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RemoteRinger For Android Helps You Find Your Phone In The Couch

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 04:01 AM PDT

This fairly simple Android app adds a layer of safety for folks who often misplace their Android cellphone while it’s in silent mode. Called RemoteRinger, you assign a special code to the phone as well as a designated caller number. You can then send an SMS from the designated phone number. Bang: your ringer is back on.

The app is free and available here. It’s brand new so there are bound to be some bugs but it seems like a good enough idea.

What OMGPOP Learned From One Million Downloads of Puppy Love

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 03:39 PM PDT

It is true. Everyone loves puppies. Online gaming site OMGPOP wisely chose Puppy World to be its first iPhone game. In the mobile game, you take care of puppies, give them to children and increase the happiness in the world. In the two weeks since launch, the game has been downloaded almost one million times already, and is among both the top 100 free Games and top 100 grossing Games (players can by bones and other virtual items for 99 cents and up).

Beyond these vanity metrics, OMGPOP CEO Dan Porter offers the following stats. A quarter of the people who have downloaded the app, or 250,000, are daily active users. Two thirds of those are actually playing the game versus signing up. (A very high 94 percent of people who download the app actually open it up at least once). And so far the company is seeing active users spend an average of about 8 cents a day on virtual goods (amortized across all users, with some power users spending more than $50 on currency packs which can be traded in for better puppies, room decorations, and dog beds. The game is already making about $20,000 per day.

In terms of where all of these downloads are coming from, it is a combination of cross promotion on omgpop.com and its Facebook apps (20 percent), paid advertising (20 percent), and free exposure via iTunes charts and viral sharing (60 percent). “For every user we pay to acquire we are seeing 6 more users for free,” says Porter.

What was his biggest mistake? “If we had to do it all over again, we would have only supported iPhone 4,” he says. The game plays best on the iPhone 4 because it takes advantage of all the hardware to render those cute puppies, but as it became more popular people with older phones started downloading it also. Initially, it got hundreds of 5-star reviews, but then started accumulating lots of 1-star reviews as the game crashed older iPhones. Once you launch your app, you have to keep supporting the same devices you started out with, and iPhone 4 users make the most money for OMGPOP anyway.

iOS App Scans Printed Music Notes, Plays Them In Real-Time (Video)

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 02:51 PM PDT

I am extremely unmusical (on the verge of being tone-deaf) so I can’t decide whether this new iPhone app is good or bad: Japan-based musical instrument maker Kawai has developed a camera app that scans music notes printed on paper and plays them back in real-time. Dubbed Gakufu Camera [JP], the app is said to be the first of its kind.

Kawai claims the app also works with handwritten notes, those printed in different colors and under weak lighting. Gakufu Camera also offers a few other bells and whistles, for example a function that allows you to store the notes you scanned first and play the melody afterwards.

Gakufu Camera is only available in the Japanese App Store at the moment for iOS 4.0 and up (price: 350 yen/$4.50). But as Kawai is a global company and the app is already available in Japanese and English, expect it to hit other markets rather sooner than later (we’ll keep you posted).

This video shows the app in action (explanations in Japanese, but music fans will get it, I am thinking):

Via Asiajin via IT Media [JP]

HTC Vs. Apple, Round II: UK Edition

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 02:32 PM PDT

Apple and HTC are at it again — but this time the fight has migrated over to the UK. On July 29 in London, HTC filed a lawsuit against Apple, reports Bloomberg. There hasn't been any word confirming that this lawsuit is tied to the current patent tussle between the two phone makers, but it would be quite the surprise if it wasn't.

We had thought that the dispute would grow quiet, after reports circulated that HTC’s CFO was down to hash it out conversation-style with Apple. Apparently, that’s not quite panning out.

Just two weeks ago, a U.S. judge ruled in favor of Apple when the company requested an ITC import ban on HTC's "personal electronic devices." According to the judge, certain HTC Android phones infringe on two of Apple's patents, making the Taiwan-based company vulnerable to attack.

The July 15 ruling wasn't Apple's first go at blocking HTC devices: Apple filed a similar complaint in March of 2010, as well. HTC has tried hard to protect itself, picking up S3 Graphics — and more important, S3′s robust patent portfolio — for $300 million.



Fake iPhone 5 Supposedly Leaks The Real iPhone 5′s Design

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 11:59 AM PDT

I’ll say it now, before anyone gets their hopes up: this is most definitely not an iPhone 5. Those blurry, Big-Foot-esque shots from last week still may very well be the real deal, but this is not. This is yet another fake iPhone out of Shenzhen, China — but here’s the twist: its design is supposedly stolen straight from that of the actual iPhone 5.

Skeptical? That’s completely reasonable. Fake iPhones are a dime-a-billion in Shenzhen — but one ripping off a top-secret handset that hasn’t even properly photographed, much less announced? That’d be a new trick.

