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A match made in heaven: BlackBerry PlayBook and… Windows Phone? [video]
![A match made in heaven: BlackBerry PlayBook and… Windows Phone? [video]](http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Btp63pamg9UGZCHbA.vCMg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/BGR_News/playbook-windows-phone.jpg "A match made in heaven: BlackBerry PlayBook and… Windows Phone? [video]") What do you get when you cross a struggling vendor’s debut tablet with a mobile operating system that has spent the past 18 months running into the brick wall that is Google’s Android operating system and Apple’s iOS? One Dutch developer seemingly needed to find out, so he ported Microsoft’s perpetually-emerging Windows Phone OS onto RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook. The result is a somewhat responsive slate that gives us a look at what will never be; Microsoft is on record in stating that it has no interest in bringing Windows Phone — emphasis on “Phone” — to tablets. Of course, with the software giant’s next-generation Windows 8 platform on the horizon there is no reason to put Windows Phone on a
05/17/2012 - 09:05 AM
Wi-Lan says court rules in its favor in patent case
(Reuters) - Patent licensing company Wi-Lan Inc said a U.S. judge had ruled in its favor in a patent infringement claim related to handset products and high-speed packet access base stations. Wi-Lan had alleged that Alcatel-Lucent USA, HTC Corp and Sony Corp's Sony Mobile Communications (USA) Inc had infringed four of its patents. The company said the U.S. District Court for Eastern Texas, which issued the order on Wednesday, had adopted interpretations favorable to the company on all of its claims. ...
05/17/2012 - 08:23 AM
UK agency approves BlackBerry 7 OS for government
 (Reuters) - Research In Motion Ltd said the UK agency responsible for setting standards for computer security has approved the BlackBerry 7 operating system for government use. This will allow the government employees to use six models of the smart phone including BlackBerry Bold 9900, BlackBerry Torch 9810 and BlackBerry Torch 9860, RIM said. Ministry of defence, central government employees and more than half of the country's police force use BlackBerry smart phones, the company said. (Reporting by Aftab Ahmed in Bangalore; Editing by Joyjeet Das)
05/17/2012 - 06:47 AM
LG announces Optimus UI for Ice Cream Sandwich devices
 LG on Wednesday announced a new user-interface skin for its Android-powered devices running Ice Cream Sandwich. The South Korean company’s Optimus UI 3.0 is said to be designed with convenience and speed in mind, and is being labeled as both unobtrusive and simple. “With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Both carriers and customers tell us that they want LG phones to look and feel unique and the UI plays a big part in that. LG is really going to push the boundaries of what is possible in user interfaces starting with
05/16/2012 - 11:25 PM
Global mobile phone sales now in decline
 Despite some vendors seeing record smartphone sales, worldwide sales of mobile phones declined 2% year-over-year to 419.1 million units in the first quarter of 2012, according to research firm Gartner. The decline represents the first of its kind since the second quarter of 2009. “Global sales of mobile devices declined more than expected due to a slowdown in demand from the Asia/Pacific region,” said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner. “The first quarter, traditionally the strongest quarter for Asia – which is driven by Chinese New Year, saw a lack of new product launches from leading manufacturers, and users delayed upgrades in the hope of better smartphone deals arriving later in the year.” In the smartphone market, Android accounted for more
05/16/2012 - 08:25 PM
Android and iOS drive mobile app explosion [infographic]
![Android and iOS drive mobile app explosion [infographic]](http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/JxX7vqLuGGlgYgn4S8i8wg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/BGR_News/appnation-what-has-changed.png "Android and iOS drive mobile app explosion [infographic]") One year ago, less than 40% of mobile subscribers in the United States had a smartphone. That number has increased dramatically, however; according to Nielsen, one in two mobile subscribers now owns a smartphone. Driven mostly by the rise of Android and iOS, which account for more than 80% of the U.S. smartphone market, 2012 has turned into the year of the app. The average number of apps installed on each smartphone has jumped 28% in 2012, an increase from 32 apps to 41. Smartphone owners are also spending increasingly more time using apps than using the mobile web, roughly 10% more than last year. Nielsen notes that the top five most active apps continue to be Facebook, YouTube, Android
05/16/2012 - 07:00 PM
Samsung on top as mobile phone sales dip: survey
 Mobile phone sales worldwide suffered a rare dip in the first three months of this year on softened demand in Asian markets, industry tracker Gartner reported Wednesday.
