Mobile Technology News

By Tim Conneally, Betanews

Mobile network operator T-Mobile today announced that the first smartphone capable of fully utilizing the company’s HSPA+ network upgrade will be called the G2. Unfortunately, there were few details about the device, and the site announcing the G2 is currently unavailable.

By Tim Conneally, Betanews

Adobe began testing Flash Player 10.1 on Android 2.2 in late May, and hit the beta 3 phase last week.

Today, Adobe announced that the final version of Flash Player 10.1 has been sent to mobile platform partners, and that Flash Player 10.1 will be available as a final production release on the following “Froyo” (Android 2.2) devices:

• Dell Streak
• Google Nexus One
• HTC EVO 4G
• HTC Desire
• HTC Incredible

By Scott M. Fulton, III, Betanews

A process of elimination which has, apparently since February, cast aside a who’s-who of possible suitors, has left Lenovo as the only prospective suitor for Palm, Inc. still standing, after everyone else told Reuters no. It could mean Lenovo is genuinely interested, though it could also mean the only ones giving Palm any positive value…are in the press.

By Tim Conneally, Betanews

Qualcomm’s mobile broadcast television service called FLO TV existed for about five years under different wireless carrier brand names: Sprint TV, Verizon V Cast TV, and AT&T MediaFLO TV. But the carriers didn’t push it very hard, so it did not break through into the public’s consciousness.

But then Qualcomm began advertising FLO TV on its own, with its own smartphone-sized pocket TVs made by HTC, and it looks like it is finally beginning to stick.

Though I’m normally partial to in-ear headphones, I decided to give the Urbanears Plattan headphones a whirl and was very impressed.

I admit to being a sound snob. I usually go toting around in 0 professional headphone gear, so I was skeptical about anything with a price tag. I’m pleased to report, however, that these stylish, full-sized headphones delivered great sound that was music [pun intended] to these audiophile ears. I plugged into my iPhone and cranked some thumping dance tunes. Clear, rich sound with no bass breakdown or muddiness. Their adjustability even made them start off comfortably on my fat head and their light weight made them stay comfortable.

By Joe Wilcox, Betanews

Now that buzz about Apple’s patent lawsuit against HTC has quieted a bit, I’m ready to pipe in with some contrarian analysis. I agree with other pundits suggesting that the lawsuit is competition by litigation, where Apple hopes to scare off mobile manufacturers from licensing Android. Surely some handset manufacturers will pull back, but they would be foolish to do so. For other existing and potential Android licensees, the lawsuit is a get out of jail free card. Apple’s patent case should embolden, not restrain them. There may never be a better time to license Android than now.

By Scott M. Fulton, III, Betanews

Since early Friday morning, as hundreds of commenters on T-Mobile’s and Google’s support forums are reporting, 3G data connectivity service has been completely unavailable — for some, since approximately 4:30 am Eastern Time this morning, but for a great many more users beginning at 10:00 am. Some users in recent minutes are reporting service restored, although indications from both forums are that service can come back and go away again.

By Tim Conneally, Betanews

Last Friday, Verizon announced it was lowering the cost of its unlimited voice plans while simultaneously adding mandatory data plans for mid-range “media phones.” Later in the day, AT&T announced it was lowering its unlimited voice plans by about , so the two companies could remain in close competition.

Today, Sprint issued a statement about its “Everything Data” plans, showing that its individual plans are about cheaper than Verizon across the board, and that its 2-line family plans can be as much as cheaper, depending upon the amount of minutes.

By Scott M. Fulton, III, Betanews

Without a doubt, Android has emerged from CES 2010 as the software platform story of the year. In a strange way, the sudden surge of activity for the platform prior to CES, and even prior to Google’s Nexus One announcement the day before CES, is what substantiated the presence of Android in the public discussion this year. Up until now, Linux on the smartphone has been perceived as an “alternative” to the branded systems — last year, Android seemed to be the culmination of something going on in the “open” space, out there somewhere, categorized under “Other.”
Android is not “other” any more. It is here, and very much at the center of things.

By Tim Conneally, Betanews

At an event today in Beijing, China Mobile officially launched its “OPhone” platform, the mobile carrier’s answer to China Unicom’s recently acquired Apple iPhone.

OPhones run OMS (Open Mobile System), a China Mobile-branded fork of Google’s Android, and they will be made by a number of prominent manufacturers, including Dell, HTC, Lenovo. China Mobile showed off devices by all three manufacturers today, and said it expects companies such as Samsung, ZTE, Phillips, Motorola, and LG to support the platform.