Author: Dave Freeman

  • Bada-boom: we’ve got info and pictures of the Samsung S8500

    Apparently MWC is leaking like a sieve, or someone just broke an embargo. Whatever happened, click through to see the specs and pictures of the Samsung Wave that we told you about earlier.

    Here’s what we know; the Samsung S8500 (called the Wave) has a 3.3 inch amoled screen, running the new Bada OS. It has 2gb of internal memory, a 5 megapixel camera capable of recording at 720p, and a MicroSD slot. The body is made from aluminum, and the 1 ghz processor should make the Bada OS run reasonably well. Samsung has included a 3.5mm jack, wifi, and a 1500mAh battery is standard.

    All of this comes from Daily Mobile in Germany, who released the information earlier today.


  • Google’s Nexus One manual has sense of humor

    Sharp eyed reader Mike noticed a little humor in the Nexus One manual screen shots. It looks like the the writers weren’t content with the name “Jane Doe” for a change.

    Hubris
    –noun
    excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.

    (thanks to Mike for the tip)

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  • Get multi-touch on your Nexus One

    Cyanogen is at it again; the creator of the popular replacement interface for Android phones has come up with another hack, this time for the Nexus phone. The hack allows you to use multitouch functionality in the browser only for now, but the plan is to add this (much wanted) option to application in the future.

    [via Gadget Lab]

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  • AT&T needs to spend $5 Billion to catch up

    Screen-shot-2009-11-04-at-November-4-7.04.42-PMWith all the crap that’s gone on (and still going on) between AT&T and Verizon, it’s safe to say that this is the last thing AT&T wanted to come out. According to a study that just came out, AT&T would have to spend approximately $5 billion US to get their network to the same level as Verizon and Sprint.

    This probably doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who actually owns an AT&T phone, given the almost constant problems with dropped calls, spotty service, and slow data speeds. The study also admits that AT&T has started to upgrade their infrastructure, particularly in the Bay Area, with positive results. This makes sense give the nature of their agreement with Apple.

    [Via PCWorld]

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  • Aliph launches Jawbone ICON bluetooth headset

    41925-hi-icon-scatteredBluetooth headsets usually don’t look very exciting, but the Jawbone series is generally a bit more tasteful then a lump of plastic you stick in your ear. Aliph just launched their new ICON line, which adds some extra features to make their headset stand out.

    Jawbone ICON is considered to be one of the first of the so called “intelligent” headsets, featuring customization features that you’re not going to find in out products. You can customize the language, access buttons, and other features to access the parts of your phone that you want, rather then just a generic setup. The Jawbone ICON will be available for $99.99 at Verizon stores starting today.

    From the press release:

    Aliph™ Introduces Jawbone ICON™, The World’s First Truly Intelligent Bluetooth® Headset
    “New Icon for Personal Expression” Is Now Accessible to Everyone

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA — January 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Aliph — maker of the market-leading Jawbone® Bluetooth headset and inventor of NoiseAssassin®, the world’s first and only military-grade noise-eliminating technology — today unveiled its most sophisticated product yet, Jawbone ICON. Jawbone ICON offers unprecedented ease of use and audio quality as well as an industry-first software platform called MyTALK™ that lets users personalize and update their Jawbones via the web. Jawbone ICON will be available for $99.99 beginning January 18 in six unique design personas.

    “In building the next generation of wearable computing, we focused maniacally on creating the world’s best customer experience. We incorporated significant intelligence into the headset and as a result this is the simplest-to-operate Jawbone ever created, with a rich array of design choices to suit any preference or lifestyle. We like to call it a new icon for personal expression,” said Hosain Rahman, Aliph’s CEO.

    Industry-first intelligence makes Jawbone ICON easy, convenient and personal

    Jawbone ICON offers built-in intelligence and the ability to personalize with the click of a mouse using the all-new MyTALK platform, currently in private beta at mytalk.jawbone.com.

    “Each customer is an individual, with unique tastes and preferences. With this in mind, we invented MyTALK as a place where people could go to get a richer in-ear experience. MyTALK is just a hint of the exciting ways people will be able to breathe life into their Jawbones over time,” said Rahman.

    “Customers also tell us they don’t want to reach for their phone when their hands and eyes need to be elsewhere, like on the steering wheel and on the road. So Jawbone ICON uses its brains to now whisper important information like caller ID and remaining battery life into the user’s ear,” he added.

    New personalization and convenience features include:

    * MyTALK AudioApps. Lets users personalize the voice that conveys information into their ear. French, German and Spanish languages are also available.
    * MyTALK DialApps. Lets users customize an easy access button linking directly to services of their choice such as free directory assistance, voice-to-SMS and voice dial.
    * Simultaneous Multipoint. Lets users switch seamlessly between two calls on different cell phones.
    * On/Off slide switch and one-button control. Delivers radical simplicity.
    * Visual battery meter. Displays remaining battery life at top of iPhone screen.

