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

Good news for Palm users!  In addition to Sprint subscribers that were able to download the update this weekend (seriously Palm/Verizon, what was up with that?), Verizon users are now able to download webOS 1.4 onto their Palm handsets.  We knew it was coming by the end of the month (February) thanks to the Palm presentation at CES in January, so it was nice to see them stick to their word (though they were a few hours away from lying – to Verizon customers, at least).

I downloaded it onto my demo unit, and I’ve been very pleased with the changes.  Obviously, the notable improvement here is recording video, but there are some nifty new features, and some other issues that I hope have been improved upon…

Improvements/changes that I’ve noted so far:

-The “Ev” icon has been replaced by a “3G” icon
-Camera icon is different
-Video recording is now an option
-Overall system performance; seems to be a bit snappier
-When opening programs, there’s a slightly different graphic prior to the application launching (versus dead space while the phone lags).  Program opens in “card” form, and then magnifies to fill the screen when ready to go.
-Improvement in dial pad; calls list in a normal fashion.

What I’m hoping has improved, but haven’t been able to test just yet:

-Battery life
-Battery life
-Battery life

A couple of people at PhoneDog East (our corporate office) carry the Palm Pre, and I’ve asked them for their official responses:

Tom, President
“Best upgrade by far…lots of useful changes.  Video capture is a welcome feature!  New options within dial-pad are very helpful; you no longer have to call-back the number only, can now SMS or change the callback number.  Quicker reaction time when an app is loading – it now shows a pending window opening in progress, instead of just waiting for an app to open and wondering if you actually selected the app or not.”

Rebecca, Business Manager
I upgraded to WebOS 1.4 on my Palm Pre this past Saturday.  One of my previous complaints can be removed, as video capture was added to the device.  I tested it out and was able to record, view, and then delete with no problems.  It also seems to have some editing features that I can’t wait to try out.  Another improvement that I am really enjoying is the access to my contacts from the dialer.  Changes include being able to re-dial a missed call much easier, the ability to dial a different phone number for that person directly from the dialer, and to directly send someone a text message.  Before the upgrade I was always opening my phone to see if I had new messages or e-mail.  Now the button on the gesture pad flashes if something new is there.  Very handy.  

Overall I am enjoying the improvements that webOS 1.4 brought to my Palm Pre.  One complaint for me that still remains is the fact I cannot lean the phone on my shoulder and talk.  During a test call to my Mom today she said it sounded like “I had a cold in my nose”.  When I moved it around and tried again she couldn’t understand me at all.  Not the end of the world but it really does make me have to stop what I am doing and actually hold onto the phone to talk.  I’m sure additional improvements will come from Palm as time goes on, so I will keep my fingers crossed.

Check out the full changelog here.  Palm users, what are you waiting for?  Go get your download on!

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It’s Jon from Tehkseven! On PhoneDog! Huh? Check out his new weekly roundup of PhoneDog news!  Jon Q., a new member of the PhoneDog team has put together a weekly roundup video.  During his fast paced delivery he highlights everything that was big in the cellular industry during the week of February 21-27, 2010.

Last week we reported that LG might be the first company to launch a Windows Phone 7 Series phone, sometime before the holidays (vague, I know).  It didn’t take long for photos and video of the very phone we spoke of to materialize, thanks to Aaron Woodman, Director of Consumer Experiences for Microsoft’s mobile division.  Woodman appeared on The Engadget Show this weekend and brought the pre-release LG prototype with him.

According to Engadget, the WP7S prototype is “just a hair thicker than an iPhone or Nexus One, there are dedicated hardware camera, volume, and power buttons in addition to the back, home, and search buttons dictated by Windows Phone 7 Series, and we noticed a five megapixel camera with a flash on the back, along with a headphone jack.”

If you’ll notice in the picture above, there’s something about the prototype that doesn’t quite match what we would have expected.  Are you thinking what I’m thinking?  The phone seems to be more aligned with the specs of Chassis 2, due to the full QWERTY sliding keyboard.  Here’s a recap of what was said about Chassis 1 and 2 by the guys at Microsoft Australia:

“There’s going to be one available at launch, which is big touch screen, gigahertz processor, dedicated graphics chip. And only touch, no keyboard entry. Chassis two is going to be slide with a keyboard, so looking more like the Palm Treo, touch screen plus a Qwerty keyboard.”

