Author: PhoneDog.com – Latest videos, reviews, articles, news and posts

Last week it only took about four hours to send US iPhone users on an emotional roller coaster from which they may never recover.  Early Friday morning, BGR (among others) reported that Google’s turn-by-turn navigation system – which is currently only available to Android users – would come to other platforms, including the iPhone.  The report was based on an article from UK site MacUser which stated that “Google confirmed at a London press conference that it plans to bring free satnav to other smartphone platforms, including the iPhone, although it wouldn’t say when.”

Later in the afternoon, however, a different story was being told.  According to BGR (who later posted a follow up story), in an article from PCWorld, a Google spokesperson makes it quite clear that iPhone users should not expect to see Google Navigation any time soon.  The spokesperson clarified, “We did not say we would bring it to iPhone, we said to date we’ve had it on Android and that in the future it may come to other platforms but did not confirm this will be coming to iPhone at all.”

This was likely disappointing news for iPhone users.  However, Google did point out an interesting feature that their navigation app will have which was previously unknown.  According to PCWorld, while using Google Navigation, you won’t need to use as much data as you may think.  The app uses the data connection to calculate your directions, but saves and uses that route unless you take an unexpected turn, at which point the connection is re-initiated in order to reroute.  This is good to know considering in the coming months/years all-you-can-eat data plans may become a thing of the past.

Right now Google Navigation is only available to Android users, any readers have alternative phone-based navigation systems (paid or free) they’d recommend?  Please leave your nav-of-choice in the comments!

Via BGR, PCWorld, MacUser

Though it resembles the Tour 9630, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 is a whole new bag of tricks. If you count more memory, a trackpad, and Wi-Fi as a “whole new bag of tricks.” Aaron takes it for a spin at WES 2010.

Technology: GSM
Announced Carrier: n/a
Announced Release Date: May, 2010

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 model differs from the 9100 by featuring a 14-key traditional phone keyboard. Other key features include optical trackpad. , SureType software, WiFi, BlackBerry Media Sync, 624 Mhz processor, and 256 MB of flash memory.

 

Buried in news of a partnership with Vodafone and Verizon is the somewhat surprising (or perhaps somewhat expected, depending on your school of thought) news that the Google Nexus One will not be headed toward Verizon anytime soon (if at all) – or at least that’s how I’m reading between the lines.

Instead, the post on Google’s official Nexus One blog reads: “In the US, if you’ve been waiting for the Nexus One for Verizon Wireless’ network, head over to http://phones.verizonwireless.com/htc/incredible to pre-order the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful new Android phone and a cousin of the Nexus One that is similarly feature-packed. It will be available in stores on April 29th.”

This seems contrary to Google’s original plan to sell their self-branded phone through their own online store, and frankly I’m confused.  Additionally, what does this mean for the Sprint N1?  When Verizon announced they would have an N1 come Spring, Sprint was quick to jump on the bandwagon and say ‘We’re getting the N1 too!’  Now I’m beginning to wonder if the HTC EVO 4G will end up being Sprint’s version of the N1.

As usual time will tell, but I’m getting increasingly interested to see what Google’s plan is, and whether they have one.  Perhaps the Nexus One is a concept as well as a branded device that is supposed to spur innovation among superphone makers, and if so, maybe this isn’t so bad after all.  If you have any insight, fell free to leave it in the comments, as usual!  

Update: I don’t know how I missed this the first time around, but it really seems like Google is changing their game plan in a major way.  Not only is the Nexus one coming to Vodafone UK (with no plans of being sold on Verizon), but you can pre-order the phone from the Vodafone website, and not the Google store site.  Go here to see what I mean.  Could this be the beginning of a Nexus One migration to retail stores?

Via GoogleNexusOneBoard

Technology: GSM
Announced Carrier: n/a
Announced Release Date: May, 2010

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9100 is their first Pearl to support 3G technology and is also their smallest device to date.  The 9100 model offers a 20-key condensed QWERTY keyboard, measures less than 2 inches wide, and only weights 3.3 ounces.  Other key features include WiFi, BlackBerry Media Sync, 624 Mhz processor, and 256 MB of flash memory. 

 

It’s a Pearl! It’s 3G! And it has a trackpad! Aaron gets some hands-on time with the BlackBerry Pearl 3G, coming in May. Is it a substantial upgrade, or a slight revision of the original?

