Cell Phones

Palm fans, get your party hats on. Today the company is announcing the beta release of its SDK for webOS 2.0, which means we’re getting dangerously close to a proper 2.0 release for devices. And who knows… maybe the phone-maker will decide to throw a new device our way to go along with the OS. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Starting tomorrow, a select (though rather wide, says Palm) group of developers will be able to start toying around with the latest and greatest SDK for the company’s mobile operating system, and it looks like the new software brings some tasty morsels to the table that you’re definitely going to want to chow down on. We got the scoop directly from Palm on just exactly what kind of changes you’ll be seeing in the first version of 2.0, and we’ve rounded them up in a neatly digestible form below, so read on after the break and get the full story.

• Stacks – One of the biggest points that Palm focused on was what they called “true multitasking” (a dig at some other platforms with less than “true” multitasking, we assume). Now the company is doing to what is inarguably a robust multitasking scheme in 2.0 with a feature called “card stacks” or “Stacks,” which automatically groups related cards together while you’re working. That means that if you’re in email and open a link (or links) in a browser, those cards will stick together because they’re part of a single workflow. You can drag and drop those cards manually, but the function will happen all by itself in the new OS (sans developer or user intervention).
• Just Type – Palm has gone and renamed Universal Search from webOS to “Just Type,” and has opened the API to developers, allowing for custom search engines which dig into both apps on the the device and ping server-side as well. Along with the new search access, developers will have the ability to use something called “Quick Actions” which apparently can string together multiple actions using one command. As Palm puts it, you’ll be able to “start an email, create a message, update your status, search your favorite websites-all without having to launch an app.”
• Exhibition – The company is leveraging the Touchstone charger for more than just looking pretty and impressing friends. With the 2.0 SDK, developers will be able to code custom components of their apps (or standalone apps it seems) which switch on only when your phone is docked on the Touchstone. That means that users will be able to select from a variety of mini-apps such as photo slideshows, weather info, clocks, or any combo of the above (and more) to display while the phone charges. Basically a widget / screensaver combo.
• Synergy improvements – Developers will now be able to tap directly into Synergy, creating custom address books, IM services, and calendar events for apps they create. According to Palm, devs will be able to create IM experience that work in concert with the currently supported profiles, opening some pretty interesting options for those of us who communicate across a wide range of services. Developers will also be able to leverage the contact joining and auto-calendar events that other Synergy-powered apps (like Facebook) enjoy.
• HTML5 enhancements – Palm is adding better support for HTML5 in webOS 2.0, including image data and gradient use with Canvas, the availability of local and session web storage, geolocation support, and application cache functions (for storing resources on the device for offline use).
• JavaScript services – The node.js runtime environment will now be accessible to devs working in webOS, meaning they can leverage a growing database of standardized APIs and libraries which will power things like low-level networking, filesystem access, and binary data processing.
• PDK plugins – Palm is taking its PDK plugin out of beta and fully integrating it into the SDK / OS, allowing devs to more easily port app logic from other platforms (the company’s words). Developers will be able to “mix and match” PDK-powered functions with more standard Palm Mojo elements, meaning you can apply the PDK functionality when you need something like OpenGL graphics while still leveraging the HTML / CSS aspects of Palm app creation.

We’d be lying if we told you we weren’t excited to see what kind of other front-facing features Palm comes up with for this release, and if we do get to see it coupled with a new, powerful handset (or a tablet or two), we think we could definitely find our interest in Palm rejuvenated. C’mon guys — you’ve got the cash and resources now — go big.
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SOURCE:Palm Developer Center

Remember that T-Mobile G2 build that leaked out earlier this week? Even if you didn’t, the ROM still managed to find its way onto other Android devices by way of some clever (if not elementary, dear Watson) hacking, and from that very binary comes some vivid imagery. Nothing too surprising or earth-shattering, unless of course you find a Google Voice widget absolutely mind-blowing. And if you do, well, you’re welcome.
VIA:TmoNews
SOURCE:Phandroid

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab has once again surfaced online via unofficial channels, and this time it’s carrying a sticker on one side that clearly states CDMA. The iAndroid forum goer who allegedly snapped these shots praised the device for its strong speakers, call quality (although not clear if that’s over 3G or WiFi), and ability to run Flash — but at the same time notes the GPS is just a bit slow (it does work, though). More pictures in the gallery below, right next to our ever-increasing impatience to try this little guy out ourselves.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
VIA:gadgety.co.il
SOURCE:iAndroid

The HTC Desire Z outside the States — is shaping up to be one of the more anticipated Android launches of 2010, and a handful of smaller-than-we’d-like official press shots that have just leaked over on Cell Phone Signal are doing nothing to make us believe otherwise. The site says it believes silver (pictured) will be the only color offered, and considering that we haven’t seen any leaks in any other shades, that seems like a reasonable assumption. Then again, a white, red, or black version of this would be pretty neat, wouldn’t it?

