Posts Tagged ‘mobile phones’
Palm releases webOS 1.4
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on February 28th, 2010
At long last, the folks over at Palm has decided to do something about their webOS by releasing a most timely update, this time round bringing the version number up to webOS 1.4. You won’t need to make a trip to any store if you want to install the update since this will come across as an over-the-air (OTA) update, and is readily available for customers who are subscribed to the Sprint network in the US, while folks living on the other side of the pond will be able to get it as well assuming they’re under the O2 UK, O2 DE, O2 Ireland and Movistar umbrellas. As for Palm webOS smartphones which are available on other networks, expect the update to roll out in a short while. What’s so great about webOS 1.4? Well, why not head over to the extended post to find out?
webOS 1.4 introduces the ability to capture, edit, and share video, letting you upload your footage to YouTube or Facebook after making a quick edit to make you look as flattering as possible. Apart from that, you can also send those videos and images through email or MMS using but a couple of taps. With the world being such a fast paced place these days, being more productive is also another way of describing webOS 1.4 since it allows you to get more done within a shorter span of time, thanks to new features thrown into the Calendar, Phone, Messaging, and Email apps which simplify common tasks after taking into consideration feedback from their customers. Take for example, the Calendar app lets you dial a number that appears in the subject of an appointment. As for the Email app, you are now able to sort by date, sender, and subject.
Apart from that, your webOS-powered smartphone will also be the recipient of enhanced notifications, as the LED in the gesture area now lights up and pulses if you have a notification even is the display is turned off. This allows you to customize notification sounds in Messaging, Email (on an account-by-account basis), and Calendar. Additional notification sounds have been thrown in the ringtones library for a more customizable approach. Anyone given it a go yet, and how do you find it?
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[ Palm releases webOS 1.4 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Garmin-Asus M10 ready to rock and roll
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on February 13th, 2010
Looks like the Garmin-Asus intends to cover wider ground with a couple of smartphone releases that span across two operating systems, the Android-powered nuvifone A50 as well as the Windows Mobile running M10. The latter is a full-touch, all-in-one smartphone which will run on the most updated version of Windows Mobile – we’re talking about Windows Mobile 6.5.3 here, making it the second officially released smartphone to do so after the Sony Ericsson Aspen. The M10 will be able to keep professionals connected at all times with their business and personal contacts via email, calendar and Instant Messaging, apart from relying on preloaded mobile navigation from Garmin to help you get around unfamiliar territory whenever you are out of town. As with the nuvifone A50, you too can find the M10 in action at the Garmin-Asus exhibit at MWC 2010.
Hardware wise, the Garmin-Asus M10 does not look likely to disappoint anyone who wants a powerful, portable device. After all, it does come with a 3.5″ WVGA display alongside a finger-friendly user interface, while the Billboard feature shows off the most important information for one to access it in a snap with but a simple glance. Apart from that, an intuitive 3D Task Manager also enables users to switch between running applications easily. Underneath the hood will also lie 512MB RAM and 512MB ROM, 4GB of internal flash memory as well as a full QWERTY soft keyboard to help you get those text messages as well as urgent emails out in a juffy. Equipped with a 1500 mAh battery that provides hours of uninterrupted use, the M10 also comes with HSDPA wireless connectivity and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) support. Needless to say, with this being a Windows Mobile product, the M10 is able to synchronize to Microsoft Exchange.
It will hit the market in Asia and Europe the same time as the nuvifone A50, which is sometime in the first half of the year. Too bad pricing details have yet to be revealed, so we’re left guessing.
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[ Garmin-Asus M10 ready to rock and roll copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Mophie to offer iPhone credit card reader
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on January 2nd, 2010
When the iPhone was first released a few years ago, the whole world was abuzz with anticipation on how Apple would be able to an above-average cellphone experience to the masses, and I must admit, we weren’t disappointed. Heck, expectations were so high that folks even queued up outside the store for a couple of days before its release, willing to fork out a whopping $599 outright for the handset (and that is even before one takes into consideration the monthly fees). Well, the iPhone has certainly come a long way since its release with incremental upgrades and updates introduced along the way, and it seems as though this smartphone is able to do just about anything (save for stemming pollution around the world). Today, we bring you news of another new function introduced to the iPhone thanks to Mophie – with their iPhone credit card reader.
Mophie, the popular iPhone and iPod accessory and battery add-on maker, will use CES 2010 as the platform to introduce their iPhone credit card reader and third-party app, marking the accessory manufacturer’s first attempt to break into the lucrative mobile payment systems market. The accessory has been unimaginatively dubbed as the “Credit Card Reader”, where each purchase will be accompanied by a complimentary third party processing application which enables one to turn the iPhone into a functional device that accepts credit payments simply by swiping one’s credit card through a special casing attached that is connected to their handset.