This brings to light an important question.  Why would a Chassis 2 device be the first to launch with WP7S, when our Australian friends would have us believe that Chassis 1 would be the only form factor available at launch, with Chassis 2 and 3 unaccounted for in terms of a release time-frame?  I can’t say that I know what’s coming next, but you can be sure I’m very curious.

Hit the link below for video and pictures of the prototype.  If you think you know what Microsoft and LG are up to, sound off in the comments!

Via Engadget, Arstechnica
Video and Pictures

Not long after news of the HTC Incredible surfaced, more exciting Verizon/Android news comes in the CDMA Nexus One getting FCC approval.  That’s right folks, if you’re a Verizon customer or looking to become one, you may just have a difficult decision to make.

What’s more, multiple sources are reporting that the N1 for Verizon will be announced on March 23rd, the first day of CTIA 2010.  This information lines up with what we have known for a while, that the N1 would be coming to both Verizon and Vodafone in the Spring of this year.  Pricing is not yet known, however, I’ll venture a guess that the price off contract is the same $529 as the GSM (read: T-Mobile) version, while the cost for a N1 with a two-year contract is likely to be competitive.

Verizon is known for its stellar network.  It isn’t the number one carrier in the U.S. for nothing, so the question that’s keeping me awake at night is: will the CDMA version of the Nexus One have the same connectivity issues as its GSM brother?  What say you?

Via Gizmodo, Phandroid

Are you Sprint customer with an old phone laying around? Then you might be interested in the carrier’s Buyback Program, a service that lets users turn in more than 900 different devices for account credit. 

If you have any phone models on the list, then just take it down to one of the 1,000+ official corporate-owned Sprint retail locations to get your instant credit trade-in value. The credits — which go from $5 to 300+ (depending on the handset you’re swapping in) — can be applied to your account balance.

Sounds pretty sweet on paper, but in reality, some users may get more by wheeling and dealing on their own. Engadget makes the point that a secondhand, locked Bold 9700 goes for more than $300 on eBay, but Sprint assesses the value for just $160. That’s a pretty big hit.

Then again, if you just want to avoid the hassle of selling, then at least the program offers a better alternative than getting nada for it (or for that matter, tossing it in the garbage can. That’s a big no-no for the environmentally conscious). Those of you who have a closet full of devices, however, should take note that there’s a max cap of three trade-ins per active line in one year (i.e., every 12 months).

If your old device isn’t on the list, take note that you can still turn in your handset via the carrier’s Project Connect program. It’s a free service for anyone ready to junk their old phones, batteries, accessories and data cards. You won’t get any money for them, but at least you’ll have a clear conscience that your tech addiction didn’t add to any landfills. It’s easy and free to recycle your gadgets; just grab a free, postage-paid envelope at a Sprint-owned store or print the free, pre-paid shipping label off the site here.

Via: Engadget Mobile, Sprint BuyBack Program

When it comes to natural disasters, it’s deeply heartening to see people rally behind a cause that can help so many victims put their lives back together. After Haiti, the key U.S. wireless carriers offered their support by taking text message donations.

Now, after the tragic earthquake that racked Chile recently, aid organizations are taking their cues from that example by enabling donations via text. To make it easier for users to give, they’ve secured text/SMS codes that will work across all four of the major carriers. To contribute, simply text the word “Chile” to one or more of the following numbers:

• 23583 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity
• 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision
• 52000 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army

 

On a personal note…
I was heartbroken to learn of the devastation in Chile. (When I was a college student studying abroad, Santiago was my home for a year, and I’d spent some time traveling the long narrow country from the Atacama desert in the north to the lake region in the south.)

The country and its people have had to struggle through so much in the past few decades, including a military coup and years of political turmoil that resulted in thousands of people disappearing (los desaparecidos) and the torture of literally tens of thousands at the hands of dictator Agosto Pinochet. To this day, many of Chile’s citizens remember the fear and bloodshed of those years, or mourn the loss of loved ones whose ultimate fates were never known.

Since Pinochet’s death three years ago, some of these people have finally managed to put the past behind them — only to now deal with a new national tragedy. This was reportedly one of the strongest recorded earthquakes that ever rocked the country — at an 8.8 magnitude — and it hit the coastal region early Saturday (at 2:34 am).

