Category: Mobile Tech

Coffee Talk #218: The Case of the Missing Samsung Epic 4G

As some of you know, I’ve been having a devil of a time tracking down the Samsung Epic 4G that was sent to me for review. Hopefully one of you can use your Batman-like detective skills and help me figure it out. Now let’s rewind a bit. The phone arrived on August 23rd while I was in Asia. I have a FedEx door tag that says that the package was left with my building’s security desk. From there, it gets all kinds of fuzzy.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Powerfox & Ponymane, using a Canon Eos 60D to film developer interviews, or if there’s any video editing software for Windows that’s worth a damn, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

As some of you know, I’ve been having a devil of a time tracking down the Samsung Epic 4G that was sent to me for review. Hopefully one of you can use your Batman-like detective skills and help me figure it out. Now let’s rewind a bit. The phone arrived on August 23rd while I was in Asia. I have a FedEx door tag that says that the package was left with my building’s security desk. From there, it gets all kinds of fuzzy.

The security desk, staffed by California Protection Security Services, has the package logged in as received. The security guards keep a woefully unorganized binder that sometimes contains package information. Unfortunately, the box wasn’t in the storage room where packages are left. I checked on five different occasions and none of the security guards were able to find it.

I called and emailed FedEx for assistance. A CSR contacted the driver that delivered the package. The driver wasn’t certain, but he thought that he left the box in front of my door. Yet the FedEx door tag clearly states that the box was left with security (remember, it’s also logged as received by security). If that was the case then someone had to sign for it. For some strange reason, the tracking number says that the box was left at my front door. I asked the FedEx CSR to explain why the door tag says that the box was left with security while the tracking information says it was left at my door. She said that she would investigate further, but I haven’t heard from the company since Friday.

The management at Wilshire Vermont Station Apartments wasn’t helpful either. The first time I brought up the matter, an older lady totally brushed me off and said that they had nothing to do with packages. The second time I went, a younger lady made an effort to look for the package. After she couldn’t find it, she said that there was nothing she could do and that I should call FedEx.

I’ve yet to contact Sprint PR about this because it looks bad on my part. If Sprint tracked the package, they would see that it was left at my door (who knows if that’s what really happened). The company might think that I’m trying to pull a fast one on them. Having said that, I’m probably going to call them today and explain the situation (I wonder if the PR rep will believe me). For now, I want to know what you think happened. Please vote in the poll and explain your case in the comments section.

[poll id=”71″]

Analyst Says 3-Million CDMA iPhones Will Be Made in December

Just when you thought the “iPhone heading to Verizon” rumor mill has slowed down, a Susquehanna Financial Group analyst has claimed that CDMA iPhones will start production in December 2010. Here’s the scoop from AppleInsider:

Analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro with Susquehanna Financial Group said in a note to investors on Wednesday that checks with overseas suppliers indicated Apple is prepared to build 3 million CDMA iPhones in December, keeping the device on track for an early 2011 launch.

On one hand, the number seems awfully low, so perhaps these phones are for one of the Asian markets. On the other hand, a lot of people are expecting Verizon’s CEO to focus on the iPhone 4 during his Consumer Electronics Show (CES) keynote address.

I’ve asked you this like 49 times this year, but what do you think of the latest CDMA iPhone rumor? Will it hit Sprint or Verizon in January 2011? Or are these phones headed elsewhere? Or maybe the analyst is just Pachter wrong.

Source

Google Voice Apps Hit iPhone: Time to Ditch Android for iOS?

Google Android is the best mobile OS for me. Its Gmail integration is perfect. Since I have four Gmail accounts that serve four different purposes, I really appreciate how slick Gmail is on Android. Another reason I’m a fan of Google’s OS is that I rely on Google Voice for work and play. With these two factors in mind, Apple’s iPhone wasn’t a practical option for me…until last weekend.

Recently, Apple relaxed its developer requirements for iOS and allowed two Google Voice apps into its “walled garden” — GV Connect and GV Mobile. Many tech reporters believe that Google’s official app will be available shortly. If Apple allows a Google Voice app that’s as tightly integrated as the Android version then the iPhone would be far more useful to me.

