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RIM BlackBerry has 10% of the market share in U.S.

There is no denying the popularity of the Blackberry from RIM; it seems that the Canadian tech giant has received some news that will only help to boast their spirits. A survey done by a UK research firm has said that Research In Motion has now managed to cross the 10% mark. Now they have 10 percent market share in the U.S.

Strategy Analytics reports that phone shipments were up by at least 5.3 percent. Total handset sales reached 41.9 million handsets, RIM sales had accounted for 10.3 percent of these in the U.S. that is more than double their market share from the previous year.

Neil Mawston, Strategy Analytics said “In the North American territory, [RIM] is a very well run organization. They’ve got a strong brand, good retail presence and a nice looking product portfolio that helps to differentiate themselves from the rest of the market.”

RIM has always dominated the enterprise market, but now they have a bigger challenge as they are looking to position themselves into the consumer market. Mawston has said that they now sell one-third of their Blackberrys to consumers now, and with the upcoming release of five new models this number will only grow.

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VoIP on Apple iPhone 3G: How it should be

You got to love VoIP software; it’s helped me in many ways from talking in real-time with someone in New Zealand to keeping in contact with work colleagues.

Recently I realized that texting on the iPhone 3G has cost more money than the price plan I am on, the solution to this was to start using Google Talk on the iPhone. The problem with this current VOIP service on iPhones is the fact that it does not keep a connection when the phone goes into standby.

So if the iPhone is in my pocket, I will not know that people are trying to contact me on Google Talk. The answer would be an alert like you get when we receive text messages.

Other apps like Jajah and Fring may need jailbreaking or at great expense, so we need a real-time VOIP solution that does not cost us so much in money or risk.

Things are going to change very soon thanks to a new SDK from Global IP Solutions, which will allow developers to use VoiceEngine Mobile. This will give them, the ability to create standalone VoIP applications for Apple’s App Store, which includes real-time VOIP and IM.

This would mean massive savings on phone call and text message bills.

Now here comes the bad news - VoiceEngine Mobile will only work on Wi-Fi and this is because of an agreement with Apple and the network carriers.

In fairness, why should you be able to use AT&T’s network to make free phone calls that they could be making money out of?

Source: Read | Via Phones Review

Pink Samsung Tocco available at the Carphone Warehouse

The Samsung Tocco is now available from the Carphone Warehouse and has been receiving a lot of positive feedback due to its elegant design and its small compact size.

Its 2.8 inch touch-screen interface adds to the style of this phone and its bright pink colour contributes to what would be an ideal present for the lady or man if that’s your thing.

Carphone Warehouse are currently offering this handset on T-Mobile, on a monthly tariff of £30. Within this package is an 18 month contract, 700 minutes and unlimited texts per month, as well as getting the handset for free.

Features:

- 3G
- Tri-band
- 5MP Camera with auto-focus and LED flash
- GPRS
- Bluetooth
- FM Radio
- MicroSD slot
- Video Recorder

If you are interested in picking up this phone, head over to Carphone Warehouse where you’ll find more details on the Samsung Tocco.

Source: Read

Verizon gets Visual Voicemail

For those of you looking for an alternative to your voicemail, you can be pleased that users on Verizon will now be able to have Visual Voicemail on your Voyager.

Voyager users who are running software version VK10KV09 will have the ability to watch and listen to your messages without dialling that *86 each time, a feature that iPhone users have been enjoying for a while now.

The application itself is free, but to use the service will cost $2.99 per month not including data charges. For those of you without a VCAST plan, look away as you will be charged $1.99 per MB. So careful use is advised unless you want to end up with a whopping bill. The App also allows you to store 40 messages for 40 days and have 10 separate greetings based on caller-IDS which is very useful.

Since the service isn’t entirely free, it may not please many of you Voyager users out there, but at least it’s good that they are looking to improve things for the future.

Source: Read

Nokia N96 will not be compatible with freeview in the UK

The new Nokia N96 is due to be released later this year, and the good news is that the phone has just been cleared by the FCC meaning there shouldn’t be any delays leading up to release.

The successor of the N95 is packed with tons of great multimedia features as you would expect, such as a 240 x 320 pixels display along with built in GPS and Wi-Fi. Pricing is set to be around £400/$800 USD, so be prepared to blow a hole in your pocket for one of these.

One of the main features of the N96 is its capability to broadcast live digital TV using DVB-H. While this is great for many countries elsewhere, It was very disappointing for hear that it will not be compatible with freeview, for those of us in the UK, as that uses DVB-T only. As a previous owner of the N95, I was looking forward to picking one of these up, but as one of the main features of the phone, will be somewhat useless in the UK, I shall hold out for a better option.