Weighing in on this one too much seems a bit silly; disputing the accuracy of a Chinese fake supposedly based on something few have ever seen would just about reach the limits of futility. Instead, I’ll just leave a few observations as food for thought, and let you take it as you will. Drop a comment with your thoughts.

  • The volume rocker is one long piece (a la the iPhone 3GS), as opposed to two buttons (as found on the iPhone 4.) This matches up with the aforementioned Big-Foot shots, as that device clearly has a one-piece rocker.
  • Coming in at just 7mm thick, this would fit quite well in any of the supposed iPhone 5 cases that have leaked over the past few weeks. For years now, these leaked cases have been the first hint of what’s to come.
  • Word of the rounded edge of the back has long been floating around the rumor mill. That equally rounded front seems a bit strange, though; it forces the display to have a rather thick bezel (whereas all past rumors indicated the bezel was hair-thin), and makes the screen seem a good bit smaller. If this design is anything near legitimate, the rounding of the front seems like one place where the cloners may have practiced some.. artistic freedom, so to speak.

Okay, I lied: I’ve gotta weigh in on this a bit more. My bet? It’ll share some similarities with the real deal (the back being rounded, for example, seems quite likely at this point), but the differences will be vast enough that the fake will seem strikingly … well, fake. It seems like whoever built this took the supposed leaked case specifications that have been floating around and worked backwards, then cut some corners to be able to use the materials they had at hand to get the job done.

Real or not, high-fives to GizChina for diggin’ up this rather crazy clone.

iPhone 5 4 iPhone 5 1 iPhone 5 2


T-Mobile’s New Terms & Conditions Provide For Value Plan Migrations

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 11:20 AM PDT

Anyone who's ever taken a stab at reading through a Terms & Conditions agreement knows that they normally rival the Iliad in length. There are two reasons companies do this: first, the more words, the more coverage and protection that company gets within its T&C, and second, the less likely you are to actually read it and find out that you've agreed to sell your first born child as payment for this or that product. Or worse, your warranty ends after the first month.

Since no one but lawyers ever enjoys reading these lengthy contracts, we've taken it upon ourselves to figure out what's new in T-Mobile's Terms & Conditions, which were updated July 24. In truth, not much has changed. However, a new clause regarding changing plans has found its way into the contract.

Section Five now reads:

"Changes to Your Service: You may be unable to change your Rate Plan, including services and features associated with your Rate Plan. You may request to change to another Rate Plan during your Term, and if we authorize the change, you may be charged a migration fee of up to $200 for each line of service, and you may continue to be bound to your existing Term or an extended Term. The amount of the migration fee will decrease as the time remaining on your Term decreases. For specific information about changing your Rate Plan, including migration fee details, call T-Mobile."

This updated version of the T&C was released alongside a new set of cheaper smartphone plans from T-Mobile called "Value" plans. This new clause is meant to transition people from the old to the new plans. If you're interested in switching from a Classic plan to a Value plan, here are some things to think about: The reason the Classic plan is more expensive is because it includes subsidies for new phones, and discounts when you're eligible for an upgrade. With a Value plan, you're required to pay the full price of the phone when purchased from T-Mobile, whether that be in one lump sum, or with a down-payment followed by monthly installments.

That bit in the T&C about "if we authorize the change" may sound a bit overbearing but T-Mo is actually just looking out for you. If you happen to be a repeat upgrader, than the lower monthly bills from Value plans may not be very helpful. The saved cash will likely have to go towards your next smartphone, since opting out of the Classic plans excludes you from any subsidies or upgrade discounts. By adding this to the T&C, T-Mobile is making sure that both parties are aware of the consequences that a plan switch-up might bring along.

On the other hand, if you own a travel phone or a secondary phone that you don't plan on upgrading/replacing any time soon, a switch over to a Value plan may be your best choice. You'll just have to eat that $200 migration fee.



Motorola MB865 Has A Name, LTE Tracking Code

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 10:49 AM PDT

The mystery machine that Jordan introduced us to last week has appeared again, but maybe not in the way we expected. Instead of posing for the camera again, the Atrix-esque handset has popped up in AT&T’s billing system, which seems to confirm that the device has been provisioned with a special tracking code unique to LTE devices.

What’s more, AT&T’s own XDM support system seems to corroborate the LTE claim: the devices are in the field with phone numbers that correspond to areas where AT&T intends to light up their LTE network first. Presumably this means that a few Motorola MB865s (or Atrix 2s, considering the original bore the model number MB860) are floating around somewhere in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio.

The internals are still shrouded in mystery at this point, although the original source speculates that it may be packing a dual-core Texas Instruments processor. That same source also thinks that the MB865 will retain the qHD display that gracde the original Atrix.

