January 07, 2008
Motorola Z10 and ROKR E8 Hands On
As with all Motorola phones, the new Z10 and Rokr E8 are innovative but not so much to be considered breakthrough technologies. Click through for specs and some impressions. ROKR E8 The rokr E8 is the next gen of Moto's music player phone line. It has a smooth surface, no visible keys. ModeShift / morphing turns the device from phone to music player to camera. They've built in haptic feedback for tactile response when keys are pressed, and a navigation wheel above the touch pad. They also threw in an FM radio, 2GB of internal memory, expandable via MicroSD. USB 2.0 for fast song transfer. It's a Quad Band GPRS/EDGE phone. Moto Z10 This one is a kick slider multimedia phone, with built-in video editing tools. The 2.2-inch QVGA screen displays video at 30fps, and in 16 million colors. External storage for up to 32GB, when it becomes available. So 8GB for now. 3.2 megapixel camera, which launches in 1.5 seconds-they made a big deal of this although the iPhone doesn't seem to take any longer to get into camera mode. It's3.5G HSDPA, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, for all that wireless video you're going to be uploading.
From Motorola Z10 and ROKR E8 Hands On
Posted by Murray at 05:51 PM
Sony Ericsson W760 Walkman Phone With GPS, 3.2-megapixel Camera
The Pitch: Sony Ericsson's W760 GPS phone's got a 3.2-megapixel camera, FM radio, TrackID song identification, TrackID Charts and gaming. The Catch: If you don't need GPS, it's fairly similar to previous Sony Ericsson phones and may not be worth the price premium.
From Sony Ericsson W760 Walkman Phone With GPS, 3.2-megapixel Camera
Posted by Richard at 11:00 AM
December 27, 2007
Analog Cell Network Goes Bye-Bye, Escalade Owners Weep [Digital
Sad news in the rap community: As of December 31, OnStar will no longer support its own analog systems in older vehicles, in anticipation of the analog cellphone shutdown scheduled for Feb. 19, 2008. Most of us no longer have analog phones, not even those dual-band and tri-band ones capable of analog roaming. Still, certain systems still rely on the network, including burglar alarms, utility meter readers and in-car help systems'"not just OnStar but also LexusLink and Mercedes-Benz TeleAid. When AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Alltel switch off their networks, many OnStar users will find themselves SOL. [AP; OnStar Digital Transition]
From Analog Cell Network Goes Bye-Bye, Escalade Owners Weep [Digital
Posted by Murray at 04:57 PM
December 21, 2007
WiFi Army Game Under Development for Android, Seems Awkward
Here's an example of the kinds of unique programs we can expect on the upcoming Android platform: WiFi Army, a game that takes place in the real world using GPS and your phone's camera. Basically, when you get in range of other players your phone will let you know and show you who your enemy is. You then take them out with "weapons" and "ammo" that I assume come up when you point the camera at them. It sounds sort of fun but also sort of awkward, as I can't really imagine running around aiming my phone at some stranger on a crowded street. It would also be really annoying to get attacked while you were out on a date or something, having to explain that it was just some guy who was engaging you in your phone's virtual first person shooter. In any case, there's a beta open for this, although with no Android phones out yet I'm not sure how you can participate in it. [Product Page via Ubergizmo]
From WiFi Army Game Under Development for Android, Seems Awkward
Posted by Guido at 05:43 PM
New Touchscreen BlackBerry Shipping With Only 2.5G EDGE?
If the source at Boy Genius is correct, the hopes and dreams of countless CrackBerry addicts will be dashed when the new BlackBerry 9000 (which may or may not be known as the 9100) hits shelves without its precious 3G capability. Instead, users will be limited to 2.5G EDGE and support for 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi networks. They also noted that the new device will feature the same basic OS with a version 4.3.2.upgrade'"not a complete design overhaul as some had anticipated. On the plus side, they did confirm the 480 x 320 resolution screen and that the phone would "most likely" feature a new full QWERTY keyboard layout. Probably not what many of you were hoping for, but think positive my hopelessly addicted friends, nothing is set in stone just yet. Speaking of that, the 9000/9100 will most likely ship in early 2008. [Boy Genius via Electronista]
From New Touchscreen BlackBerry Shipping With Only 2.5G EDGE?
