Episode # of the SMRpodcast, It Is Not An Attack, has been recorded, posted online, and is ready for download. This week we talk about the new BlackBerry Playbook OS and our early thoughts on the updated features. We also give our opinion on the Google Privacy issue and talk about Microsoft’s video against Google Apps. Finally, we talk about some new Windows Phone devices hitting the market and Netflix changing gears.

Show Details

• Recorded: February 21st, 2012
• Published: February 22nd, 2012
• Duration: 01hr 16min 00sec

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SHOW TOPICS

Opening Thoughts

• Rod talks about why he missed some big announcements today
• Chris still gives him a hard time

We talk about the BlackBerry Playbook Version 2.0

• Robb says that he was able to install it and liked what he saw do far
• Chris says he really likes the remote control feature
• Rodd is considering switching back to the PlayBook

We talk about Google circumventing users privacy

• Chris recaps the issue of Google tricking IE and Safari into accepting third party cookies
• Robb says that a company that has so many free services will do whatever to make money
• Rod help explains how wrong Google’s position is

Microsoft releases a video showing off new SkyDrive features

• Chris talks about the new features demoed in the video
• Robb says that he would love a service that could hold all his files
• Rod says the new integration looks a lot smoother

Other Topics

• Two New Windows Phones leaked out
• Netflix Brings Back $7.99 DVD Only Plan

Mentioned Links

Microsoft video against Google Apps

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=k4EbCkotKPU

SkyDrive integration video

• http://www.wingadgetnews.com/windows-8-skydrive-integration-video/

Picks of the Week

• Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD (Playbook Game) Robb Dunewood (RIMarkable)
• Book I am number four and Lync 2010 for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone Rod Simmons (SimpleMobileReview)
• Gooroovster (WP7 Google Music App) Chris Ashley (SimpleMobileReview)

AT&T is continuing to update their wireless network and in a new press release it turns out they spent $625 million dollars on Maryland. In the Maryland, DC, Virginia area AT&T signals are generally pretty solid. So it is nice to see they are not leaving well enough alone. Also AT&T have also started rolling out LTE networks in the Maryland area and hopefully the entire area will be covered soon. And for those users who have a spotty connection in your home Here is how to setup an AT&T Microcell.

Here is the AT&T Press Release

AT&T INVESTS MORE THAN $625 MILLION IN MARYLAND

FROM 2009 THROUGH 2011 TO IMPROVE LOCAL NETWORKS

 

Company Builds New Cell Sites, Boosts Capacity and Adds Fiber Optics
to Enhance Networks

 

ANNAPOLIS, M.D., FEB. 21, 2012 — AT&T* invested more than $625 million in its Maryland wireless and wireline networks from 2009 through 2011 with a focus on improving the company’s mobile broadband coverage and overall performance of its networks.

 

During 2011, AT&T made more than 1,350 wireless network upgrades in four key categories in Maryland. These enhancements include:

• Activating more than 15 new cell sites or towers to improve network coverage.
• Deploying faster fiber-optic connections to more than 750 cell sites. Combined with HSPA+ technology, these deployments enable 4G speeds**.

·Adding capacity or an extra layer of frequency to cell sites – like adding lanes to a highway – with the addition of more than 575 of these layers, or “carriers”.

· Upgrading six cell sites to provide fast mobile broadband speeds.

 

AT&T also launched its new 4G LTE network in Baltimore and surrounding suburbs and in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.

 

“Our goal is to deliver a network experience that mobilizes everything for customers,” said Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for AT&T in the greater Washington/Baltimore area. “The ongoing investment we’re making in Maryland is designed to increase coverage and reliability, and to provide advanced services to our customers. Paired with our recent launch of our 4G LTE network in the greater Baltimore region, customers can use wireless technology to its full potential.”

 

CNN Money recently recognized AT&T for enhancing its wireless network. Last year, AT&T completed 150,000 network enhancements across the country, more than triple the year before, giving customers more capacity and faster speeds, as well as improving 3G dropped-call performance by 25 percent.

 

“A more advanced mobile broadband experience drives economic growth, stimulates jobs and equips Maryland businesses to meet the network demands of today and tomorrow,” says J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic. “We’ve significantly ramped up our wireless investments to enable an experience that offers Maryland  consumers better speed, better reliability and better availability.”

