This is interesting. A press release just got outed by Apple’s PR website, presenting the new release of the safari desktop browser, Safari 5. There’s a claimed 30 percent increase in speed, much like the iPhone 4′s version, and the debut of the Safari Reader. There’s also the ability to completely nuke Google search as the default option and choose Bing. Interesting. Press release below the break.
Yeah, yeah. This post came really late. I hear you guys. But anywho, let’s just move on the the show! At WWDC 2010, Steve jobs presented the new iPhone 4. Its desing is exactly the one seen several times before, and is packing a ton of new features, including the new iPhone OS name and branding: iOS 4. Yes, the name has changed.
The new specs of the just-announced iPhone 3GS’ successor are an Apple A4 (the same used in the iPad), with an Apple-rated battery life of 7 hours of 3G talk, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of Wi-Fi, 10 of video, and 300 hours of standby time. Nice touch. On the new screen, the new iPhone 4 is 35% smaller than the 3GS, but packs in a “Retina display”. This 3.5-inch display has a resolution of 960×640 pixels, at 326 pixels per inch, which beats out any Android phone, the Nexus One and EVO 4G’s 800×480 pixel screens. Rember that App Store issues that occured with the iPad? Well, the iPhone 4 has a 800:1 contrast ratio, meaning that apps will appear as they should, even with the new, high-res screen bracing the Retina display.
iPhone 4 Press Shot Gallery
802.11n Wi-Fi is included as is quad-band HSDPA radio capable of 7.2Mbps down and 5.8Mbps up. There’s also a gyroscope coupled with the accelerometer for 6-axis motion sensing (read: extreme precision in movements with the phone. As for mics, the iPhone 4 packs dual-mic noise cancelling technology, much like the Nexus One.
The new camera(s) on the iPhone are astounding. The first, a 5 megapixel camera with 5x zoom, autofocus, and 720p video recording at 30fps, with a backside illuminated sensor which allows photons to crash into the sensor creating extremely well-lit low-light photos, meaning good ISO. The front-facing cam allows for Apple’s new FaceTime app, which allows for two-way video chat, but only over Wi-Fi while Cupertino is currently working on ways to get carriers to support the feature over their 3G networks.
Last but not least is the new Netflix app, which works exactly like the iPad’s, and the new iMovie app, which will retail for $4.99 on the App Store, which allows onboard 720p editing of your iPhone’s video. And lastly, the new iPhone 4 will be available in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Japan, and you’ll be able to pre-order it on June 15th and pick it up on the 24th. In the US, AT&T will sell the 16GB model for $199 and the 32GB model for $299 (both possibly a 2-year contract), in either full black, or full white.
Source: Apple iPhone 4
Not being at WWDC 2010 in California doesn’t mean we can’t cover it. I’ll be providing live updates using CoverIt Live! The event starts at 12PM Eastern, and the conference actually starts at 1PM ET. So just sit back, and enjoy the live commentary (and of course posts flying in at the same time, so keep your refresh button handy)! UPDATING…
Despite Palm’s and webOS’ numerous failings, the Pre remained the best selling launch device on Sprint. But since the EVO 4G is awesome, despite it’s slightly clunky battery, it has surpassed the Pre. While Sprint isn’t releasing exact numbers or estimates, according to their stores, “temporary shortages of the device at some of the 22,000 sales locations across the United States”. Sprint couldn’t be prouder, could they? And on that note: device supply is being replenished daily with deliveries. Otherwise, here’s the press release:
HTC EVO 4G Breaks Sales Records for Sprint on Launch Day; America’s First 4G Phone is a Hit with Customers
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Friday, June 4, was an early morning for thousands of customers who lined up several hours before Sprint (NYSE: S) stores opened their doors in anticipation of the first day of sales for America’s first 3G/4G phone, HTC EVOTM 4G. Customers were anxious to get their hands on HTC EVO 4G providing record sales figures for Sprint stores around the country.
“I woke up and thought it was Christmas. This phone is so innovative and Sprint is so far ahead of everyone else when it comes to innovation. I’m so excited and looking forward to getting to know EVO better.”
Friday sales of HTC EVO 4G marked the largest quantity of a single phone sold in one day ever for Sprint – the record was previously held by both Samsung InstinctTM and Palm PreTM. In addition, the total number of HTC EVO 4G devices sold on launch day was three times the number of Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre devices sold over their first three days on the market combined.
