Popular travel search site KAYAK has announced that it is dropping support for the BlackBerry version of its mobile app. Citing the fact that the current BlackBerry platform is “not working out to be a great channel for consumer mobile applications,” Kayak says that the cost to maintain and support the BlackBerry version of its app is just too great to maintain. The company does note that its mobile website works in the BlackBerry web browser, and that it is continuing its support for its iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone apps. ...
Apple iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS are the top selling U.S. smartphones in Q4 2011
According to a new report by NPD on smartphone buyers in the U.S., Apple’s three iPhone models took the number one, two, and three slots for top selling smartphones during Q4 2011. Behind the trio of iPhones, Samsung’s Galaxy S II and Galaxy S 4G took the fourth and fifth slots. Tweet Vote on HN ...
Nokia Lumia 710 sports call hang-up bug; fix to arrive soon
Owners of the Nokia Lumia 710 have been reporting that the smartphone has a bug that makes it appear as if calls are not terminated when the user hits the end call button on the screen. This has led many to believe that the phone is still using their plan’s minutes even after they are done with a call. Nokia has acknowledged the issue, but insists it is not as serious as many are led to believe. Tweet Vote on HN ...
Samsung and Corning Mate OLED and Glass Businesses
Samsung Mobile Display and Corning today announced a new joint venture that will create OLED glass substrates and panels for mobile phones and other devices. Samsung will supply its OLED expertise to the joint venture and Corning will contribute its Lotus Glass technology. The venture will supply OLED backplane glass substrates for Samsung Mobile Display, as well as for the broader market in Korea. The joint venture is an expansion of an existing partnership between the two companies. Growth in the smartphone market has increased the demand for low-cost, durable screens. ...
Verizon Prepping Maintenance Update for Droid RAZR
Verizon Wireless has shared the details about a forthcoming software update headed to the Motorola Droid RAZR. The update does not include Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but does introduce a wide range of enhancements and bug fixes. Some of the applications affected include the mobile hotspot, visual voicemail, VZ Navigator, Bluetooth performance, battery life, and MotoCast. The update also installs new applications, including V CAST and the Commercial Mobile Alert Service. The update will be available shortly. ...
Apple Resumes Selling Older iPhones in Germany
Apple was able to convince a German court to suspend an injunction that went into effect earlier today that temporarily prevented it from selling the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPad 2 via its web site. Apple lost a patent ruling to Motorola in December that effects the aforementioned devices. The patents in question cover GPRS standards. Apple claims that Motorola is seeking licensing terms for the patents that don’t comply with fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) rules. The iPhone 4S was excluded from the patent ruling because it uses a Qualcomm baseband rather than one ...
Motorola Atrix 2 Receives Maintenance and Security Update
Motorola has provided a system update for the Atrix 2, which is sold by AT&T. The software update, which must be downloaded via Wi-Fi, makes a number of adjustments to the Atrix 2. According to Motorola, the update improves the performance of the camera; adds the Google Music application; patches security holes; adds emergency alerts from government agencies; and improves the keyboard, device stability, and performance of the Webtop application. The update is free to download and install. ...
Motorola Looking to Win 2.25% of Apple’s iPhone Sales
Court documents reveal that Motorola is seeking 2.25% of Apple’s iPhone sales in order to license the standards-essential patents that Motorola holds. That percentage amounts to about $15 per iPhone (unsubsidized iPhone 4S 16GB). Motorola and Apple are amidst a patent battle in German courts, and the document came to light as part of this week’s proceedings in those cases. At issues is whether or not Motorola’s terms represent a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) offer. Apple argues that the terms are not fair. Motorola has won two decisions against Apple, one ...
Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G for MetroPCS
Samsung brings a mid-range Galaxy-class device to MetroPCS’s network in the Attain 4G. This simpler smartphone packs some surprises, along with some disappointments. Tweet Vote on HN ...
Nokia Offering Belle to Die-Hard Symbian Customers
Nokia today announced that the latest version of its home-grown smartphone platform, called Belle, is available to download. The new system software brings a refreshed look to the user interface as well as a number of under-the-hood improvements to the operating system. Belle is available to the N8, E7, E6, X7, C6-01, C7, and Oro handsets. Belle boosts the number of home screens from three to six and improves the performance of home screen widgets. The update is available in most countries, and Nokia says that it must be installed via the Nokia Suite desktop software over USB. The system ...