There are still a great many details concerning this new mobile payment system by Mophie that have yet to be unveiled, and industry analysts are pretty sure that the device’s success will depend largely on the design and bulk of the iPhone add-on alongsde a price point that is hoped to be customer friendly. Make no mistake, this device isn’t about to start a monopoly in such a segment since it will go up head-to-head against Square. The Mophie Credit Card Reader will be packaged as an iPhone-only shell case which is similar to their Juice Pack Air battery pack for iPhone.
Source: IT Pro Portal
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[ Mophie to offer iPhone credit card reader copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
SMS Snoop captures Tigers of the world
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on January 2nd, 2010
Thinking of pulling off a Tiger Woods? You’d best go through your thought processes a couple of times more with wives and girlfriends being all the more wary about your ‘good boy’ image, as they now have the help of SMS Snoop – an application that was specially designed and programmed to catch those who abuse cellphone technology by cheating on their spouse or partner via SMS. All you need is a momentary lapse of concentration, where your spouse can then install the application without you knowing any better, and each SMS sent out by you will also be forwarded to their cellphone. All data can be saved or retrieved at any time for future proof in the event of infidelity. We do wonder how long this game can keep up though – especially if one checks through the bill each month to see the SMS costs double.
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[ SMS Snoop captures Tigers of the world copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Logic Bolt Projector Phone
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 29th, 2009
There has been a lot talk about the LG eXpo, a phone that has a pico-projector. However, CES last year had on display Logic Wireless’ Bolt projector phone. That phone is capable of throwing a VGA image on the wall that is 64 inches wide.
Of course, the projector is only one of the features of this phone that can run Symbian. It also has a touchscreen, as well as slots for two SIM cards.
It also has two cameras, one for the front and one for the back. I suppose that this is some design for the days when cellular phones will be all video-capable. Yeah, I’m still awaiting that day myself.
The Logic Bolt is available at, of all places, Sky Mall. It costs about $500, and that’s the unlocked price. I don’t know who wants this particular phone, as it doesn’t seem to have a carrier.
I’m going to venture a guess and say that this will be on display on CES on a little more than a week. If so, I would like to see how the projector fares against pico-projectors. If it can make the images more clear, then there might be market for this. As it is, it seems a little excessive.
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[ Logic Bolt Projector Phone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Metro Pink Cosmopolitan phone
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 28th, 2009
If you’re the type who love standing out from the crowd and yet don’t want to jump aboard the branded items bandwagon, the Metro Pink Cosmopolitan phone might be just the handset for you – assuming you’re in the market for one, of course. This unique dual SIM swivel screen QWERTY handset is relatively affordable at $100 a pop, where it will come unlocked, while boasting a design that looks totally different from what you’ve seen on the market. It is impossible to classify this as a candybar or a slider, but more of a square-slider. Each handset works across all four bands, where each purchase will come with a free 2GB microSD memory card. Something tells me that the user interface isn’t going to be as sweet as the design though. so caveat emptor applies here.
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[ Metro Pink Cosmopolitan phone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Kyocera offers Laylo and Domino phones
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 25th, 2009
Kyocera isn’t exactly one of the larger players in the cellphone arena, and their offerings fail to impress the masses most of the time, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a honest, hardworking company. Well, perhaps the tide might turn in their favor with the announcement of two new cellphone launches – the Kyocera Laylo and Domino phones which will be available from MetroPCS, making it to retail stores just in time for the holiday season to show off to your family members and friends that you have finally decided to ditch that monochrome display handset without a digital camera built in.
The Laylo will come in a slider format, boasting an eye-catching red color with a soft-touch finish and a reflective twist. A quick slide downwards will open to reveal a hidden vanity mirror, which more or less places this in the domain of the ladies. Know of any guys who would want to carry a vanity mirror with them wherever they go? Well, the Domino will take on a candybar form factor instead, where it will also sport the Yuletide color of red while offering features that are a notch above other handsets of similar price levels.
A further search showed that the Laylo comes with a 2.2″ contoured high-resolution display and a 1.3 megapixel camera apart from the aforementioned discrete vanity mirror. You get a relatively generous keypad within with excellent tactile and visual separation of the keys for faster, easier typing. Other features include Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, a WAP 2.0 browser, BREW 3.1.5 and a paperless user guide to get new users started while saving some trees in the process. The Domino, on the other hand, also comes with a large display with legible and large fonts. Other features like Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, a WAP 2.0 browser and BREW 3.1.5 are alsow thrown in to offer more bang for your buck.
Any takers for a new phone this holiday season?
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[ Kyocera offers Laylo and Domino phones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Brightkite releases augmented reality advertising solution
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 22nd, 2009
Brightkite, the Social Discovery Network, recently rolled out the first national augmented reality advertising solution. Users of Brightkite have gained the ability to access its augmented reality (AR) service since August earlier this year courtesy of the company’s partnership with Layar. Up till now, the service’s users can also check out their friends’ posts and photos at places around them. Now, with the rolling out of a new local advertising solution, those very same users are also able to check out tantalizing, special offers available in nearby stores to further tempt them to part with their money.
