Linux heads will be happy to hear that Ubuntu version 9.10 has been released to the public. This build is entitled Karmic Koala and will feature a faster boot sequence, updated audio framework and an all new Software Center that will make it easier to add/remove applications.

The developers have said this build makes it easier for the general public to adapt to Linux as it simplifies a great deal of the OS.

Head here to download it.

Tags: 9.10, Desktop PCs, karmic koala, Laptops, Linux, Mobile News, Mobile Software, software, ubuntu

Early last month Sony officially announced that they were working on several low cost ereader offerings. Today, the company has let us know that the PRS-300 (Pocket Reader Edition) is now available for $199.

This eBook reader features a 5-inch screen USB 2.0, 512MB of internal memory and comes in blue, silver and rose.

Sure, it’s no Kindle but if you’re on a budget you should definitely check this out.

via e-reader info

Tags: eBook Reader, eReader, Mobile News, Mobile Software, pocket reader edition, prs-300, Sony

Here is a cost-friendly solution for the people looking at great deals for their mobile communication needs. VoxOx by TelCentris has announced their special monthly unlimited plans for making calls and two-way texting for an introductory domestic (U.S. and Canada) offer of $2.45 a month. The rates offered by VoxOx is 15% lower than what Skype is offering to its customers and for the people who avail of this special plan will enjoy an ongoing subscription at a highly discounted rate. Domestic and worldwide plan options are also available and should be the solution for people who are heavy mobile phone users (voice and text).

(Source) Press

Tags: Business, Canada, Cell Phones, great deals, mobile communication, Mobile News, mobile phone users, plan options, text source, texting, worldwide plan

Technology has been known to perk up businesses and this time around, Vocera has unveiled its own batch of smartphones, aiming to assist medical professionals and staff in rendering efficient patient care and flexible mobile communication as well. The Vocera smartphone was jointly developed with Motorola, offering a one-touch voice-user interface running on the Mobile 6.1 operating systems.

With this new device, doctors and clinical personnel will be able to access business applications as well such as clinic system alerts, asset tracking and medical reference. It even allows them to communicate since it has corporate e-mail provisions as well.

(Source) Press

Tags: asset tracking, business applications, Cell Phones, clinic system, doctors, e mail, healthcare professionals, medical professionals, medical reference, mobile communication, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola, operating systems, Other Brands, patient care, provisions, smartphone, smartphones, user interface, vocera, voice user

If you’re a T-Mobile UK customer packing a Nokia phone then you’ll probably be more than happy to find out that your carrier is going to offer you Nokia’s Comes With Music service. The offer is only available if you get a new Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone with it too. The service will be available free of charge for a whole year once you chose a new 2-year plan of at least £30 per month. Besides unlimited music downloads you will also get unlimited mobile Internet and unlimited SMS messages so the bundle doesn’t sound bad at all, does it?

via pocket-lint

Tags: 5800, comes with music, Mobile News, music, Nokia, Nokia, Portable Devices, service, T-Mobile, UK, XpressMusic

The HTC Hero will soon fade away from our minds as the Motorola Droid will be the hottest phone in town. But that doesn’t mean that HTC will let that happen without a fight. The company has confirmed that Android 2.0 will be coming soon to HTC Hero owners. Here’s what HTC had to say:

Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero.

That magic HTC Sense UI is also going to be ported to Android 2.0 in the near future and all the Hero versions out there will get it. Just check back with your carrier for more information once Eclair becomes available from HTC.

Tags: Android 2.0, Droid, Eclair, Hero, HTC, HTC, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola

The FCC is investigating Google’s Google Voice application but apparently that’s not enough for Google to stop blocking numbers. The Commission is interested in how Google Voice works and it wants to know exactly how and why the app blocks certain numbers.

