GPRS networking

Steve Jobs to be interviewed at the legal D conference... plus we'll be as to hand live

2010-06-01T02:59:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, simply in case you did no longer be familiar with, readily available could be the crazy birthday party happening in the week out on the West Coast... a little bit something referred to though D: Each one Situations Digital. D (or D8 about that period around) is a lovely wild schmoozefest, where the cream up of the crop hobnob plus industry secrets -- less than it is also a place where serious news occasionally happens. One of the people speaking at the development (besides Steve Ballmer, Mark Zuckerberg, and a slew of alternative major players) is a gentleman who is going by the brand name of Steve Jobs (he works at Apple). We're thinking he would possibly be afflicted by something reasonably attention-grabbing to assert, and if you didn't find yourself along allowing for a seat at the conference, which could be o.k -- we'll be there to bring you the inside track because it happens.
Things kick off around 6PM PT tomorrow (that's June 1st), thus check out our liveblog landing page right these for the major event. Note: We tend to is sufficient to be able to -- of course -- be doing measure coverage of alternative massive names at the event, which included Steve Ballmer (you can be told our encounter with him or her go back on year over here). Remain tuned for announcements!

Olympus dishes silver PEN E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera

2010-05-09T11:24:00.001-07:00

The iPhone Movies Video converter is a nice movie encoder which supports converting AVI recordsdata to apple iphone. The avi to psp
may also put Mp3, Wav, Wav, MPG, Realmedia (RM, RMVB), AVI (Mp3, XviD), ASF, Mov on your iPhone. Appear, we tend to tend to be no longer asserting Olympus' original all-black PEN E-P2 had no out from date whatsoever in its blood, less than you will be hard-pressed to convince us which about that added recent, silver-er model does not suffer from an entire heap more. Almost six months once the (admittedly overpriced) Micro Four Thirds camera were given pushed through the ringer, Olympus possesses decided that the global desires a minute colour option, though outdoor of the hue, as to hand could be no difference whatsoever between the two models. It will ship later this month in Europe for a still-lofty €799 ($1,016), but a minimum of that scores you a M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.Six lens! Ah, who are we kidding -- that removes precisely zero pain from the sticker shock.

Vintage cameras plus vintage aircraft: birds from the feather?

2010-04-18T22:18:00.001-07:00

The iPhone Movies Video converter is a nice film encoder that helps changing AVI information to apple iphone. The avi-to-iphone.com
may also put Divx, WMV, MOV, MPG, Realmedia (RM, RMVB), AVI (DivX, XviD), ASF, DVD on your iPhone.I currently no longer shoot photographs allowing for film. I collect scads up of ancient film cameras, less than I no added time realize shooting film to be pleasurable or perhaps obligatory. I gave up about that winter, or I wish to be afflicted by to say, I found my make use of of film dwindling right down to zilch - nil frames. No, I carry out not learn myself ever definitely going back. Small need. I haven't all or any nostalgia for silver halide image-making. Cameras were necessarily the legal joys a phase of photography, film never used to be. It absolutely was concerning capturing the instant, not adoring the skinny light-sensitive metallic goo spread as to sprocketed cow hoof gelatin ribbons. What a waste of resources. Sorry. Thus ends almost forty years of film consumption. The transition to digital could be complete plus kind of satisfying. We tend to actually have four digital cameras in our home. Three point-and-shoots and one DLSR (never mind the complete for now). Also the nearly every one affordable of the point-and-shoots takes a lot, much better images in comparison to my old Nikons ever did. The little digitals work underneath any level of sunshine, any colour of light-weight and slot in my blouse pocket. If the pictures tend to be a little cushy in sharpness, on hand is the clear out in Photoshop to accurate which. I is sufficient to send images across the room or over continents inside moments. Not more pricey processing of imagery I would possibly not need anyway. Simply hit the delete key and fill up the media over once more. To me, shooting images with vintage film cameras and continuing to develop film are akin to maintaining and flying vintage aircraft.
The technology of flight has got moved on dramatically for the reason that, say, WWII. The old camouflaged warbirds have a robust out of date attractiveness because of his or her or him complexity, shape, function and inestimable value in global history. But most of united states would never dream of flying one to attend a economic meeting these days. No one is traveling to apply a Boeing B-17 bomber to attend a regional sales meeting in Utah. I mean, finding only one operating model of the present airplane these days is unusual, even more thus finding an owner open to its use in non-public cross-country travel.
The quantity of care that it takes just to back an old bomber favor this aloft brands its each and every use terribly expensive to operate and thereby far to valuable to waste on something aside from special events. Additionally, a flight on a venerable old craft sort of a B-17 would take far longer to accomplish than when put next to employing a fashionable Boeing commercial airliner operated by a serious airline. Continue to, there are just a numerous those that derive deep satisfaction in keeping old warbirds flying. And brilliant for them. Countless satisfied hours are spent on appear around, locating scarce portions and discussing the numerous primary points, recollections and shared knowledge about these old mechanical machines across the internet. Sound familiar? Consideration situations might "click" for you. That could be cameras on behalf of me. I like the mechanical construction, admire the optical excellence and pour over history and specs. Just do not care to load 'em-up with film and take 'em outdoor. Besides, no one in my neck of the woods develops film anymore. No one-hour processing on the market anyplace, except through the mail, which kinda kills of the one-hour part. Shoot, wait every week then send back in for enlargements. Or shoot, have a look at the screen, print out at home. Guess which approach I've long past. If you shoot film with vintage cameras, I like you. If it causes you to happy, go back with it. In a very year or so, maybe fewer, you will not find film available - a minimum of easily. There will always be a location for hobby film use, just though there will always be a place for reverence of any superseded technologies. So keep on shooting whereas you can, or
ought to I say, "keep 'em flying."

Vertu Constellation Ayxta gets unboxed plus admired

2010-04-06T09:08:00.001-07:00

Overkill, thy brand name could be Vertu. Nokia's luxury handset division possesses rarely gotten a lot really prefer as to these pages, less than which could be mostly to carry out allowing for the legal unnecessary make use up of of "high end" materials on its phones plus zeroes in its prices. Both have a tendency to be present and accounted for these, with the stainless-steel and leather-bound Constellation Ayxta beginning at somewhere around $7,Five hundred. Continue to, we have a tendency to retain a curiosity to detect such exclusive devices during the evident lighting of reality, and tool Diary has treated u. s. to only such a treat. The handset prior to you can crank out Six hours of speak previous point over GSM or Three hundred hours of standby, navigate preloaded maps over GPS, or hook you up to an instant Concierge service if you are doing not feel like doing the duty yourself. And why ought to you? Mosey on over to the source for the whole unboxing gallery.

ASUS Eee Portable T101MT headed to U. s. in April for $499

2010-03-27T22:10:00.001-07:00

Smartly beginning from April, you certain carry out prefer tablets for $499, do now not ya? Whereas the legal Eee Portable T101MT possesses been though to the market to artful Europeans because February, ASUS has let out word therefore the 10-inch, multitouch tablet could be sufficient to begin shipping during the united states sometime in April for $499. Not a foul deal contemplating the Pine Trail-powered netvertible has been been priced around 499 Euros overseas -- though we're undecided at about that purpose of the general specs of the yankee T101MT plus what version of Windows Seven it will boot.
We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for it at the same old etailers, less than prior to you head out and purchase one you might desire to attend on our upcoming full review to detect the way this factor measures up to the second netvertibles out readily available.

Neofonie announces WePad Eleven.6-inch Android slate

2010-03-20T21:26:00.001-07:00

A closer twenty-four hour period, another Android tablet render. About which one, the imaginatively titled WePad, could be though formidable as its brand name would possibly advocate. (You be acquainted allowing for, because "we" is plural up of "I"? Yeah, it is the stretch.) Dwarfing the iPad with its Eleven.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, a one.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, GMA 3150 graphics, webcam, two USB ports, flash card reader, UMTS modem, plus a mooted six hours of battery life, we may gain be told ourselves picking one up -- equipped the pricetag purpose is decent. Less than that could be simply the beginning! The manufacturer, Neofonie, additionally possesses designs as to a WePad app store and, if each one is going according to devise, this thing'll sport genuine Google Android and the overall Android Market. The corporate also mentions something referred to as the "WeMagazine publishing ecosystem," the foundation of a turn-key operation for obtaining your own branded device out on the e-reader market, therefore if you are searching to become back to the biz just hit the source link to start out your adventure. As for u. s., we'll wait to detect a ultimate merchandise
prior to we jump to any or all conclusions.

PlayStation Move specifies solely 2MB from RAM, developers breath sigh of relief

2010-03-13T18:41:00.001-08:00

While it could be a crying shame which Sony's PlayStation Move is enough to not be afflicted by full four-player support, a minimum up of the legal technology is economical; our buddies at Joystiq tend to be reporting that the camera-and-wand primarily based motion management game system will solely minimally effect game performance. Quizzing Sony's David Coombes, they discovered out that the complicated symbol processing required to sound right of your wild, flailing movements will take only 1-2 MB of RAM. Of course, after you assume about that the PS3 has got only 256MB of rapid XDR memory to start out allowing for, that 2MB is no longer though "insignificant" as Sony would have you ever suspect, less than coupled with the company's claim that the whole shebang takes "under a frame" of the Cell CPU's processing previous point, we're vulnerable to think it won't be much of a problem for the finish user. Assuming they fix that nasty lag, of course. Take a look at out our full PlayStation Move guide for added small print.

Steve Ballmer teases new Xbox 360 shape factors, value points plus options

2010-03-06T10:04:00.001-08:00

Turns out Steve Ballmer's speak up at the legal University up of Washington delivered also added saucy info compared to we have a tendency to were initially ended in believe. In an exceedingly transcript of the following Q&A session, Steve could be shown to be forced delivered the following statement though to the subject of large-screen televisions plus Microsoft's related hardware strategy:

For which enormous screen device ... readily available is no diversity. You buy precisely the Xboxes that we build for you. We might suffer from more shape factors during the long run that have a tendency to be engineered for different value points and features, less than we expect it is journeying to [be] important.

It possesses safe to suppose new form factors purpose to a smaller rather than bigger 360 chassis, though the price points and additional options he mentions are wide open for speculation. It would not be unreasonable to forecast Microsoft pushing out its own slimmed-down console to work up allowing for Sony's PS3 Narrow, but we also ought to not cut price the assumption of an Xbox 360 with Project Natal hardware integrated back into its shell. In alternative words, we actually have no concept what Steve has happening beneath that glossy dome of his, we simply are hoping it's as exciting as he brands it sound.

Palm sales 'lower in comparison to expected,' revenues to miss targets

2010-02-25T10:01:00.001-08:00

Ruh-roh. Palm simply confirmed what we have a tendency to heard from analysts yesterday: sales have a tendency to be no longer thus going so smartly. The legal company's updated its third quarter financial direction to assert which consumer adoption up of its products could be "taking more time compared to expected," resulting in lowered order volumes from carriers plus deferral of a handful of orders to "future periods." That certainly puts that "Chinese New Year" Pre / Pixi match stoppage during a marginally alternative context, does not it? Shopping at the recent numbers, Palm says it expects non-GAAP Q3 revenue to be concerning $300m, or about the identical it pulled in in Q2 prior to the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus launched as to Verizon. That is not a smart sign, less than we'll be told if that kicks somebody at Verizon or Palm back to realizing they can need a hot, less-stupid ad campaign concentrated on capabilities, not stereotypes.

Buffalo Kokuyo reveals 4-port USB Three.Zero hub, leaves you little option less than to upgrade

2010-02-17T18:58:00.001-08:00

Oh c'mon, which
80-port USB 2.0 hub served you neatly, plus frankly, it owes you
nothing. Allowing for USB
Three.0 upon us, it could be simply a matter from your previous point prior to each and every go though to
external HDD, scanner and printer you own is cruising together the
SuperSpeed highway, and whereas that is obviously a gross
exaggeration, we've got necessarily been one for proactiveness. If you are
anxious concerning having the bandwidth to carry out something about the subsequent generation of
USB, Japan's own Buffalo Kokuyo has got just the thing: a 4-port USB
3.0 hub. The BSH4A03U3 supports Windows and Mac platforms and
guarantees to handle speeds up to 5Gbps, though the ?8,000 ($89)
asking value does feel a wee touch steep.

Motorola Backflip noticed during the wilds up of China

2010-02-08T18:00:00.001-08:00

Motorola's
Backflip has got however to springboard itself over to AT&T, less than
people who call China home can hop though to the bandwagon immediately. Said
phone -- which sports a detailed touchscreen plus a physical
QWERTY thank you to the horizontal clamshell artwork -- could be currently
out there from Moto's Chinese portal for Four,298 Chinese yuan (in
unlocked form), which interprets to right around $630. Whereas the
remainder up of the planet awaits the phone's launch
later about that quarter, you can hit up Mobile.163.com for
a downright beautiful gallery of during the wild shots. Go back on, it has
safe. We have a tendency to expect.

