via iSmashPhone

Was this a mistake or a stroke of luck?

You tell me. I should receive some news later today about “my” iPhone, but I am thinking that maybe it is the Nexus One that I really want. It is available online now, but can be shipped only to destinations in the US, UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore (Republic of Singapore). Bummer for us who live in other countries! (Still, there are workarounds if you really want the phone.)

Anyhow, so which phone is better? One of the most useful comparisons I read can be found at iSmashPhone. The conclusion is that the Nexus One is better for users who are not heavily dependent on the apps available for the iPhone. If you belong to the latter group, then you are going to miss those apps. Then again, the Nexus One is so new – I am pretty sure that it will have its own array of apps before long.

Another plus point for me is that I can buy the Nexus One more easily than the iPhone – no tie ups with a network, no need to jailbreak, and CHEAPER!

So what’s it gonna be? I’d appreciate your input!

Couldn’t have said it better, huh? Anyhow, this company offers all sorts of personalization services for mobile phone users of all brands. Some of the more popular brands that they deal with are Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Blackberry, and HTC. They do sell the mobile phone units as well, although I am more interested in their new service of engraving messages onto mobile phone cases.

I think it’s much like the free engraving that Apple offers for its products, except that Accessory Geeks offers the engraving for solid mobile phone cases and leather casings. They currently have three different fonts: Arial, Script, and Times New Roman, which is kinda disappointing as I think they’re just too plain. Then again, maybe simplicity is the key here. Also, the engraving is limited to 20 characters, so you would have to use text lingo to cram your message in there.

Coupons are available for the first 300 customers, which will entitle them to free engraving. More so, by next year, engraving of images will be available. Now that’s something I would like to see!

Note the new Voice recorder app.

More pics after the jump.

New icons for SMS, Phone and iPod

Horizontal orientation also in Mail.app

Copy and Paste

Shake to undo

Spotlight search phone wide.

MMS option for pictures

About this iPhone

Probably I am the only who thinks this way but the LG Wrist Watch Phone is totally retarded, although cool. Retarded because imagine being in a restaurant and speaking to your watch. WTF! Unless you’re Dick Tracey the watch/phone will make you look like a retard.

I had the awesomest watches, even a Swatch The Beep but I do not get the LG Wrist Watch Phone hype. Especially not if the rumored 1000GBP become reality.

If you want something really cool and *spy alike*, get this multimedia watch with MP3 player, camera, external amplifier, 1.8″ inch color screen and 4GB data storage.

Read more specs and get yours here.

Congratulations to Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Orange, 3, AT&T and Vodafone) for working in unity with a very noble objective. Yay! I first heard this news from Natalie del Conte’s “Loaded” podcast.

What this means is whatever cellphone unit you use, there is just one charger that fits it… well, by 2012. No need to bring extra chargers in your bags, nor would you stock up your table drawers with 3-4 separate chargers for everyone’s phone units. Great idea eh?

“This is a broad agreement that will move the industry to a single, energy-efficient charger for all mobile phones,” said Michael O’Hara, marketing director for the GSMA.

In a statement, Mitti Storckovius, director of environment, devices at Nokia said: “By supporting this industry initiative on common charging solutions, and enabling consumers to choose if they need a charger with every new device or can re-use existing ones, we can contribute further in improving the industry’s environmental footprint.”

I don’t particularly follow the mobile phone market unless they are made of Lego blocks, but yesterday I followed the releases over at MWC. Mainly to see what Windows 6.5 would look like and in the hope of more information around the Palm Pre.

For once I must admit that the Redmonders finally got something right with WM6.5. The honeycomb setup for the phone’s homepage looks attractive and most of all usable. That must be a first for Microsoft!
Even though the background of choice too dark is and Windows Mobile still fugly looks with the humongous status bar and its icons, it certainly looks thousand times better than any open source attempt, because no matter whether as full blown distro or on a phone, Tux products always manage to look horrible thanks to their love for thick borders/line on everything.

Obviously nothing beats the looks of today’s most popular and loved phone.

You’ve heard the line “don’t leave your electronics out in the sun, specially in your car on a bright sunny day… otherwise, it’ll just “fry” up”.  With the recent announcement of Samsung’s “Blue Earth” the line is now “make sure you leave your phone in the sun to charge up! :)

It’s not a flip or fold-up phone… though it does look like it right? What’s great is that it’s a full touch phone… yup, following the bandwagon, but with the beautiful twist of “green” through and through.  

