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20AugA preview of the happy dilemma facing Sprint customers this Winter? Could be. Noah pits the Palm Pre vs the HTC Hero in part one of the latest PhoneDog Dogfight!
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20AugSo we're firmly rooted in August, which means throngs of college students will soon be packing up the car and heading to campus housing. And many of them will be bringing along their smartphones. Good thing, too. Those devices will serve them well, allowing access to online syllabi, emailing professors, networking with study groups or taking videos of the dorm to show the folks.
All this lead me to thinking about my beloved iPhone. The handset already has built-in apps that are essential for students — like voice recording for capturing lectures, GPS to navigate a confusing new neighborhood, email, web, texting, etc... But if I were going off to school today, there would be a few other things I'd want along for the ride.
I started making a short list of helpful things for iPhone-carrying students and I wound up having so many entries, I had to break them up into segments. These Top 5 lists were culled with college kids in mind, but many could be handy for those lucky high school students who are actually able to use smartphones at school.
Since there's no point discussing apps or other accessories if the phone itself doesn't work, I'm going to start with iPhone cases. When it comes to phones (as well as other things), let's just say protection matters.
The following are five designs, in no particular order, that suit a variety of different tastes.
Gearheads and Macho Dudes
CASE-MATE VROOM: It's cheap ($14.99), rugged and looks like it would bounce if dropped on the floor at a kegger. ‘Nuff said.
Sneaky Nerds
HIDE-A-POD: This case may be a burn to the competition, but it's still flat-out clever. For $29.95, customers can discourage theft by disguising an iPod Touch or iPhone in a gutted Zune.
Comics-lovin' Chic-Geek Gidgets
GOGO HM SERIES: It's cute, soft and comes with a free LCD screen protector. It's also tough to break, but thin enough to prevent lots of added bulk. And at $19.99, it won't break the bank.
Bookworms and Academics
GRIFFIN CLARIFI: It's a hard-shell case with a close-up lens built-in. With the standard iPhone lens, you need to back up about 18 inches for the auto-focus. With Clarifi, you can take shoot from just 4 inches away and get images that are cleaner, crisper and more vibrant. Just what you need for snapping a classmate's notes or a page from a library book. ($34.99)
Jocks or Health Nuts
ARMPOCKET: iPhone armbands are a dime a dozen these days, so if all you want is a simple strap, you've got plenty to choose from. But, if you need a little something more — like, say, room to stash an ID card, energy bar, dorm keys and a few bills — then consider one of the Armpocket solutions. They're not the sexiest-looking cases, but they're lightweight, water-resistant, roomy, operable with the phone inside, reflective (for visibility at night) and made from eco-friendly materials. (var: $22.95 32.95)
Neither this list nor the upcoming ones are meant to be comprehensive; they're just a collection of some of my favorites. Feel free to add to it, if you see an outstanding item that deserves a mention.
Look out for the next list: Top 5 iPhone apps to boost that grade
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20AugIt feels like we've been hearing about the Android-powered Archos Internet Media Tablet for a very long time now. Thankfully, we're just a few weeks away from an official unveiling. Archos will also be launching an AppsLib app store for "advanced Android devices." I don't know what the chances are of me getting a review unit, but I'd love to hook up the HDTV and watch some Hi-Def video via a handy Android media device. 500 Gigs with up to 7 hours of video playback is expected.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20Aug
It may be relatively bland, and it probably won't win any awards in the design department, but the Escapade marks another global phone for the nation's largest wireless carrier. With support for CDMA and quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900), the Escapade is perfect for someone who travels on a regular basis. The device offers a 2.0-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and supports many Verizon Wireless services, such as VZ Navigator, Mobile E-Mail, and Mobile Web.
The Escapade will be available through all channels on August 21st for $29.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Anyone planning on skipping the carrier's global PDA offerings for the Escapade? Sound off in the comments section! The full press release is below.ESCAPE AROUND THE GLOBE WITH NEW VERIZON WIRELESS ESCAPADE
Dual Band CDMA/Quad Band GSM Handset is Equipped for International Communications
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. Verizon Wireless announced today that the new Verizon Wireless Escapade™, developed by Personal Communications Devices, LLC, will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Aug. 21. A must-have phone for globetrotters and jet-setters, the Escapade's quad band network compatibility allows customers to place voice calls in more than 220 destinations worldwide.
Color/design: Glossy wine finish, packaged in a slick clamshell design
Key features:- Dual band CDMA 1X and quad band GSM/GPRS (900/1800, 850/1900)
- Pre-installed SIM card
- Built-in 2.0 megapixel camera
- Dual color displays internal 2", 262k color TFT and 1.1", 65k color CSTN external
- Bluetooth®-enabled with support for headset, hands-free, phonebook access, and Object Push for vCard profile
- Voice commands key
- Text, picture and voice messaging
- T9 predictive text
- Media Center capabilities for downloading games, ringtones, location-based services and more
- Bilingual interface supports English and Spanish languages
- Mobile Web capabilities with access to the latest in news, sports, weather and more
- Access to Mobile Email, Mobile Web Mail, Mobile IM, and chat
- VZ NavigatorSM capabilities for audible turn-by-turn directions to more than 15 million points of interest in the U.S., and the directions can be shared with others
- The Escapade will be available for $29.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
- Customers can purchase the Escapade beginning Aug. 21 at www.verizonwireless.com or in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of the Verizon Wireless Escapade in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia )
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20AugDespite disappointing specs, HTC's Lancaster has a great form factor and lovely image. Perhaps most importantly, it represents the first chance for AT&T subscribers to nab an Android handset. Unfortunately, that chance has been pushed back. I don't have any inside info, but I don't think the phone has been axed.
