The Gadget 411 – Gadget Reviews & Tech News

PRESS RELEASE: (Pictures below)

Samsung Rogue (Reviewed Here! ) <– Check out the review

The Samsung Rogue is a sleek messaging phone with a full touch display that provides an optimized messaging experience with a horizontal slide-out, four-row QWERTY keyboard, threaded messaging and one-touch access to popular social networking widgets, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and Photobucket. The Samsung Rogue also features innovative speech capabilities powered by Nuance that allow customers to launch and control a variety of applications and services with simple voice commands as well as dictate text messages.

The Samsung Rogue will serve as the flagship phone for the company’s new data pricing option available to customers beginning today. The new data pricing gives Verizon Wireless customers more freedom to select how much data and the type of data they want to use. Samsung Rogue customers who want to check e-mail; surf the Web; and download applications, games or ringtones will be able to select either a 25 MB for $9.99 monthly access option or a 75 MB for $19.99 monthly access option to couple with their Nationwide plan.

Customers who want to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather and live entertainment video clips can also add Verizon Wireless’ new V CAST Video on Demand plan that gives customers access to unlimited basic video clips, ESPN MVP and unlimited megabytes for their V CAST Video usage for $10.00 monthly. The new V CAST Video on Demand plan replaces the $15.00 V CAST VPak. These changes will not impact existing customers.

Following are additional key features and specifications for the Samsung Rogue.

· Available in bronze/black color

· 3.1-inch ultra-brilliant touch screen

o Widescreen WVGA AMOLED (Wide Video Graphics Array Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) responsive touch screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays on a mobile phone in the United States

o Slide out horizontally to reveal a four-row QWERTY keypad

· Full HTML Web browsing capabilities with one-touch access to social networking sites via shortcut widgets

· Full messaging suite including SMS, MMS, Mobile IM, Mobile Email and Corporate Email

· 3.0 megapixel camera with flash and video capture and on-device editing capabilities

· Supports Verizon Wireless services including V CAST Music with Rhapsody, V CAST Video, and Visual Voice Mail

· Media Center-capable – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services, such as VZ NavigatorSM and Chaperone®, and more

· Pre-loaded games including “NEED FOR SPEED™ Undercover,” “Resident Evil: Degeneration,” and “Tetris® and Dice”

· microSD™ card slot with support for up to 16 GB (card purchased separately)

· File Viewer can view Microsoft® Word, Microsoft® Excel®, Microsoft® PowerPoint® and Adobe® PDF documents stored on a memory card

Samsung Intensity

The Samsung Intensity is a feature-packed phone that offers customers a convenient way to stay connected to family, friends, and anyone else their thumbs can get a hold of through its full line of advanced messaging capabilities such as Mobile IM; text, picture and voice messaging with threaded messaging feature; Mobile Email; and the Mobile Web browser.

Following are additional key features and specifications for the Samsung Intensity.

· Available in a Charcoal Grey color in all sales channels and available in Flamingo Red online only at www.verizonwireless.com

· 2.1-inch display with horizontal slide-out four-row QWERTY keypad with dedicated Messaging key and Favorites key for easily texting and calling friends and family

· Mobile Web browser for Internet access

· Music player

· Full messaging capabilities including Mobile IM; Mobile Email; Chat; and text, picture, and voice messaging

· 1.3 megapixel camera with Night Shot, Self Timer, Multishot and Shutter Sound selection

· Compatible with PC client for V CAST Music with Rhapsody (over-the-air downloads are not supported on the Samsung Intensity)

· Voice commands such as Voice Dial, Menu Readout, Digital Dial Readout, TXT Message Readout, Call Announcement, My Verizon, and Help

· Media Center-capable – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services, such as VZ NavigatorSM, and more

· microSD™ card slot with support for up to 16 GB (card purchased separately)

Price and availability:

· The Samsung Rogue is available today for $99.99 after a $100.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement, and the Samsung Intensity in Charcoal Grey is available today for $29.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. The Samsung Intensity in Flamingo Red is available beginning today exclusively online at no charge with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate as a debit card that can be used anywhere debit cards are accepted.