05/16/2012 - 04:22 PM
Here's How Bad Android's Fragmentation Problem Is [GRAPHIC]
When Google first launched Android, the open-source operating system came with the promise that it could power almost any device. That's created a proverbial cornucopia of mobile devices that consumers have to choose from, but it's also led to the issue of fragmentation -- there are so many devices running different versions of Android with different capabilities that can alter experience.
05/16/2012 - 01:53 PM
6 Educational Android Apps for Adults
1. Speed Anatomy
05/16/2012 - 01:13 PM
HTC EVO 4G LTE review
 Successfully launching an iconic smartphone is a daunting task, and following up a blockbuster flagship phone launch is even more difficult. Apple and Samsung might make it look easy, but companies like Motorola, Nokia and RIM have shown us that the success of one phone is anything but a guarantee that sequels will be met with the same fanfare. Perhaps no recent smartphone launch better embodies that notion than the HTC EVO 4G, a smartphone that gave Sprint a much-needed smash hit when it launched in 2010, and its successor the EVO 3D, which is now all but forgotten less than a year after its debut. Now, Sprint and HTC are back again with the HTC EVO 4G LTE, a
05/16/2012 - 12:45 PM
HTC smartphones blocked by US customs
 US mobile carrier Sprint said Wednesday it was delaying the introduction of an Android smartphone from Taiwan's HTC after the devices were blocked by US customs.
05/16/2012 - 11:44 AM
Android fragmentation gets visualized, again
 Android’s rise to the top of the mobile operating system food chain as measured by device proliferation has been remarkably swift, but not without its drawbacks. Due to the nature of Google’s open source OS and its aggressive strategy, smartphone vendors that make use of the platform have each gone their own way with software development, hardware design and other key elements. As a result, Android fragmentation, which might be defined as the spread of diverging versions of the Android OS across devices with varying core characteristics, was born. Whether or not fragmentation is a problem in the Android ecosystem is a topic that is intensely debated by enthusiasts. Some claim the problem will eventually lead to Android’s downfall while others
05/16/2012 - 10:45 AM
How to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill
Addicted to your cell phone? Tired of paying a fat bill for it each month? Join the club.
05/16/2012 - 10:33 AM
Why Is Apple So Scared?
 As Android widens its lead in the smartphone and tablet marketplace, Apple is starting to look a little frightened. The company that once answered to nobody (but Steve Jobs) seems to be cowering in the shadows of folks like Samsung and HTC. Instead of doing its normal trick of breaking conventions, Apple actually looks like it's going on the defensive with the latest designs for the iPhone and iPad and changing the specs of their flagship devices to match those of its competitors' gadgets. It's beyond mere imitation, though. ...
05/16/2012 - 10:30 AM
Apple patent spats finally pay off
 The launch of Sprint’s flagship EVO 4G LTE has been delayed indefinitely and supply of AT&T’s flagship HTC One X will be constrained as a result of ongoing patent disputes between HTC and Apple. HTC confirmed in a statement emailed to BGR on Tuesday evening that shipments of its new EVO 4G LTE and One X smartphones have been held up by United States Customs as part of an International Trade Commission investigation. Before the phones can clear Customs, the ITC will need to determine that HTC’s new handsets are in compliance with an earlier ruling. “The US availability of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of
05/16/2012 - 09:40 AM
Top new tech products: Google TV G2, Optimus 4X HD, world’s first 55” OLED Smart TV
 High-tech product releases announced the week ending May 16 include the world’s first 55” OLED Smart TV, an updated Google TV with a magic remote, LG’s first quad-core smartphone, the world’s lightest 14” ultrabook and an affordable Android smartphone for music lovers.
