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New Media News Every Morning

Google Docs Courts Web App (But No Native App?)

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Despite launching a native app for Google Voice, it looks like the search engine giant is continuing its embrace of web apps by allowing users to edit their documents directly from the mobile browser.

With Google Docs, we’re always trying to make you more productive—and part of that means making it possible for you to get things done from anywhere, at anytime. That’s why we’re excited that the new documents editor now supports editing on your mobile browser. We’re rolling this out over the next few days. […]

In the next few days, we’re rolling this out to English-language users around the world on Android with Froyo (version 2.2) and on iOS devices (version 3.0+) including the iPad. We’ll be adding support for other languages soon. And as before, we also support editing of spreadsheets from your mobile device’s browser. (Official Google Docs Blog)

Android and iOS users can visit docs.google.com in order to edit documents upon their tiny screens, although truth be told users are better off using something larger like an iPad or Galaxy Tab by Samsung.

Despite requests from their comment section, Google has not indicated whether they will consider creating a native iOS app for users, although truth be told there are third party companies (like Docs To Go) that sync with Google Docs (providing you are willing to pay the price).

Unfortunately Google seems to have left out three other phones in the cold (hint: Windows Phone 7, Blackberry and Palm Pre), although the company will hopefully provide support for those devices in the future.

Originally posted on November 17, 2010 @ 3:20 pm

Sorry Google, Evo 4G Is No iPhone Killer (Android)

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Often seen as the premier Android phone due to its 8 mpx camera (complimented by its front facing camera, albeit 1.3 mpx), it looks like Sprint’s Evo 4G smartphone (powered by Google’s Android) is not selling as many units as some thought.

[A] Sprint employee used the inventory system to figure out exactly how many EVO 4Gs were sold and posted that number online, resulting in a speedy investigation by Sprint HQ and the employee’s immediate termination. […]

“according to sprint we as a [company] have sold 66,483 theres a whole bunch of stores though that dont have any more inventory i [sic] dont think any major city sprint does” (Mobile Crunch)

Last year Apple sold one million iPhone 3GS’s on its first opening weekend, a figure few (if any) Android devices have yet to match individually (with the closest rival probably being the original Droid).

While this news will probably not convince Android fanboys and girls that the Evo 4G is not an iPhone killer (as some of my friends are insisting that Evo makes the iPhone worthless), nonetheless these sales should help Google in its quest to displace Apple as the center of the mobile universe.

Either way it will be interesting to see whether the iPhone 4 launch is able to douse the Android fervor, as the public will be able to decide for themselves if Apple’s walled garden is superior to Google’s open platform.

Originally posted on June 14, 2010 @ 6:15 pm

Twitter for BlackBerry App Updated, Brings in Quote a Tweet

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Following the release of Twitter iPhone app, it’s now time for the official Twitter for BlackBerry to get some attention and loving. The Twitter folks has just updated the app which is currently in beta and brings in several great new features as well as enhancements to existing ones. The updated Twitter for BlackBerry app now features – quote tweet, username  autocomplete, go to user, personal information guard, additional photo viewing support, viewing of geotagged tweets, and new navigation hotkeys.

The new version of Twitter for BlackBerry now lets you quote a tweet simply by selecting “quote a tweet” from your phone’s menu options. This new feature adds quotation marks around the original tweet so much so that you can edit or add some more text to the original tweet. This is different from retweet since it doesn not automatically  put the “RT @username” syntax as soon as you click on the “retweet” button.  Actually, it does act like “retweet.” minus the “RT.”

When typing “@” followed by the first few characters of the username, this feature will pop out a list of users as you type. It’s a pretty useful tool especially if you are trying to recall the complete Twitter name of a person that you are following on Twitter.

The “Go to User” feature now lets you access Twitter profiles from anywhere within Twitter for BlackBerry devices just by using the “auto complete” feature.

The new Twitter for BlackBerry app was also designed to help keep your personal information safe. The app warns you if any of your personal information is being shared.

The updated app also lets you view tweeted photos using YFrog and TweetPhoto as well as new navigation keys to help you navigate through your Twitter account.  These new hotkeys are:

  • R (reply)
  • L (reply all)
  • Space (page down)
  • F (retweet)
  • C (compose)
  • D (refresh)
  • Alt+0 (home)
  • Alt+1 (mentions)
  • Alt+2 (lists)
  • Alt+3 (profile)
  • Alt+4 (inbox)
  • Alt+5 (find people)
  • Alt+6 (search)
  • Alt+7 (popular topics)

Ready to update? Check the upgraded Twitter for BlackBerry beta app from the BlackBerry App World.

Originally posted on May 20, 2010 @ 10:31 am

Google to Stop Selling Nexus One from its Web Store

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For a giant company such as Google which tried to give mobile phone retailing a new spin, its a great feat for Google  to admit that it has failed in the endeavor. A couple of months after selling its Nexus One phone through its own web store, Google will soon stop doing so and use the current site for the web store for showcasing other Android phones available worldwide. In short, Google is shutting down its web store and will start selling Nexus One via the usual retailing process.

According to Google, when their web store was launched, its main objective was to innovate in mobile phone distribution as well as give people a quicker and easier way of buying an Android phone.  But obviously, selling the Nexus One exclusively through the Google web store didn’t quite took off. Although Google would not release official data on how many units of Nexus One have been sold, we can pretty much assume that it was not quite many.

And Google decided that it would be best for them to start selling the Nexus One by adopting the same model adopted for its European distribution of the Nexus One where it partnered with Vodafone retail channel.

Will this move bring more positive effect to Nexus One?  It might or might not. One thing is for sure, mobile phone consumers are not so solved into the idea of buying a mobile phone without trying or seeing them in the flesh first. Well, unless of course if its an Apple product like the iPad which was able to sold out for around 1 million units, majority of which were done through online pre ordering.

Aside from this, U.S. consumers are still not quite open with the idea of buying a mobile phone without a corresponding  data plan.

What does Google need to do now?  Seek out more mobile carriers and team up for distribution agreement of the Nexus One.

Originally posted on May 14, 2010 @ 5:36 pm

Hold Your Breath Now! HTC Evo Debuts on June 4

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When HTC EVO 4G mobile device graced the CTIA 2010, it has received many accolades and endorsements. It even go the Best of Show Award from EWeek during the said event. So, when it was announced that this first ever 4G phone is about to hit the U.S. many have crossed their fingers and patiently waited for this to happen.

Boom! Suddenly, Sprint and HTC announced the official release date of the HTC EVO 4G – June 4, 2010. That’s about less than a month from now. And by virtue of it being the first ever 4G phone to hit the U.S., the whole mobile phone industry was rocked and stirred.

So why everybody is so agog about the HTC EVO and the its 4G connectivity via Sprint? How about this? – download speeds of up to 10 times faster than 3G. If you think that Sprint’s 3G network is fast enough, wait till you get a taste of Sprint 4G – which shall make the HTC EVO 4 the fastest data speeds of any U.S. wireless device.

In addition, Sprint and HTC are also rolling out voice and data capability either through WiFi or 4G networks.  Biggest announcement of all, the HTC EVO 4G will support two-way video chat. Now that’s what I call – awesome!

Sprint currently offers 4G networks in 32 U.S. markets, so you’re pretty much covered in those areas. To find out if your area is one of those covered by Sprint 4G, check this out.

And how much would a blazing fast mobile internet on the new HTC EVO 4G phone cost you?  Surprisingly, it’s only $199.99 with a two-year Sprint service contact. If you want to be one of the early adopters, you may register for reservation at  www.sprint.com/evo.

Originally posted on May 12, 2010 @ 8:49 pm