Technology News: Handheld Devices

AT&T's WiFi Fake-Outs Leave iPhone Users Nonplussed

Friday - May 9, 2008

Late last month and early this month, Starbucks customers who were packing iPhones reportedly discovered free AT&T WiFi Internet access at some of the coffee shops. All iPhone users had to do was enter in their valid AT&T iPhone phone number, and boom, free WiFi access to the world. Then AT&T mysteriously cut off the access. Of course, it wasn't as if the free access had been promoted -- it was more like a pleasant surprise. But then, if only briefly, AT&T did promote free WiFi access. [More...]

Mac Bloggers Size Up Support, Elbow Into Enterprise, Muse on AT&T Memo

Friday - May 9, 2008

Three interesting topics were kicked around in Apple-minded blogs this week. Entirely unsurprisingly, survey results show that Apple tech support kicks butt in the PC industry at large. Also, AT&T is forbidding vacation time to hapless iPhone salespeople, and it appears Macs have gotten a foot in the door at work. [More...]

Samsung Glydes Into iPhone Territory

Thursday - May 8, 2008

Verizon announced the latest addition to its line of touch-screen mobile phones Thursday. The Glyde from Samsung, available Friday, offers many features that have gained popularity following the introduction of Apple's iPhone. The Glyde joins the LG Voyager and Venus and the Samsung Instinct in a growing list of handsets with more user-friendly touch-screen interfaces. [More...]

Will Zunes Zap Unauthorized Content?

Thursday - May 8, 2008

Microsoft's Zune and NBC's downloadable television shows stand at the center of the latest digital rights management dustup. On Wednesday, New York Times blogger Saul Hansell reported that Microsoft might build a copyright manager into every Zune player, ostensibly in response to an NBC demand for copyright protections of its downloadable content. [More...]

America Movil to Hawk iPhone in Latin America

Thursday - May 8, 2008

In another step in the worldwide march of Apple's iPhone, the top mobile phone operator in Latin America said Wednesday that it has inked a deal to bring the multimedia gadget to more than a dozen countries starting later this year. America Movil said it plans to bring the iPhone to all of its Latin American operations but didn't offer more details about the arrangement. [More...]

Apple's Board: Still Room for Schmidt?

Thursday - May 8, 2008

Until now, having Google chief executive Eric Schmidt sit on Apple's board of directors has made a lot of sense. Google, the world's largest Web-search engine, is one of the most influential companies in technology. Google has been incredibly supportive of Apple's flagship computer, the Mac, and has developed a lot of software for Apple's music-playing iPhone. [More...]

iPhone's Uncertain Future Sends Synchronoss Into Tailspin

Wednesday - May 7, 2008

Shares of Synchronoss Technologies plummeted Wednesday morning after the company offered worrying guidance on its revenue related to Apple's iPhone. The stock fell $9.84, or 43 percent, to $13.06 in morning trading. The stock earlier hit a 52-week low of $12.72, far below a previous bottom of $15.15 set in early March. [More...]

Microsoft to Sync Speech Software in Kias, Hyundais

Wednesday - May 7, 2008

Microsoft has signed a worldwide deal with automakers Hyundai and Kia to use its in-car software that allows people to use voice commands to control personal music players and telephones. Microsoft's exclusive, one-year agreement with Ford Motor for offering Microsoft Auto in the U.S. expires in November. [More...]

Zune Gives Marketplace a Makeover

Tuesday - May 6, 2008

Microsoft's challenger in the digital media player market, the Zune, received a major update Tuesday. New features will bring a host of TV shows and other changes to the Zune online store and its music-sharing community, Zune Social, according to Microsoft. The update will give depth to the Zune's video offerings and also deepen the social components of its music sharing community. [More...]

Apple Gets Lift on Analyst's Second Thoughts

Monday - May 5, 2008

Apple shares rose modestly Monday after an American Technology Research analyst raised his rating to "Buy" and an RBC Capital Markets analyst increased his price target for the computer and gadget maker's stock. Apple shares rose $3.57 to $184.51. Earlier, the shares traded as high as $185.31 -- their highest since early January. [More...]

Think Before You Ban: A Handheld Is a Powerful Learning Tool

Monday - May 5, 2008

It's official: In New York City public schools there is now a ban on cell phone use. We can all understand how that might happen. As with any communication device, abuse does occur. But simultaneously, there is a wave of interest in education in 1:1 learning initiatives, meaning that educators believe in the learning benefits of one laptop for each student. Does this leave the technology world scratching its head? [More...]

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