T-Mobile 'retires' the Sidekick, don't confuse it with a discontinuation though

For years, T-Mobile had great success with the Sidekick line of devices. That is before the smartphone market really blew up. Their most recent effort with the line can't be called a success, despite the fact they teamed up with Samsung to create the Android 2.2 powered Sidekick 4G with all sorts of (at the time) updated customizations.

Perhaps that's the reason T-Mobile is sending the brand into retirement as confirmed to Phonescoop. Yep, it'll be a while before we see another Sidekick branded device come onto the market. However; T-Mobile was quick to point out they're not discontinuing the line. Instead, just giving it a little rest and relaxation. Go on; pretend to be surprised in the comments.

Source: Phonescoop

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/1oibqE4SIpc/story01.htm

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Jailbreak iOS 4.3.1 on OS X or Windows with PwnageTool or Sn0wbreeze

A jailbreak of iOS 4.3.1 is now possible with both PwnageTool on Mac, and Sn0wbreeze on Windows. RedmondPie -- who else? -- has some handy guides that you can follow for all iOS 4.3.1 devices on Windows, for iPhone 4 on OS X, iPad 1 on OS X, iPhone 3GS on OS X, and iPod touch 4G and 3G on OS X.

All iOS 4.3.1 jailbreaks are still tethered, meaning you'll have to jailbreak your device after every reboot. An untethered jailbreak is slated for release sometime in the next week -- but 4.3 was meant to have an untether, too, and that never emerged.

Maybe Apple's updated security mechanisms will finally keep hackers at bay!

Jailbreak iOS 4.3.1 on OS X or Windows with PwnageTool or Sn0wbreeze originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/28/jailbreak-ios-4-3-1-on-os-x-or-windows-with-pwnagetool-or-sn0wbr/

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SiLight: Turn On The Flashlight With Siri

We know that Siri, Apple’s very own virtual assistant can help users perform a lot of tasks when she receives simple verbal commands. Though the fruit company has given her an impressive a set of skills, her repertoire keeps improving through the numerous tweaks which we can easily find in the Cydia Store. Not only [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SimonBlog/~3/H4ctojA1qyQ/

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Cloud Notes, salvare le note di Google Docs con un gadget

Come tutti ben sapete, su windows troviamo anche la presenza di alcuni gadget, ma che spesso non vengono utilizzati. Eppure la galleria di microsoft è piena di queste piccole applicazioni desktop. La maggior parte di loro sono inutili, o utili a pochi, altre invece risultano molto comode e poco conosciute. Oggi vediamo un gadget creato [...]

Source: http://www.geekissimo.com/2010/08/14/cloud-notes-google-docs-gadget/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cloud-notes-google-docs-gadget

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Poll: Would you want the 7-inch iPad in multiple mini-chromatic colors?

We recently asked you if it was time for Apple to start releasing multiple color options with the iPhone 5, and 65% of you so far have voted "yes" so far. That got us to thinking -- what about the rumored iPad mini? While Apple has been content to keep their flagship products on a very strict color palette over the years -- metal, black, and maybe white -- the lower ends have historically been much more colorful.

The smaller, lower-end iPods have been nano-chromatic and shuffle-sensational for years, and Apple has mixed the exact shades up a few times to keep them fresh and fashionable. Would the same approach work for a lower-end iPad mini? Is that where Apple is most likely to make concessions towards the colorful? Would you even want them to?

As always, vote up top and give me your reasons -- and your favorite colors! -- in the comments below!

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/SNwjZRzfRko/story01.htm

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Monday Brief: NFC hacking on Android, Guide to Siri, Windows 8 SDK preview and more!

A little change this week for the Monday Brief as our normal host, the adventurous Ashley Esqueda, is off in London right now taking in the London 2012 Olympic Games. No, you'll not see her on any diving boards or dressaging any horses herself, but you can check her adventures on the her Samsung Global Blogger page. The show as they say though, must go on, so go ahead and check out what's been happening around Mobile Nations below.

Mobile Nations Podcast Feed Mobile Nations on iTunes Mobile Nations YouTube	Android NFC 'hacking' is ingenious, but not yet dangerous Apple's earnings call is a sign that the lawsuits can never stop Samsung restores local search on international Galaxy S3 with new OTA
Photo editing options getting revamped for BlackBerry 10 RIM preparing BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 rollout as PlayBook 4G launch nears Video Store for the BlackBerry PlayBook now available in Canada	Microsoft, HP, webOS, and the contract that complicates future HP webOS hardware App Review: Audio Headlines Did HP show off an upcoming tablet in a new commercial?
OS X Mountain Lion now available, and what it means for iOS users AT&T vs Verizon: Which shared data plan should you get? Siri: The ultimate guide	Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview: Application platform overview and Windows 8 APIs Windows Phone Central visits Microsoft headquarters Microsoft Surface Tablets priced over $1000? Not so fast...

