It looks like the iPhone is going to have some stiff competition.
Palm, which once owned the PDA market, went back to the drawing board
and developed a new smartphone from scratch. Based on comments from
those who attended the roll-out and those who have spent a few moments
with it, the Palm Prē looks like it could be a contender. It will
be a Sprint exclusive in the US.
Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review, and general Mac
news is in Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
Palm Prē News
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apps & Services
Accessories
Protection
iPod and iPhone Deals
These price trackers are updated regularly.
Palm Prē News
Former Apple Staffers Make Palm Prē a
Contender
Cult of Mac's
Giles Turnbull says:
"Of all the surprises to come out of the CES show this year, Palm's
revival as a serious player in the handheld device market is perhaps
the biggest of all.
"Most people - myself included - had long since consigned Palm to
the dustbin, confident that it would never re-invent itself out of the
hole it had fallen into, out-manouevred and out-featured by rival
devices.
"Not so.
"The initial reports coming from CES are that the Palm Prē is
an excellent device and offers the iPhone some proper
competition...."
Link:
Former Apple Staffers Make Palm Prē a Contender
Palm Prē Preview: Simply Amazing
Gizmodo's
Adrian Covert says:
"Hey, I just had some time to play with the Palm Prē, maybe the
most important handset to be announced in two years, and here's what it
was like to use it. Updates coming.
"The Palm Prē is a lot smaller than I initially thought it
would be. A good size comparison would be an iPod classic with a big
hard drive....
"The Prē's Web OS UI and and UX really looks great....
"The Card system is really a great way to keep your information in
front of you and know what you're working on....
"The input technology that doesn't involve the screen is also top
notch....
"There's also the keyboard....
"The screen is beautiful,....
"It also has a few features not found on the iPhone...."
Link: Palm
Prē Preview: Simply Amazing
How Palm Used Apple Magic to Own CES
IT Business
Edge's Rob Enderle says:
"I was pretty
harsh on Microsoft and Apple last week with regard to their various
pitches. On Apple's side, it really didn't have that much to present
and, given the content, I doubt anyone else would have done better. But
then it was Apple, and Apple isn't expected to be just anyone else.
Several folks have spoken to me about the Microsoft CES keynote, saying
that it was Microsoft, after all, so I should have lowered my
expectations. Maybe so, but in these hard times it is critical that
companies step up and create excitement. Otherwise, these hard times
are likely to be with us a lot longer.
"Fortunately, Palm, in sharp contrast to much of what was at CES,
got up on stage and went for the gold. It set a standard that every
other company at CES should try to emulate. It brought to market the
Palm Prē, a product that did what the iPhone did two years ago and
stole the show. And Palm did this largely by emulating Apple...."
Link: How Palm Used Apple
Magic to Own CES
Why Prē Is the Right Move for Palm
Cnet Crave's
Matt Hickey says:
"Before I gave in and started using an iPhone, I was a stalwart Palm
supporter. In the late '90s, I was actually a beta tester for the very
first Pilot 1000 device. It was light years ahead of what anyone else
was doing at the time, and it 'just worked.'"
"Last week at CES, Palm announced a new operating system, called Web
OS, and the first device to run it, the Prē. It also announced an
application store, called Prē Catalog. And that's when things got
very interesting: the Prē blew everyone away....
"As it turned out, Palm hit what appears to be a grand slam. Palm
has a competitor to the iPhone and the G1. For the first time in years,
gadget fans were drooling over a Palm device....
"In short, Palm went from a company that nobody cared about to a
leader in the smartphone field overnight...."
Link: Why Prē Is
the Right Move for Palm
News, Reviews, & Opinion
National Safety Council Calls for Nationwide Ban on
Cell Use While Driving
IDG News
Service's Stephen Lawson reports:
"The nonprofit National Safety Council on Monday called on all US
states to ban the use of cell phones while driving.
"The NSC, which says it counts 55,000 companies as members, compared
talking or texting while driving to drunken driving and urged states to
ban even the use of phones with hands-free kits.
