Smartphones

BlackBerry App World 2.0: Everything we know

It's true: BlackBerry App World 2.0 is rapidly on its way. We got the low-down in a special press event late last week about how some of the new services will work and when you can expect to get it. We also got a chance to try out BlackBerry's new app catalog on a Bold 9700. Make sure you check out our image gallery to see screenshots of what's to come.

New features and services

BlackBerry ID BlackBerry ID is an account-based service that can help manage your device content and later help you transfer it to a new phone if you switch devices, much like scooping the flesh of a melon into a new rind. If you delete an app, you'll be able to redownload it at any time, but only for one app at a time.

Having to redownload every app onto a new phone will add unnecessary tedium back into the device-switching process, though RIM's product manager for App World, Alex Kinsella, told CNET he's already asked the developers to fold in "Update All" functionality. Thank goodness. We're not sure whether that will come out with version 2.0 or in a later update.

The previous version, App World 1.0, had some similar features. It could reinstall paid downloads through PayPals' payment service in the My World section, but PayPal owned the download data, not RIM, and it only applied to paid apps, not to free downloads. My World downloads certainly didn't apply to phone data outside of the app catalog the way that BlackBerry ID might.

While RIM didn't pour on the details, we do know that you'll sign up for BlackBerry ID the first time you start up App World 2.0. It will give you the option to associate previous PayPal purchases to the ID. We also know that the ID will be integrated into future BlackBerry services, not just the app store. We're hoping that will include changes to the online catalog along the lines of what Google has planned for pushing downloads from its the Web store to the phone. … Read more

Sprint launches 3G/4G combo USB dongle

Though the benefit of the 4G cellular data connection is clear, it's much faster, mobile users might still want to opt for a 3G service because 4G coverage is still limited.

There's now, however, a solution that takes care of this dilemma: the new Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem.

Sprint and Sierra Wireless announced the device Tuesday, calling it the first on the market to offer the much higher data speeds where 4G coverage is available, and 3G speeds where it is not.

The 3G/4G dongle comes in a rather compact design with 180-degree … Read more

Samsung Captivate comes out of hiding

Less than a week after AT&T Samsung announced the Samsung Captivate, more details about the Android-powered smartphone are leaking out. Engadget today posted a hands-on with an early version of the device that offers a few more details beyond what we know already.

As the first Samsung Galaxy S model to land at a U.S. carrier, the Captivate promises many of the same features found in Sammy's original Galaxy S that we saw three months ago at the CTIA show in Las Vegas. Inside you'll find Android 2.1, Samsung's TouchWiz interface, and its … Read more

Motorola Droid X officially unveiled

NEW YORK--Motorola and Verizon are set to introduce the latest member of the Droid army on Wednesday. The carrier has already let the identity of the phone out of the bag by posting a teaser site for the Droid X, as well as a YouTube video.

From these two things, we know a few details about the device--4.3-inch screen, HDMI output, 720p video capture--but soon we'll get the full rundown. We're at the event now and will be providing updates (we won't be doing a play-by-play live blog) throughout the press conference.

Display As we already … Read more

SlingPlayer Mobile launches on Android phones

SlingPlayer Mobile has hit the Android market.

Sling Media's $29.99 app, released Tuesday, lets Android users with Slingbox devices control their home TVs and DVRs to watch live or recorded content on their smartphones.

Users must have a Slingbox Solo, Pro, or Pro-HD device and can connect through a 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi network.

The new Android version of SlingPlayer Mobile joins the company's other SlingPlayer apps for the iPhone, Palm OS, Symbian, and BlackBerry.

SlingPlayer Mobile offers faster start-up and response times than its other mobile versions, according to Sling Media, and sports a new interface … Read more

Some iPhone 4 preorders coming a day early

Here's a nice surprise for early adopters who managed to successfully place an an iPhone 4 preorder on the first day it was possible to do so: at least some of you may receive your device a day early.

According to an e-mail notification Apple broadcast to preorder customers iPhone 4 delivery "will occur on June 23rd." That's Wednesday--not the originally promised delivery date of Thursday.

Here is Apple's e-mail:

Dear Apple Store Customer,

You recently received a Shipment Notification email from Apple advising you that your iPhone has shipped.

This email is to confirm … Read more

Apple iOS 4 review

Editors' note: Apple made iOS 4 available on Monday, June 21. The download is free for both iPhone and iPod Touch users, but it is incompatible with first-generation models of either device. The iPhone 3G will support most iOS 4 features except multitasking and home screen backgrounds.

Apple kicked off an action-packed week today with the full release of iOS 4, its newest operating system for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Though we've been playing with the developer's version on an iPhone 3GS since April, we wanted to wait for the real deal before offering our official take. And from what we can tell so far, our original positive impressions hold true. That's not say that everything is perfect, but iOS marks a significant and welcome jump in the iPhone's evolution.

In fact, we'll go so far as to say that iOS 4 is just as significant a development as Thursday's release of the iPhone 4. Naturally, new hardware tends to get the biggest spotlight, but iOS 4 brings a handful of crucial features--like multitasking and a unified e-mail in-box--that Apple's products have lacked for far too long (three years too long, to be exact). Indeed, it's always nice when we can check off a box on our "iPhone wish list," particularly when those additions are commonplace on competing smartphones. We also welcome the smaller changes--iOS 4 is set to offer up to 100 new features--even if they're not particularly glamorous. We'll continue to root around for those tiny things in the coming days and will list additional revisions here as we find them.

Multitasking Though you've always been able to multitask with native iPhone features like the music player, the option is now available for third-party apps. Your primary access point is a multitasking menu that's accessible by double tapping the Home button. Once there, you'll see a list of currently running applications along the bottom of the display that you can scroll through using a sideways finger swipe. The pop-up menu shows only four apps at a time, and we're still investigating whether you're limited as to how many apps you can open at once.

Managing the multitasking menu couldn't be easier. To open a running app, scroll though the menu and tap its icon once. When you're ready to end an app, first use a long press on the related icon and then click the tiny delete icon in the top left corner. Switching among apps is a simple process as well: as you move back and forth, you'll return to the exact point you left. … Read more

The 404 606: Where Mondays are the longest days of the year (podcast)

Today is the first day of summer, also known as the Summer Solstice, which also happens to be the longest day of the year, but everyone in the New York podcast studio this morning agrees that it's just way too hot to be outside right now.

If you're suffering, too, we recommend getting out of the sun to check out "Splice," a new sci-fi horror movie featuring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley.

Directed by Vincenzo Natali of "Cube" fame, "Splice" tells the twisted story of two overzealous genetic scientists who set out … Read more

Welcome, iOS 4

Update at 9:10 a.m. PDT: The iOS 4 update is not yet available. We expect it to go live about 10 a.m. PDT.

Update at 10:10 a.m. PDT: The iOS 4 update is now available for download.

As the iPhone 4's Thursday release inches closer, Apple whets our appetite Monday with the release of its latest iPhone and iPod Touch operating system. First announced in April, iOS 4 adds a gallery of features, from the long-awaited and expected to the small and surprising.

For a refresher on the look and feel of iOS 4, … Read more

5 steps for installing iOS 4

Apple's iOS4 is spreading out to iPhone and iPod Touch owners today. Upgrading the firmware on your iPhone or iPod may be old hat for some of you, but if this is your first time around, here's the iOS 4 upgrade process in five easy steps.

The iOS 4 upgrade is free for both iPhone and iPod Touch, but excludes first-gen models.