Posted: August 17th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: android, Android 2.1, available, GoGear, GPS, Marketplace, Philips, SA2CNT16S, WiFi | No Comments »
If you already have a phone you love, but are like me and want to play with Android, there aren’t too many options (especially if you want MarketPlace). Philips have now released what seems to be the first official Android 2.1 PMP which will support Android’s MarketPlace.
The handsome device features a 3.2-inch screen, 16GB of internal storage space (8GB available soon as well), a battery good for 5 hours of video playback (and 25 hours of audio), FM radio tuner, microSD expansion slot, camera of some sort and GPS. Unusually there is no word of WiFi or Bluetooth, which might make it awkward adding applications to the device.
While Android’s weakest point is the media playback software, it is nice to see Philip’s moving way from propriety crap and offer something a little different. I hope that for $340 there is a nice processor and a misprint on the lack of WiFi.
Via [Engadget]
Posted: August 13th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: E-Ink, Ebook, ereader, PRS-350, PRS-650, Reader, Refresh, Sony | No Comments »
After the news of the Kindle refresh it is a surprise that Sony didn’t spill the beans on their new devices earlier. The upcoming PRS-350 and PRS-650, will replace the old 5-inch and 6-inch. They don’t change the device to much, but they will feature a higher contrast and faster screen. They will also have a bump in storage (2GB up from 512MB) while still featuring the same array of colours.
No pictures of the new devices have been released as yet, and there is no release pricing, but expect them to be on the more budget side. I guess all Sony have done is taken the same screen stock that Amazon get for the Kindle and gave their own devices a slight performance bump. Please give me a PixelQi screen soon!
Via [Sony Insider]
Posted: August 12th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: android, Archos, Archos 32, Cortex A8, Linux, OMAP3630, PMP, TI OMAP, WiFi | No Comments »
Anyone who knows the potential of the TI OMAP processors will know they are always to be taken seriously. The last gen OMAP’s found in devices such as the Nokia N900 have been wildly overclocked and have been shown to out perform even the current generation Snapdragon’s. It is good news that Archos have possibility decided to use them in their next move in the crowded Android market space.
The Archos 32, will be a 3.2-inch WiFi only iPod Touch (or Sony Walkman X series, or Microsoft Zune…) competitor except there is a good possibility the device will retail for under $150USD. The most important part of the device is the heart of it, featuring the brand spanking new OMAP3630 45nm ARM Cortex A8 processor. What it means is you can expect advanced OpenGL 3D acceleration, improved video decoding and encoding features which will make the alternatives look underwhelming.
There is no release date as yet, but the good news is that their may be an array of similar devices ranging from 2.8-inches all the way up to 10-inches. If the build quality is up to par and they keep keep the prices reasonable, Archos will have a winner on their hands for sure.
Via [Arm Devices]
Posted: August 5th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: Engadget, Envy, Envy 14, HP, notebook, review | No Comments »
The HP Envy 14 has always intrigued me. On paper it is so incredibly great it makes me wonder how the hell HP came up with it instead of someone like Sony or Asus. Engadget have had a chance to run it through the paces and have found some interesting facts.
The Envy 14 is a definitely evolution of the old 15, coming in at almost the same size and only shaving a little bit of weight off. Otherwise it fixes the majority of issues, and has even got one of the best keyboards around according to Engadget. If you are interested in the notebook, I would definitely jump over for a very positive review.
Full review on Engadget.
Posted: August 4th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: 9800, avaliable, Blackberry, OS6, RIM, smartphone, Torch | No Comments »
RIM have today announced their latest and greatest Blackberry, the 9800 AKA Torch. The device looks similar to the Palm Pre, but seems to feature a better build quality and keyboard (from early reports). The biggest change coming is the introduction of OS6, which will feature a better looking UI as well as a web browser that actually works.