Microsoft busts out SideWinder X4 anti-ghosting keyboard

2010-02-05T00:57:00.001-08:00

Microsoft's simply outed a recent gaming
keyboard -- the legal SideWinder X4 --
which guarantees to carry up in additionathe legal the the majority of intense situations.
Boastithe legalwhat the corporthe legal says could be the "most advanced" anti-ghosting
tecthe legallogy arothe legal, the X4 permits the pressing of up the legal26 keys at
once for the last word gaming moves. different features come allowing for macro
recording plus auto macro repeat functions, plus profplus and mode
switchpermitslows your 'board to bear in mind each one of your moves for
different games. So, you a good amount of likely need it right currently, less than you tend to be
journeying to be forced to attend a litthe legal added previous point -- the SideWindercould be4 is sufficient to
arrive in March, andis sufficient towill run you $59.9the legalFull press could beleash is
after the break.

display full PR text

REDMOND, Wash. Feb. 1, 2010 What gamers appear fa good amcould bent ofmost is better management iplusame, and nothe legalays Microsoft Hardware
launches the SideWinder X4 Keyboard, a keyboard engineered to supply
gamers mmanagementtrol over hithe legalr her gaming experieallowing forwith the
inda good amount ofy's most advathe legald anti-ghosting technology. Developed by the
Applied Sciences cluster, about that new technology ensua good amount ofgamers' most
advanced key combinthe legaltend to be are definitthe legal going to be rthe legalgnized by the computer to keep
the sport in action. the recent keyboard also offers otadvancednced
gamfeaturesures such though macro recoplusng, mode and profplus
switching, and adjustable backlightinthe legalbr />

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost

The Applied Scienclusterroup, an interdithe legalplusnary laroundound and
development team which works across the Microsoft Entertainment
& Devices Division doing appllook aroundarchthe legalr Microsoft
Hardpluse, Microsoft Surface and Xbox 360, developed the
anti-ghosting tecallowing forogy with gamers in miadvancedadvanced
technology takes anti-ghosting to a higher level by permitting gamers
to press uthe legalo twenty-six keys directly. becacould bee both secret is scanned
independently by the keyboard hardwcould beotheach key press is correctly
detectthe legalregardless of what the legalcentdifferentthtend to bekeys are endingthoughp as pressed at the
sprevious pointtime. The SideWinder X4 Keyboard exceldifferentre other keyboards
get it wrong, letting useplusexecute combinationsions and taking full
good thiplusconcernhis or herheir talent and speed.

"Wpluse necessarily trying to find new and novel methods to counterpoint people'the legalinteractiohis or herth their PCs," said Steven Balook aroundresearch
manager of the Applied Sclusteres Group at Microsoft. "We kwhichthat
ghosting could be a controversy for gamers, so we have a tendency to would bethe legalflicted by liked to develop a meaplus
to disposeabout thatthis difficulty and implusve the general the legalexperienceence,
and we've got succeeded wthe recent new anti-ghosting technology during the
SideWithe legalr X4 Keyboard."

precise Gaming Keadvancedith Advanced Features

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard aoffersfers morefeaturesfeatures gamers
wish to havekeepkeep at his or herpex of their game. Mthe legalo repermitsg allows them to
string together multipplusmoves back inthe legalone press of a button, and the overall
new automatic macro repetpluson featallows them tothem repeat the macro
oplus and oveallowthe legal for needed wone one key. Mode and profile switchialsoalso provides straightforwmethoplusays tthe legalustomise the keyboard differentrent
games and users whereas adjustable backlightwe have a tendency tog we could gamethe legalchoose
the lighting lhplusor herthat meets their desires.

Prthe legalng and Availability

The SideWinder X4 Keybodefinitely goingoing to bel be out therthe legalplusarchthe legal10 for the
estimated retail value of $59.ninety-five (U.S)1 and willout thereable for
pre-sale as to Amazon.com laduring the the week. The Scould beeWinder X4 Keybplusd
is sponsored by a global three-yearplusstricted hardware guaranty, and
further informatconcerningbodifferentis and other Microsoft Hardwartend to beroducts
are often found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

concerning>
About Microsoft Hardware

addedmore compared to otwenty-sixy 26 years, tclusterrdware Group haplustilized cutting edge
engineering, state-of-the-arthe legalndustrial artwork anplusxtensive the legalbility
checking out to create produplus of outstanding quality and durawthe legalhty
tplus beautify the sexperienceperience and strengthen the affiliation
behisher her customers anplusheir portable. Microsoft Hardware leads the
industry in ergonomic engineering, industrplusworksign and
hardware/software compatibility, offercustomersmers an saddeder, more
conaddedent and more enjoyablexperiencthe legalexperience. Moinfoconcerningontioncould beboclustere Hardware Group is obtainable at
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.concerning>

About the Microthe leplust Applied Sciences Group

Tclusterplied Sciences Group (ASG) islook aroundied research and
dethe legalopment team dedicated to creating the subsequent generation computeruter interaction techthe legaloplusthe legalustthe legalinterdisciplinary group
specduring thes in the synergy between optics, electronics and software causeeate npluscompucould bercomputer interfaces. The ASG is the a pof the the
Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft and mainly
supports projects for Microsoft Hardware, Xbox 360the legald Microsoft
Surfalso It also works closelylook aroundcrosoft Reseaconcerningbr />

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFis the the worldwide leader
in software, services anwhichlutions that facilitate individualshis or herbusinesses
notice their full potential.

the legalr />
1 actual retail prices can vary.

Note to editors: If be afflicted byhave an interest in viewing addiinformationormatas ton on Microsoft, please attend the Microsoft News Center at
http:pluse legalw.microsoft.com/pras tospass on Microsoft'sinformation
information pages. internet links, phonephone numbers and titles were
accuprevious plusnt at time of publication, can may for the reasbe afflicted byhat have modified. Ffurtheronal assistance, newshounds and acanysts may contact
Microsoft's speedy rdifferentse Team or other appropriate contacts
listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

Apple lifts VoIP over cellular restrictions in new iPhone SDK

2010-01-31T06:55:00.001-08:00

great news for the legal VoIP world: iCathe legal the mthe legalr up of the
iCall VoIP iPhone app which can catch a GSM call plus flip it
over to WiFi, possesses issued an announcement assethe legalhichthat the hot iPhone
SDK permits for VoIP over 3G cellular connections. Previously such
decisions needed to be created over WiFi, because AT&T's network (or
somebody neatly acquainted allowing for AT&T's network) did not assume it
was once man the legalugh to go as to the VoIP traffic. Interestingly, iCall says
its 3G-friendly VoIP app could be outhe legalhere currentplus could bed is the legaplusirst and
the legalrely such app during the App Store -- which looks favor a handup ofl of lovely
snappy turnaroas tod on everyonthe legal section, less than apparently the 3G
restrictwas once was not sothe legalhing to perfallowing forwith the software itseless than but
instead a server-side block. we tend to simply tested aboplusthat out and it plusally
works, and whereas we'll be attthe legalting to find added verificatthat the the
possesses has indeed been lifted, it sounds prcould beer it is previous point for a few
cost the legalectively connected global partduring the the streets.

Dell smartphone to launch in China this week?

2009-08-13T10:36:00.001-07:00

We haven't heard a peep about this from anywhere else, but the
inimitable Michael Arrington at TechCrunch says Dell's
gearing up to launch that
long-rumored smartphone
in China "within days." Don't get too excited, though: even
Mike says the evidence is "thin," and we doubt anything Dell
eventually brings out in China will have much bearing on the rest
of the world, since the Chinese government requires quite a bit of

product customization for the domestic market. Still, we'll see
what happens -- and if dell manages to produce something
a little more interesting than its previous efforts.

HTC Hero coming October 11th to Sprint?

2009-08-03T06:42:00.005-07:00

src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/07/htc-android-hero-rumor-rm-eng.jpg" />

Let's go through the steps together, shall we? A "senior member"
forum poster on the xda-developers forums has posted the
above pic as proof that the HTC Hero is coming to the US on October
11th -- a claim he's been making as far back as April, but this is
the first time he's brought a picture with him. The poster says he
works for a wireless developer firm, and while this picture can
easily be faked, we don't think it's necessarily that much of a
stretch. Let's look at some of the other phones listed. There's
"Samsung Q (Android)," which could provide a missing link between
the href="http://digital-camera-reviews-and-news.blogspot.com/2009/07/samsung-instinctq-gets-wifi.html">
InstinctQ and the company's
mysterious Android phone that was supposed to be out on Sprint
and T-Mobile by now.
BlackBerry Aries is the CDMA version the Curve 8520, and
traditionally RIM's CDMA devices wind up on both Sprint and
Verizon. The LG LX610 / Lotus 2 is a new one to us, but Lotus seems
to have been well-received for Sprint. So to pull all that data
together, if this list is the real deal, we'd say it came from Now
Network company. This is the sort of phone Dan Hesse would
be
glad to have waited for, isn't it?

href="http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4221033&postcount=23">
Read - HTC Hero (Android) Release Date: 10/11/2009

href="http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=507668">Read
- Initial release date claim

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

China Mobile's 7-inch Android slate gets rendered

2009-08-03T06:42:00.003-07:00

href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftech.163.com%2Fdigi%2F09%2F0729%2F17%2F5FDIH2SP00161MAH.html">
src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/07/china-mobile-android-device-rm-eng.jpg" />

We've nothing much to go on outside of a few good renders and a
smattering of machine translated paragraphs, but it sure sounds as
if China Mobile is entertaining the idea of bringing a 7-inch
Android-based tablet to its airwaves. As the story goes, said slate
would boast China's
homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G connectivity, support for video calling,
a full-fledged web browser and an
OPhone operating system -- which is essentially a customized
version of android for the Chinese market. Sadly, no further
information was given, leaving us to wonder what kind of innards
are scheduled for implant and what kind of price tag / release date
we're looking at. Oh, and those "call" and "end call" buttons are
pretty darn evident, leading us to believe that China Mobile might
actually expect you to use this as your primary mobile. Can you
say... Sidetalkin'?

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Rockchip plans on slashing Android phone prices with new RK2808 chipset

Motorola Sholes Android phone for Verizon appears in the flesh

2009-08-03T06:42:00.001-07:00

href="http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/First-live-photo-of-the-Motorola-Shules-Android-smartphone-for-Verizon-article-a_6270.html">
src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/07/7-31-09sholes2.jpg" />

Hm, maybe Motorola should have
stuck with the render a while longer, cause this first shot of
the Verizon-bound Sholes android smartphone is looking mighty
rough. Of course, it is just a blurrycam leak, and there's a chance
we're not seeing this set's true beauty, but honestly, we're not
sure even the most loving press photographer can make that red
D-pad attractive. We'll find out soon enough, if things
go as planned.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Confirmed: Samsung's SGH-T939 Behold2 for T-Mobile runs Android

Motorola posts $26m Q2 profit, promises cheap Android thrills, does a little dance

2009-08-03T06:41:00.001-07:00

src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/07/happy-motorola-face.jpg" />See
that image there on the right? Yeah, it's a pretty drastic
departure from the
Sad Moto™ face that had become href="http://motorola-news-blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/motorola-to-lay-off-4000-starting.html">
all too common when talking about the company's financials.
Just a quarter after posting a dreadful
$291 million loss, the outfit responsible for creating the RAZR and then doing
nothing for half a decade is finally showing a profit once more.
The Q2 numbers show an "unexpected" $26 million profit on sales of
$5.5 billion, $1.8 billion of which came from the handset division.
Of course, that very division managed to lose $253 million and see
its
global market share slip to 5.5 percent, but with a big bang
from Android reportedly just
months away, CEO Sanjay Jha ain't taking time to frown.

Just hours after the Verizon-branded
Sholes smartphone surfaced, Mr. Jha was quoted as saying that
two Android devices would be "in stores for the holiday season,"
with launches occurring on "two major carriers in North America and
multiple carriers outside the US." He also noted that plans were in
place to ship "several additional Android-based devices in the
first quarter of 2010," but details beyond that were vague. So, is
this the beginning of a new, happier Moto? Our aged copy of
Photoshop certainly hopes so.

href="http://mediacenter.motorola.com/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=11645&NewsAreaID=2">
Read - Motorola's Q2 results

href="http://tech.yahoo.com/news/zd/20090730/tc_zd/242753">Read
- Jha on future Android devices

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Confirmed: Samsung's SGH-T939 Behold2 for T-Mobile runs Android

2009-07-29T13:29:00.005-07:00

href="http://wap.samsungmobile.com/uaprof/SGH-T939.xml">border="0"
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdxIhCMee0U/SnCxHxsN2kI/AAAAAAAABEc/pjGAwFQ0xJM/png10E4.png" />

First we'd heard that the
InstinctQ for Sprint might be Android-based, but what other
Google-rife gear does Sammy have up its sleeves? That SGH-T939
Behold2
spotted in the WiFi Alliance's documents turns out to be
Android-equipped without question, seeing how its user agent
profile -- found on Samsung's own site -- lists its browser as
"Android Browser." Sure, we suppose they could get all cute on us
and name their random, featureless dumbphone browser "Android
Browser," but that trick would be mean beyond words -- and we're
further encouraged by the fact that the screen size is listed as
480 x 320, exactly the resolution that the doctor ordered for
Android action. There's no word on when this is coming, but it goes
without saying this'll find its way to T-Mobile since that's where
you get the original Behold;
unfortunately, the old model isn't too ancient yet, so we
wouldn't be surprised if we were in for a bit of a wait.

