Thursday, March 31, 2011

MobileBurn.com

MobileBurn.com

mSpot grows its cloud; offers 5MB free music space to iOS, Android

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:00 AM PDT

Cloud entertainment company mSpot has today announced the increase of its free storage offering to 5GB of music for iPhone, Android, PCs, Macs and internet TV users. From there, users will be able to immediately listen to their music from Android-powered smartphones, iPhones, and any desktop browser. mSpot is available for download in the Apple App Store and Android Market. For PCs and Macs, those interested should visit mSpot's website.
Read the full story here.


Tablet users rejoice, O2 bundles tethering into data plans

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PDT

Changing its previous policy of charging extra for tethering, O2 has released new data plans that bundle tethering in. Customers now just purchase an allotment of data per month that can be used on either their phone or by a tethered device such as a laptop or tablet. Both new and upgrading customers can take advantage of the new plans. Now only if American carriers would catch on to this awesome new trend.
Read the full story here.


HTC admits ThunderBolt audio issue; fix en route

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 02:11 PM PDT

HTC has officially confirmed that its new, 4G LTE-equipped ThunderBolt smartphone on Verizon Wireless is having a little trouble recording audio with the phone's camcorder. Sometimes, audio will be as crisp as fresh veggies. At other times, the subjects sound about as clear as Darth Vader on a windy day. While this is bad news to new 'Bolt owners, HTC has located the issue and is working on a fix. In other words, expect a software update in the near future once it gets through the required approval processes.
Read the full story here.


Smartphone growth may slow down this year

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:54 PM PDT

Analyst firm IDC has reported that smartphone shipments may increase at a lower rate than they did last year. While shipments are still expected to be higher this year than last, they will only be 49 percent greater than that of 2010, which posted 74 percent growth over 2009. The difference can be attributed to the customers that were waiting out the recession and decided to buy in 2010 when they hadn't previously. Android is still predicted to be the top operating system, with an expected 39.5 percent of the market by the end of the year.
Read the full story here.


Hear Michael on EveryDayRadio podcast tonight at 9PM EDT

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:34 PM PDT

Our editor-in-chief, Michael Oryl, is going to be appearing on the EveryDayRadio podcast this evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time tonight. You can dial in and listen at +1-347-324-3826 or catch the show on your mobile device or computer at the URL below. He'll be talking upcoming tech, CTIA, and maybe even solar power.
Read the full story here.


Softbank CEO goes above, beyond to aid in Japanese relief

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:23 PM PDT

During a visit to Tamura, one of most devastated Japanese cities to be affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son announced that Softbank will offer a year's worth of living costs, including food and commute, along with job positions to the 1,200 people in need of relocation.
Read the full story here.


HP offers webOS 3.0 SDK to Early Access devs

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 01:10 PM PDT

Today we received word from HP that the company plans to offer a software developer kit (SDK) of webOS 3.0 to developers registered with its Early Access program. The webOS 3.0 beta will let let developers use the new Enyo framework, giving them the ability to integrate Synergy, Just Type, and Exhibition into their apps. Initially, webOS 3.0 will launch on HP's TouchPad tablet later this year, but some of the new elements added to the user interface should find their way onto HP smartphones, as well.
Read the full story here.


Gemalto: NFC for everyone; all phones created equal

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:53 PM PDT

These days, you can't browse through news for more than a minute without seeing something on NFC chips. Every day a new phone or a new platform announces support for NFC, but today Gemalto is raising the bar for NFC news, putting the technology on a path that may actually see some real market penetration. Basically, Gemalto has developed a new NFC on a SIM card design, which has been certified by MasterCard PayPass. This design has major implications for GSM phones, which, after implementation, will be able to make purchases through near-field wireless payments. In other words, no matter how smart your phone is, you'll never feel stupid for leaving your wallet at home.
Read the full story here.


HTC ThunderBolt review - real 4G has arrived

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:17 PM PDT

The HTC ThunderBolt is the first 4G LTE smartphone on Verizon Wireless, and it features a large 4.3-inch display and an 8 megapixel camera in addition to blazing data speeds. Dan tests it out for us in this review.
Read the full story here.


Jawbone ERA Bluetooth headset review

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:16 PM PDT

Over the weekend, Jordan got the chance to cozy up with the Jawbone ERA Bluetooth headset. The headset impressed her with its innovative features and user installable applications.
Read the full story here.


Zapd iOS app brings website publishing to the iPhone

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:03 PM PDT

Bad at blogging and terrified of HTML coding? There's an app for that. PressPlane, the makers of the Inkd website, has recently launched Zapd, a free application for the iPhone that transforms a few pictures into a stylized website optimized for mobile devices, tablets, and computers. The company markets the app as a streamlined way to produce an original-looking website. On the count of streamlining in the first degree, I definitely find Zapd guilty. This app is fast. The most time-consuming part of the process will be the actual photography. After that, the user only has to choose a style, select the pictures, and press publish. As far as the look of the website themes, original isn't necessarily the word I'd choose. The themes conjure up images of browsing through WordPress blog themes; whether they are unique or not, they don't feel original. In any case, check out the app for yourself for free in the App Store now.
Read the full story here.


