About that Samsung L870 Safari browser thing...

We now have official word from Samsung regarding the browser on its new Samsung L870 slider. You may recall that the Samsung-issued press release listed "Safari browser (full browsing)" as a feature. Now the clarification:
"Actually, L870 is equipped with S60 OSS browser, also known as S60 safari browser because both are using same webcore platform. Sorry again for the unclear specification, and bothering you with this."
Of course, the S60 browser has never been known, even informally, as the "S60 safari browser," but we'll let Samsung bang heads together internally over that one.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: l870,s60,safari,samsung ]

Griffin ships iPod / iPhone-compatible iTrip AutoPilot

It's been a hot minute since Griffin Technology loosed a new iTrip, but the newest member of the family is one we can't help but high-five. The iTrip AutoPilot not only charges and transmits iPod audio to your FM stereo, but it also does the same with Apple's iPhone. As expected, the device plugs into one's cigarette adapter on one end while sliding into a Dock Connector on the other; the SmartScan technology will do its best to locate the clearest frequency for transmitting on, and it will then display said station so you can dial in with your radio. Not a half bad piece for $99.99 -- 'tis a shame FM transmitters are all but worthless in even modestly large cities.


[Via: Macworld ]
[Tag: autopilot,griffin,griffin technology,GriffinTechnology,iphone,iphone accessory,IphoneAccessory,ipod accessory,IpodAccessory,itrip,iTrip AutoPilot,ItripAutopilot ]

iPhone vs. HTC Touch Diamond vs. Xperia X1... Fight!

Would you look at that: a thick slab of iPhone meat in a Sony Ericsson and HTC sandwich. The iPhone's big screen is nice and all but the device is starting to look a bit portly given that the Xperia X1 sports a QWERTY with chewy HSDPA data, the latter shared with the Raphael Touch Diamond. Tasty, regardless.
Update: Er, that's not the HTC Raphael, it's their Touch Diamond.

[Via: WMExperts ]
[Tag: apple,diamond,fight,htc,iphone,sony ericsson,SonyEricsson,touch diamond,TouchDiamond,x1,xperia x1,XperiaX1 ]

Columbus reveals pocket-sized V-900 GPS data logger

Compared to those bulky alternatives out there, Columbus' V-900 looks like a real gem. This diminutive GPS data logger appears to feature built-in Bluetooth, a microSD slot and bundled software that helps you map out those coordinates once you return home from that howling backpacking trip across Europe. Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to pricing / availability, but be sure and hit the read link if you're interested in a few more glamor shots.
[Thanks, Dawei]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: Columbus,data logger,DataLogger,gps,logger,v-900 ]

Ed Colligan speaks about Palm OS 2.0

While Palm's CFO Andy Brown wasn't exactly forthcoming with details about its elusive next-gen OS, a recent interview with top dog Ed Colligan revealed quite a bit about codename Nova. As if it wasn't official enough already, we're told that Palm OS 2.0 (which is also not the final moniker) will indeed be Linux-based, and Ed continued to say that it would be "driven around the internet and web-based applications." Of course, a Palm interview wouldn't be a Palm interview without at least some mention of the now-defunct Foleo, and the bigwig left a crack in the rumor drawer by stating that he "still believed the idea would be vindicated some day." Trust us, there's way more where this came from, so head on down to the read link if your interest is piqued.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: ed colligan, EdColligan, linux, next generation, NextGeneration, nova, palm, palm 2.0, palm os, Palm2.0, PalmOs ]

HTC Raphael to show up in Europe as T-Mobile MDA Vario IV, specs listed

Without much ado, the HTC Raphael, now called the T-Mobile MDA Vario IV in Europe, will hit streets sometime in Q2 2008. As for specs, we're looking at 158 grams, 300 minutes of talk time, 480x640 pixel screen, tri-band GSM, a 528MHz processor, 256MB on-board RAM, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, FM radio, and a 3.2MP camera. Don't expect a stateside release -- at least in this incarnation -- given the tri-band action, so we'll continue to hold out for the Sprint version.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: htc,mda vario iv,MdaVarioIv,raphael,t-mobile ]

TeliaSonera nabs iPhone rights for Nordic and Baltic markets

Ok ok, we hear you tipsters, iPhone now official for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia "later this year" thanks to a deal between Apple and TeliaSonera. At this point, only The Netherlands seems to be out of the loop in Europe.


