Cell Phone Ratings http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/cell-phone-ratings.html Find Cell Phone Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisons - Cell Phone Ratings - Cell Phone Deals - Cell Phone Plans en Copyright 2008 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:11:23 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.17 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss DirecTV DVRs Get Cellphone Scheduling on the Go [DVR] DirecTV's rolling out its cellphone-enabled mobile DVR scheduling for its HR20-700 units. This means that you can hop on your cellphone and queue up American Idol (just about the only new show on right now) to watch when you get home. Other DirecTV models will follow in February. Hit the jump for a list of compatible phones. [dbstalk] * Apple - iPhone * RIM Blackberry 8100 (Pearl), 7290, 8700c, 8820, 8300 (Curve) * LG VX 8300 * Motorola KRAZR K1 M, i850, RAZR V3, SLVR L7, v360, v365, RAZR V3x, ROKR L6W * Nokia 2610, 6103, 6133, 6315i, 5300, 6102/6102i, 2660, 6086, 6126, 6300, N95 * Palm Treo 680, Treo 700p * Samsung U740, a707, a870, a920, Blackjack * Sanyo Katana SCP-6600, MM 7500 * Sony Ericsson W300i, W810i, z525a, K550i, Z500 * ...and any phone with Internet Explorer or Opera.

From DirecTV DVRs Get Cellphone Scheduling on the Go [DVR]

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/directv-dvrs-get-cellphone-scheduling-on-the-go-dvr.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/directv-dvrs-get-cellphone-scheduling-on-the-go-dvr.html Cell Phone Ratings Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:11:23 -0800 Samsung Touch-Screen F490 Cellphone Launched Today, To Be Licked Later in The Year samsung-f490-official.jpgThe Samsung F490 has been launched today, but not at CES. As expected, the touch-based phone from Samsung looks pretty. The cellphone has a 3.2-inch 262,000 color touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera and supports HSDPA at 3.6Mbps. No release date yet for the US, but it looks like it will reach Europe first for a whopping $734 without contract. Full official specs are after the jump. Tri band GSM (900/1800/1900), UMTS 2100, HSDPA 3.6 Mbps 3.2 262K Color 16:9 Wide Full Touch Display with Haptics feedback Croix interface 5 mpx camera, video recording (MPEG4, QVGA at 15 fps) Front camera for video calls Video playback at 30 fps 130 MB of Internal memory Built-in mobile Google apps microSD card slot standard 3.5 mm headphone jack Bluetooth 2.0 (A2DP+AVRCP), USB 2.0 Dimensions: 115 x53.5 x11.8 mm Weight: 102g Looks nice, but $734 for a phone with 130MB of internal RAM and 0.46-inch thick? Not for us, thanks. [Unwired View]

From Samsung Touch-Screen F490 Cellphone Launched Today, To Be Licked Later in The Year

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/samsung-touch-screen-f490-cellphone-launched-today-to-be-licked-later-in-the-year.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/samsung-touch-screen-f490-cellphone-launched-today-to-be-licked-later-in-the-year.html Cell Phone Ratings Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:39:36 -0800 SanDisk's New 12GB microSDHC Card Is World's Largest, Jumping to 16GB This Summer 12gbmsd.jpg The Scoop: SanDisk's latest microSDHC card has 12GB of storage, the fattest microSDHC card ever. But! It's only a proof of concept. According to the booth reps, the actual release model in June will be a whopping 16GB, double the previous biggun'. The Catch: Um, none, except more gigs=more dollars. [SanDisk] Photography by Curtis Walker

From SanDisk's New 12GB microSDHC Card Is World's Largest, Jumping to 16GB This Summer

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/sandisks-new-12gb-microsdhc-card-is-worlds-largest-jumping-to-16gb-this-summer.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/sandisks-new-12gb-microsdhc-card-is-worlds-largest-jumping-to-16gb-this-summer.html Cell Phone Ratings Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:20:40 -0800 First Video of Moto ROKR E8's 100% Buttonless Touch Interface Straight from the Motorola press party, we've got video of the ROKR E8. Check out the phone-to-music player's ModeShift keypad morphing action. Could this be the music phone they get right?