“HTC EVO 4G is a clear winner for customers with the powerful combination of an amazing multimedia experience in 3G coverage areas that becomes even better in our growing number of 4G markets. It is terrific to see customers react so positively to this device and the innovative experience it brings to them,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO.
The record pace of HTC EVO 4G sales led to temporary shortages of the device at some of the 22,000 sales locations across the United States, including Sprint retail stores, national retail partners including RadioShack, Best Buy and Walmart, and indirect dealers. Sprint and HTC are diligently working around the clock to increase inventory in all sales channels. Additional shipments are arriving in retail stores on a regular basis with many stores seeing daily deliveries.
“HTC EVO 4G has more than lived up to our expectations that it would be one of the most anticipated technology products of the year,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development for Sprint. “We are working closely with our partners at HTC to increase the supply and get EVO 4G into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible.”
Yes, you read both of those lines perfectly. On one side of the coin, the M11x appeared in Central Park (of New York, mind you) and has a blast of photoshoots and a full review there. Plus, the first TV interview (starring yours truly) was shot there (that’s no joke). While it’s not an Oprah or CNN appearance by far, it’s a great start for this site, and will be broadcasted in the New York area to more than 1,000,000 people.
In next week’s roundup I’ll have a copy of the gig and will post it here. Otherwise, tomorrow I’m headed off to another interview, this time for a larger network I believe. And yes, I’ll be covering WWDC 2010 tomorrow, because nothing would stop LaptopMemo from covering it, even if I wasn’t there, and some of my colleagues making snotty remarks in conversations on Twitter.
On the other side of things, here was this week’s important news:
A metroPCS Android phone? That’s not something you see everyday (and probably have never seen for that matter). This QWERTY slider is purportedly running Android 2.1 with MOTOBLUR, has a slide-out QWERTY, and a 600MHz processor with a 3 megapixel camera. No details on release date, name, pricing, or its purpose in life. Except that it would be the first Android phone on the worst carrier in the U.S (read: from personal experiences).
Via: AndroidGuys
Sony Ericsson is the first company to ever use the 1Ghz Snapdragon chip in a handset, and that handset being the XPERIA X10. Though as recent reviews have pinned it, the X10 isn’t too glamorous as its rivals: the Nexus One, Droid, Incredible, iPhone, and EVO 4G (yes, I mentioned 4 different Android phones in there). Still, Sony Ericsson is still kicking out gadgets: in a new leak, the phone on the left (called Shakira) is thought to be like the X10 except smaller, though not ‘mini’ the the X10 Mini (makes no sense if you ask me). On the more exciting part of things, the “big black thing with a screen” on the right is thought to be a curious smartbook of sorts, and has a 5″ screen with Android 2.1.
One final question Sony: will busting out new Androids save you, or will actual “good thinking and innovation” do the job? I’m simply asking.
Via: Shakira, Black QWERTY Thing
According to French blog MacGeneration, Steve Jobs (and/or Apple) will make the Safari 5 announcement which is purportedly going to include the new Safari Reader, a 25% bump/jump in JavaScript performance, the option to make Bing the default search engine (an obvious sign of Jobs’ war on Google), 12+ new HTML5 features, newer developer tools, and hardware acceleration (yes?) for Windows. It could all be good, but I don’t see Safari giving Mac or Windows users the urge to switch to it from Google’s Chrome. Rightfully so, Chrome right now is untouchable. Firefox 4 who?
Via: TUAW
Google has recently added a link as of now that allows you to change the background of the entire page, to your personal liking. There are a few good pics included once you hit up the link Google offers you, but why not take an awesome shot I took with a D5000 review unit?
Yes, it is awesome. Yes it is. (The photo is on our Twitter feed.)
And if you’re wondering what those four little Google color dots are for: they’re to take you back to the original look. Snazzy.
Source: Google
According to a colleague of mine, AKA Sir Bettiol of BGR and England, MyDroidWorld has an official Android 2.2 ROM for the Motorola DROID. All you have to do is follow the step-by-step instructions to get started, and you’ll be up to your head in frozen yogurt in no time. One thing to point out for you guys is that the ROM is completely “perfect”, except it doesn’t include Wi-Fi (read: suck), but that should be panned out before the official Moto Android 2.2 OTA comes out, right? In the meantime, hit up the source link. Another note: it’s completely your fault if it “screws up”, as the developers say.
Source: MyDroidWorld, BGR
Have you ever experienced a 3D TV like you get at the cinema? Lightweight glasses, cool effects and a great picture experience? LG 3D televisions bring it right into your home.