Saturday 20 June 2009

iPhone 3G S and Pre head-to-head benchmarks: iPhone wins


Now that we know the iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre share extremely similar 65nm ARM Cortex A8-based internals, it's time to break out the stopwatches and see how these blood brothers stack up. Anandtech has the first head-to-head tests we've seen, and it seems like the 3G S has the slight edge, loading a series of web pages 11 percent faster and a whopping 54 percent faster than the iPhone 3G. Not too shabby, but not exactly a thorough drubbing either -- especially when you consider webOS is still 1.0 and there's likely some optimizations to come. Full results at the read link.

Update:
Anandtech had some uncharacteristically bad math going on -- the 3G S is actually 21 percent faster than the Pre, which is quite notable considering the similar hardware and WebKit-based browsers.

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone 3G S and Pre head-to-head benchmarks: iPhone wins originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVIII: iPhome 3G for the wim!

Sure, we've seen plenty of iPhone clones in our day, but we'll say this: this is the clome to beat all clomes. It really takes the KIRF standard up a notch, running the best fake OS X we've seen to date. This one's identity is less confused than many of the knockoffs we usually see, and if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one of these 4GB having-babies... well, you just might be able to convince your grandma that it's the iPhone 3G S. Video is after the break.

[Via PMP Today]

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVIII: iPhome 3G for the wim!

Filed under: Cellphones

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVIII: iPhome 3G for the wim! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

iPhone 3G S data isn't really faster than the 3G's in Chicago


There's been talk the last couple days about the fact that there really isn't anywhere in the States to take advantage of the blazing 7.2Mbps downlink connection supported by the iPhone 3G S -- except for one great hope, one diamond in the rough that could become a shining destination for 3G S owners the world over. That destination would be Chicago, where AT&T fired up 7.2Mbps trials late last year, and the hope was that they might be letting lay folk (like us) in on the action in time for the 3G S release. Well, we've been running side-by-side tests today, and the short answer is that we're clearly not accessing 7.2 -- granted, the 3G S is getting marginally faster speeds both up and down, but we figure this can easily be attributed to the new model's faster processor because a doubling of the downlink pipe simply doesn't account for a 100kbps bump in speed (latency was all over the map on both phones, for the record). If you're holding out on upgrading from a 3G to a 3G S, go ahead and crack a smile -- because for now, anyway, this is one spec bump that means precisely zilch in the real world.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

iPhone 3G S data isn't really faster than the 3G's in Chicago originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Pwnage Tool for iPhone OS 3.0 now live, ultrasn0w still on standby

That iPhone OS 3.0 jailbreak we saw the iPhone Dev-Team pull off earlier this week? It's out now, or at least, part of it is. Pwnage Tool is now flooding torrents, but there's lots of caveats here. Most importantly, this isn't Ultrasn0w, which means if you're wanting to use your toy on T-Mobile or another unofficial carrier, be patient -- it's also worth noting that the jailbreak doesn't jibe with yellowsn0w, so those who rely on it should stay away for the time being. No compatibility with the 3G S, or at least, it probably hasn't been tested... we wouldn't recommend anyone setting the precedent here. You'll need Mac OS X to run it, with QuickPwn for Mac and Windows coming further down the line. Ultrasn0w is also due out at some indeterminate future, so that all said, if you're just needing right now a jailbroken device with spotlight functionality, hit up the read link for all the pertinent details. It should goes without saying, but they're might a few negative side effects to it, and one of the big ones we heard is that YouTube might be fubar'd at the moment.

Read - trois, drei, три, három! (Pwnage Tool released)
Read - No YouTube On Jailbroken iPhone 3.0?

