musings from here to there
smartphones
Apple iPhone OS 3.0 now available
01067 days
Users of iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch 1G, and iPod Touch 2G may now log in to the Apple iTunes store and download the iPhone OS 3.0 upgrade for their device. It is available now for customers in the United States.
Enjoy 
Palm Pre: smartphone evoloved
41182 days
Palm Inc. released a new video about their upcoming smartphone, the “Pre” and I have to say it makes other smartphones look pretty much…dull. I haven’t owned a smartphone or PDA since my Palm Tungsten T|5 back in the early 2000s. I miss having super quick and easy access to calendars, contacts, and more right at my fingertips. True, cell phones are made for contact lists, but there’s just something about having a nice large screen with easy touch access. I could describe this new device in detail, but I’ll just let you watch the video instead. Needless to say, as soon as this thing hits the Verizon network, I’ll be picking on up right away. Even if it means waiting in line for days.
Meet the Pre (click the “Meet the Pre” button about a quarter-way down the page.)
Zune Phone becoming reality?
01256 days
I’m in the market for a smartphone. My two-year contract on my Verizon plan is up in June or July ’09 and although I’m not necessarily in a hurry to get rid of my current phone (the LG Chocolate 2), I would like something that makes texting and emailing on the go a breeze, plus gives me the option of 3G internet anywhere. I’ve been very pleased with my Verizon service, so I’m definitely sticking with them, but thus far I haven’t been terribly impressed with their smartphone lineup. Which is why today’s announcement/speculation makes me very excited. Yes, I realize that Verizon may get the iPhone by 2010, but given my experience with Apple products, I’m in no hurry to get one of those anyway.
Wired.com is running a story on a potential Microsoft announcement at CES ’09 on January 7th regarding a new smartphone based on their already well-made Zune product. While this could be a brand-new OS release, it could also be part of the plan for Windows Mobile 7. Either way, it’s pretty exciting stuff, and since AT&T has an exclusivity deal with Apple, I could see Microsoft picking Verizon as a potential partner for their phone. Ultimately the best endgame here would be for Microsoft to get their phone to as many wireless providers as possible in an effort to take as much market share as possible.