Alcatel releases entry-level OT-C635



Just when you thought you've seen them all, Alcatel throws a spanner in the works by debuting the OT-C635 that comes in purple. While that is not too bad a color, it certainly won't appeal to the mass market unlike other more traditional colors. One thing about this phone is worth two thumbs up though - the low, low price of £39.99 when you sign up with Virgin Mobile as well as a superb battery life that will go down well with chatterboxes. Unfortunately, you will have to make do without a megapixel camera function, audio and video playback, and go 3G-less if you insist on picking up the Alcatel OT-C635.
Posted by Kawai, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 5:40 AM | 0 comments |

Orange site displays SPV E600




Users who are interested in the Orange SPV E600 will now be able to check out the product page on Orange Business. If the Orange SPV E600 looks extremely familiar to you, that's because you have probably seen it as the T-Mobile Dash or MDA Mail. A change in name does not result in different specifications as the SPV E600 still features WiFi, Bluetooth, GPRS, and EDGE connectivity, a microSD memory card slot for expansion options, a megapixel camera for casual shots, and a JOGGR strip on the side for easier navigation. Will it run on Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC or Smartphone? We think it is the latter.
Posted by Kawai, 5:39 AM | 0 comments |

Nokia 8800 sees Monaco Edition



If you stay in Russia and have tons of cash to splash around, perhaps picking up the Monaco edition of the Nokia 8800 from ISSE is a good idea. Featuring specially crafted designs with jewelry adorning them, you can't help but attract envious stares each time you whip it out to make or receive a phone call. There is no word on pricing, but if you even have to ask, that probably means you can't afford it.
Posted by Kawai, 5:38 AM | 0 comments |

Nokia 6267 a possibility



A new 3G cellphone from Nokia is a certainty, but whether it is the 6267 or not is another story. Reliable sources show that the next 3G handset to be released by the Finnish cellphone giant will be the 6267. While Nokia might not say it in pictures, it definitely has done so in XML, clearly detailing certain features of the Nokia 6267. One can look forward to this 3G handset as it runs on the Series 40 operating system, supporting the GSM network and boasting Bluetooth connectivity. Other features include a 240 x 320 display as well as various multimedia file format support. I strongly advise our readers to take this with a pinch of salt as the XML coding might not be the final specifications.
Posted by Kawai, 5:37 AM | 0 comments |

FCC gives nod to HTC Titan



HTC will be bringing the Titan in to replace the Apache sometime in the near future after receiving a nod from the almighty FCC. The Titan's predecessor, the Apache, was a huge hit among all CDMA carriers that offered it, so we're looking at yet another possible blockbuster which has been targeted to be made available from both Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS. FCC documents reveal a couple of designs for the Titan, featuring an internal antenna, a 2 megapixel camera for candid shots, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity and a high probability of running on Windows Mobile 6 Professional.
Posted by Kawai, 5:34 AM | 0 comments |

Apiotek VP-0002 looks stunning



The Apiotek VP-0002 Skype phone is not just any other Skype handset, boasting a jaw dropping design that resembles more of a remote control than anything else. Too bad there is no LCD display to go along with this handset as it would have greatly enhanced the overall desirability. Measuring a mere 7.5mm in thickness, the Apiotek VP-0002 works with Skype, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger in either Windows or Mac environments. Pricing details are currently unavailable.
Posted by Kawai, Tuesday, March 27, 2007 8:41 PM | 0 comments |

Treo 755p rumors hit the Net



The SprintUsers Forum is currently ablaze with rumors of a brand new Treo which will be released in the middle of May this year. Dubbed the Treo 755p, this new smartphone does away with the archaic external antenna design, making it much better looking that the Treo 650 and its predecessor. Word also has it that the Treo 755p will be the 700p's successor, being made available to consumers in blue and burgundy colors. Pricing details are still hush hush at the moment, so keep a lookout on Uberphones for any further developments. Of course, this is only possible if the rumor is true in the first place.
Posted by Kawai, Monday, March 26, 2007 6:04 PM | 0 comments |

New Helio Oz handset coming soon



Helio is pretty slow when it comes to bringing out new phones, but at least their product line up isn't stagnant. Word on the street is the next Helio handset will be christened Oz, which is actually a dual-slider Pantech. Other details such as pricing and availability are still unknown, but at least minor stuff like the name of the phone and its make is confirmed. Definitely a meh moment more than anything else.
Posted by Kawai, 8:14 AM | 0 comments |

