Bluetooth

Google: No 'comprehensive' Bluetooth API in Android 1.0

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:51:32 -0400

Some developers are scratching their heads in the wake of Google's Android 0.9 SDK beta release--in addition to supplementing the OS with a new home screen, user interface upgrades and other bells and whistles, the web services giant also made the unexpected decision to remove Bluetooth functionality. "Due to significant API changes in the upstream open-source project and due to the timeline of getting certain Bluetooth profile implementations certified, a comprehensive Bluetooth API will not be possible or present in Android 1.0," reads Google's release notes, and as Computerworld points out, some developers are hung up on the word "comprehensive," which could mean any number of things.

A Google spokesperson promises the firm will elaborate on its Android plans later this week, but in the meantime developers are already expressing their concern and confusion on the Google Android forum. With T-Mobile USA poised to launch the HTC Dream--the first U.S. mobile handset based on the Android OS--one developer writes "HTC would not release a smartphone in this day and age that lacked Bluetooth support." Other developers suggest the next SDK update--expected sometime in September--could still feature basic Bluetooth support.

For more on the Android Bluetooth confusion:
- read this Computerworld article

AT&T launches Z9

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:59:57 -0400

AT&T has inked a carriage deal with Motorola to offer the handset maker's GPS-centric MOTO Z9. The slider is available for $150 with a two-year contract and after a $50 online discount. The phone comes enabled with AT&T's TeleNav service, which it rebranded as AT&T Navigator. The handset also includes a microSD slot, stereo Bluetooth and quad-band GSM with support for 3.6Mbps HSDPA data. The Z9 is also the first Motorola handset to support AT&T's IMS application: Video Share. -Brian

For more on the Z9 at AT&T:
-read this press release

Nokia announces new phones

Tue, 08 May 2007 06:59:57 -0400

Nokia has announced seven new low-end phones intended for emerging markets:

The most interesting in the bunch is the Nokia 2630 Barracuda, a thin (under 10mm) phone that still has solid multimedia and BlueTooth support, yet is expected to cost just $115. Analysts will be watching sales of this phone very carefully as it addresses the concern that Nokia's designs are out of touch with consumers who expect new phones to be slim.

Flyer extends Flash Lite on S60

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Flyer is an open-source project that extends the reach of Flash Lite 2.1 apps on S60 devices. Flyer, written with S60 Python interpreter, gives Flash Lite apps the ability to send files over BlueTooth, access the contact list, and take photos. A release slated for next month adds GPS and file upload support, among other features.

I guess Python for S60 isn't just a gimmick.

Palm Treo 680

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Palm and Cingular have announced the availability of the Treo 680. Some reviewers have called the 680 a "low-end" model, but that's not entirely fair. Palm is aiming for fresh blood with this Treo. It's specifically designed for users who are new to smartphones. The 680 is essentially the 650 with some incremental improvements: more memory, stereo Bluetooth support and, notably, no more external antenna.

Editor's Corner

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:01:39 -0400

Nokia launches BlueTooth competitor

Nokia today announced a new low-power, short-range wireless networking technology called Wibree. Wibree is based on an open industry specification and offers ranges comparable to BlueTooth with a data rate of 1 Mbps. It's main value, however, is small size, low power, cheap chips.

Bob Iannucci of Nokia Research Center told DDJ's Blog that Wibree is better than BlueTooth because it uses variable length packets that allows it to scale much smaller than BlueTooth's fixed length packet system. The first commercial version of Wibree is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2007. Nokia will likely offer the technology as a standalone chip and a combo chip with BlueTooth.

I'm looking forward to learning more about Wibree. BlueTooth certainly leaves a lot to be desired. But what does this mean for other personal area networking technologies like Zigbee?

P.S. On October 17 at 2pm EST I'm going to be hosting a webinar titled, Web in Motion: Competitive Advantage through Mobile Web Applications with Sybase iAnywhere's Director of Engineering. Register now so you can learn how to improve your mobile enterprise applications. - Eli

Samsung's SGH-P310 "credit card" phone

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 20:01:37 -0400

Samsung has not yet announced the SGH-P310, an upgraded version of the P300 "credit card" phone, but details are already out on the Web. This tiny handset is expected to include a 2-megapixel camera, 80MB of built-in memory, BlueTooth and a microSD slot. Blog

Aggressive new mobile worm

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Commwarrior.Q is a Russian mobile worm that spreads via BlueTooth, MMS messages and infected memory cards. IT affects Symbian S60 phones with OS version 8.1 or older. Although this worm has been around since 2005, the latest variant spreads much more effectively than prior versions. Article

Motorola reveals slimmer, faster RAZR

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:01:37 -0400

One of the more surprising announcements at Motorola press event was the RAZR MAXX. The MAXX adds EDGE and HSDPA to the V3x and--remarkably--shaves 1/5 inch off the width of the phone at the same time. It comes with all the usuals: MicroSD slot, BlueTooth, 50mb internal memory and a 2.2-inch QVGA screen. Blog

Verizon launches Samsung 3.2-MP cameraphone

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:01:37 -0400

Verizon has launched the Samsung SCH-a990, a 3.2 megapixel cameraphone with video support and Bluetooth. The phone costs $350 after a $50 mail-in rebate and will be in stores by the end of the month. Release