 

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/2r0l_UPalmA/story01.htm

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Speedtest.net overhauled with new look, new features

Speedtest.net is pretty much the go-to site for quickly figuring out how fast (or slow) your connection really is and comparing the numbers your ISP boasts with what it actually delivers. And now it's got a new coat of paint and a couple of neat features. In brief:

• New UI: The map widget is much improved; it actually looks like a map now, and it's easy to see where you are.
• Smart server selection: If there are several test servers nearby, Speedtest will now ping each to see which has the least latency and use that for the test. You can still specify servers manually, too.
• User accounts: You can sign up for a free account and aggregate results from several computers/connections.
• Speed Wave: This new feature lets you add your test results to the results of many other users, and get a nice composite view.

All in all, you get some nice, new functionality and a snazzier interface to boot. Nice!

Speedtest.net overhauled with new look, new features originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/speedtest-net-overhauled-with-new-look-new-features/

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Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android

Google, in an interesting but not entirely unexpected twist, will not be open-sourcing Android 3.0 Honeycomb for the foreseeable future.

Historically, Android is usually open-sourced via the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) a few days or weeks after the code is finalized. While this departure from the norm won't affect OEMs like HTC and Motorola that have access to internal builds of Android, small-time developers will likely have to wait months before rolling their own distributions.

As to why Google is holding back Honeycomb, its reasons are actually rather rational. Honeycomb, while originally intended to run on all mobile form factors, is only ready for deployment on tablets. "To make our schedule to ship the tablet, we made some design tradeoffs," says Andy Rubin, the head of Google's Android group. "We didn't want to think about what it would take for the same software to run on phones. It would have required a lot of additional resources and extended our schedule beyond what we thought was reasonable. So we took a shortcut."

In other words, Google wants to prevent OEMs and homebrew developers like Cyanogen from rolling their own smartphone versions of Honeycomb -- it doesn't want to see the same bitter-tasting tabletified bastardization that occurred with Android 2.1 and 2.2 last year.

Continue reading Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android

Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/google-holds-back-on-open-sourcing-honeycomb-heralds-shift-android/

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SiLight: Turn On The Flashlight With Siri

We know that Siri, Apple’s very own virtual assistant can help users perform a lot of tasks when she receives simple verbal commands. Though the fruit company has given her an impressive a set of skills, her repertoire keeps improving through the numerous tweaks which we can easily find in the Cydia Store. Not only [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SimonBlog/~3/H4ctojA1qyQ/

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Natale 2010: oltre 10 gadget geek “particolari” da mettere sotto l’albero

A quattro giorni da Natale, nonostante le nostre idee regalo geek, non avete ancora provveduto ad acquistare dei gadget geek da mettere sotto l’albero? Certo che siete proprio incorreggibili! In ogni caso, oggi ci sentiamo buoni (è Natale, no?) e abbiamo deciso di proporvi una nuova serie di idee regalo, diverse da quell’altra volta, caratterizzata [...]

Source: http://www.geekissimo.com/2010/12/21/natale-2010-oltre-10-gadget-geek-particolari-da-mettere-sotto-albero/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=natale-2010-oltre-10-gadget-geek-particolari-da-mettere-sotto-albero

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IE9 and Firefox 4 post top marks in Web browser power use comparison

Over on the Internet Explorer Blog, Microsoft has posted results from an extensive comparison of the top five Web browsers. The goal: to determine whether Internet Explorer 9, Firefox 4, Chrome 10, Safari 5, or Opera 11 is able to squeeze the most life out of your laptop's battery.

A baseline was determined with test systems sitting idle, and then browsers were pointed at about:blank, a news site, the HTML5 Galactic demo, and the IE9 fish tank demo. Perhaps unsurprisingly, IE9 came out on top -- though Firefox 4 was a very close second on nearly every test. As you can see, the other browsers didn't necessarily fare quite as well, with Google Chrome, Safari, and Opera all posting significantly worse scores. In Opera 11's case, a laptop battery would last over one hour more with Internet Explorer 9 installed.

But what we'd really like to know is where did Microsoft find the dilithium crystals required to run a Galactic Total Power Consumption test...

IE9 and Firefox 4 post top marks in Web browser power use comparison originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/30/ie9-and-firefox-4-post-top-marks-in-pc-power-use-comparison/

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Flickr adds to sharing options, now easier to share photos across the Web

It sure is nice to see some new developer action over at Flickr. The relatively slow-moving photo-sharing service has just announced a new sharing update, which consists of several new and easy ways to embed or link to your photos:

• Share from Photo page: There's a new sharing option on each and every photo page. When logged off, the button shows only Facebook and Twitter options. But once you log on, you get Tumblr and Blogger too, and can configure other sharing venues as well.
• Share non-public content on Facebook: This doesn't sound like a great idea, but you now can share private photos on Facebook if you're so inclined (and if you trust your privacy settings).

