Hasta La Gadget!

It’s not uncommon for our batteries to need the occasional boost while we’re running around a trade show, but spending more than a couple minutes tethered to a power outlet can be seriously detrimental to our productivity. And we’re definitely not alone. NTT Docomo, one of Japan’s largest carriers, has developed a prototype battery that’s capable of achieving a complete charge in just ten minutes. NTT reps weren’t willing to get into much detail about the new technology, which currently employs an external lithium-ion battery sleeve and is only designed to support NEC’s super-slim Medias Android (Japan only) smartphone. They did let us take a look at the battery sleeve’s AC adapter, which supports output of up to 6.0 amps, but otherwise appeared to be fairly generic.

A pair of amp meters compared the power draw of a standard battery with that of the ultra high speed charger, which pulled 0.55 amps and 5.86 amps, respectively — at least according to the demo equipment on hand at NTT’s CEATEC booth. The model we saw definitely looked very much like an early prototype at this point, and the carrier didn’t seem to have any idea of when it may begin to be implemented in handsets and other devices, only committing to a release “as soon as possible.” Still, we’re pretty excited about the potential here (imagine being able to charge your phone completely with only a quick stop at an airport kiosk), and wouldn’t hesitate to pick a battery up — assuming of course that the final version is a bit more refined. Click on through the gallery shots below, or jump past the break for our hands-on video to get a closer look.

Continue reading NTT Docomo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video)

NTT Docomo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember all that iPhone tracking hubbub back in April? Sure you do — you probably also recall Apple’s denial, the subsequent Senate hearing, and the rest of the fiasco’s dramatic fallout. Amid the ballyhoo, Microsoft stepped out to admit that its Windows Phone also collected location data, but quickly promised to knock it off following the next scheduled update. According to ChevronWP7 collaborator Rafael Rivera, Windows Phone 7.5 cinches it: Mango “no longer sends location data prior to being granted permission to do so.” Redmond previously told the US House of Representatives that it only collected location data if a user expressly allowed an application to send it along — a claim which Rivera debunked last week, noting that simply launching the camera application captured and transmitted “pin-point accurate positioning information.” The big M maintains that the collected location data was anonymous, and that it shouldn’t have been sent at all unless the user allowed it. Either way, Microsoft’s chapter in the big location tracking blunder of 2011 seems to be at a close, squaring the firm with Congress, its developers, and hopefully its customers.

Mango kills Microsoft’s always-on location tracking, makes good on letter to House of Representatives originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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October 2nd. Boy, the date sure creeped up on us, but it’s here regardless — the Samsung Galaxy S II has finally debuted on AT&T. Many of you who’ve been waiting several months for a subsidized GSM model in the US may find it hard to believe that you’re able to head on over to the carrier’s site and purchase one for a couple C-notes. Rest assured, we’ve checked it out ourselves and it’s really, really there, waiting for you to click that “add to cart” button. So if the style and carrier fit your fancy, friends, carpe diem.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung Galaxy S II now available on AT&T for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like the iPhone speculation train is gaining steam on the way to its final destination, and this time it’s flying by Cincinnati Bell’s pre-paid service, i-Wireless. A helpful tipster sent in the above screenshot of an iPhone 5 placeholder, accompanied by a $639.99 price tag and a handful of specs: 32GB, 4-inch screen and 4G data speeds. Our friends over at TUAW have also procured a screenshot (after the break) from the same site, displaying a $99.99 16GB iPhone 4S, sporting a 5MP camera, 3.5-inch screen and an A5 processor. Of course, there’s also a chance these are just placeholders, but we’re hoping Tuesday’s announcement will bear dual fruits, nonetheless.

[Thanks, Cory]

Continue reading iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow

iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Samsung releases 1.5GHz Exynos processor and 16MP CMOS for mobiles, if you’re nice

Samsung releases 1.5GHz Exynos processor and 16MP CMOS for mobiles, if you’re nice originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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