Facebook for iPhone 3.1 brings push notifications, at last

We're getting word that the Facebook 3.1 iPhone app now has push notifications and contact syncing. I have just downloaded it from the App Store on my iPhone and it works a treat. Gizmodo has the deets.

If you're on Facebook then feel free to add me via my profile page.

Audiovox Zentral Turns Your iPhone or BlackBerry Into a Remote (or Garage Door Opener)

Have you seen this, it's a dongle free remote control for your iPhone and it's a pretty cool concept. "Audiovox's Zentral solution doesn't need a dongle—it communicates with a base station via Bluetooth, and that base station in turn talks to your TV (or stereo, iPod, garage door, whatever). " Read in full.

SPECIAL OFFER: $12.49 OFF TETHERBERRY FOR BLACKBERRY

Special Offers for today my PalmAddict friends are as follows: $12.49 off TetherBerry, was $49.95 and is now reduced to $12.49. Make the jump. Please use promo-code MOSTWANTED to get the discount.

"Have you ever been stuck in an airport, hotel room, coffee shop, or on the road with no Internet? Frustrated paying $9.95 for 30 minutes of internet service? Resorting to your Blackberry but wished you could use your laptop? TetherBerry is here to provide a solution to all those worries! TetherBerry is an application that allows your PC to take advantage of your Blackberry's data plan, allowing you to access the Internet on your laptop anywhere there is cellular coverage from your BlackBerry. TetherBerry is easy to install, easy to use, works practically anywhere, and is cost effective." Make sure you use the promo-code MOSTWANTED at checkout to get the $12.49 knocked off. Make the jump.

PhatWare specials

[From Kevin] Hi Sammy. I thought your readers may be interested that PhatWare has a New Years deal running -- everything is 50% off until January 15! So currently PhatNotes for WinMo, for example, is only $19.97 (regularly $39.95). You can see all the apps with their temporary prices at http://phatware.com/index.php?q=page/show/howtobuy/pocketpc. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks Sammy.

Using my first smartphone, the Palm Pre

[From Kevin Sutcliffe] Sammy I unboxed my brand shiny new pre earlier today and I'm so excited. I have it charging now. I can't wait to use it. This is the first phone I've used that has Wifi and data capabilities. I have only ever used phones to make calls not to check email, weather or the internet so I am very excited. I've heard a lot of positive and negative reviews but taking into account I have used a TX I came to the conclusion that Palm was a name I could trust. I'll write with how I'm getting used to my first smartphone. Thrilled and excited!

My Treo 680 has given up

[From Derek M] Sammy my Treo 680 died last night after years of use. The cause of the death is not known but the impact of a fallen earlier this week certainly will have not helped. So now I need to ask myself what smartphone shall I get now? Should I opt for the Palm Pre, be adventurous and wait for the Nexus One or go with the trend and get an iPhone. One question and yet so many phones to choose from.

HOLIDAY THROWAWAY: ENDS MIDNIGHT SUNDAY

HURRY - ENDS MIDNIGHT THIS FORTHCOMING SUNDAY

I haven't done a throwaway for a few months so let's have our Holiday Throwaway to end the year. Quite simply get your hands on a brand new 15-inch MacBook Pro [Product Page]. I'll end this throwaway in the near future but in the meantime

How To Enter: Just send me a user thought on how you are using your mobile device. Remember to give it a title or we cannot enter you and then send your email to me and once the contest closes I'll throw all the names into the hat and choose a winner at random. Please don't send me pleas as to how and why you will use it. Winner will be chosen at random when I close the throwaway.

Associate Writers can enter and I'll let you know when to send your post count through. Please put HOLIDAY in your subject line, feel free to say hello with your entry, it's always nice to read your personal message & email me [don't forget to give your user thought a title or you won't be entered] at sammymcloughlin@gmail.com

What does David Pogue think of the Nexus One?

