Not to be confused with GCal Sync, Mobiun is gearing up for a beta of its Google Calendar syncing app, Gcal. The beta proper isn’t set to launch until January, but you can sign up on their mailing list to get notified when the software is ready to roll. The software is set for all mobiles, so if you want to make sure they do it right for BlackBerrys, sign on up!
Monthly Archive for November, 2007Page 3 of 13
Coming shortly behind Ukraine’s release, RIM is set to launch its products in Russia. Security concerns from the KGB’s successor, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, effectively stalled earlier deployment, but a compromise has been reached to everyone’s satisfaction. The FSB wanted the encryption codes that RIM uses for its communications, so it’s a little iffy on where they found middle ground. It’s only a little over a thousand BlackBerry 8700s crossing the border, and there’s only a year-long allowance for the devices, so any Russkies looking to get in on the action will have to be quick to act. Check out your closest MTS or Vimpelkom outlet sometime in the first quarter of 2008.
Ronen spotted a fairly technical review of data transfer rates between the BlackBerry 8120, the 4GB iPhone, the Sony Ericsson W910i, and the RAZR2. The times to transfer 4 GB of data from desktop to phone were 23 minutes for the iPhone, 5-6 minutes for the BlackBerry, 15 minutes on the W910i and 19 minutes on the RAZR2. So, why did BlackBerry rock the kazbah?
“The device behind the BlackBerry’s fast transfer rates is the Cypress CYWB0124AB west bridge peripheral controller. West bridge products directly connect peripherals, creating fast transfer tunnels without loading the main processor. Instead of routing files from the computer through the phone processor to the storage device, the west bridge sets up a tunnel running from the computer directly to the storage device.”
Josep just pointed us to a handy, free, lightweight app that figures out how to split up restaurant bills, taking into account taxes and tips. Geotip even supports slightly more complicated taxing systems with more than one rate being applied to whatever you’re buying. If you go out often and usually split the bill, you can download this handy little thing to your desktop.
Remember when we visited iotum awhile back? They’re the developers of Talk-Now, which lets you check the availability status of peers, as well as set your own. In addition to being able to set alerts for when someone’s status changes, you can make calls directly from their contact list user interface. Anyway, that’s old news. Lately, iotum has been working on a Facebook application for free conference calls with your friends, which, needless to say, is awesome. (Hey, while you’re off checking the app, why dont’cha join BBCool’s Facebook page too?) Obviously this has impressed someone with deep pockets, since Verdexus General Partner Randall Howard has bought his way onto iotum’s board of directors as chairman for an undisclosed amount. Although we might have a soft spot for local companies, they’re pumping out innovative software based on platforms we know and love, so it’s good to hear iotum’s getting the funding to keep doing their thing.
Gemblock’s holding a cool contest for those theme developers out there, where entrants can win a cool $100 for an original theme. This is a great chance for budding theme builders to gain visibility, recieve constructive criticism, and get a look at the work of their fellow developers. And hey, who knows? You might even win the prize. For everyone else, keep an eye on the page for some free themes to test out – no doubt we’ll be seeing some quality submissions soon.
After much ado, the GPS-enabled BlackBerry 8130 came out in the US over the weekend. The $199.99 pricetag on a two-year plan has held true, and the rumored $30 BIS deal with unlimited SMS, data, and Navigator, is also good to go. For more details on the 8130, check out their fact sheet.
Jibi’s heard that the GPS-enabled Pearl will be coming to town early 2008, following up nicely on the 8130’s holiday performance. Great news and all, but is the 8120 not even entering into the picture, here? North America still hasn’t seen a glimmer of the Wi-Fi Pearl, and our buddies abroad have been enjoying it since the summer. C’mon RIM, show us some love.
The last of Canada’s big three carriers, Bell, just got a holiday plan set at $15/month for unlimited e-mail and BlackBerry Messenging, but the handset going for $99.99, thirty shy of Telus. To sum up: all three are offering those two services on the Pearl for $15/month with a three-year plan, but Telus is throwing in web browsing and charging $129.99 for the handset, Bell is missing the web browsing, but has the BlackBerry 8130 for only $99.99, and Rogers? Well, Rogers is only packing the 8100 at $99.99. Maybe they would do better to pimp out their BlackBerry 8310 some more.
By the looks of it, every carrier is offering something a little different, and the identical price points were no doubt determined so all three could carve up the earnings pie without stepping on one another’s toes. This week we’re asking: between these three carriers, who will win the holiday Mexican standoff? Given most of you don’t live in Canada, these three Pearl plans make for a close competition that is tricky to call at this point. My bets are on Telus right now, but what do you think? Whoever makes the best case for their preferred deal will win Magmic’s two newest games, Brain Up: Clash of the Sexes and Texas Hold ‘Em 2.
Joining the Carphone Warehouse today, is Movistar with their announced BlackBerry 8120. The Wi-Fi Pearl is sporting titanium and blue colour schemes, running for about $285.900. Movistar has plans to be bumping this sucker out to other countries in the area. Speaking of which, I wonder how the 8310 has been spreading down there…? We have any South American readers who can let us know how it’s doing?
