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Oh, by the way: August 24, 2009

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 25th 2009 @ 12:37AM

Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, August 24th, 2009:

Sony Ericsson is taking its Java runtime downmarket, committing to roll it out to what it's billing the "entry 3G segment." On a completely unrelated note, is it just us, or was the mini-golf game that came on the T610 one of mankind's greatest entertainment achievements of all time?
It appears that parts of Europe will be receiving a tweaked version of the Samsung B7320, creatively rechristened the B7330. Differences are mainly cosmetic with one critically important material change: the screen's now up to 320 x 320 resolution from the original model's QVGA. German site AreaMobile is quoting a local release in October, but other than that, it's anyone's guess. [Via the::unwired]
A whole bunch of new 850MHz 3G spectrum is now online in AT&T's San Francisco and New York City networks. 850 does a better job of penetrating buildings than 1900, and if there's one thing the Big Apple has plenty of, it's buildings -- so we'll see if this improves the dropped call situation at all.
If you have a curious tendency to drop your phone into kiddie pools, throw it at brick walls, and engage in lengthy heart-to-hearts from Antarctica's Base Esperanza, you'll be delighted to know that Sonim's ultra-rugged XP3.20 is now shipping in the US unlocked for $399. [Via Gearlog]

Skype lite comes to Android, loads of other Java-enabled mobiles

by Darren Murph posted Jan 9th 2009 @ 11:48AM

Check it, VoIP lovers -- Skype has just announced a "lite" version of its calling software that can be downloaded on Android-powered devices and over 100 other Java-enabled mobiles. We're told that the lite version delivers just the core Skype capabilities including Skype-to-Skype calling, sending / receiving instant messages, seeing when your Skype contacts are online and receiving calls to your online personal phone number on Skype. That's all we've got for details, but it's supposedly available worldwide for those who care.

S60 gets a better calculator -- thanks to Series 40

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 27th 2008 @ 5:56AM

Hey, S60 owners, have you had this nagging sense over the past year or two that you're somehow getting slighted by Nokia, but you haven't been able to put your finger on why? No worries, we've figured it out: it's the calculator. Nokia's mainstream dumbphone platform has featured a far better and more capable built-in calculator app than S60 for a while now, which really doesn't make a whole heck of a lot of sense; granted, you can get better ones from third-party developers, but the point is you shouldn't have to. Thankfully, Nokia agrees, and they've started to toy around with the idea of replacing the S60 calc with its little brother's -- a relatively easy process, since the latter is written in Java. On one hand, it'd be a shame to see a core S60 app move from native code to Java, but on the other hand, if it's a better app and the JVM is transparent, who really cares? Anyway, the ported app is chilling in Nokia's Beta Labs as we speak, just waiting for customer feedback before the higher-ups make a judgment call on whether to integrate it into future S60 releases. The power's in your hands, people, so you may as well take advantage.

The Engadget Mobile Interview: Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun

by Ryan Block posted May 2nd 2008 @ 2:09PM

We recently got a chance to sit down with Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz, who definitely ranks among the geekier and more sincere CEOs we've had the privilege to meet. We discussed the long-missing JavaFX Mobile platform Sun promised a while back, as well as Java on the iPhone, and doing battle with Microsoft as an open source software vendor. Read on!

Thanks so much for meeting with us.

Hey, you bet.

So I'm curious, what kind of phone do you carry?

As of yesterday, an iPhone.

Really? So you just got one?

Yesterday!

Well I guess that's as good as any place to start with as any. What's up with porting Java to the iPhone?

It's still going on.

So you guys are still working on it?

Absolutely, why would we not?

Continue reading The Engadget Mobile Interview: Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun

Java-based client spreads Skype far and wide

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 28th 2008 @ 2:31AM

Why should smartphone and 3 Skypephone users have all the fun? Skype has finally released a client written for mobile Java, enabling the ubiquitous VoIP pipe to be used on a wide, wide variety of phones (Skype says they've tested it on about 50, but it's likely to work on far more than that). Though it's naturally scaled down a bit to fit in its tiny target footprint, the client still manages to pack in support for Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls, chat, group chat, and your buddy list -- pretty much everything you need to make it functional. If you're going to have a go at it, just make sure you're on a sufficiently generous data plan, k?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Turns out the data plan doesn't have to be that generous. Straight from Skype: "Tom has 20 Skype contacts and signs in twice a day for a total of 90 minutes. He IMs for about 25 minutes each day and makes 20 minutes of Skype calls. Tom would use just under 1 MB of data in one month." Thanks, everyone!

