Omio

Microsoft: Make Xbox Live iPhone Apps Free…Or Else

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

Microsoft have decided that the current spate of iPhone apps which access player stats and achievements have to be given away, rather than charging gamers to get them.

The 1337pwn Friends List coders who managed to bring ‘Live Anywhere’ style functionality to the iPhone (remember them?) managed to develop a more marketable (in that there is no need to jailbreak) version of their popular program to put up on the App Store, and were briefly charging a steep £3.99.

For an app which is essentially a slightly slower version of their site which allows exactly the same functionality, is based solely upon Microsoft’s own Xbox Live data and infrastructure, turning around and selling it was a bit of a cheeky move in our opinion. Microsoft don’t want Apple making profits from their games console? That’s just…weird.

Still inexcusable that their own solution is still far from existance though. With the Leipzig Games Convention running this week, it is safe to say Microsoft will be bringing many wares to display, and that Live Anywhere will not be one of them.

Source: Kotaku

Live Interactive Webcast with the HTC Touch Pro!

By Robin LandycloseAuthor: Robin Landy Name: Robin Landy
Email: talk@omio.com
Site: http://www.omio.com
About: See Authors Posts (10)

We’ve been overwhelmed with the interest in the HTC Touch Pro.

So, on Wednesday 27th August at 4.30pm UK time (see this in your timezone) we’ll be doing a live interactive webcast with the Touch Pro.

We’ll be talking about and showing the phone’s features and software. And there’ll be a live-chat feature, so that you can ask us questions in real time, and we’ll do our best to answer them as we go along.

It’ll be Omio’s first live webcast and we’re pretty excited about it. More details to follow…

Asda Introduces Bargain Basement Pay As You Go Tariff

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

Hot on the heels of Ikea’s random entry into the Pay As You Go mobile phone sector, Asda has slashed prices on charges to reclaim the title of cheapest provider.

Welcome news at a time when other networks are raising rates, Asda has cut prices of calls by 50% from 16p to 8p, and texts will cost a mere 4 pence each.

The Swedish furniture chain’s foray into this contentious market was announced only three weeks ago, with tariff offers which made them the UK’s lowest mobile phone operator. Their service is in fact provided by T-Mobile, whilst Asda operates on Vodafone lines. Strange, considering that just this week Vodafone has been significantly raising pre-pay call charges.

Despite the supermarket chain claiming 80% savings over Virgin Mobile’s Pay As You Talk option, the networks still see this situation as a win-win, as they make money renting out air space which would otherwise have gone unused. This is also a real victory for the consumer, as SIM only deals with great rates and no long term commitment have quickly been overtaking PAYG in the value for money stakes. This move certainly puts top ups back on the map.

iPhone Gets Copy And Paste Solution, World Implodes

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

Obviously the fabled iPhone copy and paste function is not courtesy of Apple, for whom it is deemed far down the list of priorities with MMS and not crashing every three minutes (damn your eyes, firmware 2.0!). It is rather the product of a lone programmer with the skills to provide an open source solution, allowing other developers to seamlessly integrate it into their own products.

Open Clip grabs any text marked to copy, places it gingerly into the iPhone’s storage compartment which then acts as a shared space which can be accessed by any other Open Clip compatible software. Simple really!

It is currently supported by a couple of programs including blogging software Wordpress and Twitellator, with more to follow as the source code is released into the public domain. We for one welcome it, anything which makes the iPhone Wordpress app remotely useful is a boon.

Omio updates from the bathtub coming soon!

This video shows Open Clip doing the impossible, courtesy of GeekBrief.tv.

Cut and Paste for iPhone from Cali Lewis on Vimeo.

Source: Electric Pig

YouTube Piloting Mobile Phone Ad Scheme

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

As we at Omio have recently rediscovered, YouTube is pretty awesome! Also it is amazingly still free to use, so it is no surprise to find out that they will be trialling a new scheme of advertisement alongside their user generated content…but they promise you’ll like it!

YouTube Product Manager Christine Tsai attempts to sweeten the deal by stating on their official blog that they are “testing new ways to deliver the kinds of ads” that will “contribute to the user experience while making the most sense for advertisers.” Yeah…can’t wait for those adverts to ‘contribute’ to my phone bills.

Not a great situation when users are paying extra or using their own data charges to pay for downloading adverts to their mobile phones. Obviously, a company the size of Google intend to get the balance right, and are carrying out rigourous tests in an effort to combine ads with videos of Arabs performing insane powerslides in as unobtrusive a manner as possible.

The problem with having millions of users watching their vast resource, but making no money from it is an obvious one, the same reason Twitter has ended their free SMS messaging for UK users… Granted, these companies are not providing an altrustic service, but it is difficult to introduce a monetary aspect without attracting a lot of negative attention. Admittedly, YouTube has lasted a longer than most, and ads are a small price to pay to access such a wealth of content.

“We’ve learned a lot about what works for YouTube and what doesn’t,” wrote Tsai. “We’re excited to explore new approaches to mobile advertising, and will evaluate this test closely over the next several weeks to make sure we provide our community, our partners and advertisers with the most valuable and effective mobile experience possible.”