From First Video of Moto ROKR E8's 100% Buttonless Touch Interface

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/first-video-of-moto-rokr-e8s-100-buttonless-touch-interface.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/first-video-of-moto-rokr-e8s-100-buttonless-touch-interface.html Cell Phone Ratings Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:57:41 -0800 Samsung F490 and P720 Touchscreen Phones Get Video'd Two upcoming Samsung phones, the F490 and P720, were unveiled at some press event in the Ukraine a little while ago. Thanks to the magic of video and the internet, you can now see the in action as fondled by some press dude that was lucky enough to attend the event. Watch as he manhandles the phones in a way that would make you punch him in the face if that were your sister, and not a phone he was grubbing over. As for the phones, they're quite nice, and look similar to the F700/U940 we're getting on Verizon soon. [Unwired View]

From Samsung F490 and P720 Touchscreen Phones Get Video'd

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/samsung-f490-and-p720-touchscreen-phones-get-videod.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/samsung-f490-and-p720-touchscreen-phones-get-videod.html Cell Phone Ratings Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:05:05 -0800 BlackBerry Curve, Pearl and 8800 Get the Colorware Treatment colorwareberryfront.jpgColorware, the company that spruces up iPods, iMacs, iPhones, Zunes and Xbox 360s are coming back with a series of new items starting with BlackBerries on New Year's Eve. If you don't already have a BlackBerry Curve, Pearl or 8800 series, you can pick one up pre-colored directly from them. If you already do have one, you can send your current phone in for colorization. Then again, if you do have a BB, you're probably some kind of corporate "business dude" that might not want their phones accessorized in this way. You be the judge. [Colorware - Image via Boy Genius]

From BlackBerry Curve, Pearl and 8800 Get the Colorware Treatment

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/blackberry-curve-pearl-and-8800-get-the-colorware-treatment.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/blackberry-curve-pearl-and-8800-get-the-colorware-treatment.html Cell Phone Ratings Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:01:53 -0800 Buy TVs in Jan, Cameras in Feb, And a Calendar for Everything Else 7074616.jpgPCWorld has published a slew of interesting articles to keep in mind when we're all so busy spending our money. They've broken down the best times of year to buy the tech you've been craving for the lowest price. We, being constantly diligent in saving you time, have broken down their tips by item for you after the jump. Their recommendations essentially predict when new gear will come out, allowing you to pick up last year's model at a discounted price. While there's a lot to say for using what you buy and buying what you need (when you need it), why not delay that computer purchase a month or two to save some cash? Televisions The holiday shopping season (Nov and Dec), and right before the Superbowl in late January. PCs & Monitors Three times a year: holiday shopping (Nov, Dec) , back to school (Aug, Sept), and end of year clearance (jan, Feb). Cameras January and February, since the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Photo Marketing Association (PMA) conventions are right around then. Cellphones Any time your 2 years is up, duh. They recommend negotiating for more minutes within your contract pricepoint. MP3 Players Third and fourth quarter since new models generally come out then. [pcworld]

From Buy TVs in Jan, Cameras in Feb, And a Calendar for Everything Else

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/buy-tvs-in-jan-cameras-in-feb-and-a-calendar-for-everything-else.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/buy-tvs-in-jan-cameras-in-feb-and-a-calendar-for-everything-else.html Cell Phone Ratings Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:38:26 -0800 Motorola A1600 Leaked? 4419099.jpgAccording to Chinese site enet, Motorola's Linux-based A1200 is getting a successor, the A1600. And the quad band GSM phone features plenty of upgrades. Of course it starts with the standard speedier CPU and better 3.2MP (35mm quality) camera. But this phone gets two bigger upgrades we can all appreciate: Wi-Fi and GPS. At just 17.5mm thick, we're really hoping for an external screen on this new design. We should know more when the product is expected to hit in February. [enet via unwiredview]

From Motorola A1600 Leaked?