As for the rest of the phone however, it is very impressive still. Here is a list of the main specs:

Supported networks

- DVB-H, class C, 470-750 MHz
- Automatic frequency band and mode switching
- Quad-band operation in GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks (EDGE)
- UMTS networks (WCDMA 2100/850; HSDPA)

Dimensions

- Depth: 18 mm (places to 20 mm)
- Width: 55 mm
- Length: 103 mm
- Weight: 125 g
- Volume: 92 cm 3

Memory

- 128 Mbytes of RAM, 256 Mbytes of system memory (operating system plus dynamic memory for user data)
- Music: 12,000 songs
- Video: 40 hours
- Approximate storage capacity is 16 GB disk space:
- 16 GB of internal flash memory, memory expansion via hot-swappable MicroSD memory cards

Operating Hours

- TV Play: Up to 4 hours (DVB-H)
- Battery: Nokia Battery BL-5F, 950 mAh
- Music playback: Up to 14 hours (in offline mode)
- Video playback: Up to 5 hours (in offline mode)
- Stand-by Time: GSM: Up to 220 hours; UMTS up to 200 hours
- Talk time: GSM: up to 220 min; UMTS: Up to 150 min

Display and user interface

- Active standby mode, multimedia menu
- User interface: S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2
- QVGA TFT display with a 6.1 inch diagonal display (2.8 inches) and 16.7 million colours at a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.

So there it is, how many of you are tempted to pick one of these up in favour of an iPhone? Are there any UK readers out there who are also disappointed with the lack of DVB-H support? It was a strong selling point in my opinion; let us know what you think.

Source: Read

Alcatel OT-V770: The good and bad

This is the Alcatel OT-V770, its one of the cheapest products you will find and its suffering smartphone anorexia. The Gadget Blog has looked at the good and bad points of this cell phone.

This is what they like about the Alcatel OT-V770: Comes in a matte scratch-resistant black finish, Long battery life despite “weak” 700mAh capacity, Plays music (MP3), 1.3 megapixel camera captures pictures and videos, Standard 4-pin USB port, microSD slot, Bluetooth 2.0, Barely under a centimeter (10mm) thick, Can be used as a webcam and all this for an average of $215.

Now for a few bad points: Weird keypad layout (pound, star and 0 all to the side), Flat keypad makes pressing the wrong key easier and the menus need to be more straightforward.

In a nutshell: The Alcatel OT-V770 has mid-range functionality at a budget price.

Via the gadget blog | View more cell phone news here.

Orange will offer the BlackBerry Bold first in the UK

Orange has won the battle of the BlackBerry Bold, as they plan to release it in the UK from the 16 August, beating T-Mobile’s September release date.

The BlackBerry Bold is an Email focused Smartphone with 3G, Wi-Fi and GPS built in. A spokesperson from Orange made this statement over at the Inquirer, “Orange will be taking stock on the 14th and will have them in its shops by the Saturday 16th, along with online ordering.”

Meanwhile, other providers O2 and Vodafone have yet to release details regarding their releases of the phone, but after this announcement from Orange, I expect either one to come forward and announce dates of some sort.

Orange will offer the BlackBerry Bold on a £45 a month tariff with the handset free.

Head over to pocket-lint.co.uk for a review on the BlackBerry Bold, Phonesreview have also been keeping up to date with this product.

Source: Read

Fresh details on the BlackBerry Javelin

Fresh details have emerged on the BlackBerry Javelin, which is rumoured to be the follow up to the BlackBerry Curve handset.

The handset which is likely to be released in 2009 will come equipped with Wi-Fi and integrated GPS. Here is a list of the features which we can expect for the Javelin:

Speed and Performance

- High speed USB
- 256 MB Onboard Flash Memory
- A Faster Processor: 512 MHz

Built in features

- 3.2 MP Camera
- Wi-Fi b/g with UMA + GPS

User Interface

- Improved Web browser and graphics
- Micro USB
- Easy to swap MicroSD slot
- New Industrial Design – thinner, more stylish.
- High Resolution HVGA + Display (480 x 380)

Fans will have to wait until sometime next year to get their hands on this eagerly anticipated handset, hopefully more details will emerge about its release so we’ll bring you them as soon as we hear of it. Head over to the link to view more images of the BlackBerry Javelin.

Source: Read

T-Mobile plans to create its own App store for all handsets

T-Mobile has plans to work closely with developers in the US to create an App Store similar to Apples. Apple has enjoyed success with its App store since it launched a few months ago, and T-Mobile is hoping to create something on a par with that, for all of its handsets.

