia E75

Stefan Constantinescu — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:41:43 +0000

The Nokia (NYSE: NOK) E75 is the first Nokia to feature a slide out QWERTY keyboard, it is also the first Eseries device to run S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 and feature a 3.5 mm headphone jack. It has WiFi, GPS, a 2.4 inch 320 x 240 resolution screen, 3.2 megapixel camera and if you want to know more check out the product page. When it launched it came in black, and now they’ve added a red version. There should be more colors coming out, when I was testing the device it came in … wait I don’t think I can tell you that

Don’t mind the fancy suit case, you’re not going to get that. It’s all a part of Nokia’s blogger out reach program to stir buzz. It’s on Amazon.com for $450 by the way, the USA version.

[Via: The Nokia Guide]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this:

HTC Hero with AT&T 3G bands is at the FCC!

Dusan Belic — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:30:11 +0000

The super sexy HTC Hero is at the FCC’s labs. We’re talking about the version of the device that can sing along AT&T (NYSE: T)’s and Canada’s Rogers (NYSE: RCI) Wireless 3G networks. The question is will AT&T pick it up? They have a good relationship with Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), which might be pissed to see such a contender being offered by their carrier partner. On the other hand, AT&T shouldn’t want to miss the Android wave, hence we may see them start offering the Hero alongside the iPhone.

Anyway, that’s something we’re still speculating on. The good thing is that the paperwork needed for launching the Heroic launch in the States is getting close to an end, and you’ll always be able to grab the device unlocked, sans any strings attached.

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

Related News from IntoMobile:

Share this: