Smartphones

Beta version of Rhapsody comes to Android

Late last week, Rhapsody finally pushed out a beta of its new app for Android devices. The service was aiming to launch the new feature before the holidays, but finalizing the software for public consumption took a bit longer than expected.

The Android version is noticeably different than the one for the iPhone--for a few reasons. Most notably, due to the parameters of each OS, the Android app will run in the background while you use other functions of your device (the iPhone does not allow such activity at this time). Also, Rhapsody for Android has a noticeably darker look … Read more

Sneak peek at tasty new Zagat for iPhone 3.0

It would be nearly impossible to write about the forthcoming Zagat iPhone app without comparing it with Yelp's newly released update. For starters, Zagat To Go 3.0 for iPhone will have augmented reality when it comes out (we received a sneak peek.) As with Yelp's "Monocle" feature (video), first introduced as an Easter Egg in Yelp 3.0, Zagat To Go's augmented reality search option will layer a business' location over the real-world view that you see through the camera lens of an iPhone 3GS (and 3GS only--this is typical of augmented reality technology.)

And then there's this goody: Zagat To Go lets registered users submit their ratings and quippy remarks about a business directly from the iPhone app--or from their table. While Yelp's iPhone app gives you 140 characters, Twitter-style, to write a quick tip, the app will only let you begin a draft for a rated review to finish up later from a computer. Zagat To Go throws 240 characters your way and lets you submit your witty ratings then and there.

Zagat To Go 3.0 one-ups Yelp one more time by introducing an optional offline mode (you'll get to it in the settings.) You'll need a whole heap of stable Wi-Fi to download the 104MB content. It took us a whopping 25 minutes and 14 seconds over choppy public Wi-Fi after a few self-aborted attempts. Our data connection has been too strong to stress test how well the app handles searches offline, but we'll follow up a little later on when we can get our iPhone to a dark tunnel or cave.… Read more

U.S. Cellular gets in on unlimited fun

In case you haven't heard, it's all about unlimited plans these days as both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have revamped their calling and messaging options. And Tuesday, as if to prove it enjoys a challenge, U.S. Cellular unveiled changes of its own.

Beginning January 19, new and existing U.S. Cellular customers can select an individual unlimited voice calling plan for $69.99 per month. Families also get an option with an unlimited voice plan for $119.99 per month. That option includes up to two lines of service, with additional lines at $49.99 … Read more

South Korea gets first Android phone, the MotoRoi

Editor's note: Motorola has since confirmed worldwide availability of the MotoRoi, but has yet to reveal any dates or countries.

Motorola on Monday announced the MotoRoi, its first Android-based smartphone for the South Korean market. Like the Motorola Milestone (Droid in the U.S.) launched in Europe, this handset has a 3.7-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen that supports multitouch. A big difference is the absence of a physical keypad. It also has an improved camera that shoots 8-megapixel still images as well as 720p-resolution videos--an important feature for Koreans as they are accustomed to highly spec'ed cameras … Read more

Viewing the full iPhone Atlas site on your phone

If you've ever tried visiting iPhone Atlas on your iPhone, you've no doubt noticed that Safari automatically gets redirected to m.iphoneatlas.com, the mobile version of the blog.

That's not a bad thing--the mobile version makes it much easier to browse and view the latest posts. Or it would, if it wasn't broken.

See, when you tap any post title, you land on a page that contains only a summary of that post, not the full article. It's a bug--a pretty major one, obviously--and I apologize for it.

Make no mistake: We're keenly … Read more

iPhone backups--David's iPhone tip of the week

If you've had an iPhone for a long time and you have grown to depend on it then you should know that iPhone backups are important. This week I'll focus on some good tips about the automatic backups created in iTunes each time you sync your iPhone or iPod Touch. All of the tips apply, whether you are using Mac OS X or Windows.

Speed up your backups

If you own an iPhone, you probably enjoy the convenience of using the built-in camera for both still and video photography. I know I do, but my over enthusiastic use … Read more

Apple seeks ban on U.S. Nokia imports

The ongoing patent battle between Apple and Nokia escalated Friday, when Apple moved to block imports of Nokia cell phones to the U.S.

Apple made its request in a complaint filed with the International Trade Commission, an independent federal agency that examines issues including unfair trade practices involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.

In December, Nokia filed its own complaint with the USITC in Washington. In it, the Finnish company alleged that Apple infringes seven Nokia patents "in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers" and sought to ban imports of Apple's iPhone, iPod, and MacBook products.

Responding to Apple's latest move, Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant told Bloomberg that "Nokia will study the complaint when it is received and continue to defend itself vigorously. However this does not alter the fact that Apple has failed to agree to appropriate terms for using Nokia technology and has been seeking a free ride on Nokia's innovation since it shipped the first iPhone in 2007."

Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment on the filing.

Back in October, before the patent debate between the two companies moved to the trade commission, Nokia filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Delaware regarding 10 patents related to wireless handsets, which Nokia says Apple has refused to license. Every iPhone model since the original, introduced in 2007, infringes on those patents, Nokia has charged.

The 10 patents it accuses Apple of violating are related to making phones able to run on GSM, 3G, and Wi-Fi networks. They include patents on wireless data, speech coding, security, and encryption, according to Nokia.

Apple then filed a countersuit accusing Nokia of copying technology inside the iPhone. Apple said Nokia is violating a range of patents, from real-time signal processing methods to list scrolling and document translation, scaling, and rotation on a touch-screen display. … Read more

AT&T rolls out unlimited text, voice, and data plans

AT&T on Friday joined Verizon in revamping its calling plans, announcing a series of new unlimited plans across all devices, especially high-end smartphones.

The new plans include:

Feature Phone customers now have the option of unlimited talk plans for $69.99 a month per person or $119.99 a month for a family plan with two lines included. The unlimited texting plans remain $20 a month for individuals or $30 a month for the Family Talk plan.

Quick Messaging Device customers may now choose unlimited talk for $69.99, and Family Talk customers may choose unlimited talk for $… Read more

What we Craved this week: Nexus One, Netflix to Wii, bear country

This week has been big on Google. The company's Nexus One's pricing has gotten a few tweaks and The Woz declared it his favorite gadget--quite a statement coming from the co-founder of Apple, makers of the iPhone, the Nexus One's direct target.

Speaking of Apple, one of its lawyers accidentally let slip the fact that the infamous Apple tablet might someday exist even though it doesn't really exist. This is due to Gawker's $10,000 bounty on anything confirming that the nonexistent tablet exists. I hope he takes PayPal.

Speaking of people messing things … Read more