LikeMob

LikeMob Episode 6- Yes, we have been gone for too long, but we’re back!

Here’s what we spoke about:

1. iPhone 3.0 released

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/03/17/iphone-3-0-feature-roundup?icid=sphere_cnet_inline

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10199822-37.html

2. Palm Pre- Palm betting the farm on this?

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/03/20/palm-yeah-so-we-lost-100m-who-cares-here-comes-the-pre/

3. Nokia E71x to launch on ATT

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/03/20/atts-nokia-e71x-set-to-launch-next-week/

4. MOSH to close, OVI to open

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/03/21/nokia-set-to-shutter-mosh-direct-thrashers-to-ovi/

5. Qik an OVI featured app

http://blog.share.ovi.com/twango/2009/03/qik-live-video-streaming-launched.html

6. Contract free iPhones

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/03/19/atandt-confirms-contract-free-599-699-iphone-3gs-for-next-week/

I kind of got excited when I saw this deal from Orange Israel. For 199 NIS (approx. $48 USD)/month for 36 months, you get a Nokia E71, a white MacBook and a wireless USB modem. For a country that has insanely expensive cellphones and macs, I am pleasantly surprised! Kudos Orange!

http://www.orange.co.il/PlansAndRates/16814.html

LikeMob Episode 5- We missed last week, but we’re happy to be back! After a visit to London, and specifically the Nokia store on Regent Street, Itamar was crushed after finally getting his hands on the new Nokia 5800. It was an enormous disappointment to say the least. Listen on!

Here’s what we spoke about:

1. Palm’s Planning Something Big At MWC 2009

http://www.gearlog.com/2009/01/palms_planning_something_big_a.php

2. iPhone Apps: 500mil and counting

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/01/16/iphone-app-store-crashes-through-500-million-downloads/

3. Multi-Touch on Android

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/25/get-your-hack-on-unofficial-multi-touch-support-released-for-an/

4. Pelephone goes GSM

http://technmarketing.com/2009/01/15/gsm-beginning-to-replace-cdma/

5. Report: Users find phones too hard to use

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7833944.stm

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/25/survey-finds-mobile-phone-setup-to-be-excruciatingly-difficult/

6. One of the best iPhone accessories I have ever seen

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/sound-clip

7. Google Maps Public Transportation option gets tested, loved

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/24/google-maps-public-transportation-option-gets-tested-loved/

8. Apple suing Palm? Did I not call it?

http://i.gizmodo.com/5136645/apple-hints-at-palm-pre-legal-battle

It was all (or mostly) Palm Pre this week! We were actually very excited and proud of Palm, so we couldn’t help ourselves but gush over their new phone, the Pre.

1. Palm Pre launches at CES 2009

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/09/palm-pre-webos-launch-roundup/

2. Touchstone- very cool

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/10/palm-pre-touchstone-eyes-on/

3. Palm’s App Catalogue not a priority

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/10/palms-app-store-christened-app-catalog-games-not-a-priority/

4. Pre pricing rumor- $399

   http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/01/09/devastating-rumor-puts-sprints-palm-pre-at-399-at-launch/

5. Pre hands on

   http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/01/09/palm-pre-hands-on-the-movie/

6. Canadian Pre? For you, Itamar!

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/10/palm-ceo-on-bringing-the-pre-to-canada-we-certainly-want-to/

7. Skype launches for Android

   http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/01/09/thin-is-in-skype-lite-beta-launches-for-android-100-java-enabled-phones/

8. $2.5 million dollars for an iPhone??

   http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/world-s-most-expensive-iphone

9. Controlling a party with Sonos:

   http://www.kyte.tv/ch/6118/311465

Enjoy!

Palm just announced their new phone, the Palm Pre, and their new WebOS. I’m actually really excited about this, and proud of Palm. I’ve been a fan of Palm ever since I had a Palm V in high school. Back then it seemed way ahead of it’s time, and was the only thing stopping me from forgetting my homework and assignments. The syncing capabilities were great, and AvantGo always kept me from getting bored on the bus home.

But then they just stayed the same for a while, while everyone else was racing ahead. Until today. And here are some of my first impressions:

1. Awesome form factor.  The physical keyboard was a no-brainer for a Palm, and I’m happy they were able to pack it in into a slim package.  I think it looks like a great synergy of touch screen and physical keyboard.  Interesting how they went with portrait and not landscape… They seemed to have really gone all out on the design and UI.  Which is extremely important.  These days, you can’t impress people with functionality alone.  Design matters people!
   

   Photo credit to Engadget

2. I’m very excited about the WebOS.  If it’s going to be as easy as Palm claims to write an app for this OS, just with HTML/CSS/JS, then I’m really excited.  However, if they make it so that a developer can write such an app, AND have access to core funcionalities (like GPS, phone book, etc.), then that will be killer.  I mean KILLER.  But it probably won’t end up being that good, and it’ll just be for web apps.
3. The lack of Wifi kind of stood out.  Maybe Sprint did it to toot their 3G horn?  Personally, the 3G coverage in Israel is amazing, but I can see why in the US it would stick out like a sore thumb. (UPDATE: After the official specs were released, I realized I was wrong.  The Palm Pre does indeed have Wifi.  I guess that’s what happens when you base your initial thoughts on tweets and live blogging.  I pasted the official specs below.  Also, now that I see the official specs, very big thanks to Palm for the 3.5mm headphone jack.  That’s always a biggie for me.)