[ Via: engadgetmobile ]

Trimble Outdoors app will make an adventurer out of your T- mobile G1

Rockchip plans on slashing Android phone prices with new RK2808 chipset

2009-07-29T13:21:00.001-07:00

href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Frock-chips.com%2FnewEbiz1%2FEbizPortalFG%2Fportal%2Fhtml%2FInfoContent.html%3FInfoPublish_InfoID%3Dc373e9216b6adebc8f7e977394a65d1d">
src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BdxIhCMee0U/SnCvL3zksWI/AAAAAAAABDc/_xU18EMTwsI/jpg103C.png" />

Rockchip, already a favorite among dirt cheap,
feature-laden PMPs, has its sights set on android and we
couldn't be happier. The company sees Android's free nature being
the perfect match for the Chinese market, and plans to release its
low-cost RK2808 chipset in October to take advantage of that. In
addition to Android, Rockchip claims the RK2808 enables additional
multimedia capability over what's currently available in Android
handsets. No matter how well the RK2808 pans out, it's obvious that
the second half of this year will mark a real explosion in Android,
and if we could get some $100 or $200 unlocked imports mixed in
there somewhere, we certainly wouldn't be complaining.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Motorola's dev programs reveal some Android table scraps

Motorola's dev programs reveal some Android table scraps

2009-07-07T11:49:00.001-07:00

href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/06/motorola-android-mobile-technology-wireless-motorola.html">
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdxIhCMee0U/SlOYzp39MzI/AAAAAAAABDU/tbZ3hm7Oafo/jpg1A8C.png" />As
2009 blows by the halfway mark, questions loom about how, where,
and when Motorola
will lob the first volleys of its planned Android onslaught;
Android phones are still rare enough to come by so that
every device launch is huge news -- but for Motorola in
particular, the transition to Android is a hotly-anticipated one.
The company's still being extraordinarily tight-lipped on the
subject, even through a series of Android-focused developer events
it's been holding around the country in recent weeks, but a few
interesting tidbits have seeped out. Christy Wyatt, the company's
VP of software platforms, has gone on the record saying that its
Android devices will focus on the mid- to high-end range of the
market and will span both consumer and enterprise segments; Android
certainly hasn't been on the enterprise radar so far, so that'll be
interesting to see. The company's also saying that some devices
will focus on multimedia and / or messaging, which certainly falls
in line with what we've heard and seen (with the rumored Morrison,
for example). Ultimately, it'll need to start opening up to
programmers with hardware specifics if it wants them to target Moto
handsets with any level of specificity, but in the meantime, it
seems that they're already developing quite a reputation in the
community for really helping prospective devs out -- a solid start.
Now let's just see about those handsets, eh?

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Android 1.5 gets official SDK for native development

2009-06-28T02:19:00.001-07:00

href="http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/06/introducing-android-15-ndk-release-1.html">
src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BdxIhCMee0U/Skc1tye-QXI/AAAAAAAABCM/53XrB8je8aw/jpg69B.png" />

Java-based development within a specialized, optimized virtual
machine is one of the founding principles of the platform that
makes Android
what it is -- but sometimes, you need a little more oomph and
you've got to bend the rules to make that happen. Google's totally
cool with that, it turns out, and today they've released the
Android 1.5 Native Development Kit (NDK) that allows developers to
generate C and C++ libraries that run directly on the platform
rather than being routed through Dalvik. The android team pulls no
punches that devs should be careful when going native, saying "your
application will be more complicated, have reduced compatibility,
have no access to framework APIs, and be harder to debug" -- but as
they note, there'll be times when the improved performance and
deeper access to hardware will be a boon. As with
HTC's Sense, it'll be interesting to see how this affects the
platform going forward.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

HTC Hero approved by Global Certification Forum, rocking GSM and HSPA

HTC Hero approved by Global Certification Forum, rocking GSM and HSPA

2009-06-24T07:06:00.001-07:00

href="http://www.theunwired.net/?item=confirmed-global-certification-forum-approves-the-htc-hero-android-smartphone">
src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BdxIhCMee0U/SkIy3MEsVJI/AAAAAAAAAuE/vfeJahCrZTM/jpg805.png" />

We're unfortunately light on details here, but The Unwired
is reporting that HTC's Hero has
been approved by the Global Certification Forum, listed here as
"HERO100," with support for quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and dualband
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA at 1800/2100 MHz. With the company's touted London
event just around the corner --
this Wednesday, to be exact -- we wouldn't be surprised to see
the phone and its oft-rumored "Rosie" Android
UI take center stage, in
possibly two variations. Other than frequency bands and the
associative name, the GCF isn't giving us anything else to work
with, so for now just sit back and hope this uncertainty is cleared
up sooner rather than later.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Google updates Maps through the Android Market

2009-06-17T08:16:00.001-07:00

href="http://www.google.com/mobile/android/maps.html">src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BdxIhCMee0U/SjkI58-1McI/AAAAAAAAAfk/FnZTga0jCBI/jpg627.png" />

Google has updated its Maps app for Android
-- perhaps the most vital, central app in the platform outside of
the dialer itself -- and fortunately for G1, Dream, and Magic users
around the world, they've made the update available through the
Android Market. That's a really big deal and a major departure from
basically every other mobile platform, because it means that folks
won't be waiting for carriers and manufacturers to get off their
rumps and release firmware updates -- instead, integrated
components of the operating system can be pushed out through the
Market just like any other app you'd install. The new version's a
doozy, too, featuring voice search, more comprehensive support for
Latitude,
detailed business information, and pedestrian / mass transit
navigation, arguably making the Android version of Maps the most
robust on any phone. Seeing how Android is Google's own, seems
fitting, doesn't it?

[Thanks, href="http://www.myspace.com/justinhub2003">Justin]

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Vodafone suggests future Android phones could have less Google

2009-05-02T07:11:00.003-07:00

Android and Google may seem inseparable to some, but Vodafone is apparently suggesting that some of its future Android-based phones could possibly pack a little less Google and a little more Vodafone. While the carrier unsurprisingly isn't offering much in the way of specifics just yet, it did tell TechRadar that future Android phones could ditch some of the familiar Google services in favor of a more "basic package" that would let Vodafone (or other carriers following the same route) offer their own client software instead -- a winning idea if there ever was one. And it seems that there will indeed be more Android phones in the offing from Vodafone sooner rather than later, with Vodafone's Rachel William's telling TechRadar that the carrier is "looking at other Android devices," and that "by joining the Open Handset Alliance it shows our commitment."

[ Via: Talk Android ]

Acer already working on "several Android devices," smartphone included

2009-05-02T07:11:00.001-07:00

Okay, now we get it -- the flood of Android phones we were expecting at MWC and CTIA this year are actually arriving a month or two late. Nice. Anywho, with Samsung just recently dishing out official dirt on its Google-fied I7500 and HTC pushing out its Magic overseas, Acer is making darn sure it's not left out as the bandwagon cruises by. During the firm's Q1 investor's conference today, Gianfranco Lanci (President and CEO) noted that "the entire industry is looking at Android," and that his company "is testing Android on a lot of different solutions." Specifically, he stated that it was "working on an Android solution for the smartphone, but it's too early to say if [Acer] is going to [put the OS] on a netbook in the near future." 'Course, he could be spitting out positive vibes to just make sure we don't forget about 'em, but here's hoping Mr. Lanci takes him own quotes seriously. We'll be watching -- like Rockwell, minus the catchy chorus.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

Mobile web traffic reports show Symbian, OS X on top

2009-03-29T09:21:00.001-07:00

Ready for the latest dose of facts and figures to chat over at the nerd water cooler? Here goes! The latest AdMob report, which tracks mobile web traffic from a variety of handset models and operating systems, has found some rather interesting -- if not completely unsurprising -- results. For starters, we're told that the biggest web surfing phone on each US carrier is a touchscreen model, and breaking that down, we find that the iPhone, Nokia N70 and BlackBerry 8300 take the top three spots (in order of mention) globally. As for OS, Symbian is still leading the pack from a worldwide perspective with 43 percent of requests, though the iPhone ain't far behind at 33 percent; oh, and in case you were wondering, Apple's darling generated 50 percent of all US mobile web traffic in February. More numbers in the links below, should you be inclined to visit.

[ Via: mocoNews ]

Bell Mobility gearing up to launch Motorola Hint QA30

GSM Association sets 2012 target date for universal cellphone charger

2009-02-25T10:39:00.001-08:00

Well, this is certainly interesting. Just a couple of days after a top European Union commissioner mused about the need for a universal cellphone charger, the GSM Association has now come out and announced that it and 17 of its partner companies are indeed working on such a solution, and that they plan to have a common format in place by 2012. That rather ambitious date will be a bit easier to meet considering the group's choice of connector, micro-USB, which has already gained quite a bit of acceptance as a common format. The use of micro-USB apparently won't be firm requirement by 2012, however, with the GSMA simply saying that the "majority" of new phones sold by then will support what they're describing as the universal charging solution (or UCS), which itself will have to meet a number of strict requirements in order to be broadly compatible. Of course, while everyone including the likes of Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson have signed on with the GSMA, there are a few big names absent, not the least of which, unsurprisingly, is Apple, so there's certainly still quite a ways to go before we have a truly universal standard.

[ Via: BBC News ]

samsung : at least three Android phones and a LiMo handset in 2009

Alcatel assembling a Lego (or Lego-esque) phone?

2009-02-12T10:39:00.001-08:00

Can you guess what Alcatel's trying to do with this one? Yeah, Lego's products are some of the most recognizable in the world -- and while we can't tell if there's any official Lego brand tie-in here, we certainly wouldn't be surprised if there was in light of Lego's recent foray into the bleeding-edge frontier of consumer electronics. What we're looking at seems to be a render of a device Alcatel hopes to introduce in 2009, borrowing heavily from Denmark's favorite export to provide snap-on faceplates sure to bring a smile to any 6-year-old's face. We don't have any information beyond the screen cap, but there's no compelling reason to believe it's not real -- other than the fact that Legos don't make for the best phone ergonomics, we suppose. Theme devices like this tend to be more Modelabs' territory, but that's not to say Alcatel isn't perfectly capable of pulling this off, either. Next up: a Duplo-based DynaTAC, perhaps?

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]

O2 Germany to launch up to eight Android phones this year ?

Acer smartphone available for preorder

2009-02-04T18:14:00.001-08:00

The Acer DX900 is now available for preorder on Clove's Web site.(Credit: Clove Technology) Acer isn't yet an official entrant into the smartphone market and already it's having the same problems keeping secrets as established players Apple and Palm. On Wednesday, a smartphone called the Acer DX900 popped up for preorder on the Web site of Clove Technology, a retailer based in the U.K. It appears to be the same device as the E-Ten Glofiish DX900--same features, same look, just a different brand name--which makes sense since Acer bought E-Ten last year. It's being offered for the equivalent of $570 (unlocked, we presume). Acer plans a high-profile introduction of several handsets at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in less than two weeks. Specs-wise, the DX900 is a fairly run-of-the-mill smartphone, which leaves room for something far more impressive to be revealed on February 16. Earlier Wednesday, the Boy Genius Report blog posted what it claims to be a leaked photo of another Acer smartphone with a swivel keyboard.

[ Via: cnet.com ]

Motorola Renew now available from T-Mobile

Google Latitude: Friend Finding Maps on Smartphones and PCs [Google]

2009-02-04T10:50:00.001-08:00

Google's released Latitude, a Maps tool that allows for automatic tracking of friends in real time, using a laptop, Symbian 60, Blackberry, WinMo and soon, iphone or Android. Laptops and cellphones (when not using GPS) can locate to a fair level of accuracy using geotagged Wi-Fi and cellular tower points in a database that Google's collected on its own, perhaps while doing Streetview photography. Or you can set your location manually. Google told me that there's no set standard for how often the map updates your location. Rather, they have an algorithm that depends on how often the device has moved, historically, and how much battery your device has left. You can also sign out of the service entirely, and set per user preferences on whether or not certain friends can see your location at all, or if only on city-levels of accuracy. Google says its been useful for family members to find out if they're stuck in traffic, or on their way home. I tested the service with some people I know, but its been hard to say if its useful for a guy who has loved ones in generally predictable places. I generally know where my friends are, more or less, or can find out by texting them. I'd probably use this service more often while skiing or picking up friends at the airport, but not day to day. I mean, sure, I can turn off my privacy, but wouldn't people used to seeing your location at all times be suspicious if you suddenly turned off permissions when you want privacy? Then again, maybe it would be nice to know when my father is playing golf in HK (all the time) or when Lisa is eating at her favorite place in Tokyo for Ramen, or where my brother is on tour with his band. That would be interesting, I suppose. But most of the time, most of us are in front of our computers. Until we're not. And that's where the phone clients come in. Most phones will be able to keep the map location updated in the background. Except the iPhone. What the iPhone users can do, as a work around, is to lock the phone with the Google app running. That'll keep the phone updating until batteries die. The Blackberry, WinMo and Symbian phones and laptops/Desktops can use Latitude now by downloading the most recent version of Google Maps or hitting Http://google.com/latitude. The iPhone gets it with an updated version of the increasingly powerful Google app, soon, as does the Android powered G1.

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]

Windows Mobile 7 will arrive in 2010

Pantech's blow-controlled Sky Wind not for the faint of breath

2009-02-02T18:40:00.001-08:00

Using our powers of huffing and puffing is nothing new when it comes to device interaction -- even our Wii remote has doubled as an ocarina at some point -- but Pantech's looking to take it a step further with the Korea-bound IM-S410K Sky Wind. Powered by Fantalog Interactive's Emotion Engine software, the device recognizes short and long blows via the microphone and uses it for switching wallpapers, adjusting screen brightness, and -- in a less gimmicky use -- snapping photos with a blast of air while stabilizing the phone with both hands. It also sports movement detection with the camera and relative motion control via accelerometer. Pantech's got a three-year exclusivity agreement on the engine, so expect to see wind recognition touted in more than a few upcoming phones.

