Firefox Mobile Demo Shows off a Fancy Interface

This article was written on June 12, 2008 by CyberNet.

Earlier this year we posted some mockups of the Firefox Mobile that looked a lot like the Safari browser does on the iPhone. I think everyone expected other companies to copy their interface since Apple has received a lot of praise for their browser being “usable,” but it looks like Mozilla is finally making use of the recently hired Aza Raskin who’s well known for Enso (review) and Songza (review).

Aza put together a demo video that shows off a direction Mozilla might be taking with Firefox Mobile, and it not only looks nice but is also different from how the iPhone operates. One thing that they really focused on doing was utilizing the entire screen on a mobile device, after all there’s normally not a lot to work with. For that reason there’s essentially no visible buttons most of the time, and instead they are tucked away on the sides of the screen. Watch the video to see what I mean:

The new tab system is pretty cool, huh? They were definitely clever with how they designed that, and anyone that’s used any sort of mobile browser before would probably agree that being able to organize your tabs in this way would be extremely helpful.

I’m still wondering if hiding the buttons off to the side is the best way to go. For example, when scrolling vertically on my iPhone it can sometimes be difficult to scroll perfectly up and down. With a browser like this I would probably be showing the menu a lot more than I’d like to when all I want to do is move around the current page.

What still amazes me is that the mobile browsers still haven’t attempted some kind of gesture system for navigating, just like mouse gestures on a regular computer. You’ll obviously still need to have some sort of buttons available, but throwing in four or five gestures could possibly account for a majority of the things a user wants to do (back, forward, bookmark, new tab, etc…).

Is this the mobile browser you’ve been waiting for?

Read more about the new design at Aza’s blog [via Lifehacker]
Thanks to “Googler” for the tip!

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Sony Ericsson unveils Live with Walkman handset for music-loving Android users

Four months after unveiling the relatively bare bones W8, Sony Ericsson has now taken the wraps off yet another Walkman phone, known as the Live with Walkman. Powered by a 1GHz processor, this Android handset features a 3.2 inch, capacitive touchscreen (with somewhat disappointing HVGA resolution), a five megapixel AF shooter with 8x digital zoom, and a front-facing VGA camera capable of capturing HD video in 720p. The petite, Gingerbread-equipped device also packs a lackluster 320MB of RAM, provides up to 32GB of microSD storage, and offers either tri-band 3G support (HSPA+) at 850, 1900 and 2100MHZ, or dual-band 3G at 900 and 2100MHz, depending on the model. And, as you’d expect, Sony Ericsson has placed a special emphasis on the music phone’s media capabilities, beefing it up with enhanced audio and Qriocity integration. The specs may not sound earth shattering, but we’ll wait until we get pricing information before casting judgment. The Live with Walkman is slated to hit “selected markets” by Q4 of this year, but you can find more information in the full PR, after the break.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson unveils Live with Walkman handset for music-loving Android users

Sony Ericsson unveils Live with Walkman handset for music-loving Android users originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh nuts! Now I need to find a new pocket for my phone

Gentlemen? Read the title and take note. According to a report published in the Journal of Andrology, a number of studies show that the radio frequency electromagnetic radiation that’s emitted from cell phones may actually decrease your sperm count. Not only that, but it will cause a decline in quality, as well as a decrease […]

Engadget Mobile Podcast 100 – 08.21.2011

We’re 100. 100! If you’re like us, you totally can’t believe it’s been more than two years since we first started Mobile Podcasting but you totally can believe it at the same time because that’s just how we roll: dedicated. To celebrate we’ve brought along Engadget Chinese editor Richard Lai and Noah Kravitz of TechnoBuffalo to weigh in on stuff like the Xiaomi phone and Symbian Belle leaking its way into the world. And…a couple of other things. We’re old. It’s a mobile party. You just got your pentaband invite to click on the play or download links below. Don’t sleep on it: before you know it we’ll be 200.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Guests: Richard Lai, Noah Kravitz
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Daestro – Light Powered (Ghostly International)

00:02:45 – HP will ‘discontinue operations for webOS devices’, may spin off Personal Systems Group
00:21:55 – Google acquiring Motorola Mobility
00:42:45 – Motorola’s new Droid HD makes cameo alongside Droid Bionic
01:04:30 – BlackBerry Bold 9930 review
01:05:43 – AT&T streamlining individual messaging plans August 21st, leaving unlimited as the sole survivor
01:15:00 – Xiaomi Phone hands-on (updated with video)
01:25:40 – Symbian Anna now available for download on Nokia N8, E7, C7 and C6-01
01:26:30 – Symbian Belle download leaked to N8 community, quickly pulled from site (update: Anna available on NaviFirm)
01:30:57 – CNET: RIM in talks to squeeze out BlackBerry music service
01:32:50 – Motorola Photon 4G review
01:36:53 – Samsung Hercules, HTC Ruby available from T-Mobile on October 26th?
01:38:56 – Samsung Hercules gets its Telus on in leaked glamour shots
01:39:38 – HTC Holiday prototype shows up on Craigslist, gives us reason to celebrate (update: AT&T-bound)
01:45:55 – Why is LTE equipment being installed in an Apple Store?



