August 10th, 2009

Apple App Store to be bigger than Wal-mart?

Posted by David Morgenstern @ 11:29 pm

Categories: Analyst, Android, Android Market, Blackberry, Kindle, iPhone 3.0, iPhone Killer, iPhone OS 3.0, iPod touch

Tags: Apple iPhone, Developer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Mobile, Apple Inc., Flurry Inc., E-books, Smart Phones, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics

A developer of mobile application deployment and analytic tools says project starts for the iPhone show no sign of slowing. According to its figures, Apple’s App Store could have more than 100K titles by the end of the year, putting it into Wal-Mart territory.

The data comes from a post in Flurry Inc.’s blog by Peter Farago, the company’s vice president of marketing. Flurry makes a platform of analytics, deployment and monetization tools for mobile developers. The company said that Flurry Analytics is often integrated early into the development cycle, perhaps 6 months before the app ships.

Farago compared its New Project Starts statistic to new starts in the real estate market. He said it provides a reliable indicator for the strength of the application pipeline heading to market.

… Specifically, it measures 3rd party developer support for the App Store, a key to Apple’s iPhone strategy, and support which has been increasingly sought after by companies like Google, RIM and Palm.

Over the last six months, the number of available applications in the App Store has more than doubled, from 25,000 applications in January to over 65,000 in July, which equates to 14% month-over-month growth. Flurry’s month-over-month rate for New Project Starts has been holding steady at 30% for the last several months. Assuming that roughly half of those new project starts are for new applications, the pipeline to the App Store shows no signs of slowing.

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May 10th, 2009

Unannounced touchscreen Nokia outed in new 'Trek film

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:24 pm

Categories: Mobile phone, Smartphone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Touch Screen, Phone, Nokia Corp., Movie, Telecom & Utilities, Jason D. O'Grady

A new all-touchscreen Nokia phone made its big screen debut in the new Star Trek movie that opened in the U.S. this weekend. The unannounced Nokia phone makes a cameo appearance as a product placement in the new Star Trek movie that all the kids are talking about. Remember when it seemed like everyone had that iconic Nokia ring tone (a.k.a. Grand Valse) on their phone?

The best part is this clip (embedded above) of a young James T. Kirk about to wreck his father’s antique Corvette off a cliff while a futuristic robocop on a hoverbike tries to pull him over. All to the tune of Beastie Boys Sabotage which is presumably considered to be classical music for the period.

Oh yeah, the video clip also shows a few frames of the new Nokia handset too.

I’m assuming that the new Nokia gadget will be another in a long series of “iPhone killers?” We’ll see about that. Symbian Freak isn’t sure whether the outed phone is fact a real device or a concept designed for the movie. Nokia’s mum on the topic.

More hype for the film is available on the official Movie site, IMDB and on the Apple trailers site, natch. I didn’t see it yet, so feel free to give us your review (of the movie or the phone) in TalkBack below.

Source: Symbian-Freak via Engadget.

February 12th, 2009

Garmin nuvifone G60 details trickle out

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:50 am

Categories: GPS, Mobile phone, Smartphone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Garmin Ltd., Garmin Nuvifone, GPS, Handhelds, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Hardware, Jason D. O'Grady

Engadget reports that it has been a year since Garmin announced the nuvifone and that we still don’t have a price or ETA on the highly-anticipated device.

What we do have is a few more nuggets on what the nuvifone G60 will pack:

• 3.55-inch display
• HSDPA
• the same Ciao! buddy-finding software found in the Asus M20
• 3 megapixel autofocus camera with geotagging
• WiFi
• preloaded maps for either North American or Eastern and Western Europe
• “Where am I?” feature from the current nuvi automotive GPS receivers

Whether or not the nuvifone will be an “iPhone killer” remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Garmin’s GPS software and UI is the one to beat.

Hopefully the nuvifone will light a fire under Apple to release/allow true turn-by-turn GPS navigation for the iPhone.

Read more.

