Times Change

post from Daring Fireball on 01 May 2012 08:02:59 PM. © Daring Fireball

From a 2008 story by Brad Stone for the NYT:

There’s a reason that R.I.M. is averse to the iPhone?s glass pad.?I couldn?t type on it and I still can?t type on it, and a lot ofmy friends can?t type on it,? says Mike Lazaridis, R.I.M.?sco-chief executive and technological visionary. ?It?s hard to typeon a piece of glass.?
Mr. Lazaridis thinks that e-mail-dependent BlackBerry ownersdemand the reliability and tactile feedback of a keyboard.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/technology/27rim.html?_r=4&ei=5088&en=91959fada
e81983d&ex=1366948800&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1209356527-mUk/nkh5BqaxI5lyaYzSPA&pagewanted=all

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BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha Developer Testing Device

post from Daring Fireball on 01 May 2012 08:02:59 PM. © Daring Fireball

Reminds me of some other device. Can’t quite put my finger on it.

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http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/1/2990193/blackberry-10-dev-alpha-developer-testin
g-device-hands-on-photos-impressions

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Amateur Hour Is Still Over

post from Daring Fireball on 01 May 2012 08:02:59 PM. © Daring Fireball

Ian Austen, reporting for the NYT:

Research in Motion on Tuesday unveiled prototypes of the new BlackBerry 10 phone and operating system that the company hopes will be its salvation, in a form that looked quite rough around the edges. Among the features missing on the test phones given to software developers was the ability to actually make phone calls or access wireless networks.

Shocking, from the company that sells a tablet that doesn’t do email.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/technology/research-in-motions-blackberry-10-is
-unveiled.html?_r=4

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Summz iPad app v1.1

post from prMac on 01 May 2012 06:15:00 PM. © prMac

Icon Consulting is pleased to announce the release of version 1.1 of their iPad calculator app Summz. With a focus on stylish and elegant design with just the essential features for performing basic everyday calculations, Summz provides the simple calculator missing from the iPad. iPad calculator Summz, probably the smallest app in the App Store, updated for the new iPad retina display. Summz downloads and launches quickly and is very responsive in use.

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http://prmac.com/release-id-42016.htm

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RIM, Not Samsung, Orchestrated Phony Wake Up
Protest at Australian Apple Store

post from Daring Fireball on 01 May 2012 05:04:03 PM. © Daring Fireball

Even better than their “Amateur Hour Is Over” campaign.

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http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403815,00.asp

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Straight Talk SIM: The BFF of a Galaxy Nexus or
iPhone

post from Apple on 01 May 2012 04:02:54 PM. © Apple

Now that Google is selling an unlocked, no-contract version of the Galaxy Nexus for $399, will it change the U.S. mindset on subsidized smartphones? Probably not in any meaningful way, but for those who want to regain some control from their carrier, or actually choose which carrier to use their phone on, the Nexus is appealing. The radios inside the Android 4.0 smartphone can work on either AT&T’s or T-Mobile’s voice and HSPA+ data networks. Of course, you need a SIM card to make this happen.

Straight Talk, a brand of TracFone’s MVNO service, offers a SIM for the Galaxy Nexus or any other GSM phone that’s compatibile with these two carrier networks. That includes the AT&T iPhone handsets, even if not unlocked since the phone will see this as an AT&T card.

This past Sunday, I ordered a SIM card and one month of service from Straight Talk. The card should arrive later this week and I’ll simply pop into my own Galaxy Nexus and go. Aside from the no-contract, month-to-month terms, the deal is a sweet one: $45 gets you unlimited voice minutes, messaging and HSPA+ data.

A comparable contract plan for that service can easily be double that amount. Sprint is probably the most apt in terms of comparison as it is the only major U.S. carrier that truly offers unlimited services without any throttling or data caps. And it charges $99 per month, or more than twice what a Straight Talk account costs. You’re not going to get 4G LTE service with this plan, but depending on your coverage area, HSPA+ could be more than fast enough. I routinely see 10 Mbps peak download speeds on T-Mobile’s network where I live and I’ve seen even faster on AT&T’s network.

