Apple released a minor update to iPhone software. The latest version is 2.2.1. You can download it via iTunes.
It fixes a bug (it was introduced in version 2.2) in photo software that caused blurry image when an image was saved from the mail application (MMS equivalent for iPhone). Another change is improved stability of iPhone Safari browser.
It is supposed to work with iPod Touch as well. If you are not sure, you can wait a day or two to hear about others' experiences before updating.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Google's GDrive storage possible this year
A number of news outlets are speculating that Google is working on the online storage that will make cloud computing a reality. According to the Guardian:
"Google is to launch a service that would enable users to access their personal computer from any internet connection, according to industry reports. But campaigners warn that it would give the online behemoth unprecedented control over individuals' personal data.
The Google Drive, or "GDrive", could kill off the desktop computer, which relies on a powerful hard drive. Instead a user's personal files and operating system could be stored on Google's own servers and accessed via the internet."
Microsoft's SkyDrive offers 25GB (yes that's GB) - FREE!
Microsoft's SkyDrive service offers 25GB of storage and is available now! The only limitation is that upload file size is limited to 50MB each. But it is still free storage that can be used to backup your pictures and other files. Check it out.
These services would work great with TrueCrypt which is the best encryption utility available. You can encrypt your files and then upload them to online storage for a backup!
"Google is to launch a service that would enable users to access their personal computer from any internet connection, according to industry reports. But campaigners warn that it would give the online behemoth unprecedented control over individuals' personal data.
The Google Drive, or "GDrive", could kill off the desktop computer, which relies on a powerful hard drive. Instead a user's personal files and operating system could be stored on Google's own servers and accessed via the internet."
Microsoft's SkyDrive offers 25GB (yes that's GB) - FREE!
Microsoft's SkyDrive service offers 25GB of storage and is available now! The only limitation is that upload file size is limited to 50MB each. But it is still free storage that can be used to backup your pictures and other files. Check it out.
These services would work great with TrueCrypt which is the best encryption utility available. You can encrypt your files and then upload them to online storage for a backup!
Apple awarded the multi-touch patent
Apple (Steve Jobs, et al.) has been awarded the multi-touch patent on January 20th, 2009. This means less competition for iPhone multi-touch technology which is one of the great mobile phone innovations.
A similar technology seems to have been used in the upcoming Palm Pre phone and Apple COO Tim Cook has said that Apple will not let their intellectual property get ripped off. This could result in an interesting fight between the two as Palm has collected numerous patents over the years and if they find something in their portfolio to go against Apple for, Sprint customers might actually see a device like iPhone (even better for multi-tasking) available to them. They will still have a big challenge of duplicating the success of iPhone app store.
Here are the full details of Apple multi-touch patent. The patent is not available via Google patent search yet.
A similar technology seems to have been used in the upcoming Palm Pre phone and Apple COO Tim Cook has said that Apple will not let their intellectual property get ripped off. This could result in an interesting fight between the two as Palm has collected numerous patents over the years and if they find something in their portfolio to go against Apple for, Sprint customers might actually see a device like iPhone (even better for multi-tasking) available to them. They will still have a big challenge of duplicating the success of iPhone app store.
Here are the full details of Apple multi-touch patent. The patent is not available via Google patent search yet.
Customers not happy with BlackBerry Storm - Still sells 500,000 units
According to this Wall Street Journal article:
"Some Storm owners have complained about everything from clunky software for typing on the touch screen to the device's sluggish performance with basic tasks like dialing-by-voice or taking photographs.
"I found myself wanting to throw it in the ocean due to my frustration with its overall usability," said Steven Golub, a longtime Verizon customer from Morristown, N.J., who bought the Storm the day it was released, but returned it a few weeks later."
Other sites like CNET crave and Apple Insider are covering this too.
During the time I tried using a friend's BlackBerry storm, I wasn't excited about it. It is no iPhone.
"Some Storm owners have complained about everything from clunky software for typing on the touch screen to the device's sluggish performance with basic tasks like dialing-by-voice or taking photographs.
