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03AprLG dropped two new AT&T messaging phones at CTIA 2009. Neon is Xenon's little sis, but it ain't too bad. If you can live without 3G, you get a full QWERTY, a sorta-touchscreen, and a 2mp camera on the cheap ... and with a side order of style.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03AprBGR's got the photo right but the story wrong (but only in a minor way, regarding the name, so no worries). LG's VX11000 was caught with its Verizon branding on by a camera-wielding BGR ninja. I can add a few details to the story for ya, thanks to a ... NinjaDog ... of my own.
The VX11000 - right, pictured next to the enV3, which will be released first - will not be called Voyager 2, due to licensing issues with Plantronics, makers of the Voyager line of headsets. Don't have a new name for you yet, unfortunately.
Fortunately, I got some specs, and I trust the source enough to share 'em now that the photos have come to light:
- 3.2 MP Camera with Flash
- Dolby Mobile audio (yay), 2.5mm headphone jack (boo)
- New user interface that borrows heavily from the S-Class UI found on LG's new smartphones
- No more VCAST TV (really? huh)
- Same form factor as Voyager: Clamshell with external touch display, internal non-touch display and QWERTY board
- And I've been told that LG and VZW did some major work on touchscreen responsiveness
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03AprAvailable April 8 for $99 on contract, LG's Xenon packs a lot of tech into a cute little package. Touchscreen, QWERTY board, 3G, GPS, and a new visual contacts interface ... for starters. Noah checked it out at LG's "dinner table" in Las Vegas.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03AprDisclaimer: What you do with your phone is on YOU. This type of stuff can turn your device into an expensive paper-weight. It's also a violation of this and that. I'm providing this information for educational purposes, etc. (I'm going to have to insert this type of thing into the beginning of a bunch of posts, aren't I?)
So, I rooted my G1. I've been putting it off because I was afraid hacking might cause some problems that would inhibit my reviews or give me a different experience than the majority of you. So far, the opposite has turned out to be true.
Before modding, I had two major issues that drove me crazy. The first - and most troublesome in terms of interrupting my work - was that I couldn't see a lot of apps in the Market that were available to the rest of you. I wanted to upgrade Power Manager to pro, but when I clicked the update button, I was informed that the program was not found in the Market. This happened every day, with dozens of apps. It didn't matter if I followed a QR link from a website, a notification in aTrack Dog, or a prompt from the Android Market's own version-checker.
I spent some time trying to chase this down, but it didn't seem like an acknowledged problem. Users popped up here and there complaining of one or two missing apps, and those offering support looked at the problem on a per-app basis. I never saw anyone saying that they were missing out on all of the most exciting new releases. But I probably spend a lot more time in the Market than the average user.
I gave up on the second issue long ago. Importing contacts from my SIM and sometimes even adding a new contact resulted in a force close of my contact book. The exact errors changed, but the behavior was the same. Most of the time, I could not save a new number to my phone - even after a factory wipe. I stuck with the short-list that I was able to add, and forgot about it.
After a few hours of reading, rebooting, transferring files, etc. I now have a rooted G1. Both the missing app and borked contact list problems have been repaired. Wow, I forgot how many people I know. The downside to this is that I wasn't able to purchase the pro versions of the Market's back-up apps first. It doesn't make that much of a difference though, because to make a complete backup of your G1, you need root access.
I've lost my contact photo associations and apps and all of that stuff. But it's O.K. The first thing I'll do after rearranging the phone to my tastes is to make a backup image of the. whole. entire. phone. state. Thank you, xda-developers, Android-DLs.com, and all of the brilliant people working on this stuff.
My Android gripes are gone and I'm looking at some nice new possibilities: multi-touch, screenshots, device back-ups, tethering, and loads of other goodies. I'm glad I waited. There's actually an app for auto-upgrading the modded OS now. I haven't been on long enough to use it yet, but... wow.
OSS, FTW!
