Jan 06
T-Mobile has announced that it has a deal in place that will see the wireless carrier acquire some A-Block 700 MHz wireless spectrum from Verizon Wireless. T-Mo has agreed to … Continue reading
Jan 02
There is always a first time for everything, and when it comes to the folks over at Lenovo, the Lenovo Vibe Z will be the first LTE smartphone from the company which is more famous for their range of notebooks and desktops than anything else. Sure, they have had some smartphones in the past that ran on Intel’s architecture, but those did not really manage to catch on with the crowd. This time around, the Lenovo Vibe Z would join in the ranks of the high end smartphone segment, so it will be interesting to see just what kind of reception it will get when it hits the market later this February. On to the details, then!
First of all, it is best to describe the Lenovo Vibe Z as a gorgeous razor-thin, blazing-fast device that comes with gesture controls, photo enhancement software and various premium technologies. Being the first smartphone from Lenovo that features LTE capabilities, the Vibe Z will be able to deliver data upload at up to 50 Mbit/s and downloads at up to 150 Mbit/s, on paper at least. Playing nice with GSM/UMTS networks up to 2100, other connectivity options will also include 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.
As for the exterior, expect the svelte Vibe Z to arrive in a thin 7.9mm silver or titanium body, where it tips the scales at just 147 grams. The laser-etched, fabric-feel rear cover is a beauty to behold, being comfortable in your hands, while it has a 5.5” Full HD (1920×1080 resolution) IPS wide angle display that boasts of a pixel density of 400 pixels per inch. Underneath the beautiful exterior, you will find a quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that is able to deliver extreme performance, 2GB RAM, up to 16GB of internal memory, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean as the operating system of choice, a 13-megapixel shooter at the back and a 5-megapixel camera in front for those video calls and great looking selfies.
The asking price? $549 a pop this February as it debuts first in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.
Company Page
[ Lenovo Vibe Z LTE smartphone launched copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jan 01
Samsung has already chalked up plenty of feathers in its proverbial hat, and this time around, they have yet another one to add to their burgeoning collection. The company is already a world leader when it comes to consumer electronics, and this time around, they have announced the first 8Gb LPDDR4 (low power double data rate) mobile DRAM in the world which will (fingers crossed) usher in the next-generation of ultra-fast mobile memory in order to meet ever growing market demand. Just how will this particular advancement change the way we use mobile electronics for the better? Read on after the jump to find out.
The all new high-speed 8Gb LPDDR4 mobile DRAM is touted to deliver the highest level of density, performance and energy efficiency for mobile memory applications, so that end users will be able to enjoy faster, more responsive applications, additional advanced features, and higher resolution displays, all without draining one’s battery life in a short amount of time.
The 8Gb LPDDR4 will be fabricated on 20-nanometer (nm) class process technology, where one is able to obtain up to 1 gigabyte (GB) of storage space on a single die, making it the largest density available for DRAM components in the market at the moment. A quartet of the 8Gb chips will see a single 4GB LPDDR4 package such as this offer the highest level of performance that can be found.
Not only that, Samsung’s latest 8Gb LPDDR4 will also utilize a Low Voltage Swing Terminated Logic (LVSTL) I/O interface that was originally meant to be the standard specification for LPDDR4 DRAM as proposed by Samsung to JEDEC. We are looking at a data transfer rate per pin of 3,200 megabits per second (Mbps), which is double the amount of the 20nm-class LPDDR3 DRAM that is currently being mass produced. In a nutshell, the new LPDDR4 interface offers up to 50% additional performance compared to the fastest LPDDR3 or DDR3 memory, all the while consuming around 40% less energy at 1.1 volts. When will the first generation of smartphones feature such memory? Only time will tell, and we await with bated breath.
Press Release
[ Samsung rolls out world’s first 8Gb LPDDR4 Mobile DRAM copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 27
When you’re taking a trip to a new location, you more often than not rely on some sort of GPS device to guide you there. The best way to do this is with a HUD so you won’t be terribly distracted from the road. Those who enjoy winter sports have the same sort of technology, but for different reasons.
The Snow2 is an excellent example, as it will show you information about your performance, connect you to 3rd party cameras, heart rate sensors, and can also pair with your smartphone to let you know when you have an incoming call. It has a dual core CPU, Bluetooth, Wifi, GPS, and an onboard gyroscope, accelerometer, altimeter, and thermometer. If your friends also have this, it wouldn’t be hard to find out where they are on the slopes.