"I found myself wanting to throw it in the ocean due to my frustration with its overall usability," said Steven Golub, a longtime Verizon customer from Morristown, N.J., who bought the Storm the day it was released, but returned it a few weeks later."
Other sites like CNET crave and Apple Insider are covering this too.
During the time I tried using a friend's BlackBerry storm, I wasn't excited about it. It is no iPhone.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Some Gmail tips and Disposable Email addresses
Check out this article if you want more power and flexibility out of your gmail account.
It shows you how you can use one email account with different sites by using a . (period) or + in the email address and you can generate a number of email address combinations that can be used for different needs (such as for bills, friends, social networking sites, registrations, etc.). You can then track who is selling your email addresses!
Mailinator for disposable email addresses
Another option I like for disposable email addresses is Mailinator. It allows you to get a dispoable email address instantly (without any registration). Check out their site. Just keep in mind that the email addresses are really disposable and emails are deleted frequently so don't use it for anything longterm. It is best used for sites that require registration to post in forums where you don't care about the privacy of emails from the sender.
As an example, if I want to use an email address like mobilebookmarksblogspot@mailinator.com, all I have to do is just use this email address whereever I want (without any registration) and read my Inbox by going to http://www.mailinator.com/ and keying in my Inbox address "mobilebookmarksblogspot". It's that easy! Note that all emails sent to this address will be deleted within a few hours and that anyone (including you out there) can read this Inbox contents.
It shows you how you can use one email account with different sites by using a . (period) or + in the email address and you can generate a number of email address combinations that can be used for different needs (such as for bills, friends, social networking sites, registrations, etc.). You can then track who is selling your email addresses!
Mailinator for disposable email addresses
Another option I like for disposable email addresses is Mailinator. It allows you to get a dispoable email address instantly (without any registration). Check out their site. Just keep in mind that the email addresses are really disposable and emails are deleted frequently so don't use it for anything longterm. It is best used for sites that require registration to post in forums where you don't care about the privacy of emails from the sender.
As an example, if I want to use an email address like mobilebookmarksblogspot@mailinator.com, all I have to do is just use this email address whereever I want (without any registration) and read my Inbox by going to http://www.mailinator.com/ and keying in my Inbox address "mobilebookmarksblogspot". It's that easy! Note that all emails sent to this address will be deleted within a few hours and that anyone (including you out there) can read this Inbox contents.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Mobile networks handled Inauguration load fairly well
While the mobile networks had much higher network load in the Washington, D.C. area today, their preparations worked well and there were no major problems. Check out the PCWorld article for details.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
More browsers available for iPhone
Apple has approved third party browsers for iPhone. These however seem to be more or less a different UI for the same browser engine as the Safari browser that comes with iPhone. They are like version 1 of a browser with many shortcomings.
It will be interesting to see if Apple will allow "true" third party browsers like Opera on iPhone. The included Safari browser is already the best mobile phone browser.
For more details on the new iPhone browsers, check out this PCWorld article.
It will be interesting to see if Apple will allow "true" third party browsers like Opera on iPhone. The included Safari browser is already the best mobile phone browser.
For more details on the new iPhone browsers, check out this PCWorld article.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Convert videos for mobile devices - Format Factory
Ever wanted to convert your videos to play on your mobile device (such as iPhone or iPod touch or other devices)?
Format Factory looks like something you could use. It can convert videos to many different formats and resolutions.Combine this with Abyss Web Server X1M, you can watch your videos on your mobile device on the wi-fi home network!
(If you do use a web server on home network, make sure that you have a Router protecting you from outside).
I tested this combination to watch videos from PC on iPhone over wi-fi and it works great! You can play the videos directly from iPhone safari browser! And it is FREE!!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Palm Pre - Better than iPhone?
I really like the OS and software on the new Palm Pre phone. It is as good as iPhone and even better in some aspects with true multi-tasking support and very finger friendly.
Check out all five videos of Palm Pre demo. They are worth watching. Its UI is gorgeous and smooth and the browser is based on the same Webkit engine that iPhone uses!
And did I say it does multi-tasking that iPhone doesn't? Now don't ditch Sprint for iPhone.
