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Mobile Technology
Hands on: Nokia's N900 Internet tablet may be their best 'phone' ever
23:21 September 3, 2009 PDT
So Nokia has gone and done it. It's been years since anyone has built a handset that I felt was a "must have" executive device, and Nokia has delivered with their upcoming N900. Based upon their previous N-Series Internet tablets, the N900 is a Linux based device with a large 800x480 display, but adds a quad-band 3G radio where previous products have been limited to WiFi only for communications. There's also full support for Exchange syncing, and a customized version of the Mozilla browser used in the desktop version of Firefox. With a slide-out three row qwerty keyboard and a large screen this device is ideal for corporate e-mail, and does a credible job of displaying formatted e-mail as well as a full weeks worth of calendar entries at a time. Dave Weinstein reports from Stuttgart, Germany. Read More
DivX-compatible R1 portable multimedia player from Samsung
By Darren Quick
01:37 September 1, 2009 PDT
Samsung claims its R1 'beat' player is the slimmest and lightest DivX-compatible portable multimedia player yet, which means users can play DivX content without the time-wasting step of converting files. The R1 is also the first DivX-compatible player to boast a touchscreen, measuring 2.6-inches, that allows the device to incorporate the TouchWiz user interface (UI) also found in other Samsung devices like the Jet and Memoir mobile phones. Read More
Sony makes some noise - S Series Walkman with built-in speakers
By Mick Webb
22:14 August 27, 2009 PDT
Sony has announced the latest update of its enduring stalwart, the Walkman, with some additions to their range of portable music players. Rather than just providing music for one, the S-Series includes built-in speakers to share the sound, while the new E-Series offers a stylish entry-level option. Read More
Nokia looking to get in the money
By Darren Quick
00:23 August 27, 2009 PDT
Nokia’s new Nokia Money service will let users send money, pay for products, recharge prepaid SIM cards and pay utility bills just by using the payee’s mobile phone number. Designed to be as simple as making a phone call or sending an SMS, the Nokia Money services will be accessible 24 hours a day anywhere there is mobile phone coverage. Read More
Qualcomm working on handheld TV for FLO TV
By Darren Quick
22:47 August 26, 2009 PDT
Qualcomm is reportedly working on a new portable digital TV called the FLO TV Personal Television, or PTV. The iPhone-sized device will be used to tune into broadcasts on Qualcomm’s FLO TV terrestrial digital TV service and could mark a departure for a company that rarely introduces hardware itself. Read More
Sony adds wireless Daily Edition eBook reader to family
By Jeff Salton
00:06 August 26, 2009 PDT
Sony has added a third child to its eBook reader family – the Reader Daily Edition – a sibling to the Pocket Edition and the Touch Edition products, which were released earlier this month. The Daily Edition eBook reader, however, is the ‘big brother’ to the other two, boasting a larger page view (seven inches wide) and 3G wireless connectivity. Read More
iLuv DC micro and dual USB in-car chargers
By Jeff Salton
00:26 August 21, 2009 PDT
ILuv has two new in-car USB chargers for people who don't want to have to remember to charge their devices before getting in the cars. The iLuv iAD 115 Micro USB Car Charger and iAD119 Dual USB Car Charger are suitable for iPod, iPhone, MP3 players, GPS devices, even that USB-powered shaver that never really got off the ground. Unlike some other clunkier USB chargers that get in the way of gear sticks, handbrakes, etc, the iAD115 Micro USB Car Charger is so small it can be concealed inside the cigarette lighter just by closing the cover. While the iAD119 Dual USB Car Charger removes fights in the car about who gets to charge their device first (great for families or newly-weds!) Read More
Sakhr's Blackberry app puts spoken word Arabic/English translator in your pocket
By Loz Blain
00:07 August 20, 2009 PDT
Mobile device convergence is accelerating like crazy, with a new breed of smartphones packing enough power to run an impressive range of software. And some of these mobile applications are getting pretty freakin' amazing - take Ray Kurzweil's kReader for Symbian, which allows blind or illiterate folk to point their phone camera at printed words and have them spoken aloud. Sakhr has gone a step further with an Arabic Spoken Translator for Blackberry devices. You speak English or Arabic into your handset, it transcribes, translates and speaks your phrase back in the other language, breaking down the language barrier in one fell swoop. Read More
