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The Year of the Tablet is Here! HINT: It’s Not Made Of Hot Air
Jan 5th
But it’s Not From Apple!
There’s a New Tablet Player on the Horizon
And the name? HTC-With the help of Google, of course. With the new lineup of Android phones on its way this year, HTC has apparently decided they like Google products enough to use them for more gadgets-namely an HTC Tablet powered by Chrome OS. It looks as HTC & Google will be making an announcement, complete with a working prototype of the HTC competitor to the iSlate-the as of yet still non-existent Apple version of the tablet-at the upcoming 2010 CES about the device and Smartmouth reports that HTC and Google “…has several working models of a touch tablet, including one model based on the new Google Chrome Operating System…”
I’s a Real Tablet-What’s Under the Hood?
Well, some are based with the Android, and another with the Chrome OS, so from that standpoint alone, it will be fast. Combine those with a Qualcomm processor, and you’ve got yourself a lightening fast tablet. It is also said the HTC tablet will incorporate new Adobe software as well, something an Apple device would never have the pleasure of having. Poor Apple, they know what they are missing, yet don’t care what the customers want… But more on that below.
The iSlate Rumor
Over the last 10 years or so, and more so in the last 2 years, the rumors have been flying heavily about an Apple Tablet in the works. The problem is, however, the rumors have yet to see even a patent or an FCC approval. In most cases when rumors start making the rounds, one of those two things usually see he light of day within a few months. But, with the tablet supposedly in the works from Apple, neither of these things have even been heard of.
Yet most people and analysts believe an Apple tablet to be on its way for this quarter of 2010. Some news outlets, analysts and bloggers have even put a price on the non-existent tablet, stating it to be affordable-very unprofessional in my eyes. What is it, an affordable piece of air? Well, yes, that is all it is at this point.
But, what I want to know is what is the iSlate going to be good for? Lets talk about Adobe Flash and Apple… Not allowing flash is part of the iPhone TOS! Clause 3.3.2 of the iPhone SDK TOS agreement specifically states: (Directly from PDF of TOS via Wired Magazine)
“…an Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means, including without limitation through the use of a plug-in architecture, calling other frameworks, other APIs or otherwise. No interpreted code may be downloaded and used in an Application except for code that is interpreted and run by Apple’s Published APIs and built-in interpreter(s).”
WTF?!?! That is censorship and complete non-sense if you ask me. Apple is just being a bit old-fashioned. I mean, I really don’t understand how the iPhone does so well if there is no Flash support… Anyway, back to the supposed HTC tablet-that DOES have flash support. How does Apple expect to keep iSlate customers when they now know they will never be able to access 90% of the internet? What the Hell is an iSlate going to be good for? Just to have the Apple name around and be seen as an upper-class citizen? I don’t think so…
The Real Reason for the Tablet
Advertising and Marketing-that’s it! Until Apple even asks for approval from the FCC for the tablet, it shouldn’t be speculated so damn much. There will never be one if there isn’t by now. It’s all just a play on advertising. Every time tablet rumors fly, stocks jump and soar through the roof. And with the recession, of course there are more rumors. It’s the only thing keeping them alive! Why does no one see that?
At Least the HTC “Tablet-to-Be” is Real
I mean, at least HTC has a prototype! No one has even seen so much as a single part, or officially drawn blueprint of the tablet form Apple, have they? Nope! Not a one. HTC has a few working prototypes to boast, and they will at the up-coming conference, rightfully so. So I say forget Apple, and see the rumors for what they are. Just another way for Apple to milk more money out of its customers-without even selling them anything!
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Is the Google Phone-The Nexus One-Asking for Legal Trouble?
Dec 16th
On It’s Way to a Copyright Infringement Suit?
Isa Dick Hackett Seems to Think So
Isa Dick Hackett, the daughter of Philip K Dick, the mastermind of “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” has taken legal counsel in possible preparations of a copyright infringement case against Google. She seems to think the Google Phone, known as Nexus One infringes on the novella with the character “Roy Baty and his replicant cohorts” were “Nexus-6 models.” These characters also appeared in the Sci-Fi movie, Blade Runner, which was also based on the novella by PKD.