Having said that, I don’t think I could ditch Android entirely. The most likely scenario is that an Android handset would be my primary phone, while an iPhone 4 would be used for games (you know, for work purposes) and media. My previous plans was to just rock a SIM-less iPhone 4, but now that Google Voice is available for iOS, I just might have to activate it.

Any of you iPhone users happen to use Google Voice? Have you tried any of the new Google Voice apps for iOS? (And yes, this post was partially written to help me think out my future purchases.)

HTC Video Shows Off Desire HD and New Sense UI

The HTC Desire HD has me drooling and this sizzle reel has increased my drool flow to waterfall levels (too gross for you?). Seriously though, this clip shows off this Google Android phone’s features, as well as the latest additions to HTC’s Sense user interface. While I found it interesting, I also found it too long. Most people aren’t going to watch a seven-minute video on a mobile phone. Perhaps the company should hire me to produce its videos. Ha!

Google Docs Finally Heading to Android…and iPad Too

I’ve always been mystified by Google’s inability to bring Google Docs to Android. It seems like such a no-brainer (that should have been a launch feature). With Google Docs, the company would have a huge selling point for business use. It looks like Google’s cloud-based productivity-suite is finally coming to Android…and iPad too. Here’s a clip from a recent blog post by Google Enterprise president Dave Girouard:

Today we demonstrated new mobile editing capabilities for Google Docs on the Android platform and the iPad. In the next few weeks, co-workers around the world will soon be able to co-edit files simultaneously from an even wider array of devices.

On the Android front, all I have to say is that it’s about frickin’ time! As for the iPad version, I’m all for that too; Google Docs for iPad would make the device exponentially more useful to me.

I used Google Docs heavily at G4tv and continue to use it today. While it doesn’t have all the features of Microsoft Office, it has most of what I need in a lightweight, cloud-based program. Do any of you use Google Docs for work or school? Are you interested in Google Docs for Android and/or iPad?

Source

New iPad Coming in Q1 2011?

There’s a chance that Apple will be refreshing its iPad line of tablet computers as early as Q1 2011. According to DigiTimes, component manufacturers are already working on parts to hit that time frame:

Component suppliers including touch panel and reinforced glass suppliers for Apple’s iPad are completing validation with Apple for the second-generation 9.7-inch iPad, according to Taiwan-based component suppliers.

Apple is expected to launch the second-generation iPad in the first-quarter of 2011, the suppliers noted.

Although the original iPad has several shortcomings, it has proven to be wildly popular device around the world. Still, it would be very unusual for Apple to introduce a new model less than a year the original was launched. Of course the tablet market is going to be extremely competitive in 2011, so perhaps Apple is wisely reloading its big gun before the competition takes off.

What do you think of DigiTimes report? Will Apple launch a new iPad in Q1 2011? Or is it too soon?

Source

HTC Unveils the Desire Z and Desire HD

At a press event in England, HTC unveiled a pair of Google Android phones for the Asian and European markets — the Desire HD and the Desire Z. Both phones run Google Android 2.2 (FroYo) with the latest version of HTC Sense. Both phones will also take advantage of the upcoming HTCSense.com for over-the-air backup, remote location, and remote wipes. Here’s a snippet from the press release:

HTC Desire HD
HTC Desire HD showcases outstanding multimedia content with its bright 4.3″ LCD display and Dolby Mobile and SRS virtual sound and is the first to be powered by the new 1GHz Qualcomm 8255 Snapdragon processor. The HTC Desire HD enables 720p HD video recording and includes an 8-megapixel camera with dual-flash. Building on the unibody heritage of the HTC Legend, the HTC Desire HD is sculpted from a block of solid aluminum and exudes the air of quality and strength that HTC has come to be known for. It also includes the new HTC Fast Boot that enables people to quickly make a call or check emails by shortening the time taken to complete the power-up sequence.

HTC Desire Z
For people constantly on the go, HTC Desire Z makes it quick and easy to stay connected with friends on Facebook and Twitter or with colleagues and customers at work. HTC Desire Z features a unique ‘pop hinge’ that opens to reveal a QWERTY keyboard for fast, convenient typing. HTC Desire Z’s keyboard also includes a variety of keyboard shortcuts and two customizable keys for providing instant access to common functions without the need to open menus. HTC Desire Z also includes 720p HD video recording and a 5-megapixel camera with automatic flash. It is the first phone to utilize the new 800MHz Qualcomm 7230 processor for improved performance and battery life and also includes HTC Fast Boot.

