Google Earth for iPhone
Google brings it Google Earth application to iPhone and iTouch. Google Earth can be downloaded for free from Apple’s App Store (accessible through iTunes). The application is available for download in 18 languages and 22 countries. The application, by taking advantage of iPhone’s mobile technology, is capable of offering location based results for search of services and products. Google Earth is a virtual globe program that shows the earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery and aerial photography over a 3D globe.
iPhone Gets the Top Spot.
After the release of 3G phone and the price cut, Apple boosted its share of smart phone market by 55% within the past three months. 30 percent of U.S. consumers who purchased Apple’s new iPhone 3G from June through August 2008 switched from other mobile carriers to join AT&T. The top four best-selling smart phones based on unit-sales to consumers were as follows:
1. Apple iPhone 3G
2. RIM Blackberry Curve
3. RIM Blackberry Pearl
4. Palm Centro
Obama Campaign Reaches out iPhone Users.
A new iPhone app has been launched by Obama campaign which makes it easier for users to call their friends in the swing states and to encourage them to vote for Obama. The application’s “Call Friends” function organizes the user’s personal contacts in the phone by swing state. The application also allow users to find out Obama’s position on issues such as education, foreign policy and defense and watch videos, donate money, receive updates and check out local events.
T-Mobile G1 with Google’s Android.
T-Mobile today unveiled the highly anticipated T-Mobile G1, the first mobile phone built around Google’s open-source, Linux-based Android platform. The T-Mobile G1 has full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard. The phone has a dedicated, physical Google search button and comes pre-loaded with Google maps and an innovative “Compass” mode. The G1 also includes Wi-Fi and integrates with Amazon’s music service. The phone will support multiple browser windows. The G1 has a couple of other things the iPhone omits: copy and paste functionality and a so-called MMS program, which sends photos to other phones without using email.
Apple Issues Safety Alert for Power Adapter.
Apple on Friday announced the Ultra compact USB Power Adapter Exchange Program. Apple says under certain conditions the new ultra compact Apple USB power adapter’s metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating the risk of electric shock. Apple recommends users who are using the ultra compact adapter that came with their iPhone 3G to stop using them immediately until they receive a new, redesigned adapter.
First Apple Store in China.
Apple opened its first store in China. The new store is located in Beijing’s newest Village at Sanlitun. The store carries the same design as Apple’s other retail stores but with a multilingual Genius bar. iPhone is not available in China at this point. This will be their 219th retail store worldwide.
Canadian’s complained about Ruined iPhone
Around 60 000 people signed a petition in Canada to bring down the prices of the data plan on the Apple iPhone 3G offered by Rogers Wireless. David McGuinty, a member of parliament also spoke up and also asked for support of C-555 - the Get Connected Fairly Act. Rogers offer a third fewer minutes and limited data compared to AT&T, US service provider for iPhone. The petition and the comments of the disappointed customers can be found at ruinediphone.com. Its believed that Apple responded to customer complaints by limiting the iPhone shipment to Rogers.
BlackBerry twice popular as iPhone.
BlackBerry maker RIM took 44.5% of the US smart phone market for the first three months of 2008, up from 35.1% in the previous quarter. Apple’s iPhone came in second place with 19.2% of the market in the first quarter. Palm and Samsung were in the third and fourth places respectively with 13.4% and 8.6% of the market. BlackBerry smartphones have a strong hold in the corporate world, where it got its start,but it’s expected to have a tougher time winning the hearts of consumers.
