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Google throws hidden Easter egg into iOS search
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Google, Internet,
Google has thrown an Easter egg into their iPhone and iPod touch search. To see it, launch Safari, and top on the Google search box. Now type the word "tilt" or the word "askew" and hit search. Enjoy.
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A look at the remarkable rise of Android, and where it goes from here
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Google, Software,
Two and a half years ago, Sergey Brin, Larry Page and T-Mobile introduced the world to the very first phone, the G1. It was a good phone with a workmanlike design, decent keyboard, an average screen and lots of Google goodness built right into it. No one, least of all me, thought it stood much of a chance against the surging Apple iPhone.
For a solid year, the platform looked like a dud. But a funny thing happened on the way to the morgue.
Seven months later, T-Mobile unveiled the keyboard-less MyTouch 3G. As before, it was a nice looking, though slightly curvier, Android phone. It wasn't until the fall of 2009, more than a year after the G1 and Android's launch, that the platform got interesting. That was when Motorola started talking openly about the Droid. By casting aside just two letters and joining with the leading mobile carrier that didn't get the iPhone, Motorola and Google signaled their intention to make Android bolder, sexier and far more desirable.
Click to continue reading A look at the remarkable rise of Android, and where it goes from here
Facebook brings event check-ins, unfriending to iPhone app
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,
Facebook yesterday updated its iPhone app to version 3.4, bringing enhancements to the News Feed and notifications UI as well as the option to check-in to Facebook Events on the go. For unfriending that cannot wait until you get back to your desktop, the app adds that, too.
The signature feature of the update, of course, is the mobile check-ins for Facebook Events. We previously reported that Facebook added another layer to its location-based functionality by including a check-in icon available on the day of a given event. The company had pledged to launch the feature soon on the iPhone and their mobile site. Yesterday's update fulfills that pledge.
Formerly, the only way you could check in to a Facebook Event was through Facebook Places, which entailed checking in to locations as you would with Foursquare or Gowalla. Now users can check-in to events themselves, opening up new possibilities for companies and individuals. For example, you could arrange contests at events.
Click to continue reading Facebook brings event check-ins, unfriending to iPhone app
AT&T iPhone 4 drops more than twice as many calls as Verizon version
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Wireless / WiFi,
While the overal satisfaction rates with the AT&T and Verizon versions of the iPhone 4 are "virtually indistinguishable," consumers on the Verizon iPhone report fewer dropped calls, according to a report released this morning.
Of the 4,068 people surveyed by ChangeWave Research last month, about 82 percent of Verizon subscribers are "very satisifed" with their iPhone 4 and 80 percent of AT&T iPhone 4 users feel the same.
Customers on Verizon, however, reported a 1.8 percent dropped-call rate on the iPhone 4, while AT&T landed at 4.8 percent.
"Similar to the historical patterns in our overall industry findings – Verizon iPhone 4 owners currently report a lower dropped call rate than their AT&T iPhone 4 counterparts," ChangeWave said.
The company noted, however, that Verizon is in the early days of offering the iPhone 4; it debuted in early February. "It remains to be seen how well the Verizon network performs as the number of Verizon iPhone 4 owners ramps up and inevitably puts more pressure on their system," ChangeWave said.
Click to continue reading AT&T iPhone 4 drops more than twice as many calls as Verizon version
Rumor: No iPhone 5 this summer, fall debut instead
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
The iPhone 5 might not make its debut until October or later, according to a Monday report.
Citing a translated story on Macotakara.jp, AppleInsider said today that Apple has not yet ordered components for the next-generation iPhone. As a result, the iPhone 5 might be planned for Apple's 2012 fiscal year, which begins on September 25.
The Macotakara report predicted an iPhone 5 launch in the first half of fiscal 2012, but as AppleInsider notes, Apple probably won't miss the opportunity for holiday season sales, making an October or November launch most likely.
The iPhone 4 was released at last year's Worldwide Developer Conference in June, but this year, the focus will be on software, according to Apple.
Click to continue reading Rumor: No iPhone 5 this summer, fall debut instead
Will the Nintendo 3DS pave the way for a 3D iPhone?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Video Games,
The new Nintendo 3DS promises to be a success not only because it actually works well and does indeed provide a 3D image without any glasses or aid whatsoever, but because it takes amusing 3D photos and is just fun to play with.