[From Hans] What does David Pogue think of the Nexus One? "First, the new phone. It’s almost exactly the size and shape of the iPhone. Like most HTC phones, it’s bland-looking. But it’s so thin and rounded, it feels terrific in your hand. It’s loaded with gleaming, attractive features. It’s hard to choose which is more gratifying: the speed — instant, smooth response when you’re opening programs and scrolling — or the huge, 3.7-inch touch screen, which has much finer resolution than the iPhone (480 by 800 pixels, versus 320 by 480). There’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, like an iPhone, but also a removable one-day battery and a camera with an LED flash, autofocus and picture settings, although the photos themselves are roughly on par with the iPhone’s." Read in full.

iPhone, easy enough for us techdummies

[From Ben Walshe] Sammy whilst tempted by the nexus I want to see what Aple has up it's sleeves because I don't think they are going to let Google steal their thunder. I've been an iPhone user for two years and love it, in fact it's with me 24/7. Apple did great in providing a phone that could do a hell of a lot but easy enough for us techdummies to be able to use and that's the appeal. So I can't wait to see what Apple has planned.

Introducing the BlackBerry Presenter

[From Hans] If you have a Blackberry then you may wish to take a look at the Blackberry Presenter. "Leave your laptop behind and use BlackBerry® Presenter to deliver Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations - directly from your BlackBerry smartphone. Simply plug BlackBerry Presenter into a projector or monitor and select “Present” from the wizard on your BlackBerry smartphone." More after the jump.

Long may the PDA survive

[From H Levin] Sammy it's great to still read people who use PDA's especially those from Palm. I'm still happily using a TX, and you won't hear any complaints from me. It performs well in fact without it I don't think I could function. I like to lie in bed and surf the internet from it, I don't need a Tablet PC I have everything I want with my TX so long may the PDA survive.

Smartphone firm HTC reports sixth fall in profits

HTC profits are down according to various sources today. "Smartphone manufacturer HTC has reported a 31% fall in profits for the fourth quarter. The world's fourth-biggest smartphone maker said profits were $175m (£109m) for the last three months of 2009. That marks the company's sixth-straight decline in quarterly profit, with sales also down 13%." Read in full.

Janet at the-gadgeteer website has posted an interesting review of the Zune HD Platinum.

Janet at the-gadgeteer website has posted an interesting review of the Zune HD Platinum. "Man, this review HURTS me to write. I’m a Microsoft fangirl. I have been since before I bought my first computer with 4 mb of memory and a 40 mb hard drive that had to be partitioned so the operating system (DOS) could handle it. I even LOVE Vista. I often liked the way Mac hardware looked, but I always said that I wish I could have that case with a “real computer” inside. My only concession is for the iPod. " Read in full.

Mike Cane and Google developments

[From Mike Cane] Mike Cane who is always opinionated regarding all things mobile technology shares his thoughts on the the latest Google developments and his site is always worthy of a read. Make the jump.

A Palm user with my TE for many years to come

[From Paul Bradshaw] Sammy I can't believe that everyone is writing off Palm in 2010. I have been a Palm user for years and of course followed your site during that time. If this is a mirror of the Apple Newton then there will be many Palm users for years to come, I with my TE will be one of them.

Pre versus the iPhone and the Pre wins

[From Robert Sinclair] Sammy just a quick comparison, I've been using a Palm Pre and an iPhone and I have to say that the Pre is a lot smoother than the iPhone. Before my iPhone, Pre combination I used a Treo and a Centro and although I'm sad to see the end of Palm OS at least I can still use many of the games and software titles on my Pre. That reminds me whatever happened to the Palm OS emulator for the iPhone, did that ever materialise?

Now Showing On Bell: Palm webOS 1.3.5.1

Here is a quick note form the guys at Palminfocenter. "Got a Pre on Bell? Want webOS 1.3.5.1? It's available now, so you can finally stop whining and git yer' downloadin' on." Read in full after the break.

My iPhone saved me time and trouble in the snow.

[From Monica Keenan] Sammy here is how I used my iPhone today, by listening into the snow reports on my local radio station through my iPhone. I was at work and my PC doesn't have sound speakers, disabled by work, and so I switched on the iPhone and used it as a radio. When we found out the snow was getting bad I left work early so I could get home in time. So in a way it saved me time and trouble. Happy New Year Sammy.

Is the Nexus One just imitation?

