Push notifications, you know, those little pop-ups you receive to let you know there’s something new to pay attention to, have many uses.  Besides getting news updates, friend updates, and more, they can actually save battery data by avoiding queering the server constantly.  Sure some BlackBerry apps already had push, but now every developer can join in on the fun.

Here’s a link for developers to check out. BlackBerry

The acquisition, according to Yahoo, helps strengthen its “social strategy of enriching, aggregating and distributing social content from across the entire Web.”

via [Mashable]

GetJar is an application store so there’s a benefit to their data being on the high end, however it’s likely the data was commissioned to determine the strength of their business model.  Regardless, we can’t argue with their findings.  With the wealth of smartphones on the market.  The competition between iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Nokia, Palm, etc, it seems like we are positioned in a nice place.

...and we’re looking for writers!  Get in on the ground floor!

Since it’s split from parent Time Warner, AOL has professed it’s getting into the content business in a big way.  Some of our favorite sites are now in fact AOL sites (Engadget, Autoblog), and as a disclaimer, AOL has opened conversations with App24Phones and our sister sites as well. 

To that end, AOL is now getting into iPhone apps.  Their auto app is a step in that direction.  You can download it here.  I personally haven’t downloaded it yet, and will hold off on commentary until we can give it a healthy look and review.

The Ovi store is trying hard to make a dent in the app world.  While I love my 900, I find it just doesn’t have enough apps (reasons) for me to use it on a regular basis.  That of course is compared to the iPhone, Droid, etc.

Mini Golf is a great little app with more than enough courses to keep you busy.  How do you keep it exciting?  Since it’s mini golf, why not ad whacky courses?  It’s $4.99 and worth it in our opinion.  If you’d like more info, check out the OVI Store, or Nokia’s Daily App.

Click on to see a video of Mini-Golf in action.

Cut & Paste
Windows Phone 7 Series will not support cut and paste at launch!  What the?
Winner: iPhone

Apps
Not a fair comparison by any means, as the iPhone has had a multi-year head start.  Here’s a list of the partners at launch for Windows Phone 7 Series:
AWS Convergence Technologies, WeatherBug, Citrix Systems Inc., Clarity Consulting Inc., Cypress Consulting, EA Mobile, Fandango Inc., Foursquare Labs Inc., frog design inc., Glu Mobile Inc., Graphic.ly, Hudson Entertainment Inc., IdentityMine Inc., IMDb.com Inc., Larva Labs, Match.com LLC, Matchbox Mobile Ltd., Microsoft Game Studios, Namco Networks America Inc., Oberon Media Inc., Pageonce Inc., Pandora Media Inc., Photobucket Inc., PopCap Games Inc., Seesmic, Shazam Entertainment Ltd., Sling Media, SPB Software Inc., stimulant, TeleCommunications Systems Inc., Touchality LLC and Vertigo Software Inc.

Many of these developers already create for the iPhone and other smart phones so this is a good thing.
Winner: iPhone for the head start, likely iPhone long term, but too early to tell.

There’s a bunch of new changes to the PayPal app.

• You can now send a money request to your contacts
• Withdraw from your PayPal acct to deposit in your bank
• Exchange payment by using Bump

My personal favorite is the ability to now bump your phone to another iPhone and exchange a payment.

Here’s some highlights up front:

• Accelerometer support
• Microsoft Location Service to provide developers with a single point of reference to acquire location information
• Microsoft Notification Service for pushing information to the phone, regardless of whether or not an application is running
• Hardware-accelerated video with digital rights management (DRM)
• Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming for the industry’s highest quality content viewing experience
• Multitouch
• Camera and microphone support

Check out some detailed comments and info from BoyGeniusReport

It’s a shame that sometimes it takes so long for the US to get the good stuff, like this HD2 that when it finally arrives, it’s outdated.

Such is the case of the HD2.  While it still is going to sport some of the hottest hardware on the market, the software is yesterday’s news.  In fact, because it’s Windows, and it’s so painfully outdated, “yesterday’s news” is being kind.  That said, I love my Zune HD.  Yes, read that again, not only did someone place that in print, I Mac guy who’s owned every iPod since invention, love the Zune HD.  I am a sucker for a great UI and the Zune UI is dead simple and beautiful.  You’ve likely already seen the Windows Phone 7 Series UI and how similar.  I am smitten.  At least until I get my hands on one and get some serious play time…

Want to check your download speeds?  The FCC has an app for that.  Yes, that FCC.  Sure we get information all the time about image and information leaks from the FCC, now we get a real app.

