Motorola DROID review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Google, Handhelds, Product Reviews, Videos

The Motorola DROID is a symbol of change, for a bunch of different reasons. The fact is, the DROID is a Motorola phone, exclusive to Verizon Wireless, and runs Android 2.0. There is major significance for each of those three bullet points, and that’s not even getting into the actual device. In many ways, the DROID is something new for all three companies involved, which is likely why the three worked to closely together on getting the device just right. So the question is, did they succeed? We’ve had the device for about a week now, and we’ve been playing with it non-stop for the most part. We know what you’re probably wondering—how does the DROID stand up to the iPhone? Is Android 2.0 actually better than what we’ve seen from the platform on other devices? Does the Verizon network really make a difference?

We’ve got all the answers for you in our Motorola DROID review, so sit back, and read on for our take.

Click to continue reading Motorola DROID review

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Video: Google Maps Navigation feature walkthrough

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Google, GPS, Handhelds, Software

One of the nicest features in Android 2.0 is Google Maps Navigation. In a nutshell, it’s Google Maps with turn-by-turn GPS navigation, and voice guidance. Google has put together a video that introduces Google Maps Navigation, which we’ve embedded above, but there are some of the features that stand out to us:

• Live traffic: Since Google Maps can show you traffic info, it’s obviously built-in to Google Maps Navigation, at no extra cost.
• Routes always current: When you search for directions, Google Maps Navigation searches the cloud, and gives you the best current route based on the most recent data
• Layers: You can overlay different types on data over your maps, like restaurants, gas stations, and more.
• Live street view: This is just awesome. You can use the Google Street View feature to get a fantastic visual of your surroundings while driving
• FREE!: Google Maps Navigation is free. That includes the GPS, the live traffic data, and the always updated maps. That is a big deal.

The first handset to ship with Android 2.0, and thusly Google Maps Navigation, will be the Motorola Droid.

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Motorola Droid: Available November 6th for $200, Verizon exclusive

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Handhelds

The wait for the Motorola Droid to go official is finally over, as Verizon has announced all the details on the drool-worthy handset, highlighted by the fact that the Droid launches exclusively on Verizon Wireless on November 6th (yes, just over a week from now,) and will sell for $200 after mail-in rebate with two-year contract.

We know what many of you are thinking - $200 will get you an iPhone 3GS, so this thing better bring the pain. Well, my friends, it certainly does. The Droid is a top-notch phone, boasting a 3.7-inch 480x854 display, Cortex A8 processor, Bluetooth, GPS, 5-megapixel camera (with dual-LED flash,) slide-out QWERTY keyboard with d-pad. 3G, Wi-Fi, over-the-air Amazon MP3 downloads, and voice-activated search are also present. Included in the box is a 16GB SD card, as well as a dock for the phone. That’s just the hardware. Equally important is the software running on the device, and the Droid is the first handset to feature Android 2.0. That’s a big deal, as no other phone on the horizon seems to be shipping with 2.0. This also means that Droid picks up the new Google Maps Navigation feature, which essentially turns the phone into a fully-functional GPS, using Google Maps, at no extra cost.

We’ll obviously be bringing you more details as we get them, but expect to hear a lot, a lot about this phone over the coming weeks.

Read More | Verizon Wireless

Gallery: Motorola Droid: Available November 6th for $200, Verizon exclusive

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Palm Pixi launches on Sprint on November 15 for $99

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Handhelds

Right on time, Palm and Sprint have finally made their plans for the Palm Pixi public. In case you didn’t know the Pixi is just the second device from Palm that runs their webOS operating system (the first being the Palm Pre.) On November 15th, you’ll be able to pick up a Pixi from Sprint stores, RadioShack, Best Buy, and Walmart for a cool $99.99 after $50 instant rebate, and $100 mail-in rebate. So, really, you’ll need $200 in the back if you want to cop one of these on day one. Yeah, we agree with what we know you’re thinking - what is Palm smoking that gives them the confidence that they can sell this phone for $100, when the much more powerful Pre can be had for $150? We’d love to find out, because we expected to see this one launch at $49-79, but hey, we aren’t Palm.

Anyone gonna pick this one up?

Read More | Palm Pixi

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Barnes & Noble Nook free overnight shipping with pre-order

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds

Looks like Barnes & Noble is just as enthusiastic about getting their Nook e-reader into your hands as you are. If you pre-order a Nook, you’ll even get upgraded to free Expedited Air Service shipping. That’s basically overnight, saving you about $24 or so. Seriously, this thing blow the Kindle out of the water, so what are you waiting for?

Read More | Nook Pre-order

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Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader: $260, color touchscreen, pre-order now

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds

Someone over on the Barnes & Noble web team seems to have jumped the gun, because the official Nook site was up for a few minutes, before quickly being pulled down. Luckily, we were able to get in, and even pre-order a unit, before things got pulled. The B&N Nook e-reader runs Android, and looks like it’ll give the Amazon Kindle a run for its money.

The device features a 6-inch screen, with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen beneath it. This gives you a quick method to browse your library, the store, and input text into the device. Definitely much easier than the Kindle’s hard keyboard. The device measures in at 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.5-inches, and weighs 11.2 ounces. You get 10 days of battery life if you turn off wireless, and the battery takes 3.5 hours to go from empty to full when plugged into a wall outlet. Speaking of wireless, the Nook actually sports both a 3G connection from AT&T, as well as built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g. Definitely an advantage over the Kindle, because even if you have poor cell reception, you can just connect to Wi-Fi to download a book. The Nook also includes 2GB of internal storage (enough to hold 1500 books,) a microSD slot for adding even more storage, MP3 playback, built-in speaker, headphone jack, and micro USB port for charging and syncing.

So, aside from the above, what sets this thing apart from the Kindle? For starters, you can lend books to friends for up to two weeks at a time, and they don’t even need a Nook of their own. They can access the Nook book content on an iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry, PC, or Mac. The lending of literature is one thing that went away with the Kindle, and we are happy to see it return with Nook. The Barnes & Noble store also has over a million titles available for download, with more than 500,000 of those being free ebooks. The Nook can also read PDFs, something the Kindle 2 can’t do.

The Barnes & Noble Nook is available now for pre-order.

Read More | Nook

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Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader set to launch tomorrow, color touchscreen, $259

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Rumors

Looks like Barnes & Noble is set to take the wraps off of their ebook reader tomorrow, and according to the Wall Street Journal, it’ll be the Barnes & Noble Nook that they’ll be unveiling. The Nook, pictured above (thanks Giz,) is unique because it has a standard e-ink display like the Kindle, but also sports a color touchscreen beneath the traditional display. Why? Well, try typing anything of length on an Amazon Kindle, and you’ll quickly realize that even that task could use some help. The Barnes & Noble Nook will sell for $259 (same price as the Kindle,) and will also allow users to lend e-books to friends. Obviously, we can’t wait to see it. We’ve got one more image for you after the jump.

Click to continue reading Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader set to launch tomorrow, color touchscreen, $259

Read More | WSJ

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BeBook Mini eReader now available for $199

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Handhelds

It would appear that the ebook reader competition is now heating up as Endless Ideas’ has just launched their BeBook Mini in the United States.  It has a price tag of $199, and a 5-inch display.  Unfortunately, there is no wireless connectivity, and so you’ll have to download via USB for content. However, it probably is one of the cheapest ereaders around. 

Read More | BeBook Mini

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JVC PICSIO jumps into HD pocket cam market at $200

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Handhelds, HDTV, Portable Audio / Video

JVC is throwing its hat into the US pocket HD camcorder rat race, officially bringing their PICSIO cam to the US, a few weeks after announcing the PICSIO’s Japan release details. JVC is advertising the PICSIO GC-FM1 as a 1080p cam, which is a lie, since it actually does 1440x1080 at 30fps. You also have a 720p mode that shoots at 60fps, which is where we think the sweet spot is on the PICSIO. The device can also capture still 8 megapixel images, a nice value-added feature, and all the content gets recorded onto an SD card that you’ll have to provide yourself. You can get the PICSIO in purple, black, or blue, and at $200, it’s definitely a competitor to the Kodak Zi8, despite the PICSIO’s lack of mic input port.

Looks like Amazon has the JVC PICSIO for $179, a $20 discount.

Read More | JVC PICSIO

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LG announces solar cell e-book

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Displays, Handhelds

Looks like e-readers are a hot item, as LG is the latest company to jump on the bandwagon.  Their devicee has a 10x10 centimeter solar cell that is designed to work in conjunction with the 6-inch TFT LCD.  This allows the reader to get a whole extra day of reading with just four to five hours worth of pure sunlight. 

Pricing and availability have not been announced as yet, but we’ll keep you updated.

Read More | LG Display

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