Thursday, March 29, 2012

Key US Windows Phone Launches Confirmed Ahead of CES

By Humberto Saabedra on December 29, 2011

Windows Phone 7 logoNoted Windows pundit Paul Thurrott has confirmed a few key details related to US Windows Phone launches planned for the coming year which center on AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

Three LTE-based Windows Phone handsets–the Nokia ACE, HTC Radiant, and Samsung Mendel–will ship on AT&T Wireless before the middle of 2012. The ACE is due March 18, 2012. What’s unclear is whether these LTE based devices will be accompanied by a software update of some kind. You may recall that the rumored “Tango” release, supposedly due in early 2012, is about low-end phones. So it’s unclear how that jives with LTE, which is obviously a high-end feature. This explains my confusion over the supposed Windows Phone roadmap leak yesterday.

Also, the Nokia Lumia 710 will ship on Verizon Wireless in April 2012. This is not an LTE device, and it’s not clear when/if we’ll see an LTE Windows Phone on Verizon. The Lumia 710 is codenamed “Sword” and will be available in April 2012. (The T-Mobile version of the Lumia 710 will be available for purchase on January 11, 2012, giving the company three months of exclusivity before the device hits Verizon.

While the above seems to correlate with leaked roadmaps, the specific nature of the information points to heavy ongoing internal testing of Nokia Windows Phone devices on US carriers before their respective launches, with T-Mobile USA being the first to launch next month.

With Verizon launching a non-LTE version of the Lumia 710 despite public statements expressing a desire for such a device, the carrier may be extending an olive branch to the Finnish manufacturer after its previous relationship with the manufacturer dissolved into nothing more than Korean ODM rebrands that had very little to do with Nokia in terms of hardware.

The same could be said of AT&T with the Ace and the other planned LTE equipped phones after it passed on Nokia’s last carrier focused smartphone in the Nokia X7, which was meant to be an exclusive phone for AT&T running Symbian^3 and makes sense as AT&T was chosen by Microsoft to promote Windows Phone.

Microsoft Updates Windows Phone Connector Ahead of Mango ReleaseMicrosoft October 11th Windows Phone 7 Event with T-Mobile ConfirmedNokia to Focus on Windows Phone 7, Symbian Phaseout, MeeGo Becomes ExperimentalNokia Announces Lumia Windows Phone SeriesWindows Phone 7 Launch Date Confirmed?Posted in AT&T, LTE, Microsoft, Nokia, T-Mobile, Verizon, Windows Phone | Tagged Microsoft, Nokia, Windows Phone |


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Ios_base:: OpenMode 5.0.1 is now available for download untethered jailbreak

By Christopher price on December 27, 2011

iPhone 4Publish as IOS productive hacker pod2G new exploit the crushers, homogeneous and easy jailbreak for iOS devices 5 for the first time.

Jailbreak, redsn0w jailbreak tool was the most popular and supports all of the devices allow A5 IOS 2 and Apple iPhone 4S. This is due to the utilization of all exploitation ARM processor Samsung provide an iPod touch 3 g and iPhone 3GS and Apple's A4 processor.

It can transmit pod2G believe exploit CPU A5 of Apple, but further work is required, is using a very low level, as they are. It is also important because it is untethered jailbreak works on GSM and CDMA variations of iPhone 4.

Ios_base:: OpenMode 5 designed to thwart further adopt Apple Jailbreakers. Devices now have to run through Monday, which means that a firmware update to include two "call home" to Apple for approval code, and then the previous "phone" was with validation codes the name of the update package has not. Previously, users were minimize counterfeiting of iOS versions, that Apple's activation server, back up the code "phone-home" (as numbers or ECID SHSH).

At this point largely jailbreaking with the number of applications, the drying up of the broken jailbreak work plans. Apple's efforts were split to jailbreak effective; Some users still using iOS 4.2.1 this post is only for jailbroken excellent plugin (the system), iOS 5 (tethered jailbreak) play a significant one to simply transfer and no longer jailbreak.

