AT&T Debuts the Tilt

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, GPS, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,

AT&T has announced that their new Tilt is to be released today. Designed by HTC, it features a 2.8-inch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, TeleNav GPS, is Bluetooth capable, and has a 3-megapixel cam with auto-focus. It will hold up to 32GB of micro SD storage and includes BlackBerry Connect v4.0 software for e-mail, contacts, and memo pad, and Windows Mobile for Internet connection at a data speed of 3G. At an temporoary introductory price of $299.99 with a two year commitment, you can twist with the Tilt to your heart’s content. Check with AT&T if you want to get in on the action ASAP. We will keep an eye out to see how its sales will affect its fellow smartphones.

Read More | Slashphone

The definitive iTunes WiFi Music Store review

Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Software, Wireless / WiFi,

After a couple of frustrating days fighting with a flaw in password entry fields in the newly released iPhone software version 1.1.1, Gear Live has finally gotten the chance to probe the inner depths of the iTunes WiFi Music Store. The new WiFi Music Store brings mobile media impulse buys to the millions of iPhone users all packaged up in the typical Apple fashion: sexy, easy to use, and slick as glass. While my experiences with the WiFi Music Store were not 100% positive it’s definitely off to a stunning start and has great potential. Click through the jump to continue reading the review to learn more about the plusses and minuses of our adventuresome journey through Apple‘s mobile media e-commerce wonder.

Click to continue reading The definitive iTunes WiFi Music Store review

Palm Centro Released

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

Practically lost in the Apple shuffle (no pun intended) is the new Palm Centro smartphone. With a 320 x 320 pixel touchscreen, the OS 5.4.9 supports 16-bit color in up to 65K shades and has a memory of 64MB. It features a QWERTY keyboard, IM, a dual-band CDMA2000 EvDO tuner, a 1.3 megapixel cam with 2x digital zoom, and a lithium-ion battery that allows 3.5 hours of talk and up to 300 of standby time. Available in onyx or ruby, it is Bluetooth capable and can handle micro SD cards for expansion. The Centro has plenty of other enticing features and can be yours with a subscription to Sprint service for $99.00.

(Thanks, Stace)

Read More | Palm

Wii Shortage Imminent - Coincidence? We Think Not

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Video Games, Wireless / WiFi,

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime says that demand of the Nintendo Wii will again be greater than the supply this year. Since its launch, the Wii has topped the game system charts. During August, it sold over 400,000 pieces to the Xbox’s 276,000 and PS3’s 130,000. Fils-Aime says that they are doing all they can to meet the demand and that “the issue is not a lack of production.”

Sorry, but we beg to differ. We know that half of the fun of electronics life is waiting in line for an iPhone, bargaining on eBay, and in general picking up that special item early, because you know that there will never be enough of the those things that we covet the most. It’s time that those who are in control and earnestly chart sales realized we are not as naive as they would like to believe.

Read More | Daily Tech

The Starbucks iTunes WiFi music store reviewed

Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Internet, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Software, Wireless / WiFi,

As promised Apple and Starbucks started their rollout of the Starbucks WiFi Music Store in select cities. Gear Live is lucky enough to be in Seattle, the first city to get the special version of the iTunes Music Store in our Starbucks. The service allows laptops, iPhones, and the iPod Touch users to connect for free to the iTunes store while sipping lattes without having to pay for for a T-Mobile Hotspot account. Click through for our full impressions on Apple’s new partnership with the coffee mega-store Starbucks.

Click to continue reading The Starbucks iTunes WiFi music store reviewed

iPhone password entry in software version 1.1.1: seriously flawed

Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Product Reviews, Software, Wireless / WiFi,

In a previous post, Gear Live discovered that the new iTunes WiFi Music Store has a few bugs here and there. The bug I encountered prevents some users from authenticating easily to purchase tracks. With a little sleuth work I managed to track down the problem: the password fields in the new iPhone software version 1.1.1 don’t work well with capitol letters in passwords. Click through for a full run down of the problem, and how to fix it if it affects you.

Click to continue reading iPhone password entry in software version 1.1.1: seriously flawed

Automower Cuts, Fertilizes, and Never Complains

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,

Cashing in on the Roomba idea is the Husqvarna Automower. The eco-friendly lawnmower from Sweden runs on batteries and is waterproof with its hidden wires safely tucked inside. With a noise level of about 63 dB, it’s quieter than most of the neighbors’ mowers that are generally around 90 to 100 dB. The Husqvana can travel up 35º inclines, turn your grass into mulch since it cuts minuscule pieces, and runs with PIN code activation on a preset timer. The company promises that it will not mow down your family pet and claims that several owners have already named theirs. That is probably because they weren’t sure how to pronounce Husqvarna.

Read More | Husqvarna

Biometric Watch Tracks Your Health

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Wireless / WiFi,

Hitachi has developed a Biometric Wristwatch. While working 24 hours a day for 10 consecutive days, it will analyze your pulse, your sleeping habits, and your exercise routine. Based on a prototype they developed two years ago, the watch now has a lighter weight of 40 grams and is half the size at 43 x 35 x 15 mm. You only need to connect to your PC (wirelessly) to read the data. We think that we are already nervous about a device that tells us that we eat too much and exercise too little. Expect it to hit the market in 2008.

Read More | Industry Watch

Thrustmaster Offers Wii Controller Alternative

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Video Games, Wireless / WiFi,

Thrustmaster has released its alternative to the Wii Classic controller, the T-Wireless NW. The gamepad interacts through a 2.4GHz dongle attached to the Wii’s controller port. It features a range of about 30 ft. and the Wii’s buttons with slow and turbo added on for an extra treat. The controller can also support vibration feedback. Along with the device, Thrustmaster is offering optional accessories such as a rubber-gripped steering wheel bracket, a set of skins, and a battery recharger organizer. At a decent price of $19.99, look for the NW to hit retail stores this October.

Read More | ign

Microsoft Unveils Rechargeable Mouse

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi,

Microsoft has introduced what it claims to be the first rechargeable notebook mouse. With a full GB of flash memory, users can work without wires, recharge, and save files at the same time. The Notebook Mouse 8000 will work via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and has 5 customizable buttons that can be used as an integrated slide presenter, laser pointer, a media remote, and other applications. The rechargeable AAA battery (included) is good for about three weeks on a full charge. Expect to see this one with a MSRP of $71.95 to $99.95, depending on the retail outlet.

Read More | Microsoft