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Mobile Technology
Saved by the cell – a Motorola Razr cell
By Mike Hanlon
12:59 November 26, 2008 PST
November 27, 2008 A man in New Orleans had one of the luckiest escapes on record last week when a stray .45 bullet struck him the chest, directly above his heart, only to be thwarted on its journey by a cell phone. He escaped with a bruised chest and a dead Motorola Razr. We wrote earlier this week about the world’s toughest phone, currently the Sonim XP1 and soon to be the Sonim XP3. Amazingly, the lucky fellow, "R.J." Richard, normally clips his phone to his hip pocket but for some reason that day hooked it to bib on his chest. "Something hit me in the chest really hard," said Richard, who initially thought he had been struck by a rock kicked up by the motor of the tractor he was driving. But when he took off his sweater and opened the nylon case for his Motorola Razr phone, a .45-caliber bullet fell out. Read More
Kensington 4-Port USB Charger for Mobile Devices
01:38 November 26, 2008 PST
Those of us accustomed to juggling multiple mobile devices are always looking for ways to reduce cord clutter and sort the whole process of getting juiced-up with the minimum of fuss. If that sounds like you, this idea may well appeal. As the name suggests, Kensington's 4-Port USB Charger can charge four mobile devices simultaneously using only one wall outlet. Read More
The toughest phone in the world just got tougher
By Jack Martin
12:33 November 24, 2008 PST
Sonim’s XP1 phone is already unquestionably the world’s toughest, so the imminent release of the even tougher XP3 is more than noteworthy, particularly for those of us who spend a lot of time near, on or in the water. The XP3 can withstand more shocks and drops than its predecessor, it’s buttons have been tested to function beyond 500,000 pushes, and boasts a Military Spec rating of 810F against salt, fog humidity, transport and thermal shock. It is capable of working at -20C or at +60C, which is way better than the human body, and comes with a three year, no-questions-asked guarantee. Most significantly though, it can be fully submersed in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. All this means you can call your pet goldfish. Read More
Pico projector features built-in media player
21:53 November 23, 2008 PST
Aiptek's PocketCinema V10 is both a stand alone media player and a highly-compact projector capable of throwing a 42-inch image at a distance of up to 6 feet. As a projector device can be used in conjunction with iPods, cameras, mobile phones, game consoles or other portable media devices and as a media player it supports SD cards up to 8GB in addition to its 1GB of internal memory. Read More
The ABnote-LAKS Smart Transaction Watch
By Jack Martin
21:44 November 22, 2008 PST
November 23, 2008 Approximately 1.1 billion watches are produced annually and around three billion credit cards are issued, which makes the LAKS Smart Transaction Watch look like a significant market opportunity given that it combines both. Laks is one of the most innovative producers of wrist-worn gadgetry in the world, with specialty watches that track the phases of the moon, play Mp3s and even monitor fertility cycles to aid women in getting pregnant, so the ingenuity of putting a smart card into a wristwatch to readily facilitate contactless payments was probably a no brainer for them. Perhaps one day we'll all be wearing these things, though our money is on the mobile phone being the logical long-term winner as the platform for contactless payments. Read More
RXS launches two new Bluetooth adaptors
By Darren Quick
03:21 November 19, 2008 PST
November 19, 2008 Everyone hates headphone cords trailing around everywhere and getting in a tangle, which is one of the reasons Bluetooth has proven so popular for listening to music from Bluetooth capable players and phones. For those whose phones and portable music players aren’t Bluetooth capable, RXS has released two new adapters, which add Bluetooth functionality to iPods, iPhones or any device with a 3.5mm headphone socket. Read More
Lacie's LaCinema Rugged hard drive boasts HDMI output
20:33 November 17, 2008 PST
While retaining the same shock-resistant form factor as its predecessors, Lacie's latest addition to its Rugged line of portable hard disk drives is the first to sport an HDMI output for direct playback on HDTVs. Read More
3M MPro110 handheld digital projector
18:29 November 12, 2008 PST
