IntoMobile - Mobile Phone News, Information, and Analysis

Bell Pushing NHL Centre Ice Mobile In Time for NHL All-Star Game

James Falconer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:47:21 +0000

The 2009 NHL All-Star Game will take place at the Bell Centre

Hockey fans in Canada will be pleased to know that Bell is moving ahead with guns-a-blazin’ on the mobile TV tip (jeez, did that sentence even make sense!?). The National Hockey League is working exclusively with Bell for all of their Mobile NHL hockey feeds. Customers on Bell can subscribe for $8 per month. The fee will give Bell hockey fanatics access to live NHL games on NHL Audio, NHL Centre Ice Mobile, real-time text alerts… plus in-game and post-game video highlights. As a special little ’spiff’, Bell is including NHL wallpapers, ringtones and more as part of the monthly fee.

No doubt the partnership has a great deal to due with the fact that the NHL is heading to Montreal for the All-Star game this season. Where will the game be played? The Bell Centre. Imagine that

For more information, a list of compatible devices, and more… head on over to Bell.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

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Verizon’s “Open Network” initiative just lip service?

Will Park — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:12:53 +0000

So, when Verizon (NYSE: VZ) announced last year that they would be opening up their traditionally locked-down network to “Any App, Any Device,” we should have known better than to put too much faith in Big Red. After all, the move to allow unlocked handsets to work on Verizon’s network could possibly hurt Verizon Wireless’s bottom line.

Proving that Verizon doesn’t really want to open their network to consumer devices, the carrier has released a list of hardware compatible with the Verizon CDMA network sans contract. The only problem is that the list of compatible hardware stops short of including any consumer devices. Sure, there are modems, routers, and even a criminal ankle bracelet that will work on Verizon’s “open” network without a wireless contract. But, from a consumer stand point, Verizon’s open initiative looks to be full of hot air (putting it gently).

Interestingly, the sole mobile phone ever announced to be compatible with Verizon (pictured) has failed to materialize. The AirVoice handset was shown off by Verizon’s CEO earlier this year, but was left out of the official compatibility list. Verizon must really be trying to keep as many subscribers locked to wireless contracts as possible.

Of course, Verizon could just be taking its sweet time in testing and certifying actual mobile phone hardware for their “open network,” and we could be jumping the gun here. On the other hand, would it be all that surprising if Verizon’s open initiative was more lip-service (during a crucial spectrum auction that highlighted the importance of open networks) than a shift in corporate philosophy?

[Via: GearLog]

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DeviceAnywhere brings Android-powered T-Mobile G1 to a computer near you

Will Park — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:47:54 +0000

DeviceAnywhere, the company that specializes in providing web-based, interactive mobile phone models, has just announced that the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) G1 is now available for virtual testing and development. The T-Mobile G1 is the first, and by many accounts still the best, Android handset to hit market. And, with HTC expecting to push many more G1’s out the door before the end of 2009, it stands to reason that DeviceAnywhere would support the G1.

DeviceAnywhere users can “test, monitor, and develop for the Android G1… from anywhere in the world,” and can “interact with the G1 as they would if the device were in their hands. This includes interacting with the device’s touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard, using the one-click Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Search feature, and accessing the device’s high-speed 3.5G network connection and 3.2-megapixel camera.” DeviceAnywhere also offers virtualized models of the iPhone 3G and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Bold, giving customers a chance to compare the handsets side-by-side, all from the convenience of their home computer.

DeviceAnywhere boasts a collection of over 1,500 physical handsets that are connected to live networks - in the case of the G1, it’s connected to T-Mobile’s network. The handsets can be accessed and tested via a remote web connection, allowing developers and interested consumer to play with a device and ensure that it meets their needs and objectives. Users are invited to sign up for an account that includes three free hours of “play time” with DeviceAnywhere’s device portfolio.

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BlackBerry Curve 8900 (Javelin) hitting T-Mobile on February 11?

Will Park — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:17:33 +0000

It’s not often that we see manufacturers launching their mobile wares ahead of schedule. Bureaucratic red tape and carrier testing procedures usually result in launch delays. We’re used to seeing products delayed for so long that they risk becoming irrelevant, so it’s refreshing to see that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 (codenamed: Javelin) has actually had its launch window bumped up by a week. The BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Curve 8900 Javelin is now expected to launch on T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) on February 11, moved up from the previous launch date of February 18.

