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iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 now available

by Ross Miller, posted May 6th 2009 @ 11:16PM

Looks like Apple's just released iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5, a little over one week after its last revision. That's about half the time they've put between the previous updates -- seems the boys in Cupertino are really starting to churn these things out. You know the drill by now, we don't know yet what the update entails, but we'll tell you when we find out. Oh, and just like last time, it appears iTunes 8.2 is required.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Update: We can confirm that MMS "support" can no longer be turned on in Settings (in quotes because we could never get it working in previous betas anyhow), and we're hearing that trickery that allowed tethering to be enabled with the previous iTunes 8.2 build has been patched. Aww, you're no fun, Apple... thanks, Rene!

Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 to rock LiMo, launch in 1H 2009

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 17th 2009 @ 5:16PM

We've been waiting on pins and needles for confirmation, but it looks like an all-too-vague Reuters report actually is referring to the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60. After a senior company official noted that a "Linux-based operating system" would be used in one of its two smartphones, we pinged Garmin directly to cut through the mystery and get down to the meat. What we were told was this: "The Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 has a proprietary Linux-based OS, and we're still working towards delivering the nüvifone G60 in the first half of 2009 in limited markets, which haven't been named yet." Of course, the tandem is quickly running out in months in that window, so we're pretty jazzed to be all up on top of an imminent release. Now, if only we knew where those patience pills made off to...

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Gallery: Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 to rock LiMo, launch in 1H 2009

Sony Ericsson says no Android phone anytime soon

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 17th 2009 @ 4:48PM

There's a mild chance that Sony Ericsson CEO Hideki Komiyama has been hitting the sauce just a wee bit too hard of late, but we're guessing it's mostly just an inability to comprehend his own company's situation. As SE pushes out awful report after awful report, the company's head honcho has just revealed that it'll be some time yet before it hops on the Android bandwagon -- as if it really has time on its side. In an interview with Reuters, he stated: "[Going Android] does require a lot of evaluation, as well as a lot of testing, a lot of acceptance from a consumer viewpoint, and there is still some time to go." He did confess that "looking ahead," he viewed it as an "important operating system," but he definitely gave no indication that we'd see an Android-based SE handset in the near future. Which is strange, really, considering that we'd already heard it would produce one during this calender year...

O2 and Vodafone relatively mum on future iPhone tethering

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 21st 2009 @ 7:32PM

At Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 preview event last Tuesday, Sir Scott explained that it was "working with carriers around the world" to build tethering support in. We can't say for sure what that means, but it certainly sounds like it'll be up to the operator to activate (or not) iPhone tethering when OS 3.0 is launched to the masses. Pocket-lint took the opportunity to ping both O2 and Vodafone over in the UK, though neither company seemed particularly interested in giving a solid answer. The former simply stated that it was "working [with Apple] to ensure new features, including tethering, are fully supported on O2's network," but wasn't "making any announcements yet." The latter simply proclaimed that it was "discussing the situation" but didn't have anything to confirm. To us, it sounds like both carriers will eventually allow it, but we aren't too sure they'll be doing so with no extra fees woven in.

Palm's subscription accounting webOS plans revealed, CPAs rejoice

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 19th 2009 @ 9:31AM

Palm fans hoping webOS gets the same kind of upgrade attention Apple's been lavishing on the iPhone take note: a deck of presentation slides has revealed plans to recognize revenue from webOS products over two years using subscription accounting, so Palm can "periodically provide new software features free or charge" to customers of its "webOS products, including the recently announced Pre." If that didn't make any sense to the non-suits out there, just remember this bit of number magic is why Apple treats iPhone and iPod touch users differently when it comes to updates -- the iPod doesn't get 3.0 for free because Apple doesn't handle the math this way. At any rate, number crunchers and MAC students can head on down to the read link for lots more invigorating stuff.