   

4. Peter Ha – “Symbian and WinMo are done. This is an iPhone, Android, Palm race now.” http://is.gd/eTMYI almost agree with this.  I would say WinMo is done, but Symbian is far too big to call it a day.  However, as excited I was about the N97, I think I’m a tad more excited about the Pre.  Symbian’s biggest mistake was not overhauling the UI.  That’s always been their Achilles heel, and I guess they are too stubborn to learn?
5. Simultaneous running of apps seems like a no-brainer.  Why can’t the iPhone do this too?  It’s a mobile device people, why should you have to open and close every time?  Kudos to Palm on this one, especially with the notifications like on Android.
6. I just hope the media integration is done as well as the iPhone/iPod.  That could really make or break the Pre in certain demographics.

Which brings me to my last thought.  I originally thought Palm should have just embraced Android, stick it on a slick piece of hardware and call it a day.  The OS fragmentation in the mobile space has become the bain of my existence.   Even though I’m really stocked about the Pre, as a mobile development company, I cringe at the thought of yet another OS.  However, if they have actually implemented their “web development” properly, and allow developers to actually create apps with rich functionality with only HTML/CSS/JS, then this could be their saving grace.  Either way, nothing like a hot new phone, eh?

We’ll no doubt be discussing this in more detail on our next podcast episode, LikeMob Episode 4, airing this Monday, January 12th. Feel free to write in at wtf@likemob.com, and the best emails will be read on the podcast

• Features
• Details

The Palm® Pre™ phone is available on the Sprint network.

LikeMob Episode 3- iPhone Diet Episode  January 5th, 2009

OK, back again, this time we are up to episode 3.  Aryeh is back this week to share his insights. Itamar is feelin good, no cold, and hopefully you can hear Hillel. First episode of 2009 and it is a good one.

Here is what we talked about:

1. Motorola Axing 400 Jobs

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/31/motorola-hastens-layoff-plans-axes-400-earlier-than-anticipated/

   http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2008/tc20081017_238719.htm

2. Inq1 from 3- Are social network phones cool, or unnecessary?

   http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2009/01/the_inq1_from_3_-_update.html

3. WiMax coming to Chicago via Sprint

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/04/sprint-hopeful-to-take-wimax-live-in-chicago-by-end-of-2009/

4. ATT 3G Upgrade Degrades 2G Speed

   http://mobile.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/01/03/1818206

5. Yellowsn0w
6. Nokia N96 Firmware Update

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/01/02/nokia-n96-gets-updated-for-the-yanks/

7. What Do Google Android Netbooks Mean For Microsoft And Apple?

   http://www.alleyinsider.com/2009/1/google-netbooks-microsoft-apple

   http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/12/t-mobile_gives_away_free_asus_netbook_with_mobile_broadband.html

8. Blackberry Users Addicted to Twitter

   http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/02/twitstat-study-blackberry-users-are-totally-addicted-to-twitter/

9. Washing machine that tweets

   http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/washing-machine-tweets-twitters-when-cycle-finishes

10. Microsoft and CES

    http://gizmodo.com/5122565/leak-everything-microsoft-is-announcing-at-ces

OK, that sums it up, hope you enjoyed the show.

I know there are a lot of these out there, but they are kind of fun to write and to look back on every year.  Since this is my first one, we’ll have to wait until next year to see how right or wrong I was.

1) 2009 will be the year of the apps

Finally!  As a mobile app company, I am delighted to finally see proper mobile app ecosystems being created.  I have to hand it to Apple- they were the ones who finally made a “mobile app” mainstream.  Mobile apps have been around forever, but until Steve Jobs really plugged the App Store, mobile apps were still mainly for us mobile geeks.  And please don’t even mention Mosh- what a disaster.  As a Nokia fan, I was really disappointed when I saw Mosh become a cesspool for garbage.

2) Android will be bigger than iPhone

I know, so very obvious, but it needed to be said.  Being that Android is open-source, powerful, and free, we will be seeing it on plenty more devices in 2009, and will inevitably become bigger than the iPhone.  The reason I put this in is because it begs the question: if Android will become bigger than the iPhone, will Android’s “App Market” ecosystem hold up, or become another Mosh?

And if someone doesn’t get Android onto a better-looking piece of hardware, Hillel will never try it out.

3) Qik will be integrated or acquired by an OEM

Pat Phelan called it too, but it seems pretty obvious to anyone in this space.  Qik is an amazing mobile video streaming service, probably the best implementation of mobile video streaming out there.  It’s a natural extension of a truly mobile lifestyle, and any OEM who picks them up will be very lucky.  Plus, they are nice guys.

