As far as Leanback is concerned, this interface works via keyboard arrow keys, so you can’t use the mouse to control it, allowing the user to scroll through recommendations and feeds, plus categories and playback options. You’ll also access the search bar, while the videos will encompass the whole browser menu and will provide HD quality.

Navigation is responsive and as far as the new YouTube mobile site is concerned, the product comes with a more touch-friendly interface, incorporating ratings and favourites. Overall, the experience is speedier and you can check out both Leanback and the new mobile YouTube in action in the vids below:

[via Engadget]

The service includes almost 40 channels, appealing to the Romanians in the US, 10 of which are available for free. Till September 30, the monthly fee for PBX TV will be $5.99, but when the following 3 months are over, you’ll need to purchase credits, starting with a minimum fee of $10.

This product was initially available in Romania, 3 years ago and it was implemented by PBX Telecom SRL. Its local user base surpasses 165.000 clients and growing. Also, users get all kinds of new features like VOIP, skip forward when watching a movie (Video on Demand), enhanced video renderer support, mail/SMS invitations, DVD playback and HD streaming.

[via mobilissimo.ro]

The reason for Twitter not wanting third party ads is that they’ll spoil the user experience, as ad networks focus more on maximizing ad impressions and click through rates, rather than the user’s benefits.

Twitter reminded us on its official blog that it bears all the costs of supporting its network, while protecting users against spam and scaling the service.  Now let’s see how Apple will integrate the iAd platform in future iPhone Twitter clients…

[via Twitter Blog]

This cooperation makes Nokia the exclusive, global provider of Yahoo maps and navigation services, while integrating Ovi Maps across Yahoo products, under the “powered by Ovi branding”. Also, Yahoo will exclusively provide Nokia’s Ovi Mail and Ovi Chat services, under the “Ovi Mail/ Ovi Chat Powered by Yahoo!” branding.

ID federation between the services will also be available and co-branded services will take off in H2 2010, while internationally they’ll debut in 2011. Yesterday’s announcement took place at the NASDAQ in New York City, with Carol Bartz highlighting the importance of Nokia’s mapping technology and the fact that more handset makers will become Yahoo’s partners in the future.

[via techcrunch]

This link points towards a Trojan malware, that’s been spreading quite a lot recently. There’s speculation that this trojan might affect you even if you don’t click on the link, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Just perform a scan with your updated antivirus and you’re all set.

[via Ubergizmo]

Right now, Layar Reality Browser is used on more than 1.6 million mobile devices worldwide, so the market potential is huge. Payments will be done via the Layar Payment Platform, supporting multiple currencies and payment providers (PayPal among them).

The first companies that provided content for the store are Berlitz City Guide, eTicketapp for Disney World and Disneyland, Eyetours and UK sold prices. If you’re a publisher looking to make a buck, you should know that Layar takes a 40% cut.

[via intomobile]

Mobile TV isn’t popular in the US or Europe, well, not at the level it has reached in Asia. Qualcomm announced that it plans on launching the new feature in H2 2010, giving users more flexibility. Video recording allows the users to watch the favourite shows whenever and wherever. Service can be bought by day, instead of subscriptions that cost a bunch, for a dozen channels.

Interactive features will also be available thanks to the new service, allowing viewers to click on the screen for more info, or buy an advertised product.

[via Cellular News]

Once you spot a blue dot, you can tap on the “In Stock nearby” link close to it and you’ll be sent to the seller’s page. Here you’ll find out if the item is in stock or if it’s available in a limited amount. The same search mechanism will show how far the stores are from you, but only if you have the My Location option enabled.

Palm webOS, Android and iPhone users that reside in the US will simply need to visit Google.com in their mobile browsers and tap the “more” link, selecting “Shopping” afterwards for this service. Another way of doing this is to check out the “Shopping results” section in the Universal Search results.

[via googlemobile.blogspot.com]

Too bad that the service isn’t compatible with the contacts from Windows Live/Hotmail, but maybe we’ll see this feature as an update soon. The new version of My Phone also allows users to upload photos from the PC to the My Phone service, afterwards pushing them to the phone. Also, the software supports the use of WiFi  My Phone syncing, apparently a feat not present in the service till now.

Hopefully, in the future we’ll see Microsoft’ My Phone syncing contacts, calendar appointments and tasks with Windows Live equivalents, possibly with the aid of Windows Phone 7 new functions.

[via windowsphonethoughts]

This might be a follow-up to the acquisition of Quattro Wireless, bought by Apple in January for $275 million, as an answer to Google’s AdMob buyout (for $750 million). According to some reports, Apple also tried to bid for AdMob, but Google’s offer was better. Meanwhile, we learn that the Cupertino giant’s CFO, Peter Openheimer said that the Quattro buyout is a reason for developers to make money.

He emphasized the cashing in opportunity generated by free apps, that will probably include the “iAds” we’ll be seeing in April. It’s the first time that Apple tries to flirt with the advertising biz, although it had its shot to try this, by adding banner ads to the Sherlock search app launched 10 years ago.

Things are looking up for Apple, since they have a strong platform on their side, a well-selling device and a great App Store. Also, the technology on the iPhone is great for serving ads that suit the user’s needs, thanks to the GPS, geolocation and iTunes-collected user data, that’ll trigger precise local ads.

[via appleinsider]