HP’s PC division head confirmed in an interview that it will show the fruit of its marriage with Palm early 2011 in the form of a tablet, running webOS. HP put on the shelf its plans for the Slate – a Windows 7-powered tablet, but it is no doubt using the hardware expertise acquired on the way to come up with a webOS device just months after it acquired Palm. What would it be is anyone’s guess, but webOS is great at multitasking and many other things, so a tablet with it backed by HP’s mammoth production and marketing capabilities might stir up the market quite a bit.
Speaking of alternative mobile operating systems for the exploding tablet market, Bloomberg reports that BlackBerry will be releasing its BlackPad in November with an OS created by QNX – a Canadian software company it bought in April. It turns out that these guys are producing the in-car multimedia and navigation user interfaces in our Porsches, Audis and BMWs, so we are assuming that BlackBerry is aiming for a classy experience with the BlackPad. The QNX operating system has actually been around since the 80s and is now used in Canadian nuclear plants, so we’d dare to say it must be stable.
We are embedding a video of the latest QNX in-car touchscreen creation we could find, called the “Flash Motor” – the BlackPad’s user interface may or may not look anything like that. It’s QNX’s part of a project called the “LTE connected car”, using in-dash touchscreen for infotainment and controlling the car.
It has nothing to do with the BlackPad for now, but you can still check it out to see what the OS is capable of – UI is demoed as well as browsing, a YouTube client, etc. The QNX guys are heavy users of Adobe Flash in their software, so it will be relatively safe to assume Flash won’t be an issue, unlike on some other tablets we know of.
The latest version of webOS, that was released by Sprint for its Palm phones, seems to have unlocked some gaming capabilities on the Palm Pixi munchkin. Since webOS 1.4.5 brings OpenGL support to the handset, it is now able to run 3D games for mobile. Need for Speed: Undercover was installed on it to test the 3D prowess of the Palm Pixi, and it behaved quite well, with playable framerate, but slow loading times. If you are a Pixi user and have gaming pedigree, that is certainly great news.
While some are just receiving their mobile gaming capabilities, others are running Rage at 60fps. That is precisely what John Carmack from id Software (hint: DooM 1, 2 and 3; Quake 1, 2, 3 and 4) demoed with an iPhone 4 in his hands at QuakeCon 2010. Carmack was using id’s Tech 5 graphics engine, and, scaled for the iPhone, the “megatexture” experience of Rage looked amazingly smooth. He even went as far as to say that the demo is able to “kill anything done on the Xbox or PlayStation 2… “. Certainly an impressive feat, if we forget that the whole action is shown on a 3.5” screen, a big part of which is to be occupied by your thumbs.
source: Engadget and Gizmodo
Ever wondered what smartphone users are searching for from their handsets? Chitika Research has got you covered with a study revealing the top five search queries from each mobile OS. The sample was based on more than a million impressions across its advertising network in the past week. If we leave out common searches like “Father’s Day 2010”, “NBA Finals 2010”, “Oil spill” and “50 Cent Skinny”, some interesting differences emerge.
First off, Palm users seem to want back in vogue, as 2 of their top 5 searches are “HTC EVO” or “Sprint iPhone”. That’s not to say Palm users want them apples by all means, it rather looks like they just want out. On the other hand, Apple owners already have the mojo, but they still love to remind themselves they are part of the clan – iPhone and iPad users have often searched for “iPhone 4G” or “WWDC 2010”. And just as every self-respecting community, Apple users want to stay in touch with its main events.
The study finishes by listing the Android and BlackBerry top 5 searhes. By the looks of it, BlackBerry users stray from the everyday grind with the “funny sayings” search. Now, is that the most fun you can have with a BlackBerry, or what? It’s sad that the number 5 search from Android handsets is “Unemployment extension”, but that’s why they went with a free OS, after all, smart move.
source: Chitika Research
Palm’s WebOS devices and the iPhone are getting some free public TV viewing thanks to SPB TV that’s available for free through Palm’s App Catalog and Apple’s App Store. With plenty of viewing material from around the world, there will surely be something on there that’ll catch your eyes. The interface should be familiar to cable subscribers with its quick channel previews and TV Guide-like view to allow you to check out what’s playing. In addition, there is support for adaptive network bandwidth control to allow an undisturbed steady stream of your favorite content to your handset. With no additional subscription charges required to watch content, it would make the perfect solution for those individuals that can tolerate the available programming on these public television channels – plus it can be used to kill some time in between work.
