GearCrave » Phones

Sprint Sees Record Sales, Thanks to Palm Pre

Jared Newman — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:14:09 +0000

Yesterday’s announcement from Apple might’ve damped Palm’s parade, but at least the Pre and exclusive carrier Sprint had a wild weekend. Sprint Nextel says it broke its single day and single weekend sales records thanks to the new smartphone, though it’s not offering specific figures. Analysts guess that between 50,000 and 100,000 Pres were sold. If that’s the case, it’s easy to see why Sprint is staying silent on the numbers: Apple sold one million iPhone 3G phones in its debut weekend. If Palm is really supposed to rival the iPhone, it will probably want to avoid direct sales comparisons. Supply shortages will make it even harder for the Pre to catch up, but a sell-out’s a sell-out, right? [via CNet]

Apple’s iPhone 3GS Revealed

Jared Newman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:50:24 +0000

You just knew something iPhone-related was going to happen at Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference today. The reality doesn’t quite match the rumors we saw last month, but there’s a surprisingly high ratio of information that was on the mark. With an extra “S” for “speed,” the iPhone 3GS runs up to two times faster than its predecessor and holds either 16 GB or 32 GB compared to the 8 GB iPhone 3G. Battery life has grown, but not by 50 percent, and there is indeed a built-in compass and a glowing Apple logo on the back. Best of all, the new iPhone shoots and edits video and has improved camera features such as touchscreen autofocus and autoexposure. Voice commands are now possible as well. What didn’t pan out? The OLED screen and the FM transmitter. Maybe next time. For now, the 16 GB and 32 GB models will cost $199 and $299 respectively when they go on sale June 19. Also, the old iPhone 3G gets a price cut to $99 today. [Apple]

A Little Longer on iPhone 3.0

Carl Weiss — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:00:41 +0000

Though many are waiting with bated breath for the newest iPhone release, an article by Gadget Lab indicates that it’s unlikely the new operating system will be ready for release at next week’s World Wide Developers Conference. It appears that the completion of the 3.0 system hinges on a new in-app commerce feature that would allow for sale of things like songs and gaming accessories within iPhone applications. This feature is not quite ready for prime time. No new OS, no new iPhone. The article estimates that it will take three or four more weeks for Apple to get the OS tested and completed, so hopefully we’ll see it sometime in early July. An announcement of availability is expected at WWDC. [via Gadget Lab]

What App Store? Nokia’s Ovi Store Debuts

Jared Newman — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:30:46 +0000

Nokia Ovi App Store – Nokia’s mobile application store, dubbed the Ovi Store, may have launched with a bang, but not in ways the company hoped for. Users are reporting a lack of applications, slow access and trouble signing in. There’s an Ovi for that? The store is supposed to make a splash simply by virtue of its reach, being accessible by 50 million devices in multiple languages and countries. I guess things went better than the company thought, because it’s blaming the opening day jitters on “extraordinarily high spikes of traffic.” That’s the problem with online stores: When something sells out in a physical store, it makes the product seem cool, but when demand wrecks a virtual outlet, it’s just obnoxious. [via Information Week]

iPhone 3.0 Specs Revealed?

Jared Newman — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:00:52 +0000

A better camera, more capacity and an OLED screen may be in store, according to a report by Apple iPhone Apps. The site quotes “a source who is closely connected to Apple’s hardware development team” in listing the specs. Notably, capacity may double to 32 GB and 16 GB models, the pixel count on the camera may jump from 2 million to 3.2 million and battery life could grow by 50 percent. The new iPhone may also include video recording and editing, a built-in FM transmitter, a built-in compass and turn-by-turn directions. For stylistas, the design will apparently be sleeker, losing the metal band around the sides and gaining glowing Apple logo on the back. The release date is reportedly July 17. If any of these specs seem unlikely, I feel like the whole report could just be wishful thinking, but there’s also some probable specs in here too. We’ll find out soon enough. [Apple iPhone Apps via Wired]

Palm Pre Price and Date: $200, June 6

Jared Newman — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:00:39 +0000

We’ve subsisted on hype long enough. The final details on the Palm Pre have come into view. All we do now is wait for June 6, when you can plunk down $200 (after rebate, natch), sign your soul away in a two-year service agreement with Sprint and raise your new smartphone in triumph. We’ve known the specs for a while now: 3.1-inch 320×480 resolution display, sliding QWERTY keyboard, a 3 megapixel camera with LED flash and 8 GB of built-in flash memory. Palm’s also talking up its WebOS platform, which makes for smooth multitasking between business and entertainment uses. With service plans that mimic those of AT&T and the iPhone — $70 for 450 minutes and so on — will the Pre be able to sway those who haven’t joined the Church of Apple? We’ll see. [Sprint via Crave]

