black

Underestimating Google can be disastrous

Correction, 1:47 p.m. PDT: This story incorrectly described the Apple iPhone. The iPhone does have GPS capability.

Google's first Android-based phone was announced Tuesday and so far, the response has been mixed.

Some believe it'll be the next big thing in the cell phone business because it adds some basics -- such as a physical keyboard -- that the iPhone is lacking. Others believe the G1 will fall flat on its face because it's not unique and its omissions (Exchange support, for one) will make it lose out in the corporate space. (For a full comparison of the two devices, see "T-Mobile G1 Vs. Apple iPhone 3G.")

I tend to agree on both counts. I think Android could be a major hit in the cell phone space, but the G1 won't be able to stand up to Apple or RIM. It's too underpowered and its obvious omissions tell me T-Mobile and Google rushed it before it was ready.

But Android is an entirely different story. At its core, Android is a platform that has tons of potential. It's not only open (which is probably the best feature), it offers full Google integration, which is a key concept in today's age of Google domination, and its touch-screen capabilities mean Apple isn't the only other major company doing something unique in the market.

But my belief that Android will be a success goes far beyond the product itself. Call me crazy, but I can't think of one reason why anyone would underestimate Google. Countless times, companies have ignored Google and let it slip into a market, only to learn when it's too late that it's the leader.

And while it's easy for Apple and the rest to scoff now, you can bet that that's exactly what Google wants.… Read more

More Verizon BlackBerry Storm details surface

Sheesh. A girl goes on vacation and that's when the cell phone world decides to drop a bomb. Obviously, the big headline Tuesday was the official unveiling of the T-Mobile G1, but turns out there was some non-Google Android related news that might also pique your interest.

Last week, we reported on the rumored touch-screen RIM BlackBerry Storm that's headed to Verizon Wireless, and while details were sparse at the time, it looks like Engadget Mobile got its hands on some internal documents with further details about the smartphone.

First, the BlackBerry Storm will feature a 3.… Read more

Holiday sales: How low will HDTV prices go?

Is it too early to look forward to holiday price drops while you wait to buy a new HDTV? Not if you're in the market for a no-name model, according to DealNews.com. The site predicts that plasma TV prices on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that kicks off the holiday buying spree, will fall to as low as $499 for a 42-inch model and $699 for a 50-incher. Meanwhile a $149 Blu-ray player may be in the offing, again from a no-name brand, along with $10 Blu-ray discs.

The upcoming DTV transition will help contribute to the price drops, according to the article, and as usual, plasma is less-expensive than LCD on an inch-for-inch basis. "LCD prices will remain higher than plasma, but they'll still dip considerably, with generic 42-inch 720p LCD HDTVs going for $599. Additionally, look for name-brand 46-inch or 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTVs to hit $799, and larger 52-inch 1080p HDTVs to drop to $1,199."

First Look video: Google's new BlackBerry app

If you missed last week's news about Google's feature-honing update for its native BlackBerry app, here's your chance to see it in action.

As part of a few well-appointed changes, the new Google Mobile App for BlackBerry does away with its predecessor's penchant for hogging space on the home screen and has rearranged its resources to pack a greater wallop with search. Tune into the video to see what we mean.

Quickoffice updates BlackBerry document editor

Article updated 11/4/08.

There's much to admire in RIM's native software set for BlackBerry phones, but for many, the built-in document viewer isn't one of them. Word documents on most models open in a plain text monotone; serviceable, but without the benefit of formatting or the capability to edit the text.

On Monday, Quickoffice released an updated solution for business users and prosumers angling for a more familiar desktop read and the capability to edit attached documents. In addition to support for the usual Microsoft documents--Word, Excel, PowerPoint--eOffice 4.5 ($29.95 after a … Read more

Verizon Wireless prepping for BlackBerry Storm?

OK, folks. Here is your smartphone rumor for the day: The touch-screen RIM BlackBerry Storm is headed for Verizon Wireless. Several sources have reported on this news after a "talking points" sheet for Verizon employees was leaked, highlighting some of the key features of the smartphone.

According to the document, the BlackBerry Storm is said to have a click touch screen that helps for more precise text entry; dual-mode connectivity (CDMA and quad-band GSM for world roaming); and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The Storm will also support visual voice mail, VZ Navigator, and full HTML Web browsing.

Unfortunately, … Read more

Viigo Beta 3 opens, adds flight, stock, election info

Back in June, Toronto-based Viigo released a private beta of its muscled-up RSS-reader for BlackBerry phones that looked poised to take a bite out of Yahoo Go 3.0. Viigo 3.0 beta took Viigo's core RSS newsreader and made it one meta-channel of many. Alongside a proliferation of customizable news feeds there would be weather, entertainment, sports, finance, travel information, and so on. Yet the design of Viigo 3.0 beta was a mere blueprint, a placeholder of what's to come with very limited working features.

At CTIA Wireless in San Francisco (full CNET coverage) on Friday, … Read more

Even BlackBerrys can be Slackers

In what is perhaps Slacker's first step in offering its music service on third-party devices, the company has partnered with RIM to bring a mobile Slacker application to RIM's line of BlackBerry smartphones. The app, which will be available in October for free, will essentially turn the mobile device into a Slacker Portable Player--it works in largely the same way as the firmware on the player. More details after the jump.

The first step is to log onto the Slacker Personal Radio Web site and create a list of favorite stations from more than 100 professionally programmed … Read more

RIM makes friends with MySpace, TiVo, Microsoft, Slacker

Our hardworking colleagues at CNET have been in the thick of the action at the CTIA wireless show this week and we figure Crave readers will want in on the fun, too.

In case you haven't seen, today Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry, made a whole slew of announcements about bringing popular consumer applications to the device. It already has Facebook for BlackBerry, but now RIM is expanding.

As CNET News reported earlier this week, Microsoft Live Search will be integrated with the BlackBerry Browser.

BlackBerry users will now be able to schedule their TiVo recordings from their phone, … Read more

CNET Live - Episode 71

It's an all-call show as we gave away a free BlackBerry Curve. On eof the perks of watching the live version of the show every Thursday at 4 PM Eastern. However there's still lots of good info for the podcast and on-demand viewers. Here are the notes.

Watch the show on CNET TV.

Things we Crave

Plastic Logic eReader

Stealth helicopter camera

First Look

iPod Touch 2nd Gen.

Free Download of the week

Best of the Web