[Thanks, Nam]

Update: Turns out these images are chilling on T-Mobile’s servers right now — check the source links below. Whoops!

Update 2: And we’ve now got the clearest shot yet of a G2 in the wild, casually browsing Facebook as a laptop looks on with a mixture of curiosity and contempt; follow the break to check it out. Thanks, Sebastian!

VIA:His and Her Android
SOURCE:Cell Phone Signal, T-Mobile (1), (2), (3)

Verizon can’t be feeling too hot about being the straggler to the Galaxy S party, but the wait seems to be almost at an end. Best Buy’s just started taking in-store pre-orders for the Fascinate, while the latest internal document leak from VZW indicates a specific September 9 launch for the 4-inch Android handset. That’s when you should be able to snap the Fascinate up along with a prepaid data plan from Big Red, which fits in nicely with earlier unsanctioned disclosures on the matter. Either way, Samsung’s quest to conquer all networks with its Super Gorilla phone will be coming to a victorious end pretty soon.

[Thanks, Brian G.]
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SOURCE:Best Buy, Boy Genius Report

Looking for a good reason to camp out a Sprint store overnight? Then you won’t find a much better one these days than the Samsung Epic 4G, which is launching on the carrier tomorrow for $249.99 on a two-year contract (in case you needed a reminder). According to Sprint, most stores will be opening at 8 a.m. sharp, which still leaves you plenty of time to read (or re-read) our review of the phone.

VIA:Mobile Burn
SOURCE:Sprint

Sometimes it takes a crafty, steel-nerved individual to leak an unreleased phone’s details ahead of time. And then sometimes all it takes is a negligently uploaded video. An official promo for the Milestone 2 has popped up on YouTube before quickly being yanked by Moto. The Droid 2′s international sibling unsurprisingly looks to be its carbon copy by another name: it features a 1GHz OMAP SOC, 512MB of RAM, a 5 megapixel imager, and Android 2.2 as the OS (complete with Flash Player and Froyo’s native hotspot ability). We’ll go out on a limb here and guess that this means the rest of the world will be getting its dose of Moto’s latest and greatest QWERTY slider in very short order.

[Thanks, Thomas]

Update: Oh hello! Someone managed to rip the video before Motorola’s retraction, so we’ve naturally got it embedded for you just past the break. And yes, whether you like it or not, Motoblur lives on. Thanks, qakgob!

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SOURCE:MobiFlip.de

Looks like the prepaid wireless data market is starting to heat up: Clearwire just launched its Rover service, which offers 4G wireless data for as little as $5 a day — with two free days included when you first sign up. That’s not bad if you just need a quick hit here or there, although you need to pony up $150 for that Rover Puck WiFi hotspot we saw at the FCC last month or $100 for a USB stick, and anything more than a day quickly becomes less of a deal at $20/week and $50/month. Oh, and it’s 4G-only, so if you’re not living or working in a WiMAX city you’re out of luck. Still, those prices aren’t terribly out of line with the competition, although we might be more inclined to choose Virgin’s $40/mo prepaid MiFi and settle for 3G speeds while getting more coverage. Decisions, decisions — what a wonderful problem to have. PR after the break.

Show full PR text
Clearwire Introduces Rover: Instant Gratification to the Internet Addicted

Detailed coverage maps of service availability can be found at www.rover.com/coverage.

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SOURCE:Rover

If 6.0.0 RC1 just wasn’t cutting it for ya, CyanogenMod-6.0 has released what’s being touted as the “first stable release based on Android 2.2″ and has hit the target number of supported devices, which by our quick count includes EVO 4G, Slide, Nexus One, Dream / Magic, Aria, and Droid — and we might be missing a few.. You know the drill; if you need a bit of Froyo in your mobile life.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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SOURCE:Cyanogen

We’ve been wondering about this oddly intriguing mini Motorola portrait slider since we saw it back in July, and a new set of leaked photos today hasn’t done anything to diminish our curiosity, since that keyboard looks pretty amazing. The reappearance of the red Droid eye seems to indicate this one’s eventually destined for Verizon, but we’ll see — we’re curious about the XT300 name being used in this photo set, which ties in with Moto’s GSM naming scheme, and Verizon’s reserved the Droid name for higher-end sets so far, while this thing looks like a mid-range Blur phone to us. Video after the break — and more photos and vids at the source link.

[Thanks, Thomas]

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SOURCE:Mobiflip.de