Initial reports ranged from 200 to 300 lives lost, but now the latest body count has already topped more than 700 people. (Some expect this number to climb further still, as emergency rescue efforts ramp up.) For now, there are still reportedly towns that cannot yet receive aid, and desperate people have resorted to looting and pillaging to survive. Roughly 500,000 houses have been damaged, and according to President Michele Bachelet, there is a dire need for field hospitals and temporary bridges, water purification plants and damage assessment experts, not to mention rescue workers. Those who have already hit the ground have been working feverishly to locate survivors.

It feels so surreal to see my old “second home” torn to pieces like this. The only saving grace in all this is seeing how, despite the antagonistic commercials and business dealings, the major wireless carriers can band together so quickly to support the aid organizations, and give users an easy, efficient way to offer donations. Although I’m wondering and worrying about old friends I’ve lost touch with, there’s at least some comfort in being able to text what help I can — sort of like shooting an SMS that cuts through time and distance — all the way from here, in New England. Those of you who can, I hope you do the same.

Via: MobileGiving.Org, Phone Scoop, CNN, Associated Press

 

UPDATE: I received a press release this morning with more info on donating in the U.S. and Canada:

 

…By texting a keyword to a designated short code via a mobile phone, a micro-donation of $5 or $10 can be made to aid the people affected by this tragedy. 100% of your donation goes to the recipient charity, and the donation appears as a charge on your carrier bill, standard rates may apply.

 

 

Text the word “CHILE”  to 20222 to donate $10, On behalf of World Vision

Text the word “CHILE” to 52000 to donate $10, On behalf of the Salvation Army

Text the word “CHILE” to 45678 to donate $5 (In Canada Only in English), On behalf of UNICEF Canada

Text the word “CHILI” to 45678 to donate $5 (In Canada Only in French), On behalf of UNICEF Canada

Text the word “SAVE” to 20222 to donate $10, On behalf of Save the Children Federation, Inc.

Text the word “CHILE” to 85944 to donate $10, On behalf of International Medical Corp.

Text the word “4CHILE” to 50555 to donate $10, On behalf of Convoy of Hope

Text the word “CHILE” to 50555 to donate $10, On behalf of Friends of the World Program

Text the word “REBUILD” to 50555 to donate $10, On behalf of Friends of the Operation USA

AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless are providing free text messages in support of this effort.

For more information on these various campaigns, a list of approved Application Service Providers and how mobile giving works, visit www.mobilegiving.org. 

 

Image courtesy of Getty Images

 

Three Google executives were convicted in an Italian court last Wednesday, thanks to a third-party online video that showed the bullying of an autistic teenager.

Let’s clarify something: These men didn’t upload the vid. They, in fact, had nothing to do with the content or creation of it. But a judge in Milan held them, as officers of the company, criminally responsible for it anyway. Each of the three defendents — Peter Fleischer, the corporation’s global privacy counsel, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer David Drummond, and retired CFO George Reyes — were given a six-month suspended sentence.

“The judge has decided I’m primarily responsible for the actions of some teenagers who uploaded a reprehensible video to Google video,” says Fleischer. “If company employees like me can be held criminally liable for any video on a hosting platform when they had absolutely nothing to do with the video in question, then our liability is unlimited.”

Google’s stance is that it was unaware of the offensive vid, but when the company was informed, it yanked the clip within two hours. But even so, it says, the conviction was more than just a shock — it was a dangerous move that “attacks the very principles of freedom on which the Internet is built.” Online service providers in the States are protected by the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which offers immunity from this kind of liability. But American laws hold no sway in Europe, and Italy’s courts saw fit to seek charges.

This news does raise some concerns. If internet service providers become accountable for content uploaded by third parties, then it’s not unreasonable to think that some (if not all) of these providers might begin reviewing, even filtering, internet content. But what would that do to the notion of an open and free internet? That is exactly what some experts are worried about.

“We are concerned that non-democratic countries will point to it as a precedent for holding companies responsible for hosting content. This could have a chilling effect on free speech,” said Ari Schwartz, chief operating officer of the Center for Democracy & Technology in Washington D.C.

So it’s not just a matter of upholding freedom of creative expression. The question is whether this case could give fuel to authoritarian regimes, who already play loose with people’s access to information. This, they say, could mark the beginning of a slippery slope.

