Nokia N97 software version 12.0.024/12.1.024/12.2.024 released
August 31, 2009
“This software release includes improvements in updating software using your device. Other improvements include an adjustment to the size of the browser cache, to save space. This release also includes an updated Nokia Ovi Store application. Also, Mail for Exchange has updates available from the device’s software updates application, and other widgets have updates available through Ovi Store.To get this software through your device, select Applications > SW Updates and choose the software you want to update. Additionally, this software release is available through the Nokia Software Updater.” More here:
Samsung I8000 Omnia II review: A surprising experience
August 31, 2009
“Samsung’s top tier of Omnia devices is populated by some seriously heavy-hitters – first the 720p video recording Omnia HD and now the Omnia II – with its best-in-the-business display, WM 6.5, zippy processor and preloaded software galore, it will certainly win the hearts and minds of Windows Mobile fans.
It’s no secret that the Samsung Omnia II has the HTC Touch Diamond2 in its sights. The Omnia II has several advantages, not the least of which is the amazing 3.7″ AMOLED WVGA display. For the acronym-allergic – WVGA means 480 x 800 pixels resolution, which several years ago might have been considered acceptable for a computer monitor. That resolution is not so uncommon today, the exciting part here is “AMOLED” – active matrix organic LED. Or in plain English – brilliant picture quality.
It doesn’t end there – the 667MHz CPU is one of the speediest around and the available capacities of up to 16GB built-in memory and up to 32GB external storage via microSD card offer more than enough memory expansion. There’s Wi-Fi and GPS, the autofocus camera shoots 5MP stills and D1 video at 30fps and has dual-LED flash, there’s DivX playback out of the box and HSDPA and HSUPA push the phone to great wireless speeds. “ Read more here:
Wikitude Drive, augmented reality GPS navigation for your car
August 30, 2009
“Mobilizy GmbH reveals a preview of it?s augmented reality navigation system, the first fully functional mobile AR navigation system available for the Android platform. Wikitude Drive was developed by the Mobilizy Research & Development group in Salzburg, Austria, to satisfy the curiosity of the developers to see if it was feasible to combine real-time navigation with mobile augmented reality. The result of this quest is Wikitude Drive, a fully-functional, light weight navigational system which overlays point-to-point directions on a camera-view, without the need for maps.
Wikitude Drive boasts the following features:
- * Mobile AR navigation, similar to a heads up display (HUD);
- * Fully functional, map-less navigation;
- * POI 2 POI navigation;
- * Integrated voice commands (additional text-to-speech engine required);
- * World wide navigational data which is accessed in real-time from the internet;
o (a mobile internet connection is necessary to access data while in motion) - * Peer-to-peer navigational functions
o Social navigational features will be implemented in future releases - * Interfaces with existing navigational APIs (for example: NavTeq, Map24, TeleAtlas)
- * Launching for Android and iPhone soon.” via intomobile.com
Samsung i8910HD Review: THE device of 2009?
August 30, 2009
“The first two thing you notice when handling the i8910HD is how solid it feels in your hand. This isn?t too difficult to achieve with a monoblock form factor that has no moving parts to the design, but the feel of the materials used combined with the weight and balance of the device make for a very gratifying feeling when holding it. When I had the opportunity to hold the N97 in one hand and the i8910HD in the other, it really made the N97 feel very cheap, plasticky, and hollow, similar to how the N95 felt when it was first released. It?s piano-black finish and reflective chrome accents around the outside of the camera lens and screen makes it very eye-catching.The downside is that the black plastic is an absolute fingerprint magnet. It?s not quite as bad as handling a black iPhone, but very close. After only a couple minutes of use, I found myself needing to wipe the entire phone down with my jeans and when it became really bad, an alcohol pad.” Read more here:
Snow Leopard “a software platform for the future”
August 29, 2009
Reviewer Stephen H. Wildstrom (businessweek.com) calls Snow Leopard an inexpensive and painless upgrade that also completes the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit computing, which enhances performance and allows the use of vast amounts of memory. Apple has pulled it off seamlessly.
Mac OS X Snow Leopard best of breed
August 29, 2009
In a comprehensive Snow Leopard review, Michael Gartenberg (slashgear.com) writes: Apple has evolved the OS in ways that change core infrastructure while preserving and refining the experience that has differentiated the platform over the years. The result is an elegant, modern OS with some new features that help it retain the status of best of breed in personal computing.
New Logic Studio an “easy choice”
August 29, 2009
Calling out significant new Logic Studio features such as flexible audio editing, streamlined audio production, expanded guitar amps and effects, and enhanced MainStage live-performance capabilities, reviewer Peter Kirn (macworld.com) awards it 4.5/5 mice. Writes Kirn: The choice is easy: Logic Pro 9 should not be missed.
RIM purchases Torch Mobile; Iris Browser for Windows Mobile will be discontinued
August 28, 2009
“Word dropped this morning that Torch Mobile, makers of the Iris Browser, had been purchased by Research in Motion. That’s great news for BlackBerry fans, who have been in dire need of a browser for, well, ever. However, this is bad news for Windows Mobile. We just heard back from Torch Mobile spokesman George Staikos, and the response is unequivocal: The company will no longer continue developing for Windows Mobile or Windows-CE. Bad news, indeed, if you’re set on using Webkit. The good news is that we still have a number of more-than-decent browsers available, including Skyfire, Opera Mobile and even Internet Explorer, which is slowly getting better. And we’re still looking for the mobile version of Firefox in the coming months.” via wmexperts.com
The new Nokia N900: Computer-grade performance in a handset
August 28, 2009
“Nokia today marked the next phase in the evolution of Maemo software with the new Nokia N900. Taking its cues from the world of desktop computing, the open source, Linux-based Maemo software delivers a PC-like experience on a handset-sized device. The Nokia N900 has evolved from Nokia’s previous generation of Internet Tablets and broadens the choice for technology enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to multitask and browse the internet like they would on their desktop computer. Running on the new Maemo 5 software, the Nokia N900 empowers users to have dozens of application windows open and running simultaneously while taking full advantage of the cellular features, touch screen and QWERTY keyboard.” Read more inside..
Mac OS X Snow Leopard a “sleek upgrade”
August 28, 2009
David Pogue (nytimes.com), reviewing Mac OS X Snow Leopard, applauds the radical concept of a software update thats smaller, faster and better instead of bigger, slower and more bloated. May the rest of the industry take the hint.