Trapster knows where the Speed Traps are

I've always had an idea where I thought if a device maker would combine a GPS Unit+Radar Detector+Internet then it would be the most awesome device ever created. I had visions of this device to be able to provide a visual update of speed traps based on the built-in laser/radar detector and instantly upload and download this information to confirm/share with other users). I can go on with the concept but it would take an entire post so I'll spare you with the rest.

Until this visionary device comes along, I have found an interesting little app called Trapster which looks to be available across just about every mobile OS (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, WinMo, WebOS, Symbian, etc...) that is dubbed as the "Speed Trap Sharing System". The app is a marriage of your standard social-based application that encourages people in the network to share the latest spotting of traffic police spots, speed cams and various other roadway information. Based on the various settings and filters available, users can customize alerts and sounds to notify you as you reached certain types of speed trapes. This alert can even be delievered via iPhone's push notification feature which doesn't even require you to run the app.

Apparently, this app has gotten strong buzz and some sheriff's office are even working with Trapster in an attempt to slow motorist down. While we don't condone speeding and reckless driving from this blog, the concept of this application is really interesting; it is one of those apps that will work really well if it can create a massive user community to help maintain it; or it would not work at all.

Palm OS Apps 50% Off

Those of you still using the classic Palm OS on your Treos, Handmark has a little treat for you. Take 50% off on Palm OS applications and games when you use promo code palm50 at checkout. You can buy your apps with this 50% off offer at Handmark.com or PocketExpress.com.

Top Accessories for your Palm Pre

The market for 3rd party accessories is still a bit early for the Palm Pre ($199 from Amazon), below is a guide of some of the hottest accessories for your hot new smartphone available today; with these accessories, you'll be rocking the Palm Pre in style.

1. Touchstone Charger: This requires both the charging dock as well as a new back cover for your Palm Pre which can be purchased together or separately. This nifty little charging solution is wirelessly, simply by laying your Pre on top of the Touchstone dock and watch it magically charge your favorite smartphone back alive. Palm's website sells them in two variations: Touchstone Charging Kit ($69) includes both the dock and the backcover whereas the Touchstone Charging Expansion Kit ($79) includes dock, backcover and international power adaptor.

The best prices I've found was on Amazon which has the Touchstone Dock for $39 and the Touchstone backcover for $23, both are elgible for free shipping after $25. Check out this review for more info.

2. Leather Slip Case for Pre by Palm, with a slider phone, its going to be tough to find a case, therefore I would recommend this beautiful leather case designed and made by Palm. This leather case uses top quality leather with a contrasting cross stitching for a sporty look. Street price is about $40, but I found it on Amazon for a bit less at $25 w/ free shipping. If you are more active, you might want to consider this alternative side case with a cover for added protection.

3. USB Auto Charger, for those driving to and back from work, this is probably your best friend. Since the Pre can be charged via USB, I would pick up any reputable USB car charger at your disposal, such as this one from Kensington for merely $14. I would recommend to pack an extra Palm Pre USB cable with you in your vehicle for convenience.

4. Altec Lansing Backbeat Titanium Headphones - Since your Palm Pre comes with a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack (which is, a feature often missing from other smartphones), take advantage of it by pairing it up with a good set of stereo headphones. Few of my pals are loving this premium stereo headphones by Altec Lansing (UHP326). It features ample noise blockage with strong bass and sharp highs. MSRP is $70 but you can often find them for half as much online.

5. Aliph Jawbone II Bluetooth Headset for all of your wireless communication needs. This industrial looking headset features a light weight design and famous Noise Assasin technology. Get it for cheaper in the bulk package for only $54 shipped here (MSRP: $99)

Palm Pre 3rd Party Apps Folks Staying Busy!

Palm Pre has been out and about for less than 2 months and there are already two ways you can download and install 3rd party applications right onto your device (hint: unsanctioned by Palm). Method 1 is more traditional which requires you to download an application to your PC, Mac or Linux desktop for a drag and drop install onto your Pre; method 2 goes as far as a straight download and install right from your handset. This reminds me of the days when jailbroken 3rd party apps were the hottness on the iPhone community. More info here.

Source: Engadget

Get your Palm Pre Default Ringtone Here!

Actually not here, but the folks at Palm Pre Blog has the location for you to download the default ringtone for the popular new Palm Pre. The file is 1.2MB in size and comes in the form of MP3. It'd be funny to use this ringtone on your G1 or iPhone... Palm fanboys may be ticked off... :)

Original Post by Palm Pre Blog

iPhone 3Gs Price Ridiculous for Current 3G Customers

Crunch Gear reported a piece of news that I've been eager to know. What does an existing iPhone 3G customer has to pay to get an upgrade to the new iPhone 3Gs? Try $500 for 32GB and $400 for 16GB. Ouch! This is something I never fully understood. I get the fact that they would give a big incentive for a new customer acquisition; but what good does it do if you can't ever retain existing customers. In a market this competitive, I find more reasons to consider the Palm Pre after my contract is up; since I'll be a new customer there, they'll treat me with a much better lucrative offer.

I also understand that in this business, hardware makers and carriers are losing money upfront to signup for a new customer, thats why I have a proposal: similar to early contract termination, the early equipment discount should also be pro-rated offering most discount to longer term customers. In this schema, they would drop the iPhone 3GS price as the customers reaches closer to the end of their 2-year contract; maybe something like $199 (for 16GB 3GS) on the 23rd month while adding $10 more for each preceding month (ie. $209 on the 22nd month, $219 on the 21st month of contractual term...); this will back the phone into $439 right after someone had upgraded their plan at month one.

