MeeGo for handsets makes its first appearance

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/meego-for-handsets-makes-its-first-appearance/

As promised, Nokia and Intel have revealed the pre-alpha version of MeeGo for handsets today, supporting the Intel-powered Aava reference phone and the Nokia N900. What's most interesting at this early stage is the UI, which appears to have taken a big Nokia-influenced step away from the Intel-designed MeeGo netbook and tablet UI -- and we're definitely detecting some hints of Android and webOS here and there. Seriously, just check out that task switching interface. Of course, MeeGo is open-source, so we're sure Nokia has some deeper UI customizations in store -- like homescreen widgets, which are notably missing here.

On a deeper level, this build of MeeGo includes the base MeeGo APIs, including Qt and the MeeGo touch frameworks, the Firefox-based browser, a photo viewer, and some basic UI elements like the status bar, app launcher, and virtual keyboard. There are pre-built images for the Atom-based Aava handsets available now, but N900 owners will have to do a little building until someone makes an image available. Be warned, though: there's a long enough list of known bugs, and while that's totally fine for pre-alpha code, it might not be too fine for your device. That's not going to stop us from installing this thing, but you be careful, alright? And let us know how it goes. Video of the UI after the break.

P.S. Given that the N8 is destined to be the last Symbian N Series device, we can't help but feel it's being overshadowed by MeeGo before it's even out. Can we pre-pour one out? Is that a thing? It is now.

Gallery: MeeGo for handsets makes its first appearance

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MeeGo for handsets makes its first appearance originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid X ad pokes fun at iPhone 4 antenna troubles

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/droid-x-ad-pokes-fun-at-iphone-4-antenna-troubles/

The world of corporate cheap shots has today been enriched in its number with one supersized ad for one supersized phone. BGR reports that Motorola took out a full-page spread in the New York Times on this final day of June, which was ostensibly dedicated to promoting the positives of its mighty Droid X. But Moto has also followed in the footsteps of Nokia in making a not so subtle jab at the latest king of the smartphone realm. According to the ad, one of the most important things about the Droid X is that:

"It comes with a double antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere to make crystal clear calls."

Glad we got that established -- next Moto will be telling us the alarm clock on its phones works just fine too. Skip past the break for the untrimmed ad.

Continue reading Droid X ad pokes fun at iPhone 4 antenna troubles

Droid X ad pokes fun at iPhone 4 antenna troubles originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popbox's Netflix-less launch now scheduled for July 23

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/popboxs-netflix-less-launch-now-scheduled-for-july-23/

Our wait for the Syabas Popbox just got a little longer, with the official blog announcing it will not ship from Amazon until July 23. Like the Boxee Box, the delay is being blamed on software being not "quite where we wanted it to be" but the real bad news here is the official list of content partners which, for the time being, is missing Netflix. Also not included (but likely not as missed) is SDTV support -- even via analog outputs, the Popbox is apparently an HDTV only affair. As far as whether we will ever see Netflix support Syabas is still giving it the Voldemort treatment, but without naming names it refuted rumors regarding a lack of hardware DRM support with the claim that "the PopBox that ships is, TODAY, capable of supporting all foreseeable App partners in the future WITHOUT requiring a hardware upgrade." Check the blog for a complete list of content providers (Revision3, YouTube, Picasa, Clicker, Twitter and others will be ready to go) and decide if that preorder is still worth holding on to.

Popbox's Netflix-less launch now scheduled for July 23 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Docs Viewer for iPhone, iPad and Android, Oh Yes [Google]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5574905/google-docs-for-iphone-ipad-and-android-oh-yes

The Google experience on phones just got more complete with a new mobile version of Google Docs viewer. It supports file types like .docx, so you can read documents attached to emails without downloading them. [Google]

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Rebtel Makes Free International Android-to-Android Calls [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5574699/rebtel-makes-free-international-android+to+android-calls

Android only: A long time ago, we mentioned cheap international phone service Rebtel, but recently they've regained our attention with a new Android app that lets you call other Android users in over 50 countries for free.

Not unlike the ever-popular Skype, Rebtel's service is based on rerouting international calls to give you cheap rates. However, if you and your overseas chat buddy are both using Android phones, you can now use Rebtel's Android app to call one another for free, as long as they're in one of Rebtel's supported countries (of which there are over 50). You'll still use up regular minutes on your phone, but only as if it were a local call, since Rebtel connects your call through a local number.

The system is set up quite nicely: Rebtel works in the background, intercepting long distance calls and routing them through their service. That way, you don't need to use the Rebtel app to make the calls—you can just make them from your regular Android dialer or address book and it will intervene on its own. And, best of all, you aren't limited to WiFi networks—you can use it anytime, anywhere. It's a good alternative to previously mentioned Fring smartphone app.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to test the actual calling features of the app, since everyone I know lives within a few hundred miles of me, with the exception of one lone iPhone user in Germany. So if you have friends or family overseas, try it out and let us know how it works for you in the comments.

Rebtel for Android [via TechCrunch]

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