Filed under: Cellphones

Pwnage Tool for iPhone OS 3.0 now live, ultrasn0w still on standby originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Sonos CR200 controller outed by the FCC

Without a doubt, Sonos makes an excellent wireless distributed audio system. If we had to nit pick (and we do), then its massive controller, the CR100 is easily the first thing to complain about. For starters it's a $400 remote control that does one thing, it controls your Sonos audio system. Granted, the CR100 is rugged, splashproof, and turns on in an instant thanks to a built-in accelerometer; features that can't justify the price, however, in light of the solid Sonos did its user base when it released a free Sonos controller app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The app even one-ups the CR100 with its on-screen QWERTY since the CR100's scrollwheel isn't exactly the best interface for typing out the name of an artist search. So imagine our intrigue when we saw a new CR200 Sonos Controller pass through the FCC. The new controller appears to prefer a portrait orientation (instead of landscape like the CR100) and was tested across 802.11g WiFi frequencies with a 24Mbps fixed data rate. While that doesn't give us much to go on, at least it passed the tests meaning we could be close to an official announcement. Considering the controller's physical design hasn't changed since its launch in January of 2005, a few more days or weeks of waiting shouldn't be a problem.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Sonos CR200 controller outed by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Friday 19 June 2009

The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed


Amazon Kindle DX review
Here's the one-line summary of the Kindle DX: It's Kindle 2 with a larger screen, hair-trigger orientation sensor, and an awful keyboard.
Palm webOS 1.0.3 update now available
Looks like the first post-Pre-launch webOS update is now being pushed out -- Pre owners, get ready for 13MB of 1.0.3 awesome.
Alleged shot of Motorola Morrison for T-Mobile has us swinging wildly betwixt love and disgust
Is the world ready for a white, black, and shiny metallic blue Android phone?
Other news of import
Meijer's brand new $99 (shipped) Blu-ray player brings joy to skinflints everywhere
It's easy to over look its lack of surround sound analog outputs or Profile 2.0 support for the cheapest new Blu-ray player we've ever seen.
Nokia N86 8MP and N97 launching in UK today
Most of us have our sights squarely fixed on the iPhone 3G S launch today, but in the UK, there are a couple of other heavyweights that are finally hitting retail.

The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Palm says no webOS SDK till end of Summer


So, you want to be a webOS developer, huh? That's great kid, we're excited for you, but there's a catch: Palm won't be handing out an actual SDK to most people until the end of Summer. In a post just published on the Palm Developer Network Blog, reps from the company say that although they've been cranking away on getting their full SDK in shipshape (the version given out to current devs is apparently pretty rough), they won't have anything for a broader audience anytime soon. In their words:

With the Pre now in customers' hands and reports of webOS hacks in the news, we know that you are more anxious than ever to get access to the SDK and start developing for webOS.

We've been working very hard on the SDK and are eager to open access on a wider scale, but the software and the developer services to support it just aren't ready yet.

This should come as a bit of a blow to developers hoping to get cracking on Pre software, and will unquestionably turn those who can't bear the wait towards the fully stocked iPhone or Android platforms. However, Palm does say that they'll be opening the program up a bit wider, stating in the post that they plan to crank the number of devs with the early SDK in their hands up from "hundreds to thousands" over the next few weeks. Apparently, that's part of process the company is beginning to ration out access, building to a full release.

Another bit of puzzling wordsmithing in this post comes in the form of the company's stance on homebrew and DIY "experiments" (their words) which have come to light in the past couple of weeks. So says Palm:

As on any popular platform, we recognize that some developers will experiment in ways that cross official boundaries, but we believe that our formal offerings - and community efforts built around those offerings - will provide the best experience for the vast majority of webOS developers and users.

So while it's not exactly a keep-off-the-grass statement, it certainly reads vaguely as to whether or not the company will lock out jailbreakers hoping to dive deeper into webOS. Further confusing the matter? Palm has just released the Linux source code used to compile the Pre's firmware, making the possibility of cooked / custom ROMs a very serious reality, and obviously opening the floor to a lot of said experimentation. Mixed messages? Yes. Our word to Palm right now? Put every effort into getting that SDK out, or you're at risk of quickly burning through all the good will you've just engendered.

Update:
We've added some info above which reflects Palm's statement that it will be considerably widening its pool of developers over the next few weeks with access to the early SDK.

