Apr 01
Yo mang, jonesing to to develop some dollar menu applications for the Palm Pre? Now’s your chance. Starting now you can put your application in for the Mojo SDK over at the Palm developer site.
Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Apr 01
Insurgent watch-phone maker Neutrano is back, and they’ve got two new models of the watch phone we originally saw at CES.
The more attractive model (pictured at left) has a stainless-steel body, and either a leather or metal band. The phone has a touch screen with four icons at the bottom that jump you to the SMS program, the dialer, the MP3 player and the 1.3-megapixel camera. There’s a lot of clicking on very tiny icons and buttons involved, so the Wristfone has a stylus which snaps into its band. The phone works on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, but you have to bring your own SIM card.
Neutrano CEO Gary Rotman also showed us an early prototype of a second model, which detaches from its band so it can be held up to the ear. You can talk on this one like you talk on a regular phone, and then just snap it back into its band. It’s pretty big and clunky right now, though.
The stainless steel model is coming out on June 15 for between $300-400, Rotman said. He’s currently looking for retailers to sell the device.
Apr 01
All this time I thought “FC” stood for full combo, but apparently it’s French cuffs. Yes, the next time you suit up after a successful squeeze you can pop in a set of replica Strats SGs to keep your cuffs together.
Be sure to explain to everyone who asks …
Apr 01
Palm announces webOS SDK availability, Palm OS emulation for Pre, new cloud services
Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, developers, palm, palm pre, PalmPre, pre, sdk, Today's Chili, webos
Well, it’s not quite the release date and price you were hoping for, but it’s definitely something. Today Palm — via a short keynote at the Web 2.0 Expo — announced that the company would begin taking names and numbers on the webOS dev site for potential developers who will receive an “early look” Mojo SDK. And that’s starting right this moment… as in now. That news alone would be big, but reps we spoke with said that the SDK would be made available to developers that the company will be cherry-picking as early as tomorrow. So if you were looking to get into the Pre app game, here’s your first big chance.
In addition to the SDK news, Palm is introducing a new set of “integrated cloud services” for developers (called Mojo Messaging Service) which will use a standardized publish / subscribe system to allow data to be bounced from the “cloud” to devices. Basically, it looks like this is Palm’s play for some of that push buzz — though the indication is that this service can and will be used for bigger tasks as well.
Finally, the company announced that third-party developer MotionApps will be making a Palm OS emulator available for purchase to coincide with the launch of the Pre. The application will be utilize the mass storage mode of the device to allow for drag-and-drop of PRCs, though according to the press release, the emulator “won’t be able to leverage core webOS functionality,” meaning that you probably can’t expect pure bliss across all of your applications, particularly those with roots that go deeper into phone databases and the like. What’s interesting to note about this app is that it’s being built on more than just the standard webOS SDK — an event which Palm called “unique.” They went on to assure us that this was a one-off to allow for emulation, but we’re thinking they might want to reconsider that policy by factoring in the clamor for serious gaming on a device like the Pre. You can check an image of the emulator after the break.
So, no pricing, no release date, but lots of movement on the developer front — which is big news if you’re a company trying to launch a completely new operating system. Still, we’re getting a bit antsy with all this waiting… it might be time to throw everyone a bigger bone than that tired “first half of 2009” line, guys.
Read – Palm developer site
Read – MotionApps Palm OS emulator
Filed under: Cellphones
Palm announces webOS SDK availability, Palm OS emulation for Pre, new cloud services originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apr 01
Microsoft has just announced the release of Windows Server 2008 Foundation. Codenamed Lima once upon a time, this release is being billed as a low cost alternative to Windows Small Business Server. Squarely aimed at the OEM set (Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, and various Chinese software pirating syndicates have already have expressed interest), this licensing scheme limits the server to fifteen users (even as a member server on a Windows domain), doesn’t include hypervisor, and does away with the need for Client Access Licenses (CALs). With today’s announcement, Foundation is available in 40 countries in English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish.
[Via ZDNet]
Filed under: Desktops
Microsoft launches entry-level Foundation Server 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 01
HTC Snap hands-on
Posted in: ctia, Features, HTC, Today's Chili, Windows Mobile, WindowsMobile, winmo
What the Snap lacks in flair, it makes up for in sheer, unadulterated function — and having an utterly awesome keyboard certainly helps in that regard. It’s easy to pass off HTC’s latest portrait QWERTY handset as a bit frumpy from photographs, but trust us when we say that it’s totally passable in person (some might even call it insanely attractive) — think of it as the anti-8900, if you will. Pictured on the Snap above is the configuration screen for Inner Circle, which HTC also introduced this week. There’s really not much to it — you can add email addresses from your address book or from incoming emails, and when Inner Circle is enabled, only emails from those contacts will be visible in the Snap’s unified account-agnostic inbox. It’s a great idea for shutting out the electronic noise most of us experience in our day-to-day lives, and we’re hoping this little feature finds its way to HTC’s full WinMo lineup going forward. Follow the break for a video tour of the phone (and pay close attention, Yanks, ’cause it’ll be coming your way as the S522 in the next few months).