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03AprDisclaimer: What you do with your phone is on YOU. This type of stuff can turn your device into an expensive paper-weight. It's also a violation of this and that. I'm providing this information for educational purposes, etc. (I'm going to have to insert this type of thing into the beginning of a bunch of posts, aren't I?)
So, I rooted my G1. I've been putting it off because I was afraid hacking might cause some problems that would inhibit my reviews or give me a different experience than the majority of you. So far, the opposite has turned out to be true.
Before modding, I had two major issues that drove me crazy. The first - and most troublesome in terms of interrupting my work - was that I couldn't see a lot of apps in the Market that were available to the rest of you. I wanted to upgrade Power Manager to pro, but when I clicked the update button, I was informed that the program was not found in the Market. This happened every day, with dozens of apps. It didn't matter if I followed a QR link from a website, a notification in aTrack Dog, or a prompt from the Android Market's own version-checker.
I spent some time trying to chase this down, but it didn't seem like an acknowledged problem. Users popped up here and there complaining of one or two missing apps, and those offering support looked at the problem on a per-app basis. I never saw anyone saying that they were missing out on all of the most exciting new releases. But I probably spend a lot more time in the Market than the average user.
I gave up on the second issue long ago. Importing contacts from my SIM and sometimes even adding a new contact resulted in a force close of my contact book. The exact errors changed, but the behavior was the same. Most of the time, I could not save a new number to my phone - even after a factory wipe. I stuck with the short-list that I was able to add, and forgot about it.
After a few hours of reading, rebooting, transferring files, etc. I now have a rooted G1. Both the missing app and borked contact list problems have been repaired. Wow, I forgot how many people I know. The downside to this is that I wasn't able to purchase the pro versions of the Market's back-up apps first. It doesn't make that much of a difference though, because to make a complete backup of your G1, you need root access.
I've lost my contact photo associations and apps and all of that stuff. But it's O.K. The first thing I'll do after rearranging the phone to my tastes is to make a backup image of the. whole. entire. phone. state. Thank you, xda-developers, Android-DLs.com, and all of the brilliant people working on this stuff.
My Android gripes are gone and I'm looking at some nice new possibilities: multi-touch, screenshots, device back-ups, tethering, and loads of other goodies. I'm glad I waited. There's actually an app for auto-upgrading the modded OS now. I haven't been on long enough to use it yet, but... wow.
OSS, FTW!
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03Apr
Overview
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Positives: Well-constructed BlackBerry, feels great in hand, running OS 4.6, offers new media options to Nextel customers.
Negatives: Not-so-great call quality, slow data speeds, unpredictable text messagingIntroduction
It's no secret that iDEN has been a step behind when it comes to new phones. While their CDMA and GSM counterparts were enjoying fast, colorful devices with a slew of capabilities, iDEN users were stuck with relatively drab, boring handsets - until now. The BlackBerry 8350i represents a huge shift forward for Nextel users, who have been stuck with the BlackBerry 7100i since 2005. We spent several weeks reviewing every aspect of the Curve 8350i, and for the most part, came away impressed.
Design & Features
The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is packaged with the device, battery, a home charger, USB cable, 1GB microSD card, wired stereo headset, belt clip, CD, and instruction manuals. We were pleased that the device offers a belt clip instead of the standard BlackBerry pouch, saving users a few bucks at the accessory store.
The 8350i is a fantastically built BlackBerry. Due to the increased height and length of the device, it fits well in the hand. Additionally, the keyboard is ever so slightly different, with the keys being a bit firm to the touch versus the soft-press keys on other Curve models such as the 8330 - a testament that the device is geared toward the construction crowd. The black faceplate looks good, though it does show scratches more than the other BlackBerry's.
One of the frustrations of the device is the 2.5mm headphone port, which represents a shift back from the typical 3.5mm jack found on other recent BlackBerry devices. In order to use the device to play music, you'll need a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter, which is sold separately. Speaking of music, the device has a microSD card slot located under the battery which will support up to 16GB cards, making the 8350i more music-friendly than its predecessor.