That's the gist of the update; it makes it easier to show off your pretty pictures in a plethora of places.

Flickr adds to sharing options, now easier to share photos across the Web originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/flickr-adds-to-sharing-options-now-easier-to-share-photos-acros/

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DropSpace adds real Dropbox sync to Android

Dropbox offers a lovely client for Android, but it's lacking true "sync" functionality. You can merely browse your Dropbox, pull files into the device, and manually upload specific files.

DropSpace is a little Android app that makes Dropbox on Android work like Dropbox - that is, you get real folder synchronization in the background.

When you run the app you're prompted for your Dropbox credentials. After logging in to Dropbox, you get to select which device folders you'd like to sync to the cloud. It's a straightforward mapping process: You select a folder on the device, and then specify where in Dropbox it should go.

The interface is rather clunky, at least for now. The biggest annoyance is that you can't edit your "sync list": if you add a folder and then wish to remove it, you must delete the entire list of folders and start over.

In terms of functionality, it works quite well. I tested it with the camera folder, and it was nice to be able to take my photos using the lean default Camera app and have them sync up to the cloud instantly.

DropSpace adds real Dropbox sync to Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/dropspace-adds-real-dropbox-sync-to-android/

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Elephant Quest is an addictive, deep platformer

When someone tells me about a "platformer", my first thought is that it's probably a simple game that mainly revolves around running and jumping around, with a minimal plot. [Play a Zelda game! -Ed]

Elephant Quest is one platformer that managed to prove me completely wrong. Yes, you do run and jump around, and you also shoot at stuff. But the game has much, much more going for it.

Basically, as you run, jump and shoot, you gain experience points and level up. Hitting Space brings you into an interface where you can convert your experience points into Charisma, Intelligence, Agility and Dexterity points. Once you've "specialized" your points, you then get to pick what exact skills you'd like to enhance in each field. For example, you could use your dexterity to enhance your weapons or increase your swiftness.

The game is played in a huge maze; you go through rooms using doors, and there's a large map. As the name implies, there are quests you can take, too. For example, one quest had me searching all over the place for ten balloons.

The bottom line is that this is a surprisingly deep game that just might ensnare you for a good bit longer than you intended to play. Beware!

Elephant Quest is an addictive, deep platformer originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/elephant-quest-is-an-addictive-deep-platformer/

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Amazon Cloud Player review: functional, not mind blowing, and still US-only

It's hard to believe: our world-spanning network, our Internet, which is the cornerstone of free speech and free society -- which, on a good day, is capable of causing populist revolutions -- is still crippled by banal geolocation restrictions. We are, of course, talking about Amazon's two latest offerings, both of which are only available in the United States. Last week it was the excellent Android Appstore for Android, and today it's the Amazon Cloud Player for Web and Android.

Along with Cloud Player, Amazon also launched Cloud Drive, which is basically just like any other cloud storage digital locker. It's not particularly feature rich, and there's no real reason to use it over something like SugarSync or SkyDrive -- it does work outside the US, however.

Its primary purpose, as far as we're concerned, is that it stores your your Cloud Player music in a subdirectory. You get 5GB of Cloud Drive storage for free, and then it's $1 per gigabyte per year if you need more space.

The Amazon Cloud Player itself will not, to put it bluntly, blow your mind. It works, but it's very much an early, and possibly rushed, release. Let's dive in to the Web and Android players for a closer look.

Gallery: Amazon Cloud Player and Cloud Drive: on Web and Android

Continue reading Amazon Cloud Player review: functional, not mind blowing, and still US-only

Amazon Cloud Player review: functional, not mind blowing, and still US-only originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/amazon-cloud-player-hands-on-review-functional-not-mind-blowin/

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Create iPhone-Framed Screenshots On iOS Devices Using Preview Maker

We stumbled upon this new application on Cydia that allows users to create iPhone-framed screenshots directly on the iOS device called “PreviewMaker.” This creative app authored by FreeApple/SubyWrex was designed to showcase great-looking screenshots in high-quality and detailed black and white iPhone frames. Personally, I am amazed and somehow curios as how ModMyi creates these [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SimonBlog/~3/FJ_gdir9JIQ/

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Zipcar Android app expected to arrive soon

When it comes to car-sharing service Zipcar, iPhone users get to have all the fun. But Android users -- who have thus far been relegated to using the mobile website for car reservations -- are about to get in on the app action. Zipcar has confirmed via Twitter that Android users can expect an app, and more details will be released soon.

