The Cell Phone Junkie Show #116

The Cell Phone Junkie Show #116 1:02:50
Show Notes
Apple and AT&T are quiet about the iPhone 3G issues, some new HTC devices hit Europe and a new show from the cell phone junkies!

TCPJ Unlocked #001
901-328-7589
Palm Centro Review
Sidekick 2008 review

News
Apple and AT&T quiet about iPhone 3G problems
Infineon chip cause of 3G problems for iPhone?
Software fix in the works?
3 million iPhones sold in first month
Best Buy to Sell iPhone
AT&T starting to get stock back
Alltel Q2 customer growth
MetroPCS chooses LTE for 4G network
ReCellular gets $15M in funding
PCS Mail scheduled for deletion on Sprint
Sprint PAM now $15/mo
Verizon ousts T-Mobile in support quality

Devices
Nokia 5610 XpressMusic
Nokia 3610 Fold
New Nokia Handsets
Motorola Alexander without keyboard=Atila
HTC Dream pre-sale on T-Mobile starting 9/17/2008
HTC Touch Pro in UK
Mobile Tech Addicts reviews the Touch Pro
AT&T to get Touch Pro as “HTC Fuze”
Palm Treo Pro
Sprint Roadmap
Blackberry 8350i on Nextel
Blackberry Pearl 8220 on Rogers pricing
Blackberry Bold on Rogers pricing
HTC Touch coming to US Cellular
Samsung T919

Software
iPhone software sales going well
Apple remotely disabling iPhone apps
iPhone 2.1 Beta 4 seeded, push notification removed
Visual Voicemail on Verizon-$2.99/mo
Hobbyist updates Butler and Phone Technician
ROM updates for Treo 700p and wx on Verizon and Alltel
ceTwit 2.0
Windows Mobile 6.1 for Motorola Q9h
Samsung Instinct gets another update, major this time
HTC releases WM 6.1 ROM updates for AT&T Tilt
Treo Alert Manager

Questions/Comments
Question from Mack
Question from Steve

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Mobile Tech Addicts Reviews the HTC Touch Pro

Chris over at Mobile Tech Addicts got his hands on the HTC Touch Pro this week and has a great review that can be found here.  Now this is a sliding qwerty device that I could get used to!  Here are a couple snippets of his review, check out the rest here.

The big brother of the HTC Diamond has arrived and we are expecting great things. Its been called a brick by many but if this device lives up to expectations it could be the best Windows Mobile device around. When the Diamond was launched we reviewed it and it was not a great experience, since then a couple of Rom upgrades have made it a new experience and a well received device. Let us hope that HTC have this one right straight out the box, lets find out. Read on for the full review.

Where it differs from the Diamond

The slide out QWERTY keyboard, is where this device is at, Windows Mobile users are split, some like them, some hate them, but this is by the far the best one I have used. It springs open with the slightest touch however that does not mean it is loose or comes apart when your holding it, oh no, HTC have done some trickery to make this easy to open but only when you want it too.

Sidekick 2008 Review

T-Mobile Sidekick 2008

The Sharp Sidekick 2008 on T-Mobile is the newest device in the popular Sidekick lineup. The majority of the devices that I’ve looked at and used over the past few years have been Smart phones, so I went into this one with a very different mindset. This $149 handset offers the versatility to use multiple IM clients at the same time, but lacks both Google Talk and Skype, 2 that I use the most frequently. Many will find this phone only an incremental step above previous Sidekick devices, yet, I couldn’t seem to put it down.

In the Box

· Sidekick 2008

· 1 Standard 1030 mAh Lithium Ion Battery

· AC charger (mini USB port)

· One Extra Shell

· Stereo Headset

· Mini USB cable

· 512MB MicroSD card

· Various guides and CDs

Specs

This Quad Band GSM (850/900/1800/1900) phone has GPRS/EDGE for its always-on connectivity. The dimensions of the Sidekick measure 4.72” by 2.26” by .73” and it has a weight of 4.8 oz.  For comparison, the Treo 750 measures 4.37” by 2.28” by .87” and has a weight of 5.4oz. The display is decent at 2.6 inches with a resolution of 400 by 240. The Bluetooth sports an open stack, allowing for A2DP music playback, as well as file transfer and printing to BT enabled printers.