Posted by Ken at 08:43 AM
December 19, 2007
Verizon Year-End Report Card: B- [Verizon Report
Verizon has to be the most bipolar telecom in the US. It's got a great network but won't let anything on it. Its got decent phones, but a lot of 'em are disfigured with that red-stained standardized interface. It was against open networks but now it is all about them. Grading Verizon for the year is hard, like a student who slacks all year then aces the finals on the last day of class. Verizon's smoking final exam score is its sudden, totally stunning turn to the Light Side of the Force, publicly embracing an "any app, any device" open network as the One True Path. It's like Vader turning at the end of Jedi. Or the Emperor, even. To continuing abusing the SW metaphors, Palpatine only wishes he could've gripped the galaxy as tightly as Verizon gripped its network. The only catch we know of so far is that its own handsets may well continue to be locked tight, but overall it was a huge'"possibly the best'"twist ending of the year. We've still gotta dock them for bitterly and persistently trying to mow down the open access provisions Google got the FCC to put in place for the 700MHz auction. It sorta makes us wonder if we're seeing Verizon's Senator Palpatine act. Then again, it did kiss and make up with the Goog, and is going with a more open standard for its 4G network, one that will be shared with (get this!) GSM carriers in the US and abroad. Speaking of "the network" (sorry), it's been a pretty good one for users. On the mobile front, Verizon upgraded every city to EV-DO Rev. A,which in English means can download stuff over the air fast if you've got the coverage (1.4Mbps, or 8 secs for a 1MB file). We're not down with the flippy-floppiness about data caps though. V CAST Mobile TV also debuted, though the Giz jury is still out on the whole mobile TV concept. It's easy to forget Verizon is also the provider of landline and broadband services, but on that front, it's done well too. Its FiOS network kept getting more awesome (read: faster) and we got assurances it would just keep making us cable users more and more murderously jealous. Not only did the carrier roll out a torrent-tastic 20Mbps down/20Mbps up symmetrical plan, they brought it to the whole network and offered their speediest service yet, 50Mbps downstream, creeping us ever closer to true Godzilla bandwidth. Negative points: It's probably still not coming to your house. AT&T may have the iPhone, and there might not be an iPhone killer in sight, but Verizon still has a (usually)solid lineup of gear. More importantly, the phones work well all over the place, so the carrier continues to win JD Power & Associate customer satisfaction awards, soundly beating other networks (*cough*AT&T*cough*Sprint*cough*). We still grimace at the unsightly Verizon standard interface appearing on all too many phones, though openness is the answer. Even now, the Verizon phones we most love don't have a Verizon interface. The carrier's formerly deathlock contracts are now less constricting, a big win for customer satisfaction, but there's still plenty of reasons to piss and moan about the some aspects of customer service. Verizon was also a willing hand in the NSA's warrantless wiretapping program, turning over untold amounts of data to help the government spy on Americans. Big thumbs down, even if they probably aren't going to get spanked for it. Final grade: B- Overall, Verizon can be a mixed bag, but (and it's a pretty big "but") if its moves to be more open are truly in earnest, the carrier might lead the mobile industry down a much more interesting path than it looked to be on even just a few months ago.
From Verizon Year-End Report Card: B- [Verizon Report
Posted by Rob at 01:28 PM
December 08, 2007
GE's Cell Fusion Series Pairs Your Home Phone to Your Cellphone
GE's upcoming Cell Fusion series of phones uses Bluetooth technology to pair your cellphone to your home phone so that you don't spend minutes looking for you tiny clamshell or slider while its ringing. GE has dubbed the first phone in the Cell Fusion series, the "No Jack" phone, and is geared toward "cord cutters," or those who no longer have a landline. The No Jack phone features a Bluetooth receiver that can pair with up to two cell phones so that you can make and receive calls on a standard sized cordless phone. The No Jack phone will be released in April 2008 in two models, 28127FE1, which just has one handset and costs $80, and the 28127FE2, which ships with a pair of handsets for $100. The Cell Fusion series also includes the model 28129FE2 phone which also lets you pair your Bluetooth-enabled cellphone to your house phone, but allows you to switch back and forth from your cell to your landline. The caller ID feature will also point out whether an incoming call is for you cell or your home phone. The GE phone will also allow you to choose either your landline or cellphone when making outgoing calls to take advantage of your unlimited night and weekend minutes. The Cell Fusion 28129FE2 packs in an answering machine and can be expanded up to seven handsets. Like the No Jack phones, the 28129FE2 should be arriving in April 2008 and will set you back $130. Rounding out GE's Cell Fusion series is the Home Gateway which is basically a Bluetooth receiver that will work with your existing home phone and Bluetooth-enabled cell and offer up the same functions as the 28129FE2 phone, regardless of your home phone's brand. The Home Gateway can pair up to two cellphones simultaneously and will also be available in April 2008 for $80. [GE]
From GE's Cell Fusion Series Pairs Your Home Phone to Your Cellphone
Posted by Stephen at 01:22 PM
December 06, 2007
Mobile Secretary Does Everything a Real-Life Secretary Does '" Except That [Virtual
Developed by Chinese company InterGrafx, Mobile Secretary was unveiled yesterday at Nokia World. Basically a 3D avatar that handles SMS and incoming calls on your mobile phone, Mobile Secretary comes in various shapes and forms (plump maternal, foxy blonde Svetlana, cool-headed brunette'"wonder if there are any male ones?) You can even create your own avatar using a photo, something InterGrafx refers to as a "personalized dream baby." So what else can it'"sorry, she'"do? Apparently Mobile Secretary can spell things'"shame InterGrafx didn't let her loose on their website, as she might have put the e in scretary'"as well as say good morning and good night to you each time you turn it on (GYAC, so can I) and you can train her up to be even more intelligent than she actually is. What she won't do is, apparently a little more complex. No rushing to hang up your coat, make your tea, or sympathize with you when you say your wife doesn't understand you anymore. And I don't think you'll get any under-desk blowjobs, either. [InterGrafx via Tech Digest via Boy Genius Report]
From Mobile Secretary Does Everything a Real-Life Secretary Does '" Except That [Virtual
Posted by Murray at 11:58 AM