For those of your concerned about this being terribly close to your face, you need not worry. Utilizing mirror and prism technology, this will make all of your information appear about 5ft away. There are key information screens that will be at the top of your field of vision, all of which you can control through a Bluetooth remote that is low energy. It’s in a waterproof casing, and has oversized buttons that are almost necessary as you’ll likely be wearing gloves when using it. Purchasing this system for your goggles will cost you around $400, and an SDK is available.
Available for purchase on reconinstruments, found via ohgizmo
[ The Snow2 will help you slowly become a cyborg copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 27
We use our phones for just about everything. They play the part of taking and receiving calls of course, but we also have texting, games, answering emails, surfing the web, and listening to music. It has our whole lives hiding inside, and helps us to be more productive (if we choose to be). The only problem that many of us face, is that our screens and some of the controls on our phone are too small. That’s why many people have moved to phablets.
If all you’re really concerned about is playing games and music, then having a little controller that won’t be too cumbersome to carry around might be nice. The iMpulse is supposedly the world’s smallest gaming and media controller, and will fit snugly on your keyring. It has a D-pad and 4 buttons on the front, and two buttons on the back.
This has a 100 foot range, making it perfect for turning up the volume from afar. There is an SDK available so you can turn this into your controller for whatever you’d like. It has rechargeable batteries, and can be juiced up via microUSB. The buttons feature white backlighting, and it can chirp if you’ve lost it, but are still within range. That would be quite exquisite for making sure you don’t lose your keys every morning. It uses Bluetooth version 2.1, and can be used on either your Android or iOS devices. This will cost you in the area of $40, but seems like it would be worth it in the long run.
Available for purchase on ThinkGeek
[ The iMpulse will make gaming and playing music on your phone much easier copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 25
Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock Speaker Android Dock tell you when it’s time to rise and shine
Posted in: Today's Chili
Going to sleep is not always as easy as laying down and shutting your eyes. For many, there is a bit of science to it. There needs to be little or no light, music or silence, and your phone either needs to be set to vibrate or have the volume turned down so you’re not woken up by every text. There is a nighttime mode that will screen calls for you, but there are docking systems out there that will cater to your specific needs a little bit better.
The Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock Android Dock is a multi-function alarm clock that will give you the ability to do much more than just charge your phone. It has SmartSilence, which will silence your phone unless there’s an emergency, and it can act as a sound machine that has a optional shut-off timer with fade-out. In addition to giving you actual buttons to press, it plugs into your audio jack and microUSB to charge up your phone and play music through its 10w, full-range speakers.
There is a snooze button, as well as brightness and volume knobs. From this alarm clock, you’ll be able to set everything just the way you like it. You can choose how often you repeat your alarm, wake up to custom tones, the snooze length, and the numeral style. This will cost you around $80, which isn’t too bad for a docking system. The only thing it lacks is the light coming on gradually with your alarm.
Available for purchase on Amazon, found via redferret
[ Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock Speaker Android Dock tell you when it’s time to rise and shine copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 23
Have you ever heard of the Handheld Group before? Neither have I, but we do know that they are a fast-growing manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, PDAs and smartphones, and they have begun to ship the Nautiz X1 to those who want a functional device, and yet is able to live up to the different kinds of knocks and drops that are associated with the careless and butterfingers. In fact, the Nautiz X1 has been described to be the “toughest enterprise smartphone in the world”, which is certainly a tall order to live up to, bearing traits of being waterproof, dustproof, shock-resistant and the ability to handle extreme temperatures, without sacrificing on looks since it is also slim, lightweight and smartly designed to handle both work and play.
The first batches of the Nautiz X1 is said to hav completely sold out already, where it will feature an IP67 ingress protection rating, which translates to it being fully dust- as well as waterproof. Not only that, it is capable of withstanding immersion in water, and will also be able to live up to the stringent MIL-STD-810G military test standards which allows it to endure humidity, vibration, shock and extreme high and low temperatures.
Product Manager Johan Hed of Handheld Group, said, “As a company specializing in rugged computers, we know our customers expect all our products to be built rugged from the inside out. The Nautiz X1 is no exception – it comes with the reliability and sturdiness of an ultra-rugged computer. People are increasingly using their smartphones all the time, everywhere, and they’re expecting mobility and connectivity anytime, anywhere, and in all environments and weather conditions. The Nautiz X1 ultra-rugged smartphone is a natural choice, as it’s built to survive these challenges.”
