Day: June 12, 2008

Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, and Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), today announced that the Palm(R) Centro(TM) smartphone will be available online at http://www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning June 13. Dressed in a crisp cobalt blue, the Centro provides customers with the perfect tool to manage the busiest of lifestyles with voice, text messaging, e-mail and the Web. Centro runs on Verizon Wireless’ high-speed data network, which gives customers the ability to quickly send and receive e-mail messages and attachments and browse rich Web content. Verizon Wireless customers can also use the Centro as a modem for their laptops when they subscribe to Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess Connect service plan. The handset sports a vibrant color touch-screen, full QWERTY keyboard and a lightweight design. Centro’s built-in Google Maps(TM) application delivers quick, reliable directions and lets users perform local searches and view moveable/scalable maps, satellite imagery and traffic updates. Customers can also map a contact’s address directly from the contact application simply by selecting the “maps” button. Customers using the stylish Centro will get access to VersaMail(R) 4.0 with built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync(R) support for Microsoft Direct Push Technology to deliver e-mail and calendar updates from a home or office PC using Outlook(R) directly to their handsets. Centro users also have the option of using Wireless Sync, Verizon Wireless’ proprietary e-mail solution, for quick and easy access to personal or corporate e-mail, contacts, calendar and tasks from their home or office PC. Wireless Sync supports POP3 or IMAP e-mail accounts and it supports Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes(R) and IBM Lotus Domino(R).
The Palm Centro also includes the following features and capabilities:
— Text, picture and video messaging (text messages are presented to customers in a “chat-style” view so customers can see their entire conversation unfold)
— Superior phone functionality, including one-touch speakerphone and conference calling, the ability to respond to a call with text
messaging, and the option to use the touch-screen dial pad
— Smart, fast Web browsing using the award-winning Blazer browser
— 2x digital zoom camera with video capture
— Media player with Pocket Tunes(TM) Deluxe (PlaysForSure-compatible)
— Bluetooth(R) v. 1.2 with support for hands-free car kits and headset profiles
— 64 MB available user storage and microSD(TM) memory card slot with support up to 4 GB
— User-friendly, familiar Palm OS(R) 5.4.9, including one-touch access to key applications
— Small, sleek form factor: 2.1″ (l) x 4.2″ (w) x 0.7″ (d)
— 4.2 ounces with battery
— 320 x 320 pixel color touch-screen and full QWERTY keyboard for easier e-mail, messaging and Web use

Nokia’s 5800 Tube was seen some months ago, now, it makes another appearance, along with the N85, and the N79. The N79 looks to come in two colors – titanium or white, and bears a resemblance to Nokia’s N82, except it doesn’t sport the fingernail-style keys of the N82. The screen looks to be about standard for an N-Series device – 2.4”.

Next, the N85, which has the dual-slide form-factor of the N95/6. It comes with a five megapixel camera, much like the N95/6, but with the addition of an Xenon flash. It also dumps the Nokia N96’S stand, in favor of a lens cover. It should be available in your choice of black or white.

The 5800 Tube, a mostly all-touchscreen device, with a few buttons on the face of the device. It looks not to have a finger-driven UI, but rather stylus input, given the picture below. It will be the first Nokia to use their S60 Touch UI. The camera is a 3.2MP affair, with a dual LED flash. No word yet on when any of these three devices will be announced.

“The original N95/iPhone battle may have moved onto new stomping grounds, but it’s still a battle royal. Between strength and subtlety, between functions and form, between features and ease of use. Both devices are either aimed at totally different markets or aimed at the same market, depending on who you talk to. But the fact remains that the Nokia N95 8GB (now six months old) and the Apple iPhone 3G (available on July 11th) are still two of the most desirable smart devices anyone can own.” Read more here:

“Joe optimized Picasa Web Albums for the iPhone and Zak made it shine on Windows Mobile. This made me wonder about Nokia phones. Ever since S60 3rd Edition came out, phones like the Nokia N95 have had good web browsers. Why not give Picasa Web Albums on S60 some AJAXy goodness, with faster browsing and a slicker user interface as well? I investigated what it would take to make our existing design work on S60 and it turned out to be really easy! And since I’m Dutch, I also wanted to view this interface without needing to switch my account language to English. So we had it translated into 36 new languages. We also gave the toolbar an overhaul, adding simpler to understand icons. You can now get this new version of Picasa Web Albums on all S60 phones using a WebKit-based browser, as well as iPhone using Safari and Windows Mobile 6 Professional using Internet Explorer. As an added bonus we’ve also added support for Windows Mobile 6 Standard.Finally, based on requests we’ve had on this blog, we’ve added a zoom feature for the iPhone. When viewing a photo that was uploaded to Picasa Web Albums in high resolution, just tap on the zoom button — the one with the magnifying glass. This will take you to a page with a high-resolution image where you can use those wonderful finger gestures for zooming and panning around in the zoomed area.Head to picasaweb.google.com to give it a try, and be sure to let us know what you think! There’s a good chance now that your phone and preferred language are supported.” via googlemobile.blogspot.com