Mobile Phone News

Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, ATT, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA

Okay, so we fully understand that it would make life a lot easier on AT&T if every smartphone on its network used the same operating system, but we’re not so sure we like the idea of losing the whole “ability to choose.” Speaking at the Symbian Partner contest in San Francisco, AT&T’s Roger Smith (director of next generation services, Dat. product realization at AT&T) reportedly stated that he wanted to “standardize on a single operating system for AT&T-branded smartphones as part of a dramatic consolidation of its mobile platforms over the next few years.” Given the location of the speech, it’s no shock that Symbian was named “a very credible and likely candidate” to be that system, and for those questioning the iPhone, he was quick to point out that said mobile is clearly a third-party device tapping into AT&T’s technologies. Honestly, we’re not sure how to take this seriously — is he really saying he’s willing to alienate RIM and / or Microsoft in order to only sell Symbian-based handsets? Doubtful.

AT&T dreams of single smartphone OS, will probably keep dreaming originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software, Apple

Recently we were sent a PR email about an iPhone app called BdEmailer. No big deal, press releases about new iPhone applications show up in our box in large bundles every day — but this one was different. According to the release, the program is the “the first wide email iPhone app that supports client SMTP.” That means, in essence, that it duplicates an exact function of Apple’s Mail application on the iPhone and touch. That’s kind of a very big deal, because up until this point we’ve been led to believe that this duplication of functionality is one of the company’s red flags when it comes to approval. at this time mind you, we’re not complaining. The idea of having more apps to choose from for Makethings like sending email is a great idea, but Apple… what the hell is continue? You refused MailWrangler and Podcaster for similar reasons, yet BdEmailer passes through your review process, SMTP functionality intact? This means one of two things as far as we can tell — either you’ve relaxed your policies on duplicate functionality, or you’ve gotten incredibly lazy when it comes to approving applications. We’re inclined to believe it’s the latter, as BdEmailer has a fair share of bugs that need working out, but really, people need some clarification in this place on what will and won’t pass — and moving the goalpost all the time isn’t plan to help.

Apple approves third-party email client for the App Store, violates its own policies originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Misc, Apple, OS X

Talk about being on a hot streak. Netflix has been the talk of the town in this place lately, hiring a new guy to concentrate on digital distribution, nixing HD DVD rentals for good and showing up on your iPod touch / iPhone. You heard right — thanks to a new third-party application from i.TV, users can at this time manage their Netflix queue right from their handheld. In the app, users can see detailed content information, ratings, cast credits and recommendations, and you can even sign up for access or link to an existing account. Oh, and did we mention it’s free to download? Because it is.

i.TV app brings Netflix queue management to iPhone / iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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