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Dead phone walking: meet the UIQ-based Motorola ROKR E10
Sony Ericsson's Paris wasn't the only perfectly good handset to go down with the sinking UIQ ship, it seems. Remember that TEXEL from back in the day? Yeah, well, it's reemerged more than a year later -- a year too late, may we add -- supposedly branded the ROKR E10, which would fall in line with the company's recent ROKR branding. Looks like the thing has undergone a bit of a metamorphosis over the course of its development (as all phones do), but let's not spend too long analyzing it -- it's based on UIQ, after all, which means that very likely been thoroughly wiped clean of Moto's launch schedule. Doesn't look half bad, but then again, what would this have that the Sony Ericsson W950 didn't have three years ago?
UIQ out of money, liquidation imminent
The writing's been on the wall for most of 2008, but it's now very, very official: UIQ is dead. The company's parents are unwilling (and / or unable) to pump any additional money into the failing software outfit, and considering that S60 has inherited the throne within the Symbian Foundation, Sony Ericsson and Motorola have abandoned the platform, and all of its employees have been warned of impending layoffs, there's really nothing left for UIQ to do than sell off its assets piecemeal to the highest bidders. We'd still give our right arm for a shot at a Paris, and with this fire sale coming on at UIQ HQ, who knows -- we might just have that shot after all.Update: The bankruptcy filing is now official.[Via Esato]
Motorola abandoning Symbian, taking a breather to ramp up Android?
The rumor out of Spain (and a totally plausible rumor at that) is that Motorola's abandoning Symbian altogether to put most of its eggs in the Android basket. Moto never had a lot of stake in the Symbian game to begin with, and what little it did have was in the UIQ camp -- the camp being killed off in Symbian's transition to an open platform -- and what's more, the company has made no secret of its ambitions to become an Android powerhouse. The scary part of the rumor, though, is that Moto will go through one heck of a launch lull in 2009 so that it can get Android stuff into the marketplace in time for the '09 holiday season. Now, if that means we don't have to worry about any more V3 colors, more power to 'em -- but can Motorola really afford to go the better part of a year without any blockbuster phones at this point?[Via Engadget Spanish]Update: Michael Oryl of MobileBurn points out that co-CEO Sanjay Jha has already announced that Motorola doesn't intend to make new Symbian-based handsets -- but the company is still on the Symbian Foundation's board. This may indicate a desire to ditch the platform -- and the Foundation -- altogether.
Sony Ericsson's P10 (Paris) gets another hands-on, full-blown review
We know it's the season for giving and all, but you're probably ready to stop being handed all these postmortem looks at Sony Ericsson's P10 (Paris). The UIQ-based handset, which was inexplicably canned earlier this year, was recently acquired and handled by the SE lovers over at SEMC Blog. As with most everyone else that has been fortunate enough to play with this here slider, these critics also couldn't figure out why the firm didn't forge ahead with production. Of course, it could just be the sentimental factor making the phone feel a bit more awesome than it actually is, but even with a bit of bias taken into account, it still seems like a winner. Too bad the powers that be deemed it a loser. Check the read link if you're okay with one last shower of tears.
Sony Ericsson's Paris gets another postmortem tease
Love UIQ? Well, bless your heart; we're sorry for your recent loss. We're also sorry that you have to see this, the best picture gallery we've seen yet of Sony Ericsson's doomed Paris -- a phone that would've undoubtedly been the ultimate execution of UIQ and the very top model in the company's line (X1 possibly excepted, depending on your point of view) had it not been unceremoniously cut down before its prime. We take some comfort in knowing that enough prototypes made it out into the wild for high-quality pictures to show up, but for most of us, this is as close as we're ever going to get.[Via Slashphone]
Sony Ericsson's axed Paris gets video review: here's to what could've been
Sony Ericsson sure knows how to toy with the heartstrings -- 'course, one could argue that it's our own fault for delving beneath the surface and learning far too much about a handset that was never assured of a public release, but whatever. The Paris, or P5, or the one that got away has been reviewed in a two-part video series over at UIQ Blog, and while the handset used was indeed a prototype, it's pretty much the most finalized version anyone ever saw. We wouldn't dare spoil anything in case you just can't take anymore positive press about a phone you'll never be able to own, but those with hardened hearts can hit the read link and mash play (twice).[Via Boy Genius Report]
UIQ Technology puts entire staff on notice of dismissal
Ugh, this is just downright depressing no matter how you spin it. Sure, it's just the reality of business and all, but it's no fun to hear that 270 staffers will soon be looking for employment when UIQ Technology finishes climbing into the grave. After hacking 200 jobs in June and being coined "dead" by Sony Ericsson's Patrick Olson, All About Symbian has it that the company has put its remaining employees "on notice of dismissal." We're told that SE has agreed to "continue funding the company on a by month by month basis in order to allow it to investigate options for the future," but from the outside looking in, we'd say the outlook is bleak. Thankfully, it sounds like those affected will at least be assisted as they exit, but now would probably be an opportune time to shed a tear for UIQ as we knew it.