As you will probably recall, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 lacks any 3G radios, and so will be limited to GPRS/EDGE data speeds on T-Mobile’s network. Still, for those with little need for faster data speeds, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 should fit the bill quite nicely. With its slimmer profile, 3.2 megapixel camera, WiFi, and high-resolution display, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 takes the Curve lineup to the next level.

Now, if only RIM saw fit to endow the Bold with WiFi Javelin with 3G…

[Via: TmoNews]

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Random SMS/MMS Issue Frustrating Some T-Mobile G1 Users

James Falconer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:37:06 +0000

A strange situation has arisen around T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)-land. The issue concerns the T-Mobile G1 in particular. Seems as though, due to ‘issues with messaging servers’, G1 users have/are receiving SMS and MMS messages from others that didn’t even send them in the first place. The issue has been ongoing for a week or so now. Very odd. Things appear to be limited to the G1 handset only, and T-Mobile has ensured that engineers are working the problem.

Lets hope they can get this cleared up shortly, as some G1 users are definitely going crazy. I know I’d be a little peeved if I kept receiving strange SMS and MMS messages from strangers… Especially if they were a frequent occurrence.

[AndroidCentral via ModMyGPhone]

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AT&T Experiencing Data Outages… Again.

James Falconer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:10:00 +0000

That’s right. It appears as though AT&T (NYSE: T) are having some technical difficulties again today. Not a good thing for AT&T OR Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)… Considering the Macworld Keynote will be going on shortly. ‘Er, yeah… just ignore those outages people and carry on using your iPhones as per usual!’ We’re only a week removed from the last data outage on AT&T. Not good… Not good at all.

We received a little note in our inbox here at IntoMobile this morning to let us know about the outages. Over at HowardForums, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut have all been confirmed to be experiencing data outages. The New York area seems to be ok… Yet, I would expect these problems to spread a little bit before AT&T gets a handle on things. If you’re noticing outages in your area… Let us know!

Thanks The BORG!

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BooksOnBoard makes over 30,000 titles available to iPhone/iPod Touch users through Stanza

Dusan Belic — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:24:33 +0000

Web-based ebook store, BooksOnBoard, is bringing more than 30,000 eBook titles in the eReader eBook to the iPhone/iPod Touch. They [BooksOnBoard], however, are not releasing their own dedicated iPhone app. Rather the ebook store relies on the existing application, Stanza, which should be used for accessing BooksOnBoard’s offering.

Those not familiar with Stanza, should know it’s a free app that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to read books on their beloved devices.

If you want to give BooksOnBoard a try, simply visit this page where you’ll find all the instructions on how to make Stanza sing along the ebook store’s catalog.

Commenting on the announcement, BooksOnBoard’s Bob LiVolsi said: “This provides another way for our customers to keep their reading with them at all times. eBooks are about portability, convenience, and being green.”

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Eye-Fi announces its iPhone app

Dusan Belic — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:21:30 +0000

Eye-Fi, the folks behind the world’s first wireless memory card for digital cameras, announced it is developing an iPhone app that will allow Eye-Fi card owners to send photos taken on an iPhone directly to their computer and the Web.

The idea behind the dedicated application is to allow users to aggregate all of their photos — from both an iPhone and a digital camera — into organized folders on a computer, and/or to one of 25 online photo sharing and social networking Web sites. Photos taken on an iPhone will be automatically tagged with information about where the picture was taken, so that you can view them [photos] on a map and organize them by location.

Eye-Fi is currently previewing its iPhone app at Macworld in San Francisco, in booth #3315 in the North Hall, and if you want to know when the application becomes available for download, you can sign-up for an email alert on Eye-Fi’s website.

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NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam launched to provide Bay Area commuters with live traffic video on their mobiles

Dusan Belic — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:18:31 +0000

Today, NBC Bay Area announced the launched of the , a free service for Bay Area commuters that provides up-to-the-second live traffic video on their mobile phones.

From the press release:

The application for mobile devices gives drivers access to live video from traffic cameras operated by the California Department of Transportation, better known as Caltrans. The service is provided by 3rd Dimension, Inc.’s Mobileyes platform and will assist the millions of Bay Area drivers in planning the safest and most efficient commutes. In addition, the NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam will offer users access to cameras as they head out to area ski slopes and beaches providing them with real-time traffic conditions for their leisure pursuits.

