Mobility & Email Blog

The Top 5 Failed Gifts to Return after Christmas

Tim Attwood — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In addition to returning your collectible Justin Bieber wig and your Kim Kardashian wedding photo album, don’t hesitate to return technological gadgets that provide insufficient quality for your buck. Sure, your family meant well when they gave you that cheap Android tablet, but you especially know that you can do better. By returning some of the lowest quality gifts of the season, you will have the chance to obtain better gadgets that will make your life easier.

1. Android Tablets

Return: Low Quality Android Tablets — Lousy Android tablets like the PanDigital 72-70FW 7-inch tablets will be buggy and slow. In addition, they will run a version of Android that may never be updated. Better to put the money toward an Android tablet that you will actually be using five years from now.

Buy Instead: Exchange now for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, or wait just a little while for the ASUS Transformer Prime to come out. If you’re getting the Samsung, then go with the Galaxy 10.1 or 8.9. If you’re waiting for the ASUS, then just be aware that the Wi-Fi was having issues right before shipment. Some ASUS models were delayed until after Christmas so that the Wi-Fi issue could be ironed out.

2. LCD eBook Readers

Return: LCD eBook Readers — LCD eBook readers combine the functionality of an eBook reader with the advantages of a tablet. Unfortunately, the eBook tablet is a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Buy Instead: If you want an eBook reader, then choose an e-ink display like the Nook Simple Touch reader or the ever popular Kindle. If you want a tablet, then choose an Apple iPad 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab or wait for the ASUS Transformer Prime.

3. Digital Photo Frame

Return: Digital Photo Frame — These gadgets looked neat on Star Trek 20 years ago, but digital photo frames have become obsolete.

Buy Instead: Replace your digital photo frame with a tablet on your kitchen table or a slide show on your television provided by a media center or a game console.

4. Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera

Return: Low-End Digital Camera — Digital cameras that function on their own can easily be exchanged for a smartphone that already has a camera included. You’ll carry one less piece of equipment while enjoying the multiple advantages of a smart phone.

Buy Instead: The Samsung Galaxy S2 is one of the best Android smart phones on the market today. In addition to superior camera and video shooting technology, you’ll get an intuitive user interface and the best that the Android Market has to offer. The Apple iPhone 4S also touts an impressive camera which can put any low-end point and shoot unitasker to shame.

5. Apple iPod Touch

Return: iPod Touch — The iPod Touch is a great device, but a newer and better design is just around the corner.

Buy Instead: Wait for the next version of the iPod Touch or for the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 promises NFC technology, which will help to transport you into the future of convenient payments and the latest in user-focused content. Also, expect an even better camera and a cleaner design.

Top 10 Gadgets for 2011 Holiday Gift Giving

Tim Attwood — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:53 +0000

Holiday shopping for any gadget lover in your life can be confusing unless you are equally technologically inclined. Between trying to keep track of new products and who is producing the best of each and then shopping around for the best deal, it can frustrate a shopper to the point of simply going into an electronics store and letting them talk you into whatever they want to sell you. Those of you who fall into this category, take heart; you need a list to use as a jumping off point. Here are ten of the best, most sought after new technological gizmos for 2011.

Unless you have been living in a cave for several years, you will not be surprised that a fruitful techno shopping trip involves a trip to the Apple product orchard.

1. Apple iPad 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi)

This is the Holy Grail of Christmas presents. As the originator of the tablet device, Apple’s head start has paid off; while its intuitive simple-to-use interface makes it ideal for even the most technophobe among us, it is still prized by those who pride themselves on being on the cutting edge of innovation. The iPad 2’s versatility assures its wide appeal; users can enjoy movies or get down to business with equal ease. Those who have ridden the latest technological wave from its beginning will especially appreciate the longevity of its battery life. Be aware, however, that all of this excellence comes at a price: between $550 and $650 except with especially good deals.

2. Apple MacBook Air (11-inch)

Apple devotees will consider this the only noteworthy notebook, but even those who aren’t completely sold on the “all Apple all the time philosophy of computer technology” will love this one; it is hands down the fastest and the easiest to tote with you on the go. The MacBook Air costs less than its nearest competitors and is more solidly made. Although not the lightest in weight or the one with the most memory or storage, its speed combined with its price sends it to the top of the list for those wishing for an ultrathin notebook. Cost: between $900 and $1000.

