Archive for: mobile operating systems
- October 30, 2009 12:01 pm
Companies get ideas, services, and products patented everyday. If it’s an idea, they may never even implement or use it in any current or future products. They’re protecting themselves. Because of this, we can’t take every patent we see literally or as if it is “set in stone” but instead more as “suggestions” as what could be coming in the future.
With touchscreen’s the new “it” feature on dumbphones, featurephones, and smartphones alike, distinguishing yourself from the playing field that’s becoming increasingly saturated gets harder and more challenging with each device release. In fact, it’s even to the point now that if your device doesn’t have a unique or highly tweaked UI — barring any earth shattering hardware — your device will go unnoticed and under appreciated. HTC never standing still and always looking forward has something that might just stand out from the rest…
Those hoping to see HTC do as Motorola and pass up WinMo 6.5 and instead climb into bed with Android while the world waits for WinMo 7 will be sorely disappointed. According to a recent interview conducted by alibaba.com, HTC’s CEO Peter Chou stated that while the market and their customers in particular are eager for more Android handsets, the company [HTC] has to “take care of WinMo”.
It’s kind of disheartening really. No one should take care of WinMo except Microsoft. If they can’t get the OS in line in-house, there’s nothing a 3rd party manufacturer can do. No amount of lipstick and pretty UI skins can cover up what Microsoft has failed to do — truly innovate WinMo.
HTC, like many other hardware manufacturers, have struck deals with Microsoft to support Redmonds mobile OS. Contracts aside, why a company would willingly spend so much time, money, and marketing prowess on what is essentially a minor upgrade seems silly. Motorola whom is in the worst spot right now, clinging to life, finally realized what the market wanted and went all Android, declaring that they were skipping WinMo 6.5 because it wasn’t anything special and that they’d re-look at the Windows Mobile scene come version 7. It’s the first smart decision they’ve made in a long, long time.
I didn’t expect HTC to just cut off WinMo high and dry as they’ve had a rather length relationship. But HTC’s decision to push ahead with WinMo 6.5 and even possibly hold back on releasing certain Android versions of exclusive WinMo 6.5 handsets is a very poor decision. I can guarantee Android better serves the hardware than WinMo in it’s current form. Android is the face of new, modern mobile technology while WinMo is nothing more than a poster child for old, washed up, and un-innovative. I’m hopeful that Microsoft can bring something exciting to the table come 2010 with Windows Mobile 7. But that’s a long way from now and both Apple and Android are moving ahead quick. Can Microsoft anticipate the other guys’ next moves?
So I beg the question: “Does HTC really need to “take care of Microsoft”?
Coolsmartphone News > alibaba
- September 23, 2009 5:52 am
Sometimes, being on the up and up of technology means having to go without. Without your favorite accessory, your favorite theme/skin, or your favorite application. In the case of those loyal BlackBerry users who chuckle at constant reports of OS 5.0 “coming soon” as they’ve been using it for many weeks now, their cold hard reality of being that tech savvy has meant going without certain applications. Applications that currently aren’t compatible with the leaked beta versions of BB OS 5.0 floating around the inter webs. However, one particularly popular service called Facebook has made it’s grand appearance at the 5.0 party. Facebook 1.6 for BlackBerry is officially available with the biggest improvement being (I’m sure you can guess by now) BB OS 5.0 compatibility.
While we all know OS 5.0 is almost here, just how close remains to be seen. Though if big names such as Facebook are prepping for the big day, the big day can’t be that far can it? We can only hope…
CrackBerry
- September 11, 2009 11:48 am
When looking at mobile devices, stumbling over the word “BREW” is enough to make any gadget freak quickly skip ahead to the next device in hopes of salvation. What was a decent mobile platform several years ago has been completely banished from relevance (even from dumb phones) with the likes of the iPhone OS, Android, BlackBerry OS, and yes…even Windows Mobile. Even some manufacturer based OS’s are becoming pretty snazzy. Yet BREW, this dinosaur in the 21st century continues to defy the odds by refusing to die. Momentum isn’t exactly moving downward either. This past July, HTC announced plans to bring a new BREW enabled phone to market by end of 2009.
The latest to jump on board the Jurassic Bus is Sprint, who desperately needs to get as many blockbuster hits as they can possibly get. Just recently revealed they too have their own goals towards releasing a BREW device as well. The refreshed version of BREW, assuming it also gets some tweaks under the hood, also gets a slight lengthening of it’s name to BREW MP (Mobile Platform). While I am so far not interested in the slightest, I’m sure there are many potential customers out there who still use cellphones just for calling. As hard as it is to imagine, that injustice does happen folks. Do you really think there’s a large market for new and improved BREW devices? We shall see.
