Android Gets Updated to Version 1.5

The long-expected update to the Android operating system, version 1.5, has arrived. T-Mobile will be rolling out the new OS to existing G1 phones starting sometime next week. While you wait for your share of the software upgrade, take heart: There's plenty to be excited about in the 1.5 release.

The final release of the Android 1.5 OS, previously known as "Cupcake", finally brings an on-screen virtual keyboard with vibration feedback, plus video recording, playback, and sharing via YouTube. T-Mobile is expected to roll out this update to all its G1 customers by the end of the month.

Cupcake also brings many user interface refinements, along with accelerometer-based application rotations. The home screen now features widgets as well; some of the pre-bundled ones include a calendar, an analog clock, music player, and search (with improved voice search).

Video captured with the G1's camera can now easily be shared via YouTube.

G1's browser is up for a treat also, with new copy and paste, search within a page, tabbed bookmarks, and history features. Wireless music fans will appreciate their G1 even more with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support (iPhone users -- hang on, you're getting this in 3.0 also) while auto-pairing was added with an improved hands-free experience.

Gmail on the G1 gets upgraded with batch editing functionality for archives, labels, and deleting. The contacts app will now show user pictures for your favorites and specific date and time stamps for events in the call log.

Google has put up a presentation video (below) of the Android 1.5 release. It's worth noting that the engineer showcases the new Android 1.5 features on the G2 (HTC Magic), which is available only in Europe at the moment on Vodafone. The European G2 doesn't have a physical keyboard and comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera (same as the G1).

With the Android 1.5 release, Google has caught up with the features expected to come from its main rivals this summer -- the iPhone 3.0 update and Palm's WebOS. All in all, it's nice to see that Google approached the same strategy as Apple when it comes to upgrading a phone's features without making the hardware obsolete (unlike, ahem, Nokia).

Latest iPhone 3.0 Beta Reveals Parental Controls

Developers got an unexpected surprise yesterday after Apple released a new beta of the iPhone OS 3.0 and a second version of iTunes 8.2. This release comes just eight days after Apple released 3.0 beta 4 and the first public version of iTunes 8.2. Apple's typical release schedule for new 3.0 beta versions has been about two weeks. If beta 5's availability signals a faster release schedule, then a near-final version of iPhone OS 3.0 may be just around the corner. That would make sense since it's barely over a month until Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco where 3.0 is expected to make its debut.

Nothing has been found in yesterday's release as dramatic as last week's hints that Blu-ray functionality may be coming to iTunes 8.2. However, there are some notable additions in this latest version of iPhone OS 3.0. The biggest change is that iPhone apps may be getting restriction settings with parental controls built into the iPhone. Apple has been criticized for its heavy censorship restrictions having rejected iPhone apps like Nine Inch Nails' nin:access or South Park's iPhone App for containing material that some users may have found objectionable. Parental controls for iPhone apps are a great way to allow users get the content they want while keeping explicit material away from minors.

Apple has also patched a hole that allowed enterprising hackers to get a preview of iPhone's upcoming multimedia messaging service; Apple hasn't turned on the iPhone's MMS functionality yet. AT&T users with beta 5 will now find that MMS buttons are hidden. Another hack that allowed you to enable tethering on the iPhone has also been shut down. There are also reports that YouTube streams over 3G now have higher resolution than before. Somewhere between beta 4 and 5, 3.0 also picked up a minor bug without a current fix; Apple has warned that a small number of AT&T customers may lose their 3G data service after they've installed beta 5.

This year's WWDC runs from June 8-12 at San Francisco's Moscone Center West. For the second time in its history WWDC has sold out; the first time was last year when the iPhone 3G debuted. Apple's official line is that WWDC 09 will be about Snow Leopard, the latest version of OSX, and iPhone OS 3.0. Regardless, some are speculating that fancy new Apple hardware could debut in June including a new iPhone and Apple's oft-rumored tablet device.

