Author: PhoneDog.com – Latest videos, reviews, articles, news and posts

CES 2010 Wrap-Up: Noah’s Top 5 Mobile Devices

Three years ago I went to CES in Las Vegas and had to search high and low for a compelling mobile tech story to cover. Sure, there were phones and all sorts of portable computers, but “mobile” – as in the wireless telcom industry – wasn’t really a focal point of the show. Mobile waited past January back then to unleash news at MWC in February and CTIA Spring in April. Not so anymore.

Palm broke the mold, to some extent, by unveiling WebOS and the Pre at last year’s CES. This year? Everyone and their uncle made mobile a part of their CES presence, it seemed. While we may not have seen a ton of US phone launches, there were a handful of ’em – and another pretty newsworthy one from Google the day before I headed out to Vegas. But more importantly, we saw launches and previews of many devices incorporating cellular connectivity into all sorts of form factors and headed to both the US and global markets.

So what caught my eye? Besides 3D TV, that is (I’m not sure if it’s “good” or not, but I couldn’t stop watching 3D polar bears swim through the water at Sony’s booth).

Here are my Top 5 mobile devices from CES 2010:

1. Lenovo LePhone

Lenovo’s LePhone was the most compelling new mobile phone shown at CES, even if it’s not destined for a North American release at this point, and probably wasn’t the “best” phone at the show. Why? First off, Lenovo entering the smartphone game with an Android device for the Chinese market speaks volumes to what’s happening to the mobile industry:

• Internet consumption is going from portable (laptops and netbooks) to pocketable (smartphones) and PC makers want in on the action. 
• Android’s cheap, customizable OS-as-business model is starting to make real inroads. Look for this trend to explode in 2010.
• China. Is. Huge. If Chinese consumers are ready for smartphones, you betcha the world’s consumer electronics makers are ready for the Chinese market.

Adriana goes hands-on with Sony’s new Dash CID-H10 Personal Internet Viewer. Imagine Chumby, but bigger and on steroids. And made by Sony instead of a start-up.

EXTENSION ON LOGO CONTEST!

Some of you asked for an extension on the deadline in the comments or via email, so we’ve reassessed things and managed to squeeze out a little more time for you design hopefuls. So instead of the original January 14 deadline date, we’ve pushed the deadline to January 16! Hopefully, the extra time will allow more breathing room for maximum creativity!

So the new deadline is:

JANUARY 16th at 8:00 PM (EST)

For further instructions, including design direction, please see below. Thanks!

_____________________________________

If you missed out on the past DroidDog or BBerryDog logo contests, we feel you. (We really do.) So here’s another chance to show off those design muscles. The winner gets his or her work shown on the new TodaysiPhone.com website and the top prize of $250!

You’ve already helped us pick out a name for our new iPhone network site. Soon after, TodaysiPhone.com was born. Then we asked for contributors, and content creators from our community have come out in droves. Now, we’re tapping the PhoneDog talent bank one more time!

So here we go again…

The TodaysiPhone Logo Contest

We’ve learned a lot from our previous logo contests, so here are some rules designed to keep things orderly and fair.

LOGO CONTEST RULES
1. The logo should include the words “Today’s iPhone” or “TodaysiPhone.com.” It’s also fine to play with the acronym “TiP” (capital “T,” little “i,” capital “P”), but the title or URL should also be included. 
2. From the submitted entries, we’ll choose the 10 logos that best capture the spirit of Today’s iPhone.
3. We’ll post the top 10 logos on PhoneDog, so the community can vote for their favorites.
4. The three logos with the most votes move to the last round — editors’ critique and final selection.**
5. Finally, the editorial team will choose the winning logo, and the designer will receive $250 via Paypal.

**Similar logos from the same designer that have minor changes in color or font will not be considered separate entries. If, however, we’re interested in a particular design, we may request these types of changes to the final submission.

Here are the few minor restrictions that we have in regards to the logo itself:

• We reserve the right to modify the color scheme or font of the logo after the contest has been completed
• We’ll narrow down the entries to 10, which will be posted on the website for community voting 
• The image should look good in a 200 x 110 pixel space and be white around the edges. We’ll also need to be able to blow it up for marketing purposes, so it needs to look equally great at higher resolutions.  Vector, high-resolution .jpg, .tif, or something else — it’s up to you.
• Send as many as you want of your own original designs.***

***Multiple entries from a single contestant — as long as they are separate distinct designs — are permissible, which means one individual could have multiple entries in the voting poll. But the community votes on the logos, not the designer.

