iPhone To Be Activated From Home Via iTunes

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Portable Audio / Video, Videos,

Steve Jobs just made public another first in the cell phone industry. This time, it is the fact that iPhone purchasers will actually self-activate their phones from home. Typically, when buying a cell phone from any carrier, you have to wait while they perform the unboxing for you and set everything up. This normally takes at least 20 minutes or so, and was the main worry of those looking to purchase an iPhone at launch. Now we know that all you need to do is have your cash, check, or credit card ready so that you can complete the purchase and go on your way. Once home, when you hook it up to your Mac or PC, iTunes pops up, and you give it all the required information necessary for activation - that being SSN, credit card number, personal details, etc. You must be running Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later (sorry Panther users!); Windows XP Home or Pro with Service Pack 2 or later; or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Edition.

For all the details, head on over to the link below, where Apple shows off iPhone activation in a sleek video.

Read More | iPhone Activation Video

Western Unionize Your Cell Phone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Misc. Tech,

Verizon Wireless will soon be allowing their customers to send each other money. Obopay will work eventually by waving a cell phone at a retail checkout stand or ATM, but for now will require a pre-paid Mastercard. Paypal began this type of service last year, which mobile companies apparently now want to take advantage of to encourage users to do more with their phones than just communicate. The service will become available in the next few weeks.

Read More | USA Today

Levi’s Hip New Cell Phone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, Design, Portable Audio / Video,

We love our Levi’s, so much so that we remember when they were referred to as (and carried the tag of) “levi’s.”  This phone has to have been made with us in mind. The Paris based ModeLabs Group’s stainless steel phone will feature a standard TFT screen, MP3 player, 2 mp camera, and will come in black, silver, and brown copper, like the rivet, with a detachable chain. ModeLabs will also be offering a “shiny” silver and sand model for, as they put it, “the fashion forward.” Available in Europe this September, you can catch a peek at the hand-assembled patch on the back of The Levi’s Phone on their demo.

Read More | ModeLabs

Rumor Mill: A Less Expensive iPhone on the Way?

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors,

So we’re already obsessed with the iPhone (which comes out next Friday, June 29 @ 6pm), despite the fact we can’t afford one…yet. Se we love this rumor that Apple is—according to “market sources”—prepping a lower cost, 2nd generation iPhone for future release. No word on what features will or won’t be included (but we really hope the YouTube app remains). It all makes complete sense to us, as the $500-$600 USD price tag for the iPhone is undoubtedly overpriced for many, and we’re sure Apple would like the iPhone to enjoy world domination-status like the iPod. So don’t be surprised if you start seeing 2nd and 3rd gen iPhones (and lower-priced 1st gens) in the years to come. Please note that the photo above is purely a mockup.

Read More | The Raw Feed via Engadget Mobile

New iPhone Commercial: YouTube

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Portable Audio / Video, Videos,

Apple has revealed that YouTube is the twelfth application on the iPhone. We have all wondered out loud about the lack of balance shown on the iPhone’s Home screen, what with two rows of four icons, and a third row with only three. Then one of the iPhone commercials gave a peek that there would be twelve, but we just couldn’t see what it was. Now we know. In conjunction with releasing YouTube on Apple TV, the company made it know that a customized YouTube viewer application would ship on the iPhone as well. We must say, we were underwhelmed at first, since the iPhone has Safari and should thusly be able to view YouTube anyway - but when we saw the video of YouTube in action on the device, it looked very slick. Just one more thing to look forward to come June 29.

Read More | Apple iPhone Ads via YouTube

Energize your Handheld With Sun Power

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Cameras, Smartphones, Handhelds, Misc. Tech,

Golden Bridge Eletech has recently unveiled two solar energy products that can power up handhelds such as digital cameras, cell phones, or MP3 Players. Unveiled at Computex 2007, the Regulus and Zubene banks have two parts, a control and solar module. Run by a lithium-polymer battery, it outputs through built-in USB with three LEDs to show the charging status. The solar module is waterproof and features a “triple-junction amorphous” silicon solar cell to absorb differing light wavelengths efficiently. It is also flexible, so that you can carry it backpack-style. The two models only will both become available in September for $129.99 at funGaia.

Read More | Daily Tech

AT&T to Offer Video Share

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, Internet, Portable Audio / Video,

Although videocalling is already available in Europe and Asia, it has only now reached the U.S. by way of AT&T and its Video Share Service. Send streaming clips of your new baby to Grandma, get help when shopping for gifts, or show off where you are when your spouse/partner has to stay home.
The service will take effect late next month in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Atlanta, and will become available in 160 cities by the end of the summer. Unfortunately, both phones must be equipped with the service, you will have to switch from listening to viewing, and the quality is only equal to that of your cell cam. It’s rather pricey too, with $4.99 a month for 25 minutes, $9.99 for 60 minutes, or $.35/minute. We are thinking that groupies of Bon Jovi can now watch a concert without being there if they can afford the premium and envision clever geeks showing up with the resulting footage on YouTube.

Read More | AT&T via Electronista

GIONNE Phone Resembles Early Nintendo

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,

What better way to play a portable game than with something that resembles the early Nintendo game machine? Made in China and released in Taiwan, the GIONEE S20 in red and white is also a slider phone with a numeric keypad. The black V9 features a larger 2.2-inch touchscreen. Both also have a 4-way directional pad, A and B buttons, a 2MP camera, 128 Mb of memory, a micro SD card slot, and can play most multimedia files. There is also a cable to connect to your TV, so watch out, Zelda. We are ready to rescue you via HDTV.

Read More | Sogi (Japanese) via Slash Phone

Sixty Second Ringtones Are Complete Songs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Hot Deals, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Start Mobile is responding to our desire for musical ringtones that can cost as much as or more than a full song price. M60s are minute long tracks that are downloadable to cell phones and/or mobile devices. The service also encourages independent musicians, bands, producers, and DJs to contribute with their own noble efforts, the only stipulation being that they must meet the 1 minute time requirement. To make the service user friendlier, Start Mobile has offered hundreds of the M60s free of charge for the next 60 days. Check out their site and try a few previews to see how much variety and talent can be had for the asking. Our props to the little dot-com that could.

Read More | Start Mobile

Sony Ericsson Unveils Latest Walkman Phone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Sony Ericsson’s W910 Walkman Phone is an interesting combination of functionality. The cell phone offers HSDPA support, high speed Internet access, Media Manager for videos, images, and music with playlist, which you can literally shuffle by shaking the phone. It also features PlayNow 4.0 to access music from Sony BMG. Of course you also get that Walkman quality audio. The W910 will be available in Q4 2007 in your choice of Hearty Red or Noble Black, with an optional 1GB memory stick.

Read More | Sony Ericsson via Mobile Whack