Wednesday, May 18, 2011

MobileCrunch

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PayPal Android App To Get Photo-Based Check Depositing Today

Posted: 18 May 2011 12:12 AM PDT

Back in October of last year, PayPal tucked a fancy new trick into their iPhone app: Photo-based Check Depositing (or, as they call it, “Mobile Check Capture”.) You know the idea: snap a picture of a check’s front and back, the money automagically appears in your account, and you’ve saved yourself a trip to the ATM (and, more importantly, avoided going out into that nasty, nasty sunlight.)

Since this feature was rolled out, we’re told they’ve been seeing right around a million bucks per month come in via this route — and yet, the iPhone app has thus far been the only version to get it.

That ends today, it seems. Later this morning, PayPal will be announcing and releasing a new version of their Android app, complete with Mobile Check Capture. Oh, and for all the folks out there who can just never seem to find enough on-device storage space: this latest build also supports “Move To SD Card”. Take that, having-to-go-outside!

T-Mobile Trade-Ins: Go Green, Save Some Green

Posted: 17 May 2011 06:00 PM PDT

I can’t speak for everyone, but no matter how much I want to become more earth-friendly, it never really happens. It’s always too expensive, or too inconvenient, or too much work, and I blow it off. Luckily for me (and other would-be-greeners), T-Mobile is giving you a way to go green and save a little green.

If you're with T-Mo and looking to upgrade your phone, the carrier has offered a way to trade-in your old-school flip-phone or any other throwback you have lying around for a chunk of change (to be used for a new phone, of course).

So basically, you take your old phone into a T-Mobile store, at which point a T-Mo rep will decide how much its worth, but will apparently refrain from sharing that little detail with you. Instead, you'll get the value of your phone through a mail-in rebate and have to make another trip to the store to cash it in for a new phone.

Obviously, your pink Motorola Razr from 2006 isn't going to pay for the HTC Sensation 4G, but at least you'll be earning yourself a little discount, and possibly some good Karma from Mother Earth.

[via Gizmodo

Leaked: The Samsung “Hercules” For T-Mobile Is One Part Infuse 4G, One Part Monster

Posted: 17 May 2011 03:00 PM PDT

As our upcoming review of it will posit, I’m a pretty big fan of the AT&T Samsung Infuse 4G. It has its quirks — but overall, it’s one of the finest Android experiences around.

Samsung’s not quite done tinkering with the idea just yet, though — at least, not if this latest rumor pans out. According to word around the rumor mill, they’re taking the look and feel of the Infuse 4G, cranking the specs up from “impressive” to “downright beastly”, and slappin’ a T-Mobile logo on it.

The news comes from our buds over at ThisIsMyNext, who got the full rundown on the device and its purported spec list from an unnamed source.

Here’s what we know:

  • Like the Infuse 4G, the “Hercules” will pack a 4.5″ 480×800 Super AMOLED Plus display
  • It’ll ship with Android 2.3 (Infuse 4G currently runs 2.2)
  • 16GB Internal Storage, with 1GB of RAM (and microSD support, of course)
  • 1.2 Ghz Dual Core CPU (Infuse’s CPU is single core. The difference is fairly trivial right now, but it’s a spec that looks great on paper)
  • NFC Support (which Infuse 4G lacks)
  • 42 Mbps HSDPA, making it the fastest HSPA+ phone in the US
  • 8 megapixel rear camera with 1080p video recording, plus a front-facing camera

Sounds pretty ridiculous, no? Here’s the catch: It’s not gonna be available for a while. If their tipster is hearin’ right, it’s not even going to be done steppin’ through its certification process for at least 3 months. Our advice? Don’t wait up for this one. The mobile world moves too fast to play the waiting game; by the time this one is released, rumors of a phone that puts this one to shame will be swirling about. Buy what you want, when you want it.

Intel Promises x86-based Phones In 2012

Posted: 17 May 2011 02:59 PM PDT

During investment presentations, Intel CEO Paul Otellini admitted that the company's old strategy for mobile needed a makeover, but was optimistic about their prospects come 2012.

Intel is redirecting itself towards the mobile arena, and with big goals, too. Otellini said Intel's focus would shift toward more ultra-mobile hardware like phones and tablets, and look to make them more power-efficient than any device we're seeing in today's market. Intel's executive VP for mobile David Perlmutter shed some extra light on the plans, noting that future Intel-based devices will mimic many of the features seen on today's tablets, such as instant-on, persistent Internet access, and battery life of about 10 hours. First half of 2012 was mentioned as a target for x86 handset launches, but beyond that plans were hazy.

