Right Science Technology and Health

Release day is only a few days away and now a number of major publications have posted their iPad reviews. We expect a lot more reviews and videos published now that the embargo has ended. There has been a couple videos posted which show off the iPad in action. The reviews seem to be mostly positive so far and discuss reasons why it could be a real success. Reviewers also got a chance to try out some early iPad apps and talk about them in their reviews. Here is a quick round up of the reviews so far and you can also watch an iPad unboxing video from Stephen Fry below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cisco announced four new Linksys E-Series routers today, each one fitted with 802.11n support for fast wireless speeds. Some models also include UPnP AV Media streaming and a USB port for sharing storage devices. The prices range from $79.99 to $179.99 USD depending on which model you choose. They also include a model that uses Linux and is designed advanced users, which is helpful for people who like to run their own custom firmware and finely tune their router’s controls.

The Linksys E3000 router (the most expensive) features dual-band, allowing both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies to be used at the same time. By using two bands you are much more likely to avoid interference, especially when using 5 GHz. Only the E3000 and E2000 models offer Gigabit Ethernet for wired connection speeds. UPnP AV Media streaming is supported by all models except the E1000, providing the ability to stream content from a connected USB storage device. Useful if you have a compatible device such as an Xbox 360 or PS3 and want to share photos and videos directly to them.

Read the rest of this entry »

The long wait for the latest Android update seems to be coming to a close for Verizon customers who own a Motorola Droid. According to Phandroid there is a support email being sent out to Verizon employees that announces plans to roll out Android 2.1 for Droid customers starting today. There was previous evidence of an update on the horizon, but it appears to be really happening this time.

New features include Live Wallpaper, Speech-to-text, Google Goggles, and more. Check the support document on the update here for a full list of changes. If the support email is correct, the Android 2.1 update is being delivered over the air to Droid customers during the next few days. The notification will be sent directly to the phone, which some Verizon users have already reported receiving. The new update might take a few days to be sent out to all Motorola Droid owners on Verizon, but don’t fret it looks like it is on the way.

According to the Wall Street Journal the next iPhone from Apple will include a second model with CDMA compatibility, allowing it to work with Verizon Wireless. This would make the iPhone no longer exclusive to one carrier in the US. That isn’t the only news that has been revealed. Over at Engadget their sources are saying that Apple is going to call it “iPhone HD” and that it will be announced on June 22. The name iPhone HD seems to imply that they are focusing on the size or resolution of the screen.

Nobody really knows how reliable any of these rumors are. The idea of a CDMA iPhone has been tossed around before, but nothing further. Perhaps it is the next logical move considering the rapid growth of Android devices on the market. If you look at upcoming phones like the HTC EVO 4G, it’s not hard to see that the race for “what’s next” has only just begun.

Read the rest of this entry »

Still don’t know what the new Apple iPad does? Apple has just posted iPad guided tour videos that should get you familiar with all the features available on the iPad. All the major features are being demoed with voice over, so it is worth checking out, especially if you are desperately trying to pass the time while waiting for the iPad release day on April 3. The tour covers Safari, Mail, Photos, Videos, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, and iBooks. They also show off Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, which will be only be available on the App Store. There is not a huge list of new features that aren’t in countless other iPad videos, but it is the best compilation we have seen so far.

One of the differences in the interface when compared to the iPhone/iPod Touch is the use of tap-and-hold to bring up submenus. The iPhone OS already has this feature, but outside some specific examples it remains fairly unused. One example is when you tap-and-hold a link in Safari it brings up a menu offering alternatives choices like “Copy” and “Open in New Page.” Of course this can already be done on the iPhone, but instead of sliding this menu up from the bottom, on the iPad it appears as a hovering menu that overlays the rest of the content on the screen. In iBooks you can bring up the dictionary entry for a certain word just by tapping on it. This is a great reference tool which appears in Pages, and it will likely be available in other apps as well. Release day is right around the corner, and we are expecting much more iPad news as we get closer.

During the CTIA Wireless conference today, Sprint unveiled it’s very first 4G handset called the HTC EVO 4G. It features Sprint’s WiMAX for 4G data speeds and runs on the Android 2.1 operating system. The device was previously rumored to be called the “HTC Supersonic” but has undergone a name change. HTC makes a large number of smartphones on the market, but this is the first one with WiMAX built in. The EVO 4G sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen, 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, two cameras (front and back), GPS Navigation, Compass, microSD slot, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and a kickstand case design for media viewing.

