Selasa, 31 Mei 2011

HTC Mazaa Reviewed Early, Runs Mango Early Too (UPDATE: Now in English!)



The body of the Trophy has really been making the rounds lately at HTC. Today we saw a twin of the Trophy in a 12MP HTC cameraphone, and now Mobile-Review's Eldar Murtazin has gone hands-on with what we believed was the Sprint-friendly Trophy. Yes, the HTC Mazaa has gotten the full star treatment and it definitely brought the goods: Mango!

We're just as lost as you are as to why HTC is using Trophy bodies for all of their phones, and if you're planning on watching the video, the Russian would probably make things even more confusing. But the video does give us an in-depth look at how Mango runs outside of an emulator, so if you're willing to do it go grab a cold one, put the video on mute, and enjoy some Mango on Memorial Day.

Update: We now have the English version of the same hands-on with Mango and the HTC Mazaa. Enjoy! (Original Russian video now under source links)

Via: WMPoweruser
Source: Mobile-Review (Translated), YouTube (Russian Version)

Deal: Get a $25 Amazon Gift Card When You Purchase a Windows Phone


Man is it a good time to pick up a Windows Phone! AmazonWireless just began a pretty sweet promotion on their already cheap Windows Phone selection: if you pick one up from them before June 30th, 2011 you will receive a free Amazon Gift Card worth $25. We shop on Amazon pretty frequently, and $25 is a pretty nice incentive. Plus Amazon has every Windows Phone available for much lower prices, except for the AT&T HTC HD7S. Don't lose hope if you were planning to pick up that behemoth: the terms and conditions of the deal clearly states that all Windows Phones sold by AmazonWireless are eligible. So when the device officially launches June 5th, you should be able to pick it up and snag that $25 gift card as well. Here's the list of phones available along with pricing of each on a new 2-year contract and if you see something you like, hit up the source link.

  • AT&T - HTC Surround - $0.01
  • AT&T - LG Quantum - $0.01
  • AT&T - Samsung Focus - $0.01
  • Sprint - HTC Arrive - $0.01
  • T-Mobile - HTC HD7 - $29.99
  • Verizon - HTC Trophy - $99.99

Via: WPCentral
Source: AmazonWireless

Acer W4 Makes a Cameo at Computex Along with Updated Chassis 1 Specs


Looks like we have our first look at some new Windows Phone Mango hardware set to launch later this year. Surprisingly, Acer is leading the charge and are proudly displaying their W4 handset at the ongoing Computex convention in Taipei, Taiwan. Here are the specs, which based on the presence of the Qualcomm MSM 8255 Snapdragon chip appears to be following the refreshed Chassis 1 specs. Here are the rest of the juicy details:

  • 3.6 inch 480×800 display
  • 5 MP Camera with Auto-Focus.
  • HSPA 850/1900 or 900/2100 /GSM quad band 850/900/ 1800/ 1900 MHz Support.
  • Qualcomm MSM 8255 running at 1GHz
  • WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1
  • DLNA Support
  • Windows Phone Mango
  • 8GB Storage

Not too shabby, but not exactly distinctive either. The 3.6 inch display should be a nice change of pace from all of those jumbo phones, but besides that Acer looks to be playing things safe with this one. Now that we're actually seeing hardware expected to run Mango, it looks like Microsoft's promise to deliver the major update by this Fall could actually come true this time. For more pictures of the dummy unit, visit Zol.com.cn.

Via: WMPoweruser
Source: Tech Sina, Zol.com.cn

Nokia's Outlook for Symbian is Dim, Hopes Still High for Windows Phone in 2011


Nokia sent out a press release earlier this morning about its Q4 forecast and to say the giant is hurting would be an understatement. When the company announced that it was abandoning Symbian, it was widely publicized and especially so across Europe, where Nokia devices powered by the OS are still selling well. Considering that consumers are now aware that Symbian is nothing more than a dead system walking, Nokia has decided to lower its expectations for their devices' and services' performance in Q2 of 2011. Here's a statement from the press release:

"Strategy transitions are difficult. We recognize the need to deliver great mobile products, and therefore we must accelerate the pace of our transition," said Stephen Elop, president and CEO of Nokia. "Our teams are aligned, and we have increased confidence that we will ship our first Nokia product with Windows Phone in the fourth quarter 2011."

Yes it appears that Nokia will most likely launch their first Mango-flavored devices by the end of the year, just as Microsoft said they would. Clearly they are going to need some product--any product--that's new out on the market this year as consumers are rapidly leaving Symbian and snatching up Android handsets and iPhones (most likely). If Nokia does by some miracle manage to release multiple Windows Phones as Jo Harlow said they may, it would only help them.

Source: Nokia

Speculation: Will Microsoft Unveil Xbox Live Multiplayer for Mango at E3?


We're labeling this one as speculation because we have basically no information to back up anything we're about to say, but we thought we'd mention it anyway. This could be an interesting topic and has some possibility of coming true.

WMPoweruser just reported on a teaser announcement of a new Windows Phone game from successful Xbox Live Indie developers Ska Studio to be detailed at E3. For those who don't know, E3 is the Electronic Entertainment Expo and is arguably the biggest video gaming event of the year. Announcements pour in left and right, new blockbuster games are demoed in full, and the Big 3 companies show off their future plans for their systems. Who are those Big 3? Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft.

Let's go to something else for a bit. Yesterday WPCentral reported on a new Mango hands-on video that showed the new Games Hub and included the word 'multiplayer' under the Requests section. The announcement of multiplayer gaming is something we expected at launch for Xbox Live on Windows Phone and details were also disappointingly absent from the Mango preview event last week.

After seeing those two items of news, here's what we're thinking: what if Microsoft is going to announce Xbox Live multiplayer for Windows Phone at E3? It's an interesting thought, right? Think about it logically: Nintendo will be showing off their 3DS and trying to keep momentum up by announcing some new first-party titles like Mario, Zelda, etc. Meanwhile, Sony is set to steal the show with new details about its NGP, a portable gaming beast with a touchscreen, touch-sensitive gesture area on the back, two analog joysticks, and all powered by a quad-core processor. So what will Microsoft do in order to steal some attention away from its competitors' handhelds? Well we think they'll be pushing Windows Phones as their on-the-go Xbox Live solution.

What better way to show the world that they're serious about Xbox Live on Windows Phone than to make some huge announcements at the biggest gaming event of the year? What we don't know is what those announcements could actually be, besides making multiplayer official. Will there be new Kinect features like the tech demo shown at MWC? Could we see a slew of new blockbuster games set for the Mango launch? Will Microsoft announce a new Halo game for Windows Phone? Man, if they did that Windows Phone adoption here in the States would go through the roof!