Continue reading HTC Snap hands-on
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
HTC Snap hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apr 01
It’s been a while since the first hybrid taxi cabs hit major cities. Now San Francisco’s first 15 hybrid taxis, all Ford Escapes, have made it
to about the 300,000-mile mark, according to the LA Times. The milestone means that those first cabs are nearing retirement age; the city will soon take them off the road as a result.
“Their longevity
shows that hybrid technology is more durable than previously imagined;
they also have saved drivers about $9,000 a year, depending on gas
prices and number of shifts driven,” the report said.
About 15 percent of both San Francisco and New York’s fleet of cabs are currently hybrids. Hybrids are considered ideal for taxi cab use. Not only do they get better mileage than conventional gasoline cars, but they also have cleaner emissions, and do better still at idling and lower speeds–where city taxis spend most of their time. (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Apr 01
Toshiba to buy Panasonic’s shares in LCD joint venture
Posted in: business, industry, LCD, Panasonic, Today's Chili, Toshiba
Around seven years after it was originally established, Toshiba has decided it best to stop waiting for Panasonic’s input on decisions regarding Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Company. If all goes to plan, Toshiba — which currently owns a 60 percent stake in the joint venture — will buy out Panasonic’s 40 percent stake on April 28th. For those unaware, the venture was responsible for developing, manufacturing and selling LCDs and OLEDs, most of which were classified as “small to medium-sized.” After the share transfer is finalized, TMD will change its name to Toshiba Mobile Display Company, and according to the jointly-issued release, it’ll allow Tosh to “further accelerate decision-making and promote comprehensive restructuring of TMD’s business.” The consumer takeaway here? “Looking to the future, TMD aims to establish OLEDs as an engine for growth and to enhance its display business in the medium- to long-term.” Boom.
[Via Wall Street Journal]
Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment
Toshiba to buy Panasonic’s shares in LCD joint venture originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr 01
LAS VEGAS — Hey look, Sony Ericsson is still in business!
Yes unbelievable as it is, the somewhat maligned handset maker is still pumping out hardware. Its latest effort is the T707, a handset that despite having no real smartphone capabilities, still has a few cool features.
"Some people just want a phone that simply makes calls," says Sony Ericsson’s Jon Mulder.
Yep the T707 makes calls. It also has a couple of other quirky features like gesture control which allows you to hang up on fools with a quick shake of the phone. Integrated into the device is also a subtle LED that flashes red when your boss or someone from the office calls or green when it’s one of your pals.
Sony Ericsson reports that they’re hard at work on a device that will flaunt Android for an OS. They just have to "get the hardware and software just right with a Sony Ericsson skin," reports Mulder.
Sony Ericsson press barf after the jump.
Photo: Danny Dumas/Wired.com
Light up your life with Sony Ericsson‘s stylish new T707 mobile phone
26 March 2009Add a touch of glamour to your day with the stunning new T707 mobile phone from Sony Ericsson. This innovative phone radiates style and glamour with its unique, eye-catching light effects and gesture control to guarantee you will never be left in the dark!
Miami, USA – 26th March 2009 – Sony Ericsson today announced its latest mobile phone, the T707, with tennis star and style icon Maria Sharapova, who perfectly epitomises the phone’s sleek and elegant qualities.
The T707 truly interacts with the user – it lights up when you receive a call and you can personalise the light settings to each of your friends, so you always know who wants you. If you are too busy to answer, simply end the call with a wave of your hand over the screen – you can also do the same gesture to snooze the alarm – your very own magic wand!
"The T707 is my ultimate new accessory," said Maria. "I am always on the go and I need a phone that is easy to use, and of course chic as well! I never miss a call with the eye-catching light effects and personalised pulsation settings and I love the fact that I can just wave my hand to mute a call using the gesture control. I can also use my practical and stylish Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV715 to take my calls, check my emails and blog to my website from the phone. It’s great to have a phone that looks good but also lets me keep up-to-date with everything I need."