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/motorola-a1600-leaked.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/motorola-a1600-leaked.html Cell Phone Ratings Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:02:27 -0800 Paperless Boarding Passes Coming To Cellphones Cell_Phone_Check-In.jpgWhile it's nice to print out boarding passes at home before you leave, you can't always do the same on your return leg. Continental has a proposed fix, now in testing in Houston. You load your boarding pass onto your phone's screen with 2D barcode exposed, then let the TSA and airline ticket checkers scan away. Of course, you can imagine the litany of potential problems: Screens too glossy; poor on-screen rendering; boarding pass vanishes when call comes in; software and/or browser incompatibility; etc. Still, we are happy that airlines are doing something to solve the problem, now that e-ticket check-in has caught on and become nearly as congested and nightmarish as its human-powered predecessor. [USA Today via Gadget Lab]

From Paperless Boarding Passes Coming To Cellphones

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/paperless-boarding-passes-coming-to-cellphones.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/paperless-boarding-passes-coming-to-cellphones.html Cell Phone Ratings Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:20:54 -0800 Sony Ericsson Concept Phone Has Full-Sized USB Port usb_ercisson.jpgPutting a full-sized USB port in a phone is such a simple idea, even a caveman could think of it. Yet, until now, nobody has. Vincent Palicki's design features such a port by the number keys, allowing devices like thumb drives to plug in and transfer MP3s, movies and documents. Cellphone makers, pay attention...this is a good idea. [Yanko Design] usb_ercisson2.jpg

From Sony Ericsson Concept Phone Has Full-Sized USB Port

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/sony-ericsson-concept-phone-has-full-sized-usb-port.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/sony-ericsson-concept-phone-has-full-sized-usb-port.html Cell Phone Ratings Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:27:01 -0800 Nokia's Point&Find Technology Both Useful and 1277-471e7ce08b29d.jpgNokia has used its The Way We Live Next show in Finland to reveal the company's Point&Find system. In a nutshell, the cellphone company is developing the technology to allow you to point your Nokia cell at any object '€" restaurants, cinemas, even that cute girl you see on the bus to work each morning (er, are you sure about this? Ed) '€" and the information will immediately be downloaded to your phone. Earlier this year Nokia bought up a Silicon Valley start-up called PIXTO, the creator of the Point&Find technology. Combining specially-designed systems architecture, AI, GPS and image processing, Point&Find works on existing cell phones, provided they are equipped with a camera and internet connection. Point your mobile at the cinema and it will tell you what's on and when, let you view the trailer, and even buy the tickets; click in front of a restaurant and you'll get the latest reviews. Historical landmarks, travel posters, shop windows, etc, will all become reality hyperlinks. And as for the girl on the bus '€" well, give Nokia 10 years and, thanks to face recognition, perhaps you'll be able to link directly to her website. [Nokia via Mobile Mentalism]

From Nokia's Point&Find Technology Both Useful and

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/nokias-pointfind-technology-both-useful-and.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/nokias-pointfind-technology-both-useful-and.html Cell Phone Ratings Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:08:04 -0800 Steve Jobs: iPhone SDK In Dev Hands February sdk.jpegThe Steve has listened to our incessant whining and now he's writing something I've been waiting to read for many months: "Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers' hands in February." That's the lead-in from his letter on Apple.com saying the third-party app SDK for native iPhone programs is coming in early '08. It'll also do iPod touch programs. Jobs also explains the delay: Making the iPhone more open while keeping it secure from viruses has been a challenge. They're taking their time, and doing it right. Arn from Macrumors points out that the piece includes hints that Apple might pick up a digital signature system for app verification. P.S. Kudos for Businessweek on scooping this ahead of time, but Fake Steve called it first, bluffing or not. P.P.S We'll really have to wait a while to find out the exact details of app development to fully celebrate, but right now, I gotta admit, I feel like a born-again fanboy. [Apple. BTW, that Digg badge links to the apple.com website, so keep it floating.] Third Party Applications on the iPhone Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers' hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers. It will take until February to release an SDK because we're trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once--provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones--this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target. Some companies are already taking action. Nokia, for example, is not allowing any applications to be loaded onto some of their newest phones unless they have a digital signature that can be traced back to a known developer. While this makes such a phone less than "totally open," we believe it is a step in the right direction. We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone's amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs. We think a few months of patience now will be rewarded by many years of great third party applications running on safe and reliable iPhones. Steve P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch.