Palm Pre Demo Video 1:
Palm Pre Demo Video 2:
Palm Pre Demo Video 3:
Palm Pre Demo Video 4:
Palm Pre Demo Video 5:
Coming to Sprint in the first half of this year! It will also be available in other countries a little later.
Check out all five videos of Palm Pre demo. They are worth watching. Its UI is gorgeous and smooth and the browser is based on the same Webkit engine that iPhone uses!
And did I say it does multi-tasking that iPhone doesn't? Now don't ditch Sprint for iPhone.
Palm Pre Demo Video 1:
Palm Pre Demo Video 2:
Palm Pre Demo Video 3:
Palm Pre Demo Video 4:
Palm Pre Demo Video 5:
Coming to Sprint in the first half of this year! It will also be available in other countries a little later.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Rumors of Microsoft Cellphone - To be announced early next year
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Video - Walt Mossberg reviews BlackBerry Storm
Here is WSJ's Walt Mossberg's video review of BlackBerry Storm:
Thursday, November 20, 2008
CNET Video review of BlackBerry Storm
Here is the CNET first look video review of BlackBerry Storm:
And here is the USA Today video of BlackBerry Storm vs. iPhone:
And here is the USA Today video of BlackBerry Storm vs. iPhone:
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sprint Instinct MR4 firmware update available now
Sprint Instinct Firmware Update MR4 is available now. Many users have successfully downloaded it and a few of them have reported success with Opera Mini Beta 4.2 browser as well. Opera Mini 4.1 still seems to lock up on the loading screen.
Here are the release notes for Sprint Instinct Firmware Update MR4 .
Apps: You can find a compilation of apps that now work with Instinct here.
Here are the release notes for Sprint Instinct Firmware Update MR4 .
Apps: You can find a compilation of apps that now work with Instinct here.
Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student for (almost) FREE?
Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student (Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, and OneNote 2007) version comes with a $69.99 subscription to Microsoft Equipt (PC security/protection service) available for purchase from CircuitCity.
According to various news sources, Microsoft plans to discontinue this service and will offer the users a pro-rated refund and will let them keep the Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student for free! It seems that Microsoft Equipt is still for sale in CircuitCity. I don't know what happens if someone walks into CircuitCity today and buys this for $69.99. Will they get most of their money refunded if they call to cancel subscription and still get to keep the Office software?
According to various news sources, Microsoft plans to discontinue this service and will offer the users a pro-rated refund and will let them keep the Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student for free! It seems that Microsoft Equipt is still for sale in CircuitCity. I don't know what happens if someone walks into CircuitCity today and buys this for $69.99. Will they get most of their money refunded if they call to cancel subscription and still get to keep the Office software?
I guess it depends on when they decide to turn it off...
According to ZDNet:
"Microsoft’s Equipt — which Microsoft launched in July of this year — is dead and Microsoft is having to go back and pull copies of Equipt from the channel (Circuit City in the U.S. and DSGI in the U.K.). Microsoft is offering customers a pro-rated refund for the service and allowing purchasers to keep Office Home & Student edition for free forever, Microsoft officials said. "
According to ars technica:
According to ZDNet:
"Microsoft’s Equipt — which Microsoft launched in July of this year — is dead and Microsoft is having to go back and pull copies of Equipt from the channel (Circuit City in the U.S. and DSGI in the U.K.). Microsoft is offering customers a pro-rated refund for the service and allowing purchasers to keep Office Home & Student edition for free forever, Microsoft officials said. "
According to ars technica:
"Microsoft blogger Mary Jo Foley is reporting that Microsoft Equipt, which Microsoft announced just a few months ago, is also going the way of the dodo. The company will be offering refunds and will allow customers to keep the included Office Home & Student edition for free. "
UPDATE:
"The copies will be headed out of retail stores in the coming weeks, although the subscription will run through some time next year. But since Microsoft plans to offer free licenses of Office to Equipt customers when their subscriptions end, those existing copies look like a pretty good deal for those who need Office Home and Student--the version of Office included in Equipt.
...
