Unboxing the HTC Arrive

A few weeks ago, I received an HTC Arrive review unit from the PR people at Sprint.

It’s the first CDMA Windows Phone 7 device, and it’s the only phone to ship with NoDo (the update that adds copy/paste) – my HTC Surround is jealous :)

Take a look at my unboxing video, and follow up by reading this excellent review for more tasty info.

Unboxing the HTC Surround, part 1

Recently, the friendly people at Microsoft sent me an HTC Surround review unit. It’s the first Windows Phone 7 device I’m getting some quality time with, so I’m pretty excited :)

Here is my unboxing video – pictures to follow. In the meantime, read this excellent review.

Kin One and Kin Two camera

Kin One sample pictures (slide show):

Kin Two sample pictures (slide show):

After unboxing Kin One and Kin Two and briefly using the ill-fated devices, I switched my attention to the cameras, hoping to find some redemption there. I didn’t!

What I did find was more of the same half-baked recipe – mostly decent hardware hindered by poor software and crappy user experience. More after the break…

Podcast: Talking with tnkgrl #25 (HTC EVO 4G special)

It’s time for another podcast (44 min):
- Audio version
- Video version

Both Matthew Bennett (Nokia Daily News, US Mobile Industry) and Tony Peric (fone frenzy) joined me this week… Thanks guys, and props to Tony for the editing!

We covered the HTC Incredible, the upcoming HTC EVO 4G, the Sharp/Microsoft Kin, the Apple iPad 3G, and the (now official) Nokia N8.

Other topics include the Sierra Wireless Overdrive, and Matt installing MeeGo on his Asus Eee PC, and Android on his iPhone – madness :)

Click here to subscribe to this podcast.

Unboxing the Kin One and Kin Two

Last week the friendly folks at Verizon sent me not one, but two review units: the Kin One and Kin Two!

Both devices are made by Sharp and run a social networking-centric OS based on the upcoming Windows Phone 7 from Microsoft.

The hardware is of typical modern smartphone fare, with a capacitive touchscreen, a full set of radios and sensors (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS & accelerometer), and a physical landscape slider keyboard…

SF AppShow

This week I’m attending the SF AppShow…

- What: The SF AppShow discovers and breaks some of the hottest apps
- When: 7 PM, Tuesday April 27, 2010 (doors at 5:30 PM)
- Where: 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco
- Who: Mobile developers, bloggers, and friends

My readers get a 50% discount. See you there!

Podcast: Talking with tnkgrl #23

It’s time for another podcast (28 min):
- Audio version
- Video version

Matthew Bennett (Nokia Daily News, US Mobile Industry) joined me while Tony Peric (fone frenzy) edited the video :)

This week we discussed Mobile World Congress (Windows Phone 7 Series & Meego), the Apple iPad, the Motorola Devour, and the LG BL40!

Other topics include the Google Nexus One software update, the Nokia N86 camera, Qik Premium & Skype for Symbian, and the BeagleBoard…

Click here to subscribe to this podcast.

Thoughts on Nseries

Dear Nokia,

Congratulations on the N97! It’s a very exciting product, but great devices alone don’t make you a leader.

So what is really needed for the Nseries brand to succeed? Here are my thoughts…

The iPhone SDK was worth the wait

Oh yeah, it was definitely worth the wait. The iPhone SDK is here and is even more exciting than I expected :)

Here’s a quick summary:
- iPhone SDK and emulator available now (beta)
- Intel-based Mac required
- Microsoft Exchange/ActiveSync support coming (oh hello there, RIM)
- IM client coming
- Sega games coming (Super Monkey Ball)
- EA games coming (Spore)
- Apps available on iTunes App Store (both on iPhone and Mac/PC)
- Developer fee of $99 to publish in iTunes App Store (includes support)
- Developer sets price (paid or free)
- Developer keeps 70% of profits
- Firmware 2.0 required to use iTune App Store (available in June)
- iFund: $100 Million Dollars VC fund for iPhone software startups

For more information check out this play-by-play and this other summary…

So, I’m very excited about the iPhone SDK and I’m going to play with it ASAP! I think it’s another major wakeup call for RIM, Nokia, Google/OHA and Microsoft.

What do you think?

The day Apple and Nokia became less relevant

Well maybe not – after all, I have a lot invested (financially, if not emotionally) in Apple and Nokia!

Google finally announced its phone mobile technology plan, and not surprisingly, both Apple and Nokia are absent from the OHA, along with Sony Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM, Palm, AT&T and Verizon…

Wait, do Microsoft and Palm even still matter?

This will be a world of OS X, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry vs. Android – the old vs. the new, the past vs. the future, the closed vs. the open, the proprietary vs. the free, the desktop vs. the cloud.

It’s a great development for T-Mobile and Sprint, and a wake-up call for the other carriers and the music/film industry. And was HTC giving Microsoft the proverbial finger?

As much as 2007 was definitely a milestone year in mobile technology, 2008 will be very interesting.

Prepare to be assimilated :)