"No state has completely banned cellphone use while driving, though
23 have passed some form of restriction...."
Link: US
Group Calls for Cell-driving Bans Nationwide
Apple's Future: It's in the iPod touch
ZD Net's Sam Diaz says:
"A guest post on ZD Net yesterday posed the question: Has Apple
gotten lazy? It's not the first time I've heard it asked, considering
Apple's headlines in recent months: a pullout from Macworld, the
distractions of Steve Jobs' health and relatively low-key announcements
out of Macworld. Sure, upgrades to iLife, iWork and the MacBook line
were each newsworthy, just not keynote worthy. That doesn't make Apple
lazy.
"Still, I think the author of the post is on to something when he
says that Apple will need to do something soon if it wants to keep Wall
Street (and the fan base) happy....
"In terms of a breakthrough gadget, the next big thing is already
out there - and has been for more than a year. The iPod touch (horrible
name for it) is the real breakthrough device here, not the
iPhone...."
Editor's note: Our own Tim Nash made the same point last December in
The iPod touch Will
Outsell the iPhone. dk
Link: Apple's Future: It's in the
touch
High Bills for Traveling iPhone Users
The Los
Angeles Times' David Sarno reports:
"Not long after I returned from a recent trip to Canada, I was
surprised to find a $400 cell phone bill in the mailbox. This seemed
odd because I'd made only two phone calls when I was there, the longer
one for 15 minutes.
"But when I looked closer at the breakdown, I saw what was going on.
It wasn't I who'd been making dozens of long-distance calls back to the
States - it was the phone itself. While I thought my iPhone was sitting
"unused" in my jacket, it had been constantly checking my e-mail for 72
consecutive hours...."
Link:
High Bills for Traveling iPhone Users
Apple Welcomes Other Web Browsers to iPhone App
Store
Register Hardware's
James Sherwood reports:
"Apple has suddenly approved a healthy selection of third-party
iPhone web browsers for sale in its App Store - even though they
deliver a feature already found on the phone.
"The firm's previously banned browsers from other developers, such
as Opera Mini, because they compete with the built-in Safari browser.
It's similarly rejected other apps that duplicate the handset's
out-of-the-box features."
These browsers are available through the
Apple App Store.
Link:
Apple Welcomes Other Web Browsers to iPhone App Store
Chipmaker Leak Points to iPhone nano in June
The Register's
Rik Myslewski reports:
"Rumors that Apple has a scaled-down iPhone dubbed the 'iPhone nano'
in the works have lurched forward following a report here that two
Taiwanese companies are set to supply chips for the phone.
"According to DigiTimes, the two purported chip suppliers are the
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United
Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)....
"DigiTimes also reported that 'the launch of Apple's iPhone nano is
expected to take place in June this year at the earliest.'"
Link: Chipmaker
Leak Points to iPhone nano in June
Frozen Input at Login with Mac OS X 10.5.6 Update
after iPhone 'Jailbreak' Attempt
MacFixIt
reports:
"Several users have reported that, after updating to Mac OS X
10.5.6, mice and keyboards have frozen and will not allow them to log
in or otherwise provide input to the computer....
"Affected users have several options to fix this problem."
Link: Frozen
Input at Login with Mac OS X 10.5.6 Update after iPhone 'Jailbreak'
Attempt
Apps & Services
iBank Mobile iPhone App for Tracking Personal
Finance on the Go
PR: IGG Software announces the forthcoming release of iBank
Mobile, a native iPhone counterpart to iBank 3 - the market-leading
personal finance alternative to Quicken on the Mac. Capable of running
on both the iPhone and iPod touch, this new release will be available
exclusively for download from
the iTunes App Store in the first quarter of this year.
Among the new application's highlights:
- iBank Mobile can be run as a stand-alone app, providing a great way
to enter transactions, including transaction splits, or to track
spending and account balances.
- Existing iBank users can sync iBank data and new transactions from
mobile devices using a MobileMe account for effortless, continual
updating; with a WebDAV server; or directly via WiFi to a local machine
running iBank.