 

AT&T plans to support the build or upgrade of thousands of cell sites nationwide to increase network speed, coverage and reliability for both mobile voice and broadband services. In addition, AT&T plans to install additional radio “carriers” at thousands of cell sites nationally, enabling new layers of spectrum capacity to carry larger volumes of mobile broadband traffic. Additional capacity helps support rising mobile data traffic volumes, which continue to increase at a rapid pace.

 

AT&T operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network*** with nearly 30,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 220,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly wireless data plans.

 

For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Maryland or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure coverage quality of coverage from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.

Today RIM announced their new BlackBerry Playbook OS version 2.0 and with it a host of new features including a remote control. The Remote Control feature allows you to use your BlackBerry device as a remote for the playbook including the keyboard and Mouse. The feature is cool and RIM already has a video showing off the new feature. Watch as the tablet is connected to the TV and is remotely controlled via his BlackBerry Phone.

The connection from the BlackBerry phone to the playbook is handled by the BlackBerry Bridge software which also received an update in addition to the Playbook OS.

Here is the BlackBerry Playbook Remote Video

Today marks the release of the Blackberry Playbook 2.0 software, which brings with it some new features but none as important as a native email client is. It was astounding that a company known for handling email could release the BlackBerry tablet without an email client. Users can expect the update to be delivered over-the-air probably in a controlled fashion.

While a native email client on the Playbook was a core feature, RIM did add some other nice features notably the social integration with contact cards where updates can be seen and an update to the BlackBerry Bridge software that now allows your phone to be a keyboard for the BlackBerry Playbook.

The list of the BlackBerry Playbook 2.0 Features include

• Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a  unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.
• Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps:  The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it.  Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
• Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® Bridge™ is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBM™, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
• Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® Balance ™ allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
• New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World™ today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

You can read the full BlackBerry Playbook Press Release.

Today Rim released the next version of the BlackBerry Playbook OS version 2.0. Rim allowed people to play with the OS at CES this year and it received positive feedback. With the release RIM also created a Playbook 2.0 how to video to help users get use to the new features. The playbook is something that we really like but it just seems that the device is going no where at the moment. Hopefully this new update will spur some more sales of the tablet.

Here is the BlackBerry Playbook 2.0 Press Release

New OS delivers an enriched user experience for BlackBerry PlayBook tablet users

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) announced that the new BlackBerry® PlayBook™ OS 2.0 will be released for download today. BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 delivers an enhanced tablet experience and allows you to use the BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day – at work and at play.

“Building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s proven web browsing, multimedia and multitasking strengths, the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces a range of new communications and productivity enhancements as well as expanded app and content support,” said David J. Smith, SVP Mobile Computing, Research In Motion.

New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:

• Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a  unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.
• Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps:  The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it.  Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
• Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® Bridge™ is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBM™, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
• Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® Balance ™ allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
• New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World™ today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

In conjunction with the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, RIM is making available an initial release of BlackBerry® Mobile Fusion that will include support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and BlackBerry smartphones2 in an enterprise. The full release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion (with mobile device management capabilities for iOS and Android devices) is planned for general availability in late March 2012. For more information about BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, please visit www.blackberry.com/mobilefusion.

Availability

The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software update is now available as a free download for all BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

Additional Reference Material

• Inside BlackBerry blog post
• BlackBerry PlayBook web page
• BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – How to Video
• Developer’s Getting Started web page

1) BlackBerry Video Store will initially be available in the United States. Support for other countries is expected to be added later this year.

2) BlackBerry Mobile Fusion Studio can be used to manage BlackBerry smartphones through a single unified console, supporting devices activated on BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 5.0.3 or later.

The half Android Tablet half Android phone hybrid device the Samsung Galaxy Note was slated to be released and it was however, what we did not know was Amazon Wireless would have the device too. The Galaxy Note is available for $249 with either an upgrade or a new contract. Therefore, if you prefer to order your devices then grab your Samsung Galaxy Note from Amazon.

Here are the specs on the Galaxy Note

• 3G/4G/4G LTE connectivity
• Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread OS
• 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
• 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED WXVGA (1280X800) touchscreen
• 16 GB memory, expandable up to 32GB
• 8-MP camera + Full HD 1080p video capture
• GPS navigation
• Wireless-N Wi-Fi
• Stereo Bluetooth 3.0
• Personal/corporate e-mail
• Battery, standby 10.4 days, talk time 10 hours

Samsung Galaxy Note on Amazon Wireless.