But there are others who are conversely thrilled with the conviction, considering it an act of protection for a person over a business. The 2006 video at the heart of the case was a disturbing look at a true act of bullying. It was hosted on Google Video (pre-YouTube acquisition, which occurred later that year), and showed an autistic teen in Turin being physically assaulted and verbally abused by classmates. The clip was live for two months, during which time it was viewed 5,500 times and reached the top of Google Italy’s “most entertaining” videos.

This situation is definitely not easy to judge. On the one hand, what happened to this victim was humiliating and reprehensible. If I placed myself in his shoes (or those of his loved ones), the last thing I’d ever want would be a lasting digital memory available for public viewing. But does it serve justice to take a sad, upsetting situation and make it worse by setting precedents that others will abuse?

What do you think? Was the Milan court right in convicting Google’s officers? Should they have taken greater measures to block this offensive vid? Or were they simply the latest victims in this sad, unfortunate scenario?

What I’d like to know is what happened to the assailants — you know, the ones who actually abused the autistic student and presumably recorded the video that set this chain of events in motion. My mind is in knots when I think of it: An act of cruelty, a few moments to upload, and suddenly, three strangers’ lives are marked, and the internet and all digital democracy has been threatened.

For the whole article, click the link below to go to the Associated Press story. (It’s worth a full read.)

Via: The Associated Press

Whenever an upcoming handset gets a lot of buzz, artist renderings always surface that range from strange to sublime, even fantastical. (I’m trying not to use the word “magical” — I think we’ve all had enough of that from the January iPad announcement.)

When it comes to Apple devices, they seem to get more than their share of mock-ups and fantasy imaginings. But this one grabbed my attention, just for the fact that it gave me a seriously visceral reaction. I want this. Badly.

The short but stunning presentation shows a sleek device, with an outer shell forged from aluminum, with an AMOLED screen and a front-facing camera. Now it probably doesn’t need to be said again, but there’s no solid evidence that any of this is actually in the works. Still, this beautiful design does set the imagination going, no?

If what’s in creator Antonio De Rosa’s head is anywhere near what’s in store for the next-gen handset, then sign me up. (BTW, Cupertino: I hope you do whatever it takes to get De Rosa on your design team. This is genius.)

Those who are curious for a peep at the 2D images, hit up the ADR Studio website here.

Via: TUAW

P.S. Today’s iPhone will be holding a contest for people who submit cool mock-ups/renderings. We’re in the process of raiding our product closet to see what apps or accessories (like iPhone or iPod Touch cases) we can give to the masses, so click here to check it out.

As if we needed more iPhone 4G rumors… Apparently, this new handset is going to have a front-facing camera, allow video chat, work with keyboard accessories, boast more storage and fix my coffee in the morning. (Not that the current incarnation is anything to sneeze at. How many gadgets do you know that can beat extreme cold?)

This latest item from Apple Insider is less about specs and hardware though, and more about the ducats: The site sources a prominent analyst — one Ms. Katy Huberty from Morgan Stanley — who believes that the next version will cost less to buy and own than the others did at launch. In fact, she asserts that the large expense is the reason that the iPhone hasn’t been adopted even more widely in the States or abroad, especially in places like China (which has had a pretty ho-hum reaction to the Apple device).

The analyst points out that the old wallet takes a pretty huge beating, both for the handset and the service plan. Apple simply has to address this, she says, if it truly hopes to take a larger marketshare globally.

In a letter to investors, in which Huberty also references gesture control (probably based on a related application patent from Apple that surfaced), she says, “We expect Apple to launch new iPhones in June that offer both a lower total cost of ownership and new functionality, potentially including gesture-based technology.”

On the price issue: Well, I can’t argue with the fact that the iPhone isn’t exactly a cheap proposition. But I don’t think price alone is the only barrier here. First, even when the 8GB iPhone 3G dropped down to $99, the more expensive 3GS models were still selling like hotcakes. Second, when it comes to mass adoption in other countries (especially Asia), mobile television — which the iPhone lacks — is very popular and even quite ubiquitous. So the phone’s lack of built-in TV tuner is actually a negative. And lastly, let’s not forget about Android and WebOS (and soon Windows Phone 7 Series). Even some of the most die-hard iPhone enthusiasts can be found salivating over these platforms’ ability to multitask, among other things.