TO ENTER
Email [email protected] only. If you link to images in the comments section, but don’t email to this address, your submission will NOT be considered. (If you’re looking for group feedback, however, feel free to post below and ask for other readers’ opinions.)
•Include your email address, name, and PhoneDog username (if applicable).

Questions? Those are definitely welcome in the comments section below. This way, responses will benefit everyone in the PD community.

The contest ends on January 16th, 2010 at 8:00 PM EST.

Thank you, and good luck! We can’t wait to see your submissions!

_________________________________________

WANT AN ADVANTAGE FOR THE CONTEST?
Here’s a helpful hint.

DESIGN DIRECTION
Good designers know they can’t create good work in a vacuum, so here is some direction and background info on Today’s iPhone. Interpret this into your custom design:

Thanks to Apple’s enormous popularity, iPhone and iPod Touch owners aren’t easy to classify. They’re not lumped in as tech fans or phone nerds; they come in lots of different flavors — the hot rock singer who uses music apps, your kid brother with a knack for jailbreaking, and the neighbor who organizes her whole family with the productivity apps. They are moms, musicians, photographers, business people, students and everyone in between.

Good luck!

(For more info on TodaysiPhone.com as we approach the launch, follow me by clicking @PhonedogAdriana)

Take a Palm Pixi. Add WiFi. Move it from Verizon to Sprint. Voila! Palm Pixi Plus

You’ll hear more from me when my Nokia N900 review hits the website, but all in all, I’m very impressed with the N900.  Featuring a fast processor, 32 GB of internal storage space, a large screen, and a new OS (that is neat in the fact that it’s both innovative and not Symbian), it’s one of the devices I would categorize as not being ready for mainstream use.  Why?  Among other reasons, the lack of a functioning app store.

As of today, Nokia is pushing the first software update to the N900, and though it doesn’t provide software update doesn’t provide anything in the way of new features, it does prepare the device for the introduction of the Ovi Store, which I’m told is coming an in official manner soon.  If you want to get around it for the time being, point your browser to http://store.ovi.mobi.

First step towards consumerization – could we see a subsidized N900 coming soon?  I know I’d be excited.

Via Engadget Mobile

What happens when all the PhoneDog editors — Noah, John, Aaron and Adriana — finally meet for the very first time at CES 2010? Wackiness ensues.

Chalk it up as a rumor for now, but the current word on the street is that Verizon Wireless will be mandating data plans – get this – for every 3G phone in their lineup beginning January 18th.  Received through my tip line and through a “whisper” on BGR, the plans will begin at $9.99 for 25 MB, and will go to $29.99 for unlimited data.  Though my tip never mentioned it, BGR’s intel states that mobile e-mail will be included.  My guess is that this will apply to new activations and upgrades after January 18th.

Again, just a rumor and not confirmed at this time, but I can’t imagine this going over well with the public.  I don’t see my grandparents (who are loyal Verizon customers) needing data plans.  My immediate family (none of which use or need a data plan) would see a $50 monthly increase on their statement, at minimum.

$350 early termination fees for advanced devices, mandatory data plans on all 3G devices…what’s your take on this?

Adriana gets a fast glimpse of the cute, compact little LG Lotus Elite — the newest version of last year’s LG Lotus messaging phone —  at CES 2010 in Las Vegas. Is it a win or a fail? You decide.

Aaron gets a demo of the BlackBerry Presenter at CES Las Vegas 2010.

It’s a virtually indisputable fact: Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X10 is as visually stunning an Android as we’ve seen thus far and is quite possibly – in my mind – the sexiest phone on deck for 2010. With a 4″ capacitive touchscreen, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8 MP cam, great Android theming, some sleek custom apps that change the user experience, and incredibly slick lines, this phone has been an object of desire for me for some time. It has shared, perhaps, the top position on the list of phones I would like to personally own this year, along with Google’s Nexus One. However, after getting to spend a little time with the gadget at CES in Las Vegas, it may have fallen down a rung or two.

I still can’t think of another phone I’d like more to be seen with, but a little bit bit of touch screen poking and dabbling has me thinking that Nexus One stands head and shoulders above the X10 when it comes to interaction. I should point out that the X10s I held were running Android 1.6 and that the custom SE software sitting on top of it was not ready for the masses. Some delayed response – and a bit of non-responsiveness – was expected. What I wasn’t expecting was how dramatically that affected my experience with the X10. I found myself wondering if it was due solely to the stage of development that the software was in or if that somewhat cheap feeling touch screen had something to do with it. Knowing Sony Ericsson, the screen probably wasn’t cheap at all and I don’t expect the product to be the most affordable Android on the Market.

