Mobiles

Today I was catching up and listening to Alec Saunders' Squawk Box podcast when a bombshell was let loose-something that makes the news that Verizon Wireless chose LiMo over Google's Android make total selse: LiMo is arguably not open source. Skip ahead to about the 21:30 minute mark on the 16 May 2008 Squawk Box podcast. The major points:

• The only thing open about LiMo is that it runs on Linux and that the APIs are relatively open, but the APIs only allow very limited functionality.
• A fee of $400,000 a year is required to be able to contribute source code to the project.
• You can only use commercially-friendly Open-Source licenses in your code.

Sounds a bit like what people thought about Verizon Wireless: they say they want to be open, but really, they're not going to open up. This surprise any one? See full article.

Related Entries:

Verizon Wireless Drops CDMA for GSM - 26 September 2007

Google Intros Android SDK... and $10 Million in Prizes - 14 November 2007

LiMo Foundation Announces Upcoming Release of Mobile Linux OS - 04 February 2008

Verizon Wireless Chooses Open-Source LiMo Over Android - 15 May 2008

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Once you fly first class you may never want to go back. The benefits of flying first class outweigh savings of flying coach. At Mobile Edge we ensure our products are always made with the highest quality materials making our products first class. Once you use a Mobile Edge laptop bag, you will never want to go back. Between the Lifetime Warranty, innovative styling and exclusive features there is no comparison.

I found this article about flying first class that was quite interesting. I only clipped a small percentage of the story. If you want to read the full story, click on the link in the last paragraph.

By James Hutchinson

Flying on commercial airlines can be a frustrating, annoying experience. Flying first class is a way to enjoy superior comfort and service. The price can be high, but the benefits are considerable.

The first class experience begins even before you board the plane. Many airports have separate lines for security that can be used by first class passengers, as well as frequent flyers.

On boarding, airlines will board first class passengers first, giving them time to relax before the crush of coach passengers board. On some planes, coach passengers walk through the first class cabin, and can observe that drinks are already being served before the flight takes off.

Boarding first enables passengers to stow baggage in the empty overhead compartments. The ample storage area in front area is reserved for first class passengers.

Seating in First Class

The seats are wide, with extra padding for comfort. The general rule is that two first class seats are as wide as three coach seats. There is an area to place items next to the seat, as well as a tray that unfolds from the side.

Flight attendants will usually take coats and jackets and hang them nicely in a closet, keeping them neat and out of the way, in contrast to coach, where they stay on the lap or are jammed into the overhead storage.

More flight attendants are assigned to first class. A flight with 200 coach passengers may have four attendants, with one primarily dedicated to the 16 first class passengers.

To read the full story click here.

Singapore Airlines First to Offer iPod Integration Through In-Flight Entertainment System, KrisWorld
Read the full story here.

Concrete Software, Inc., a leader in innovative mobile content, announced today that it has signed a worldwide agreement with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) to produce and distribute a mobile bowling game under the PBA brand. PBA Bowling will be released in June 2008 worldwide just in time for the PBA Team Shootout Hosted by Six Flags which will be aired on ESPN.

PBA Bowling will be built with cutting edge technology including 3D graphics and mobile motion technology (the option to use real motion with the mobile handset to roll the bowling ball). Motion technology utilizes your mobile device's camera to detect movements and emulates a real throw, similar to the Wii remote. The game will also include 11 of the top PBA bowlers including today's top stars like Norm Duke, Pete Weber and Tommy Jones.

"We are very pleased to be teaming up with Concrete Software to produce the first PBA video game of its kind," PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer said. "This is a great opportunity to showcase not only the game of bowling and the PBA but to also have some of the superstars of the PBA featured so that fans across the world can put themselves on the lanes with Pete Weber, Sean Rash and others."

"Bowling games have always done well in the mobile market which makes it very exciting to be working with the premier brand in bowling" said Keith Pichelman, CEO of Concrete Software. "It's exciting to be able to combine our knowledge of building games and the PBA's long history of bowling."

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) announced today the launch of the 'Ringtone A-List', a new Web site that unveils the sounds found on the wireless phones of today's top stars. Currently listed on the site are Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and Audrina Patridge of MTV's hit reality show "The Hills" as well as Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and actor Mario and international pop vocalist Leona Lewis.

(Editor's Note: I must be getting old because I didn't know who any of these "stars" were but I did recognize the ringtones they like...)

"We are excited to be able to bring fans the opportunity to find out, listen to and even purchase the ringtones found on the wireless phones of today's hottest actors, musicians and athletes," said Rob Hyatt, executive director of Premium Content for AT&T's wireless operations. "For us, the Ringtone A-list is just one more way that we're able to connect people to their world."

Each month, the Ringtone A-List will feature a selection of stars from TV, film, music and sports. Fans will have the opportunity to learn which tones each celebrity has downloaded to his or her wireless phone, preview an audio clip and, if they wish, purchase the tone directly from the Web site.

Featured talent, which will be updated monthly, has included members of Panic at the Disco, Webbie, James Otto and Justin McBride.

If you're interested in finding out what ringtones the general public is downloading to their phones, check out Billboard's list here.

The Wall Street Journal claims to have confirmed recent rumors of a touchscreen-equipped BlackBerry model from Research In Motion. The handheld, rumored to be called the Thunder, will apparently be a lifelong exclusive to Verizon and Vodafone.
Read the full story here.

eprice.com.tw has the chance to unbox a HTC Touch Diamond, and showing what’s included in the retail box. While phonemag has shown you how the clever leather case can clear away your fingerprint, the leather case is not included in the retail box and the staff is not sure if it will be available together with the HTC Touch Diamond. Check out the unboxing photos inside.

Source [eprice]

The FCC has recently approved the Motorola L800t, a candybar handset destined for the Chinese market. The L800t offers what appears to be a standard 2 megapixel camera, with a secondary front-facing camera.
Read the full story here.

Alltel recently announced that it will join AT&T and Verizon for its next generation 4G network by using LTE. The carrier also stated that this upgrade would likely not happen for 3-4 years, due to the costs involved.
Read the full story here.

Orange, one of the largest carriers in the world, has announced an agreement with Apple to distribute the iPhone in several countries this year. The agreement allows Orange to offer the iPhone in Austria and Belgium, as well as in several African and Middle East countries.
Read the full story here.