Adobe working on Flash Player for iPhone - waiting for Apple approval

According to Flash Magazine, Adobe is working on Flash player for iPhone but Apple will decide if it will allow it to run on iPhone.

Here is a quote from the article:

"At the Flash On The Beach (FOTB) conference in Brighton, Sr. Director of Engineering at Adobe Systems Paul Betlem, confirmed that Adobe is indeed developing a Flash Player for the iPhone. However, Apple calls the shots as to when it'll be available."


Also check out this.

But do you really want Flash Player on your mobile phone? If you had flash player in your mobile browser, you could watch videos on more sites but a lot of resource intensive web advertisements now use Flash and it is going to kill your mobile browser experience. So maybe Flash for a mobile phone browser is not a good idea. But they could make it such that it doesn't load until you click on a video (the way embedded YouTube videos work on iPhone) and it loads separately in a video player.

Free Instinct like Voice Command for BlackBerry phones

Check out the website of Tellme (a Microsoft subsidiary). They provided the voice command software for Samsung Instinct. It is now available for BlackBerry phones as well so give it a try. It is an attempt by Microsoft to compete with Google in the search business. An iPhone version of Tellme is also in the works (but probably not top priority for them).

They also have a number 1-800-555-TELL.

Sprint to launch WiMax soon

Sprint is set to launch WiMax service in Baltimore soon under the brand name XOHM™.

Check this out for details: http://www.xohm.com/baltimore/

According to USA Today:

"Prices will start at $10 for a day pass, good for 24 hours of unlimited usage. Monthly service starts at $35. There are no contracts.

To use the service, Baltimore customers will have to buy a special WiMax "aircard" or modem, which cost about $45 apiece. There are also special launch discounts, including a $50-a-month plan that offers subscribers unlimited data usage for life.

In Baltimore, Sprint is promising 2 to 4 megabits per second, though it says surfing speeds can rocket to 10 megabits or more, depending on the number and type of applications running. "

Skyfire browser (beta 0.8) available now - for Windows Mobile & Nokia N or E series

(Image Source: dallasnews.com)

According to this and this, the beta version of Skyfire mobile browser is now available for download (after you register). The previous beta was limited to a few early signups so go get yours now.

Download Skyfire 0.8 Beta here. This browser has full HTML rendering, support for plug-ins like Flash, QuickTime, and Windows Media, and Web 2.0 applications!

For full list of features, check this out. Keep in mind that it works similar to Opera Mini (uses a backend server to do the heavy lifting) but is better than Opera Mini. So I personally wouldn't use it for banking sites because your information would pass through the skyfire servers.


Requirements

- Windows Mobile (5 or 6), or
- a Nokia N or E series (3rd edition) phone

I think that Microsoft should buy this company soon.

Windows Mobile 7 Delayed

(Image Source: the unwired)

According to various sites, the release of Windows Mobile 7 has been delayed. Microsoft recently informed its partners about the delay (moved from early 2009 to late 2009). This means that Windows Mobile 7 might not reach the hands of consumers even by late 2009 or early 2010. This is a serious blow to Microsoft in the mobile space because Apple iPhone, Google Android and Nokia's OS are all moving along.

Windows Mobile 7 is expected to have Gesture recognition and speech input.

However, Microsoft is expected to have a better browser before the release of Windows mobile 7 (likely to be in Windows mobile 6.2). The improved browser will be similar to the desktop version of Internet Explorer 6 and will probably be called Internet Explorer Mobile 6. It is likely to have full Flash support.

Here is more information on the delay of Windows Mobile 7.

Information on next Sprint Instinct update - Release MR4

Here is some information on the next software update for Sprint Instinct according to Sprint Administrator. Looks like Sprint is now on a roll (MR3 was just released yesterday)!

