gadgets updates: February 2011

Saturday, February 12, 2011

LG Shine II announced

Boy, has South Korean companies come a long way since they started industrializing the nation a few decades ago. Remember back in the day when people shunned Korean handsets like Samsung and LG due to their perceived poor build quality? I even vividly remember that one of my frieds preferred a Nokia above all else as he claimed that Samsung phones were made out of recycled plastic, hence having a lower intrinsic value in the eye of the beholder.

Android-powered phones are gaining traction slowly but surely, and it is encouraging to see more and more manufacturers jump on the Android bandwagon as they attempt to break the growing stranglehold that the Apple iPhone has on the world of smartphones. One of the latest players would be the Saygus VPhone which is tipped to make its debut at next year’s CES in Las Vegas, having picked up the CES Innovations 2010

Rogers Wireless has just announced that they will be making available the Nokia 6750 to the masses, targeting those who are on the lookout for a sleek and stylish cellphone which is loaded with fun features, allowing one to remain connected to family and friends through the recent (and still ongoing) craze known as social networking regardless of where you are. Drawing inspiration from the human body, the Nokia 6750 comes across as a chrome flip cellphone complete with an ergonomic design which will conform nicely to your hand, allowing you to chat all the more without suffering from unwanted or unnecessary cramps.

Just when you thought that the worldwide economy has started to recover and people would be careful about their spending, along comes the $3.2 million iPhone 3GS Supreme from Goldstriker. Taking 10 months to create, it was commissioned by an “Australian gold mining magnate” – someone who clearly has tons of cash but unfortunately for him, cannot afford any good taste in fashion.

How do you define a holiday? Let’s have a show of hands here – how many of you out there actually check out your emails even though you’re supposed to be on vacation either alone or with your family? Guess we’re all guilty of it some point or another, as the pressures of work do remain at the back of our heads most of the time wherever we are. Of course, instead of toting around your notebook or even a super light netbook while you’re on your travels, how about trying out something which is far more portable, while being able to dial 911 during an emergency?

Synaptics Incorporated recently introduced the Fuse concept cellphone which demonstrated where the future of user interaction is headed, and it seems that the iPhone could be in for a challenge. After all, the Fuse will introduce multiple interface technologies for the first time, among them including multi-touch capacitive sensing, haptic feedback, 3-D graphics, and force, grip, and proximity sensing. Are you Apple fanboys quaking just yet? Of course, it is way too early to tell whether the Fuse is able to usurp the iPhone since there are still many other things to consider about, especially its ease-of-use and the all important App Store competitor.

Motorola introduces MOTOROI in Korea

We all know that cellphones in South Korea are on the advanced side of things, and it comes as no surprise as technology in that country has grown by leaps and bounds ever since the government decided to industrialize the entire nation (at least on the southern end of things). Well, today marks a new milestone in their cellphone histroy as the first Android 2.0 smartphone has arrived in Korea, and it does not hail from Samsung or LG, but is known as the MOTOROI instead. Judging by the name of the handset itself,

Motorola seems to have found their mojo back with the recent Droid release last year that seemed to pull the company out of the doldrums. After all, classic Motorola elements were in there including a solid build, great hardware and general all-round toughness. Well, fast forward to 2010 and you have the next Android-powered handset from Motorola known as the Motorola Devour. This smartphone will arrive in the markets from Verizon Wireless this March, and has the honor of being the first Verizon Wireless handset that comes with the MOTOBLUR content delivery service which aims to make wireless phones more personal and customizable.

Garmin-Asus nuvifone A50 announced

Garmin and Asus’ latest collaboration has resulted in the nüvifone A50, a touchscreen Android-powered smartphone which will retain the mainstay characteristics of Garmin’s vaunted GPS navigation system. Guess those who travel frequently when it comes to doing business might find the A50 useful, considering it will not only help you stay organized with everyone else in your schedule, you can also take some time off after a gruelling day of meetings by walking around town with this in hand to visit all those interesting locations and places mentioned. Expect to see more of the nüvifone A50 at MWC 2010 in Barcelona, Spain.