[ Via: Engadget ]

HP's iPAQ Data Messenger finally up for pre-order

2009-01-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

In reality, HP should've made sure that its iPAQ Data Messenger shipped alongside the Voice Messenger back in December, but given that it didn't, we suppose it's a small victory that the handset is finally up for pre-order in the UK today. Of course, getting any halfway intelligent Briton to spend ?419 ($593) on this already forgotten WinMo 6.1 device (with mobile World Congress just weeks away, no less) is a challenge we're thrilled to not be responsible for.

[ Via: Engadget ]

Boost Mobile touts Motorola's i9 iDEN as coming soon

Vertu's overpriced Signature S Design gets hands-on treatment

2009-01-28T07:49:00.001-08:00

We won't lie -- we've always been harsh on Vertu handsets. As a rule, they're technologically inferior to handsets that are a twelfth the price, and honestly, they're usually pretty unsightly. But you know, Boy Genius Report's hands-on experience with the stainless steel Signature S Design really has us back on the fence. Sure, it's the price of a decent subcompact, but man, it's as sleek as sleek could ever hope to be. Have a look in the read link for a hands-on gallery that's sure to make you envious -- whether you're willing to admit it or not.

[ Via: Engadget ]

Android Cupcake in all its keyboard-having glory, T-Mobile plays dumb

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

2009-01-23T08:47:00.001-08:00

The economy is putting the hurt on everybody these days -- and while it's no less true for Miu, the company is working feverishly to release their everything-at-once handheld, despite some serious setbacks in the funding department. Ready to go into production at the drop of a hat (and a $500,000 check), there are currently two versions of the device in development -- the basic Atom-powered netbook / PMP / e-book reader will stay at the $500 price point, while the $900 version is a dual-boot Windows XP / CE device that includes a GPS and a mobile phone. As far as we can tell the thing is still a fist-full of ugly, but we hope these crazy kids make it, and we wish them the very best. We really do.

[ Via: Engadget ]

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

2009-01-23T08:46:00.007-08:00

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

2009-01-23T08:46:00.005-08:00

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

2009-01-23T08:46:00.003-08:00

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

2009-01-23T08:46:00.001-08:00

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

2009-01-23T08:33:00.001-08:00

Meizu's been on a tear since our last M8 update. Sitting atop a new 0.9.0.1 firmware release complete with working copy and paste, Outlook calendar synchronization, and a "full backup system," the M8 is now supported by a published SDK and licensed to ride the Chinese airwaves for what looks to be a March, mainland China release. With all the passion it could muster, Meizu posted the following announcement to its English website:

Let's bear witness together, to the great moment of MEIZU formally entering the big stage of mobile phone industry!

Currently, the M8 handset with its iPhone roots (but a WinCE core) is only available to an abiding Chinese press and die-hard Meizu fanatics -- a population said to rival the intensity of Apple's own sheeple elite. Having watched the M8 make the transition from art to part over the last few years, we're mighty stoked at the prospective launch to say the least. And while Meizu has clearly trumped Apple's spec sheet (not user experience) in terms of software (copy paste, background task management, video recording, and plenty more) and hardware (720 x 480 pixel display and beefier silicon), we'll bet there's still enough "inspiration" to get Tim Cook and Apple's legal counsel whipped up into a frenzy of Intellectual Property defense. Latest video after the break.

[ Via: Engadget ]

Huawei bringing Android smartphone to next month's MWC

Palm announcing something at MWC next month, GSM Pre likely

2009-01-22T06:06:00.001-08:00

Looks like Palm wants to play ball at Mobile World Congress in February, seeing how they've got a mysteriously password-protected site going called palmmwc2009.com -- a domain name that leaves little to the imagination. There's no telling what our new crush has in store, but if we had to guess, it'd probably be an official unveiling of the 3G GSM version of the Pre; MWC's a European show, after all, and the CDMA version isn't doing 'em much good over there. either that, or they're unveiling a WiMAX Foleo... or maybe webOS was a smokescreen for the real Nova. Do us a big favor and contribute some baseless speculation in comments, alright?
Update: Looks like Palm's already killed the site. Oopsie!

[ Via: Gearlog ]

Getting lost with a GPS? Unfortunately, yes

NEC M155 Messenger watch phone for healthcare, hospitality, and those without shame

2009-01-14T09:01:00.001-08:00

The less we say about this one the better, we're afraid. Billed as "the ultimate messaging device for healthcare and hospitality," the M155 Messenger functions as a speaker phone, a wireless messaging device (presumably SMS), an alarm clock, and boasts a whopping three-line display. And we wouldn't be caught dead wearing it. Not as a watch or, as NEC-Philips recommends, a necklace. Of course, these things are meant to be purchased in bulk for use by hospitals and such, but don't you think those who are entrusted with our health deserve something a little less... insanely ugly? No price or release date -- but does that really matter? Suddenly, the LG watch phone looks pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

[ Via: Engadget ]

Motorola Aura hands-on

22 US cities on track to receive mobile DTV broadcasts this fall

2009-01-11T07:17:00.001-08:00

The Open mobile Video Coalition, which currently consists of around 800 local stations across America, has announced here at CES that 22 cities are scheduled to receive mobile DTV broadcasts by this fall. The announcement was joined by a number of manufacturers as they debuted prototype cellphones and in-car receivers, essentially giving hope that citizens of 22 US locales could soon be tuning into 24 while trucking home from a primetime grocery run. Details beyond that are pretty scant, as most hardware firms are still waiting for the broadcasts to go live (or get a lot closer to live) before committing development dollars to receivers. Carrier-driven video services never have taken off here in the Land of the Free, but the promise of mobile airings of the Big 4 just sounds entirely more enticing.

[ Via: HDTVExperts ]

Lenovo's Android-powered OPhone to hit China Mobile this quarter

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone demoed on video, coming in Q1

2009-01-09T21:02:00.001-08:00

No surprises here, but Sling Media has created a new SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone portal on its website in order to accomplish two important tasks. 1) To announce that it will indeed be submitted to Apple for certification this quarter and 2) to show off a new video of the software in action. If you just can't wait, head to the read link and mash play.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]
[ Tag: ]

Navigon keeps PNDs fresh with downloadable data packs

HTC not done with non-touchscreens yet, brings S743 to US market

2009-01-06T06:54:00.001-08:00

We'd never pegged the S740 as the kind of phone HTC would be looking to bring to the New World; it's an oddball by modern Windows Mobile standards, shucking the touchy, feely trend for a traditional numeric keypad that reminds us of a simpler, more innocent time. Miracles can and do happen from time to time, though -- and on that note we give you the S743, a dead ringer for the S740 that's had its Euro-friendly 3G gutted and replaced with HSDPA 850 / 1900 for North American use. It's got WinMo 6.1 Standard, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, and faceted styling inspired by the Touch Diamond, but the S743's real claim to fame is its slide-out QWERTY keyboard for those moments when triple-tapping and predictive text just aren't going to cut it. Look for this sucker to invade US retailers some time this quarter.

[ Via: Engadgetmobile ]
[ Tag: ]

More 10- inch Acer Aspire One rumors trickle out

New T-Mobile Dash spotted in the wild, nothing really new about it

2009-01-03T02:23:00.001-08:00

Remember that wild, all-black Dash we peeped a couple days ago? We have no intention of scuttling your hopes and dreams, but aside from a few cosmetic differences (they removed the aluminum front piece, the keyboard has been spaced out a little bit, and the OS has been bumped up to Windows mobile 6.1) it looks like the 'new' Dash isn't all that new after all. But who cares if there's nothing revolutionary here? Just take a look at the bright side -- maybe this means we'll be seeing a new Manhattan sometime soon.

[ Via: engadget ]
[ Tag: dash, dash 2, Dash2, excalibur, htc, t-mobile, t-mobile dash, t-mobile dash 2 ]

Acer's quad-core packing Aspire 8930G hits the streets, guns blazing

Meizu opens flagship store in Shenzhen

2009-01-02T12:06:00.001-08:00

If you're going to go to the trouble of procuring an M8 from Meizu, you may as well turn it into an authentic, memorable, world-class experience by making the pilgrimage to Shenzhen, China to pick it up in its hometown. Oh, but don't just pick it up from some random street vendor -- do it up right by swinging on over to Meizu's shiny new flagship store, where you'll be able to select your M8 (or at least see renders of the M8) in a comfortable, relaxed environment while rubbing shoulders with Meizu employees. The fresh digs just opened today, and pictures from the grand opening show an epic mass of humanity waiting for the doors to unlock -- a promising sign for Meizu, and an unfortunate sign that the enochlophobes among us probably ought to wait a few weeks to make the trek.

[ Via: Meizu Me ]
[ Tag: china, flagship, flagship store, FlagshipStore, meizu, shenzen, store ]

MSI U115 Hybrid SSD / HDD netbook unleashed upon the world , could be awesome

Leaked G1 firmware lets you revert to RC29

2009-01-02T12:05:00.001-08:00

Did you accidentally flip the switch on that OTA update to RC30 on your G1 and currently find yourself stuck with a non-root lifestyle? Well thanks to forum member chavonbravo over at xda-developers, things are about to get awesome for you. You can now revert back to RC29 with ease by snagging the uploaded image, renaming, copying to your microSD card, and running through standard procedure for re-flashing the phone. We can attest that the hack does indeed work, so feel free to proceed. Word to the wise, though: getting up to a modded RC30 isn't as easy as some might have you believe, so set aside a little time to walk through the steps (check out ModMyGPhone's guide page for clear instructions).

[ Via: engadget ]
[ Tag: android, g1, google, hack, mod, rc29, rc30, t mobile, t-mobile, tmob, TMobile, update ]

Cowon S9 review

Samsung's S8300 slider packs AMOLED display, 8-megapixel camera

2008-12-30T10:20:00.001-08:00

If Samsung's Soul had your innermost emotions shakin', wait until you wrap your retinas around this. The S8300, which is said to be an upgrade from the aforementioned mobile -- will reportedly come stacked with 7.2Mbps hsdpa connectivity, a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 8-megapixel camera, inbuilt GPS, an FM radio with RDS, 60MB of onboard memory, DivX playback and an "anti-scratch / anti-fingerprint coated duraluminium chassis." There are no promises that it'll be ready for a ces showcase, though we're hearing that a MWC launch is expected in a worst case scenario. Lots more images are hiding in the read link.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: 8-megapixel, AMOLED, OLED, S8300, samsung, slider, Soul ]

Fujitsu Lifebook with AT&T BroadbandConnect appears, several people really excited

