Hasta La Gadget!

Worried that the Samsung Transform would be a slatephone? Don’t be — it’s more of a miniature Epic 4G. The Android 2.1 device’s got a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, 800MHz processor and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, plus front- and rear-facing cameras for video chat — though they’re pretty low resolution and there’s no 4G to pump their streaming video data. We just got hands-on with the phone, and came away mildly impressed — though it’s a little sluggish compared to the Epic, it’s got much the same build quality, and the exact same hinge and buzzy vibrator if you want to get specific. There aren’t a lot of fancy functions on the keyboard, but it’s arguably got an even better layout that caters to landscape touch-typists like us — the keys are plasticy little numbers like those on the Samsung Intercept, but they’ve got a nice click and this time, a logical arrangement. The screen’s bright and clear enough, but unless our eyes deceive us it’s no AMOLED. Expect it to drop on October 10th for $150 after a $100 mail-in rebate, and be sure to watch a Sprint rep show off the phone’s Sprint ID functions after the break.

Update: Video hands-on after the break!

Continue reading Samsung Transform, first hands-on!

Samsung Transform, first hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We just got some serious hands-on time with the Logitech Revue Google TV box, and it’s all pretty slick, hardware-wise. The Keyboard and Mini Controller are just as well-done as you’d expect from Logitech, and the video calling features worked pretty seamlessly. We also managed to confirm that the Dish Network DVR integration is exclusive to Logitech — it won’t work on Sony Google TV devices, which is totally strange. We’re headed back for video and we’ll have some more in-depth impressions in a bit, but check out the pretty pictures in the galleries below for now.

Update: Dish and Google have both chimed in to clarify the “exclusive” deal. While Dish will exclusively sell Logitech’s Google TV hardware, any other devices, including the ones from Sony, will pair with its DVRs in exactly the same way. Fragmentation (apparently) avoided — for now.

Update 2: Okay, we’ve added some impressions just after the break. We’re still trying to figure out exactly what’s going on with the whole Dish integration thing, since we can’t seem to get a straight answer, but we’ll keep digging and let you know.

Continue reading Logitech Revue and accessories hands-on! (Update: video of video calling!)

Logitech Revue and accessories hands-on! (Update: video of video calling!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech’s big Google TV reveal is still ongoing, but the product page is live and allowing for preorders of the $299 package ($179 if you’re on Dish Network) set to ship by the end of this month. For all of that dough you’ll get the Revue with Google TV box, keyboard with integrated touch and directional pad, an HDMI cable, one IR blaster and a couple of AA batteries just for good measure. Also up for your browsing pleasure are a few screens of the free Logitech Harmony App for iPhone and Android. Other accessories have been announced and are available for preorder as well, a $149 webcam, and the Revue-specific version of the diNovo Mini controller for $129.99 the larger keyboard is available if you need a spare or buy a different brand of Google TV appliance for $99. The Logitech TV Cam, with Carl Zeiss autofocus lens and dual microphones, ties into a Logitech Vid HD app that communicates with other similarly equipped units plus PCs or Macs running the desktop version of the software. Beyond just the mobile apps, Logitech also showed off its own Media Player app that pulls in video from connected hard drives or DLNA sources. Check the gallery for a few pictures of the hardware and after the break for a couple quick video breaking down all the features of the Revue, and demonstrating video calling. A press release full of details is now also available after the break.

Continue reading Logitech Revue with Google TV details: $299; free iOS, Android apps, accessories are extra

Logitech Revue with Google TV details: $299; free iOS, Android apps, accessories are extra originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Above, The Motorola Defy.]

T-Mobile today announced that it will be rolling out its Wi-Fi calling solution to a selection of Android handsets, including the newly announced myTouch and Motorola Defy.

First introduced in June of 2007, the feature gives users an enhanced signal and lets them avoid using domestic and long-distance minutes by making calls via Wi-Fi signals. The feature is currently available on a number of T-Mobile phones, including the Nokia E75 Mode, BlackBerry Bold 9700, and BlackBerry Curve 3G.

Once introduced, the feature will be useable straight out of the box, allowing customers to make calls and send texts via 802.11 b/g/n. According to T-Mobile, “Wi-Fi Calling for Android is anticipated to be available on a growing selection of T-Mobile’s Android-powered smartphones in the coming months.”

The T-Mobile myTouch and the Motorola Defy are both due out before the holidays.

Sharp’s NTT DoCoMo-living / Android-loving Lynx SH-10B isn’t brand new by any stretch — it hit local markets in late July, and earlier this year was released on KDDI as the ISO1 — but this week’s CEATEC would be the first time we’ve had a chance to play around with, and given the dearth of comparable US form factors, we couldn’t resist. The 5-inch 960 x 480 resolution MID / smartphone sports a pretty snappy and easy-to-use keyboard and a responsive touchscreen. Unless you’ve already prepared for the likes of Dell’s Streak, the Lynx isn’t exactly pocketable, and by our estimates, it’s about twice the thickness o the iPhone 4 when closed up. The customized UI (running over what we presume is Android 1.6) is pretty unique in design, although functionally there was some minor lag in change panels and opening panes. You know the drill: pics below. Enjoy!

Sharp Lynx SH-10B is a MIDdling Android smartphone we could get behind (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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