T-Mobile is about to announce additional support for iPhones on its network, but read that well: "additional," meaning not support for an official iPhone on the T-Mobile, but rather more support for unlocked iPhones on their network, which are sadly running on EDGE.
T-Mobile announced in June of 2011 that they were aware of about 1 million iPhone users on their network, using unlocked devices (a large percentage of them, of course, are jailbroken). They are all running on 2.5G, or EDGE, since T-Mobile and AT&T 3G frequencies differ.
The report indicates that T-Mobile will, on Jan. 30, “begin offering additional support to customers using an Apple iPhone on our network.” In addition, T-Mobile's new iPhone support will include “common procedures, information about feature and specifications and other basic device questions.”
What T-Mobile really wants is the iPhone on its network, natively. It's said before that it's waiting for Apple to pull the trigger. Of the Big Four U.S. wireless carriers, T-Mobile is the only one without an iPhone. Even a small regional carrier, C-Spire, has access to the iPhone 4S.
Although much of our hardware is designed for obsolescence, so we absolutely, positively MUST buy something new, there are those who still hang onto their old stuff, because it still just works. And if you've got an iPhone 2G (you remember that old EDGE version?), iPhone 3G, or a first or second generation iPod touch, Whited00r 5.1 can bring iOS 5 looks --- and some of its feature set --- to iDevices currently stuck running iOS 3.1.3.
Among the improvements you'll see is multitasking (tuned for low memory environments), folders, reminders, a sort-of-iCloud which uses DropBox, Newsstand and much more. As you might assume, its jailbroken by default.
You won't, however, get the new Notification Center or the App Store.
Why do this instead of buying new hardware? Good question. Maybe you've been saving that old junky iPhone 2G for your kids, so you won't have to buy them a new iPhone, but want to spiff it up some for them.
At any rate, it's an impressive custom OS. If you've got the (obsolete) hardware, go for it. It's free, though donations are welcomed.
Sprint and Google have both confirmed something that was revealed last week after an ad was accidentally posted early: the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the world's first Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) device will be coming to Sprint in 4G LTE form.
Google first made the announcement on Twitter, and Sprint followed up with a press release.
In addition to the news about the device itself, it's also been confirmed that the Sprint version of the device will carry Google Wallet. Prior to launch, it was a point of contention when it was revealed that the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus would not have Google Wallet, because Verizon is developing its own alternative called ISIS.
Other details were not provided, including pricing and availability, but we expect pricing to be similar to the Verizon version. Based on the earlier ad, the Sprint version will have a 1.5GHz processor opposed to the 1.2GHz one currently running on Verizon's version.
As an LTE device, we expect that the rollout will have to wait until Sprint's LTE network goes live. On Jan. 5, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse announced that the first customers to get LTE will be in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Sprint added that this rollout will happen "in the first half of 2012."
Two other LTE devices were announced. One was the LG Viper 4G LTE, which is, Sprint said, an eco-friendly device, including recycled plastic and a charger with a no-load consumption rating of .03W. The Viper will be a Gingerbread device sporting a 1.2GHz dual core processor, a 5MP rear-facing camera and a VGA-rated front-facing camera. Screen-wise, it will carry a 4-inch WVGA NOVA display, hotspot capability and the typical microSD slot. Sprint's press release didn't say how much internal storage the device will have.
Sprint also announced a 4G LTE mobile broadband device, Sierra Wireless Tri-Network Hotspot. By tri-network, it will support Sprint's 3G, 4G WiMax and 4G LTE as well.
Sprint was clear to trumpet its unlimited data plans, so that means that --- at least through the introduction of its LTE network and somewhat beyond --- Sprint won't be removing that "perk."
Amazon.com has promised to make a paid app free every day in the Amazon Appstore, and today's app is Splashtop Remote Desktop.
Splashtop Remote Desktop is priced at $4.99 in the Android Market. It is normally priced at $4.99 in the Amazon Appstore. As we've noted previously, prices sometimes differ between the two marketplaces.
Splashtop Remote Desktop is described as follows:
You're out and about with your Android device and you suddenly realize that you need to access a file sitting on your home computer. You're stuck, right? Not if you have Splashtop Remote Desktop, an app that brings your entire computer to your phone or tablet.
