TechBytes: Dell Smart Phone
In today's TechBytes: Samsung, Voip, Apple TV rental, Google Earth.
Aug. 25, 2010— -- Dell has made a big splash in the smart phone market. The Dell Aero smart phone hit stores Tuesday.
Aero is based on the latest Google Android OS system. Its features can include handwriting recognition, Microsoft Exchange e-mail and a quick office mobile productivity app. Two weeks ago Dell introduced the Streak, a combination smart phone and tablet computer.
There's a lot of hype about the new Samsung Galaxy tablet. The Galaxy has a 7-inch screen, so it's bigger than a smart phone but still small enough to hold in one hand.
Samsung says it will use Android 2.2 software. It will also be able to play movies. It's expected in stores next month.
There's now an app for BlackBerrys to make Voip phone calls. A company in India introduced the app. Voip calls use the Internet, giving phones greater worldwide range.
The app allows for calls over Wi-Fi and 3G connections. It can be used for worldwide conference calls. Other smart phones such as iPhone and Android already offer Voip services.
Would you pay 99 cents to rent an episode of a TV show through iTunes? Apple is trying to negotiate a rental deal with the major television networks. Deals are close with News Corporation and Disney, the parent company of ABC, according to the New York Times.
The networks aren't commenting but their executives are reportedly concerned about how the rental deal would affect DVD sales.
Google Earth is introducing a major upgrade. The service now includes Google Earth under water. It shows what the earth looks like beneath the ocean's surface. You get this feature with an app, only available for Android phones. The app has hundreds of photos from contributors who can't wait to share their undersea adventures.
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