Handhelds

New iPhone OS Rumored To Finally Allow Multitasking

The next release of Apple's iPhone OS may finally allow multitasking, according to the latest rumors. Reportedly, iPhone OS 4.0 will include a multitasking manager from Mac OS X. While the current iPhone OS 3.1 is a multitasking system, Apple prohibits apps from running in the background. Multitasking will be important for Apple's iPad.

Verizon Expects a 4G Smartphone Earlier Than Planned

Verizon Wireless expects its LTE network to be ready for a 4G smartphone in the middle of next year, months earlier than planned. With AT&T planning LTE for 2012 or 2013, Verizon could get a significant head start with speeds topping Sprint Nextel's current 4G network. Heavy users are likely to pay more for the Verizon and AT&T 4G service.

Will iPhone OS Finally Support Multitasking?

A popular blog following all things Apple says that iPhone users will finally get multitasking with the 4.0 release of the iPhone OS. But when will 4.0 make its debut?

Apple: iPhone OS 4.0 Reportedly To Include Multitasking [Voices]

Apple (AAPL) plans to offer a “full-on solution” for multitasking in version 4.0 of the iPhone OS, according to AppleInsider. An inability to run more than one application at a time is one of the most frequent criticisms of the iPhone OS – and the ability to multitask is often touted as a point of differentiation by rival handset makers. The new version of the iPhone OS is expected to launch this summer.

DARPA wants iPhone and Android apps for soldiers

The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for projects aimed at developing apps and an App Store for Android and the iPhone OS. The agency is looking to deliver some apps to the American soldier to help battlefield, humanitarian, and disaster recovery missions, including command and control, mission planning, surveillance, reconnaissance, and language translation.

Smart Drive iPhone app and car cradle

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Smart unveiled the Smart Drive iPhone app and an iPhone car cradle for its diminutive ForTwo city car.

Nokia Aims New Smartphones At U.S.

But its latest smartphones coming have a series of enhancements that it hopes will make it more competitive. The phones will run the latest version of the open source operating system, “Symbian^3,” which was demonstrated yesterday to reporters in San Francisco. David Rivas, Nokia’s VP of Technology Management, said the new version includes significant usability and performance improvements that may drum up more interest in its products in the U.S., reports The New York Times.

iPhone App of the Week: 13CABS

Myer's Bernie Brooks now admits the company rushed into its float. Investors who bought into the IPO have a right to be very unimpressed.

TMOs Jeff Gamet Shares Cool iPhone Apps at CoMUG

Jeff Gamet, The Mac Observer's managing editor, will be speaking at the Colorado Macintosh User Group meeting on Thursday, March 11, in Boulder, Colorado. Jeff will be showing off some of his favorite iPhone and iPod touch applications.

Compact handheld data loggers now available from Bestech Australia

Bestech Australia announces the arrival of the all new TC-32K handheld data loggers, from TML, Japan. These handheld data loggers can measure values from inputs such as DC voltage, thermocouple, Pt RTD, strain gauge and strain gauge-based transducers. TC-32K data loggers have a splash-proof construction which enables these data loggers to be used outdoors. The sensor connection terminal board is a patented one-touch type to facilitate connection with leadwires and banana plugs, and speedy preparation for measurement.

Storm2 warning: next-gen BlackBerry arriving shortly

The headline feature of RIM's second-generation Storm is the improved SurePress technology that provides tactile feedback when using the touchscreen.

Smartphones will shake up paid content debate

Huge numbers now use mobile phones instead of desktop computers to get online -- a development that has spawned whole new business models in China, the world's biggest Internet market.

comScore Counts 42.7 million SmartPhone Users in U.S.

In the 3 month average ending in January, 234 million Americans were mobile subscribers ages 13 and older, according to a new report on key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry released by comScore.

Briefly: iPhone development platform, NeatWorks v3 update

RunRev has released a pre-Alpha version of its upcoming revMobile iPhone development platform, while Neat has announced that NeatWorks 3.0 will begin shipping at the end of March

American Airlines Expands Mobile Boarding Passes to 19 Additional Airports for Use With Mobile Phones or PDAs

American Airlines Expands Mobile Boarding Passes to 19 Additional Airports for Use With Mobile Phones or PDAs

iPhone to Add Multitasking, says Report

SAN FRANCISCO - Apple’s iPhone will finally support multitasking for third-party apps as part of its iPhone OS 4.0 release, according to one of many rumors surfacing as interest in what’s next for the iPhone mounts.

Multitasking for the iPhone with 4.0?

Apple's iPhone has always been criticized for its lack of multitasking capabilities for 3rd party apps (though if you have a jailbroken phone, you can toggle on multitasking) but that's set to change possibly with iPhone OS 4.0. Several Apple news sites have reported sources claiming that the new OS will feature said multitasking, though the interface for has yet to be finalized. No details yet on how the OS will handle battery requirements, or processing power if multitasking is enabled. For now, we doubt this will be happening unless Apple can hammer down these issues, so don't go hoping for miracles.

Symbian S60 smartphone shortcuts

The Symbian OS has been around for eons. Even though the Series60 (S60) software has come under fire for its dated interface, the OS is still a very robust smartphone platform with support for many third-party applications. There are other variants that run on the Symbian OS such as UIQ and MOAP(S), but the most common ones are the S60 3rd and S60 5th edition software interface.

Smartphone slave-drivers dob you in to your boss

By analysing how smartphones with built-in accelerometers relate to everyday actions, ie, walking or running, KDDI Laboratories has apparently found a way to help supervisors do their jobs better. The motion patterns from the mobile phone are sent to a back-end analytical server, which then matches and determines the type of actions associated. Of course, the accuracy of such an implementation will get better over time as more data is collected, but it's really all moot if you don't carry the handset with you when you're catching power naps in the toilet.

Ways iPhone is better than Android

Earlier this week we gave you a list of ways that Android beats the iPhone at the smartphone game. And just to be fair, we now offer 10 areas where Apple's device fights back.

Pulse: Smartphone slave-drivers dob you in to your boss

By analysing how smartphones with built-in accelerometers relate to everyday actions, ie, walking or running, KDDI Laboratories has apparently found a way to help supervisors do their jobs better. The motion patterns from the mobile phone are sent to a back-end analytical server, which then matches and determines the type of actions associated. Of course, the accuracy of such an implementation will get better over time as more data is collected, but it's really all moot if you don't carry the handset with you when you're catching power naps in the toilet.

FCC releases iPhone app to learn more about network conditions

With just six days to go before the National Broadband Plan is due before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission today launched a pair of consumer tools -- an app for iPhone/Android, and a Web-based reporting tool -- to help inform both consumers and the Commission itself about broadband conditions across the US.

China Unicom Unveils Its First Android Wi-Fi Customized Smartphone

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Report points to iPhone multitasking

Apple may be preparing to allow multi-tasking on the iPhone handset, according to media reports. Skip related content

Even uncles and aunties indulge in PDA on crowded MRT train

Don't just blame young couples. Even middle-aged couples indulge in a 'public display of affection' (PDA) on MRT trains, says STOMPer Nadya, who observed this couple kissing and touching each other inappropriately in public.