BlackBerry Daytona leak



Fans of BlackBerry devices ought to be pleased to check out the leaked photo of the upcoming model, known as the Daytona (or 8300 if you prefer numerals). This smartphone will ship with a bunch of features that were sorely missing on the 8800. So far we know the Daytona will feature WiFi connectivity, a 2 megapixel camera with LED flash for candid moments, and an integrated GPS system to keep you on track no matter where you are. Additional improvements include enhanced audio quality on the speakerphone and improved software. Other than that, details are pretty much scant at the moment.
Posted by Kawai, 8:10 AM | 0 comments |

Soundwalk MP3 vest for active folk



We just covered the Play List jacket for those who want to carry the iPod despite wearing a blazer to work, and now we have the Soundwalk MP3 player audio sports vest that not only carries your iPod and cellphone, it boasts a pair of integrated amplifier speakers on both shoulder straps to offer you true surround sound wherever you go. This vest features reflector lines at the side for night use, while a hands-free selector enables you to switch between MP3 player and cellphone mode. Too bad the choice of colors are pretty limited, available in red or black only for $69.99. Exercise and outdoor buffs will definitely love the Soundwalk MP3 vest.
Posted by Kawai, Thursday, March 15, 2007 7:29 PM | 0 comments |

Sony Ericsson Maria spyshots



In addition to the Sony Ericsson Sofia, we also have spotted the Maria, also from Sony Ericsson. Being black in color, I can't quite help myself from piecing two and two together to get Black Maria. Anyways, enough musing. This supposed upgrade to the M600i is a WCDMA handset and comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus. It will be powered by the Symbian User Interface. There is no word on pricing or availability at this point, so keep a lookout.
Posted by Kawai, 7:28 PM | 0 comments |

Sony Ericsson Sofia in the wild



The advent of cellphone cameras is definitely a boon as we now reap the benefits of covert operations accomplished via such handsets - spyshots of upcoming devices. Just like how it takes a thief to catch another thief, it takes a pretty good cellphone camera to snap spy pictures of the upcoming Sony Ericsson Sofia. What little we do know about the Sofia includes the 5 megapixel camera with xenon flash and a pretty large QVGA display. Hopefully more details regarding the Sofia will be released in the near future.
Posted by Kawai, 7:26 PM | 0 comments |

Apiotek VP-0002 looks stunning



The Apiotek VP-0002 Skype phone is not just any other Skype handset, boasting a jaw dropping design that resembles more of a remote control than anything else. Too bad there is no LCD display to go along with this handset as it would have greatly enhanced the overall desirability. Measuring a mere 7.5mm in thickness, the Apiotek VP-0002 works with Skype, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger in either Windows or Mac environments. Pricing details are currently unavailable.
Posted by Kawai, 7:23 PM | 0 comments |

LG Prada runs on Windows Mobile 6.0


The iPhone competitor from LG, the Prada (also known as the KE850), was spotted running the latest Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system recently. This means LG is cozying up with Microsoft, being the third in line after Samsung and Motorola to sell Windows Mobile-powered handsets. Other than the KE850, LG will be working on at least a couple more smartphones that use touchscreen technology in lieu of buttons. Apple can probably take their time with the iPhone's release since no matter what version of Windows Mobile these smartphones run on, it is still Windows at the end of the day as no other operating system can pretend to compete on the same level as the iPhone's user interface.
Posted by Kawai, Thursday, March 8, 2007 3:54 AM | 0 comments |

Concept Analog Thumbstick for portables


The analog thumbstick could possibly be one of the better inventions that greatly help users manipulate an interface, but unfortunately its size makes it nigh impossible for portable devices such as cellphones and portable handheld consoles to integrate properly. Granted, most cellphones these days come with some form of analog thumbstick, but those are so small and often fail not before too long. The Compact Analog Thumbstick is a concept design of an improved joystick for the mentioned devices, featuring a telescopic analog design that has to be unlocked and extended before use. Once you're done with it, just push it in and twist it around to lock it, making it look like a normal button instead.
Posted by Kawai, 3:52 AM | 0 comments |

Wii Weights make you sweat


Remember those ankle weights that you used to wear while performing your daily run? If you think that they have been beneficial to your health cause, I'm pretty sure that the Wii Weights will appeal to you as well. The premise is simple - just wrap these Wii Weights around your wrists whenever you're engaged in some form of Wii Boxing or Bowling and get a thorough workout. This is just a prototype at the moment, as there definitely are some health concerns to worry about, since these weights might actually cause unnecessary strain on your wrists when it comes to other milder games.
Posted by Kawai, 3:49 AM | 0 comments |