Read - An update on the early access program and the SDK
Read - Open source packages

Filed under: Cellphones

Palm says no webOS SDK till end of Summer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Engadget Podcast 151 - 06.19.2009


It's been one hell of a month, hasn't it? New Palm phones, new iPhones, a big Kindle, that Natal thing... LL Cool J. Yes, a lot has happened in the past few weeks, and it's tough to contain all of that activity inside one teensy podcast -- but we've tried. Join Josh, Paul, and Nilay for another adventurous adventure through time, space, and love as they explore the deeper meanings of the cosmos, the universe, and consumer facing gadgetry. If you don't love the way you feel after listening to this thing, you may already be a zombie.

Update:
We had some issues with the MP3 of the podcast -- should be working now. Ping us if you have trouble!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Viva La Vida

00:02:05 - iPhone 3G S review
00:13:47 - Video: Josh, Jimmy Fallon, and the iPhone 3 Ga-Speed
00:25:54 - MacBook Pro (mid 2009) in-depth impressions
00:41:30 - Nokia N97 hands-on and impressions
00:45:12 - LL Cool J's hilariously aggressive N97 ad: "don't call it a comeback"
00:50:20 - WebOS homebrewers say 'Hello World!' to Palm Pre
00:58:00 - Pre gets NES emulation in Linux; our thumbs are in for a world of hurt
00:59:18 - Amazon Kindle DX unboxing and hands-on!
01:06:30 - Project Natal basis for new Xbox console coming Fall 2010?
01:06:50 - Like weeds: new Natal Xbox rumor shot down, 3D Xbox rumor pops up to take its place
01:07:35 - Project Natal recognizing retail shelves in 2010, says Ballmer (update: maybe not)
01:09:50 - Johnny Chung Lee joins Project Natal team, puts Wii hacking experience to good use
01:13:17 - Olympus E-P1 'digital Pen' gets official, so does our lust
01:15:25 - Olympus E-P1 video samples posted, camera turns up in ad-within-an-ad Blendtec spot
01:19:00 - Engadget Chinese goes hands-on with the Olympus E-P1
01:20:00 - Adamo redux: Dell teases new thin-and-light laptops in Paris with no specs


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Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget

Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 151 - 06.19.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

SciPhone shocker! N12 handset features 'genuine' Android OS


It looks we don't have ol' SciPhone to kick around anymore. Sure, we had some laughs -- mainly due to the fact that the irony-resistant handset manufacturer was ripping off an open source OS -- but now it looks like all that has changed. The SciPhone N12 (apparently) runs genuine Android, sports both quadband GSM and WCDMA (3G), and packs a 3.2-inch touchscreen, WiFi, a GPS module, CMMB TV support, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and a 624MHz Marvell processor under the hood. Listed for CNY $1,600 (roughly $234), this bad boy should be out June 25. Check out a couple more pics after the break.

[Via PMP Today]

Continue reading SciPhone shocker! N12 handset features 'genuine' Android OS

Filed under: Cellphones

SciPhone shocker! N12 handset features 'genuine' Android OS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Nokia N86 8MP and N97 launching in UK today


Most of us have our sights squarely fixed on the iPhone 3G S launch today, but in the UK, there are a couple of other heavyweights that are finally hitting retail: the N86 8MP and the N97. All About Symbian is covering the launch live, though it looks like there isn't much chaos and bedlam outside the Regent Street store -- maybe it has something to do with that other flagship store reflected in the window?

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Nokia N86 8MP and N97 launching in UK today originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Apple unleashes iPhone 3G S on well-prepared US public (with video!)


As the international date line swung around to the States and rain finally stopped in NY, a few hundred people lined up outside the Fifth Avenue Apple Store today for Apple's new iPhone, with the those The iLife guys up front descending into the store at 7AM to the sound of applause from the cheery horde of Apple Store employees. It was a far sight from the mayhem of previous launches -- the whole line was able to be contained in the elevated portion to the right of the store, no sidewalk necessary -- but it was still a fairly impressive turnout for a spec-bumped phone and a rainy night. Stand by for video from the launch, and be sure to send in your own launch impressions.