So slashing prices would probably help, but I’m not sure it’s the panacea Huberty thinks it is. Not that I wouldn’t welcome a less expensive iPhone. And I’d love to see Cupertino follow the pattern it set with the iPod, with various models priced to please both the stingy and the affluent. Then again, some of us have been waiting (in vain) for years to see the iPhone Nano to Pro range, so I’m almost afraid to pin hopes on this yet again.

But one thing’s for sure: If there was ever a time to unleash a family of iPhones, it would certainly be now.

Via: PhoneArena, AppleInsider

One of the annoying things about the iPhone’s initial roll out was that it wasn’t available everywhere. Even some of the authorized AT&T dealers couldn’t sell the handset directly (though over time, the device became more available across different outlets).

Now there’s a new one to add to the bunch: Radio Shack has begun sending iPhones out to its stores across the country. The retailer offers devices across the major carriers, but until recently, wasn’t able to procure the Apple handset beyond a few limited locations in New York City and Dallas. (They carried the Apple smartphone as a trial last November.)

Says Chief Exec Julian Day, “We are currently implementing several hundred stores per week with a plan to have the product available in about 3,000 stores by the end of March.” That’s a decent push for a phone that’s been out for a while. As for the future versions, it’s unclear whether those will be up for the grabbing at The Shack.

Via: TodaysiPhone.com, PhoneArena

Just when you thought Windows Mobile was being renamed to Windows Phone Classic, new information sheds light on a few additional name changes.

According to information gathered by Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet, there will be two types of Windows Mobile 6.5: Windows Phone Starter Edition for emerging markets (think Windows 7 Starter Edition here), and Windows Phone Classic (unconfirmed, but it’s said to be the 6.5 you’re used to).  Windows Phone Starter Edition will offer two types of versions (with all of these versions, it gets confusing, I know): one with Office 2010, and one without Office 2010.  While Windows Phone Starter Edition was confirmed, the status of “Windows Phone Classic” is still up in the air.

When Microsoft was asked what was stripped from the platform to merit “emerging market” status, HSDPA 3G was notoriously absent, while EVDO was listed.  Could this be a standoff between GSM and CDMA, or a push to force Windows Phone 7 Series on everyone?

Despite the name change, I’m going to stick with Windows Phone 7 Series, thank you very much.

Via Engadget

Don’t you just love the rumor mill?  One of our tipsters pinged me this morning to update me on a few important things regarding AT&T at CTIA 2010, and it looks like the nation’s second largest wireless carrier has quite a few announcements lined up (if these come to fruition).

Here’s what we have:

-Microsoft’s “Pink” devices have passed through the FCC, but haven’t been announced on a carrier just yet.  These will be coming to AT&T in the second quarter.  This is part of Microsoft’s partnership with AT&T (more on that in a second).
-Microsoft will be the “premier partner” for Windows Phone 7 Series devices in the United States, which lends credence to the whole “Pink” theory.
-Expect an official announcement at CTIA about the Dell Mini 5 coming to AT&T.  The Dell Mini 5 will be part of a “tablet family,” complete with AT&T 3G.
-AT&T will be announcing two Android devices – though he wasn’t sure which two devices would make the list.  Makes sense, as that would bring the total to three of the five promised in 2010.

This is all from an unconfirmed tipster that we haven’t worked with before, so take it with a big can of salt (Morton’s is my favorite brand, but you may think differently).  In other words, the leaksauce is juicy in this piece (and I love me some leaksauce, but this is loaded with it – so loaded that you can’t taste the meat).  At any rate, CTIA is less than one month away, so we’ll find out soon.  Who’s excited?!

Noah goes on a live talk show to talk about how a cell phone cost an Olympian a shot at the gold medal.

If you haven’t downloaded the CLIQ’s new software update just yet, you might want to hold off, as the update is reported to be causing problems for users.  The T-Mobile message boards are ablaze with complaints about long freezes when using the messaging application, text messages either not being sent or being sent more than once.

Rest assured, as T-Mobile has said that the complaints “have been forwarded to the appropriate people.”  In the interim, T-Mobile has instructed everyone not to do a master reset, as it purportedly causes more problems.  Good to know, as that would be my first recommended fix.

The official statement from T-Mobile is as follows:

For those who have downloaded the “update,” have you experienced any of the issues mentioned here?  Sound off in the comments!

Via Engadget, BGR
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Word on the street is that LG will be the first to launch a device running the new Windows Phone 7 Series (WP7) operating system.  According to Engadget, their Chinese subsidiary had a “sitdown” with LG, who said that their WP7 phone would be launching “sometime between September and November.”  Though the dates are clearly not set in stone, LG’s statement lines up with Microsoft’s promise to release their first WP7 phone in time for the holidays.

