Category: Mobile Tech

Nokia N9 Not Coming to America?

After posting a tantalizing countdown clock that points to a September release for the Nokia N9, it looks like Nokia will not be selling the phone in America — at least not right away. Engadget has received a PR statement from Nokia that said that the N9 will not be launching in America. Here’s the deal:

After the very positive reception to the launch of the Nokia N9, the product is now being rolled out in countries around the world. At this time we will not be making it available in the US. Nokia takes a market by market approach to product rollout, and each country makes its own decisions about which products to introduce from those available.

Nokia N9 News wrote:

The site is taking this to mean that the Nokia N9 will not be released in America at all. However, the statement could mean that a U.S. launch will take place after the N9 is available in other territories. One conspiracy theory floating around is that Microsoft doesn’t want the N9 available in America because it wants Nokia to focus on its Windows Phone products in the U.S.

I would have loved to have seen the phone released in the U.S., but it looks like that won’t be happening in September. Also, I’m not buying the theory that Microsoft is blocking the release. As beautiful as the N9 is and as slick as its version of MeeGo seems, I really don’t think Microsoft gives a damn. The N9 geek-chic cool, but it isn’t a threat to anyone. That said, I still plan on picking one up…even if Nokia is making things difficult.

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Samsung Hercules (Galaxy S II) is Tempting…and Not

More info on the Samsung Hercules for T-Mobile has been leaking out and I’m really tempted to pick one up, but I also have some concerns that prevent it from being a day-one purchase. I first read about the phone on ThisIsMyNext and recently saw a photo of it on TMoNews. Although it’s being positioned as part of the Galaxy S II line, it’s more like a cross between the Galaxy S II and the Infuse 4G (AT&T). Here’s what’s going through my head with the Samsung Hercules:

Love

  • HSPA+ 42: The Hercules will be T-Mobile’s first HSPA+ 42 handset. This is probably the phone’s biggest selling point for me. I’m tired of my current 6Mbps/down service. The download load speeds should be better than Sprint WiMax and almost as good as Verizon LTE. The upload speeds will be improved too, but the increase won’t be as dramatic.
  • 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus Screen: This is the best screen tech currently out there. The latest iteration of Samsung’s AMOLED tech is considerably better than its last. The color reproduction is better, while the power efficiency and viewing angles of the last gen are excellent.

Don’t Like

  • Build Quality: I’ve never been a fan of Samsung’s build quality. Their smartphones feel cheap compared to those that use more glass (iPhone 4) or metal (HTC Sensation).
  • Screen Resolution: While the screen tech is impressive, the resolution is not. 800 x 480 is not the best, especially for a 4.5-inch screen. I wish it had a higher resolution and a higher pixel density. I read a lot on my phone and have yet to see a handset that can match the text quality of the iPhone 4 with its vaunted “Retina Display”.

Unsure

  • Processor: The rumor is that the Hercules will features a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060. While that’s certainly a powerful processor, it doesn’t have the raw power of the 1.2GHz Exynos process in the original Galaxy S II. The Snapdragon is more efficient and has better battery life, but the Exynos is better for games.
  • Gingerbread: By the time this phone comes out in late September, Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) phones will be a few weeks away. It sucks that America has had to wait so long for its Galaxy S II variants, but each major carrier wants a unique Galaxy S II model so that’s how the cookie crumbles. For bleeding edge consumers, this makes the Hercules a tough sell. The Hercules in September? Or Google’s next Nexus phone in October?
  • User Interface: I’m still not sure about TouchWiz 4.0. I played around with it on a friend’s phone at E3 2011, but need to spend more time with it. From what I saw, it’s a huge improvement over TouchWiz 3.0. That’s not saying much, as TouchWiz 3.0 wasn’t the best.

It was good to get my thoughts on the Hercules down. (It was also fun searching for Kevin Sorbo photos for this post’s thumbnail. That guy cracked me up.) Now that my thoughts are on screen, I’m actually less tempted to pick up a Hercules. The big selling point is the HSPA+ 42. Aside from that I think I’d be happier with a new Nexus or an iPhone 5. Let’s see!