Update: Video is after the break!

Continue reading Apple unleashes iPhone 3G S on well-prepared US public (with video!)

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Apple unleashes iPhone 3G S on well-prepared US public (with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

iPhone 3G S gets the quick and dirty tear apart treatment, already (update: could do 833MHz and 720p video)

Well that was fast. Orange Boutique in Paris, France did a midnight release of the iPhone 3G S, and the gang at Rapid Repair were there to pick one up and subsequently rip their new toy to shreds. There isn't much here in terms of analysis of parts yet, it's more so just a quick and dirty job to get it out to the world, but hey, if you're into watching someone rip apart brand new, expensive gadgetry, we've got just the gallery for you.

Update: They've identified the chipset as the SoC S5PC100 from Samsung and thus confirm an ARM Cortex A8 running at 600 MHz (operates at up to 833MHz though) and the ability to record 720p video and handle real-time video conferencing should Apple choose to go in that direction (iPhone 3G S records VGA only). PowerVR SGX graphics and 256MB of RAM too as expected. S5PC100 block diagram after the break.

Read -- S5PC100 [warning: PDF]
Read -- RapidRepair Teardown

Continue reading iPhone 3G S gets the quick and dirty tear apart treatment, already (update: could do 833MHz and 720p video)

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone 3G S gets the quick and dirty tear apart treatment, already (update: could do 833MHz and 720p video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

iPhone 3G S global launch sees smaller lines, quieter reception (update)

What a difference 18 months makes, eh? The relative short line for today's iPhone 3G S launch at Apple's flagship Regent Street store in London could be attributed to any number of factors: the economy, the steep cost of upgrade for iPhone 3G owners, or the fact that Apple allowed for advanced iPhone 3G S orders with home delivery. Or maybe people just aren't willing to wait in line for a bump in speed, improved graphics, and video recording. We wouldn't call it apathy but the iPhone halo doesn't seem as shiny beneath a spotlight now shared with Android and the new Pre. Regardless, the iPhone 3G S is now on sale in the UK and a few more European countries with North America up next after a few degrees of the Earth's rotation.

Update:
According to O2, sales for the 3G S have already surpassed numbers for the iPhone 3G during last year's launch. So it's possible that the pre-orders were in full effect here. However, you have to remember that Europe and O2 in the UK in particular had very serious problems meeting demand at the time of the iPhone 3G launch last year. So this statement likely says more about inventory management than it does the demand of the 3G S vs the 3G.

[images courtesy of Richard Lai and mrgeoffb]

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone 3G S global launch sees smaller lines, quieter reception (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Video: Josh, Jimmy, and the iPhone 3 Ga-Speed

Johnny Carson may have had his monkeys, but Jimmy Fallon has, well, Josh. Our very own Jack Hanna of late night gadgetry. Watch Josh school Jimmy in the ways of the iPhone 3G S in the video after the break -- don't worry, it's been edited down for the safety of children. Sure, Mr. Topolsky (as he makes us call him) is a big shot now, but you can still remember him when.

Continue reading Video: Josh, Jimmy, and the iPhone 3 Ga-Speed

Video: Josh, Jimmy, and the iPhone 3 Ga-Speed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Sirius XM iPhone app is now live, streaming

It hasn't been Thursday too long, but as promised, Sirius XM's iPhone / iPod touch app has popped up in the iTunes app store, ready for your aural digestion. There's a 7-day free trial being offered, but yeah, eventually you're gonna have to pay. Now that it's there, we might as well point out the app's got a 9+ rating for mild profanity and crude humor. Worth giving up Pandora, Last.fm, or any number of other free music streamers already available? That's your call, so go download and decide for yourself.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

Sirius XM iPhone app is now live, streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Video: Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling canal earbuds