Usability & Performance
The operating system is one of the areas where the 8350i shines. The device is preloaded with OS 4.6, meaning that the software is as up to date as possible; something that can't be said for the other Curve devices. A number of design enhancements in 4.6 make it a worthy upgrade from its predecessors, and it offers a clean user interface to boot.
When we received the device, it was preloaded with the 8350i launch software, OS 4.6.1.83. Various users of the initial software build have complained of poor reception, battery life, messaging issues, and an echo. A few weeks prior to our review, Sprint and BlackBerry offered OS 4.6.1.128 as a software update, and we installed it upon quickly testing 4.6.1.83. Our test unit had no problems with either software build, but for those that are experiencing issues, we would recommend a software update.
Beyond the software refresh, the Curve 8350i retains most of the BlackBerry programs that they have become famous for, including a calendar, address book, task list, internet browser, memo pad, voice recorder, and media manager. With the advent of OS 4.6 on the device, it is preloaded with DataViz Documents To Go Standard Edition, giving the user the ability to view Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. In order to edit them, however, the user must purchase the Premium Edition.
On the messaging front, Nextel uses MMS to send both pictures and text messages, and as any Nextel user knows, text messaging on the iDEN network can be hit or miss. We never had any trouble with messaging on either software build, but have heard of many that have. Additionally, those that are in the habit of typing quickly may be disappointed, as there is an ever-so-slight lag in the device. Often times when typing, a 1-2 second delay would be present between typing words, leading the user to believe that it was typed improperly, and overcorrecting as a result. Heavy texters, use at your own risk.
Like any BlackBerry, the 8350i supports RIM's award winning push e-mail solution. On the note of e-mail, however, a recurring issue we heard about in other reviews was the reliability of sending and receiving e-mails. We had absolutely no problems doing either - in fact, we were set up and ready to go in about ten minutes, using the 'E-Mail Settings' icon on the phone. This was a well-documented problem of the older operating system build, so we're guessing that they were running the older 4.6.1.83 build at the time.
The two-megapixel camera wasn't much to write home about. Pictures were decent enough when lighting was perfect, but dreary days and low-light areas left a lot to be desired. Pictures taken in undesirable conditions came out dark and grainy, and the shutter lag posed a problem for taking pictures on the fly. After taking the picture, the user can rename it, and adjust White Balance, Picture Size, Picture Quality, and Color Effects.
In regards to reception, the phone was tested in various places throughout the city, and for the most part, was a decent performer. Calls did drop more frequently when outside of the city limits or off of the main highways. Unfortunately, due to the fact that we know no one with a Nextel handset, we weren't able to conduct a Direct Connect test. There was a noticeable amount of white noise during calls, but in fairness, these problems should be partially blamed on Sprint's iDEN coverage area, and not completely on the phone itself. Based on testing, one could fault the internal antenna - since iDEN devices are fairly new to having internal antennas, reception on the 8350i versus the i880, for example, is noticeable. Throughout the history of the technology, however, iDEN has always proved to be a bit frustrating on the reception front. Essentially, when the phone shows anything less than three bars, the user must be cautious, as the call can suddenly drop.
The device ships with a 1,400mAh lithium ion battery. In our tests, battery life was slightly higher than what a CDMA BlackBerry Curve would provide, usually lasting for about a day under heavy usage (calls, messages, BlackBerry Messenger), and extending to a day and a half with light use (messaging only). We were able to make about five hours worth of calls before the battery would die, but the test was a combination of e-mail, text messaging, and phone calls.Conclusion
For the most part, the device is a pleasure to use, and is a respectable addition to the BlackBerry lineup. Furthermore, it is a tremendous upgrade for iDEN BlackBerry users, who have been forced to use the BlackBerry 7100i for the past few years. The device is up to date in both hardware and software, and breaths life into an otherwise antiquated lineup of Nextel devices. The core decision as to whether to purchase centers around what the device will be used for. If Direct Connect is a necessity, the phone will make a great companion. If looks alone are the motivating factor, one has to consider the tradeoffs. The device does run OS 4.6 and sports various design modifications from the original Curve, however it is still powered by an iDEN radio, and as a result, slow data speeds, unreliable text messaging, and somewhat questionable call quality is to be expected. We would recommend visiting the store to check out the device before a purchase is made.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03Apr
Overview
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Positives: Well-constructed BlackBerry, feels great in hand, running OS 4.6, offers new media options to Nextel customers.
