All posts from Gadgetell

Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation, Household, Robots/AI, Gaming, Games, Features, Originals, Columns, Who's On Crack

Welcome to another week gone that you are not getting back.  No matter how much we loathe the week, it’s in the books and no amount of illegal narcotics is going to change that fact.  For these nominees, who I suspect are on crack, this week hasn’t been kind.  Let’s get to it:

Verizon
AT&T trumpets Moto Android phone, it’s a solo, baby
Kirk Hiner vs Moshi
How to keep the riffraff from your party

Verizon + iPad = happyness?
Verizon is apparently licking its chops over the iPad plus MiFi, its mobile WiFi hotspot device.  Our Sue Walsh reports, “Although the iPad’s 3G version is targeted for AT&T users only, Verizon is seeing a golden opportunity in the device’s upcoming release. Sales documents leaked to Engadget show Verizon is prepping it’s staff to encourage customers to buy the WiFi only version instead and then pick up a MiFi and data plan It’s a savings of $130 for the customer and a sweet deal for Verizon”

Only math stands in the way of this nirvana.  At $60 per month for the Verizon connection, that’s 2x more than the AT&T plan.  We’ll come back to AT&T networks in a sec, but just assuming all thing equal, you’ll pay an extra $720 over the life of the two-year contract, but can subtract $130 for needing only the Wi-Fi version iPad.  That means you’ll only pay an extra $590 plus a two year lock in.  Sweet?

Maybe.  Obvi, if you’ve already got a MiFi, this is pretty moot.  Or if you live where AT&T’s service is as strong as me in 7th grade, you’re excused; $590 might be something you can deal with .  For those who really can’t tell the signal quality difference between carriers, it’s a big bill to swallow.  I don’t see Verizon getting a big bump here, do you?  It’s either wishful thinking or straight in from dropping a rock in the bathroom.

Android on a short leash, well, sucks
Yay! Android is now on AT&T.  Boo! It’s locked down.  Our Shawn Ingram tells us, “AT&T has made their first foray into the Android smartphone market, and it looks to be rather depressing.” 

Android was supposed to be the “chosen one”, the one who would bring balance to the mobile phone OS galaxy.  In this form, more chained down than Princess Leia in a metal bikini, the Backflip can only download apps from the store and is limited on what can be deleted.  Can we stand for this?

Or will anyone care?  I mean unsavory apps, are, well, unsavory right?  Who says Android has to be the wild west?  Is everyone picking up Android phones because you can do what ever you want, or do you just want some cute little robot popping up on your phone once in a while?  My money is on the robot.

Appletell takes on a talking alarm clock
If you are like me, you should read Appletell more often.  If only for the Kirk Hiner reviews, like the one he just did on Moshi, the simple talking alarmclock.

“The talking bit is cool, of course, but potentially troublesome. The “Time” command is bound to annoy anyone with whom you share a bed. Rolling over to see the time is not going to wake up my wife. Having a conversation with some strange female voice likely will.”

The image Kirk paints about having a conversation with an appliance while Mrs. Hiner is trying to sleep is fantastic.  The best reccomendation Kirk can come up with are single folks who like to talk to things like plants and street signs or the blind.  If that isn’t an editor doing his best to show some respect for the countless hours behind creating and delivering a talking alarm clock, I don’t know what is.

Only made it to level one Granny?  You’ll be missed.
While I am sharing some love with sister sites, over at Gamertell,  Christian Morlotte found a wedding invitation that requires invitees to play and beat a game to even get to the invitation.  Fantastic stuff. 

As Christian explains, “The game, called Darina and Niko’s Incredible Adventure, is presented in a vintage-8-bit style and features a couple of stages where players can choose either the bride or the groom to rescue their significant other. The game takes inspiration from Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong and the reward for completing the game is the invitation to the wedding itself. As an ending, players get the date and directions to the wedding.”

I assume, since the happy couple seems to be real gamers, if you don’t beat the final boss you don’t get to come.  Sorry granny, sorry near-blind Uncle Bill, you’ll be missed at the wedding.  How soon do you think it took for a “Darina and Niko Incredible Adventure” forum to pop up?  On the forum I suspect they’d be trading cheat codes, leads on hidden Easter Eggs in the game and competing for fastest time and making wild prediction on the inevitable sequels: “Darina and Niko’s Amazing Race to the Delivery Room” or for the more pessimistic “Darina’s escape from the controlling and oft drunk Niko”. 