via IntoMobile & PalmInfocenter
Just about a week before Steve Jobs held up the iPad in San Francisco, the word was that Verizon was going to be the iPad’s carrier and that this time, Big Red would not make the mistake of showing Steve Jobs the door. So many thought that it was Verizon’s time in the sun, that when Jobs announced that AT&T was to be the iPad’s initial 3G carrier, the oxygen level in the room decreased by 50%. Now nearly a week after the tablet’s announcement, there is word that perhaps Verizon isn’t totally done. According to Silicon Alley Insider, Fox News reporter Clayton Morris has a source inside Verizon who tells him that a CDMA version of the tablet is still in the works, and would be a new hardware version. Two Wall Street analysts, Brian Marshall of Broadpoint AmTech and Ashkok Kumar of Northeast Securities both believe that a Verizon branded iPad is on the way. Marshall says, “Based on some of my datapoints, I still think VZ will happen in the near-term on the iPad and in 2H10 on the iPhone.” On the other hand, both incorrectly predicted that Big Red would be named as a carrier at the event last week. And yes, Verizon could end up watching Apple and AT&T ring up accounts from the sidelines. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during his company’s post earnings conference call that multi-carrier solutions are not the best option for every country. So we are back to the same rumors and guesses that mark Apple’s lack of a relationship with Verizon. Apple’s relationship with AT&T meanwhile, has obviously been repaired. But WILL Verizon get the iPad?
source: SiliconAlleyInsider via AppleInsider
Business Week is reporting that Verizon will start offering the webOS powered duo of the Palm Pre and the Palm Pixi sometime this month. A BW source says that Big Red will introduce the models at this week’s CES in Las Vegas. Both models will have additional memory when compared to the current version of the devices, which have been available exclusively in the U.S. at Sprint since the launch of both phones.
For Palm, this is the second chance for the Pre to take off. When originally introduced last year, it was immediately considered the equal of the iPhone and hopes were high for big sales of the device. But the reality never caught up with the expectations and the Pre languished after being launched in June. Maribel Lopez, founder of Lopez Research LLC, a San Francisco-based consulting and research firm, says Palm has “to prove that this platform has legs and they can do something with it.” According to BW’s source, Big Red will determine the pricing for the phones this week. At Verizon, the Pre and Pixi will have to compete with the current flagship model, the Motorola DROID and the touchscreen BlackBerry Storm2. the carrier has been heavily marketing the Android based Motorola phone while practically ignoring the Storm sequel. The Business Week story also says that AT&T might start selling Palm’s phones in the first half of the year. This would mean that Palm would have to start producing GSM models of the webOS handsets for the American market.
source: BusinessWeek
Visit the download page for Adobe Flash from an iPhone and Adobe tells you in no uncertain terms whose fault it is that the software will not play on your device. “Apple restricts use of technologies required by products like Flash Player. Until Apple eliminates these restrictions, Adobe cannot provide Flash Player for the iPhone or iPod Touch,” says the writing in the box.
Now we take a look at what it says when you try to get Flash from a device using webOS. “Adobe Flash Player is coming to Palm’s webOS in the first half of 2010.” This is certainly exciting news for Pre owners and might actually be enough to sway those sitting on the fence to land on the side of the fence belonging to Palm’s handset. Besides the Pre, there is also talk that the recently launched Motorola DROID will be getting Flash 10 support in the first half of next year. This looks to leave Apple out in the cold unless they start playing nice with Adobe. Remember Apple, pride comes before a fall.
For the time being, Palm’s latest webOS update, 1.2.1, weighing in at 38MB, addresses issues with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, adds photo albums to Media Sync, and continues the cat-and-mouse game with Apple by repairing the broken iTunes sync. Maybe Apple will quickly push out an incremental update that breaks the sync again? We hope not, but until that day comes, enjoy the restored iTunes sync-ability.