"In two years we expect that Intel-based devices will combine the best attributes of PCs and tablets," said Perlmutter. Not Meego devices, though, which Otellini admitted were taking a huge hit from the Microsoft-Nokia partnership. So Meego is on ice for now.

Obviously, it'll be a while before Intel infiltrates handsets and tablets in a major way, but the company definitely has mobile in its crosshairs and now they’ve got some stated goals we can look forward to.

[via Electronista]

Samsung “Hawk” (Exhibit 4G) Landing In T-Mobile Territory June 8

Posted: 17 May 2011 02:43 PM PDT

June 8 is to T-Mobile as May 26 is to Verizon. Three Android phones, one carrier, all on the same day. What was once referred to as the Samsung Hawk, now the Samsung Exhibit 4G, is set to hit T-Mo shelves on June 8, along with the HTC Sensation 4G and the Samsung Gravity Touch 2.

From what we can gather in its FCC filing, the Samsung Exhibit 4G should sport a 1GHz Hummingbird processor under the hood, with Android 2.3 Gingerbread running the show and Samsung's TouchWiz UI on top. The smartphone will also feature a 3-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a vga front-facing camera. T-Mobile hasn't released its official pricing yet, but the dealer lists the Exhibit 4G, so start crossing your fingers now for something to the effect of a mail-in rebate.

[via TmoNews]

LG Revolution May Join Verizon’s Xperia Play, Droid X2 in May 26 Launch

Posted: 17 May 2011 01:08 PM PDT

May 26 is shaping up to be a hectic day over at Verizon, as the carrier has seemingly planned a device-launch hat trick for a week from Thursday. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is already confirmed for a May 26 release, and current rumors suggest that the Motorola Droid X2 will hit shelves that day, too. Now, a leaked photo of Best Buy inventory information suggests that the retailer will receive its LG Revolution supply on May 25.

Though all three smartphones will share a birthday, the LG Revolution pretty much stands alone among the three devices, as it is the only 4G LTE-enabled device that will enjoy this Spring launch from Verizon. In terms of specs, the Revolution sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen with 480 x 800 pixels of resolution, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 5-megapixel rear camera that records in 720p.

The only real drawback to the phone is the fact that it runs Android 2.2 Froyo, instead of the much more desirable Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform. No official pricing info has made its way off the classified list, but a leaked photo of a Best Buy display reveals that the big box retailer will be charging $700 for the LG Revolution without a contract.

[via Phone Arena]

Radio Shack To Pick Up The HTC Inspire 4G In Red?

Posted: 17 May 2011 12:48 PM PDT

Diggin’ that AT&T HTC Inspire, but want something a little bit more… spicy ? Maybe somethin’ to go with those candy red kicks you bought for your next salsa class?

If this rumor pans out, you might be in luck: according to our amigos over at AndroidCentral, the ol’ Radio Shack should be slingin’ the Inspire 4G in the crazy cherry red hue you see up there before too long. Dummy units have just arrived, which generally means that a big ol’ box of real-deal units is on the way.

All this talk of “spicy”-ness and “salsa” has made me starving.


Apple Wants To Make SIM Cards Even Smaller Than MicroSIM

Posted: 17 May 2011 12:08 PM PDT

You know, I’m really no fan of the SIM card’s pint-sized baby brother, the microSIM. It’s not that I have a thing against small objects, mind you — those itty-bitty bottles of Cholula they sell at Cost Plus? I hoard those like diamonds. The microSIM just gives me trouble on a daily basis. I switch phones with some regularity, and the microSIM — or, more accurately, the fact that I almost always lose, damage, or forget my microSIM adapter — is the root of constant woe.

As such, today’s news isn’t exactly my favorite bit of the week: Apple wants to go and make the SIM card even smaller.

According to a comment from an Orange UK representative to Reuters, Apple submitted a proposal for a smaller SIM card to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute just last week. According to that same rep, Orange and a handful of other operators are fully behind the proposal.

As resentful as I may be about the idea of things gettin’ even smaller, this is good news for everyone in the end. Every millimeter of space that the SIM takes up is a millimeter that something else can’t — shrink that card, and phones get that much thinner.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play To Hit Verizon’s Shelves May 26

Posted: 17 May 2011 10:46 AM PDT

Like many of you, I have loved playing games on my phone ever since I got my first Nokia handset that came pre-loaded with Snake. Since then, mobile gaming has reached an entirely new level, and then when the smartphone appeared, a few more levels after that one. Still, no matter which handset you choose, your device is a phone first, and a portable gaming device second, or third, or fourth.