Remember that according to the two Microsoft Australia Developer Evangelists who, earlier this week, shed some light on the three chassis Microsoft will be allowing for WP7 phones, Chassis 1 should be the first form factor to launch.  Based on this information, we can logically presume that the specs for LG’s first WP7 phone should be something as follows:

• High resolution capacitive touchscreen (right around 3.7″ seems to be the standard)
• 1 GHz processor (or better)
• Dedicated graphics processor
• 5-megapixel camera
• GPS
• FM radio

None of this is set in stone, obviously, and we’re still too far away to tell what will change and what won’t, but I’m sure more news on this issue will develop over time.

Now, who’s getting excited?!

Via Engadget, Gizmodo, Arstechnica

CrackBerry got a hold of an official e-mail from RIM yesterday, suggesting that Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) version 3.0 will be headed our way come March 21 of this year.  Some of the key features expected in 3.0 are as follows:

• True two-way synchronization with Gmail
• Ability to create Gmail labels with Advanced Gmail Plugin
• Support for Windows Media Audio files
• Support of OpenOffice files
• Carrier specific error messages with relevant contact information

According to the email, though the above features are great for the consumer: “the big news with the latest release is the Admin tool.”  This means the IT guys (or gals) at work will have some new training materials to read over to provide you support and help to enhance the use of your BlackBerry services.

The real question I think everyone is asking, however, is where is that WebKit browser we’ve all been waiting for?  What say you?

Via BGR, CrackBerry

First and foremost, the picture you see above is a mockup, and not the actual device in question.  That being said, it’s probably close to what a BlackBerry with a touchscreen and a sliding QWERTY keyboard would look like.  According to intel received by the gang at Boy Genius Report, RIM is hard at work developing a device with a touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard.  Their source was quick to point out that this could be the evolution of the Magnum/Dakota.

According to BGR, this is what is known:

• It’s a portrait-oriented slider. Think Palm Pre/Pre Plus here – sliding QWERTY, perhaps?
• The phone will run BlackBerry OS 6.0.
• The rumored device will support Wi-Fi 802.11n
• The screen resolution is still 360×480.
• Potential for a touchscreen and a Bold/Tour keyboard.
• The unit is supposed to be a GSM/HSPA device.

BlackBerry fans, this could be a great device – and with the rumored improvements in OS 6.0, could make for a great media-centric device.  Thoughts?

Via BGR, BBerryDog
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Given the news surrounding Palm and the company’s future yesterday, it’s understandable that employees could be a bit unsettled.  To quell some of the concerns, Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein sent an e-mail to company employees yesterday with a few details of Palm’s strategy going forward.  Though Rubinstein is clearly unsatisfied with the way Verizon has handled the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus launch to date, he has deployed approximately 200 “Brand Ambassadors” to Verizon stores to help train employees on the benefits of webOS.  What’s more, the brand identity is growing, with advertisements on billboards, bus shelters, buses, and subway stations (much better than the woman on television, in my opinion).  He was also quick to note that the company has approximately $500 million in cash.

There is an “all-hands meeting” scheduled after the earnings announcement in March, which will certainly be an interesting event.  Care to speculate what will be said in the meeting?  Comment below!

 

Team,

This morning we announced preliminary results for our 2010 third quarter. Since the quarter has not yet closed, it is too soon to offer exact numbers, but we stated that we expect to report revenues for Q3 between $300 and $320 million. We also announced that we expect our revenue for this fiscal year to fall below the guidance we gave to Wall Street, which ranged from $1.6 to $1.8 billion. As we mentioned in our press release, our softer than expected performance is due to slower than expected customer adoption of our products, which in turn has prompted our U.S. carrier partners to put additional orders on hold for the time being. On a positive note, we expect to exit the quarter with over $500 million in cash on our balance sheet. We’re scheduled to announce our full financial results in March.

I realize this news is difficult to swallow. We made this announcement today to prevent a surprise for Wall Street when we announce quarterly earnings in March. In the meantime, the entire executive team has been working extremely hard to improve product performance, and have implemented a number of initiatives to increase awareness and drive sales.