Calling all things retro - the Bluetooth Mini Phone
By Mick Webb
06:04 August 19, 2009 PDT
The ever expanding range of Bluetooth mobile accessories occasionally sees a quirky variation appear alongside the more traditional units. Joining the novelty ranks is the retro - inspired Bluetooth Mini Phone, which, as the name suggests is styled like a miniature phone handset. Read More
Portable, secure 3G/4G router runs 8 hours on batteries
By Gizmag Team
18:38 August 12, 2009 PDT
The ability to be not just unwired, but entirely off the grid is getting far more manageable for the road warrior. Cradlepoint manufactures a range of portable 3G and 4G routers ideal for the mobile workforce, so that within minutes you can set up a secure WiFi network and share access from one cellular data modem with an entire team. Now Tekkeon has released a new compact battery that provides six to eight hours of runtime for CradlePoint portable 3G and 4G mobile broadband routers when no power outlet is available. By combining Tekkeon’s new USD$100 rechargeable lithium polymer MP2250 battery with any of several 3G/4G routers manufactured by CradlePoint, users can power a secure WiFi hotspot for hours – anywhere there’s cellular access. Read More
Viewsonic launches personal media players
By Paul Ridden
18:37 August 2, 2009 PDT
Viewsonic is about to break into the portable media player market with the release (in Taiwan initially) of two new players - the 8GB View Show VPD400 and the 16GB View Show VPD500. Sporting an impressive 800 by 480 screen resolution and supporting most media formats, the players will nudge their way in at the very top end of their class. Read More
iPhone Passion app rates your sexual skills
By Loz Blain
22:44 July 28, 2009 PDT
The iPhone app store ranges from the kinda useful to the utterly ridiculous - and here's an extreme example of the latter. The Passion application rates your sexual performance based on duration, power (as measured by the iPhone's built-in accelerometer) and loudness of orgasm, giving you a score out of 10 for your efforts. You can then compare "high scores" with other couples (or singles) around the world. That's right kids, to be the world's best lover, simply bang away like a jackhammer for 45 minutes, bellowing like a baboon. The ladies looooove that. Read More
North American NAVIGON on board navigation system for the iPhone
By Gizmag Team
01:32 July 27, 2009 PDT
The convergence of the mobile phone and GPS took a quantum leap this week when NAVIGON released a North American version of its on-board navigation software for the iPhone. MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G (or S) with OS 3.0 into a complete navigation device. The on-board approach means the software and map data is on the iPhone, so there are no subscription fees to pay or map downloads to wait for during navigation. It includes most regular NAVIGON functionality such as Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode, branded POIs along the route with more features to be added with software updates later this year. Read More
Samsung watch phone calls in early
By Darren Quick
20:17 July 23, 2009 PDT
Looks like Samsung is going to beat LG to the punch with the release of its S9110 watch phone due to hit stores before the rival LG GD910 – in France anyway. Aimed at Dick Tracy fans and gadget lovers alike the S9110 even manages to squeeze a few more features into its diminutive body, including a larger 1.76-inch touchscreen (to the GD910’s 1.43-inch), Bluetooth 2.1 and Outlook email sync. Read More
Latest news from The Mobiler - Nokia's rugged 3720 classic
By Gizmag Team
22:51 July 19, 2009 PDT
Over at The Mobiler recent news includes a look at Nokia's rough and tumble 3720, the release of Google Voice apps for Blackberry and Android, Palm's release of the Mojo SDK for developers on the Pre WebOS, a simple solution for syncing Google Calendar with iPhone Calendar, iPhone video projection heading this way, the reincarnation of that British icon - the red telephone Box - and Samsung’s ‘night vision’ phone. Read More
The AlphaGrip: a viable alternative to the QWERTY keyboard or not?
