Helio Kickflip Reviewed

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Product Reviews,

So, Helio launched a few weeks ago, aiming to separate themselves from the normal United States cellular carriers by offering better service and phones that were previously unavailable Stateside. Our boys over at OhGizmo got their hands on one of the two phones that the services launched with, the Kickflip, and put it through the paces.

My gut feeling is that it’s just a little too soon to make a final decision on Helio. At this point, the rig needs a little polish. The phone is great and the service promises to be just as engaging, but it’s not there yet.

Click on for the full review.

Read More | OhGizmo

Gear Live Review: Sprint Samsung MM-A920 Review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Features, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews,

We just put a bunch of time into playing with the Samsing MM-A920, and are reporting back with our thoughts. This is Sprint’s dedicated multimedia phone, offering easy access and navigation of music, games, and video clips on the go. With external navigation, stereo speakers, BlueTooth, camera, and a host of other features, how does the phone stack up? Read on for our full review.

Click to continue reading Gear Live Review: Sprint Samsung MM-A920 Review

The Bleeding Edge 014: Stream DivX To Xbox 360, Verizon Song Identity, Windows Desktop Search

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Features, Home Entertainment, Internet, Microsoft, Mods / Hacks, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Video Games, Videocasts,

In this show we show off Verizon Song Identity, get an inside look at Windows Desktop Search, and stream DivX to the Xbox 360:

THE WIRE
PSP Firmware Upgrade
Net Neutrality Bill Voted Down

GIZMATIC
ZVUE 200a

UNWIRED
Verizon Song Identity Service

WEB GEMS
Interview with Brandon Paddock, Windows Desktop Search

HACK ATTACK
How To Stream DivX To Your Xbox 360

Here’s how to get the show:
Subscribe: iTunes iPod / H.264 | iTunes MPEG-4 | RSS iPod Feed | RSS MPEG-4 Feed

|Download| - iPod-formatted H.264 (Mirror)
|Download| - DivX (Mirror)
|Download| - MPEG-4 (Mirror)
|Download| - PSP (Mirror)

IMPORTANT: We are surveying the viewers of our show to see what it is that people like, and more importantly, what they don’t like. It is anonymous, and just takes a couple of minutes. If you have the time, we would appreciate it! As always, feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.

Samsung Q1 Reviewed

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews,

So, we are finally starting to get some feedback on the much-hyped Origami platform. As it turns out, Samsung Q1 UMPC reviews are starting to trickle in, and what we knew would be the case seems to be true. According to the Washington Post,  The Q1 is simply lacking in a few key areas, namely screen size and hard drive space. Even so, it wouldn’t be so bad if the Q1 weren’t set to retail for way more than Microsoft led us to believe that the UMPC platform would sell for. So, it appears that the verdict on this one is to wait a while. We either want to see a feature set increase, or a price decrease before we put down the dough for one of these.

Read More | Washington Post

Yahoo! Go Reviewed

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Product Reviews,

Just a short while ago we mentioned that Yahoo! had acquired Meedio.  Skip forward a week, and Yahoo! has released the beta of their version of Meedio.  It was mentioned that the partnership had been in the works for a while (~ 6 months), and this quick release certainly reinforces that.  The product, lamely entitled Yahoo! Go, is given the once-over at Eirikso and comes away a little worse for wear.

One of the biggest problems it seems, and a true departure from one of Meedio’s ideals, is that the software doesn’t currently work for anyone outside the US.  Of course, there are steps that can be taken to work around that annoyance, but it’s still worth noting.  Also, local content such as pictures, movies, and recorded shows are overshadowed on every menu by the online content being pimped by Yahoo!  Then there’s the problems with playing DRM-equipped WMA files, the TV module issues, and on and on.

Journalistic bludgeoning aside, the software is still in beta form, and is sure to grow and improve as time goes by . . . we hope.  Freely available for download at Yahoo, provided of course you live in the US.

