Eclectic Electronics

Nokia Ovi Store will debut with 20,000 items

Posted: 08 May 2009 02:30 PM PDT

The Nokia Ovi Store will be launched with 20,000 items onboard. As to what those items really are, nobody knows just yet. It may very well include small stuff such as ringtones, wallpapers.

From Forbes.com

Users can access the store two different ways. It will ship pre-loaded on the company’s new flagship handset, the N97, before July, and be included in phones released in the future. Consumers who own other, recent Nokia phones will also be able to download the store from the Web onto their handsets. The idea: People will buy more Nokia devices if they are paired with great services.

The Ovi Store will not be an open community. Developers have to register with Nokia first in order for the Ovi Store to have the highest quality catalog.

Nokia is reportedly launching the Ovi Store on a global scale, not just on select regions. No launch date has been mentioned for the Ovi Store. However, there are great chances that Nokia will tie the Ovi Store launch with the release of its upcoming flagship handset, the Nokia N97.

Will the Nokia Ovi Store mimic the success of the Apple App Store? Maybe. Maybe not.

[via PHONE Magazine and Edible Apple]

T-Mobile supports iPhone users on their network

Posted: 08 May 2009 12:30 PM PDT

T-Mobile doesn’t sell the iPhone. T-Mobile doesn’t market the iPhone. But, do they support T-Mobile users who use jailbroken/unlocked iPhones? Yes!

T-Mobile iPhone users reportedly experienced some weird problems on their device, causing them to receive blank messages from the year 2012.

T-Mobile not only solved the problem quickly but also gave users service credit during the time that the service was faulty! Maybe they’re trying to get on Apple’s good side so that they will have next dibs on the Apple iPhone after AT&T’s exclusivity ends.

[via djmick and The Consumerist]

HDMI Type D connector unveiled, resembles micro USB

Posted: 08 May 2009 10:30 AM PDT

Had the itch of wanting HDMI connectors on your nifty electronic gadgets but somehow manufacturers just couldn’t integrate them because the standard HDMI port is too big? Your prayers have been answered.

Shown above is the prototype HDMI Type D connector which very much resembles micro USB. The Type D connector keeps all 19-pins of the HDMI standard connector intact, but greatly reduces the connector in size. Hopefully, they would also find a way to integrate a lockking mechanism of some sort because HDMI cables get disconnected rather easily.

The HDMI Type D connector has the same functionality as its larger HDMI brother, the only advantage of the new prototype is the size. It won’t be a surprise that we will soon see a mini-HDMI port integrated into mobile phones, digital cameras and other smaller electronics.

Design of the connectors and receptables for HDMI Type D has been differentiated from micro USB so as to not plug one into the other.

[via CrunchGear and Tech-On]

BlackBerry Curve 83xx outsells the iPhone 3G for the 1st quarter of 2009!

Posted: 07 May 2009 07:00 PM PDT

Research in Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry Curve has reportedly outsold AT&T’s exclusive iPhone 3G for the 1st quarter of 2009. The smartphone market has also enjoyed an increase in acceptance to consumers.

NPD, a research firm, has given the following 1st quarter 2009 sales ranking for smartphones:

RIM BlackBerry Curve (all 83XX models)
Apple iPhone 3G (all models)
RIM BlackBerry Storm
RIM BlackBerry Pearl (all models, except flip)
T-Mobile G1

It’s quite surprising that the Apple iPhone 3G is on the number 2 slot, considering it only is available from AT&T in the US. The BlackBerry Curve was able to overtake the iPhone 3G in sales because of its wide availability. The BB Curve was available across four carriers and Verizon also had some Buy 1 get 1 strategy in play.

The figures and information above are for the US market only. If the worldwide market is to be considered, Nokia ranks 1st, with Apple and RIM trailing behind.

[via Loopy Gadgets and xchange]