Microsoft: June’s for the Zune, Don’t Buy iPhone/Pre

Jared Newman — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:00:51 +0000

Twitter’s the new tech hype machine, and if you keep your ears to the wire, you’ll get tidbits of news in unlikely places. The latest comes from Microsoft’s Office ‘10 Twitter page, which has oddly dedicated 40 percent of its posts so far to Zune-related issues. First, we’re told that June 2009 will be “an important month for Zune lovers,” followed by confirmation of a new product launch. “Hold off from buying an iPhone/Pre,” the feed sayeth. There are other dots to connect here. We’ve heard that Microsoft is working on an iPhone rival, codenamed Pink, plus the possibility of a Zune HD. Then, there’s the fact that E3 falls on the first week of June, raising the possibility of some Xbox connection. Also, Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hyrb is tweeting about “the coolest opportunity I’ve had in a long time.” So the takeaway is this: Microsoft is working on something, and they think it’s going to be awesome. [Twitter via Engadget]

Boost Bolsters Sprint, But At a Price

Jared Newman — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:00:34 +0000

Boost Mobile Service Problems Due to Surprising Growth – Verizon can talk about the strength of its network, and AT&T can peddle its rollover minutes, but in the end, customers are looking for a bargain. That’s why Boost, the prepaid service that’s part of Sprint, is growing on the might of its $50 unlimited phone, text and data plan, even as Sprint itself sheds subscribers.

The average estimate from seven analysts, according to Reuters, puts 180,000 more subscribers over to Boost in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Sprint is expected to lose 1.1 million postpaid subscribers. Overall, Boost is giving hope to the company, with Sprint shares doubling in the first quarter. Boost may not be enough to save the ailing Sprint, but one analyst said it’s at least doing well enough to sell out phones in some areas.

Still, with growth comes the stress of a larger subscriber base, and Boost is feeling it. Users are reporting delays in the delivery of text messages, which can arrive hours late. In denying that the problems point to an underlying issue with the network, a spokesman told the Associated Press that this is, in fact, a matter of growing pains.

“The popularity of Boost Mobile caught us off guard. It overwhelmed our system,” John Votava said, adding that the problems would likely be “much improved” by next week. Hopefully your friends won’t have any troubling finding out Where You At by then. [via AP and Reuters]

Google and Smartphone Makers Sued Over “Android” Name

Jared Newman — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:00:12 +0000

There’s money in the smartphone business, especially if your company’s name becomes coveted by cell phone OS makers. Erich Sprecht, who runs Illinois-based Android Data Corp., has sued Google and 46 other companies including T-Mobile, Samsung and Motorola for stealing the Android name. He’s seeking $96 million, and it’s believed the parties will settle because of how many companies are involved. Alternatively, a restraining order could require a massive rebranding effort. This may seem like a simple money grab, but the case has some meat on it: The US Patent and Trademark Office has rejected Google’s application for the Android trademark several times due to Android Data’s presence, despite the Google’s claim that the name sat unused for many years before being reactivated. See also: Apple and Cisco’s tussle over the iPhone brand. It’s easy to cash in with just a little foresight. [Forbes via Electronista]

Is Microsoft Making an iPhone Rival? Probably.

Jared Newman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:00:53 +0000

Word on the Wall Street Journal is that Microsoft is teaming up with Verizon to create an iPhone-like smartphone, complete with a touch screen and apps for sale at the Windows Marketplace. Reportedly, Microsoft will design the software and hardware, then hand the manufacturing off to a third party, kind of like Google does with its Android operating system. This isn’t a surprising rumor, but there’s a twist: USA Today reported that Verizon is in talks with Apple to reel in the iPhone. Could both of these unconfirmed stories pan out? Maybe, but get ready for yet another shocker: BusinessWeek says Verizon and Apple are actually working on an “iPhone lite” and a media pad that only includes Wi-Fi for making calls. With so many crazy rumors packed into such a short period of time, they can’t all pan out. Which one would you like to see the most? [Wall Street Jounal via Engadget]

Samsung Turns to Android for I7500 Smartphone

Jared Newman — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:21 +0000

In the war for smartphone operating system supremacy, Google’s Android has earned another recruit. Samsung’s I7500 will be the first smartphone from a major worldwide cell phone manufacturer. The 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is good for viewing all sorts of Google services, such as Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps, along with apps from the Android Market. Other features include HSDPA and Wi-Fi support, a 5-megapixel camera, GPS and 8 GB of storage, plus a Micro SD slot for up to 32 GB more space. The I7500 is coming to major European markets in June, with no official word on a US release. However, Crave notes that the smartphone’s supported bands are compatible with T-Mobile’s 3G network. Perhaps a US announcement isn’t far behind. [via Akihabara News]

In the US, T-Mobile Moves a Million G1s

Jared Newman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:00:40 +0000

The headline says it all. Good job T-Mobile, for selling a million G1 smartphones, or 66 percent of your total US 3G sales. Android will be so proud. We’re not talking Apple or Blackberry levels of market share here, but it’s a great start considering the smartphone only launched in October of last year, and with no 3G coverage at that. Deutsche Telekom, which reported the statistics, says 3G smartphones will be a major selling point in the year ahead. Accordingly, T-Mobile will expand its US “points of presence” under the 3G network from 107 million to 205 million. It’s going to be a bloodbath as telecoms try to sell you their fancy handsets. [Deutsche Telekom via Engadget]

GearCrave » Phones

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