Digital Technology for Digital Living.
January 09, 2008
Motorola MOTO Z10 and ROKR E8 Preview at CES
New From Motorola - launching Q1 2008 - The MOTO Z10, a complete, pocket-sized, mobile film studio
Motorola is kicking off 2008 with a big splash at CES. The MOTOPURE H12 and T815 have been selected as Finalists for the Bluetooth SIG Best of CES Awards, and the RAZR2 V9 and MOTOROKR T505 have received honorable mentions.
Also debuting at CES are the next generation of award-worthy devices, including the MOTO Z10, ROKR E8, and a host of other revolutionary Bluetooth headsets, wireless speakers, and more.
Motorola focuses on creating the most stylish and intuitive mobile devices that empower consumers in every aspect of their lives. The new MOTO Z10 is a complete, pocket-sized, mobile film studio. This stylish kick slider makes it easy to capture high-quality video, edit clips, create transitions between scenes and add title slides and a soundtrack. Then, budding filmmakers can upload their creation to share with friends and family through any number of Web sites such as YouTube, Google, Yahoo! and ShoZu.
MOTO Z10 looks as sleek and stylish on the outside as it is feature-packed inside. The ergonomic design is built with premium quality materials, including spun stainless steel, polished metallic finish and soft-feel textures. The MOTO Z10 is expected to be available in Q1 2008.
Also new from Motorola, the ROKR E8 offers an uncompromised music and phone experience, featuring revolutionary new digital morphing technology that transforms the device from a music player to a phone with just one touch of a button. Also equipped with a camera, the ROKR E8 features a smooth, glass like surface that contains Motorola’s first Haptics Touch Pad, so when you press down on the imaginary buttons, it feels like pressing a real button, not a touch screen. Seamless construction, high-quality materials, scratch-resistant display, unique finishes and soft touch back make the ROKR E8 both beautiful to look at and extremely durable and reliable. The ROKR E8 is expected to be available in Q1 2008.
The ROKR E8 is a top pick by CNET editors as one of the hottest gadgets for 2008, narrowed down to just 30 products. You have a chance to cast your vote for the product that you think will be the most-talked about. Vote online here (http://ces.cnet.com/ces/peoples-voice/?tag=bubbl_2 ) or send a text message with the nominee number to CNET1 (26381). Hurry! Voting ends at noon on January 9, 2008.
Visit www.motorola.com/mediacenter for more information on these and other great devices from Motorola.
If you’re attending CES, please be sure to visit the Motorola Booth for information and product demos. The Motorola Booth is #8545, Central Hall.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
December 31, 2007
iPhone 1.1.3 Leak [video]
Here it is… video evidence of the new unreleased iPhone 1.1.3 software improvements. The embedded video below is a nice and thorough walk-through of the unreleased iPhone 1.1.3 feature updates hosted by Andru from GearLive.com. Watch it fast before Apple’s lawyers take it down.
Anyone still think it’s fake?
If the embedded video above doesn’t load, then click here.
methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
December 03, 2007
O2 Mobile Launches NFC - Near Field Communications on mobile phones
O2 Mobile Phones to Become Smart Wallets
Mobile phone pilot of new technology set to make cash payments a thing of the past
The UK’s first large scale pilot of NFC (Near Field Communications) on mobile phones is being launched today, which will allow a mobile phone handset to be used as a wallet for electronic cash, much like an Oyster card.
O2 Mobile Launches NFC - Near Field Communications on mobile phones
NFC is a wireless connectivity technology, which allows secure communication between electronic devices at a short-range, and is set to pave the way for people to use their phones to pay for purchases or public transport by simply swiping their phone across a reader.
The six month pilot by O2 will involve over 500 participants. In the trial users will be able to:
Make ‘contactless’ payments at selected retailers for purchases under £10, by simply tapping their phones on the reader. They will also be able to use their phones to check available funds, and to locate retailers close to them that accept contactless payments.