The battery is a 1030 mAh model that seems to be quite adequate for the handset. I used it for messaging primarily, but made quite a few calls with it as well. I found I needed to charge it every other day, which was more than acceptable for me. The 2.0MP camera faired well versus others with its same quality. Again, it’s still not up to the optics of a standalone camera, but will give you something to use when you need it. The phone has a MicroSD slot under the back cover that supports cards up to 4GB.

The most unique feature of the phone is of course its flip up screen revealing a full qwerty keyboard with dedicated numbers row. As the phone is geared towards messaging, the spacious keyboard works very well.

Phone

As a phone, I found the Sidekick 2008 a bit difficult to use. In order to call any number other than you’re My Faves or Recent calls, you must open the flipping mechanism. Once the number has been called, you then close the screen, or hold a rather awkward open device to your head. Not the easiest phone I’ve ever used. Signal strength was on par with my use of other T-Mobile devices, however the sound quality was considered fair.

Data/Internet

This is where the Sidekick excels. Keep in mind that the EDGE speeds of the device aren’t going to appeal to the 3G junkie, but the built in web browser functions nicely, with full screen layouts on most sites. Email is accessible through either POP or IMAP access, and setup is easy. AOL and Yahoo are the preferred clients, but aren’t required.

Hardware

Starting with the front, the Sidekick has many buttons for easy access to multiple functions. Left of the screen has a menu button, the speaker (which also doubles as a 4 way d-pad) and the dedicated My Faves button for T-Mobile. Right of the screen is a close button, send and end keys, a back button and the track wheel. I found the trackball to be similar to the one on the Blackberry Pearl, and was able to maneuver quickly through the menu system.

The bottom has the volume up and down keys and the power button. The top has 2 soft buttons, one that gives you access to Picture mail, and the other to the camera. Also on top are the 3.5mm headset jack and the Mini-USB charging port. On the back is the 2.0MP camera, however there is no flash.

Software/Features

On the inside, the Sidekick menu system is easy to learn, but at times archaic. I found myself often wondering if it was made for a child, and then realized that isn’t far off. The teen based device has the functions that the younger age group demands at the top of its menus, such as Downloading games/ring tones, Instant Messaging, and Phone Messaging. The address book, organizer and Applications fall lower in the list. Highly customizable though, the Sidekick allows the user to make it their own. Setting themes and styles to suit your needs, it becomes part of you.

Overall

While there isn’t a lot negative to say about the phone, it fell a little short in impressing me. I constantly felt like a man trying to reclaim his youth by choosing the “cool” phone to use. There is just something about Paris Hilton that gets stuck in your brain when you look at it. The Instant Messaging features though kept me using it day after day, even if I wasn’t able to communicate with my services of choice.

Palm Centro Review

Palm Centro

The Palm Centro from Sprint broke onto the smart phone stage in the fall of 2007 with a price point of $99, the lowest for the Palm line of devices. The Centro combines the versatility of a full Palm OS smart phone with a size that has been unmatched in devices with a full qwerty keyboard. Add in the Sprint high speed EVDO network and this device is a phone that many can appreciate.

In the Box

· Palm Centro handset

· 1 Standard 1150 mAH Lithium Ion Battery

· Palm AC charger

· Stylus (in slot on phone)

· Palm Charging Cable

· Various guides and CDs

Specs

This 850/1900 MHZ CDMA phone has EVDO (though no Rev. A) for the Sprint network. Readers should note that the device is also available by other carriers that use GSM such as AT&T, which only take advantage of the EDGE network, not HSDPA. The dimensions of the Centro measure 4.22” by 2.11” by .73” and it has a weight of 4.2 oz.  For comparison, the Treo 750 measures 4.37” by 2.28” by .87” and has a weight of 5.4oz.

The battery is the same as the one found in the new Treo 800w, 1150 mAH. Having used the Treo 750 for about six months with the extended 1600mAH battery, I was concerned that it may not be enough for a typical day. However, I’ve found that the Palm OS seems to manage the battery efficiently. I have not been using push email for exchange (more on that later) but have had the Sprint mail program push out my Gmail messages as they arrive. Doing this, I am able to easily get two days of use out of the device. Reports from others say that with Exchange Push active, plan on one day of use. The 1.3MP camera is the same poor quality as the other Treos out there. I would only use it to display a concept, don’t plan on taking your vacation photos with it. The phone has a MicroSD slot on the side that supports cards up to 4GB. The card is almost accessible without taking of the battery cover, but doing so makes installation much easier.

