Steve Ballmer on Android

"I don’t really understand their strategy. Maybe somebody else does."

“You’ve got to remember Android is version one….and it looks like version one. They’ve got one handset maker, we’ve got 55. They’re available through one operator, we’ve got 175.”

"I assume we’re going to see Android-based, Linux-based laptops in addition to phones. We’ll see Google more as a competitor in the desktop operating system than we ever have before."

When I read these quotes from Steve, they truly sounded like the Microsoft we all know. He is oblivious to what Google is accomplishing with Android. He is assuming that Microsoft dominance will continue in the mobile and desktop world. At least he identified Google as a competitor, albeit in the desktop world. Maybe one day he will even consider Google a competitor in the mobile space. 

I wonder if he has used Android and then tried a Windows Mobile device. I think that would help him understand a little more. What do you think?

-Zara

Favorite Android App

Hey guys! I've been using the G1 for a bit and it's amazing how many apps are available in the Android market. Granted, the G1 doesn't ship with that many apps, but I feel like I can find just about anything I'm looking for. Whether it's actually implemented well is another story though.

So I'm curious - what's your favorite Android app? Are there any favorite BlackBerry apps or iPhone apps that you can't seem to find for Android? Have you had any bad experiences with an Android app? I can't wait to read your stories :)

Keep it m0bile!

-Zara

Want to Win an Unlocked BlackBerry Bold?

Who doesn't, right? You know I do! Check out emkWan's blog at http://emkwan.wordpress.com for how to enter. 

The clock's ticking. You have to be subscribed to his channel by midnight on March 9, 2009 . Also, don't forget to post a comment on his blog as to why you feel you deserve the Bold. It's that easy. Good luck!

-Zara

2D goes 3D

Over at TAT, the guys who polished the G1 UI are at it again with an eyetracker UI. Not quite sure how useful this is, but it sure looks cool. Check out the video below.

Keep it m0bile ;)

-Zara

Keyboard Selection

It's exciting when a QWERTY keyboard comes to portrait mode. The G1 could really take advantage of it. With the Storm, it could save you many a SureType frustration. Just keep in mind that the iPhone has the portrait QWERTY ever since it released and its landscape keyboard came later.

iPhone

G1

Storm 

Now the question turns to how they will perform. The above pictures (for the G1 and Storm) could become your best friend or your tormenting keyboard. Only time will tell. 

-Zara

And the Best Mobile Breakthrough Award goes to... SurePress?!?

Over in Barcelona, the Global Mobile Awards have come and gone, leaving some people like me quite surprised to say the least. The clickscreen on the Storm won the award for Best Mobile Breakthrough. 

According to dictionary.com, a breakthrough is defined as:

"any significant or sudden advance, development, achievement, or increase, as in scientific knowledge or diplomacy, that removes a barrier to progress"

According to the Global Mobile Awards, a breakthrough is defined as:

"RIM does it again, with a new twist to the touch screen. The SurePress screen incorporates touch with confirmation, taking interaction to a new level."

Didn't the definition talk about removing a barrier to progress? I don't remember the part about creating a newer, bigger barrier. Boy Genius Report comments how "We honestly struggled for a long time to think of a single application for the Storm that is better than any of the alternatives for other touchscreen handsets and we simply couldn’t do it" and how "The simple fact of the matter is the more time we spend with SurePress the more frustrated we get with it." So it's not just me who feels this way.

I know that some people can type fast on it and that some people love it. I am not one of those people and clearly, I am not alone. I'll stick with my 8900 ;)

-Zara

Live from Barcelona

Hey guys!

Barcelona seems to be the centre of the mobile universe right now as Mobile World Congress is in full swing. Honestly, there's just too much for me to blog about. Head over to Engadget for a summary of yesterday's events at http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/16/mwc-day-one-the-empire-strikes-back/#continued

The one that caught my eye on that list of highlights is how the Palm Pre will support Flash. Here's the kicker - Apple and RIM still have a long way to go before you'll see Flash on their devices. 

