MobileViews Blog

Category: Mobile Devices

  • Angry Birds Star Wars Edition for Windows RT 66% more expensive than iPad version

    Angry Birds Star Wars Edition for the iPad is as good or better than the original Angry Birds (I’m not a fan of the other versions). So, I was interested to see the game appear in the Windows RT app store. Unfortunately, the version for RT costs 66% more than the iPad version: $4.99 vs $2.99.

    While making more money per sale for developers is a good thing. I think Windows RT app prices need to be competitive with versions of the same app on other platforms.

    Note: Composed this app entirely using a Surface with Windows RT. The biggest problem was finding an image editor. None of the RT apps provided freehand cropping. Will discuss how I worked around this in a future blog item.

  • Woo! Passed 4000 miles on my fitbit

    Noticed I passed the 4000 mile mark on my fitbit today. And, I’m closing in on 9 million steps and 7000 floors (stair flights).

    I’ve logged these numbers using the original fitbit and the fitbit ultra. I’m giving a lot of thought to buying a fitbit One which has the ability to sync with iOS devices.

  • Microsoft says you can use Surface RT for work. But, Office RT license disallows work use

    Microsoft promotes the soon-to-be-released Surface RT by saying it can let you:

    Work anywhere, anytime with Windows RT and Office 2013 RT

    And, yet, on the same page it states this, it also says:

    Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview and the final version are not for use in commercial, nonprofit, or revenue generating activities. Commercial license options available (sold separately).

    AllAboutMicrosoft’s Mary Jo Foley explains the commercial license options:

    Microsoft Office for Windows RT: How to move to a commercial-use license

    However, you cannot use Office RT on a Surface RT for work related purposes out of the box without violating the Office RT license.

  • Just received a SRS Labs iWOW-U audio enhancer gadget

    The PR firm for SRS Labs (now part of DTS, Inc.) sent me small audio enhancing hardware to try out: The iWOW-U.

    The iWOW-U retails for $89.99 but is available from Amazon for $59.99. One of the two customer-reviewers on Amazon complains that this model does not have an Apple 30-pin connector as an older model did. Of course, if you just bought a shiny new iPhone 5, this is a good thing. The iWOW-U works with any headset and music producing device (like an iPhone 5) using ordinary mini-jacks. No special connector is required. This also means that it requires charging using a provided micro-USB cable (any micro-USB cable should work).

    I’m charging the iWOW-U up now and will give it a spin for a few days before providing my impressions of the device.

  • Jelly Bean for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 in this century?

    Samsung does not have a great track for providing platform upgrades for Android or Windows Phone devices. However, I had a slim glimmer of hope that my Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 tablet might get Jelly Bean when I saw this update screen appear a few days ago. Alas, it was only some kind of minor stability update from Samsung.

    So, I tweeted a question to @SamsungMobileUS asking them about an update. You can see their response to me in the screenshot below: @toddogasawara We don’t have any information on this update just yet, but stay tuned for news!

  • New T-Mobile unlimited data plan does not include tethering

    The new T-Mobile unlimited 4G data plan that starts on September 5 appears like a great deal for $20 or $30 a month when paired with a matching voice plan.

    However, if you want to tether a WiFi device to your T-Mobile 4G phone, you should be aware that the new unlimited plan does not include tethering. In fact, you need to fall back to one of the existing 3G/4G plans if you plan to tether. The good news is that tethering is available at no extra cost with the current limited 3G/4G plans. Here’s what T-Mobile USA’s public relations firm told me when I asked about tethering and the new unlimited plan.

    No, the Unlimited Nationwide 4G plans don’t allow tethering. Customers who want to connect multiple devices to one data plan can opt for one of T-Mobile’s existing 5GB or 10GB Classic or Value plans, which include the Smartphone Mobile HotSpot (tethering) feature at no additional charge.