SkyKap Advisor dispenses advise


Golf might be the only sport where the spectators have to keep quiet while watching their heroes line up a putt. Whoever heard of a hushed stadium in the dying minutes of a basketball championship game when Michael Jordan was about to pull off one of his Airwalk specials? The GPS-enabled SkyKap Advisor is one interesting gadget that could potentially help you lower your handicap as it whispers information such as the pin, water hazards, and fairway boundaries into your ear. Of course, you must first download such information from a computer to the SkyKap via USB before hitting the greens. Looks like GPS technology is finding all sorts of niches to fill. There is no word on pricing or availability as at press time.
Posted by Kawai, 3:45 AM | 0 comments |

Kiss goodbye to stripped bolts


One of the most confounding home improvement obstacles one can ever come across is a bolt or nut that has been screwed on so tightly in the past, using a wrench to unscrew it seems like a nigh impossible task. In fact, most people apply more pressure than is needed, stripping the bolt down instead. The GearWrench Electronic Torque Wrench helps prevent that situation by displaying the amount of torque your are exerting on the bolt via the display. It is capable of measuring the force used 2,500 times a second, buzzing and flashing green lights to let you know that you have reached the target torque. You will have to pony up $340 for this high-tech tool.
Posted by Kawai, 3:44 AM | 0 comments |

Passport 9500i memorizes speed traps


The Passport 9500i will definitely be a favorite for people who love speeding dangerously without wanting to pay the price of speeding tickets. This radar detector comes with an integrated GPS chipset that memorizes the exact location of speed traps, alerting you of potential pitfalls ahead while you are busy putting the pedal to the metal. Is the $450 investment worth the cheap thrill of pushing your '84 Toyota beyond its limits? Only you can decide for yourself. Just remember that fines aren't the only consequences of speeding, as it could involve the loss of human life as well.
Posted by Kawai, 3:42 AM | 0 comments |

Bullet time camera for military


The military seem to have gotten their mitts around a camera which can see in bullet time. This high-speed camera from Nova Sensors is capable of following bullets in midflight, thanks to its mimicry ability that was inspired by the humble human eye. Dubbed VAST (Variable Acuity Superpixel Technology), this new camera will be used in developing a new "active armor" - kevlar shields that are smart enough to detect incoming bullets and inflate automatically to protect a soldier's life. I guess short of being Neo, that is the next best option. If only my gramps had one of these vests back then in June 1944.
Posted by Kawai, 3:38 AM | 0 comments |

Sit on a piece of NYC culture


Those who live in the Big Apple will be very familiar with the "Walk/Don't Walk" signs that dot the city wherever you turn to. Artisan John Carter decided to take advantage of this cultural icon by using it as a backrest and seat for a chair, while the rest of the four feet are made from from reconfigured, customized steel street sign brackets. These signs actually work when plugged into any 115V AC outlet, while the bulbs inside can be replaced whenever they've given up the ghost. To make the seating experience more comfortable, each chair has been reglazed with a 1" thick polished resin along with felt suspension. These handmade chairs will cost $3,700 a pop.
Posted by Kawai, 3:36 AM | 0 comments |

Faux Security Cameras a deterrent


The Faux Security Cameras from Hammacher are banking on acting as a deterrent in order to prevent would-be burglars from ransacking your home while you're away. To add to the authenticity, each Faux Security Camera comes with a blinking red LED which is powered by AA batteries and a fake video cable. Of course, it would be better if the camera could pan from side to side once in a while to bring up the burglar-scare factor a notch. Unfortunately, each of these fake cameras retail for $60, so instead of buying a few fake ones to surround your home, why not use that money and pick up a working security system?
Posted by Kawai, 3:34 AM | 0 comments |

Zune phone a distant possibility


Rumors of a Zune phone could very well be proved true a few years down the road, what with the hints dropped by Microsoft when the company submitted a filing to the FCC just this week. This file touched on a wireless device which could be used to talk via the Internet, courtesy of OFDM technology which can be used to route digital TV and voice calls among different devices. Imagine making calls on a WiFi/WiMax network with the Zune phone - the market is still in its infancy at this point of time, but according to the Zune roadmap that features a revamp every three years, 2008 is a good year as all the necessary pieces on the chessboard will probably be in a favorable position.
Posted by Kawai, 3:33 AM | 0 comments |

Wisair to demonstrate WiUSB next week


Wisair is a chipset maker who is working hard to get hardware manufacturers carry its Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Wireless USB solutions in virtually every consumer electronics product released, will be demonstrating its Wireless USB functionality in camera cellphones at the 3GSM Conference in Spain next week. Wisair will use a Nokia N-Series handset with an integrated Wisair 542 chip to transfer photos and video from to a computer wirelessly. Do our dear readers think that this feature is an essential one? After all, WiFi-enabled digital cameras never really took off even until today
Posted by Kawai, 3:32 AM | 0 comments |