· Customers can purchase the Samsung Rogue and Samsung Intensity in Charcoal Grey beginning today at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores or online at www.verizonwireless.com. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Check out more Samsung phone deals at the Phones4u website, where you can get the right phone for you at the right price.

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Popularity: 34% [?]

The great people at Verizon has Provided us with this one.

The RIM Blackberry Tour (9630) comes ready to use with 256mb of onboard memory with a upgradable Micro SD slot. With its 480 x 360 pixel screen it compliments the 3.2 megapixel camera/video well.

When taking this product out the box i was very surprised with the weight and how slim the phone was. The internet on this thing was amazing! Verizon 3g really does get the job done.Texting and Emailing couldnt have been easier,with the qwerty board, and the red message indicator light on the front.

The Scroll wheel on the front could not have made navigation on this easier.

On the  the left side of the device is a customizeable button which is defaulted as Voice Dailing on the right side is volume up and down, and another customizable button which is defaulted as Camera. Also on the right side is a 3.5mm headphone jack for quick hookup with your favorite headphones.

For full details of this phone check out the verizon site . The blackberry 9630 tour comes in two models one with the camera , and one without, and is $269.99 with a 2 year contract. Check out the full specs, and photos below!

Size (L x W x D): 112 x 62 x 14.2 mm
Weight: 130 grams
Memory: 256 MB internal Flash memory
Expandable Memory: microSD located under the battery door cover
Battery: 1400 mAh removable/rechargeable cryptographic lithium cell
Battery Life: TBD
Keyboard: 35 key backlit QWERTY
Display: High resolution HVGA 480×360 pixel
Camera: 3.2 MP camera, flash auto focus
GPS: Assisted, autonomous and simultaneous GPS enabled with preloaded BlackBerry Application for e911 capabilities
Media Player: Video format support MPEG4; Audio format support MP3, AAC AAC+ etc
Bluetooth: Bluetooth V2.0; mono/stereo headset, hands-free, PBAP
Headset: 3.5mm stereo headset capable
USB Port: Enables charging and high-spead data synchronization via USB “A” to micro USB “B” cable
Network Support:
Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks
Single-band: 2100 MHz
UMTS/HSPA networks
Dual-Band: 800/1900 MHz
CDMA/EVDO Rev A networks

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Popularity: 12% [?]

We told you so. For a long time we’ve been talking about Android’s eventual implementation in devices well beyond phones and computers. We’ve joked about an Android Car but agree with the main concept and in actuality, its already in the works. We’ve talked about household information centers running Android and those are in the works too, with what we called Android Hub. But its all much closer than you think… as in 2009 close.

An article published on Forbes.com by Elizabeth Woyke discusses how Android is set to invade homes and it outlines the exact concepts we’ve been discussing and dreaming about since Phandroid’s inception. Only now it isn’t just a concept or idea… its products in motion that will launch later this year.

On “Remote Controls” for home devices/appliances:

The home control devices are designed to talk to major household systems, such as lights, locks, security and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC).

On home entertainment centers:

The media devices play a similar unifying role in the entertainment realm, allowing users to program their digital video recorders (DVRs), remotely control their stereo systems, and view TV listings directly on the gadget’s screen.

On Android Hub:

Touch Revolution is calling the third category of products, “smart phones for the home.” These cordless phones, meant for indoors use only, will communicate via radio waves like typical home phones or through voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) on wi-fi.

Notice the company name “Touch Revolution”? These folks were talking about their NIMble Android Desk Phone way back in January and THIS is the company who is behind the latest wave of news as well. A quote from Touch Revolution founder Mark Hamblin way back from that January 2009 article foreshadows it all:

“The types of touch interfaces that started with mobile phones will become the standard for electronics devices of all sorts – in the home, at the office, in the car – virtually anywhere people directly interact with technology.  These devices will have a variety of capabilities, features, and form factors – WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, accelerometers, haptic feedback, small screens, large screens, integrated, stand-alone, portable, … the list goes on.”

We went on to make our own list of possible household, automotive and other appliances/gadgets/tech where Android could be used and it looks like it will actually get done! The Forbes article claims all devices have touch-screens ranging in size from 4.3 to 10 inches and come with charging cradles.

 

So when and where can we expect these products?