[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: apple,baltic,denmark,estonia,finland,iphone,latvia,lithuania,netherlands,nordic,norway,sweden,teliasonera ]

NTT DoCoMo's 906i and 706i handsets answer "who's your daddy?"

We'll get into more detail later, but we thought it was appropriate to share the moment when the Japanese showed the world just how pathetic your 3G iPhone fantasies really are. Announced today are 19 new handsets from NTT DoCoMo's 906i and 706i series. All 8 of the 906i feature 3G / GSM international roaming, GPS, HSDPA, 1-seg mobile TV, full browser with Flash 8 support, DCMX mobile credit card and iD mobile credit payment tech, VGA LCD screens, and voice to text translation of Chinese, English, and Japanese. Some even support direct transfer of Blu-ray video. The 11-strong 706i series features a variety of handsets including a waterproof 1-Seg phone, world's slimmest 1-Seg phone, and a wellness phone to monitor your health and diet. All eleven 706i phones rounded up and pictured after the break.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 706i,906i,breaking news,BreakingNews,foma,ntt docomo,NttDocomo ]

Provoke's 2012 concepts head to New York, Nokia hopes nobody notices

If you want to see the future of Nokia handset design then you have to go to the source. Finnish-based Provoke Design is one of Nokia's main design contractors. As such, take a close look at the three concepts it's showing off in New York at the HARDCORE New Finish Design exhibition starting May 17th. According to Provoke, its Express, Share, and Feel concepts (pictured left to right) represent its 2012 vision of mobile handset design. Each will be presented as fully functional prototypes "demonstrating the core innovation" proposed. The look of the Express concept can be changed electronically and customized to your personal tastes. The Feel handset pair are meant for couples and feature a specialized UI and touch simulation to enable, uh hem, "deep communication." The Share concept allows cults and anarchists to communicate in personalized code formed in subgroups of like-minded weirdos... or something like that. Read for yourself in the press release posted after the break.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: concept,nokia,provoke ]

Philips working on a 3-inch touchscreen Xenium X-Connect?

A couple things you should know about this purported Philips Xenium X-Connect before churning your gadget juices through the emotional Osterizer. First, it's clearly a product rendering. Second, Philips Xenium cellphones are primarily found in Asia Pacific region -- as such, a European or North American launch is likely out of the question. If the X-Connect is the real-deal, however, here's what we'll be missing: Windows Mobile 6, 3G UMTS/HSDPA radios, GPS receiver, AA/AAA battery backup, microSD slot, and Bluetooth 2.0 all powered by a 624MHz Intel processor beneath a 3.0-inch (presumably touchscreen) display. Still, as a broadly positioned "communication device," maybe we'll see Philips reach out to different geographies this time around.


[Via: ToTouch ]
[Tag: gps,philips,rumor,x-connect,xenium ]

Willcom shows off 1seg-equipped Willcom 03 smartphone

It looks like those wanting something a bit more capable but just as brightly-colored as Willcom's most recent candybar phones could soon be getting their fix, as the company has just announced its new Willcom 03 smartphone, which packs a bundle of features into an eye-catching package. Up front and center on this one is a 3-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, which should complement the built-in 1seg mobile TV tuner quite nicely. Otherwise, you can expect built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, along with 256MB of flash memory, a microSD card slot for expansion, a 2 megapixel camera, and Windows Mobile 6.1 for an OS, to name but a few features. Look for this one to hit Japan by the end of June.

[Via: Engadget Japanese ]
[Tag: smartphone,willcom,willcom 03,Willcom03 ]

Telstra Exec's 42Mbps iPhone Claims Are All But Impossible [IPhone]

