Palm Releases First Update to webOS

While it boasts no new apps, Version 1.0.3 of Palm Pre's Web OS features a myriad of little updates, including enhanced e-mail support and faster Google synching. Palm touts "synergy" as one of Web OS's important elements, so it's not surprising that many of the updates focus on quicker and easier synchronization with Google.

Google calendar events with symbols or accents in the name can now synchronize ("Lunch@1:30 w/Marie-Élise" is no longer a problem), and the sync interval for both events and contacts has been decreased from every few hours to every 15 minutes. Palm also promises better e-mail performance in areas where wireless coverage has been spotty, as well as support for Non-SSL Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) mail servers.

As far as the little tweaks go, Palm has fixed an alarm clock glitch, which caused alarms to go off on weekends, even if they were set for "weekday only." Version 1.0.3 also includes various other updates to e-mail, phone, and other apps.

So, Pre-owner: Download 1.0.3 now, and make some late-afternoon weekend plans with foreign friends.

T-Mobile Launches Dash 3G

T-Mobile today introduced the T-Mobile Dash 3G, a long-awaited refresh of its predecessor, which we first reviewed more than two years ago. The Dash 3G joins this summer's hot parade of new cell phones, which began earlier this month with the launch of the Palm Pre and continues this week with the launch of the Apple iPhone 3G S and next week's launch of the second T-Mobile phone with Android. The Dash 3G will go on sale in stores in July.

The new Dash 3G is similar to the HTC Snap (available on Sprint and Verizon). It is the first 3G phone from T-Mobile to use the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard Edition operating system. The handset has evolved from its previous iteration to look sleeker and more smoothly designed. It replaces the previous model's five-way nav button and cluster of small nav keys beneath the display with a trackball and clearly defined, round nav buttons. The QWERTY keyboard appears roomy as well.

More details, including price, to come when available. What is known is that the Dash 3G has a QVGA (320 by 240 pixel resolution) display, integrated GPS, Exchange server support, microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 2-megapixel camera. These features are a boost over the previous version, but fall short of some of the beefier specs of phones like the Palm Pre or the iPhone 3G.

Verizon, AT&T: Buy a Texting Plan and We Won’t Rip You Off

Artwork: Chip Taylor

If you're not buying a monthly text-message plan from your wireless carrier, you're getting ripped off. This isn't news, I know, but testimony before Congress this week from the nation's top wireless carriers makes this clear to occasional texters like me who don't want a message bundle.

Representatives from Verizon Wireless and AT&T appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee in Washington on Tuesday to address allegations that U.S. wireless carriers are colluding to set prices for text messaging.

The collusion claims have been brewing for months now, and for good reason. The nation's top four cellular providers -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless -- each charge 20 cents per text message, a rate that's doubled from 10 cents in 2006. However, only users with a pay-per-use (PPU) plan for texting face those steep rates.

Highway robbery? You bet. But apparently the PPU deal is for suckers only. Um, like me.

I did a quick comparison of the lowest-priced text message plans from the four major carriers. They are:

* AT&T: 200 messages for $5 a month (2.5 cents per message)
* Sprint: 300 messages for $5 a month (1.67 cents)
* T-Mobile: 300 messages for $5 a month (1.67 cents)
* Verizon: 250 messages for $5 a month (2 cents)

These estimates assume you're texting up to the monthly limit, of course, which probably isn't the case all the time. But even if you use half your allotted texts, you're still paying a small fraction of the PPU rate.

Am I cheap? Probably. But more importantly, I hate being forced to pay for services I don't want or need, such as 200 to 300 text messages a month. I send and receive maybe 10 to 15 texts a month. So is it fair that my carrier AT&T charges me eight times the bundled rate?

Yes, I know we're talking a few bucks here. So call me cheap. I'm arguing on principle.

According to a prepared statement by AT&T general counsel Wayne Watts, "less than 1% of AT&T's postpaid text messaging volume is handled on a PPU basis. Instead, the vast majority of our customers take advantage of AT&T's multiple messaging pricing plans, including those that provide a package of messages for a flat monthly rate."

So not only am I a sucker, I may be the only one.

Watts also points out that U.S. wireless carriers are "competing fiercely on many levels," and offer consumers a variety of voice and messaging plans. When it comes to texting fees, there's no collusion at all, he claims.