What’s the Real Deal?
The thing is, the word nexus has been around for a long time, since the 17th century in fact. So, theoretically the Google Phone is not bordering on infringement at all. Especially because when the novel came out, the word Nexus-6 was never copyrighted. So for now, the Google Phone,which is manufactured by HTC and soon to be officially known as the “Nexus One,” is safe if the December 12 2009 filing of an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office goes as planned and is approved. HTC also filed an application with the FCC for the Nexus One, and was approved.
Mrs. Hackett apparently intends to make the road to Nexus One a difficult one, though. Because she has obtained legal counsel, it would seem that a copyright infringement and/or intellectual property infringement case is looming on the horizon. Especially with the comments she has made, “In my mind, there is a very obvious connection to my father’s novel.” and how she is “shocked and dismayed” at the “obvious infringement” by Google.
And the Verdict Is?
I think Google might actually win this one, based on the fact that the word Nexus has been around for so very long and so because it was never copyrighted in the first place by PKD after the writing of the novella, or after the makings of Blade Runner. On that principle alone, Google should be in the clear. The problem is, there has already been precedent set for this type of infringement. Motorola sought permission form Lucasfilm for the use of the name Droid, and was granted licensure to use it, even though the actual name was never copyrighted in the first place. The one real step up Google has right now with this problem is the approval by the FCC.
This one could go wither way. Personally, I think Google should have played on the safe side of the fence and asked permission, but I am proud they would just go ahead and file without doing so because of the long history of the word. I guess we’ll just have to wait and what comes of this in the near future. And as soon as we know something, you will know.
Information obtained from Wired.com and The NY Times.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
The HTC Legend Outed-High-End Player-Low-End Price?
Dec 15th
To Be Presented @ Upcoming 2010 Mobile World Conference
Finally A Low-End Smartphone by a High-End Manufacturer
First outed by AndroidAndMe.com, with the leak of the upcoming phones in 2010 by HTC, the HTC Legend is one of the first “low-end” smartphones to be released as a major player in the “high-end game”. While it may not be all that as compared to the others being released by HTC in the first half of 2010, like the Bravo and Salsa, it is still a great looking phone. And the best thing is, it’s speculated that it’s going to be at a great price too.
HC Legend
What’s the Deal?
According to the Ai.rs blog, the Legend will sport one of the Qualcomm processors which was especially made for phones to be sold for under $150. So, if you were to ask anyone how much they think the Legend will go for, you would get the same answer. Probably around the $150 to $200 range, making it one of the cheapest smartphone on the market. And considering the Qualcomm MSM7227 supposedly clocks at 600 MHz, it’s one of the faster too. Even a bit faster than other Android phones which have processors clocking at 528Mhz.
So What Else Does it Have?
Aside from an awesome processor, the HTC Legend will sport the newest Android OS, wither the 2.0 or 2.1, if it happens to be out by then. Then it also has a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus and LED flash and a 3.2″ HVGA AMOLED capacitive touchscreen. As for memory, it will use 512MB flash with 256MB RAM and have a microSD slot for expandable memory options. The battery will be 1300mAH and it will also have all of the other standard smartphone features like Bluetooth 2.1, GPS and A-GPS, digital compass, a 3.5mm jack and an FM radio. The Legend will also sport an optical mouse, like the Bravo will.
According to some speculation, the HTC Legend is apparently on its way to T-Mobile UK and some say it’s possible it will wind up with T-Mobile US as well.
And the Verdict Is?
I think this is a very nice smartphone. And nicely priced for such a catch by HTC. Honestly, I don’t understand why smartphones need to be so expensive anyway. I mean, if the phones are priced according to chip set, as this one apparently is because of Qualcomm manufacturing this particular one for low-end phones, why is this phone so inexpensive as it (the chipset) seems to be better than the others? I know it’s only part of the way phones are priced, but still, it makes no sense to me.
