Oct 20

iPhone 4S supports GLONASS satellite system, much to the delight of Russia

Posted in: Apple, business, gps, iPhone, iphone 4s, market, mobilepostmini, money, navigation, satellite, smartphone, Today's Chili

What does a Russian satellite system have to do with the iPhone 4S’ GPS capabilities? Allow us to explain. Russian site iPhones.ru recently noticed that the 4S’ spec page lists support for both assisted GPS and GLONASS — the Kremlin’s global navigation satellite system and acronym for GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema. The country launched GLONASS 35 years ago in the hopes that it would eventually provide an alternative to GPS and the EU’s forthcoming Galileo, thereby reducing Russia’s dependence upon US- or Europe-operated systems. The global system has since been beset by delays and budgetary setbacks, but last week, a Russian rocket successfully launched the 24th and final GLONASS satellite, completing the constellation and inching the infrastructure closer to full activation.

News of the iPhone 4S’ support has already elicited a delightfully surprised response from the Russian media, with daily Vedomosti writing: “If the iPhone 4S really does have Glonass navigation, this would be the first time the Russian system reached the world market.” (Nokia, it’s worth noting, announced in August that it would manufacture GLONASS-compliant handsets, while Samsung’s High Fidelity Position app offers similar compatibility.) In light of Russia’s economic and regulatory climate, however, the move may not seem so shocking. The Kremlin already imposes import taxes on handsets that don’t support GLONASS and, as Russia’s iGuides.ru points out, has even threatened non-compliant devices with an outright ban. Apple, meanwhile, has made no secret of its interest in expanding its influence within the country, with CEO Tim Cook recently referring to the Russian market as “more promising.” It remains to be seen whether this added support results in sharper navigation capabilities, or if it enhances Apple’s presence within Russia, but it’s certainly a compelling development, nonetheless.

[Thanks, AXR]

iPhone 4S supports GLONASS satellite system, much to the delight of Russia originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 19

Galaxy Nexus signup page includes seven US carriers, endless speculation

Posted in: Android, att, galaxy, Google, mobilepostmini, NeXus, samsung, Sprint, t-mobile, Today's Chili, verizon, video

Samsung and Google still haven’t officially revealed which US carriers will be getting the Galaxy Nexus next month — even though Verizon has been leaked, is shown in the official trailer (included after the break, look at 0:22), and there was a quickly-retracted Facebook confirmation earlier today. Now, the official signup page for release info on Samsung’s site allows users to show their carrier preference between AT&T, Cellular South, Metro PCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon. It’s hardly a confirmation this latest Android phone will ever be available on all of them, but even if you’re not on Big Red, we won’t kill your Ice Cream Sandwich dreams yet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Galaxy Nexus signup page includes seven US carriers, endless speculation

Galaxy Nexus signup page includes seven US carriers, endless speculation originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 19

HTC’s new audio API Beats OpenSense into developers

Posted in: Android, audio, developer, HTC, htc sense, HtcSense, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, Music, Today's Chili

Earlier this summer HTC scooped up a slice of Beats by Dr. Dre stock, and we’re finally seeing the much-anticipated Beats Audio popping up in phones. We also know that HTC is throwing developers some neat API tools, so it’s no stretch to imagine that the two projects might one day play nice together. Sure enough, a developer API is on its way — good news for music loving app makers eager to hook into the tune-enhancing functionality. HTC told us the tools will “allow third-party developers to harness the potential of Beats Audio and bring that top-notch audio experience to their own apps,” although with no release date, it’s still out of ear-shot for the time being. That said, the timing might be perfect given that Google’s download store just went official. While we’re looking forward to hearing how those clever coders will make use of the tools, and exactly what goodies HTC is offering, we’re hoping at least some ideas won’t be given the Beats factor.

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HTC’s new audio API Beats OpenSense into developers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 18

Google Wallet adds coupons, rewards points, Jamba Juice

Posted in: app, Google, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, money, smartphone, Today's Chili, update
Could Google Wallet really help you find Blackberry Bliss? Indeed it can, now that Big G has beefed up its mobile payment platform with a host of offers from retailers like Jamba Juice, American Eagle, OfficeMax and Foot Locker, among other partners. Yesterday, Google rolled out a new program whereby consumers can redeem coupons and accumulate rewards points at select locations, using only their handsets. The app’s Offers tab, meanwhile, has expanded to include so-called “Featured Offers,” where users can take advantage of discounts exclusive to the Google Wallet platform. Unfortunately, these features are only available at select locations, so check out the source link below to find the one closest to you.

Google Wallet adds coupons, rewards points, Jamba Juice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 18

Japan’s NTT DoCoMo announces Samsung Nexus Prime ahead of Ice Cream Sandwich event

Posted in: Android, availability, Google, Japan, mobilepostmini, NeXus, price, release, samsung, Today's Chili
We’re still a few hours away from Samsung and Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich event, but Japan’s NTT DoCoMo has already jumped the gun on one of Sammy’s most anticipated announcements — the Nexus Prime. Today, the provider confirmed that it’ll be “among the fastest” to bring the new handset to market, adding that the Nexus Prime will be on sale in November. Unfortunately, the company didn’t get any more specific with regard to release dates, price or specs, but we’ll be sure to bring you the latest as soon as we get it. And, as always, you can follow the event in real-time, on our liveblog.

Japan’s NTT DoCoMo announces Samsung Nexus Prime ahead of Ice Cream Sandwich event originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 17

Samsung Galaxy W revisits the FCC, is this T-Mobile’s ‘Ancora?’