MMS finally comes to Apple's iPhone via OS 3.0

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 17th 2009 @ 12:51PM

Apple's done a decent job of implementing features that we've all been clamoring for into its forthcoming OS 3.0, and aside from copy and paste, there's probably no one single feature add bigger than this. You heard right -- multimedia messaging (MMS) is at long last coming to the iPhone 3G (sorry, first-gen iPhone owners) after years of dealing strictly with SMS. During the keynote, Apple was ~~pretty~~ remarkably short with details, simply noting that MMS "support" would be added. Frankly, we don't expect anything mind-blowing; it'll probably look a lot like the current SMS setup, and it'll definitely make AT&T happy when you start firing away picture messages without first subscribing to an unlimited messaging plan.

Update: Apple's official PR on the subject has given us just a bit more to chew on. We're told that MMS will enable iPhone 3G users to "send and receive photos, contacts, audio files and locations with the Messages app," hinting that Apple may just smash MMS and SMS together into a single 'Messages' app in OS 3.0. Also of note, owners will also be able to "forward and delete multiple messages."

iPhone finally gets copy and paste!

by Nilay Patel, posted Mar 17th 2009 @ 12:50PM

No surprises here: Apple just announced that iPhone OS 3.0 will support copy and paste. A double-tap auto-selects the text you want with movable "grab points," and a pop-up edit bar display buttons for cut, copy, and paste. Finally! It works in every major app, including SMS and Safari, and what's more, there's also "shake to undo," which is exactly what it sounds like: a quick shake brings up a box that allows you to undo and redo c/p actions. It's a pretty nifty implementation, sure, but it's a little silly we've had to wait this long for it, don't you think?

Android Dev Phone 1 gets in on the Cupcake action early, deemed to be a little undercooked

by Jacob Schulman, posted Feb 19th 2009 @ 7:06PM

Admit it, you want some Cupcake, but you're afraid of ditching the physical keyboard altogether. Good news for those of you who've snagged an Android Dev Phone 1, because your wish may be our command. The guys at Make have the lowdown on how to flash Cupcake to the device and experience that on-screen keyboard in all its glory. The hacked OS certainly wasn't ready for primetime, and that hotly-anticipated soft keyboard was still a little buggy -- but there is some hope for using the phone with one hand. We'll bet Google / T-Mobile keep this one in the oven a bit longer until it's ready to take on the masses, but at least we're seeing some fresh baked goodness on something other than the Magic. There's video of the Macguyver'd OS in action after the break.

[Via Geek.com]

Continue reading Android Dev Phone 1 gets in on the Cupcake action early, deemed to be a little undercooked

Video: ZiiLABS demos Android in HD on ZMS-05 processor

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 16th 2009 @ 9:46AM

ZiiLABS -- that same company that blew up the hype machine with its StemCell Computing initiative at CES -- is making good on its promise to demonstrate Android in HD on its ZMS-05 media-rich processor / development platform. There's not much here that can't be better explained via video than words, so hop on past the break for a look at the (admittedly silky smooth) demonstration.

Continue reading Video: ZiiLABS demos Android in HD on ZMS-05 processor

Opera Mini 4.2 escapes beta, arrives for Android

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 29th 2009 @ 10:40AM

It's tough to find someone who doesn't appreciate the amenities in Opera Mini, and we have to say, that hamstrung version that hit the Android Market in November just made us yearn for the real deal. Thankfully, that waiting window has finally closed. As of today, mobile surfers can suck down the non-beta version of Opera Mini 4.2 for Android, complete with easier URL entry, upload / download support and the ability to zoom in / out on double tap and handle multimedia files. Give it a go and report back with any praises / gripes, won'tcha?