Travel on public transport with Oyster; they will also be able to top up their Oyster cards by touching their handset on ticket machines or at ticket stops.
Touch the handset on selected ‘smart posters’ – smart posters contain embedded tags with more information about the subject on the poster (eg. an item on sale, or an event taking place).
Still answer a call while making a transaction – as calls or text messages will not interfere with the NFC service.
Each trial participant will be given a Nokia NFC handset installed with the O2 Wallet which groups together multiple NFC applications, including an Oyster card and a Barclaycard Visa. It’s hoped the findings will help better explore the viability of this technology, and whether customers feel safe and confident to use their phones instead of cards or cash, to purchase goods and on public transport.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
November 27, 2007
Helio adds TV Guide Mobile
TV Guide and mobile content provider Helio introduced a new service offering TV show information, program listings, search functions and daily recommendations to Helio users.
Text-based program alerts can be set to remind yourself and friends of what’s coming on the tube. TV Guide Mobile is available to Helio subscribers for $2.99/month, in addition to carrier data charges.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
November 12, 2007
THE iPHONE IS LAUNCHED ACROSS THE UK
THE iPHONE IS LAUNCHED ACROSS THE UK
Ok, the USA has had the iPhone for some time - but it is new to the UK
What is widely tipped to be the year’s biggest product launch, the Apple iPhone went on sale in the UK 9th November giving people in the UK the first chance to get their hands on this highly anticipated product.
The iPhone combines three devices into one—a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and an Internet device—all based on Apple’s pioneering multi-touch interface and software. Already praised by technology journalists, some commentators have said the iPhone will have a profound change and effect on the mobile phone handset industry. O2 have been preparing themselves for the expected crowds at stores across the country and have hired and trained hundreds of iPhone specialists who will be in all 450 stores, giving live demonstrations to customers. The iPhone will only be available in the UK on the O2 network.
In the US, hundreds of people queued outside stores - some camping ahead for days – when the iPhone went on sale in June. 1.12 million of the handsets were sold within 74 days, making them one of the highest selling phones of all time.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
October 29, 2007
Worst iPhone Accessory
Hate fingerprints on your iPhone or iPod Touch? Enough to spend $9.90 on some finger condoms? A enterprising company in Austria is selling something called Phone Fingers that prevent smudges and fingerprints on the screens of the iPod Touch and iPhone.
Here’s a video of the “Phone Fingers” in action. It has a strange ending.
One more thing, the Phone Fingers only come in black and make the user look like they have a severe case of frostbite.
Silly product idea, weird choice in color and a demo video that ends in a theft… Yep, the Phone Fingers are a gag gift… like the Pet Rock.
Apple’s touchscreen technology works by sensing the electrical fields in your skin. A latex finger condom is an insulator and would prevent the iPhone and iPod Touch from detecting any input from your fingers. The Phone Fingers website even says “This is probably the funniest accessory for the iPhone available!” But if you go over to Digg.com, there’s a pretty heated debate going on in the comments. A lot of people initially thought this was serious product, not a gag gift. If you have a few minutes, it makes for a pretty entertaining read.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
AT&T Offers Free Wildfire WiFi
Due to the California Wildfires, AT&T has stated it will be offering free T-Mobile Hot Spot Wi-Fi services to San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Orange and Ventura counties.
About 600 locations total will participate. The offer began on October 27th and will last a several weeks.
It’s a very nice gesture, especially for people who lost their homes and need to reconnect online and get their life back in order. But I’m not exactly sure why AT&T is offering T-Mobile’s service for free. Weird right?
Photo Credit: Malkoff
Did another major telecom merger happen and I missed it? Or is AT&T just offering other people’s products for free? Maybe I’ll take a walk down 5th Avenue at lunch time and tell people that AT&T says they can get a free copy of OS X Leopard at the Apple Store.
Think it will work?
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
October 24, 2007
Napster Mobile Coming to U.S.