As for existing Equipt subscribers, they not only will get a free license to Office Home and Student, they can also call and cancel their subscription, get a pro-rated refund and still get the copy of Office. Gordon said that Equipt buyers tended to be Microsoft's early adopters and said that "We really want to make sure they are taken care of."
P.S. This does not relate to mobile gadgets but I thought some readers might find it interesting. Also, I am not liable if you go and buy it and don't get a refund.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Video comparison of Sprint vs. AT&T HTC Touch Pro models
ZDNet has a video comparison of the Sprint and AT&T HTC Touch Pro models. Full review here.
Sprint HTC Touch Pro vs. AT&T HTC Fuze:
Sprint HTC Touch Pro vs. AT&T HTC Fuze:
Adobe Flash available for Android but not for iPhone
Adobe Flash player for mobile is now available for more smart phones including Windows Mobile phones and Google Android based phones. However, there is no Flash version for iPhone because Steve Jobs has said in the past that it wasn't optimized for iPhone. There could be another reason for Apple not allowing Flash. Apple maintains tight control of its iPhone/iPod Touch app store and takes a 30% cut from every app sale! With Flash, developers could create games and apps as websites and bypass Apple's lucrative money making machine completely. That makes Android a better platform with Flash support but it needs to evolve some more and needs better devices before it can outdo the iPhone.
Did Oprah give out Sprint Instincts on her show?
There seem to be a number of posts on the web purporting to be from people who went to a taping of Opera Winfrey show and were given Sprint Instinct phones with free 90 day plan. Here is a post from someone selling their Oprah Winfrey show Sprint Instinct phone on eBay. Here is another one selling it on a forum. Here is one from someone who is trying to figure out how to unlock it to use with AT&T (poor soul). There were some posts of Oprah show Instincts for sale on Craigslist too.
President-elect Obama to stop using Blackberry and email?
According to a news article on BBC News website, president-elect Obama will likely stop using his Blackberry and email because the transparency laws could require some of his communications to be open to public view. According to the BBC article:
"He took mobile e-mail everywhere on the campaign trail.
In the summer, cameras filmed him checking his BlackBerry while watching one of his daughters playing football. His wife Michelle slapped at his hands, to get him to put it away.
"I think Obama is the first president who is addicted to the BlackBerry like the rest of us, and there's a lot of presidential records and archive rules on what gets stored and what doesn't," former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart told the Associated Press.
...
During the campaign, the New York Times reports, his advisers rarely printed out memos, e-mailing them to his BlackBerry instead. "
I bet it will be tough parting with his Blackberry due to Presidential Records Act but there are just too many risks involved including the risk of hackers. Also, most email communication travels plain-text unless encrypted end-to-end with digital certificates or some advanced feature which then limits the ease of email use.
"He took mobile e-mail everywhere on the campaign trail.
In the summer, cameras filmed him checking his BlackBerry while watching one of his daughters playing football. His wife Michelle slapped at his hands, to get him to put it away.
"I think Obama is the first president who is addicted to the BlackBerry like the rest of us, and there's a lot of presidential records and archive rules on what gets stored and what doesn't," former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart told the Associated Press.
...
During the campaign, the New York Times reports, his advisers rarely printed out memos, e-mailing them to his BlackBerry instead. "
I bet it will be tough parting with his Blackberry due to Presidential Records Act but there are just too many risks involved including the risk of hackers. Also, most email communication travels plain-text unless encrypted end-to-end with digital certificates or some advanced feature which then limits the ease of email use.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X1 available for pre-order $799.99
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X1 will soon be available for pre-order from Sony website for $799.99. It will most likely be sold unsubsidized by a carrier in the US and should work with a SIM card from AT&T (as an unlocked phone that could potentially be used with other supported SIM cards as well).
Here is a CNET first look video of Xperia X1:
Here is a CNET first look video of Xperia X1:
Citrix working on iPhone version
A few months ago, Citrix had provided a sneak peek (see video below) of their XenDesktop version for iPhone. For those that have never heard of Citrix, it is a company that provides remote access and other information technology software to 100% of Fortune 100 companies and thousands of other organizations.
According to a recent article by PCWorld:
"By the first half of 2009, Citrix will make its XenDesktop and XenApp client and server software for remote access to Windows applications available for the iPhone.