There's no expected released date for the app, yet. There's also no word on whether the Android version of Zipcar will have the iPhone app's most futuristic feature: unlocking your borrowed car from your phone. Android users will just have to sit tight for the moment and try not to drool on those shared car seats.

Zipcar Android app expected to arrive soon originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/zipcar-android-app/

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New software uses facial recognition to defend against prying eyes

Having the right programs and hardware to keep the information on your display safe from prying eyes is never a bad idea, and new software from Oculis Labs offers a very interesting take on how to do just that. It's called PrivateEye, and it utilizes facial recognition to automatically pixelate the contents of your display when you look away.

If you step away from your system and someone else decides to sit down and poke around, PrivateEye will present a confusing jumble of garbled text. It'll even notify you if someone tries to peek over your shoulder -- and display a picture of your peeping Tom, throw up an alert, or sound an alarm.

Check out the video embed after the break, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Continue reading New software uses facial recognition to defend against prying eyes

New software uses facial recognition to defend against prying eyes originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/new-software-uses-facial-recognition-to-defend-against-prying-ey/

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Apple rumored to be considering investment in Twitter

Apple is rumored to be considering a rather large investment in the popular social network, Twitter. The investment would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and could push Twitter from an $8.5 billion valuation to $10. Evelyn M. Rusli and Nick Bilton, writing for the The New York Times, report:

There is no guarantee that the two companies, which are not in negotiations at the moment, will come to an agreement. But the earlier talks are a sign that they may form a stronger partnership amid intensifying competition from the likes of Google and Facebook.

Never the less, the Times also reports that the Apple relationship is so important to Twitter, they've appointed a vice-president, Kevin Thau, to work with Apple full time. Twitter integration was brought to the iPhone and iPad with iOS 5 and increased with iOS 6, which also added Twitter to Notification, and added Facebook integration into the mix. Just this week Twitter also debuted on the Mac with OS X Mountain Lion update's deeper social media integration.

Given that level of integration, it only makes sense for Apple to explore a stake in Twitter. Apple traditionally doesn't like being dependent on technology it doesn't control. It only makes sense Apple would want influence over Twitter's direction -- especially if any competitor ever looked like they might be making a move towards a similar investment, or a buyout.

Likewise, Apple has proven less than adept at trying to spawn their own social media network, namely Ping and integrated a successful network like Ping could be a better strategy, just as Apple CEO, Tim Cook suggested during Apple's Q2 2012 earning call.

Apple doesn’t have to own a social network, but does Apple need to be social? Yes.

Apple's relationship with Facebook has been up and down over the years, though Facebook integration is coming to both OS X and iOS this fall. Google has been making a huge push into social with Google+, yet they also compete with Apple in smartphone and tablets, namely, Android.

Would a more intertwined Apple and Twitter be a good thing? It probably wouldn't prevent Twitter working with rival platforms any more than Microsoft's investment in Facebook prevents Facebook from working with Apple. With $117 billion in the bank, Apple wouldn't miss a few hundred million for Twitter. Would it make you feel more secure about Twitter features not going anywhere? Or should Apple keep trying to do their own social thing?

What do you guys think of Apple investing in Twitter? Are there certain social media features you'd like built deep into iOS that just aren't there yet?

UPDATE: Apple's talks with Twitter apparently occurred over a year ago, no talks are currently underway. That, according to Shira Ovide and Jessica E. Vascellaro at The Wall Street Journal and their "little birdies".

People close to Twitter have said the San Francisco company is ahead of 2012 revenue projections laid out last year. Twitter has largely ruled out acquisitions as it builds its business for a potential initial public offering in a year or so.

Source: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/d-qaO1F3lJQ/story01.htm

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Color location-based photo sharing app makes a big splash on iPhone and Android

Just when Instagram had reached the peak of trendiness, along comes the next big thing in mobile photo-sharing: Color. Color is an iPhone/Android app that lets you share location-tagged photos. What's new about Color is the way it builds your contacts: it shows you photos from people who are currently within 100 feet of you, whether you know them or not.

If you're around someone all the time, Color will figure out that you know that person, and start showing you more of their photos. Meanwhile, photos from the strangers who move in and out of your life will disappear as quickly as the people themselves. This "elastic" social network is supposed to encourage people to say hi to one another, while keeping the photos relevant by showing your current location.

It's an interesting play with a ton of money behind it -- the color.com domain name alone cost the startup $350,000. It's also got a big name attached: Bill Nguyen, who also founded Lala.com and sold it to Apple. Whether users are comfortable with this new, very public way of sharing photos will determine whether Color's future is bright. If it doesn't work on its own, we're sure the technology would be an attractive buy for a company like Facebook which thrives on creatively pushing the bounds of privacy.

Color location-based photo sharing app makes a big splash on iPhone and Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-location-based-photo-sharing-app-makes-a-big-splash-on-iph/

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