Facebook for webOS gets a much-needed, and much-appreciated, 1.1.0 update

After a disappointing initial effort , Palm has unleashed version 1.1.0 of its webOS Facebook app. Currently only available via the update function but not the standard App Catalog, users will find new and improved access to their inbox, all their friends’ photo albums, profiles, direct photo uploading, friend search and a list view for upcoming events and birthdays. The first thing we noticed was the initial news feed now matches the notification preferences set on the standard webpage stopping the inevitable flood of Farmville updates we blocked so long ago. Features still missing include chat, video and the ability to respond to friend requests but with a distinctly faster and tighter experience, it’s certainly surpassed the mobile webpage as the best way to access Facebook on the Pre. Can’t reach the update button right now?

Vodafone spicing up HTC Legend with 360 services

Vodafone 360 has yet to come to Android — but really, what’s stopping it? Though it initially launched on some custom Samsung dumbphones, the megacarrier’s cloud-ish social platform ended up spreading to the desktop and a couple of S60 devices, so there’s no good reason we couldn’t see it on smartphones across the whole range. Indeed, the company has now announced that the Legend will be loaded up with 360 services of some sort, but what’s really interesting is that the Desire won’t be, even though Vodafone will be carrying both models. It’s possible that HTC wants to leave its top-of-the-range model as virgin as it possibly can be, but at any rate, just remember this simple guide, folks: if you hate 360 but you’ve got to get in on HTC’s latest round of hotties, get the Desire; if you like it, get the Legend or prepare to live without it. Vodafone spicing up HTC Legend with 360 services originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:35:00 EST.

Nexus One’s multitouch confused more easily than Droid’s?

Thought all multitouch-capable displays were created equal? Think again — Android and Me has posted a rather fascinating (if not somewhat depressing) video showing a demo multitouch app created by a game developer who’d grown suspicious after running into all sorts of trouble getting the feature to work the way he wanted on the Nexus One . First up, the Droid handles the demo with aplomb — two thumbs are recognized smoothly and consistently. Next, though, the Nexus One gets confused after a while and starts registering presses at the wrong corners of the on-screen box formed by the placement of the thumbs

The Engadget app for BlackBerry gets updated to 1.0.1

Hey BlackBerry friends — we’ve got some news for you. The Engadget application (which is also available for the iPhone / iPod touch and webOS devices ) has gone and gotten itself a little update on RIM’s platform. It’s nothing crazy, but we’ve made some bug fixes, and more importantly, added support for 5.0 devices (Bold, Curve, and Tour)! The devs also thoughtfully included keyboard shortcuts (T, B, N, P, and the spacebar) in this version for your convenience. All you have to do to get your hands on this baby is point your phone’s browser to our download page , or if you’ve already got the app installed, it should prompt you for an update automatically next time you open it.

HTC is hiring…

“In this position, you will join HTC America, Inc. at one of its most exciting phases .” Note: The job was posted on February 10th — we just find the coincidence humorous. HTC is hiring… originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:56:00 EST.

Google responds to Apple’s HTC lawsuit: ‘We stand behind our Android operating system’

We were wondering when Google would have something to say about Apple’s patent lawsuit against HTC , since the majority of the claims appear to implicate Android itself , and while the knives aren’t out yet, we just got a short-but-sweet statement from a spokesperson: “We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it.” We’re quite curious to see whether this means Google will contribute money and/or manpower to HTC’s legal defense — we’d bet we’ll see some of Eric Schmidt’s crew at the table when this thing finally hits a courtroom. In related news, HTC ‘s posted up a short, more formal version of the statement we received yesterday , saying that it “believes that consumer choice is a key component to success in the smartphone industry,” and that it doesn’t think the suit “poses a short-term material impact to its business.” That makes sense, seeing as it’ll be weeks before HTC even files a response to the suit, and months — if not years — before it’s resolved.

Nokia and Alpine integrating handsets into cars, bringing Ovi Maps to your dashboard

What’s the one biggest hurdle to throwing out your dedicated GPS nav unit and going ahead with the free turn-by-turn navigation offered by your smartphone ? If your answer was that most phones don’t have the great big screens or easy installation systems of some satnav devices, look out, because Nokia’s about to shake up your world all over again. Alpine has just announced its partnership with the Finnish giant aimed at integrating Nokia handsets — complete with free Ovi Maps navigation — into car dashboard systems. Yes, that means you can use your superb six-amp speaker system to boom out music or voice nav instructions from the phone, as well as your in-dash 7-inch LCD for showing you the right way home. There’s further interaction with widgets keeping an eye on your fuel levels and engine condition, leading to location-based services such as the phone notifying you of the nearest and cheapest petrol station

Sony Ericsson’s eco-loving Naite now available from Sony Style

Following availability on Rogers by just a handful of days, Sony Ericsson is now talking up availability of the simple Naite candybar down south of the border — but it’s not through a carrier this time. Instead, you’ll need to stroll into your local Sony Style store (or order online) to get it unlocked and unsubsidized. Oftentimes that’s a brutal situation financially, but seeing how the Naite is a rather low-end device, these guys are charging just $159 for the privilege of using a device touting a case made of 50 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and an ultra-eco charger. It’s available right now — a good backup phone, perhaps? Sony Ericsson’s eco-loving Naite now available from Sony Style originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:49:00 EST.

Sony Ericsson’s eco-loving Naite now available from Sony Style

Following availability on Rogers by just a handful of days, Sony Ericsson is now talking up availability of the simple Naite candybar down south of the border — but it’s not through a carrier this time. Instead, you’ll need to stroll into your local Sony Style store (or order online) to get it unlocked and unsubsidized. Oftentimes that’s a brutal situation financially, but seeing how the Naite is a rather low-end device, these guys are charging just $159 for the privilege of using a device touting a case made of 50 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and an ultra-eco charger. It’s available right now — a good backup phone, perhaps?

Nokia 5230 Nuron excites the T-Mobile nervous system

The US will wake up to a fine howdy do from Nokia’s 5230 Nuron now that it’s officially announced for T-Mobile. The device first introduced by Nokia back in August will be available to middle America “in the coming weeks” on T-Mobile’s 3G network. And unlike yesterday’s wee C5 , Nuron features a reasonable 3.2-inch, 640 x 360 (nHD) touchscreen for your Ovi Store apps and free Ovi Maps with turn-by-turn navigation to dance upon.

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