Wize Blog

T-Mobile Launches Android Phone

Today's the day. The Google-run G1 phone, the Android, has arrived, which means people have actually seen the phone in real life after months of anticipation. 

The first thing you might wonder is why do they call this phone an Android. Well, Android is a software platform for mobile phones and other devices. Google and a slew of other companies, including Intel, Motorola and Qualcomm, developed the platform, which is based on a Linux operating system. Android includes a browser similar to Safari, Apple computers' browser; a media support platform for handling audio, video and still pictures and a GPS navigation system. The Android platform is open source, which means it can run 3rd party applications. For example, a developer will be offering GoCart, a program that scans a barcode with the phone's camera. After scanning the product, the program finds comparable prices of that product at nearby stores. 

Other features of the G1 phone include: touch screen platform; 3 MP camera with auto-focus; customizable screen; QWERTY keyboard; Google applications such as maps, instant messaging, calendar, G-mail and YouTube; Google search, video playback, 3G network and WiFi access and access to Android Market, where you can get those nifty applications. 

The G1 phone comes out in a month (Oct. 22). It will sell for $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile. The G1 phone uses 3G networking in major metro areas and G1 for areas outside the 3G service. Both services offer different capabilities. More info here.

Palm Launches Treo™ Pro Smartphone

Palm officially announced the new Treo™ Pro smartphone by Palm after being leaked earlier this week and spreading like wildfire across the web. The Treo™ Pro smartphone is 4.4 by 2.3 by .5 inches, and it weighs 4.6 ounces, making it small, sleek, and light. Available only in black, it has a bigger full keyboard and a 320x320 color flush touch-screen with crisp resolution. The Treo™ Pro comes with 128 MB of memory that can be expanded up to 32 GB via a microSD slot.

The Treo™ Pro offers many features such as built in Wi-Fi, push e-mail capabilities, Windows Mobile 6.1, 2 Megapixel camera, video and music capabilities, rechargeable 1500mAh lithium-ion battery with a 5 hour talk time, and Bluetooth Wireless Technology.

Palm is selling the smart phone at $549 without a carrier.

Cell Phone Providers Jump on Flat Rate Bandwagon

Virgin Mobile has announced today that it will offer a flat rate for its cell phone service. The service would be unlimited with no contract and no roaming charges.

Virgin Mobile uses Sprint's CDMA network.

Other details of the plan include: no activation fees, add unlimited text for $10/month. You can change your plan anytime for no cost.

The company also has two other plans that are convenient for cell phone users:

1. A "pay as you go" plan where you get .05 minutes when you purchase $50 minute pack. For $6.99 a month you can get .10 a minute phone calls anytime. Text messaging and picture sending are extra.
2. Monthly plans without annual contracts can include unlimited after 7 p.m. nights and weekends. Packages start at $25 a month.

For coverage go here.

Android Delayed

The phone everyone is waiting for has come up against a delay. The Google Android handset won't be available until the fourth quarter. The phone uses a suite of mobile software called Android.

The delay is in part due to the number of partners that are in on the deal. There are 30 of them. Some of them may not come up with with their programs for the operating system until after the fourth quarter.

T-Mobile's roll out in the fourth quarter is sucking up all of Google's energy so that other carriers like Sprint won't be able to come up with the Android-based phone till after the fourth quarter.

Another part of the problem is that it takes time for the partners to develop new features. Phone companies are sorting out what broadband networks the phone will run on.

Some companies are forgoing involvement in the Google venture until Google figures out  distribution and revenue issues.

Xperia X1 in the News Again

News is that the Boy Genius is getting a look at the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. It's the device people are waiting for because it's going to have the Windows Mobile operating system. He says, "WOW, you couldn't throw better specs on this thing if you tried."

Did someone say specs? There's an optical joystick, 800x480 VGA screen and one very bad keyboard at least according to the "Boy."

There's more...Wize.com found more specs in a Sony blog post from last Feb. The phone is 4.3 by 0.7 by 2.1 inches, it weighs 5.1 oz. and features a 3-in. wide VGA display.

And, what's more, it has a 3.2MP camera, Outlook Mobile and Office Mobile for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet Explorer.

Last, Jack Gold, an analyst at J. Gold Associates, suggested that it might be a step toward Sony Ericsson’s showing an Android-based device soon.

What is WiMax? A Video

Last month I defined WiMax for readers of the wize.com blog (that would be this blog). Below please find a video that shows WiMax in action inside two different moving vehicles.

The Internet will never be the same now that you'll be able to get it in your vehicle. The WiMax connection was fast enough to play a video from the FOD (Fox on Demand) Web site.

LG Vu Offers Mobile TV

I don't know about you, but the thought of watching TV on a tiny cell phone screen isn't exactly thrilling, but that's not stopping AT&T Mobile TV delivery.

LG Vu (pictured to the left) and Samsung Access are the two mobile phones that will offer what's called FLO TV, the service that provides the television programming.

The LG Vu has an interactive touch screen, a music player and a 2MP camera.

The service will begin in May.

Pearl 8120 Carries Many New Features

The reviews for the Blackberry Pearl 8120 are pouring in. PC Mag gave it a 4/5 saying it added a better camera (it's 2MP now), an improved Web browser and a jack that can be used for standard headphones.

The Washington Post says, "It's the first Pearl with Wi-Fi support, which speeds up Web surfing and e-mail access. It's also the first with memory expandability via a MicroSD slot. The Pearl 8120 improves on its predecessors with outstanding software for multimedia management..."

The Post also reported that calls were loud and clear on busy city streets.

It's interesting to note that with the WiFi, Internet access is better near WiFi hotspots, otherwise it's at dial-up speed outside the WiFi zone where it operates from the cell phone towers.

You can also use the phone internationally, great for business travelers.

CNN Money  likes the phone too, saying, "The new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 handset enables AT&T's business customers to use the broadest domestic and international coverage area for wireless data services of any U.S. carrier."

Recover Deleted Text Messages from Cell Phones

Have a wondering teen with a challenging lifestyle? Wondering where your spouse has been during the long nights when he doesn't show up at home? If you answered yes to the above questions, then BrickHouse has a device for you.

The SIM card spy software and hardware solution can tap into all files on a cell phone SIM card for viewing, saving or editing.

It's easy to use.

1. You take the SIM card out of the cell phone.
2. You take the SIM card and place it into the cell phone spy device.
3. Plug the cell phone device with SIM card in it into the USB port of your computer.
4. Instantly read everything, including deleted text messages.

BrickHouse notes that the product will not work with the following because none of the following phones have removable SIM cards:

* Some Nextel/Sprint 2 Way phones
* All Verizon Phones
* Some Prepaid phones

What is 3G Technology?

The Washington Post reported today that an iPhone with 3G technology will be released mid-year. In the article 3G is defined as, "a high-speed wireless communications standard that provides broadband Internet capabilities to cell phones and mobile devices."

So how does it work?

The technology has to do with spectral efficiency (the amount of information transmitted in a given bandwidth) that network operators can use to achieve better network capacity to provide more advanced services. 

In order to get the better network capacity for more advanced services you need two things: a 3G chip needs to be part of the phone's hardware and you have to use the phone in an area where there's 3G wireless coverage.

AT&T's has already announced that it was expanding its 3G wireless coverage to 350 major U.S. markets, including all 100 of the largest cities.

Europe already has extensive 3G coverage and wants the iPhone to have the 3G chip so it can take advantage of that coverage.

After AT&Ts announcement, it looks like the U.S. is playing catch-up.