The stock market experts and radio show hosts of the Motley Fool published an article today claiming that the Palm Pre, though fully featured and well designed, may be dead on arrival. This information is based off of a survey of 4,292 adult smartphone buyers by ChangeWave Research. The survey found that only 4% of smartphone buyers plan on purchasing the Pre, in contrast to 37% of them planning on purchasing a BlackBerry or iPhone. There are a few problems with this.
We got a crate sent to us from Korea, and we weren’t sure what was inside. When I say crate, I mean wooden crate that required a hammer and crow bar to pry open. The precious cargo housed inside was worth the protection. A chorus of angels sang out in the middle of a Home Depot, and I laid eyes upon the Samsung S8300 Tocco Ultra Edition.
Android Arena has received word from a credible source that Samsung is planning on launching three new devices running Google’s Android OS. The first of the devices could hit as soon as this June, with the next two launching before the end of the year.
Multiple manufacturers have promised to deliver Android devices, but the devices have been naught but rumors, much like now. Samsung is expected to give these new devices 5 to 8 MP cameras, and they should feature QWERTY keyboards and slim form factors.
We expect and hope these devices will be launched as soon as possible. Rumors indicate that Sprint and T-Mobile will be the first to receive the devices, making good on Dan Hesse’s promise to bring Android to Sprint.
[Via Android Arena]
Google just recently released the Android 1.5 “Cupcake” SDK to developers, but several intrepid coders from the XDA-Developer community have been working with the G1. An individual known as haykuro has successfully ported the software from the upcoming HTC Magic to the G1.
After artwork images leaked online of the new Zune HD, more details are now coming out about the next generation MP3 player from Microsoft. The Zune HD is rumored to feature an AMOLED capacitive touch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and HDMI out. It will coming in 16GB and 32GB flavors, and will be poised to compete directly with Apple’s iPod Touch.
Reports are coming out that AT&T’s contract with Apple to be the sole carrier to have the iPhone will be ending in 2010. CEO Randall Stephenson confirmed with the Wall Street Journal that the exclusivity contract does indeed end in 2010, just as many speculated. Currently, AT&T is attempting to extend the contract to 2011, but Apple was refusing to comment.
Apple posted the third version of the iPhone 3.0 Beta for developers to download and play with. Reports are that the beta offers speed increases, Spotlight Search saving and minor changes for MMS on German networks.
If this is authentic, Toshiba has some interesting products lined up through 2010. Techblog.gr leaked a powerpoint slide of Toshiba’s product roadmap featuring a few handheld computers featuring the Qualcomm SnapDragon platform. There were prototypes first demoed at CES earlier this year, and from the looks of it, those prototypes are ending up as real products.
The world’s smallest full-featured PC is a title held by the OQO. It’s a small UMPC that’s been around for a few years, and OQO was due to release a follow up, the OQO Model 02+ early this year. However, due to financial troubles and other problems for the company, it looks like the OQO Model 02+ is not going to be released any time soon.
Want to play with Apple’s new video connection standard, but don’t want to shell out $800? Collins America has announced the first new line of LCD monitors to utilize Apple’s new Mini Display Port standard. The CinemeView LCD displays are made specifically for Macs and the first three models will be available before September 1st, 2009.
SlashGear Japan
