Nov 24
The Touchwiz dresses up nice for Christmas
 |  |
Nov 24
Nokia’s new blower will come with the works, but won’t be cheap
| |
Nov 24
5MP Nokia 6260 slide unveiled
Posted in: Today's ChiliNokia’s new blower will come with the works, but won’t be cheap
| |
Nov 24
Heads up, bargain hunters! Time to get ready for Apple deals this Friday
| |
Nov 24
Connecting to free Wi-Fi can be extremely frustrating. But WeFi, a three-year old start up, says it has solved the problem.
Ten million Wi-Fi access points have been recognized and classified so far onto a map says the Fairfax, Virginia-based company.
About one million users are currently using the company’s service, it claims.
Most Wi-Fi enabled devices show users a set of available connections and allow them to choose. But the process can be a bit of a hit-or-miss as users have to try on different connections to see what works best.
WeFi claims its software will automatically connect users to the best available free wireless connection. After the first user discovers and successfully connects to a previously unknown hotspot, the software maps the spot and uses the connectivity data to make it easier for future users to log on.
The network is user-generated, which means as more users join in more access points are discovered and added to the community.
To get started users have to download the free software from WeFi, which is available in PC, Symbian and Windows Mobile versions.
The WeFi directory is the largest virtual global Wi-Fi network claims the company.
Members can also map and rank open hotspots in any location. They can locate each other on the WeFi global map, send messages and share content.
Anyone tried this? What did you think?
Photo: (herzogbr/Flickr)
Nov 24
Flexible displays are inching closer to reality and they could soon be a part of your cellphone.
At a recent conference in Japan, Samsung showed off a mobile phone prototype with a flexible display that folds like a book (see video above).
No word on when this full color OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display will make it to commercial production. OLEDs are preferred to LCD displays because they draw less power and can be much thinner.
Flexible displays are, meanwhile, already being discussed in other form factors. Arizona State University’s Flexible Display Center is working with the U.S. Army to create flexible displays that are so thin and light that they can be rolled up and stuffed into pockets or backpacks. Those displays could be available in limited field trials in about two to three years.
If that schedule holds firm, it is likely that flexible displays for cellphones will be a reality around the same time.
(Hat tip: Thanks Erik Strasser!)
Nov 24
GPS-based navigation devices are set to sizzle on Black Friday as device makers have cut prices to under $100 for the product that ranks high on many consumers’ wish lists.
TomTom is currently offering its ONE 125 GPS model for $100 till Nov. 30, after which it will go up to $130. The TomTom ONE 125 comes without maps of Canada but offers voice instructions.
Rival Garmin will have its nuvi 200 product available for $97 at Wal-Mart on Black Friday only, says Dealnews, which has been tracking the prices. The nuvi 200 is listed currently at the suggested retail price of $200 on Garmin’s website.
GPS devices, a hot ticket item last year, seem to be still popular with buyers. Three of the top ten products on Amazon.com’s electronics best seller list are navigation systems. TomTom’s ONE 125 ranks sixth.
Another sweet deal from a smaller brand is the Nextar P3 for $70 and free shipping, says Dealnews.
GPS makers are hoping the attractive prices will draw in customers. More than 50% of the total GPS devices sold during the year are in the fourth quarter, says Ralf Hug, vice president of product management for Airbiquity, which makes wireless transport products.
"Retailers are worried about not getting enough people into the stores," says Hug. "Maybe PND (personal navigation devices) product category could be that lead into the store."
Last year, GPS devices saw one of the most aggressive price discounts in electronics as retailers used the category as a "loss leader", or a draw to get shoppers to loosen their purse strings.
This year most personal navigation products lack differentiation, which could make it more difficult for the companies that are competing to get attention, says Hug. "There’s been a lack of innovation over the last two years," he says. "Everyone’s delivered a me-too type of product."
Nov 24
An Arkansas man on Friday filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, alleging a restaurant location uploaded nude photos of his wife onto a web site.
In the suit, Phillip Sherman said he left his phone at a McDonald’s location in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and that a manager promised the phone was secured for him to retrieve it. After picking up his iPhone, photos of Sherman’s wife Tina Sherman made their way onto a web site — along with her name, address and contact information, the suit claims.
The Shermans are suing McDonald’s Corporation and those involved for $3 million to compensate for suffering, embarrassment, loss of earnings and the cost of moving to a new home, according to an Associated Press story. Embarrassed the Shermans must be, because "Tina Sherman nude" is currently one of the hottest Google search terms.
Of course, if their story is true, the Shermans could have avoided this embarrassment altogether if Tina hadn’t e-mailed her husband nude photos in the first place. True, Steve Jobs wants you to treat the iPhone as "your life in your pocket," but given the iPhone’s security flaws, you’ve got to draw the line somewhere, right?
Updated 1 p.m. PDT: Associated Press reports that McDonald’s employees declined to comment, referring reporters to McDonald’s Corporation. McDonald’s Corporation and franchise owners did not return messages seeking comment.
Lost cell phone with nude photos leads to suit[AP]
See Also:
Photo: Inquisitr
Nov 24
HP Mini 1000 Has a Secret 3G Modem
Posted in: Today's Chili
We’re used to finding hidden easter eggs in software, but the HP Mini 1000 netbook deviates from the norm: It secretly contains a 3G modem.
Chances are when you remove the HP Mini 1000’s battery, you’ll see a SIM card slot, according to Liliputing’s Brad Linder. That means if you own a cell phone using a wireless data plan, you can take out its SIM and stick it into the netbook’s slot to surf the web. That’s way easier than tethering.
Interestingly, just finding the modem isn’t enough to get it to work. You’ll also have to install some software to activate it, available for download via a link at Pocketable Forums.
See Also:
Photo: Pocketable Forums
Nov 24
The Power Slider — a protective iPhone case that doubles as a second battery — appears to be the first practical solution to extend the handset’s meager battery life.
The Power Slider contains a battery with a capacity equaling 120 percent of iPhone 3G, according to its maker InCase. That means more than doubling the iPhone 3G’s battery life, or, if you want the nitty gritty details:
- Standby time: up to 330 hours
- Audio playback: up to 26 hours
- Talk time: up to 5 hours on 3G network and 10 hours on 2G network
- Video playback: up to 7 hours
- Internet use: up to 5 hours on 3G network and 6 hours on Wi-Fi
How does it work? A USB cable inside the case hooks up to the handset. The iPhone runs off the Power Slider until it’s sucked dry before using its own. The case even has its own five-LED battery status indicator on the back.
iPhone 3G owners have been complaining about the handset’s battery life since it launched July; some say they can’t make it through a day without having to charge their iPhones. Some companies are selling accessories such as add-ons that serve as a back-up battery, but they’re a bit impractical as they wouldn’t fit in your pocket.
Of course, like any case the Power Slider is going to make the sleek, sexy iPhone a bit chunkier. It measures 5.1 by 2.6 by 0.9 inches (height x width x depth). Without a case, the iPhone measures 4.5 by 2.4 by 0.5 inches. The case will also add an extra 2.5 ounces to the 4.7 ounces. But hey — it protects and significantly extends battery life, so I’d say the benefits outweigh the costs.
Speaking of costs, the Power Slider doesn’t run cheap at $100. InCase is shipping the Power Slider starting Nov. 28.
Product Page [InCase]
Photo: InCase
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.