Garmin-Asus M10 ready to rock and roll

Looks like the Garmin-Asus intends to cover wider ground with a couple of smartphone releases that span across two operating systems, the Android-powered nuvifone A50 as well as the Windows Mobile running M10. The latter is a full-touch, all-in-one smartphone which will run on the most updated version of Windows Mobile – we’re talking about Windows Mobile 6.5.3 here, making it the second officially released smartphone to do so after the Sony Ericsson Aspen.

Is WiMAX the future? Many people think so, and both Runcom as well as IXI have joined hands together in a partnership to come up with a brand new WiMAX-enabled GSM cellphone which ought to keep you hankering after it. The result of both companies’ collaboration was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today, touting it to be its first Dual Mode Low Cost (ULC) GSM- WiMAX handset. Within the handset, one will find Runcom’s leading OFDMA technology that was specially developed for WiMAX and LTE (Long Term Evolution) connectivity support.

Whether you own an iPhone or not, most people have heard iPhone owners complain about the battery life. It’s an extremely common complaint. Thankfully you can purchase a very small RichardSolo back up battery charger for your iPhone 3G. It’ll make sure that you’re never stuck with a dead battery, plus it has a couple of small gadgets built into it.

Samsung rolls out a couple more handsets

Samsung wants to make an even bigger splash in the US market to cement their position as the top cellphone provider Stateside, rolling out a couple of handsets in the form of the Samsung Sunburst and the Samsung Strive. The former will be a full touchscreen display that is accompanied by a wide range of customizable widgets, while the Samsung Strive is a stylish vertical slider that has a full QWERTY keyboard. Expect to see both devices hit the market via AT&T online as well as in brick-and-mortar stores from March 21st onwards. More details on both handsets will be revealed right after the jump.

Sony Ericsson Zylo with Walkman cellphone

Sony Ericsson is back with a bang, this time round they have expanded their Walkman line of cellphones (guess the Cybershot fans will have to take a back seat for this time), where the Zylo is the latest model to be introduced. This next generation Walkman phone will not break the bank if you are interested in picking one up, where it not only offers the best musical experience from a Walkman handset, but will also merge both music with social networking in a single device.

Do you live in the US, and are currently looking for a new phone? Granted, there are virtually tons of handsets to choose from, and most folks would probably veer towards the smartphone variety, ultimately whittling their choices down to an iPhone or a BlackBerry. For those who want to try something different, why not give other handsets a chance instead of the two mentioned models?

Love having convergence devices, especially cellphones that come with GPS navigation capability? Well, you’ll be stoked to know that T-Mobile USA has just announced that they will be bringing the new Garminfone to the masses on an exclusive basis. This is the first Android-powered smartphone that sports a fully integrated Garmin premium navigation experience to help you get from point A to point B without having you get lost.

HTC seems to be riding on an uptrend wave with their latest range of Android-powered handsets that are nibbling into the world of smartphone sales, although it doesn’t look as though it is going to topple Apple from it’s lofty perch anytime soon. Still, the latest release by HTC from Verizon Wireless would be the DROID Incredible, and it will hit the US from April 29th onwards. Boasting a “topographic” design which oozes with powerful engineering just beneath the surface, the DROID Incredible by HTC was specially designed with craftsmanship and precision while making it a snap to remain connected on all fronts, be it over voice, text, email or social networks. If you’re interested to know more about the latest superphone from HTC, why not head on to the extended post?

Vodafone rolls out Palm Pixi Plus in Spain this month

Folks living in Spain might have wondered why is it they have yet to receive the Palm Pixi Plus after all this while, and we bring good news that this easy-to-use smartphone will be making its way to the Basque country this coming May 10th before the name of the handset is officially changed to the HP Pixi Plus. Yes, Palm might not be in the best position financially at press time, but at least there is a certain sense of security attached when you make your choice to pick up the Pixi Plus after knowing that HP has rode up on its horse, ready to rescue Palm from the evil clutches of bankruptcy. Folks in Spain who are subscribers of Vodafone might want to consider this simple smartphone in a week’s time if they are ready to renew their contract for a new phone.