3. Apple TV

Probably the most affordable member of the family, this Apple product provides HD TV streamed from either an iPhone or an iPad. Apple TV is also compatible with Netflix and the only one that can stream iTunes so even those new to the Apple family can enjoy this item. Cost: about $100.

4. Roku 2 XS

Those not already entrenched in the Apple universe will love this ultimate in streaming devices for its multitude of programming options. Among those items available on Roku but not on Apple TV are FoxNews.com, Al Jazeera English, Facebook photos and AngryBirds. Another advantage, albeit probably a temporary one, is that Roku will stream all TV and not just the high-definition programs. Cost: about $100 or less.

5. HTC Sensation 4G (T-Mobile)

This is the best all-round smart phone on the market, and many people who have not smart phoned-up want one; even those who say they do not, really do. Perhaps it is because of the importance email has achieved in our lives and the desire for mobile email capability that has fueled the passion for smart phones. Whatever the reason, HTC is a good option for both the novice and those looking to upgrade. In addition to the highly publicized 4G, it also features an 8.0 mp camera equipped with LED flash and HD capable video record and play. For many, the superior reception is reason enough to choose this phone.

6. Apple iPhone 4S

Apples lovers will want nothing less than the iPhone 4S. Despite its lack of 4G, it does have a fantastic camera and there are also the innovations that can only be had with an Apple product, such as access to the iCloud, the ultimate in a hosted exchange where everything from photos to music can be safely stored and retrieved as needed by the iPhone or other Apple device.

7. Amazon Kindle Fire

The new Kindle goes way beyond being just an eReader; it can run thousands of applications thanks to its dual-core processor, including streaming capacities. For those who scoffed at its earlier limitations as well as those who loved its simplicity, this updated version will be much appreciated. It is perfect for those who are trying to ease their way into the multitasking device arena and makes an ideal stepping stone to more advanced gadgets.

8. Kodak Playsport

Perfect for the Spielberg wannabe on your list, the Playsport is a sturdy mini camcorder that can go where the action is without needing kid gloves treatment. It is waterproof up to 3.0 meters (9.8 feet) yet is made of a textured plastic with rubberized grip to reduce the chance of it being dropped. Be forewarned that the Kodak Playsport will not float, so although waterproof, it will have to be retrieved before it reaches its depth limit.

9. Nintendo Wii

Those who did not immediately buy a Wii when it first came out can pat themselves on the back; the newest addition of Nintendo Wii employs wireless and motion-sensitive technology to entertain as well as invigorate the user. This wireless feature makes it more user-friendly for shut-ins who can benefit greatly from the exercise it can provide as well as for small children who sometimes forget and become tangled in a wired device.

10. PlayStation 3

A big seller this year will be Playstation 3 both for its drop in price and its versatility. In addition to its obvious role as a gaming machine and its ever-expanding list of games exclusive to Playstation, it also can be used as a Blu-Ray player. Other features that illustrate how this item is a cross between a multimedia device and an entertainment center including online music streaming and Internet access capabilities.

BlackBerry BBX: RIM Elevates its Mobile OS

Tim Attwood — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:29:31 +0000

Struggling with falling market shares, lower Blackberry shipments and the recent outage of service for users across the country, mobile phone and tablet maker RIM is in a difficult position. Inroads are quickly being made into what was once exclusively their territory by both Apple and Google, and the company is hoping that its newly-announced cross-platform OS, BBX, will be what puts them back on top.

BBX is a combination of the Blackberry OS and the QNX platform which RIM acquired last year. Together, they create BBX. But this is an entirely new animal – apps that work on current versions of the Blackberry and PlayBook OS won’t work with BBX. The company hopes, however, that the all-inclusive nature of the OS will make up for the fact that users are going to have to update all of their apps and favorite programs. RIM intends this version of their OS to work on all of their tablets and smartphones as well as in users’ cars, in enterprise-scale business, and in the cloud.

There is no release date for the new BBX as yet, something that disappointed many of the press and tech sites covering the announcement, but RIM indicates that both smartphones and tablets should see the new OS in 2012. While no smartphone or tablet was shown running a demo of the new OS during the announcement, there is speculation that the Blackberry Colt will be the first smartphone to use BBX, and that it will be released in the middle of 2012.

