A new version of Google Mobile Maps for the Blackberry has been released. Besides some minor GUI updates the main new features is Layers. Download it yourself HERE.
Windows 7 comes out tomorrow
Windows 7 comes out tomorrow and with a lot of fan fare. For the past two years Vista has been a thorn in Microsoft’s side. With Vista’s initial release the lack of third party driver support and the bombardment of poor reviews left users running away from the OS.
With Windows 7 Microsoft have right many of the wrongs and by maintaining the core code from Vista many of the existing drivers will work right out of the box. I’ve been using Windows 7 since it’s beta release through its RC then to it’s RTM debut. Windows 7 is without a doubt the best Windows operating system. It’s wide range of peripheral and hardware support makes installing it so easy. They days of hunting down drivers… Okay, it’s still there but much less of a hassle. Those who still plan to stick with Windows XP will be missing out on many of the new features. So if you’re looking to buy a new computer now is the time, well actually it’s tomorrow, but you can be sure that the latest OS will be pre-installed. For those who recently purchased a computer check with manufacturer to see if you’re eligible for a free upgrade.
Google Voice SMS Outage??
It looks like GV is unable to send SMS. Some have reported that it seems to be affecting only AT&T users. So if you are on AT&T you might not be getting SMS from GV.
Update 1: It looks like SMS aren’t being sent out or forward to mobile phones. This seems to be affecting other carriers and not just AT&T.
Update 2: It looks like someone from Google is looking into the matter. You can follow it at the Support Forums.
Blackberry Messenger 5.0.0.33 is available
According to BerryReview the new BBM is up on the App World. I was able to confirm it and I’m downloading it as I’m typing this.
Unofficial Blackberry Bold OS 5.0.0.238
I had a chance to install the new leaked OS. It’s very stable compared to the previous leaks, but there are a few issues that I’ve encountered:
-Media Net and Hotspot browser is only available browsers, no Blackberry Browser
-Beejive doesn’t work (latest beta version)
-Error’s during Google Sync, but it still works
-Error’s with Pandora setup, but it still works
-Have you reinstall Facebook app
-BMM is version 4.7
-No Blackberry Appworld
Don’t let these issues here discourage you from using it. The OS is decent and you can use it everyday without any major issues. Here are some of the new features and apps list that actually work.
-Threaded SMS, finally! 😀
-Google Voice works
-Bloomberg app works
-Associated Press app works
-Wordpress apps works
-Google Maps works
-Amazon app works
-Minor UI changes
Since it’s an unofficial release I won’t be posting a link to download the OS. You’ll have to search for it yourself. Sorry.
Google is your friend.
*Update: So after a few more hours of use I found out that to get the App World you would need to re download it. The latest Facebook app works but it’s still quirky. It sometimes let me login and sometimes it doesn’t. Beejive doesn’t work whether its the lastest beta or the stable version. Other than that everything else seems to be working fine. Those error’s that pops up for certain apps are caused by the permission settings after allowing the permissions you won’t be getting any of those errors.
Google Voice
For the uninitiated and uninformed one of Google’s latest app is Google Voice (GV). With GV Google gives you a phone number. A number were anyone can text (SMS only), call, and leave voice mails. With this number you can have all calls forward to other phone numbers. So what does this mean? If you’re like me, with 3 different phone lines, you can have all calls forward to those numbers. They all ring at the same time until you answer it from one of your phones.
GV has some great features. GV has the ability to transcribe your voice mail into text. And when you play them back on your computer or phone you get to see it in a karaoke-style play back. GV also manages your text messages and phone call logs. It’s like a gmail account but for you phone calls and text messages.
Currently, GV is invite only. You can sign up at (www.google.com/voice). If you’re lucky you can get your invitation within a week or two. I have already made the plunge and switched completely over to GV. My GV number is my primary number. With 3 separate phone lines GV is an awesome application to have. But before you completely jump ship and join the GV phenomenon there are a few things to consider.
1. To take full advantage of GV you’ll have to notify all your contacts, friends, and family of your new number. It won’t make much sense by giving some people your GV number and others your regular number because the goal of GV is to consolidate all your phones numbers into one. It’s an all or nothing approach, so if you’re uncomfortable switching phone numbers you might want to wait it out until Google enables you to port you phone number.
2. The GV app works great on Blackberry devices and even better on Android phones. That means iPhone users are SOL. Unfortunately, Apple decided not to approve (or hasn’t approved yet, depending on who you ask) the app in their App Store. So you’re stuck using the web-based version of GV through the Safari browser. There are third-party apps for GV for other devices, but if you want the best experience stick with Blackberry or Android devices.
3. Lastly, you will need to sync your phone contacts with GV or your Gmail contacts. If you don’t transfer or copy them over GV can’t associate the caller to a contact. Unless you know all you’re contacts’ phone number by heart I recommend you getting your contacts synced.
In all GV is a great app if you have problems juggling multiple phones numbers or if you just like transcribed voice mails (albeit at 60-70% accuracy). Even its call filtering abilities is enough to switch over, but make sure you’re willing to inform everyone you know about your new number and you have a Blackberry or Android device before you make the plunge.