Who would have thought that the Sprint-branded Bold 9650’s at WES 2010 would actually be coming to Sprint?

Joking aside, the new BlackBerry will offer Wi-Fi, RIM’s new trackpad, OS 5.0, and increased memory (a total of 512 MB, to be exact).  Despite the changes, the device is nearly identical to the Tour 9630, save for the trackpad, revised battery door design, and “Bold” branding above the camera on the back.  At any rate, it’s nice to see the trackpad taking off.

The full Sprint press release is below.  The Bold 9650 will be available May 23rd for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and new, two-year agreement.  With Sprint getting all official and such, all eyes are on Verizon for their official release – will it come today?  Tomorrow?  Anytime in the near future?

 

Advanced Features and Refined Style of BlackBerry Bold 9650 Smartphone Coming to Sprint
 
Available in all Sprint sale channels May 23, the new BlackBerry Bold 9650 offers international roaming for a global smartphone experience
 
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – April 26, 2010 – With an extensive array of high-end communications and multimedia features, compact and highly refined design and international roaming capabilities, the new BlackBerry® Bold™ 9650 smartphone will be available from Sprint (NYSE: S). It will operate on Sprint’s nationwide 3G Network domestically, and roams on other high-speed wireless networks around the world for reliable voice and email communication.
 
The BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone will be available for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement, after a $100 mail-in rebate (taxes & surcharges excluded).  It can be purchased in all other Sprint sales channels, including Web sales (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), Sprint Business Sales, Sprint stores, national retailers and third-party dealers, Sunday, May 23.
 
BlackBerry Bold 9650 provides instant access to email, calendar, contacts, robust business and entertainment applications and location-based services, leveraging the best performing wireless networks in the United States and abroad.  It is also ideally suited for those who want to stay socially connected and share moments through pictures and videos over MMS and popular IM services like BlackBerry® Messenger.  It also offers easy access to social networking sites like Flickr®, MySpace™ and Facebook®, with smooth integration, providing a great view of what’s happening both personally and professionally.
 
“BlackBerry Bold 9650 extends Sprint’s position of offering the best portfolio of BlackBerry smartphones in the industry with a powerful mobility tool for those who want to stay connected, both domestically and abroad,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint.  “Our customers will appreciate its fast Web browsing, downloads and streaming as well as social media and productivity enhancing applications. This is an ideal smartphone for juggling busy personal and professional lives.”
 
“The BlackBerry Bold 9650 is a sophisticated and feature-rich smartphone with uncompromising performance that lets you stay connected to the people and content that matter most, whether at home or travelling the world,” said David Smith, vice president of Handheld Product Management, RIM.
 
In addition to top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone comes with BlackBerry® OS 5.  It is also designed with a smoothly integrated optical trackpad and a distinctive, highly tactile, fretted keyboard and features a large, high-resolution display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi).
 
 
Additional features include:

• Access to up to 10 supported email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts such as Yahoo!®, Windows Live™ Hotmail®, AOL® and Gmail™), plus BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support offering advanced security and IT administration capabilities for corporate deployments
• Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g)
• 3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording
• Advanced media player for enjoying pictures, video and music
• 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB microSDHC cards, with a 2 GB microSD card included
• 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
• Support for the Bluetooth® stereo headsets (A2DP/AVCRP)
• Sprint Music Store, Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV®, Sprint Football Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
• BlackBerry® App World™ for access to thousands of applications

 
The 3G Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 269 million people, 18,652 cities and 1,838 airports. The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) have twice the coverage of AT&T’s current 3G network and 14 times the coverage of T-Mobile’s current 3G network, both based on square miles1.
 
According to Sprint performance data, Sprint Mobile Broadband connections are successfully connected and maintained better than 99 out of 100 times. According to a recent independent network test conducted by PC World, no one has a more reliable network than Sprint based on a recent 13 city 3G performance test 2.
 
BlackBerry Bold 9650 for most customers requires activation on an Everything Data plan or a Business Advantage Messaging and Data plan.  Additional plan options are available for business customers.  For just $69.99 per month, Sprint’s affordable Everything Data 450 plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM gives customers unlimited calling with any U.S. wireless user, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited Web, email and social networking, and unlimited GPS navigation for the same price AT&T and Verizon charge for unlimited talk only.  Sprint Everything Data plans also automatically enroll customers in the Sprint Premier loyalty program, which provides annual device upgrades, discounted accessories and other benefits.
 