Damn. I just got a text message. Another 20 cents down the drain.
True? It's hard to say. The universal adoption of the 20-cent-per-message fee by the Big Four does look suspicious. Then again, when you've got numerous vendors duking it out in a highly competitive wireless market, collusion seems a lot less likely

Asus and Disney Join Forces on Kid-Friendly Netbooks

Add this to the list of unexpected business partnerships: Asus and Disney have combined their expertise in computers and cartoons to produce a Disney-themed netbook called the Netpal. Available in "Princess Pink" or "Magic Blue," the Netpal will be available in late July.

The Netpal should be perfect for the Disney fans who need a laptop that packs a little more punch than the $30 Vtech Disney Princess Carriage "Laptop" and just aren't feeling the Snow White look of the older Lenovo IdeaPad Y330 Disney Limited Edition.

The Netpal will be sold by Toys ‘R' Us, DisneyStore.com, and Amazon.com for $350, which will get you a 2.6-pound laptop with 1GB of RAM, Windows XP Home, an 8.9-inch display (1024-by-600 resolution), and a 1.6GHz Intel N270 processor.

There will be two models available: one with a 160GB HDD, and one with a 16GB SSD (the latter will be about half a pound lighter), and both will come with SD/MMC card readers, a 3-megapixel camera, a VGA port, and three USB ports.

The Netpal also comes with a handful of preinstalled themes inspired by Disney and Disney/Pixar movies, including Cars and Vintage Mickey Mouse (as well as Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers themes for the more-mature Disney fan). There's also plenty of Disney-specific software that comes with the Netpal, so if you're having a hard time finding Hannah Montana on Pandora, you might have better luck with Disney Radio.

For parents who balk at buying a $350 PC for children on a toy-breaking streak, the Netpal's design may give them some peace of mind: it packs a spill-proof keyboard and is protected against data loss from impact by Asus ShockShield technology.

It also has plenty of parental control options; parents can restrict their children's access to particular sites or programs, limit e-mail correspondence to certain addresses, set different permissions corresponding to different scheduled times (sorry, Junior -- no Internet after 8 p.m.), and even provide statistics on what users are doing online. You can also figure out how much time the kids are spending playing Flash games when they're supposed to be studying.

Intel and Nokia to Rattle Mobile Landscape

Plenty of questions linger regarding Intel and Nokia's partnership, but one thing we can count on is the two powerful tech players will rattle the mobile landscape. The Intel and Nokia partnership, announced yesterday, was slim on specifics but brimming with potential as both announced they would collaborate on a mobile-computing partnership.

The duo has the very real potential to shower consumers with dozens of shiny new Nokia and Intel products from super-smart smartphones that transmit voice and data at lightning speed and efficiency or something like a hybrid netbook/notebook that fits in your shirt pocket.

We will have to wait and see what becomes of the partnership because both executives from Intel and Nokia were mum on what type of gizmos we will be seeing and when. While the brunt of the announcement focused on explaining how both would deliver a new mobile platform, such as Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), it's what was not said that may generate the most interest and should have Apple, AMD, and other mobile players interested.

Intel Partners Scratch Heads

While Intel and Nokia skimped on specifics, left dangling in the wind are questions about how this announcement will impact Intel's relationships with other companies it has longstanding relationships with. For example, Intel has made significant inroads with Apple, where many of its Macintosh computers are based upon Intel CPUs - will an Intel powered Nokia iPhone competitor strain Apple's relationship with Intel? Concerns should also surround Intel's relationship with Microsoft - will an Intel powered Nokia MID running Android or Linux impact Microsoft's sales of Windows Mobile?

Nokia, Intel Marriage: Jealous?

One thing is certain: Intel may be taking a big risk with its dive into the mobile wireless device market with Nokia. Intel has to be careful not to upset its current partners, yet still work with Nokia to deliver new and impressive devices to consumers. Perhaps, the biggest winner here will be AMD, which has already made inroads with Gateway into the netbook market and is poised to challenge Intel in the low cost computing arena.

If They Were Smart . . .

Still more questions remain about WiMax and alternative operating systems (Android and Linux). The smart move for both companies would be to quickly introduce a MID that shouts innovation. That innovation could come in the form of integrating WiMax into an Android based tablet, which can switch between various wireless modes, while providing the features of a Kindle and iPhone combined, add Bluetooth for a headset and viola, the companies would have something that could compete against netbooks, Kindles and iPods.

Together Intel and Nokia have the technology to make this happen. Nokia has already unsuccessfully dabbled with tablets and Intel already has experimented with cellular phone technology, so both companies have the background to make something happen quickly, and to become masters of the wireless market. Unfortunately, both companies may have to tick off some of their existing partners, at least a little, to seize the day and make this new relationship deliver something significant.