Note: If you have an Android 3.x tablet, it is recommended that you download Splashtop Remote Desktop HD. This version features enhanced performance and is optimized specifically for Android 3.x/Tegra-based tablets.
Complete Virtual Access
With this app, you can control your home computer from your Android device via Wi-Fi or a 3G/4G connection. Get Splashtop Remote Desktop and you can view your desktop, use your regular Web browser with your plug-ins and bookmarks, and access all your important PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook files.
Liberate Your Multimedia
Want to listen to music or watch movies that are "trapped" on your computer while you're on the go? Not a problem. Splashtop Remote Desktop can smoothly stream high-res video and audio from your PC or Mac to your Android device. Watch videos in any format (including Flash), listen to your entire music library, and play PC games to your heart's content.
Do It All, Wherever You Are
With Splashtop Remote Desktop you can:
Watch Flash videos (Hulu, AOL Video, Yahoo Video, etc.), DVDs, and Media Center content
Listen to music stored on your computer in any format (WMV, Real, WMA, MP3, AAC, etc.)
Play 3D games such as World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Civilization V, and more
Play Facebook Flash games like FarmVille, CityVille, Pet Society, Cafe World, FrontierVille, and Mafia Wars
Use non-Android programs such as Quicken and iPhoto
Note that to use this app, you must also install Splashtop Streamer on your home computer; this can be downloaded free from Splashtop's website. A dual-core CPU is strongly recommended for the best performance. Splashtop Remote Desktop works only devices running Android OS 2.2 or higher. It supports all versions of Windows 7, Vista, and XP, including Home Premium. Mac users must have at least Snow Leopard (10.6).
Splashtop Remote Desktop has a rating of 4.1 stars in the Android Market, and a rating of 3.8 stars in the Amazon Appstore.
Another non-game, so thank you Amazon.com. This app outperforms its rivals, but as has been admitted on Splashtop's official support forum, encryption has been omitted to maximize performance. You have to set a password on both your home and desktop computer, which means that things aren't wide open, but still.
In addition, as long as you have secured your home wi-fi network, you'll still be protected, but without encryption, if you happen to use a public open wi-fi hotspot, you're vulnerable. That's not to say anyone will be snooping (not even Google), but it's something to keep in mind.
That said, optional encryption is on the Splashtop roadmap. Note: the HD version of the app is not a FAOTD.
Those who are considering "buying" a Free Amazon Appstore app might want to consider what it means to developers.
Amazon.com opened up the Appstore despite a lawsuit by Apple, which has previously trademarked the term "App Store." Microsoft has filed an appeal against that trademark, saying the term is too generic. Amazon.com has responded to the lawsuit in the same manner.
Until fairly recently, Verizon has "owned" true LTE in the U.S. since it launched its service in late 2010, but with AT&T beginning to roll out its LTE to a "more respectable" set of American, the question can now be asked: which LTE service, Verizon's or AT&T's, is faster?
The answer, at least according to Metrico Wireless, a company that performs network and mobile device analytics, is AT&T. According to Metrico, the average download speed on AT&T's nascent LTE network is 13,175 kbps, while Verizon's is 10,153. That's a pretty decent sized difference, though nowhere near the difference between the two carriers' respective 3G speeds (1,995 kbps for AT&T and 1,131 for Verizon).
Those numbers also mean, by the way, that Verizon's 4G LTE service is 797 percent faster than its 3G CDMA service, while AT&T's 4G LTE service is 560 percent faster than its 3G GSM service.
The devices tested were the following:
AT&T
HTC Vivid (AT&T)
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket (AT&T)
(Along with the LG Nitro HD, these are currently the only LTE handsets on the AT&T network) Verizon
HTC ThunderBolt (Verizon)
Motorola Driod Bionic (Verizon)
Samsung Droid Charge (Verizon)
(Verizon has a much larger selection of handsets, and the Thunderbolt, for one, we would call obsolete. Other options in terms of LTE on the Verizon network include the Samsung Stratosphere, the Motorola Droid RAZR, and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the world's first Ice Cream Sandwich device).
While AT&T's 4G LTE network speeds are much faster than Verizon's, Metrico believes this is probably a result of the number of subscribers sucking up Verizon's bandwidth. As of April, Verizon had over half a million LTE subscribers, while AT&T didn't even launch its LTE network until this summer, and in five measly markets to start with, as well.