The snap that gave us the most important information we have on Lancaster is back to deliver some bad news: the TA date (whatever that is) has come and gone without a peep. No word on whether or not the Lab Entry date was met.
Fortunately, there may be some good news tucked in there as well: "Initial Lab Entry dates were based on Google Mobile Services (GMS) UI. AT&T standard UI has been requested, which puts schedule in question." Does this mean we'll see some sexy overlay a la HTC's Sense?
As I say every single time I encounter, hear about, or think of one, I dislike grid keyboards. I like my keys like I like I like my women; staggered. O.K., bad joke. Sorry hun. Anyway, even though I'm a bit put off by the keyboard arrangement, this is one grid QWERTY I'd like to take for a spin. Maybe AT&T just put this one on ice to pop a better display in there. More likely, they're working on a killer custom UI. Let me know when it's unlocked.
Via IntoMobile
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20AugTomTom has apparently "implied to Pocket-lint" that they will follow up on their successful iPhone software launch with a GPS navigation app for the Android Market. A TomTom exec named Benoit Simery told Pocket-lint, "We cannot ignore such a successful platform as Android. HTC is an important partner of ours and Android is becoming increasingly important too."
This partnership was evidenced by the joint creation of the TomTom Windows Mobile application and will be reinforced by the Android app - though there's no word on when we can expect it. RIM and S60 will have to wait, though TomTom will address those platforms eventually:
"I do not question the opportunity that RIM might offer but we know that a satnav device needs to have a large touchscreen and voice commands to be able to work for turn-by-turn navigation. We come from a PDA background and we know what will work."
This news is spawning rumors of a TomTom Android phone - most likely due to Garmin's Android handset plans.
Via Pocket Lint, via Into Mobile
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20Aug
Remember the LG GD910 watchphone which we have all seen pictures of since it debuted at the CES show earlier in the year? Well, Orange have gained exclusivity over this gadget and will be launching it at their Bond Street Station store in London at 9am on the 27th August. Sounds exciting, right?Well, sort of. Orange are now promoting the GD910 as a ‘handmade’ luxury gadget and will be making it available for a limited time only - although they don’t state just how long this ‘limited time’ will be. But we all know the drawback with luxury gadgets, they wear a luxury price tag, and the watch phone is no exception. We reported the rumour of a £1000 price tag a while back, and although it hasn’t reached that dizzy height, it’s still going to cost £500 on (more…)
Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20Aug
The government asks a lot of mobile phone companies and the people who use their services. It asks that certain regulations be followed when a customer wants to transfer from one mobile service to another. It creates laws to protect people from the misuse of mobile phones (such as cell phone driving laws). And now it’s asking the mobile industry to step up and to do its part to fight the problem of prostitution in London.If you’ve ever been without your own phone in London then you might have stepped in to one of the city’s phone booths to place a call. Once you were in there, you probably saw a handful of sex calling cards which advertise the phone numbers of prostitutes for hire. London’s deputy mayor for policing, Kit Malthouse, has been trying since 2000 to get these cards off of the streets (more…)
Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20Aug
Scientists and technology engineers are working hard to find new ways to power cell phones. As phone batteries have started to drain away more and more quickly (due to more advanced use of phones) these researchers have started looking at a variety of new ways to charge cell phones. Those scientists who are eco-conscious have been looking at how to harness the power of the sun to charge mobile phones. Their hard work is starting to pay off; there are now quite a few options for solar power when it comes to cell phones. They range in size from solar panels on handsets to mid-sized backpack charging devices to solar cell towers.Take a look at these ten methods of powering mobile phones with solar energy:
1. Solar Cell Phones
We’ve seen a number of cell phones over the years that have been designed to harness the power of the sun to stay charged. Many of these remained concept phones that didn’t get put into actual production. However, as solar technology has improved, we’ve started to see some headway made with these phones. One recent example of such a phone is the new Sharp phone which is currently on sale in Japan. This phone has a built-in solar panel that (more…)
Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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20AugA bill that was recently signed into law by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has banned registered sex offenders from using social networks, turning the act into a felony. The new law takes effect January 1.
"Obviously, the Internet has been more and more a mechanism for predators to reach out," said Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), a sponsor of the measure and a governor candidate. "The idea was, if the predator is supposed to be a registered sex offender, they should keep their Internet distance as well as their physical distance."
The goal is to prevent child molesters from using technology to find new victims. Sounds good on the surface. But there's a sticky issue concerning civil liberties. While some people are thrilled at limiting the resources a criminal has to hunt for victims, others cry foul, claiming it's a suppression of free speech.
And it just gets stickier from there. Consider that when two consenting teens get intimate, if one of them is 18 and the other is a year younger, the "adult" could get hit with a statutory rape charge in some states. Is this kid really in the same league as a child molester? Among many other (more serious) difficulties, he'll also have to explain why he can't use the social platforms of his peers, even though he's not necessarily the intended target of this type of law.
And that's the rub. This seems like a pretty broad piece of legislation, and when it comes blanket statements (or laws), they rarely work as intended.
There's something that's bugged me about this whole thing: How exactly does one regulate over another's virtual presence? From a pragmatic point of view, I just don't get how this is supposed to work. How will authorities know when a registered offender has created a bogus Facebook alias at an internet cafe or library terminal? Or uses a friend's smartphone to log in to a fake Facebook account? Unless we're talking about an awful lot of surveillance, or a whole team of snitches, it seems like it would be impossible to monitor everyone.
No matter how well-intentioned it is, I don't know if this measure will actually make any difference. I've never been a proponent of limiting technology, in neither development nor access, but I'd be willing to make an exception when it comes to child safety. This, however, just doesn't seem like a well-thought out approach.
So what do you think? Is banning technology a good idea to limit criminal behavior, or is it a step toward an Orwellian society?
[Chicago Tribune via Slashdot]
Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile
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