What do you think of our speculation? Would Microsoft really announce new Xbox Live features for Windows Phone at E3 or do you think they'll save the goods for Mango's launch?

Game Review: Wordament


Have you ever been to one of those massive chess tournaments? We're talking massive--around 200 people or so, divided up into 100 tables and duking each other out. Well take that concept but swap out those 200 people with the entire internet. Then make all of those users play each other in a single massive game at the same time. Now apply that scale to a game like WordSearch. What do you get? A word tournament, or more specifically, Wordament.

Here's how it works: you start up Wordament and the first thing it will ask you to do before playing is to setup a screen name. You register a screen name you like, it's tied to your phone, and you're all set to go. No passwords, no email validations -- setup is probably the easiest part of the game. Then you swipe 'Play' and you're on your way to do that. Each game of Wordament takes place at the exact same time worldwide for every user for a duration of two minutes and then about 40 seconds in between to see high scores and words.

The core gameplay is already quite engaging but adding the internet dynamic to it is what really distinguishes Wordament
So how do you actually play? Well you're given a game square board of sixteen randomized letters, arranged in a 4x4 grid. Each letter on the grid is assigned a point value and you must find words consisting of three letters or more. Then you'll receive points for finding words, and the points will vary depending on the individual point value of each letter used in the word. The objective of the game is to get the most points within the 2-minute limit of each game. We see gaining points from words as two approaches so far: you can either quickly spot all of the simple three or four letter words as you possibly can, or you can take your time and try to find the 'obscure' words that are ultimately worth more points per word. Or you can take the third strategy which is to find as many short words as possible but also be watchful for larger obscure words.


As you can tell, the core gameplay is already quite engaging but adding the internet dynamic to it is what really distinguishes Wordament from other word find games. Just the fact that you know you're playing against around 200 or so players from across the globe is an amazing thought. What's more is that the same exact 4x4 game board is given to each player, yet as you can tell the different words to be found and strategies to be used is so numerous that everyone can find different words from one another from the same exact set of letters. Plus knowing that you're competing on a global leaderboard and the limit of 2 minutes means that everyone is on an equal footing and that you do have a chance for your 15 seconds of fame if you rank high on the list after a good game.

However, sometimes that excellent web aspect of the game can backfire.
However, sometimes that excellent web aspect of the game can backfire. Wordament obviously relies on an internet connection in order to play which can create a few problems on smartphones. While the developers have certainly optimized the game's performance over a 3G connection, we still find that our experience can vary sporadically depending on our location. Usually the experience deteriorates when we have one bar of cellular data, but there have been occasions where we've had a full five bars of 3G and yet the game performed oddly slow and load times increased significantly. However you could easily blame that on your carriers' poor 3G service in any area. The real problem we ran into was when we had a weak Wi-Fi signal; the game became nearly unplayable with touches not being registered, words taking several seconds to confirm points as our time limit depreciated without stopping, and results and leaderboards sometimes completely failing to load. Clearly the developers haven't optimized the game to respond to weaker wireless internet connections in the same way they have for cell data. Wordament is seemingly well optimized for 3G, but the poor performance on weak Wi-Fi signals is somewhat inexcusable, especially when an internet connection is required in order to play.


Overall we found Wordament to be an extremely addicting and rewarding experience. The two minute length of each game is the perfect amount to hook you in for the dreaded 'just one more game', and the competitive nature of a worldwide tournament with rankings really adds to that. Plus the game is fast and really responsive, two things required if you want to get multiplayer right gaming on such a large scale. However the spotty optimization for weak Wi-Fi signals is the one truly negative issue working against the game's success. Besides that, though, Wordament is a truly unique experience, one that is extremely addictive and even more rewarding. For that, we couldn't recommend it enough.


    Wordament
You vs. the Internet
FREE
Version 1.3
Click on the tile to get the game!

Hunt for New Vocabulary in 'Word Search'

 

Ever since teachers slapped them on our desk in order to fill up about half an hour of teaching time, we've been in love with word searches. Whether it was Halloween, Thanksgiving or the first day of Spring, word searches were always something we prided ourselves on. Knowing that, you can imagine just how excited we were when we spotted the self-explanatory Word Search in the Marketplace. Here's the description:

Do you enjoy word search puzzles? Then this is the application for you! With dozens of categories and multiple difficulties, you will never run out of games to play.

Features:
- 100% FREE!
- Over 90 different categories
- Engaging word search puzzles
- Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty modes
- Excellent graphics
- Fast loading with Auto-Save feature
- Game statistics and a global high score system
- Many bonuses to collect, including secret words on Hard mode
- Sound effects

We've been playing the game for quite a while and we've really enjoyed it. What's even better is that you can keep things fresh by choosing different categories of searches and by choosing different difficulty levels. In use, the game is fast enough to warrant those leaderboards and very responsive to the touch. So if you want to feel like you're a kindergartener again, we suggest you check out the free Word Search in the Marketplace by click on the tile below.

    Word Search
Jake Poznanski
FREE
Version 1.3

Senin, 30 Mei 2011

12MP HTC Windows Phone Spotted Running Mango, Bresson Faces Identity Crisis


Earlier this morning, Slashgear received photos of a new HTC Windows Phone that appears to be rocking a 12MP camera sensor. The shots don't show much of the device except for the front (looks like a duplicate to the Trophy from where we're sitting), but the area to pay real attention to is the camera interface which is including several more settings for the hardcore photographers in the crowd. The simple fact that you can take RAW photos is incredible and such a feature isn't even found among the highest-end Android devices. Another thing we noticed was the new 'Save Settings' option which is good to see, but if you read our hands-on with the Mango emulator you know that Mango may already save those settings by default. And yes, this phone is definitely running Mango because as you can see in the bottom left corner there is a new arrow button to jump to previously taken photos and is also present in the emulator.


There is a little confusion around this sighting as well. If you recall, the HTC Bresson looks to be the reigning king of photography among HTC's lineup and yet here we are with an HTC device sporting a lower (but still high) resolution. Some speculation suggests HTC may have swapped out the higher-res sensor for the 12MP one, or that this is an entirely new device.

Our theory? This actually is the Bresson. In case you didn't know, you can set your phone to take photos at different resolutions. For example, the Samsung Focus by default takes 5MP photos, but it can also take 3MP, 2MP, and even VGA resolution shots as well.  In our opinion, these photos are of the Bresson and they are showing a reduced resolution option of 12MP instead of the max 16MP.

What do you think? Is this a 12MP or 16MP HTC superphone? And do you even care?

