Wednesday, March 23, 2011

MobileBurn.com

MobileBurn.com

HTC Flyer Wi-Fi-only Android tablet coming to Best Buy this spring

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 05:21 AM PDT

Best Buy has announced here at CTIA 2011 that it will be carrying a Wi-Fi-only version of the HTC Flyer that we got hands-on with at MWC earlier this year. It will have all of the same specs as the standard Flyer - 7-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel screen, Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense UI, a 5 megapixel rear and 1.3 megapixel front camera, Scribe support with optional stylus, and 16GB of storage. The only thing that it is lacking is the 3G radio for cellular connectivity. Expect the HTC Flyer to hit Best Buy shelves this spring at a to-be-announced price.
Read the full story here.


Windows Phone 7 NoDo update finally available for unlocked European phones

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 05:06 AM PDT

The Windows Phone 7 update called NoDo that brings copy and paste, faster performance, better search, and other improvements has finally started rolling out. The caveat is that it is currently only available for unbranded and unlocked European phones that are not tied to a specific carrier. Users will receive a notification on their phone when the update is available for them, and then they will have to connect the phone to their computer in order to install the update. The HTC Arrive on Sprint is currently the only phone in the U.S. with the NoDo update. A rollout for the rest of the phones in the U.S. has yet to be announced.
Read the full story here.


Slacker Radio adds sports through ESPN partnership

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PDT

Slacker Radio has announced a partnership with ESPN to bring sports programming to its service. Users will be able to build customized stations filled with coverage about the sports teams that they have interests in.
Read the full story here.


Video: HTC View 4G (Sprint) live video first look

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:55 AM PDT

The HTC View 4G is Sprint's CDMA version of the HTC Flyer Android tablet that was announced at Mobile World Congress last month. It features the same basic specs and Sense user interface, and will be upgraded to Android 3.0 Honeycomb "very soon."
Watch the video here.


AT&T announces Acer Iconia Tab A501 Android tablet

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 04:16 PM PDT

AT&T has announced the Acer Iconia Tab A501 10.1-inch Android tablet here at CTIA 2011. Previously announced for Verizon Wireless as the Iconia Tab A500 earlier this year, AT&T's version is said to be the carriers first 4G tablet.
Read the full story here.


Boingo releases new Wi-Finder app for easy hotspot search and access

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 04:00 PM PDT

Boingo has released a new version of its app for smartphones, Windows, and Mac computers. Named Wi-Finder, it offers many new features that were not present in the older versions of the app.
Read the full story here.


LG introduces Wireless Charging Pad for tangle-free power

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 03:32 PM PDT

LG has introduced its Wireless Charging Pad that is capable of charging a smartphone via inductive technology. It does not require any cables to plug into the phone. Rather, all it needs is contact between a special battery door on the phone and the pad itself.
Read the full story here.


T-Mobile's Sidekick 4G Android 2.2 Froyo smartphone hands-on

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 03:13 PM PDT

Today we got a chance to get up-close and personal with Samsung's T-Mobile Sidekick 4G at the CTIA 2011 event in Orlando. Just as you'd expect, the Sidekick standard is built right in to the new version with its spring-loaded screen, albeit slider instead of swivel, and five-row keyboard.
Read the full story here.


Nokia's tablet strategy may forget about Microsoft

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 02:18 PM PDT

An unnamed source with knowledge of Nokia's business plan dropped some rather ambiguous information on us yesterday, claiming that Microsoft may not be a part of Nokia's tablet strategy. Nokia has a few options when it comes to its first tablet. The Finnish manufacturer can choose between its MeeGo platform, created in collaboration with Intel, and Microsoft's Windows Phone platform, as well as its Windows 8 PC operating system. After Apple fired the starter's pistol in the tablet race with the launch of the first-gen iPad, things have never been the same. Big-name players like Motorola and Samsung have joined in the competition, with RIM and HP to follow shortly thereafter. Though, according to this source, Nokia would rather have an original, differentiated tablet enter the market late, than put up a mediocre rival to the iPad. "That could include Microsoft, it may not," said the source.
Read the full story here.


Sprint launches Drive First app for Android smartphones

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:55 PM PDT

At the CTIA 2011 event, Sprint announced plans to launch an Android application called Sprint Drive First in the third quarter of 2011. The application is meant to detect that its user its driving and implement certain features on the phone while the driver is behind the wheel. Once driving is detected, Sprint Drive First locks the screen of the driver's phone and redirects all calls to voicemail. Text message alerts are blocked and an auto-response replies immediately with a message stating that the phone's owner is currently unavailable. While driving, the app only gives the user access to three key contacts and three mobile applications, such as GPS navigation. This isn't the first safe-driving application we've seen, as T-Mobile launched a similar service earlier this year. Sprint's Drive First application will be available to Sprint customers for $2.00/month, not including surcharges.
Read the full story here.