Cowon S9 review

2008-12-29T09:24:00.001-08:00

On paper, Cowon's S9 is distinct from what most would consider its rivals. It packs a curvaceous design, nary a single front panel button, an AMOLED display and a codec support list chock full of formats that audiophiles admire. Clearly, Cowon is aiming to appeal to portable media enthusiasts who are also sticklers for sound quality, with the core functionality consisting of only the basics that one would expect on a PMP. The sector it's diving into already has a pretty strong list of alternatives on the market, which probably means that you're wondering if it really does (or doesn't) stack up. Follow us past the break as we take a closer look at what the S9 brings (and doesn't bring) to the table.
Design
For anyone who has been following this device since it first broke cover in August, you'll understand that Cowon is unashamedly attempting to catch eyes with the S9. The press shots are sexy, the packaging is sexy and the marketing is just downright seductive. Upon placing this piece in our hands for the first time, we were struck with an almost unhealthy mix of emotions. On one hand, the incredibly lightweight chassis was a real joy to hold; on the other, we were left feeling somewhat deceived. You see, the press shots we've been force fed all feature what appears to be chrome sides and a display with practically no bezel. In reality, the sides are merely graphite-colored slabs of plastic and the display most definitely does not actually extend out to the very edge of the front face. Sure, you could say we were getting our hopes up for nothing, but upon conversing with others who've had a chance to hold this thing, we found that we weren't at all alone in feeling this way.
After using it for a few days, our fears were confirmed: the unit did indeed feel more "cheap" than "solid." This no doubt has to do with the thin, plasticky materials that dominate the sides and rear, and while it's certainly not a deal breaker, we expected a device of this nature to simply feel more durable and sturdy in the hand. All those knocks aside, there was plenty to love about the design, too. For starters, the lack of buttons on the front is a stunning approach, and the carefully placed hardware toggles / buttons on the top and bottom are more than sufficient. You'll find switches for play / pause, volume, next / previous track and power / lock, while the USB connector holds down the final slot on the bottom. Speaking of, we were definitely turned off by the proprietary USB connector; in other words, you can forget syncing / charging the S9 without the special cable that comes bundled in. We know, the iPod has a proprietary connector as well, and in our perfect world, it too would be a straight-up USB / mini-USB socket.
The bottom-mounted 3.5-millimeter headphone jack is satisfactorily located, though the inbuilt microphone -- which is situated on the bottom rear, right where your hand covers during normal operation -- could stand to be placed elsewhere. As you can tell, "mixed bag" really is the best way to describe our take on the design. It's attractive though not sexy, and while nothing in terms of functionality is hindered by the build, we still feel the price is a touch high for the decidedly just-above-average construction. We have to assume that the 3.3-inch AMOLED display is one of the S9's biggest selling points, and for good reason. The 480 x 272 resolution screen is positively gorgeous to look at, displaying rich, vivid colors on everything lucky enough to tickle its pixels. Video looked superb, images were almost unbelievably sharp and bright, and the overall user interface was quite a joy to gaze at. Couple that with the fact that it's a capacitive touchscreen and you can understand why we're pretty much head over heels on the panel. Other PMP makers should definitely give AMOLED a look; it sucks down less juice, it's brighter and sharper in every circumstance and it makes users (or us, at least) actually want to watch videos on it.
Interface
Here's where we resume the whole "mixed bag" theme. At first glance, the S9's user interface looks delightful. The icons grab your attention, everything seems clearly labeled and you're never more than a click away from your stash of audiovisual content. Navigating within the top-level menus is rarely confusing, and there are a fair amount of customization options to keep most everyone happy.
The one issue we continually ran into was, paradoxically, a direct result of something we've already praised in this writeup. The lack of a "home" or "back" button on the front panel means that moving back within the menu system requires screen presses, and that means pressing a ridiculously small "M" button rather than just mashing a dedicated hardware control to escape whatever mess you're in. Additionally, some of the icons deep within menus weren't what we would call "incredibly intuitive," though anyone with a hint of patience will quickly grow used to the environment. We also can't leave this section without stating that selecting songs / videos was kind of... odd. Rather than simply hitting a song and watching it spin up, you either have to hold that selection for a moment or double click it. We guess this could be spun as a feature (no more fat fingers accidentally queuing up a track), but our generally accurate digits found it to be a hassle. As always, YMMV.
All in all, the UI is sufficient enough, though it's nothing to write home about. Any media player interface that's even mildly confusing could probably use some work, and while just about any system is tolerable over time, we fully expect a PMP's operating system to be mostly understandable from top to bottom right out of the box. After all, this isn't SUSE Linux Enterprise we're talking about here. On the upside, the ability to tweak the EQ while on the Now Playing screen was much appreciated, and the decent reaction to our thumb flicks (to change tracks) was also right in line with expectations. There was, however, an annoying amount of lag when waiting for the screen orientation to flip upon the twisting of the device to another angle. Audio / Video performance
We didn't run this thing through any sort of super sophisticated audio analyzer, but we did give it a listen alongside PMPs from Apple and Sony. The quick and dirty of all this is that the sound quality from Cowon's S9 is stellar. Lows are punchy and decisive, mids are smooth and highs are distinct without being piercing. We listened to a variety of genres, and across the board we found ourselves thoroughly pleased with the unit's audio capabilities. Cowon knows that you're considering this player for its wide ranging codec support and the outfit's heralded audio quality, and it's evident that company engineers put some serious time into making sure the S9 performed the core task -- playing back audio -- marvelously. If you're into audio above all else (with "all else" being applications, internet access, etc.), you can't go wrong with the S9. Oh, and the integrated support for Bluetooth headsets / BT streaming is downright splendid.
Over on the video side, clips were expectedly phenomenal. With such fantastic audio capabilities, the only question left was around image quality. And with an AMOLED screen, this question pretty much answers itself. We've yet to find a player this small that we would rather watch an extended video on; sure, video-centric players such as the A3 easily trump this with their higher resolutions and larger screen sizes, but you'll have a difficult time finding something this minuscule that makes watching video so enjoyable.
Wrap up
By now, you've probably already decided if this thing is for you. For those into extravagant extras and a perfectly polished UI, you simply will not find what you're after in the S9. For those who view pristine audio quality and delightful video playback as paramount, you're probably willing to overlook the ho hum UI and design flaws in order to possess a pocketable player that won't disappoint your discerning ears and eyes. For anyone still on the fence, it really boils down to your needs and desires. Are you willing to deal with an interface that's troublesome to navigate at times if it means the best possible audio quality when the track finally begins to play? Would you take lightweight over solid? Will you be satisfied with your PMP if it does little else outside of playing back joints and jams?
The S9 has a lot of things going for it -- the 2+ day battery life, gorgeous AMOLED screen, impeccable audio quality and featherlight design (just to name a few) -- but at $199.99 and $239.99 for the 8GB and 16GB versions, respectively, we simply expected more. If these fall by $70 or so in the short term, they'll certainly become quite the bargain, but considering that these are apt to be used in noisy subway stations and on windy bike trails (compared to say, in a dead quiet recording studio), we're not entirely sure the small bump in overall sound quality is enough to warrant a purchase over more fully-featured rivals. Is Cowon's S9 worth a look if you're in the market? Unquestionably so. But unless its unique characteristics are exactly what you're after, we'd hold off until the price slips or the interface gets a makeover.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: cowon, dap, features, pmp, review, reviewed, s9, s9 curve, S9Curve ]

ASUS S121 appears in photos, secret dossier

How would you change Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1?

2008-12-27T22:04:00.001-08:00

Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 hasn't been the easiest handset to procure here on US soil, despite being "available" since Black Friday. Still, we know hardcore HTC / SE fanatics have figured out a way to get their palms in touch with the X1a (or X1i for international users). You already heard our spill on the handset, but now we're interested in finding out how you'd tweak things if given the all-important keys to the design lab. Would you keep everything the same and just add Android? Would you rework the keyboard? Swap out the touchscreen with a capacitive replacement? Make it available only in turquoise and lime? It's a pretty safe bet that this isn't the last Xx smartphone you'll see from SE, so your thoughts on the matter may actually prove beneficial in time. And... go!

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: features, how would you change, HowWouldYouChange, HTC, HWYC, smartphone, sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Windows Mobile, Windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, winmo, winmo 6.1, Winmo6.1, X1, X1a, XPERIA X1, XPERIA X1a, XperiaX1, XperiaX1a ]

The Fancy Mystery Netbook Leaked

iPhone to Run Windows and Get Copy and Paste (It's Not What You Think) [IPhone]

2008-12-26T08:34:00.001-08:00

Windows will run soon on the iPhone using Citrix Receiver, a remote screen software that connects to a PC and gives you the illusion you are running Microsoft's operating systems, including copy and paste functionality. Why is this useful? It will give you the ability to run full windows apps in your iPhone over the network. According to Citrix, you will have full Windows capability, including cut and paste inside Windows.

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

FSC Amilo Sa 3650 laptop and GraphicBooster tested, deemed flawed but synergistic

Cowon S9 firmware update adds Bluetooth speaker support

2008-12-26T08:30:00.001-08:00

For early adopters who have already taken delivery of their shiny new Cowon S9, they've already sucked down one firmware update to fix some of the more obvious issues. Now, there's round number two (v2.06) to endure. The company has loosed the second firmware update for its just birthed PMP, with this one adding JPG album art support (for files with the .jpg extension) and fixing a bug that occasionally caused a system reboot after the "remove hardware from PC" message appeared. Most notable, however, is the new inclusion of Bluetooth speaker support, meaning that this device can now stream tunes to BT-enabled sound systems sans cabling or any other black magic. Tap the read link to get your download a-goin'.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: bluetooth, bluetooth 2.0, Bluetooth2.0, cowon, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, pmp, s9, s9 curve, S9Curve, update ]

Lenovo Ideapad S9 available now in US

HKC's Pearl rips a RIM name, an HTC design, and a pair of OSes

2008-12-24T12:09:00.001-08:00

Goodness, we can already tell that China is going to be a frigging goldmine of weird and wild Android hardware for a long, long time to come. First we had the QiGi i6, which boasted compatibility both with Android and WinMo -- and it's looking like this might be a surprisingly common feature for some of these Chinese devices now that we have another doing the same thing. The HKC Pearl looks suspiciously like a first-gen HTC Touch -- and nothing like its namesake, may we add -- working with a 2.8-inch QVGA display, 256MB of ROM, 128MB of RAM, WiFi, and a 2-megapixel cam to back up its Google- and Microsoft-provided loads. As with the QiGi, the odds of seeing this one outside Asia are slim at best, but hey, at least our colleagues at Engadget Chinese have scored a hands-on to satisfy our collective curiosities.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: android, china, hkc, pearl, windows mobile, WindowsMobile, winmo ]

LG's KB770 reviewed in a foreign tongue, unboxed in the universal language

2008-12-22T09:10:00.001-08:00

The only information we had on LG's heretofore elusive KB770 was a not-at-all detailed FCC report. Now, however, we're getting our first good glimpse courtesy of a thorough review and hands-on extravaganza originating in the Czech Republic. LG has clearly designed this one with mobile TV and multimedia in mind, and that huge retractable antenna should make for easy reception for those in DVB-T territories. The overall design isn't a great departure from other like-minded handsets (read: the Vu), though critics did find the UI impressively simple to navigate and use. Sadly, the actual quality of the mobile TV -- which, again, is the main selling point here -- left a bit to be desired. All in all, the KB770 just didn't seem to execute as well as it should given the 8,900CZK ($471) price tag, but if you're still interested in seeing what it looks like from every angle imaginable (yes, even that one), the read link should be the next place your browser points to.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: global, KB770, LG, mobile tv, MobileTv, review, reviewed ]

HP TouchSmart tx2z reviewed: multitouch could use some work
MSI's VR220 YA Edition laptop reviewed : average, or just slightly above

LG Prada II shows up in exhaustive photo spread

2008-12-22T09:06:00.001-08:00

We've gotten a few decent looks at the LG Prada II in weeks past, but the Daily Mobile Forum has happened upon a veritable treasure chest of views of the device in glorious detail -- which, if you didn't already know -- is now on sale in Europe. Lucky devils. We've included a few of our favorites after the break, but hit the read link for all 17 (Yes, seventeen!).

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: leak, leaked photos, LeakedPhotos, lg, lg prada ii, LgPradaIi, prada ii, prada phone, PradaIi, PradaPhone ]

Nokia E63 Available for Pre-Order for $500 [Nokia]

2008-12-21T09:56:00.003-08:00

Amazon is now listing Nokia's BlackBerry-ish QWERTY E63 phone as available for pre-order. The unlocked 3G phone can be reserved for $500, though there's no word on release date. The E63, based on the E71, already dropped in Europe, so we expected it'd be making its way to North American shores at some point. In addition to the Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack, and cloud storage we already knew it had, the E63 is also packing a 2 MP camera, Bluetooth, 3G, an FM radio (probably a receiver, not a transmitter, though that's not all that common either), and a memory card slot. Amazon doesn't provide a release date, but this is a good sign that the E63 is soon to see an American release.

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

Cellphones: Motorola Prizm Gives Diet Advice

2008-12-21T09:56:00.001-08:00

Motorola's new touchscreen Motoprizm in Korea that appears to be a takeoff on the Krave—albeit with a few tweaks. Oddly enough, word is that the device also gives daily diet and lifestyle suggestions.

Features: •DMB support
•E-wallet function
•3.5mm headphone jack
•USB 2.0 connectivity
•Bluetooth 2.0
•Memory card slot
•2.8" 260k color TFT touchscreen at 240 x 400 resolution
•3 megapixel camera

Whether or not it will be bossing fatties around in the states anytime soon has not been determined.

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

AT&T Quickfire gets reviewed

2008-12-16T17:58:00.001-08:00

AT&T's SideKick-esque Quickfire handset has been up for grabs for a little while now, but if you're still undecided, you may want to take a gander at Phonescoop's review of the phone, which covers just about every aspect of it in minute detail. On the whole, they seem to be mightily impressed with the phone, saying that it "almost makes good on all that it sets out to do," with only a few relatively minor problems holding it back somewhat. Those include a lack of threaded SMS, and some general slowness in the music and gallery apps. On the upside, the phone re-orients itself between landscape and portrait mode "immediately," the camera takes decent pictures and, while not the most responsive around, the capacitive touchscreen apparently gets the job done. Hit up the link below for the full rundown and, of course, plenty of pics.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: att, att quickfire, AttQuickfire, quickfire ]

Neoi 906E is world's first, thinnest, most beautiful, most calculator-esque QWERTY phone

2008-12-16T08:50:00.001-08:00

We like to keep a positive attitude around here, so we're trying not to be overly um... skeptical about this one, even though "World's" followed by anything awesome (in this case "thinnest," and "first micro sized Java J2Me hand phone") sets off a few alarms. The Neoi 906E, at least in the renders, is an exceedingly thin GSM / GPRS handset with a QWERTY keyboard, though beyond that, it's all pretty unimpressive and run of the mill. It's got an MP3 player, a camera, a microSD slot, plus some shortcut keys on the upper right of the phone, but details about its actual specs are a bit sparse. It's not clear when or where the 906E is going to be available, but it doesn't seem like Neoi plans to cut out the middle man -- the minimum order number is 500.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: 906e, neoi, neoi 906e, Neoi906e, qwerty, qwertz, thin, worlds thinnest, WorldsThinnest ]

Palm introduces Software Store for WinMo / Palm OS devices

2008-12-16T07:06:00.001-08:00

Apple's doing it. RIM's doing it. Google's doing it. Heck, even Microsoft might be doing it. As the peer pressure mounts, Palm has finally decided to cave and introduce its very own applications market place, which is simply being christened Software Store. Oddly, it looks as if Palm farmed out the production of said store to one PocketGear, but we're assured that the app will hum along just fine on over 25 Windows Mobile / Palm OS-based Palm devices. Available for download as we speak, it offers up over 5,000 apps and games, 1,000 of which are completely free. Hmm, we wonder if Palm's keeping a Nova-compatible version in its back pocket?