It will tip the scales at an extremely lightweight 6.3 ounces, sporting a 4″ special sunlight-readable capacitive touchscreen and ultra-durable Gorilla Glass. It will be powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor, accompanid by 1GB RAM, has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a 5-megapixel camera at the back alongside Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 as the mobile operating system, but seriously, how many people or businesses use the latter these days?
Product Page
[ NAUTIZ X1 ultra rugged smartphone begins to ship copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 20
When you hear ‘smartwatch’ what immediately comes to mind is a Bluetooth accessory for your phone. It will alert you when you are receiving an incoming message or call, and can track your activity. That’s great and all, but it’s one more thing to charge, and isn’t really adding anything to your gadget arsenal that your phone couldn’t handle on its own.
The Neptune Pine is hoping to change all of that. While it’s still worn like a wrist watch, it’s capable of far more than being a middleman between you and your smartphone. Of course, you can just tether it to your smartphone for regular smartwatch capabilities, but putting a micro-SIM card in it will allow you to answer calls and texts just as you would on your mobile. This means you don’t have to fiddle with getting your phone out of your pocket, as you can just wear it on your wrist.
This can also track your daily activity such as steps, pace, speed, time, laps, and location thanks to its built-in GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, pedometer, and digital compass. This runs on Android Jelly Bean, and you’ll be able to see most if not all of your favorite apps on a 2.4” capacitive touch screen. If you’re concerned about having sausage fingers and not being able to type, don’t forget that there will be voice controls thanks to the Android OS. There are front and rear-facing cameras that can take crisp videos or photos, and both are capable of flash. You’re looking at paying out $250, but it’s looking like it could be your replacement for your phone. One step closer to having a Pip-Boy 3000!
Available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter
[ The Neptine Pine is an all-in-one smartwatch copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 19
PopSockets, a start-up from Boulder, Colorado, has just announced that they have launched PopSockets for All, which happens to be extremely handy expanding buttons which are able to be attached to smartphones, tablets, and cases. Just what do PopSockets do? For starters, they would go and introduce a fair bit of color and fun to an otherwise mundane business device, and will also opt to attach itself to devices using a reusable adhesive pad. Once the PopSockets have been properly positioned, they will be able to expand and collapse for functionality without having to compromise on mobility.
Anything that is not only functional but fun to use is always a winner in our books, and PopSockets do seem to be heading in the right direction. Apart from being functional, they are also extremely addictive, and PopSockets LLC claim that after spending some time with a device that has PopSockets attached to it, any other device that you use after that would not feel the same any more, as though something is missing from the said device. If you are interested, PopSockets will be made available for $14.95 each.
The man behind PopSockets is David Barnett, a philosophy professor at the University of Colorado, where he noticed that the backsides of devices tend to end up unused most of the time, and he wanted to maximize the space there by giving it a purpose, style and added functionality. You will be able to position PopSockets in different modes, where among them include a Media Stand (landscape stand to let you surf the Web and watch videos), Theater Stand, Photo Grip, Phone Grip, and Cord Wrap, not to mention the Texting Stand. Apart from that, there are also plans in the pipeline to roll out a case for the iPhone 5 as well as the latest iPhone 5s that has integrated PopSockets.
Press Release
[ PopSockets for All launched, makes smartphones more handy to carry around copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 17
It seems like we find more and more accessories for our gadgets that make what were already simple tasks even easier. Taking photos of decent quality at a moment’s notice was made all too easy with the integration of cameras into mobile phones, but we want to set up shots, so we get something that will let us control the shutter from afar. There are a variety of ring tones and alert systems in place to let us know we have incoming messages, but smart watches still came into being (they’re more than an alert system, but still).
It’s not a bad thing to want to streamline these processes, but there’s no reason to buy tons of different items when you can get one product that has multiple functions. The KeyPal Pro is a remote control for your phone that will make using a smartphone even easier than it already is. It’s a key fob that you can control through various apps, and is small enough to be able to go anywhere you do. It has three buttons which look like they are meant to control music. From here you’ll be able to control your camera, music player, or even record audio.
Attaching these to your keys or wallet will also enable you to open an app and find these items should you lose them. More apps are in the works, but this is a pretty good starting place. There is a $60 price tag attached to this, but it seems like a decent enough buy.
Available for purchase on Fancy, found via redferret
[ The KeyPal Pro will be your all-in-one smartphone accessory copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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