A Telstra—iPhone's carrier in Australia—senior executive, has declared that "by Xmas (the iPhone) will be capable of 42Mbps, which will make it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world." While Telstra's network may reach that speed in 2009, his claim seems nothing but hot air and kangaroo dung, for a long list of reasons, starting with the iPhone's alleged baseband chip—the Infineon's S-GOLD3, which tops at 7.2Mbps.There are no 14.4Mbps baseband chips commercially available in the market now—much less back when the new 3G iPhone development started
• In fact, there are no HDSPA-based mobile devices of any kind supporting more than 7.2Mbps at this point, and even those are still not common.
• Any 14.4Mbps mobile devices won't hit the market until 2009.
• 24 and 42Mbps mobile devices are, at this point, nothing but a hot fantasy that won't materialize until the next decade.The 3G baseband chip most likely to be in the iPhone 3G is the Infineon S-Gold 3.
• The iPhone beta firmware code specifically mentions the Infineon S-GOLD 3.
• There have been multiple press and analysts' reports about Infineon getting the contract for the next version, continuing its relationship with Apple—right now the iPhone uses the Infineon S-GOLD 2 as its baseband chip.The S-GOLD 3 tops at 7.2Mbps.

S-GOLD 3 Multimode - HSDPA, WCDMA, E-GPRS Baseband IC with embedded multimedia functions; launch in the market Q3 2007 HSDPA 7.2Mbps, WCDMA 384kbps class UL/DL & EDGE multislot class 12, including SAIC/DARP support

So yes, the Telstra network may support 14.4mbps devices, but most likely—and unless there were five million supersecret 42Mbps baseband chips that nobody knows about, hidden in an subaquatic lair in the Pacific—the iPhone 3G, already well into production ahead of its June 9 launch, will not support those speeds for a very long time to come.Maybe the unnamed Telstra senior executive is implying that, next Xmas, Apple will introduce an iPhone with a radically redesigned motherboard using that supersecret baseband chip that nobody knows about right now. Or maybe he's just a clown.I'll take Kangaroo dung for $500. [Channel News]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Leaked Palm Treo 850 Specs: Hurray for Wi-Fi

Fresh off those leaked spy shots of Palm's Treo 850 is some more espionage in the form of meaty specs. This source is unproven (and the info comes from a "friend who works at Palm") so don't take these as hard rumors, yet. The big whoop is Wi-Fi for the first time, while the other stuff is more run o' the mill: HSDPA, 320x320 touchscreen, 2MP cam, microSD, 256MB onboard memory plus 32MB SDRAM, miniUSB and WinMo 6.1. The RAM spec conflicts with what BGR said, 100MB. Again, this source is not battle-tested, but here's hoping they're right about the Wi-Fi at least. [TamsPPC]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Sony E020 Walkman Lets You Match Your MP3 Player With Your Clothes

Sony's E020 Walkman, the flash-based MP3 player for kids who like to coordinate their gadgets with their outfits, will finally hit U.S. shores in mid-June. The E020 features a colored three-line LCD screen and a built-in USB jack with drag-and-drop MP3 transfer system (no SonicStage this time around, thankfully). Its selling point is its swappable faceplate, which lets you change the music machine's style to suit your mood.The E020 can be found in 1GB and 2GB flavors, for $69 and $79 respectively, and comes bundled with premium earphones and a handful of faceplates to get you started. Additional faceplates will be sold separately for $12 each. [Crave Asia]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Nokia N95-3 update released early, performance improved

Last week Nokia promised an update was coming to the North American version its venerable N95, the N95-3. But, the company played coy and failed to mention any details other than availability in "early June." We're not even out of May yet but the 20.2.011 firmware update is ready and initial reports are good. Boot time has been reduced to 19-seconds from about 30, camera start-up is now a quite snappy two seconds, support for Flash video has been added, and there's even a suite of new N-Gage game demos included in the deal. That's the sort of update we can sink our teeth into -- even if European N95-1 users have already been chewing it for months.


[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 20.2.0.11,firmware,n95,nokia ]

MemUp reveals new line of portable media players

Given MemUp's recent past, we wouldn't be too shocked to find that the outfit's latest bundle of media players were all rips of other units, but we'll assume innocence until proven guilty. Up first is the K-SLIM, a simplistic DAP with a 1.8-inch display, FM tuner and 2GB / 4GB of internal capacity. Moving on, we've got the all-too-similar K-TOUCH, which gently ups the ante with a 2-inch touchscreen and 4/8/16GB of space. The V-TOUCH gets oriented horizontally and boasts a 2.4-inch panel, while the M430 TR PMP arrives with 4.3-inches of screen real estate. Lastly, we've got the M430 DTV, which obviously trumps the latter with its integrated TV tuner. Hit the read link for more details on the whole lot, and don't be surprised if you notice any similarities in design.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: dap,K-SLIM,K-TOUCH,M430 DTV,M430 TR,M430Dtv,M430Tr,memup,pmp,V-TOUCH ]