Posted in: mobilepostmini, samsung, Today's Chili

Samsung’s Galaxy W has already made its requisite FCC debut, brandishing radios fit for AT&T. Now another variant’s cropped up in the Commission’s electronic database, this time bearing the model number SGH-T679M and AWS bands. That’s right, this looks to be the same Sammy handset, dubbed the Ancora, we spied earlier this month in that leaked T-Mobile roadmap. If the release date rumors prove true, you’ll be seeing this low-end, 4G Android device and it’s purported 1.4GHz processor up for sale early next month. Until then, you’ll have to make due with the multitude of titillating frequency tests at the source link below.

Samsung Galaxy W revisits the FCC, is this T-Mobile’s ‘Ancora?’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 17

Sony Ericsson Xperia pro on sale this October, corporate thumbs flex in anticipation

Posted in: Android, enterprise, gingerbread, GoogleAndroid, mobilepostmini, QwertySlider, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Today's Chili

Back at Mobile World Congress in February, Sony Ericsson managed to surprise attack us with the reveal of its Xperia pro. Now, nearly a full year and oodles of leaks later, that Android 2.3 QWERTY slider’s ready to find comfort in consumers’ hands. Hitting retailers globally this October, SE’s 3.7-inch enterprise-minded handset comes pre-loaded with Mc Afee mobile security, Office Suite Pro, and is designed to make syncing with MS Exchange and other email clients a cinch. Business-friendly add-ons aside, the device packs ANT+ (to keep you in peak road warrior shape), and a generous 8.1 megapixel rear camera outfitted with an Exmor R sensor for HD video and 3D Sweep Panorama capture. There’s also a Type & Send widget to make use of the device’s Smart Keyboard — which suggests reply options when slid open — letting you bang out and send off text from the homescreen. Sound like the kind of slider that’ll suit your white-collared needs? Then hit up the source below to get your order on.

Sony Ericsson Xperia pro on sale this October, corporate thumbs flex in anticipation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 17

Nokia 710 spotted on developer site, probably not running ‘Internet Tablet OS 2008 Edition’

Posted in: 720p, mobile, mobilepostmini, nokia, smartphone, Smartphones, Today's Chili, windows phone, windows phone 7, WindowsPhone, WindowsPhone7

With barely a few weeks before the phone giant’s annual hurrah, Nokia World, kicks off in London, details have leaked of a new phone possibly winging its way to the Finnish faithful. According to MyNokiaBlog, the 710 is slightly longer and wider than the MeeGo-powered N9, with a 1.4GHz Cortex A8 processor, a 3.7-inch TFT screen and a five megapixel camera topped with some 720p video-capture frosting. All these details were swiftly pulled from the site, but not before the blog managed grab the screenshot above. A Nokia 710 also made a brief appearance on Occasional Gamer, which registers phone use on WP7 games. Most of the details match up with the Nokia Sun we saw earlier this month, though there are some inconsistencies — is it TFT or AMOLED? We’re hoping for the latter. It’ll be a few weeks before Nokia has anything official to say, but whatever it is, it’s going to have to wow us. The competition’s never been tougher.

Nokia 710 spotted on developer site, probably not running ‘Internet Tablet OS 2008 Edition’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 17

Motorola intros Elite Sliver and Elite Flip Bluetooth headsets with NFC pairing (video)

Posted in: app, bluetooth, headset, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, motorola, nfc, Today's Chili, video
Bluetooth headsets are normally the province of businesspeople so important they can’t spare the energy to hold a phone to their ears or, perhaps, folks who just want to play CIA agent. If you find yourself in either category, Motorola’s newest offerings will put what passes for a smile on your serious businessperson face. The outfit just took the wraps off two Elite series headsets, both equipped with NFC pairing, so one tap ‘twixt phone and earpiece will have you ready to simultaneously drive and talk. You’ll also get integration with MyMotospeak, now capable of dictating text messages as well as hearing them read to you, HD-Audio, CrystalTalk noise cancellation and a roaming distance of 300 feet. While the Flip looks the part of your typical earpiece, the Sliver (pictured above) has decidedly more futuristic digs. Both will be available on October 24th with the Flip costing $100 and the Sliver fetching an extra $30 for its avant-garde design.We’ve got PR after the break along with a demo video — because who doesn’t love watching cartoon characters explain how NFC works?

Continue reading Motorola intros Elite Sliver and Elite Flip Bluetooth headsets with NFC pairing (video)

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Motorola intros Elite Sliver and Elite Flip Bluetooth headsets with NFC pairing (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 16

RIM tells devs to get ready for BlackBerry Curve Touch and Bellagio

Posted in: BlackBerry, developers, leak, leaks, mobilepostmini, research in motion, ResearchInMotion, RIM, rumor, Today's Chili
If you’re going to give your devs a nugget of info about some of your unannounced devices on a publicly available site, we hope you won’t be so surprised that word actually gets out about them. That’s exactly what happened to Research in Motion, as the company let it “slip out” to devs that two future BlackBerry OS7 smartphones — the Bellagio 9790 and Curve Touch 9380 — are inbound. The whole point in the message was to inform developers of what kind of resolution to expect in the new phones’ displays. From the bits and pieces we’re given, it appears that the Bellagio will have a 2.4-inch screen using 480 x 360 resolution to produce a respectable 245 PPI; the Curve Touch, on the other hand, will feature an identical res on a larger 3.2-inch display, resulting in a PPI of 189. The probability of hearing an official announcement this week is pretty high, but we’d say the intended (and likely unintended) message has come through loud and clear for now, wouldn’t you?

RIM tells devs to get ready for BlackBerry Curve Touch and Bellagio originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink UnwiredView, N4BB  |  sourceRIM  | Email this | Comments

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