AT&T Revoking Unlimited Plans From “Illegal” Tether Users

Are you currently enjoying unlimited data on your AT&T mobile device? Do you also jailbreak or use a third-party program to tether? If so then expect to have your “unlimited” data plan revoked. In addition to throttling customers that use unlimited data the “right way”, AT&T will take away unlimited plans from users not abiding by its terms. According to Boy Genius Report:

AT&T on Thursday confirmed that it will remove grandfathered unlimited data plans from accounts belonging to users who tether or use unsanctioned mobile hotspot apps without a tethering plan, which is expressly prohibited by AT&T according to its terms and conditions.

If you jailbreak your iPhone and tether through unofficial means then your plan will be revoked. If you use a program like EasyTether on your Android phone then your plan will be revoked. On one hand, it’s clearly stated that this is against AT&T’s terms and conditions. On the other hand, AT&T’s definition of unlimited data is getting murkier and murkier.

How do you guys and dolls feel about this issue? Is AT&T just protecting its network (that it doesn’t spend enough money on, despite record-break profits)? Or is this data discrimination?

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Nokia N9 Countdown Clock Points to September Release

Nokia Sweden has launched a countdown site for the upcoming Nokia N9. The phone was rumored for a September release date in several European countries and the countdown clock supports this rumor. There’s no word on a North American launch at this time, but I expect the phone to be available in the U.S. some time this fall.

I’m really excited for this phone. It’s gorgeous. The operating system seems shockingly elegant for Nokia. Admittedly, part of the N9’s charm is that it will be Nokia’s first and last MeeGo-powered phone. Part of me is hoping that the N9 sells so well that it makes Nokia’s decision to go with Windows Phone look stupid. That would be fun to write about. Ha!

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Apple iCloud Premium Pricing Revealed

When Apple first announced its iCloud serivce, it revealed that users will get 5GB of cloud storage for free. Boy Genius Report has discovered the cost for “premium” iCloud tiers as revealed in the developer beta program. In the immortal words of Tone Loc, it goes a little something like this:

Users can sign up for an additional 10GB of storage (15GB total) for $20 per year, 20GB of additional storage for $40 per year, or 50GB of added storage for $100 per year.

What do you think of Apple’s iCloud pricing tiers? Are you going to up your storage? Or are you going to stick with the free 5GB plan?

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Final Fantasy Tactics Hits iOS on Thursday!!!

Square Enix Europe has announced that Final Fantasy Tactics will be available for iPhone and iPod Touch on August 4, 2011. This strategy-RPG is one of the most anticipated “hardcore” games for Apple iOS. The original PlayStation version is my favorite game of all time, so I’m more than a little excited for this release.

That said, I’m probably going to wait for the iPad optimized version, which will be out later this month. Ah hell, I’m probably going to buy them both because I’m such a big FFT mark. As some of you know, I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into the iPhone and iPad versions of Civilization Revolution, but I’m pretty sure Final Fantasy Tactics will become my primary airplane game. I can’t wait!!!

Any of you planning to pick up FFT for your iPhone or iPod Touch?

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Nintendo Execs Remind Me That RIM Execs Suck

You have to hand it to Nintendo’s executive team. They step up to their responsibilities and accept blame like men. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata recently addressed shareholders about the company’s decision to slash the price of its Nintendo 3DS handheld system. He acknowledged the failure, accepted the blame, and said that he would slash his salary in half. He also noted that other executives would be hit with a 20- to 30-percent salary cut.

Iwata’s actions are very Japanese and very Eastern. By Western standards, it seems unusual. A high-ranking executive admitting fault?!? That’s crazy (think Brian Fellow)!!! The whole thing reminded me of another company that has made several mistakes, but continually refuses to acknowledge them in a meaningful way. I’m talking about Research in Motion (RIM), makers of the once-dominant BlackBerry smartphones.