I think that if you have been waiting for the right time to buy a smartphone, this might be it. You won’t even have to save up too much money for this one either, apparently. This will be the smartphone that breaks the price barriers while playing with the big-boys in the market, and although it may not win, it still has a fighting chance based on price alone.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
The Google Phone: Rumors Confirmed
Dec 13th
Unlocked & Unleashed
**UPDATE 3:08 AM EST 12/13/09: Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Google Phone will be called the Nexus One**
Coming to Any Sore Near you
That’s right folks, you heard right. The Google Phone is CONFIRMED! It exists. Period. It is made by HTC and will be unlocked, just like all the rumors said it was going to be. SO I guess that means for all you Google Phone Haters out there, you must be having a pretty hard time fessing up getting smacked down with the fact that you were wrong, aren’t you?
Ok, so here’s the deal…
So, as of December 11 2009, employees of Google started tweeting the news that Google has handed out probably hundreds of these phones to their employees. They call this practice “dogfooding.” The official Google Mobile blog stated that it did in fact hand out some devices to their employees, but because
“…dogfooding is a process exclusively for Google employees, we cannot share specific product details. We hope to share more after our dogfood diet.”
What’s Under the Hood?
Not very much is known about the device, but TechCrunch was able to confirm a few details and Unlocker.com was able to get heir hands on some pics of it and it appears as if it is a version of the HTC Passion, a close cousin of the Hero. It will supposedly be released in January of 2010.
The Google Phone will run Android 2.1 and it will be as the Google Gods intended it to be with no splintering off of it, meaning it will runt eh way ti was intended to run… Apps and all. And of course it is an Unlocked GSM phone meaning that AT&T or T-Mobile will probably run with it, it has an ungodly camera for a smartphone, and a beautiful touchscreen with an on screen QWERTY. But for those who don’t like the on-screen keypad, the phone supposedly will come equipped with voice to text, meaning you can talk and the software will convert it to email or a text message and send it for you. The Google is said to be really fast too, and that is because it is running a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor-1Ghz. It also has two mics to limit any unwanted background noise, which is perfect for the talk to text feature.
And the Verdict Is?
I honestly wonder why anyone doubted that Google would come out with a phone al their own. I understand why some people might think it will hurt sales because being as the Google Phone is unlocked, it might do a bit better than any of the other “Google phones,” or the phones with other companies running the Android OS in one form or another.
But I really don’t think it will be a problem. I mean, these people are locked into contracts so the ones who have phones can’t go anywhere unless they pay those horrifying fees, and the people who don’t have an Android based phone yet might not want to spring for the Google phone based on price, as unlocked phones tend to be twice as expensive than their locked counterparts without a contract. So it could really go either way. I m just glad it is finally here, aren’t you?
I mean at least when Google says they are going to do something, they do. Not like some “bad apples” I know of…
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Andriod 2.0 is Official-HTC About to Challenge the Motorola Droid?
Oct 28th
Apparently It’s Not The Only One…
What’s the Deal?
Today it was officially announced that the Android 2.0 OS for smartphones is available to developers and will be featured in the up and coming Verizon Motorola Droid smartphone. this phone has its official release date as November 6th and has a price tag of about $200 after the usual rebate-contract deals.
HTC Getting In the Game?
Apparently there will be another release on November 6th. The HTC Eris with the Android 1.5 OS, although it has not been officially announced, will be rolled out the same day as the Motorola Droid with the 2.0 Android OS. But HTC has other plans as well. With the release of the HTC HD2, or Leo as it was codenamed, on November 11 2009, with the Windows Mobile 6.5 technology, they have apparently been trying to play catch up to Motorola Droid. The dual release on the 6th helps, but it’s no Droid phone.
Enter the HTC Codename “Passion”
That’s right. Apparently HTC has had another Android 2.0 smartphone in the works for Verizon all this time. It will be the follow-up to the HTC HD2. As of now, nothing much is known of the Passion, but there are plenty of rumors flying around…
One thing is for certain though, if it IS the follow up or sister release of the HD2, then it is sure to have the great new Sense UI and capacitive touchscreen with WVGA resolution as well.