Sprint’s Simply EverythingSM plan offers nationwide unlimited calling, unlimited text and unlimited data, including email, social networking, Web browsing, Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, streaming music, Sprint Football Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, for only $99.99 per month (plus taxes and surcharges). That is a $480 savings over two years vs. a comparable AT&T iPhone(R) plan3. (Prices exclude taxes and surcharges.  Both Everything Data and Simply Everything plans are available to existing customers without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.)
 
International Travel
The BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone operates domestically on the Sprint 3G network, and globally on 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GSM/GPRS networks where Sprint has international roaming agreements. With this smartphone, Sprint customers have the power to make or receive phone calls in more than 185 countries and access BlackBerry® data services including email, apps and Web browsing in nearly 150 countries.
 
Sprint offers clear value and simplicity with its Worldwide BlackBerry® service plan. The Worldwide BlackBerry plan gives customers unlimited BlackBerry email and Web access in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other locations using CDMA technology, and with UMTS and EDGE/GSM/GPRS carriers abroad where Sprint has applicable roaming agreements. The plan is available to corporate customers for $69.99 per month, or an additional $40 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges) as an attachable to Simply EverythingSM, Everything Data, Everything Data Family or Business Advantage with Messaging and Data plans.
 
Sprint international voice roaming rates range from $0.59 to $5.99 per minute, depending on where customers are calling.  Customers making frequent calls while in Canada can take advantage of a specific service plan for $2.99 per month which allows calls to be made and received at $0.20 per minute. Additional pricing plans are available exclusively to enterprise customers.
 
Customers also have the option of using a third-party SIM for international voice and data services.

Technology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Sprint
Announced Release Date: May, 2010

The BlackBerry Bold 9650 was created for consumers using a CDMA carrier.  The 9650 version of the Bold supports 3G technology, includes WiFi, a 3.2MP camera with video capture, 512 MB flash memory, and optical trackpad.  We will update the remaining specs when they become available.

 

Ok, I’m headed over to talk to RIM and get some hands on time with the Pearl 9100 series and the Bold 9650.  Let’s have a live conversation!  What would you like me to ask them?  Post your questions in the comments section, and I’ll do my best to answer them and post back!

(This is “live,” but I have to walk over to another part of the hotel.  Bear with me!)

 

Alright gang, it’s official – RIM this morning announced the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and the Pearl 9100 series.  I’ll be getting some hands-on time with the two in the coming hour and will report back, but in the meantime, some quick specs for you:

BlackBerry Bold 9650 – Website

• Dimensions: 4.4-inches x 2.4-inches x .56-inch and weighs 4.8 oz.
• 2.44-inch high-resolution display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)
• 3.2-megapixel camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording
• 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for the Bluetooth® Stereo Audio Profile (A2DP/AVCRP)
• BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing photos as well as  iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone*
• Full HTML web browser, streaming audio and video via RTSP
• Built-in GPS with support for geotagging, BlackBerry® Maps and other mapping applicationsSupport for high-speed EV-DO Rev. A networks in North America, as well as UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz) and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks abroad
• Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery for 5 hours of CDMA talk time

BlackBerry Pearl 9100 Series – Website

• Dimensions: 4.25-inches x 1.96-inches x 0.52-inch (108mm x 50 mm x 13.3 mm) and weighs 3.3 ounces (93 grams)
• 624 MHz processor with 256 MB Flash memory
• 360×400 sharp-resolution display (238 ppi)
• Media player for videos, pictures and music (music plays up to 30 hours), plus dedicated media keys integrated along top of the handset
• 3.2-megapixel camera with zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording*
• Built-in GPS for location-based applications such as BlackBerry® Maps, as well as photo geotagging 
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) – first BlackBerry smartphone to support ‘n’
• microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB cards
• BlackBerry® OS 5
• Support for tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
• Removable, rechargeable 1150 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.5 hours of talk time on 3G networks

More to come!

 

Don’t get me wrong, I like Palm (and love webOS) – but at this point, any rumor could be made about the troubled company and people would say “yep, that sounds about right.”  Keep that in mind as you read on, but according to “industry sources” reporting to TechCrunch, Palm may be getting ready to ditch CEO Jon Rubinstein as part of a management shakeup.  As it stands, the company is experiencing challenges in selling inventory, and is having trouble keeping up with the marketshare of the industry giants – Apple, Android, BlackBerry, and Nokia.  Despite the revolutionary webOS user interface, the company has experienced challenges since the launch in June of 2009.