With iOS release 5.0.1 untethered jailbreak is a jailbreaking community finally in one version, when a small pool of unified community. It remains to see how lively jailbreaking community thrive, such as Apple, despite its still seem to display many applications of Jailbreakers functional to justify the practice.

IPhone Dev team
Downloaded: redsn0w 0.9. 10 (b) 1 for Mac
Downloaded: redsn0w 0.9. 10 (b) 1 for Windows (use, right-click the application set administrator run)

Untethered jailbreak for iPhone is out of AvailableRedsn0w, vlagbiro with Verizon now jailbreak PwnageTool monitor on iOS 4.3. 3greenp0ison jailbreak now on Apple AvailablePosted | Has Apple, Dev team, IOS, iPhone, jailbreak, redsn0w pod2g |

Christopher price is founder editor PhoneNews.com. Since 2003 there were more consumer-friendly campaigns for a mobile phone. You can visit his personal blog, ChristopherPrice.net Google + connect.

Chris questions? Also by e-mail, but please, get questions about that particular article below notes ... As well, he is employed.


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Verizon to Charge $2 “Convenience Fee” for Phone or Online Bill Payments (Updated)

By Humberto Saabedra on December 29, 2011

Verizon logoVerizon Wireless  have decided that customers weren’t paying enough on their monthly bills, so the carrier has decided to implement a new $2 fee for customers that routinely pay bills either online and over the phone starting January 15th.

In a short statement, the carrier cited increasing costs resulting from the processing of bill payments using the above methods and is conveniently suggesting that customers move to automatic bill payment to avoid the fee.

If you wish to avoid the fee, here are the seven payment methods that will not incur the fee outside of signing up for automatic bill pay:

Electronic check online (My Verizon Online, My Verizon Mobile/Handset). Fee waived.Electronic check via telephone. Fee waived.Enrollment in AutoPay using credit/debit/ATM card or electronic check; fee does not applyOnline from the customer’s home-banking service provider website; fee does not apply.Credit/debit/ATM card, electronic check or cash at a Bill Payment Kiosk, Panel or with a representative at a Verizon Wireless Communications Store; fee does not apply.Use of a Verizon Wireless Gift Card or Verizon Wireless device Rebate Card to pay a bill in-store, online or by telephone; fee does not applyPaper check or money order mailed to the VZW remit address on customer’s bill; fee does not apply.

Update: Verizon Wireless has decided not to implement the fee after the outcry it caused and has released the following statement courtesy of CEO Dan Mead:

“At Verizon, we take great care to listen to our customers. Based on their input, we believe the best path forward is to encourage customers to take advantage of the best and most efficient options, eliminating the need to institute the fee at this time”

Amazon Offering Samsung Fascinate for One Cent with $30 Verizon Bill CreditVerizon Refunding $90 Million in Erroneous Data Charges Via Bill CreditVerizon: Motorola V710 Launches Online *Updated*Another Cell Phone Bill of Rights?Verizon to Add Alltel Customers to Mobile to Mobile Service, Change BrandingPosted in Verizon | Tagged Verizon, Verizon Wireless |


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Toshiba recognizes MacBook USB 3.0 hard drives ensure Canvio

Toshiba Acknowledges MacBook Woes in Canvio USB 3.0 Hard Drives | PhoneNews.com Tip us on news, and your feedback! PhoneNews.comProviding complete coverage of the wireless industry, cell phone news, and future 4G technologies. HomeDealsHackers & NerdsCarriersAT&TSprintT-MobileVerizonInfo PagesCarrier Phone NumbersReviewsPhoneNews.com ExtrasAbout PhoneNewsContact Us & Submit NewsWrite for PhoneNews.com #featuredcontent{ width: 1050px; margin: 0 auto; padding-top:5px; } #featuredcontent li{ display: inline; list-style-type: none; padding-right: 0px; width:150px; float:left; height:235px; overflow: hidden; } #featuredcontent .description{ bottom:0px; /* position will be on bottom */ left:0px; width:150px; /* styling bellow */ background-color:black; font-size:12px; color:white; opacity:0.6; /* transparency */ filter:alpha(opacity=60); /* IE transparency */ text-decoration:none; } #featuredcontent .description_content{ padding:5px; margin:0px; text-align:center; border-right: 1px solid #FFFFFF; }Deal: Virgin Mobile MiFi for $54.99 webOS Goes Open Source Samsung Fixes Epic Touch 4G BBX Becomes BlackBerry 10 Exclusive Sprint Network Vision Details Exclusive: 1GB Tablet Data for $8/month BB PlayBook Refurbs Fall to $149 Browse: Home / BlackBerry PlayBook Refurbs Fall to $150 at Best BuyToshiba Acknowledges MacBook Woes in Canvio USB 3.0 Hard DrivesBy Christopher Price on December 27, 2011