Microsoft Communicator Mobile for Nokia smartphones

Nokia’s smartphone market share has taken quite a beating over the past couple of years or so, with the rise of the Apple iPhone as well as the introduction of newer players to the market including Android-powered handsets. Well, that doesn’t mean that Nokia does not have a commanding lead – the Finnish cellphone company has come up with some pretty neat devices over the past year, and this time aims to improve the productivity level of their devices with and alliance with Microsoft, resulting in the Microsoft Communicator Mobile.

Sprint has announced a brand new cellphone for the masses Stateside, where you will be able to pick yet another touchscreen device that also sports a full slide out QWERTY keyboard if you’re a messaging and email fiend – we’re talking about the the Samsung Seek, also known as the Samsung M350 if model numbers are your cup of tea. This 3G phone will come in a trio of color options alongside an easy-to-use, customizable menu system that provides instant access to their favorite features and applications.

Verizon Wireless announces LG Ally

Watched Iron Man 2 already? Well, you would probably have seen LG made an appearance early in the movie when Tony was facing off with Senator Stern, where he hijacked the rest of the video transmission system using his touchscreen, translucent LG handset from the future. Well, many of us won’t mind toting one of those, but too bad it is just a concept at this point in time – perhaps in a decade, we could see an equivalent hit the market.

LG and Versace team up, union results in Versace Unique luxury phone

Now most folks would not have thought that LG and Versace would ever team up, but the day has arrived. What do you expect from this union – a branded LED HDTV, an expensive washing machine or a luxurious cellphone? If you picked the handset as the answer, then you’re right on the money with both companies working in tandem with ModeLabs Group to roll out the Versace Unique, the first luxury touchscreen and full-featured multimedia smartphone which can be purchased via the most important and exclusive watch and fine jewellery networks and Versace flagship boutiques throughout the world from early next month onwards. That doesn’t give you too much time to save up for one if you’re a wage earner, eh?

Verizon Wireless to roll out LG Fathom

Both Verizon Wireless and LG has come together this time round to offer a brand new cellphone for the masses known as the LG Fathom, where it will make its appearance on Verizon Wireless business sales channels from May 27th onwards, while those who prefer to pick it up online and in Communications Stores can do so from June 3rd onwards. This smartphone is touted to be the ultimate on-the-go office (although we are sure that many other folks who are extremely happy with their smartphones will beg to differ),

AT&T, the largest mobile carrier Stateside has just announced that their partnership with LG has resulted in the availability of the LG Vu Plus, which is the latest AT&T Mobile TV-capable device that ought to keep you entertained on the go without having to miss your favorite TV program. Perfect for folks who do not like mobile gaming on a Nintendo DS or Sony PSP, the LG Vu Plus is clearly the handset for mobile couch potatoes. Available online and in AT&T stores nationwide from June 6th onwards, the LG Vu Plus will be an AT&T exclusive, where it will play nice with AT&T’s High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 Mbps technology that is capable to deliver a considerable speed boost to the nation’s fastest 3G network. Want to know more about what the LG Vu Plus offers? Read on after the jump.

Sprint offers HTC EVO 4G Stateside at last

America has recently gotten their hands on the first 3G/4G wireless phone in that part of the world, coming in the form of the HTC EVO 4G. This is clearly the latest and greatest Android-powered handset and for good reason – just read the specifications later in the post, and tell us that it ain’t so. Just before you continue reading, the HTC EVO 4G isn’t insanely expensive, although it is pretty pricey at $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement as well as a $100 mail-in rebate, where you can either choose from a new line activation or qualify for an eligible upgrade.

Companies these days want to be seen to do their part when it comes to keeping the environment around us green, and every slight effort is trumpeted so that their efforts are not lost on anybody. Most recently, we have Sony Ericsson touting their GreenHeart initiative which sees products that fall under the GreenHeart movement to be degrees “greener” than regular ones, with the Sony Ericsson Cedar being the latest cellphone to fall under that category. This handset will target those who want to stay connected to family and friends through phone calls, text messages and social networking sites without breaking the bank while keeping their consciences clear that the phone itself has some green features along the way to leave a better planet for our kids.