By Mike Hanlon
17:54 July 19, 2009 PDT
Answers often lie in strange places. I have long hated the QWERTY keyboard. Designed more than 150 years ago to slow human input via the frail mechanicals of the typewriter, it is a dinosaur masquerading as high tech and has become the main input device for billions of computers across the planet, strangling global productivity a little more every day because it is also impeding the progress of the computer from the desk to the couch, the train and the footpath. So when I called into beautiful Tapong to see my mate Kiril's new guesthouse on the beach in rural Thailand, the last thing I expected to find was a viable keyboard replacement. Read More
Solara Field Tracker 2100 - handheld GPS with text messaging
By Gizmag Team
00:19 July 18, 2009 PDT
The USD$880 Solara Field Tracker 2100 is a handheld GPS with text messaging – no voice, no video, no apps, just text. This may not seem a particularly enticing value proposition, particularly when you consider the USD$30 a month subscription fee, but wait … there's more! As it operates over the Iridium satellite network, which offers truly global coverage, it means you can stay in touch even if you're trekking the Himalayas, or the Silk road or Antarctica. Throw in extreme ruggedness, automatic position reporting and a two-way Emergency Alert notification system and it's a very compelling proposition if you're an adventurer who enjoys getting well off the beaten track. Read More
IASUS 500K Series Special Ops Headset System for the iPhone and Blackberry
By Gizmag Team
01:36 July 17, 2009 PDT
IASUS Concepts may not be well known to mobile phone consumers, as it has largely operated in the military marketplace until now, making specialist headsets, throat microphones and similar special operations paraphernalia. Its anonymity might soon be short lived thanks to its latest 500K Series Headset targeted at iPhone and Blackberry power users. Its Special Ops look is no accident as the 500K is adapted from standard issue FBI, CIA, and secret service earpieces, and is the first to introduce an acoustic coil earpiece to the mobile platform. Read More
Ultra-thin MoGo TALK Bluetooth Headset charges right on your lap-top
01:05 July 17, 2009 PDT
Being on the road with a laptop has been a bit of a nightmare in the past. A nightmare of cords, chargers and fiddly bits of equipment. Newton Peripherals has previously attacked this problem with its tiny Bluetooth enabled mouse, but now the company has turned its attention to headsets, producing a tiny device that weighs 9 grams, is about a third the size of a credit-card, and so thin – at 5 mm - that it can be stored and charged inside a laptop’s express card slot. Read More
SimpleTOUGH portable USB drive withstands 10 foot drop
By Darren Quick
21:09 July 16, 2009 PDT
It seems ‘rugged’ is the new black when it comes to external hard drives. Following the acquisition of SimpleTech, Hitachi has released a rugged portable USB drive under that brand - the SimpleTOUGH. The new drives are designed to endure some serious punishment with a rubberized body that's engineered to withstand a 9.8 foot (3 m) drop and take the pressure of a one-ton truck. The units also include an integrated, flexible, foldaway USB cable so the forgetful among us won’t get caught short. Read More
Samsung’s folding wings keyboard design for mobile devices
By Darren Quick
17:55 July 13, 2009 PDT
The ever-decreasing size of mobile devices might be a godsend for the pocket, but it poses problems for keyboard input. There have been a variety of solutions looking to solve the problem, from the iPhone’s onscreen keyboard to the Virtual Keyboard (VKB) that projects a keyboard onto any flat surface. One of the problems with these kinds of keyboards, however, is the lack of tactile feedback afforded by pressing actual buttons. Shrinking the keyboard down to fit on a mobile device of course presents its own problems and manufacturers must weigh size against usability by the chubby fingered. Samsung may have a solution with a folding wing design that would allow a reasonably sized keyboard to fold out from the rear of a mobile device. Read More
LG’s concept GC990 Louvre camera phone packs a 12-megapixel camera
By Darren Quick
00:04 July 10, 2009 PDT
Samsung might have claimed line honors with the first 12-megapixel camera phone in the form of the Pixon 12, but LG are snapping at their heels with the LG GC990 Louvre, a 12 megapixel camera phone that got its first public showing at the Korea Products Exhibition in Warsaw of all places. Read More
The ultimate geek accessory? Orange announces touch-screen watch phone
01:59 July 9, 2009 PDT
Come on, be honest - wouldn’t you love to make some of those childish dreams of secret agent covert ops finally come true? Because Orange has just announced that, from next month, they’re making available the ultimate gadget: the world’s first touch-screen watch phone. The LG GD910 is 3G and video-calling capable, with in-built speaker, Bluetooth headset and full touch-screen interface. Read More
BenQ's PC-less, lamp-less portable projector reviewed
By Kate Seamer
05:17 July 7, 2009 PDT
For those who just can't wait for the convenience of a projector built into their phone, the BenQ Joybee GP1 may be the answer to your portable projection prayers. Small enough to fit neatly in a suitcase (or hand bag), the GP1 can project from a range of portable devices, including iPhones and USB thumb drives. The GP1 has a sleek and modern design, and feels sturdy and light enough to be carried around all day - making it perfect for the modern mobile office, which often excludes a PC. Read More
EU caps roaming tariffs to prevent 'bill shock'
05:45 July 2, 2009 PDT
It's been a busy week in Brussels. Following the unbelievably sensible move to standardize mobile phone chargers, the European Union has now made calls, texts and receiving emails on your mobile phone 60% cheaper. Sending sending a text message from abroad in the EU now costs a maximum €0.11 (down from an average of €0.28), roaming calls are capped at €0.43 per minute and receiving a call costs no more than €0.19. There's also a wholesale cap of €1 per megabyte for downloads. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
