ArchiveSeptember, 2008

As promised, T-Mobile unveiled the first Android-enabled cell phone about an hour ago at an event in New York - and, while it likely won’t produce the same level of hype as the iPhone’s debut, the potential impact on the wireless marketplace could be just as significant.

Here’s what we’ve heard from NY:

* The G1 looks a lot like the Sidekick, but with a touch screen.
* Manipulating menus on the home screen is intuitive, and multitasking is easy.
* Google Maps is built-in, and very well integrated.
* The “Android Market” will host endless applications designed by third parties.

That last bit is the real driving force behind the Android concept, and Google is pushing Android as an open source platform that programmers will love. In fact, at the presentation, they rolled out a video of programmers expressing that love. A T-Mobile exec ran through a couple of example of these mobile apps, including a carbon footprint tracker called Eco Reo, and a Shop Savvy, shopping comparison tool. Over the coming weeks and months, the utility and creativity of Android will be on display as more and more developers push such apps.

According to news out of the T-Mobile camp last week, the cell phone world will have plenty to talk about tomorrow: that’s when Google is expected to release a slew of details about the first Android-enabled cell phone.

Android is Google’s new mobile platform, which is already generating real excitement among cell phone afficionados thanks to its advertised flexibility and potential support for advanced mobile applications. We expect much of the blogosphere to be focused on this announcement tomorrow, and we’re sure T-Mobile is eager to ride the wave of attention as the first carrier to debut an Android phone. It sounds like we’ll get a release date, pricing and plan details, and some examples of Android-based software.

So, stay tuned for more news sometime tomorrow.

Attention mobile junkies: today Wirefly is announcing the launch of the Most Embarrassing Moments With Your Mobile Phone Contest. Sound kind of frightening? Maybe you don’t want to share your most embarrassing moment? Hey, consider it a shot at catharsis. Plus, there are some pretty nice prizes up for grabs. So, turn your moment of personal horror into something with value…

We’re actually allowing a good bit of freedom with your entry. It can be a written story, a picture, or even a video of that awkward/embarrassing/memorable moment that involved your cell phone. Did you accidentally send a text message intended for your girlfriend to your mother? Tell us about it. Maybe you dropped your phone in the toilet, slipped and fell when you went to retrieve it, and a “friend” caught it all on tape. Or, perhaps your ringtone is highly inappropriate for a business meeting. You get the idea.

(As an aside, it’s probably a good idea to make sure your entry is, at worst, PG-13…)

Prizes include the popular Samsung BlackJack II smartphone - with no annual contract! - as well as great accessory bundles. Best of all, increase your odds by submitting as many entries as you wish. This contest was inspired by the Wirefly 5th Anniversary Sale in which we’ll be showcasing some very special offers so keep your eyes peeled.

• FIRST PRIZE – Samsung BlackJack II smartphone from AT&T with no annual contract commitment, plus Bluetooth accessory bundle (Bluetooth Headset, Car Charger & Case)

• SECOND PRIZE – Samsung BlackJack II smartphone from AT&T with no annual contract commitment, plus Media accessory bundle (1GB Memory card, Car Charger & Case)

• THIRD PRIZE – 3 Piece Accessory Bundle (1GB Memory Card, Car Charger & Case)

• FOURTH PRIZE – 2 Piece Accessory Bundle (Car Charger & Case)

• FIFTH PRIZE – 4 GB Memory Card

It’s important to get started right away, submissions will be accepted until November 14th 2008.

Submit your entry today!

For months now, we’ve followed the Internet rumors of a new BlackBerry in the works - RIM’s first flip phone. And, for months, those rumors referred to the device as the “Kickstart”. The online buzz reached a fever pitch, all centered around the name “Kickstart”. There was only one problem…

Today, at the Fall CTIA show, RIM unveiled the highly anticipated new BlackBerry, and confirmed what our behind the scenes sources hinted at earlier this month: turns out the “Kickstart” will debut under a different name, the “Pearl Flip 8220″. We’re glad we avoided the premature speculation.

Naming controversies aside, the Pearl Flip really is an exciting new addition to the BlackBerry line. RIM’s market share has doubled in the last calendar year, largely due to the hugely successful consumer-oriented Pearl and Curve models. BlackBerries, however, have always been associated with the tablet-like PDA form factor. The Pearl Flip represents RIM’s intent to expand its user base even more, with an appeal to the flip-phone loving general public.

Read more…