This handset just went from Motorola eye candy to possibly one of AT&T’s LTE launch devices in the span of one week, but here’s hoping it lives up to expectations. With Verizon’s LTE network lit up and working with some great devices, AT&T can’t really afford to botch a launch due to iffy hardware.

Nokia Revamps Product Naming Guidelines

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 09:07 AM PDT

Riding high from the release of the (admittedly) mid-range Nokia 500, the folks over at the Nokia Conversations blog have just released something else they seem very proud of: new product naming guidelines!

Starting with the 500, Nokia is returning to their numerical roots for all of their future handsets. This feels like a step backward, but Nokia promises that they have applied a bit of logic to their nomenclature.

The range will start from 100 (the most basic devices) and top out at 900 (the fanciest, most feature-laden), with the next digits being unique identifiers for individual devices. It gives Nokia a bit of room to play around in for sure, but I'm personally not looking forward to the day when someone asks me the difference between a Nokia 437 and a Nokia 412.

I know, I know, you’re just thrilled about the news. To be fair, they make some interesting arguments about Nokia's naming scheme, and the issues inherent to it. For a while there, Nokia was all about arbitrary letter classifications: the X series were "entertainment devices" while E series phones were meant for business. As they point out though, those forced classifications didn't always match up well to people’s actual needs and usage. On top of that, differentiation of devices got to be a bit of pain between series. Phil from Nokia Conversations makes a great point to this effect:

How is the Nokia C7 different than a Nokia X7? It all depends what you want to do with it and what your budget is. What about comparing a Nokia C3 and a Nokia C3-01? It turns out they're actually very different devices.

Nokia was aiming to be different with this change, and for better or worse, they’ve certainly set themselves apart. I remain a skeptic, but it may well work out exactly the way they want. All I can say is that Nokia needs to release some real 900 series devices before they start sweating the small stuff again.

Sprint Offers Phone Connect Service To Small Businesses

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 08:04 AM PDT

If there's one thing I've learned from dealing with wireless carriers for years, it's that everyone takes ideas from everyone else.

Sometimes it signals a real benefit for customers (AT&T now offers a "mobile to any mobile" feature that seems suspiciously like Sprint's), and sometimes… well, sometimes it doesn't. Case in point: AT&T's appropriation of T-Mobile's arguably spurious definition of "4G."

Fortunately, today's example falls into the former category. Taking a page from T-Mobile's playbook, Sprint has announced their new Phone Connect service, which allows customers to plug landline phones into a nifty little adapter that connects to Sprint's network.

Customers can port their existing home or office numbers to Sprint's service, with a caveat: unlike wireless-to-wireless transfers, which generally port within 3 days max, home-to-wireless transfers often take up to 7 days to complete.

It may sound similar to the T-Mobile @ Home service of years past, but Sprint has a different target in mind for their attempt: small business owners.

As part of their Sprint Biz 360 initiative, Sprint is positioning Phone Connect as a complete replacement for existing (and often pricey) landline phone solutions. They remain mum on plan pricing, so it's difficult to tell exactly how much customers can expect to save by switching. Launching on August 11, Phone Connect is a bold move by Sprint, considering their smaller network footprint. It works out to their advantage, considering the devices themselves won’t be moving around, but one thing seems clear at this early juncture. If all goes well, you'd better believe Sprint will milk their "Most Reliable Network" tag line even more going forward.

Windows Phone Logo Refresh Fits A Square Peg In A Round Hole

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 07:40 AM PDT

Well, what is this we have popping up all over the place? It's pretty familiar with that Windows logo in the center, but shouldn't it be bundled nicely in a circle? Nope. Not anymore. According to Japanese Windows Phone evangelist Takahashi, that little glowing Windows Phone circle is no more — the revolutionary and innovative shape called "square" will now represent Windows Phone 7 OS.

This is an interesting move by Microsoft. While we tend to remain unaware of it, people don't quite realize just how much a brand image or logo shapes their perception of a company and its products. That circular Windows logo is completely attached to Microsoft and Windows in a fundamental way.

For the new smartphone user, seeing a circular Windows logo pop up on the boot screen means something familiar is coming. It means that user doesn't have to be intimidated by their shiny new smartphone because their old friend Windows will be there to help. Of course, the old logo will only encourage fully satisfied Windows PC users who are noobs to the smartphone game.

For those of us who have ever used or owned a Windows-powered phone, a refreshed logo is a welcome change. Up until now, the Windows Phone platform has been under-developed, and just plain not good enough to stand up to the competition. Mango stands to change all that, and reminding us of the old, half-baked OS will only bring up unhappy memories.

A square is sharp. It's the shape through which Windows Phone will be presented to us, and it also happens to be the prominent shape of Mango's live tile UI. In my opinion, a square only makes sense to propel the Windows Phone platform into the center ring with the likes of Android and iOS. What do you prefer, circle or square?

[Images via Nanapho]