...
Fleck said the company is addressing an "unbelievable market demand" for such a product. Requests have become the number-one topic of discussion on its blog site.
...
Your entire XP or Vista desktop and all your apps are available in that virtual desktop with all the inherent security and manageability that is currently available on remote desktops now," said Fleck
....
According to Fleck it will make available the entire world of a half-million Windows applications.
Citrix developers worked with Apple to design the iPhone version of the Xen App and Desktop in order to preserve as much of iPhone's unique capabilities as possible."
The blog that this article refers to is probably here or here.
Check out this video:
And here is the video from a few months ago that provided a quick sneak peek (iPhone has other remote Desktop apps that work extremely well):
According to a recent article by PCWorld:
"By the first half of 2009, Citrix will make its XenDesktop and XenApp client and server software for remote access to Windows applications available for the iPhone.
...
Fleck said the company is addressing an "unbelievable market demand" for such a product. Requests have become the number-one topic of discussion on its blog site.
...
Your entire XP or Vista desktop and all your apps are available in that virtual desktop with all the inherent security and manageability that is currently available on remote desktops now," said Fleck
....
According to Fleck it will make available the entire world of a half-million Windows applications.
Citrix developers worked with Apple to design the iPhone version of the Xen App and Desktop in order to preserve as much of iPhone's unique capabilities as possible."
The blog that this article refers to is probably here or here.
Check out this video:
And here is the video from a few months ago that provided a quick sneak peek (iPhone has other remote Desktop apps that work extremely well):
BlackBerry Storm vs. Apple iPhone
Check out the quick comparison of BlackBerry Storm vs. Apple iPhone here.
This is the first mobile device that could offer serious competition to the iPhone but with over 8,000 apps covering almost everything imaginable, iPhone is still a tough contender!
This is the first mobile device that could offer serious competition to the iPhone but with over 8,000 apps covering almost everything imaginable, iPhone is still a tough contender!
Verizon Touch-screen Blackberry Storm for $199 starting Nov 21
Blackberry Storm will be available for $199.99 ($249.99 - $50 mail-in-rebate) from Verizon wireless on Nov 21. If it does indeed turn out to be as good a Blackberry as promised, expect more defections from Sprint which has no great device at the moment to compete with AT&T's iPhone, Verizon's Blackberry Storm and T-Mobile's G1 Google phone. Sprint Instinct is a poorly performing device and HTC Touch Diamond and Pro have signature Windows mobile issues despite a decent UI skin created by HTC.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Google Voice search coming to iPhone
(Image Source: New York Times)
Check out this video:
According to New York Times:
"Pushing ahead in the decades-long effort to get computers to understand human speech, Google researchers have added sophisticated voice recognition technology to the company’s search software for the Apple iPhone.
Users of the free application, which Apple is expected to make available as soon as Friday through its iTunes store, can place the phone to their ear and ask virtually any question, like “Where’s the nearest Starbucks?” or “How tall is Mount Everest?” The sound is converted to a digital file and sent to Google’s servers, which try to determine the words spoken and pass them along to the Google search engine.
The search results, which may be displayed in just seconds on a fast wireless network, will at times include local information, taking advantage of iPhone features that let it determine its location."
"Pushing ahead in the decades-long effort to get computers to understand human speech, Google researchers have added sophisticated voice recognition technology to the company’s search software for the Apple iPhone.
Users of the free application, which Apple is expected to make available as soon as Friday through its iTunes store, can place the phone to their ear and ask virtually any question, like “Where’s the nearest Starbucks?” or “How tall is Mount Everest?” The sound is converted to a digital file and sent to Google’s servers, which try to determine the words spoken and pass them along to the Google search engine.
The search results, which may be displayed in just seconds on a fast wireless network, will at times include local information, taking advantage of iPhone features that let it determine its location."
This adds to a number of already available voice apps for iPhone like Say Who (voice dialing) and Say Where (voice search). With the addition of voice search by Google, iPhone will likely provide similar or better voice search compared to Sprint Instinct that uses Windows Live Search.
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