[Via phonescoop]

New Storm OS 4.7.0.90 leaked, includes QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Jan 22nd 2009 @ 11:42AM

As you know, a new beta OS for the Storm has made its way into the wild. Although we haven't had a chance to give OS 4.7.0.90 the what-for ourselves, those of you who have certainly have a lot to say. The big news for both 9500 and 9530 users is that there is now a QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode -- no more flipping the phone around just for an ill-advised late night tweet! Besides that, users have noted an increase in overall stability (unless you're trying to listen to music -- more on that in a moment) and some visual enhancements (including the older-look application folder and fonts that are slightly larger). Additionally, when the device is locked, the screen doesn't light up every time you bump it -- good for battery life. And as one user noted, the charging issue "which plagued OS version 88" has been resolved. Unfortunately, there has also been plenty of chatter about buggy multimedia players -- at least on the Storm 9500. Users have complained about music and video playback crashing the phone, fast forward not working, and an overall video performance decrease. Brave Blackberry fans can hit the read link to browse the forums and maybe even download the new OS for themselves. More images after the break.

Continue reading New Storm OS 4.7.0.90 leaked, includes QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode

Optus support documents hint at G1 release in Australia

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 19th 2009 @ 10:46PM

Now that hopes of a Kogan Agora are as good as extinguished, we reckon that Aussies are grasping at any possible lead of getting an Android-powered handset onto their soil without paying eBay / import prices. Technical support documents corralled by ZDNet's Australian branch show quite clearly that the HTC-built G1 is on the way, but it's tough to know how long the wait will be -- and if this isn't just some tease that'll never actually come to fruition. Yeah, we're cursing the mere thought of the latter option as well.

[Thanks, Ben]

AT&T dreams of single smartphone OS, will probably keep dreaming

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 5th 2008 @ 5:23AM

Okay, so we fully understand that it would make life a lot easier on AT&T if every smartphone on its network used the same operating system, but we're not so sure we like the idea of losing the whole "ability to choose." Speaking at the Symbian Partner Event in San Francisco, AT&T's Roger Smith (director of next generation services, data product realization at AT&T) reportedly stated that he wanted to "standardize on a single operating system for AT&T-branded smartphones as part of a dramatic consolidation of its mobile platforms over the next few years." Given the location of the speech, it's no shock that Symbian was named "a very credible and likely candidate" to be that system, and for those questioning the iPhone, he was quick to point out that said mobile is simply a third-party device tapping into AT&T's technologies. Honestly, we're not sure how to take this seriously -- is he really saying he's willing to alienate RIM and / or Microsoft in order to only sell Symbian-based handsets? Doubtful.

Update: An AT&T spokesman pinged up with an important followup to this -- click on to read the whole thing.

Continue reading AT&T dreams of single smartphone OS, will probably keep dreaming

Nokia could give Linux a spin in high-end mobiles

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 3rd 2008 @ 3:29AM

To anyone even remotely familiar with Nokia's history, this tidbit won't come as a surprise at all. In fact, we've been hearing "Linux" and "Nokia" in the same sentence for years. At Nokia World in Barcelona -- the same place where the almighty N97 (pictured) was unveiled -- Ukko Lappalainen, vice president at Nokia's markets unit, informed Reuters that "in the longer perspective, Linux will become a serious alternative for our high-end phones." Potentially more interesting was his followup line: "I don't see anything in Android which would make it better than Linux maemo." Quite frankly, we'd be entirely more interested if this was some revolutionary epiphany, but it's basically just more of the same song and dance. Now, if an N98 pops out next month with a freakishly awesome and nimble mobile variant of Ubuntu, well -- that's a horse of a different color.

[Via LinuxDevices]

Meizu M8 Flash demo hits the scene, looks mighty familiar

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Nov 23rd 2008 @ 2:48PM

How much ASCII will be spilled, how much bandwidth utilized on this legendary (if vaporous) iPhone killer before it becomes a real reality? Like the tail end of a torrid love affair, we're not even sure if it's the phone itself that we dig or the soap opera that we enjoy so much. And now, hot on the heels of the hands-on video that has captured the imagination of the entire world, Meizu has posted a flash demo of the M8's UI for those of you thirsting for a closer look at the thing. SPOILER ALERT: It bears a strong resemblance to the interface of a certain Apple product.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]