4) Palm…

This one is too close to call.  I’m going to say that whatever they are launching at CES will be good, but not great.  I don’t see them disappearing in 2009, but who knows, maybe they’ll try out Android instead in WinMo?

5) Not another iPhone

As I discussed with Hillel in LikeMob episode 2, I don’t buy the rumours of a new iPhone.  I just don’t see it.  And what I mean by a new one is like a secondary track, not necessarily an upgrade.  Meaning, I don’t see there being an iPhone 3G along with an iPhone nano or something.  Maybe an upgrade to the 3G (video calling, hello!?!?), but I just don’t see a whole new model happening.

6) Nokia N97 doesn’t kick as much ass

Don’t get me wrong- I am getting an N97.  Mark my words.  I just don’t think Nokia went out there as much as they could have.  It felt as though they came up with something to compete with the iPhone, but not something that will blow it away.  And what is with all their proprietary web services?? Haven’t they heard of Google, and how people love using it?  Why on earth would I use Nokia mail?  Seriously Nokia, you guys make great hardware, why not partner with people who make great software?  (like FlyScreen )

6 should do just fine.  Feel free to go check out FlyScreen and make it a 2009 success too!

-Itamar

To all you LikeMobers out there, good news this morning. We are live in Itunes. You can access the podcast in itunes here.

We are excited about this update and are hoping this will bring us more subscribers. Go subscribe!

-Hillel

LikeMob Episode 2- Holiday!  December 29th, 2008

We’re excited to post our second episode.  Sound quality is a tad better (though apologies for Itamar’s cold), and there was a lot of iPhone news to discuss.  Looking forward to podcasting into 2009!

Notes from the show:

1. iPhone went on sale at Wal-Mart today

   http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/28/iphone-on-sale-at-walmart-today/

   iPhone nano

   http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10123216-37.html

   http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2008/12/23/xskn-iphone-nano-cases-go-up-for-sale-rumor-mill-catches-fire/

   iPhone Pro

   http://technmarketing.com/2008/12/29/i-would-buy-the-iphone-pro/

2. 2009 Linedup for Rogers/FIDO leaked

   http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2008/12/25/leaked-rogersfido-roadmap-is-packed-with-smartphones/

   (I like this cuz I’m Canadian)

3. 10 Best Android Apps of 2008

   http://gizmodo.com/5116346/the-10-best-android-apps-of-2008

   The power management app is missing for the iPhone, kinda like a Windows Task Manager

4. 10 Best iPhone Apps of 2008

   http://gizmodo.com/5116433/the-best-iphone-apps-of-2008?skyline=true&s=x

   We stick in our personal faves:
   Itamar- Twitterrific, Ocarina
   Hillel- Nimbuzz, VLC Remote, TwitterFon

5. New Lenovo phone:

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/26/lenovos-ophone-gets-sized-up-against-what-else-the-iphone/

6. 8GB refurb iPhones for $99

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/26/atandt-letting-go-of-8gb-refurb-iphone-3gs-for-99-on-contract/

7. New patented gestures for Apple input

   http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/26/apple-files-patent-for-gesture-based-text-editing/

8. Will it Blend iPhone app,

   http://gizmodo.com/5119145/will-it-blend-iphone-app-the-christmas-present-nobody-wanted

9. Listener emails:Kibi wrote in to correct us about the Verizon SIM card issue:

   http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=12983http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/verizon-switches-to-gsms-side-for-ultra-highspeed-4g-technology-327849.php

   http://www.gearlog.com/2007/05/hey_look_its_a_verizon_sim_car.php

   Happy Holidays everyone!

LikeMob Episode 1: Our Maiden Episode!

Our apologies for the recording issues on Hillel’s side, they will be corrected by next episode.  Hey, it’s our first one, cut us some slack, OK?

Here’s what we spoke about:

1) Palm “Nova” launching at CES 2009

(props to:  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2337291,00.asp )

2) Rumors of the T-mobile G2

(props to: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/20/will-there-or-wont-there-be-a-t-mobile-g2-in-the-near-future/
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/12/20/actual-t-mobile-g2-information-maybe/  )

3) Nokia 5800 with US 3G support

(props to: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/12/20/nokias-5800-xpressmusic-shows-up-in-fcc-with-us-3g-support/  )

4) Samsung/Sprint to launch Android phone

(props to:  http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2008/12/19/samsung-prepping-android-smartphone-for-sprint-t-mobile-q2-launch/
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/12/19/sprint-and-t-mobile-get-new-samsung-android-phone-in-june-2009/ )

5) Nokia E63- $500??

(props to: http://gizmodo.com/5114882/nokia-e63-available-for-pre+order-for-500  )

6) iPhone 3G actually on sale

(props to: http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/12/19/iphone-3g-goes-on-sale-for-two-weeks-only-at-best-buy-mobile/  )

7)  iPhone 3G gets unlocked live

(props to:  http://blog.iphone-dev.org )

Enjoy!