Category: Mobile Tech

Google’s Own Android Phone Might Be VoIP Only

Google Android

Google is rumored to be making its own Android phone with some pretty beefy specs…but it might not be a phone in the traditional sense. TechCrunch’s sources have told it that the phone will be data only and use VoIP for calling. The site’s Michael Arrington said:

The Google Phone may be a data only, VoIP driven device. And Google may be lining up at least AT&T to provide those data services for the Google Phone, says one person we spoke with today.

Users could still make calls just like a normal phone, of course. The calls would just be over the data service instead. In fact, this is the exact vision Google proposed back in 2007 when they were bidding on the FCC auctions for the 700MHz spectrum.

Presumably, the phone will use Google Voice to handle calls, but the service would have to change to work with a data-only phone. Right now, Google Voice still calls a local number for the “last mile” connection before handing off to VoIP.

While I’m still interested in this handset, being data only limits its appeal. Consumers with poor 3G coverage will likely have problems using Google’s Android phone to make calls. Mobile VoIP over 2G can be pretty poor. Arrington’s source is from AT&T, which has pretty shoddy 3G coverage. Would a data-only phone be feasible for that network? Will the phone have different radios to support other carriers? I’m curious to see how this rumored product pans out.

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Nokia N900 Available Now!

Nokia has announced that the Nokia N900 is available through its flagship stores and will soon be available through retailers. It’s an important product for Nokia and the Maemo operating system. While Nokia is still the global leader in mobile phones, its Symbian S60 OS seems primitive compared to Apple’s iPhone OS, Google’s Android, and Palm’s WebOS. The company has been losing market share in the high-end smartphone market for years. Rumors indicate that Nokia will drop Symbian S60 for Maemo in all its high-end phones by 2012.

The N900 is an exciting product, but it’s definitely for tech enthusiasts and not for mainstream users. Maemo is extremely powerful and versatile, but it’s not (yet) as smooth as competing operating systems. I’m awfully tempted to pick this phone up. The web browsing experience, through the N900’s Mozilla browser, is purported to be the best one out there. The keyboard and screen are supposed to be excellent. Nokia has always had some of the best camera phones out there. There’s a lot I’m loving about this power-user phone.

Nokia N900

The N900 costs $649 through Nokia, but Amazon currently has it for $559. Here are the bullet points from the Amazon listing:

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Google News: Chrome OS Details and Google Phone Coming!

Google Chrome

There’s a ton of Google buzz floating around the Internet this week. First off, the company is holding an event on Thursday to reveal details on its upcoming Chrome OS. This lightweight operating system will be used in netbooks, MIDs, and other low cost computing devices.

I’m super excited for Chrome OS. While there are other Linux-based operating systems for netbooks available, I expect Google to add a level of polish that’s a cut above what’s out there. Chrome OS netbooks will be cheaper than those running Windows XP or Windows 7. Furthermore, I’m tied to so many Google products that a Chrome OS netbook would work brilliantly for me. Most of my work on RPad.tv is done on Gmail, the Chrome browser, Google Docs, Paint.net, and Skype. A Chrome OS device can handle all of that in a simple and integrated fashion.

But wait! There’s more!!! TechCrunch has learned that Google will be releasing its own Android phone shortly…and it sounds hot! The Google phone will allegedly be armed with:

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Verizon Responds to AT&T Lawsuit With Trash Talking

Phoenix Wright slider

Earlier in the month, I wrote about AT&T suing Verizon for its excellent commercials that (rightfully) criticize AT&T’s (shoddy) network. Verizon has filed its response…and it’s awesome. Just look at the intro:

AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon’s “There’s A Map For That” advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true and the truth hurts.

Zing!!! Seriously, that’s the coolest start to a legal document I’ve ever seen. It’s straight out of a WWE promo! Awesome.

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I Love Google Voice

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Google Voice allowing you to route your mobile phone’s voicemail through the service. I’m absolutely loving this feature. Old-school voicemail (pressing 1 and listening to your messages) is so ’90s. Visual voicemail is better. Google Voice completely rules.