Samsung reinforced its commitment to protect the environment through the design of eco-friendly products and a programme of activities for its customers. It will be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2009 for the first time.

Designed to symbolize a flat and well rounded shiny pebble, Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone. By charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough electronic power to call anytime anywhere.

After yesterday’s Lego-day, today seems to be the day of the Dept. of WTF. Another addition to this category is the pink Mickey Mouse mobile phone. Complete with Bluetooth, color LCD screen, 1GB of internal memory and FM radio. Where people might think it’s cute for kids… and it’s pink, I think it’s a bag of ugliness and certainly doesn’t fit in any kind of pockets either. Joke wants it that the model is perfect for body-builders though.

If you are a real Mickey nerd and absolutely must have one of these, you can get your Yeedong M669 Mini Phone With Bluetooth & Camera here.
]]> http://www.forevergeek.com/2009/02/mickey_phone_wtf/feed/ 0 http://www.forevergeek.com/2009/02/phone_with_wind_recognition/ http://www.forevergeek.com/2009/02/phone_with_wind_recognition/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:03:59 +0000 Franky http://www.forevergeek.com/?p=10447

Straight from the Dept. of WTF comes the first phone with wind recognition. Yes, wind recognition.

Korean provider Pantech has announced the world first phone with Wind Recognition, the IM-S410 from SKT or IM-S410K from KTF.
Apparently this phone is able to recognize the amount of ‘wind blow’, its sensivity and dynamic through it’s microphone. This can then be used in internal applications like photo applications and games.

A simple example would be to blow on an emoticon during a phone call and it would be automatically send to the person on the other end.
If technology continues at this rate and level of insanity, I sense that the first phone with fart recognition isn’t far away anymore. The fart-phone will be able to not only recognize the danger level for the neighborhood, but also analyze what you ate during the last 12 hours.

I think best part of the whole presentation is the cute chick ‘blowing’ on a phone.

What’s special about these phones?  Well, aside from their awesome specs it’s all in RED.  Just perfect to draw a clear point of passion for the one you love.

Give them a rose, OK.  Give them chocolates, well OK.  Give them the Sony Red Phones, ah, prepare for wide receiving arms waiting for you to come in for a tight warm hug.

Those phones have high consumer reviews, by the way, from CNET and PCMag.  Averaging about within the area of US$100-$300.

“Staying connected with friends, family and loved ones has become even more challenging given today’s hectic and busy lifestyles. With any of the Sony Ericsson phones, consumers can reach out and touch the ones they care about any number of ways — talk, messaging, and sharing photos and music,” said Karen Morris, vice president of marketing, Sony Ericsson North America.

Today seems to be Lego day. Not much information is available around this Lego mobile phone from French provider Alcatel, but it seems that the aim is to get kids even earlier hooked to phones.

Apparently this will be a very cheap phone with the most basic of features, although a camera is rumored, for a very low price of $60. Pictures show that the front Lego bricks are interchangeable.
I am curious to see how this will develop further. Loving the concept.

Via BoyGeniusReport.

UK Store Expansys has made the Samsung C6625 available for pre-order at £249.99 without contract. This could mean that the phone comes free with a contract. No release date has been specified.

The Samsung C6625 is a smartphone with QWERTY keyboard, 2 mega-pixel camera, push email, GPS and 3G connectivity running on Windows 6.1

Featuring a high resolution 2.6″ wide-screen display (non-touch), the phone is ideal for Office usage and compatible with most MS Office applications, also Microsoft Exchange. The Samsung C6625 has 100MB internal memory and a microSDHC card slot and the 2MP camera can record short video clips.

More specifications.

• 2.6 inch non-touchscreen display with 320 x 240 pixels
• Tri-band GSM connectivity (900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz connectivity)
• HSDPA 2100 MHz connectivity
• A-GPS
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• Stereo Bluetooth
• 2MP camera with video recording
• 100MB of on-board memory
• MicroSDHC card support
• Talk time: up to 420 minutes
• Standby time: up to 300 hours
• 113.6 x 63 x 11.6 mm
• 107.7 grams

This is a great deal, and maybe something that will not stay for a long time. Just yesterday my brother-in-law was bragging about a “great find” on Ebay.com, he’s got a Blackberry Curve. I can’t wait to tell him I’ve seen the $99 Blackberry Storm on Amazon. And to add more envy, no mail in rebates to worry about. The discount is INSTANT, as long as you sign up for the standard Verizon service plan.