In terms of software, SE is onto something great…and beautiful. What we once knew as Rachael, and what they refer to as the Nexus UX (user experience) is gorgeous. I’ve heard concerns from a few people that thought all that blue might get tiring eventually, and while I can see the possibility, it certainly wouldn’t prevent me from grabbing one had I the spare means. Where SE’s hand really stands out is in two applications that effectively change the way a user accesses two of what are quickly becoming the most important and frequently used data on cell phones: media and social information.

Timescape and Mediascape offer the user a deck of cards, each card representing – in the case of Timescape – a single instance of social interaction from a given individual. Within the deck of cards, you can swipe through a timeline of entires and filter via social network, calls, SMS, email, etc. It’s the same kind of data aggregation you’ll find in Sense or Motoblur, with an original presentation and uber-drool-worthy design. I have no complaints about the Nexus UX and am glad to know SE will be releasing it on other devices

Another aspect of the phone that just jumped out as me as super sexy was the white color option. It was even better in person. The lines of the phone, minima hardware buttons, size and shape become even more luxurious in that stunning lusterous white finish.And the blue theming throughout the UI takes on a icy, cool vibe that I think is missing from the black version. It’s truly a sight to behold, and looking at one resting in the palm of your hand is definitely enough to cause a few butterflies. If you’re into awesome tech design, that is.

We don’t currently have a street date or price on the X10, though it’s expected to hit Rogers Wireless in Canada this Spring. I’m interested to see what kind of pricepoint they can deliver this stylish chunk of kit at. Maybe that light, smudgy screen will bring it into the realm of reason. Sony Ericsson will be seeling apps via their PlayNow store. Until there’s more news on the X10, expect to be hearing a lot of buzz regarding it’s *little* sister, currently referred to as Robyn.

With the launch of AT&T’s 3G MicroCell last year, other carriers have undoubtedly felt left in the dark with their 1X-only signal enhancing devices.  The Samsung “Combo” femtocell, spotted at CES, sports 1X and EVDO connectivity along with eight connections – an increase of the original’s limitation of four.  The unit offers a revamped design, and will be available in the second half of 2010.  Launching a 3G femtocell in late 2010 is great and all, but is it really relevant with LTE right around the corner?

Via Engadget Mobile

Noah unboxes the HTC-made Google Nexus One. Nexus One is the first Android 2.1 phone, and the first phone to be sold through google.com/phones. It also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

This seems like a no-brainer, and yet we haven’t really seen it before. LG was demoing Skype video calling on an HDTV at CES 2010. Noah checked it out.

Take a Palm Pre, double its memory, refine its slider mechanism and QWERTY board and chop that front button off. And, oh yeah, stick it on Verizon. Voila: Palm Pre Plus!

Aaron gets a few minutes with the LG GW620, LG’s first Android smartphone.  With social networking features, a full QWERTY keyboard, Android v1.5, and a 5-megapixel camera, it’s a well-equipped mid-range device.

Noah goes hands-on with the mobile device creating some of the biggest buzz at CES 2010. LG’s GW990 is a Linux-OS smartphone powered by an Intel Moorestown ULV Atom chip. That’s like the power of a netbook in a touchscreen smartphone.

Noah spies LG’s new Android phone at CES 2010. The GT540 is a low-end smartphone featuring a social networking-friendly customization of Android, and a few nice multimedia features.

After months of speculation, it’s official: the Palm Pre Plus and the Pixi Plus do in fact exist, and they’re headed to Verizon Wireless on January 25th.  Sporting some pretty significant improvements, pricing hasn’t been announced as of yet.

New Pre features include an upgrade to 16 GB of internal memory (from 8 GB on the Sprint Pre), an “upgraded” processor of some sort (no, they wouldn’t tell me the official speed), an inductive battery cover out of the box, a new gesture pad resembling the Pixi’s, a “Mobile Hotspot” option which reminds me of the MiFi concept, and a revamped keyboard that clicks similarly to the one on the Pixi.  On the Pixi, an “upgraded” processor can be found, along with Wi-Fi.  I don’t know about you, but it sounds like some welcome improvements to me.

Enough of the specs.  Pictures are below!  And be sure to stay tuned for Noah’s hands-on video.

A quick demonstration of the Nexus One’s voice input capabilities. I think I should point out that this occured in a very noisy environment. The woman doing the demo had to speak quite loudly for me to hear her and to be distinguishable on camera. Given the circumstances, the result is pretty impressive. But can it interpret lollercoasters?