[From Wan Winston] Sammy my thoughts on the Nexus One is that it looks like a imitation of both the iPhone and the Pre. Everything from the touchscreen to the curved design of the phone reminds me of imitation. I do think that Android is a great operating system and I look forward to seeing how it evolves but I think from a hardware perspective we still have a long way to go.

Sync Google Nexus One with The Missing Sync, for PC and Mac

[From Jackie Macapanpan] Hello, The Nexus One from Google is out, and The Missing Sync for Android syncs it. The Missing Sync for Android is the all-in-one solution that syncs information and media files between a Windows PC or Mac and Android phones, such as the Motorola Droid and the new Google Nexus One. Keep contacts in sync wirelessly via Wi-Fi, and transfer music, ringtones, photos, files, and videos fast with a USB cable. The Missing Sync for Android works with applications PC and Mac users already know: Microsoft Outlook, Entourage, Mac OS X Address Book, iTunes, Windows Media Player and iPhoto. The Missing Sync makes it easy to use contacts and media files on an Android phone. More deets after the jump.

Pre better than the Blackberry Curve

[From Mark Kyle] Sammy it seems I'm not your only reader who received a Palm Pre for xmas. I cant say that I wanted to part from my curve but I will say that I was astonished at how quick I have fell in love with the Pre. I've never seen the Pre in person just read about it on sites like yourself, I'm usually not one for change but the Pre is a breath of fresh air. It can do everything my curve could do and probably more and the keyboard is a lot nicer to type on too.

My friend has already gone ahead and purchased an unlocked NexusOne

[From Phil Oberle] Sammy thought I would let you know that a friend of mine has already purchased the unlocked unlocked Nexus One. Personally I prefer the iPhone especially because of multitouch and easier integration with itunes. But I will be curious at having a play with the Nexus but I won't be enticed.

More deets on the nexus one phone from Google including online demo of features

Google has a online demo of the nexus one, click on the icons and check out the features. More here. 3D tour here.

In addition there is a good summary over at the Google Mobile Blog.

"We're very excited about today's launch of Nexus One, the newest Android-powered phone running the latest Android 2.1 software. Nexus One comes with all your favorite Google Mobile apps pre-installed: find the classics like Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube and Google Talk, with additional goodies like Maps Navigation and Google Voice. With its 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset, these apps are speedier than ever before."

Apple’s App Store Downloads Top Three Billion

Apple® today announced that more than three billion apps have been downloaded from its revolutionary App Store by iPhone® and iPod touch® users worldwide.

“Three billion applications downloaded in less than 18 months—this is like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The revolutionary App Store offers iPhone and iPod touch users an experience unlike anything else available on other mobile devices, and we see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.”

iPhone and iPod touch customers in 77 countries worldwide can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

You can now order your nexus one Google Phone

OK, the Google Phone website is also now live. If you want an unlocked nexus one then it will cost you $529 or $179 on T-Mobile. "Buy the phone without service and insert your own SIM card. Includes a Nexus One phone case, wall charger, and USB cable. Free shipping in the continental US." Here is the order website.

The Google Nexus One is now live

If you want the latest on the new Nexus One which is now official then Gizmodo has all the deets at the Gizmodo liveblog.

Who has the Fastest U.S. 3G? Well JKOTR takes a look and it's T-Mobile.

Who has the Fastest U.S. 3G? Well JKOTR takes a look and it's T-Mobile. "T-Mobile may have been late to the nationwide wireless broadband game, but they didn’t forget the story about the tortoise and the hare. In fact, they re-wrote the story — they started as a slow turtle, but right now, they’re the fastest 3G rabbit we have. The carrier today announced that their entire 3G footprint is now lit up for the faster 7.2 Mbps HSPA service. Devices that don’t support the faster speeds will back down to the standard 3.6 Mbps service, but a fair amount of recent phones and broadband modems can take advantage of the faster network. " Read in full.

iPhone and Magic Mouse

[From Mike Cane] If you have an iPhone then this is pretty cool, iPhone and Magic Mouse linked up by BTstack. "Even though you probably still can't figure out what good the ability to connect your Bluetooth keyboard to your iPhone will do, the BTstack project is steaming ahead with this demo of a connected Magic Mouse twirling its pointer all over Apple's handset." Watch the video.