"MR-4 Information [ NEW ]

We anticipate an official Public Release Notes announcement of MR4 when that firmware enters certification test on 10/13 (all dates are estimates and are subject to change with no notice). Unofficially, firmware MR4 will include:

* Java refit to better enable 4-way/OK and text input to LCDUI widget-based applications
* Work Calendar support through an enhanced Sprint Mobile Email Work revision
* support for native document viewing for many popular office document types including .doc, .pdf, .ppt and others
* resolution to roughly 50 additional open tickets "

This might be the best update for the Instinct phone!

UPDATE:

It seems that the Work Calendar support has now been removed from the message post in the baw forum.

Check out the comparison of Samsung Instinct vs HTC Touch Diamond

Check out the interesting comparison of Sprint Samsung Instinct vs. Sprint HTC Touch Diamond here.

Some pictures are here, here and here.

Sprint Samsung Instinct MR-3 Update now live - Browser update and other fixes

Sprint Samsung Instinct phone's MR-3 Update now live. Here are the details according to the baw forum post by Sprint Admin team:

"The validation testing has concluded and the files are posted in production. Customers will be able to pull down BH29 starting now. Additional communication will be provided tomorrow.

Instinct firmware BH29 includes the resolution of 249 tickets open since the previous public firmware release, BF30. The release also marks the first public release of the updated Instinct Web Browser, version 1.1. The new browser is based on an entirely new codebase and brings an 10x improvement to rendering speed, most noticeable in the areas of pan/zoom/resize functionality.

New browser features include:

* VC [voice command] Button -> Hide/show controls; browser controls can be hidden to provide more screen to webpage display

* Favorites enhancements -> Improvements to favorites UI allows for sticky mode lock

* 34 other web browser tickets resolved

Instinct Admin Team"

Update on MR-3 release for the Sprint Instinct (Firmware Revision BH-29)

Here are the currently available details on Sprint Instinct MR-3 release (firmware update):

"Good Day, all!

After some research, this is what we know about the MR-3 release for the Instinct. Firmware Revision BH-29 is scheduled to get a Go/NoGo decision tomorrow, 9-24. DougR reports that we have a high level of confidence, but not 100%, that the GO call will be made. If that is the case, then users will be able to initiate their own updates of the handset late in the day on the 24th. We will update this forum as soon as the Go/NoGo decision is made.

Stay tuned - we'll update you tomorrow after the Go/NoGo call.

Thanks,

Will England
Buzz About Wireless Admin
Sprint Nextel "

Does iPhone 3G work with AT&T Pay As You Go SIM Cards?

According to this and this, iPhone 3G accepts AT&T GoPhone "Pay As You Go" and "Pick Your Plan" SIM cards.

So it might be possoble to use it without a 2-year contract by signing up for $19.99 MEdiaNet option? Maybe someone will try this on an eBay iPhone 3G to see if it really works.

CAUTION: This is probably against AT&T's official policy so you are at your own risk if you think about doing anything like this!

UPDATE:
According to this, AT&T is now cracking down on users of iPhone 3G that are using the MEdia Net Unlimited plan. Here is the text of the email sent to a customer:

"Subject: Important information regarding your iPhone 3G

The new AT&T - Your world. Delivered.

Our service records indicate that you are using an iPhone 3G with a data plan designed for other devices.
To avoid unexpected data overage charges and enable Visual Voicemail, please contact your telecom manager, or an AT&T representative at 1-800-331-0500.

Thank you for choosing wireless from AT&T. We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,
AT&T Customer Service"

T-Mobile to throttle 3G speed on Google Android phone G1?

According to T-mobile's website on G1 phone features:

"**3G coverage is available only in certain markets. See coverage map for details. Data: If your total data usage in any billing cycle is more than 1GB, your data throughput for the remainder of that cycle may be reduced to 50 kbps or less. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users."

If you plan on watching a lot of YouTube or do other data intensive operations on your T-mobile G1 phone, make sure to try it out in the first month to estimate your total bandwidth usage.

Other carriers generally have a cap of 5GB vs. T-Mobile's throttling on over 1GB.

Sprint's Google Android phone by end of this year/early next year?

