Monday, October 3, 2011

Five reasons why I’m not getting an iPhone 5

With Apple’s grand unveiling just over 24 hours away, it seems only fitting that my last feature in an iPhone 5-less world should concern the Californians’ latest – and presumably greatest – smartphone. In some capacity.
Of course, we don’t know a bloody thing about it yet, so rather than retread speculative ground, I’ll explain why I’m not interested in picking up an iPhone 5. Insert: “Boo!” / “Yay!” / *nonchalant shrug* as appropriate.

Here, in no particular order, are five of the main reasons:
1. Won’t be able to get one anyway
I vividly remember the efforts one of my mates went to when the iPhone 4 first came out. After travelling dozens of miles and visiting several shops, he ultimately gave up and bought an HTC Desire instead.
I also remember the farce that followed the iPad 2’s “launch”, when it appeared online with an estimated shipping time of 4-5 weeks. Ridiculous.
We’re already hearing stories of possible production problems, and I’m not willing to waste any time trying to track down units or twiddling my thumbs for several weeks while Apple addresses its supply issues. It’s just a phone, man. Probably a pretty good one, but it is just a phone.
Of course, this is all speculation, but even if there were an abundance of iPhone 5s on shelves, I still probably wouldn’t bother. Probably. Read on.
Five reasons why I’m not getting an iPhone 52. Screen size
Having used an HTC Desire HD for the past few months, I really can’t imagine how I survived with the 3.5in display on my iPhone. I still use my iPod touch for iOS gaming and listening to music, and it seems reeeaaally tiny.
We’re expecting the iPhone 5 to have a 4in display, but – if anything – I’m looking to acquire more screen real estate, not sell up.
3. I love/hate Apple
I love Apple and cherish my many iDevices, but I absolutely despise the smug bastards and resent every second I spend using their junk. Cognitive dissonance, baby. I don’t think I’m alone here.
I have a MacBook, an iMac, an iPod touch, and I happily used an iPhone for years. Still, I can’t imagine going back to the iPhone, even disregarding the other points I’ve made here. Indeed, maybe it’s the overkill of Apple devices elsewhere in my flat that has me craving something different. Who knows how my brain works? Not me.
4. Samsung Google Nexus Prime
We’re really quite excited about the Samsung-developed Google Nexus Prime here at Mobot. Phil and I particularly so. Dave’s a bit of a dark horse though. I suspect he secretly wants a Nokia Sea Ray.
The latest Nexus Prime whispers suggest a 4.65in Super AMOLED display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 2,000mAh battery, and Ice Cream Sandwich. Sounds pretty freakin’ good to us.
Five reasons why I’m not getting an iPhone 5 

5. Windows Phone Mango

Ok, this reason is slightly tongue-in-cheek, and partly aimed at the Mobo-regulars who really don’t seem to like Windows Phone 7 for some reason, but… I reckon I’m more likely to go with something Mango flavoured than I am to pick up an iPhone 5.
Maybe it’s because I’m an Xbox man, maybe it’s the suggestion that Windows Phone will take second place in the OS race (ahem), or maybe I’m just an idiot. Yes, probably the third one.

Amazon considering the acquisition of Palm from HP

It has been reported that Amazon could possibly be looking to acquire Palm from HP. According to a report from VentureBeat, the internet shopping giant is said to be in earnest talks with HP to buy what still remains of the franchise and its beleaguered mobile platform, WebOS.
The report cites a source which is well placed, stating that as HP is looking to do away completely with Palm, and Amazon has come up as the likeliest name in the list of prospective buyers which are likely to make the deal. The report also noted a connection between both the companies as the CEO of Palm, Jon Rubinstein, who is currently working with HP on the WebOS platform was a member of the board of directors of Amazon last year.
Rubinstein had pointed towards such a possibility of a potential partnership with Amazon in an interview back in July. He said that Amazon is an ideal partner in this regard as the company has a lot of characteristics which will help it in expanding the WebOS platform and its ecosystem. He, however, did not comment about whether there were already negotiations taking place between both the companies. During the interview, the WebOS chief from HP, Stephen DeWitt, also played up the qualities of the retail giant Amazon.
He said that Amazon has a very close relationship with its customers, which is unlike any other company in the market. He added that it helps Amazon in knowing about the preferences of its end users. A spokesperson from HP did not comment on the news, stating that the company doesn’t comment on rumors, whereas the representatives from Amazon weren’t available for a statement.
Palm was acquired by HP in April last year for a price of $1.2 billion in an attempt to gain recognition in the global mobile market. However, the company eventually struggled to get Palm’s WebOS to give decent competition to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms. The company recently discontinued both WebOS and its recently released tablet, the TouchPad, a couple of weeks ago.
HP also announced some time ago that a split of the WebOS business is underway as the software operations are going to be transferred to another part of the company and that it will not develop any more hardware based on the OS during the fourth quarter.