Following tests conducted by PhoneNews.com, Toshiba has acknowledged an issue affecting their Canvio USB 3.0 hard drives. The issue prevents current-generation MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models from properly connecting and powering up the drives.

Read more to see our findings, and the resulting (ongoing) investigation by Toshiba.

We began our tests based on tips from readers like you, and went out and purchased five (yes, five) Canvio USB 3.0 drives, along with a brand new 2011 MacBook Air.

Drive problems happened immediately, and were relatively isolated to the MacBook Air. Of all the systems we tested on, we were only able to reproduce issues on a Sony VAIO laptop late in our testing, as well as a current-gen MacBook Pro.

Essentially, the drives failed to mount, and in most tests never even spun up on these systems.

The Canvio USB 3.0 hard drives have sat under many people’s Christmas trees, as they were hot sellers during Black Friday. Retailers like Office Depot slashed prices on the slim, 2.5-inch drives down to $79 for a 1TB hard drive. With coupons, Radio Shack was selling the 500GB model for a mere $39.

Canvio USB 3.0 drives tout on the box compatibility with USB 2.0 systems, including both Mac and PC. The advantage of a Canvio USB 3.0 hard drive for a MacBook owner lies in Thunderbolt. Purchasing such a drive today can achieve USB 3.0 speeds with upcoming Thunderbolt-to-USB 3.0 adapters. USB 3.0 mass storage was designed to be fully backwards compatible with USB 2.0.

To get to the bottom of the problem, we probed the five Canvio drives purchased, in an effort to better understand the issue. And, we were able to isolate the problem; the Canvio USB 3.0 drives draw more power than the USB standard permits. The drives were drawing, upon connection, slightly more than the five watts that the spec allows. And, the new MacBooks appear to promptly shut the device down because of this.

Why? Well, Apple can assert that this is to protect the MacBook Air/Pro from a malfunctioning USB device. However, the answer really lies in tablets. Apple allows iPad and MacBook to perform a hardware handshake, which then allows Apple devices to draw 10 watts from the USB port. This is why you can charge an iPad directly on a Mac, but not on a PC.

Apple does not want to allow rival tablet manufacturers (Android) to have the same access to Apple’s USB port. Hence, any device (like a tablet) that wants to draw even slightly more than five watts, is shut off from communicating with the Mac. We affirmed this by testing a powered USB hub. With a powered hub connected to the hard drive, and the hub connected to the MacBook, the drive instantly came to life, and worked without issue.

This creates a bit of an odd situation; Toshiba is technically in the wrong for making drives that technically breach USB specifications… but Apple seems to be the only manufacturer to enforce this aspect (as well as breach it with their own devices).

Toshiba, to its credit, has owned up to our issue, right down to our suggestion to them that a powered hub works around the issue. Quoting an official statement in response to our research:

Toshiba DPD has identified an isolated USB connectivity issue between the Canvio USB 3.0 drive and currently shipping MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops. The issue involves the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air being unable to recognize the Canvio USB 3.0 drive when connected directly to the laptop USB 2.0 port. Toshiba is actively working to remedy this USB connectivity issue. In the interim, Toshiba recommends MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users employ a powered USB hub to connect their Canvio USB 3.0 drives.

We have asked Toshiba if they intend to inform retailers to accept returns for affected drives, or if they will offer some form of refund program in the interim. Retailers such as Office Depot do not permit refunds on opened technology items, including Canvio drives. Toshiba has said are looking into that aspect of this problem, and will get back to us shortly.

