Hasta La Gadget!

Usually, once a gadget gets canned it either just disappears or it ends up stumbling back under a different brand. Because, you know, some unfortunate manufacturer may have an orphaned stock to get rid of, or maybe it doesn’t want to waste the expensive tooling developed for the failed product. Either way, judging by a fresh NCC (Taiwan’s FCC, basically) filing dug up by our brethren over at Engadget Chinese, it looks like the Grid 10 from the now-defunct Fusion Garage may well crawl out of its grave just like that.

While there’s still the “Grid 10” branding on the back of the tablet, the two-day-old NCC document recognizes Compal as the company brand (presumably it was Fusion Garage’s OEM partner for this), and there’s also a new but rather mundane name for the device: “Smart Pad,” model “PBJ40.” Sadly, there’s not much else to look at here apart from the vanilla Android Froyo or Gingerbread (instead of Grid OS) sighting in the pics, as well as the Bluetooth and 802.11b/g/n WiFi mention.

So the question is: what will Compal do with this Smart Pad? Resurrect Fusion Garage in Taiwan? Unlikely (though Chandra does like to surprise people). Offload the lot to Taiwanese carriers or stores? We’ll bet our money on that.

Filed under: Tablets

Fusion Garage’s Grid 10 just won’t die, preparing comeback as Compal’s Smart Pad PBJ40 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The folks from MetroPCS just announced another 4G LTE capable smartphone to grace their slowly expanding LTE lineup. The ZTE Anthem 4G will be a great budget friendly device with mid-range specs and a powerful dual-core processor all for the low price of $219 with no annual contract. Head past the break for more details.

The ZTE Anthem will be ZTE’s first 4G LTE device to hit the US market, and while it isn’t a beast by any means it offers a decent package given the price. It certainly isn’t pretty to look at, and is that Gingerbread? Yup sadly this device is launching with a severely outdated OS. Running on the old Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.

Other specs include a 4.3-inch wVGA 480 x 800 resolution display, a Qualcomm 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, we’ll assume 1GB of RAM (could be 768) and packing a 5 megapixel camera with flash on the rear. Other than the old and outdated Gingerbread this device is a rather attractive offering for the no contract 4G LTE plans at MetroPCS.

“As our first U.S. 4GLTE smartphone, we’re proud to launch the Anthem 4G with our long-time partner MetroPCS because we share their goal of providing consumers with outstanding value and a strong 4G LTE experience,” said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA

Why ZTE or MetroPCS are allowing this out of the factory with Gingerbread is beyond me, but what do I know. You’ll also get micro-SD support and HDMI-out for those looking to stream anything to the big screen. The ZTE Anthem 4G will be available in the coming weeks on MetroPCS with no annual contract for just $219.

[via PRNewswire]

ZTE Anthem heads to MetroPCS with dual-core power for $219 is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Like playing Sonic CD on your Android device but sick of those pesky virtual buttons? How will you ever keep ahold of all those rings?! PowerA has one potential solution for you in its MOGA (mobile gaming system) Bluetooth controller, which arrives at “key retailers and carriers” on October 21 for $49.99. The MOGA comes with two analog sticks, four diamond-style face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and a Bluetooth transmitter for connection with any Android-powered device (Gingerbread or newer OS required). A companion app, available free on the Google Play store, enables the MOGA to work with select titles — not all Android games support the controller, but PowerA promises more are being added all the time; deals with the likes of Gameloft, Atari, Namco, Sega, and Remedy Entertainment are already in place. Should you decide to pick one up this October, the MOGA comes with free copies of Sonic CD (!) and Pac-Man.

Continue reading PowerA’s MOGA Bluetooth Android controller launching on October 21 for $50

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Peripherals, Tablets, Mobile

PowerA’s MOGA Bluetooth Android controller launching on October 21 for $50 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Sprint’s iDEN network is getting the axe in favor of a new CDMA setup, AT&T will soon be sprucing up its near absent push-to-talk services. Targeting a November release with plans starting around $30, Ma Bell’s enhanced PTT will be compatible with smartphones running Android 2.3+, BlackBerry 7, Windows Phone 8 and even Java-powered feature phones. In addition to playing nice with a variety of mobile platforms, this new service will also work across laptops, tablets and smart cars.

Continue reading AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

AT&T ready to battle Sprint for push-to-talk supremacy starting in November originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congo-based VMK has been blazing a trail for mobile devices in Africa: its Way-C tablet proved that the continent could go its own way without leaning on Asia or Europe. The company promised several months ago to address the same gap with smartphones, and the result is here in the form of the Elikia (“Hope”). The hardware won’t shake the cellular world’s foundations with its 3.5-inch (and 480 x 320) display, 512MB of RAM, a 650MHz processor and both 5-megapixel rear as well as front VGA cameras, but that’s not the point — at $170 US off-contract, it’s much more within the reach of Congo residents, and it even uses the unofficial Holo Launcher to bring a taste of Android 4.0 to what’s really Android 2.3 underneath. There’s also a minor revolution in app purchasing. As Google Play won’t take Congo’s credit cards, VMK has its own app store and prepaid gift cards to give the country a similar experience. You’ll have to sign on to local carriers Airtel, MTN or Warid to use an Elikia in the near future, but we’re hoping the phone expands its reach and levels the playing field.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

VMK preps Africa-designed Elikia smartphone with $170 price, fast track for apps originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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