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RIM Blackberry Pearl 8220
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,
RIM has announced the flip version of its BlackBerry Pearl. At a size of 3.98 x 1.97 x .69-inches and a weight of 3.6 oz., the 8220 smartphone features video and music player, a 2 megapixel cam with flash, WiFi, video streaming, and Web browser. The handheld also has an abridged keyboard with SureType technology and Spellcheck. Look for it sometime this fall, with T-Mobile as the U.S. carrier.
By the way, Co-CEO of RIM, Jim Balsillie, said that 70% of mobile phone users in the U.S. use a flip phone. That seems reason enough for us.
Read More 
| RIM
Gallery: RIM Blackberry Pearl 8220
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iPhone 2.1 firmware released
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Apple has finally unleashed the iPhone 2.1 firmware to the masses as of an hour or so ago. If you’ve been running iPhone 2.0 since July, then you’ve probably been waiting desperately for this firmware release, which is supposed to clear up a ton of bugs and other annoyances about the app-centric iPhone OS. Here’s a list of the changes and improvements:
- Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls
- Significantly better battery life for most users
- Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
- Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
- Faster installation of 3rd party applications
- Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications
- Improved performance in text messaging
- Faster loading and searching of contacts
- Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display
- Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages
- Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts
- Genius playlist creation
So, there’s a lot of stuff there. Of course, most are concerned primarily with the big fixes. Here’s hoping that iPhone 2.1 is the solid OS that the 2.0 release should have been. You can get the update by connecting your iPhone to your computer, firing up iTunes 8 (it’s required), and hitting “Check for Update.” Good luck!
Read More | iPhone 2.1 details
Gallery: iPhone 2.1 firmware released
Pangea puts their iPhone Apps on sale
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals, Software, Video Games,
Well, here’s something we could get used to. Pangea, maker of popular App Store titles like Cro-Mag Rally and Enigmo, have put their entire line of apps on sale. This is obviously just going to be for a limited time only, but we can’t seem to find the end date of the promotion anywhere. In the meantime, just know that for now, the prices on Pangea App Store software is as follows:
- Enigmo: $4.99, down from $9.99
- Cro-Mag Ralley: $1.99, down from $5.99
- Billy Frontier: $3.99, down from $5.99
- Beer Bounce: $1.99, down from $2.99
- Pangea VR Pro: $14.99, down from $19.99
A couple of these are fantastic for the money (we’re looking at you, Enigmo and Cro-Mag). Head on over to the App Store to start shopping. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of App Store sales.
Read More | App Store
Gallery: Pangea puts their iPhone Apps on sale
Inventec Velocity 103 Smartphone
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Wireless / WiFi,
Inventec has announced that it will soon be shipping the Velocity 103, its new smartphone. Available in black, it features a 2.8-inch, 640 x 480 resolution touch screen with an Odyssey Interface. It also has 128 MB RAM, 256MB internal memory, a 2.0 megapixel cam, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 capability, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, microSD card slot, and TV out. You can pre-order the 103 at expansys for $499.99.
Read More | Velocity Mobile
Gallery: Inventec Velocity 103 Smartphone
Dasur ThumbKey - QWERTY for Handhelds
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Peripherals, Videos,
Dasur’s ThumbKey claims to be the answer to your QWERTY keyboard frustration with your handheld. It identifies intended keys through size and position of fingers rather than being spot on. Algorithms process the typed letters. All this sounds like a good thing because the letters look tiny in the video (where it is referred to as ThumbIt.) It has word recognition by using only the first few letters and supports all versions of Microsoft Windows Mobile. The ThumbKey will set you back $25.00 or you can download a demo for fifteen days free to test it out.
Read More | Dasur
Gallery: Dasur ThumbKey - QWERTY for Handhelds
For those with iPhone battery paranoia, the iPower Portable Power Station with speaker can be used with both iPhones 2G and 3G. It has a capacity of 2400mAh, a charging and discharging time of 3 hours, and an input voltage of 4.8 ~ 5.5V with a 500 to 1000mA current. Its current output is 100 to 1000mA with 5.0 to 5.5V. At a weight of 93g and available in black or white, it carries a price of $44.00.
Read More | Brando
Gallery: iPower Portable Power System
iPhone 3G Car Kit
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: GPS, Handhelds, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Transportation,
It may look rather ugly, but this is one capable device. The iPhone 3G Car Kit not only charges and cradles, it has an FM transmitter with a digital display and an operating range of up to 4 meters. It will charge your iPhone, iPod, PDA, and GPS devices simultaneously with the flexible goose neck design. Attach with a clamp to keep your electronics in place. Made of black silicon gel, removable stoppers protect it from damage if dropped. The kit comes with a $49.99 price.
Read More | vavolo
Gallery: iPhone 3G Car Kit
iPhone Pwnage Tool 2.0.3 now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks, Software,
For those of you out there who can’t live without a jailbroken iPhone, we venture to guess that you’ll be happy to hear that PwnageTool 2.0.3 is now available, thanks to the continuing hard work of the iPhone Dev Team. This new version features a few new features:
- Updated Installer.app to beta 6
- Support for iPhone and iPod touch firmware 2.0.2 5C1
- Adds .de localization for those who read German
If you are already running an older version, you can update right from within PwnageTool, otherwise hit the link below to download the latest version.
Read More | PwnageTool 2.0.3
Gallery: iPhone Pwnage Tool 2.0.3 now available
Actors Stand in for Polish iPhone Purchasers
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
While many camped out in the U.S. for a chance to be one of the first grab the sacred iPhone, there might have been a slight hesitancy on the part of Poland to do likewise. So, according to their largest mobile carrier Orange, actors were paid to stand in line.
“We have these fake queues at front of 20 stores around the country to drum up interest in the iPhone,” a spokesperson said. Their thinking is that buyers there may not have sufficient funding to splurge on the expensive device. There were none paid to hang at the T-Mobile Era stores, however.
Read More | ABC News
Gallery: Actors Stand in for Polish iPhone Purchasers
Aiaiai’s new Y-Com is not only less metallic and ugly than most earbuds, it is compatible with iPhones. With a choice of 3 different color combinations, it one ups its non-iPhone design with thicker cords for less tangling, and has an inline mic button to control incoming and outgoing calls. Three sets of buds come with the headphones, and the Danish company claims great sound-isolation and full spectrum sound from C4 Studios. Available from Aiaiai for a price of €55 (~$110.00.)
Read More | Cool Hunting
Gallery: Aiaiai Y-Com Earbuds
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