Palm Arena

f we’re supposed to believe a post on the official Sprint forums that was later yanked, webOS 1.4 will be hitting February 26 (for both Pre and Pixi devices) sometime in the evening…..this would make sense as Palm and Sprint have promised the update by the end of February and that date is getting ever so close.

According to the admin who posted the news, the following will be included in the update.

Fixes:

• Time Zone bug fixed
• Network time sync bug fixed to reflect accurate Network time
• Bluetooth car-kit transition to device corrected
• No EV icon bug fixed (random)
• Random browser formatting bugs fixed
• Fixed bug that incorrectly displayed Sprint when actually was Digital Roaming
• Missing Contact issue specifically with swap down to 1.2.9.1 or less

Feature Updates:

• Phonebook Transfer (import & export)
• Adds Video Capture capability & edit
• Calendar Enhancements
• Messaging Enhancements
• Improved Performance (Phone & CAL)
• Email Enhancements
• Notification Enhancements
• Adds Adobe Flash 10.0 (Pre Only)
  NOTE: The 1.4 software adds the ability to use the Flash 10.0 Adobe plug-in which will be available shortly from
• the Palm App Catalog.

So we’ll just have to wait and see if this news turns out to be true or not. Stay tuned…

VIA: PreCentral

Before you get all excited and jizz in your pants, let us warn you that these are just rumors, i.e things we cannot prove to be fact. That said, take the following information with a heavy dose of salt.

PPCGeeks are reporting that thy’ve just gotten a bunch of new information about Windows Mobile 7 which will be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Spain later this month (15-18). According to PPCGeeks, Windows 7 will indeed have an updated interface, however specific details on hardware will not most likely not be detailed then (later on in the year maybe?).

They further state that the user interface will be based on codename “METRO.” The interface is based of the Zune HD(something we’ve been hearing for months, we might add) and the Start screen has been completely revamped. Such words as “soulful,” “very clean,” and “alive” are used to describe the new UI.

The rumors go on to state that Flash support will not be included in the onset as there was not enough time to impliment the features, however support should come later on. Moreover, applications on Windows Mobile 7 will have to be installed through the “Marketplace” and applications stored on storage cards will not be usable. Older applications will not be supported on the onset as well, however there is said to be some type of emulator in the works that would be released later on to support older Windows Mobile applications. Probably the best news about the Marketplace is that it will support “try before you buy” as well as an API for developers.

Multi-task support is said to be missing, however applications will be able to pause while in the background and the OS will support push notifications. The source claims Microsoft is confident it will have devices ready with the new operating system by September of this year. Full Zune integration is included and Windows Mobile Device Center will be dropped for syncing with PC’s via the Zune software.

Last but not least, we’re hearing Microsoft is bringing an end to skinning the UI. That means the HTC, Samsung etc. can kiss their skins goodbye for the new OS. And of course, full Xbox integration (such as game tags XBL etc. will be included), and keeping true to the times, full support of social networking will be included as well.

As we said before, these are just rumors, but with Palm, Google, Apple and Symbian making big strides in the mobile OS department, anything lesss then this wouldn’t seem justifiable for all the hype that has been created concerning Widows Mobile 7. We’ll just have to see if it’s true in another 8 days.

VIA: PPCGeeks

Guess what folks? Verizon has put both the Pixi and Pre Plus on it’s online site. So as of now, you can order your Pre or Pixi Plus with all the beefed up specs you were promised. Check it out at the read link below.

VIA: Verizon

It’s not very often that major newspapers such as Fox and WSJ leak out tech info which is incorrect. So we’re gonna take their word for most of these rumors which you shall see below.