BBX comes with a number of notable features, starting with the fact that it is open-source, allowing developers to create apps in whatever environment they are comfortable with and then port them over to Blackberry’s OS. BBX is therefore expected to have a large variety of apps to choose from, and while it won’t run old BlackBerry OS apps or iOS apps, it will run Android, Adobe Flash 11 and Adobe Air 3. In addition, Blackberry Email users can likely expect and update from the current Blackberry Enterprise Server that handles business email to a more cloud-friendly version that will sync their mail on the fly. Whether this will come in the form of Exchange ActiveSync or another type of syncing has yet to be announced, but it should provide a more streamlined experience for business users.

RIM’s strength has always been to play to the business market, something they are clearly taking aim at with the BBX announcement. In addition to ensuring that their enterprise-level functionality is improving, however, the company is also looking to add better support for games, design, and mulch-platform app designs with their new OS. Additionally, its ability to work in a vehicle – QNX already works in over 200 vehicle types – is something that RIM hopes will put it ahead of the competition. BBX promises a great deal, but with no release date, only time will tell if the new OS can get RIM back on track in time.

The Kindle Fire: Amazon’s new eReader and Android Tablet

Tim Attwood — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:47:07 +0000

Announced on September 28, 2011, the much-anticipated Kindle Fire tablet from Amazon showed consumers a great deal to love and a number of things to be concerned about when the device drops in November. Speculation about the device has been rampant over the last year with Amazon as a perfect contender for the tablet market. While it doesn’t appear that the Fire will have the heat necessary to burn down the Apple tree, it has a lot to like.

What’s In a Fire?

First off, a lower price. Amazon is aiming to bring digital content to a wider array of users by pricing its 7” Kindle Fire at $200 US, a significant amount less than the $500 or more Apple charges for various versions of the iPad2. This will place the Fire well ahead of other devices in its price range, most of which are eReaders like the Nook. The catch? That the Fire will not have 3G access. At all. Instead, all versions of the Fire will be Wi-Fi enabled. While this is a small issue for those who will use the device at home or in their local, free Wi-Fi coffee-shop, it does make the utility of the Fire somewhat limited.

In addition, the Kindle Fire won’t come with a camera of any kind, front or back, and most users speculate that this is in an effort to keep costs down. A clever move for pricing, but a camera is pretty much standard fare for any tablet by now.

What’s Keeps the Fire Blazing?

Under the hood, the Kindle Fire will be running a heavily-modified Android 2.3.5. How heavily? Enough that it doesn’t look anything like Android when the tablet boots up, with many familiar icons not where they should be and looking nothing like they used to. While the tablet will still support native Android features like Android Email and calendars, the only App Store that users will have access to is the Amazon App store – any access to the Android App Store will be gone.

Still, there are a number of points in favor of the Fire’s hardware and software, including the Amazon Silk Web browser. By farming out much of the page-loading duties a Web browser has to manage on its own to the EC2 cloud, Silk provides pages that load lightning-fast, and thanks to the robust nature of the EC2 cloud farm, the speed should only improve. Amazon is also offering free backup of tablet content on their cloud, making the 6GB of storage space offered by the Fire not seem so meager. In addition, WhisperSync for movies and TV will let any television program or movie be synced from the Fire to a computer or Internet-connected TV, all without the need for cables, something Apple hasn’t done yet.

The Fire looks set to burn up the competition at its price point, but how it will fare against the iPad2 remains to be seen.

Android Convergence with Ice Cream Sandwich

Tim Attwood — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:00:50 +0000

Due to be released in fall 2011 is Google’s new Android operating system, called Ice Cream Sandwich. It is being touted as a combination of the current mobile phone OS, Gingerbread, and their tablet OS, Honeycomb. According to Mike Claren of Google, the company wants “one OS that runs everywhere”. The idea is to ensure that all Android devices, regardless of type, will be able to run the same OS, making it easier to develop new features and push out updates.

Tasty Rumors About Ice Cream Sandwich

There are bits and pieces of information about Ice Cream Sandwich floating around on the Web, along with rumors about what devices it will launch on and how it will be numbered. The current version of Gingerbread is 2.3, while Honeycomb is running 3.1, leading many to believe that the new OS will start with 4.0 as its number, “melting” together the other two operating systems.

Right now, the front-runner for the first device to come with Ice Cream Sandwich is a mobile phone made by Google or Samsung, possibly the Google Nexus Prime or the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Specs are thought to include a 1.5 GHz processor, a panoramic camera, holographic user interface, and an expectation of launch in November, just after the release of the new OS itself.

