Apple fans will not like this but the truth is that, just-announced Android 2.2 (code-named Froyo) looks like a winner, with plenty of capabilities that put it well beyond the iPhone.

Have a look at the video to get an idea why it is better then the IPhone.

Here are seven ways in which Android 2.2 is superior to the iPhone.

Link:  Seven reasons Android 2.2 Froyo beats the iPhone

Source: Computer World

Some of the key points from the Patent

The content received at the device is displayed on the device only while the device is at or near a particular location identified by the location information.

…when the mobile device is within a range of the wireless access point, presenting content on the mobile device associated with the URL; andupon user selection of the content, receiving an application for execution on the mobile device. (sounds like localized iAds to me)

…a user interface operable to present the received content on the device when the device is at or near a location identified by the location information.

The system of claim 24, wherein the content comprises video content, picture content, audio content, multimedia content or routing content associated with a geographical area within a proximate distance to the device based on the location information.

Source:  TechCrunch

The next generation of cell phone interfaces is currently under development at Ishikawa Komuro Laboratory at the University of Tokyo but instead of using a touchscreen the new interface is touchless.

Source: textually.org

At this year’s annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Judith Gold, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work presented preliminary research which suggested that among college students, the more they texted, the more pain they had in their neck and shoulders.

Text messaging is a fairly new technology, Gold says, so this is a new area of research among ergonomists. “But given the similarities in body position, findings from research on overuse injuries from computers could be applicable here,” she said.

Source: Science Daily

Read through the press releases I’ve linked to here and you’ll see that beta versions of Flash Player 10.1 are on track for release by the end of the year for the Windows Mobile and Palm webOS operating systems. Versions that will work with Symbian and Android are expected early in 2010, with BlackBerry likely to follow soon afterwards now that Research In Motion joined Adobe’s Open Screen Project at the weekend.

The aim of this initiative is to create a common media platform for mobile phones, computers and TVs, which should facilitate interoperability but, most importantly, should significantly cut development time for rich media content and applications thanks to the use of a single standard. There are now almost 50 companies involved in the project, up from 16 at its inception last year.

In turn, it will become quicker and, therefore, more cost-effective to develop a broader range of applications and content for the mobile environment – such as social networking, gaming, video and music, advertising, and location-based services, to name but a few.

Although some incompatibility hurdles will remain – particularly the issue of screen sizes and processor capacities which vary from one device to another – Juniper Research welcomes this exciting development, which will go a long way towards encouraging the usage and consumption of rich media services and, by default, should then encourage more consumers to take up smartphones.

A Juniper report published earlier this year found that around 13% of all mobile phones shipped in 2008 were smartphones. We believe that such devices will account for an increased percentage of shipments this year, despite the recession, to almost 16% of the total. By 2014, smartphones will account for more than a quarter of all new phones sold.

There is one key industry player that has yet to participate in the project, however. Apple has, so far, declined to involve itself in the project (perhaps preferring to time any such announcement for a moment that best suits its own marketing and publicity machine: its quarterly results are due on October 19th!), but with RIM – its main rival in the smartphone arena – now having signed up, it does seem inevitable.

The industry’s warm welcome to Adobe’s news also chimes with another finding in our smartphone report: the hardware race is over and, going forward, innovation and development is mostly being focused on advancing software that underpins the performance of these devices. And, as we’ve seen in our recent report on Operating Systems, increased use of ‘open’ platforms with common functionality will help keep development costs – and therefore overall handset and service costs – down.

- Make scrollbars and selection highlighting more salient
- Increase discoverability of advanced functionality
- Use clear and consistent labels
- Icons should not save space at the expense of user understanding
- Support user expectations for personalization
- Long scrolling forms trump multiple screens on mobile devices

Although designing for both novice and expert mobile users can be a tricky process, mobile application interfaces can be easily validated through usability testing.  Conducting mobile application usability testing throughout the development life cycle helps ensure that the final application design not only satisfies customers, but saves the company from costly redevelopment efforts.

Read the full article by Usercentric

Source: Usercentric

Enrich the lives of the differently-abled,
Get rich!

Do you think you can create a difference to the world with your ideas? Then how about enabling 650 million disabled people?*

Forum Nokia USID Design Challenge 2009 gives you an opportunity to design an aid or a support system using the information and communication technologies (e.g. Mobile Applications, Devices, Services etc.) for the people with disabilities. Empower and Make life easier for the 10% of the world’s population – with a solution/ application that empower mobile devices and runs on finger tips. One that tips the odds in their favor by creating technologies that empower, enable and bring them equal with the rest of the world.

PRIZES

Prizes as per the following will be awarded to the best three entries:

1st Prize: Rs. 50,000/-*

2nd Prize: Rs. 30,000/-*

3rd Prize: Rs. 20,000/-*

*Tax will be deducted as per the Income Tax regulations of Govt. of India.

The prizes will be awarded during the closing event of the USID 2009 which is being planned in September 2008.

The details and schedule for the closing event will be notified to all the winning teams through email/post. The Individual team can decide to collect the prizes themselves by attending the closing event of USID 2009 on their own expenses or can inform USID Foundation about their incapability to attend the closing event. In this case, USID Foundation will make some alternative arrangement of forwarding the prizes to the winning teams. By participating in the design challenge, you agree to be bound by the Official Rules, and the decisions of USID Foundation, which shall be final in all respects. All the entries shall receive participation certificates from the USID Foundation.

IMPORTANT DATES

Registration: August 10th, 2009

Submission: August 30th, 2009

For registration send email to usid_designchallenge@usidfoundation.org with your name and institution/organization.

ENTRIES SUBMISSION PROVISIONS

The teams must submit their deliverables as mentioned below. Incomplete entries will not be taken into consideration.

DELIVERABLES

1. Design Concept Poster ( PDF A3 ), including the following
* Theme Title, Teams details, Institution / organization details
* The problem statement you have taken
* A concise description of the proposed solution
* Clear illustrations of key aspects of your proposed solution
* Compelling, effective visual design
* Prototype
* Acknowledgement of any assistance drawn from outside the student team (advisors, faculty, domain experts, existing solutions, users, etc.)
2. Design Solution Storyboard (PDF, PPS) (if require to explain the concept)
3. Interactive Prototype showing the concept (Optional)

HOW TO SUBMIT ONLINE

The deliverables should be submitted as a single Zip file by 30th August, (6:00 PM GMT) to email ID: usid_designchallenge@usidfoundation.org .The file must be not larger than 10 Mb in size.

TEAM SIZE

Individual or maximum 4 members

JURY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

The entries will be judged by a jury composed of members from (eminent design, technology and User Experience and accessibility professionals) from industry & academia. The Jury will choose three winners who will be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranks. Each entry will be judged based on the Creativity, Ingenuity, Innovation, Feasibility, Impact & User Experience and Feasibility of implementation.

Disclaimer: This competition shall not constitute a commitment or create a joint venture, partnership, agency or other media or business relationship between the participants and the organizers or judging companies of this competition. This competition shall not either be understood to grant to any participant whether expressly or by implication any ownership, rights or license to any intellectual property rights of any of the organizers, judging companies and vice versa. None of the Information which may be disclosed or exchanged by the parties shall constitute any representation, warranty, assurance, guarantee or other inducement by any party to any other of any kind, and, in particular, with respect to the infringement of any trademarks, patents, copyrights or any other intellectual property rights, or other rights of either party.