Apple recently decided not to approve Google’s Voice application, citing the application altered the main functions of the iPhone.
Today, Google has released an enhanced mobile version of Voice at http://m.google.com/voice, which is powered by HTML5 that now brings new premium features to the iPhone.
Most people who use Google Voice want to use it to consolidate all their telephone numbers into one primary one. One of the best features is now the ability to set your outgoing calling number to your Google Voice number on your iPhone. It will now be easier for your friends to adopt your Google Voice number, as they’ll always see your Google Voice number. You can also send and receive free text messages from Google Voice.
We’ve seen a lot of things happen in 2009, some things were expected, some were not, some were shocking, and some were simply never seen or heard of before.
From the biggest Ponzi scheme ever seen in U.S. history, to the global financial credit crisis, to historic health care reform championed by the first black President of the United States.
A lot has happened in 2009, and we’ve compiled it all up for you with the top 8 topics of the entire year.
1. The Global Financial Crisis
With the near collapse of the global credit market, and unprecedented actions being taken by global leaders to stave off a global economic meltdown, the financial crisis was plastered in the media almost every day and even became a primary presidential voting issue, thereby making it the story of 2009. With billions provided in emergency bailout loans to financial intermediaries, Wall Street was still paying millions in bonuses with outstanding government loans, while millions of Americans faced forclosurer and high unemployment rates. The Obama administration later moved to block $165-million in AIG bonuses alone and later blocked bonuses from being paid while the financial intermediaries had outstanding government debt. Warren Buffet’s company Berkshire Hathaway even reported its biggest loss ever (only its second loss in its history). There were also opportunities for firms to act on, such as Disney who acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4B. Despite households losing significant amounts of money primairly from their positions in risky equity positions, some did profit (though not for too long)…Bearnie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison following a conviction for operating the biggest Ponzi scheme ever seen in U.S. history that saw $50 billion defrauded from investors.
The update brings in many enhancements to existing features, along with new features to the device.
New features include the ability to backup your browser bookmarks, enhanced email search, JPG, PNG, BMP image format support, the ability to purchase MP3s from Amazon, browser file downloading, enhanced calendar with tighter map integration, send contact option among many other enhancements.
The wait is almost over for Canadians looking at picking up Palm’s much-anticipated Palm Pre smartphone.
The phone will launch on Thursday, August 27, 2009 and will cost $199.95 with a 3-year contract, or $599.95 without a term. A 500MB minimum monthly data plan will be required with your purchase.
Net Applications has released figures relating to mobile browser market share for February 2009. Apple’s iPhone, which accounts for about 0.5% of all cell phones, holds 66.61% mobile browser market share according to the findings, with its closest competitor Java ME (such as Blackberry handsets) at only 9.06% The actual results will likely begin to change as Microsoft rolls out its highly upgraded Internet Explorer browser and as Palm rolls out its Palm Pre with a revamped browser. Mozilla is also preparing to launch its own mobile internet browser dubbed Fennec. Interestingly, the Mac OS in February 2009 held 9.71% of the total computer operating system market share, down from 9.93% a month earlier in January 2009. The iPhone also generates 51% of all current U.S. mobile internet browsing traffic.
Update 1: You can now watch the full Palm CES keynote here.
Update 2: In an interview with Palm CEO Ed Colligan, he apparently mentioned to IDG that Palm will release the GSM version of the Palm Pre powered phone in the first half of 2009 along with the CDMA Sprint version.
I firstly reported on Dec 15 2008 that Palm was set to unveil its new OS at CES. Palm has in fact done just that. Check out the video of the new and seemingly impressive new Palm Pre OS below. No price or availability information was released. It is expected the first Palm Pre powered device will launch first in the U.S., likely on Sprint, for about $400 on a contract, or about $550 unlocked.The Palm stock was up almost 50% following the news. More Videos at YouTube
See here for more screenshots of the new Palm Pre WebOS
Handheld computer maker Palm has announced a $100 million investment from its largest equity provider Elevation Partners who owns at least 25% of the company. The funds will be used to expand Palm’s new upcoming operating system and operations. Palm is expected to unveil its new mobile OS at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which runs near the end of Jan 2009. Palm continues to struggle with sales as competition stiffens from Blackberry and the iPhone. Palm will also unveil its own App Store, Read the full story
Since 2008, with over 700 articles, the Business 2.0 Press has been publishing unique business news, tech news and analysis of your favorite tech firms and top financial intermediaries straight from Bay and Wall streets. Learn more
With the near collapse of the global credit market, and unprecedented actions being taken by global leaders to stave off a global economic meltdown, the financial crisis was plastered in the media almost every day and even became a primary presidential voting issue, thereby making it the story of 2009. With billions provided in emergency bailout loans to financial intermediaries, Wall Street was still paying millions in bonuses with outstanding government loans, while millions of Americans faced forclosurer and high unemployment rates. The Obama administration later moved to 
Handheld computer maker Palm has announced a $100 million investment from its largest equity provider Elevation Partners who owns at least 25% of the company. The funds will be used to expand Palm’s new upcoming operating system and operations. Palm is expected to unveil its new mobile OS at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which runs near the end of Jan 2009. Palm continues to struggle with sales as competition stiffens from Blackberry and the iPhone. Palm will also unveil its own App Store, 
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