Savvy coders have developed iPhone "skins" that work with most smartphones based on the Windows Mobile and Palm operating systems.
The issue has angered Apple to such an extent that it has sent its lawyers after a number of those involved - both directly and indirectly.
The skins don't add any new functionality to the devices, but make use of the iPhone's copyrighted icons to create a UI that distinctly resembles Apple's hybrid mobile phone.
Soon after the skins were uploaded to the Brighthand and Xda-developers internet message boards, Apple unleashed its legal team, who sent removal letters to at least one of the websites hosting the files.
Apple's lawyers also sent letters to journalists who simply reported on the fact that the skins were available.
"It has come to our attention that you have posted a screenshot of Apple's new iPhone and links that facilitate the installation of that screenshot on a PocketPC device," law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP wrote to Paul O'Brien, who runs the MoDaCo website.
"While we appreciate your interest in the iPhone, the icons and screenshot displayed on your website are copyrighted by Apple.
"Apple therefore demands that you remove this screenshot from your website and refrain from facilitating the further dissemination of Apple's copyrighted material by removing the link to http://forum.xda-developers.com, where said icons and screenshot are being distributed."
Apple's actions have sparked fury among tech industry watchers, who have accused the company of bullying and being notoriously litigious.
"I think this is all complete nonsense," Michael Arrington, of the influential technology blog TechCrunch, said.
"If Apple wants to go after the guy that made the Windows Mobile skin that looks like the iPhone, fine. But to bully bloggers who are simply reporting on this is another matter."
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The Inspiron 1501 is designed to deliver everyday entertainment with its support for affordable dual core processor technology, ATI Radeon® graphics, and extended battery life in a 2.81 Kg. light package. With a choice between the latest mobile AMD TurionTM 64 X2 Dual-Core, mobile AMD TurionTM 64 or Mobile AMD SempronTM processors, all featuring the innovative AMD PowerNowTM technology for longer battery life, the 1501 is optimised for mobile computing without sacrificing performance, and provides everyday multimedia & productivity with a 15.4" wide-aspect display, 3-in-1 media card reader and wireless network card options.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
We're always banging on about how you really need to buy a pair of earphones instead of relying on the tat that comes with your MP3 player. Sennheiser's CX 300s were particularly good value at £30 -- they're not the best quality in-ear 'phones on the market, but they're a damn sight better than the bundled rubbish. Of course, they, like most earphones, are designed for mainstream players with standard 3.5mm jacks. Now, with a new 2.5mm model, smart phone users can enjoy them too.
In-ear headphones are not for the faint-hearted and getting the right fit can take some practice. Without a tight seal inside your ear canal, bass quality is likely to be sacrificed and your chances of blocking outside noise greatly diminished.
In-ear headphones are not for the faint-hearted and getting the right fit can take some practice. Without a tight seal inside your ear canal, bass quality is likely to be sacrificed and your chances of blocking outside noise greatly diminished.
Just because us Brits aren't getting the iPhone for a while, doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared for when we do. It's coming soon, folks. Real soon. Although we were lucky enough to see one in Germany of all places, we also got to see the world's first iPhone speaker system in action from Logic3.
We loved the company's little i-Station Traveller. Its small size and diminutive price meant it was perfect for getting mudded up on a camping trip. Now the iPhone gets to experience the same muddy adventures with the i-Station Traveller... for iPhone. It's fundamentally a larger version of the original Traveller, but it's much larger, and the Messiah Phone slots into place quite nicely. We checked out some videos through the setup and heard some good (not to mention loud) sound quality pump from the AAA-powered speakers.
For those of you who think the iPhone sucks, the Traveller can be resized to fit a boring old mobile phone or even a regular iPod.
The speakers will be released in October for around £29. For those of you stateside who already have an iPhone, these great little additions for it will be dollars well spent. -Nate Lanxon
We loved the company's little i-Station Traveller. Its small size and diminutive price meant it was perfect for getting mudded up on a camping trip. Now the iPhone gets to experience the same muddy adventures with the i-Station Traveller... for iPhone. It's fundamentally a larger version of the original Traveller, but it's much larger, and the Messiah Phone slots into place quite nicely. We checked out some videos through the setup and heard some good (not to mention loud) sound quality pump from the AAA-powered speakers.
For those of you who think the iPhone sucks, the Traveller can be resized to fit a boring old mobile phone or even a regular iPod.
