Daily Bits

iphone

Dolphin Browser Hits the App Store for FREE

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What browser do you use on your mobile device? I think I am one of the perfect users for the iPhone because I don’t really look for much in terms of customizing my settings and apps. For example, I am perfectly content with Safari for mobile browsing as it works – and that is all I really need!

From what I hear from Android users, though, the ability to change little details is what gives their devices the edge. If you are an Android user, then you may already be using the Dolphin browser, which has impressed many. Yesterday, iPhone users got treated to the first release of the Dolphin browser in the App Store. I just checked it out myself and look what I found!

Dolphin Browser App Store
Dolphin Browser App Store
[Read more…] about Dolphin Browser Hits the App Store for FREE

Say Hello to the hiPhone 5!

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hiPhone 5 and iPhone 4
hiPhone 5 and iPhone 4

Do you like how the Apple iPhone looks, but you don’t want to pay the price of a unit? Then China has the perfect alternative for you: the hiPhone 5!

China is definitely one of the major players in the world, and has become rather infamous for its copycat products. It was not long ago that we heard of the fake Apple stores in the Asian country. While that fakery is of a different level, this new mobile phone is not totally unrelated. [Read more…] about Say Hello to the hiPhone 5!

iPhone Skype Video Calling App Now Available!

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The guys at Skype have got a nice Christmas present for iPhone users – albeit a belated one. Skype just announced the availability of a new app for the iPhone that will allow users to do video calls – something that many people have been waiting for for a while now. There is FaceTime for the iPhone, yes, but that only works when both users are on Wi-Fi and not 3G. With this new Skype app, though, iPhone users do not need to connect to Wi-Fi and can use 3G to make video calls!

While the app does have its limitations, such as video calls only working with Skype-to-Skype calls, it seems to be ahead of FaceTime in many different aspects. For one, the amount of data used by Skype video calls is much less than FaceTime. Skype does recommend that the app be used over Wi-Fi for “best results”.

More good news – the app will work on the following devices:

  • iPhone 4
  • iPhone 3GS
  • 3rd generation iPod touch
  • 4th generation iPod touch
  • iPad

Of course, the other party will not be able to see you if you’re using the iPad, but with rumors about the iPad 2 coming soon, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

You ought to be aware that additional charges may – and probably will – apply when the app is used over 3G.  Still, it should not be too bad since the data usage is not supposed to be that high.  Then again, you might want to take it easy when you first use it so as to avoid unpleasant surprises when your phone bill arrives.  For more information, visit the Skype Help Page.

Photo via Unwired View

Want the White iPhone? Don’t Hold Your Breath

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It used to be that the Apple brand was associated with the color white (even though an apple is not white – don’t ask me why), but with the iPhone, black became the norm rather than the exception. Most iPhones you’ll see around town are black, although there are white ones. With the recent release of the iPhone 4, fanboys (and girls) have been awaiting the white version. If you’re one of them – there is bad news: the release of the white iPhone 4 has been delayed yet again.

Upon the release of the iPhone 4 several months ago, Apple announced that the white version would follow a month or so later. Afterward, they said that it would be released at the end of this year. Now, another announcement has been made – it will not be released till spring of next year.

If your blood pressure is going up, do understand that Apple is not out to get your goat. (It’s not all about you!) Trudy Muller, the spokeswoman for Apple, says they are “sorry to disappoint” those who have been waiting for the white iPhone. (I am not counting on that to make you feel better, though.) As for the reason for all these delays, nothing conclusive has been said, except for the fact that they are finding it “more challenging to manufacture” the white iPhone – more than they expected.

How is the white iPhone 4 different from the black one aside from the color? Darned if I know. (This is coming from someone who has been called color blind on more than one occasion; although how can anyone ever confuse black and white?) In any case, nothing can be done about it but to wait. Sucks to be you, if you’re one of them.

Palm Pre 2 Smartphone Coming Soon!

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Apple’s iPhone pretty much has gotten all the attention in the world of smartphones.  Even people who are not exactly convinced of the iPhone’s “greatness” as a mobile phone cannot deny the attention that it has received.  Of course, every now and then, we hear of the new phone that can match – or outdo – the iPhone.  And, yes, there are “better” phones out there – especially if you take into consideration that different people will always have different perspectives when it comes to technology.

So, anyhow, do you remember some time back when Palm announced the Palm Pre and touted it as the iPhone killer?  While the Pre got a lot of attention prior to its release, it didn’t really take much away from the iPhone, did it?  It’s not over yet, though.  HP has bought Palm and they are launching the Palm Pre 2 very soon!

This new phone has a host of new features that are supposed to beat every other phone out there, but one of the main things that they are promoting is the fact that you can do virtually anything on the Pre 2 by typing.  Doesn’t make sense?  Read how to “rediscover amazing”:

Amazing is just typing to begin virtually any activity. Amazing is multitasking without having to learn new rules. Amazing is hauling in all the information you can handle, and managing it without breaking a sweat. Amazing is making the impossible seem effortless. With HP webOS 2.0, you’ll experience the next generation of amazing.

Pretty good copywriter they have, I have to say!  😉

Of course, I am sure you want the dish on the tech specs.  Here’s a little teaser:

  • Display: 3.1-inch multitouch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color, 320×480 resolution HVGA display
  • 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, extended depth of field, geotagging, and video capture
  • GPS
  • Wireless:  Wi-Fi 802.11b/g with WPA, WPA2, WEP, 802.1X authentication; Bluetooth® wireless technology 2.1+ EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support; Wi-Fi router functionality for up to five devices using Palm mobile hotspot.
  • Weight: 145 grams (5.1 ounces)

So, is that enough to make you want the Pre 2 instead of the iPhone 4?  Meh.