Here’s the download link for the iPhone.  Other phone apps coming soon.  Hey it’s free!

• 2.2 inch display
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• microSD card slot
• Stereo FM radio
• 3.5mm headset jack
• Talk time of 12 hours
• Available in white and grey
• Dimensions of 4.41 x 1.81 x 0.47 inches

You’ll be able to see Facebook updates from within the phonebook app and update your location via OVI maps.  More as we learn about it.

Worth a click to check out a brief look at the HTC touch sensors and verbal comparison to other phones.

care of [Android and Me]

Our order is placed and we’ll of course fill you in like everyone else will, when we receive the unit.

It’s very easy to run up a big bill when you start adding a cover, a stand, another cord, keyboards and more.  Top this out with a 64GB machine and no 3G and you’re still looking at $1,000.  But you know you want this!  We’ll be covering this more on our sister site (still in beta) MacCoalition.com

It should come as no surprise that Windows Mobile/Phone takes the hit.  I have phones across platforms, and while I like the hardware, and some of the software on my Imagio, it really can’t compete with the Palm, iPhone or Android.  While you can’t exactly attribute the near exact loss of share and Google gain of share to everyone moving to Android, it’s not surprising.  The lack of iPhone growth is a little surprising.  That’s likely due to the necessity of one carrier..AT&T.  Open it up to more US carriers and that share would likely grow significantly.

That said, I love my Zune HD and I can’t wait for that UI to hit the new Windows Phone 7.  Despite years of Windows Mobile and disappointments, I plan to upgrade to 7.

We’re big fans of Evernote here at Apps4Phones.  In fact, whenever we get a new device, mobile or otherwise, Evernote is the first thing installed.  One thing I really, really like about the Windows version, is the ability to use handwriting with the stylus.

I love taking notes on my Windows Phone on Evernote!.  If you’re interested in learning more, check out their review here.

I’ve given a lot of heat to the lack of Apps since the release last year.  Frankly it was way to slow.  However, webOS is starting to take off, despite the troubles of Palm.  Now all they need to do is licence the OS so that more folks will develop for it.

Congrats Palm.  You don’t look a day older than 20 million downloads.

What will the new iPhone be called?  It really can’t be called 4G as in 4th generation, because it will be too confusing with 4G networks.  We do know however, that OS 4.0 is in development, and as AppleInsider reports; ““remains under development and reportedly has a quite ‘way to go’ before it’s ready for prime time.”

AppleInsider goes on to say they’ve found evidence of multitasking support.  That can’t happen fast enough.  I can’t imagine that the iPad would come without such support, yet again, I would have bet the farm that it would have come with a camera as well.  Apple is saving that to make me upgrade to iPad 2.0, or whatever the name will be…

* Better access to all of the articles you’re looking for.
* More areas added: Developer Network (find a developer or get hired!)
* More reviews
* Reader reviews and ratings

There’s a lot more coming and many of these things are still in the early stages. 

Best,
Apps4Phones Team

First off, this game is available for S60 5th Edition devices, namely: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, but it should also work with the Nokia N97.

Killer graphics, awesome game play, and auto when you hit certain points so that you can always come back to where you were.  Nokia has a decent review on their Ovi Daily App site here.

It costs $4.99 in the Ovi Store, and it can be purchased here.

Gameloft page

Promo video after the jump.

Typically MacWorld reviews tend to be a little on the “better” side in our opinion, while typical reader reviews of the same product, tend to be a little less forgiving.  Rock Band for iPhone is the opposite.  Scoring only 3 out of 5 possible mice, MacWorld is tough on the new iPhone app.  Readers however give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I just downloaded the app yesterday.  The first thing I noticed is that – yup, I like it.  After only one session however, my hands felt cramped.  This is not the ideal platform for this product, if only for that reason.  The only other thing I found not top notch, was that it seemed a little easy.  Out of the gate, I was scoring top scores even on “hard” and I’d never played before.  That makes us pause for a moment that the game may not have lasting power.  However, the great thing about this and other apps is the ability to have in-app purchases.  Already you can download a bunch of new songs that make this game fresh over time.

