Hasta La Gadget!

Time is slipping away for it to meet its promised September debut, but Philip’s Android-based GoGear Connect handheld / PMP is now available for pre-order from at least one online retailer (J&R). It’ll run you $170 for the 8GB model and an even $200 for 16GB (both a slight discount off the list price), each of which come equipped with a 3.2-inch display, WiFi connectivity, built-in speakers, a microSD card slot for additional storage, and Android 2.3 with access to Android Market. Unfortunately, there’s still no indication of an exact ship date, but we’re guessing you won’t have to wait too much longer if you decide to take the plunge.

[Thanks, Peter]

Philips’ Android-based GoGear Connect PMP now available for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft patent shows how a modular smartphone could be realized. Image: RegHardware

We know Microsoft for its software chops, but the company is tinkering with some innovative hardware design concepts on the side.

A recent Microsoft patent describes a smartphone with a slide-out section that can house one of several modules, including a QWERTY keyboard, a gaming pad, a second display or a battery pack. Even better: The modules work wirelessly when they aren’t docked in the smartphone’s slider. Another useful way the modular smartphone concept could be used: The keyboard can be used as a controller while the smartphone acts as a TV-connected media hub.

Such a modular design combines capabilities normally found in different phones or accessories. For a gaming pad, your phone of choice right now would be something like the Xperia Arc. Want a slide-out QWERTY keyboard? You’re probably looking at one of several Android smartphones. If you’re looking for extra juice, you’ll need a special case or a phone with a removable battery.

How would something like this work if it came out within the next year or so?

With continued Xbox Live integration with Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango), gaming would definitely be fun with the d-pad module.

If you’re writing long emails or sending text after text, a QWERTY keyboard can be more comfortable to use but not something you necessarily need all the time. Windows Phone has tight social media integration, which would make it easy to stay connected with friends and family and keep chatting via email, Facebook or other methods.

Windows’ Live Tile-based UI looks fantastic on a single display. I can only imagine that spreading to dual screens — the ability to check status updates, weather notifications and more on one, and watch video, check email or browse the web on the other. However, dual-screened devices have largely disappointed in practice. Perhaps the slide-out, rather than the folding-style double screen, could be an improvement though.

A battery-pack module would be ideal for a long day (or weekend) traveling when you may not have access to an outlet for charging, like on a camping trip. Your phone would be alive — but would you have access to 3G or 4G? At least you’d be able to take photos and perhaps access some sort of offline map app. Along the same lines, a battery pack could keep the phone juiced up while you use the gaming pad wirelessly.

Would such a design be practical? Smartphones wear many hats these days, especially if it is being shared among members of a household (web-surfing mom or dad, text-happy kids who also suck batteries dry playing games … you get the picture). The biggest problem might be misplacing modules and the risk of dirt or debris damaging the slider.

Microsoft’s patent isn’t the first of its kind. Other modular cellphones include the Modu Phone, which featured interchangeable cases and a prototype from NTT Docomo. More recently, we’ve seen the smartphone itself work with larger accessories, like with the Motorola Atrix and its laptop dock.

RegHardware via Geek

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This week on the Gadget Lab Podcast: The gang talks about Netflix’s big split, Arduino’s newest products and the latest iPhone rumors, and takes a look at a business-minded Lenovo Tablet and the My Keepon robot.

Reviews editor Michael Calore and staff writer Mike Isaac open the show discussing Netflix’s odd e-mail apology and sudden move to split into two separate units: Netflix, for streaming, and the newly created Qwikster for Netflix’s former DVD-by-mail service. Not to mention the goldmine that is the Qwikster Twitter feed.

The two then switch gears to talk about the latest in Android tablets, the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet. It’s basically what RIM should have done with the BlackBerry Playbook, but we’ll get a more in-depth look at the tablet next week.

Next, staff writer Christina Bonnington gives us a hands-on with the My Keepon robot, a toy designed from a research robot used in autism therapy.

Mike and Christina conclude the show chatting about the latest word on the iPhone 5 (and the iPhone 4S), and get geeky talking about Arduino’s newest products.

Like the show? You can also get the Gadget Lab video podcast via iTunes, or if you don’t want to be distracted by our unholy on-camera talent, check out the Gadget Lab audio podcast. Prefer RSS? You can subscribe to the Gadget Lab video or audio podcast feeds.

Or listen to the audio below:

Gadget Lab audio podcast #125

http://downloads.wired.com/podcasts/assets/gadgetlabaudio/GadgetLabAudio0125.mp3