Negatives: Not-so-great call quality, slow data speeds, unpredictable text messagingIntroduction
It's no secret that iDEN has been a step behind when it comes to new phones. While their CDMA and GSM counterparts were enjoying fast, colorful devices with a slew of capabilities, iDEN users were stuck with relatively drab, boring handsets - until now. The BlackBerry 8350i represents a huge shift forward for Nextel users, who have been stuck with the BlackBerry 7100i since 2005. We spent several weeks reviewing every aspect of the Curve 8350i, and for the most part, came away impressed.
Design & Features
The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is packaged with the device, battery, a home charger, USB cable, 1GB microSD card, wired stereo headset, belt clip, CD, and instruction manuals. We were pleased that the device offers a belt clip instead of the standard BlackBerry pouch, saving users a few bucks at the accessory store.
The 8350i is a fantastically built BlackBerry. Due to the increased height and length of the device, it fits well in the hand. Additionally, the keyboard is ever so slightly different, with the keys being a bit firm to the touch versus the soft-press keys on other Curve models such as the 8330 - a testament that the device is geared toward the construction crowd. The black faceplate looks good, though it does show scratches more than the other BlackBerry's.
One of the frustrations of the device is the 2.5mm headphone port, which represents a shift back from the typical 3.5mm jack found on other recent BlackBerry devices. In order to use the device to play music, you'll need a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter, which is sold separately. Speaking of music, the device has a microSD card slot located under the battery which will support up to 16GB cards, making the 8350i more music-friendly than its predecessor.Usability & Performance
The operating system is one of the areas where the 8350i shines. The device is preloaded with OS 4.6, meaning that the software is as up to date as possible; something that can't be said for the other Curve devices. A number of design enhancements in 4.6 make it a worthy upgrade from its predecessors, and it offers a clean user interface to boot.
When we received the device, it was preloaded with the 8350i launch software, OS 4.6.1.83. Various users of the initial software build have complained of poor reception, battery life, messaging issues, and an echo. A few weeks prior to our review, Sprint and BlackBerry offered OS 4.6.1.128 as a software update, and we installed it upon quickly testing 4.6.1.83. Our test unit had no problems with either software build, but for those that are experiencing issues, we would recommend a software update.
Beyond the software refresh, the Curve 8350i retains most of the BlackBerry programs that they have become famous for, including a calendar, address book, task list, internet browser, memo pad, voice recorder, and media manager. With the advent of OS 4.6 on the device, it is preloaded with DataViz Documents To Go Standard Edition, giving the user the ability to view Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. In order to edit them, however, the user must purchase the Premium Edition.
On the messaging front, Nextel uses MMS to send both pictures and text messages, and as any Nextel user knows, text messaging on the iDEN network can be hit or miss. We never had any trouble with messaging on either software build, but have heard of many that have. Additionally, those that are in the habit of typing quickly may be disappointed, as there is an ever-so-slight lag in the device. Often times when typing, a 1-2 second delay would be present between typing words, leading the user to believe that it was typed improperly, and overcorrecting as a result. Heavy texters, use at your own risk.
Like any BlackBerry, the 8350i supports RIM's award winning push e-mail solution. On the note of e-mail, however, a recurring issue we heard about in other reviews was the reliability of sending and receiving e-mails. We had absolutely no problems doing either - in fact, we were set up and ready to go in about ten minutes, using the 'E-Mail Settings' icon on the phone. This was a well-documented problem of the older operating system build, so we're guessing that they were running the older 4.6.1.83 build at the time.