The speakers will be released in October for around £29. For those of you stateside who already have an iPhone, these great little additions for it will be dollars well spent. -Nate Lanxon
This innovative feature might sound very gimmicky but it's actually useful, particularly when put together with the Cocoon's dock, turning it into a fully fledged alarm clock. A minor niggle that we had with the alarm clock is that the snooze button isn't large enough, but that's probably because we don't like waking up.
Features
If you like lots of features then you won't be disappointed by the Cocoon's offerings. Most impressively, the Cocoon comes with 2GB of on-board memory, which is enough to store up to 500 songs or data in mass storage mode. There's an expandable microSD slot, too, which lets you add up to 2GB of additional memory.
Features
If you like lots of features then you won't be disappointed by the Cocoon's offerings. Most impressively, the Cocoon comes with 2GB of on-board memory, which is enough to store up to 500 songs or data in mass storage mode. There's an expandable microSD slot, too, which lets you add up to 2GB of additional memory.
O2 Cocoon Review
Reviewed by: Andrew Lim
Reviewed on: 31 August 2007
It's very rare to see a network produce its own phone from scratch, so we were surprised when we heard about the O2 Cocoon. Conceived by O2 and manufactured by Pantech, this unusual handset offers more than meets the eye.
The O2 Cocoon is currently available for free on a monthly contract of £35, or £160 on a £25 per month contract. Alternatively you can pay £300 to get it on pay as you go.
Design
Joining the cool-in-white bandwagon, the Cocoon comes in a trendy white casing with black sides and interior. It's a little chunky compared to Samsung's Ultra Edition handsets, but not so large it won't fit in your pocket. Unlike many clamshell phones, the Cocoon is curved at the top and bottom creating an oval-shaped profile.
The advantage of having rounded ends is that it slips into a pocket very easily, in a similar way to a smooth pebble. The oval-shaped casing is extremely reminiscent of a 60's egg chair and gives the phone a retro look and feel.
This retro-looking handset slots into the base and turns into a bedside alarm clock
Even more retro is the inside of the Cocoon, which looks dated and a little clunky -- a shame considering how stylish the outside is. That said it is very functional, if not attractive. The screen is relatively large, as is the easy-to-use keypad.
It's worth mentioning that the screen doesn't seem to like direct sunlight too much and is difficult to see in very bright conditions.
On the rather bulky hinge is a useful volume dial that can be controlled from the inside and out, and is much easier to use than traditional up and down volume keys. Equally useful are the dedicated music keys on the side of the Cocoon that let you play your tunes when the clamshell is shut.
The Cocoon comes with a set of hidden LEDs behind the front of the phone. These display the time, incoming caller details and previews of text messages in a cool blue light.
Reviewed by: Andrew Lim
Reviewed on: 31 August 2007
It's very rare to see a network produce its own phone from scratch, so we were surprised when we heard about the O2 Cocoon. Conceived by O2 and manufactured by Pantech, this unusual handset offers more than meets the eye.
The O2 Cocoon is currently available for free on a monthly contract of £35, or £160 on a £25 per month contract. Alternatively you can pay £300 to get it on pay as you go.
Design
Joining the cool-in-white bandwagon, the Cocoon comes in a trendy white casing with black sides and interior. It's a little chunky compared to Samsung's Ultra Edition handsets, but not so large it won't fit in your pocket. Unlike many clamshell phones, the Cocoon is curved at the top and bottom creating an oval-shaped profile.
The advantage of having rounded ends is that it slips into a pocket very easily, in a similar way to a smooth pebble. The oval-shaped casing is extremely reminiscent of a 60's egg chair and gives the phone a retro look and feel.
This retro-looking handset slots into the base and turns into a bedside alarm clock
Even more retro is the inside of the Cocoon, which looks dated and a little clunky -- a shame considering how stylish the outside is. That said it is very functional, if not attractive. The screen is relatively large, as is the easy-to-use keypad.
It's worth mentioning that the screen doesn't seem to like direct sunlight too much and is difficult to see in very bright conditions.
On the rather bulky hinge is a useful volume dial that can be controlled from the inside and out, and is much easier to use than traditional up and down volume keys. Equally useful are the dedicated music keys on the side of the Cocoon that let you play your tunes when the clamshell is shut.
The Cocoon comes with a set of hidden LEDs behind the front of the phone. These display the time, incoming caller details and previews of text messages in a cool blue light.
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