Why isn't HSPA+ addressed by this report? HSPA+ has been labeled faux 4G, or even just play faux G. Originally, despite claims by T-Mobile that HSPA+ was 4G, the ITU, which is the standards body that decides what's 3G, 4G, etc. wasn't even going to allow first-generation LTE to be called 4G.
It later relented, under what was probably a lot of carrier pressure, and even allowed HSPA+ to be called 4G.
A German court has ruled in Motorola Mobility's favour in a patents dispute with Apple.
The Android smartphone maker had complained that Apple failed to license one of its wireless intellectual properties.
Apple uses the technology in its iPhones and 3G iPads.
Motorola could now try to force Apple to remove the feature from its devices or halt sales in Germany. However, Apple said it intended to appeal.
Motorola said the ruling validated its "efforts to enforce its patents against Apple's infringement".
Apple responded: "We're going to appeal the court's ruling right away. Holiday shoppers in Germany should have no problem finding the iPad or iPhone they want."
If Motorola does decide to pursue an injunction blocking sales of Apple's products the case could result in a clash between the iPad maker and Google - Motorola's shareholders have approved the search giant's takeover of their company and the deal is due to be completed in 2012.
Fighting times
The case relates to Motorola's patent for a "method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system".
Motorola licenses this patent to others on Frand (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms.
The owner of a Frand-type patent is obligated to license out its technology to third-parties because the invention has been declared to be essential to an industry standard.
Apple had offered to pay a Frand-set fee in the future and was willing to pay a similar rate for past infringements. But it lost the case because it tried to retain the right to contest the validity of the patent with a view to past damages.
It tried to do this because Motorola had defended its right to charge an above-Frand rate for Apple's use of its technology over the past four years. This could have been many times higher than the rate Apple was willing to pay and potentially very expensive.
Motorola will have to post a 100m euro (£85m; $133m) bond if it wishes to enforce a sales injunction against Apple. The cash would cover compensation to Apple if the ruling was later overturned.
Motorola welcomed the ruling.
"We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our intellectual property, as the company's patent portfolio and licensing agreements with companies both in the US and around the world are critical to our business," said Scott Offer, senior vice-president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility.
Amazon.com announced that Black Friday sales of its Kindle family of products showed a 4x increase year over year. Of course, typical for Amazon.com, its press release didn't include any actual numbers, but 4x is 4x.
Sales were fueled not by just the new Kindle Fire, but by lower prices across the product line. In addition to the $199 Kindle Fire Android tablet, Amazon.com also sells a $79 Kindle e-reader, the $99 Kindle Touch, and the $149 Kindle Touch 3G. It also continues to sell the keyboarded versions, the Kindle Keyboard and the Kindle Keyboard 3G.
It's unclear what the breakdown is between the different Kindle models. It's clear that the Fire leads the pack, though. Amazon.com says that, eight weeks after its introduction, the Kindle Fire continues to be the bestselling product across all of Amazon.com.
If there is any question about whether or not the Kindle Fire will be able to dent the iPad 2's market share, it was answered by comments made by Target in Amazon.com's press release. Nik Nayar, vice president merchandising, Target spelled it all out:
"This was a great Black Friday for Target and for Kindle Fire, which was the bestselling tablet in our stores on Black Friday," he said. "We're excited so many guests chose Target as their destination for the new family of Kindle devices and we're sure Kindle Fire will continue to be at the top of wish lists this holiday season."
That's an interesting statement, since Target also sells the iPad 2. The $300 price difference ($199 vs. the lowest-priced iPad 2's $499) is a considerable selling point, despite the minuses of the Kindle Fire (no cameras, less storage, etc., etc.).
Certainly, Amazon.com's ecosystem helps sales of the Kindle Fire. We already know that Amazon.com loses money on the Kindle Fire when just a device sale are taken into account.
But the Fire is meant to goose sales of other products, and not just Android apps or e-books. The fact that Amazon Prime gives owners of Fires ... and even non-owners of Fires access to many Amazon Instant videos for free can only help sales of Amazon.com's cash cow, Amazon Prime, which costs $79 annually.
Well, that was fast. The iPhone 4S, despite only being launched slightly more than a month ago, is already the No. 2 camera phone on Flickr.