We’ll be doing our own review, but first take is that it’s fun and I think it’s worth the money.

Here’s the MacWorld review.

iTunes Link: DOWNLOAD

In a press release just this morning, Nokia announced that it has filed suit in U.S. Federal District Court in Deleware alleging multiple counts of infringement on every iPhone every shipped.

From the release:

“...relate to technologies fundamental to making devices which are compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards.”

“By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation,” said Ilkka Rahnasto, vice president for Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia.

In short, Nokia feels that Apple owes them some cash and hasn’t paid enough for the luxury of using this technology.  Should be interesting…

At $9.99 it’s not cheap but fans of Zagat have the ability to carry the popular data in their pocket at all times.  Version 2 brings the beta ability to be a little more social as well.

If you’re wondering if the app is free for subscribers to Zagat, no such luck, but the mobile app is worth the $10 in our opinion.  You can’t write reviews from the app yet, but it’s likely coming to a future release. 

Zagat’s power tips after the jump.

iTunes Link: DOWNLOAD

I ordered Nike ID shoes once and it’s a pretty cool concept.  One that I expect will become more commonplace among many different manufacturers.  Nike has done a great job with the web version and the iPhone version is a good extension of that experience.

Sure you can pick colors, design, etc, but you can also use images in your own photo library to pull colors from. (not sure why, but cool nonetheless).  You can create the designs and save them to your Nike locker.  It’s hard not to hit the buy button once you’ve downloaded the app and started designing.  Cool app and I can’t wait to see other companies do the same. 

Really cool promo video after the break.

iTunes Link: DOWNLOAD

Nokia’s earnings fell way short this quarter and there’s been a lot of chatter about the Nokia missteps in the US over the past several years.  The good news is that things seem to be turning around and the outlook is vastly improving for us in the USA in terms of Nokia’s offerings.  The bad news, is the out of the gate, the N900 is being slightly delayed.  We’re looking at November now.

It’s possible that the pre-release versions of the N900 that Nokia gave out looking for feedback, perhaps provided enough feedback that the company needs to make some minor adjustments.  That’s just conjecture at this point, but frankly I’d rather wait another month and get things right and having to pay to be a beta tester (if you know what I mean).  I think it’s a smart move.

There are almost too many to list, you can either navigate on over via your Pre, or click to their website to see all of the Palm webOS apps.  Unfortunately, Palm hasn’t yet figured out how to offer those visiting the opportunity to just see what’s new.  C’mon Palm!

Let’s face it, the BlackBerry browser…well it just sucks.  It looks as though the search is on to find the right folks to fix the wrongs on the BB Browser and bring the handheld into the WebKit world.

How have we derived at all of this?

successful candidate will be working in a fast-paced, dynamic development environment to develop a WebKit-based browser for the BlackBerry Platform.

Since the September 10 release Rhapsody has been downloaded over 500,000 times.  According to our slide rule, that’s roughly 12,195 downloads per day.  Not too shabby.

  * BlackBerry OS 5.0
  * 624MHz CPU
  * 256MB flash memory and support for microSD cards up to 32GB
  * Quad-band UMTS/HSDPA (800/850/1900/2100 MHz) or tri-band UMTS/HSDPA (900/1700/2100 MHz)
  * Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
  * Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with UMA support (carrier dependent)
  * A-GPS
  * 2.44″ HVGA+ display
  * 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
  * Optical trackpad
  * Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP/AVCRP
  * 1500 mAh battery
  * 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby (3G)
  * 109mm x 60mm x 14.1mm, 122g

Here’s the details on AT&T: $199.99 after a $100 MIR with a 2-year deal

Leave a comment on Palm’s Facebook page (of course that will get your inbox flooded every time someone else enters…), but hey for a Pixi or Pre, why not.  Be sure to leave your comment telling Palm which handset you’d prefer by November 14th, 2009.  Winners selected randomly.

You can enter and leave a comment here on their Facebook page.

The official Rules are very lengthy but they’re there if you need them.

We keep ribbing Palm for their lack of apps, and lack of top tier apps, but they are certainly starting to make moves.  They have now learned from Apple and RIM to start placing their app collection online.  Now normally this is a brilliant move, but in this case, the lack of killer apps makes this move a little scary.  Well it is getting close to Halloween.

You can check out the good here: LINK