Zune could get games


Greg Canessa, the man who left his general manager post at Xbox Live for PopCap games, did drop some hints that ought to get Zune and iPod owners sit up and take notice. He mentioned in passing that PopCap will be working on its stable of franchises and games for different platforms, adding in other functions such as multiplayer, new play modes, as well as customizing the user interface for a myriad of devices including the Zune, iPod, AppleTV, Nintendo DS, and Sony PSP. Interesting to see him name drop both the Zune and AppleTV. Do you think this is a possibility, or was he just wringing off some names in a hurried interview?
Posted by Kawai, 3:29 AM | 0 comments |

Mathmos Mini Lamp appeals to Mario


The Mathmos Mini Lamp shares a very strong resemblance to those Power Up mushrooms that are hidden in blocks throughout each Mario game. Made from mouth blown glass with LEDs inside, you can be sure that no two lamps are alike. The LEDs within are controlled by a computer chip that enables it to cycle through the entire color spectrum according to your preference. Turning on or off the lamp is just a simple matter of pushing on it gently. Each Mathmos Mini Lamp can cycle through nine different colors and all of them come in white frosted glass. You can purchase one to brighten up your home today for $47. Trippin'...
Posted by Kawai, 3:13 AM | 0 comments |

Uren A1 in-car computer



Innowell has unveiled the Uren A1 mobile computer that targets those who want to run a computer in their vehicles to keep the entire passenger manifesto entertained during long road trips. Powered by an AMD LX800 processor, the Uren A1 runs on Windows XP and is capable of running multimedia content as well as Microsoft Office applications just like a normal computer. Features include a 7" touchscreen display, an integrated SiRFStar III GPS chipset, and HSDPA connectivity support. The Uren A1 is tipped to retail for approximately $750, and Innowell has plans for a similar model with DMB capability sometime later this year.
Posted by Kawai, 3:01 AM | 0 comments |

Lose weight while relaxing


If you have a hot little number to wear that night but still haven't shed off the weight accumulated over Christmas yet, fear not. Sousan's Spa has a machine that claims to help customers drop a dress size within an hour. All you need to do is to remain perfectly still in the machine while relaxing. This machine uses the "hydro fusion" concept that uses vitamin-infused steam and infrared heat to burn up to 2,000 calories within sixty minutes. Unfortunately, a fitness trainer and nutritionist says that the weight loss achieved is due to water weight, so there is still no substitute for good old exercise. An hour's treatment will cost you $150.
Posted by Kawai, 3:00 AM | 0 comments |

Snow plowing robot


Winter in Niigata, Japan is often associated with heavy snow that pose problems for residents who then have to shovel away all that snow from driveways and entrances to their homes. The elderly often find this task too heavy for their aged body, which is why a team of researchers have developed the Yuki-taro autonomous snowplow robot. Measuring 63" x 37" x 30" and weighing 880 lbs, the Yuki-taro boasts a GPS navigation system and two embedded video cameras in its eyes, searching for snow and scooping it up via the mouth. The robot's innards will then compress snow into hard blocks measuring 24" x 12" x 6" which is expelled from its rear end later. These ice blocks can subsequently be recycled in the summer as an alternative source of refrigeration or cooling. Each Yuki-Taro will retail for approximately $8,000 when it is commercially available in half a decade's time. I sure hope my popsicles by then won't be made from recycled snow!
Posted by Kawai, 2:58 AM | 0 comments |

iPod Safe locks down on theft


There are tons of iPod accessories in the market, and the amount of cases that you see are just astounding. What makes this one stand out from the crowd is the fact that it comes with a four-digit combination lock which must be entered correctly before you can actually open the case and take out the iPod from wherever it is attached to at the moment. Unfortunately the case is plastic, so with a little creativity, the combination lock won't do much good. Still, if it does give you a sense of security, by all means go out and get one. There is no word on pricing details.
Posted by Kawai, 2:55 AM | 0 comments |

Turbolinux Wizpy MP3 Player AND Portable Linux Drive


The Turbolinux Wizpy is not only a Linux based portable media player that plays MP3, Ogg, WMA, AAC and DivX formats, it’s also a portable Linux drive which lets you plug and boot into Turbolinux’s own Linux OS—Turbolinux FUJI on any PC.
Posted by Kawai, Wednesday, March 7, 2007 4:27 AM | 0 comments |

MP4 Watch


We have seen many MP3 wrist watches which also let you store digital files via USB interface, how often do you see a wrist watch that lets you play video files? Thanko has a MP4 watch on their web based store, supporting video playbacks in MP4 (NXV) format, as well as audio playbacks in MP3 and WMA formats.
Posted by Kawai, 4:10 AM | 0 comments |