Google, FTC settle over Buzz privacy concerns

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 12:02 PM PDT

Google and the Federal Trade Commission have settled the complaint about privacy breaches from the launch of Google's Buzz social network in 2010. Google is required to have privacy audits every two years as part of the settlement.
Read the full story here.


RIM taps Intellectual Ventures for patent portfolio access

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:46 AM PDT

Not much news on the patent front with regards to Intellectual Ventures' patent action against nine different technology companies, but the company did announce some news this morning of a different nature. RIM will be following in the footsteps of HTC and Samsung, entering into a licensing agreement that gives the BlackBerry maker total access to Intellectual Ventures' patent portfolio, which is comprised of over 30,000 IP assets. Predictably, more detailed information on the matter is sparse.
Read the full story here.


Angry Birds RIO now available on Android Market

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:43 AM PDT

Branching out from the safety nest of the Amazon Appstore for Android, the latest version of everyone's favorite bird-flinging game, Angry Birds RIO, is now available from the Android Market. The new version has 60 new levels of play. Now that it is in the Android Market proper, AT&T customers will be able to install the game without any issue or hackery. Angry Birds RIO is free and appears to have no ads during gameplay, although that may change in the future.
Read the full story here.


Smartphones may be charged by heartbeats in 5 years

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:07 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a new technology called "nanogenerators" that has the potential to replace rechargeable batteries in personal consumer electronics. The nanogenerators work by generating electricity from seemingly insignificant amounts of movement, such as wind, rolling tires, or even a heartbeat. Currently, enough power can be generated to power an LCD screen or transmit a radio signal, but researchers believe that they can magnify it easily enough to power smartphones and other devices and expect the technology to hit shelves within 5 years.
Read the full story here.


Sprint opens up Google Nexus S 4G information page, pre-orders

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:51 AM PDT

Sprint has posted an information page for the upcoming Google Nexus S 4G smartphone. Listed as coming soon, the Nexus S 4G is virtually the same phone as the original Nexus S 4G launched last year, but with a WiMAX radio inside. Interested customers can register on Sprint's site for more information or submit their pre-orders. The Nexus S will cost $199.99 on a new two-year agreement. In the meantime, check out our hands-on of the Nexus S 4G from CTIA 2011.
Read the full story here.


PlayBook tablet will get native PIM apps post-launch

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:45 AM PDT

We've been wondering for a while now which native apps the BlackBerry PlayBook will include. Still, nothing complete or conclusive has been released on the matter, but some answers have recently surfaced. According to an official FAQ provided for a Verizon webinar, RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook will indeed feature native email, calendar, and contact apps, but not immediately. Those native apps will come with a "future software update," instead of being pre-loaded for the device's launch. This will mean that PlayBook owners will have to initially rely on the tablet's browser, or use the "Bridge" mode to connect to the apps on a BlackBerry smartphone.
Read the full story here.


Geo Hunters for iPhone combines Google Maps, monsters

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT

Today a new location-based role playing game launched in the App Store called Geo Hunters. The Geo Hunters application, created by mobile gaming company YD Online, is set against Google Maps backdrops, and gives users the chance to defend their neighborhood and, eventually, the world from monsters. Geo Hunters is optimized with multi-player functionality so that users can battle against their friends while trying to wrangle monsters, some of which stay put, while others appear from hiding places depending on what's going on in world news. The overall goal of the game is to collect an army of monsters and progressively take over the world. The application is available as a free download from the Apple App Store and requires iOS 4.3 or higher.
Read the full story here.


Skyfire 3.1 launches for iPhone with "related sites" upgrade

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:05 AM PDT

Let's face it: Steve Jobs hates Adobe Flash. There, I said it. It's out and in the open and we can all accept it and move on - to Skyfire 3.1. Today an updated version of the Flash video-supporting browser has made its way into the App Store to fill the gaping hole created by a lack of Flash. The first noticeable upgrade present on Skyfire 3.1 is the "related sites" option. In other words, should you stumble upon a Flash video on a site not supported by Skyfire, the browser will offer a list of supported sites with similar content. Skyfire 3.1 also gives the user a direct line of communication to Skyfire Labs' engineers and support team. A few other enhancements include the addition of seven new languages (Italian, French, Portuguese, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish), and the ability to switch between Safari, Desktop, or iPad view. Skyfire 3.1 is available for download in the Apple App Store for $2.99.
Read the full story here.


Vodafone's HTC Desire S Android smartphone available for pre-order

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:05 AM PDT

Vodafone has listed the HTC Desire S smartphone for pre-order on its website. The Desire S has a 3.7-inch touchscreen, a 1GHz processor, and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense. Also included are a 5 megapixel rear camera capable of HD video recording and a 1.3 megapixel front camera. The Desire S is free on qualifying plans. No shipping date has been confirmed as of yet.
Read the full story here.


