If you follow any sort of news, you’ll know that Google announced their Nexus One phone running their Android-supported mobile OS. What’s really unique and new here is that Google is selling the handset directly, and not the carrier.
Here’s what you need to know about the phone: …
Google Releases Nexus One Android Phone – What You Need to KnowRead More »
Michael Arrington of TechCrunch is reporting that a Google Phone is imminent, possibly in early 2010. However, it may be a data-only VoIP ‘phone’ but what would be cool is if Google issues Google Voice phone numbers to those phones.
About the only bad piece of news here is that it may end up initially only on AT&T with other GSM carriers being maybes.
The hardware would in all likelihood be produced by some other hardware vendor but only have Google branding.
First there were the rumors, but now Dell has confirmed that they are getting into the cell phone handset market and yes, the Mini 3 as it will be called, will run Android.
They’re starting off in China and Brazil, but hopefully will release a handset stateside soon.
Well, well, well. AT&T has just decided to reverse their prior stance and allow iPhone users to use Skype and other VoIP apps on the cellular networks. VoIP apps would work when the iPhone was on a WiFi network, but not when connected to the AT&T network.
Certainly, this is good news for consumers, but you do have to wonder why they decided to change their position. It’s quite likely that given the FCC’s current investigation into the competitiveness of wireless services, that AT&T decided to jump the gun on them being branded anti-competitive.
It has been proven repeatedly that using a cell phone to talk or text is just as bad as having had a few drinks. With that in mind, not to mention that many states have either outlawed the practice or are about to, new handsfree technology is needed to help drivers to respond without taking their eyes off the road.
DriveSafe.ly is one such company providing an application to read text messages out aloud and send an automatic response saying that you will respond later. You can get the DriveSafe.ly application for your Blackberry or Android phone with versions for iPhone and Windows Mobile on the way. You can get either a free ad-supported version or a premium version for a flat lifetime price or on a monthly subscription basis.
PS> If you’re a Federal employee, then you should also know that President Obama has banned federal employees from text messaging when they are behind the wheel of government vehicles and from texting in their own cars if they use government-issued phones or are on official business.
More info from the manufacturer
Price: $13.95 1-time cost or $3.95/mo
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)
I really like the idea of the Novatel Mi-Fi devices – a mobile Wi-Fi modem that lets you create your very own Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere there is Verizon or Sprint cell coverage. Sure, you have to have one of their broadband service plans, but the device is free (well, $0.01) when you purchase a subscription. It’s useless anyway without one.
The MiFi 2200 is compact (3.5″ at its widest) and thin (0.4″) so it’s easy to slip into your laptop bag. This EVDO Rev A modem has transfer rates in the 600Kbps to 1.4Mbps range, and can support up to 5 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g devices. It runs on a lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable via a USB connection and gives up to 4 hours of active time and 40 hours of standby time.
As an example of what you might pay for broadband service, Sprint costs about $60/mo and Verizon has a few plans, one of which is $40/mo. Check with them for up to date numbers.
The Novatel MiFi 2200 seems perfect for small businesses that want to provide service to customers coming into their store or even their own employees; or perhaps if your job requires a fair amount of travel with other colleagues; or you’re a student that likes sharing. There are a lot of potential uses for this gadget.
Buy now! (Sprint)
Buy now! (Verizon)
Price: $0.01 (with service plan)
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)
T-Mobile may put in a bid to acquire Sprint-Nextel in the next few weeks according to a UK source.
I don’t see the point of this other than to be able to tout huge numbers of customers. Sprint is still losing money, particularly after their purchase of Nextel. As far as technologies go, integration will be a pain. Sprint is still CMDA while Nextel still has an iDEN network, and T-Mobile runs a GSM network. Plan to lose a lot of money on this venture T-Mobile; just don’t make it painful for me, the little customer.
The Ford Motor Company is on board with proposed federal legislation to ban texting while driving. Kudos Ford. While the cynical may see this as you indirectly trying to pump up sales of your Sync products, that’s ok, not to mention that anyone can buy a headset or hands-free kit for much less than they spend on their monthly cell phone bill.
Motorola’s first Android handset, the CLIQ, makes its first appearance on the T-Mobile network. The CLIQ is a slide-out keyboard handset with a 320×480 3.1″ HVGA screen that operates on WCDMA and GSM networks. Other notable features include the accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, a microSD card slot, touch screen, 802.11b/g WiFi, 6 hour battery life (325 hrs in standby) and of course, all of the various Android applications and features.
Motorola already has other Android handsets in the pipe, and Google has already announced that there will be at least 18 Android handsets by the end of 2009 and certainly more next year.
Palm has just announced the next phone with their new webOS, the Palm Pixi. The most noticeable difference is that the Pixi is a candybar phone with its full QWERTY keyboard fully visible, unlike the Pre’s slide out keyboard.
The Pixi is amazingly thin (0.43 inches) with a slightly smaller touchscreen (320 x 400) than the Pre. One of the things being touted with the Pixi is the ability to replace the backplate with customized designs. Expect the Pixi around the holidays probably in the $100 region, and again on the Sprint network.