Phone

As a phone, the Centro functions as well as the other Sprint devices I have used. Signal strength is strong and consistent most places I go. Palm has placed the microphone on the bottom of the phone, which is what I have seen with many candy bar style phones. This isn’t my preference as it picks up lots of extraneous noises, but it works just fine under normal conditions.

Data/Internet

With every Windows based phone I have used, the built in Activesync application allows for easy and seamless integration with an Exchange server for email. In the Palm OS, setting up syncing with an exchange server through the Versamail client is relatively easy. However, I had a problem that involved the certificate that needed to be installed to authenticate the sync. I attempted to use a program recommended by the Palm website, but had issues and it never worked. In the end, I decided to HotSync my data to get the contacts and calendar over to the device.

For internet access, Blazer Browser is the built in program. Compared to some other built in browsers, Blazer works surprisingly well. By choosing either Optimized or Wide Page Mode, and Normal or Fast Mode, you can access almost any page out there. And when using fast mode, graphics are removed and accessing sites like Google Reader was a pleasure. The ability to read through my RSS feeds quickly is a big plus in my world. Sprint TV is also included on the phone, allowing for great access to certain live and pre-recorded television over the phones data connection.

Hardware

The Centro design is something new from Palm. Compared to the prior Treos, the Screen is smaller, the keyboard is more compact and the device has more rounded edges. The screen has a resolution now of 320 by 320, and even with the smaller footprint, definitely looks nice.

The 35 key keyboard on the front has a rubberized feel to it, making up for what some consider too cramped to use. The usability of it however is very high, and after just a few days of constant typing, I found myself proficient with it. Some will find that fingernails are the easiest way to hit each of the keys, but fingertips work as well. It is important to note that the keys are also responsive to each press, and I didn’t find myself missing letters like the Treo 750 is prone to do.

The backside of the phone has a smooth finish that while comfortable, was very slick. The raised area on the top third of the phone houses a mediocre speaker, 1.3MP camera and self portrait mirror. Also, a rubber cap hides access to insert an external antenna port, a constant fixture on Palm devices.

On the top, the typical ringer/vibrate switch found on all Treo smartphones, as well as a flimsy plastic stylus. I wish Palm hadn’t gone the route of the plastic for the stylus, the old metal ones had a much better weight and were easier to use.

On the left side, volume rocker buttons and user definable button. On the right, an IR port, and access to the MicroSD card slot, hidden by a cover. The bottom houses the microphone hole, the 2.5mm headset jack, the HotSync cable connection and the power port. Connections are all standard so your accessories from older Palm devices will work.

Software/Features

The Palm Centro is running Palm OS version 5.4.9. Pre-installed now is the popular Google Maps application, allowing for fast access to both graphical and satellite mapping. The pTunes (Pocket Tunes) application is one that many have raved about for years on Palm. pTunes gives you access to hundreds of Internet Radio stations of all genres and tastes. The ability to paste URL’s of nearly any audio format also gives on demand streaming access to content such as podcasts. Sprint TV is available as well, one of my favorite ways to spend a few minutes when I have some downtime.

Overall

The bottom line on the Palm Centro from Sprint is positive. From the person who is just getting into smartphones for the first time, to the long time palm user and many in-between, the Centro is a device for many audiences. A great value at $99 gives the Centro a big advantage over its competitors.

The Cell Phone Junkie Show #115

The Cell Phone Junkie Show #115 1:08:45
Show Notes
Lots of Sprint news, more 3G announcements from T-Mobile and the
iPhone gets a software update.