Innpu offers first wired cell phone in the world

When you mention cell phone, what is the first image that comes in to your mind? Most of us would think of snazzy iPhones as well as the ever more popular Android-powered handsets, not to mention those living in developing countries with their Nokias. Innpu bucks the trend this time round by offering a wired handset that they call a cell phone as well, making us wonder in amazement as to a seeming regression in terms of technological advancement in this day and age. What’s so special about this wired cell phone, you ask? Well, it is the the of its kind in the world that comes with built-in retractable headphones.

If you need to keep your phone safe around water you might give the DryCase a try. It’ll give you full use of your phone, all the while keeping it completely safe. Of course you’ll have limited use if you happen to own a flip phone of some kind, but at least you could still use Bluetooth if you so chose. Plus for those of you that have a camera on your phone, it’ll let you still take pictures thanks to the clear case.

iPhone 4 costs $188 to build

The whole world seems to be obsessed with how much things cost, and the same applies to the iPhone 4. For other countries where the smartphone is not available officially yet, folks who want first mover advantage to pick up an unlocked handset will have to fork out up to $1,000 for it, which is plain insanity if you ask us. It gets worse after you realize that the iPhone 4 costs all of just $188 to build, sans marketing and promotion dollars of course. A breakdown of the components point towards the Retina Display being the most expensive component within, as it is estimated to retail for $28.50.

The Samsung Galaxy S is one of the more unique handsets Stateside simply because it comes in many variants and is known by different monikers, depending on the mobile carrier which you purchased it from. T-Mobile’s edition is known as the Samsung Vibrant, where this multimedia intensive smartphone is more than capable of combining the whole range of entertainment and communication needs in a single device. For the layman, it could very well be your mobile TV, bookshelf, radio, movie library, gaming system and smartphone all rolled into one.

Ah, the iPhone 4. A source of inspiration when you think about the design, but it is rather unfortunate that its strength is also a curse due to the reception issues which the phone is currently going through with no official fix just yet. Despite its highly desirable form factor, Stuart Hughes decided to up the ante by making the iPhone 4 all the more delicious using his usual modus operandi – decorating it with a slew of diamonds. Yup, you read that right, the surrounding frame is encrusted with circa 6.5cts of top quality VVS , color ‘F’ diamonds, where they have been individually set to sparkle and dazzle away each time you pull out the iPhone 4 from your pocket.

T-Mobile has a spanking new smartphone on offer for the masses, and we’re talking about the Motorola Charm here. This unique touchscreen handset will come with built-in social networking capability, complete with the Android 2.1 operating system (hopefully an Android 2.2 update will be released in due time), not to mention their proprietary MOTOBLUR enhancement to help customize the Android experience on Motorola’s range of smartphones.

Both the Callpod Onyx and Vetro Bluetooth 2.0 headsets are very different from the rest simply because they are not limited to the traditional 10-meter range that most Bluetooth headsets come with, but will instead boast five times the reach, surpassing even 50 meters under ideal conditions. Not only that, both models will also sport 2-Way Walkie-Talkie and Dual-Mic Noise Suppression technology for crystal clear conversations to make sure that nothing gets lost, an important factor to consider if you’re a business person who is constantly on the go and need to get your message across in a concise and accurate manner regardless of the environment you’re in. More on both Bluetooth headsets in the extended post.

Motorola i1 is new Nextel Direct Connect Smartphone

Fancy an Android-powered Nextel Direct Connect Smartphone? Well, you can get your digs with the Motorola i1, a spanking new Android-powered smartphone which won’t cost you more than $150, albeit coming with a 2-year contract. This is a world’s first just in case you were wondering, where it will hit the market in the US this coming July 25th. The Motorola i1 is no pushover when it comes to smartphones in terms of ruggedness, as you can tell by its solid body construction that adheres to military specifications when it comes to protection against dust, shock, vibration and blowing rain, making the Motorola i1 an ideal smartphone for folks who work and play hard. There is one downside to all of this though – the Motorola i1 runs on Android 1.5 which frankly, is old hat and won’t even support most of the more modern apps available these days, making us wonder just what Sprint is up to.