A number of reputable press sources are now reporting about the possible launch of Sprint's Google Android phone before the end of this year or early next year. Here are some of them:

According to mobile magazine:

"There is certainly a lot of hullabaloo surrounding the pending announcement and launch of the HTC Dream G1 Android smartphone, but T-Mobile isn't the only one getting in on the Android action. It has now been reported that Sprint is not only getting an Android phone of its own, but it is getting one before Santa makes his rounds this December!"

According to AP:

"Among U.S. carriers, Sprint Nextel Corp. has apparently taken the bait along with T-Mobile, and is a member of the Open Handset Alliance. Verizon Wireless has not ruled out Android phones, but is putting its energy into LiMo. AT&T is holding off on making decisions about Android."


According to electronista:

"Sprint's known plans to produce an Android phone are also included in the leak but suggest that the device won't simply be a copy of the G1; details are unmentioned but should include "other functionality" than what T-Mobile's device offers. The CDMA carrier's handset is widely known to be scheduled for a launch early next year."


According to InformationWeek:

"Sprint Nextel [is] also planning to unveil an Android phone and, if it follows tradition, subscribers will have to sign a two-year contract to get a phone."


According to Wall Street Journal:

"Other carriers such as China Mobile and Sprint have said they would develop Android-powered phones, but some have experienced delays in integrating Google's services with their own, people familiar with those companies' plans said."


Why Sprint's Google Android Phone was Delayed?

According to this WSJ article from June, 2008:

"Google now says that the handsets won't arrive until the fourth quarter. And some cellular carriers and makers of programs that work with Android are struggling to meet that schedule, people familiar with the situation say.

T-Mobile USA expects to deliver an Android-powered phone in the fourth period. But that launch is taking up so much of Google's attention and resources that Sprint Nextel Corp., which had hoped to launch an Android phone this year, won't be able to, a person familiar with the matter said.

China Mobile, the largest wireless carrier in the world with nearly 400 million subscriber accounts, had planned to launch an Android phone in the third quarter but it has run into issues that will likely delay the launch until late this year or early 2009, a person familiar with the matter says."


The last official announcement from Sprint regarding Android was in Nov, 2007.

Interesting tidbit about Sprint and Android

According to this:

"In July, Mr. Webster got an e-mail from Jake Orion, a Sprint Nextel executive, who wanted to talk about Google and Android. (Sprint hopes to offer a phone with Google’s Android software next year.)

Mr. Webster said he interviewed Mr. Orion via e-mail. Mr. Orion suggested Google needed to be more pragmatic in its approach, particularly when working with carriers. Later, after the interview was posted, Mr. Orion contacted Mr. Webster and asked him to take the interview down, saying his comments had ruffled feathers at Google. Mr. Webster complied. “I told Jamie, ‘I’m not going to go to bed thinking I lost this guy his job,’” said Mr. Webster."

T-Mobile launches first Google phone

T-Mobile today announced the launch of first Android-powered mobile phone in partnership with Google.

Check out the launch videos from the "Conference Index" menu here. The G1 phone would sell for $179 with a two-year contract starting on Oct. 22.

Keep in mind that T-Mobile 3G coverage is limited (compared to other carriers) at the moment even though they have rolled out 3G in more markets recently.

Some other videos of T-mobile G1 by MobileBurn are included here:

CNET Asia - HTC Touch HD browser pictures

( Image Source: CNET Asia)

CNET Asia has more pictures of HTC Touch HD here. The HTC Touch HD phone looks similar to HTC Touch Diamond but with a bigger and higher resolution screen, better camera and probably more advanced hardware. The browser looks very nice and this phone is about the size of an iPhone (maybe a little thicker).

This phone would be excellent for reading eBooks and PDF files!

Can cellphones affect the sperm quality?

A small study was done by Cleveland Clinic on the effect of leaving a cellphone in talk mode on the quality of semen in close proximity. Here is a summary of the results:

"Sperm mobility was significantly lower in exposed samples compared with unexposed samples."

