Palm Arena

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

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 is clear that Microsoft is working behind the scenes to bring Windows Mobile 7 up to speed with the competition (Android, webOS and iPhone). That has sparked a lot of rumors as to what will actually happen in the 7^th installment of the OS. However, today we got the biggest set of rumors yet. Here they are.

First of all we’re hearing that Microsoft will be going two different routes with Windows Mobile 7. There will be Windows Mobile 7 Business Edition and Windows Mobile 7 Media Edition which will be a version the company will pitch to devs and OEM’s as the skinable version.

We’re hearing that two phones have already been confirmed. The first is the LG Apollo and the second is the HTC Obsession. The former is said to launch between Auguest and September of this year while the latter is has an arrival date of October.

We’re also hearing that full Zune and Xbox Live integration will be coming to Windows Mobile 7 and that the media interface will be one similar to what we see on the Zune HD. Get the rest of details at the link below.

WMPowerUser

WMexperts

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

his just in VIA Engadget, Sprint will be announcing their intentions on the Pixi. Its set to happen at 9AM CT so that’s in ten minutes. Check back here for the details as they unfold.

Photo courtesy of PreCentral

I’m not a person who is giving to gossip and rumors, especially ones that cannot be traced to a specific credible source. That said I went against my better judgement and decided to cover the story that is making its rounds. Apparently someone has got wind (somewhere in Europe) that Finnish cellphone giant Nokia is mulling a deal to purchase Palm.

How this would work I’m not sure, but seeing both companies have been in financial blackholes recently it would look like a wise move on the part of Nokia….not so much Palm as they have spent quite a bit of time with webOS and if there is one thing we’ve learned, when bigger companies swallow smaller companies things don’t always work out.

That said if you want to check out the details on this wild story, check it out HERE!

webOS update 1.2

According to multiple sources we’re hearing that tomorrow is the date when the App Catalog will be released from its beta cell. Not only that, paid apps are coming as well as webOS 1.2 which is said to fix the iTunes syncing problems created by the latest update to iTunes 9.

We’re also hearing other reports that it might be delayed a few more days to clear up said iTunes 9 problems. Whatever the case is, we’re anctiously awaiting the addition of hundreds more apps. Check out the details at the read links below.

paid apps coming 9/24/09 READ!

webOS 1.2 update delayed? READ!

Palm Job listing

If we’re supposed to believe this job listing posted by Palm, they are rethinking their decision about not allowing developers to have access to the core of the device. The new job posting not only calls for a Game Framework Engineer, but also a VPN Network Engineer.

VPN Network Engineer

To work with the Linux networking components to create a great networking experience for Palm’s WebOS platform. This includes modifying open-source software to meet the needs for an embedded device, developing and maintaining WebOS specific VPN networking components.

Game Frameworks Engineer

Palm is looking for developers who are passionate about gaming, handhelds, mobile communication and the possibilities for Palm in the gaming arena. The software developers we’re looking for will have strong mathematical/analytical skills and will be effective team members in a small, focused initiative.

Responsibilities: Design, implement, debug, and optimize frameworks for game development

Basically what we’re getting from this is Palm is not content at just settling for web apps and it seems like they will open up core access to the CPU in the future for game acceleration (unless they find a magical way to get around this).

Check out all the details over at PreCentral.

Guardian UK

Guardian UK is reporting the the Pre has been locked up for Europe by none other than 02 Wireless. If this is true its not terribly unexpected as the rumor mills have been saying this for quite some time now. We’d just like to know where Vodafone fits into this whole equation. But in any case its good to see that Palm is actually getting their act together for our European brothers.

VIA: Guardian UK

UK Flag

This one hit the rumor mill sometime this week and the Pre world is abuzz with the news. According to the rumor, Palm is set to announce who will be carrying the Pre in the UK next week. This makes perfect sense because Palm has been promising a GSM Pre for August of 2009 for quite some time now.

As to who will be the carrier is uncertain as many are saying that O2 is the carrier and yet others are saying that Vodofone will be the carrier. At any rate we will have to wait till next week and see if these rumors hold up. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.