Expect to see most of the products before the end of the year, in the U.S. and elsewhere. Brown says Touch Revolution is working with “companies with major brands” on upcoming launches. Touch Revolution provides the touch screens and Android features, encapsulated in a module. Its partners then customize the hardware and software, if they choose, and bring the product to market.

Major manufacturers… if you are listening… please jump on board with this because you’ll make me happy and yourself rich in the process. I kid you not. TouchRevolution haven’t updated their blog since that originally inspiring post but with this latest spike of interest I’m hoping they’ll be convinced to follow up with some updates.

I’m amazingly glad to see that this is still in the works and am incredibly excited to see the results of all Touch Revolution’s hard work! I hope at least one of the main mobile carriers in the US pick up the Android Hub desk phone… that would be SICK

Source: Android Phone FAN

Popularity: 10% [?]

From Samsung Website
flip qwerty keyboard
If you’re into serious messaging, you need a full QWERTY keyboard. With the Comeback™, you get all that, and more. When closed, you have a traditional numerical keypad. When flipped open, you have a QWERTY and a faster, easier way to text.

full html web browser
Take the internet with you. The Comeback’s full web browser lets you surf your favorites, check email, check your social network pages, download files and more. And since you get to see it all in landscape view, the Web will look better than ever.
ENERGY STAR®
Energy Star Logo
Powered by an ENERGY STAR® qualified adaptor for a better environment.
music player
It’s not all about messaging. Sometimes, it’s about tunes. Well, the Comeback has you covered there, too. And you can hold a lot of music, too; the microSD™ slot supports cards up to 16GB.
2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder
There’s a full 2.0 megapixel camera in the Comeback™. So you’ll be able to take great pictures anytime, anywhere. There’s even a 2.5x digital zoom. And with the camcorder, you can take great moving pictures, too.
bluetooth
Stereo Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
With a Bluetooth headset you can go hands-free and wireless. Now it’s easier than ever to carry on conversations without putting your job (or your life) on hold.

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Popularity: 54% [?]

For those who have a Palm Pre and syncing with Apple iTunes, an upgrade to 8.2.1 will break the sync edit(New Palm webOS 1.1 Updates will fix iTunes Sync) Issues(connection as Apple has decided to block the Palm Pre from using iTunes sync. According to the new software update, the new version “provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices
According to Apple,

“iTunes 8.2.1 is a free software update that provides a number of important bug fixes. It also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre. As we’ve said before, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with unsupported digital media players” Natalie Kerris, spokesperson, Apple

Palm did not have a solution for this at the moment, it advise user to stay with iTunes 8.2 if iTunes sync is needed. Otherwise, the music transfer could be done through USB connection or other third party softwares like Missing Sync and DoubleTwist.

Thanks Slashphone!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Press Release – LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, today announced the launch of the LG-GM730, its newest handset in LG’s smartphone line with advanced features that are also easy to use. This is the first smartphone to offer the new version of Windows Mobile 6.1, integrated with LG’s advanced 3D S-Class User Interface. The LG-GM730 will be on display at CommunicAsia 2009 in Singapore from June 16-19.

The LG-GM730 was designed for fast and easy operation so users can experience the latest smartphone features without spending too much time or effort with the user manual.

“Users, especially beginners, find smartphones to be too complicated for everyday tasks because of their unfamiliar and complex environments,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The combination of Windows Mobile and our new S-Class UI will make the LG-GM730 the most functional and easiest to use smartphone ever created. Starting with LG-GM730, we are introducing a new direction for phones that are smart and advanced but at the same time, user-friendly.”

“It’s great to see the extended LG and Microsoft alliance come to fruition with the launch of the stylish LG GM730 smartphone,” said Andy Lees, Senior Vice President, Mobile Communication Business, Microsoft Corp. He also added, “Combining LG’s technology and design leadership with the Windows Mobile platform has resulted in a great phone that will enable consumers to stay connected with people, information and services they care about most.”

Enhanced User Friendly Operation

LG’s S-Class UI is designed to make smartphones easier to use while still delivering the advanced, familiar capabilities of Windows Mobile. Built-around a 3D cube layout, the S-Class UI eliminates nested menus wherever possible, providing more direct access to features and applications. A simple flick of a finger rotates the cube so that any one of its five faces can be accessed instantly.