But lets just await the “official” announcement, shall we?
And The Verdict Is…
Go Droid 2.0! Before there is even an update to the Android 1.5-it still has had no update to 1.6- and it is still struggling to make it big in the Smartphone market. Not too many companies have been picking it up. At least not just yet. But maybe things will change with the release of the Android 2.0 Eclair. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
Windows Mobile 6.5-Apparently As Disappointing As the Vista Desktop OS
Oct 12th
What’s Up With Mobile OS 6.5?
Wow. Microsoft has managed to do it again. Hype us all up for what is supposed to be the greatest release of a mobile OS yet, Windows Mobile 6.5. And then finally after all this time waiting, hoping and saying to ourselves, “Could this really be it? Is this really going to be the best one yet?” Just to find out the truth once again… That Microsoft has produced another dud.
A Little Microsoft History
But then again, did we really expect anything else? I mean look at their recent history. Windows XP and XP Professional, the desktop OS’s which were the greatest released since the worst OS in history (Windows ME [cringing while typing]). Then supposedly Vista was supposed to be better. “Better, faster and more powerful…” Microsoft promised. But what did they deliver? another bad imitation of the ME OS.
What’s Inside the New Mobile OS?
Well, for starters, it has added Titanium, an on screen menu. But, because of custom branding of the main screen by the phone makers themselves Titanium is almost worthless. Then there is the start button at the top left of the screen, required on all screens and the bizarre way the apps menu is set up. There is apparently no way to change it. The only thing you can do with the apps is to “move to top” and nothing else. Not very engaging if you ask me. There is no way to get rid of the ones you want and no way to tell where you are in the menu. What is the point of a menu if you can’t navigate properly? Especially for those who go crazy buying all the apps they can, you will never be able to find the one you want without getting “lost”. There aren’t too many other changes, as most are just on the surface with not much under the hood itself. According to Gizmodo.com, it’s almost like a revamp of Windows Mobile 6.1 and noting else. Almost like when a person dyes their hair or changes a makeup look.
History Repeats Itself
And now with the release of the Mobile OS 6.5, the bad reputation is repeating… And getting worse. And the worst thing about this is that any phone that is utilizing this mobile OS is going to suffer for it. Take the HTC, LG and Samsung smartphones for example. These mobile phones have a reputation of being some of the best phones on the market. But now because some of their models are running Windows Mobile OS 6.5, they are going to take the hit.
And The Verdict Is?
Guilty. Guilty of just plain laziness to deliver what the customer wants. The customers wanted something better. Now they are going to have to wait for the release of Windows Mobile OS 7.0 and, with MS’s reputation holding steady, that is probably going to take a while (and probably going to be as bad). I am predicting that because of the recent reviews stating that the OS is a disappointment, sales will either drop of take a while to catch up to the competition. All because Microsoft had to rush to get the updated OS out there without putting any real effort into it.
For more ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
And check back tomorrow for my take on the QWERTY vs. DVORAK controversy
Android everywhere: Beta for the mass market
Oct 2nd
Android Android Android. Every company now has to produce smartphones with Android. Of course this is understandable: Since the iPhone came to the market, everyone is now desparately trying to bring their ow version of something touchscreen. And what would be better than an open OS that looks at least a bit like what Apple does? Right now every major manufacturer except Nokia brings out several Android phones, no matter if Samsung, HTC or LG, even Sony Ericsson might one sunny day announce their Xperia Rachael. But is Android really a competitor? I would say no.
Android on a HTC Touch? Yes, it’s possible
Jun 22nd
I the past there used to be a competition to put the famous game Doom onto more or less everything: Even the iPod Touch has its own version as well as Tvs. This was (whyever) my first thought when I read this: Android runs on a HTC Touch. But in contrary to putting Linux on a toaster or Doom on an iPod this actually makes sense.