Acer did debut its smartphones, but the reaction so far isn't very enthusiastic. All of the attention is on the HTC Magic (what some may call the G2) and other Android mumblings. So is this the iPhone killer? Doubtful. But it does look hot.

What do you think? Are you sold? Just wait for tomorrow's Barcelona action!

-Zara

Mobile World Congress 2009 is Coming

Starting on Monday, the Mobile World Conference is sure to bring big news for mobile enthusiasts like me! But when the keynote is about weathering the recession, you know that the tone is going to be different. 

Still, Acer is expected to debut it's new smartphones (judging by the promotion pictured below). But sadly Samsung is officially not showing off an Android phone and Dell might not display its smartphone offering. 

I'm sure there'll be lots of news and I'll be sure to report the highlights of the conference. I hope there will be a few surprises (that Engadget hasn't spoiled) too!

As an aside, it's interesting how this is my 13th post, falling on a Friday the 13th. Good luck or bad luck for for the mobile industry in the coming year? Stay tuned :)

-Zara

8900 For Sale in the US!

Here's the day so many of you have been waiting for. The 8900 is for sale in the US in T-Mobile stores and online. Yours for only $199 (after rebates) plus a 2 year contract.

So how many of you are going to pick one up today? When you do, be sure to post a comment of your first experience with it.

-Zara

Zara's Back With a Flip

Hey guys!

Today is the big day... I just posted my latest (and greatest) video on YouTube! Watch as I take a look at the BlackBerry Pearl and Pearl Flip.

BlackBerry Pearl: To Flip or Not To Flip



Did you think that was hot? The phones of course ;)

-Zara

The Perfect BlackBerry?

So exciting... the 3G BlackBerry 8900! Keeping with the 3G / 9000 series form, this phone (codenamed Gemini) is slated to be the 9300. 

Picture this:

- larger, higher resolution screen than the 8900 (which is already 480 x 360)

- more powerful processor (which means faster than 528 MHz)

- everything else you love about the 8900, plus 3G!

The best part: it's real!

I am so buying this the day it comes out for a test drive. Although that will probably be almost a year away (Q4 '09 or Q1 '10). I guess we'll all just have to wait :S

-Zara

Future Reviews

I know what phones I'd like to review. But I also want to know what you'd like to see. Send me an email at mobilechicmail@gmail.com or make a comment on this post. 

You've probably gathered that I love RIM's lineup (and what's not to love about RIM's lineup), but I plan to branch out a little more to other manufacturers. Speaking of RIM, here's a teaser pic of me with the Pearl and Pearl Flip. 

Stay tuned for the next video and be sure to send in your suggestions. Keep it m0bile ;)

-Zara

A T-Mobile Nightmare

Hey guys! Boy do I have a story for you...

My friend went out and bought the G1 yesterday, excited to try out the 'Google Phone'. After being assured by salespeople at Best Buy that it would work with Pay as You Go, guess what? It didn't.

After popping in his SIM card and powering up the device, it forced him to register the phone with his Google account. No problem, except for the fact that it wouldn't let him use WiFi and it also wouldn't skip the registration. In other words, he had one very unusable phone. 

Calling up a T-Mobile store, the salesperson there confirmed that it should work and gave him the number for support. After having support hang up on him multiple times and still keep trying to convince him that it should work, he got transferred to someone who understood his situation and convinced him that it wouldn't work. It doesn't sound like T-Mobile people know what works and what doesn't. So, in the end, he returned the phone to Best Buy very frustrated and he is going to wait for the 8900. A good choice ;)

Have you had any run-ins with carriers? What was the end result?

-Zara

Customize Your BlackBerry Bold With Free Themes

Good Monday Morning!

emkWan let me know about a new video he posted which showcases some great BlackBerry Bold themes. Check it out on his blog here.

His vote for favorite theme is the 10 icon L style today theme pictured below.

You can download it here.

Do you agree with his choice for best theme? What is your favorite theme for the Bold?

-Zara