It's not anywhere near close to the iPhone 4, however. The iPhone 4 ranks as the No. 1 camera, not just camera phone, on Flickr. It took that honor away from the Nikon D90 sometime in June of this year.
In 2009, the iPhone first rose to the top of cameras on Flickr. However, at the time, Flickr was bundling all the different iPhone models together. Now, it breaks them apart into separate categories.
Right now, in fact, the top camera phones are the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 3G, and the iPhone 3GS. The HTC Evo 4G is the only non-iPhone in the top 5.
In terms of cameras, overall, it's the iPhone 4, the Nikon D90, and then three Canons: the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS REBEL T2i, and the Canon EOS 7D.
Well, that was fast. The iPhone 4S, despite only being launched slightly more than a month ago, is already the No. 2 camera phone on Flickr.
It's not anywhere near close to the iPhone 4, however. The iPhone 4 ranks as the No. 1 camera, not just camera phone, on Flickr. It took that honor away from the Nikon D90 sometime in June of this year.
In 2009, the iPhone first rose to the top of cameras on Flickr. However, at the time, Flickr was bundling all the different iPhone models together. Now, it breaks them apart into separate categories.
Right now, in fact, the top camera phones are the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 3G, and the iPhone 3GS. The HTC Evo 4G is the only non-iPhone in the top 5.
In terms of cameras, overall, it's the iPhone 4, the Nikon D90, and then three Canons: the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS REBEL T2i, and the Canon EOS 7D.
On Thursday at 9 a.m. PST, Toyota began taking orders for the new Prius Plug-in hybrid car scheduled for release sometime in the spring. The results were a website that kept telling people they were entering the wrong username and password, among other errors, as the site was overwhelmed by traffic.
It's unclear if it was timed as such, or just a coincidence, but the launch of the Toyota Prius Plug-in (not Plug-in Prius, thank you) ordering process came at the same time as the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Once users could get into the site, ordering went smoothly. You could pick your options (and there weren't that many, as these things come pretty fully loaded) and submit your configuration, including color and selected local dealer. Once done, an email confirmation was sent to each customer.
The email said their dealer of choice would be calling them.
Notably, we wanted a Prius Plug-in ourselves, so we ordered one. Also notably, we had an appointment, so to avoid missing it, we ordered the car on-the-road using a 3G iPad 2 ... as the site was far too busy before we left to complete the order.
Friday, the dealer called and told us that unlike Nissan, which did the entire ordering process through the Web, customers actually had to go into the dealer to complete the reservation and pay the deposit. [Fulll disclosure: we ordered a Nissan Leaf earlier this year, only to discover after trolling owners' forums that the range of the Leaf in REAL-LIFE was insufficient without charging at our commute destination, which wasn't going to work for us.]
So, into the dealer we went. Unlike the Nissan Leaf, which only required a $500 deposit, the Prius Plug-in required a $500 deposit. Aside from that, and having to physically go to the dealer, it was pretty much the same process, and will remain so: just as with the Leaf, Toyota will send email updates on the progress of the car as it is built.
Unlike the Leaf, the Prius Plug-in requires only a 120-volt outlet to charge. It's not fully electric, and perhaps strangely so, as Toyota's Prius is probably considered "the" hybrid. Toyota hasn't produced any fully electric vehicles, although an all-electric RAV4 will be coming, but with drivetrains from Tesla.
Still, unlike an all-electric vehicle, there is no "range anxiety," which is the term dubbed for the feeling a Leaf or other electric vehicle driver gets when they are concerned about making it to the next charging station.
In California, speaking to the Toyota dealer, we were not surprised by some of his information. Most everyone who had ordered a Prius Plug-in wanted to get into the HOV lane. He even admitted: with the price premium of the Prius Plug-in vs. the normal Prius, a customer would need to drive "forever" to make up the difference.
Meanwhile, Volt owners need not apply for the HOV lane --- yet. Chevrolet still needs to make modifications to the Volt to qualify, and it's estimated that the delivery of such a Volt will be about the same timeframe as the Prius Plug-in.
Despite that, not just Californians are lining up to buy. For those in California, let's just hope there are enough of those green HOV lane stickers that begin being issued in January 2012 for all concerned.
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