Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:41:21 GMT

Sprint Muziq

When I first saw this Muziq, I thought it was a way of getting music that you would hear in an elevator. However, this Muziq LG phone is available from Sprint, and is a terrific music-player.

The big feature on the Muziq is its ability to transmit wirelessly from the phone to an FM radio within 10 feet. That means you can take you tunes and rock out with any stereo with FM connectivity. Other features include an included 64MB microSD card, stereo Bluetooth, and a 1.3 Megapixel camera.

If you're interested in the Muziq, it should be out in mid-July for a contract fee of $99 USD.

Via Engadget Mobile Posted by: Mark Rollins      Read more     Source

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:36:52 GMT

AT&T Announces iPhone Data Plans

Three days away from the iPhone launch....and AT&T deigns to tell its eager public what they'll be paying to get everything out of their iPhone. All of the plans (which start at $59.99 a month) include unlimited data transfer, visual voicemail, rollover minutes and unlimited mobile to mobile calling. Included minutes range from 450 to 1350 units, with 200 included text messages and 5,000 off peak minutes on the cheapest plan - and unlimited night and weekends as you go up in price.

Depending on whether or not you spend a lot of time making phone calls, the introductory data plan sounds like it's not only a lot more reasonable than anyone could have expected, it's a lot more reasonable than what other phone companies charge. Hopefully this sort of combined plan will fulfill (in some fashion) the hope I expressed back when rumors about the data plan first started: a newer, cheaper model for phone and data access for mobile users.

Via chron.com Posted by: Eric Hanson      Read more     Source

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:28:34 GMT

A Real Sign of Smartphone Fanaticism

Think you're the ultimate smartphone or PDA fanatic? You've got nothing on Roberto Bernocco, an Italian author who wrote the 384-page Compagni di Viaggio (or Traveling Companion for us English readers). On the keypad of his Nokia 6630!

The novel was written in 17 weeks, and was inspired by the daily commute. No SMS shorthand was used! How fanatic is that?

Check out Compagni di Viaggio, going for $2.47 on Lulu.com. Now all we need is an English translator to type out a version on his own smartphone. Seriously, that's a great way to reach a wider audience.

Thanks to Textually for the heads-up. Posted by: Rico Mossesgeld      Read more     Source

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:41:38 GMT

Levi’s Set to Launch Cell Phone by Next Week

Levi’s is one of the most popular jeanswear brands in the world! It is a craze among young crowds as passion and liberty are its keywords. If you want to dress stylish and trendy then simply go for Levi’s. Major highlights of Levi’s jeans are the best fitted blue jeans. Blue jeans are immensely popular among young guys. You may also go for Levi’s shirts, pants and outerwear for guys, gals as well as kids.

But there is something more which is yet to be revealed in the package of Levi’s. Levi’s is also marking its debut in the cell phone industry. Cell phone is expected to be released by September 2007. It will be a designer cell phone and going to be officially launched in none other than the fashion capital of the world, Paris. This launch will be done by next week. This cell phone is designed by Modelabs Group featuring 2MP camera1.8in screen, Bluetooth, MP3 player and a nice big pocket.

Via:newlaunches Posted by: Anshu      Read more     Source

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:55:45 GMT

iPhone iBuy

The iPhone has received a huge amount of publicity. But it's a good news, bad news story, according to a study by Norwalk, Connecticut-based Markitecture

The good news is the iPhone has high awareness. 77% of people in the survey had heard of it and 41% of that group had a good impression of the phone.

The bad news is that few people want to buy it. Just 6% of people said they were planning on buying the iPhone. The high price ($500-$600) is a strong disincentive. Even with typical phone plan commitment discount, the phone will still cost $300-400 plus expensive Internet access and messaging fees.

Still, 6% is an outstanding first year sales figure that could translate into millions of first year buyers. Posted by: Marc      Read more     Source

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:28:00 GMT

iPhone in China

No, China didn't get the anxiously awaited iPhone first -- these are cases for a phone that isn't out yet, and that no one even has all the specs for, let alone a delivery date. Undeterred by these minor details, the Chinese manufacturers showed the cases at the Hong Kong Electronics and Components Fair.

And while we're gossping about life in Mac Land, it's rumored that Steve Job's address at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference will last an unprecedented 3 hours! Bring supplies.
What will he tantalize us with? Guesses are that he'll reveal that Leopard will be late to the market, that the iPhone is on track, and that he will be running for President.

Via akihabara news. Posted by: Evan      Read more     Source

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:08:13 GMT

Proporta Travel Survival Kit

Nothing fills me with more fear than watching the battery life drain out of my Blackberry or iPod when I'm far from home. Even when I'm near a power source, I don't always have all the right chargers with me. I spend half of my life in my car, so I have car chargers for some of my handheld devices, all tangled together in my glove compartment. It's not a very organized or complete system.