See you on the forum, crackers.

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, MobileZD Net has declared, “Google’s online-only phone selling model has failed.”  Today, Goldman-Sachs announced they will slash estimates for Nexus One sales by 70%.  Can we call the experiment a failure?

The Google store was supposed to revolutionize how we bought phones, free from the high pressure sales of tiny phone stores across the country.  The store may have opened with excitement from the blogging media, but poor customer support limited how much love was shown.  to be fair, many in the blogging world picked up the Nexus One.

Is it fair to call it a failure?  I don’t think so, and here is why: they’ve had one phone on one network.  T-Mobile was the opening network way back when Android was a baby.  It isn’t the most popular, nor is it the most robust.  But T-Mobile is only part of the problem.

The other is advertising.  Consumers buy phones based on advertising and putting some fingerprints on one in the local phone store.  Who among us have the confidence to commit to 2-years on something we’ve never held (or seen if we have an allergic reaction to)?  The answer for the most part is bloggers and uber-techies.

A coming Verizon variety of the Nexus One might solve a lot of this issue and could possible make Goldman-Sachs turn red.  If Google puts some TV time behind the phone and Verizon lends a hand with yet more Android love, the Nexus One could ride into the spotlight again.

Will the Google Store be as successful as your local phone store?  Or even discounters like Firefly or LetsTalk?  No.  We do see it becoming a place where those “in the know” can get the top tech.  Anything beyond that is wishful thinking.  We can’t help wondering how well the Nexus One would do in Verizon’s store.

Read: [ZD Net]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Mobile, Web, Web Apps, Websites, Google Google Voice is turning 1 year old today and celebrating complete with birthday cake and all. Personally, it seems as if Google Voice has been around for longer, but maybe that is because I had been using the service as GrandCentral. And at the same time, Google Voice has grown into a service that I use on a daily basis. In fact it has become my phone number, or maybe I should describe that as my phone service. Either way, with Google Voice combined with Gmail you have a powerful combination. A few examples include being able to have my voicemail sent to my email with both a transcription and also a copy of the message as well as using SMS by email. Of course, lets not forget the nice HTML5 based web app as well as the wonderful integration with Android. Plus, as a tech blogger it makes reviewing phones much nicer.

Read [Google Voice Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Computers, Mobile Computers

The JooJoo, while not the iPad, is potentially one of the most interesting tablets, if only for the story behind the device.  When it was the CrunchPad, it was often accused of being vaporware, and now as the JooJoo it has a lot of that to overcome.  Today, however, the tablet is one step closer to being released in the US.

The JooJoo has passed through the FCC, bringing a future release closer.  That in itself is good to hear, but the specs of the JooJoo are actually a bit exciting.  There should be no surprise that the tablet is running the Intel Atom CPU (N270 to be specific), the good part comes in the graphics.  It looks as if the JooJoo will feature the Nvidia Ion GPU, potentially even the second generation which should ship within the next few weeks.  This is why the JooJoo will be able to handle HD video with no problem, though it will likely not be great for the battery life.

The FCC’s JooJoo looks to be running Windows, and not the new-and-improved UI, though that’s likely just for testing.  Why anyone would want to install a desktop OS on a tablet is questionable, though its nice to know the option is there.  Fusion Garage needs to do something to make the JooJoo appeal to some people over the iPad, and perhaps that’s one way to go about it.

Read [FCC] Via [Engadget]

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks It feels like it has been a while since we last saw any Kindle commercial, but based on the recent posting over on the Kindle Facebook page there has been a total of two. Both are done in stop-motion style and the latest has just recently been released. I have yet to see this one live on television, however according to Amazon it is “now airing.” Of course the reasoning behind not seeing it could be as simple as never watching live television. Thankfully though, we still have the Internet, a place where I can catch the television commercials that I miss on television. That makes sense, right?

Via [Kindle on Facebook] and [Kindle on Facebook]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video, Communications, Mobile, Computers, Mobile Computers, Netbooks

At 8:30 this morning, Apple is expected to give the iPad an advantage the iPhone never saw, pre-order.  In fact, the Apple Store is down right now.  By allowing pre-orders, is Apple cashing in on the buzz or setting itself up for failure?

