It’s that time of the week again, and here we are bringing you the weekly wrap-up of what’s been happening. This week saw quite a bit of great new releases, along with plenty of video to take up your time. We got to spend time with Microsoft as they took their MIX10 conference to a whole new level, and we saw some fan-made renders wish the device of our dream was the real deal. We saw some devices get upgrade announcements, then get them taken away, and still others moved ahead with good news. And then towards the end, we started seeing some devices that may get announced this week, if rumors pan out. So, let’s stop with the foreshadowing, and just move right on into it, shall we? Oh, and if you’ll notice, we’re trying something a bit different with the WiR layout this week, so let us know what you think.
Monday, March 15
We started off the week with AT&T launching some new services (like Mobile Share), as well as four new messaging devices. Two from Pantech, the Link and Pursuit, and two from Samsung, Strive and Sunburst. They’re not high-end devices by any means, and specifically designed for those who want a strong featurephone. Samsung is continuing their trend with more TouchWiz 2.0 devices, hoping that the User Interface along with their touchscreen devices will keep up the consumer purchases. The Samsung Strive and Sunburst are actually available now, and the two Pantech devices should be available in the coming weeks.
Monday marked the start of Microsoft’s MIX10, a conference specifically designed for the developers in the world. It’s a place where Microsoft can bring together those of like minds, and talk about where the market is going for developers, and how they can make their applications. This year, the Redmond-based company utilized the conference as a flagship method to release more information on their upcoming mobile Operating System, Windows Phone 7 Series. We saw plenty of video, with the first being the Marketplace Hub in action. We saw a 3D game, called Harvest, as it debuted for the mobile OS. And we also saw how push notifications would work on the platform. Of course, as Microsoft has noted several times, all of this is up to change before the release date. Features like Netflix are also ready to go with the launch of the mobile platform.
The HTC HD2 is the envy of all other Windows Mobile 6.5 devices (but not Windows Phone 7 Series devices), but that’s not stopping people from creating fan renders of the completely unannounced HTC HD3. We caught wind of the image, and quickly looked over the corresponding specifications list, but quickly denounced it as being fake. Why? Because, despite the fact people were saying that it would be running Windows Phone 7 Series, it simply didn’t have the right specifications. Expandable memory? Not allowed. Even the screen’s resolution was too much. So, it’s a dream. A nice dream, but a dream nevertheless.
Tuesday, March 16
The TomTom application for iPhone got a significant upgrade last Tuesday. It brought some extra features, along with some in-depth additions to present-days features. Within the application, pinch-and-zoom is now available, local search powered by Google, and there’s also an automatic day and night mode. The update was definitely worth the wait for those who purchased the app.
This was a great week for UK wireless carriers, as two of the largest in the area were verified as launching some of the best smartphones on the market. The first, Vodafone UK, is primed to launch the HTC branded Legend and Desire. Two of the most powerful Android-based devices available on any market, we’re happy to see these handsets primed for customer satisfaction. WE love us some AMOLED. And the second carrier, O2, prepare themselves to launch the rebranded Samsung Jet, now known as the Samsung Jet Ultra Edition. There’s not much different in the specification department from the original, 800MHz processor-packing, 3.1-inch AMOLED display handset, but it does sell with some gangster DVDs. So, that’s cool.
Google’s Nexus One, which also packs some AMOLED goodness, is one of the most talked about handsets available on the market, here in the States. It launched back in January for T-Mobile USA, and everyone else not on the network has been waiting for the device to launch on the Big Red network in the Spring. But, without warning (other than some unconfirmed rumors), Google released the Nexus One with AT&T 3G-compatible radios. This may have something to do with the fact that, according to Flurry, the sales of the Nexus One are just about terrible when compared to the iPhone, and especially compared to the other Android-powered handset, the Motorola DROID. The Nexus One, which is sold only through Google’s online store, has sold only 135,000 units in 74 days, which to some just isn’t good enough. And then, Google is punched one more time in the gut, when their application for the Nexus One trademark was rejected. They have 60 days to respond, or Google may have to change the name of the device.