New Features in Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Along with familiar standbys like Android Email and the Android Calendar, the new OS will come with a number of new features including a new interface with a new app drawer, a re-done notification bar, re-themed G-mail, and the ability to multitask. Having parts of Honeycomb in it, Ice Cream Sandwich will give mobile phone users USB support, and they’ll be able to plug in any USB device they’d like including keyboards, mice, and gaming controllers. Google has also improved the camera app in Ice Cream Sandwich by adding Face Recognition and 3D Head Tracking, which is able to find who is speaking in a crowd of people and focus on them, and the front-mounted camera on mobile devices will theoretically have the ability to distinguish between and focus on two distinct speakers.

In addition, Ice Cream Sandwich will also feature Open Accessory API, intended to make the development of apps more streamlined and scalable across both tablets and mobile phones, and Cloud Music, which will allow for an upload of 20,000 songs that can be played from any Web browser or the music app on an Android device.

Google is hoping that together, Honeycomb and Gingerbread will provide the best of a tablet in a phone, and the best of a phone in a tablet, giving both users and developers a simple OS to work with. Android is already known for its ability to adapt to new devices, and by creating a unified Ice Cream Sandwich, the company may just have the recipe to melt the hearts of non-Android users and bring them in for a bite.

Windows Phone 7 Roundup: New Features, Nokia Devices

Tim Attwood — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:00:37 +0000

Windows Phone 7.5 Mango Set to Offer Sweet Features

For the better part of the last year, Microsoft has been working on its new Windows Phone 7.5, also known as “Mango”. Set to roll out the Mango update for all Windows phones by the end of September 2011, there is a great deal of speculation about which new devices will also come with 7.5 support built right in. So far, the Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T has been confirmed as a new handset that will come loaded with the update, and the HTC Titan and Radar have also been announced as taking advantage of Mango’s features from the get-go. Samsung, ASUS, Dell and Acer are all expected to come out with announcements of their own 7.5 phones as well.

In addition to a more streamlined interface and other quality of life improvements, the Mango update includes a number of enhancements to Bing, Microsoft’s search engine. First up is Bing Audio, which will function a great deal like Shazam and will let phone owners identify songs simply by placing their handsets near speakers. Bing Vision, meanwhile, will use the device’s camera that to scan barcodes, Microsoft tags, QR codes, CDs, DVDs and text. Scanning products will allow users to find prices for them both online and within their local area. Bing will also come with an updated maps interface and turn-by-turn navigation featuring voice directions. Support for multitasking, IE9 mobile and Twitter is also included in the Mango release. Windows phone email will be returning to all devices, allowing greater functionality and syncing of contact lists.

Nokia and the Windows Phone Rumors

One of the hottest rumors surrounding the Windows 7.5 update is that a Nokia phone will soon be launched using Mango. Nokia has now confirmed that their Windows 7.5 device will be released in Q4 2011 and that large volumes of the device would be pushed out in the early part of 2012. Details surrounding the new Nokia handset are still sketchy, but a “leaked” video released on June 30th, 2011 showed a phone called the “Sea Ray” with no physical keys and an indication that it might come with a swipe interface. This is in defiance of the mandate set down by Microsoft, which states that every Windows phone must have a physical Back, Home and Search button, and some speculate the special relationship between Microsoft and Nokia is what makes this possible.

A development video of the N9 from Nokia shows a similar button set and indicates that the Sea Ray may be very close in design. Expectations are that Nokia will have more secrets to reveal about its new Windows phone lineup at Nokia World 2011, which is set to take place on October 26, 2011. For now, those with a Windows device can look forward to an update by the end of November, and Nokia users should only have to wait a few months for a Mango phone.

Android OS Broadens the Market: Not Only for SmartPhones & Tablets

Tim Attwood — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:00:59 +0000

Most technology users know the Android OS as the backbone of a wide variety of smartphones and tablets, and there is even a project in the works to create a version of the now-defunct HP tablet that runs using Android. Purchased by Google in 2005, most of the Android code has now been released under the Apache License. The heart of the Android OS is based on the Linux kernel, and the Android Open Source Project is dedicated to ensuring that the OS is both maintained and developed over time. Most new devices using Android are running version 3.2, also known as Honeycomb, and in the latter part of 2011, users can expect to see the release of Ice Cream Sandwich, which is said to combine Honeycomb (3.2) and Gingerbread (2.3) into a unified whole. While the bulk of the devices which use Android still lie in the tablet and smartphone space, there are now a variety of products on the market and set for release that will also use this OS.