Asus Released P535 GPS-enabled Pocket PC


Following Dopod and ETEN’s foot steps, Asus announced their first GPS-enabled Pocket PC, the Asus P535 on Wednesday. This new model is powered by Intel Xscale 520MHz processor, 64 MB SDRAM, 256 MB NAND flash memories, and Microsoft Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition (AKU3.2). Asus is targeting the P535 at the Asian Pacific market, with retail price of around US$740 (23,900 TWD in Taiwan


Posted by Kawai, 3:57 AM | 0 comments |

O2 Xda Atom Life, A HSDPA Pocket PC


O2 released its first 3.5G Pocket PC in HK on the last day of February. The new Xda Atom Life basically looks pretty much the same as its predecessor, the Xda Atom: a black body with simple and clean outline, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a media player navigation panel along with the basic Pocket PC buttons, and a pair of shortcut bottons on the lower right side of the phone’s body. In addition, it has a 0.3-megapixel supplementary camera for video conferencing purpose. The Xda Atom Life weighs 145 g, which is only 5 g heavier than the Xda Atom.


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Posted by Kawai, 3:50 AM | 0 comments |

Sony Ericsson Announced Two New Cyber-shot Phones


Sony Ericsson today announced two new Cyber-shot phones, the K810 and the K550. The K810 basically share the same features as the K800, it comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto focus, Cyber-shot Xenon flash with red eye reduction, 17mm thin
2.0” QVGA 262k TFT display, M2 slot with 128MB M2 in-box, 64MB user free memory, and other similar functions.
Posted by Kawai, 3:33 AM | 0 comments |

Palm to serve up "ultra thin" WiMAX smartphone this year?


Plant this firmly in the "unsubstantiated rumor" category and take it with a boulder-sized grain of salt, but there's one thing here we can say with certainty: whether it sells or not, Palm is in desperate need of fresh product. Like, not a new Treo with a little more memory or a slightly better camera -- we mean seriously fresh product. We're sure there are some reasonably smart folk kicking around at Palm that realize the very same thing, and it's only because of that assumption that we're forced to give this rumor some amount of credit. Anyhoo, here's the deal: Sprint will start flipping the switch (wouldn't it be cool if there actually was a giant switch they flipped?) on its WiMAX network later this year, or in a worst case scenario they'll at least be trialling it. Well, ya need product for that new network, right? Palm allegedly is going to swoop in late this year (think October time frame) with an "ultra thin" (tipster's words, not ours) smartphone that'll rock WiMAX out of the box. No word on what platform it'll sport or really any other detail of consequence, but "Palm" and "thin" aren't typically two words you hear in the same sentence, so by the time you throw in some blazing fast data, this could be quite a treat indeed.

Posted by Kawai, Tuesday, March 6, 2007 10:49 PM | 0 comments |

ADS Tech Instant Video To-Go Video Conversion Stick


ADS Technologies launches their new video conversion device, the Instant Video To-Go yesterday, offering conversion speed of up to 5 times faster than real time (video length) comparing with regular software conversion which usually takes 4-10 times longer than real time. The Instant Video To-Go is industry’s first hardware-based H.264 conversion solution for consumers, allowing users to convert popular video formats including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB (unprotected), DivX and Quicktime.
Posted by Kawai, 9:37 PM | 0 comments |

AdSense AdSense with Google Checkout Badge

Starting today, you may notice some AdSense ads displaying the Google Checkout shopping cart badge alongside the ad title. These small icons identify ads that link to sites where shoppers can buy via Google Checkout. The addition of the Checkout badge makes it easier for people to find sites where they can use Google Checkout's quick, easy and secure checkout option when making a purchase.

In addition to shopping carts on AdSense, we're also introducing new badges on ads that appear in Google search results. We hope you enjoy these new additions to our ad formats. It's another step in our ongoing efforts to enhance the experiences of AdSense publishers, AdWords advertisers, and visitors to your site.

by Jonathan Berger - Google Checkout Product Manager
=============================
Adsense Ajax cisco computer database domain hosting Google internet laptop linux redhat science security server voip wifi wireless
Posted by Kawai, 9:22 PM | 0 comments |

Ad Placement Optimization



As you may know, custom channels are a great way to track the performance of individual ad units on your pages. Starting this week, with just a few extra steps you can make your site more attractive to advertisers by allowing them to target these channels as ad placements. Creating ad placements for more visible and desirable ad locations on your site increases their value to advertisers using site targeting and encourages those advertisers to bid more.
Posted by Kawai, 9:11 PM | 0 comments |