January 30th, 2009

Dell to launch Android and Windows Mobile phones

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:07 am

Categories: Android, Microsoft, Mobile phone, Smartphone, Windows Mobile, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Dell Computer Corp., Phone, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Mobile, Microsoft Windows, Smart Phones, Keyboards, Advertising & Promotion, Cellular Phones, Handhelds

New reports indicate that PC Giant Dell will be rolling out not one, but (count ‘em) two new smartphone handsets in the short term – as soon as next month. Now here’s the weird part, Dell is said to be preparing handsets for both the Android and Windows Mobile operating systems. Talk about hedging your bet.

Following rumors going back as far as July 2007, the Wall Street Journal announced this morning that Dell will introduce in February at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona two new mobile phones, set to go head to head with market leaders Apple and Research In Motion.

The MePhone (hopefully, that’s just a code name) will come in all-touchscreen and slide-out keyboard versions, but what’s not clear is which model will run which OS or if they’re interchangeable. The phone is due to ship in September and carrier partners have not been announced.

Hopefully the latest competition to the iPhone will motivate Apple to continue to innovate and bring new features to market a little faster (nudge, nudge). It’s been a while since anyone has trotted out the tired “iPhone killer” phrase, and I don’t think that the MePhone will earn the distinction. Anyone remember Dell’s DJ Ditty music player?

Update: I hope that it doesn’t come out looking like the Alien Android concept pictured above.

What’s your take? Can Dell get the smartphone right?

November 21st, 2008

Advantages of the iPhone over the Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 12:03 pm

Categories: iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Apple iPhone, Keyboards, Hardware, Peripherals, Jason D. O'Grady

You’ve probably heard enough about the Blackberry Storm, but humor me for a second. There are a number of ways that the Storm beats the iPhone because of what I call the second mover advantage. RIM deftly did what any wise competitor would do, they exploited the demand for features that aren’t yet available in the iPhone (copy and paste, a decent camera, for example).

There are also a couple of key omissions and difference in the Storm that don’t make it an automatic, however. Here are some key advantages that the iPhone has over the Storm:

1. Wi-Fi – This one sticks out like a sore thumb and will probably create the biggest wedge between the Storm and the iPhone. Whether I’m at home, the office or any retail establishment I always seek out a Wi-Fi network with my iPhone because it’s much faster than 3G. Wi-Fi is much better for larger downloads and doesn’t count against AT&T’s 5GB download cap. Wi-Fi makes apps like Dictionary (the offline wikipedia reference) can quickly eat away at it possible.
2. QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode. For some strange reason the Storm uses a SureType keyboard – the weird on with two letters on each key – in portrait mode (pic), which is strange to me. I’m not a fan of SureType and don’t know why RIM didn’t include a standard QWERTY keyboard, or the option for one, in portrait mode like they do in landscape. I expect this to change in a software update.
3. Applications – Because the Storm is brand new, there are very few applications available for it expect for a few IM clients, Flickr, Facebook and Verizon’s GPS application Navigator. The iPhone didn’t have any third party applications when it launched either but now has over 5,000. Expect this to change as developers join the party.Will iPhone devs port their wares to RIM?
4. Mac connectivity – Out of the box the Storm has no Mac software. It does include Media Sync which will sync your non-DRM iTunes to the Storme. If you don’t have a Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) you’re going to have to rely on third parties like Mark/Space or PocketMac to sync contacts and calendars from a Mac to the Storm. A better option is to install the Windows software in Parallels orVMWare.
5. Keyboard –Input devices, especially keyboards are highly subjective and highly personal which is why this is on both of my lists. Some people will like the “clickable” keyboard on the Storm while some will prefer the iPhone keyboard. Because I’m more experienced with the iPhone keyboard, the extra step required to physically click the Storm’s keyboard slows down my ability to type. But I’ve also only used it for 24 hours and it’s also a function of training, so that will change.

Don’t forget to read my post (and the 100+ comments) on the advantages of the Storm over the iPhone.

Would you trade your iPhone for a Storm?