There is a little agreement to consider though, check it out after the jump:

Conditional $250 Discount

The purchase price listed above reflects a $250 instant discount based on your agreement to maintain service with the selected carrier. Please note that if you deactivate this device, cancel your line of service, or reduce the value of your service plan within 181 days of the activation of your service, you will be subject to a charge of up to $250, plus tax. Read more details here. Third-party resellers are prohibited from purchasing cell phones or data cards/modems on behalf of customers. **Purchase limit of five (5) devices per household.**

If you need to fill a crave, grab this chance to upgrade. Even if you’ve got a cellphone service, you can easily transfer your number to Verizon. Check here for more information.

First images and specifications of this hot phone by Samsung have been leaked.

The picture displays an very stylish phone with sleek case, similar to the Samsung Omnia.

Rumours say the phone will come with a hot 8MP camera, Wi-Fi, GPRS, HDMI and offer HD recording. It will be available in 8GB and 16GB versions. This all is very similar to the Samsung Omnia when one thinks about it, so we will have to wait until Samsung the official specs publishes. Still, this looks like one more very desirable phone from Samsung and that not alone for it’s design, but also for the camera alone makes it desirable. HD recording in my pocket, w00t!

[via Gaj-IT]

Well, here’s another gadget that will try to take a slice out of the iPhone’s consumer pie. Such is the fate, I think, of following through after a great product is released… the curse of being called “another gadget”. But from a consumer’s point of view, this is great because more options, more competition, more newer technology breaks WILL mean better inventions at a much better bottomline cost.

The Toshiba TG01 has recently been launched unveiled (edited Feb 6) in Japan and is due for distribution in the USA soon. I know, it really looks like an iPhone with a little tweak in design. But the general “first-glance” looks and tastes like an Apple design.

How “connected” is the TG01? The connectivity section of the Toshiba TG01 includes HSPA and Wi-Fi plus a GPS receiver with A-GPS functionality. The internal storage is “only” 512 MB but you get a microSDHC card slot with support for up to 32GB.

The TG01 also comes with support for DivX video, and finally, the Toshiba TG01 makes use of a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera.

The OS chosen to power the Toshiba TG01 is Windows Mobile 6.1 but as you will see from the following video Toshiba have added their own 3D thumb-optimized user interface on top of it

Well, looks like there is a noticeable development in iDEN phone designs with the introduction of Motorola’s Stature i9 iDEN phone. I remember my cousin flashing a Sprint Nextel iDEN phone when it was hip to carry it around. But I think after about 6 months of use it occupied the bottom drawer, replaced by much slicker Nokia phones.

I think that was a firm cue for Motorola’s design team, I think the Statur i9 iDEN phone may make a rebound of trunk radio + cellphone tech convergence.

The Stature i9 will be available from Motorola and Boost Mobile to bring the thinnest flip iDEN phone in existence to the Nextel Direct Connect portfolio. Boost Mobile will be able to offer the Stature i9 from the end of this month onwards, while there is no word on Sprint’s release date although you can always pre-register your handset here to be among the first few to own it when available from that carrier.

-from

Check out these specifications:

- 15mm thin design with touch-sensitive exterior flip
- 3.1 megapixel camera with flash and auto-focus
- Nextel National Network allows high-resolution images to be printed on one of the two large, crisp screens
- Easy-to-use external keys
- Integrated GPS capability
- MP3 playback
- microSDHC memory card slot (up to 8GB)
- Motorola ModeShift technology
- Haptic feedback
- Stereo Bluetooth connectivity

You can pick up the Motorola Stature i9 for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate from Sprint, while Boost Mobile is offering it for $299.99 unlocked.

Checked out my RSS feeds today and to my surprise, here’s a gadget that would certainly, certainly be useful for active folks. Sure does look like a pair of shades when you initially look at it, but careful scrutiny will show that the ends aren’t curved to fit the ear, it’s “spoked” to be inserted. LOL!

For about US$130, this better be good sound quality, and I’m sure it is! Kudos to Motorola for thinking about people who are just having a hard time with cables. When you’re in a rushing crowd it does hurt when the earphones are quickly snapped from you! Ouch! Happened to me several times. And it’s a little uncomfortable to wear the wires under your shirts too.