LG-GM730’s multitasking environment allows users to run a number of applications simultaneously in separate windows without having to stop one task to start another. “Cut and paste” allows users to copy content from the internet and paste it into documents or send it via email.

What makes the S-Class UI and Windows Mobile combination so easy to use is that features and applications on the LG-GM730 are so well integrated. Email, for example, is easier to set up and use because the phone’s schedule and contact lists are connected. This means users can send and receive messages using less key presses than on regular smartphones. Writing and sending an e-mail to an address already in the contact list is just one tap away. Folders from Outlook on home or office computers sync perfectly with the LG-GM730 which means the information on any device is the most current one. Push email means instant notification of incoming messages, eliminating the need to log in manually and check for new mail.

Smartphone Features in Slim and Sleek Packaging

Smartphones are known primarily as tools for business but the LG-GM730 is capable of much more. Networking on the Map Service, a navigation-based social networking service, enables users to see where their friends are while communicating in real time. Advanced multimedia features such as a 5 megapixel camera, MP3 player and numerous action-packed games make this phone a full-featured entertainment device.

The LG-GM730 incorporates LG’s signature style with a slim, seamless profile and smooth, stylish rounded edges. At just 11.9mm and highlighted by an elegant chrome band, this slim handset is the perfect on-the-go device for new as well as experienced smartphone users. Despite its small size, the LG-GM730 still manages to pack in all the essential productivity software with room to spare. This advanced mobile device is available in three colors: Black, Lime and Pale Pink.

The LG-GM730 will be available globally, with its initial launch in Asia this July. The LG-GM730’s launch coincides with the opening of LG Application Store, which expand the capabilities of LG’s smartphone

Popularity: 19% [?]

Blackberry OS 5.0 Features leaked…

Some of the features are:

Flag messages and set reminder times.
View personal contact subfolders and edit contacts.
View and use contacts that are in public folders and copy them to your local contact list.
A file browser to access shared network locations to open, add, or save documents.
Forward meeting invitations and calendar entries.
Ability to add, delete, move, or rename personal folders.
Ability to view personal distribution lists in Outlook contacts.

Popularity: 10% [?]

HTC touch HD

November 27 HTC released another product. Its HTC Touch Pro is packed with an Integrating a large 3.8 inch wide-screen VGA display (WVGA), a standard 3.5mm audio jack and a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus.Will be avaliable for sale in early December 2008 in Hong Kong with suggested retail price of HKD6,980.(That’s about $900.45!)

Below are the key specifications check it out at http://tinyurl.com/5w4gxe

Read the full story

Popularity: 4% [?]

The BlackBerry Bold has finally goes on sale in US, offered by AT&T. The BlackBerry Bold smartphone is available now for as low as $299.99. Unlimited corporate e-mail and data access via BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Professional Software are available from $45 a month when a qualified voice plan is also chosen. Voice plans start at $39.99 per month. BlackBerry Bold customers with unlimited data plans also qualify for free AT&T Wi-Fi service with more than 17,000 hot spots including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and thousands of other locations.

The BlackBerry Bold comes pre-loaded with several popular applications including AT&T Navigator, CV (Cellular Video), YELLOWPAGES.COM Mobile and selections from AT&T Mobile Music service – XM Radio Mobile and MusicID. AT&T also provides customers with tens of thousands of uses for their BlackBerry Bold smartphone through content available in the AT&T MEdia Mall and from third-party partner sites.

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone features a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome-finished frame and a half-VGA (480 x 320 at 217 ppi) color display and a newly designed full QWERTY keyboard. On the inside, a powerful new 624 megahertz (MHz) mobile processor that provides impressive performance, more storage memory than ever before – 1 gigabyte (GB) on board and up to 16 GB via its microSD/SDHC expansion slot – and a rich set of multimedia capabilities, including a media player for music, videos and photos and a 2 megapixel camera with built-in flash, zoom and video recording, as well as an optimized Web-browsing experience with desktop-style depiction.

SlashGear has done an unboxing, hands-on and a review on the new BlackBerry Bold for AT&T, check them out if you are getting one!]

Source SlashGear

Visit www.dialaphone.co.uk/ and see their impressive range of Blackberry phones; a great smartphone with a bright future.

Popularity: 4% [?]