In an interview over at moconews.com, T-Mobile’s director of Mobile Applications and Partner Programs Venetia Espinoza said:

“T-Mobile is working with the industry to foster an open wireless services platform which will provide developers with the tools and information they need to make new, innovative experiences available to T-Mobile’s more than 31.5M customers. The devPartner Community site, which is in its alpha stage, is just a taste of what T-Mobile has in store and we encourage you to stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.”

Looks like this could change a lot of aspects in the mobile industry as providers and operators look to share the success that Apple has made.

Head over to Moconews to read the full article.

Video of ‘I am Rich’ app in action

A YouTube user has posted a video which lets the world see exactly what is contained within the ‘I am Rich’ iPhone application which costs $1000 to buy, and the answer is, not a lot.

For those of you who are unaware, Apple recently launched its App store in release with its 3G iPhone which lets users download third party apps and in the mean time, lets developers sell the applications they’ve created.

Contained in the video is nothing more than an image of a glowing red gemstone. Pressing the info button reveals the following words:

“I am rich
I deserv it
I am good,
Healthy &
Successful”

And that for $1000 folks is it! Amazingly enough… There have been reports of 8 people buying this app from developer Armin Heinrich, which has prompted Apple to remove the App from its store. Check out the video for your own enjoyment below.

Source: Read
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Blackberry Thunder Vs Apple iPhone in October?

There have been reports that the upcoming touchscreen Blackberry Thunder will be released in the US and that it will be competing against Apple’s Iphone.

These rumours state that US mobile operator Verizon is planning a head to head with Apple’s product when the iPhone gets released on the 13 October in the US. It was further evidence that this will be backed up , when there was an image released from a timetable from Verizon showing the model number of Blackberry’s new phone, the 9530 as being on schedule for an October release.

The new touchscreen from Blackberry is expected to remain a Verizon exclusive in the US, with reports saying it will become a Vodaphone exclusive in the UK.

It looks like fans of both phones will see a busy October if everything appears to be true, which phone are you going to buy? Stay tuned for more news.

Source: Read

Hands-on: Jabra BT4010 Bluetooth headset

Jabra sent us the BT4010 Bluetooth headset and on first impressions honestly thought this is just another ordinary headset and nothing to special in my eyes, but I was wrong. It is actually a nice little headset which is one of the easiest I have ever used in the way of pairing with Read more

HTC Dream Android Phone shown on video

We have managed to locate a video that shows of the new HTC Dream Android phone, forgive us as it is not the highest quality video. As a phone fan you should be able to look past the poor video quality as well as the Darth Vader heavy breathing noises, from the guy in the video.

This video footage does look as though it could be the HTC Dream, which is the world’s first Android handset. The phone features a slide out QWERTY keyboard along with a touchscreen.

It has been a while since we have seen anything on the Google Android interface; this latest video appears to have been tweaked a little. The auto-rotating display looks as though it has come straight from the iPhone.

The phone does look nice with its hidden keyboard, once the panel slides out the phone then takes on a Sidekick look, this could be a bad point for many.

You will just have to watch the video to make your own decision, is the real HTC Dream or just someone’s idea of a joke.

Steve Jobs: Apple kill switch confirmed

Apple boss Steve Jobs has been speaking to the Wall Street Journal about the AppStore and he had some interesting facts for us. The biggest news is that Jobs has confirmed that there is in fact an application kill switch.

Steve Jobs has said that this has been put in place in case Apple accidentally approves a malicious program for distribution. Jobs hopes that they will never have to pull the kill switch lever.

Jobs did add that Apple would be irresponsible not to have something like this in place. This news comes days after Apple pulled the plug on the $999.99 I Am Rich application, which was the program that just had a glowing red gem on it.

The Apple boss said that pulling the app from the stores was a judgment call; he said that it does not explain how the application made it through their vetting process.

Since the launch of AppStore last month almost 60 million programs for the iPhone has been sold. This represents about $30 million in sales.

Source

iPhone 2.0.1 IPSW Download and PwnageTool 2.0.2

We reported a couple of days ago that the PwnageTool 2.0.2 tool would be available very soon and that happened yesterday. Just as the DevTeam made the latest PwnageTool available in the sparkle update system, they noticed a major bug.

This bug was reported to only happen on an Intel iMac running Leopard, the PwnageTool 2.0.2 was then pulled from the sparkle update system.

So with the confusion of finding the iPhone 2.0.1 IPSW download well on the way moments after, things got confusing for many wanting to jailbreak their iPhone 2.01 firmware.

You can now download the PwnageTool 2.0.2 tool on a few different mirrors, these include zippy share.

You should also be aware that if you do download the PwnageTool_2.0.2.tbz file from other mirrors then you could end up getting a problem. The iphone-dev site has the mirrors they recommend and also say to check the SHA1 sum if getting elsewhere.

Let us know your experiences with PwnageTool 2.0.2 in the comments. You can view other iPhone 3G news here.

