youserblog – nothing else
user generated opinions
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.
Voice On the Go-Talk to Compose Your Email and Text?
Nov 2nd
Making it Safe to Drive and Talk or Text
What’s the Deal?
Apparently there is a new (or not so new, depending on how you look at it) device that allows a person to talk to compose email and text, as well as listen to incoming messages-All while you drive. This can be done anytime, on any network and any phone. Cell phones are Smartphones-it doesn’t make a difference, they are all compatible. The BlackBerry, iPhone-all of them, Nokia’s Motorola’s, WinMo phones, you name it and it will work.
Can It Do Anything Else?
Really? You want it do do more? Ok, you win… Here goes–The Voice on the go application can also go through your contacts and place a call from the list, check and update your calendar, send Tweets and update your Facebook profile. Wow..That is real cool. Do you know why? Where other apps claim to be all voice activated, this one really is. With others you have to press a button to be able to activate it. With Voice on the Go, it is completely voice activated. Making it a lot more safer to drive. And with the Txt L8R campaign up and running, this is just in time.
What’s the Verdict?
If you own a mobile phone and drive with it, you need this app. Not onl will you be using one of the coolest applications around, you are making the road much safer by being more aware of your surroundings. And it only costs 5.99 a month-A small price to pay for your life and its safety, don’t you think? I sure do.
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!
Introducing the PowerMat- The First Universal Charger? And A List of PowerMat Devices
Oct 31st
But First–It’s That Time of Year Again…
It’s The Holidays
Whatever your holiday may be, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah and so on, it is just about the time to start your holiday shopping. I think that because almost everyone in the world has a Smartphone, Smartphone accessories would be a great place to start looking for the perfect gifts.
So from now until the middle of December, I will be throwing in some “Best Accessories” lists for a different Smartphone with every list. It will include what it is and how much it costs. Maybe I’ll even tell you where to find them.
Any Comments From the Peanut Gallery?
One thing though, there are so very many of them, I may not be able to get to them all. So if any of you out there have a unrequited need for me to include a phone that I haven’t already, leave a comment and let me know, and I will do my best to throw up a list for it. If not, them I will go on my merry little way and list the accessories for the most popular smartphones.
The Number one accessory Great for Any Phone-The POWERMAT
And anything with Bluetooth, any cell or smartphone, digital cameras and readers, hand-held games, MP3 Players, portable GPS, and possible even more things. If it is wireless, you might be able to charge it on the PowerMat!
That’s right. Reviewed by Network World in their October 19th Print Magazine, is a little tiny article on the PowerMat and now it’s starting to pop-up all over the Internet. And boy does this thing rock.
The Obvious Question-What’s the Deal?
Well, first of all it can charge up to 3 devices at the same time. And it also has a USB plug in the back to charge a fourth if needed. It is out of the way, recessed and apparently hard to reach. But who needs more than three trays anyway? Almost anyone I say. That is the first problem with the PowerMat. It should be larger with all the devices people own and need to charge these days, that should have been thought of from the start.
The places you set the devices down on the mat are called plates. Each plate has a LED light to let you know the device is charging properly. The lights can be customized to vary in intensity or turned off completely. It also has what they call “Audio Confirmation” and it uses a beep when the device is firmly seated in place and another, different sounding beep when the device is removed. But for those people who don’t like the sounds the audio can be turned off too. It also has a magnetic receiver to hold the device firmly in place so it charges properly.
For each device, you will need a special receiver so the mat will know how much power and how long to charge the device for. The RFID tags do this job and the PowerMat already have one for the iPhone, BlackBerry and Nintendo DS. There is a general adapter as well. A test done by Theinquirer.net used an iPod Nano4G and an HTC Magic and reports that …”
Charging both at the same time on the Powermat, the Nano was fully charged in around minutes and the Magic was done in about two hours, pretty much the exact same amount of time as charging them with dedicated chargers.
Here is a list of all available devices by the PowerMat-
Home & Office Mat
Portable Mat
Powercube
Dock for iPod and iPhone
iPhone Case
iPod Touch Case
BlackBerry Bold Battery Door
BlackBerry Curve 8300 Battery Door
BlackBerry Curve 8900 Battery Door
BlackBerry Pearl Battery Door
Nintendo DS Lite Back Panel
Nintendo DSi Back Panel
And the Verdict Is?
So Lets see if I got this right… The PowerMat will charge almost any wireless device all in one place. Meaning no looking for cords, or tripping on numerous plugged in cords as the only cord needing to be plugged in is that of the PowerMat itself. And it makes the Greenies happy by its automatic shut off and saving energy. That sounds like a winner to me. And there are so many different devices to choose from you are sure to find something to but the person who has everything…
And here’s the kicker… There just might be some more bands of the PowerMat on the way. Sony apparently has one in the works as I type. Maybe it will be finished for the holidays. I think it is bout time there is something like this on the market.
It can be bought online @ the PowerMat website or at any Best Buy and Target Stores. As for the price? The prices are oddly the same in wither store… between $29.99-$39.99 for the smaller receivers and devices and $99.99 for the home Mat and the Office Mat. I can see paying the prices for the smaller items, but $100 for the PowerMat itself? I would rather wait for a sale. Keep an eye out for Black Friday sales.. The prices are sure to go down a bit then(and you can put them on layaway too).
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for a list of the best accessories for the Palm Pre Smartphones. 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!
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!
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.