We know you haven't slept in the week since we first got wind of Sony's MDR-NC300D heaphones and while, sadly, there is (as of yet) still no domestic street date, we do have some more details and a fun little video to tide you over. Billed as the "world's first" digital noise canceling canal earphones (and we're inclined to agree) these guys boast 98.4% noise reduction, an integrated S-Master amplifier, 16mm diameter drivers for each bud, and three separate noise canceling modes. For those of you with a more technical bent, you'll be pleased to know that the 'phones sport a playback frequency of 6Hz ~ 24kHz, a sensitivity of 103dB/mW, and a 16Ω impedence. And it runs on AAA batteries -- meaning these aren't the iPod killers that we've seen in similar devices. This bad boy will hit the streets and shelves of Japan on June 21st for ¥30,975 (around $315).Video after the break.

[Via Sony Insider]

Continue reading Video: Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling canal earbuds

Filed under: Portable Audio

Video: Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling canal earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Video: SPRXmobile's Layar is world's first Augmented Reality browser for cellphones

This one's been a long time coming but it looks like Dutch company SPRXmobile has launched the world's first Augmented Reality browser. Layar, as it's called, runs on Android and aggregates the data from the cellphone's compass and GPS coordinates to understand where you're standing and what you're looking at. A "radar view" then applies a visual information layer on top of the camera display as you pan around your environment. Content partnerships including a local bank, social networking site, and a realty company allows Layar to identify houses for sale, nearby ATMs, and local clubs and bars all laid out visually on your cellphone's display. Layar will be available this month in The Netherlands via the Android Market for phones such as the G1 and HTC Magic. It will launch in the US, Germany, and the UK sometime later this year with the iPhone 3G S listed as a primary target platform. Looks great with plenty of data populated in the video sample (posted after the break) but we have to wonder how well it works in day-to-day reality.

Continue reading Video: SPRXmobile's Layar is world's first Augmented Reality browser for cellphones

Video: SPRXmobile's Layar is world's first Augmented Reality browser for cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

VNC on the Palm Pre lets you look at your desktop from afar, but not touch it


It didn't take long for the the iPhone's release for it to get a VNC client enabling remote desktop access. No surprise, then, that it's taken even less time for Palm's Pre to get similar functionality -- well, the beginnings of similar functionality, anyway. As the thrilling video after the break proves, it's possible to get today's hottest smartphone to connect to a VNC server, but rather sadly keyboard and mouse support aren't there yet. So, while you can watch all those wonderful command prompts and other windows majestically move across the screen, you can't touch a single one. Surely that'll be fixed soon, but will it be soon enough?

Continue reading VNC on the Palm Pre lets you look at your desktop from afar, but not touch it

Filed under: Cellphones

VNC on the Palm Pre lets you look at your desktop from afar, but not touch it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Stop hitting F5, iPhone OS 3.0 release still hours away?

You can refresh all you want but that won't make the 3.0 update for your iPhone appear any faster. In fact, you might want to give your trigger finger a rest for a few hours -- Engadget bud, Richard Lai, noted in a tweet that Apple's Singapore site says that the iPhone OS 3.0 update will release on the 18th while Apple India says the 17th, the date announced by Apple -- the difference presumably accounting for the 2.5-hour timezone offset between the two countries. That would peg an OS 3.0 release anytime between 1700 and 1930 in London or between noon and 2:30pm in New York. But don't let a little knowledge ruin your obsessive behavior, where's the fun in that?

Update: The theory is supported by reports that carrier 3 in Hong Kong sent a network-wide SMS notifying iPhone owners that OS 3.0 will be available on June 18th, 01:00 local time. That's 1pm on the 17th in New York, 6pm in London, and 1900 in central Europe.