Microsoft to join Google in NFC party

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:29 AM PDT

Bloomberg reports that upcoming versions of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 smartphone operating system will have support for near-field communications (NFC). Google's Android OS already supports the technology, which allows users to make purchases by tapping their phone on a receiver for payment. Nokia has also built NFC support into a few of its current phones. Bloomberg expects the first WP7 device with NFC to be available by the end of the year. With Microsoft's recent track record of software updates, we won't be holding our breath in anticipation.
Read the full story here.


Video: Nokia E7 video tour - part 1 of 2

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:15 AM PDT

The Nokia E7 is a Symbian^3 powered smartphone that features a full QWERTY keyboard, a large 4-inch display, and even an 8 megapixel camera with 720p HD video capability - though without auto-focus.
Watch the video here.


Android in-app purchasing quick look

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:15 AM PDT

We took a quick look at the new in-app purchasing system that Google has deployed for Android phones and tablets today, and wanted to share our thoughts on it.
Read the full story here.


Google, China still not playing nice; Google maps may suffer

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:51 AM PDT

Last week, China launched a national campaign to rid the country of illegal online mapping services, calling for the punishment of violators, and henceforth requiring an internet map license to continue offering online mapping services within China. As of yesterday, Google's application for a license is yet to be received by China's National Mapping Agency, with the March 31 deadline creeping closer by the minute. In February, at least 105 websites across the country had been granted licenses, including Google's Chinese rival, Baidu. Apparently, Google also forgot to send a staff member to attend the National Mapping Agency's training sessions, as the agency is already in its second phase of "standard" training. Last week, Google promised to push forward in the lucrative Chinese market, but the absence of a Google Maps license in China could hint that the company may redirect focus back to its bread and butter: Internet search.
Read the full story here.


Tiger Woods PGA Tour app launches for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:16 AM PDT

EA today launched the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 application for the iPhone, iPod touch, and the iPad. Perhaps the smell of freshly cut grass, the breeze on your face, and the taste of that first beer after finishing the front nine aren't part of the app experience, but while your boss is out on some suburban course no one knows the name of, you can practice your chip-shot on championship courses like TPC Sawgrass, Pebble Beach, and St. Andrews, right from your desk.
Read the full story here.


Apple WWDC pass prices double on eBay

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:43 AM PDT

Even though there's a chance that no one will get to peep Apple's next iPhone, tickets for Apple's World Wide Developers conference sold out quickly. Now we're seeing a number of eBay auctions list conference passes at more than $3,000, with some auctions climbing as high as $4,000.
Read the full story here.


S&P lowers Nokia debt rating, expects more market share loss

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:10 AM PDT

Standard & Poor's has lowered the ranking of Nokia's debt rating one level in anticipation of further market share loss in 2011 by the mobile phone leader. The firm states that Nokia will lose more market share as time goes on until it can fully assimilate Windows Phone 7 into its portfolio of devices. This is the first time that Nokia's debt rating has been lowered by S&P. This rating change is not expected to change Nokia's financial position or financing costs, however, states a spokesman for the company.
Read the full story here.


Apple iPhones, iPods face battery supply shortages due to quake

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:41 AM PDT

Add batteries to the list of supplies that Apple may face shortages on in the aftermath of the earthquake in Japan. The Wall Street Journal reports that the lithium-ion batteries that power the smaller mobile devices such as the iPod and iPhone are going to be in short supply due to materials shortages. A manufacturer of the specific polymer used in the batteries, Kureha, had to shut its factory down after the quake and Apple has traced its bottleneck of supplies to that factory, according to the Journal. Other device manufacturers are likely to face shortages as well.
Read the full story here.


Expedia to release smartphone app to simplify hotel booking

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:28 AM PDT

Expedia, the online site for booking hotels and other travel accommodations, will release an app for the iPhone, iPad, and Android that allows users to book a hotel within four steps by utilizing GPS tracking.
Read the full story here.


Dell exec hates on iPad, fumbles math

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:07 AM PDT

Apple's iPad, perhaps one of the most popular pieces of mobile technology the world has yet to see, isn't feeling the love this morning, as a senior Dell executive has stepped out to say that the tablet is not fit for enterprise customers and will be outpaced by Android tablets eventually.
Read the full story here.


NoDo update for Windows Phone 7 hits HD7 on EU carriers too

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:45 AM PDT

The Windows Phone 7 NoDo update for the HTC HD7 that has just been released by T-Mobile USA is also hitting carriers in the EU today. Reports are in that Orange UK, Three UK, and Vodafone Greece have all let the update loose, and notifications are hitting customers' phones now. Once the update notification is received, users will have to plug into their computer and use Microsoft's Zune software to complete the update process.
Read the full story here.


Microsoft hires linguist in suit over Apple App Store trademark

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:43 AM PDT

Microsoft has added a new weapon in its suit against Apple over Apple's trademark of App Store: a linguist. Microsoft claims that the name is too generic to be trademarked.
Read the full story here.


T-Mobile releases NoDo WP7 update to HTC HD7, Dell Venue Pro

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:30 AM PDT

T-Mobile customers can rejoice, as the carrier has released the NoDo update for Windows Phone 7 on the HTC HD7 and Dell Venue Pro smartphones. The NoDo update adds copy and paste functionality as well as performance enhancements to the platform.
Read the full story here.


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