Palm Centro

Cell Ranger Thoughts

News
Sprint Nextel still struggling
Hesse says he wanted to lose customers
Sprint caps data starting in 30 days
Sprint in talks to sell iDEN network
T-Mobile Q2 numbers
AT&T boosts intenational coverage, new data plans
Verizon follows
FCC clears VZW acquisition of Rual Cellular
AT&T/iPhone comes to Vermont
VZW rolls out Rev A. PTT service
T-Mobile launches 3G in Las Vegas
Excuses for poor driving, texting?
Air traffic controller uses SMS to guide in plane

Devices
Best Buy getting Touch Diamond soon?
More CDMA Touch Diamond details
Touch Diamond sales to hit 1 million this month
Diamond available in Canada on 8/14 via Telus (CDMA)
Bell Mobility getting first CDMA Touch Dual
Blackberry Bold now available in Chile
Blackberry Thunder 9530 on Verizon October 13th
Nokia E71 on buy.com
Nokia E71 suffering from RF issues
E71 no issues with RF
iPhone production up to 800,000 per week
Motorola Alexander
Sidekick Slide outed from T-Mobile’s lineup

Software
iPhone firmware update 2.0.1
2.0.1 on iPhone 3G un-unlockable
PDA Net for Palm OS updated
HTC Touch Rom upgrade for Bell Mobility customers
T-Mobile App store coming soon

Questions/Comments
Comment from Liban
Comment from Thomas
Comment from Harry
Question from Ralph

Crazy Sri Lanka law

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Cell Ranger Thoughts

After 3 days of testing with the Cell Ranger at my office, I am going to have to send it back.  As you’ll see in this video, I am still having problems with the iPhone getting a signal in my office.  The problem seems to be that even though the Cell Ranger is boosting the bars of my phone, the signal is not good enough to carry a call.

Also, not really shown in this video is the fact that the Cell Ranger only provides about 1 foot for me of signal boosting coverage.  If I hold the phone up to my head, (2-3 feet from where it plugs in) the signal goes down to 1 bar.

This is not to say the the Cell Ranger woldn’t work for someone else, it’s just not working for me in my particular situation.  Your mileage may vary.

The Power of Grand Central

What takes a video to describe, here is the power of Grand Central.

Cell Ranger, savior or scam?

After reading this review at Gear Diary about the Cell Ranger, I decided to give it a shot and ordered one.  I currently work in an office that finds my iPhone constantly switching between 3G, EDGE and No Service with DBM readings well over -100.  However, I am able to walk 8 paces out my office door and my signal is much better (above -90 DBM).  

 

At this point, I have installed it 16 feet up, above my drop ceiling, attached to a steel beam that is grounded.  It then runs behind my drywall office wall, and a hole has been cut and unit fed through a coverplate and plugged into my laptop.  So far, the results are impressive.  -83 DBM currently, translating to 4 bars of 3G service. 

 

You can read all about the products at www.cellranger.net  I will be testing it out over the next few weeks and will post a more formal review once I feel I can talk about it more effectively.

A few random iPhone items

So, an interesting thing happened to me yesterday with the iPhone.  I had unplugged it from the charger at 5:30am and went about my normal day.  However, I was in a few long meetings that took me away from even looking at my phone for hours.  By the time last night rolled around, I noticed that my battery life was still showing 100% on the screen!  I honestly thought there might be an issue, but didn’t think much of it.  Then around 9pm, I decided there was definitely an issue with the battery gauge, so I did a reset of the phone.  When it came back up, low and behold the phone only showed about 50% battery left.  Looks to me to be a bug with the software, but it may have been an isolated occurrence.  I’ll keep an eye on it to see if it happens again.  The good news is that the 2.01 software appears to be assisting with battery life more, but additional real world testing is needed before this can be considered conclusive. 

I told you that story to tell you this one.  While I was attempting to figure out if the battery gauge was stuck or not, I took a screen shot of the phone before the reset and after.  When the phone came back up, I went back into the photos and the screen shot I took before the reset was gone!  I’m not sure if one is related to the other, but I’ve yet to be able to replicate this behavior on multiple tests.

Great iphone app – Grand Dialer

Over the past few years, I have grown quite fond of the grand central service. A number that allows me to not only have one number for many phones, but also create white lists so only calls from people I want to hear from ring through. Honestly I was a bit scared when I found out google had purchased them and figured they would go to a pay service, but fortunately they haven’t.

Now, they have created this new iPhone app called grand dialer that allows you to make calls from your iphone, but have the grand central number show up on the other persons caller Id! This is a big step forward for services such as this, allowing for the user to make and recieve calls from the number.

Check it out for yourself, the app is free and available now from the app store.

By the way, this was writen and posted from the wordpress app on the iPhone entirely. Another great free app for those that use a wordpress account.