Move over, Opera Mini: TeaShark to offer desktop-quality browsing, too

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 26th 2008 @ 4:08PM

We're not sure what money there is to be made in the mobile browser game at this point -- especially with giants like Opera and Firefox throwing their hats fully into the ring -- but that's not really our problem, now, is it? TeaShark borrows the same basic concept as Opera Mini, offering full-fledged desktop style browsing while requiring nothing more than Java MIDP 2.0 support to get the job done. It also supports tabs, two levels of zoom, and an integrated RSS reader -- in other words, just about everything a modern mobile browser's gotta have to survive. If you give it a go, drop us a line and let us know what you think, k?

[Via Phone Scoop]

Sun prepping Java for iPhone: your craplet investment is safe

by Paul Miller posted Mar 8th 2008 @ 6:54PM

We're sure there have been some really great Java Micro Edition apps developed over the years, we just haven't been fortunate enough to ~~find any that aren't a Bejeweled variant~~ run into many of them. But that could very well change with the news that Sun is using that fancy new SDK to develop a Java Virtual Machine for the iPhone, which it expects to have ready "some time after June," and which will allow iPhone users access to the vast libraries of existing JME apps. We suppose the real conundrum now is which Java ME app we'll grab first: Harry Potter, or MapQuest Mobile. These choices, they overwhelm us.

[Via Mac Rumors]

Samsung, Sun teaming up for Java phone?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 11th 2007 @ 9:13PM

Considering that we've already seen Sun parade its iPhone-like Java Mobile FX platform around, it's not too surprising to hear that Samsung and Sun Microsystems could be teaming up to "jointly develop a mobile phone to challenge Apple's iPhone." Furthermore, the two firms already have a history together, and according to Sun Chairman Scott McNealy, the duo could be working on "a Java phone that would surpass Apple's iPhone in functionality and cost less." Of course, Sun's spokespeople couldn't be reached for comment and Samsung's folks simply stated that "no decision had been made regarding co-development of the Java phone," so it looks like we'll be filing this away in the somewhat believable rumor cabinet for the time being.

[Via CNET]

Motorola intros MOTOMAGX mobile Linux platform

by Darren Murph posted Aug 7th 2007 @ 3:54PM

On the same day that Palm names Wind River Systems as its preferred Linux provider, Motorola has gone and unveiled a new mobile Linux platform of its own. The "next-generation" MOTOMAGX package is supposed to "lay the foundation to deliver new levels of openness, flexibility, and support for third-party applications on Motorola mobile devices." Notably, Moto also stated that up to 60-percent of its handsets would be based on Linux "in the next few years," and announced that the MOTOROKR Z6 and RAZR2 V8 mobiles would be the first two based on the platform. Best of all, developers interested in creating applications for the MOTOMAGX platform using Java ME can get their hands dirty today by downloading the corresponding MOTODEV Studio, and be on the lookout for WebUI and "native Linux plug-ins" to be available to "select" individuals by the end of Q4.

TiVo finally gets around to releasing TiVo Mobile on Verizon

by Evan Blass posted Mar 14th 2007 @ 4:50PM

Proving that a desirable feature is better delivered late than never, TiVo has finally gotten around to releasing its TiVo Mobile remote scheduling program for select Verizon phones -- over a year after we first caught wind of the Java-based app. No real surprises here: you use Get It Now to download the application, and for $1.99 a month you get access to your Series2 or Series3 box through that familiar interface, along with special recommendation lists, popular show charts, and the always-hot "premium entertainment content." Not a bad deal considering that we once thought this would cost five bones a month, but the catch is that only certain handsets are currently compatible, including the SCH-a950, VX8300, and of course, the beloved Chocolate. Sure you could do the whole dial-a-recording before with your Pocket PC phone and Orb plug-in -- and that even lets you stream the swag you've taped -- but the more people who take the TiVo-approved route, the sooner we can put the kibosh on that nasty TiVo Deathwatch.

