Tag Archives: Cell phone

HP introduces three new WebOS devices: Veer, Pre3, and TouchPad

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This week HP introduced three brand new WebOS-enabled devices: two smartphones and a tablet. After gobbling Palm last March, HP has worked very closely with WebOS engineer Job Rubinstein to create innovative new products powered by the mobile and ubiquitously-connected operating system. At HP’s “Think Beyond” event they formally introduced the tiny yet powerful Veer, the next generation Pre3, and the very first tablet to run WebOS, the TouchPad.

HP Veer: The Veer is an extremely small smartphone. At just 54.5mm x 84.0mm x 15.1mm and only 103 grams, it’s about the size of a credit card and slimmer than a deck of cards. Rubinstein described the Veer like this: “The power of a large phone in a compact size.” So let’s see what this tiny beast packs inside. It features a 2.57-inch (320×400) glass touch display, an 800MHz Snapdragon processor, 5 megapixel camera, full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, built-in GPS, WiFi 802.11b/g, and Bluetooth, 8GB of storage, accelerometer, proximity, and light sensors, Adobe Flash Player support, it can act as a mobile hotspot supporting up to 5 WiFi-capable devices, HSPA+, one USB port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Veer will be available in early spring. (It’s being reported that the Veer is too slim to feature actual microUSB and headphone ports, so users will be forced to attach bundled adapters to access those ports.)

Continue reading HP introduces three new WebOS devices: Veer, Pre3, and TouchPad →

Google news: Nexus S, Android 2.3, Maps for Mobile, eBooks

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Today turned out to be an announcement-filled day for the hardworking team at Google.  The next true “Google phone” was formally unveiled, the next version of Android dubbed Gingerbread was detailed, Google Maps Navigation received a major upgrade, and now the search giant is the latest company to offer a vast eBooks store and ecosystem.  Let’s jump right to the facts, shall we?

Nexus S: The Nexus S, a collaborative effort between Google and hardware manufacturer Samsung, is the follow-up device to the Nexus One.  In similar fashion to its predecessor, the Nexus S promotes a “pure Google” experience, meaning that it runs the pure vanilla version of Android; you wouldn’t dare find an inkling of customized UI overlays like HTC’s Sense, Motorola’s Motoblur, or even Samsung’s own TouchWiz.  Unfortunately the specifications do not push conventional boundaries, although there are some new welcome additions that complement the new Android platform: 4-inch WVGA (480×800) Super AMOLED display (Samsung is touting the new “Contour Display” that’s “designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and along the side of your face”), 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor, 512MB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus, flash, and HD 720p video recording, front-facing VGA camera (640×480), Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, A-GPS, Near Field Communication (NFC), accelerometer, proximity sensor, three-axis gyroscope.  Ports-wise there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microUSB 2.0 port.  The 1500 mAH Lithum Ion battery boasts the following life support: Talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G (14 hours on 2G), Standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G (29.7 days on 2G).  Interestingly the phone only supports tri-band HSPA, so there’s no 4G support here.  Of all the tech specs listed, you may be pondering about NFC.  Essentially NFC works like QR codes but better; companies can place NFC chips into objects like movie posters and the user can hold up their phone to the tagged object to extract information from it (there’s no need to open an app or bring up the camera).

So the spec sheet isn’t all that impressive, but there are two things that save this phone from being just another Android device: it’s sexy Galaxy S looks (good job Samsung) and it’s the very first device to run Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread (more on that in a bit).  Let’s talk release date and pricing.  The Nexus S ships December 17 for $199 with a new 2-year contract with T-Mobile (or $529 unlocked) and it’ll be available for purchase online and in-store from all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores in the U.S.  It lands in the UK on December 20 at Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy retailers.