A few points worth noting:

Until just today, Straight Talk’s coverage maps didn’t seem accurate as the non-Android map looked like AT&T’s map, while the Android coverage image looked like T-Mobile’s footprint. In this Google Plus thread on the topic, Straight Talk customers have said that HSPA+ service on Android devices has worked on AT&T’s network even though the map indicates they won’t. Regardless, the coverage map now looks up to date; there’s just one.
Yes, the iPhone is supported and when you order from Straight Talk: you not only choose your GSM provider, but also your SIM form factor: standard or micro SIM.
Although advertised as unlimited, some have reported that their data was cut off after excessive use, so don’t expect this solution to work as a full-time mobile hotspot; in fact, using the SIM for tethering purposes is not allowed per the TOS. You might be able to tether in a pinch for limited use but typical smartphone activity is likely no issue.
You can refill the $45 service as needed, or if you find it more convenient, you can set up an auto-refill. There’s still no long-term contract, but this makes it easier to maintain service.
Straight Talk does permit number porting if you want to make this your full-time phone service without losing your current number. I was actually considering a number port of my custom Google Voice number, which is supported, but since I’m going to test the waters with a new SIM, I think I’ll hold off on that for now.
Part of the reason I’m testing this out is because I have a data-only SIM — from a tablet — in my Galaxy Nexus now. For $30 a month, I get 2 GBs of data, unlimited messaging and no voice minutes. I’ve worked around the voice situation through VoIP and SIP but I have missed a few calls due to areas with limited data coverage. Plus, after I add in a few dollars for calls and my SIP account, I’m paying closer to $40 a month anyway.

Given how expensive a long-term unlimited contract can be, plans such as this one can save a ton of money, provided you’re willing to buy a phone at full price. Ricky Cadden, one of my mobile peers that used to run the now-defunct Symbian Guru site, did a little math and found the Straight Talk plan saves around $1,600 over two years:

Btw, I did some quick math last night – AT&T for 2 smartphones at 700 shared minutes is ~$190/mo in Texas (taxes estimated at 20%), plus $200/phone, you’re looking at about $4960 over 2 years. Straight Talk is ~$90/mo (assume taxes are included), plus $600/phone, you’re looking at $3360 over 2 years. That’s a savings of $1600 over 2 years, or about $67/mo. Only difference is you have to pay the bulk up front, with $1200 for phones (estimated, of course).

When you take a hard look at the numbers, you can see why this type of no-contract plan appeals. Aside from my iPhone 4S this past October, I haven’t bought a subsidized phone since January 2010, when I nabbed Google’s Nexus One. With a $45 plan and choice of carrier, I’m more unlikely than ever to buy a handset that commits me to a long, pricey contract.

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http://gigaom.com/mobile/straight-talk-sim-the-bff-of-a-galaxy-nexus-or-iphone/

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EcoSlide for iPhone Supports Conservation, Offers
Real Rewards

post from prMac on 01 May 2012 03:17:00 PM. © prMac

Future Media Visions has announced the release of EcoSlide Version 1.50 for the iPhone and iPod touch. EcoSlide showcases images of endangered species and conservation areas around the world. Besides being fun and informative, the developers wanted the app to have a tangible impact on the environment, so they have pledged a portion of the app's proceeds to support conservation activities. A portion of proceeds benefits conservation. Now offering real-life rewards for playing.

Read The Full Article:
http://prmac.com/release-id-42015.htm

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How Apple will become a mobile carrier

post from Apple on 01 May 2012 01:03:11 PM. © Apple

What’s next for Apple? Apple will provide wireless service directly to its iPad and iPhone customers. First, Apple will sell data packages bundled with iPads. Then it will sell data and international roaming plans to iPhone customers through the iTunes Store. And in time — sooner than many think — Apple will strike wholesale deals with several mobile operators so that Apple can provide wireless service directly to its customers, as Apple Mobile.

Will domestic and global mobile operators like AT&T, Vodafone, Telefónica and others “play ball? with Apple? Many in the U.S. were surprised six years ago when AT&T capitulated to Apple’s terms to become the first carrier to offer the iPhone six years ago. Conventional wisdom is that the struggling operators compromises, not a leading operator like AT&T. But Apple makes everyone ?think different.”

And in hindsight, the first iPhone deal was a brilliant strategy that has continued to pay huge dividends to AT&T. In the last quarter just reported, four out of five smartphones AT&T sold were iPhones.