Source: BGR, Image Source
- September 3, 2009 1:59 pm
If you run with the WinMo crowd, you’re no doubt bored with Windows Mobile 6.5 already (because you’ve probably been using it for weeks to months now) and have already set your sights on Windows Mobile 7. To the uninformed general public, Windows Mobile 7 is something that they shouldn’t expect to see or touch until it’s time to kill a 2010 turkey. However, some speculating and bullet points put out by UX Evangelist builds a pretty solid case concerning Microsoft dropping some info and possibly hands on time with early beta builds of Windows Mobile 7.
The reasoning includes a history of big announcements at PDC as well as slip ups on Microsoft employee’s LinkdIn profiles to interpretation of Microsoft slides highlighting Windows Mobile roadmaps. As far as the history of big announcements go, Windows 7 is already out of the bag as is the Zune HD with Office 14 not exactly holding that “wow” factor I would choose to lead a keynote with.
Does the UX Evangelist have an weight to his claims or is he a mile from base?
WM Experts, UX Evangelist
Apple’s stance on jailbreaking is nothing new. They hate it. They want it written into law as illegal (stupid). Many people who have a love for the devices potential are often left wanting more when Apple goes on and does truly stupid things….like banning GV apps. Because of the constant tug and pull of power that seems to go on between AT&T, Apple, and the iPhone end user, many users take matters into their own hands by jailbreaking their devices. It truly is one of the best things you could ever do for your iPhone. While it can cause some instability issues and other speed hiccups, those problems are most often caused by a bad app, not a problem with the jailbreak code. Still, Apple as of late has been relentless, pushing the issue that jailbreaking causes everything from system instability issues to supporting terrorism. (Don’t even get me started on that one.) A new support document published by Apple reveals just how misguided their view really is. The former claim, that jailbreaking causes system incompatibilities and speed problems within the OS, is nothing that anyone is denying. There are problems occasionally that require you to re-jailbreak. Again, most times redoing it will fix any outstanding issues. People who jailbreak are tech savvy enough to know the inherent risks and complications that can arise when tinkering with such a complicated devices’ code and inner workings. Still, that doesn’t give Apple’s claim any real credibility in regards to the real motives behind their claim.
If you have ever done any type of computer programing, graphic design, or picture/video editing among other things, you will know time consuming and frustrating working on and with computers can be. While everything often goes to plan with man and machine working in perfect harmony, there are times when the two refuse to coroporate causing great pain and grief. Since WinMo 6.5′s interface was leaked what seems like years ago now, the world reacted with a collective “that’s it?” – not exactly the reaction Redmond was looking for though, after hearing the latest bit of news surrounding Microsoft’s mobile OS, is now more easily understood. So, why exactly does Windows Mobile 6.5 look so…old?
If you were on the fence about whether the i7500 was in fact real or merely the child of rampant speculation, several blurry and smudge ridden pictures have popped up on Mobile-Review showing us that yes, in fact, the i7500 is a real device and really does rock Android. Physical keyboard users will be saddened in the lack of a physical keyboard, however in the move to touchscreens, the physical keyboard is becoming less a necessity as touchscreen technology improves. Still, the lack of physical keys will keep some from picking up Samsung’s first Android phone. Personally, the i7500 looks sweet! I would definitely pick one up if I were in the market for an Android phone. You?
Source: Boy Genius, Mobile-Review
If you haven’t already picked up a copy of the Android 1.5 SDK (you rebel you), good news as you won’t have to wait much longer, if sources are correct that is. The Android 1.5 update a.k.a. “Cupcake” has been given a May release date thanks to T-Mobile Germany compliments of their website, which features a page detailing the goods that are on their way. For those of you who aren’t quite familiar with the whole Cupcake deal, it will be a very liberating release to say the least, with the following features:
- Onscreen keyboard (Finally!!)
- Video recording/playback
- One click Picasa and YouTube uploads
- Auto orienting screen for vertical/horizontal use
- Bluetooth Stereo headset support
Yes, Cupcake/Android 1.5 is going to be sweet indeed. The more straight laced individuals who eschew all of the “leaked” downloads and pre-release hype you definitely have patience. Soon it will be well worth it, I promise. U.S. G1′ers, expect a States release soon after our german brethren.
Source: Into Mobile, Talk Android
