Dec 23

Retro Phones are New Again Thanks to Lekki

Posted in: mobile, Phones, Retro, Today's Chili

Lekki - Classic Phones

Many people grumble about all of the smartphones on store shelves these days, complaining that in the process of packing faster processors, wireless features, big screens, and powerful cameras into mobile phones, manufacturers have forgotten how to make a phone that works well as a phone. 
Well, if you’re one of those people, French phone company Lekki is in the business of refurbishing old cell phones like the StarTAC 130 and the Nokia 130, dressing them up on attention-grabbing colors, and selling them to people who aren’t interested in games, apps, or cameras on their phone. The StarTAC is available in a variety of colors and configuration options priced between $163 list and $190, and the Nokia 3210 is available for around $100 depending on the colors you choose. 
The phones are GSM 900/1800 only right now, meaning they’ll only work with certain European carriers, but the company has plans for future models in 2011. Here’s hoping some US carrier-compatible versions are on the way. 
[via Gizmag]
No Comments | Tags:
Dec 23

What Tech Companies Used to Make

Posted in: HP, motorola, nintendo, sony, Today's Chili

7847711_1.jpeg

Their names are emblazoned on electronics all over your home and office, but what did companies like Nintendo, Motorola, Sony, IBM, and HP produce before digital cameras, PCs, and cell phones were invented?

We’ve taken a look at some of today’s top tech companies before they started making what we all know them for. The list includes tires, playing cards, radios, and even comic books.

No Comments | Tags: , , ,
Dec 21

1.5 Million Windows Phone 7 Handsets Sold in First Six Weeks

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, windows phone 7

HTC HD7 with Windows Phone 7.jpg

Microsoft has finally opted to release some sales figures for Windows Phone 7, the company’s in-house iPhone killer. In the first six weeks since the operating system hit the market, 1.5 million handsets have been sold, a number the company says is “in line” with expectations.

“We know we have tough competition, and this is a completely new product,” Microsoft VP Acim Berg said in an announcement. “We’re in the race-it’s not a sprint but we are certainly gaining momentum and we’re in it for the long run.”

Microsoft’s mobile marketshare has dipped significantly in recent year, thanks to the presence of Apple’s iPhone ands Google’s open Android OS. It’s hard to compare, um, apples to apples here, but as a point of reference, the latest version of the iPhone sold one million units in its first three days.

But while a number of different manufacturers released phones running the OS, many of the initial Windows Phone 7 handsets were plagued by shortages.

No Comments | Tags:
Dec 21

WikiLeaks Pulled From iPhone App Store

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Today's Chili

wikileaks_iphone_app.jpg

Five days after first appearing in the iTunes App Store, Apple has apparently pulled an unofficial WikiLeaks iPhone/iPad app. The biggest shocker here seems to be the fact that the thing ever actually appeared in the store at all. Apple has sought to avoid controversy (granted not always that successfully) with its fairly nebulous App Store terms of service, and these days things don’t get all that much more controversial than WikiLeaks.

A number of high profile companies have already pulled support for the whistle blowing site in a very high profile way, including Amazon, Bank of America, Mastercard, PayPal, and Visa. A number of governments–the US included–have condemned the actions of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange.

Apple didn’t give much detail regarding the removal of the app, sending developer Igor Barinov a generic form letter reading, “The status for the following app has changed to Removed From Sale.” The app itself wasn’t sanctioned by WikiLeaks. It is a paid app ($1.99) that offers access to the site’s free content.

At present, a number of WikiLeaks-related apps are still available through the Android Market.

No Comments | Tags: , , ,
Dec 20

Top Stories of 2010: Part Two

Posted in: Android, Apple, diy, droid, iPhone, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili, video games

Thumbnail image for cigar-guy-tiger-woods.jpg

We wrap up our roundup of some of Gearlog’s biggest stories for 2010. This time out, we’ve got some old timey cell phone commercials, exploding (and non-exploding) handsets, Android mods, and really bad video game peripherals. 

And while you’re at it, why not check out the first part?