Read More | Yahoo! via Eirikso

The Bleeding Edge 011: Etymotic, Fujitsu LifeBook, Wallet Light Hack

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Design, Features, HDTV, Internet, Mods / Hacks, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Videocasts,

This week, Jake Ludington joins the cast as we cover some PS3 rumors, improve upon the Walit, teach you how to segment your network, and more:

THE WIRE
Sony PS3 Rumors
Dolphin Stadium HDTV
Jake Crashes Party At CTIA

HACK ATTACK
Nate Improves The Walit

GIZMATIC
Etymotic 6isolator Earbud Review
Fujitsu LifeBook P15D Review

HIGH SCORE
How To: Segment Your Network For Optimal Xbox 360 Media Streaming

Here’s how to get the show:
Subscribe: iTunes iPod / H.264 | iTunes MPEG-4 | RSS iPod Feed | RSS MPEG-4 Feed

|Download| - iPod-formatted H.264 (Mirror)
|Download| - DivX
|Download| - MPEG-4 (Mirror)
|Download| - PSP

IMPORTANT: We are surveying the viewers of our show to see what it is that people like, and more importantly, what they don’t like. It is anonymous, and just takes a couple of minutes. If you have the time, we would appreciate it! As always, feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.

Wicked Laser Nexus Review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Misc. Tech, Product Reviews, Science,

Our boy, David Ponce, over at OhGizmo has just posted up a review of the Wicked Laser Nexus. This is the green laser that we featured in Episode 4 of The Bleeding Edge, and in our quick review of Wicked Laser products. These things are, um, Wicked in every sense. Check out the full review over at OhGizmo.

Read More | OhGizmo

The Bleeding Edge 010: iTrip Auto, Jobster Interview, Boot Camp

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Features, Internet, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Videocasts,

In this show we review the iTrip Auto, go over Boot Camp, detroy technology, and more:

THE WIRE
PowerMax DA4000 MR Mobile Repeater
Apple’s Boot Camp
Ultimate iPod Case

GIZMATIC
iTrip Auto Review
Walit Review

INTERVIEW
Phil Bogle, Jobster

BREAKIN’ STUFF
Audiovox 2-Way Radio
U.S. Robotics Fax Modem

Here’s how to get the show:
Subscribe: iTunes iPod / H.264 | iTunes MPEG-4 | RSS iPod Feed | RSS MPEG-4 Feed

|Download| - iPod-formatted H.264 (Mirror)
|Download| - DivX
|Download| - MPEG-4 (Mirror)
|Download| - PSP

IMPORTANT: We are surveying the viewers of our show to see what it is that people like, and more importantly, what they don’t like. It is anonymous, and just takes a couple of minutes. If you have the time, we would appreciate it! As always, feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.

Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD Player Reviewed

Posted by John Goulden Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Product Reviews,

If you’re an early adopter, the general consensus of DVD Town’s review of the Toshiba HD-A1 won’t matter a whit to you, but if you’re considering buying one or merely curious as to the next generation of the venerable DVD, the review is worth a read.  Suffice it to say, the picture quality of the unit was excellent, but there were some downsides (which is to be expected in a first-run product).  For one thing, it’s terribly slow to load and launch a movie (~30 seconds) as the HD-A1 bears more in common with a computer than a DVD player.  Also, the ventilation fan on the unit is quite audible, which for some could be very distracting.  Finally, the remote leaves room for improvement, but that’s typical of almost all electronic devices these days.

Keep in mind that if you’re a Netflix user, they’ve started stocking HD-DVDs and you can set your account to automatically ship movies in the new format if they’re available.

Read More | DVD Town

Slim Devices Squeezebox v3 Review

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,

If you’re not looking for a full blown media center type system and just crave streaming audio, then a Squeezebox by Slim Devices may be in your future.  We’ve seen the Squeezebox come a long way from its humble beginnings (the SliMP3), and it is one of the first streaming hardware players that really seemed to “take off”.  The Squeezebox owes its popularity not only to design asthetics, product quality and support services, but to its user community as well.  Ever mindful of sonic quality, the crew over at Audioholics has taken a short, but thorough look at the popular audio device and given it high marks.

As one of the latest moves to increase the popularity and draw of the Squeezebox, is the partnering of Slim Devices with Pandora.  If you’re not familiar with Pandora, it’s an online service that creates streaming mixes of music based on song and artist input you provide.  These mixes, dubbed “radio stations”, deliver not only music you may already be familiar with, but music from artists you may never have heard of.

The Squeezebox v3 is available from Slim Devices for $249 (wired) and $299 USD (wireless) and currently includes a 90-day trial of Pandora’s service for streaming hardware.

Read More | Slim Devices via Audioholics