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New Media News Every Morning

Why webOS–Not Android–Is iPad’s Biggest Threat

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When it comes to the long awaited iPad killer, there apparently have been a long list of candidates to have emerged over the years ranging from the Blackberry Playbook to Google’s rumored Chromepad to even various Android tablets.

While the latter does have the potential to match iOS, most of the Android tablets (like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab) sport a much smaller size than the iPad, despite being priced about the same as Steve Jobs magical device.

Unless a competitor can match the iPad’s size and price, Apple will continue to dominate the tablet arena leaving everyone else to fight for second place.

While I have yet to see a real challenger emerge, HP could be the company to make Apple nervous regarding their latest tablet revelation. [Read more…]

Originally posted on January 20, 2011 @ 3:18 pm

Would You Buy A Buttonless iPhone Or iPad?

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Despite Apple rocking the mobile universe with the iPhone and iPad (both which are now on Verizon), both the iPhone and the iPad have always had one distinct feature: the physical button near the bottom.

However the upcoming iPhone and iPad (iPad 2.0 and iPhone 5) will reportedly drop the physical home button in order to bring a near complete touchscreen experience.

We just got some pretty wild information from one of our Apple sources and while it’s hard to believe at first, it does make sense. We have exclusively been told that the reason Apple just added multitouch gestures for the iPad in the latest iOS 4.3 beta is because the iPad will be losing the home button. Yes, we are told that Apple, at some point in time, will remove the home button from the iPad’s design. Instead of button taps, you will use new multitouch gestures to navigate to the home screen and also to launch the app switcher.

That’s not all, however. In addition to the home button disappearing from the iPad, we’re told that this change will make its way over to the iPhone as well. (via BGR)

Despite being a huge fan of touch screens in general (in fact I’m still waiting for Apple to develop a Macbook Air with a touch screen keyboard), ditching the physical home button could convince users switching from other devices (like the Blackberry) that the iPhone is not the device for them.

If the iPhone ever freezes or becomes unresponsive to touch, users (especially new comers) will end up panicking and may conclude that the device is not for them.

While the physical home button is as useless as Google’s “I’m feeling lucky” button, it does however reassure users that if all else fails they can hit the home button (along with the switch near the top) and do a hard reset.

Although I would still buy the iPhone 5 and iPad 2.0 button free, I’m sure that many of my friends will end up choosing Android as they have yet to place their entire faith in touch screens like yours truly.

Originally posted on January 13, 2011 @ 3:57 pm

Hulu Playing Favorites With Select Android Devices

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It looks like those of you sporting an Android smartphone will soon be able to catch your favorite shows upon Hulu without having to purchase an iPod Touch.

While Hulu’s embrace of Android is a good thing, it looks like they are taking a cue from Skype as far as Android adoption goes.

During Samsung’s keynote at CES today, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar announced for the first time that Hulu is working to bring the Hulu Plus subscription service to select Android™ phones (running Android OS 2.2), and gave the audience a sneak peek at the Hulu Plus Android app during the presentation. Hulu Plus will be available on select Android mobile phones in coming months; we’ll announce further details as soon as we have an official launch date and complete list of Hulu Plus-enabled Android phones. We hope you’re as excited as we are! (Official Hulu Blog)

Note: Emphasis mine.

Although it’s understandable why Hulu is choosing Android phones running Froyo (version 2.2), it doesn’t make any sense as to why they are limiting their market share to select Android models.

Unless Hulu is receiving cash from a major carrier (my guess would be either AT&T or Verizon), reducing their initial outreach upon Android will benefit rivals as well as encourage users to find ways to “hack” around the limitation.

Although companies like Hulu are probably nervous about Android due to the fact that it is designed to be hacked, hopefully the company will reconsider their position in light of Android’s increasing popularity.

Originally posted on January 7, 2011 @ 2:52 pm

Verizon Embraces Reason, Cuts Galaxy Tab Prices

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If there is one thing I never understood about Samsung’s Galaxy Tab it would be the price. Despite sporting a smaller screen than the iPad, it was priced far higher than its iOS rival, making the Android tablet less appealing.

While most carriers were willing to subsidize the device to make it competitive against the iPad, Verizon was the only carrier to refusing to do so until now.

For $499, you can get the Verizon version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and a Verizon data contract. That’s the same price as Apple’s 16 GB iPad with only Wi-Fi access.

The Tab is now sold through all major mobile carriers, and all of them offer subsidized pricing if customers sign up for a data plan. The only one that didn’t go along with that idea was Verizon. It originally only sold the Galaxy Tab for $599, without a data contract. (TG Daily)

This should put the Galaxy Tab within reach for Verizon customers who may not be fond of iOS devices as well as keep them from defecting towards Sprint and T-Mobile.

Despite being more expensive than rival Android tablets, the Galaxy Tab is seen by many in the US as the main contender against the iPad (although the latter is truthfully killing everyone in the tablet wars).

Originally posted on January 3, 2011 @ 4:34 pm

Microsoft To iPhone: OneNote To Rule Them All

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After remaining exclusive upon Windows Mobile 7, Microsoft has apparently had a change of heart after announcing that they have ported OneNote to the iPhone.

If you use an iPhone, now you can experience the organizing power of OneNote right there. Starting today, you can download Microsoft OneNote Mobile for iPhone from the iTunes App Store, and it’s free for a limited time. […]

OneNote Mobile for the iPhone lets you capture and review notes and lists on your phone. Notes are automatically backed up and synced with free Windows Live SkyDrive online storage, so that you can access them from virtually anywhere – your PC, phone, and browser. Collecting thoughts and ideas on the go is what OneNote was made for. (Microsoft Office Exec Blog)

The app thus far supports the iPhone although Microsoft has not announced whether they will consider making this a universal app for iPad lovers. [Read more…]

Originally posted on January 18, 2011 @ 5:00 pm