The Travel Survival Kit from Proporta.com is, for my needs, a fairly complete charging solution for anywhere I would go. The USB Mobile Device Charger (which can also be purchased separately), is a USB rechargeabe battery with 3400 mAH of power. It's about the size and weight of an iPod with video, and charges from any USB port. When away from home, you can charge the USB Mobile Device Charger (and also charge your devices directly) with the included AC Travel Charger with USB socket or the Car Power Suppy with USB port.

With the supply of connector tips that came with the kit, I'm able to charge up my Blackberry, my iPods, and my daughter's Sidekick anywhere, and charge up the battery unit in my car, as well as in Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and "elsewhere" (oh, how I long to go "elsewhere"). Just have to be careful to keep all the pieces together in one place (a little gadget pouch would do nicely).

The kit sells for $75.95 on the Proporta website. If you have a device that doesn't work with any of the tips in the kit, Proporta will send you one for free from their selection of connector heads, though it's noted on the company's website that the USB Mobile Device Charger is not compatible with the Microsoft Zune.

Posted by Hoyun 

Posted by: Hoyun      Read more     Source

Fri, 25 May 2007 05:02:13 GMT

Sony and BT Want to Turn the PlayStation Portable into a Phone

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and BT (the service operator formerly known as British Telecom) have recently struck a deal to basically turn the PlayStation Portable into a phone. The four-year agreement will involve adding video and voice call capabilities, as well as messaging, to the mobile gaming platform.

The question is then, are PSP owners interested in turning their barely portable gaming consoles into a barely portable communications device? The demographics dictate that someone willing to spend money on a sophisticated toy must be a gadget freak. And more often than not, gadget freaks already have their own phones.

Both SCEE and BT have a market of 8 million owners to convert. Will a significant number listen to what they have to say? Maybe, if these souped-up PSPs offer something that your "average" smartphone or PDA can't. Which might be easy as pie, thanks to the gadget's significant hardware capabilities. Posted by: Rico Mossesgeld      Read more     Source

Wed, 23 May 2007 23:02:55 GMT

Cell Phone Credit Cards and Your Money Mindset

It is an inevitable fact that in the near future our cell phones will function as credit cards; in fact, in some countries, they already do. Your credit card number is stored on your cell phone and through wireless magic, you can pay for something just by waving your cell phone at a special reader. It's already being tested in this country, and it's only a matter of time before most of us have the option to add this latest functionality to our mobile phones.

Is this a good thing?

This article I came across details the march of credit cards into every aspect of our society, with credit card payments now common in fast food restaurants, and vending machine credit card acceptance also gaining traction. The cell phone situation is also discussed, along with the ultimate question as to whether this is a good or bad thing.

Personally I like using my credit card just about everywhere. My goal is to carry nothing more than a $20 bill and one or two credit cards at all times. When the cell phone thing happens, I can reduce that to having just the emergency $20.

I understand the dangers of credit, of buying what you can't afford. If you can't handle temptation, you shouldn't have them at all. On the other hand, some people's inability to handle temptation shouldn't ruin it for the rest of us.

With the right mindset, a credit card is nothing more than a convenience, a way to skip the ATM when you're short of cash. And something few people mention is that it's actually a great way to track your expenses. If your Visa bill comes and you say "Holy crap, how did I spend $1600 last month?" you have an itemized list that shows you exactly how you spent $1600, giving you the opportunity to change your ways before the next bill comes (or to realize that you had a big one-time expense that won't be repeated in the future).

And, you can debate the merits of everywhere credit cards all you like, but the fact is, they're not going away. So either swear them off, or work on your mindset around them, because blaming them when you go on a shopping spree ain't going to get you your money back. Posted by: Justin McHenry      Read more     Source

Wed, 23 May 2007 08:31:56 GMT

Motorola Goes [RED].. And YOU Can Make A Difference By BUYING a Phone!

The ultra-hip Motorola [RED] RAZR phone with matching Motorola [RED] Bluetooth headset - can keep Dad, grad or YOU in touch with family and multitask! Not only will it give you or whomever gets this cool phone love it, but the purchase will benefit millions of mothers affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Shopping (RED) for any gift, holiday or any reason means a portion of what people spend will go directly to the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS programs in Africa.

Motorola is producing special RED versions of its signature handsets, including MOTOSLVR (UK) and MOTORAZR (US). Motorola RED products will be rolling out internationally throughout 2007.

Collection Details/Prices:
MOTOSLVR (price dependent on carrier)
MOTORAZR V3i (price dependent on carrier)
MOTORAZR V3m
Bluetooth Headset H3
Bluetooth Headset H500

-With each sale of a (PRODUCT) RED phone, pricing varying by location, Motorola will make a direct contribution to the Global Fund.
-In the UK, all carriers made a contribution of 5% of the monthly bill to the Global Fund.

Since Bono and Bobby Shriver launched (RED), the effort has contributed more than $20 million dollars to the Global Fund. More than 200,000 mothers have already directly benefited from the amount raised by purchases of (PRODUCT) RED, including receiving the counseling and medication to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Visit www.motorola.com/red for more information Posted by: Stevie Wilson      Read more     Source