Continue reading Google news: Nexus S, Android 2.3, Maps for Mobile, eBooks →

Consumer Reports says they “can’t recommend the iPhone 4” due to the antenna problem

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Today Consumer Reports updated their original review of the iPhone 4 after properly testing the device’s antenna.  In their original review, CR recommended the iPhone 4: “The iPhone scored high, in part because it sports the sharpest display and best video camera we’ve seen on any phone…”  They go on to praise the improved battery life, front-facing camera, and built-in gyroscope.  During their time with the initial review test unit, they were “unable to replicate the [antenna] problems” that so many other iPhone owners seemed to be complaining about.  For some reason or another, CR decided to bring the iPhone 4 into their labs to test the antenna problem head-on.  (Why they didn’t do this in the first place is beyond me.)  Their findings:

When your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone’s lower left side—an easy thing, especially for lefties—the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your connection altogether if you’re in an area with a weak signal. Due to this problem, we can’t recommend the iPhone 4.

The tests were conducted inside a radio frequency isolation chamber, a room “which is impervious to outside radio signals.”  After connecting “the phones to our base-station emulator, a device that simulates carrier cell towers” they concluded that all of their iPhone models were affected with the antenna problem.  They also tested other AT&T smartphones (namely the iPhone 3G and Palm Pre) and “none of those phones had the signal-loss problems of the iPhone 4.”  Boom.

CR goes on to say that these tests call into question Apple’s forthcoming software quick update which promises to fix the way the signal bars are displayed on the phone.  After coming to this conclusion, they hint that the antenna problem is almost certainly a hardware issue, and a software update and blaming AT&T’s less than stellar network will not pave a way out of this sticky situation.  Speaking of sticky, CR recommends that those affected with the antenna problem can remedy it by applying a small piece of duct tape over the antenna gap.  Not only does this make the phone look downright ugly, it’s going to leave sticky residue and you just don’t want that on your hands (and mind).  Go out and get a bumper case if you can’t manage to hold your phone differently.  CR parts with these glum words: “Apple needs to come up with a permanent—and free—fix for the antenna problem before we can recommend the iPhone 4.”  If the antenna problem is truly hardware-based (and it’s really starting to seem like it is), Apple needs to come out of hiding, admit their design flaw, fix it interally, and offer those affected with a free swap-out of updated models.  Like stat.

[Via Consumer Reports]

Google announces Nexus One, Android finds its soulmate

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After a flurry of rumors and leaks, Google has finally stepped into the light and shared with the world the Nexus One “superphone,” a collaborative device with HTC.  Let’s jump straight to the facts, shall we?

The Nexus One sports a 3.7-inch AMOLED display (480×800), 1GHz Snapdragon processor, compass, GPS, accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, stereo Bluetooth, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an LED light source under the trackball for notifications.  It also comes with two mics (one on the bottom, the other on the back) for noise cancellation purposes.  It packs a 1400mAH battery that promises 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time.  When you order the device you have the option to engrave a custom two-line message on the back, just like Apple lets you do with the iPod classic, touch, and iPhone.

For now, the Nexus One is teamed with T-Mobile and sells for $179 with a new two year contract.  You also have the option to purchase it unlockedfor $529.  It will work on AT&T but without their 3G service because it only supports T-Mobile’s 3G in the US.  It is available today for purchase straight from Google.  Big news is that it’s coming to Verizon Wireless (and Vodafone) this spring.

Obviously the Nexus One runs Google’ Android mobile OS.  What’s so special about it is that it’s the first phone to run version 2.1, a much more polished version of Android 2.0.  2.1 includes live wallpapers, home screen panels, 3D photo galleries, Voice-enabled text fields, and a zippier and more handsome experience.  Unfortunately like the Droid, the Nexus One software does not include multitouch, though it definitely could handle it.  On a different note, Google promises that a future update will allow users to save apps on external storage devices like SD cards.

So what’s the verdict?  After having read many reviews it looks like the Google-HTC Nexus One is the phone to get if you’re all about Android.  It is not an iPhone killer, and Google is quick to point out that that is not the phone’s intention.  Google supports a large ecosystem of different phones, and they welcome the heavy competition the iPhone brings to the table.  So, if you are all for the Android OS, I’d take the Droid on VZ or the Nexus One on T-Mobile.  Of course you could always wait for the latter to make its way to VZ this spring, can’t you?