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: ACCESS, app, app store, applications, apps, AppStore, games, market place, MarketPlace, Palm, Palm OS, PalmOs, pocketgear, software, software store, SoftwareStore, windows mobile, WindowsMobile ]

Intel delivering Classmate PC netvertible tablet at CES 2009

Motorola A3000 (Atila) gets official-ish... for China

2008-12-16T05:37:00.001-08:00

Rumors were rampant that Motorola's touchscreen-based Atila would be launching somewhere in the wide world next quarter, and said whispers are shaping up to be right on target. The typically reliable iDNES has it that the A3000 (same device, people) has been certified for use by China's telecommunications authority, which pretty much signals that it'll be on sale in the not-too-distant future. Specs wise, we're told to expect a 528MHz processor, Windows Mobile running the show, Bluetooth, a microSDHC card slot and a QVGA display. It's not certain the cost nor the exact release date, but we'd say that should all be much clearer at CES. Hear that Moto? Much clearer at CES.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: A3000, Atila, attila, china, motorola, smartphone, Windows Mobile, Windows Mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, winmo, winmo 6.1, Winmo6.1 ]

GPS Angel promises to keep watch on red light and speed cameras

Consumers Choose Products With More Tech Specs [Study]

2008-12-15T19:18:00.001-08:00

A recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that we are heavily influenced into choosing products with heavy technical specs—even when those specs mean nothing. Five related studies were performed in which participants had to choose between two items in various categories, including digital cameras, towels, sesame oil, cell phones, and potato chips. And in every study, the participants preferred the items with the most specifications. The study's author concludes that there is indeed a practical lesson for marketers here, though I'm pretty sure that digital cameras alone have pretty much proven that point already.

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

Sprint launches BlackBerry Curve 8350i: first push-to-talk BlackBerry

2008-12-15T07:28:00.001-08:00

Verizon may have been bangin' on Sprint's iDEN network, but that's not stopping the yellow-faced carrier from introducing the first ever push-to-talk BlackBerry on those very waves. Sprint is hailing the Curve 8350i as the "most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever," and considering that it's the only push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever, we can't really argue. Thankfully, there's also integrated WiFi / gps as well as support for Group Connect, international direct connect and Talkgroup; you'll also spot a 2-megapixel camera, multimedia player, speakerphone, video recorder, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0, a stereo headset jack and a removable 1,400mAh battery. It's available now in a rather stocky 4.4- x 2.4- x 0.7-inch frame for as low as $149.99 (after all applicable rebates) on a two-year plan.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: 8350i, blackberry, blackberry curve, BlackberryCurve, curve, curve 8350i, Curve8350i, iDEN, PTT, push to talk, push-to-talk, PushToTalk, RIM, sprint, Sprint Nextel, SprintNextel ]

Fujitsu's LOOX R ultraportable gets SSD, 12+ hour battery
MiTAC buys Magellan consumer products division: 'take it away, Maestro'

Palm OS "Nova" -- and first Nova device -- look like a lock for CES

2008-12-15T05:53:00.001-08:00

New-ness, anyone? BusinessWeek is speaking in rather authoritative terms that we'll all be treated to the next generation of Palm OS -- Nova, as it were -- at a grand unveiling next month in Vegas. Details are still sketchy to say the least, but word has it that the company's engineers are super stoked about whatever it is they plan to unveil -- and considering the breadth and depth of the engineering team Rubinstein has managed to assemble over there, that's saying something (hopefully). The pub pegs Nova's commercial release for mid-2009, which jibes with the latest we've been hearing, promising to deliver a platform for meeting the needs of the "fat middle" of the market that lies somewhere between the buttoned-up BlackBerry and the media-rich iPhone (and no, we didn't just call you fat). The company apparently wants to create devices that "make smarter use of data about you," but until we have a Nova-powered phone in our soft, supple hands, that little gem of marketing doublespeak really doesn't mean squat to us. Just a few more weeks, ladies and gentlemen.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: nova, palm, palm os, palm os 2, palm os 2.0, PalmOs, PalmOs2, PalmOs2.0 ]

Fujitsu's water-cooled LifeBook N7010 with secondary 4-inch touchscreen now shipping

Garmin Nuvifone gets FCC approval

2008-12-14T09:07:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while we're reminded that Garmin's Nuvifone -- announced nearly a year ago -- still exists, and this time around it's none other than the FCC doing the reminding. The curiously-named "Calf" from asus turns out to be the Nuvifone once you click through to the label diagrams, and test documentation reveals that 3G is being tested on both Bands II and V -- that's North America-friendly 1900 and 850MHz, for those who aren't up to snuff on their spectrum terminology. With gub'mint certification under its belt, maybe we can push that 1H 2009 release window to 1Q, eh, Garmin?

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: asus, calf, fcc, g60, garmin, nuvi, nuvifone ]

MiFi pushes 3G past the router limits

2008-12-14T00:59:00.001-08:00

In a commercial featuring 30 Rock actress and producer Tina Fey and director Martin Scorsese, the former Saturday Night Live head writer uses her credit card to gain entrance to an airline lounge. The notion of a faceless slice serving as an access pass would also apply to Novatel Wireless's MiFi, the simply named 3G personal hotspot that will support up to five users simultaneously connecting to a 3G network when it is offered through operators next year.
MiFi is not the first product to enable a small group to bridge wifi products to the wireless WAN. One early entrant, Junxion, was acquired by Novatel Wireless competitor Sierra Wireless. And Cradlepoint has created a battery-powered device sold at Best Buy that, like the Junxion device, relies on a laptop card to create its WAN connection.
That's not true, though, of the MiFi, which integrates an HSPA or EVDO radio along with the battery that can provide over four hours of Internet access to devices such as a PC, iPod touch, Zune, Nintendo DS or Sony PSP. In fact, without apologies to Right Said Fred, the MiFi may be "too sexy for my LAN" -- particularly for a product that can work silently in a backpack as it serves its nodes. A thicker frame could provide all-day access, but perhaps such lengthy sessions will generally take place where there is access to an outlet; the device continues to perform normally if it is drawing juice from a PC's USB port. But the MiFi is not simply a dumb dispenser of digits.
It is not just noteworthy for its level of integration but also because it is actually a platform for which developers can write applications. One example might be automatically backing up photos from a digital camera and transmitting them to a remote server overnight. It can also accept removable media cards. And Novatel representatives indicate it might even be a candidate to run Android down the road.

The MiFi should be available for less than $300, potentially considerably less if operators subsidize it. It is aimed at enterprises, small businesses and consumers, where it could face competition from products such as the AutoNet Mobile in the vehicle. Other on-the-go options would include using phones themselves as routers using software such as TapRoot Systems' Walking HotSpot or JoikuSpot. Tethering plans tend to cost half of what US operators are charging for a full data plan and may be all many consumers need when they are outside a Wi-Fi hotspot.

However, a limited number of handsets support these applications, some operators seeing the hotspot-enabled handset as a double-edged sword, and Verizon Wireless, for example, takes a dim view of WiFi on any of its handsets (such as the Blackberry Storm, where WiFi is supported in the Vodafone version). Those who can foot the monthly bills for broadband wireless will be able to extend their bubble of connectivity with the MiFi. If enough do, it may even attract developers willing to cater to the device's intelligence, providing new capabilities to those connected cadres in the club. As has been said of Tina Fey's credit card, membership has its privileges.
[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: 3G, featured, mifi, Novatel Wireless, NovatelWireless, personal hotspot, PersonalHotspot, switched on, SwitchedOn, Wi-Fi ]

Nokia says touch interface and handset leaked in presentation don't point to new product

2008-12-14T00:52:00.003-08:00

Sure, we try to front as world-weary cynics, but when we pinged our folks at Nokia for a statement on that suspiciously-awesome slide about a previously unseen touchscreen interface and device concept, we were totally hoping for a "oh, our bad, that's a real phone and it's awesome and it's being released in the States tomorrow." Naturally, that was not the case. Here's what Nokia had to say on the matter:

"The story you sent over was from a non-public presentation that discussed some UI enhancements - NOT a new product. The form factor shown was a generic form factor and not meant to showcase a new device / product."

So, yeah. They're not really going to fess up to a lot here, but if we were to read between the lines we'd say these "UI enhancements" are much more likely to get real and official someday than whatever vaguely-hinted-at device was shown off beneath them. Maybe. Reading in further, we'd say it's a little odd that Nokia's demonstrating to investors its "best in class touch" capabilities by using a mockup interface on top of a mockup device, but perhaps that's why we were never so good with "the monies."

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: nokia, quote, rumor, touch, touch interface, TouchInterface, touchscreen, ui ]

Apple: "the iPhone is a gaming console"

2008-12-14T00:52:00.001-08:00

According to extremely reliable and embarrassingly handsome Engadget sources, at an iPhone event held today, John Geleynse (AKA Director of Technology Evangelism at Apple) made some statements regarding the iPhone platform that should seriously raise a few eyebrows. During an ADC "iPhone Tech Talk" in San Jose, Geleynse apparently waxed excited about the potential for the handheld as a viable threat to the ds (and the PSP by proxy), calling the iPhone a "gaming console" and claiming that "it's not a phone, it's a console experience." Pretty bold talk about a device that has yet to really prove its gaming mettle, but nothing new from the Apple camp as far as we're concerned. Considering these comments alongside those from a recent interview in which Greg Joswiak compared the touch to the DS, it seems clear that the company is making a noticeable effort to push this angle. Adding some fuel to that fire is PR that just went out announcing a series of EA "sneak peek" events at Apple Stores around the US. In their words:
Throughout the month of December Apple Stores in New York, LA, San Francisco and Chicago will host special "EA Games Sneak Peek" events where Electronic Arts will discuss why the iPod touch and iPhone are amazing platforms for mobile gaming...
While there's no question the iPhone and touch have made inroads when it comes to gaming, it still isn't clear that there's going to be anything beyond a casual interest for these devices. Then again, if the Wii's success has proven anything, it's that there's plenty of cash in casual if you can make it appealing enough. And you know how Apple feels about appealing products and money.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: apple, console, ds, ea, gaming console, GamingConsole, greg joswiak, GregJoswiak, iphone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g, John Geleynse, JohnGeleynse, nintendo, psp, sony ]

DS Lite 'New Super Mario Bros.' bundle unboxing and hands-on
Quanta demos Optical Touch system with Windows 7
Acer Aspire One goes official on AT&T's 3g network
ASUS' 12-inch bamboo laptop gets a price

Used BlackBerrys sold for $20 at McCain-Palin blowout, contacts and emails included

2008-12-14T00:21:00.001-08:00

It's pretty much common sense that when you're ditching your old cell phone you want to erase your personal data, contacts and emails -- or at least try to. Oh sure, there are plenty of examples of failing to do so, but this one's rather... shall we say, "special." Some operatives at Fox 5 in Washington, D.C. booked over to the McCain-Palin campaign headquarters' yard sale yesterday, and they saw some ultra cheap Blackberrys -- just $20 a pop, probably an inventor's discount -- so they picked up a few, undoubtedly thinking they'd make nice holiday gifts. They were kind of surprised to find that, after giving the 'Berrys some juice, one of them had 50 contacts for "campaign leaders, politicians, lobbyists and journalists" as well as hundreds of emails. When reached for comment, a campaign spokesperson said that "procedures are being put in place to ensure all information is secure," followed minutes later by a blank email CC'd to his entire address book with the subject line "We're so screwed."

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: blackberry, mccain, mccain palin, MccainPalin, personal data, PersonalData, politics, rim, security, yard sale, YardSale ]

ClarionMiND MID on sale in the US for $649.99
New firmware unlocks GPS on Verizon-branded Pearls and Curves, carrier's intentions unclear
Medion's New GPSs Are Really secure , Need Your Fingerprints to Navigate [GPS]
UMID F1 GPS-enabled, breathalyzin' UMPC available in Korea

Lenovo's Android phone for China hotter than a G1 with a defective battery

2008-12-12T11:54:00.001-08:00

What if we told you the most beautiful phone in the world was a Lenovo? Reactions to that statement are likely going to oscillate between "Lenovo doesn't make cellphones" and "impossible, considering this is the country that gave us the QKfone G998," -- but seriously, have a look. Even if you don't agree that it's one of the most attractive mobile devices you've ever laid eyes on, you're going to have a hard time making a cohesive argument that the Android-based slate doesn't run circles around the G1 for physical design. 'Course, that just makes it all the more maddening that it's apparently nothing more than an early model of the "Ophone," a handset designed to comply to China Mobile's Open Mobile System that combines Android's core with support and apps for the carrier's homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G network. Translation: we'll never see one outside China, so yeah, just lust from afar while you pray HTC and its comrades are busy cooking up some stellar gear.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: android, china, china mobile, ChinaMobile, lenovo, oms, open mobile system, OpenMobileSystem, ophone ]

Sony Ericsson, HTC say new Android-powered handsets due next year

2008-12-10T09:01:00.001-08:00

According to two reports, sony Ericsson and HTC are both semi-confirming Android handsets for 2009. An SE spokesman by the name of Garfield Brusewitz was quoted as saying that the company would introduce higher-end models of the Google-powered devices to start with, then supplement those handsets with cheaper versions aimed at a broader market. In another article, HTC says that it will launch one "or more" Android phones in the new year, aiming to have them on shelves by Summer. This hardly comes as a surprise from either of these companies, as HTC has been on-board since day one of the OHA and, you know, already has an Android handset out, and Sony Ericsson's announcement of participation was naturally going to lead to some actual hardware. Now it's just a matter of getting these out the door, and... sneak peaks at CES, anyone?