The much anticipated advent of ultra-portable projector technology is upon us with new offerings hitting the market at a rapid rate. Early market mover 3M's work on miniature projection modules has crystalized the form of the handheld 3M MPro110, a 5.6 ounce unit measuring 4.5" long x 2" wide that can project up to a 50" image. Read More
The (fake) MacBook Nano
14:24 November 12, 2008 PST
For some, one of the disappointing aspects of last month's raft of Notebook announcements from Apple was the absence of even a sniff of a sub-notebook model in the offing. Well it looks like someone has taken matters into their own hands, turning wishful thinking into a blatant rip-off with a fake "MacBook Nano" fashioned from an MSI U100 netbook running Mac OS X. Read More
The ClarityLife C900 Mobile Phone for Seniors
By Mike Hanlon
17:57 November 11, 2008 PST
November 12, 2008 The ClarityLife C900 is a very simple mobile phone with large controls, so it’s not the sort of technology we normally eulogise about in Gizmag. It’s key difference is that it has been reengineered to cater to the specific needs of the most technologically disenfranchised segment of our society – the elderly. The C900 is can be amplified an extra 20-decibels and it has oversized text for a group where hearing problems and failing eyesight are the norm. Most significantly, the US$270 cell phone incorporates an emergency response button capping off a very relevant feature set to an aging population that just goes on and on - hearing aid compatible, an extra strong vibrating ringer and a flashing orange LED to signal incoming calls for the hearing impaired and a flashlight. Read More
New Fujitsu Mini Notebook gets built-in GPS
22:15 November 10, 2008 PST
A netbook that combines full-featured PC functionality with voice-prompted GPS navigation, a 16-inch desktop replacement notebook that incorporates a second 4-inch touch screen and a 2.2 pound convertible tablet PC are among the latest mobile computing offerings from Fujitsu. Read More
Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G now shipping
By Darren Quick
19:09 November 10, 2008 PST
If there’s one complaint iPhone 3G users have it is the battery life, so it’s hardly surprising to see the first Apple certified “Works With iPhone” attached battery hit the market. The Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G is a rechargeable lithium polymer battery in the form of a non-slip, soft grip case that is designed to more than double the battery life of your iPhone and protect it at the same time. It offers pass-through USB so the iPhone can be charged and synced with iTunes via the included USB cable without removing it from the Juice Pack. Read More
MSI Wind BIOS update brings on-the-fly overclocking
By Kyle Sherer
15:51 November 7, 2008 PST
MSI has released BIOS update 1.09 for the Wind, allowing users to overclock the notebook by up to 24%, which increases performance by roughly 30%. The update retains the features of the 1.08 version, but provides added functionality and fixes some sleep and hibernation glitches. Read More
UK retailers create logo for promoting DRM free MP3s
By Emily Clark
19:26 November 6, 2008 PST
Ten years after the release of the first MP3 player, seven UK-based music download retailers are giving the universally compatible format a promotional boost by adopting an “MP3 compatible” logo to indicate they are able to be played on every PC, Mac and on virtually every digital music player. Read More
New Toshiba projector tells you what to do
By Emily Clark
01:00 November 5, 2008 PST
Toshiba has launched a new lightweight wireless 3LCD projector, which is most notably the world’s first projector with voice guidance - a feature designed for non-technical users that talks you through operating instructions and provides system alerts. The network compatible TLP-X200U also incorporates closed captioning and a unique multiscreen function for large venue use. Read More
RXS launches pocket-sized Pico Media Projector
19:58 November 3, 2008 PST
With more than half of the global population now carrying a mobile phone, technologies that enhance one of their key limitations - namely small screen size - are bound to find traction in the market. Eventually we can expect to see tiny projectors embedded into the mobile devices themselves, but in the meantime, add-on products that transform the mobile viewing experience are providing a viable alternative. Joining early movers like Microvision and Optoma, RXS: Redshift has now entered this space with the launch of its Pico Media Projector in the UK. The pocket-sized, 160g unit can project images up to 50 inches in size from your phone, laptop or PC onto surfaces such as a walls or ceilings. Read More
Myvu Video Eyewear gets iPhone compatibility
18:11 November 3, 2008 PST