"Sperm viability was significantly lower in exposed samples than in unexposed samples."


Some of the articles covering this are here and here. Here is the full PDF and here is a PDF of the research done earlier.

How to get stock quotes on your Samsung Instinct phone

I see a number of requests from Sprint Instinct users looking for a stock quote application. Unfortunately the Instinct phone doesn't have a stock quote application but there are a number of ways you can create your stock portfolio and view it on your Samsung Instinct browser. Here is one way to do it:

• Go to http://finance.yahoo.com/badges/
• Click on Start now and login with a free yahoo account.
• Select the "Quotes" module.
• Enter up to 10 stock symbols.
• Select other settings like width, color theme, etc. and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Click on "Get code"
• On the next screen you will see some HTML code. Copy that code and save it in notepad or any other text editor and save it somewhere on your computer.
• Now you can go to your website (or create a free blog) and paste this code there and you are good to go.
• If you don't know how to create a web page, check your ISP (internet service provider's) support/help website. Most ISP's allow their customers to create a personal web page. You can paste this code there or get a free blog from blogger.com (you can make it private and password protect it if you want).

You can use this method with any smart phone that has a decent browser!

CNet Crave - How is your Instinct? - Post your experience

CNet crave wants to know about your experience with Samsung Instinct phone. Here is where you go and provide a summary of your experience with this phone after using it for sometime:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10046177-1.html

From the above site:

Owners of the Samsung Instinct, I want to hear from you. Though the iPhone rival was one of the hottest cell phones of the summer, its successes and shortcomings haven't received quite as much attention as Apple's device.

Make sure you provide your honest review there so that others can benefit from your experience with the phone.

Video of gorgeous HTC Touch HD phone - Check out that browser!

Here is a video of the recently announced HTC HD phone (not the same as Sprint HTC Touch Diamond). The other two phones in the video are Samsung Omnia and guess what...

Next 12 months are going to be very exciting in the world of high-end phones so if you are past your 2-year contract with any carrier, don't renew that contract yet!

(Are they speaking in French?)

Businessweek on HTC Touch Diamond - "What were they thinking?"

According to businessweek's review:

"The HTC Touch Diamond from Sprint is a richly featured smartphone, thin and light, with a big and gorgeous display. And one feature so bad that it renders the Touch Diamond all but unusable.

It is almost impossible to type accurately enough for the software to divine your intentions, making typing an agony.
...
But wait, there's more. In critical situations, the keyboard often covers the text box in which you are trying to enter data. "

So if you are exchanging your Instinct phone for Sprint HTC Touch Diamond, keep this in mind that if you type a lot, you might want to wait until the release of upcoming Sprint HTC Touch Pro (keyboard version) if you can handle a fat phone.

Sprint trying to cover-up bad press about Instinct phone problems??

There was a link to this blog in the user profile signature at Sprint's Instinct Insight (buzzaboutwireless) forum. When a Sprint moderator saw it and probably saw the prevoius blog post, the signature was promptly removed (it was present since the release of Instinct without any problems!)

Note the time of the moderator message! Sprint now has forum moderator's working even at midnight!!

Here is the message from Sprint forum moderator:

Your sig - sorry
From: Raine

Date: 09-17-2008 11:54 PM
Hey .., I'm really sorry to do this, but I've had to remove your signature. I'm sure you've got a great blog going, and I definitely wish you the best. Unfortunately, the BAW guidelines state: "The Community is provided as a service to Sprint customers and is not intended for the promotion of third-party services, products, Web sites, or organizations. Do not post content that would constitute advertising, junk mail, spam, chain letters, or any other form of unauthorized solicitation. " Since you were linking to a third party website, and it was being advertised, I needed to remove the link. I understand you're not trying to sell anything, but the rule still stands. Feel free to check out our guidelines here.-- Raine

So what do you think??

I am wondering if Sprint hired the moderators just to keep the forum clean or to cover up the negative information about the phone?