Windows 7's "XP Mode" Won't Run on Some CPUs

Hoping to use Windows 7's XP Mode on your new laptop? Better check your specs, because many big-name, Intel-powered notebooks including Asus, Dell Studio, HP Pavilion, Sony Vaio, and Toshiba Satellite models may not have what it takes to run Windows 7's XP mode. Featured in the recent Windows 7 release candidate, XP mode allows XP-specific applications to run inside Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Windows 7. Microsoft included XP mode to entice business customers to upgrade to Windows 7 even if they're using custom-made programs that run only on XP.

To run XP Mode, your Intel-powered computer must support Intel Virtualization Technology. Problem is, many Intel laptops found on retail shelves aren't packing Intel VT. Affected chips include Intel Celeron, Pentium Dual-Core, Pentium M, and Atom 270 and 280 processors. If you've got a Pentium D, Core, or Core 2 Duo chip you'll need to check your model number because P7350/7450, T1350, T2050/2250, T2300E/2350/2450, T5200/5250/5270/5300/5450/5470/5550/5670/5750/5800/5850/5870/5900 and T6400/6570 do not support VT, according to ZDNet. AMD-powered computers may also find difficulties running XP mode since Sempron processors and some Athlon 64 chips don't support virtualization.

That's a pretty big list of processors that can't support virtualization, so it's no surprise that many laptops will be frozen out of Windows 7's XP mode. However, for the everyday user this may not be as big an issue since XP Mode is targeted at a small segment of the market anyway -- gamers take note that XP mode was not built to support video games.

If you are a part of the XP-specific minority running a custom application or another XP-specific program, you'd better make sure your processor supports virtualization before making the switch to Windows 7.

Open Letter to Apple: Go Easy on the Fees

Dear Apple,

You may not remember me; the last time we talked was nearly four years ago. I was impressed with your promises that I could soon watch my favorite movies and TV shows -- so impressed I didn't hesitate to put my iPod Photo on Craigslist and preorder a black, 60GB iPod Video from your Website. Since then, you have betrayed me.

I can forget the facts that you now have variable priced songs; don't offer a solution for putting movies I have on DVD on iTunes; and that my iPod, like the two before it, mysteriously started acting quirky as soon as you released a new model.

I cannot forgive you for making one of your newest and frankly, coolest gadgets I have ever seen, essentially inaccessible to me.

I am a college student and money is usually tight. I admit I could probably raise funds to buy a new iPod, but the last thing I want is to pay $30 a month for it after that for data service.

That's right, I don't have an iPhone. My left pocket gets a little tight from inconveniently carrying two devices that so many have traded in for one.

I have spent the last two years despising you, but you have managed to catch my attention again.

I recently read you have been talking with Verizon Wireless about bringing a smaller and less expensive iPhone to its network. Less expensive is good, but what about those monthly data fees?

I think you are alienating many potential customers who are willing to pay a premium upfront for a nice phone but aren't concerned about accessing the Web anywhere and everywhere. Honestly, it would be cool to check my e-mail while walking between classes, but I don't use Twitter or Facebook and I don't see constant connection as a necessity. Comcast is lucky I pay my $45 every month to have Internet access at home; don't expect I'll bend over and pay for access to the same Internet twice.

Fees aside, the potential of keeping Verizon as my wireless carrier is exciting. I'm not going to say that I'm a fan of my service, but switching sounds like a lot of work.

Also, nice work on adding SMS messaging to the 3.0 OS. Photo messages have daily use in my life and I was appalled when my iPhone-owning friend wasn't able to get my messages. I might be getting your advertising wrong, but shouldn't there be an app for that?

I've also read you might add video functionality, which would be pretty cool. Like many people my age, I love videos. I recently started looking into buying a Flip Mino so I can join the masses on YouTube. I might hold out to see what you have to offer later this year. After all, I can only fit so many things into my pockets.

I have to be honest, Apple. If rumors are true you might have recaptured my interest. I just have one favor to ask as a friend: Don't forget me again. I can only take so much neglect before I take my MP3 player/phone purchases to where I buy my computers. After all, isn't Microsoft working on some sort of media player/phone?

Yours Truly,

Paul Suarez

PS - I was just kidding about that Microsoft thing. I mean, seriously -- they lost me at Pink.