Well, that dynamic is about to change, as Sony Ericsson and Verizon Wireless are set to release the Xperia Play smartphone on May 26. Starting on Thursday, May 19, you'll be able to reserve your PlayStation phone with a pre-order on Verizon's website. The Xperia Play will cost $199.99 on a new two-year contract including both talk and data.

The Android 2.3 Gingerbread-powered smartphone will come with seven free games on-deck: Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot, Tetris, Madden NFL 11, and The Sims 3. And don't sweat it if you burn through those too quickly, as more than 50 other game titles will be available at launch through Verizon's app store, V CAST Apps.

[via Ars Technica]

HTC EVO 3D Pre-Orders Begin At RadioShack… Secretly

Posted: 17 May 2011 09:36 AM PDT

HTC's EVO 3D has been one of the most highly anticipated smartphones of the season. I'm sure many of you have been patiently awaiting some word on a launch date, and although I'm sorry to report that I don't have an exact date, pre-orders have begun for the glasses-free 3D smartphone over at RadioShack.

Starting today, anyone willing to jump through a few hoops can put in their pre-order with the retailer. Pre-orders for the HTC EVO 3D are not being openly advertised, but ask and ye shall receive. One tiny catch is that to place a pre-order, you'll have to get yourself a $50 RadioShack Gift Card, which can always be put toward a phone case for your shiny new EVO 3D.

It's also worth noting that we still don't have a launch date for Sprint's newest smartphone, as RadioShack and its employees are well aware, which means that your pre-order is really more of a reservation than anything else. Nonetheless, if retailers are prepping themselves, chances are the wait's almost over.

[via Engadget]

99 Percent Of Android Devices Are Vulnerable To Password Theft

Posted: 17 May 2011 07:50 AM PDT

Researchers at Germany's University of Ulm have made some unsettling discoveries about the security of the Android platform. According to an article from The Register, the research group located a vulnerability that allows hackers to collect and use the digital tokens saved on a phone after a user inputs credentials for a password-protected service.

The problem seems to be linked to an authentication protocol called ClientLogin, which is present in version of Android 2.3.3 and earlier (aka most Android phones). After a user inputs credentials for services like Twitter, Facebook, or Google Calendar (to name a few), the programming interface retrieves an authentication token, which is sent in cleartext. "Because the authToken can be used for up to 14 days in any subsequent requests on the service, attackers can exploit them to gain unauthorized access to accounts," claimed the article, quoting University of Ulm researchers.

Google has released a patch to solve the ClientLogin protocol problem, but the patch only works for Android 2.3.4 and Android 3.0, meaning that about 99 percent of Android phones don't have access to the updated code. "We wanted to know if it is really possible to launch an impersonation attack against Google services and started our own analysis," the researchers in the university’s Institute of Media Informatics wrote. "The short answer is: Yes, it is possible, and it is quite easy to do so." Google has yet to release an official statement on the situation.

Nokia Squashes Murtazin Rumor, No Handset Takeover For Microsoft

Posted: 17 May 2011 07:13 AM PDT

Eldar Murtazin isn't often wrong, but his latest rumor concerning negotiations between Nokia and Microsoft has been squashed by the world's biggest handset maker. For those who missed it, Mobile Review editor and leak wizard Eldar Murtazin wrote on his blog that Microsoft was in talks to buy Nokia's handset division and planned to close the deal by the end of the year.

Murtazin has an impressive track record with leaks, so it took all of five seconds for this juicy tidbit to spread across the web. True or untrue, Nokia has taken a firm stance in dispelling these rumors, as Nokia's communications director Mark Squires used Twitter to voice his position: "We typically don't comment on rumors. But we have to say that Eldar's rumors are getting obviously less accurate with every passing moment."

We still don't know what to expect from the current Nokia/Microsoft partnership, but it's looking like a handset division buyout may be out of the question.

[via TNW]

Motorola, Verizon post Droid X2 Listings Pre-Announcement

Posted: 17 May 2011 06:29 AM PDT

In our little tech blog world, leaks are the enemy of big brands like Motorola and Verizon. OEMs and carriers try desperately to keep new products under wraps until the day of announcement, just to make the big moment that much sweeter. Maybe today is opposite day, but in any case, you tipsters may be out of a job, as Motorola AND Verizon have posted the unannounced Droid X2 to their sites.