The Expanding World of Android Devices

One of the most popular devices that currently uses the Android OS is the Barnes and Noble “Nook”, an eReader that features an E-ink display with a touch interface and a Wi-Fi connection. The Nook runs version 2.1 of Android in both its “Color” LCD version and “Simple Touch” version.

Other devices on the market using the OS include the Phillips GoGear Connect, an MP4 player using version 2.1, and the HardKernal Odroid-S, a handheld gaming system that is currently available only in Korea. There are also a variety of products that are slated for future release and will run with the Android OS under the hood, including the Mobinnova Beam smartbook, which will feature a Tegra-2 chip and an 8.9” screen, and the Envisions EVO2 Gamebox, a video game console planned for a Q4 2011 release. Televisions are also getting the Android treatment, with Sony and TV maker NCPG set to release Internet televisions which will be both big-screen and HD.

Perhaps one of the most interesting uses that the OS is being put to is as a combination stereo/GPS in the form of the Parrot Asteroid car receiver, which is due to hit store shelves in October of 2011 for a retail price of approximately $349. The Asteroid will feature music through USB, SD cards, MP3 players and FM/AM radio in addition to maps, a speedcam warning app, Internet radio and voice-enabled emails and text messaging.

Another interesting use for the OS is in a set of ski goggles being developed by Recon Instruments. The MOD Live glasses will come with the world’s smallest Android device and provide a micro LCD display with a live GPS map for resort skiing.

While Android’s main market remains as tablets and smartphones, the ease with which it can be modified is leading to a crop of new devices as well.

Android OS on the HP TouchPad

Tim Attwood — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:00:48 +0000

Released at the beginning of July 2011, the HP TouchPad spurred a series of reviews, all of which had approximately the same thing to say: “It’s OK”.

HP TouchPad – Beginning of the End

Consistently reviewed as being heavier, not performing as well and not having enough applications to compete with tablets running the iOS or Android, HP was quick to pull the tablet from production, and announced massive price cuts to the TouchPad. The 16 GB, which had sold for $499, suddenly became $99, and the 32 GB version went down from $599 to $149. As a result of this full-on fire sale, demand for the TouchPad skyrocketed, and many retailers sold out. Though HP was shelving its tablet, the company said it would continue developing its WebOS, but consumers were more interested in what they could do with their new, cheap tablets – install the Android OS.

HP TouchPad – End of the Beginning

Now, there are several groups dedicated to bringing Android OS functionality to the TouchPad, most notably TouchDroid and CyanogenMod. By the beginning of September, the TouchDroid team had managed to run Android 2.3.5 on the TouchPad, and a video was uploaded showing five or even 10-finger control on the touchscreen. The ultimate goal for the Android modders is to run Honeycomb or even the new Ice Cream Sandwich flavor of Android on the HP Touchpad.

As of September 8, 2011, the TouchDroid team was disbanded after allegations that it was taking work from the other team, leaving only CyanogenMod working on an Android solution. They are reportedly “close” to such a solution, and are currently only missing Wi-Fi support to make the 2.3.5 Android OS fully functional. The team also plans to offer a dual-boot solution for their version of the TouchPad OS, so that users will be able to use either WebOS or Android – whichever works best for them, without having to delete the other OS on their system.

The New TouchPad – What to Expect

There is nothing to suggest that HP has any plans of re-starting the TouchPad line, and the company has stated that it may be moving out of the mobile, PC and tablet manufacturing business altogether. Nonetheless, Android fans everywhere are interested in getting their hands on a tablet that is, by all accounts, extremely powerful when the Android OS is properly working. In addition to Android Email and all the other native applications that come with the Android OS, Android builds are also opening up the ability for developers to use the TouchPad to create new apps, and for users to download their favorite Android apps and use them on their TouchPad. Though the TouchPad moving forward as a viable competitor for Apple is not going to be a possibility, it is now seeing a second life and a renaissance as a powerful tool for developing cross-platform solutions and seeing just what can be done with a powerful and largely uncluttered out-of-the-box OS.

Quad Core Tablets: The Next Generation

Tim Attwood — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:40:25 +0000

As early as the end of 2011, quad-core chips may arrive in tablet form, including those running the Windows OS, to those powered by Android. Quad core technology for tablets comes hot on the heels of the deployment of dual cores for these devices, and many consumers are unsure of the advantages these new chips offer, who’s making them, and what kind of devices they can expect to see.