LG Optimus 3D Update with 3D Conversion for Games Rolling Out Now

A while back we learned LG planned to up its 3D ante by providing a software update to their Optimus 3D that would provide tools to bring standard 2D games into the third dimension. That update, build number V10K, is rolling out now to some European Optimus 3D handsets. LG has compiled a list of compatible titles, but most games should be eligible for a run at 3D provided they are built on OpenGL (though a drop in performance may be noticed).
The update is currently only available using LG’s PC update utility, though it should eventually begin moving out over the air. For everyone else there is the XDA link below.
[via XDA]

Leaked screens of BBM for Android surface

One of the things about Blackberry devices that is most liked by users is the Blackberry Messenger service. If you are an Android user that used to have a Blackberry that may well be the only thing you really miss from the Blackberry. Apparently, that BBM service is heading to Android devices and will let you get back on BBM if you want.


TechRadar has landed what are supposedly the first screenshots of the BBM on Android to surface. The port from Blackberry to Android has been rumored in the past, but this is the first time screen shots have surfaced. BBM for Android is expected to land in 2012. The screen shots show the BBM icon on the Android home page of the device in the photos.
The other screen shot shows the contract profile page. The source of the leaked documents also claims that the BBM will work with push notifications on Android. The legitimacy of these screens can’t be verified so we have to be a little suspicious. What do you think? Are these shots real and are you excited to see BBM come to Android?
bbm-android-1 bbm-android-2 [via TechRadar]

ACME Installer demo shows off Android/WebOS dual-boot on HP TouchPad


There are geeks working hard out there to get Android onto the HP TouchPad that failed so brilliantly. The future of WebOS might be murky and the future of updates is something that many that own the TouchPad may be worrying about. With a port that allows Android to run on the TouchPad the little HP tablet would get a second life and more usability for the average geek. A video has landed on YouTube that shows a demo of ACME Installer with dual boot for the TouchPad.


The demo shows a geek with the ACME Installer mounting the TouchPad to a Mac and then moving some needed files over to the tablet. Once the files are over on the TouchPad, the files can be executed. To do this they create a folder called cminstall, copy a zip file over, and use the novacom program to start the ACME installer.
It doesn’t take that long to get Cyanogen 7 running on the tablet and you can swap back to WebOS whenever you want. The addition of the new OS needs only three files including the ACME installer, novacom, and cm-update payload file. The video points out that the demo doesn’t mean the ACME installer is close to release though. The Cyanogenmod was benchmarked not long ago.
Thanks for the tip Tony.




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XOOM 2 and Media Edition tablets spotted in Verizon database

Just last week we brought you news of the next version of Motrola’s XOOM tablet and its smaller 8-inch brother nicknamed “Media Edition”. Now it appears that these two tablets, code-named “Pasteur” and “Fleming” respectively, have appeared in Verizon’s Cellebrite database. Both devices are expected to debut later this year.


Both versions of the XOOM 2 feature up-to-date 4G radios and a modified tapering corner design (the better to ward off Apple’s attack lawyers). Initially it was speculated that the tablets would be running Android Honeycomb 3.2, but with Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility in its early stages, they might be fast-tracked to Ice Cream Sandwich before their release. Each uses a 5MP rear and 2MP front camera. No screen information is currently known, but based on some tipped hands-on experience, a standard 1280 x 800 resolution panel seems likely in both.
These tablets are not to be confused with the 7-inch Motorola tablet spotted earlier. That device is speculated for a November release, with the new 10-inch XOOM following in December. Of course, the presence of these XOOMs in Verizon’s database merely means that someone, somewhere is testing out new hardware. As always with tipsters, these estimates are subject to change.

HTC Sense Security Scare – Should you be worried?

So maybe you’ve heard that HTC has a bit of a security issue on it’s hands. Should you be worried? Let us take a moment to explain the situation and asses its severity to you.
Here’s the situation. When you initially set up a Sense enabled phone you’re presented with multiple preference choices. Specifically, your preference on HTC’s right to collect data from your device is the root of the problem, in this case. When you allow HTC to collect data, you give them the right to record things like what apps you use, where and how you use them, your account names, location, and call logs. It’s no secret that apps exist in the market that collect data such as this, but that’s just the problem. It’s no secret because those apps are required to express what permissions they require. In a somewhat similar fashion you voluntarily allow HTC those permissions when you check the box but they aren’t required to be explicitly expressed because Sense is essentially the operating system, rather than just an app. Alright, so despite how all that sounds, that isn’t the problem. The problem is that HTC has failed to sandbox their collected data meaning that currently the data is potentially accessible to other apps without them having to expressly declare permissions for collecting and using it.