[ Via: Phandroid ]
[ Tag: android, google, google phone, GooglePhone, gphone, htc, oha, open handset alliance, OpenHandsetAlliance, sony ericsson, SonyEricsson ]

mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack unboxed and tested: high marks all around

2008-12-09T18:22:00.001-08:00

Curious to know if your Benjamin will be well spent on mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack? TestFreaks is out to make sure you have an accurate answer to that, and judging by their report after two solid weeks of usage, the response is an emphatic "yes." Not only was the device sleek enough to not be incredibly cumbersome, but it actually performed as advertised. Reviewers were able to get their iPhone 3G from near-death to fully charged (twice!) on a single mophie charge, leading them to conclude that it "basically doubles the run time of the iPhone 3G" in a worse case scenario. Granted, even they couldn't overlook the particularly large price tag, but if you've been running bone dry with any level of frequency, we suspect the asking price won't matter nearly as much.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: accessory, apple, battery, extended battery, ExtendedBattery, iphone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g, juice pack, JuicePack, Mophie, Mophie Juice Pack, MophieJuicePack, review, reviewed ]

Mobiado frightens and offends with Professional 105GMT Gold handset

2008-12-09T08:03:00.001-08:00

We've seen some ugly cellphones in our day, but we can't recall the last time we felt that touching one could cause irreversible harm to our bodies and minds. Falling squarely in the category of "wouldn't touch with a ~~ten~~ twenty foot poll" is Mobiado's Professional 105GMT Gold. This abomination was crafted from sapphire crystal, Ebony wood and a CNC machined frame which is doused in 24-carat gold. You'll also find a totally not awesome 1GB of inbuilt memory, a ho hum 2-megapixel camera and a 2-inch 320 x 240 resolution display. It also features multimedia playback, a quad-band GSM radio, Bluetooth, optional diamonds and a Discovery watch mechanism that was clearly added in a desperation move to make this seem "luxurious." No word on pricing, and we don't plan on digging around to find out.

[ Via: UnwiredView ]
[ Tag: 105GMT, 105GMT Gold, 105gmtGold, canada, expensive, gilded, gold, luxury, Mobiado, ugly ]

Android 1.0 gets ported to the Nokia N810

2008-12-06T10:07:00.001-08:00

We've already seen a pre-release version of Android ported to the Nokia N810, but the folks at Linux consulting firm NthCode have now finally taken things to their logical conclusion and finagled version 1.0 of the os onto the handheld and, best of all, they've described the entire process in minute detail. While the OS itself more or less works, they apparently still have quite a ways to go, as the device is currently not able to do some little tasks like run applications, charge the battery, or access the internet. But, hey, it's Android on an N810, we're not about to get picky. Head on past the break for a video, and hit up the link below for the complete details.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: android, android port, AndroidPort, n810, nokia, nokia n810, NokiaN810 ]

nokia Mobile Millennium Turns Your GPS Phone Into a Traffic Reporter [GPS]

Bellperre adds "Silver and Golden" collection to capitalize on booming economy

2008-12-06T10:04:00.001-08:00

Remember Bellperre? Don't feel bad, we had to refresh our memory, too -- but it turns out these guys have a new "customizable Silver and Golden" collection that's available in any color of exotic leather you like. Pink crocodile? No problem. Blue buffalo? Just say the word. Oh, and bring a few grand while you're at it, because these suckers are just about the most expensive Windows Mobile Standard candybars you'll ever come across.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: bellperre, candybar, luxury ]

Netgear Digital Entertainer Elite media streamer says hello to the FCC

Kogan intros world's second Android phone: Agora / Agora Pro

2008-12-04T07:10:00.001-08:00

We'll be totally honest -- we pretty much blew Ruslan Kogan off when he proclaimed that he was about to push out a $199 Android phone by the year's end. And truthfully, the guy still hasn't totally delivered, but you won't find us kvetching about more Googlephones, regardless of MSRP. The Agora (AU$299; US$192) and Agora Pro (AU$399; US$256) are available for pre-order as we speak, though neither one is scheduled to ship out until the end of January. For those unfamiliar with Kogan, it's an online-only enterprise that has wares built specifically to its dimensions in China, and so far as we can tell, it's as legit as they come. As for specs, the Agora packs a 2.5-inch touchscreen (320 x 240), 3G networking, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD card slot; the Pro adds in GPS, 2-megapixel camera and WiFi. So, with unsubsidized prices this low, are you willing to take a chance?

[ Via: iTWire ]
[ Tag: android, australia, breaking news, BreakingNews, global, google, google phone, GooglePhone, Kogan, ODM, OEM, open source, open-source, OpenSource, Ruslan Kogan, RuslanKogan ]

Nextar delivers Q4-01 / Q4-02 4.3- inch navigators

Scosche vomits out reviveLITE "cordless" iPhone charger / nightlight combo

2008-12-04T06:58:00.001-08:00

Look, we know haphazardly stapling an iPod dock onto nearly any product can cause almost-paralyzing fits of hyperbole amongst marketing personnel, but Scosche's description of its sad little reviveLITE nightlight charger as "cordless" because it plugs directly into the wall might take the cake. Oh, wait -- you know what actually takes the cake? It's priced at a delightfully insulting $40. Yeah, we'll stick with the monster under the bed, guys. At least it respects us.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: charger, iphone, iphone charger, iphone dock, IphoneCharger, IphoneDock, ipod, ipod charger, ipod dock, IpodCharger, IpodDock, revivelite, scosche ]

Meizu M8 reviewed, worth the wait?

2008-12-02T17:53:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it? It's been over two years since we first got wind of what would become Meizu's high-end iPhone clone, the M8. Okay, we admit to being somewhat dubious at first, and won't be entirely won over until we get one to play with, but just a few days away from its Chinese release the handset seems to live up to its promises according to IT168's full review. Other than a few faults, including an "ear-piercing" integrated speaker and issues running third-party windows CE applications, things sound surprisingly good. The 480 x 720 3.4-inch screen received high marks, performance was rated as very speedy, and the integrated 3 megapixel camera looks to be able to take great looking pics -- assuming you turn a few lights on. It does sound like a solid device, but is it a proper iPhone competitor? In China, where the iPhone still isn't officially available, we wonder if it isn't the iPhone that's the underdog now (cue raised eyebrow).

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: m8, meizu, meizu m8, MeizuM8, windows ce, windows ce 6.0, WindowsCe, WindowsCe6.0 ]

SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer

Vietnamese iPhone Unlock Isn't for the Faint of Heart [IPhone]

2008-12-01T18:35:00.001-08:00

You might think you're some kind of l337 h4x0r because you used software to unlock your iPhone. Big deal! You've got nothing on the Vietnamese hackers that'll unlock your iPhone for you the hard way.

First, a technician opened up the phone and stripped it to the motherboard. In his skillful hands, the device seemed much easier to dismantle than I expected. The technician then extracted the baseband chip, the component that controls the connection between the phone and the mobile network, from the motherboard. (This is a painstaking task as the chip is strongly glued to the phone's motherboard. A mistake during this process could brick the phone completely.) Once the chip was extracted, it was Tuan Anh's turn. He used a chip reader to read information into a file. He then used a Hex editor to remove the locking data from the file, and after that, the chip got reprogrammed with the newly altered file. Now it was no longer programmed to work with only a specific provider. The chip then got reassembled into the motherboard, another painstaking process. As a last step, the technician put the phone back together, and it looked like nothing had been done to it.

All this for a mere $80! Call me crazy, but watching someone do this to my phone would be infinitely more satisfying than simply downloading a program to crack it. You'd feel like your phone really earned its unlocking.
[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

Canceled 5-megapixel Nokia slider almost looks like a fake

2008-12-01T07:43:00.003-08:00

If this thing were coming from any source other than the legendary Eldar Murtazin of mobile-review, we'd go ahead and assume this was a knockoff nabbed off eBay for a few bucks -- but amazingly, we think it's the real deal. The dead-on-arrival burgundy slider with gold accents looks like it could've been part of a reinvigorated l'Amour series (or something along those lines), clearly putting styling at or near the top of its priorities -- but it also steals the 6260 slide's totally capable guts, which means it features a 5-megapixel camera, tri-band 3G, and a 480 x 320 display. If they had to choose between this and the 6260, the right model came out on top -- but we gotta admit, it's so far outside Nokia's styling comfort zone that we find it tolerable in a really sick, twisted way.

[ Via: Daily Mobile ]
[ Tag: 5 megapixel, 5Megapixel, nokia, slider ]

mobile Millennium project promises to track traffic with cellphones

Verizon drops Omnia to $199, hopes you'll pay attention now

2008-12-01T07:43:00.001-08:00

Samsung's Omnia is nice enough to find a good home in many a professional's pocket, but in terms of overall desirability it doesn't quite compare to the iPhone or G1. Why, then, did Verizon price the thing $50 higher than its alternate-platform competition? Your guess is as good as ours, but at least the company didn't take long to see the error of its ways, dropping the handset under the magic $200 mark just a few days after the early-adopters got done paying too much for theirs. We're thinking Verizon might have been targeting the $249 Touch Diamond, but really that could do with a price cut of its own. $199 seems about right for an Omnia, so you go right ahead and click on if you want; we'll wait for the higher-res one, thanks.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: omnia, samsung omnia, SamsungOmnia, smartphone, verizon, windows mobile, windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1 ]

Nokia N85 pops up at Amazon for $556 unlocked

2008-11-30T17:17:00.001-08:00

No matter how accustomed we should be by now, it's always jarring to see one of the Nokia N-series phones drop at some outlandish unsubsidized price -- if you think the $556 tag on this N85 is hefty, keep in mind that amazon is claiming that's already been steeply discounted from an atmospheric $1,200 "list price." While the phone is available to "buy" right this second at Amazon.com, there's a 3 to 5 week ship time quoted, so there's no telling if this'll be the first spot to nab the hotly-anticipated, N96-besting AMOLED handset in the States -- though it might be the first to take your hard earned cash for such a purpose.

[ Via: OLED-Info ]
[ Tag: amazon, for sale, ForSale, n-series, n85, pre sale, PreSale ]

Motorola cancels RAZR3 / Ruby, era comes closer to an end

2008-11-29T20:42:00.001-08:00

Earlier this month, the almighty RAZR fell from the top spot as America's best selling handset. Now, we're finding that the RAZR3 / Ruby has been canned. Granted, the move isn't all that surprising -- after all, Moto's known for awhile now that it simply can't keep tweaking the RAZR instead of, you know, innovating. But honestly, if this signals that the company is serious about moving forward and possibly adopting Android on the double, we won't shed a tear. Okay, maybe one, but only after all the lights are out.

[ Via: UnwiredView ]
[ Tag: cancel, canceled, kill, killed, moto, Motorola, razr, razr 3, Razr3, ruby ]

Switched On: Riding Shotgun in a traffic jam

Motorola Alexander and Attila spotted, but not clearly

2008-11-28T20:41:00.001-08:00

This is really just confirmation of existence more than anything, given that we've already seen purported shots of both the Attila and Alexander before, but at least we're assured that these forthcoming Motorola smartphones are more than just subjects of one's Photoshopping escapades. The image you see above is accompanied by no additional information whatsoever, but we must say, these look strangely seductive in greyscale. Could these really be the first truly black-and-white handsets? Do it Moto, we dare you.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: Alexander, Attila, in the wild, InTheWild, motorola, pics, pictures, smartphone ]

Sanyo trots out a few new Gorilla navigators

Verizon announces Samsung Omnia for $249.99

2008-11-25T18:39:00.003-08:00

If it's a 5-megapixel cameraphone you're looking for, there are decidedly cheaper entries on the market -- but if only a 5-megapixel WinMo Professional set will do, the Omnia's just about the best (read: only) deal you'll find on an American carrier these days. The CDMA translation of the smartphone that Samsung's been selling in other parts of the world for much of 2008 in GSM form carries over most of its key features, namely Windows Mobile 6.1 with TouchWiz, WiFi, DivX certification, the love-it-or-hate-it optical directional pad, and that beefy cam with flash and autofocus. It also nabs VZ Navigator support, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.2-inch 400 x 240 display, and 8GB of internal memory. Gives pause to that imminent Touch Pro purchase, doesn't it? Look for it to be available for order this week -- a full retail launch is expected come December 8 -- for $249.99 after rebate on a two-year contract.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: breaking news, BreakingNews, i910, omnia, samsung, sch-i910, touchwiz, verizon, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless, vzw, windows mobile, windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, winmo, wm6.1 ]

iPhone Bug Crashes the Phone when Malicious Video is Played [IPhone]

Samsung settles up with InterDigital in long-running patent infringement case

2008-11-25T18:39:00.001-08:00

At last, it's over. InterDigital, which is best known for its episodes in the courtroom with Samsung and Nokia, has finally reached an agreement with the former firm. The two have been at each other's throats since April of last year regarding patents allegedly used in some of Sammy's more sophisticated phones. The decision was reached just a day before the US International Trade Commission was set to rule on whether to recommend barring affected Samsung imports altogether, which we can assure you was not at all coincidental. There's been no public disclosure of settlement value, though one analyst at Hilliard Lyons estimates that Samsung will be coughing up $400 to $500 million over the next five years to make this problem go away. Talk about a recurring nightmare.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: infringement, InterDigital, lawsuit, legal, patent, patent infringement, PatentInfringement, samsung, settled, settlement, sue, suit ]

Pioneer forecasts even wider net loss, names new president

Motorola's Hint QA30 gets official

2008-11-25T18:36:00.001-08:00

We weren't particularly impressed when we got our first peek at MOTO's QWERTY-sliding Hint QA30 yesterday morning, finding the form factor to be a little too squat for our tastes whether open or closed. Today the phone has been given the official treatment and, while things look a little better in a new set of glamor shots from Motorola (no more Alltel branding on the UI), the "innovative" design still doesn't look particularly comfortable to carry or to use. Now that we can make out the buttons on the front we see that they'll serve as controls for the media player when closed, again making us think this should be a good choice for your family's texting-addict rocker. The specs we got before are confirmed, the one exception being that the microSD support tops out at 8GB, not 32GB -- better turn down that bitrate, son.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: hint, hint qa30, HintQa30, moto, moto hint qa30, moto qa30, MotoHintQa30, MotoQa30, motorola, qa30, qwerty, slider ]

Drug Lords For iPhone Takes Dope Wars To the Next GPS-Assisted Level [ iPhone Apps ]

Motorola Krave ZN4 hands-on over at Engadget Mobile

2008-11-24T18:53:00.001-08:00

Motorola's only -- yes, only -- touchscreen phone in the US market is on sale with Verizon, offering VCAST TV, two touch-sensitive surfaces (you'll just have to read the hands-on to find out exactly what that means), and a 3.5mm headphone jack, among a host of other lustworthy features. But is the total package any good? Head on over to Engadget Mobile for the scoop on the Krave ZN4!

