Author Archive
Aug
26
2008
 
Google explains why it dropped GTalk and Bluetooth from first round AndroidPosted by: admin in Mobile Gadget
Specifically GTalkService was postponed due to security concerns that the company felt “placed a significant burden on the application developer to avoid security flaws and perform user and relationship management.†While the Bluetooth was far enough along to be included in beta releases of the SDK, it “needed some clean-up before we can commit to it for the SDK…Rather than ship a broken API that we knew was going to change a lot, we chose not to include it.†Google assures us that Bluetooth headsets will still work with the first round of Android-based handsets and that the company “absolutely intends to support a Bluetooth API in a future release,†though no specifics on when that’ll be. Via the Android Developers Blog Via Mobilecrunch
Aug
26
2008
FCC approves new Hitachi Casio 8-megapixel camera phonePosted by: admin in Mobile Gadget
The FCC has approved the latest product of the Hitachi, Casio partnership; an Exilim-branded 8-megapixel camera phone. Unfortunately, just because the FCC approved it doesn’t guarantee the swivel screened, clamshell will actually be launched in the U.S. anytime soon, but still it gives us a reason to hope. As a follow up to the W53CA, this new phone is called the W63CA. According to the FCC docs, the W63CA is “a cellular phone for the global roaming of the CDMA method of 3G with the Bluetooth function and the FeliCa function sold in Japan.†We’re guessing the handset features include more than just FeliCa, japan’s contactless payment solution and Bluetooth, most likely the display will feature the same 800 x 480 resolution as its predecessor.
More reason to hope the handset might land in the U.S. is the current news that Japan hopes to promote its high end handsets in overseas markets. Via Mobilecrunch
Dammit. Finally the perfect HTC phone for a guy like me and it’s only going to be available in Europe. Who knows, maybe it’ll find its way over here someday. The S740 does NOT have a touchscreen (woo hoo!), has a full, tangible, real QWERTY keyboard (woo hoo!), and a real, huge boy 12-key number pad (woo hoo!). Add to that 7.2 Mbps HSDPA data, GPS, 3.2-megapixel camera, microSD expansion (256MB onboard), 2.4-inch QVGA screen, and Windows Mobile 6.1 hidden underneath HTC’s very-pretty UI and you’ve got what’s shaping up to be a nice tiny phone. A firm release date isn’t available other than “from September 2008.” That’s, like, next month, though. Full press release after the jump. HTC EXPANDS MOBILE PHONE PORTFOLIO WITH INTRODUCTION OF S740 HTC S740 Blends Sophisticated Style, Iconic Design and Impressive Functionality With A 12-key and QWERTY Keyboard for A Variety of Messaging London, UK - August 26 2008 – HTC Corp, a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, this day announced the introduction of the HTC S740, a trim, compact, and stylish smartphone that provides the perfect combination of a traditional 12-key phone design with HTC’s signature sliding QWERTY keyboard for optimal messaging. The HTC S740 will be available across Europe from September 2008. “Demand for high-performance, smart, mobile devices continues to see strong growth globally and HTC is well positioned to meet the varying needs of our diverse customer base,” commented Dr. Florian Seiche, Vice President of HTC Europe. “The HTC S740 combines a powerful, premium phone with a full slide-out keypad in a compact and sleek form factor. Clearly, one size does not fit all and the S740 will play an important role in expanding our growing portfolio of devices.” The S740 is designed to offer the most flexible and efficient messaging experience on the market. From the design of its 12-key keypad (ideal for super fast one hand messaging) and full QWERTY keyboard (perfect for those who like a two handed messaging experience) both input capabilities ensure efficient and accurate typing, as well as support for POP3, IMAP and Exchange push email. Instant messaging (IM) and SMS can also be accessed through the familiar 12-key interface on the front of the phone. The HTC S740 features the fastest mobile broadband abilities with a maximum download speed of 7.2 Mbps, up to 18 times faster than 3G. This true mobile broadband experience grants users to leverage the mobile Internet in a variety of ways including browsing to a favourite website, using Google Maps to find a restaurant for lunch and catching up to the minute news, blog posts and video podcasts with the integrated RSS reader. The S740 follows the sleek design of HTC’s hit consumer handset, the HTC Touch Diamond. This trim smartphone features the same polished black facetted back, a 2.4 inch QVGA display and slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Key HTC S740 product specifications:
Note to editors ** Actual HSDPA maximum speed 3.6/7.2 Mbps depends on carrier’s network status *** Subject to network and phone usage Via Mobilecrunch
Aug
26
2008
Dealzmodo: 65-inch 1080p Olevia LCD TV For $2300 [Deals]Posted by: admin in General Gadgets News
Aug
26
2008
Nokia Rolls Out N85 and N79 Smartphones [Cellphones]Posted by: admin in General Gadgets NewsThe image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.We’ve had eyes on both of these for a while, but Nokia this day has dropped a couple new N-Series phones into the official UK chute, and they are expected to follow stateside soon. The N85 slider (left) appears to be replacing the N81, and the N79 candybar does the same for the N78 (even though it only dropped in the US a few months ago). Gaming and music seems to be the focus of the N85, which adds N-Gage support and ditches the built-in storage in favor of an 8GB micro SD card. An AMOLED screen reduces power consumption for up to 28 hours of music playback. The N79 bumps the N78’s camera up to 5MP and adds an LED flash and swappable faceplates. All feature Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G across the board, but the rumored US 3G support we’re still waiting to hear for sure on. [Pocket Lint via Electronista]
Aug
25
2008
iPhone to Cost $990 in Russia: Yakov Smirnoff Has New Material [IPhone]Posted by: admin in General Gadgets News
Nonetheless, Apple believes that it can sell 3.5 million phones in the country within two years. That seems like a lofty goal, but let’s not forget that Moscow is one of the most costly cities in the world. There could very well be enough wealthy citizens out there willing to drop almost $1000 on a phone that has quickly become a must-have status symbol. [Washington Post]
You know things are goin’ awry when your employees interpret “Confidential and proprietary material for authorized Verizon Wireless personnel and Agents only” to mean “Send this to the Boy Genius immediately.” The document pretty much rounds up each nit pick the blogosphere has had with the iPhone 3G since day one — faux price drops, whonky data plans, etc — and presents it in easy-to-follow form for the sake of agents trying to persuade folks to stick with the ol’ VeeZeeDub. I’ll let you peruse it to your likings but, when it comes right down to it, Verizon’s just bummed they can’t put “MYTH: VERIZON DOESN’T SELL THE IPHONE” on there. [Via BGR] Via Mobilecrunch
Via Mobilecrunch
Aug
25
2008
iPhone’s 3G antenna put to the test in a $110,000 metal boxPosted by: admin in Mobile Gadget
When murmurs of the new iPhone’s purported subpar 3G performance made its way around to Sweden, a company called Bluetest decided to try and determine once and for all if we all just had a case of the crazies. They stuck an iPhone 3G into a $110,000 noise-free chamber along with a simulated base station, and tested communications in both directions. Then they did the same tests with a Sony Ericsson P1 and a Nokia N73. Turns out, they all performed about the same. Great news, right? Unfortunately, the test doesn’t really prove anything. It appears that they only tested one of each handset, which wouldn’t expose flaws between batches. More importantly, it seems they only tested it against 3G, which absolutely ignores the EDGE/3G hand-off that many people believe to be the problem. Oh well. At least we know the iPhone works great in a noise-proof box. Full test details and results here Via Mobilecrunch |
Woot’s deal of the day is a 65-inch 1080p LCD Television for only $2300. It’s Olevia, which isn’t the greatest brand—its parent company 
If you thought this post was going to contain a “in Soviet Russia” joke—think again. Besides, spending a whopping $990 on an iPhone is hardly a laughing matter. Actually, the price is a bargain compared to the 