Symbian Foundation grabs a dozen more members, ARM / Huawei included
Just like your extended family, the Symbian Foundation just keeps growing. And growing. And growing. Merely a month and change after coaxing the likes of Sharp, Opera Software, South Korea's KTF, and UIQ to join the perpetually raging party, along comes word that a dozen more have confessed their allegiance. During the first day of the 2008 Symbian Smartphone Show, we were told that over fifty companies were now in support of the Foundation, including twelve newcomers; in no particular alphabetical order, they are ARM, CIeNET, Flander, FUJISOFT, Huawei, Inmote, InnoPath Software, Red Bend, Scalado, Symsource, TRANGO Virtual Processors and Visa. The outfits are all planning to band together in order to create "the world's most open platform for mobile devices" when operations begin in 1H 2009, but until then, everyone's just taking an extended vacation and heading to Fiji to "brainstorm."[Via Mobileburn]
Sony Ericsson says UIQ is teh sux, probably doesn't bode well for platform's future
As part of its coverage of the Symbian Smartphone Show going down right now in London, All About Symbian is reporting that Sony Ericsson's Patrick Olson has declared UIQ "dead." Seeing how SE has always been UIQ's biggest proponent in the face of the much larger, much more influential S60, those are harsh, biting words that probably spell doom for the platform -- especially in light of the recent layoffs and integration with the Symbian Foundation as they push toward a single, unified Symbian stack. For what it's worth, there's no indication that Moto has given up on it, having just recently released the UIQ-powered Z10, but since when can Moto singlehandedly save a platform -- especially when they refuse to release the devices globally?[Via GSMArena]
Digia @Web goes gold, UIQ gets serious browsing power
As smartphone platforms go, UIQ is a pretty underserved one; it just doesn't command enough of a following (by either manufacturers or end users) to justify boatloads of serious third-party development. That's why we're especially delighted to see that Digia's @Web, a Webkit-based browser with touch control and desktop-grade rendering capabilities, has emerged from beta and gone live. The full version's not a free download -- you'll pay 8 (about $11) for the privilege, in fact -- but for diehard UIQers looking for a way to rock the interwebs, this is probably the ticket. [Thanks, All About Symbian]
SlingPlayer for UIQ devices finally sees the light
SlingPlayer Mobile's not a new thing, that is, unless you're running with a UIQ handset. Sling media have been teasing with this for what seems like ages and finally clients for Sony Ericsson's W960i, P1i, P990i, and G900i -- only via WiFi for that one -- have surfaced and can be grabbed now. Of course, that's not to say it won't work on whatever else you're using and seeing as they're offering a free trial, why not give it a whirl? Oh, and we'd love, and I'm sure your fellow readers would love to hear how you make out with whatever device, so do let us know.
SlingPlayer Mobile now UIQ-friendly, Windows version hits 2.0 beta
In case you haven't noticed, today's a pretty big day for Sling Media. Not monumentally large or anything, but decently sized, we reckon. Of course, if you're a placeshifter and a UIQ user, you may disagree vehemently. Announced today, said company has unveiled a SlingPlayer Mobile version compatible with the UIQ interface on Symbian OS phones from Motorola and Sony Ericsson. For those out of the loop, said app will give Slingbox users the ability to "watch and control their home TV from a network-connected mobile phone." In related news, the freshest SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 has launched as a public beta, and with it comes a live video buffer, "The Guide," SlingRemote and a bevy of different viewing modes. Take advantage of that broadband connection while you still can -- get to downloadin'![Via SlingCommunity]Read - SlingPlayer Mobile for UIQRead - SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 public beta
Symbian Foundation nabs Opera, KTF... UIQ?
The Symbian Foundation has definitely managed to quickly reach a quorum in the few months since its inception, and the group has just announced yet another round of heavyweights to have thrown their support behind the effort. This time around, Sharp, Opera Software, South Korea's KTF, and UIQ are among nine new firms to throw their hats into the ring (in other words, if the Windows Mobile and Android camps aren't paying attention yet, they probably ought to be). UIQ might be the surprise here, considering that S60's perpetual second fiddle had already made moves to get ready for the Foundation's activities -- but whatever, good to hear that they're officially on board now.