Source: Slashgear

Minggu, 29 Mei 2011

Verizon Delivers Gingerbread to DROID X Test Users

Mobile phone maker Motorola Mobility and wireless carrier Verizon have already started to deliver the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system update to Motorola DROID X devices on the operator's airwaves.

The first batch of updates arrived on test units last night, and should be released on more handsets in the near future, provided that things move according to plan.

Yesterday, users who volunteered to get the update before anyone else received an email informing them on the availability of these first bits.


Reportedly, the email included the following info:

- The update will be pushed late tonight. If you go to bed, it should be waiting for you in the morning. West Coast members and night owls may be up to see it.

- It’s a good idea to keep your phone charged if possible and plugged in overnight. You don’t have to keep it on, but you can.

- If you are rooted, you must flash back to the standard Droid X software to receive the update. (Even then we can’t guarantee the update will work.)


There would be a wide range of enhancements delivered to Motorola DROID X owners through this update, including those coming straight from Google via the Gingerbread OS, as well as a series of improvements and fixes from Motorola and Verizon.

Released as software version 4.5.596.MB810.Verizon.en.US, the update would bring enhancements like a download manager, better word selection and copy/paste features, new UI and color scheme, updates in the calendar and email apps, and more.

Verizon and Motorola already published the release notes for the new update for DROID X, as we reported only a few days ago.

As stated above, provided that the initial delivery of this software update is successful, Motorola and Verizon will continue its deployment to more owners of the device, starting with the next week, so keep an eye on this space to learn more on how things evolve.

New White BlackBerry Curve 3G in the UK

Canadian mobile phone maker Research in Motion is getting ready for the release of a new version of its BlackBerry Curve 3G (9300) smartphone on the market in the UK, one that would be dressed up all in white.

The new version of the device would arrive on shelves with the same features and capabilities as the other models included, and should be available in the country exclusively via Phones 4u.


For those out of the loop, we should note that RIM already released not only a black flavor of the mobile phone, but also a smoky violet version, as well as a pink model.

However, feeling that these colors might not be enough to satisfy users' appetite for differentiation, the handset vendor decided to bring the white flavor of its BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone on the market in the UK as well.

The white variant of this device would be available for acquisition for free on monthly plans that start at £16.50 per month, at more than one carrier. Those who would like to purchase it on a PAYG basis would have to pay £149.95 for it.

The device would also be bundled with a BlackBerry PlayBook, the 7-inch tablet PC from the handset vendor (£99 with a £37 per month deal). Learn more on the available offerings here.

As a recent article on Pocket-lint notes, while pre-order availability is in place now, the device would hit shelves only on June 16th.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone comes to the market with a 320 x 240 display on board, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a 2MP camera on the back.

The handset also sports 3G capabilities, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, built-in GPS receiver for location-based services, and more.

It comes with multimedia capabilities too, including MP3 / eAAC+ / WAV music player and MP4 / H.263 / H.264 player, as well as with support for email, Internet browsing, messaging, and other features more. The handset is powered by BlackBerry OS 5.0.

iPhone 5 Announcement at WWDC 2011 Almost Confirmed

Apple has provided yet another piece of evidence that an iPhone announcement will take place at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference hosted June 6-9 at Moscone West, San Francisco, California.

A tweet sent out by an Australian technology journalist indicates the man has been called upon to attend WWDC 2011, following several other reports from British journalists who were also told they were expected at the conference.

Before pulling his tweet (for one reason or another), the editor’s Twitter status said: "I think something big will be announced on June 6th in San Fran by #Apple. I have just been invited to attend the event."

Based on the number of reports saying Apple is flying in reporters from all over the world, the obvious assumption is that Cupertino will announce something big, and most bets are on the next-generation iPhone hardware.

In announcing the WWDC 2011 schedule, Apple said the show would focus on the future of Mac OS and iOS.

In addition to a potential iPhone 5 / iPhone 4S announcement, Apple is widely believed to plan the introduction of iOS 5, the next major iteration of the iPhone and iPad software.

The new iOS is said to be chock full of new features that leverage the cloud, in what would be Apple’s third step in offering everyone a ‘locker’ for their digital life, following the introduction of .Mac (dot Mac) and its transition to MobileMe.

Most pundits agree MobileMe will play a major role in Apple’s iOS 5, with new search, mapping and voice services, as well as many others.

As far as hardware is concerned, at the very least analysts say Apple will introduce an incremental iPhone 4S with a relocated LED flash and enhanced camera sensor.

The screen will only increase in size if Apple is poised to make the iPhone 5 announcement, We believes. You can throw this one in with the curved glass rumors too.

In Wake of Mac Defender Frenzy, Intego Slashes VirusBarrier X6 Price

With the recent discovery of a Trojan targeting Mac OS X, security firm Intego based in Austin, Texas is the first to capitalize on this ordeal by offering a discount on its VirusBarrier X6 Mac antivirus program.

The Mac user base has been targeted lately by a piece of malware that portrays itself as a legitimate antivirus program, whereas it actually tricks users into handing over their credit card information.

The malware is distributed via a method called SEO (search engine optimization) poisoning, and the resulted application is either called Mac Defender, or Mac Guar and may come in different versions but its ultimate purpose is the same.

Intego has been the first to report on the existence of this piece of malware, by providing comprehensive security advisories that document its particularities, how to avoid it and / or how to remove it from an infected system.

Apple itself has issued a note on its Support site outlining the standard procedure from ridding an infected computer of Mac Defender and its variants, and has promised to issue a free software update to address the matter.

“With the many recent fake antiviruses targeting Mac users, Intego has decided to offer a special discount on VirusBarrier X6, the company's anti-malware and network protection program, so you can boost your Mac's protection on this Memorial Day weekend,” Intego tells Softpedia.

The security software vendor says only VirusBarrier X6 provides comprehensive protection from malware and network threats on the Mac.

Whether or not that’s the case, VirusBarrier X6 is indeed known to be the only antivirus Mac app that includes full anti-malware protection together with firewall, network protection, anti-phishing, and anti-spyware features.

To benefit from the discount, users must go to Intego's Buy Now page, choose a copy of VirusBarrier X6, and click on Continue Order.

On the next page, users must enter the following coupon code: FAKEAV-20. The offer is valid through Tuesday, May 31, 2011, Intego said.

New Nokia Concept Device Sports Futuristic 3D UI Elements

3D-capable smartphones are new to the market, but they are already there, and more and more mobile phone makers are expected to bring to shelves their own capable of delivering 3D content, with Nokia being one of them.

The company hasn't yet confirmed any plans on this direction, but that doesn't meant that it might not be considering it, since others already did, nor does it imply that enthusiast are not allowed to dream of it.


