Mobile Technology

Google gives sneak peek at Android 2.0

By Darren Quick

23:25 May 27, 2009 PDT

Over at The Mobiler, we’ve taken a glimpse at what Google has in store with Android 2.0, also known as “Donut”. In the first keynote at Google’s I/O conference Google has managed to whet our appetites with a number of Donut’s new features including universal search and a text-to-speech API. Read More

Green energy charger ready and pumped for UK's biggest music festival

By Paul Best

23:30 May 26, 2009 PDT

Mobile operator Orange and renewable energy specialists GotWind know they’ve hit on a good, marketable idea. The companies have joined forces for a third consecutive year to showcase their outdoor charging solution at next month's Glastonbury Festival, the United Kingdom’s largest and hippest open-air music bash. This year Orange has unveiled a mobile phone charger prototype it’s calling the Orange Power Pump. By treading on what is essentially a standard camping air foot-pump, the kinetic energy created drives a small turbine inside the Power Pump. The energy is converted into electrical current, which recharges the mobile phone. The idea is not only simple, it cleverly encourages you to dance and charge your mobile at the same time. Read More

Recently on The Mobiler

By Tim Hanlon

01:23 May 25, 2009 PDT

Over at The Mobiler, we've recently looked at Lenovo's NVIDIA ION-based IdeaPad S12 netbook, Microsoft clarifying its Windows Marketplace app sharing policy, the Android Cupcake OS 1.5 being released for US T-Mobile G1s, leaked details of Nokia's N900 Maemo tablet, Virgin Mobile offering Wi-Fi on every flight, and AT&T's subsidized netbook program going US-wide this summer. Read More

Sharp first with solar-powered, waterproof mobile phone

By Darren Quick

22:00 May 24, 2009 PDT

Mobile phones and the beach are generally not a great mix, but for anyone looking to stay in touch while soaking up the rays there are a few more details filtering through regarding Sharp’s waterproof, solar-powered phone. Due for a June release in Japan through Japan’s KDDI wireless provider the new phone has finally gained a title, the Solar Ketai (Solar Mobile) and will be released as part of KDDI’s “au” line. Read More

Solar-powered Bluetooth headphones sound like a top idea

By Darren Quick

00:53 May 21, 2009 PDT

When it comes to wearable devices that harness the power of the sun, it would seem to make sense that the obvious place for solar panels would be the place that generally gets the most sunlight – namely the top of the head. That might not be desirable for items such as backpacks, jackets or sunglasses, but it’s such a perfect fit for headphones that you wonder why no one has thought of it before. Engineering student Shepeleff Stephen has hit on the obvious with his concept for Bluetooth-enabled headphones that incorporate solar panels into the headband. Read More

Visual Voicemail lets you see important messages at a glance

By Jude Garvey

21:30 May 20, 2009 PDT

One of the more tedious jobs at the end of a working day is listening to all the voicemails that have piled up while you’ve been busy in meetings. If wouldn’t be so bad if callers left a brief message, but listening to messages that aren't urgent drone on for minutes can be a little frustrating. Help may be at hand. As the name suggests, Visual Voicemail allows you to see all your voicemail messages at a glance. Read More

KDDI mobile pico projector

By Darren Quick

23:42 May 19, 2009 PDT

If you’re looking to share some of the video or photos stored on your mobile phone with an audience, then the KDDI pico projector could be just the thing for you. Designed to work with the new KDDI iida G9 mobile phone and the upcoming iidda range, the Toshiba manufactured handset uses DLP display technology. It can project a 480x320 image of between six and 63 inches onto a flat surface or wall up to 8.2 feet (2.5m) away. Read More

Sprint confirms price and release date for the Palm Pre

By Tim Hanlon

05:08 May 19, 2009 PDT

After months of speculation from the blogosphere, Sprint has confirmed the June 6 release of the Palm Pre handset we got all hot and bothered about back in February. Read More

Genius' travelers webcam doubles as speaker unit

By David Greig

00:34 May 19, 2009 PDT

Genius' Look 313 Media is a multifunctional take on the webcam that integrates a USB 2.0 hub and two rotational speakers to provide a new mini-digital entertainment option for travelers looking for that extra space in their suitcase. Read More

Samsung customers get their own online movie store

By Darren Quick

23:43 May 18, 2009 PDT

Online movie stores aren’t exactly a dying breed, but now European owners of Samsung phones, laptops and PCs have a movie store to call their own with the launch of Samsung Movies. Powered by European digital movie retailer Acetrax, the new store will allow users to download the latest Hollywood releases and TV shows for viewing on compatible Samsung devices. Read More

Philips GoGear portable media player adds spark to range

By David Greig

00:03 May 17, 2009 PDT

Philips has launched a portable media player (PMP) that glows while your songs are playing. Powered by Philips' patented FullSound technology, the GoGear Spark also features voice recording and PC download capability via USB 2.0. Read More

Verizon Wireless MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot set for launch

By David Greig

01:51 May 15, 2009 PDT

Version Wireless will introduce the much anticipated MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot on May 17. The credit-card sized MiFi 2200 will allow customers to create a wireless access point with up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices such as notebooks, netbooks, cameras, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players. Read More

This week at The Mobiler

By Tim Hanlon

01:17 May 15, 2009 PDT

This week on The Mobiler we've looked at iUnika's solar-powered UMPC, Novatel's MiFi 2200 personal hotspot coming to Sprint, AT&T and Apple crippling SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone, Peggle for the iPhone, the £24,495 solid platinum iPhone 3G, AirTran partnering with Aircell to offer Gogo Wi-Fi on every flight, the Samsung Alias 2 using E-Ink keys to solve dual-hinge usability issues, and the Nokia E71 arriving on Telstra Next G. Read More

Sony X-Series Walkman packs OLED display and noise canceling technology

By Darren Quick

06:00 May 14, 2009 PDT

Sony has set its PMP sights firmly on the iPod Touch with the new X-Series Walkman. Sporting a similar form factor and much of the functionality of its Apple competitor, the X-Series manages to hold its own with the inclusion of an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) touch screen and integrated digital noise canceling technology. Read More

Archos 2 gives iPod Shuffle a run for its money

By Mick Webb

19:21 May 11, 2009 PDT

When it comes to ultra-compact portable music players, for many the choice

"du jour" has been the ubiquitous iPod Shuffle. Apple’s minute MP3 players have consistently offered an attractive price point and ever diminishing size with each generation of Shuffle, which has allowed the pocket player to claim the lion’s share of the market. Here to give them a run for their money is the Archos 2 portable music player, which packs a punch with size, specs and price. Read More

Quick click access to mobile services

By Paul Best

00:56 May 5, 2009 PDT

It’s not only that mobile phones are enormously powerful communication tools – it's the highly personal way we use and customise them that is emerging and catching the attention of mobile operators. Australian communications giant Telstra is one that has seen the need to simplify how we access mobile services, launching a new mobile user interface – called TelstraOne Experience – that lets its customers access their favourite applications and services with one click. Read More

Skype answers the call for iPhonistas

By Darren Quick

00:50 May 4, 2009 PDT

Up until recently iPhone users wanting to cut their phone bills by using Skype have been forced to use third-party solutions, such as fring or IM+ for Skype. But with the official Skype for iPhone app now available free, such third-party offerings are likely to become less popular. Skype for iPhone does pretty much what you think. It lets Skype users make free calls to fellow Skype users, using a Wi-Fi network, as well as allowing the use of Skype accounts to make reduced-price calls to traditional landline phones. Read More

Podio – for playing out loud

By Jude Garvey

23:48 May 2, 2009 PDT

Taiwanese-based Agios Technology Company has spent two years developing the Podio - a portable digital Hi-Fi player made specially for bikes, but not exclusively. The cylindrical, pocket-sized music machine has been designed to produce a clear, natural sound, which is intended to be listened to without the need for earbuds. Read More

The search for the best ideas in satellite navigation

By Mike Hanlon

16:13 April 30, 2009 PDT

The Sixth European Satellite Competition is an annual search for the best application ideas for satellite navigation. In recent years, the winning innovations have included a rescue system for persons who have fallen overboard at sea; a mobile, GPS-supported social network; a mobile phone-based guidance system that aids more economical driving; a remote monitoring system for recovering heart patients; a Web 2.0 platform that delivers location-based videos in real time; and a flood prediction system. It's not quite American Idol for entrepreneurs, but there are many similarities. Apart from the monetary prize, success in the competition paves the way to market for your talents, with significant partners. Entries open May 1. Read More

Smartphone feature: HTC Dream vs BlackBerry Bold vs iPhone 3G

By Noel McKeegan

04:06 April 30, 2009 PDT

Smartphones can seem just that bit too smart when you're trying to decide which one to buy - so many features and no way to thoroughly test them until money has changed hands and the shiny packaging is all over your kitchen floor. To shed a little light on the subject, Tim Hanlon over at The Mobiler has spent the last six weeks tirelessly hammering away at three standout Smartphones - the BlackBerry Bold, the iPhone 3G, and the HTC Dream (or T-Mobile G1). From web browsing and delivery times to spam filtering, keyboard performance, creating music playlists and much more, here's how they measure up. Read More

Ultrasound images a snap with a smartphone

By Darren Quick

23:56 April 27, 2009 PDT

Looks like smartphones are getting even smarter. We can already access our email, GPS navigate and use a wide range of business document formats, making them an integral part of a business person’s day. Now doctors might soon be packing a smartphone alongside their stethoscopes. Computer engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have coupled a smartphone with USB-based ultrasound probe technology to produce a mobile imaging device that fits in the palm of a hand. Read More

Recent mobile coverage at The Mobiler

By Tim Hanlon

23:31 April 27, 2009 PDT

So far this week at The Mobiler, we've covered CSIRO’s 100Mbit wireless technology, the HTC Dream arriving in Spain, Averatec’s 12-inch N2700 laptop, Samsung's Android-powered I7500 handset, 3 UK announcing free Skype calls on their 3G network, a 9-cell battery for the HP Mini 2133 and Mini 2140, Nvidia telling us to expect Ion-powered netbooks to ship in July, and T-Mobile Germany confirming the May release of the Android 1.5 Cupcake update. Read More

Orbita Sparta Mini watchwinder - one for the ladies?

By Karen Sprey

01:09 April 27, 2009 PDT

As the name suggests, automatic or self-winding watches wind themselves using a moving weight mechanism inside the watch. All well and good if you are wearing your watch everyday, but if you happen to have a collection, you'll often find yourself faced with the fiddly task of manual winding and resetting features like perpetual calendars - a difficult job for large unwieldy fingers (men) and delicate fingernails (women) - which is where watchwinders come in. This one, the Sparta Mini from Orbita, is for the ladies. Read More

Bellperre adds extra-bling to custom made mobile phone collection

By Mick Webb

18:00 April 26, 2009 PDT

The words “global economic downturn” are not are part of luxury phone maker Bellperre’s vocabulary, as evidenced by the release of its new high-end Nero Gold series. The Netherlands based company offers handcrafted tailor made handsets using “0% plastic”, and has now added even more precious metals and gemstones to the available mix. Read More

The KissPhone for remote kissing

By Mike Hanlon

04:23 April 24, 2009 PDT

French freelance inventor Georges Koussouros was thinking outside the square when he came up with the KissPhone. Humans already interact synchronously with voice, text and video, and there's a whole science developing behind closed doors called Teledildonics, which is about remote sexual interplay. The KissPhone fits somewhere in between and has a mouth which you kiss - it subsequently measures the pressure, percussion speed, temperature, and sucking force of your mouth, transmits those same parameters to the remote user's Kissphone where it recreates your kiss for your teleparamour. Read More