Clear video of PlayStation Phone surfaces online

Last weekend the grainy images of Sony Ericsson's PlayStation Phone surfaced on the web. Then two days ago, we reported about Sony Ericsson's much buzzed about PlayStation Phone was captured in a spy video. And now Engadget's Paul Miller spotted a video showing clear image of the PlayStation phone running Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread update. Apparently, Engadget is lucky in getting early scoops on the PlayStation Phone.

A user with YouTube user name xxmajstor uploaded video of his brief encounter with PlayStation Phone running Gingerbread update. Looks like Sony was working on PlayStation Network integration with the Android just like Microsoft Xbox LIVE is integrated in Windows Phone 7 operating system. PlayStation Phone has PlayStation App with a joystick button just like the one that appears on Sony PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles. From the video I still can't figure out whether its PlayStation Store connecting App or proper PlayStation integration. 

So finally following are the confirmed details:

- OS: Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread

- Model Name: Zeus

- Gaming: PlayStation Integration

- PSPgo like controls with a touchpad and two shoulder buttons

- PlayStation App has three tabs out of which two are All and Recently Played.

Watch two videos of the PlayStation Phone being checked out briefly. Screen looks glossy and bright but can't figure out if it's Super LCD or AMOLED display.

Now we eagerly wait for the Sony Ericsson France's CEO Pierre Peron's presentation on Dec 9. That will make things clear what exactly the PlayStation App will contain. 

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Samsung Wave S8500 Now a Collector's Trophy?

At the end of September this year, it was reported that Samsung is running out of those ultra-cheerful Super AMOLED displays they had dazzled us with in the Samsung Wave. The Wave was Sammy's first phone to sport their Bada Operating System, and with the kind of features and performance it gave, it was surprising how the phone was sold at a reasonable Rs. 17,500. So, the buzz was that Samsung was running short of Super AMOLED displays - and we wouldn't really be skeptical of that. The variety of Samsung Galaxy S branded phones which have that type of displays have already sold over 3 million in the US itself. Second, all the Windows Phone 7 based offerings from Samsung will also have Super AMOLEDs on them. Lastly, and take this with a pinch of salt, Apple is purchasing Super AMOLED displays to put in their devices next year. 

Whatever the reason maybe, the effects are definitely showing. The Samsung Wave is nowhere to be seen on retail in India. We have been hearing from many people that they're not able to find one offline. While, a quick online search at popular resellers also suggests the same - it'll all out of stock. No wonder Samsung announced the Wave II just three months after the first one started selling. This one has the exact same feature set to the original, except for one change. The 3.3 inch Super AMOLED is now replaced with a Super-LCD panel. As a consolation, the screen size is bumped up to 3.7 inches. 

Now this is where the plot thickens. Mobile-review.com got hold of a Wave II and they compared it with a Super AMOLED-laden Galaxy S as well as a regular AMOLED based Nokia N8. I don't know about you, but to me the S-LCD display seems to be more vivid and bright than the latter two. Let's hope they have been entirely unbiased while they clicked those images. This makes me wonder, is the S-LCD on the Wave II not going to make you regret Samsung's inability to deliver on the Super AMOLED displays?

What ever the case, one thing seems to be sure - the original Wave S8500 headed for its grave too early. Converting the announced European price tag of the Wave II, it came up to Rs. 26,160. That's heck more expensive than the first one. I'll end with this - Samsung had given us a multi-media powerhouse that no other phone under Rs. 20,000 could match, and it makes me sad that it doesn't exist anymore. 

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Apple Sued for Updates making Phones Unusable

Every time Apple releases a major iOS update, older iPhone and iPod touch owners get disappointed. One such disgruntled person - Bianca Wofford from San Diego has filed a class action lawsuit against Apple for false advertising, unfair and deceptive business practices by encouraging iPhone 3G users to download iOS 4. Apparently, Wofford stated in the suit that the iOS 4 software update "rendered the iPhone 3G devices virtually unusable, constantly slowed, crashed or frozen".

Apple had released iOS 4.0 software udpate back in June and stated that a few new features like multi-tasking won t work on iPhone 3G. Wofford's lawyers wrote in the lawsuit (PDF) - "The true fact of the matter is that the iOS 4 is a substantial 'downgrade' for earlier iPhone devices and renders many of them virtually useless iBricks."

Wofford contended that not allowing iPhone 3G downgrade from iOS 4 to iOS 3.x was Apple's attempt to willfully manipulated consumers into purchasing the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4. And due to the iOS 4 update, Wofford claimed that her iPhone 3G had gone from 99 percent reliability to "about 20 percent functionality".

Back in July, an Apple spokeswoman had acknowledged that the company was aware of the lag in performance of iPhone 3G post iOS 4 update and would be working on a fix. At the September 4 event keynote, Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted that the bug that lead to poor performance of iPhone 3G with iOS 4.0 would be solved in the iOS 4.1 firmware which was released on September 8.

The complaint filed in San Diego County requires an approval from a judge to gain class action status. Wofford, in the complaint, stated, "Apple has falsely, intentionally and repeatedly represented to owners and consumers of the iPhone 3G that its new operating system for the device, iOS4, was of a nature, quality, and a significant upgrade for the functionality of all iPhone devices, when in fact, the installation and use of the iOS4 on iPhone 3G resulted in the opposite - a device with little more use than that of a paperweight."

Apple iOS 3.0 update totally left out iPhone first generation and left many dissatisfied. Users who updated their iPhone 3G phones with iOS 4.0 weren't happy with the performance. The iOS 4.2 update is due later in this month and it better improve the performance of the iPhone 3G.

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Now, Use Your Phone Once Your Plane Lands

The country's air safety regulator, The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a fresh directive allowing passengers to use their mobile phones after the plane has landed, provided it's clear of any active runway.

The statement by the regulatory authority reads, "The DGCA has amended the Rule 29B of Aircraft Rules to provide for the use of the cellular phones by passengers after the aircraft has landed and cleared the active runway, except in cases when low visibility conditions exist at the airport."

This essentially means mobile phone usage is acceptable when the aircraft's dependence on electronic aids is non critical; that is post landing and in clear visibility conditions. This is a prudent move on DGCA's part, because the sole purpose of the ban was to prevent any cell phone interference with critical electronic components and guidance systems within the planes. The new operating procedure should be in place before October 22.

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