Tommy Incrosnatu, a designer who already brought to the light an appealing Nokia concept device, has a new phone available for your viewing pleasure, with 3D looks and all.

The same as with the previously spotted creation, the new device comes with beauty elements of Finnish nature, as well as with a certain simplicity that it meant to make it increasingly appealing.

Of course, today's mobile phones do come with appealing looks, but there is always room for more, and the new concept device, which can be admired in the photos attached to this article, courtesy of sciant.net (via Concept Phones), can easily prove so.

The concept's designer explains on his website that the main idea behind this project was to combine simplicity with 3D elements, and bring photography into the mix:

I teamed up with 3D artists Oula and Miika to create something amazing. I've had this idea for years to create a concept phone and give it my take on a modern smartphone user interface.

I wanted to use desirable and simplified graphics, spiced up with photography. I also added some concept level ideas to the core applications, pushing for a well thought out GUI and some playful tricks.

The goal was to have fun and prove something to ourselves, but maybe we've ended up being too ambitious, doing things like 3D racing game graphics.

The final presentation style aims for the beauty of Finnish nature and the end format will be 60 second full-on TV-advert.


In the end, the phone evolved into what can be seen below. Provided that Nokia or another handset vendor would consider bringing to shelves such a phone, users would certainly appreciate it a lot.

Windows Phone Mango Comes With More Features for Users

More Windows Phone Mango Features: SmartDJ, Facebook Chat, Group Messaging
From Group  Messaging, Facebook Chat until SmartDJ.. A great features for users.
The next flavor of Windows Phone, which should arrive into the wild under the name of Mango, might include even more goodies than previously reported. 
 
Microsoft has just announced that Mango would come with a series of enhancements aimed specifically at business customers, and some more of them were unveiled in a more or less official manner, through the latest Windows Phone Developer Podcast.



We already had the chance to have a look at some of the features that Microsoft would plan on packing inside Mango, but it seems that others would also be there, unconfirmed until now, such as Facebook Chat, or Group Messaging.

Windows Phone Mango should bring Windows Live Messenger integration in the Messaging Hub, and Facebook chat would also be featured there, it seems.

Moreover, users would be able to create groups of contacts to send texts or emails to, courtesy of Group Messaging enhancements that the next Windows Phone iteration would sport.

But this is not all, not by far. As soon as Mango arrives, users would be able to see the Now Playing item on the lockscreen, in addition to enjoying a revamped Games/Xbox Hub, a recent article on WMPoweruser notes.

Zune enthusiasts would have one more reason to rejoice, as the platform upgrade would also bring SmartDJ support into the mix. This would enable Windows Phone users benefit from a great music discovery tool.

One other interesting feature that the latest Windows Phone Developer Podcast hints at would be the ability to turn off the Camera Shutter sound, something that other OSes won't offer.

Along with all these, there should be a series of enhancements brought to Bing in Windows Phone, such as Bing Audio, Bing Vision, or turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance, as well as Office365 integration built into SkyDrive, and SharePoint.

There are also the aforementioned business features that Microsoft detailed only recently, as well as the new APIs that developers would have access to as soon as the new OS flavor and the tools to accompanied it are made available.

Nokia N8-01 Concept Phone Features Review

Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is gearing up for the release of a new series of devices, powered by Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system, but still has a few appealing Symbian-powered handsets in store for its users. 
 
Whether they would manage to impress or not, it remains to be seen, but, until then, we can always dream that they would bring forth features unseen before.

Nokia N8-01, a concept device that might very well become the successor of the already popular Nokia N8-00 smartphone that landed on shelves last year, has just made an appearance on the Internet, leaving us wanting more.

Based on the next flavor of Symbian, called PR3.0 / Belle, the Nokia N8-01 would offer all of the high-end feature that some of the latest devices launched on shelves today would, with a little extra to make the phone more appealing.

The handset would sport a 4-inch CBD Super AMOLED touchscreen display with Dragontrail Glass and support for 16M Colours, while boasting a qHD resolution (540 x 960 pixels).

Beneath it, the Nokia N8-01 would sport a 1.2 Ghz Dual Core Processor with Broadcom BCM2763 GPU, complemented by 1GB of RAM.

1GB ROM would also be included with this device, as well as 32GB of internal memory, and a microSD memory card slot with support for up to 32GB of additional storage space.

Moreover, it would include a 16-megapixel photo snapper on the back, with auto-focus and Carl Zeiss Optics with True Zoom Technology, as well as Xenon Flash and 1080p HD video recording and playback capabilities.

The specifications list of this concept device would continue with HDMI port, Dolby Digital Plus and technology, and USB On The Go.

As stated above, the mobile phone should run under the Symbian operating system, with the Qt UI on top, and would also offer support for the Qt 5 Platform.

A quick glance at the the specs the Nokia N8-01 concept phone sports would easily show you that this is a mobile phone that could easily turn reality.

The handset
's designer, BlackIdea (via My Nokia Blog), built it with specs in line with what can be found in some of the latest Android-based devices, except maybe for the higher-quality photo snapper on the back.

Hopefully, Nokia would indeed bring to the market such great devices, either powered by Symbian or by Microsoft's Windows Phone, and would once again claim the crown on the smartphone market.

Download Nimbuzz 1.3.6 for Blackberry

A brand new flavor of Nimbuzz for Blackberry is now available for download for all owners of a smartphone from Research In Motion that like using the application to stay connected with friends and family while on the go.

The development team behind the mobile application has just announced the availability of the new release, and also unveiled the new features that were packed with it.

Among those that would certainly make BlackBerry users rejoice, we can count free avatars, along with improved Facebook connectivity.

The release notes for the new Nimbuzz 1.3.6 for Blackberry shows the following:

- A fix for the Facebook connectivity issue
- Free avatars – choose new and exciting avatars for your profile picture from N-World
- Free bots – check out how your day will be with the new Astrology bot from N-World
- Improved reconnection process – so you can spend more time online


With the release of this new version of the mobile application, BlackBerry users gained access to N-World, the place where they can find free avatars to use with the software.

“In this new version you have access to N-World, a place where you can find free avatars and free bots,” the Nimbuzz development team notes in a recent post on their blog.

“To access N-World on you device, you need to press the BlackBerry key-> scroll down -> click on N-World -> choose a new avatar or add a new bot to your contact list.”

At the same time, they mention that the new application flavor comes with a series bug fixes that were possible courtesy of the great feedback they received from all users of the application.

Courtesy of these enhancements, the experience users would receive from the application should be greatly improved.

The new Nimbuzz 1.3.6 for Blackberry is currently available for download via the Nimbuzz website, but should hit the Blackberry World as well, during the next week.
 