In all, we spent a few hundred on hard drives, and confirmed the issue. Unfortunately, because it is a power drain concern, Toshiba will likely have to offer an exchange program to fix it. We seriously doubt that this can be fixed at the firmware level. Theoretically, it’s possible a USB cable replacement might be able to mitigate this issue however, so there is hope that Toshiba won’t have to recall a bazillion hard drives.

Monday, January 23, 2012

News on iPhone 6

iPhone 6 curve 3D, eye control: possible game changer » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+iPhone 6 curve 3D, eye control: possible game changerUnder: Apple iPhone, Mobile Phones
Date: January 20th, 2012

We recently struck up a conversation about 3D technology being introduced to the next model iPhone. As we mentioned, this rumor started after a patent application was leaked with a title of “Sensor Based Display Environment”. It pointed towards the next step in 3D upgrade unveiling a possible motion control feature.

Now moving on, talk of even further advancements in 3D technology have stirred an iPhone 6 concept. Which as Concept Phones reported, could see the introduction of 3D sound and 3D hologram interaction, with eye and voice control.

Looking at the image we see an interesting curved device, which apparently would enhance features of current screens. Measuring 4.3-inches of Super AMOLED Plus display, 3D hologram control could be a possibility. As well as being curved the overall design is said to be slimmer and for some reason better on battery power.

Obviously processing speeds will be lightning fast with a dual core unit installed, and no doubt other high-end components to match. We still have a long way to go before we see this kind of device hitting the shelves, but it is always good to whet our appetites. Tell us if you can see 3D hologram technology benefiting us on phones of the future?

 

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dual core? try quad-core A6?.. The A5 already uses a dual core processor 

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News on Megaupload

File sharing service Megaupload down and out » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+File sharing service Megaupload down and outUnder: Phone Software
Date: January 20th, 2012

We are all aware of the ability to upload files from the Internet, and how easy it can be made through a wide range of file-sharing sites. Megaupload was one of these sites that provided the users opportunity to upload and download from other users.

However the news at the moment is swamped with reports of a Megaupload shut down by the Feds. Charges consisting of, racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to commit copyright infringement, conspiring to commit money laundering and two counts of criminal copyright infringement, have been placed on the company.

At the front of the hearing stands Kim DotCom, born Kim Schmitz, along with three associates. According to a report by Droid Life, Megaupload made more than $175 million in illegally obtained profits, leading to over $500 million in damages to copyright holders.

Across the news were clips of property being removed from a number of locations including “The DotCom Mansion” owned by Schmitz. Various items including a range of high-end vehicles from Lamborghini’s to Maserati’s were seized. It was commented that DotCom enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle before his arrest. Give us your thoughts on the Megaupload story.

 

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News on HTC Titan

Are you having HTC Titan signal and sound problems? » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+Are you having HTC Titan signal and sound problems?Under: HTC, Mobile Phones
Date: January 20th, 2012

As we report on rumors of Apple’s next iPhone 5 and even possible features of the iPhone 6, it is easy to forget the sticky situation that the Cali Company went through when it first introduced its iPhone 4. Of course we are talking about the antenna gate issue that struck a black cloud over Apple and questioned its signal performance.

Although this problem seems to have passed for Apple, a new report shows that it’s not just the iPhone that can suffer. According to Phone Arena, HTC has been tarred with the same brush on its Titan model. Similar issues regarding signal drops whilst gripping the device have been mixed with reported muffled sound quality for those that you are calling from the smartphone.

In a letter sent from the HTC support team to an HTC Titan user, the manufacturer confirms that they are aware of the issue but are unsure as to the reason. Obviously HTC are working at resolving the issue with the muffles user voice sounds from the other end of the connection, but have advised users to keep a check on the HTC web site or its related social media sites for any announcements.

It has been pointed out that the Taiwan based manufacturer had replaced the Titans metal based shell on the Titan II, and questions have been raised about why the II was released within two months of the original model? Do you think that this was just coincidental, or are you a Titan user that has suffered similar problems? Let us know.

 

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