Being an early adopter of technology comes with numerous risks. The manufacturers drive to release the perfect product usually means a quick refresh as a second generation product is quickly released to fix the first generation’s mistakes. In the smartphone world, many of those advancements aren’t pushed downwards to older hardware. Though our definition of “old” varies considerably from a manufacturers standpoint.
On that note, it is with great sadness I highlight Sony Ericsson’s latest move — they will not be updating their Xperia X10 line (X10, X10 Mini, and X10 Mini Pro) past Android 2.1, according to confirmations AndroidCommunity made with Sony Ericsson themselves. While the Rachel UI is a heavily tweaked skin atop Android, there still isn’t any excuse. The hardware is more than capable of running the latest Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) release. It appears Sony is choosing the customer’s hand by forcing them to upgrade if they want anything past Android 2.1.
What’s even more depressing, however, is that in a few months to years when the Xperia line is eventually discontinued, Sony will blame it on poor sales, the slow down of Android growth, or any other number or reasons. But they will never call attention to the real reason — they alienated their customers and continually ignored their true wants and needs.
- September 24, 2010 8:55 am
Starting your car or other type of mechanical transport machine in 2010 requires some kind of key, numbered code, or simple key fob w/ embedded sensor. The rides of tomorrow — smartphones. This Mini Scooter E concept by BMW has a docking station that allows smartphones to be used not only to start the device, but also navigate it as well. It’s fitting seeing as how a huge number of smartphones come standard with at least some form of basic GPS capabilities. Being a futuristic design, propulsion is of course provided by batteries and electric motors.
If this were available now and I lived somewhere that wasn’t so rural in nature, I’d pick one up. You? Hop on past for a couple of videos breaking it down in nerdy detail…
Touch this, touch that. It seems that the world is completely engrossed with touchscreens. Don’t get me wrong, they have many uses that the excel at over their physical brethren. But certain things are still done better by a real keyboard.
For smartphone users lost in a see of keyless phones, one gadget aims to give your life new direction. The mini-bluetooth keyboard pairs up to a number of popular and more obscure devices via bluetooth, allowing you to literally tap it out. Some of the more popular supported devices include Android smartphones, Macs, and yes, even Apple’s new iPad.
For $23 I’d certainly take the risk. If it sucks, you can always eBay it. Anyone relieved?
Geeky-Gadgets
- February 10, 2010 7:45 am
One of the few parts of the iPhone that is generally free from any criticisms is it’s Mobile Safari browser. As far as mobile browsers go, it’s nearly perfect with blazing speed, extremely accurate rendering, and drop dead simple navigation. But you can’t please everyone with a single product. No matter how good a product is, it’s always nice to have a second or third choice. As far as third party iPhone browsers go, there aren’t too many legitimate contenders. Sure, there several 3rd party browsers now available since Apple lifted that restriction earlier last year. But these browsers aren’t as fully featured as Mobile Safari, or are slower, or less thought out in regards to navigation. This year at MWC, a real 2nd choice browser is being unveiled: Opera Mini.
If you’re not familiar with Opera Mini, it is a lightweight and highly nimble mobile browser that gets a big boost in browsing speeds thanks to server-side caching and heavy lifting. By the time the web page reaches your phone, it’s 1/10th or less the size of the original page. But it’s not only fast, it looks good and is easy to navigate as well. Just because everything adds up of Opera Mini, don’t get too excited yet — Apple still has to approve it.
Duplicating the functionality of the browser seems as if it would be a blatant rejection, yet there are other browser apps available. Of course, none are of the caliber or quality as Opera Mini. Even still, not only will it be a disservice to iPhone users if they reject Opera Mini, but also to AT&T and any cellular network admin. Opera Mini and it’s technologies take a big load off of the network and place it on their own servers. AT&T at least should be begging Apple for Opera Mini.
In the end, we really don’t have any say. As far as I’m concerned though, Opera Mini is already the best iPhone browser. Now Apple just has to approve it.
Unwired
Unhappy with your current touchscreen phone? Do you find it too large, bulky, and unwieldy for your pocket and other small spaces? Those are precisely the worlds LG wants to hear you utter. For them, it means you’ve got your eyes on the market for a smaller touchscreen enabled phone. A phone that they just so happen to now have available for purchase — the LG Mini.
According to LG, the “trendy features that people want” include 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, WiFi, A-GPS, FM Radio, LG’s “Social Connect” software for Facebook and Twitter, and of course, a 5 megapixel camera. Now, imagine that all crammed into a tiny 3.2″ display sized device and you have something worth talking about here huh?
Look for the Mini to start showing up in European Stores this March with UK stores to follow soon after in April. Once we get closer to those scheduled release dates, the full gamut of specs and the ever important price tag should be revealed as well.
Anyone thinking this is the more pocket-able touchscreen device they’ve been looking for?
Pocket-Lint