[Via Pocket-Lint and Richard Lai]

Read -- Singapore launch
Read -- India launch

Stop hitting F5, iPhone OS 3.0 release still hours away? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVI: HiPhone F06-Slim is brewing up a Storm

Oh hi, HiPhone. Not much of a surprise to see you here, again. The latest masterpiece, the HiPhone F06-Slim, is a Frankenstein amalgamation of KIRF favorite iPhone and RIM's first foray into the world of touchscreen phones, albeit with a slightly smaller, 3.2-inch display. We're also looking at a 1.3 megapixel camera, FM radio, microSD support, GPRS, Bluetooth, dual SIM card slots, and "TV phone" capabilities, which we're taking to mean a mobile receiver of some sort. Looks like it forgot the refresh button on the bottom of the device, but with any luck, it left out SurePress as well. If you hang out with the kind of friends who respect a good knockoff, the price of raising your street cred is just a penny under $190 before shipping.

[Via PMP Today]

Filed under: Cellphones

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVI: HiPhone F06-Slim is brewing up a Storm originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Apple tells UPS to stop overachieving, puts brakes on early iPhone 3G S deliveries


Just because UPS can get you your iPhone 3G S a couple days ahead of its official launch date doesn't mean Apple wants it to. We're getting a bunch of tips rolling in with updated tracking information for shipped 3G S orders folks have placed through the online Apple Store, confirming that Apple has actively coordinated with its shipper to hold on to the packages until "a future delivery date" that isn't specified. We can only assume that'd be the 19th, but our question is this: can you just march down to your local UPS branch and try to pick it up yourself in the meantime? Carriers often require that at least one delivery be attempted before you can waltz in and grab the package, but it might be worth a shot later today.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Apple tells UPS to stop overachieving, puts brakes on early iPhone 3G S deliveries originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Tuesday 16 June 2009

iPhone 3G running OS 3.0 unlocked, ultrasn0w release coming Friday

The iPhone Dev-Team (no relation) have been teasing us for a little bit now with what they've been saying is an iPhone OS 3.0-compatible version of yellowsn0w, and tonight in a video presentation they unveiled ultrasn0w, which should let you unlock any iPhone on the market, running any version of the firmware from 3.0 on down. The trick to how they're getting the jailbreak hasn't been revealed yet for fear of Apple making a fix at the eleventh hour, but if everything goes according to plan, the new hacking software should be out Friday in time for the iPhone 3G S (no guarantee it'll work on the new device). Hit up the read link to watch the magic happen right before your very own eyes.

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone 3G running OS 3.0 unlocked, ultrasn0w release coming Friday originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Sirius XM iPhone app coming this week, says customer support

Just in case a new iPhone model and OS 3.0 weren't enough goodies for this week, Sirius XM support team members are sending emails out announcing the company's long-awaited iPhone / iPod touch app will finally seeing the light of day and will launch this Thursday, June 18th. We just got off the phone with a customer service rep who confirmed the letters are legit, so unless there's some communication breakdown on the corporate ladder, looks like it's really, finally coming. It'll be available as a free download from the App Store, but those who subscribe to the gratis Basic Online Service will have to upgrade to the $2.99 monthly premium plan to have it on the go. We're a bit light on other details -- we can't imagine it being as full-featured as the standalone receivers -- but it's a good bet we'll have all our questions answered before the week is out.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

Sirius XM iPhone app coming this week, says customer support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Apple says iTunes syncing only for Apple devices, looks sternly at Palm


Looks like Apple's response to the Pre's support for iTunes syncing is starting to take form -- a snippy little note titled "About unsupported third-party digital media players" was just posted to the company's support site. The money quote:
Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple's iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.
Here's where it gets interesting: since the Pre identifies itself to iTunes as a bog-standard iPod, Apple would have to actively code in a USB node check to actually block syncing, which is just a little bit more aggressive than the "software changes over time" mentioned here. We'll see if Apple decides to engage in a cat-and-mouse with a company now run by the former head of the iPod division -- we've got a feeling this could get messy.

[Via Daring Fireball]

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Apple says iTunes syncing only for Apple devices, looks sternly at Palm originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Palm Prefection iPhone theme lets you have the best of both worlds, kinda


So you're an iPhone owner with a massive case of Pre jealousy, but you've got another year left on your AT&T contract. We know you're out there, and we know you're struggling -- you're feeling totally alone and misunderstood, like a lone voice struggling to be heard amongst the din of a thousand push notifications. A gadget nerd without a clan.