Originally at Apple, Rubinstein was recruited by Palm investor Elevation Partners in 2007, and was tapped to replace departing CEO Ed Colligan in January 2009.  TechCrunch has reached out to Palm for additional comment, but hasn’t heard anything as of yet.  What say you – is Rubinstein the man for the job, or is it time for new blood?

Via TechCrunch

PhoneDog just can’t cram every bit of analysis, in-depth coverage, and tip/trick/how-to goodness onto our home page. So we’ve built a few more home pages to hold it all.   Whether it’s Android, BlackBerry, Apple, or T-Mobile stuff that makes you tick, we’ve got the goods.

Here’s what’s going on right now on PhoneDog Media’s network sites: Today’s iPhone, BBerryDog, DroidDog, and TmoNews.

iPhone 4G leaker gets free trip to Germany

Colleges say “No” to iPad

Vid: App Review – RedLaser

White BlackBerry Bold 9700 and Crimson Pearl 9100 dummy units showing up in Rogers stores

BIS 3.1 details leaked in PDF

Op-Ed: Missing the standby function?  Not a chance!

Your destination is on the right; Garminfone finds T-Mobile

HTC’s Sense Espresso makes an appearance on myTouch Slide

A pair of Androids for Telstra

Friday afternoon random thoughts

This is just cool!

Sunday upcoming phone news

Some of you may remember a short time prior to the release of the initial T-Mobile Nexus One, Google had briefly listed in the device specifications that it would support 802.11n.  HTC, on the other hand, never listed the Nexus as having support for the protocol.  Shortly after the slip was discovered, Google’s Nexus One specifications list was edited to solely show support for 802.11b/g.  Rumor now has it that Google and Broadcom (the manufacturer of wireless chipset in the Nexus One) are working together and have entered drivers into the Android repository that will enable the support for Wireless N after all.  There is no solid evidence other than a blurry-cam video posted on YouTube, but just the thought is enough to entice us all.

I guess this is Google’s way of making amends with Nexus One users having the dreaded 3G issues.  If you can’t change your location, just connect to the nearest 802.11n signal.  What say you?  Check out the video below, and sound off in the comments!

{Widget type=”youtube” id=”reYqOqM_ckM&” }

Via Engadget

At first glance, one could find similarities between the Motorola CLIQ XT and its predecessor/brother, the CLIQ.  As a result, several have written off the device as a revision of the original, which I find unfortunate.  Truth be told, the CLIQ and CLIQ XT can (and do) exist together, and serve two different demographics well.  If you’re a fan of touchscreen-only devices, I think there’s a lot to like in the mid-range Android device.

The Motorola CLIQ XT ships with the phone, battery, AC adapter, and USB cable (which doubles as the power cord).  Motorola includes two backplates in the box: a texturized black one, and a smooth purple one. measures in at 4.59 inches tall by 2.33 inches wide by 0.48 inch thick, and weighs 4.4 ounces, making it absolutely perfect to carry around in the pocket, purse, or briefcase.  The 3.1-inch screen is on the smallish side, but it’s still perfectly functional for most users.  It’s funny, though – despite the screen being somewhat cramped when reading text for an extended period of time, I found the on-screen QWERTY keyboard to be very easy to use.  In fact, I’d rate the QWERTY keyboard on the CLIQ XT as one of my favorites, despite the small size.  If you’re a Swype fan, the device comes pre-loaded with the keyboard.  The device offers a small LED that glows when you have an update, message, or the battery needs to be charged.  It’s non-obtrusive, and I like it.

I still find MOTOBLUR to be a challenge to use.  Every individual that I introduced the device to appeared to be more confused when they handed the device back to me.  Call me crazy, but MOTOBLUR (and any “overlay UI,” for that matter) is intended to make the device easier to use, not harder to use.  I get the direction that Motorola’s trying to take here (consolidation of social networking and general communication into one medium), but I find it to be a bit cluttered and less functional than other Android “skins” such as HTC’s Sense UI.  As a prime example, I don’t want my Twitter contacts in my main address book, yet didn’t see an option to remove them without deleting the entire account.