At least they’re trying to provide a solution which makes cash and yet appeases their important user base. People like Wii Fit Girl deserve some sort of reward for bringing so much joy to the lives of so many…

Look! It’s Android!

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

Gizmodo has put up a long video (in aspect ratio as well as duration) illustrating the newest iteration of the Android Software Development Kit, 0.9 r1. This is the software which developers will use to try out and develop third party applications for the platform, in an effort to give it that much needed extra functionality and pizazz.

Contained within this software update is an emulator which gives a real insight into how the latest revision of Android works on a mobile phone, and Gizmodo have really put it through it’s paces in an effort to see if this has what it takes to change the game. The video lives here, check it out!

Highlights are the intuitive sideways sliding navigation, the ‘pull tab’ to access the options at the bottom of the screen, some real Google Maps and the spacious and smooth look of the user interface. What’s not there is equally interesting, with a lack of some basic user features like a calendar. I guess they are leaving enough out to allow for real customisation by the various manufacturers.

Looking good so far, let’s get on a real phone already!

Nokia Maps And Lonely Planet Make The World Smaller

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

As much as people go on about Google Maps and how intuitive it is to use, Nokia Maps and the integration with GPS in new phones like the 6220 Classic are far more practical for daily directions.

With the genius move of teaming up to distribute Lonely Planet content for the world’s most popular tourist locations, it could finally spell an end to wondering around aimlessly with out-of-date tour books. The Lonely Planet guides are world renowned for providing the most relevant information of where to eat, sleep and party, all written in a fun and informal manner.

It costs only $14 to add each guide to Nokia Maps, a bargain for access to reams of city information in the palm of your hand. It also means there’s no excuse to miss all the sights and sounds on your next continental journey.

HSBC Swears Allegiance to BlackBerry

By Kate CrowleycloseAuthor: Kate Crowley Name: Kate Crowley
Email: talk@omio.com
Site: http://www.omio.com
About: Kate's interest in mobile phones began when she realised she was supernaturally adept at Snake 2. She was less good at Battleships and, frankly, we shouldn't even mention Pipes.See Authors Posts (206)

RIM can breathe a sigh of relief; reports that HSBC will be ditching BlackBerry handsets in favour of the iPhone have proved erroneous. Judy Mottl from InternetNews (who resembles Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances) apparently called HSBC, where an anonymous source told her that “there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell” that HSBC will make the switch. It seems that BlackBerry is still the handset of choice for the discerning multinational company.

Source: InternetNews

HTC Dream One Step Closer To Reality After Passing FCC Tests

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

Android phone number 1 the HTC Dream has passed through the Federal Communications Commission tests, meaning that the elusive handset recently captured on tape is one step closer to a North American release.

All phones have to go through the proper channels to pass things like SAR emissions and Wi-Fi tests, and so the FCC is the place to keep tabs on for the public release of details like these. Numerous specs were also released alongside the public release of detailed schematics, including Bluetooth 2.0, dual band reception and a Blackberry-esque navigation mini trackball.

The only which remains under wraps is the Dream’s looks, those images are pretty sparse when it comes to having a gander of the handset beyond vague dimensions…still very rectangular and reminiscent of that video though. So that constant word that the first Google-powered phone will indeed have a 2008 release is gathering some real momentum.

We welcome the competition, but despite the open source and app similarities, we worry that it will be more of an challenger to Windows Mobile than Apple’s supremacy in the market. Google Android still runs the risk of being marginalised as a niche product, submerged underneath each manufacturer’s own unique UIs like Windows. Let’s hope that the HTC Dream makes waves in the industry, only then will this platform get some much needed support from the masses as opposed tech heads like us…

Source: The Register

Now Only Three Degrees Of Separation?

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (240)

This is unfortunately not a post about the breakup of a famous female Philadelphia soul and disco musical group, but rather the results of an O2 study into the power of social networking in the 21st century.

Apparently the famous experiment of social distance through a maximum of six people has become incredibly outdated given the profusion of modern technology, according to O2-sponsored research. Despite Microsoft’s 2006 study of 30 billion electronic messages showing the original study still rings true with an average of 6.6 steps between strangers, organisational specialist Jeff Rodrigues shows that within networks of people of shared interests, the average is only three degrees.

He stipulates that people are connected via one of the three avenues of friends, family and work. Beyond these lie the personal interest spheres, areas which have been nurtured and matured by those seeking like minded individuals via the internet and mobile phones. As these have developed much faster and further than traditional methods of knowing people, the links forged are much closer.

When test subjects were asked to find an unknown person, 98% chose the web or their mobile phone to start, across all age groups selected. New forms of technology bring people together in a way which has never been seen before. Mostly social sites like Facebook admittedly, although mobile phones are considered by many as integral to connectivity.

Obviously, O2’s Brand Strategist was happy to chime in on the value of bringing people together: “As a business, O2 is all about helping our customers connect to the people and things that matter to them, enabling them to be in touch wherever they are in the world.”

If the world is so small and we’re all so connected, how’s about reducing my international roaming charges then? Yeah, thought not.

Source : Cellular News