Motorola lists the phone on its product support page, complete with a user manual, while Verizon shows off the phone in a compatible accessories listing.

From what we can gather, we can confirm that the Droid X2 will sport a dual-core 1GHz processor with Android on top, and a 4.3-inch qHD display. Still no word on pricing or availability of course, though some speculate that we may see the Motorola Droid X2 on shelves May 26.

[via Engadget]

HTC Lead Rounds Out AT&T’s Summer Lineup

Posted: 17 May 2011 05:45 AM PDT

As of right now, AT&T is on pretty equal ground with its rivals when it comes to HTC handsets. While AT&T has the HTC Inspire 4G, its competitors have the HTC Sensation (T-Mobile), the HTC ThunderBolt (Verizon), and the HTC EVO 3D (Sprint). Though, it would seem that equal ground isn’t quite satisfactory for AT&T, as the number 2 carrier has scooped up another high-end HTC device.

The dual-core HTC Lead superphone should be making its way over to the carrier soon. The HTC Lead looks almost identical to the Sensation (T-Mobile) and the EVO 3D (Sprint), and like its cousins, will sport a 4.3-inch qHD display, HTC Sense 3.0 UI, and run on a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor.

Leaked specs include Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread OS, 5-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 3.0, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Unfortunately, we see nothing here about a front-facing camera, so you video-chatters may want to rethink the Lead. No word yet on when the Lead will launch, but we expect to see the smartphone hit shelves around the same time that the Samsung Galaxy S II makes its appearance as the Attain for AT&T.

[via PocketNow]

12 New Handsets From Japan: KDDI au’s Entire Summer Line-Up

Posted: 17 May 2011 05:36 AM PDT

Following Docomo yesterday, Japan’s second biggest mobile carrier KDDI au has unveiled [JP] a total of 12 new cell phones today. Their line-up consists of six smartphones (all Android) and six feature phones (well, what the Japanese call feature phones), all of which are listed up below.

KDDI Smartphones

iida INFOBAR A01
(click here for a complete feature set and videos)

Sharp AQUOS PHONE IS12SH
(4.2-inch naked-eye 3D display with 960×540 resolution ("QHD"), two 8MP CMOS cameras, 3D video recording in 720×1280 resolution, Android 2.3 – more here, also offered by Docomo)

Sharp AQUOS PHONE IS11SH
(3.7-inch naked-eye 3D LCD with 960×540 resolution, Android 2.3, MSM8655 Snapdragon (1.4GHz) CPU, 8MP CMOS camera, infrared, e-wallet function, digital TV tuner, UI designed by Ocean Observations, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)

Toshiba REGZA Phone IS11T
(4-inch LCD with 854×480 resolution, Android 2.3, MSM8655 Snapdragon (1.4GHz) CPU, 8MP CMOS camera, infrared, e-wallet function, digital TV tuner, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, QWERTY keyboard, DLNA support)

Sony Ericsson Xperia acro IS11S
(Japanized version of the Arc, just with infrared, e-wallet function, and digital TV tuner – also offered by Docomo)

Casio G’zOne IS11CA
(3.6-inch IPS LCD with 480×800 resolution, 8MP CMOS camera, MSM8655 Snapdragon (1GHz) CPU, Android 2.3, rugged/water-proof body, Japan version of the G’zOne COMMANDO)

KDDI Feature Phones

Sony Ericcsson S007
(3.3-inch TFT with 854×480 resolution, 16.2MP CMOS camera, water- and dust-proof body, infrared, e-wallet function, digital TV tuner, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, illuminated keyboard)

Toshiba T007
(3-inch TFT with 854×480 resolution, 12.2MP CMOS camera, waterproof body, digital TV tuner, infrared, e-wallet function, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)

Casio CA007
(3.2-inch IPS LCD with 854×480 resolution, 8MP CMOS camera, digital TV tuner infrared, e-wallet function, Bluetooth)

Toshiba T008
(3.2-inch LCD with 854×480 resolution, QSD8650 Snapdragon CPU (1GHz), 8MP CMOS camera, digital TV tuner infrared, Bluetooth, waterproof body)

Kyocera K009
(3.2-inch LCD with 854×480 resolution, QSD8650 Snapdragon CPU (1GHz), 8MP CMOS camera, digital TV tuner, infrared, Bluetooth, waterproof body that’s 14.8mm thin)

Kyocera Kantan Keitai K010
(3-inch LCD with QVGA resolution, 5MP CMOS camera, waterproof body, simple design targeted at elderly customers)
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