November 20th, 2008

Advantages of the Storm over the iPhone (updated)

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 7:16 am

Categories: iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Apple iPhone, Keyboards, Text Messaging/SMS/MMS, Hardware, Peripherals, Cellular Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Online Communications, Jason D. O'Grady

(Update: I took the number out of the headline, because it keeps changing.)

I got to play with a Blackberry Storm earlier this week and a couple of features immediately jumped out at me that beat the iPhone hands down:

1. Copy and Paste – it works by selecting a range of text with two fingers, then pressing the contextual menu/Blackberry key, then clicking on cut or copy from the pop-up menu. Apple is having a hard time implementing this important feature because iPhone lacks a dedicated button.
2. Camera – Storm includes a 3.2MP camera with flash, auto-focus and video recording. It also has a well-placed, two stage button that acts as an autofocus and a shutter release. Everything about the Storm camera buries the iPhone’s wimpy 2PM shooter.

   

3. Keyboard – In addition to capacitive technology (like the iPhone has) the Storm allows a physical click/press of the touchscreen. The feature is similar to the trackpad in the new MacBook which is one large button. This unique hybrid technology is completely unique and not available on any other phone. (Update: it’s not resistive according to VZW, but rather a “mechanical component that allows the screen to depress”).
4. Landscape keyboard– The Storm allows you to enter text in email and their Web browser with a keyboard in landscape/horizontal mode. This is a small advantage that Apple should be able to address (?) in a firmware update but it’s an advantage nonetheless.
5. MMS – Ever get a text message on your iPhone from someone trying to send you an MMS? They’re the ones that require you to go to a URL and enter a long, mixed case username and password. Since the iPhone lacks copy and paste (see #1 above) I never go through the effort of trying to read these messages.
6. Turn-by-turn GPS – While the iPhone includes a GPS radio and antenna the software is sub-par. Storm includes a free Blackberry Maps application and for an additional $10 per month (or $3 daily) you can subscribe to the VZ Navigator service that provides turn-by-turn directions in the U.S.
7. Removable battery – Apple missed the boat on this and created a cottage industry in external batteries.
8. Expansion slot – Don’t worry about the Storms puny 1GB internal memory because it has a MicroSD slot under the battery door that supports up to 16GB cards.
9. RIM email and messaging services – While this one is debatable for Mac users that subscribe to MobileMe, Enterprise Blackberry users will tell you that this is an important advantage for the Storm.
10. (NEW) Voice dialing – Safety first. At minimum Apple needs to add this to the iPhone for safety reasons, then they can make a commercial about how convenient it is. I mean, come on, is Apple really going to let Google beat them to speech recognition?
11. (NEW) Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) – Handy for listening to music and movies without the cord. I’ve been critical about Bluetooth for music in the past because of poor sound quality, but I hear that it’s getting better.

Several of the above features are software based and could easily be implemented by Apple, but they haven’t as of Firmware 2.2 which was released on 21 November.

Is Apple giving a giant gift to RIM/VZW on a silver platter? What are your thoughts on the Storm? Does it beat the iPhone?

November 18th, 2008

Sneak Peek: BlackBerry Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:35 am

Categories: Gadget, Smartphone, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Touch Screen, Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Keyboards, Monitors & Displays, Handhelds, Hardware, Peripherals, Components, Jason D. O'Grady

Apple ignited a firestorm of competition when it announced the iPhone in January of 2007. Since then the touchscreen smartphone segment has been ablaze with competition from all the major OEMs and carriers, including Nokia (Tube), RIM (Thunder/Storm), LG (Voyager), Samsung (Instinct), Sony Ericsson (X1), HTC (G1) and yes, even Motorola (Krave ZN4).

The term “iPhone killer” has become so overused that it has almost become a liability for handset manufacturers, using it is akin to admitting defeat to the almighty and ever-powerful iPhone. We all need to take a step back and realize that they’re just touchscreen phones and that there will be many more like them to come in the future. (Insert tool analogy here). Why do we get so wound up and emotional over the shiny, wireless devices anyway?