Tech sites are on both sides of the fence, with BGR predicting underwhelming failure and Laptop Mag believe it is a worthy evolution but only for current Blackberry owners. I believe the new Torch will be impressive, with some hardware specs like camera and screen size getting a boost over the other keyboard focused Blackberry’s. I also like the idea of an OS that feels newer with a better web browser. In the end though, at least until a few final hardware reviews come out, I believe it’s an underwhelming release from RIM and with it priced along side other premium handsets it is going to be a hard sell.
If you are a fan of the new design you will should be able to get your hands on one on the 12 of August for $199USD 24 month contract.
For more info, click over to Engadget.
Posted: August 3rd, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: 3G, Apple, FaceTime, Hack, iPhone 4, Jailbreak | No Comments »
Someone has done the unspeakable and used a jailbroken iPhone 4 to use FaceTime over 3G (instead of WiFi). If you were wondering why Apple haven’t allowed it as yet, you can stop. They found it used around 3MB’s a minute, or in other words would use you entire 200mb allowance in around an hour. As you could imagine, it could become an expensive novelty quickly.
Jump over to Gizmodo for more info.
Posted: August 3rd, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: Atom, Intel, Model 03, OQO, SSD, tablet, Windows 7 | No Comments »
OQO didn’t create the first MID device, but they sure did make the most powerful and expensive devices (up there with the Sony UX series). Unfortunately, OQO died on the verge of releasing a breathtaking device designed with the budget conscious in mind. It seems that it might live on after all, but at a ridiculously high price.
For around $4700USD you get a 4.8 inch multi-touch screen, powered by an Intel Atom Z550 (2ghz), 128GB SSD, 2GB of RAM and all the wireless options you could desire. It will also continue the OQO tradition of a slide out keyboard with integrated mouse.
While it is priced right out of the market, it is good to see OQO trying to break into a market that seems to only be interested in tablets.
Via [UMPC Portal]
Posted: July 30th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: AMOLED, android, Android 2.2, Firmware, Froyo, Galaxy S, Linux, Samsung, smartphone | No Comments »
So, you went out and brought Samsung’s delicious Galaxy S on the day of release. You are sitting their contemplating your purchase, but feel slightly disenchanted. You have such a fast beautiful device, but all the cool kids with their HTC’s and Motorola’s are getting all this news of Android 2.2 while you are left without hope.
Today that changes my AMOLED loving friend, with Samsung saying September is the month that you get to really see if the humming in hummingbird is accurate. No exact day, but at least you will know that by October you will be all Flashed out and waiting eagerly for Gingerbread.
Via [BGR]
Posted: July 29th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: Amazon, Announcement, E-Ink, Ebook, ereader, The Kindle, UK, upgrade | 1 Comment »
It was bound to happen, with Kindle selling better then it ever has and Amazon saying they were out of Kindle inventory. Today, Amazon has announced ‘The Kindle’, which is their new name for their familiar 6″ inch ereader we all know and love, but with some sleek new features.
There will now be 2 models. One will have WiFi and 3G, selling for $US189, and the other with only WiFi for a budget $US139. Both models will come in two colour option’s (white and DX style graphite), and will feature a much needed bump in screen refresh rate (20% faster). The Kindle will also feature 4GB of memory, be 21 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter than the previous and a bump in battery life up to a whole month.
Other news include the introduction of a UK store and a beta Webkit browser, but the best part is the fact that while Apple believe the future is colour Amazon have stuck to their guns and gone E-Ink once again. With all the improvements it isn’t just a compelling device to enter the E-Ink era, but also to upgrade your aging device.
Via [Engadget]
Posted: July 28th, 2010 | Author: Daniel Georges | Filed under: Technology | Tags: Amazon, Ebook, Kindle, Milestone | No Comments »
Stieg Larsson, the author of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is the first author to break the 1 million barrier on the Kindle ebook store. Though Mr Larsson passed away well before the Kindle was released, I am sure he would be very excited (and rich) to have reached such a large milestone on such a new concept (digital books that is).
Via [CrunchGear]
If you already have a phone you love, but are like me and want to play with Android, there aren’t too many options (especially if you want MarketPlace). Philips have now released what seems to be the first official Android 2.1 PMP which will support Android’s MarketPlace.