• A virtual keyboard will be included in the tablet. (duh, unless they’re planning to stick a tiny keyboard on it. And seeing Apple is afraid of keyboards by nature…
• Apple has been talking with the NYT as well as HarperCollins and NewsCorp about bringing their content online. When asked to confirm the rumors,  NYT Chairman Arthur Sulzberger said “stay tuned.”
• ElectronicArts has been working closely with Apple to prep games for the tablet. This would of course seem plausible seeing Apple has been touting the iPhone as the next generation in mobile gaming, even pitting it against the likes of Nintendo’s DSi and Sony’s PSP.
• Trading Google for Bing as the default search engine as well as map services. This wouldn’t be a surprise seeing Google’s and Apple’s romance is now over and the sourness between both companies has been becoming evident in recent days. However Microsoft and Apple hasn’t exactly been enemies, only their fans have been (kinda like politics in the U.S).
• We’re hearing that TV service is coming to the Apple Tablet, but it will not be full integration. We’re hearing it will be a “best of TV” service.
• iTunes opening up to the web? That’s what WSJ is saying. According to WSJ, Apple is working on bringing a web based version of the iTunes software to the market in June to buy music outside the iTunes application. The service is said to be hosted on iTunes.com. That would explain LaLa’s acquisition a few months back.
• Last but not least, we’re hearing that due to the addition of a built-in camera, the Tablet has face recognition and can be used for visual sticky notes.

VIA: Engadget

It’s official people, Apple is holding an event come January 27^th (9 more days) and is promising to reveal it’s “latest creation.” We’ve been hearing rumors for years that the boys in Cupertino were working on some type of tablet, slate device and we wouldn’t be none too surprised if they Steve Jobs actually pulled one out of his @ss at the event.

That said, it could be just another update to the iPhone line (we’re hearing generation 4 is due sometime this year), or it could be updated MacBook Pro’s with i5 or i7 processors. But we highly doubt it that they would classify updates to existing products as “their latest creation.”

So let the rumors begin. In the mean time we will return to our normal programming (covering Palm and mobile related news).

VIA: Engadget

Update: We’re getting some more news VIA FoxNews that not only will there be a Tablet announced on January 27^th, but iPhone OS 4.0 and a new version of the iLife suite. Usually when the news papers pick up a texh rumor it is because they have some inside info so we’re betting our hats that all what is promised at the read link below is going to be true.

VIA: FoxNews

It’s been a year since Jon Rubinstein turned Palm around. And even though it’s not completely out of the woods financially, great things are happening. The entire CES keynote is available below for you to view and we have included a link to all the important news covered in the keynote. Enjoy.

Palm tams up with France’s SFR operator

Palm announces web distribution of apps

Palm brings true gaming to the Pre and webOS platform

Video recording and Flash 10.1 support coming to webOS in Fabruary

OFFICIAL: Palm Pixi Plus coming to Verizon January 25^th

OFFICIAL: Palm Pre Plus coming to Verizon January 25^th

Palm introduces Mobile Hotspots app

Palm CES 2010 Photo Gallery

Photo Courtesy of Engadget

You probably weren’t able to attend the CES 2010 trade show. But even if you didin’t you can check out the full gallery of Palm’s keynote courtesy of PreCentral. Check it out HERE

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So you have a Pre, and you have a computer, but your friends have computers and they want to tap into the internet as well. What do you do? You get the Mobile Hotspots app from Palm. The app allows up to five Windows or Mac computers to connect the internet simultaneously and requires no additional hardware.

Of course the app will be subject to a monthly charge imposed by carriers and we’re almost sure there will be that dreaded 5GB data cap. At any rate, it’s nice to see the innovation still alive with Palm.

VIA: Engadget

Confirming months of rumors that the Pre would be heading to Verizon, Palm has officially confirmed that the Pre will be heading to America’s biggest wireless network.

Dubbed the Pre Plus, the device has three major differences from the current Pre sold on Sprint and other networks. For one, the center button is missing (which was practically useless we might add), the back of the device comes fitted with the matte cover needed for the Touchstone charger instead of the finger print-glossy version currently on the Sprint version. Last but not least it ups the internal storage from 8GB to a full 16GB.

The device has not been hampered by the lack of WiFi and as we said before it will be arriving on Verizon’s network January 25^th.

VIA: Palm

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It’s official folks. All those rumors about Verizon getting a webOS device namely the Pixi were true. Our good friend Jon Rubinstein made it official that Verizon is getting the Pixi and it will be called the “Pixi Plus.” The major difference between this version and Sprint’s version is the inclusion of WiFi, more storage space (bumped up to 8GB from 4GB) and of course it runs on Big Red’s network.

No price has been revealed yet but we do have a date, January the 25^th. Check out the full press shots below.

VIA: Palm

[View with PicLens]