US Mobile Industry

The Palm Pre is a real game changer.

There, I’ve said it.    And I mean it.

The Pre is a really great device.  The screen looks like bright paper.  The battery is a champ.  The touch interface is very well thought out.  The hardware is smooth and sleek.  The charging system is super cool.

Oh, and did I mention it seamlessly integrates Facebook, Gmail and Exchange out of the box?

Check out tnkgrl’s video from CTIA 09,filmed and later uploaded with the newest version of Qik. This video is 35 minutes long, so be prepared. Make sure you check out tnkgrl Mobile for *a bunch* more CTIA videos, photos and more!

Of course to have a balanced article, I’m supposed to point out the flaws.  No homebrew software, apparently.  No expandable memory.  Tied to Sprint’s CDMA network in the US.  The cool charging stone costs extra.  But that’s about it.

Legal disclaimer : After reading such high praise from Serko over at MobileDivide, I bought some palm stock.  Me and Jimmy Fallon are getting rich, suckas!

Extra special thanks to Sprint for including bloggers in the agenda for the launch of the Pre. The Sprint Pre lounge was arguably the most comfortable place to chill at CTIA. It was off the beaten path, and they had yummy yogurt and granola. Proper!

If you haven’t noticed already, Cydia can now handle queueing of apps. So instead of installing every individual app I mentioned in my previous article, check out how to queue up a batch:

Warning: It’s probably a good idea not to queue up too many apps. It’s also a good idea to put your phone on WIFI mode first.

It’s frustrating to spend so much quality time installing awesome apps from Cydia, only to lose them after a firmware update.  Should you forget to backup your apps, think about installing a few from this list:

• All Sources – This installs a crapload of sources, which will make installing the following a lot easier.¹
• SBSettings – With the swipe of your finger across the status bar you can toggle settings like autocorrect, WIFI, 3G, rotation lock, bluetooth, etc.
• Backgrounder – Leave your favorite apps running in the background for quicker access.  It’s probably not a good idea to enable everything, so stick with a few.
• Categories – Don’t keep Wobble Hot Babes (aka Wobble) in the open.  Put your pervie apps in folders.
• Clippy – Cut, copy, paste.  This feature will be available in the upcoming iPhone 3.0 firmware.
• CyDelete – CyDelete enables jailbroken apps to be removed from the Springboard like regular apps.
• Cyntact – This one costs $0.99 but it’s definitely worth it.  View contact pictures in your address book without actually selecting the contact.
• Emoji – Japanese-style emoticons.  I’m not 100% sure but your recipients can only view these emoji if their phones are set up for it.
• Five Icon Dock – Cram an extra app on your dock.  You might also want to check out Stacks.
• GRiS – The best Google Reader app out there.  See here about automatic/background syncing.
• NocamSound – Turn off the shutter sound on your camera.
• StatusNotifier – This places notification icons on your status bar of any missed calls, text, email, etc.
• Supreme Preferences – This adds additional options in your Settings app.
• vWallpaper – Animate your wallpaper with a lazer show or Matrix theme.
• WinterBoard – Download  custom themes on your phone and apply them using WinterBoard.
• yellowsn0w – Free your phone!  yellowsn0w is a software unlock for your phone.  Do not install iPhone OS 3.0 if you want to keep your phone unlocked.

The apps listed above are merely recommendations and do not constitute a definitive list of any kind.  Enjoy!

¹Update:  “All Sources”  requires the Steffwiz repository.

Have you ever needed to manage your Android device, but something you’ve installed is not allowing you?  Surely there’s a way around bad software installs, but it might not be easy or intuitive.

Matthew Stevens over on Gadget Virtuoso comes to the rescue, with this helpful article on what to do when your Android installation is heading South, but you don’t want to fully wipe the device and start over.

From the article:

With Android there are two functions you need to know that will get you through most problems.
First, the three finger salute (other wise know as the reboot). Windows users know it as CTRL+ALT+DEL. For Android this is TALK+MENU+END . It may take a few tries to hit all three keysexactly at the same time, but when initiated the device will give a quick buzz and display the T-Mobile G1. Assuming everything will be fixed by the reboot, there is nothing more to do.

The second option is…

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Clearwire, the only WiMax internet provider in the US, is looking to roll out WiMax in San Francisco!  This job posting found on Twitter (thanks, @sfmobilejobs) is seeking a Project Manager for Network Deployment in San Francisco.  According to this article posted at Mobile Burn, the Sprint/Clearwire WiMax rollout for San Francisco isn’t happening until 2010, so this person’s going to have a busy year!

While I won’t be applying for *this* job at Clearwire, the more WiMax rollouts the better.  BTW, we’ll be trying out WiMax and LTE (HSPA+, 72Mbps down) at CTIA next week.  We’ll be doing bandwidth tests, and videoing as much as possible.

Here’s more about ClearWire, from the job posting:

Headquartered in Kirkland, Wash., the company launched its first market in August 2004 and now offers service in 16 states across the U.S. as well as in Europe.

On May 7, 2008, Clearwire Corporation and Sprint Nextel Corporation entered into a definitive agreement to combine their next-generation wireless broadband businesses to form a new wireless communications company to expedite the deployment of the first nationwide mobile WiMAX network. 