Google has raised the number of blocked numbers to 100. That’s a lot more numbers than it used to block. Google thinks that these numbers are “engaged in… schemes” which happen to raise carrier costs. So it seems that Google saves you some money. Is that going to be enough for the FCC? Will Google have to unblock all these numbers soon?

via Washington Post

Tags: Blocked Numbers, fcc, Google, Google, Google Voice, Mobile News

A few years ago more precisely on 2005, the number of devices shipped with a WiFi system was only 59 million, but that small number has been multiplied by 7 and the forecast for 2009 of devices shipped with WiFi is set at 409 million.

As you can imagine, the 409 millions include all kind of devices, notebooks, cellphones, smart phones, gaming consoles, GPS navigation systems, and more.

Peter King, Director of the Connected Home Devices Service at Strategy Analytics, comments:

Now that IEEE 802.11n has received ratification as a global standard, Strategy Analytics expects to see strong sales of 11n-enabled devices. By the end of 2010 they will ship in more than half of all Wi-Fi systems,

Tags: mobile devices, Mobile News, WiFi

It was announced today that the app store for the Symbian platform, entitled Horizon, has today gone live in beta form. There isn’t much to choose from right now with only 50 mobile apps currently available but the Symbian Foundation promise thousands of choices in 2010.

While this is great news for Symbian users its also great news for app developers as they now have another platform to infiltrate.

Check out more here.

Tags: App Store, Beta, Cell Phones, horizon, Mobile News, Mobile Software, symbian

We just learned that Google Maps Navigation would be featured on the Motorola DROID and now Google has taken the time to detail the service.

First and foremost, Google Maps Navigation is that it is a free turn-by-turn GPS mobile application. This free application allows you to input addresses with both text and voice, it will show you traffic data, For now, it’s available only for Android 2.0 and is in beta but hopefully it will make its way onto other platforms such as the iPhone.

You can check out a 7 minute video demonstration of Google Maps Navigation above, check it out.

Tags: Accessories, Cell Phones, data traffic, free, Google, google maps, GPS, GPS, Mobile News, Mobile Software, navigation, turn-by-turn

Morotola and Verizon have finally come forth to announce the Android 2.0 powered DROID, a handset we’ve heard about for some time now.

The Motorola DROID will feature a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display, slideout QWERTY keyboard, 5MP camera with autofocus and dual-LED flash, GPS with Google Maps Navigation, WiFi, Bluetooh and an included 16GB memory card.

Interested? It could be yours on November 6th for $199 on a 2-year contract

Press release after the break.

(more…)

Tags: Android, bluetooth, Capacitive, Cell Phones, Droid, Google, GPS, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Motorola, Motorola, Qwerty keyboard, Verizon, WiFi

The Apple App Store hits another milestone today. While everyone knows how hard it is to get an app approved, hitting the 100,000 mark is an achievement in itself. While only 93,118 of these apps can actually be purchased, there are minor discrepancies such as sudden pullouts of apps due to some issues. In short, the list may not be up to date.

If you want the actual count, there are 101,847 approved apps to date. Audited or unaudited, tip your hats off to the App Store for achieving these numbers and feat. Another testament to the growing success of the app store for the many iPhone and iPod Touch owners looking for specific apps for their mobile device.

(Source) Mobile Crunch

Tags: Apple, Apple, apps, hats, iPhone, iPod Touch, milestone, mobile device, Mobile News, Mobile Software, testament

Dell has today announced a new rugged tablet entitled the Latitude XT2 XFR, picture above.

This tablet will feature a 12.1-inch multitouch display, a Core 2 Duo SU9600 processor, up to 5GB of RAM, either a regular harddrive or SSD and the option of either Windows Vista or XP which is curious considering Windows 7 just came out.

If you want to pick this rugged device up you’re going to have to shell out $3,599 as that is the price point it starts at.

via engadget

Tags: Dell, Dell, Laptops, latitude, microsoft, Mobile News, Mobile Software, tablet, xt2 xfr

We just saw the unveiling of Barnes & Noble’s Nook ereader and already they have another hardware offering for you to choose from.