Once upon a time, RIM was the dominant name in smartphones. It offered — and still offers — some of the best emailing and security options on a mobile phone. However, the smartphone landscape has drastically changed thanks to the iPhone. Whether it’s for work or play, many users prefer Apple iOS and Google Android over BlackBerry for their superior multimedia capabilities. Web browsing, watching movies, listening to music, playing games, and performing big-screen work is simply better on Android or iOS than on BlackBerry OS.

RIM’s executive team has failed to quickly adapt to the dramatic changes in the smartphone space. It still offers phones with great call quality and excellent keyboards. It still offers superior email and security. Unfortunately, that’s not enough these days. The company has pinned its future on QNX, but has been comically slow to implement modern QNX features into BlackBerry OS. RIM claimed that it would make a big splash with the BlackBerry PlayBook. Instead it released a half-baked product that’s a joke compared to the Apple iPad.

Despite its glacial pace of evolution and numerous failures, RIM’s execs haven’t admitted failure the way that Iwata has. Part of the problem is that nobody is sure which CEO to blame. Another part of the problem is that having two CEOs is a galactically stupid idea. It’s also a cultural thing. RIM is a Western company with a Western culture. I don’t expect RIM CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie to publicly cut off their pinkies (metaphorically) the way that Iwata did. That said, they probably should. The 3DS launch was arguably Nintendo’s biggest mistake in the last decade, yet Iwata immediately stepped up and accepted responsibility. RIM has been flailing around for years and nobody is stepping up.

Ultimately I see one company that has made a mistake and will most likely succeed again, partially because of its executives. I also see another company that has made mistakes and will most likely never be as successful as it once was, partially because of its executives. I found the contrast amusing and wanted to share it with all of you. I’d also love to hear your thoughts on Nintendo and RIM. What do you make of their executives’ behavior? What kind of success will each company have in the future? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

AT&T to Start Throttling “Unlimited” Customers on October 1

Are you on an AT&T “unlimited” plan? If you’re a heavy data user then prepare to get limited! AT&T has announced that it will start throttling customers with unlimited data plans starting October 1, 2011. The company claims that only “the top 5 percent of heaviest data users” will be affected. Here’s a clip from the press release:

Starting October 1, smartphone customers with unlimited data plans may experience reduced speeds once their usage in a billing cycle reaches the level that puts them among the top 5 percent of heaviest data users. These customers can still use unlimited data and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing cycle. Before you are affected, we will provide multiple notices, including a grace period.

The hilarious part is that AT&T threw in a line about how only an approved merger with T-Mobile can save the company from a “spectrum shortage”. That’s just dishonest.

I know that RPadholic slickyfats uses a ton of data on AT&T. If you’re an AT&T customer like him, are you considering switching to a different carrier in light of the company’s new policy? As mobile Internet services become more advance and require more data, are you concerned about things like bandwidth caps and data throttling? Or are you not going to worry about things until it becomes an issue for you?

Apple’s Q3 2011 Results Are Ridiculous

Ridiculous. Simply ridiculous. What else can you say about Apple’s Q3 2011 numbers? The company sold more than 20-million iPhones and nine-million iPads. The company posted $28.57-billion in revenue and $7.31-billion in profit. More than ever it’s hilarious to think that Apple once needed cash from Microsoft to stay in business.

Apple is making crazy money across a wide variety of products. From smartphones to tablets to notebook computers to desktop computers to software to music, Apple is kicking ass.

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Google+ App Available for iOS (iPhone)

The official iOS app for Google+ plus has been approved (finally) and is now available on Apple iTunes. According to the official description it’s, “Compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.” It’s strange that the the iPod Touch isn’t listed as a compatible device, though I’m sure it will work on it as well (bsukenyan, care to give it a try?). I’m going to try it on my iPad 2, but I’m sure the resolution will bother me.

This is a huge step for Google+. Previously iPhone users had to use a really basic web interface to use Google+. The mobile-web interface is bare bones and doesn’t really encourage use. The new app will surely make Google+ on iOS more popular.

If you’ve tried the app, I’d love to hear your initial thoughts on it (please!).

Update: Apparently this version of the app does not work with iPod Touch and iPad. People on those devices will have to stick to the web “optimized” site according to ThisIsMyNext.

Source via Big Daddy Vic