Dave Whalen and I just returned from a very successful meeting with Verizon Wireless, where they acknowledged that their execution of our launch was below expectations and recommitted to working with us to improve sales. To accelerate sales, we initiated Project JumpStart nearly three weeks ago. Since then, nearly two hundred Palm Brand Ambassadors, supplemented by Palm employees from Sunnyvale, have been training Verizon sales reps across the U.S. on our products. Early results from the stores have already shown improvement on product knowledge and sales week over week. You may have also seen a growing number of Palm ads on billboards, bus shelters, buses, and subway stations-all getting the word out about Palm.

All of these efforts are examples of how we are working to accelerate adoption and grow distribution of webOS. In the next few weeks, your management will work with you to make sure your priorities are laser-focused, primarily on helping to increase sales, improve product quality and differentiate the Palm product experience.

Our goals are taking longer than expected to achieve, but I am still confident that our talented team has what it takes to get the job done.
We’ll schedule an all-hands meeting after our earnings announcement in March, and I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Go team!!!

jon

Via Engadget
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If you’re a fan of both Verizon and Android (and HTC), then pay close attention because there’s exciting news afoot.  Over the past few days, a screen shot of Verizon Wireless’ inventory system, displaying what is presumed to be the HTC Incredible accompanied by its launch kit, has been circulating the blogosphere.

Rumored specs of the Incredible are as follows:

• 3.5″-3.7″ WVGA capacitive display (believed to be AMOLED)
• 5 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash 
• Optical trackpad 
• Snapdragon processor 
• 256MB RAM 
• Android 2.1 
• HTCs Sense UI

Rumors suggest that when a device hits a carrier’s inventory system, the launch date is around the corner.  However, at present there doesn’t seem to be any solid information on the Incredible’s release, leaked or otherwise, so at this point we’re all just speculating.  In addition to the screen shot of Verizon’s system, there are also a few videos circulating.  One in particular (link below) caught my attention, mostly because at the startup screen you see a shot of the Verizon moniker.

If you’re as excited as I am about more HTC Android smart/super phones hitting the market, sound off below!

Via Gizmodo, DroidDog, BGR
Video: HTC Incredible

This week, we learned that Android is the leader of the pack when it comes to the availability of free apps and that a huge chunk of the Android-loving public is male. I think some of that may have to do with those aggressive Droid ads. Also – and don’t get me wrong here – it seems like the vast majority of phone hackers are male. I don’t know why, and I can’t say I know for sure that it’s true. It just seems to be the case. I think that, if there were a recent study on which kind of mobile phone experienced the most tinkering, Android would hold such a great majority that all others would be lumped together as “other.” Speaking of which…

Hacks & Mods

Less than a week after we mentioned the release of an early Desire ROM, I rooted my own Nexus One (right) and flashed MoDaCo’s Alpha 10. I recorded the entire process on video and have created a tutorial that can be found here. However, Carlos was right on top of the continually improved releases and shot a video review of Alpha 6 before I was even rooted. Carlos is super busy and working on numerous projects right now and may not be back with ROM reviews for a while, but I’ll try to squeeze some in on my own when possible. If the above doesn’t quench your hacking thirst for the week, see this post on running Android on a handful of HTC WinMo devices.

Phones and Gadgets

This week saw leaks and announcements about numerous products, but I would be willing to bed that three models are responsible for the lion’s share of the buzz. We’ve heard that the Desire is headed for AT&T and Legend to Sprint, and we saw a Verizon inventory screen listing the Incredible. Those are the most exciting items of the week to me, anyway. Almost a year-and-a-half after the launch of the first Android and HTC is still in charge, as far as I’m concerned. Rogers just announced the Magic+ as well.

Of course my respect for HTC doesn’t mean that I don’t lust after gear from other brands or that I don’t see important work going on elsewhere. Acer’s Liquid is really interesting to me, even if I think the best is yet to be cooked. Philips unleashed a monstrous display designed to showcase the custom UI they’ve developed for an Android 2.1 PMP, and while fun, I think a PR dude with big hands and a real device would have been more awe-inspiring.

Apps

We didn’t cover a whole lot of apps this week, but two posts of note are Adobe’s response to impressions of Flash leaked with cooked ROMs and Google Earth for Android.

That does it for my “7 Days” this week. I’ll leave you with Alberto’s second post in his series on Google’s strategy: Nexus One: How Google is Laying the Groundwork.

Take care