AT&T is making Napster’s entire music catalog (5 million songs) available for direct-to-mobile purchase in mid-November via a new service called Napster Mobile. While not compatible with the iPhone, the catalog will be accessible via AT&T’s network for the price of $1.99/song or 5 tracks for $7.49.
Matchbox Twenty’s new album “Exile on Mainstream” will kick off the service.
Two things strike me as odd about this deal:
- It’s kind of weird that AT&T didn’t try to integrate any music system on their phones with iTunes. They already have a pretty solid relationship with Apple. In the US, AT&T is the only approved mobile carrier for the iPhone.
- When it comes to music, are people really ready to leave their iPods behind and just use their phones? Maybe if you have an iPhone, otherwise, probably not. The media player built into my brand new BlackBerry Curve sucks so bad that I just bought an iPod Touch.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone, Music
September 19, 2007
3G iPhone Confirmed for 2008
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, has confirmed that there is a 3G iPhone in the works and it should be ready by 2008. Jobs made the following statement at the “Mum is no longer the word” press conference at the Regent Street Apple store in London this week:
“You can expect a 3G iPhone later next year… We are working on the next iPhone already, the one after that and the one after that.”
The news comes as a 2G EDGE-enabled iPhone will be available in the UK on November 9th. When asked why the current model didn’t have 3G, Jobs blamed power issues saying that the 3G chipset would be too much of a drain on the unit’s battery life which promises 8 hours of call time, but said that future models would have the technology.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
September 06, 2007
An open letter to iPhone owners from Steve Jobs
This week Apple announced new iPods and lowered the iPhone price by $200. But what if you were one of the millions of people who bought an iPhone 2 months ago? You’d probably be a little pissed off right? Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, got so many emails from angry customers that he wrote an open letter on the Apple website today. The letter says that every customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T will receive a $100 Apple store credit.
It’s a brilliant move by Apple. This rebate will placate the angry early iPhone adopters who are feeling cheated, still keep the money in Apple’s pocket and generate lots of press (like this article).
Here’s the open letter from Jobs:
To all iPhone customers:
I have received hundreds of emails from iPhone customers who are upset about Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. After reading every one of these emails, I have some observations and conclusions.
First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. iPhone is a breakthrough product, and we have the chance to ‘go for it’ this holiday season. iPhone is so far ahead of the competition, and now it will be affordable by even more customers. It benefits both Apple and every iPhone user to get as many new customers as possible in the iPhone ‘tent’. We strongly believe the $399 price will help us do just that this holiday season.
Second, being in technology for 30+ years I can attest to the fact that the technology road is bumpy. There is always change and improvement, and there is always someone who bought a product before a particular cutoff date and misses the new price or the new operating system or the new whatever. This is life in the technology lane. If you always wait for the next price cut or to buy the new improved model, you’ll never buy any technology product because there is always something better and less expensive on the horizon. The good news is that if you buy products from companies that support them well, like Apple tries to do, you will receive years of useful and satisfying service from them even as newer models are introduced.
Third, even though we are making the right decision to lower the price of iPhone, and even though the technology road is bumpy, we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price. Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.
Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple’s website next week. Stay tuned.
We want to do the right thing for our valued iPhone customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple.
Steve Jobs
Apple CEO
Once again Apple has proven why they are so loved by their fan base. But, hey Steve, shouldn’t it be a $200 store credit?
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
August 24, 2007
MOTOROLA RAZR2 | Sharp New Mobile Accessory
MOTOROLA RAZR2 | Sharp New Mobile Accessory
MOTOROLA’S MUCH-ANTICIPATED MOTORAZR2 IS READY FOR ITS NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT. THE RAZR2 WILL BE AVAILABLE TO U.S. CONSUMERS FROM ALLTEL, AT&T, SPRINT, T-MOBILE USA, VERIZON WIRELESS AND US CELLULAR. COMBINING GROUNDBREAKING NEW FEATURES AND AN EVEN SLIMMER EXTERIOR THAN THE ORIGINAL, THE RAZR2 IS CAPABLE OF GIVING CONSUMERS THE ULTIMATE MOBILE EXPERIENCE.
