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iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Hey look at this, after just a little more than a week, we’ve another build of the iPhone 3.0 beta. Apple has released iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 (build 7A312g), which is now available for download to iPhone developers. Of course, iPhone SDK 3.0 beta 4 (build 9M2735) is also available. In order to get iPhone 3.0 beta 4 working, you need to be running the newly released iTunes 8.2 Pre-release (b10).
Of interest here is that the SDK is just one build newer than the last one, and the fact that we are getting close to weekly beta releases. This is an obvious sign that Apple is in the finalization stages of the iPhone 3.0 OS, which lines right up with the June release of the platform.
Read More | iPhone Developer Portal
Gallery: iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 now available
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Capsule Rebel iPhone 3G Shell

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Misc. Tech,
Strapya now carries more than just cutesy phone straps. Keep your iPhone 3G protected while showing everyone your phone is cooler looking than theirs with the Capsule Rebel Shell. In your choice of 9 colors, it comes with 2 display protection stickers, micro fiber cloth for cleaning, dock connector protector, universal dock adapter and stand. The Rebel Shell is available for ¥3,480 ($35.33.)
Read More | Strapya World
Gallery: Capsule Rebel iPhone 3G Shell

President Obama’s BlackBerry 8830 seems to be on the way. It is in the final stages of development with the NSA overlooking the encryption software SecureVoice. He will be able to use it around the White House and when he travels. Michelle and VP Biden will also get one. By the way, if you visit the White House, you will have to check your BlackBerry, iPhone, cell phone or other electronic device at the door.
Read More | Washington Times
Gallery: BlackBerry Almost Ready for Obama
BlackBerry Popularity Tops iPhone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

RIM has taken the top spot with its BlackBerry as the most popular smartphone in the first quarter of 2009. Their market share jumped 15%, giving it 50% of the market, while Apple and Palm each lost 10%. A study by NPD claims that aggressive promotions such as the “buy-one-get-one” Curve deal contributed to the popularity. The Storm came in third while the Pearl came in fourth. The G1 took the 5th spot. We expect that this may be a temporary position, as Apple will undoubtedly fight back.
[Editor: Oh, and of course, Apple didn’t do any sort of “buy one, get one” with the iPhone, which is certainly helping pad those BlackBerry numbers.]
Read More | Apple Insider
Gallery: BlackBerry Popularity Tops iPhone

Wanna get a getter look at the newly announced Kindle DX? We just put together a gallery of nine images that show off the device from the front, back, side, and even a couple of angles in between. As cool as it looks, it still costs $489, so, you know, there’s that. Still, if you are cool with that, you can pre-order a Kindle DX now.
Read More | Kindle DX gallery
Gallery: Amazon Kindle DX gallery
Amazon announces Kindle DX: $489, 9.7-inch screen

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Handhelds,
This morning, Amazon announced the Kindle DX, which will now sell alongside the Kindle 2. What’s so DX-y about the new device? Well for starters, the new Kindle DX features a 9.7-inch screen that sports the ability to rotate to landscape display, as well as a built-in PDF reader (the Kindle 2 requires conversion), and much more storage space at 3.3GB. That means that this Kindle can hold a good 3,500 books, compared to the Kindle 2’s 1,500. And truly, everything is bigger with the Kindle DX, including the price. The Kindle DX will launch this summer at $489, a full $130 more than a Kindle 2, which is already a pricey device in its own right, at $359.
If you do live in an area where you can’t get at-home delivery of the New York Times, Boston Globe, or Washington Post, then you can get a Kindle DX at a subsidized price—but only people who meet that rule are eligible. Kind of silly if you ask us. You can pre-order the Kindle DX now.
Read More | Kindle DX page
Gallery: Amazon announces Kindle DX: $489, 9.7-inch screen
Video: iPhone tethering and MMS in action

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Videos, USB,
We all know that two of the new features being introduced in iPhone 3.0 are MMS and Internet tethering. Well, it looks like someone was able to get those hidden features up and running in the latest iPhone 3.0 beta 4 software, as evidenced by the video above. Give it a look to see how Internet tethering with the iPhone will work over Bluetooth, as well as USB, as well as a look at sending and receiving MMS messages. Consider us psyched.
Gallery: Video: iPhone tethering and MMS in action

Pure Digital has finally and officially acknowledged the existence of the Flip UltraHD and UltraSD mini camcorders, and we felt it best to bring you the full rundown. The Flip UltraHD features 8GB of internal storage and records in 720p. Compared to the Flip MinoHD, the Ultra versions feature a 2-inch screen, compared to the Mino’s 1.5-incher. Our favorite feature, though, is that the FLip Ultra series ships with a rechargeable batery pack, which can be removed and replaced with AA batteries if need be. That, we can appreciate. The UltraHD battery will last you a good three hours, while the UltraSD will go for five—of course, with that one, you give up the whole 720p recording thing. Both feature the now common fold-out USB connector that the Flip cameras are known for.
You can grab a Flip UltraHD now for $200, or the UltraSD for $150.
Read More | Flip UltraHD product page
Gallery: Flip UltraHD and UltraSD announced
iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Another two weeks has gone by, which means another build of the iPhone 3.0 beta. Apple has released iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 (build 7A300g), which is now available for download to iPhone developers. Of course, iPhone SDK 3.0 beta 4 (build 9M2734) is also available. As you’ll remember, iPhone 3.0 introduces a bunch of new functionality for consumers, and over 1,000 new API for developers. In order to get iPhone 3.0 beta 4 working, you need to be running the newly released iTunes 8.2 Pre-release.
Some changes in the current build of the iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4:
- Performance updates, less crash prone.
- The setttings area for “Store” now works, allowing you to control your iTunes account
- MMS seems to be working on more carriers out of the box
Let us know if you find anything else.
Read More | iPhone Developer Portal
Gallery: iPhone OS 3.0 beta 4 now available
Duracell My Pocket Chargers

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video, USB,
Get extra energy on the go with Duracell My Pocket Chargers. Use them with your cell phone, BlackBerry, MP3 player or any other device that uses AA batteries. The portable chargers give you 24 hrs. of usage and come in a two pack with 2 Coppertop batteries and connector cable. The PowerSource Mini has a lithium-ion battery that can be charged by AC, car DC, or PC USB port. Each is available for $19.99.
Read More | Duracell