    Six stunning designs and personas deliver rich set of consumer choices

    Jawbone ICON is smaller and lighter than its predecessors, and comes in six designs with lush textures and finishes rarely seen in consumer electronics.

    “Design and self-expression have been at the core of every generation Jawbone to date, and now we launch an unprecedented suite of choices to match that personal style that makes you who you are,” said Yves Behar, Chief Creative Officer of Aliph.

    “Each Jawbone ICON is infused with a unique and exciting look. Like characters in a film, each captures a different fun-to-wear persona,” he added.

    New leaps in sound technology sustain Jawbone’s lead in audio quality

    Continuing Jawbone’s leadership in sound technology, Jawbone ICON provides improved inbound audio quality as well as upgrades to its battlefield-tested NoiseAssassin technology. Audio advancements include:

    * NoiseAssassin 2.5 with wind reduction continues to provide the best noise elimination available.
    * Innovative speaker design and signal processing improves inbound audio clarity and volume.
    * Set-it-and-forget-it audio eliminates the need to adjust volume from one caller to the next.

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  • Sprint Nextel drops Motorola Brute on unsuspecting public

    brute_closedOh Nextel. The insults continue. First, your service continues to hemorrhage users, and now you get subjected to phones that look like the Motorola Brute. It’s almost enough to make me feel a little sorry for you.

    The Brute i680 is an iDEN compatible, Mil-Spec phone, which explains its striking appearance. It’s actually designed to be resistant to dust, shock, vibration, moisture, solar radiation, and pretty much anything else you can think of to throw at it. Unlike most Nextel phones, it’s also got a few newer features like Bluetooth, and aGPS. If you want one, you can get it now from Sprint for $119.99 on contract.

    [via Mobile Burn]

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  • Jabra launches two new bluetooth devices at CES

    jabraGood news for Jabra fans; they just announced two new Bluetooth devices at CES. For the traditional headset wearer we’ve got the Jabra Extreme, and for the speakerphone fan we’ve got the Cruiser Bluetooth speakerphone. Both devices use Jabra’s new Noise Blackout technology, to cut down on the background noise issues.

    The Jabra Extreme Bluetooth headset reportedly blocks background noise up to 24 db using dual microphones and a special DSP system. Previous headsets from Jabra only filtered 12 db, making the new Extreme twice as good at blocking noise. The new headset should be available this month for an MSRP of $79.99.

    The Jabra Cruiser speakerphone uses the same dual microphone “Noise Blackout” technology, only in a speakerphone system. The device also provides a caller ID announcement so you know who’s calling when you are behind the wheel. The Jabra Cruiser is also available this month, with an MSRP of $99.99.

    From the press releases:

    Jabra EXTREME Bluetooth Headset

    The Jabra EXTREME is a new Bluetooth headset that features the best sound quality yet with the new Noise Blackout™ Extreme. Noise Blackout Extreme uses dual microphones combined with DSP and automatic volume control to dramatically enhance call quality, providing twice as much background noise reduction (24 decibels) as compared to previous Jabra headsets like the BT530 (only 12 decibels). In addition, unique new Ultimate-fit Eargels, two different sized rotatable ear hooks that are contoured to fit the ear perfectly, have been developed to guarantee superior comfort for all day use. (MSRP: $79.99; Available: January)

    Jabra CRUISER Bluetooth Speakerphone

    The Jabra CRUISER is the first Bluetooth wireless speakerphone to feature dual microphones, or Noise Blackout™ technology, which eliminate street and traffic sounds while optimizing voice quality. The CRUISER offers superior audio quality and a sleek design allowing drivers to keep both hands on the wheel in compliance with hands-free driving laws. The device features caller ID in the form of voice announcements, which intelligently accesses a paired phone’s address book to announce the name of an incoming caller. Featuring Multiuse™ connectivity, the Jabra CRUISER allows two Bluetooth-enabled devices to be paired simultaneously. MP3 tracks can even be remotely controlled from the CRUISER with simple play, pause and rewind buttons on the speakerphone. A built-in FM transmitter allows calls and MP3s stored on a mobile device to be heard through a car’s stereo system. (MSRP: $99.99; Available: January)

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  • Tekken 3 on the HTC HD2


    So there’s actually two things to tell you about here; for one thing, you can play Tekken 3 on your HTC HD2 phone. That’s cool and all, but the big story is the emulator used to play it. The emulator, named FPSECE, not only supports the Playstation 1, but the touchscreen as well.

    The software is free, but you’ll have to provide your own ROMs of course. The setup can be a bit twitchy but the developers site has some links to video to help you get it set up properly. Who cares though, cause at the end of you’ll be playing Tekken 3 with a touchscreen. How sweet is that?

    [via WMPoweruser]

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