We first heard about this Plastic Logic developed ereader back in July when it was rumored to be using AT&T’s 3G network. Today, Barnes & Noble has come forth to announce that this ereader will be called the QUE proReader and feature a 8.5 x 11 inch e-ink display.

There is no word on how much it will be available but we do know that it will be sold at Barnes & Noble retail locations next spring.

Press release after the break.

(more…)

Tags: Barnes and Noble, Mobile News, Mobile Software, plastic logic, Portable Devices, proreader, que

Sure, the HTC Magic is a nice handset but I bet you never though it’d be used for this — A DIYer has taken HTC’s handset, coupled it with a pair of goggles and a cardbox box to make a pair of virtual reality goggles.

The system relys on Google Street View in the sense that you move your head around and the picture will adjust depending on the position of your head.

Still confused? Check out the above video demonstration and let us know what you think.

via slashgear

Tags: Accessories, Cell Phones, goggles, Google, google street view, HTC, HTC Magic, Mobile News, Mobile Software, virtual reality

Ever since the HTC HD2 first appeared as the HTC Leo last month Windows Mobile fans have anxiously awaited the device for its large touch screen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor.

Unfortunately you still can’t pick it up, but you can watch it get unboxed in the above video. But be warned, it’s a beautiful device and if you already can’t wait for it, watching it get unboxed will probably make that wait even harder.

via engadget

Tags: Cell Phones, HTC, htc hd2, htc leo, microsoft, Mobile News, Mobile Software, SnapDragon, Windows Mobile

Rumors have been circulating of Telus picking up the iPhone for some time now but we haven’t had official confirmation from the carrier as to when we will see the device. Luckily, they have announced that they will be offering the iPhone on November 5th of this year.

You’ll be able to pick the iPhone 3G for $99.99, the 16GB 3GS for $199.99 and the 32GB 3GS for $299.99 on 3-year contracts.

Additionally, Telus will be picking up the HTC Hero and the LG New Chocolate at some point after the iPhone is released.

Read (Telus)

Tags: Apple, Cell Phones, Hero, HTC, iPhone, LG, Mobile News, new chocolate, Telus

Earlier this month geohot released the iPhone OS 3.1.2 jailbreaking software blackra1n for all who were interested. Today, he has released blackra1n RC2 that fixes a number of issues that came from the original release.

These issues including 3G signal problems, issues with “Icy”, Tethered jailbreak for 3.1 OOTB ipt 8GB and new 3GS’ and releasing a version for both Windows and Mac.

As always, jailbreak at your own risk, but if you’re into this kind of stuff head here for more information.

Tags: 3.1.2, Apple, blackra1n, Cell Phones, geohot, iPhone, iPhone, jailbreak, Mobile News, Mobile Software, OS

In a few days, households may be worried sick about keeping track of where their little tykes may be going. With Halloween promising to provide a lot candies and goodies, safety becomes a concern for parents. But thanks to Sprint, Michigan and Indiana folks can keep track of where there little ones are going with the Family Locator service that costs only $5 a month to use. This special service was made possible by GPS technology with real-time satellites that allow parents to know specifically where their kids are via mobile phone or a computer. It is password protected thus limiting access to authorized users only.

(Source) Press

Tags: candies, few days, goodies, GPS, Halloween, households, little ones, little tykes, Mobile News, mobile phone, Mobile Software, parents, real time, satellites, Sprint, Sprint

Sony Ericsson has been working on at least an Android phone so far and it looks like the manufacturer is ready to launch one. Whether it’s the Xperia X3 also known as the Rachael or the Xperia X10, Sony Ericsson’s first Android phone is supposed to arrive on November 3. Pricing and details aren’t confirmed at this point so we’ll return next week with all the official info.

The Rachael could be at least as good as the Droid but unfortunately for Sony Ericsson Motorola’s and Verizon’s marketing campaigns made sure that anyone interested in Android phones will want to buy the Droid. What do you think folks? Will Sony Ericsson be successful in its Android venture?

via seblog

Tags: Droid, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola, rachael, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson, X10, x3, xperia