It seems that Google is on the wrong end of user’s privacy once again. Not only has the Wall Street Journal revealed Google is bypassing Safari privacy settings but Microsoft states IE’s settings are being bypassed too. The problem is that by default both IE and Safari block third party cookies, which is what Google uses to figure out what ads to display. Both browsers are following internet standards when determining whether or not a cookies is third party or not and it has been determined that Google is knowingly tricking the browsers into believing their cookies are not third party when in fact they are.

Google has not publicly responded to the accusations yet but Microsoft noted in a blog post that they have asked Google to respect the web standards. What is surprising are commenters saying that the problem is Microsoft’s fault for allowing it to happen. It would be one thing if Google was a hacker and this was some obvious exploit that they missed however, Google is a major company with millions of users data and yet they are not drawn to task for this shady practice. Furthermore, people complain when software is locked down for security reasons, which makes using them more painful. And in this case Microsoft uses what the industry standard is and people think that is more egregious than purposely bypassing the standard.

You can read Microsoft’s full explanation on their blog.

There is a new app in the Windows Phone Marketplace named Gooroovster that allows you to stream your Google Music to your phone. Google has started a music service where not only can you purchase music; you can also upload 20,000 songs to a digital locker. Once the songs are uploaded, you can then stream them to any pc by logging into your account or stream them to your Android Phone.

The app is very capable as it supports viewing music by Artist, Album, Song, or even playlist. Not everyone enjoys making playlist but Google Music supports you creating some, and it is nice to see that capability carried through on Gooroovster.

The app is 3.99 in the Windows Phone Marketplace however if you are Google Services user or just an Android user coming over to Windows Phone you will be happy to use this app.

You can read a full review of Gooroovster.

A new Windows Phone named the LG Miracle has been rumored for the last few weeks and now there is a video showing the device. In the video, you get a good look at the hardware especially the back showing off the LG logo and the Windows Phone logo. We are not sure where this device is going to end up however, there are some really far out rumors that it is heading to Verizon but that is something we really doubt.

The LG Miracle Windows Phone is said to have

• 4-inch screen
• 1GHz CPU
• 8GB of internal storage
• and an NFC chip

{Video via wingadgetnews.com}

After unboxing the iHome iHM79BC Portable Speaker last week we continued to use it and put it through its paces. When we finished using them the consensus was clear the iHome Portable Speakers are a great portable speaker system that can accompany your smartphone. We love how deep the base is on such a small speaker however we would have loved if these speakers had a Bluetooth option.

The Tech Specs

The iHome Speakers have a 3.5 mm jack for audio sound and are sized at Dimensions: 2.52″ W x 2.01″ H x 2.52″ D. The Lithium ION batteries provide excellent battery life for the speakers which feature a LED light that is blue when charged and red when charging.

What Is In The Box And Design

In the package your will find a pair of speakers, a convenient carrying pouch, instructions, and a charge cable with a 3.5mm connector. The Speakers are a matte black, are collapsible for convenient storage and travel, and adds to the base. The speakers are slanted which seems to help with the direction of the sound. We really liked the fact that that the cable for the iHome Speakers came with its own cable tie which will help any users who does not know how to wrap cables.

Charging And Battery Life

Charging the iHome Portable Speakers was simple enough as you simply plug in the USB cable into your PC or power source and the mini USB side of the cable goes into each speaker. The Speakers were gully charged in about an hour or so and the charge lasted well beyond a day of casual use.

Performance

The iHome speakers performed well with a few different smartphones. We used an HTC Titan, Samsung Focus S and a Nexus One. With each device, the maximum volume level was different however, that did not affect the overall sound quality of the speakers. When compared the to the sound of the Scosche BoomCAN the dual speakers clearly made a difference on a fuller sound but were not as full as the Jawbone Jambox. We would love if there was a BlueTooth option for these speakers.

We love reviewing smartphone accessories especially portable speakers here at SimpleMobileReview, and have reviewed quite a bit of them and find the iHome Portable speakers among the top that we have used. To put our thoughts in context, we feel that the iHome Speakers would be great from individual use to Office Party or Group Use. The Scosche BoomCAN, which we reviewed already, is better suited for business travel since it is a single speaker. Finally, the Jawbone Jambox (read the review) had the fullest sound and was wireless, which extends the range to dinner party and office use.

Conclusion

The iHome Portable Speakers are a small and surprisingly powerful set of speakers. The bass that comes out of the little speakers is unbelievable and goes well with the overall sound the speakers put out. With their being two speakers that are magnetically stuck together for travel, may make it a little bit much for business travel however going to an office party or the park is a perfect setting for these little power houses. You can grab the iHome speakers from AT&T accessories or Amazon.com.