PROS:
-One number for all your phones (Centralized calls and texts)
-Call Filtering (limited though)
-Personalized Voicemail for groups or individual contacts
-Free SMS
-Transcribed Voicemails
-Cheap long distance calls
CONS:
-No Phone number portability (at least at this moment)
-No MMS
-SMS character is limited to 160. Larger texts are sent in multiple chunks
-No iPhone app
Whoa, 100mbps internet connection??
Looks like Comcast is dishing out some major broadband bandwidth.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/104353
More Power! Harr Harr Harr!
As many of you know I’m a Blackberry addict. I could be seen clicking away on my phone at all times of the day. For the past couple of months I’ve been contemplating on getting the Siedio extended battery for my Blackberry Bold. With my current usage my battery would be drained by afternoon without charging. At work I travel a bit through out the day so I don’t get a chance to charge my phone much, but there have been some days were my Blackberry completely died before I got off work.
So I decided to pick up the Seidio extended battery. I ordered it on Amazon and it came within 3 days. Many people complain about the extra bulge the battery gave the Bold, but it doesn’t bother me at all. The extra width actually makes typing on my Bold a little bit easier. This extended battery gives it some extra weight that makes the phone feels more solid. The battery also comes with a rubberized back door to fit the battery. The new door looks good and provides a better grip compared to the faux leather OEM back cover.
The battery life is excellent. The OEM battery is 1500mAh whereas the Seidio is 3500mAh. That’s more than double the capacity. I don’t have any objective data on the difference of battery life but I know it lasts much longer than my old one. I can go a full day of heavy use and it would barely hit 55% on my battery meter.
One of the negatives of this battery is that Seidio or any other companies don’t have cases or skins that would fit the Bold with this battery. I ended buying a Seidio holster that allows me to hold my phone without the interference of the extended battery. My Bold clips into the holster with the battery sticking out away from you. This is a must-have item if you’re looking to holster your Bold.
If you’re looking to add more battery power to your Blackberry Bold you need to look no further than the Seidio 3500mAh extended battery. It gives you double the usage and it comes with a nice back cover.
Pros:
– Double battery capacity
– Better grip
Cons:
– No skins or covers available
– Expensive ($55+ depending on where you buy)
iPhone 3GS
Some of you may know the the new iPhone is set to release this week. The details of the new phone left people unsatisfied. The most significant change on the new iPhone 3GS is a faster processor, more RAM (256mb), and a different video processing chip. Apple has clearly intended this upgrade to cater to game developers. Early adopters will definitely enjoy the new upgrade as Apple claims the new phone will be twice as fast and in some cases can be 3x faster. Those hoping to get a forward facing camera for video calls or some LED visual notification will be disappointed. Externally, the iPhone 3GS is virtually identical to it’s predecessor.
Also, releasing this week in conjunction with their phone is their new OS, version 3.0. I happen to have the final release and have been using it for over a week. The new updates are welcome but were way overdue. Cut and Paste and the ability to read/write text and emails in landscape view were the most important updates. Sure, sending and reciving MMS is something everyone wanted, but with the release of cut and paste accessing MMS messages is not as painful beofre. But we have to give it up to Apple to take 3 iterations to implement something that was so basic on a smartphone. One very important feature that didn’t make the update was the ability to run multiple apps in the background. This feature alone would have been the deal breaker to ditch my trusty Blackberry completely. Unfortunately, Apple decided it wasn’t important enough. I would have understood if background apps were only available on the new phone since it has twice the RAM and faster CPU, but Apple has no intention of implementing that feature anytime soon.
For those who have been waiting patiently, Apple has finally release a decent phone. For those who have the 3G model I don’t recommend picking up the new iPhone. The minimal added features does not warrant an upgrade. Those who have been holding out for the past few years can jump in and pickup the iPhone given that you’re able to get it at the subsidized price. If you’re strapped for cash picking up the 3G model instead can save you a $100.
Apple is getting closer to making a phone that people want. It’s so obvious that they are milking the iPhone by adding bits and pieces to each model and charging a bundle for it. At the rate they’re going their competitors will such as Palm and Blackberry will leave them in the dust.
Host jad and cod files on Windows IIS
For those of you who have Blackberry devices you may have downloaded applications over-the-air (OTA). Blackberry devices uses a .jad file to download OTA apps by pointing its browser to that file. OTA apps actually consists of two file types .jad and .cod. The .cod files are actually the content of the application and the .jad files points to it.
If you plan to host your own OTA files on a Windows IIS server you’ll need to make some changes to your web server to process those .jad and .cod files.
You will need to access Internet Information Services and right-click on Web Sites and select properties. Select the HTTP Headers tab and click on MIME Types. Here you will add two MIME Types:
Extension: jad
MIME type: text/vnd.sun.j2me.app-descriptor
Extension: cod
MIME type: application/vnd.rim.cod
You may need to restart IIS once you’ve added the MIME types. Open the command prompt and type in “iisreset” (minus the quotes).