The Brightkite service enables users to look at the world around them via their phone’s camera, checking out real-time digital information on top of real-world locations. As the camera is pointed at different directions, the graphics will alter to accommodate various lens’ movements, as you check out your friends’ Brightkite data revealed around them. Imagine the possibilities of forging new partnerships with retailers, bars, restaurants and other businesses to enable Brightkite users to check out what those outlets are offering regardless of where they are.
According to Brightkite, “this initiative pioneers the latest in advertising – combining mobile phones, location awareness and augmented reality. This is truly a groundbreaking media campaign about which we, as well as our users, are very excited.” We’ll see about that though – just when you thought that the advertising industry is running out of ideas to entice potential shoppers, along comes this interesting and useful method. Guess mobile advertising has gotten yet another boost in such a form, but it will take some time before it rolls out worldwide as this does not seem to be as effective in emerging markets at the moment, so only developed countries with the relevant infrastructure will be able to support such a model. Take note though – this AR campaign is running on the Brightkite service till the end of this year, where it is available for both Android and iPhone devices.
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[ Brightkite releases augmented reality advertising solution copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness in the US
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 17th, 2009
Folks living Stateside have plenty of cellphone options to choose from, that’s for sure. Well, with a myriad of cellphone operators as well as handsets available, one is spoilt for choice, and it doesn’t help that Sony Ericsson has just released their Xperia Pureness in this part of the world – touted to be the first handset in the world that comes with a transparent liquid crystal LCD screen. Not only that, it also boasts ground-breaking miniaturization technology in the battery, memory card and antenna for one truly jaw-dropping handheld. Folks living in the US can pick this up via Saks Fifth Avenue online (www.saks.com) and Sony VIP Shopping Service. Just make sure that you have at least a grand in your bank account to spare, considering the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness retails for $990.
The Xperia Pureness has a rather aloof marketing presentation, where it is touted to offer “an alternative approach to life in the complex, digital age by refining the mobile phone to its most essentials functions – Talk. Text. Time.” We’re not too sure just how alternative your lifestyle is going to get apart from obtaining envious glances all around whenever you pull the Xperia Pureness out of your pocket, but hopefully Sony Ericsson will get its basics right – which are, talk and text. Aesthetically, this phone is extremely appealing, boasting hidden keys that light up only when touched, coupled with subtle illumination to indicate call and message notification.
Apart from that, you know you’re living it up when the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness comes with the Pureness concierge service. This is the only truly localized global concierge service in the world, where members are supported from all walks of life via a 24 hour service in cities globally for virtually any kind of need. It does make us wonder just how much lazier one has gotten over the years. True, technology has made life more efficient, but we’re not using the saved time to attend to other more important things, instead of just looking around for opportunities to do more.
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[ Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness in the US copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Synaptics introduce Fuse cellphone concept
Posted by: Gadget Boy in Gadget News, Technology on December 17th, 2009
Synaptics Incorporated recently introduced the Fuse concept cellphone which demonstrated where the future of user interaction is headed, and it seems that the iPhone could be in for a challenge. After all, the Fuse will introduce multiple interface technologies for the first time, among them including multi-touch capacitive sensing, haptic feedback, 3-D graphics, and force, grip, and proximity sensing. Are you Apple fanboys quaking just yet? Of course, it is way too early to tell whether the Fuse is able to usurp the iPhone since there are still many other things to consider about, especially its ease-of-use and the all important App Store competitor.
While the touchscreen display is almighty in this day and age, we must remember that Synaptics was first to introduce the touchscreen way back in August 2006, thanks to their award-winning Onyx cellphone concept. Other phone manufacturers have long followed suit, and Synaptics has gone on to the next level by tackling the issue of single-handed usage with the need to look at the screen by coming up with the Fuse. The Fuse will boast innovative sensing technologies that surround the entire device to enable quick, intuitive, single-handed navigation. Take for example its grip sensing capability that relies on force and capacitive touch sensors on the sides of the phone, where users can execute pan and scroll functions in a jiffy. Apart from that, the Fuse is first off the blocks to introduce 2D navigation from the back of the phone! This will allow one to enjoy effective and fun single-handed control without having to obstruct the display.
It makes us wonder when will Synaptics actually roll out the Fuse cellphone concept, moving it to the production stage as we’re pretty sure it is able to make more than just a ripple in the industry’s ocean. After all, modern cellphones are all about progress and change, and the Fuse is definitely a game changer – assuming it ever enters production, that is.
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[ Synaptics introduce Fuse cellphone concept copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
