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Google Nov. 23 made its Google Maps Navigation feature for Google Maps available for smartphones running the Android 1.6 operating system build and higher. This means users of the T-Mobile myTouch 3G and inaugural but clunky G1 can enjoy turn-by-turn voice directions. This release includes Google's new Layers feature, which lets users overlay geographical information, such as transit lines, Wikipedia articles about places, and more on the map. However, users cannot use the & navigate to& voice command.
Eight iPhone Apps to Ease Holiday Travel Stress
While companies like Google are working to make the travel season less stressful by offering free WiFi in airports across the country, Apple’s App Store is doing its part as well, with applications aimed at keeping travelers occupied and informed as they wait for their sure-to-be-delayed departure time. Here, eWEEK has assembled a selection of travel apps that will allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Spotify Expands Reach to Symbian Smartphones
Spotify, the popular Internet music application, has announced that it is now available on Symbian mobile phones, powered by TAT (The Astonishing Tribe) technology.
Why the Google Phone Could Dampen Android Phone Sales
Consumers interested in buying phones based on the Android open source operating system may feel some hesitation with the emerging rumors of a Google phone. Such a phone would likely provide a more fully integrated user experience, similar to Apple's iPhone. Ultimately, this could hurt sales of the Motorola Droid, HTC Eris and other Android devices based on hardware from manufacturers and software from Google and application developers. EWEEK looks at the buyer's dilemma here.
Barnes and Noble Nook E-Reader Delayed Due to Demand, Says Company
Barnes Noble said that high demand for its Nook e-reader delayed the shipment date into January 2010 for anyone ordering the devices after Nov. 20. This is the second time that Barnes Noble announced a delay for its e-readers, which it hopes will make inroads against Amazon.com's popular Kindle line. The e-reader market as a whole has become increasingly fragmented as both large companies and smaller startups release devices.
Motorola 'Buzz' Beats Apple, BlackBerry, Likely Thanks to Droid
The Droid smartphone, which has been described as handsome, masculine and industrial, appears to have made Motorola a hit among men. BrandIndex found Motorola’s buzz scores to be on the rise, during a period in which Apple’s and BlackBerry’s fell.
New RIM BlackBerry, Sony Phones Offer Big Cameras, Bigger App Stores
The holidays are upon us, and new devices from Research In Motion, Sony, and other manufacturers offer users a host of new multimedia capabilities. RIM’s BlackBerry line seems to be incorporating more consumer-style features such as dedicated music buttons with every passing generation, and Sony is embracing both Google Android and Windows Mobile 6.5 as the operating systems for its latest smartphones. Devices from other manufacturers such as Casio and Kyocera (with the Sanyo-branded Incognito smartphone) also offer a variety of new hardware and software features, including powerful cameras and navigation applications.
Aircell Wi-Fi Launches on Air Canada
The initial January testing period for Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service will be limited to Air Canada's Toronto-Los Angeles and Montreal-Los Angeles routes.
Palm Pixi Now with Tinier Price: $25
Palm Pixi has received a 75 percent price chop at some retailers, just days after its debut. What’s good news for shoppers, however, may prove an image fiasco for Palm and its Pixi smartphone.
802.11n: The Wi-Fi Revolution Nobody Noticed
The 802.11n standard's performance and compatibility with older gear make it a no-brainer upgrade.
Judge Denies ATandT Request to Bump Verizon Ads
AT T’s request that Verizon pull its five “There’s a Map for That” ads has been denied, though attorneys will have another shot to argue their case. In the meantime, AT T has aired a new ad of its own, starring not misfit toys but actor Luke Wilson.
Analyst: Google Phone Won't Ding Apple's iPhone
BroadPoint AmTech analyst Mark McKechnie said a Google smartphone made by one vendor would be preferable to devices that pair hardware from Motorola, HTC and others with software and services from Google. The analyst said a Google phone would be a fine growth opportunity for the search engine as it seeks to extend its tendrils on the mobile Internet. Apple, by virtue of its singular choke point for hardware, applications and services, is best positioned to weather any Google phone attack. McKechnie expects 37.3 million iPhones will be sold worldwide in 2010, and said Apple could double its market share within a few years.
Nokia N900 ‘Mobile Computer` Now In U.S. Stores
The Nokia N900 is now in stores, Nokia announced Nov. 18. Nokia is positioning the device — which features a 3.5-inch touch screen, a 600MHz processor and the open-source Maemo 5 OS — as a “mobile computer.”
Green Manifesto Gives Mobile Industry Green Goals
The GSMA, with The Climate Group, released a Green Manifesto, suggesting industry-wide changes to help lower greenhouse gas emissions. Contributing to its launch, at the Mobile Asia Congress event, were executives from China Mobile and Huawei.
Under the Hood: Android-Based HTC Droid Eris
The Droid Eris, built by HTC and running on Verizon’s communications network, has been specifically designed to challenge iPhone in the smartphone arena. A lighter version of the Motorola Droid, the Droid Eris runs the Google Android operating system and features a 3.2-inch touch screen, a virtual keyboard, access to Android Marketplace and various Google applications such as Gmail, and a 5-megapixel camera. Whether these smartphones powered by Google Android will be true & iPhone killers& remains to be seen, but many consumers will find the variety of features and the graphical user interface appealing. For business users, the Droid Eris presents some useful tools, including support for Office Outlook Mobile and Microsoft Exchange with Direct Push, as well as the capacity for lightweight document editing.
ATandT, T-Mobile Get Competitive with BlackBerry Smartphones
AT T introduced the BlackBerry Curve 8520, while T-Mobile launched the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Nearly identical at a glance, the smartphones differ in price, as well as features such as GPS, WiFi calling and camera resolution.
Motorola Droid Is Cruising, but the Google Phone Is Coming
I read something yesterday that rankled me. In an interview with the New York Times, Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein knocked the Motorola Droid, questioning its mainstream market appeal and dismissing the device as a techie phone. The Droid gracefully enabled me to use the same applications I use on my laptop for work and personal use, with little drop off in user experience. How is that not a sign of a great consumer device? Isn't Apple's iPhone touted for the same? What is a techie phone? Meanwhile, Google is reportedly building the Google Phone we've all been reading about for two years.
ARM Opens Android Solutions Center
Chip designer ARM is opening the online Solution Center for Android to help designers and developers more easily build ARM-based devices running the Android operating system and software stack. ARM officials say OEMs are developing for Android—most recently, Dell, Acer and Motorola have announced new smartphones running the OS—but they also are looking for solutions that will help them in their work. The Solution Center for Android will offer various developer tools, software components and turnkey solutions.
10 Apple iPhone Myths Questioned in Report
While consumers may love the Apple iPhone, operators should keep their eyes open about this attractive, trendy smartphone, says a report from Strand Consult, which proposes to debunk 10 so-called myths about the iPhone.
10 Reasons Why Even the iPhone Can't Stop Android's Rise
News Analysis: The iPhone might be the leader in the mobile phone market, but that success won't be enough to stop Android's rise. Google's platform is simply too compelling and too appealing to consumers not to capture significant market share.