AT&T announces Sharp FX quick messaging phone

Hmmm, looks like the Sidekick is not quite dead yet with AT&T announcing the availability of the Sharp FX quick messaging phone this coming July 25th. This will be the first quick messaging handset from Sharp on the AT&T network, while making it the latest AT&T Mobile TV-capable device that is lined up to rock and roll in the US market. What you get here would be a whole full touchscreen for your fingers to slide all over, not to mention a slide-out QWERTY keyboard which will definitely make life a whole lot easier if you are one who wants to send out text messages and emails in a flurry while not having gotten used to a virtual keyboard just yet.

ZAGG is a name that most of us are familiar with, as the company has already made its mark with its range of invisibleSHIELD, ZAGGskins, and ZAGGsparq brands, offering all round protection to your precious mobile device without making it look bulky in any way. Well, the company is back with a brand new protective skin for the famous Apple iPhone 4, and they have certainly done their homework by completing independent testing to determine whether these new protective skins products are able to help improve antenna concerns which has plagued the Apple iPhone 4 for quite some time since it was released.

Want to get a BlackBerry but you are not quite sure where to start? Well, why not begin with MetroPCS as they offer the BlackBerry Curve 8530? This new smartphone will be available with unlimited talk, text, Web and data service, just in case you’re interested to keep in touch with family and friends round the clock without worrying too much about the final monthly bill. Features include Wi-Fi connectivity, e-mail, and turn-by-turn GPS navigation, where all of the mentioned will cost you a mere $60 monthly, where it already includes the whole range of applicable taxes and regulatory fees.

Cricket Communications offer BlackBerry Curve 8530

Love the BlackBerry smartphone that you can’t get enough of its keyboard as well as blinking red light which keeps you occupied for most of the day? Well, good thing you aren’t residing in the UAE where the country has apparently banned the used of BlackBerry services due to the government demanding for RIM to allow them access to all messages sent and received, with RIM not budging (good for them). Well, those living Stateside can still have their healthy, daily dose of BlackBerry, this time round with Cricket delivering the BlackBerry Curve 8530 whcih will be accompanied by a pocket friendly 3G BlackBerry plan, now how about that for helping subscribers out during times of economic hardship?

Verizon Wireless formally announces the Droid 2

I’ve been seeing a lot of leaks during the past few months about the Droid 2, and it was about time Verizon Wireless made a formal announcement about it. I believe that this is one of the first Android phones that will come with version 2.2 (Froyo) pre-installed. It will also feature Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Swype, 8GB of memory, plus a microSD card with an additional 8GB more in it.

The latest and greatest Android smartphone to date has just been priced, alongside its availability date announced. We’re talking about the Sprint Epic 4G from Samsung, where it holds the distinction of being America’s first 4G-capable phone that will come complete with a full QWERTY keyboard as well as a brilliant Super AMOLED touchscreen display. This could very well be the perfect all-in-one device that you’ve been looking for to stay connected, get work done while enjoying entertainment even when you’re on-the-go. Apart from that, the Samsung Epic 4G is the only 4G handset from the Galaxy S smartphone family, where it will also be distinctly different thanks to the presence of a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Nokia X3 Touch and Type ready to rock the phone scene

Nokia, the Finnish cellphone manufacturer, is back with a new cellphone which will cater to the entry-level range. We’re talking about the super slim Nokia X3 Touch and Type, where it will come with a touchscreen display as well as a traditional 12 button phone keypad. While touchscreen displays tend to make an appearance in the higher end range of handsets, this one is an entry-level model. Touted to be Nokia’s first ‘Touch and Type’ phone, the Nokia X3 enables users to tap quickly on the bright color touchscreen display without losing out on the familiarity of the full keypad for quick fire text messages and phone calls.