They also included the ability to use the device as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This means those fast WiMAX speeds can be shared with up to eight Wi-Fi devices at a time. An excellent feature for anyone who doesn’t want to carry around a USB modem for their notebook. The phone can also use EV-DO if you don’t get WiMAX service in your area. The rear camera is 8 megapixels, includes a flash, and can capture 720p video. HDMI output is available using an adapter, allowing you watch 720p pictures and video on a high definition television. HTC has really packed in the features with this phone. No word on the price yet, but it will be available exclusively on Sprint sometime this summer.

Not being discouraged by sinking stock prices, today Palm announced that they are adding AT&T Wireless to the list of carriers offering the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus. The move will bring the webOS powered smartphones to a new network, making it available on three major networks in the US. The Pre and Pixi are currently only on Sprint and Verizon. They are pricing the AT&T version of the phones at $150 for the Pre Plus and $50 for the Pixi Plus. That is after a $100 mail-in rebate which requires a new two-year contract from AT&T. Palm has not announced a release date, but they are expected to be available sometime in the coming months.

It’s safe to say that Palm is weighing in their options now. The weak sales of webOS devices has certainly not helped the company, and their stock price has taken a pummeling. By announcing a new carrier for their phones, they are hoping to grab more customers. Not really sure it will help bring them out the hole, but it is fantastic news for those on AT&T who want to buy a Pre Plus or Pixi Plus. Maybe AT&T will help them advertise the phones better. The current advertisements that Palm has made seem to be rather unimpressive. AT&T adding the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus could turn out to be a good partnership. Then again, maybe it won’t change much considering the competition.

Apple is now officially allowing developers to submit their iPad applications to the App Store in preparation for the launch of the device. The deadline to submit applications to be included on launch day is March 27. Because developers can only test their applications using the iPad emulator that comes with the SDK, most applications are probably not ready yet. Opening iPad App submissions for developers allows Apple to provide feedback on the readiness of each application. Only submissions before the deadline have a chance to be available for download when the iPad is released.

Some lucky developers have been able to get their hands on an iPad test unit. These developers are more likely to be ready for launch day, but they have to follow strict guidelines to hide their test units from the public. According to BusinessWeek the developers must keep their test units in a room with blacked out windows, and keep it tethered to a fixed object. They must also sign a 10 page pact and provide photographic evidence of their compliance.

Read the rest of this entry »

A new version of Google’s Nexus One was announced today, which supports more 3G networks, specifically AT&T and Rogers. That’s good news for folks in Canada, but it does come with a catch. The new model is only being sold unlocked, meaning you have to pay the full $529 USD price tag. T-Mobile customers have the option to subsidize the price down to $179 USD if they buy it with a 2-year contract. The new version is also being sold directly through Google, just like the T-Mobile version. The wait continues for the upcoming CDMA model of the Nexus One, which is expected to reach Verizon later this month.

Without the special price that T-Mobile customers get, it will be interesting to see how many people will buy it for AT&T or Rogers. When looking at sales numbers, it appears that the Nexus One launch hasn’t been doing so well, according to a report by Flurry. It might be that the online-only approach that Google has taken is not paying off quite as well as they have hoped. Perhaps by adding more carrier support today, and Verizon sometime soon, Google is looking at a larger picture for the future of the device. By the time the Nexus Two comes out, things will be much different. Until then, maybe Google will work out 2-year contract deals with more networks so the entry price isn’t so high.

The new Windows Phone 7 Series was announced in February, replacing Windows Mobile 6.5 and revealing a brand new user interface developed by Microsoft. Today during MIX10, Microsoft focused on the developer side of the new platform and made several new announcements about the device. One of the biggest was the release of the new developer tools that are needed to make applications. Microsoft also revealed it’s plans for the Windows Phone Marketplace and presented a huge list of partners already working on applications, including Netflix, Sling, Foursquare, Pandora, PopCap Games, and many more.

To make a successful smartphone these days you need a large collection of software to run on the device. You also need a destination that users can go to download the software. This is what the new Windows Phone Marketplace is for, but it won’t just offer applications, it will also have music available to buy. With the store in place, the next step is to offer developers a way to create and publish applications. The new Windows Phone Developer Tools are available as a free download for developers starting today. In the package is a copy of Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone and XNA Game Studio. These should give developers the tools needed to begin writing applications that make full use of the new platform.

Read the rest of this entry »