The Sprint Instinct forum users have been complaining of increased censorship in the forum lately with entire negative posts missing (even the ones without bad language!)

UPDATE:
Today (the next day) the moderator sent this message:

"Re: Your sig
From: Raine

09-18-2008 11:26 AM
Hey ...,
We've decided as long as you don't continually advertise within your posts, the link in your signature can be put back.
Feel free to post it back up! "

Interestingly, there were no "continual" advertisements in the posts (except the original links to this blog from when Instinct was newly released and baw forum admins were well aware of those).

Browser fix delay frustrates Sprint Instinct users

After it was announed that the browser fix for Sprint Instinct phone would be delayed by another week from the previously planned date, a large number of Instinct users have vented their frustration in the Sprint's buzzaboutwireless/instinctinsight forum. As of this writing, there were over 100 posts made by mostly upset users. Here is the announcement with the big outcry (in a Sprint moderated forum so expect some censorship):

"While initial information had listed Sept. 17 as the date the firmware upgrade (MR-3) would be available, the new release date is Sept. 24th.

We apologise for this delay, but we are commited to doing this the right way and releasing a reliable, working update to our Instinct customers.

If we have any further information, we will follow up here.

Instinct Admin Team"

While the Instinct phone has been selling like hot cakes because of massive advertising campaign, many of the users have experienced serious deficiencies in the phone software. The user frustration arises from the fact that many of the users are now past their 30-day trial return period and are locked in a 2-year contract with Sprint and it has been almost 3 months since the phone release but the problems are still not fixed (despite some attempts by Sprint and native app vendors issuing certain updates and promises for more). These problems include browser crash on many popular websites, TV application crash, Navigation application crash or lock-up, phone unresponsive momentarily at unexpected occasions and email connectivity errors.

I have two de-activated Sprint Instinct phones sitting on the table. My wife and I used them for about 2 months and after many frustrating experiences, we decided that our time was worth more than dealing with those issues.

I also looked at the possibility of fixes from Sprint in the near future and came to the conclusion that it will be very challenging for Sprint to fix those crashes because they seem like memory leak or memory related issues, possibly at the firmware or Java virtual machine level (because it is not just one single app that has the problem; many of the apps crash or become unresponsive). They could also be from a slower processor or insufficient memory. The app code would have to be seriously optimized to work in an environment like this.

I replace my PDA/smartphones every 2 years and didn't think that waiting 3-6 months (or maybe even longer) for everything to be fixed to my satisfaction was worth my time while I was paying mandatory Instinct data plan rates without proper value return.

On top of that, one of the Instinct units had a touch screen sensor failure and I had a very frustrating experience getting it replaced.

So I went and got 2 iPhones and I have been very happy (mostly) with my phone since. iPhone 3G is light years ahead of Instinct in its current incarnation but the well publicized iPhone problems are true. If call reliability is important to you, don't get an iPhone. I have had the "call failed" message a number of times on my iPhone 3G and had to call the person again. And it doesn't have the turn-by-turn navigation yet. It only has google maps with GPS. And some apps do crash occasionally. But it has thousands of apps (many great ones for free) and it is unlikely that Instinct browser will ever be as good as iPhone's safari browser (webkit engine based which will also be the engine for Google's android phone browser). I also had occasional network issues with AT&T's 3G network.

So basically, iPhone is on the wrong 3G network in US. Sprint should have had the iPhone and it would have been an even better marriage. But iPhone is such a great device overall that AT&T's network issues and other problems are much more palatable than the frustration with the Instinct phone.

With T-mobile's Google android phone launching soon, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Sprint Instinct users jump ship. According to the Wall Street Journal:

"The first mobile device powered by Google Inc.'s "Android" mobile phone software is expected to sell for $199 and will showcase the Google brand, people familiar with the matter say, a departure from the standard practice of listing only the manufacturer and wireless carrier on handsets...

The carrier [T-mobile] plans to unveil new data plans in conjunction with the device that will be "aggressively priced," the people said."