No Comments | Tags: , , , , ,
Dec 20

The VogDUO Charger Cuts Down on Vampire Power

Posted in: green, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili, usb

VogDUO Wall Charger

It’s well known that if you leave your charging cables stuck in the wall or your phone connected to a charger even after it’s finished recharging the battery, you’re still drawing power from your socket. Even chargers not connected to anything still draw power, and by doing so bump up your electric bill. The VogDUO Green Wall Charger on the other hand, is designed to help you charge your gadgets without inflating your energy bills. 
The VogDUO has 4 USB ports that you can use to charge devices that can be powered over USB, and has 2, 4, 6, and 8-hour charging settings. Just plug in your devices and tell the wall charger how long you want to charge the devices for. 
Once the timer is up, the VogDUO turns itself off entirely, and doesn’t even draw passive “vampire” power from the wall. The connected devices are left to their own batteries, and you don’t have to worry about overcharging your gadgets or wasting electricity. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but more information should be available at CES 2011 in January.
 
No Comments | Tags: , , ,
Dec 20

iPhone 4 $147 at Sam’s Club

Posted in: Apple, Today's Chili

Thumbnail image for iphone 4 flat.jpg

Where’s the cheapest place to pick up an iPhone 4 these days? For the next week or so, that title belongs to Walmart offshoot Sam’s Club. You can get the latest version of Apple’s handset for $147, according to information obtained by Engadget–that’s a full $2 less than you would pay for the same handset over at Radio Shack.

The deal on the 16GB handset goes until Christmas day. The store is also offering up its predecessor, the iPhone 3Gs for a dirt cheap $47, marking a $42 price drop for both phones.

No Comments | Tags: , , , ,
Dec 20

Nokia Looking to Embrace Windows Phone 7 – Rumor

Posted in: nokia, Today's Chili, windows phone 7

Nokia_N8.jpg

Still the stuff of rumors, at the moment–speculation about speculation translated from a columnist on a Russia Mobile site. That said, the mere mention of Nokia and Microsoft in the same sentence seems to be enough to make even the most level-headed mobile enthusiasts shriek with joy.

Here’s what we do know: Mobile-Review’s (the aforementioned Russian mobile site) columnist Eldar Murtazin has reported that Microsoft and Nokia are “in talks.” What precisely they’re talking about, we don’t know.

Speculation has it that Nokia is looking to embrace Microsoft’s surprisingly slick new mobile OS, Windows Phone 7. The timing seems right. Nokia may still have a firm grasp on the global market, but the company’s market share is being chipped away by the competition–iPhone, Android, et al.

Also adding to speculation is the fact that Nokia is currently run by former Microsoft exec, Stephen Elop, who may actually be happy to embrace the output of his current company.

No Comments | Tags:
Dec 17

PlayStation App for iPhone, Android Doesn’t Play Games

Posted in: iPhone, playstation, Today's Chili, video games

playsttion_iphone_appn.jpg

I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that there’s a PlayStation app coming soon for the iPhone and Android handsets. The bad news is that it doesn’t actually do what you’re hoping it does–i.e. play games.

The app is more of a supplemental resource for PlayStation owners. You can use it to check things like trophies and friends’ statuses, discover information about new games, read the PlayStation Blog, and share info via Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail. PlayStation phone it’s not.

The app is coming “very soon” to European markets like the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. More markets will follow later.

No Comments | Tags: ,
Dec 17

EA iPhone Games: More Than 70 Discounted to $.99

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Today's Chili, video games

bawttlefield_iphone.png

EA is having a downright massive sale on iPhone apps this week, in celebration of the coming holiday. The gaming giant has discounted more than 70 iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps to $0.99 down from prices ranging between $1.99 and $7.99.

There are a of familiar titles on this. Here are a few choice picks:

Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit
NBA Elite 11
Fifa 11
Madden NFL 11
Tiger Woods PGA Tour
The Sims 3
Spore Creatures
Monopoly
Risk: The Official Game
Clue
Scrabble
The Simpsons Arcade
Wolfenstein RPG
Tetris
American Idol: The Game
Littlest Pet Shop

You can find a more complete list of the games over at Touch Arcade. Looks like the holiday push is paying off for EA. The company is currently dominating the iTunes app sales list between its discounts and those perennial favorite Angry Birds.

No Comments | Tags: , , , ,