Download Nimbuzz 1.3.6 for Blackberry

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Missing iSync Application

When Mac OS X 10.7 Lion debuts this summer, it will be missing a few in-house developed applications, like Front Row, and according to more recent digging through the software’s code, iSync.

Privileged Lion testers are signaling that a fresh installation of OS X Lion comes without iSync, the utility that lets you synchronize the information on your computer with your bluetooth-capable devices.

If you upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion, you’ll be getting to keep the tool, plus Front Row, Rosetta, and Java runtime. If you install Lion from scratch, they’ll be gone forever, but you could theoretically obtain them from a Snow Leopard machine and install them manually.

But why is this important, you ask. After all, anyone was hardly using iSync.

I for one have never completed a single transfer between my iPhone and Mac using it. It’s simply not very reliable. So maybe that’s the reason Apple dropped it, right?

Well, it’s likely that’s no the case at all. Apple could have easily rewritten its code to make it a reliable piece of utility software, but instead decided to scrub it altogether in Lion.

It may well have to do with the company’s plans to introduce a revamped MobileMe this year.

MobileMe currently offers storage and synchronization services, and while everything is done in the cloud right now, who’s to say Apple won’t offer these capabilities locally too?

Or perhaps the next version of MobileMe - or iCloud as some believe it will be called - will come with its own specialized sync utility. A fairly possible scenario if you ask us.

It is becoming clear that Apple is doing away with software that customers aren’t using all that much.

We’d say Front Row still deserved to be a part of Lion, but who are we to tell Apple how to run the show?

Plus, whoever wants to use Front Row can fork out $99 for a brand new Apple TV. (wink)


Update:
Apple iSync will sync your Address Book/iCal between Macs and digital devices

Download Mozilla Firefox 6 Aurora for Mac OS X

 Download Mozilla Firefox 6 Aurora for Mac OS X
Firefox 6 (Alpha) has been released through the Aurora channel for Mac OS X packing a ton of new features, including an all-new add-ons manager, new options for Panorama, advanced HTML5 support, a handful of new developer tools, and a Permission Manager window that gives users the ability to set different options for web sites.

Mozilla announced the release on its official blog saying, “We’re happy to announce the next version of Firefox Aurora is ready for download and testing.” Mac users can download the new version immediately from link below.

The software vendor emphasizes the features that give users and Web developers more control over their browsing and development environments, as well as those that improve the browser’s overall performance.

One of these key additions is the experimental Data Management Window that “provides control over the the access that specific websites have to your browsing data, including cookies, passwords and location information.”

Users can start testing this feature by typing “about:permissions” in the URL bar, Mozilla says.

A new add-ons Manager that features a Plugin Check is present in Firefox 6 with the ability to quickly verify the compatibility of installed plugins directly from the Add-Ons Manager.

To improve browser startup time and overall experience, Panorama Groups on Demand are now included. Targeting “power” users, these allow the loading of saved tab groups only when using Panorama.

Tools like Scratchpad, Web Console, Web Developer Menu, and others, cater to developers looking to quickly build and test JavaScript snippets in the browser, move the console to other parts of the window or break out into a separate window, gain access to developer tools from the Firefox Aurora Menu Button, and more.

Undoubtedly appeasing programmers that use Mac OS X to do their coding, Mozilla also confirms that additional support for HTML5, DOM level 3, server-sent events, networking technologies and other tools have made their way into Firefox 6 Aurora.

Tasked with making it easier for developers build advanced Web apps, all these are documented at Firefox for Developers in the Mozilla Developer Center.

All versions of Mozilla Firefox for Mac, including Firefox 5 Beta, and 4.0.1 Stable can be obtained via the link below.

Download Mozilla Firefox for Mac OS X (Free)

Windows 8 ServiceOS vs. Chrome OS

 Windows 8 ServiceOS vs. Chrome OS
Has Microsoft already been at work on a Chrome OS rival platform, even before Google released its browser-based operating system?
The Mountain View-based search giant recently announced that Chrome OS will start being available to customers on the first Chromebooks as soon as next month, in June 2011.

What users get with Chrome OS is just a browser, but in a sense also an OS, minus all the actual functionality of an operating system, save for allowing users to connect to the Internet.

With Windows 8, Microsoft is also reported to explore a more intimate connection between its Cloud and the desktop platforms. Windows vNext will allow customers to use email addresses for user accounts, as well as enjoy roaming settings, applications and personalization options through connected accounts.

But at the same time, the Redmond company’s researchers have been exploring a browser operating system themselves, dubbed ServiceOS, which is the evolution of Microsoft Research projects such as Gazelle and MashupOS.

Some Microsoft Research resources are available to those that want some insight into the project, via the Resource Management for Web Applications in ServiceOS page.

But the real goodies, as far as I’m concerned, were unearthed earlier this year and shared initially by Mary Jo Foley.

I didn’t think much of them then, but now that Google is on the verge of releasing Chrome OS, the information provided for a TechFest2011 showcase makes it sound like the software giant already has a valid response to the Mountain View company’s platform.

Here is the full abstract:

“We design ServiceOS as a client platform that purposely supports the SaaS paradigm where the master copy of a user's applications resides in the cloud and cached on her end devices.

In ServiceOS, we embrace the web model, its software distribution model and the protection policy (the Same Origin Policy), for all applications including traditional applications. At the same time, ServiceOS empowers applications (including web applications) with richest possible functionalities without losing security by providing cross-principal protection, sharing, communications, and resource access and scheduling that are appropriate for the SaaS setting.

The ServiceOS project aims to address many challenges faced by our Windows Phone platform, post Windows 8 platform, the browser platform, and Office platform.

In this demo suite, we will demo:

1. A MinWin-based ServiceOS prototype that refactors Trident to have a multi-principal OS-based design for the browser platform.

2. ServiceOS exposes a new sharing abstraction called User Data Channel to enable the user to share her own data across application and protection boundaries.

3. How traditional application like Word can run on ServiceOS and able to embed rich web content such as a Youtube video without sacrificing security.

4. How applications can access privacy-sensitive devices and data and how we prevent unwanted access.”

So, a post-Windows 8 operating system that would stretch across a variety of form factors, including smartphones, take Windows itself to the next level, ensure the migration into the Cloud for users, and still enable the evolution of Office.

Make no mistake about it. ServiceOS is nothing more than the reinvented core of Internet Explorer, the Trident rendering engine, designed to allow Cloud applications and services to use hardware resources not like a browser but like an OS, all because it also based on MinWin, the core of Windows 7 and Windows 8, presumably.

ServiceOS would not only run traditional programs such as Office Word, but at the same time enable users to live in the Cloud, as Chrome OS does today.