Nokia asks court to bar U.S. imports of Apple's Macs, iPhones, iPods

[From Eric Mann] So ComputerWorld are reporting that Nokia last week asked a federal court to block Apple from importing virtually any of Apple's current hardware into the U.S., including the iPhone, iPod and Mac lines. Read in full.

Nexus One review at Engadget

Remember the whole Nexus One Engadget review is available to read and is quite comprehensive. "Industry politics aside, though, the Nexus One is at its core just another Android smartphone. It's a particularly good one, don't get us wrong -- certainly up there with the best of its breed -- but it's not in any way the Earth-shattering, paradigm-skewing device the media and community cheerleaders have built it up to be. It's a good Android phone, but not the last word -- in fact, if we had to choose between this phone or the Droid right now, we would lean towards the latter." Read in full.

Marketshare for WebOS has dropped

Marketshare for WebOS has dropped according to the Palminfocenter, "survey of 4,068 consumers showed that in addition to Palm's marketshare falling slightly by 1%, consumer preference for webOS has also dipped in the face of fierce competition from new Android handsets, dropping from 8% to 4% of planned future smartphone purchases. As the report's authors note, Palm's best chance to boost their slowing momentum is their upcoming launches on new carriers" Read in full.

Verizon Wireless ordered 400,000 Palm devices

[From Hans] Verizon is ordering Palm handhelds according to the BGR website. " In addition, we’ve also heard from the same source that Verizon placed an order for approximately 200,000 Palm Pre handsets as well as 200,000 Palm Pixi handsets." Read in full.

I love my Palm Pre

[From Lee Purvis] Hi Sammy , all the best for 2010 and thank you for a great website. I do love my Palm Pre, yes it has flaws, but it's great. I'm writing this from my Pre and I love the touchstone. The latest webOS update 1.3.5 fixed performance issues and even the battery life is better.

The fake Palm Pre

[From Eric Mann] Looks very much like a fake a Palm Pre. "Yeah, yeah -- we've seen a fairly weak effort to ape the Pre before, but this... this is the knockoff webOS device your shady side has been waiting for. A dead ringer for the Palm Pre, the Cool K07 boasts a luscious 2.8-inch touchscreen (320 x 240 resolution), a T-Flash card slot, a 2 megapixel camera, inbuilt speaker, MP3 / MP4 player, a blazing fast connection to the web (GPRS, if you must know), Bluetooth, an FM radio tuner, alarm clock, a few games and room for 1,000 contacts. " Read in full.

Android phones are the greatest invention everrrrr

[From Sara Hart] OK I am probably going to sound geeky here but I'm not ashamed to admit that I love my phone. Android phones are the greatest invention everrrrr and so much better than my old Blackberry which kept on breaking. I was lucky if I received email on time. Market apps are the best but I do end up paying a small fortune because I get carried away :)

The HTC Tattoo is the best phone I have used

[From Stephen Hayes] One of the things I love about my Android HTC Tattoo phone is how it syncs with my Google Mail, contacts and calendar without having to do anything. It is just effortless how it all works and the phone is great too :) Did I mention Wi-Fi? I can send all my photographs back to my computer or on to all my friends. The Tattoo is the best phone I've owned and I love what Android can do.

Chuffed with my iPhone

[From C Middleton] Sammy a great site, long may it last. I got a iPhone for Christmas and I'm very chuffed with it. There are some terrific apps for it and it really has turned into a great game console too. I don't use it as an organizer but mainly stick with the multimedia capabilities like the iPod, watching You Tube videos and of course take advantage of email, data and calls. Happy New Year Sammy.

Sticking with my iPhone

[From Jeremy Thornton] Sammy I am not at all excited at the thought of the Nexus One. I want to see more, the iPhone was revolutionary, Steve Jobs was right on the mark when he said Apple was going to reinvent the phone and, guess what, they did. I don't think the iPhone will be beaten just yet, there needs to be a phone that can do so much more. In addition Apple has street cred, the likes of HTC don't yet although they are popular with tech savy users. For the moment I'm sticking with the iPhone, until something greater and better comes along.