The two-megapixel camera wasn't much to write home about. Pictures were decent enough when lighting was perfect, but dreary days and low-light areas left a lot to be desired. Pictures taken in undesirable conditions came out dark and grainy, and the shutter lag posed a problem for taking pictures on the fly. After taking the picture, the user can rename it, and adjust White Balance, Picture Size, Picture Quality, and Color Effects.
In regards to reception, the phone was tested in various places throughout the city, and for the most part, was a decent performer. Calls did drop more frequently when outside of the city limits or off of the main highways. Unfortunately, due to the fact that we know no one with a Nextel handset, we weren't able to conduct a Direct Connect test. There was a noticeable amount of white noise during calls, but in fairness, these problems should be partially blamed on Sprint's iDEN coverage area, and not completely on the phone itself. Based on testing, one could fault the internal antenna - since iDEN devices are fairly new to having internal antennas, reception on the 8350i versus the i880, for example, is noticeable. Throughout the history of the technology, however, iDEN has always proved to be a bit frustrating on the reception front. Essentially, when the phone shows anything less than three bars, the user must be cautious, as the call can suddenly drop.
The device ships with a 1,400mAh lithium ion battery. In our tests, battery life was slightly higher than what a CDMA BlackBerry Curve would provide, usually lasting for about a day under heavy usage (calls, messages, BlackBerry Messenger), and extending to a day and a half with light use (messaging only). We were able to make about five hours worth of calls before the battery would die, but the test was a combination of e-mail, text messaging, and phone calls.Conclusion
For the most part, the device is a pleasure to use, and is a respectable addition to the BlackBerry lineup. Furthermore, it is a tremendous upgrade for iDEN BlackBerry users, who have been forced to use the BlackBerry 7100i for the past few years. The device is up to date in both hardware and software, and breaths life into an otherwise antiquated lineup of Nextel devices. The core decision as to whether to purchase centers around what the device will be used for. If Direct Connect is a necessity, the phone will make a great companion. If looks alone are the motivating factor, one has to consider the tradeoffs. The device does run OS 4.6 and sports various design modifications from the original Curve, however it is still powered by an iDEN radio, and as a result, slow data speeds, unreliable text messaging, and somewhat questionable call quality is to be expected. We would recommend visiting the store to check out the device before a purchase is made.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03Apr
You might remember SoundID from last year's CTIA coverage, it's the company that focuses more on improving audio quality than simply adding features. This year the company announced two new Bluethooth headsets: the Sound ID 200 and the Sound ID 300.
Sound ID 200: This Bluetooth headset is all about reducing background noise through NoiseNavigation technology, making this a good option for people who tend to talk on a cell phone in noisy environments. There's also automatic volume control for seamless volume adjustment to fit the environment where you're using the headset.
Sound ID 300: This Bluetooth Headset is filled with technology that helps you set it to your own preferences. This model comes with NoiseNavigation and PersonalSound technology, which helps eliminate background noise and choose from three listening modes for better clarity without actually having to increase the volume. This lightweight (0.28 ounces) headset comes in black and sports a universal micro USB charger. You'll be able to find this headset in a couple of weeks at AT&T for about $100.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03Apr
You might remember SoundID from last year's CTIA coverage, it's the company that focuses more on improving audio quality than simply adding features. This year the company announced two new Bluethooth headsets: the Sound ID 200 and the Sound ID 300.
Sound ID 200: This Bluetooth headset is all about reducing background noise through NoiseNavigation technology, making this a good option for people who tend to talk on a cell phone in noisy environments. There's also automatic volume control for seamless volume adjustment to fit the environment where you're using the headset.
Sound ID 300: This Bluetooth Headset is filled with technology that helps you set it to your own preferences. This model comes with NoiseNavigation and PersonalSound technology, which helps eliminate background noise and choose from three listening modes for better clarity without actually having to increase the volume. This lightweight (0.28 ounces) headset comes in black and sports a universal micro USB charger. You'll be able to find this headset in a couple of weeks at AT&T for about $100.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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03AprFor its one year birthday, the Samsung Sprint Instinct got an upgrade. Noah goes hands on with the new Instinct s30 live from CTIA '09 in Vegas.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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