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The Lenovo LePhone-Another Great Phone Headed to China
Jan 7th
With No Plans to Hit the US Market
Another Android Mod for China
Just announced at The 2010 CES: The Lenovo LePhone A Mash-up of Android, Palm & iPhone, to hit the Chinese market.
Just like many of the phones we have seen go off to China, the Lenovo LePhone is based on the Android 2.1 OS. It will, however, be a modified version in order have the ability to offer up the 3G and WiFi services on the Chinese WCDMA band. Any phones wishing to offer these advanced services must allow the modifications to the OS so it is compatible with the Chinese network because of a long standing ban on the services.
Unfortunately, allowing the modifications means one huge Android based service will not be present when the LePhone is finally released… The Android Market. As a matter of fact, the LePhone is restricted greatly in this area as the phone is not compatible at all for applications of any kind.
What LePhone DOES Have
Well, like I mentioned, it is a watered down adapted version of the Android 2.1 OS, made compatible for use with the WCDMA network in China. Because LePhone follows the Chinese rules, it will offer 3G and WiFi services. It is also compatible with on-screen widgets instead of applications.
On the inside it will have the much talked about Qualcomm 1Gb Snapdragon Processor along with all the rest of the usual smartphone offerings such as Bluetooth, GPS, Camera, and more. In fact, this phone sports two cameras, one on the front for Video and one on the back for still shots. The Photo cam is a 3 megapixel with LED flash. This dual cam setup is nothing new to China, as it is seen on all the knock-offs that come out of the country. Maybe other countries will catch on…
The Physical aspects of the phone : It is only 12 mm thick and 60mm wide, making it for one of the thinnest phones around. It also has a 3.5mm jack and no buttons at all. Not even touch sensitive keys but instead relies on a Palm WebOS like touch sensitive interface. And it also has a Palm inspired card view task manager and an iPhone inspired on-screen menu. The display size is 3.7″ and is an AMOLED display with am impressive 800×480 resolution, great for the Video and the Camera.
And the Verdict Is?
I think some of the best phones make it to China. It’s a shame, though, the Android and any other OS must be modified just to run certain modern and much used services. This modification limits greatly what a pone can do on the Chinese network. Oh well, did we really think a communist country would allow all the great things we have without making it their own? Of course they are going to limit what the products they offer can do, they don’t want their people knowing there is a better world out here…
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.
Was Palm’s Web OS Update a Prelude to Something Bigger?
Dec 29th
While Sprint Pushes the Pre Update, WiFi Clears the FCC on the Pixi
Palm Pre Sprint p100eww Update-webOS 1.3.5
The update range from fixes of incorrect conversation views to tweaks in fonts and messaging. However while the updates are many, there are two categories that were affected the most, the App Catalog and the System itself. It is in these two areas where most of the updating took place, so here is a rundown of some of the changes:
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App catalog:
- Users can now download multiple applications at the same time.
- Users can run the app download in the background if they are doing something else
- Users can now download all available updates at one time (instead of one by one) at the tap of the Pre
- The new improved search results are based on a tweaked algorithm
- People living in US Territories can now purchase paid or apps.
- Automatic resume of a download if it was interrupted by no fault of the user-IE if they go out of network
- Full storage capacity is now accessible and downloaded apps are stored on the USB drive
The System:
- Again, user can use full capacity of memory storage
- In areas of poor network coverage, there is improved battery life
- if user is using an app that supports landscape mode, notification is given is at the bottom of the screen
- After a user logs into the Palm Profile, the apps downloaded from the App Catalog are restored i the background and the user can use other phone features during the restoration.
- Now, if a user swiped a link to delete it, it will delete instead of open in the browser.
Of course, the update is free and is available on the Palm site for download, along with detailed instructions and complete details about all the changes, including those not listed here.
WiFi Certification Shows up on Database
Although everyone knew Palm would eventually make its way to Verizon, just because this WiFI Certificate is showing up on the WiFi Certified Database, doesn’t mean it’s headed to Verizon for sure. Or does it? Apparently, according to Engadget.com, the frequencies match those of Verizon and they are attached to the Pixi. Plus, the FCC filing for a CDMA/EVDO Palm, model number P121EWW. All signs lead to the WiFi Pixi in 2010. A Pixi with Bluetooth and all the rest of the Pixi features. This is making for a great first quarter for Verizon, that’s for sure.
And the Verdict Is?
Well, it took long enough, anyway. And just like the folks over at Engadget said, why on Earth would anyone want to scoop up a WiFiless Pixi from Sprint now knowing a better one is on the way-from a better carrier altogether? Verizon is taking over for real this coming year. With the preparations for all these different phones-including the iPhone-watch and see if I am not right…
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.