- A Quick Entry screen allows users to enter and categorize
transactions in seconds, with intelligent autofill speeding entry even
further.
- Multiple currency support is included for world travelers and
today's global economy.
- Multiple users with iBank, such as couples or business partners,
can sync to the same iBank data from different mobile devices.
- The iBank Mobile Home Screen provides an at-a-glance overview of
the user's finances; users will be able to see current balances across
multiple accounts and where money is being spent at any time.
- Rotating the screen of an iPhone or iPod touch allows users to get
a better picture of finances over time.
"We're confident that this first version of iBank Mobile will
satisfy most users wanting to track personal finances on their iPhone,"
notes IGG Chief Architect James Gillespie. "Certainly, some features on
the phone will work differently than features on the Mac. But we
weren't trying to port iBank to the phone - we just want to make a
great iPhone app."
IGG Software, LLC, was founded in 2003 by developer Ian Gillespie.
Located in Putney, Vermont, the company engages in sustainable
practices such as purchasing all of its energy from renewable
sources.
Speed Trap App Drops to 99¢ before Next
iPhone Update
PR: In order to expose the world to the most advanced
GPS-based Speed Trap notification system for the iPhone, Njection LLC
has dropped the price of NMobile until version 1.1 is released.
Individuals who buy NMobile now will get the 1.1 update free of
charge
Njection.com LLC, the maker of Njection Mobile (NMobile), their
worldwide speed trap notification system for Apple iPhone 3G, is
dropping the price of their application in the Apple App Store to
99¢ until the release of the version 1.1 update. 1.1 is a major
update unleashing the full power of the iPhone GPS- and location-based
mapping services. Version 1.1 will have new, requested features along
with Njection Mobile exclusive features.
Designed specifically to take advantage of the iPhone 3G's unique
abilities and interface, NMobile was built for drivers so they can be
notified to the location of police speed traps, red light cameras, and
speed detection devices using GPS. Locations around the world can be
searched and full iPhone gesture map controls are supported, including
pinch to shrink, spread to zoom, and flick to momentum-scroll.
"Unlike our competitors," says Shannon Atkinson, Founder of
Njection.com, "we do not sacrifice our users' personal information such
as their phone number, email address, or location for the sake of using
our application. You are not forced to 'register' before taking it out
on the road and using it." Njection.com's Privacy Policy sets strict
limits to the use of your personal information unlike the
competition.
Along with live updates of locations of Speed Traps to the iPhone,
users can visit the website and see a history of each speed trap. As
more people contribute to an individual location, a color-coded heat
map is formed showing you the highest probability of that area being
monitored. This exclusive feature gives you a higher level of
awareness.
We want to give drivers the upper hand by allowing them to sharing
GPS locations privately and confidentially.
Link: NMobile
(available through the
Apple App Store)
Accessories
Never Miss a Sound with the New XtremeMac
MicroMemo for the iPod nano 4G
PR: Easyishop has become the first retailer within the UK to
announce that it will be selling the new XtremeMac MicroMemo voice
recorder for the iPod 4G nano. This announcement comes only a matter of
days after XtremeMac announced the new product at the Macworld Expo in
San Francisco, USA. The MicroMemo is available to purchase on pre-order
online at Easyishop before its release in March.
This accessory for the forth-generation nano enables the
user to make voice recordings on the Apple device by using the fully
flexible detachable microphone which connects via the nano dock and
uses the same power source. Included is a backing that encases the nano
and not only holds the MicroMemo upright during recording, but also
offers added protection.
The built in speaker from the MicroMemo makes it convenient for the
user to listen back to their recordings straight away as well as their
recordings being saved in a WAV file directly on to the iPod. The next
time the nano is connected to iTunes it automatically recognises the
new file and copies it onto their computer, which then sorts the files
by time and date of the recording.
Operating the MicroMemo is extremely easy as it is fully integrated
into iPod nano's main menu, which enables you to control it from there.
The recording time is displayed on your iPod nano screen in real-time
and an illuminated recording status indicator lets you know if the
recorder is on.