New Google Phone Expected Next Week from T-Mobile

What's smaller than the iPhone and thinner than the G1? It's T-Mobile's second Android-powered phone: myTouch 3G. Or at least that's the rumor, anyway. Next week, T-Mobile is expected to announce a summer launch date for another Android-powered phone from HTC called the myTouch 3G, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The myTouch 3G will have a touchscreen but no physical keyboard, as well as a G1-styled trackball and navigation buttons. But that's where the similarities end; overall, the new Android phone will reportedly resemble the HTC Magic, currently available in the

U.K. In fact, the myTouch 3G could simply be a renamed version of the Magic. Earlier this month, PC World's Daniel Ionescu posited this theory after all attendees of Google's I/O conference received an HTC Magic handset to take home and try out. That free giveaway seemed very generous at the time, but it makes more sense from a marketing viewpoint if the Magic is about to be released in the U.S.

The Journal says the myTouch will have a glossy look with a rounded back that is smaller than the iPhone but thinner than the original Android phone to hit the U.S -- the G1. As for new features, the myTouch 3G could come with voice-activated search and video capability.

This is the third time we've heard about a new Android phone from HTC in the coming months. Just a few weeks ago, rumors were circulating about the HTC Hero launching on June 24, with a big bash planned for London. Based on the rumors, however, the Hero and the myTouch don't sound like the same phone. The Hero is rumored to be coming to AT&T and would also be a touchscreen-only device. A second Hero model may also be in the works, possibly renamed the Lancaster or Memphis, that would come with a keyboard. The Hero is supposed to use HTC's TouchFlo 3D user interface, but there's no word on whether the myTouch would use TouchFlo as well. We've also seen reports about a refreshed G1 coming to T-Mobile called the G2, which could be the same phone as the myTouch 3G.

Google has been saying for some time to expect numerous Android models to hit the U.S. market. The Journal said the search giant is looking forward to seeing around 18 different models this year. Despite these announcements and predictions, so far only the G1 has appeared in the U.S.

But here are some other signs that a new Android model could be hitting store shelves soon. The myTouch 3G is rumored to have a $179.99 price tag with a two-year contract. That's the same price as the G1 -- or at least it was. T-Mobile recently slashed the price of the G1 by $30 to $149.99. Is this a sign that a new Google phone is about to hit the market? I guess we'll have to wait until next week to find out.

iPhone Prototypes Hit eBay Ian Paul

Some of the strangest things can show up on eBay. Take, for example, a seller who claims he has two iPhone prototypes to unload.

According to the seller, the two devices were manufactured about six months before the original iPhone went on sale in June 2007. Only one of the two units works, and is reportedly running an early Alpha or Beta version of the iPhone OS. Neither phone has the name iPhone printed on it, but they do have the Apple logo printed on the back.

The seller claims the working device can make and receive phone calls on a GSM network, access the mobile Web (not the regular Web) and has a working camera. It can also receive text messages, but only send 5 preset messages included on the phone. The unit is unable to sync with iTunes, and the seller did not say how much storage capacity the phone has.

The sale was uncovered by the German blog iFun.de, and assuming these are authentic, I would expect Apple to try and halt the sale and recover the prototypes fairly quickly. I can only imagine that other device makers would be interested to get their hands on these iPhone originals as it could give some insight into Apple's development process.

For the average user, however, these prototypes are really nothing more than a curiosity, but they do contain some interesting bits of trivia. Apparently the folks at Apple had some fun while working on the iPhone, and programmed the prototype with four inside jokes. These phrase appear in various places on the phone:

"Skank is the new black"
"Nine parts perspiration"
"Say hello to the Newton MessagePad 3000"-a reference to Apple's early PDA experiment
"Skankphone"

Theh big question is: Where did these prototypes come from? No one knows for sure, but MacRumors believes they were in the possession of one of their forum members earlier this year. According to a post on the MacRumors forum, a member named Brooklyn8 posted some information about the two prototypes that has been repeated almost word for word on the eBay auction page. Brooklyn8 claims to have picked up the devices from someone on eBay who didn't realize what he had. That seems like an extremely far-fetched claim to me. I mean, honestly, if you have the technical know-how to post things on eBay you would think that you'd be savvy enough to recognize an iPhone or an iPhone imitator. Regardless, it's unclear whether Brooklyn8 is the eBay seller or if they were passed on to someone else.

As of this writing, the "Skankphone" and its non-functioning partner are going for $940 USD. The sale ends Wednesday at 8 PM PDT.