Alas, Chrome OS is almost here, while ServiceOS remains a Microsoft Research project, which, as all prototypes go, could be shelved, integrated into other projects, and never become an actual product.

Download Free Windows 7 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never Theme

 Dou You want to Download Free Windows 7 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never Theme?
It's a greats info for  Justin Bieber Fans..

What do Justin Bieber and Windows 7 have in common? While the answer might appear to be “nothing at all,” fact is that the Canadian singer and Microsoft’s operating system do share some content.
Users visiting the Redmond company’s Windows Personalization Gallery, set up for customers running Windows 7 will be able to find a brand new theme that has just been added.



The Justin Bieber: Never Say Never theme pack is now available for download from the Personalization Gallery, free of charge as it’s the case for all the content offered by the software giant, including the additional themes.

Of course, fans of the performer will notice immediately that the theme offered by Microsoft is not focused on Bieber necessarily, but on his movie, “Never Say Never.”

“Follow Justin Bieber on his inspirational journey from street performer in the small town of Stratford, Ontario, to Internet phenomenon and global superstar with images from his 3-D concert film in this free Windows 7 theme,” reads the official description of the theme pack.

“Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” sport a score of just 1.3 on IMDB, so I wouldn’t recommended it to anyone. One of my friends actually watched it recently, and although I cannot get a straight answer from him about the experience, I did get the feeling that he’s not a fan.

Still, I don’t doubt it for a minute that there are plenty bielebers (I think they’re called) out there that would die at the chance to have Bieber on their Windows 7 desktop through an official theme from Microsoft.

There are a total of four
Justin Bieber wallpapers included in the theme, which I included below to offer a preview of what users get after installing the theme. Unfortunately, even though the movie is 3D, the wallpapers are as 2D as they get.

The Windows 7 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never theme is available for download here.

Jailbreak-Proof iOS 5 Deliver Revamped Notifications, Widgets

 Jailbreak-Proof iOS 5 Deliver Revamped Notifications, Widgets
Apple is reportedly gearing up to announce a jailbreak-proof iOS 5 that packs enhanced notifications, a cool widget system, Expose-style multitasking, new mapping and voice services, and a mechanism that updates the software over the air.

Reports indicate there’s a high degree of probability that Apple will use WWDC 2011 to introduce by far the biggest revamp of iOS to date.


All iOS 5 rumors are now being crammed into one likely scenario that Apple will beef up its mobile OS with everything it needs to make people lose interest in jailbreaking, whilst developing a new iPhone that’s also said to be a tough nut to hack.

One of the major enhancements is said to be a revamped iOS notification and all new widget system. Many have created concepts to try and guess what these may look like, and we’re holding our breath to see what Apple has come up with.

Rumors of Expose-style iOS multitasking may also materialize, and Nuance technology will be fully baked into iOS 5, according to sources talking to Techcrunch.

Others are telling 9to5Google that iOS 5 will not bring an Apple-developed maps service, but the Mac maker is working hard to improve the existing iOS Maps application with assets from the acquisition of Placebase and Poly9.

iOS 5 will be updatable over the air, reports also indicate. Currently, iOS users can only update their firmware by tethering their device to a computer running iTunes.

Finally, Apple is reportedly poised to introduce new iPhone hardware that is harder to jailbreak.

Indeed, if the iPad 2 is any indication, iPhone 5 will boast similar hardware that will be just as hard to hack.

Readers should keep in mind that this report is but a mere rumor roundup, nothing more, nothing less. However, if any of these features are to be confirmed, it’s high time that Apple does so, if it wants to keep competition playing catch with the iPhone.

Sabtu, 28 Mei 2011

Slice Through Targets in 'Shuriken Ninja'


There's an odd but universal love of ninjas, especially when it comes to gaming. Hell, we've already talked about the excellent Ninjaboy from 2 Ton Studios. But while that game was all about platforming and strategy, Shuriken Ninja by Clockwork Computing is all about the arcade fun of mastering the ninja's most famous weapon. Here's the description:

Master the art of Ninja stars and break all the targets!
• >100,000 Downloads
• Addicting!

The ninja stars are physics based and will ricochet or stick to different surfaces. Get the right angle to break the targets.

What's changed in the versions?
V1.5
-Level 2 bug should be fixed!
- Loading bug fix
- Resume bug fix
-Error tracking removed
(More content next update, we promise! (Built in level creator sound good? It's on the way!))

We've been playing the game for a few days now and we have to say we really enjoy it. It's not quite as deep or rewarding as Ninjaboy is, but for being a fun pick-up-and-play arcade game it hits the right spot. Shuriken Ninja is free so go see it in the Marketplace by clicking on the tile below.

     Shuriken Ninja
Clockwork Computing
FREE
Version 1.5

Marketplace Sprints to 20,000 Apps


It's only fitting that within the same week we got our first real in-depth glimpse at the next step for Windows Phone that the Marketplace reaches a truly astonishing new milestone. Get ready for it people, because the Windows Phone Marketplace now offers--wait for it--20,000 apps worldwide!

Windows Phone 7 launched in the middle of November and so in about a little over 7 (!) months it has reached this tremendous milestone. Windows Phone is only 1,000 apps from becoming the legal drinking age! Well we think we know who to thank for Windows Phone's rousing success: developers, developers, developers!

Source: WP7Applist

Samsung Galaxy S II Tops Apple's iPhone 4 in the UK

Samsung Galaxy S II, the latest flagship smartphone from the South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung, is rated as the top mobile phone on the UK market, with Apple's iPhone placed only on the second position.

The UK is the second market in the world where Samsung's Galaxy S devices outsold the iPhone 4, which proves that the the new model has great chances to become the leading phone in more areas around the world as well.

The new data regarding the top ranked handsets on the UK market comes from uSwitch Mobile, which monitors the popularity and sales of these devices. The statistics are also based on Omio's network of mobile comparison sites.

Samsung's flagship device managed to make a great impression on the South Korean market as well, where it enjoyed great pre-order demand, as well as impressive first three days sales.

Last month, Apple's iPhone 4 held the crown on the smartphone segment in the UK, but it seems that Galaxy S II won't leave it have the first position on the market again.

Based on Google's Android operating system, the Samsung Galaxy S II comes with a large 4.3-inch touchscreen display, complemented by a powerful dual-core 1.2GHz application processor.

At the same time, the new device includes 1GB of RAM, along with 16GB of internal memory, and a microSD memory card slot for adding more storage space into the mix. 


All these make it more appealing that Apple's device, which is powered by a single-core CPU and sports only internal memory. However, other features also make the Galaxy S a better option for users than than the iconic device from Apple would do.