Verizon Wireless announces Salute from ZTE

Verizon Wireless recently announced a new handset from Chinese manufacturer ZTE, the Salute. This lightweight and slim slider handset will be able to deliver up to 4 hours of talk time and up to 220 hours of standby time on a single charge. Features are pretty rudimentary, making this an ideal everyday phone that you won’t mind dropping or losing (apart from retaining all your contacts and messages, but that’s something Verizon’s Backup Assistant application can help) since it is dirt cheap

It would be hard to overlook the numerous steampunk gadgets that people have built and sold. However, I can’t say that I’ve come across anyone that has as many and as broad of a collection as Ivan Mavrovic. His features everything from a pen disguised as a gun, to toothbrushes and razors. The most interesting out of the bunch are the several cellphones that he’s managed to steampunk.

Samsung Fascinate to arrive online on September 8 via Verizon Wireless

What makes the Samsung Galaxy S so special? Well, it comes in many variants to different carriers in the US, and the latest carrier to receive their Galaxy S would be Verizon Wireless with the Samsung Fascinate. It is touted to arrive via online order on September 8th, with brick and mortar stores delivering the phone to users’ hands a day later. As with many other high end smartphones these days, Verizon Wireless has settled for a $199.99 price point – this also after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

The G1 smartphone from T-Mobile was the first Android-powered handset to hit the market, and it has been a few years already that we’ve seen far superior Android smartphones hit the market. Well, T-Mobile’s back better than ever with a sequel in the form of the G2 (with Google, of course), where it is capable of delivering 4G speeds to offer a far superior web browsing experience as well as tight integration with Google services.

So we know that the entire Star Wars saga is going to come in fill 3D glory from 2012 onwards, and for those whose favorite episodes are in the latter part of the space opera would be disappointed to know that George Lucas will be releasing his movies in sequence – which means you might have to wait until 2017 if Return of the Jedi is your favorite. Having said that, you can get a piece of Star Wars action from tomorrow onwards in the form of the Droid R2-D2 smartphone from Verizon Wireless, where this limited edition smartphone will feature a graphic design that resembles the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars saga.

T-Mobile has a spanking new myTouch smartphone for the masses, where it will play nice with T-Mobile’s equally new and super-fast HSPA+ mobile broadband network. It was constructed to cater for families, where one is able to hold spontaneous face-to-face conversations thanks to the wonders of Video Chat and the ability to reach 4G speeds on T-Mobile’s new network. It is also interesting to note that T-Mobile’s 4G network is available in more cities across the country than any other network.

Verizon Wireless has yet another Android-powered smartphone for the masses that ought to make those who are hankering after an Android handset all the more confused, especially when the Motorola Droid Pro is no pushover in terms of hardware. One thing that this smartphone has going for it would be the presence of a QWERTY keyboard, so those who have yet to get used to the idea of a virtual keyboard will find the Droid Pro to be heaven sent

We have already reported on the supposed “BlackBerry killer” Motorola Droid Pro, and Motorola is pouring out many phones at CTIA Fall 2010 this week. One of these is the Citrus, this phone is powered by Android 2.1, and there isn’t any word on a Froyo (Android 2.2) update. The Citrus has a curved design as well as an “easy-to-use on-screen QWERTY keyboard” on a full capacitive touchscreen display for “fluid flick, swipe, and pinch-to-zoom navigation”.

Jabra is no stranger when it comes to Bluetooth headsets, and they have released yet another potential winner in the form of the Jabra WAVE, a Bluetooth headset that boasts an enhanced behind-the-ear wearing style which ought to turn on the style whenever you wear it out. Some of the more notable features found in the Jabra WAVE include an innovative new wind-noise reduction technology and Voice Guidance. Are you stoked enough to own one already?

The Android operating system has really taken off in a big way, and it has clearly proved to the world that not everyone wants a closed system like Apple’s iOS platform, where an open-ended one like Android will still be able to do well. The deluge and phenomenal growth of Android-powered smartphones has certainly been something that nobody (except maybe for Google) expected, but we’re all the happier since stiff competition does benefit consumers in the end most of the time as companies will have to be on their toes to deliver the best. Sprint has sided with the Android platform yet again with their latest smartphone,

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Friday, February 4, 2011