GadgetKit.Net

ACCESS announced NetFront Browser v4.0, the latest version of NetFront Browser for mobile handsets and Internet-enabled devices. The new version has improved the JavaScript executions time, with up to twenty times faster than ACCESS’ NetFront Browser v3.52. The NetFront Browser v4.0 API application and porting layers are compatible with those of NetFront Browser v3.5, so device manufacturers using NetFront Browser v3.5 can easily upgrade to take advantage of super fast JavaScript engine in NetFront Browser v4.0, making it possible to leverage customized applications with minimal additional investment. ACCESS will make a concept version of NetFront Browser v4.0 for Windows Mobile available for free download for a limited time. In addition to the Windows Mobile version, ACCESS also plans to provide NetFront Browser v4.0 for major mobile operating systems and Internet-enabled devices to improve Internet access and use. “The more users and companies come to depend on cloud computing, the more important web application performance and web JavaScript execution become,” said Tomihisa Kamada, president, CEO and co-founder of ACCESS. “NetFront delivers not only an exceptionally fast mobile browsing experience, but also a mobile cloud computing experience that is fluid and truly useful. ACCESS will continue to improve and extend our technologies to bring users around the world a faster, easier and more enjoyable Internet experience.” via slashphone.com

“Maemo 5 PR1.1 is being released on January 14, 2010. Starting in Finland at 7am local time and following a staggering process country by country through the different time zones.  This update can be installed over the air. If the Application Manager asks you to connect the device to your PC it’s probably because:

• You have missed the PR1.0.1.
• You have been tweaking with unstable or conflicting software.

Dont forget to backup your important data before updating to the new firmware.
New features

• Hutchison SIM cards are supported.
• MS Exchange 2003 support.

Maemo Update

• Bootloader (Nolo) can be updated over Maemo Update.
• Cellular software can be updated over Maemo Update.
• Icon cache removed to allow more memory space for Maemo Update.
• Application Manager: Available space check moved to apt-worker for more accurate results.” Read more here:
  

” Recently, Finnish mobile phone maker, Nokia, released a new firmware update for Nokia 5800. The new version 40.0.005 can be easily downloaded from Nokia Software Update or via OTA (Over The Air) feature. It is advised to backup all your data before updating your device. The complete changelog is not yet available, but the much awaited “kinetic scrolling” has been confirmed by the users. The new firmware update comes with kinetic scrolling and new home screen similar to Nokia 5530’s home screen. Some users have even claimed that the kinetic scrolling is smoother and much better than Nokia N97. This update is not available in all the regions. You may have to wait some days or weeks before it is available in your region.
Novelties introduced:
    * Kinetic scrolling;
    * Home style widget with Nokia 5530;
    * if you rotate the phone horizontally, it automatically activates the QWERTY keyboard;
    * Refresh Icons “Sharing Online”, “Configuring Accessories”, “Configure Phone”;
    * Improved application “Updating Applications”, which also renames Upgrade SW;
    * The application “Data transfer” was also implemented in “Settings”;
    * Real Player Updated to 12 October 2009;
    * Touch more responsive;
    * Improved stability;” via techie-buzz.com

“Rafe and I have often pulled out the ‘hybrid’ form factor as the one offering the best of all worlds. i.e. a screen that occupies most of the plan form factor of the phone, with a qwerty keyboard that does the same, made possible through a sliding, pivoting or folding mechanism. Yes, there’s a level of mechanical complexity which might prove unreliable in the long run, but the benefits are huge.And yes, touchscreen-only fans will point out that a ’slate’ device (e.g. Samsung i8910 HD, HTC HD2, Google Nexus One) can pop up a landscape keyboard when needed, to also give the best of both worlds, but I’d also argue that:

• with such a virtual keyboard on-screen, the display area left is much reduced
• even on the best virtual keyboards, you don’t get the mechanical feedback of thumb-typing on real keys - this leads, ultimately, to faster, more satisfying text input

This head to head isn’t exhaustive, of course, I’ve limited it to just four interesting devices. The idea is both to compare hybrid solutions from different platforms/ecosystems and (in the E90’s case) from a different era. And to provoke discussion and debate, of course!” Read more here:

“The night is well underway in Europe, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a webOS update. As it would turn out, mere weeks after hitting Palm Pre and Pixi phones in the United States and Canada, Pre owners on O2 in Europe can now pull down their latest webOS updated in the form of webOS 1.3.5.2. What’s different about this version from webOS 1.3.5.1 in the United States is currently an unknown, we’re waiting for the changelog to land right now. In the meantime, welcome to the land of space for apps, Europe!
UPDATE: We have a changelog after the break for you, but what’s important may not be in there. According to German-language tech site Heise Mobil, Palm has baked and enabled bluetooth tethering into webOS 1.3.5.2. Users in our forum have tested this out and wonder of wonders, it works.” More here:

“Navigon announced an upcoming release of its on-board navigation application, MobileNavigator, for Android mobile phones in North America. Expected availability in spring 2010, Navigon’s hallmark navigation features for Android include Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. The Navigon solution is equipped with maps of North America (US, Canada, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) from NAVTEQ.
Key features of the NAVIGON MobileNavigator for Android phones:

• Reality View Pro displays photo-realistic 3D views with actual road signs and lane guidance for virtually every highway interchange and exit drivers will encounter.
• Lane Assistant Pro helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming exit or turn by providing a lane map complete with arrows and actual road geometry.
• Text-to-speech announces street names in addition to turn-by-turn directions.
• Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning.
• Day & Night Mode for map display.
• Direct Access allows navigation to contacts saved in the phone’s address book.
• Route Planning
• Branded POIs and POIs along the route.” via slashphone.com
  

“We are in so many situations where having to pull out our phones to check for a message is just not possible or even appropriate.  Have you ever missed a call because you didn’t hear your phone ringing or couldn’t feel the vibration?
Canada’s Allerta has fixed that problem with their soon-to-be-released inPulse smartwatch for BlackBerry.   The inPulse smartwatch connects wirelessly through your  BlueTooth to your Blackberry, alerting you to incoming emails, SMS and calls.
inPulse features a  brushed metal body – fitted to a custom wrist band, an elegant user interface
with 1 button interaction. It grabs important information like, caller ID, text messages, email titles, calendar alerts and displays it on a colour OLED screen. inPulse’s built-in vibrating motor alerts you immediately to incoming calls.
It takes the time and date straight from your BlackBerry smartphone, so there is no need to sync them.  Settings like custom alarms and timers, sleep times and message filters, can be easily modified on your Blackberry smartphone and then appear on your smartwatch.” via mobilemag.com

“Nokia N900 owners rejoice, as a (small) software update rolls out today across all territories (where the N900 is sold) and across all variants. The software update will be available as an over-the-air update or with the Nokia Software Update app on your PC, globally within the next 24 hours. Nokia N900 users connected to the Internet will receive a notification in the device’s Status Area that a software update of Maemo 5 is available. This software update prepares the Nokia N900 for opening the Ovi Store – watch out for a separate announcement for the store opening shortly.” via conversations.nokia.com

“Sony Ericsson’s first Android handset, the X10, isn’t even out in the shops yet, but already their next Android device has leaked. The new device, codenamed Robyn, looks very similar to the X10, but appears to be more a budget option. The handset is a good bit smaller than it’s sibling and doesn’t feature the premium XPERIA branding. The fact that it comes in various colours only adds to the image of a budget device aimed at the mass market. In terms of specifications it packs in a 5 MP camera, 2.6″ touchscreen, HSPA and WiFi. An announcement is expected during MWC in February.” via mobile-review.com