RIM launches BlackBerry Torch 9800 and BlackBerry OS 6
The BlackBerry to rule all BlackBerry devices has just been revealed in the US by RIM. The new BlackBerry Torch 9800 features a slider form sporting a full touchscreen interface together with a QWERTY keypad and is the first BlackBerry device to run RIM’s latest BlackBerry OS 6 mobile platform.
Under skin, there’s nothing really mind-blowing about the 9800 Torch. It packs a so-so 3.2in 480×360 capacitive touchscreen, an industry standard 5MP camera with flash, autofocus and image stabilisation and it records video capable of shooting 640×480 resolution video.
There 4GB on board memory with 512MB RAM and 512MB ROM. Included in the box is a 4GB microSD with option to expand up to 32GB. There’s also GPS and WiFi b/g/n built into the Torch.
Actually, if you really look at it, there’s nothing to talk about in terms of specs. Any other Android device on the market and the iPhone 4 has the BlackBerry 9800 Torch beat. All the other flagship Androids and the iPhone run higher resolution screens, records 720p video and run on 1Ghz processors with built-in GPUs, while the Torch runs a 624Mhz processor. Some may argue that the BlackBerry OS architecture doesn’t need so much processing power, we say, if it’s going to compete with the rest, it will need to be able to play games, and run graphic intensive app and support multi-app at the very least, so the more processing power, the better.
A study by Nielsen revealed that close to 60% of current BlackBerry users would purchase a smartphone running another mobile OS to replace their current BlackBerry device. Specifically, 29% would get an iPhone and 21% would get an Android device.
If this is any indication of what the market sentiment really is then BlackBerry is in a really deep pile of proverbial poo.
RIM will be launching a new device early tomorrow morning and along with it the much previewed BlackBerry OS 6. From what we’ve seen RIM had better have something substantially substantial up their sleeves to win back consumer confidence or risk going the way of Palm and WebOS.
Using FaceTime over 3G and data usage
Apple’s “revolutionary” FaceTime for iPhone 4 is designed to work with WiFi only. Most people of course would want to use it on 3G and now there’s an easier way to make that happen.
All you need to do is jailbreak with the fairly easy Safari Browser method and download My3G from the Cydia for US$3.99. My3G is an app that fools your phone into thinking that your 3G connection is WiFi. If you’re not sure if this works for you, there’s a free trial version available.
If you’re wondering how much data do you use for FaceTime, 9to5mac has done a simple data calculation. For a 5 minute FaceTime call with lots of movement, it took about 14.7MB of data. That’s an average of about 3MB per minute. We won’t suggest using this without a generous mobile internet plan.
Motorola Droid won’t support WiFi and USB Tethering with Froyo
One of the anticipated features of Froyo is the ability to create your own WiFi Hotspot. Unfortunately Motorola Droid users will not have this pocket MiFi or even USB tethering when they upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo, which is to be released this week.
Verizon explained that the Droid lacks a WiFi transmitter and there’s no connection on the PC side as a reason. However some had opposed such explanation accusing Verizon of blocking users from using more data. It doesn’t make sense to blame on the hardware as users reported tethering works well with 3rd party apps such as EasyTether.
Since this is a telco-tied model, we wonder if Motorola Milestone in Malaysia faces the same limitation.
[ SOURCE ]