From Steve Jobs: iPhone SDK In Dev Hands February

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/steve-jobs-iphone-sdk-in-dev-hands-february.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/steve-jobs-iphone-sdk-in-dev-hands-february.html Cell Phone Ratings Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:01:53 -0800 E-Ink Cellphone Techno-Demoed at CEATEC eink-keypad-phone.jpgAt first glance, there's nothing special about this cellphone just demonstrated at CEATEC Japan 2007, but upon closer inspection you'll notice that the keyboard uses electronic ink (e-ink), capable of changing the display on each alphanumeric key whenever the spirit moves you. Just hit a Shift key and you can see an entirely different set of characters, similar to that possibly-forthcoming Optimus Maximus keyboard by Art.Lebedev. That concept will have major advantages for a cellphone. Besides the tactile feedback you'll get from individual keys, the major advantage is the way e-ink barely sips battery power, only requiring juice when it changes the display, because it doesn't use constantly shining backlights or LEDs at all. So even if battery technology stays the same in the next few years, cellphones can last a lot longer with this tech on board. But hey, we want to see flexible e-ink displays. [Xumdeo, via Uber Gizmo]

From E-Ink Cellphone Techno-Demoed at CEATEC

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/e-ink-cellphone-techno-demoed-at-ceatec.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/e-ink-cellphone-techno-demoed-at-ceatec.html Cell Phone Ratings Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:30:41 -0800 Sling Player Now Available on Nokia Sling_on_N95.jpgWe knew it was just a matter of time before the HSDPA-enabled Nokia N95 would score itself a Series60 friendly Sling Player, and lo, here it is. As you can see in the gallery, you initially access commands through menus, but the trick is to set your favorite commands along with your favorite channels. In case you were wondering, you can't use the transport keys for the N95 video player. One of these days, that would be nice. But as hand model Dave Zatz was showing us, you can do some quick maneuvers using keypad hot keys. Stay tuned for our detailed review. [Sling Media]