For example, we should note that the Galaxy S II sports an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, and that it also comes with support for 1080p HD video recording, HSPA+ capabilities, and WiFi Hotspot features.

You can learn more on the performance of these two devices on the UK market, as well as on that of other handsets there through uSwitch Mobile.

How to install wi-fi driver on Ubuntu 11.04

 Do you want to install wi-fi driver on Ubuntu 11.04? Read&apply this tutorial. You will enjoy your wifi after finish install wi-fi driver on your Ubuntu 11.04
 Ubuntu 11.04 is out for the installation.It is using the Unity as default Desktop environment.Unity has lots of good features like launcher(a dock type shortcut available in the left of the window).After installation you need to install wireless driver in your system to use your wi-fi.Previously we use to connect with wire for internet use.But when wireless connection you can use your internet anywhere and no barrier of wire.So i am going to tell you how to install wi-fi driver in Ubuntu 11.04, so that you can use your internet easily.

How to install wireless driver in Ubuntu 11.04

# Open the Additional Driver by going to Ubuntu logo and search for Additional Driver.Now select the “Broadcom B43 wireless Driver” and click on activate.
Give the password to start the installation and wait for completion of the process.
Now enjoy using your wifi. Let's go to your new world..

Jumat, 27 Mei 2011

Verizon LG Revolution Review - Features and Specifications

 LG Revolution is an all-touchscreen Android smartphone made for Verizon's LTE network. In addition, it also features a 4.3-inch WVGA touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, front-facing camera… Verizon LG Revolution Review

The LG Revolution is the third smartphone for Verizon that can use the 4G LTE network. In our review, we’ll try and determine if this is on par with other phones in the market, including the 4G LTE-capable HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung Charge.

With handsets like the T-Mobile G2x and the Optimus Black, LG has been on a roll with the high-end handsets. Does the LG Revolution keep that positive streak alive? Read on to find out, friends.
Available for Verizon Wireless now for $249 on a new contract

LG Revolution Features and Specifications (Spec-Sheet)

rev91 300x253 Verizon LG Revolution review: The best 4G LTE phone yet?
  • 4.3 inch WVGA (480 x 800)
  • 1 GHz Snapdragon single-core MSM8655 processor
  • 5-megapixel camera with LED flash
  • HDMI-out
  • Support for the Verizon 4G LTE network
  • 720p HD video recording
  • WiFi(b/g/n)
  • Bluetooth
  • HDMI, Tethering
  • Mobile hotspot capable
  • Android 2.2 Froyo with custom LG UI
  • Comes with Netflix app pre-installed

The Good

  • The Verizon 4G LTE network is blazing fast
  • Nice big screen that’s quite responsive
  • Despite not having a dual-core, the Snapdragon processor is quite powerful
  • The custom UI isn’t bad

The Bad

  • Battery life could be better
  • Bulky design may not appeal to all
  • Camera is just average
  • Bing as the default (I didn’t mind but some may)
  • Default keyboard makes me want to hurt things

The final take: You say you want a Revolution?

The Verizon LG Revolution has a lot of things going for it, as the big, beautiful screen is nice, the 4G LTE speeds rock and it has enough horsepower to let you blow through apps without experiencing slowdown. The custom LG layer is non-offensive and the Android Market is growing by the day.



SOURCE

    NetQin Mobile Anti-virus Sees Increased Adoption in the Ovi Store

    Among the mobile applications that owners of Nokia devices can enjoy through the Ovia Store, we can count the NetQin Mobile Anti-virus, which was only recently added to the storefront, but which already enjoys increased adoption among users.

    The development team behind the application notes that the software has seen an increase in daily downloads of around 700 percent since launch, and that the user rating for it is of four stars out of five.

    At the same time, they note that the increase in downloads was observed after the app was listed next to a popular game, Angry Birds.

    The success this application sees in the Ovi Store is equaled by the popularity of NetQin Mobile Anti-virus on the Android OS, where it is one of the top 10 hot applications in the AppBrain.com.

    The NetQin Mobile Anti-virus is already available on a wide range of mobile operating systems, including Symbian, Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile.

    The mobile application is based on Cloud-security technology, and was designed so as to protect mobile phones from viruses and malware through providing a fast and accurate scan.

    Some of the main features of this software would include:


    Anti-virus: With the original double-engine technology, NetQin Mobile Anti-virus completely deletes the latest viruses, Trojans, spyware and malicious fee-deduction software to protect mobile devices as well as users' privacy and property.

    Contacts backup/restore: A backup account allows users to backup and restore contacts seamlessly between different operating systems so that the contacts will never get lost.

    Real-time protection: Real-time protection detects all kinds of threats in time, such as viruses, malicious links, Trojans; protects accounts with QQ, MSN, etc.; and ensures the safety of mobile devices during file transmission, network connection and application installation.

    Anti-lost: Anti-lost with remote control feature provides worldwide protection for mobile devices and prevents financial losses and privacy leakage.

     
    Currently, the NetQin services are being used by a number off over 85.97 million users in over 100 countries all around the world. Symbian users can download the application from the Ovi Store here.

    BlackBerry App World v2.1.2.19 Download

    BlackBerry App World v2.1.2.19  Download

    A new version of the BlackBerry App World client is now available for download for the owners of BlackBerry devices from Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion, bringing a fix for some of the issues that the previous release of the app came with.

    The mobile client is available for free as version 2.1.2.19 now, and should be available for all BlackBerry devices out there.

    The new flavor of the application is meant to fix a glitch in the BlackBerry App World 2.1.2.15 client that was released last week, and which affected BlackBerry OS 4.6 and 4.7 devices.

    The issue made the BlackBerry App World icon disappear on certain mobile phones after the installation of that flavor of the application.

    Here's what RIM notes in a recent post on their blog:

    Last week, an update notification was sent out for the BlackBerry App World storefront v2.1.2.15.

    If you are running an older OS version on your BlackBerry smartphone, specifically BlackBerry Device Software v4.6 and v4.7, your BlackBerry App World icon may have disappeared after installing the update.

    We have released a fix for this and the new version, BlackBerry App World v2.1.2.19.


    Although not all devices out there have been affected by this issue, a notification on the availability of the new update would arrive on all of them. The application is available for download from here.

    “Users who weren’t affected by the missing icon issue may also see an upgrade notification for v2.1.2.19. The only change in this version is the missing icon fix,” the said blog post continues.

    The BlackBerry App World can be downloaded either over the air, straight on a BlackBerry smartphone, as well as via a desktop computer.

    What is interesting to note is that some users reported issues with upgrading from BlackBerry App World 2.1.2.15 to 2.1.2.19, mostly on devices powered by BlackBerry OS 6, though others have been affected by the issues as well.
     