Olympics results fast with new mobile search tool

When it comes to searching for the information you want, most people like to see results quickly and simply. Google has always been known for their “keeping it simple” approach to search and their new Olympics mobile search tool is no different.

Google aims to give you Olympics results fast with new its new tool that helps you track down Olympics results quickly on your mobile phones.

They have also setup a mobile website designed for those that are following the Olympics. All you need is an Internet-capable mobile phone to view these specific Olympic-based tools.

If you want to browse all the events, then you can by going to google.com/m/summergames on a mobile phone. We had a look and saw sports we did not even know were in the Olympic games.

Google’s mobile Olympic site not only shows all the events and results, but it is apparently available to 60 different countries and 36 languages. Google has kept search simple yet again.

Source: Read | View other cell phone news.

Reality TV shows with Apple iPhone 3G’s

Could you imagine reality TV shows with Apple iPhone 3G’s used as transaction wands to indicate their interests in personalities, events, products, and so on?

This kind of entertainment is very possible thanks to music and television content becoming more like software these days. The iPhone App Store is a platform that has helped the line between software and media disappear.

These were seen as two different products before the iPhone App Store, and now we will see many types of programming emerge.

The Washington Post has an interesting article titled “I Want My iPhone TV” and it raises some questions about the future of mobile technology, and how it could create a new hyper reality show.

The App Store would become the gateway for “an Adsence-like version of Big Brother that leaves the house and breaks out into the virtual community”.

The iPhone 3G and application possibilities are going to truly change the way we receive of reality TV fix, while our homes are getting bigger TV’s, it looks like millions will turn to a much smaller screen that gets more involvement on your part.

Read the full story on The Washington Post or view more iPhone 3G news.

Should Apple be aloud to kill your iPhone Apps

Following on from Dan’s post yesterday that Apple has a kill switch for the iPhone; this means that the company is able to wipe out malicious or unauthorized iPhone apps. It does not matter if you have paid for the application and have installed it on your handset.

Apple might have been hoping to keep this little gem secret, but this has now started of a huge debate over secrecy and why Apple feels the need to have this feature. There has already been a huge response to this in a short amount of time; it seems that people have mixed opinions over the iPhone kill switch.

Some say that this is a perfect weapon which will be able to quickly kill potential malware and viruses that are sometimes hidden in legitimate applications. Apple have a tough approval process in place on their AppStore, this has been designed to create a high quality place for us to shop for our iPhone apps.

We have all known this for some time now but what we did not know was Apple has additional hidden tools. This means that if an application is misbehaving badly, then the app can be blacklisted.

The reason that we know this is because Apple has an online location which contains a list of unauthorized applications. This suggests that this is where Apple will store blacklist unauthorized or malicious iPhone applications.

Do you think Apple is right to be able to kill your iPhone app?

Nokia enjoys 43% of UK market share

Research firm CSS has revealed that Nokia is currently enjoying a 43% market share in the UK, which is double what one of their closest competitors, Samsung is achieving at the moment.

This is clearly a step in the right direction for Nokia as they hope to dominate the UK market for many months to come. Elsewhere in the charts, LG are in fourth place after some positive sales, while Samsung’s growth rate slowed causing them to remain in second. Sony Ericsson however have showed the biggest decline in net profit.

Here is a statement from CSS Insight Analyst Ben Wood commenting on Nokia’s current dominance,

“Nokia is still head and shoulders above the rest. It is not just leading the market but controlling it. Sony Ericsson has really been put under pressure by Nokia’s new mid-range handsets and has struggled as a result. Samsung is the clear number two in the market, while LG has established itself in the big time. It has hit a sweet spot with a lot of its handsets recently.”

Read the full article over at Mobile Today

RIM’s BlackBerry Bold UK Launch Date on T-Mobile

Many phone buyers that were not bothered about the Apple iPhone 3G have been waiting to get their hands on the new RIM BlackBerry Bold and it looks like the wait in the UK may be short.

Today we are hearing that T-Mobile have become the first to give us some details on when it’s launching in the UK. T-Mobile hopes to launch the BlackBerry Bold before the 1st of November, and more specifically September 2008 in shops and online.

While pricing and other details have not been released, it first looked like T-Mobile will offer the BlackBerry Bold to all T-Mobile Business 1-Plan customers. Today we are hearing from Pocket-lint that the Bold will also be available on T-Mobile consumer tariffs.

Have you turned a blind eye to the iPhone 3G in favour of the Blackberry Bold?

When pricing and the exact date is made available we will update you, also look out for updates on Vodafone and the BlackBerry 9000.

Read more about this via the read link below, view other T-Mobile news or leave a comment below.

Source: Read