The Quad Core Advantage

Currently, there are at least three major manufacturers that are developing quad core chips for tablets, including Nvidia, TI and Qualcomm. Quad core chips are able to more efficiently manage resources by effectively splitting up the CPU of a device into two or more separate entities, which function as though they were alone on the device. Altogether, these chips can provide impressive processing power, but when split up to run more than one application, they are rumored to be able to turn tablets into effective media centers approaching the level of speed of a desktop PC, although experts warn that such speed comes with a cost – battery life. Intensive use of a quad core CPU could potentially drain a battery very quickly, and it is possible that many applications currently in use on tablets will need to be re-written in order to work properly.

TI is currently working on a hybrid chip that contains two high-performance 1.8 GHz cores for intensive applications and two 200 MHz cores for more mundane tasks like screen orientation. The Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, meanwhile, is the fastest of the three, coming in at 2.5 GHz, and with claims that it can be independently clocked or shut down for better performance. Nvidia describes the Kal-El as a “super-chip,” no surprise given the comic-book reference, and touts it as the “future of gaming.” Nvidia has said that its chip, dubbed “Kal-El” will begin appearing in November.

Who’s Making Tablets with Quad Core Chips?

Right now, Microsoft is at the forefront of the quad core chip pack, announcing that its new tablet will be using a quad core chip, though they haven’t yet said which one. It is still unconfirmed if the device will run Windows 7 or Windows 8. Speculation also abounds that the chip inside the new Microsoft tablet is an Nvidia Tegra Kal-El, but Nvidia has declined to comment. The company has, meanwhile, confirmed that they will be putting their quad core chips in new Android-based tablets that are due out by Christmas, with rumors flying that one of these may be the Amazon tablet, codenamed “Hollywood” that many believe to be on the horizon. Another likely candidate displayed at the recent Tech-Ed NZ conference is the ASUS Eee Transformer, which in its current iteration has seen marked success.

Within a year, it is expected that any tablet manufacturers looking to compete in the global market will need a quad core processor under the hood.

The QNX BlackBerry: RIM’s next Smartphone OS

Tim Attwood — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:05:56 +0000

Research in Motion (RIM) bought QNX Software in early 2010, and Blackberry users immediately wondered how the software would be implemented into the BlackBerry smartphone. When QNX software was used for the BlackBerry Tablet OS on the PlayBook, some of those questions were answered, but new questions arose. Finally, all the questions are set to be answered with the release of the first Blackberry QNX smartphone.

BlackBerry Colt

The first QNX-powered Blackberry is code named Colt, and depending on the source, it is rumored to be released in either the fourth quarter this year or the first quarter 2012. A few rumored specifications about the Colt have disappointed many BlackBerry aficionados, but others look forward to what the new OS will bring. Among the specifications that seem assured are the processor speed, the lack of BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) and the ability to run Android applications.

Single-Core Processor

While smartphones with quad-core processors are slated for release this year, RIM is expected to introduce the BlackBerry Colt with only a 1.0 GHz single-core processor. The likely reason for not including the 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor used for the BlackBerry 9900 is that RIM has not yet perfected how the dual-core processor used in conjunction with the QNX Software will give users the battery life they have come to expect.

BES Not Ready

The next rumor concerning the Colt has the public wondering how they will get their Blackberry email through Exchange. RIM has yet to develop a version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server that will work with QNX software. Complexities in integrating QNX software with BES were one reason the BlackBerry PlayBook lacked a native email application. Instead of being able to use BES for BlackBerry Email and BlackBerry Calendar, users of the first Colt will have to rely on Microsoft ActiveSync, which the Colt will natively support.

Android App Support

The good news surrounding the BlackBerry Colt is that it is likely to support Android applications. Although the Android Player has yet to be released for the PlayBook, it is rumored to be available by the end of the year, shortly after BlackBerry Email and BlackBerry Messenger are added to RIM’s tablet computer.

Other Features

Other rumors surrounding the BlackBerry Colt and its QNX-based OS are all very promising. The phone will be easier for multitasking because it will feature the same touchscreen technology used in the PlayBook. Another great feature will be improved over-the-air (OTA) updates. The QNX software will allow the BlackBerry Colt to receive updates faster than ever before without having to connect the device to a computer. Finally, it is believed that the Colt will be the first BlackBerry phone to come equipped with a front-facing camera for video chat. When the BlackBerry OS 7 devices were released recently without such a camera, users were extremely disappointed. While the BlackBerry QNX OS will undoubtedly require some future improvements after its initial release, a few surprises may yet be in store.