Perfect pixels for every pose
Coordinate the T707 to any outfit, as it comes in a rainbow range of three clam shells to suit every mood. Whatever you wear will be perfectly captured by the 3.2 megapixel camera, making sure that you stand out on screen as much as you do in real life. The photos can then be uploaded to your personal social networking site using the HTML web browser, so you and your friends can keep up to date wherever you are.Customise your phone like your clothes
With the T707 you will never be left behind in the style stakes, as the 2.2 inch screen is waiting to be customised to your individual taste. The changing wallpaper themes will ensure that you are never caught wearing clashing colours! The theme also changes from day into evening, which is perfect if, like Maria, you need to match with everything from tennis whites to a little black dress.Packed with extras, as one option is never enough…
This is one accessory you will never leave home without as the T707 packs in more extras than even your handbag. The FM radio and Bluetooth™ audio streaming will entertain you when you are out and about, and you can download music, games and ringtones at the touch of a button with PlayNow™ to ensure that boredom is something which happens to other people!"The T707 is the next step in the style evolution from Sony Ericsson," said Linda Schori, Global Marketing Business Manager for Style Category, Sony Ericsson. "Maria Sharapova is the perfect partner for us as she exemplifies not only elegance but also substance, just like the T707. It works hard and is also sleek, glamorous and desirable – a truly winning combination!"
Maria knows that all eyes will be on her this season and thanks to her new T707; she can rest assured that whatever she does, she will look stylish, glamorous and be in control of her life with just the wave of a hand.
The T707
The light of your life• Unique pulsating notification and light effects
• Day and Night changing theme
• Gesture control for muting calls and alarm
• Capture moments with 3.2 MP cameraThe T707 supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS/HSDPA 2100. The
T707a supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100. The T707 will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Mysterious Black, Spring Rose and Lucid Blue.The Sony Ericsson T707 at a glance
Camera
* 3.2 megapixel camera
* Up to 3.2x digital zoom
* Photo fix
* Picture blogging
* Video blogging
* Video recording
* Video lightMusic
* Media player
* Mega Bass™
* Album art
* PlayNow™
* TrackID™
* Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
* Music tones (MP3/AAC)Web
* Access NetFront™ Web browser
* Web shortcut search key
* Web feeds
* Photo feedsCommunication
* Polyphonic ringtones
* Speakerphone
* Vibrating alert
* Video calling (main camera)Messaging
* Exchange ActiveSync®
* Text messaging (SMS)
* Chat View
* Picture messaging (MMS)
* Predictive text input
* Sound recorderDesign
* Light effects
* Pulsating light notification
* Gesture control
* Day and Night changing theme
* Picture wallpaper
* Wallpaper animationEntertainment
* Media
* YouTube™
* 3D games
* Motion gaming
* Java
* FM radio with RDS
* Video streaming
* Video viewingConnectivity
* Bluetooth™ technology
* Modem
* Synchronization
* USB mass storage
* USB supportOrganizer
* Alarm clock
* Calculator
* Calendar
* Flight mode
* Notes
* Phone book
* Stopwatch
* Tasks
* TimerLocation-based services
* Geo tagging of photos
* Google Maps™Accessories
In-box:
* The T707
* Battery
* Charger
* Stereo Portable handsfree
* User documentationFacts and Figures
* Size: 93 x 50 x 14.1 mm
* Weight: 95 gramsColours:
* Mysterious Black
* Spring Rose
* Lucid BlueMain screen
* Type: 262,144 colour TFT, scratch-resistant
* Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
* Size: 2.2 inchesExternal screen
* Type: Monochromatic OLED, scratch-resistant
* Resolution: 128 x 36 pixels
* Size: 1.1"* Phone memory: Up to 100MB
* Memory card support:
* Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™)* Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 10 hrs
* Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 400 hrs* Talk time UMTS: Up to 4 hrs
* Standby time UMTS: Up to 400 hrs* Video call time: Up to 2 hrs
Availability and versions
Networks
T707* GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
* UMTS/HSDPA 2100T707a
* GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
* UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100
Apr 01
Sound ID, the Bluetooth headset company, has announced two new headsets
at the CTIA trade show in Las Vegas.
The first model, the Sound ID 200,
is an update on the company’s original Sound ID SM100 mode. The 200
features NoiseNavigation,
which uses dual adaptive beam-forming microphones and a sound isolation algorithm to reduce background noise. It also has an automatic volume control that compensates for the user’s environment.
The Sound ID 300 (pictured), meanwhile, includes those features and adds PersonalSound, which lets users select from three listening modes in order to enhance speech clarity without raising the volume.
The Sound ID 200 lists for $99.99 and will be sold at Fry’s and in Apple Retail Stores beginning in mid-April. The Sound ID 300 will sell for $119.99 and be sold through AT&T retail stores and online this month as well.
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