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: hands on, hands-on, HandsOn, krave, moto, motorola, zn4 ]

Dash cuts 50 employees, drastically changing business model

First pics of Motorola's MOTO QA30 QWERTY slider

2008-11-24T09:28:00.001-08:00

Sliders are typically known for offering the best of both worlds: the sophisticated, clean looks you want hiding the ugly, QWERTY keypad you need. Motorola's bucking that trend with the chunky MOTO QA30, looking rather utilitarian open or closed and featuring the sort of squat form-factor that didn't exactly woo us on the UTStarcom TXT8010. The 2.5-inch 320 x 240 screen is a bit on the small side, but an integrated 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo Bluetooth 2.0, plus support for up to 32GB microSD cards, should make this a reasonably good choice for anyone needing a texting-friendly handset that can serve up some tunes. No word on price or availability, but we'd guess "affordable" and "soon."
Update: Jed commented to let us know U.S. Cellular recently featured this phone in an ad, dubbed the HINT and listed as being available as December. So, now you know what "soon" equates to, at least.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: MOTO qa30, MotoQa30, motorola, motorola QA30, MotorolaQa30, QA30, slider ]

Magellan suspends development on Maestro Elite 5340 connected GPS

Switched On: Writers on the Storm

2008-11-22T03:18:00.001-08:00

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

What happens when the efficient menu-driven user experience of the BlackBerry meets the discoverable new user experience of finger-driven touch? The answer for the BlackBerry Storm has been that the BlackBerry experience wins, and who loses depends on what you were expecting from RIM's first departure from a physical keyboard. While adorned with a few on-screen buttons and simple gesture support, the Storm is much less of an iPhone-like experience than, say, the T-Mobile G1.
The Storm's main advantage over other BlackBerry devices is that it has a larger screen, not necessarily one that is controlled by touch. However, to accommodate the removal of its trademark keyboard, RIM has taken touch-screens into a literal new dimension by requiring users to depress the screen to activate a button on the screen, which lowers and springs back like a giant keyboard key.
The screen's ability to respond to presses as a physical button (like the trackpad in Apple's new MacBooks), helps provide a more natural feel to typing on the Storm; the feedback is certainly more satisfying than the solely visual feedback that the iPhone e gives. Just because it feels good, though, doesn't mean you should do it.
While the screen's response may result in faster proficiency particularly as it (unlike the iPhone's keyboard) can be used in landscape mode while sending e-mails, fast typists may be frustrated to find that the screen sometimes cannot return to its "up" position fast enough to be ready for the next letter.

And then there is the issue of editing the inevitable typos that tapping out text on virtually any smartphone entails. It's unfortunate that RIM – while retrofitting a touch screen with so many of its user interface conventions -- decided to ignore a well-received BlackBerry navigation aid in the scroll ball that HTC has implemented well in conjunction with the T-Mobile G1's touch screen.

A scroll ball makes it easy to get between letters for editing. And with no iPhone-like magnifying glass user interface convention or other method for dynamically zooming in on small text, spot-editing on the Storm can be a frustrating tight squeeze. The Storm will usually provide a word or menu of words to replace the mistyped one, but navigating it too can be thorny in the limited on-screen real estate with the keyboard on-screen.

The classic BlackBerry form-factor represented by such handsets as the Curve, 8800 and now Bold was itself a screen upgrade from the first BlackBerry two-way pagers. With the rise of the Web and media demanding a bigger screen, though, there is potential for a BlackBerry with a side-sliding keyboard (similar to HTC's Touch Pro) that delivers an even more comfortable keyboard and the large screen while restoring the sense of proportion in the user interface at the expense of a little girth.

The typing feedback provided by the Storm represents an advance over those that offer only visual or haptic feedback, but for many of the BlackBerry's biggest fans -- even outside of Soviet Russia -- the clickable keyboard will depress you.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: 9500, 9530, Blackberry Storm, BlackberryStorm, featured, keyboard, research in motion, ResearchInMotion, rim, storm, Switched On, SwitchedOn ]

Navigon launches 5100 max / 2090S GPS units at RadioShack

Keepin' it real fake, part CLXVIII: Motorola Aura clone is everything we ever wanted in a knockoff

2008-11-19T11:31:00.001-08:00

If there was ever a phone worth cutting down to size with a completely shoddy but not actually completely unattractive fake edition, it's the Motorola Aura. What we have here is the Wingtech D20, which shares the swivel form factor of the Aura, mocks the round LCD with a perfectly boring square one in a round hole, and boasts a surprisingly weak complement of features, even for a "fake" phone. Oh how you suffer for fashion, Motorola.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: aura, fake, kirf, motorola aura, MotorolaAura, wingtech, wingtech d20, WingtechD20 ]

Дуэт автомобильных GPS -навигаторов MOTONAV от Motorola
Reigncom reveals iriver NV mini: part PMP, part navigator, totally adorable
Sanyo introduces WiFi-enabled R227 tabletop radio
Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo
Nextar intros Q4-MD navigator, throws in MSN Direct free for a year
Новые GPS -навигаторы и возможности от Garmin и «Навиком»

HTC MAX 4G officially announced, world's first GSM / WiMAX phone

2008-11-17T09:08:00.001-08:00

Hey Sprint, you listening? Granted, GSM doesn't do Sprint a whole lot of good in the States, but swapping a CDMA radio into HTC's first WiMAX effort here would make for a downright mighty response to the Touch HD. The previously-seen T8920 has turned out to be the MAX 4G, an 800 x 480 monster with 8GB of Flash on board, two cameras, an FM radio, GPS, WiFi, triband EDGE, and -- most importantly -- WiMAX support, making it the first GSM / WiMAX handset anywhere in the world. It'll be launching on Scartel's Yota network in Russia, and if you have friends cool enough to have a MAX 4G of their own, calls between the two of y'all will automatically be routed over the WiMAX airwaves using VoIP. A launch date hasn't been announced, but unless you're in Russia, there's probably not much point in even bothering to lust after this one. If you insist, though, you can check out a couple additional shots of the phone over at Engadget Mobile.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: breaking news, BreakingNews, htc, max 4g, Max4g, russia, scartel, wimax, windows mobile, windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, wm6.1, yota ]

Amazon slashes Dash Express by $100 for the day
MvixBOX media server: 2TB of web-enabled, media streaming goodness
Mitsubishi's $6,999 65-inch LaserVue HDTV now hitting retailers
Nextar intros 5-inch SNAP5 / 7-inch SNAP7 GPS units
NDrive rolls out new NDrive Touch GPS units
На рынке GPS грядут изменения

Asus Announces 800MHz 'World's Fastest' Smartphone [Hooray?]

2008-11-17T09:06:00.001-08:00

Asus is laying claim to the title for the fastest smartphone in the world, and there's little reason to doubt them. The news, though, is hollow: P565 with its 800MHz Marvell processor is objectively impressive, but underneath the oppressive, unflattering veil of Windows Mobile 6.1 it's not likely to blow anyone away. Carrying a dense 480x640 touchscreen to complement a solid range of specs — HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS S and 24fps video recording to name a few — the P565 is nonetheless fighting a software war with hardware improvements. On the other hand, if you're one of those odd folks for whom any superlative is an automatic selling point, then this may be your ultimate handset.
[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

Verizon's Samsung Saga shows its face, as anticipated

2008-11-17T08:56:00.001-08:00

Nothing new or unexpected here: just like we said a few days ago, the Samsung Saga, one of the bluest handsets in recent memory, is now available online at Verizon. Also filed under "things we already knew," the globetrotting GSM and CDMA-enabled smartphone with EV-DO is selling for $199.99 (with a 2-year contract and one of those mail-in rebates we all know and love), though apparently you won't be able to walk into a Verizon store and pick one up in person until December 1st. Hit the read link for more granular details should you really, really want them.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: gsm, gsm phone, GsmPhone, i770, qwerty, saga, samsung saga, SamsungSaga, smartphone, verizon ]

HTC Touch HD review roundup

2008-11-14T03:55:00.001-08:00

The HTC Touch HD may be somewhat hard to come by 'round these parts, but it certainly hasn't been making itself shy overseas, where it has been unboxed, examined, and given the early review treatment. Now that it's readily available in the UK, there's even more reviews of the phone cropping up, which seem to mostly agree that while it's not a phone for everyone, it definitely impresses. Among those completely blowing things out is Phone Arena, which, as you might expect, was especially impressed by the phone's screen, and describe it as "the phone for document viewing." Pocket Now was equally impressed by that "HD" display, as well as its overall performance and battery life, which they were pleased to find was about on par with the HD-less Touch Pro. CNET was even more effusive in its praise, saying that, despite its drawbacks, it is "HTC's best Windows Mobile phone yet." Windows Mobile, and HTC's GUI, proved to be a point of contention for the folks at Slash Gear, however, who say the phone would be even better running a next-gen version of the OS, or possibly even Android (a sentiment also echoed by Phone Arena). Other drawbacks include the phone's sheer size, some poor performance from TouchFLO 3D (despite an update) and, of course, it's lack of US 3G bands, which presents a bit of a problem for folks considering importing one. Still undecided? Then dive into the links below and watch the time slip away.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: htc, htc touch hd, HtcTouchHd, touch hd, TouchHd ]

RC29, RC30 G1 Android updates get explained

2008-11-13T17:29:00.001-08:00

We'd already gotten a general idea about what Google's RC29 and RC30 Android updates for the G1 did, but if you're curious about all the little details, you'll no doubt be pleased to know that the Google Android Security Team has now finally come out and explained the updates themselves. As we had heard, the RC29 update fixed a vulnerability that could potentially let malicious sites take over your browser, but it apparently also fixed two other software bugs, including a universal cross-site scripting problem that could also give someone control of the browser, and an exploit that let folks bypass Android's locking mechanism by booting the phone into safe mode. As for RC30, it apparently not only fixed that little root access issue, but two other bugs related to WebKit, which could, again, let someone take over your browser, and access to the G1's memory to, for instance, read stored cookies and gain online privileges. Google has also clarified that it intends to wait until all users have access to updates before it discloses the full details about them, so it looks like this cycle of confusion is going to be a regular occurrence for G1 owners.

[ Via: Talk Android ]
[ Tag: android, android security team, AndroidSecurityTeam, g1, rc29, rc30, t-mobile, t-mobile g1, T-mobileG1 ]

Fusion Voicemail Plus App Is Visual Voicemail For Android [Android]

2008-11-12T18:45:00.003-08:00

T-Mobile may not have an official Visual Voicemail service for customers, but PhoneFusion plans to change that—for the Google G1, at least. The app, which was previewed today at the Under The Radar Mobility Conference, is currently available on the Palm, Windows Mobile and Blackberry platforms, and works in a similar fashion as the VV apps on the iPhone and Instinct; the name, number, date and time for each of the messages in your inbox appears on the screen as a list of entries. As far as Android specific details go, there's not much info on the app except that it will appear in the Android Marketplace by the end of the year. [NewsBlaze via IntoMobile]

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[ Tag: ]

iSuppli says T-Mobile G1 costs $144 to make, nothing to love

2008-11-12T18:45:00.001-08:00

Teardown specialist iSuppli is at it again, digging through the G1's guts this time around in an effort to wrap its inquisitive brain around the inaugural Android handset's bill of materials. The result? $144, which naturally doesn't reflect HTC's R&D -- an additional expense that might have been unusually low for the G1 considering HTC's overwhelming expertise in manufacturing all things mobile. For the record, this is about $30 less than iSuppli's July estimate for the 8GB iPhone 3G, though the comparison isn't terribly fair considering that the G1 has a mere pittance of internal storage by comparison. There's no telling what T-Mobile pays HTC for each and every G1 it sells, but we pay $179 (or less) on contract -- so it seems HTC is making itself a nice little profit right out of the gate and customers aren't footing much of the bill. At least, not until they've gone a few months into their two-year agreements.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: android, bill of materials, BillOfMaterials, bom, g1, isuppli, t-mobile, teardown ]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 reviewed on Engadget Mobile

2008-11-12T06:06:00.001-08:00

Sony Ericsson's long-awaited XPERIA X1 is finally closing in on a US release, and Engadget Mobile has the low-down on the North America-bound X1a. Care to see how this hunk of sexy fared in real-world use? Do you love butterflies and magnetic fields? If you can honestly answer yes to any of the aforementioned questions, grab your reading glasses and head on over.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: panel, panels, review, reviewed, SE, smartphone, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, windows mobile, windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, winmo, winmo 6.1, Winmo6.1, x1, X1a, xperia, xperia x1, XperiaX1 ]