Apple iPad 2 priced 20 GBP cheaper than first-gen iPad in UK

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:37 PM PDT

The UK launch of Apple's iPad 2 starts this Friday at 5 PM in stores, and online at 1 AM for those with too little patience to wait 16 hours, but just enough patience to survive the shipment period. The real news here is that the highly-anticipated tablet will run about 20 GBP (US$32.74) less than the first-gen iPad at its launch, with a starting price of 399 GBP (US$653.20). Moreover, the cheapest iPad 2, the 16GB Wi-Fi only version, will sell for 100 GBP (US$163) less than its competitor's cheapest model, the Android 3.0 Honeycomb-powered 32GB Motorola XOOM, which is priced at 499 GBP (US$816), and due to launch in April. Price points for the Wi-Fi only 32GB and 64GB iPad 2s are set at 479 GBP (US$784.17) and 559 GBP (US$915.14), respectively. 3G versions cost 100 GBP (US$163) more across the board.
Read the full story here.


Press Release: Novatel Wireless MiFi DLNA Server Receives Certification for Seamless Sharing of Digital Media Across Multiple Platforms

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:36 PM PDT

Hands-on with HTC View 4G WiMAX tablet for Sprint

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:32 PM PDT

We got some hands-on time with the just-announced HTC View 4G WiMAX tablet for Sprint and here are our impressions.
Read the full story here.


Press Release: SRS Labs and Qualcomm Sign Licensing Agreement to Bring HD-Quality Audio to Mobile Devices

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:27 PM PDT

Press Release: TeleNav Combines Benefits of Connected and On-Device GPS Navigation

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:24 PM PDT

New technology automatically switches between over-the-network and cached content for access to local search and navigation in or out of wireless coverage
Read the full story here.


Press Release: NETGEAR chooses Sierra Wireless AirPrime 4G embedded wireless modules for mobile broadband routers from Sierra Wireless Inc.

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:21 PM PDT

Hands-on with HTC EVO 3D glasses free 4G smartphone for Sprint

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:05 PM PDT

We got some time to get a hands-on with the HTC EVO 3D just announced by Sprint at CTIA 2011 and here are our thoughts.
Read the full story here.


Sprint releases HTC EVO 3D 4G Android smartphone with WiMAX

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Sprint has announced the latest in its family of EVO phones by HTC, the EVO 3D. Powered by a dual-core processor, it has dual-cameras to record 3D video and images for playback in 3D on the 4.3-inch screen.
Read the full story here.


Sprint debuts HTC EVO View 4G Android tablet with WiMAX

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 11:48 AM PDT

Sprint has just announced the HTC EVO View 4G, a 7-inch Android tablet based on the HTC Flyer that we saw at MWC this year. The screen is 1024x600 pixel resolution and it is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor.
Read the full story here.


Sprint CEO confirms microUSB ubiquity by January 2012

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 11:28 AM PDT

During the CTIA 2011 opening keynote this morning, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse confirmed that all U.S. phones will have microUSB chargers by January of 2012. This should alleviate the headache that accompanies proprietary connectors. Last year, Europe adopted microUSB as its charger of choice, a standard adopted by Nokia, Apple, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung, along with other big name mobile players. We can all agree with Hesse when he said that the variety of charger ports out there is a pet peeve of his, but now, it's only a matter of time.
Read the full story here.


Angry Birds Rio launches for Android, iOS, free on Amazon Appstore today only

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Today is the day that our favorite Angry Birds switch up their strategy. The Angry Birds Rio app launches today on the iTunes App Store at $0.99 cents for iPhone and $2.99 for Angry Birds HD on the iPad. As we covered earlier, Angry Birds Rio takes the pigs out of the equation and replaces them with evil characters from Fox Twentieth Century's 3D animated film, Rio. Instead of smashing the pigs, the angry birds will be smashing cages in order to free other exotic birds. The app is launching with two episodes, each holding 60 levels. However, future updates will add more episodes throughout the year. Anyone with an Android-powered device can download the app from the freshly launched Amazon Appstore for Android for free, today only.
Read the full story here.


Cricket signs 4G roaming deal with LightSquared

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 10:13 AM PDT

Cricket Wireless, in collaboration with its parent company Leap Wireless, has announced it has entered into a long-term 4G roaming agreement with LightSquared, an integrated wireless broadband and satellite network company . This arrangement will allow Cricket to enhance the LTE coverage it has been planning to deploy across its own networks in the coming years with LightSquared's LTE roaming services. Financial terms of the roaming agreement were not disclosed.
Read the full story here.