Apple is taking pre-orders for iPads, their “magical” tablet computer based on the iPhone OS, that will ship on April 3rd, launch day.  Customers can also choose to pick up their pre-order at the Apple Retail Stores on launch day.  Only the Wi-Fi versions will be available on April 3rd, the 3G versions will follow in late April, according to Apple.

The buzz is still pretty loud for the iPad.  By allowing pre-orders, Apple could be grabbing cash from hopeful users before they can be tempted by other tablets like the JooJoo.  iPad posts do well here at Gadgetell, and that is a pretty good gauge of how much people like this thing, but is pre-order the way to go?

Or is Apple hurting themselves by limiting the all the “line forms outside Apple Retail Stores” free media coverage as fans take to the streets to get their hands on Apple’s new shiny thing?  One of the most memorable parts of the original iPhone launch is the image of folks lining up around the country.  Sure you saw it here at Gadgetell, but traditional media like your local news also jumped on giving Apple loads of coverage.  With pre-orders, there should be less folks in the street; and fewer people mean less interesting coverage.

Does Apple have doubts on the success of this one?  Why haven’t they added “iPad” to the overhead navigation bar on their site?  Will pre-orders hurt or help Apple?

We’ll find out soon I guess.

Product page: [Apple]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Mobile, Computers, Mobile Computers, Gadgets / Other, ebooks For awhile now Android fans have been wondering if the popular Kindle app would ever be made available to them. So far there an iPhone/iPod Touch version, a PC version, and a BlackBerry version, and it looks like at long last an Android version will join them. The Dell Mini 5 handheld, a sleek mini-tablet device running Android, will come with a Kindle app according to leaked promotional documents. The Mini 5, which sports a 5’ 800x480 screen and 3G capability is said to be headed to AT&T. Whether that’s good news remains to be seen. Given the network issues the data hungry iPhone has caused, another data hungry device may be the last thing AT&T needs. There’s no release date or pricing info available yet, but stay tuned to Gadgetell for the latest!

Read [JKOntheRun]

Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Web, Web 2.0 / Social Networking, Web Apps, Websites, Google

We study hard, work hard, play hard, eat hard, and the list of hard goes on and on.  With all the other hard in the list, do we still have the time to do other things we love and like?  Do we need to surf hard too?  It’s a torture!

Coming back from a long day and we hope to sit down in front of the computer and have a quality surfing.  Sadly, the Internet is big ocean and finding quality information is like finding a needle in a haystack.

With all the bliss of surfing, we would be yelling out – “Thank Google!”  Why thank them you would wonder?  Let me tell you why – Google Reader Play!

What is Google Reader Play?  It is a highly intuitive and friendly RSS reader conceived by Google Labs.  It immerses the reader with a full screen filmstrip style of thumbnail surfing.  It’s like viewing a photo album on your computer – pointing and clicking. As you browse, you even have the option to Star things you want to read later, Like things you like the world to enjoy, and Share things with your friends and contacts! The filmstrip also enlarges and displays video embeds like YouTube.

For existing users of Google Reader, you guys would have to kiss goodbye to your existing feeds.  Put your dismay aside, and say hello to the content recommended by Google Reader users worldwide.  It’s not so bad actually, information by popular demand.

Did I say intuitive earlier?  Because it will not require you to perform a login (Phew! less one password to remember!), and if you use your Google account, it would point you towards information you are interested in.  Just sign in and browse away.

With everything seems nice, nothing is perfect.  There might be an instance that you would like to view the original post, but when you revert back to the feeds, you will have to go back through the items viewed before.

Needless to say, it’s a service to enjoy.

Read [Official Google Reader Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Cheng Hung for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile, Web, Web Browsers Recently, Opera announced the release of Opera Mini 5 beta for Google Android. Based on Statcounter – a web statistics firm, Opera Mini is the most popular web browser used on cell phones, as it is compatible on all key platforms. Since Opera Mini is working on a lot of cell phones, it’s time for Android to get a taste of Opera Mini.

Opera Mini 5 Beta for Android looks and feels pretty similar to Opera Mini 5 Beta on other platforms.  It offers a few standard web browsing functions – speed dial, tabbed browsing, password management, and better optimization for the touch screen phones.  Opera’s compression technology also helps you to save on your data charges (if you don’t subscribe to an unlimited package) by reducing data transferred by up to 90%.  Ain’t that a good deal of functions to have on your phone?