Apple files patent for "solar cells on portable devices"

While we wait, and wait... and wait for manufactures to perfect long-lasting fuel cells, Apple and others are pursuing at least one other approach: solar augmentation. In a patent application dated April 24, 2008 and titled "Solar cells on portable devices" attributed to a number of Apple employees, Apple reveals possible plans to integrate solar cells into devices such as iPods and MacBooks. The application describes a scenario where, "Solar cells are typically stacked with other layers made of transparent or semi-transparent materials... Some of these layers may be used for display or input purposes, and some layers may be coated with various materials or they may be etched with product logos or other patterns." In other words, Apple is looking to cover the entire device, including the transparent display, with a layer of solar cells -- the latter approach already patented by Motorola. While the efficiency of solar cells and existing manufacturing techniques call into question the immediate viability of such an approach, it's intriguing nonetheless as a means to offset any lost battery life on the move to say, 3G.

[Via: MacRumors ]
[Tag: apple,lcd,patent,solar ]

Nokia Maps 2.0 Now Available [Nokia]

The Nokia Maps 2.0 Beta we told you about back in February has matured into an official release, and is available now. The service is subscription-based for Nokia devices running the Symbian S60 operating system. It features more than 200 downloadable maps and points of interest for countries worldwide. The software is available for download at the Nokia link provided. Right. Now.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Hop-On 1800 $10 GSM Cell Phone is a Phone You Won't Mind Losing

For those of you who don't consider the cell phone a status symbol, and could do without live updates on mysterious Apple cargo ships, comes the "disposable" 1800 from Hop-On. The $10 GSM phone is another in a long line of cheap, no frills Hop-On cell phones, but before you decry the company for creating more e-waste, hit the jump for specs and the company's rebate program.
The 1800 comes in two models, a dual-band 850/1900MHz and the 900/1800MHz for Europe and Asia, and works worldwide. A Hop-On press release promises local SIM card compatibility for more than 40 domestic wireless carriers. Both phones feature a talk time of up to 4 hours with 150 hours of standby time. Trash can not included, so please recycle. Hop-On even encourages the practice by offering a $5 rebate on returned phones.

 [Press release via Slashphone]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Hop-On Mobile releases $10 HOP1800, the "anti-iPhone"

Don't worry if you've never heard of 'em, but Hop-On's got a new $10 disposable cellphone that goes by the name of HOP1800. Dual-band on 850/1900 or 900/1800, featuring totally rad vibrating or polyphonic MIDI ringing, Hop-On's billing this one as the "anti-iPhone"; we're not exactly sure what makes this the anti-iPhone other than the fact that it, um, doesn't actually do anything (except make calls), but hey, sounds like an easy way to sell some throwaway handsets.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: apple,hop-on,hop1800,hopon,iphone ]

Medion GoPal E3215 Glamour Edition comes in pink and pink

Chances are, you didn't really need another option for a pink travel guide, but if that rosy nüvi just isn't as sparkly as it once was, Medion's lookin' out for you. The outfit has just released its GoPal E3215 Glamour Edition, which reportedly features a perfectly average 3.5-inch color touchscreen, 1.7-centimeter thick frame, speed camera database and maps of Western Europe. Of course, a pink GPS wouldn't be a pink GPS without a matching carry case, but all things considered, we still can't see spending £149.99 ($296) on a cute-but-ho hum piece such as this.

[Via: TechGadgets ]
[Tag: e3215, gopal, gps, medion, nav, navi, navigator, pink ]

Nokia promises to let N-Gage users transfer games

Well, that didn't take long. Just as the mini-brouhaha over N-Gage games being tied to handsets was starting to percolate, Nokia has now come out and said that users will be able to take their games with them to a new handset after all, eventually. According to Nokia communications manager Oskar Sodergren, some "miscommunication" on Nokia's part is apparently to blame for users being left up in the air on the matter, something that apparently led to some "mixed messages" being passed around inside Nokia as well. He went on to add that Nokia has in fact "been working on a way for this to work since the relaunch, but it is taking some time for everything to fall into place."