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Engadget Mobile Podcast 100 – 08.21.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refresh Roundup: week of August 15, 2011

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Official Android updates

  • The HTC EVO 3D is now ready for a maintenance fix called 2.08.651.2, which offers some nice improvements like allowing more Sprint bloatware to be uninstallable by the user, contact transfer via bluetooth, fixes for the lock screen occasionally freezing, and GPS enhancements. This update is available through a manual install. [via SprintFeed]
  • Speaking of the HTC EVO 3D, the bootloader unlock tool is now ready for your enjoyment on the company’s fancy new dev site.
  • Android 2.3.4 is finally rolling out on T-Mobile’s HTC Sensation 4G, and all users should receive the OTA update by the end of September at the latest. Aside from the standard 2.3.4 enhancements, Sensation 4G owners can also expect better battery life, additional software stability, extra touchscreen responsiveness, and improved “device reboots.” Curiously, the refresh also promises better screen and photo resolution. All in all, this is the kind of firmware boost we love to see. (Thanks, Anonymous) [via TmoNews]
  • If you’re using a Samsung Fascinate 3G on Telus, you’ll be interested to know that you may now have Gingerbread bestowed upon your device. It’ll involve a manual install using Samsung Kies, so go to the website to get all the instructions. [via MobileSyrup]
  • The five people enjoying their Motorola Flipside can finally be treated to Android 2.2. Yes, that’s Froyo. Go here to get the update manually. [via AndroidCentral]
  • Some Motorola Droid X users complained about bugs after its bump up to Gingerbread, which should be resolved by installing version 4.5.602. It’s a simple maintenance fix that throws in a couple additional enhancements at the same time. [via AndroidCentral]
  • HTC Droid Incredible is inching closer to getting upgraded to Android 2.3.4, according to the support page Verizon recently set up on its site. [via Droid-Life]
  • In time for today’s launch, Samsung has released the source code for the Conquer 4G. Devs, head here to download it — you’ll know what to do after that. [via Android Police]
  • For everyone who chooses to get the Conquer 4G, it’s supposedly set to receive a device security enhancement today as well, according to some leaked screenshots. [via SprintFeed]

Unofficial Android updates/custom ROMs/misc hackery

  • This was fast — the same bug fix update for the Droid X that we mentioned above has already been rooted. Go to the via for the full details on how to get it. As always, diving into these types of processes are more advanced, and you should follow the instructions to the letter. [via Droid-Life]
  • The MIUI custom ROM is starting to gain a lot of momentum in the Android community, and if you’re interested in checking it out on your device without going through the hassle of installing the full version (let alone rooting your phone or buying a MIUI-supported phone), an XDA developer has created a clone of the MIUI launcher and has made an APK available for your downloading pleasure. The via has a large screenshot gallery to check out. [via AddictiveTips]
  • We’ve seen a lot of leaked Gingerbread ROMs surface for the HTC Thunderbolt, but this time an “official” update has made its ways to the Android dev world. It’s been told that this is not yet the final build, so it’s bound to get even better with time. Still, the impatient users may want to get this as soon as possible. [via RootzWiki and AndroidCentral]
  • Another build of Gingerbread, EH06, has leaked for the Samsung Epic 4G. [via AndroidCentral]
  • The HTC EVO 4G update to Android 2.3 can now be rooted, courtesy of Revolutionary. [via AndroidCentral]

Refresh Roundup: week of August 15, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile Miscellany: week of August 15, 2011

This week was packed with news on the mobile front, so it was easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here’s some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of August 15, 2011:

  • Vodafone’s very own budget-friendly Facebook Phone, the Vodafone 555, is now on sale. £62.50 is all it will take to get the non-touchscreen featurephone in your fingertips. [via SlashGear]
  • A spec sheet and screenshots of the Sony Ericsson Nozumi leaked this week. The handset will likely feature a 1.4GHz single-core Qualcomm S2 CPU, Adreno 205 GPU, and 4.3-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution. Interestingly enough, the phone is rumored to require a micro SIM, much like the iPhone 4. [via XperiaBlog]
  • US Cellular launched two new Android devices for its prepaid lineup, the Samsung Gem and HTC Merge. The Gem offers a 3.2-inch WVGA display, 800MHz CPU, and Android 2.2 for $140, while the Merge is a global-capable QWERTY slider with a 3.8-inch display, Android 2.2, and more for $300. [via US Cellular]
  • Immediately following Google’s acquisition of Motorola, discussion centered around the possibility of the latter company becoming the preferred OEM for Android — a privilege that would, in theory, include designing and producing the next Nexus. Andy Rubin, the head honcho for the open-source OS, put such rumors to bed by offering more insight on the approval process for upcoming Nexus phones, and insisted that HelloMoto will continue to be treated the same as every other OEM; it will have to bid for the job just like every other company does. [via AndroidCentral]
  • The Huawei Blaze, a budget Android handset that runs on Gingerbread, may arrive in the UK as early as September. The Blaze would mark the first time we’ve seen the company offer a phone under its own branding in the UK. [via CNet]
  • Shocked to hear the Kyocera Echo isn’t selling as well as the company had hoped? Yeah, neither are we. Nonetheless, in the hopes of sparking sales, it’s started offering twelve premium games for free to the first 10,000 downloads as part of its “summer of free apps” campaign. Good luck with that. [via Electronista]
  • With all of the buzz rightfully centered around Nokia and its quest for Windows Phone dominance, how bright does Vertu’s future look? If Eldar Murtazin is to believed, Espoo’s luxury phone branch will also be on the receiving end of WP7 devices. The main difference with Vertu’s version compared to the rest of Nokia’s lineup? It’ll most likely be covered with gold and diamonds. [via WMPowerUser]
  • The Samsung Galaxy Q, another name for the Gravity Smart, is now available on Rogers. The device is geared toward the lower end, so it may not be the most lustworthy letter in the Samsung Galaxy alphabet. [via MobileSyrup]

Mobile Miscellany: week of August 15, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola’s XT531 hits the FCC, ready for its US crossover

Motorola’s XT531 has gone through more name changes than a certain rapper-cum-vodka shilling mogul, and the trend might continue as it makes its way to the US. The budget-friendly handset, known as the Fire XT in Europe and the Spice XT in Latin America, has just surfaced at the FCC toting AT&T-compatible GSM bands, UMTS / HSDPA 850MHz / 1900MHz support, WiFi and Bluetooth. Based on Moto’s official PR for the handset’s Chinese release, we know this 3.5-incher also sports a front-facing VGA / 5 megapixel rear camera, and is set to launch with Android 2.3 onboard. With Google’s newest pal clearly chasing after heat-related naming conventions, we expect to see this one launch with an equally caliente moniker.

Motorola’s XT531 hits the FCC, ready for its US crossover originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 100th Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!

The Engadget Mobile Podcast started in December 2008 with a couple guys and a dream; a desire to bring you the week’s best (and worst) mobile haps to keep you up to speed. 976 days and 100 podcasts later, that dream is still being made into reality week after week — and today’s special edition is yet another way to prove that. And there’s no better way to show our gratitude for all of your support than to keep doing what we know best: deliver the latest and greatest in mobile. The difference this time is that hosts Myriam Joire and Brad Molen are literally doubling their vocal cords by inviting on Noah Kravitz (of TechnoBuffalo and PhoneDog fame) and our very own Richard Lai. Sounds like a good time, right? Be there at 5PM ET (that’s 2PM PT / 9PM GMT) to join in on the celebration!

The 100th Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC Fridays: August 19, 2011

We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol’ Federal Communications Commission’s site. Since we couldn’t possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we’ve gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don’t need). Enjoy!

Phones

Read – Pantech P9060
Read – HTC PH85110
Read – Huawei U5300
Read – Huawei G6609
Read – Huawei G7300
Read – Huawei C5630
Read – LG C395
Read – LG 910G
Read – LG P690B
Read – RIM RDC70UW
Read – Motorola XT531 (Fire XT)

Peripherals
Read – Huawei E397

FCC Fridays: August 19, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC announces September meetup event on Facebook, new phones on the way?

It looks like HTC may have some news in store for us on September 1st, when the company holds one of its public meetups in London. The folks over at Pocket-Lint noticed the event on HTC’s Facebook page today, where the manufacturer posted an open invitation for the public to “come party” and “see what’s next.” At this point, it’s hard to tell whether or not HTC will actually unveil anything in the way of new hardware, though there have been rumors swirling around a possible September release date for its Ruby and Bliss handsets, coupled with leaks of its forthcoming Puccini tablet. Plus, as Pocket-Lint observes, HTC’s last public meetup came in the wake of the Sensation‘s release, so recent history suggests there may be something afoot this time, as well. We’ll have to wait and see how it all shakes out, but you can hit up the source link for more information on attending the event, which is open on a first-come, first-served basis.

HTC announces September meetup event on Facebook, new phones on the way? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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