That said, one of the most highly-anticipated of the lot is the upcoming Blackberry Storm (a.k.a. 9530) from RIM and Verizon Wireless. It’s going to be one of the most closely observed iPhone competitors because: a) Verizon’s network is the best, hands down and, b) it’s the first touchscreen Blackberry, evar.

I spent a couple of hours yesterday with the Storm and created a few short videos of some of its features and the overall user interface.

I tested copy and paste, YouTube, the media application, 3.2MP camera (with flash, auto focus, image stabilization and video recording), rear panel with removable battery, memory card and SIM slots, hardware buttons, accelerometer, hybrid capacitive/resistive touchscreen, Web browser and the enhanced visual voicemail with archive and forward functionality.

It was far from a complete review, but rather a little peek under the Kimono of what may be the hottest gadget of the year.

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November 18th, 2008

YouTube on the Blackberry Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:20 am

Categories: Mobile phone, Smartphone, Video, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: YouTube Inc., Video, RIM BlackBerry, Corporate Communications, Handhelds, Marketing, Hardware, Jason D. O'Grady

While the new Blackberry Storm (a.k.a. 9530) from RIM and Verizon Wireless doesn’t have a pre-installed YouTube client – like those available on Apple, Nokia and Sony Ericsson – you can easily view YouTube videos by navigating to their mobile Web site (m.youtube.com) from the Storm’s Web browser. In this video (01:12) you’ll see how to view YouTube content on the Storm. No word on if/when a YouTube app is coming.Funny Mobile YouTube warning:

YouTube Mobile is a data intensive application. We highly recommend that you upgrade to an unlimited data plan with your mobile service provider to avoid additional charges.

Don’t forget to also watch my Blackberry Storm overview and copy and paste videos.

November 18th, 2008

Copy and paste on the Blackberry Storm

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:33 am

Categories: Mobile phone, Smartphone, Video, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Video, RIM BlackBerry, Corporate Communications, Handhelds, Marketing, Hardware, Jason D. O'Grady

In this video (00:50) you’ll see how the copy and paste function works on the new Blackberry Storm smartphone from RIM and Verizon Wireless.

It works like this: select a range of text with two fingers, press the Blackberry menu key, select copy, then launch the destination application, press the Blackberry menu key again, then select paste. It works very well and doesn’t exactly seem like rocket science.

Don’t forget to watch my Blackberry Storm overview and YouTube videos.

November 17th, 2008

Linux on the iPhone?

Posted by David Morgenstern @ 8:27 pm

Categories: Google, iPhone, iPhone Killer

Tags: Apple iPhone, Mobile, Linux, Advertising & Promotion, UNIX, Operating Systems, Open Source, Software, Marketing, David Morgenstern

Of course, after Apple develops an elegant and perfectly understandable mobile UI, Linux hackers want to tear it down. Bring on the OpenMoko, Android or Ubuntu Mobile for the iPhone.

I enjoyed a recent post by PlanetBeing on the Linux on the iPhone blog. It was an attempt to justify why someone would want to spend a tremendous amount of time to bring Linux to the iPhone, when he or she could “just develop on an open platform instead with no such wasted effort?”

Good question, dude.

PlanetBeing says he doesn’t want to buy other less-polished platforms just for a hack; he likes the iPhone. And the “knowledge that we are gaining/will have gained about the iPhone hardware will be of incredible practical value to the homebrew iPhone community.”

However, when push comes to shove, it’s really all about “choice,” he says.

Perhaps my most important point is how iPhone Linux will affect the various open platforms in development. The iPhone has revolutionized the way the market thinks about mobile computing and now several mobile platforms are in development: OpenMoko, Google’s Android, and Mobile Ubuntu (thought the last is not targeted for phones). All of these projects are based on Linux, and “based on Linux” means that, by definition, they “use the Linux kernel” and the Linux kernel is exactly what we’re porting. As long as the kernel works, the rest of the operating system will barely need to be touched at all! (Fine print: provided that the working configuration of the kernel can support all the features the userland requires).

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