The ad-supported service is compatible with most smartphones, but a data plan is required. If you have both of those and are interested to give it a try, hop over to www.nbcbayarea.com/mobile or call 877-622-2291, and take it from there. Once the applications installed, you will be able to view roadside traffic cameras and avoid the snarls of traffic. Selecting cameras along the route from the menus is simple and favorite routes can be saved and accessed quickly with a push of a button.

Finally, in addition to the San Francisco market, the Mobileyes service is available in Hartford, Conn.; New York; Los Angeles; Kansas City; Houston; Knoxville; Indianapolis; Detroit; and Washington, D.C.

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ABI Research: LCD still rules mobile phone screens, but new technologies hunt for niches

Dusan Belic — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:14:09 +0000

LCD is still king in the land of the mobile phone displays, but a number of other screen technologies are vying for small slices of the vast realm.

According to ABI Research, because LCD is a mature technology, it has a cost advantage that ensures its future as the primary display technology for some time to come. However, despite the face that LCD displays have improved greatly over the years, their performance still falls short in such areas as power consumption and readability in bright light conditions.

Among the “LCD challengers,” ABI identified few technologies:

Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), which they found to be among leading contenders because of the maturity of development and existing use in other devices such as TV sets.
Then, there’s Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM)’s micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based “mirasol” display that is finding its first role in secondary screens found on clamshell handsets. During this year, Qualcomm will open a dedicated mirasol display factory in Taiwan.
E-Ink, which is used for Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader, is also a technology worth mentioning. Though it is physically robust and boasts very low power consumption, E-Ink’s current lack of color handling and low refresh rate may limit its immediate appeal, but also has opportunity as a phone’s secondary display.

The problem with all the mentioned technologies, however, is that they all cost more than LCD displays. The sheer volume in the handset market means that even a differential of a few cents can make the difference between adoption and rejection…

More information about ABI’s report titled “Emerging Displays in Mobile Handsets” is available from their website.

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HTC S743 lands in US - Next generation hybrid keypad/keyboard handset arrives

Will Park — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:40 +0000

Fans of HTC’s hybrid-messaging handsets like the HTC Libra will be glad to hear that HTC is updating their smartphone lineup with a US variant of the HTC S740, dubbed the HTC S743. With both a numeric keypad and slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the HTC S743 offers a Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard (no touchscreen here, folks) experience unlike anything else in HTC’s current Diamond-inspired lineup.

The HTC S743 has been announced for the US market and will support the 850Mhz and 1900Mhz 3G frequencies (allowing for HSDPA data speeds) used by AT&T (NYSE: T) in The States. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard makes text and email messaging a breeze, while the numeric keypad highlights the handset’s emphasis on making voice calls. And, even with a 2.4-inch QVGA display offering generous screen real-estate, the HTC S743 manages to keep things nice and svelte - an ergonomic 1.7-inches wide.

On the design side of things, HTC has infused the HTC S743 with Diamond-styling, bringing it aethestically in line with the manufacturer’s WinMo portfolio. Like the HTC Touch Diamond, the HTC S743 sports sleek lines, glossy-black finishes, and a high-end feel. But, with a slide-out keyboard, the S743 will appeal more to text-happy users with no need for a touchscreen.

Expect the HTC S743 to hit select retail channels in the US in the first quarter of 2009.

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Fring for Windows Mobile gets a massive update

Dusan Belic — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:10:54 +0000

Ladies and gents, WinMo device users, a new version of the popular instant messaging and VoIP application Fring is out, packing tons of improvements.

Among them, we see:

Support for new phones, including the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) Xperia X1 and Samsung Omnia.
New and improved fring Add-ons.
File Transfer function is now included in the Windows Mobile too (it was already available for Symbian version), allowing users to send files to all their fring, Skype, MSN and Yahoo buddies.
Navigation and functionality have been improved with a new “Go-To menu”, Privacy and “Joystick-In” settings, typing indication, and new Add-Ons Management screen.
Added earpiece support for HTC smartphone owners.

Finally, Fring is all proud that their app has received Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s “Designed for Windows Mobile” certification. That doesn’t mean much for the end user, but it’s cool to have it, I guess. Download page remains the same…

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