[Via Engadget & Gizmodo]

Droid commercial #2: fighter jets, pods flying out of the sky

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“What in the world is that?”

Silly man, it’s the Droid by Motorola, Verizon’s first Android phone.  It does everything iDon’t, remember?  The Droid “drops” November 6.  (That’s tomorrow, people!)

I’m really enjoying this super sci-fi viral marketing campaign.  Never has Verizon created such a bold and exciting ad campaign.  And it’s working; there’s much hype for tomorrow’s highly anticipated launch.

Sony Ericsson reveals the XPERIA X10, runs Rachael UI

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Late last night Sony officially announced the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 smartphone.  It is SE’s first Android device.  Some specs include a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 4-inch capacitive touch display (480 x 854 pixels), an 8.1 megapixel camera with autofocus, A-GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.  It also has a 3.5 mm audio jack, a micro USB connector, and it comes with an 8 GB microSD card.  The most exciting news involves the personalized user interface.  Android 1.6 will be running underneath SE’s elegant UI called Rachael.  We have seen Rachael before but never in such an official and polished manner.  SE was keen to mention that the XPERIA X10 is the flagship device in a line of Android-powered phones; glad to know there is more where this comes from.  I’m looking forward to seeing how the XPERIA X10 device performs when it releases Q1 2010.

For now, be sure to check out the gallery below for some official press shots and peek after the break to see the phone (and the stunning Rachael) in action.

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo, here & here]

Continue reading Sony Ericsson reveals the XPERIA X10, runs Rachael UI →

Verizon is packing the heat with ‘Droid Does’ viral campaign

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APPLE, WATCH OUT.  Verizon is taking the battle to you, not AT&T, with this advertisement that is pushing over the airwaves on major networks such as FOX.

The 30 second spot begins with a bunch of “iDon’t” phrases, clearly bashing the Apple iPhone for all the things it can’tdo.  This plays alongside an Apple commercial-esque playful tune.  About 20 seconds in the viral fun begins.  The phrase “Droid Does” forms in a futuristic and mechanistic way and it leaves the viewer with a hint: something is coming in November.  Those who closely watched the ad caught the text visible on the bottom of the screen.  This is a commercial for Verizon, and, interestingly, Verizon had to state that “Droid is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd., licensed to Verizon.”  (It seems as if Mr. George Lucas owns the word “droid.”)

Anyway..after further investigation, all signs point to this being a commercial for Verizon’s first Android-powered cell phone, properly called “Droid.”  (For all you fellow techies, its code-name was Sholes.)  This device is developed by Motorola and will run Google’s Android operating system, version 2.0.  The teaser page includes an “alien counter” that has been decyphered; the timer ends on October 30.  Will more information be released about this mystery device on that date?  We shall wait and see…

Well, looks like we don’t have to wait thatlong for some new info.  The fellas at Boy Genius Report have captured some images of the Motorola Droid.  Here’s a summation of their “hands-on:” it runs Android 2.0; it’s very thin (for a QWERTY smartphone); it’s fast; it has a 3.7 inch capacitive display; it runs on a TI OMAP3430 processor; it has a 5-megapixel camera (with flash).  Will report on more information as it comes.  For now, check out images of the Droid below.

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo, here & here; BGR]

LG intros the BL20, more Chocolate for us

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We’ve already seen the BL-40 (or the New Chocolate) in pictures, videos, and even groped with a hands-on.  Now it’s time for its younger brother to flex its muscles.  Enter the BL20 (also dubbed the New Chocolate); it features a slide-out keypad with “hidden touch navigation keys,” a convenient widget hotkey,” and a 5-megapixel camera with flash.  Check out the BL20 in all its Chocolate-y glory in the over-dramaticized video above.

[Via Engadget]