From Sling Player Now Available on Nokia

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/sling-player-now-available-on-nokia.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/sling-player-now-available-on-nokia.html Cell Phone Ratings Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:35:19 -0800 Nokia Announces E51 Smartphone for Suit-and-Tie medium_nokiae5122.jpgToday Nokia announced its new E series business smartphone, the E51, which is phenomenally more attractive than its predecessor. They're stressing simplicity and dual personal/business use, so it comes with media features like H.264 video playback, FM radio and an MP3 player, as well as Wi-Fi, miniSD storage, support for corporate telephony systems and a number of business email apps, like ActiveSync and Exchange, easy VoIP, and Nokia Office Tools 2.0. It'll drop globally in Q4 for 350 ($485) without a contract. Press release post-jump. Nokia delivers simplicity and productivity with stylish new Nokia E51 September 18, 2007 Stylish smartphone performer comes equipped with essentials for business and private life London, UK - Nokia today bolstered its Nokia Eseries portfolio of business devices with the introduction of the new Nokia E51 device. The slim and elegant Nokia E51 adds greater simplicity, faster access and tighter integration to key applications, while maintaining the smartphone capabilities and stylish design that customers have come to expect in a Nokia Eseries device. An all-round device, Nokia E51 is ideal for business professionals who require reliable, real-time access to business and people, need to manage time effectively and value a single device that is easy to set up, maintain and use. Nokia E51 users with Nokia mobility solutions can experience mobile telephony, mobile email and messaging, office phone functionality, and cost savings - with the convenience of one phone number, one voice mailbox, one dial plan - in a single device. "Business users increasingly need one device that they can count on to work productively and which offers them the level of efficiency that brings more freedom and balance to their personal lives," said Antti Vasara, senior vice president, Mobile Devices Unit, Enterprise Solutions, Nokia. "With the new Nokia E51 device, we are responding to this need with a business smartphone that combines the latest advances in business mobility and a classic, stainless steel design, at a price that makes it perfect for company-wide deployments." While expanding the rich functionality that business users require, Nokia continues to simplify the use of its business devices via the following: - A home screen including user-selected icons to the most used applications - One Touch keys with one-click access to key functionalities including email, contacts, calendar and the home screen - Set-up wizards offering step-by-step guidance for setting up email accounts, configuring Internet calling and accessing wireless local area networks - Integration with a wide range of business email solutions, including Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email and Mail for Exchange to communicate with Microsoft Exchange Server, and consumer email - Streamlined email reading experience with easy access to attachments - Dedicated Email key on the front cover, indicator light for new email, and a preview window to the latest email on the home screen to help keep up with email when on the move Nokia E51 also extends business value to end users and businesses through its ability to integrate tightly with corporate telephony systems (PBX) through Nokia Mobile Unified Communications solutions such as Nokia Intellisync Call Connect for Cisco and Nokia Intellisync Call Connect for Alcatel. These solutions deliver desk phone calling features - such as extension dialing, hold, transfer and conferencing - to a single, mobile device. Companies can also reduce their international call charges by routing the call over the corporate IP networks. "Nokia and BT share a vision that business mobility adoption will thrive when our collective customers and their respective end users, derive productivity improvements from mobile enabled applications," said Rakesh Mahajan, global director of mobility at BT Global Services. "For the BT Corporate Fusion solution, we chose the Nokia E51 for its classic Nokia business smartphone features and design, its ease of integration into our solution, and its affordability, making it more appealing for widespread use within companies of all sizes." Nokia E51 is also ideal for any user wishing to leverage broadband connections to access mobile Internet telephony from homes and hotspots. For example, Gizmo, a Voice over IP (VoIP) application, is available for Nokia Eseries customers free of charge, enabling users to make and receive inexpensive calls from their mobile phones and chat or talk with friends who are online. Gizmo application is available to Nokia Eseries customers through the Nokia Download! application on their mobile phone. In addition to increased features and functionality for business use, Nokia E51 lends itself well to personal use and offers a polished look for both business and personal use. The thin, stainless steel device is equipped with personal applications, including: - FM radio, music and multimedia players - 2 megapixel camera - Nokia browser, serving as the gateway to a variety of Internet services including interoperability with Windows Live, providing mobile access to most popular Windows Live services including Hotmail, Messenger and Spaces, available through the Nokia Download! application - Via the Download! application access to Yahoo Go! WidSets, and a number of travel, personal productivity and entertainment applications Nokia E51 is the latest offering in the industry-leading Nokia Eseries portfolio of business optimized devices that support companies' business mobility strategies by protecting their investments in workforce mobility. Joining the ranks of Nokia E90 Communicator, Nokia E61i and Nokia E65, the Nokia E51 device enables business users to collaborate, communicate, and operate whether they are conducting business from their offices, working remotely or traveling - while also keeping in touch with their personal lives. Nokia E51 will be globally available during the fourth quarter of 2007 for an unsubsidized retail price of approximately 350 EUR. [Nokia]

From Nokia Announces E51 Smartphone for Suit-and-Tie

]]> http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/nokia-announces-e51-smartphone-for-suit-and-tie.html http://www.free-cell-phones-guide.net/blog/-cell-phones/cell-phone-ratings/nokia-announces-e51-smartphone-for-suit-and-tie.html Cell Phone Ratings Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:46:16 -0800