05/16/2012 - 08:13 AM
Beep on the Cheap: A Hack to Cut Cell Phone Charges
Beep on the Cheap: A Hack to Cut Cell Phone Charges
05/16/2012 - 07:30 AM
Google to Sell Android 'Nexus' Devices Directly to Customers [REPORT]
Google will give several device manufacturers early access to future releases of the Android operating system, a new report says. As part of the shift in strategy, the search giant will also begin selling some devices directly to consumers.
05/16/2012 - 07:13 AM
New iPhone Will Have a Larger Screen [REPORT]
From its inception to version 4S, Apple's iPhone has had the same screen size: 3.5 inches. This might change with the next generation of the device, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.
05/16/2012 - 05:57 AM
Google+ trends: Flickr gets bigger photos, Apple blocks One X, Evo 4G smartphones from entering US
 Yahoo!’s photo sharing site Flickr is the latest social media site to get a bigger-photo makeover.
05/16/2012 - 05:39 AM
This Phone Lasts 15 Years on 1 AA Battery
The Global Innovation Series is presented by BMW i, a new concept dedicated to providing mobility solutions for the urban environment. It delivers more than purpose-built electric vehicles -- it delivers smart mobility services. Visit bmw-i.com or follow @BMWi on Twitter.
05/16/2012 - 05:31 AM
Mobile Phone Sales Down 2 Percent, Samsung Still Number One [REPORT]
Mobile phone sales worldwide reached 419.1 million units in Q1 2012, a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year, Gartner's latest report says.
05/16/2012 - 04:14 AM
HTC shares tumble as patent case delays U.S. sales
 TAIPEI (Reuters) - U.S. sales of two new smartphones from Taiwan's HTC Corp will be delayed due to a patent dispute with Apple Inc, a fresh blow to the company as it tries to turn around declining sales in what was once its largest market. Shares in HTC tumbled more than 6 percent after it said shipments of the phones were being held up by U.S. customs officials. Apple scored a narrow victory against HTC in a patent lawsuit in December over technology in the smartphones, one of many such disputes in the fiercely competitive smartphone market. HTC said in a statement on Wednesday that "the U.S. ...
05/16/2012 - 02:55 AM
HTC One X Delayed at US Customs and Three Other Stories You Need to Know
Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,” a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. Today, we’re looking at three particularly interesting stories.
05/16/2012 - 02:21 AM
Samsung announces Ice Cream Sandwich update for T-Mobile phones
 Samsung recently updated its website to include a list of T-Mobile devices that will receive Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades. “Samsung is in close communication with both Google and our carrier partners to upgrade devices to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as quickly and as smoothly as possible,” the company wrote on its website. The manufacturer will be issuing over-the-air updates to the Galaxy S II, Galaxy S Blaze 4G, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and Galaxy Tab 10.1. Unfortunately, neither T-Mobile nor Samsung have announced a release schedule for the upcoming updates. Read
05/15/2012 - 10:00 PM
The Elevator Endorsement, Obama as Amish President, Prairie Fires of Debt, Pelois and Pedicabs (PM Note)
Obama, America’s First Amish President – That’s the Newsweek-esque headline from Yahoo!’s Olivier Knox after watching Obama on ‘The View’ and writing – “President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that daughters Malia and Sasha can use their cell phones only on weekends,...
05/15/2012 - 06:18 PM
How Facebook Swallowed The World; What Romney Likes
 We realize there's only so much time one can spend in a day watching new trailers, viral video clips, and shaky cell phone footage of people arguing on live television. This is why every day The Atlantic Wire highlights the videos that truly earn your five minutes (or less) of attention. Today: the best mashup so far of things Mitt Romney claims to enjoy, how Facebook got so, so big, and an Adam Yauch tribute from some small children in Oregon.
05/15/2012 - 04:45 PM
Canadian shoppers could have option of paying with cash, credit or BlackBerry
TORONTO - Within months, Canadian shoppers could have the option of paying for purchases with cash, credit or by BlackBerry.
05/15/2012 - 04:27 PM
Obama, America's first Amish president?
President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that daughters Malia and Sasha can use their cell phones only on weekends, are banned from Facebook, can't watch TV and are only allowed on the computer during the week when they have to do their homework. He also said he was "too long-winded" to use Twitter and that he likes to "tape" things on "this—what's it called, DVR."It's almost enough for a national newsweekly to dub him "America's First Amish President. ...