Read [Opera Mini] Via [Mashable]

Full Story » | Written by Cheng Hung for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Broadband Cards, Mobile T-Mobile has announced that the webConnect Rocket USB stick will be available beginning this Saturday March 14, 2010. In particular those located in the Philadelphia area may want to listen up because this modem will allow you to connect to the new and fast HSPA+ network.

The webConnect Rocket will be priced at $99.99 on a 2-year contract. As for the required webConnect plan, you can opt for either the 5GB option for $60 a month or the 200MB option for $30 a month.

Sadly though as of now the HSPA+ network is limited to Philadelphia, however according to T-Mobile they have plans for “broad national deployment” before “the end of 2010.” In other words it looks like we can expect major cities around the US to get the HSPA+ green light before the end of the year.

Via [Engadget]

T-Mobile webConnect Rocket USB Laptop Stick

When surfing the Web, downloading large files or watching video from a laptop on the go, customers in HSPA+ coverage areas will benefit from lightning-fast mobile broadband with a home broadband-like experience. Compatible with PC and Mac, customers simply plug the webConnect Rocket into their laptop and the built-in T-Mobile webConnect Manager software installs and automatically finds the best available Internet connection. Additionally, T-Mobile webConnect Manager enables customers to monitor how much data is being used and avoid overages.

Starting March 14, customers can purchase the T-Mobile webConnect Rocket USB Laptop Stick for $99.99 (plus taxes and fees), with a 2-year contract and Even More webConnect data plan at select T-Mobile retail stores in Philadelphia, online at http://www.T-Mobile.com or by calling 1-800-T-Mobile.

T-Mobile webConnect Service Plans

T-Mobile is bringing its suite of Even More and Even More Plus plans offering both annual contract and no annual contract options to our family of webConnect products. The new pricing plans include:
· Even More webConnect data plan (two year contract):
· $59.99/mo. for 5GB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
· $29.99/mo. for 200MB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
· Even More Plus webConnect data plan (no annual contract):
· $49.99/mo. for 5GB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
· $19.99/mo. for 200MB per month ($0.20/MB overage)

Unlimited nationwide T-Mobile HotSpot access is included in both plans and doesn’t count toward monthly data usage.

T-Mobile 3G Network

Today T-Mobile’s 3G high-speed data network is available in more than 273 U.S. cities covering more than 206 million people. HSPA 7.2 is now enabled across our entire 3G nationwide network and we’re working to put the necessary backhaul in place to support these faster speeds.

While other carriers are waiting to deploy LTE, T-Mobile is the only national U.S. carrier upgrading its existing 3G network to support HSPA+, which is capable of delivering download/upload speeds that are significantly faster than T-Mobile’s standard 3G network. With three times the speed capabilities of HSPA 7.2, HSPA+ offers theoretical peak throughput speeds of 21Mbps.

* T-Mobile recently became the first U.S. carrier to launch HSPA+ with a deployment in Philadelphia and is integrating HSPA+ into its 3G network now with broad national deployment planned for the end of 2010. In the coming months, we’ll be lighting up HSPA+ in major cities on both coasts. Our network upgrade efforts are well underway and we’ll share more details as the service becomes available to more customers.

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Gadgets / Other

Riding on a Tron light cycle may not be possible, but riding in a monorail plastered with light cycle graphics will be. Of course in this case I am imagining it being more interesting to see from a distance as opposed to riding in. Anyway, according to the Disney Parks Blog the light cycle covered monorails will begin making an appearance this month. And just in case you missed it yesterday, the Tron Legacy trailer in HD was released.

Read [Disney Parks Blog] Via [Sci Fi Wire] and [CrunchGear]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Mobile

4G and LTE technologies are just around the corner. In mid-2011 (about six months earlier than the previous announcement), Verizon claims its LTE network will be ready and phones will start releasing with LTE technology built-in. This new, faster network will allow for faster download speeds and better reception around the country.

However this all comes with a price as Verizon hinting very strongly at eliminating all unlimited data plans and using a tiered system for this new techology. Carriers like Verizon will be looking to gain back all of the money that is currently funding the network and research overhaul. And it is going to show on our wireless bills.

Although this technology might be a great need for mobile networks, it will definitely come at cost out of the consumers pocket.

Read [Wall Street Journal ] Via [Engadget]

Full Story » | Written by Hunter Clarke for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »