Posted 10/24/08 at 12:29:54 PM by Paul Lilly

AT&T this week launched the Samsung Epix, the first smartphone with a built-in optical mouse, which sits above a QWERTY keyboard. The integrated rodent gets paired with a 320x320 touchscreen measuring 2.5 inches on the i907 Epix, giving users an epic amount of control over navigation. Other specifications include:

• GPS navigation
• 3.6Mbps HSDPA connectivity
• 2 megapixel camera
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Video Share support

No surprises on the software front, as at the heart of it all sits Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. Storage duties are handled by a microSD slot with support for up to 32GB. Samsung claims up to 7 hours of talk time on the 4.4-ounce device, and up to 14 days in standby time.

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Software, samsung, Smartphone, windows mobile, Cellular, consumer electronics, cellphone

Posted 10/17/08 at 10:15:54 AM by Paul Lilly

If you develop a red or itchy rash on the side of your face that affects your cheek or ear, you may suffer from a skin allergy being called "mobile phone dermatitis," according to the British Association of Dermatologists. Unlike the brain cancer debate that typically occupies cellphone studies, the allergic reaction is based on extended physical contact with nickel surfaces.

"It is worth doctors bearing this condition in mind if they see a patient with a rash on the cheek or ear that cannot otherwise be explained," the study said.

While cellphones often come under scrutiny for various safety issues, doctors may finally have a warning worth heeding. According to the May Clinic, nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis and can be found not only on mobile phones, but things like jewelry and belt buckles. Frequent texters are not immune either, as the study points out that, in theory, a rash could develop on the fingers if too much time is spent on mashing metal buttons.

Anyone suffer from this?

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mobile, health, consumer electronics, cellphone, face rash

Posted 09/23/08 at 03:22:48 PM by Tom Edwards

For more than a year, Apple’s iPhone has garnered the lion’s share of press and remained a must-have device for gadget junkies. In an industry in which $300 products quickly become free incentives for signing a contract, the iPhone has managed to remain relevant. This is due in part to Apple’s marketing savvy, which made many people—consumers and journalists alike—look past the device’s shortcomings, but also because the iPhone’s innovative interface and full web browser provided consumers with something truly new.

Now, handset-maker HTC, T-Mobile, and Google hope to get some of the attention the iPhone has received by releasing the G1, the first mobile phone to use Google’s mobile OS, Android.

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Posted 09/18/08 at 07:18:26 PM by Paul Lilly

And so it has begun, or at least it soon will. We're referring to the inevitable battle between Google's Android platform and the Apple iPhone, the latter of which is arguably the hottest cellular gadget currently available.

Nothing is official yet, but according to the Wall Street Journal, the HTC Dream will be the first Google Android smartphone out of the gates. If the report holds true, you'll be able to own one for $199 with a 2-year service agreement tied to T-Mobile. This would put the smartphone on the same pricing tier as Apple's iPhone, leaving the Android platform little wiggle room to falter.

Based on earlier reports, the HTC Dream will sport a 3-inch screen, integrated Wi-Fi, 3G compatibility, and GPS functionality. But potentially putting the Dream at a disadvantage next to the iPhone are several reported missing features, such as no motion sensor chip that can switch the screen layout between portrait and landscape mode, no multi-touch capability, and lack of Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

Despite what's missing, HTC seems to think it can sell between 600,000 to 700,000 devices by the end of the year, which would give it momentum moving into 2009.

Is HTC overly confident in Google's brand recognition, or is Apple's one-man show in the high end touchscreen cellular market about to become a two-man tango?

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Posted 07/29/08 at 09:25:05 AM by Chris Moody

CNet says that Dell has dropped some hints that it is working on a Smartphone for those of us that are addicted to gadgets. They found an article in which Michael Dell drops some hints in his interview with Om Malik of GigaOm.

Dell said, "We are certainly looking at the whole smartphone category, but I wouldn't expect anything anytime soon." When Malik pressed him about their interest in either the Symbian or Android OS for such a device, he spilled a few more beans and said, "We're not ready to publicly disclose our plans there...we're kind of working on that".

I’ll take Michael Dell at his word. They have nothing coming soon. While Cnet may be holding their breath, with so many really great smartphones out right now I won’t be holding mine. How about you?

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Posted 07/17/08 at 08:27:13 PM by Pulkit Chandna

Last month, Opera Software had announced that the long awaited and much delayed Opera Mobile 9.5 was undergoing alpha testing and the beta version would become available for download on July 15th, 2008. And, miraculously enough, Opera didn’t disappoint this time around and stuck to its promise.

Just to let you know, this release doesn’t offer support for non-touchscreen Windows Mobile phones. You can download the new browser for free and catch a glimpse of the various enhancements. I believe that this news might not excite those who own an Opera 9.5-bearing HTC Diamond or have downloaded a ripped version of the browser.

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download, free, windows mobile, beta, opera mobile 9.5, htc diamond, cellphone