05/15/2012 - 03:17 PM
Oracle patent claims versus Google sent to jury
 SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A California jury began another round of deliberations on Tuesday in a high profile trial over allegations that Google's Android mobile platform violates Oracle's intellectual property rights. The jury has already wrestled with Oracle's copyright claims against Google and delivered a partial verdict last week. Now, jurors are mulling Oracle's patent claims, but the potential patent damages appear far less than what is involved in the copyright allegations. ...
05/15/2012 - 03:14 PM
Canada smartphones soon to double as credit cards
TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadians may soon be able to pay for purchases with a quick tap of their smartphones after a major bank and the country's largest wireless carrier struck a deal to embed credit card information on handsets equipped with a chip to transmit data. Rogers Communications Inc and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce later this year will launch the so-called mobile wallet on some BlackBerry models from Research In Motion Ltd. Devices from other handset makers are expected to follow. ...
05/15/2012 - 02:55 PM
Obama, America’s first Amish president?
President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that daughters Malia and Sasha can use their cell phones only on weekends, are banned from Facebook, can't watch TV and are only allowed on the computer during the week when they have to do their homework. He also said he was "too long-winded" to use [...]
05/15/2012 - 02:46 PM
Clarity Pal: The Newest Phone for the Senior Set
 It’s almost every day that a cellphone is released for the Millennial Generation — just look at all those new Android phones. But a phone for seniors? It’s not a brand new concept, but there’s a new one hitting the market very soon. Clarity, which...
05/15/2012 - 01:51 PM
Starbucks Brews Loyalty With Mobile Payment
Starbucks makes it easy for customers to buy coffee. So easy, in fact, that they don't even need cash or a credit card. A smartphone will work just fine. To capitalize on the growing popularity of these devices, Starbucks introduced mobile payment technology in January 2011 that enables purchases with the wave of an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry.
05/15/2012 - 12:43 PM
Smule Brings Songify App to Android
Smule, the popular iOS app maker behind such hits as Magic Piano, I Am T-Pain and Glee Karaoke is finally making its way to the Android platform -- starting with its latest hit, Songify.
05/15/2012 - 09:39 AM
Relaxnews app selection: crowdsourced weather, tennis results and sunscreen alerts
 Follow film and fashion at Cannes, enjoy the Euro 2012 football and take in some tennis at Roland Garros, or simply check the weather and get away from it all with this selection of some of the coolest, most interesting and downright fun applications for iOS and Android devices as selected this month by the journalists at leading leisure news wire agency Relaxnews.
05/15/2012 - 09:36 AM
People who cross the street while texting: Should they be fined?
Fort Lee, N.J., is ticketing "careless walkers," after three people were killed in the street as they fumbled with their cell phones. But is an $85 fine too much?
05/15/2012 - 08:20 AM
Nokia's new cheap models bet on games, web access
 HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia patched up its ailing basic phones offering on Tuesday with two models offering access to games, applications and the Internet, hoping to regain its footing in emerging markets. After precipitously losing its position in the smartphone market to Apple's iPhone and models running Google's Android software, Nokia has also been losing its shine in the basic phone market, which had been a reliable generator of profits. ...
05/15/2012 - 08:13 AM
Obama's Campaign Is Taking Away Cell Phones at Private Fundraisers
 In an effort to avoid an embarrassing leak, the Obama campaign is reportedly asking donors attending the President's most intimate fundraisers to hand over their cellphones at the door. Pool reporter David Nakamura of The Washington Post said that more that 60 attendees who gathered at the home Blackstone CEO Hamilton James on Monday night were asked to place their phones in plastic bag when they entered. ...
05/15/2012 - 07:33 AM
Google's Android gains share in smartphones-survey
HELSINKI (Reuters) - Google's Android smartphone software stretched its market lead in early 2012, helped by new models from handset makers like Samsung and HTC and piling the pressure on rivals like Research In Motion and Nokia. Research from Kantar WorldPanel on Tuesday showed Android gaining share strongly in most of seven major markets - Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States - in the 12 weeks to mid April. ...
05/15/2012 - 07:10 AM
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