You don't have to live this way. You don't have to be trapped into a single touch interface aesthetic by the fear of early-termination fees and loss of Tap Tap Revenge compatibility. You have a choice -- you can jailbreak your phone and install the Palm Prefection theme. You can show the world you're not afraid to mix it up. Sure, you won't be able to multitask for real and no amount of fevered prayer will ever bring a gesture area to your iPhone, but that doesn't mean you won't be taking a stand. Fly high, butterfly. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Dave]

Continue reading Palm Prefection iPhone theme lets you have the best of both worlds, kinda

Filed under: Cellphones

Palm Prefection iPhone theme lets you have the best of both worlds, kinda originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Some iPhone 3G S orders set to be delivered tomorrow (Update: not likely)


Waiting days in the blistering sun for a phone that more level-headed folks (that is, not us) will be able to get by simply waltzing into a store a few days later just isn't what it used to be, is it? As iPhones make the inevitable transition from wildly-anticipated objects of lust to commodities, it seems that Apple's putting progressively less effort into carefully orchestrating and micro-managing launches -- and if you want solid proof of that, look no further than the shipping tracking numbers coming off of the online Apple Store's order status site where you'll find that some iPhone 3G S units should be in buyers' hands tomorrow. If you're counting, that'd be a full two days before the official release of this Friday -- and while we suppose the company could have some agreement in place with its carriers to hold onto the units until the official release, we're not giving UPS that much credit.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: It seems that many, if not all, of the individuals with tracking numbers leading to phones already stateside are now seeing the following status update on their packages: "THE RECEIVER REQUESTED A HOLD FOR A FUTURE DELIVERY DATE. UPS WILL ATTEMPT DELIVERY ON DATE REQUESTED." In other words, Apple's having these guys queue up the phones until they give the word, presumably not until Friday. Maybe some distribution centers with loose reputations might let you run down there and pick 'em up, though? Worth a shot, right?

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Some iPhone 3G S orders set to be delivered tomorrow (Update: not likely) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Bezos suggests Kindle books will appear on more devices, compete with Kindle readers


Amazon already sent a pretty clear signal that it has grander plans for Kindle than just its own devices when it launched its iPhone app earlier this year, but Jeff Bezos has now made those intentions clearer than ever, and dropped a few hints of things to come. Speaking at a Wired-sponsored conference yesterday, Bezos all but confirmed that Amazon sees Kindle books and Kindle readers as two separate businesses, and he even went so far as to say that "we are going to give the device team competition" by making Kindle books available on "mobile devices and other computing devices, although he obviously didn't specify other e-book readers. Interestingly, Bezos also confirmed that Amazon had considered selling the Kindle with a monthly subscription plan to lower the cost, or require a minimum number of books purchased, but said that he preferred the simplicity of providing one flat up-front cost, which he says has helped account for the Kindle's success.

Filed under: Handhelds

Bezos suggests Kindle books will appear on more devices, compete with Kindle readers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch

Sony's Walkman B-series zaps your tunes into submission

Sony's Walman B-series zaps your tunes into submission
No, it doesn't have a big, beautiful OLED on the front, isn't running a trendy OS, and lacks any need for Morse code. It's a pretty standard USB-based MP3 player, with a few niceties. For one, it sports 18 hours of battery life, and three minutes of charging will keep you rocking for an hour and a half. For another, it'll do voice recording and tune FM. But, Sony's really talking up its ZAPPIN function, which helps you find music by playing five-second clips from the middle of tracks, a little like the scan mode your car's radio -- you know, the thing with dials and buttons that you plug your MP3 player into. We've seen this mode on Sony's screenless players in the past, where it makes sense, but we're not sure why anyone wouldn't just look down and use the LCD here. It's only three lines, but with 2GB of storage on tap there won't be that many tunes to scroll through. No price or availability have yet been set.

[Via Akihabara News]

Filed under: Portable Audio

Sony's Walkman B-series zaps your tunes into submission originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: iPhone watch