The RAZR2 boasts an ultra-thin, sharper profile, having lost 2 millimeters in its makeover from the original RAZR. It flaunts a smooth and sophisticated seamless casing as well as greatly enhanced dual screens that give the device a largest-in-its-class external display. Don’t worry about digging for it in your oversized hobo bag — the chemically hardened glass display is more scratch resistant. And if you should drop it waiting for your morning soy latte, don’t worry about the multi-tasker behind you accidentally stepping on your new device — its durable stainless steel frame can support up to 180 lbs.
With the phone closed, you can do everything on the crisp external screen from watching TV to playing music and viewing album art, and answering text messages on different models from different US carriers. You’ll always know what buttons you are pushing with Motorola’s breakthrough “haptics” technology, which provides vibrating feedback in response to your fingertips. That’s literally something to buzz about!
RAZR2’s patented CrystalTalk™ technology makes calls with friends or family clearer than ever. Whether you are weaving through the crowded racks at H&M or hailing a cab in the streets of NY, a conversation will not be missed. This feature automatically accounts for background noise and adjusts audio to match the ambient volume, ensuring clear calls even in noisy environments.
The fashion conscious will have a tough decision to make with so many gorgeous colors. Start debating now whether you’ll look best with a Bordeaux-like Mahogany V9 from AT&T, a rich deep brown Espresso V9m from Verizon Wireless, or a steely Dark Pearl Grey V9m from Sprint or Alltel. They’re on sale beginning September 4th (and online at Sprint today). There’s even a deep ink Dark Navy color coming soon that is sure to look fine with your latest find.
If you’re the neighborhood trendsetter, the RAZR2 is shaping up to be one of the sharpest new devices for the fashion-forward this Fall. For more information, visit http://www.motorola.com/2
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
July 18, 2007
Original 1983 iPhone (PIC)
The iPhone may be Apple’s first “official” phone, but apparently they toyed with the idea 25 years ago. Way back in 1983, designer Hartmut Esslinger, the same guy who made the Apple IIc computer, came up with this phone/tablet prototype.
Writing an electronic check with the 1983 iPhone.
The 1983 version of the iPhone obviously never made it into production, but it’s still a cool concept. Although writing a physical electronic check seems a little silly now that we have online banking. The image is from fudder.de.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
July 12, 2007
iPhone Termination Fee Making Lawmakers Upset
Apple’s iPhone has enjoyed favorable reviews since its recent debut, but it got some criticism on Capitol Hill in Washington this week.
The phones, which cost between $500 and $600—are usable only on AT&T Inc.’s wireless network and will remain that way until 2012. Even though the phones become expensive paperweights if customers quit AT&T’s wireless plan, the company will still charge a $175 early termination fee, said Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chairman of a House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet.
Markey described the phone as a “Hotel California service. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave—you’re stuck with your iPhone and you can’t take it anywhere.”
Timothy Wu, a law professor at Columbia University and commentator on technology issues, described the cell phone industry as “spectrum- based oligopoly” where customers have given up their property rights.
“Imagine buying a television that stopped working if you decided to switch to satellite,” Wu said. “Or a toaster that died if you switched from Potomac Power to ConEd.”
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
July 09, 2007
Toddler Calls 911 300 Times
Authorities tracked down a 4-year-old girl who called 911 nearly 300 times last month by offering to deliver McDonald’s to her suburban Chicago apartment.
Unbeknownst to her mother, the girl used a deactivated cell phone to call dispatchers 287 times in June — sometimes as often as 20 times a shift. Apparently the toddler was given the old cell phone to use as a toy.
Dispatchers heard the child’s voice but could only track the phone’s signal to the apartment complex. So authorities used a ruse to pinpoint her.
“We asked (the caller) what she wanted. She said she wanted McDonald’s,” said Steve Cordes, executive director of QuadCom’s emergency center, which covers Carpentersville.
“We talked with her and we convinced her if she told us where she lives, we would bring her McDonald’s,” he said. “She finally gave us her address. So we sent the police over — with no McDonald’s.”