And then, we have the curious case of updates. The Samsung Galaxy Spica, which a lot of users out there may not even know about, is officially getting upgraded to Android 2.1 some time in March. Well, to be more accurate, the roll-out begins this month, and should happen from one region to another through the Spring months. So, if you do happen to own the device, keep your fingers crossed that you’re next in line. And then we have the Motorola DROID, the device to bring Android 2.0 to market. This is the second time Motorola has promised the prodigal update, and yet failed to commit. As it currently stands, almost every Motorola DROID out there is still not running an official release of 2.1. Instead, they’re still waiting.
Wednesday, March 17
As we move further and further into the electronic years, we are finding more ways to rid ourselves of the paper bill. Or, in this case, the paper ticket. United Airlines has officially unveiled their mobile boarding pass, along with mobile check-ins. It’s like the best way to play Foursquare, if you ask us.
At MIX10, Microsoft showed off a third device, an unknown Samsung, to showcase Windows Phone 7 Series, and blow all of our minds. It was actually some keen eyed readers at SlashGear that caught us on to the fact that the device in question looked strikingly familiar, and sure enough, it seems that Microsoft showcased a Samsung i8910HD, and not a future Windows Phone 7 Series device at all. In further device news, LG apparently has a second Windows Phone 7 Series device in the works, as a render made an appearance in the middle of the week. Rumors are that it is fake, but we’d be shocked to think that the company isn’t working on more than one device.
Google is releasing several first-party applications for their Android platform. This time around, we have Gesture Search. Basically, you run the application, draw a letter, or string of letters, and the application finds what you’re looking for. It may not be the most practical application in the world, strictly for the fact that it is, indeed, an application. But at least it’s fun.
Thursday, March 18
Apple and HTC have begun the age-old trademark and patent dance, as the two of them square off to begin what’s definitely going to be a lot of rounds in the ring. HTC publicly responded to the Apple claims, and have made it very clear that they are not going to back down any time soon. They’ve got a strong portfolio, dating further back than the iPhone’s launch in 2007, and they want everyone to know that.
Research In Motion is one of those stalwart companies that’s not going anywhere any time soon, but that doesn’t mean people don’t want to see some kind of new device from the company. Luckily, we may be getting our wish. The BlackBerry T, which is quite possibly the slider we’ve seen before, now has a codename, a model number, and pictures. Is CTIA 2010 going to be the place that we finally get an official announcement?
And then our Android news wraps up Thursday with talk that the HTC Incredible could launch on the Verizon Network, with those Verizon colors so bold on the device, in just two weeks. There’s also talk that it could get announced at CTIA 2010 as well. And then, that Motorola DROID 2.1 update we spoke about before? There’s no time frame when it might get released to the customer base at large, as the update has been labeled as To Be Determined (TBD) now. So, stay frosty, DROID owners.
Friday, March 19
The iPhone is still a hot commodity, and wireless carriers all around the world still want their chance with it. Apple is scheduled (unofficially) to launch the next iteration of the iPhone right around the corner here, and it looks like China Mobile wants in on the action. They’ve reached out to the Cupertino-based company, hoping that the two companies can work something out.
Sprint got the last bit of news on Friday, as two of their devices got the upgrade talk. The only difference is that one device, the HTC Touch Pro2 actually got upgraded, and the others, the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment, are getting upgraded. The latter of which should see the light of day in the coming weeks, with April sounding more and more like the official unveiling of Android 2.1 on the hardware.
Sunday, March 21
And then we have today. Research In Motion’s BIS 3.0 is scheduled to hit retail units over the coming weeks, starting March 28th. It’s entire purpose is to make the integration of BlackBerry devices and Gmail more complete. In the end, what this means, is that using Gmail on your BlackBerry may actually not drive you to madness anymore. And then we have a video of a man unboxing the HTC HD2 with T-Mobile USA. The only problem is, is that he’s the first consumer to actually get the HD2, especially considering it’s not due to start selling until March 24th. Very curious.
So, that wraps it up for this week. Again, let us know what you think of the new layout. If you need to compare it, here’s a link to last week’s. We want to hear your feedback. Keep your eyes out for this week, as SlashPhone brings you the latest information from CTIA 2010. Hopefully we’ll see some of our predictions come to bear.