Google updates Places, Latitude apps for iPhone

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 10:03 AM PDT

Google Labs today announced updates for two iPhone applications, bringing check-ins to Google Latitude and 30 new languages to Google Places.
Read the full story here.


Samsung reveals updated Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet to rival iPad 2

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 09:23 AM PDT

At CTIA 2011 in Orlando Florida, Samsung introduced a revised version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 previously announced at MWC, which Samsung claims to be the thinnest, lightest and most feature-packed 10-inch tablet on the market.
Read the full story here.


Samsung unveils razor-thin Galaxy Tab 8.9 Android tablet

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 09:17 AM PDT

Samsung has announced the Galaxy Tab 8.9 here at CTIA 2011. It is an 8.9-inch version of the Galaxy Tab that we are familiar with, with a few tweaks added in.
Read the full story here.


AT&T, T-Mobile deal sparks senator appeal to DOJ, FCC

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 08:31 AM PDT

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has stepped into the spotlight that is shining down on the proposed AT&T, T-Mobile deal, urging the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to closely examine AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile. Klobuchar's main agenda is "to ensure it does not limit competition and that consumers not face higher prices or reduced services as a result."
Read the full story here.


Xperia PLAY for Verizon lacks Sony Ericsson's Android user interface

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 08:08 AM PDT

Verizon Wireless has been showing off its version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY at CTIA 2011, and it has been discovered that it is lacking the Xperia interface that we saw at Mobile World Congress this year. Instead of featuring the highly polished looking blue Sony Ericsson user interface layer, it has a bare-bones version of Android 2.3 Gingerbread installed on it with a few specific Sony Ericsson widgets. We expect to get some hands on time with the device this week, so stay tuned.
Read the full story here.


Opera debuts Opera Mini 6, Opera Mobile 11 for smartphones, tablets

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 07:58 AM PDT

As announced last week, Opera has released version 6 of Opera Mini and version 11 of Opera Mobile for smartphones, feature phones, and tablets.
Read the full story here.


Verizon expands LTE 4G rollout to 59 more cities

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 07:47 AM PDT

Verizon Wireless has announced the addition of 59 more markets that will be receiving 4G LTE coverage this year. Those, plus the 39 launched in December and the 49 announced at CES this year, brings the total number of cities that will have 4G LTE in 2011 to 147. The full list can be found here.
Read the full story here.


Amazon Appstore for Android now live online

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 07:31 AM PDT

Despite the current legal battle with Apple, Amazon is still going forward with the launch of its Appstore for Android (note the lack of space and the lower-case ?s'). It's "game on!" for Android fans and Amazon loyalists, who will receive a free copy of Angry Birds Rio by visiting the new Appstore today. After the first 24 hours, Rio will come with a $0.99 price tag. However, in an attempt to speed up the adoption process, Amazon is offering one usually-paid app for free every day. Currently, there are around 3,800 applications in Amazon's Appstore for Android, all of which are available for download via an Appstore application on Android-phones or through Amazon's web interface. If you choose to visit via the online route, Amazon is offering a 30-minute Test Drive option, where users can get the feel of an interesting program before purchase. Unfortunately, we see no international roll-out at this time; Amazon is playing cards close to its American chest.
Read the full story here.


Microsoft suing B&N over Nook's Android OS

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 07:22 AM PDT

Microsoft filed legal actions against Barnes & Noble on Monday, along with two other device manufacturers, for alleged patent infringement related to their Android-based tablet and e-reader devices that are being marketed under the Barnes & Noble brand name. According to Microsoft, the patents in question concern "a range of functionality embodied in Android devices that are essential to the user experience."
Read the full story here.


Apple CEO Jobs must appear in court states judge

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 07:14 AM PDT

A judge has ordered Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, to appear in court with regard to a six-year-old iTunes monopoly lawsuit with RealNetworks. The hearing, originally scheduled for January 18, was postponed indefinitely when Jobs announced a leave of absence from Apple due to health concerns on January 17. However, Jobs made an appearance to launch Apple's iPad 2 on March 2 and looked to be in good health, which apparently has prompted the judge to call him into court. The judge claims that Jobs "has unique, non-repetitive, firsthand knowledge about the issues at the center of the dispute over RealNetworks software."
Read the full story here.


Apple sues Amazon over App Store trademark

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:54 AM PDT

Apple has filed a complaint against Amazon.com's use of the name "Appstore" for its new smartphone application store. Apple claims the name infringes upon its "App Store" trademark.
Read the full story here.


