Pocket Picks :: The coolest things for the coolest phones

Here’s a quick round-up of some of the latest iPhone-related stories on the web right now:

AppleInsider has picked up a DigiTimes story that Apple is asking Samsung to supply around 10 to 15% more 4GB flash memory NAND chips this year than previous requested - some 400 to 500 million pieces. As well as the iPhone, the next full-size iPod (which is based on the iPhone interface) is rumoured to use all-flash memory, meaning that Apple will need all the NAND it can get its hands on this year.

Meanwhile, ahead of the widescreen iPhone hitting Europe, Loop Rumors reports that Apple is planning to finally start selling movies through iTunes in the territory, something which has been long overdue happening.

MacRumors notes that Apple has also notified its music partners that they will be able to join EMI in selling DRM-free music over iTunes from next month. Is the music DRM dam about to burst?

Lastly, MacRumors also picks up on an Arstechnica interview with Dan Glickman of the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), who is opening up to the idea of allowing we punters to legally rip our DVDs to use on iPods, iPhones and other devices - so long as some kind of DRM system is retained - which is just confusing and pointless, we say.

LG is clearly not resting on its laurels after the success of its svelte Prada handset, as these recently un-earthed patent applications show. First of the two interesting ideas (marked here with ‘A’) is a twin touch-screen interface (a little like the recent Pantech twin-screener), which can be used either as independent or inter-related screens - similar to the Nintendo DS games console.

Perhaps more exciting is LG’s concept for a moving icon interface (’B'), where fish are used as a visual metaphor for the idea that icons can react to your input on screen. Tapping a new SMS, for instance, could cause a fish to swim over and ’swallow’ it, spawning a range of new fish-shaped options. Click below to see the full range of patent drawings.

Continue reading ‘LG’s cool new touch-screen patents’

We’re sad to report the story of one Andy Wilson, owner of Chatterbox phones in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who was recently attacked with an 8″ kitchen knife in an attempted robbery. A man in his 20s had entered Wilson’s shop earlier in the day, asking to see a ‘Nokia NG’. He returned later with the knife and carried out his attack.

Wilson, thankfully, survived the attack - despite losing a large amount of blood - and was able to give the police an accurate description of his attacker. The police have now detained a man fitting the description and charged him with attempted robbery.

We’re guessing that Wilson’s attacker was hoping to steal a Nokia N95, or similar, which goes to show how hot the Nseries has become. We don’t want to add to the 21st Century’s media paranoia but care out there when you’re using your shiny new handsets.

(Via Mobile Today)

The Esato forums, source of the recent Sony Ericsson P700i leak, have been updated with the information that up to five new SE phones are going to be announced on 8th May. Possible appearances are said to include a ‘W999′ (shown here, left) and a ‘S500′ (that would be the other one). Notable is the shift to a black/ silver/ green colour combo for both handsets.

The ‘S’ tag is rumoured to make an appearance for a new range of slider phones, starting with this S500. The five handsets thought to include a high-end Walkman, a couple of business-oriented phones, plus a lower-end device. We’ll be here a week-on-Tuesday to let you know how accurate the Esato guesses turn out to be.