In conjunction with this agreement Intel Corporation (through Intel Capital); Google Inc.; Comcast Corporation; Time Warner Cable Inc; and Bright House Networks have collectively agreed to invest $3.2 billion into the new company.

Boy Genius Report is…  reporting that AT&T stores across the US are receiving the AT&T branded E71x.  The hardware looks to be the same as a normal E71, so the world is wondering how the X will differ.

There has been some speculation that the E71x will have Feature Pack 2, an upgrade to the E71’s FP1.  This would be a welcome upgrade, as FP2 supports Destinations to order your access points, WebDAV support for remote drive mapping, and easier multitasking.

As a long time Nokia fan, I’m obviously excited to see Nokias available in carrier’s stores.  Here in the US, T-Mobile is the only carrier with any Nokia love, and it’s mostly  the lower end devices.  Metro PCS, a lower-end prepaid carrier, also only stocks lower end Nokia devices.  Sprint and Verizon offer perhaps own or two Nokia flip devices, but it’s nothing to get excited over.

Unfortunatly for Nokia, AT&T has a history of ruining Nokia’s firmwares.  I’ve used an AT&T branded N75, N76, 6650, and E62, and the AT&T “upgrades” severly degrade the experience.

On AT&T branded firmwares, when an application tries to stay connected to the internet, the user will receive a popup every couple minutes asking for the access point selection.  VERY ANNOYING.

The AT&T branded devices also take over the most useful Symbian hardware keys on the keypad.  Imagine using a Nokia without the Symbian key for multitasking, or the pencil key for selecting.  Making matter worse, AT&T insists on mapping the hardware keys on the keypad to it’s own degraded Mapping and IM apps, and disallows key remapping.  This takes a lot of the Smart out of a smartphone.

In addition to the annoying non-standard Nokia keys, AT&T firmwares also included degraded versions of applications that YOU CAN’T UNINSTALL.  Sure, it’ll support Google Maps, Palringo for IM etc, but your still can’t uninstall the crappy (!) AT&T versions of these apps, which sometimes require extra monthly payments.  Sorry AT&T, I don’t want to pay for your apps, better free ones are available.

Another complaint I’ve seen around the internet is on AT&T’s pricing of the E71x.  Starting out at $199, it’s only $100 less than the unbranded/never-locked/lovely E71’s internet pricing at around $300.  I don’t think the pricing is a big deal, as I’d guess AT&T will drop it to $150 in a month or two, and free in six months.

Any user that’s used to unlocked/never-locked/born free Nokias would be advised to carefully consider is the $100 cost savings of the E71x is worth all the added annoyances over the $300 E71-NAM.  My recommendation is to do what the rest of the world does : Buy the unlocked device you want, and pop in your own SIM card.

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Over on the aptly named BigBoss iPhone website, the BigBoss himself is warning users NOT to try the leaked iPhone 3.0 software.  He’s also posted a very helpful guide to downgrading your iPhone from 3.0Beta to 2.2.1 in OSX or Windows.  

Looking through the comment section, BigBoss is also updating the main article to make it more clear based on comment feedback.  Big props to BigBoss for helping out everyone interested in the 3.0 iPhone firmware.  With his helpful hints, hopefully you can avoid bricking your beautiful shiny iPhone.

You have been warned!

iPhoneFreaks posts regular app and game reviews for the iPhone.  As there are 20,000 (or was it 25k?) apps and games available in the Apple App Store, we human need some way to filter out the noise, and find The Good Stuff.

Rasta Monkey looks like a really fun game, and I’m loving the graphic style.  Combining the happy/super-flat colors of Katamari Damacy, the speed of Sonic (but not too much speed) and delivered on a mobile platform, Rasta Monkey is sure to impress.  And it’s only $1.99.  Here’s what iPhoneFreakz say: 

Rasta Monkey is by far the best iPhone 2D action platformer out there. With perfect physics based gameplay that you will love. You play an extraordinarily happy Rastafarian monkey. One day, Your old father asks you to help the family out: “You need to collect dem fruits for mi special fruit-shake before mi head go CHAKA CHAKA!…”

Download Now from the App Store for $1.99

Let us know if you’ve played Rasta Monkey, or if you’re a Rasta Monkey yourself.

Apple had a big event this morning, where they’ve previewed the new features for the 3.0 iPhone firmware.  The biggest news is more A2DP Bluetooth support, MMS, cut and paste, and push notifications.  While this brings it up to speed with the 2006 Nokia N95, Apple folks are excited about being “allowed” to use these advanced features.

Lots of websites live-blogged the Apple event, so you can find a minute-by-minute update if you need it.  If you’re looking for a line-item summary of the 3.0 firmware features, look no further than IntoMobile, who has posted a great summation.

There are a few good eBook readers for the iPhone.  Amazon has released Kindle for the iPhone, Stanza rocks, and I’m sure there are others.

Wattpad is like most eBook readers, in that you can browse and download the content directly through the app.  Wattpad is different because it includes out-of-copyright books by the thousands, which are searchable through the app.  Wattpad also introduces a Social aspect to eBook reading, allowing users to recommend books to their peers, or simply VoteUp an eBook by selecting “I Love This Book!”.

Wattpad, via IntoMobile