Apple changed the formula of the relationship between operator and handset vendor, with Apple having more bargaining power than the operator for the first time in mobile history. And that?s the point.

Apple will make an offer carriers can’t refuse

Today, mobile operators would have a hard time saying “no” to the world’s largest and fastest growing company, which builds the devices everyone wants. Apple tends to have its way with operators. Any reluctance on the carrier’s part to offer Apple a sweetheart wholesale deal would be outweighed by the huge business opportunity presented. It’s a classic case of “The Prisoner’s Dilemma.” The carrier’s biggest fear is that if it says “no”, the business and growth would go to a competing carrier and it would be kicked the curb.

It’s no secret that Apple has been thinking about this strategy for some time. Apple filed a patent for “Dynamic Carrier Selection” on October 10, 2006, just a few months before Apple announced the first iPhone. The diagram in the patent application portrayed Apple as the wireless service provider connecting to multiple carriers. This would allow Apple to make wholesale cellular agreements with and connect to multiple carriers so it could offer its customers choices in carriers, plans and services. Apple has clearly put a lot of thought into its dynamic carrier selection architecture. And lest anyone think Apple isn’t serious about this, last June Apple extended the filing in what many considered confirmation of its plans.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Apple recently has been fighting with other handset vendors, including Nokia, over a new, smaller-sized SIM card for GSM and LTE handsets. According to some, such a SIM would allow Apple to bypass carriers entirely, and activate a new customer through the iTunes Store. Whether it uses the NanoSIM, virtual SIM or other variant, Apple could have the ability to activate and sell voice, data, messaging and roaming subscription plans before the ink dries on a carrier wholesale agreement.

Apple has all of the pieces necessary to offer wireless service directly to customers. They have the world’s leading brand, a loyal following who will pay a premium for Apple’s products and services, and 363 retail stores around the world, growing to 400 by the end of the year. And with iTunes, it has the digital content and billing platform to offer service with one-click simplicity. The infrastructure is in place today, with the patented architecture ready for Apple’s next big move.

iPhone customers typically spend as much as twice or more the U.S. national average monthly wireless bill, which was about $44 in the last year. So these are high value customers. And they buy apps and content ? music, videos, TV shows and movies ? through Apple today. By offering mobile service with iPhones and iPads, the company could provide the full Apple experience to its users.

How likely is this to happen? Given the patent filing more than five years ago, it wouldn?t surprise me if Apple is already talking to mobile operators, nor would I be surprised if the mobile operators initiated the conversation.

And what about Google?

Might Google offer mobile service directly to its customers, for the rumored Google Android Tablet or any Android smartphone? With Google acquiring Motorola Mobility, it, too, will be able to manufacture handsets to its own specifications. But it won?t be nearly as easy for Google to follow Apple?s likely path. While Google has a great brand — number two in the world and second only to Apple — it doesn’t have the retail stores, the experience with subscription services, and the customer care that Apple offers. Nor does it have the elegant ecosystem that enables single-click app and content purchasing that Apple has through its iTunes Store.

Whitey Bluestein, a 25-year telecom veteran, is a strategic advisor and corporate development specialist focused on prepaid, applications, payments and services. For more information, go to http://whiteybluestein.com

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Zevrix ArtOptimizer for Illustrator at 50% off on
Get Dealy: May 1-2

Zevrix Solutions announces that its workflow automation solution for Adobe Illustrator, ArtOptimizer, is available at 50% off on a digital groupon website Get Dealy until May 2. ArtOptimizer allows to reduce Illustrator job size and speed up processing by automatically eliminating excess image data and performing essential image adjustments. The software lets users save gigabytes of disk space, accelerate file output and cut costs through faster processing.

Read The Full Article:
http://prmac.com/release-id-42137.htm

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Pictures with Words iPhone iPad App Full Version

Justapps is pleased to announce "Pictures with Words" photography app for iPhone / iPad Full Version. Pictures with Words lets users add captions, text, emoticons and other photos to pictures. Pictures with Words takes picture-taking and picture-editing to the next level by allowing creative people to add content to their original photos or to images downloaded from Google or Bing. A picture enhanced with Pictures with Words app is a very different experience.

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http://prmac.com/release-id-42138.htm

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