I am waiting for my last Sprint bill with $400 ($200 x2 lines) added for early termination fee (ETF) before I sell the two Instinct phones to recoup some of the ETF costs. I do not regret getting the iPhones at all. They are far superior devices albeit with a more expensive carrier (text messaging costs extra) and inferior 3G network than Sprint's. However, the ease of use, far superior browser and tons of free apps and games more than make up for these limitations.

I would have stayed with Sprint if there was an announcement from Sprint with a firm date of Sprint's Google android phone. The last announcement from Sprint that I saw regarding the android platform was a while ago (but the rumors say before the end of this year). With Instinct, I think Sprint bet on a wrong phone but according to Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, "Samsung is making as many as they can, but they still sell out. Our employees still can't get them."

I guess Instinct marketing campaign is working better than the phone itself but some users vouch that they did not experience the problems that my two Instinct phones and hundreds if not thousands of Instinct early adopters have experienced.

Google Android phone demo - Sep 16th, London

Here is the video of Google Android phone demo at Google Developers Day, September 16, London.

It looks smiliar to what might be sold through T-mobile (announcement on Sept. 23) starting late next month.

Where is Sprint's Google android based phone??

There was HTC Touch and now there is HTC Touch 3G

Check out the newly announced HTC Touch 3G phone here.

Just as iPhone went from iPhone to iPhone 3G, it seems that HTC named the newer version of HTC Touch with 3G suffix!

There is another one called HTC Touch Viva™. Check it out here.

Video - Samsung Instinct (Telus version) running Opera Mini 4.1

Here is a video of Samsung Instinct (Telus version) running Opera Mini 4.1 browser. It seems that this does not have the problem of freezing on loading screen (on second and sunsequent runs) that earlier versions of Sprint Instinct phones had:

HTC Touch HD pictures leaked

After some HTC Touch HD phone pictures leaked, HTC has made them available on their website.

Note: This phone is not the same as the newly released Sprint HTC Touch diamond. Its screen is even bigger than the iPhone screen and much higher resolution!

Highlights

• 3.8-inch wide, WVGA (480 X 800 pixel) display offering a cinema experience on the go
• Vibrant TouchFLOTM 3D user interface, responding perfectly to your finger gestures when scrolling through contacts, browsing the web, and launching media
• Surf and download at broadband speed with HSDPA internet connectivity
• Google Maps enhanced by the wide screen viewing platform
• 5 megapixel camera for quality stills and video
• 3.5 mm audio jack makes the Touch HDTM compatible with the majority of audio equipment available

Specifications:

Processor: Qualcomm® MSM 7201A™ 528 MHz
Operating System: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional

Memory
ROM: 512 MB
RAM: 288 MB

Dimensions
115 mm x 62.8 mm x 12 mm(4.35 in x 2.5 in x 0.47 in)

Weight
146.4 grams (5.164 ounces) with battery

Display
3.8-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 480 x 800 WVGA resolution

Network
HSDPA/WCDMA:
Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Up to 2 Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
(Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.)

Device Control
HTC TouchFLO™ 3D
Touch-sensitive front panel buttons

GPS
GPS and A-GPS ready

Connectivity
Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsetsWi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/gHTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0)

Camera
Main camera: 5 megapixel color camera with auto focus
Second camera: VGA CMOS color camera

Audio
Built-in 3.5 mm audio jack, microphone, speaker, and FM radioRing tone formats:
AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, QCP, MP3, WMA, WAV
40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF)/SP MIDI

Battery
Rechargeable Lithium-ion or Lithium-ion polymer batteryCapacity: 1350 mAhTalk time:
Up to 390 minutes for WCDMA
Up to 310 minutes for GSMStandby time:
Up to 450 hours for WCDMA
Up to 390 hours for GSM
Video call time: Up to 120 minutes(The above are subject to network and phone usage.)

Expansion Slot
microSD™ memory card (SDHC™ capable)

AC Adapter
Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 HzDC output: 5V and 1A