The Desire Z is essentially a global version of the T-Mobile G2, but uses HTC Sense instead of vanilla Android. While Sense offers many niceties, some users prefer the openness and speed of stock Android.

The Desire HD is a GSM version of Sprint’s Evo 4G, but with a sexy aluminum body and an HSPA+ radio instead of WiMax. I am extremely jealous that our Asian and European friends will be getting this phone soon. If it’s compatible with T-Mobile’s HSPA+ frequencies (I’m not certain of this yet) then it’s pretty much perfect for me (until I want a new phone in February 2011). I loved using the Evo 4G, but I’m attracted to the Desire HD’s aluminum body. Being an international traveler, an unlocked GSM phone would be extremely useful.

Both phones will be available in October 2010.

Let me know what you think of HTC’s new phones when you get a chance. Any of you interested in importing one of them? I might accidentally buy one next time I’m in Asia.

Samsung Fascinate (Verizon) Unboxing Photos

Here are a bunch of photos of the Samsung Fascinate for Verizon, a Google Android phone in Samsung’s Galaxy S series. It’s a very impressive piece of hardware with some curious — some say controversial — software choices by Verizon. In addition to a gorgeous Super AMOLED screen, the Fascinate packs a powerful CPU/GPU combo. I’ll write my initial impressions of the phone later this evening. For now, check out these pics (costarring the Motorola Droid 2 for size comparison) and let me know if you have any questions about the phone.

Disclaimer: A few of the pics are off center. It’s tough taking pictures indoors while you’re wearing prescription sunglasses.

[nggallery id=17]

Coffee Talk #210: How Swype Changed My (Mobile Phone) Life

A year ago, I was all about physical keyboards on mobile phones. While the virtual keyboard on my iPhone 3GS was somewhat acceptable, I greatly preferred the speed and accuracy of my BlackBerry 8900. Virtual keyboards on Android have improved a lot in the last year, but they still aren’t great. Opting for a virtual keyboard over a “real” one seemed crazy to me. Then something happened that totally changed my preference — I discovered Swype.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, whether Roger Federer is washed up (or not), the Hyundai Equus shaking up the automobile market, or where you get your best t-shirts, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

A year ago, I was all about physical keyboards on mobile phones. While the virtual keyboard on my iPhone 3GS was somewhat acceptable, I greatly preferred the speed and accuracy of my BlackBerry 8900. Virtual keyboards on Android have improved a lot in the last year, but they still aren’t great. Opting for a virtual keyboard over a “real” one seemed crazy to me. Then something happened that totally changed my preference — I discovered Swype.

That’s not entirely true. It would be more accurate to say that I rediscovered Swype. I played around with Swype and Shapewriter on the Nexus One earlier in the year, but didn’t give them enough time. After I reviewed the Motorola Droid X, I randomly decided to give it another go…and I completely fell in love with it. It’s just an awesome input method that’s fast and accurate (once you get used to it). I can actually bust out emails with Swype faster than I ever could on a BlackBerry keyboard. I’m just thoroughly impressed with Swype. To me, it’s one of the most significant pieces of mobile phone software released in the last five years.

I know that some of you are into Swype. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the software. If you’re anti-Swype, I’d love to hear your comments too. Maybe we can convert you. “One of us! One of us!”

T-Mobile Officially Announces G2, Unveils Product Page

T-Mobile has officially announced the G2 by HTC, the company’s first HSPA+ phone. The product page lists numerous features and specs. However, pricing and availability have not yet been revealed.

As a T-Mobile customer, I’m disappointed in the G2. I love that it supports T-Mo’s zippy HSPA+ network and that it uses a Scorpion processor, but I hate that the screen is only 3.7-inches and I don’t like the thickness added by the physical keyboard (I’m a Swype guy now). *sigh* Hopefully the rumored “Project Emerald” will be more to my liking (supposedly due in November).

If you have a chance, check out the specs, bells, and whistles of the G2. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the phone. Is it enough to compete with Verizon’s Droid X and Sprint’s Evo 4G?

Source