The device runs Android 1.5, which at this point, is a bit long in the tooth.  Fortunately, Motorola has committed to upgrading the CLIQ XT to Android 2.1 later in the year, so at this point it’s a waiting game.  Until that happens, however, I have a hard time recommending the device to certain users due to the lack of multiple Gmail accounts, speech-to-text, and other upgrades that you get in 2.1.

The Motorola CLIQ XT offers a 5.0-megapixel camera, and in my initial testing, it takes fantastic pictures.  Complete with flash, autofocus, and digital zoom, it’s well equipped.  There’s a slight shutter lag, but it’s not nearly as bad as other smartphones like the DROID and BlackBerry Storm2.

I’ve been working with the CLIQ XT in the Charlotte metropolitan area, and in my testing, call quality has been great thus far.  I’ve experienced no dropped calls, and overall call quality is very clear and crisp.  Speakerphone is on par with most other devices, and my Bluetooth headset connected without issue.  Though I haven’t conducted formal testing just yet, overall data speeds seem to be reasonably fast.

All in all, the CLIQ XT offers a modest feature set for a mid-range Android device.  While many seem to dismiss it due to the similarities to the CLIQ, I find that the feature set and form factor separate it and in some cases, make it a better option.  The thin size makes it perfect for the pocket, and the rubberized buttons at the bottom of the unit seem perfectly equipped to handle the test of time. 

The Motorola CLIQ XT can be purchased at T-Mobile retail stores or online at www.t-mobile.com for $129.99 with a new, two-year customer agreement.  Stay tuned for my full review!

If you play your cards right, you could be one of the first users to hold an HTC EVO 4G, complete with one year of free service and a job as a writer on one of Sprint’s websites.  Complete with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Android 2.1, HTC’s Sense UI, an 8.0-megapixel camera, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, the EVO is quite the “superphone.”  To play, you have to tell Sprint in at least 150 words what you can do “really fast.”  Needless to say, the potential responses are endless, but I’d be willing to wager that the funnier the response is, the more likely that it will be considered by the judges.

But wait, there’s more – if picking up a brand new EVO 4G and being the cool kid on the block wasn’t enough, four of the ten lucky winners will receive a “long summer weekend” trip to a 4G-enabled city.  It’s probably not an exotic location (after all, Kansas City is 4G), but hey – a free trip is a free trip.

I’ll admit, I’d be a bit jealous if a friend of mine walked up with a shiny new EVO 4G before my demo unit arrived.  The contest ends on May 9th, so be sure to enter as soon as possible if you’re interested!

Via Engadget

In late February of this year, Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein sent an early report to Wall Street giving them advanced warning that revenues for Q3 2010 as well as the fiscal year would be lower than expected.  He likened the deficiency to slower than expected consumer adoption of Palm devices.  And as things unfolded he put a portion of the blame on Verizon for not backing the Palm Pre Plus or Pixi Plus in the same way they did the Motorola DROID.

It seems like an eternity since all that went down, and in the months following the big (albeit unfortunate) announcement most conversations revolving around Palm have had to do with whether they will completely dissapear or be bought out by another entity.  Several companies have been named as potential buyers – HTC, Huawei and Lenovo to name a few (people have also made mention of a possible Google buyout, but not much has come to light on that front).  HTC, which has recently come under fire from a major Apple lawsuit, has been thought of as the most probable suitor, if for nothing more than to obtain Palms huge portfolio of patents, presumably assuring a triumph against Apple.

But from the looks of things, Palm may be running out of options.  This morning Engadget is reporting that HTC has removed themselves from contention, stating that there “just weren’t enough synergies to take the deal forward.”  This could mean a number of things, but I’m wondering if WebOS and Sense UI just don’t get along?  Additionally, Palm’s patents seemed to be the most poignant reason for an HTC-Palm buyout.  Should we consider this a bold/confident move from HTC?  These are the types of questions, unfortunately, that will probably receive more speculation than answers.

If you’re a die-hard Palm fan don’t get worried too quickly, you know John Rubinstein’s not going down without a fight.  Yesterday, not long before news of HTC backing out of the Palm purchase (coincidence? Unlikely), Rubinstein told the Financial Times that he still believes “Palm can survive as an independent company.”  But Rubinstein is also being realistic, and isn’t completely throwing away the idea of some sort of acquisition, stating that “if someone comes to the board with a reasonable offer of course it’s something [they’d] have to consider.”