Is it the end of the world? For most, probably not. Nevertheless, this was an irresponsible move on HTC’s part, even if it was unintentional. Hopefully they can redeem themselves some by fixing this issue quickly. As a reminder, the security issue only affects Sense ROMS with data collection enabled. So long as you didn’t allow HTC to collect data, then the issue doesn’t affect you. Also  if you are running a custom rom like CyanogenMod then the issue doesn’t affect you. If you have a rooted Sense ROM, you can patch the vulnerability by manually removing
/system/app/HtcLoggers.apk
Again, if you allow HTC data collection and stick to quality apps, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. It’s just disheartening to think some scuzzball developer may be using your location data without consent and sending it to some random server. Purchase reputable apps to help reduce the chance of that happening to you. Lastly, so as to maybe offer you a bit of relief, the data at risk does not include types such as SMS, IMs, or passwords.
We’re all still waiting for an official response from HTC on the matter.
[via androidcentral]

Now Amazon's in the frame to buy webOS

It's now pretty clear that the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet we saw launched through the week is just a placeholder for Amazon's grander slate ambitions, and we're expecting bigger and better from the online retail colossus in the months to come.
But now VentureBeat has given things a new twist by suggesting part of those ambitions may involve snapping up webOS and reworking it for its own needs.

In case you've forgotten, webOS is that much-loved mobile OS running on board the HP Pre3 and TouchPad – loved so much in fact that no-one seems willing to be able to make it work.
Palm developed it, then just about went bust. HP was next to step in, buying out Palm and webOS and promising to change the world. But a couple of months ago it decided to call it quits having not made nearly the impact it had been hoping for. HP hasn't actually confirmed it wants to sell webOS, but enough rumours have been swirling about to assume it's all but a certainty.
A few names have been mentioned in connection with throwing the platform a lifeline, including Samsung, HTC and even Facebook. Now we have Amazon too, it seems.
“A well-placed source tells us that HP is currently looking to rid itself of Palm as soon as possible, and that Amazon is the closest to finalizing the deal, among a handful of contenders,” VentureBeat says.
We should also add that in response HP dished up the usual “we don't comment on rumours” soundbite, while Amazon hasn't responded at all yet.
So we're still in pure rumour territory here, but we'll keep an eye out for new developments.

Bharti Airtel taps China’s ZTE to begin 4G roll-out in India

It may not be long until Indian mobile users have 4G technology at their fingers as Bharti Airtel’s plan to deploy wireless broadband advances.
Bharti, India’s largest operator, has asked Chinese telcom equipment giant ZTE to begin phase one of its 4G network roll-out initially in the Kolkata region only, according to a report from Economics Times in India.
The report cites an official source which explains that, though ZTE will handle the first implementation, it is not guaranteed any other slices of $300 million valued roll-out Bharti has planned. Instead ZTE will face stiff competition – notably from fellow Chinese rival Huawei – to bring 4G to the three other regions Bharti won following last year’s auction.
Though there is no timeline or date specified for the work, it is widely believed that 4G wireless broadband will be available in India from early next year.
Though Bharti declined to respond to Economic Times, ZTE did confirm that it was starting initial work on the roll-out, while the paper also claims high level meetings have “formalised” ZTE’s initial role in proceedings.
Given that 3G mobile technology only arrived in India last year, the news that 4G is on its way is likely to be well received by many in the country. However, issues remain around mobile operator capacity while 3G-compatible smartphone ownership is low, let alone LTE-device ownership.
There is no doubt, however, that wireless Internet has huge potential in India.
India has emerged as a key market for technology and Internet companies keen to tap the country’s vast potential, with Facebook and Google just two of the many to have set up country offices in the past two years. However fixed-line Internet penetration is very low, reaching less than ten percent of its 1.2 billion population, sapping India’s potential to become a true online giant.
Infrastructure is a key issues with many in rural areas unable to access fixed-line Internet. For these people, wireless technology provides new possibilities for connectivity whilst catering to the millions for whom mobile will be their main Internet access point.
It is early days for India’s 4G network and it will be interesting to observe ZTE and Bharti working on the initial roll-out.