Palm to Offer Pre, Other Devices for Free

Palm is looking for recruits to become "Real Reviewers" of Palm phones including the Palm Pre. If you're selected as a reviewer, Palm will give you a free, current model Palm phone to try out and an accompanying data plan for six months. The only requirement is that you regularly post your thoughts about the Palm phone you're using on any blogs and social networks you frequent. Palm may also ask "Real Reviewers" to guest blog for Palm or host a discussion board on Palm's Facebook page.

To sign up, you have to fill out an eight-question survey and tell Palm a little bit about yourself. Palm is looking for information on what you do on a regular day; what your passions are; what kind of phone you are using now; how you use your phone; and what social networks you visit. To be eligible for "Real Reviewers" you must be a U.S. resident and 18 years of age or older.

John Zilber, Palm's Online Communications Director, launched the "Real Reviewer" program in a recent blog post. If you want to apply you don't have much time, as Zilber says Palm will announce its "Real Reviewers" next Friday on May 8. What Zilber didn't mention was how many people will be chosen for the program, and more importantly, how many reviewers will get their hands on the Pre. Zilber did say the company was looking for a mix of "Palm veterans and newcomers, from all walks of life" to become "Real Reviewers."

It's unclear if May 8 will be of any significance to the Pre's release, but Palm is clearly introducing Real Reviewers to capitalize on the buzz surrounding the Pre. Palm is still keeping quiet on the Pre's official release date, and is only saying the Pre will be released in the first six months of 2009. The "Real Reviewers" program also fits into Palm's plan of limiting the Pre's hands-on time with journalists, and turning to non-traditional outlets instead. In recent weeks, the Palm Pre was spotted in San Francisco with two mystery users, Engadget turned up with the Pre on Jimmy Fallon and Palm just sponsored a video spot about the Pre with Web personality Molly "molls" McAleer. Perhaps, Palm's publicity plans for the Pre suggest a new strategy for all future Palm devices as well?

Yesterday, the Palm Pre rumor mill went into overdrive speculating that Palm may be planning to release the Pre during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference to steal a little thunder from their iPhone rival. In other Pre rumors, TechCrunch has apparently heard from one of their "better sources" that Palm may release a Palm mini-Pre during the second half of 2009.

Spoil Your Kid With A Child-Resistant Laptop

If you don't want you child messing around with your precious new computer, then you might want to look into this: PeeWee PC introduced a splash-resistant tablet PC that comes with all the adequate perks to keep your kid entertained and browse the Internet safely.

Coming in at $600, the PeeWee Pivot Tablet Laptop features a 10-inch touch screen and is powered by a 1.6-GHz Atom processor and 1GB of RAM memory, which can be upgraded to 2GB. With a 60GB hard drive, the PeeWee PC runs Windows XP, which might leave your child in a tantrum if they get stuck with some 'blue screens of death'.

The PeeWee PC is not light on additional specs either. The convertible tablet laptop has two USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, an SD/MMC media card reader, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and a 1.3-megapixel webcam to fulfill you child's needs of doing anything more than drawing on a very expensive version of their paper notebook.

On the software side, PeeWee PC ships with games designed for kids ranging from pre-K to upper elementary students and a Walt Disney theme for Windows XP. In addition, it includes a specially designed security suite that allows parents to control when and how kids use the PeeWee PC. Additionally, this proprietary suite can let parents block certain Web sites, view browsing histories, and remotely control the system.

In terms of design, the PeeWee PC is quite versatile, as it can take the shape of a regular laptop or it can convert to a tablet (takes longer for your kid to get bored with it). To handle any strain or spillage, the laptop is ruggedized and the keyboard is water-resistant. PeeWee PC also has a handle at the top for easier carrying and holding and comes with a 6-cell battery pack.

PeeWee PC is available only from the manufacturer's Web site at the moment, but as an extra perk, when you spill $600 for it, your kid gets his age, name and interest custom built laptop (via the software on board).

Is it worth it? You can get a similar specifications laptop on the market right now even cheaper that PeeWee PC's retail price, but the additional cost could be covered by the ten age-targeted software titles that come with it and the durability this laptop was built in mind with (due to children's usage). I just wish I had one of these when I was a child.