[Thanks, Dave. Z.]

More details emerge on the mythical Google phone?

by Evan Blass posted Mar 6th 2007 @ 8:01AM

Now that the iPhone has moved from rumor limbo into the land of the living (at least we think so -- how many people have actually touched one?), we obviously need another mythical mobile to drool over and speculate about -- and the natural candidate is, of course, the so-called Google phone. While the big G has been making inroads on your handset with mobile versions of its search, email, and mapping software for some time, there has been growing speculation that the company is working on its own hardware -- speculation that only intensified when we published that pic of a supposed Google / Samsung collaboration called the Switch (pictured above, as a refresher). Well the latest juicy G-phone morsels to hit our plate come courtesy of Simeon Simeonov (no relation to the deceased Bulgarian soccer player, we think) and his HighContrast blog, whose always-reliable "inside source" broke down some of the anticipated specs. According to Simeonov's tipster, we can expect a "Blackberry-like, slick device" (QWERTY?) running Java on a C++ core with perhaps a Linux bootstrap. For graphics, Google is said to be leveraging the 2005 purchase of little known company name Skia that developed a 2D engine capable of rendering "state-of-the-art" images on low-power devices. Finally, Google is said to be offering carriers a deal wherein the search giant will sell and market the phone online, relying on the carriers for their networks only and subsequently driving down their costs. Combined with Google's tradition of offering almost everything for free, there's a good chance that you'll be able to pick up your G-phone for much less than your precious iPhone -- although lets hope the tradeoff isn't being forced to listen to ads every time we want to make damn call.

Sprint serves up deception via Java apps

by Michael Caputo posted Feb 1st 2007 @ 1:08AM

Have you been caught in a bind recently and you just couldn't come up with a quick lie? Sprint customers may rest easy as there is a new mobile application to do just that. It's called MobileFaker and there gives you the option to create pick-up lines, the ability to simulate an incoming call (think bad blind date), a rejection number, and even a fake breathalizer test. If anyone downloads what seems to be amusing application, drop us a line and let us know what you think of it.

[Via The Raw Feed]

Next up for Helio: Samsung and Pantech

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 1st 2006 @ 1:51PM

In the aftermath of VK Mobile's implosion, it stands to reason that Helio might be on the lookout for new (slightly less bankrupt) hardware partners. Telecoms Korea is reporting that Samsung will be added to the mix -- something we've reported previously -- while Pantech will stay on board to follow up the Hero. All future handsets are said to be running XCE's Java-based platform, a move that makes sense considering Helio's mantra of a uniform user experience across all its devices. All this seems to play in nicely with the VK sourced Kickflip having now gone "out of stock" on Helio's website -- so if you want to get your hands on that white, spring-loaded, addictive pivotphone and you find one in-store, we might recommend you grab it while you still can.

SavaJe struggles to survive

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 28th 2006 @ 4:54PM

It seems that one of the prerequisites to the survival of a mobile software platform is... well, hardware to match. Imagine that? Apart from an LG special and a self-branded testbed that was never meant for the general public's consumption, SavaJe has blown through an alleged $71 million in venture capital with very little success to show for it. Its Java-based operating system has won the hearts and minds of the developer community, but thanks perhaps to a glut of platforms infecting the featurephone and smartphone markets these days, SavaJe simply hasn't caught on en masse. The lack of success appears to be taking a toll on the Massachusetts-based company, which is said to be desperately seeking a cash infusion while asking its developers to take a little unpaid time off. Call us morbid, but we reckon we're going to go ahead and write up that obit now.

[Via MobHappy]

Samsung SGH-i858 launches with a little help from IBM

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 23rd 2006 @ 5:55PM

When we saw the mysterious SGH-i858 first appear courtesy of our pals at the FCC, we had nary a clue what platform the phone might be sitting atop. Since then, the GSM / EDGE slider has launched on China Mobile, and IBM Korea is ready to talk about their role in the project. It turns out the i858 rocks Linux -- not at all unusual for smartphones marketed in China -- but IBM tossed an embedded Java subsystem into the mix, which we can only hope will make for some wicked fast Spore play. They also hinted that the i858 is just the beginning of a broader collaboration between Samsung and IBM, suggesting more handsets packing IBM heat are in the pipeline.