Opera mobile 10.1 offers some features that are actually very cool. One of the most important features is the browser’s Turbo Mode. Turbo Mode significantly speeds up web page loading by compressing data to make the overall load smaller. For example, with Turbo Mode enabled (it’s able to be toggled on and off through the settings button on the browser’s main page) Opera will compress (decrease) the quality of any images on the website, as well as taking all formatting off the text. So basically, the page loads up with semi-blurry pictures, and all the text looks like it’s all in Times New Roman font. That may not sound very desirable, but it actually works great. During times when there is significant network congestion, this really comes in handy for continued speedy browsing, and even with normal network speeds, it makes navigation even faster than the native Android browser.

Another big feature is the ability to synchronize your bookmarks with Opera on your PC via Opera Link. I probably ask myself every week why Android can’t update their browser to sync with the bookmarks on my PC. Apparently the programmers of Opera Mobile felt my pain. In order to use this feature, you need to sign up for an Opera link account. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, because you can use the Opera link account to access your favorite bookmarks from any computer as well.

Mobile View (also a toggle option within the settings) will render a webpage into one column the width of your screen, that way you won’t have to do any sideways scrolling. I personally don’t see much use for this, as I familiarize myself with most sites by their layout on a full computer screen, but I can see where it might be useful for reading a page that is very text-heavy.

Overall, I think Opera makes for an excellent native browser replacement, and with its exclusive features, such as Turbo Mode, and Opera Link, I may just make it my daily driver. Oh, and don’t worry, Opera Mobile supports Flash too!

Opera Mobile is available in the Android Market. It is a free app. Enjoy!

The post Opera mobile 10.1 beta released on Android appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Verizon 4G is set to be launched in 38 major markets, as well as over 60 airports. In addition, Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana (one of the 38 4G networks) will be implementing a fully integrated Verizon 4G network on their campus. Verizon says that this initial launch should cover about 110 Million people, but they plan to have doubled that coverage in 2012, and complete the coverage to match their 3G coverage by the end of 2013. Using the 3GPP (LTE) technology means that Verizon’s 4G network will be superior to any other 4G network around at this point, including Sprint’s WiMAX “4G” network, and T-Mobile’s HSPA+ “4G” Network. The reason I put 4G in quotes there is because WiMAX and HSPA+ don’t actually meet the requirements to be considered a true 4G network. AT&T Plans to start testing their LTE Network in the near future, and has actually already upgraded their 3G network to HSPA+, but is not claiming it to be 4G like T-Mobile is doing. The Verizon 4G network should have download speeds of 5-12 Mbps and upload speeds comparable to the current speeds of their 3G network, 1-2 Mbps download and 50 Kbps – 1 Mbps upload.

So you’re probably asking yourself… “Will I have 4G this year?” Well, the answer is probably no. First of all, you may not live in any of the 38 areas. The updated Verizon map with 4G coverage cities highlighted can be found here: http://vzw.com/4g . The other thing that might keep you from enjoying 4G coverage right off the bat is the fact that Verizon isn’t planning on releasing any 4G handsets until the middle of 2011. So unless you use mobile aircards or USB modems, you wont be enjoying 4G for a little while yet. Verizon is planning to sell the LG VL600 and Pantech UML290 USB modems at launch to run on their 4G network.

As Verizon takes a commanding lead in the race for 4G, developing a true 4G network, and releasing it in more practical cities than Sprint, things should only get better for all mobile data users. Competition is always a good thing.

The post Verizon to launch 4G LTE Network this year appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Here is the list:

• Stuck on Moto logo after reboot – this was tough on a very few owners. Sorry about that. A fix has been developed for this and should eliminate the problem. It will be distributed in a future software release.
• Random rebooting – while there always seem to be new conditions that can cause an electronic device to panic, we do have improvements coming that address and eliminate identified panic states. They will be distributed in a future software release.
• WiFi connection and stability – improvements in WiFi have been developed, to address several problem areas. They will be distributed in a future software release.
• Battery Manager “force close” errors – under some circumstances, pressing the battery icon under Menu > Settings > Battery Manager results in a forced close error. A fix has been developed for this and should eliminate the problem. It will be distributed in a future software release.
• Media won’t play – includes “sorry the player does not support this type of audio file,” custom ringtone stop working, video won’t play, etc. A reboot will restore full media function, but not permanently. We believe we have identified the cause of these errors. A fix has been developed for this and should eliminate the problem. It will be distributed in a future software release.
• Music files cutting off the final four seconds or so – a solution has been developed. It will be distributed in a future software release.

Motorola is also asking that their users provide them with feedback on the problems they are having. What a novel concept, listening to your users!  Some companies could learn from this.

There’s been no timeline given for an update that actually fixes these problems for normal users, but at least Motorola seems to be proactive in the process of rectifying the situation, rather than just waiting for the 2.3 update from Google.  It’s understandable for there to be urgency in releasing OS upgrades given the tight market for Android Smartphones, but with a built-in general disdain for the MotoBlur interface throughout the Android community, I would hope that Motorola would concentrate on releasing more stable updates in the future. After all, HTC upgraded the EVO 4G and Incredible to Froyo with a fraction of the problems that Motorola is having.

The post Motorola Admits to Releasing a Bad Froyo Build appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

I remember when my parents first got the internet at our house in the mid-nineties and I learned how to download mp3s. I used an awesome program called Winamp to play these mp3 files on my computer. Since then, I had totally forgotten about Winamp. As far as I knew, Winamp was gone. It had been overshadowed by the other major media playing applications (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc…) Now, Winamp is in the news again, releasing an app for the Android operating system.

Now, the thought of just another media player for the android sounds pretty boring. Android has a native media player, and there is also DoubleTwist, which is like an Android version of iTunes. Winamp for Android does have some pretty cool features though.

One of the things I like the most about Winamp for Android is that the playback controls stay docked to the bottom of the screen at all times. The rest of the window will change as you navigate through playlists, album/artist info, Album art, search results, and other features. Overall, the user interface is very clean, very easy to navigate, and looks stellar. Within the Winamp home screen there is a handy search function that allows you to find specific songs and artists, and a history tab that allows you to view what you have recently listened to. Rounding out the homescreen are buttons for Artists, Albums, and Songs.  This app also features a very convenient homescreen widget that provides playback control and album art.

Winamp for Android allows you to create playlists within the app, and it also creates its own playlists for you based on what you listen to.  While playing a song, you can hit the back arrow to go from the song “now playing” screen back to the homescreen, then when you want to go back to the “now playing” screen, you can just drag it back up from the bottom.

Perhaps Winamp for Android’s coolest feature is the ability to sync your library via Wi-Fi. Using the latest version of Winamp for the desktop (Yes, they still make it!) You can go into the options and enable Wi-Fi sharing, and your phone will show up under the devices.  Just pair the device to your desktop and the files will immediately transfer to your phone.

So overall, I think Winamp for Android is definitely a good download choice. The thing I like most about it is the Wi-Fi sync. Sure, you can sync via Wi-Fi with DoubleTwist, but I think Winamp is a much better program, both on the device and the PC.  The only thing I would add to Winamp to make it a perfect DoubleTwist replacement is the option to listen to Internet Radio. I love me some Shoutcast!

The post Winamp resurfaces as an Android app appeared first on Mobile Magazine.