Product Description
The wireless music experience has been enhanced with an upgraded version of the award-winning MOTOROKR S9, the Motorola S9-HD. Freedom to exercise, move around and commute without wires to tangle or hold you back, is now enhanced with high-definition audio and ear buds that reduce background noise and improve comfort. The S9-HD is the benchmark of wireless music powered by Bluetooth wireless technology.The unique behind-the-head design creates a secure and stable fit – even in active conditions – plus easy to use controls for track selection, volume, play/pause and send/end that allow you to manage music and calls from the headphones.

The headset is connected via a wireless bluetooth dongle attached to your iPods. This way, your Pods could be inside your bag… you control it with a remote, and the headset connects to it wirelessly in freedom!

Enter the Commodore 64 home computer emulator. Dubbed Frodo, this emulator was ported from Christian Bauer’s original Frodo for Amiga. We can thank Jal Panvel and Alfred E. Heggestad for doing this wonderful task for Epoc and Hannu Viitala for Nokia 9210 and S60.

Viitala writes in his web site:

The latest version of Frodo also supports sensors (accelerometer), vibration, on-screen keyboard C64 and audio engine. To enable those those features, you have to install Bilbo library also. To enable those those features, you have to install Bilbo library also. Imagine playing Pitstop II by rotating your phone like a steering wheel, or solving Quedex maze by turning the phone in any direction. Imagine playing Pitstop II by rotating your phone like a steering wheel, or solving Quedex maze by turning the phone in any direction. If you do not want just imagine, look at the YouTube video below and after that get Frodo and Bilbo to your phone! Note that sensors and vibration is not supported in all S60 phone models. Note that sensors and vibration is not supported in all S60 phone models.

I have pasted the URL to the video below if you are interested. I wonder if this will work on my E63. I guess I am about to find out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVZ9OvM1grc&eurl=http://209.85.175.101/translate_c?hl=en&sl=fi&tl=en&u=http://koti.mbnet.fi/~haviital/index.shtml%3Fproje&feature=player_embedded

If you are not familiar with this model, just think of the Nokia E71. They are basically the same except that the E71 has additional features and costs considerably more. Physically, they are practically identical, except that the E63 comes in red and blue colors. The casing is also made of plastic and not steel.

So why did I choose the E63 over the E71? This is mainly because of the huge difference in pricing and the fact that I can do most everything with the E63 that you can do with the E71. True, it does not have GPS but hey, I don’t really need one.

So here are some of the relevant specs:

Display and 3D
• Size: 2.36″
• Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA)
• Up to 16 million colors
• TFT active matrix (QVGA)
• Two customisable home screen modes
Operating frequency
• E63-1 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 900/2100
• E63-2 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900
• E63-3 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/2100
Data network
• CSD
• HSCSD
• GPRS class A, multislot class 32, maximum speed 100/60 kbps (DL/UL)
• EDGE class A, multislot class 32, maximum speed 296/177.6 kbps (DL/UL)
• WCDMA 900/2100 or 850/1900 or 850/2100, maximum speed 384/384 kbps (DL/UL)
• WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g
- WLAN Security: WEP, 802.1X, WPA, WPA2
• TCP/IP support
• IETF SIP and 3GPP
The only drawback I am seeing right now is that I cannot seem to find a lot of apps made specifically for the phone. But that’s probably because it’s still new. Most apps for the E71 will work for this, though. Seriously, it’s good value for your money.

I really love it when technology pushes itself up and up the style scale. Thanks to a lot of consumer reviews and focus groups, it seems like LG is improving both in form and function. THe LG Prada was a little less than a parade, good start though. But the LG Prada II… now that’s more like it. Check out the features as LG Prada II specs will include:

- Quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900). WCDMA 900/2100, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA connectivity
- 3″ WQVGA 400×240 px TFT touchscreen
- 5 megapixel camera
- front camera for video calls
- Wi-Fi b/g connectivity
- USB 2.0, Bluetooth
- Full HTML browsing
- FM-Radio
- TV-out
- microSDHC memory card slot (up to 8GB)
- slide-out QWERTY keyboard

Quite a catch eh? 5MP camera dudes! A lot of these features aren’t available on the iPhone even. There’s a catch though, the price (!) is $816… ouch! Let’s seen, what else could I buy for $816… a dining set, a good comfy couch, new set of tires… LG, c’mon, be practical. We love what you put in it, but if we can’t afford it… bleh…