When all is said and done, the Nintendo 3DS may actually accomplish what Fuji has been promoting and what many 3D hobbyists have tried: popularizing 3D photography for everyday use.
And, yes, we know that it's a gimmick. But it's a cool gimmick.
After taking a few 3D pictures of just about anything, you'll find that they are so compelling that it is hard to express the odd joy you get from them. This is the key to the eventual success of home 3D. It has always failed in the past, because it was somebody else's 3D. It was never personal.
Photography itself never flourished as a hobby when the cameras were the big bulky clunkers utilized by Matthew Brady and others. Think about this. Photography was nothing new during the Civil War in the 1860's, but all the photos were done by a limited number of pros. You have to wonder what the Civil War would have been like if everyone had a cell phone camera like we do today.
Then Kodak produced the Brownie and gave photography to everyman. Next thing you knew, photography became the number one hobby in the world. 3D is following that same pattern. It's just odd that a game company, Nintendo, is the Kodak and the 3DS is the Brownie.
Click to continue reading Will the Nintendo 3DS pave the way for a 3D iPhone?
iOS 4.3.1 now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Apple just released iOS 4.3.1 to the world, aiming to fix things like iPod touch display issues, AV-out troubles, problems with enterprise apps, and a few other bugs that were hanging around. If you've been running iOS 4.3 and have been experiencing a few niggles, chances are this'll clear that up. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iTunes and grab the update.
AT&T warns users they’ll be charged if the continue unauthorized tethering
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News,
AT&T confirmed Friday that it has contacted a small number of its smartphone users and ordered them to stop tethering their phones without paying for AT&T's tethering service or the carrier will automatically add tethering to their monthly bills.
"We are sending emails, letter and text messages to a small number of smartphone customers who use their devices for tethering but aren't on the required tethering plan. Our goal is fairness for all of our customers," an AT&T spokesman said in an email.
The alerts give users the option to stop tethering and continue on their current plan, call AT&T and add tethering to their plan, or risk having AT&T automatically bump them to a tethering plan.
AT&T said the warnings impact a "small percentage of our smartphone customer base."
According to Ars Technica, users have until March 27 to make their choices, after which the automatic tethering plans will go into effect.
AT&T smartphone users have the choice of 200MB for $15 per month or 2GB for $25 per month. A DataPro plan adds 2GB for $20 extra per month for a total of 4GB for $45 per month.
Click to continue reading AT&T warns users they’ll be charged if the continue unauthorized tethering
Filmaster for iPhone to be the Foursquare of film
Posted by Reza Malayeri Categories: Entertainment, New Apps, Free Apps,
Filmaster is a brand new application that was released at SXSW this year. The app is developed by a Polish development team, and their aim is to position Filmaster as the "Foursquare of film". Filmaster is a free application in the app store, and it offers lots of features for movie goers around the globe. The main idea of the app is to recommend films based on users likes and preferences, and allow them to interact with their friends and fellow movie goers. Some of the Filmaster features listed on the App Store include:
- Personalized movie recommendations in your area
- Check into screenings, and see who's sitting next to you
- Find film buffs with similar tastes where you live
- Manage your personal film collection, and your wish list
There are many more features of Filmaster on the app store for you to explore, so head on over and check out this awesome new app. Filmaster promises to bring Foursquare integration, TV showtimes, and live-walls for events really soon. What do you think of apps like Filmaster and GetGlue? Do you check into TV shows with IntoNow? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Phil Schiller confirms white iPhone 4 set for Spring launch
Posted by Reza Malayeri Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,
It looks like Apple executive Phil Schiller let the cat out of the bag on the white iPhone release date over the weekend. He promised a spring release date for the white iPhone. Apple has delayed the launch of the white iPhone 4 several times for various reasons. The problem with the device was "light leakage" from around the edges of the glass. The white paint on the iPhone was causing light to leak, and Apple developed a special manufacturing process to combat the problem. There were also rumors that Apple was not happy with the original shade of white that was being produced at the manufacturing plant.
Click to continue reading Phil Schiller confirms white iPhone 4 set for Spring launch