Myvu has announced that its flagship Myvu Crystal video glasses now work with the Apple iPhone. The 82 gram, USB rechargeable Crystal model tops the company's range with 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution and a 22.5 degrees diagonal field-of-view and ship with noise-cancelling earphones from Ultimate Ears. Read More
iPow protects and prolongs the iPhone
By Emily Clark
21:23 November 2, 2008 PST
iPow combines a protective case for the the first-gen iPhone with back up battery power that doubles the device's talk, usage and standby time. Recently launched in the UK, the hard-backed leather flip case has an integrated battery along with built-in mini stereo speakers which of course results in a bulkier, heavier (add 98g to the 135g iPhone) and not quite as cool unit, but the promise of half the number of re-charging stops could well be worth the trade-off for those on the road. Read More
Nextar adds to SNAP GPS line
By Darren Quick
01:56 October 30, 2008 PDT
Nextar has added two new models to its SNAP line of GPS systems. Joining the 3.5" SNAP3, the 5” SNAP5 and 7” SNAP7 both feature touch-screen displays, built-in stereo speakers, Nextar’s magnetic docking station, text-to-speech (English) technology and both are only 0.7” thick. All models come with a 2GB SD card offering maps of the entire US and all of Canada. Read More
Techno-bling: Super Talent's 18-carat gold USB drive
17:39 October 28, 2008 PDT
Memory specialist Super Talent has announced a limited edition 18-carat gold version of its diminutive Pico-C Drive. The swank 8GB USB device features 200X (30MB/sec) data transfer speeds, is water resistant and comes with a matching gold keychain and black velvet jewelry box. Read More
Fujitsu launches M1010 netbook
By Gizmag Team
21:05 October 23, 2008 PDT
Fujitsu has officially announced the first installment in its new M Series line-up, the Fujitsu M1010 netbook. Weighing in at 1kg (2.2lbs) with an 8.9-inch widescreen display, the M1010 has a touchpad and mouse button layout designed for use with one hand and features integrated wireless LAN, a PC Express card, 3G USB dongle support, 4-in-1 SD card reader and built-in 1.3 Mega Pixel web camera. Read More
T-Mobile G1 hits stores
17:56 October 22, 2008 PDT
T-Mobile has announced that the first Android powered mobile phone handset - the T-Mobile G1 - is now available in retail stores across the US. The G1 features full touch-screen functionality plus a QWERTY keyboard, 3MP camera, built-in Google applications and access to the open platform Android market. Read More
Motorola AURA - a fob watch for the 21st century
18:20 October 21, 2008 PDT
Motorola has broken new ground in the mobile phone fashion stakes with its latest handset - the uniquely designed AURA. While the phones' specs - which include a 2MP camera, H.264 video capture, 2GB on board memory, hands-free Bluetooth connectivity and an open source browser - don't exactly set it apart from the pack, the craftsmanship, classic styling and high-end materials that have been utilized to create it certainly do. The immediately recognizable highlight is the circular liquid-crystal display, an industry first innovation inspired by luxury watch design that incorporates 16 million colors and 300 dpi resolution protected by a highly scratch-resistant 62-carat sapphire crystal lens. Read More
MOTO Q 11 joins Motorola’s Q series of smartphones
By Darren Quick
00:08 October 17, 2008 PDT
Motorola has announced the latest addition to its Q series of smartphones. The MOTO Q 11 is a quad-band GSM phone with EDGE, (no HSDPA or 3G), and features a 2.4” 320 x 240 TFT 262K screen and full QWERTY keyboard. In the wireless department it features Bluetooth, integrated 802.11b/g WiFi, which uses Boingo Mobile to automatically connect to thousands of WiFi locations worldwide, and integrated GPS for navigation support for applications such as Google Maps. Read More
The OLO iPhone-powered Netbook
By Jack Martin
20:52 October 13, 2008 PDT
The suspense surrounding Apple’s rumored Netbook announcement is quite extraordinary. The collective mood swing towards more convenient and usable wireless devices now seems overwhelming. People want more productivity on the move without the weight ,and the recent eeepc has only served to warm up the crowd for whatever Apple might be ready to announce later today. Just to add intrigue, a start-up named OLO Computer is getting set to launch what appears to be an iPhone-powered notebook/netbook which uses the iPhone as the CPU and the iPhone docks flat with the keyboard surface to offer its touch-screen as a trackpad. Read More
Gary Noel
- November 22, 2009 @ 06:20 UTC
