Sony Ericsson X10 firmware update introduces wildly annoying WiFi bug
Apparently, the latest firmware update for Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 (which, yes, is still based on Android 1.6 ) does more harm than good -- if you're frequently using WiFi and you find yourself in weak cellular coverage, anyhow. Basically, any time your cellular signal drops to zero then bounces back, WiFi turns itself off, which is particularly brutal considering that a weak signal is probably why you're leaning on WiFi in the first place. We don't have details on what X10s are affected, but R2BA026 sounds like the offending version -- so if you see it, we'd probably stay far away until SE manages to push another update
Categories: Android, Mobile Phone, Other Tags: entry, ericsson, mobile, offending, probably-stay, signal, sony, x10
Apple shows Nokia’s N97 Mini can be force choked, too (video)
Nokia claims it always prioritizes antenna performance over physical design , and we'll take them at their word, but that apparently didn't exempt one Espoo handset from Apple's grip of doom. Here's the Nokia N97 Mini going down for the count, from a full seven bars to two.
Categories: Mobile Phone Tags: antenna, apparently-didn, apple, engadget, entry, force-choked, iphone4, nokia, reception, result, signal
RIM finally catches up to the competition with non-GPS-based BlackBerry ‘Locate Service’
It's hardly the first company to implement the technology in a smartphone, but it looks like RIM finally has an answer for folks not satisfied with the GPS capabilities of their BlackBerry. It's now announced the simply-named 'Locate Service' for developers, which relies on cell tower triangulation to to either augment the phone's built-in GPS, or completely replace it when a GPS signal isn't available. According to RIM, the service also includes a set of components that "integrate seamlessly" with the BlackBerry Maps and Contacts applications and, of course, the GPS capabilities of the device
Categories: BlackBerry, Mobile Phone Tags: BlackBerry, Capabilities, Cell Towers, celltowers, engadget, entry, locate service, maps, phone, result, signal, smartphone, technology, triangulation
Nokia: ‘we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict’
Nokia's looking to ride the mojo of any negative fallout from today's Apple press conference , slipping out a rather fascinating statement this afternoon. The gist of it is that Espoo's keen on letting everyone know how much blood, sweat, and tears they've poured into perfecting their antenna design strategy over the years, going so far as to say that they "prioritize" it over the physical design of the phone if they need to in order to optimize its call performance -- an opinion moderately different from the "we want to have our cake and eat it too" philosophy espoused by Jobs today
Categories: Mobile Phone Tags: design, fascinating, iphone4, nokia, over-physical, ride-the-mojo, signal, sweat
Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems — and so do we
Although there's never been any question that there's something going on with the iPhone 4's fancy new antenna system, we really haven't seen any rigorous testing confirming that the issue is real, severe, and affects every phone. That just changed: Consumer Reports tested three iPhone 4s and several other AT&T phones in their RF isolation chamber that simulates varying levels of signal from every carrier, and found that the iPhone 4 was the only handset to suffer signal-loss issues. What's more, CR directly says that its findings call Apple's explanation of a miscalculated signal meter into question since the tests "indicate that AT&T's network might not be the primary suspect." CR found that simply putting duct tape over the bottom-left corner is enough to alleviate the issue -- we're guessing that's Jony Ive's worst nightmare -- and says that while the iPhone 4 has the "sharpest display and best video camera" of any phone its tested, it simply can't recommend the device until Apple comes up with a permanent and free fix to the antenna problem
Categories: Mobile Phone, Other Tags: antenna, antenna-issue, antennaissue, apple, iphone, iphone 4, issue, signal, signalstrength, since-the-tests, test-the-iphone
Nokia muses on grip styles, says you can hold your phone ‘any way you like’
If there's one company in the world who knows more about gripping phones than anyone else, it's Nokia -- you know, the creator and sole proprietor of sidetalkin' . So on that note, you might want to sit up and pay attention to this little piece over on Nokia Conversations detailing four popular grip styles that won't kill your signal, including the four-edge -- a work of art that we've attempted to demonstrate for you with limited success in the picture above. We totally buy the claim that this particular grip causes zero signal degradation in virtually any cellphone ever launched (the curious stares you get are just a bonus), but Nokia goes on to boast that "realistically, you're free to hold your Nokia device any way you like...
Categories: Mobile Phone Tags: art, conversations, detailing-four, engadget, Grip, loss, muses-on-grip, nokia, phenomenon, phone, phone-antennas, signal, stares
Apple responds over iPhone 4 reception issues: you’re holding the phone the wrong way
So, we just spoke with Apple and got the straight dirt on the reception issues that have been plaguing users today...
Categories: Mobile Phone, nexus one, Other Tags: after-the-break, degradation, interference, location, notch, performance, signal, thinking-it-too
Nexus One complaints mount, no firmware update in sight
We've had a Nexus One in daily use for a couple months now with relatively little drama, but Google's official support forums for the so-called superphone appear to be piling up a good head of steam on a handful of issues troubling owners. Perhaps the highest profile among them is the 3G signal strength issue -- a problem that predates the Nexus One's first and only firmware update -- but users are complaining about everything from unresponsive touchscreens, to failed text messages, to problems with the ambient light sensor, and there are enough "me too" responses in the support threads to warrant some serious attention. We know Google hasn't been sitting on its hands behind the scenes, so this is probably more of a timing issue than anything else -- could it be that they're waiting for Flash 10.1 before pushing the next release
Categories: htc, Mobile Phone, nexus one Tags: ambient, before-pushing, couple-months, engadget, entry, flash, forums, light, nexus, nexus one, nexusone, probably-more, signal, signal-strength, sitting-on-its
Wireless Extenders YX-510 zBoost Dual-Band Cell Phone Signal Booster up to 2,500 Square Feet of Coverage for Home or Office
Product DescriptionDesigned for consumers, the zBoost dual band cell phone signal booster extends a zBoost Cell Zone for single or multiple users in homes or offices simulatneously. Amazon. com Product DescriptionSatisfy all your cellular phone needs with the Wireless Extenders YX510-PCS/CEL zBoost zP Wireless Booster, which works with both cellular frequencies (800 and 1900 MHz) and can extend cellular coverage up to 2500 square feet. This unit can handle signals from all th. . . More >>
Wireless Extenders YX-510 zBoost Dual-Band Cell Phone Signal Booster up to 2,500 Square Feet of Coverage for Home or Office
Categories: Android Tags: 2500, booster, cell, coverage, DualBand, Extenders, feet, Home, office, phone, signal, Square, wireless, YX510, zBoost
Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 Bi-Directional RF Amplifier
Product DescriptionWhen using your TV or computer, there’s nothing more frustrating than encountering poor reception. Now there’s a fast and effortless way to make your signal strength up to 32 times more powerful! The Motorola Signal Booster enhances analog and digital picture quality, improves cable modem communication, and reduces lost data. It’s easy to install and tools are not required. This device also allows you to optimize multiple broadband devices in your home – televisions. . . More >>
Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 Bi-Directional RF Amplifier
Categories: Android Tags: 48409500100, amplifier, BiDirectional, booster, motorola, signal