Sprint Sets Sales Record With Weekend Debut of Palm Pre

Within hours of offering Palm Pre eager customers delivered the result: a record Sprint sales debut. By late Sunday, Palm Pre had broken previous sales records (first day and first weekend) for a Sprint device.Pre comes with Sprint’s industry-leading, value-oriented service plans, which offer significant savings vs. the competition. For example, Sprint’s Simply Everything plan saves customers

Weekend Catchup

Wow, I stepped away for a weekend getaway in Miami and comeback to a boat load of mobile updates:

* Palm Pre sales from first weekend is doin' alright!
* Apple iPhone 3GS announced (basically just a bit faster and bigger all around, nothing crazy)
* No more MacBooks, all Uni-body design are MacBook Pro. Prices for most are dropping (including Air)
* Nokia dropping the bomb on us, making the N97 available tomorrow (6/9/09)in NY and Chi town flagship store

Final thought: for those who didn't listen to me and bought those refurbished iPhone 3G units, you should have waited, these things are going for $99 brand new now for the 8GB model.

Video: Walt Mossberg Compares Palm Pre against the iPhone

There is huge anticipation of Palm Pre scheduled for release on June 6. The Palm Pre is expected to be a major competition of the Apple iPod; however, one major difference is that the Palm Pre doesn't have access to an App Store as stated in video to the right by Walt Mossberg.Palm Pre will be available nationwide on June 6 in Sprint stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, select Wal-Mart stores and

BillShrink.com Compares iPhone vs Pre Cost of Ownership

By this point, anyone interested in the Palm Pre probably has already made up their mind regardless of competition. For the few that are on the fence between the Palm Pre or the existing iPhone 3G (current AT&T pricing), BillShrink.com is here to help you out.

Simply configure your current voice-data-sms-lines or anticipated usage and let BillShrink.com figure out which plan is more economical for you. If you ask me, all data plans are too expensive. Lets bring 'em all down to $15 unlimited data then we'll talk.

Sprint Announces Pricing and Availability of the Palm Pre Smartphone

Sprint today announced pricing and nationwide availability for the Palm Pre phone, offered exclusively from Sprint. Palm Pre will be available nationwide on June 6 in Sprint stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, select Wal-Mart stores and online at Sprint.com for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. Running on the new Palm webOS mobile platform, Pre brings together

What do you want in the next iPhone?

With Palm Pre to be released just two days prior to the WWDC conference, many have suggested some rumored features of the new iPhone, 3rd generation. Apple's historical record has never failed us, I have to imagine Apple is planning something big in anticipation of the Palm Pre. I would personally like to shoot for the stars and hope for the following features:

* Front Camera w/ Video Conference support; carrier, Skype or Gtalk Video
* Improved CPU, RAM and GPU to handle even more powerful applications
* OLED display with higher resolution
* Larger and longer battery life; imroved battery efficiency
* Make the top and bottom strip solar panels to either charge, maintain or prolong battery life
* 5MP camera w/ Xenon Flash and Video Recording
* 32GB Storage
* MicroSDHC Slot

What do you think of the likelihood? Vote on my survey to the right of the page.

Update: Apple rumor mill is churning fast, a rumored release date of 7/17/09 for the next gen iPhone(III) is now making rounds.

Palm Pre, $200 AR, Yours on June 6th, 2009

For those of your thirsty for the new Palm Web OS, you will only have to salavate for 18 more days as Palm Pre will be released on Saturaday June 6th, 2009. Bring $300 to your local Best Buy, Walmart, RadioShack or obviously, Sprint Store and expect a $100 rebate when you signup with their qualified data plans.

Some notes to self:

* $200 AR price is very competitive to the best of breed (8GB iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Storm, etc.)
* Launching 2 days prior to Apple's WWDC conference, where a potential new iPhone may be out
* Palm and Sprint must have worked like crazy to make the June deadline but I think it would have been more effective if they could have launched this in April/May
* Personally, I'd hold out two more days to see what Apple has up in their sleeves, last thing I need is because I couldn't hold out 48 hours and committed to an inferior smartphone

Rumor: Next Palm WebOS Device Called Palm EOS

While Palm Pre CDMA is available soon by May or June, a new Palm WebOS is leaked, which will be released for AT&T network in US. Unlike the Palm Pre, the GSM Palm EOS is like the traditional Treo design. It has a QWERTY keyboard below the touch screen but is much slimmer than the Treo smartphone series. According to the source from Engadget, the Palm EOS has a codename Castlen and is actually the

New Live Pics of Palm Pre

Some new live photos of the upcoming Palm Pre have surfaced online today, showing off the device in all its glory. Pre fans will defenitely be pleased. :) All are 100% real.http://www.everythingpre.com/articles/2009/4/23/palm-pre-in-the-wild-youtube-app/

Rumor: Palm Pre Arriving On Either May 17th or June 29th

While the actual Palm Pre release date is remain unknown, phonenews has got some clues on the possible dates that Palm Pre will be available at retail stores. Sprint is said to have sent out internal memos to its staff, putting a vacation freeze for both May and June.If Sprint could receive its Palm Pre shipment by early May, the company is planning to launch the Palm Pre on May 17th according to

Rumor: Palm Pre to be Available by April 30th?

It’s far from an official word, but then again, everybody is using Twitter nowadays. A Twitter conversation from Jim Van, CEO of Logicomm, indicates that someone (probably from Sprint) said that the Palm Pre will be released on 4/30. Of course, there isn’t any concrete evidence of this just yet, but considering that it’s not that far off, we’re hoping it’s true. In case you didn’t notice it in