Posted by: Marianne Schultz
on Sep 23, 2008
With much fanfare, though not nearly the level of showmanship we see from a Steve Jobs keynote, T-Mobile, HTC, and Google execs formally announced the first Android-driven device yesterday. What did we learn about the T-Mobile G1? Let’s recap:
- Touchscreen (NOT multi-touch) device with slide-out keyboard (exactly as pictured in previous spy shots)
- Quad-band GSM and 3G capable on T-Mobile’s network, currently live in 16 markets in the U.S.
- Includes WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3-megapixel camera
- 1GB microSD card included, unknown internal memory
- SIM-locked to T-Mobile, can be unlocked for users in good standing after 90 days
- No headphone jack (requires a proprietary adapter to use headphones)
- Can download apps from the Android Marketplace (developers can produce and distribute any type of software with no restrictions)
- Pre-loaded music player, web browser, and other software. No built-in video player.
- Amazon music store software pre-loaded
- Copy & paste (though limited to editable text boxes)
- Integrates seamlessly with Google apps and syncs with online counterparts
- Google Maps has compass function to automatically adjust street view
- No desktop synchronization software
- No Exchange server synchronization capability
- Push email only with GMail accounts (all others are pull)
- Camera records still photos only, no video
- $179 with a 2-year contract, two data plans at $25 and $35, available starting October 22
W
Posted by: Marianne Schultz
on Sep 8, 2008
Tagged in:
steve jobs ,
special event ,
Kevin Rose ,
iTunes ,
ipodtouch ,
iPhone software update 2.1 ,
iphone software ,
iphone accessories ,
iphone 3g ,
games ,
firmware ,
EA ,
apple event ,
app store
First and foremost, iPhone 2.1 firmware will be out on Friday, September 12. Steve said it's a big update that includes many bug fixes, addressing dropping calls, crashing apps, long-backups, and battery life. And it's free to all owners! I am quite excited for this update, and have my fingers crossed that it will work as promised and that the issues many users, including me, have been experiencing are addressed.
Kevin Rose was spot on with iTunes 8, including the new grid-like view and Genius functionality. HD TV shows has also come to the iTunes store, though they are only viewable on your computer or through your Apple TV - there goes putting HD shows on my iPhone to output to our home entertainment center! Shoot!
iPods continue to kick ass in marketshare with 73.4%, with "Other" players a distant second at 15.4%. The iPod Classic is now offered in one size only - 120GB at the same price as the previous 80GB model, $249. The new iPod Nano is indeed like the leaked pictures that have been circulating on the internet - tall and skinny with a curved front and back. It features a new UI and has an accelerometer like the iPod Touch and iPhone, allowing you to turn it sideways to switch automatically to cover mode view. And the new Genius functionality works right on the Nano without needing to be connected to iTunes, and shaking the Nano puts it in Shuffle mode.
A nice accessory upgrade is a pair of headphones that have functionality similar to that of the iPhone's - a control button that allows you to double-click to get to the next song, and a microphone that will work with the built-in voice recording function. And it has volume controls! I sure hope those will work on the iPhone too.
Posted by: Christopher Meinck
on Sep 8, 2008
Apple today announced the release of iTunes 8. iTunes 8 will offer a host of new features including accessiblity, new browsing and a new Genius feature that will generate iTunes Store recommended artists based what's playing now in your iTunes. Essentially, it's another tool to find similar music based upon your interests. Apple has also welcomed NBC back into the fold, offering shows like "The Office, Monk, Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock and Heroes.
iTunes 8 will be available today as a free download.
