Month: July 2009 (Page 13 of 13)

      iPhone OS 3.1 Beta Includes Video Improvements and MMS Controls

      July 1, 2009 /

      iPhone MMS.Apple has released both the OS 3.1 SDK and the firmware beta for developer testing. As you might expect, it’s not just developers fiddling with the update. iPhone enthusiasts are compiling the changes, which include some nice improvements for on-the-go video editing and even native MMS buttons.

      Here’s a quick list of 3.1 updates:

      * Non-destructive video editing – When you edit a video in 3.1, you’ll get a prompt to save the edited version, or save both the edited version and a copy of the original.
      * Voice Control over Bluetooth
      * Vibration when you enter home screen editing
      * OpenGL and Quartz improvements
      * APIs to allow third-party application access to video controls and editing

      OS 3.1 also updates the AT&T profile to 4.2 and updates modem firmware to 5.08.01. The profile update will hopefully allow MMS messaging when the full version is released. Beta testers have found they can create MMS messages but can’t send them.

      I’m glad to see Voice Control over Bluetooth since, you know, being hands free is kinda the point of Bluetooth. I’m not sure why the vibration feature is necessary. It’s pretty clear when you enter home screen editing, but hey, maybe not for everyone. As for the rest, looks like we’ll have to wait to see what developers can do with them.

      Apple, iPhone, Mobile

      webOS 1.0.4 Fixes Security, Breaks Homebrew

      July 1, 2009 /

      Palm webOS 1.0.4.This is one app decision I understand from Palm. They released webOS 1.0.4, which fixes the security hole that made homebrew apps available. Yes, that also means homebrew apps are no longer available.

      This one’s probably a good thing, because that security hole was kinda huge. It allowed users to install applications via a link in the email. Still, it sucks to kill the simple homebrew scene when the SDK for the app still isn’t live.

      Users can still use previously installed homebrew applications, and of course there’s always rooting if you want to install your own applications. You can find a quick guide on rooting your Pre, with a quick and dirty Linux tut, at the pre dev wiki.

      Apps, Mobile

      Energizer Adds DSLR/Camcorder USB Charger

      July 1, 2009 /

      Energizer's Energi To Go DSLR/camcorder USB charger.Energizer’s Energi To Go line has some pretty sweet stuff, including a solar battery charger for just $50. They’re adding another device to the line later this year that’s turning some heads – the DSLR/camcorder battery USB charging clip. I really hope they have a better name.

      This nifty little toy looks great. Two prongs hang from the top of what is essentially a chip clip with a usb stick attached. The prongs line up with the contacts on most DSLR/camcorder batteries, giving you an ultra portable way to charge on the go.

      The only setback is that the clip may require one of Energizer’s USB-equipped battery packs, but even so, it’s USB, and that’s awesome. Now if we could just get universal charging adapters for our cell phones.

      Energizer has yet to release pricing and availability for the clip, but I’d guess it’ll fall somewhere around $20. Watch for it in Q3 this year.

      Source: Gearlog

      Cameras, Video

      Palm Sells 300,000 Pres, Saves Their Company…For Now

      July 1, 2009 /

      Palm Pre selling like bagels.Palm’s Pre sales numbers just continue to grow, and the latest report holds one mind-jarring statistic. The Pre has sold nearly as many phones in a month as Palm sold as an entire company last quarter.

      Those numbers aren’t coming from Palm, who remains quiet where specific figures are concerned. They’re from Edward Snyder at Charter Equity Research, who thinks the Pre could sell as many as 1 million units within its first quarter. That looks small compared to the latest iPhone release, but it’s a full 300% improvement over last quarter, and that’s just for the Pre.

      Palm isn’t out of the woods yet, though. Regardless how many phones they sell, they still need to back those phones up with decent support, and that’s what has some people worried. Their are already droves of complaints of shoddy construction and significant phone damage from relatively mild use.

      I wrote an article yesterday about the importance of application support, which is where Palm is looking the worst. They’ve still got just 30 apps. Even if half of them are excellent, daily use type apps, that won’t be enough to keep a million users interested for long. Palm needs to release the SDK in a bad way, and it’s looking like a couple months before they do

      Apps, Mobile

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