Press Release: LG Mobile Phones Introduces Revolutionary Wireless Charging Solution

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:51 AM PDT

LG Wireless Charging Pad features industry leading charging efficiency
Read the full story here.


Verizon CEO: No interest in Sprint or blocking AT&T / T-Mobile deal

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:45 AM PDT

Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel Mead has stated that he has no interest in purchasing competing CDMA carrier Sprint, despite AT&T's planned T-Mobile buyout. Mead claims that Verizon does not need Sprint. The purchase of T-Mobile by AT&T will leapfrog AT&T over Verizon into first position among wireless carriers in the U.S. Mead also doesn't seem to be concerned with blocking the acquisition either. "Anything can go through if you make enough concessions," he said, implying that AT&T will have to give up a lot to get through regulatory approval for the purchase.
Read the full story here.


Sprint HTC EVO 3D, EVO View tablet spotted ahead of launch

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:37 AM PDT

The highly-anticipated HTC EVO 3D smartphone and EVO View tablet have been spotted on Sprint's website ahead of launch. There are not many confirmed details, but we do get a look at a pic of each device (even though the EVO 3D pic looks suspiciously like the EVO Shift). We expect to see these launched later today at Sprint's press conference here at CTIA 2011. In the meantime, check them out here and here.
Read the full story here.


Intel can't sell smartphone chips, exec quits

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:32 AM PDT

Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Ultra Mobility Group, has quit the company, stating that he will be pursuing other interests. He will be immediately replaced by Mike Bell and Dave Whalen who will co-manage the group. Intel has struggled with entering the smartphone market that has been dominated by other chip manufacturers such as Apple, Qualcomm, and Samsung. Its first foray, called Moorestown, designed to power smartphones and tablets, did not sell well. Its second attempt, named Medfield, has yet to hit the market. Despite the difficulties, "Intel remains committed to this business," stated executive vice president David Perlmutter.
Read the full story here.


Press Release: DOCOMO to Begin Selling Xperia™ arc SO-01C Smartphone on March 24

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:28 AM PDT

Apple iPad 2 arrives in 25 countries starting March 25

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:21 AM PDT

Ever the one to steal spotlight from another event, Apple has released a press release today announcing the availability of the iPad 2 in 25 more countries this Friday, March 25. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK are the lucky ones for this week as Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Asian countries will have to wait until April. It looks like the anticipated delays because of natural disasters in Japan and immense sales of the iPad 2 in the States have not stopped Apple from continuing with its plan of world domination in the tablet market.
Read the full story here.


T-Mobile introduces broadband products to accompany 42Mbps HSPA+

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:18 AM PDT

Despite the news of AT&T purchasing T-Mobile, T-Mobile has not stopped the announcement of new products and services here at CTIA 2011. Announced to go along with the new 42Mbps HSPA+ networks in New York and other cities, T-Mobile has introduced a few new broadband products to take advantage of the higher speeds.
Read the full story here.


Press Release: LiMo 4 Device Class Specifications Finalized

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:16 AM PDT

Class specifications will accelerate worldwide commercial deployment of LiMo 4 devices
Read the full story here.


China: We're not blocking Gmail

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:07 AM PDT

Following up with yesterday's news that Google is accusing China of blocking access to Gmail, China has responded with that it is not in fact. A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman called it an "unacceptable accusation." This is just another notch in the on-going battle between Google and China.
Read the full story here.


Apple, Nokia, RIM, Motorola, others sued for patent infringement

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 06:03 AM PDT

Imperium Holdings, a Dallas-based company, has filed a lawsuit against several mobile phone manufacturers with regards to a number of alleged patent violations. You may have heard of the defendants: Apple, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Nokia, RIM, and Sony Ericsson. Imperium Holdings claims that these defendants have been in violation of six different patents concerned with imaging sensors. One patent, in particular, concerns flicker reduction under fluorescent lighting. Another concerns pixel correction, and one of the patents pertains to how CMOS cameras use several analog-to-digital (A/D) converters to achieve high frame rates. These patents are held by Conextant and ESS Technology, and the lawsuit was filed in U.S. Eastern District Court in Texas.
Read the full story here.


T-Mobile introduces G2X, dual-core Android smartphone built by LG

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 05:53 AM PDT

T-Mobile has announced the T-Mobile G2x here at CTIA 2011, a dual-core, 4-inch Android smartphone built by LG.
Read the full story here.


Firefox 4 RC now available for Android, Maemo devices

Posted: 22 Mar 2011 05:50 AM PDT

After many alpha and beta revisions, Mozilla has released the Firefox 4 release candidate for mobile phones and tablets.
Read the full story here.


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