The All Box

I’m surprised that it has taken this long for a US carrier to do this — and shocked that it was Big Red who took the lead — but with the recent success of prepaid cellular services here in the States, it was inevitable. Starting on September 28, Verizon Wireless prepay customers can sign up for an unlimited prepaid 3G data package for $30 per month. What makes this truly remarkable, though, is that you are not limited to the usual paltry selection of lackluster phones. All of Verizon’s Android phones, Palm’s Pre and Pixi Plus, and select BlackBerry models are available with the new plan. Sure, you still have to pay full retail price for the phone and add in minutes and text messages as needed, but that isn’t different from any other prepaid service. That you are getting a top-notch smartphone with prepaid service and no contract on the nation’s most reliable network is the game-changer here. Regardless of how you feel about Verizon, there is no question that this move fills a niche that can only net Big Red more green. Now, if only there were a prepaid data-only plan. Can you hear me now, Verizon?

Source: Engadget

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For the most part, the predictions for Apple’s event that I outlined here were spot on. The only thing I did not expect was Ping — Apple’s foray into the social space. I’ll post my thoughts after I get a chance to watch it in its entirety. Click the links for a good summary or if you’d like to see the whole presentation yourself.

Sources: Apple, Gizmodo

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Palm fans rejoice! The beta SDK for webOS 2.0 is now available for download to Early Access developers. The best mobile operating system just got better. I’ll give my own take on all the latest features — Stacks, Just Type, Quick Actions, third-party Synergy support, Exhibition, and lots more — in the near future. If you can’t wait, hit up the links for a preview of what’s in store for the second coming of webOS.

Source: Palm Developer Center via PreCentral, Gizmodo

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Now architects, engineers, and designers have one more reason to switch to a Mac. And, of course, there will be a companion iOS app to go with AutoCAD 2011 for OS X.

Source: Autodesk via Gizmodo, Daring Fireball

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This is a very interesting move by Intel in its race with ARM to conquer the mobile processor space. I’m a little surprised that Apple didn’t make a bid, but they may already have all their chess pieces in play.

Intel via Ars Technica, Engadget

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Could the Samsung Galaxy Tab be coming to AT&T as well? It’s a distinct possibility now that a version of the device has been unearthed in an FCC filing under the name “SHW-M180S”. This version of Samsung’s slate boasts HSDPA connectivity and a quad-band GSM radio that includes an AT&T-friendly 1900MHz radio frequency. An even juicier tidbit is revealed in the paperwork: dual-band 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi that should allow for greater building penetration as well as speeds in excess of 100Mbps. At this rate, we may see a version of the Galaxy Tab launch on every major carrier before the year is through.

Sources: FCC, Global Certification Forum via Engadget

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With tablets becoming a hot item again with the introduction of Apple’s iPad earlier this year, it is no wonder that Verizon would like to cash in on one of its own during this holiday season. Boy Genius Report has found evidence by way of a screenshot of Verizon’s internal systems that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab — the big brother to the Galaxy S series of smartphones — is indeed coming to Big Red.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab, which has made several teasing appearances online, will have a 7″ screen that runs Android 2.2 on a processor that is reportedly clocked at 1.3 GHz. There has been no definitive information on the resolution of the Galaxy Tab’s screen or whether it will feature Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology. Also no word on whether this is a Verizon exclusive.

The Galaxy Tab will most likely be Verizon’s inaugural tablet offering followed closely by a 10″ Motorola tablet running Android 3.0, aka Gingerbread, and perhaps an HTC tablet running Google’s Chrome OS. Both are rumored to have dual-core Snapdragon processors that will most likely be clocked around 1.5 – 2.0 GHz.

Source: BGR via Android Community, SlashGear

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One of my favorite RPGs of all time. Now available for iPhone.

App Store link: Phantasy Star II, $2.99

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With the rise of social networking and always-connected devices, it is little wonder that Google is experimenting with instant search. Go ahead and give Google Realtime a gander or learn more about it in the link.

Source: GoogleBlog via TechEBlog

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Fennec — the codename for Mozilla’s mobile version of Firefox — has just been released in alpha form for Android 2.x phones and the Nokia N900. Fennec is “the first mobile browser to offer add-ons and is built on the same technology that powers desktop Firefox.” Fennec Alpha includes Firefox Sync which allows the user to seamlessly switch from desktop to mobile and back while providing full access to all history, bookmarks, settings, and tabs throughout.

The new build focuses on performance enhancements, most noticeably in the introduction of two new features dubbed Electrolysis and Layers. Electrolysis allows the browser to run in a separate process from the actual rendering of the web affording users a snappy experience even when processor intensive content is loading. Layers sets the groundwork for future versions of Fennec to perform graphic intensive actions like scrolling, panning, and zooming optimally. Click the link for video of Fennec in action or to download a copy to test for yourself.

Source: The Mozilla Blog via Engadget

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