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: n-gage,ngage,nokia ]

Windows Mobile 6.1 update for HTC TyTN II now extra official

A leaky update faucet let in-the-know users get in on this one a little early, but HTC's now ready to trumpet its official Windows Mobile 6.1 update for its TyTN II to the world. Besides 6.1, the new release packs in the "display performance update" promised some time ago to help put a cap on the cursing and fist-shaking being displayed by owners of various HTC devices lately -- but as we understand it, this isn't a true driver, so don't expect miracles. AT&T Tilt folks who want to play it straight will have to wait some undefined additional period of time for their carrier to get its act together and release the update, but their European comrades can head on over to HTC's site now and kick off the download.
[Image via MoDaCo]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: cellphone,firmware,htc,kaiser,phone,software,tytn ii,TytnIi,update,upgrade,windows mobile,windows mobile 6.1,WindowsMobile,WindowsMobile6.1,winmo,winmo 6.1,Winmo6.1,wm6.1 ]

Sanyo crams SSDs into new duo of in-car navigation systems

If you've ran smack into any flavor of foreign object while waiting impatiently for your navigator to "recalculate," you'll likely be salivating for Sanyo's latest duo. The NVA-MS1280DT and NVA-MS1180DT each feature a 4GB SSD drive (though the former adds a 4GB SD card and DVD support), a 7-inch QVGA display, 43-watt x 4 internal amplifier, MP3 / WMA / AAC playback, a 1-seg TV tuner, 3D maps, FM tuner and iPod support. In all seriousness, the SSD is bundled in not so much for its speed, but for its reliability -- either way, we can't help but be enamored. Both units are slated to land in June for ?181,650 ($1,761) and ?155,400 ($1,506), respectively, so it's fairly easy to see those solid state discs aren't being thrown in gratis.

[Via: NaviGadget ]
[Tag: gps,in-car,nav,navi,navigation,NVA-MS1180DT,NVA-MS1280DT,sanyo,ssd ]

HTC Touch Dual launching in the US this weekend courtesy of Best Buy

At first, we were all stoked at the realization that it took HTC shy of two months to go from announcement to availability of its US-flavored Touch Dual, but then we had this wet blanket thrown on us when we reflected on the fact that it's been like six months since the European model was first shown. No bother -- at least the US model will be among the very first devices anywhere to ship with Windows Mobile 6.1 out of the box, which is kinda cool. Best Buy will be offering the phone starting this weekend for $549.99 unlocked, available on its website or directly from "select" Best Buy Mobile locations around the country, so try not to let those visions of Diamonds distract you too much while you're whipping out the credit card.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: best buy,BestBuy,cellphone,htc,phone,touch,touch dual,TouchDual,windows mobile,windows mobile 6.1,WindowsMobile,WindowsMobile6.1,winmo,wm6.1 ]

Oppo offers up sleek S11 portable media player

Go 'head Oppo -- get down with your bad self. This S11 portable media player may not be the most easily recognized on the streets, but it sure has a lot going for it. Aside from the sleek (dare we say sexy?) enclosure, the unit packs a 3-inch 400 x 240 resolution touch panel, video out port, integrated photo viewer / calender / stopwatch / calculator, a couple of games, file search capabilities and support for MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC and APE audio files. On the video front, it'll play nice with AVI, DivX, XviD, RM, RMVB and FLV formats. If the 4GB of internal memory just isn't enough, there's also a microSD slot for loading in additional media. Check out a video preview of the thing just after the break before dropping $163.99, though.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: dap,oppo,pmp,s11 ]

iPhone getting game thanks to the iControlpad

iPhone gaming aficionados -- your wildest dreams will soon be coming to fruition. Apparently, CraigX (one of the masterminds behind the Pandora project) is also busy whipping up a physical control pad add-on for the Apple device. The peripheral -- dubbed the iControlpad, of course -- will attach to the dock connector on the bottom of the phone and wrap around the sides, and is said to provide a PSX-like feel. The pad's site claims that compatibility is already built in to popular iPhone game emulators, and units are being sent out to other developers as well. The model pictured here is a prototype design -- but frankly, they had us at "Hello."
[Thanks, Andy]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: add on,AddOn,apple,craigx,emulator,icontrolpad,iphone ]