On an exciting note, Rubinstein made mention of a feat many thought impossible due to Palm’s financial situation.  He said they’re actually working on bringing new (yeah, I said new!) handsets to the market at a “fast and furious” pace.  He’s also reportedly open to the idea of licensing webOS, stating “if there’s an appropriate strategic relationship or business deal that makes sense to us then of course we would license webOS because obviously the more scale we get the more the benefit there is to us.”

So, it looks like we’ll be seeing a new Palm device coming down the pike (whoda thunk?), and hey, we might even see webOS running on Sony Ericsson phones – crazier things have happened.  I say bravo to Palm and Rubinstein for giving it their all.  My only concern is that with the limited amount of time they have to turn things around, and the “fast and furious” pace in which they need to get solid devices on the market, I really hope they don’t run into the same hardware issues that they have been notorious for in the past.

Who’s got Palm’s back on this one?  Leave your thoughts in the comments!  

Via Engadget

If you’re a fan of the cloud computing concept, trust that Google will keep your data secure, and will be in the market for a Chrome OS-based netbook in the near future, pay attention as it looks like Google plans to keep the cost down for the average consumer.

On Monday at the Atmosphere Cloud Computing Summit, Google CEO Eric Schmidt talked about plans to make Chrome OS devices “completely disposable.”  What that means, according to Engadget, is that we are looking at “netbook-esque price points of between $300-400,” per device.  Another talking point at the forum was the possibility of pricing based on contracts with various wireless carriers (think Clear or the big four carriers here).  This is something we’re already starting to see with select carriers where one can purchase netbooks and or laptop sticks for various rates.  Additionally, on off-contract items such as the iPad, one can purchase connectivity without such an agreement, having paid full price for a device independently of any carrier.

Chrome OS is slated to launch toward the end of this year and companies such as Acer have already made it known that they plan to support the OS.  With the launch of the iPad and several other tablet devices coming down the pike, Chrome OS will have a good deal of competition, however, they’ll be the first to fully utilize the cloud for the majority of user data.

Anyone care to leave their data to the cloud?  Feel free to comment below.

Via Engadget, Gizmodo

Noah’s full review of what may be the coolest phone-as-object out there right now: The Android-powered HTC Legend.

If you’ve been following the BlackBerry news in the slightest, you’re well aware that the Pearl 9100 is right around the corner.  Given that RIM is a Canadian company, wireless providers like Rogers and Telus have historically been first to the gate with many of RIM’s devices (with the exception of the Storm).  Keeping that in mind, the fact that several Rogers locations are receiving BlackBerry Pearl 9100 dummy units is no surprise at all.

I’m no fortune teller, but with dummy units arriving at stores, I’d be willing to guess that we’ll see the Pearl 9100 at WES 2010 next week.  Anyone care to speculate with me?

Via Engadget Mobile

Finally, the agonizing wait is over for Motorola Milestone users on Telus. The long overdue Android 2.1 update has arrived, but in a distasteful manner.  Unfortunately, Telus users don’t get an OTA update option, but a multi-step process using the nearest PC will have you boasting your multi-touch within Google Maps in no time.

What’s new with Android 2.1:

• Animated wallpapers and multiple home screens
  • You can choose between 3, 5, 7, and 9 homescreens.
  • Live wallpapers are now available, others can now be installed from Market.

• Facebook App and Widget
  • Names, profile pictures, and status will can be implemented into your Contacts.
  • A widget can be placed on one of your homescreens.

• Google Maps Updates
  • Personalized suggestions: Autocompletes locations based on personal search history.
  • Syncs with desktop: Synchronizes starred items between Google Maps application and maps.google.com.
  • Multi-touch is now enabled within Google Maps.

• Other Enhancements
  • Help: A new Help Center application is included for mobile access to user guide, video tour of key features, tips and tricks, and FAQs.
  • Bluetooth support: Support for Bluetooth headset multi-function for initiating voice calls.
  • Security: Prevents unauthorized pattern lock bypass, allows for PIN security and local device wipe following PIN error input.
  • Music Player: Album art 3D gallery view supported in landscape orientation.
  • Battery life: Ongoing battery life optimization.
  • Email account removal: Improvements to manual removal of email accounts.

What are you waiting for? Update your Milestone from your PC by clicking here and following the provided 4-step instructions. An OTA update would have been nice, but I think justifying four simple instructions should be easy after you’re reaping the benefits of 2.1. If you’ve already updated your Milestone to 2.1, tell us what you think!

Via MobileSyrup