Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve come across a number of GPS-based tracking devices over the years but most are rather bulky and difficult to setup. eTrak’s attempting to remedy this here at CTIA 2013 with GPS+, a fob-like product that combines WiFi, cellular and GPS tracking in a small, light and easy-to-use package. The device, which is about the size and weight of a box of licorice-flavored Tic Tacs, features a panic button, multicolor status LED and charging contacts. It’s meant to be attached to a keyring, and comes with a matching charging base which includes a standard micro-USB connector. Battery life is about 5 days per charge — not too shabby for a product that packs WiFi, cellular and GPS radios. Speaking of which, eTrak’s partnering with Verizon Wireless for CDMA-based network positioning. The company provides a web-based interface which supports geo-fencing with SMS and email notifications, along with iOS and Android-compatible apps. GPS+ will retail for $129 and be available soon (production’s been under way since May 1st). Two plans will be available: $10 per month with a one-year subscription and $15 per month commitment-free. Want to know more? Don’t miss our gallery below and follow the source link for more info.

Filed under: Misc, Wireless, Mobile

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Source: eTrak

This week at CTIA 2013, Verizon announced a partnership with Latino-centric mobile carrier brand Viva Movil – and they did it with the company’s top shareholder Jennifer Lopez. Speaking about how the Latino population is up at 50 million strong – and growing – Verizon’s own chief operating officer Marni Walden made it clear: this company wants to expand through an exclusive partnership with Viva Movil.

This partnership will be working with one of Verizon’s largest premium retailers Moorehead Communications as well as Brightstar. Walden introduced Jennifer Lopez who represents Viva Movil as a celebrity and a leader in the Latino community – she says – and speaks about statistics and bits and pieces that make it appear that Verizon with Viva Movil will be in the best position possible to address the Spanish-speaking market segment in the near future.

Lopez spoke about an exclusive line of accessories that she’s created herself. At the moment it would appear that this includes iPhone 5 cases – but it’s likely that other devices will be included as well.

“There’s no specific place for Latinos to really, really be catered to, which is why we did this. But anyone can come in and enjoy this.” – Jennifer Lopez, Chief Creative Officer for Viva Movil

The company “Viva Movil, by Jennifer Lopez”, as she called it, will be opening up today online. The first store will be open on June 15 and it’ll be open in New York City. More physical stores will be opening across the USA – 15 in all, for starters, – in places like L.A. and Miami.

Verizon invites Jennifer Lopez on stage for Viva Movil team-up is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This morning it’s been suggested to SlashGear by a trusted source (the anonymous kind) that the HTC One will be appearing at the Verizon press event taking place at 11AM PST in Las Vegas today during CTIA. This event has been teased as one with a “Special Announcement”, which could mean anything, but given the atmosphere and the suggestion, we have no reason to doubt that the HTC One will be part of the show.

The source we’ve spoken to has been correct in several Verizon-bound tips with devices from Nokia and Samsung as well as information about release dates – and release date changes. We’ve had our fair share of run-ins with the Verizon HTC One in the past, having heard that it both is and isn’t coming to the big red carrier from sources both anonymous and official.

UPDATE: Verizon’s press event instead turned toward the Latino population with Jennifer Lopez-backed stores that’ll be coming your way next month. Sound like a good alternative?

Back when the HTC One was first unveiled, groups like AT&T and T-Mobile were quick to spring onto the opportunity to carry it. Based on anonymous information we received back then, it was Verizon that was hesitant, but turned a cheek once the reviews for the device were in. As the HTC One popped up as a major favorite on several publications – including our own – we’re to understand that Verizon decided they liked the device so much that they’d be releasing it with the same name.

This means that instead of changing the name to suit their DROID lineup family – like what was done with the HTC J Butterfly turned DROID DNA – they’d be bringing it to the surface as the HTC One, as it has been on each other carrier thus far. This sort of thing was done with the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Samsung GALAXY S 4, but even the Samsung Galaxy Note II was subject to a rather large Verizon logo on its home button.

Here with the HTC One, no such logos will be appearing – at least last we heard. The most solid thing about the collection of anonymous tips SlashGear has received is the idea that today will be the day: the Verizon HTC One will be here before you know it!

Verizon HTC One tipped for today’s press event [UPDATE: Nope] is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Today Kyocera revealed two new smartphones will be coming to the US market soon, and just like their recent devices will be able to handle the elements quite well. With a successor to the original Hydro these new phones do a few things that Kyocera does best. That’s be budget friendly and waterproof at the

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Remember Yotaphone, the twin-display Android smartphone (color LCD in front, e-ink in back)? Today at CTIA in Las Vagas, Yota devices, the company behind the innovative handset, introduced Ruby, a sleek LTE hotspot with a small e-ink screen. We don’t usually get too excited about such devices, but Ruby looks like something out of Jony Ive‘s workshop, with some interesting features to match. The design recalls the iPod mini but is made of white plastic instead of aluminum.

Along the top edge, you’ll find the e-ink display and a two-way power switch — slide it to the left and Ruby behaves like a secure hotspot, slide it to the right and it’s a public access point. The e-ink screen shows battery and signal status, the number of connected devices and a smiley icon to confirm public mode. On the bottom edge is a trick flap that’s both a micro-USB socket and a USB Type A plug depending on how it’s positioned — the micro-SIM slot is cleverly hidden behind it. A programmable RGB LED mounted behind the Yota logo completes the package on the front of the hotspot.

Ruby currently supports quad-band EDGE, plus HSPA+ and LTE for the European market, but the radio can be configured (in hardware) to support other bands. The 2100mAh battery powers the unit for about 16 hours of use (60 hours on standby) and can be charged to 70 percent capacity in about an hour. Yota’s signed a few deals with carriers in Russia and Europe and the device is expected to become available to Russian customers in two to three weeks for about $120 (unsubsidized). No word on whether Ruby will land in the US (yet). Take a look at our hands-on gallery below.

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile

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