    Tips to Speed Up Your Typing Windows Phone 7 Keyboard

    Typing on a mobile phone with touch display is not always a simple action, nor a fast one. First of all, the screen of the device is small, than the keys on the soft keyboard are close to one another and you have to make sure you hit the right one, and the like.

    On handsets running under Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system, things might not be that complicated, since they sport a bit larger screens, but also courtesy of a series of shortcuts and special features that the keyboard was packed with.

    Microsoft offers a presentation of the keyboard, but, for those Windows Phone 7 users who want more, below are some tips that should help them speed up their typing (starting with the fact that the keyboard would appear as soon as one taps anywhere on the screen where typing is allowed).

    Those who need to type fast should have no fear while doing so, as the keyboard comes with auto-correction features, quite useful in many occasions.

    Moreover, it was set to add apostrophes to many contractions, so as to save the user a tap. Basically, as soon as you write “dont,” the keyboard would torn it into “don't.”

    Users should not be looking out for putting accents in words that commonly use them, since the software would automatically add them when needed.

    Not to mention that it would recognize proper nouns, including names, places, and more, and would automatically capitalize them for you.

    When finishing a sentence, you won't have to look for the period to add it and start a new sentence. Simply tap “Space” twice, and the period would be there, while the start of the next sentence would be capitalized.

    To increased the speed even more, and save a tap, you can insert character through taping the Shift or Numbers/Symbols key, and then simply slide the finger to the specific character you want to type.

    As you type, the phone would offer suggestions, and you can easily slide the suggestion bar to see more of them. And, if you want to learn the phone a new word, you just have to tap “+” in it to do so.

    Various keys can get you to hidden menus, all you have to do to access them would be to tap and hold them. The period key, for example, is one of them.

    In case you want to undo auto-corrections you'll need to tap the word and then tap the first candidate in the suggestion bar, which is the original word. Or you can choose another suggestion, of course.

    Those who would like to change various aspects of the keyboard on their Windows Phone device would be able to easily do that through going to Settings>Keyboard, where they can change the language of the keyboard, clear the text suggestions they've added, or make other modifications.

    Top 10 Nokia Secret Codes

    Nokia, one of the most prolific handset manufacturers to date is known for the high build quality of its handsets. Touted for a long time as number 1 when it comes to mobile phone hardware, the company lost ground in the software field.

    Those who already heard of the concept of 'Nokia Hacks' or 'Nokia Secret Codes are probably aware of the fact that these tricks offer users interesting information about their handset.


    These codes have been identified by people who are trying to improve their handsets with tweaks. Using some of these codes can also enhance some of the functions of the phone like the quality of the sound, as well as photos or even videos recorded with the phone's camera.


    However, most of them provide critical information such as the phone's IMEI, the date of birth or MAC address.

    One of the most important and frequently used Nokia code allows users to find out the phone's firmware version. Use *#0000#, to get the firmware version and date created displayed on the screen. 


    To find the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity Code) one should use this code: *#06#. This seems to be the only code that works on every Nokia phone, regardless of the model. 


    Using the *#92702689# code will allow you to check the phone's exact release date from the factory, as well as the repaired dates of the phone, if it's the case. 


    The Nokia secret code *4720# is useful when you want to turn on the half rate transmission. This will make your phone use only half of the bandwidth, but will have a negative impact on the on call sound quality. To turn it off again use #4720#. 


    Most Symbian phones already have a special option that allows users to display or turn off the carrier's logo. Those who don't have this option in the phone's menu can use *#67705646#. 


    To find out the clock status of the SIM card inside the phone use the code combination *#746085685#. This code is only available on some Nokia phones.


    Symbian phones allows users to use the soft reset command without browsing for it in the main menu. Simply use the code *#7370# to soft format the memory of the phone. 


    When you have troubles with the phone's Bluetooth connection and you need to find the MAC address, simply use *#2820#. This code seems to work on most Nokia phones that feature Bluetooth connectivity.


    Use *#30# code combination to see a private number in case someone is calling you and uses this feature. 


    To restore the phone's Factory Settings use *#7780#. Obviously, this will reset the phone to factory defaults and comes in handy when you make changes in the phone's settings while experimenting with it.
    Feel free to add more Nokia secret codes that are not included in the article.

    How to Update U.S. Cellular's LG Apex to Android 2.2 Froyo

    U.S. Cellular has recently announced that the Android 2.2 Froyo update is now available for download for customers with LG Apex smartphones.
     
    It appears that the carrier decided to let users update their Apex phones manually, thus the procedure requires a few additional third-party apps and a bit more time.

    Before anything, make sure your phone's battery is fully charged and back up your contacts by going to Contacts / Menu Key / Export. All contacts will be transferred to the memory card.

    The next step requires LG Apex owners to enable the USB Debugging mode, by going to Settings / Application / Development.

    Do not connect the phone to the PC yet, instead point your browser to LG's official support and download LG Mobile Support Tool.

    Install the utility tool and click 'Install USB Driver.' Make sure you select U.S. Cellular from the Carrier slot and then double-click LGUS740 to install the Apex's driver.

    As soon as the USB driver is correctly installed, you can connect the phone to the PC via the USB cable. The tool will detect your phone's connection with the PC. After it successfully finishes, the tool will analyze the phone's software.

    Click on the Start Updating option to download the update and do not disconnect the phone. If the phone's free user memory is less than 23 MB, the upgrade will stop, so make sure your have more than that to be able to continue with the update.

    If you have enough space, the upgrade will begin and it will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.

    After the upgrade process finishes, you can import the contacts back from the memory card, by going through the same procedure: Contacts / Menu key / Import.

    Android 2.2 Froyo for LG Apex contains the following changes and improvements:

    1. Exchange support with:
    - Improved security;
    - Remote wipe (used when device is lost or stolen);
    - Exchange Calendars are now supported in the Calendar application;
    - Auto-discovery;
    - Global Address Lists lookup is now available in the Email application.

    2. New Home screen tips widget assists new users on how to configure the Home screen with shortcuts and widgets and how to make use of multiple home screens.

    3. Performance Improvement:
    - Faster webpage loading;
    - Smooth navigation between applications due to memory optimization.

    4. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot shares the device’s 3G Internet connection with other devices such as mobile phones, laptops, etc.

    5. Applications can now be installed on the shared external storage (such as a microSD card).

    Modifications:
    - Widgets in home screens;
    - Default settings changes under Menu > Settings;
    - LG Socialite application is removed; Now, Twitter and Facebook are updated with the latest version;
    - Your Navigator Deluxe and Amazon MP3 applications are updated
    .

    However, even after the upgrade, LG Apex will NOT support Flash and GIF.