Mark/Space offers up Missing Sync for Symbian
Just over a month after surfacing in Preview form, Mark/Space has loosed the finalized version of The Missing Sync for Symbian on the world. Yes, Mac lovers, this means you can now get your beloved computer to play nice with your Sony Ericsson, Motorola or Nokia-based S60 / UIQ handset. There's even a swank Proximity Syncing feature that enables your mobile and Mac to exchange hellos (and sync, obviously) whenever they are within Bluetooth (around 30-feet) range. The download is available now for $39.95, while packs with more licenses are available for $169.79 and up. Who's game to give it a go and confess whether or not it was worth the coin?[Via TUAW]
Mark/Space ships Missing Sync for Symbian
Mac sync software developer Mark/Space has announced the release of The Missing Sync for Symbian. Designed to sync Mac apps to Symbian S60 and UIQ smartphones, the new $39.95 product (electronic download) has a unique feature -- Proximity Syncing. When your Mac and Symbian phone are within Bluetooth range (about 30 feet / 10 meters), they automatically sync to insure that both are up-to-date.The Missing Sync for Symbian syncs personal information such as contacts, calendar tasks, and events, and also uses proprietary Call Log and SMS applications to move the phone's call log and text messages to the Mac. Video, photo, music, and document files can also be synced. If you think that the iPhone is the only smartphone on the market, it's important to realize that well over 100 million Symbian-based phones have been sold worldwide, with Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola being the biggest vendors. As a result, the Missing Sync for Symbian is available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish versions.In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the help system for this application under contract to Mark/Space.
Digia @Web outed in beta form
Get your browsin' finger in championship condition, because it's about that time -- if UIQ's your weapon of choice, anyhow. The first beta of Digia's @Web finger-controlled browser for UIQ handsets has now been delivered as promised, though free registration is required on the company's site to get hooked up. If you have a chance to check it, do let us know how it goes, won't you?[Via All About Symbian]
Creation of Symbian Foundation means heads will roll: UIQ slashes 200 jobs
Though the creation of the Symbian Foundation will likely ultimately come to benefit and unify the platform's various flavors, one terribly unpleasant side effect of the action in the short term is the positional redundancy created as S60, UIQ, and other units become virtual roommates. Some of the first casualties of the merger come from UIQ, which has announced a total of 200 layoffs -- over half of its 375-strong staff. UIQ has never garnered quite the attention of its S60 sibling, and we wouldn't be surprised if the group were to end up being hardest-hit of the Foundation's puzzle pieces. Ironically, beleaguered Motorola is a stakeholder in UIQ at the moment; as the parent goes, so goes the child, it seems.[Via All About Symbian]
Sony Ericsson deep-sixes Paris and G702?
Yeah, the just-announced C905 plugs a gaping hole in the high end, but Sony Ericsson's in desperate need of as many smartphones as it can get its hands on right now -- and a smartphone is one thing the C905 is not. The flagship P1i isn't getting any younger, neither the G700 nor G900 are inspiring a lot of emotion, and the M610i (which wasn't particularly fascinating to begin with) was canceled before it ever hit the market. Could the Paris -- or P5, or P10, or whatever it's called -- and the G702 BeiBei have met the same fate? That's what the Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog is claiming, suggesting that intense criticism from sites that got early peeks at the devices let to their untimely demise while leaving the window open for a possible limited release in Asia (not unlike the Motorola MPx, if our memories serve us correctly). The way we see it, Sony Ericsson's just a little too oblivious to be that responsive to the user community (case in point: M2 cards), so we're more keen to chalk it up to technical glitches or a homegrown realization that the devices just weren't what the market needed. By the same token, it seems like they can't afford to throw these efforts out the door altogether; it'd put them hopelessly far behind the competition in the smartphone arena, so hopefully they're just retooling and learning some lessons as they go.
Mark/Space offers up Missing Sync beta for S60 / UIQ devices
Mark/Space's Missing Sync -- an OS X lovers best friend -- has just loosed the Symbian Public Preview for all who dare to download. Currently, the build stands at v1.0.0 (028 Preview), which suggests that there are quite a few bugs just waiting to be discovered. Still, those handling S60 / UIQ-based mobiles can certainly give it a go and see just how effective it is at syncing information between your Mac and that beloved handset. Chime in below with any overly dramatic success / failure stories.[Via AllAboutSymbian]
Digia @Web brings finger-controlled web browsing to UIQ
If there are two words that are music to the ears of anyone looking to browse websites effectively on their phone, they've gotta be "WebKit" and "finger control." S60 Touch is moving Nokia squarely in that direction, and the other half of the Symbian puzzle, UIQ, is getting some love now as well. Digia is preparing its @Web browser, which claims to allow effective finger-based control of its WebKit-based browser -- though we're not lighting the fireworks and popping the champagne just yet since the effectiveness of finger control varies widely from implementation to implementation, and @Web's public beta won't be ready until some time later this month. Stay tuned, G900 owners (and G702 hopefuls).[Via PHONE Magazine]