Google Voice example

If I get a message, Google Voice allows me to listen to it on my phone or PC. I like that I can keep old voicemail messages for as long as I want and have access to them on my computer. My favorite feature is the voicemail transcription. The service will transcribe a message and send it to me as an SMS or email. This is just frickin’ brilliant. Being able to quickly read a message on my BlackBerry is so convenient.

I’m totally pleased with the voicemail features of Google Voice. Have any of you been using it? What do you think so far?

OnLive Cloud Gaming Service Shown Running on iPhone

OnLive on iPhone

OnLive CEO Steve Perlman showed of a version of the company’s cloud gaming service running on an iPhone at a Wedbush financial conference last week. Perlman blogged:

I showed OnLive running simultaneously on 2 iPhones, a TV, and a computer. What is really cool is that all 4 devices had access to the full OnLive Game Service, so they could play the same games, spectate on each other’s (and Beta users’) game play, watch Brag Clips, check out Gamer Profiles, etc.

For now, OnLive on a cell phone is only a technology demo. But, for those of you who have been asking about OnLive on cell phones, the answer is yes, it is coming. And, it is REALLY cool.

This is a huge development for the cloud-gaming startup, as well as a potentially cool one for the iPhone platform. While all sorts of approvals and permissions have to be set for OnLive to be an approved app, it would be tremendous if the company could take advantage of huge installed base of the iPhone and iPod Touch. Not only would it be big for OnLive, but it would also further the iPhone’s position as the fastest growing segment of the gaming market.

It will be interesting to see how OnLive progresses and whether it can overcome the hurdles facing cloud gaming. For now I’ll ask you if you think the service would be more appealing with an iPhone/Android/WebOS/S60 app. How about it?

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Verizon Getting a CDMA iPhone by Summer 2010?

iPhone 3GS

Rumors of the iPhone heading to Verizon have been swirling for months, but most of them pointed to the carrier getting an LTE version of Apple’s hardware. According to Northeast Securities, that’s not the case. GigaOm has reported:

According to Northeast Securities, the device may finally arrive next year. Citing its supply-chain checks, the financial services firm said in a research note issued today that Apple will launch a WCDMA/CDMA2000-enabled version of the device — not an LTE version — through Verizon by the summer of 2010.

Whether it’s CDMA or LTE, getting the iPhone would be huge for Verizon. I’d jump at the chance to get an LTE iPhone, but a CDMA iPhone is a serious contender. Of course I’m still waiting for T-Mobile to release an Android phone with a beefy processor, an OLED screen, UMA functionality, and a great keyboard…but something tells me that I’ll be waiting for a long, long time.

Any Verizon customers out there excited by this news? Would any of you switch to Verizon to get an iPhone on its excellent network?

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(Not a) Review of Gogo In-Flight WiFi Internet on United p.s.

Gogo Inflight WiFi Internet

I’m  writing this blog post on United Airlines flight 27, using Gogo’s in-flight WiFi service. This is my first experience with WiFi on an airplane and I’m very, very impressed.

Setting up an account is easy and is similar to other WiFi services like T-Mobile’s Hotspot. The speeds were way better than I was expecting — faster than the WiFi I’ve used at many coffeehouses and hotels. Obviously there’s nothing blocking the airplane’s signal and there are less people to compete with for bandwidth, but even still, the speeds exceeded my expectations.

The service costs $12.95 for the flight between LAX and JFK. If you’re just tooling around, that’s a little expensive, but if you’re doing work, it’s worth it. Heck, if you’re an Internet addict that enjoys web browsing, instant messaging, social networking, and all that good stuff, $12.95 for five hours of entertainment might be worth. Personally, I can get at least an hour of entertainment using AIM or YIM, saying, “Dude! I’m messaging you from an airplane!!!”

Would you pay $12.95 for five hours of WiFi on an airplane?

Verizon’s New Ads Borrow From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Verizon’s hardly my favorite company, but I’m really enjoying its advertising campaign for its Droid phone. Following its clever “iDon’t” commercials, the company’s holiday 2009 ads borrow from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, “Blue Christmas”, and Santa’s elves.

The first spot places the iPhone in the Land of Misfit Toys.

Next is the “Blue Christmas” commercial, as in you’ll be blue if you’re relying on AT&T’s coverage.

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