"The XtremeMac MicroMemo is an essential accessory for those that
want to record that important meeting or the lengthy lecture and then
be able to play it back from their nano" says Will Corden, PR and
Marketing Executive of Micro Heaven Ltd.
The MicroMemo also can use other microphones with a 3.5mm jack plug
and can record audio directly from a computer or soundboard via line-in
capabilities. The XtremeMac MicroMemo comes with a 'Made for iPod' logo
which indicates that this product has been designed specifically to
work with iPod. The product has the same high standards of quality and
performance that you expect from iPod and Apple.
The XtremeMac MicroMemo is released in March but is available online
for pre-order priced at £39.99 via the easyishop.co.uk website
Link:
XtremeMac MicroMemo for the iPod nano 4G
Protection
Proporta Offer Free Second Skins for 4G iPod
nano
PR: Proporta are now offering a second skin free for
everyone who buys a Soft Feel Silicone Case from proporta.com. Even
better, the second skin can be in any shade from the range, giving you
the chance to mix and match, and create colourful variations for the
protection of your 4G iPod nano.
Proporta are huge fans of the Apple 4G iPod nano, and think it looks
great when kitted out in a Proporta Soft Feel Silicone Case.
If you're the sort who craves a bit of variety in life, you'll be
pleased to hear that Proporta are now offering a second skin free for
everyone who buys a oft Feel Silicone Case from proporta.com. Even
better, the second skin can be in any shade from the range, giving you
the chance to mix and match, and create colourful variations for the
protection of your 4G iPod nano.
The
Proporta Soft Feel Silicone Case's two tough, protective skins not only
prevent scratching, but also limit impact damage. Available in a
variety of colour options.
Cut outs give access to ports and controls so that you can continue
to use your device while it's in the case.
Key Features
- Perfectly fits your Apple 4G iPod nano, providing dual layered
protection
- Fits inside your pocket
- Protection from impacts, scratches, dust and dirt
- Access all ports and controls inside the case
- View your device screen inside the case
Price: $18.95
Link: Proporta's
Soft Feel Silicone Cases (4G iPod nano)
Once you've made certain your 4G iPod nano is stylishly protected,
it would be an awful shame for the screen to be left out. Look after
your nano with an Advanced Screen Protector (4G iPod nano) and make
sure that your screen is safe from scratching and all those other nasty
little surprises.
Proporta really are a cut above the rest when it comes to
producing screen protectors. Well, we have come across a few in our
time. And, these are the best - and you can wash them.
The ultra high-clarity plastic that they're manufactured from
protects your screen like a dream, and we've even been able to increase
the thickness without impairing screen brightness or clarity. Proporta
realise that sometimes applying screen protectors can be a bit fiddly,
so each kit contains a screen cleaning cloth and an application card to
make perfect-fitting quick and easy.
Key Features
- Prevents screen scratching and other damage
- Reduces glare from sunlight or bright lighting
- Can be washed and replaced
- Guaranteed to be the best - if you don't agree, they'll refund
you
$7.95
Link: Advanced
Screen Protector (4G iPod nano)
USB Fever Hard Crystal Case for iPhone 3G - Sweet
Heart Theme and Butterfly
PR: Features:
- Unique ergonomic design
- Printed with Vivid Pink Heart
- Fully Protected from bumps and scratches
- Light weight
- Perfectly fit
- Anti-dust
- Easy access to all ports, buttons and sockets
Notes: This is not for iPhone 2G, it is for iPhone 3G
only.
$16.99
Link: USB
Fever Hard Crystal Case for iPhone 3G - Sweet Heart Theme
Features:
Unique
ergonomic design- Printed with vivid color Butterfly
- Fully Protected from bumps and scratches
- Light weight
- Perfectly fit
- Anti-dust
- Easy access to all ports, buttons and sockets
Notes: This is not for iPhone 2G , it is for iPhone 3G
only.
$16.99
Link: USB
Fever Hard Crystal Case for iPhone 3G - Butterfly