Following are the rest of the official updates:
New applications
NONE
Feature changes to existing applications Email
Resolved an issue where after installing the 1.2.0 webOS update some customers running Exchange 2007 could no longer synchronize with their Exchange account for Email, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks.
System
Resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (9.0.1).
Media sync now synchronizes photo albums, maintaining the album structure in the Photos app.
Media sync now allows for synchronizing photos without requiring the full-resolution originals. This provides faster display of high-quality full-screen images and enables users to store more photos on the phone.
Web
Resolved an issue where if a user tried to play streaming music or video, the media stream might drop out or have a long delay before starting.
Security
This release implements several security fixes, including the following:
Addresses a security issue encountered by webkit developers. This issue did not impact end users.
Individuals interested in contacting Palm to report suspected security issues can find more information at palm.com/security.
There is a bit of a history between Palm and Apple and the Palm Pre’s use of iTunes for syncing media. Palm has been manipulating the hardware Vendor ID so that iTunes has recognized the Pre as an iPod, and iTunes responds by closing the loophole with each subsequent iTunes update. Then, Palm circumvents Apple’s update and the cat-and-mouse game continues. Recently, Palm approached the USB Implementers Forum to seek support in preventing Apple from restricting use of iTunes. Instead of garnering support, the USB-IF Forum is riled up. They don’t see that Apple is in violation of their rules and regulations by blocking Palm’s use of iTunes, and they are upset by Palm’s position that they will use Apple’s Vendor ID to access iTunes – they view this as a violation and expect Palm to respond with their intent within a week.
Where does Palm go from here? We should find out soon. Although use of iTunes is convenient, Palm may consider devising their own syncing method so they no longer stir up the Apple and USB-IF hornets nest.
As expected, Apple has released an update for iTunes, which seems to put an end to the happy syncing time Pre users had. So, if you would rather keep iTunes syncing, then you should avoid updating it to version 8.2.1, which brings “important bug fixes” and “addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices”. However, it looks like plugging the Pre in actually brings iTunes 8.2.1 up, but then Palm’s smartphone does not appear in the sidebar.
Until the developers have figured out a way to override the fix, you can go for an alternative way to sync your content; for example, by using doubleTwist. You can find more information about it here. Mac users also have their alternative – The Missing Sync app, more about it here.
HP’s PC division head confirmed in an interview that it will show the fruit of its marriage with Palm early 2011 in the form of a tablet, running webOS. HP put on the shelf its plans for the Slate – a Windows 7-powered tablet, but it is no doubt using the hardware expertise acquired on the way to come up with a webOS device just months after it acquired Palm. What would it be is anyone’s guess, but webOS is great at multitasking and many other things, so a tablet with it backed by HP’s mammoth production and marketing capabilities might stir up the market quite a bit.
Ever wondered what smartphone users are searching for from their handsets? Chitika Research has got you covered with a study revealing the top five search queries from each mobile OS. The sample was based on more than a million impressions across its advertising network in the past week. If we leave out common searches like “Father’s Day 2010”, “NBA Finals 2010”, “Oil spill” and “50 Cent Skinny”, some interesting differences emerge.
For the time being, Palm’s latest webOS update, 1.2.1, weighing in at 38MB, addresses issues with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, adds photo albums to Media Sync, and continues the cat-and-mouse game with Apple by repairing the broken iTunes sync. Maybe Apple will quickly push out an incremental update that breaks the sync again? We hope not, but until that day comes, enjoy the restored iTunes sync-ability.
There is a bit of a history between Palm and Apple and the Palm Pre’s use of iTunes for syncing media. Palm has been manipulating the hardware Vendor ID so that iTunes has recognized the Pre as an iPod, and iTunes responds by closing the loophole with each subsequent iTunes update. Then, Palm circumvents Apple’s update and the cat-and-mouse game continues. Recently, Palm approached the USB Implementers Forum to seek support in preventing Apple from restricting use of iTunes. Instead of garnering support, the USB-IF Forum is riled up. They don’t see that Apple is in violation of their rules and regulations by blocking Palm’s use of iTunes, and they are upset by Palm’s position that they will use Apple’s Vendor ID to access iTunes – they view this as a violation and expect Palm to respond with their intent within a week.
As 