After police arrived, the girl’s mother took away the phone, Cordes said. Maybe mom should invest in a book called “It’s Time to Call 911” which teaches children when it’s appropriate to call 911.
Under federal law, deactivated cell phones still must be able to access 911. Many deactivated phones will contact an emergency call center if the user holds down the nine key.
[Source: Yahoo]
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
iPhone Developer Guide
Thinking about making applications for the iPhone? Apple released an iPhone developer guide to offer guidelines for creating widgets and applications that will integrate with the device’s Safari browser, mail and mapping applications.
IM chat service Meebo, mini-blogging service Jaiku and gaming site WeeWar have already developed iPhone versions of their software.
The following guidelines will help developers prepare web content and design a website or web-based application for iPhone.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
July 05, 2007
Download the iPhone Ringtones
Not ready to shell out $600 for the new iPhone? You can trick out your current phone with the iPhone ringtones. These ringtones are the official iPhone ringtones ripped off the iPhone.
You can download them HERE from jasonromero.com.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
July 02, 2007
500,000 iPhones Sold Last Weekend
The iPhone was one of the most anticipated product launches of 2007. So how did it do? According to Blackfriars, an analyst firm that has been monitoring Apple’s stores, iPhone sales topped 500,000 last weekend. Here’s a quote from the Blackfriars daily blog:
“The bottom line: some analysts claimed that the iPhone launch would be a failure if Apple failed to sell 100,000 iPhones during the first weekend. Based upon the limited data we have, we believe that number was exceeded in just the first two to three hours. Blackfriars’ prediction is that Apple will sell 500,000 iPhones this weekend, and based upon limited sales rates reported, that number now looks quite achievable. The only question is whether the demand and iPhone supply is great enough that they might push past the million unit mark this weekend.”
Apple must be pleased with such strong sales over the first weekend, it will be interesting to see if they can keep the sales up, over the coming weeks and months.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
June 27, 2007
Iphone Video Review
Fantastic video review of the features of the Iphone (OK, I admit it - I’m an Apple Fan)
David Pogue of The New York Times looks at the features of the new iPhone, as furtively as possible.
My hunch is it will not be the best phone in the world - but all those other features are really cool.
I want one of these! A review version would be nice?
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Mobile Phone
June 26, 2007
iPhone Rate Plans Revealed
Today Apple posted a page detailing the cost of the iPhone rate plans (US). And they aren’t as bad as most people had thought. All plans have unlimited data (nice!) - $60 for 450 minutes, $80 for 900 minutes and $100 for 1350 minutes. Existing AT&T customers can add unlimited data for $20 - $40 with a varying number of text messages.
- All iPhone service plans include Visual Voicemail and unlimited data — Internet and email — so you only have to decide how many minutes and SMS text messages you need. You’ll select your plan when you activate your iPhone using iTunes on your computer.
- If you’re already an AT&T customer and want to keep your current voice plan, you can just add an iPhone Data Plan with unlimited data (email and web) and Visual Voicemail for just $20 per month.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
May 23, 2007
Cingular Brand Killed Before iPhone Launch
After purchasing the remaining 40 percent of Cingular last year, AT&T has begun the process of rebranding some 1,800 Cingular stores. The telecom, which will be the sole carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., is undertaking the rebranding move just weeks before Apple’s hotly anticipated smartphone hits the market.
“Our branding Email Marketing Software - Free Demo campaign is performing at and above projected levels, and customer response has been very positive,” Randall Stephenson, AT&T’s chief operating officer, said.
The San Antonio-based phone giant is accelerating its rebranding efforts of one of the best-known brands in the market, and will make the orange “Jack” logo and Cingular name disappear from new devices being sold.
The decision to move to this phase of the branding campaign is based on research that indicates that consumer awareness of AT&T — one of the best-known, most durable and iconic brands in the world — is high and ahead of expectations, the company said.
[Via technewsworld.com]
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