“Just to show that the big names don’t have it all their own way, the Swedish-designed O2 Cocoon impressed us with looks and features. We like the cheap and stylish Sagem my150X and the Motorola FONE proved to be both clever and cost effective. The Nokia 7500’s mad design may not appeal to all, but you have to admit that it looks like nothing else.. apart from the Nokia 7900. Another mad looking phone is the Samsung Serenata, a handset that looks like it has dropped out of the future via a wormhole. Two Korean 5 megapixel camera phones fighting it out are the LG Viewty and the Samsung G800 - both seem to be excellent devices that will scare the competition. Another Nokia, the Nokia E90 brought the Communicator series bang up-to-date, but it didn’t really capture the public imagination.”

Read the rest of the article here

Via mocoNews.com comes this story detailing more abou the 700Mhz spectrum auction:

“More information about the bidders in the upcoming auction for 700 MHz spectrum has trickled out, as people figure out who’s behind the different registered bidders (PDFs of all 266 entities are here and here). It wasn’t clear earlier if EchoStar (NSDQ: DISH) had registered; it has done so through an entity called Frontier Wireless, reports Tech Trader Daily. Large companies and deep-pocketed investors often participate in the auction through separate entities or under different names, both to try to maintain some anonymity and to secure discounts and other benefits the FCC extends to certain small companies and other “designated entities”.”

Read the rest of the article here

Verizon and Palm have officially announced the Treo 755p:

“Verizon Wireless, owner of the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Palm, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of the Palm Treo(TM) 755p smartphone in exclusive deep blue- green. Beginning today, customers may purchase the Treo 755p online at www.verizonwireless.com, by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN or by contacting their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative. The device will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Jan. 7.

Compared to its Treo 700p predecessor, the Treo 755p has a sleeker design with an internal antenna and a soft-touch feel. Featuring a large, high-resolution, color touch-screen for quick stylus access to applications, the Treo 755p offers a full QWERTY keyboard for easy e-mail creation, Web browsing and text messaging. It also includes features such as a 1.3 megapixel camera and built-in support for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents and PDF documents. Customers can view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files, and view PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files. Running the Palm OS, the new Palm Treo 755p from Verizon Wireless gives mobile professionals the tools they need to help maximize productivity.”

Read the rest of the press release here

Mobileburn has reviewed the latest smartphone on T-Mobile: the Shadow. Overall, it appears to be a great smartphone … for novices.

“The T-Mobile Shadow, built by HTC, is the first Windows Mobile 6 device to sport Microsoft’s new Neo home screen. Neo is an attempt at making the power of a smartphone accessible to novice users, users that have traditionally shied away from such devices because of its complexity. On top of that, the Shadow has a very compelling design, and offers messaging fans a new 20 key QWERTY-like keypad that should make the phone’s XT9 predictive text input system both faster and more accurate. That’s something that goes well with the Shadows built-in IM clients, email and SMS support, and large 2.6″ display.”

Read the rest of the article here

MobileBurn is carrying this in-dept review of the Nokia N810 Mobile Internet Device, including an extensive gallery:

“The Nokia N810 is the third product in the Internet Tablet lineup from the Finnish handset manufacturer. Featuring a large 4.1″ touchscreen with 800×480 pixel resolution and based on Maemo, a Linux based user interface, Nokia’s Internet Tablets are slowly progressing from a geek toy to a consumer device.

With the N810, Nokia has added a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a built-in GPS receiver. Nokia also stuffed 2GB of built-in memory inside, with a miniSD card slot for expanded storage. The N810 retains many of the hardware features of the N800, such as a built-in VGA resolution camera for video calling, hardware buttons for zooming in and out on the interface, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The N810 uses a micro-USB port for data transfer and also sports a built-in kickstand for convenience.”

Read the rest of the article here

I think it’s safe to say that since the iPhone supported YouTube videos every phone released thereafter has to support them as well. Well, here’s comes Helio rolling out YouTube support for their Ocean phone:

“Today Helio announced the availability of the company’s new YouTube Mobile application for the Helio Ocean messaging phone. Available for free to Ocean users, the YouTube Mobile application allows its users to not only view YouTube videos, but rate and comment on them, and upload newly recorded videos, as well. The YouTube Mobile application on the Ocean even goes so far as to add GPS tagging information to uploaded videos.”

Read the rest of the article here

“The Sidekick LX is the latest member of the Sidekick family, and brings quite a feature set. Multimedia is covered by a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, a built-in music player application, and a microSD card slot for expanded memory. Upgrades from its predecessor, the Sidekick 3, include an improved screen, quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz) support, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The question is, does the Sidekick LX live up to the Sidekick family’s reputation for being IM/Email powerhouse devices?”

Read the rest of the article ,a href=”http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=3834&source=HOMETOP”>here

There’s a new announcement from Samsung and T-Mobile: the Samsung Katalyst will support the T-Mobile HotSpot @HomeSM service. Of course, this will be in addition to the extra fee added on a customers bill for the @Home service:

“Samsung and T-Mobile USA today announced the availability of the new Samsung Katalyst (SGH-t739). The Katalyst adds a stylish, slider design to the growing line-up of phones that support T-Mobile HotSpot @HomeSM service.

With built-in support for T-Mobile HotSpot @Home, the Samsung Katalyst provides customers with great wireless coverage when placing calls over a home Wi-Fi network and at nearly 8,500 T-Mobile HotSpot locations nationwide. When customers leave home or a T-Mobile HotSpot, their calls are passed onto T-Mobile’s wireless network, and the same is true for passing calls from T-Mobile’s network onto Wi-Fi networks. In addition, with the purchase of a HotSpot @Home add-on plan, customers can enjoy the freedom of unlimited, nationwide calling over Wi-Fi.”

Unlimited nationwide calling over Wi-Fi, but you need to pay extra for it. As opposed to the Unlimited nationwide calling via cellular that you could already be paying for with some of T-Mobiles plans. I’m scratching my head here for a reason to get this.

You can read the rest of the article here

The folks over at Hoopajoo Labs have an interesting video on how you ca increase the signal strength of your cellphone: it’s an external antenna you can make from a ruler, wire cutters, and some copper. The key seems to be the number of loops and length of the copper.

The original post can be found here

(what the hell is a hoopajoo?)

The iPhone and the Voyager have been duking it out in the ring of public opinion (and the iPhone has been kicking butt, incidentally), but not every review has done a feature by feature comparison of the two phones:

“Lets layout some of the facts and features of both phones up against each other. The Apple iPhone as most of the “fans” and owners know does not have the 3G network support (built-in hardware) but the LG Voyager does. With that advantage over the iPhone it will attract the high-speed junkies of newer integrated PDA cell phones. One downside of this and what was most surprising to me was the LG Voyager does not have WI-FI. Ouch, that hurt when I typed it out, once again, the LG Voyager does not have WI-FI. I guess what some of you may be thinking now is why bother with WI-FI when you have a dedicated 3G network support (where available) at your fingertips, literally. Good point but is it really when we it comes down the battery life (Steve Jobs is laughing right now).”

Read the rest of the article here

A friend of mine bought another PDA when her Zire 22 wouldn’t charge. I asked her why didn’t she tell me as the solution could be an easy one. Nonetheless, I told her to try a soft reset and then a hard reset. She said she was charging the new one and then was going to put the new one into the old one’s cradle to see if it charges. Good idea, but I’d try the reset first.

Info on resets: Before doing any kind of reset, backup the device, if possible. A soft reset compares to rebooting a computer. Doing a reset doesn’t erase the data.

Most devices come with a small hole on the back. The tip of your stylus might be able to press it. If not, get a paperclip and straighten it. This works most, if not all, the time. Just insert the clip or stylus into the hole until you see the welcome screen appear. Some devices don’t have the reset button in an obvious place like the Tungsten T3 requires sliding it open to access the hole or the Treo 650 that has its reset button behind the battery door.

A hard reset erases all the data and returns the device to the way it was when you two first met. Again (can’t remind folks too many times), back up your data before doing a hard reset. Put the paper clip or stylus into the hole on the back of the device and hold it down while you press the power button until you see the screen appear with either a message asking if you want to erase the data, or the device’s default welcome screen. Also, check your device’s documentation because the hard reset process could be different — but this one is common.

After doing a hard reset, sync your device with the computer to restore the data. Before doing this, check the device’s documentation on restoring data. For instance, Palm OS users need to open HotSync and select Custom. Select the Conduit and click Change to “change the action to Desktop overwrites handheld.” Windows Mobile users open ActiveSync, click on Tools and then Backup/Restore. Select the Restore tab and click on the Restore Now button.

In a move that goes a long way to prove that Verizon is deadly serious about opening up their network to all comers, Verizon has apparently embraced and accepted Google’s mobile platform, Android:

In yet another sudden shift, Verizon Wireless plans to support Google’s (GOOG) new software platform for cell phones and other mobile devices. Verizon Wireless had been one of several large cellular carriers withholding support from the Android initiative Google launched in early November.

But given the stunning U-turn Verizon Wireless made Nov. 27, announcing plans to allow a broader range of devices and services on its network, Chief Executive Officer Lowell McAdam says it now makes sense to get behind Android. “We’re planning on using Android,” McAdam tells BusinessWeek. “Android is an enabler of what we do.”

Read the rest of the article here

Following Verizon’s announcement that they are going to allow third-party developers take advantage of their CDMA network, Hop-on has announced that they will be providing CDMA-compliant cell phones that work with Verizon’s network.

According to their press release, the Hop-on is a “stylish disposable phone” which is “ideal for kids, teens, seniors, tourists, vacationers, business travelers, and people with credit challenges.” the Graffiti will be sold for under $50 through their subsidiary Graffiti Wireless.

Basically, it’s a short-term use phone for people who don’t really need to use a cell phone. I can’t really imagine business travelers needing to use a Hop-on (especially with the gimmicky image of a Kangaroo as the Hop-on mascot), but I can see the need for this type of service for people with credit problems, especially as more and more cell phone providers perform credit checks before signing people up for service.

“Using the nation’s largest communications network, Hop-on’s disposable phone makes it an excellent choice as a back-up phone to store away in case of emergencies. The phone also features an internal tracking device, which makes it a great tool to monitor kids and teens. The lack of contracts make Hop-on’s disposable phone an affordable option for the credit challenged and the environmentally conscious will be happy to know that the disposable phone is easily recycled for a rebate reward from Hop-on.

You can read the rest of the press release here

Pros
Easy, central location, full-featured ringtone manager.

Cons
Plays Windows default tones simultaneously with Ringo selected tones with large Contacts database.

The Bottom Line
Ringo brings out the smart in your smartphone by making easy to configure ringtones for friends, colleagues, and family. With its ability to attach a custom tone to categories as well as its SMS custom tone makes Ringo a powerful ringtone manager.

• Overall: 4/5
• Ease of Use: 5/5
• Usefulness: 5/5
• Solidness: 3/5
• Price: 3.5/5

Recommended
Yes

Full Review
The one thing that has always cracked me up about these “smartphones” is their inability to easily customize ringtones. Heck, at first, they didn’t even have custom ringtones! Sure, Windows Mobile 5 and its smartphone counterpart has seamless integration with Outlook for photos of your contact, but nothing for the ringtone. Maybe the next full version in two years. Sorry, it’s a Microsoft thing.

Fortunately, the aptly named Ringo will drum up the right beat for your contact. Ringo makes it easy from one central spot to pick and choose your ringtones for your different contacts. You can also at a single tone to a group of people via your categories. As an added bonus, you can assign ringtones to people and groups for SMS messages as well.

Configuring the ringtone is a piece of cake. Simply open Ringo, and the Default screen appears. Here’s where you select your tone for anyone without a custom tone associated to their number. On the Windows Mobile version, click the Friends tab (selectable in the menu for the smartphone edition) and then click NEW and up comes your Contacts. Select the contact you desire to make a custom tone for and your next screen will be a tone selector for both the ring and SMS tones. In the Windows Mobile version, you can listen to your selection after choosing it by hitting the play button and the selection automatically plays itself in the smartphone edition after selection is completed.

In my use of Ringo, I did find one odd problem that occurred with my large database. I have over 300 contacts and when someone calls, there will be a hesitation and then the custom ring will perform. But, nearly immediately after the custom ring plays, so does the default! Together. Kevin Vernon of Electric Pocket explained the problem to me as it’s in the way Microsoft initiates the playing of the tone via Windows Media player. In short, it’s not quick and smart enough to figure out another ringtone is already playing. Apparently, the large contact database adds a strain to the processor and thus doesn’t allow for both Windows Media player and Ringo to communicate to each other that one is taking caring of the job.

Overall
Ringo brings all the power and more of custom ringtones to your Windows Mobile and smartphone with absolute ease. With no need to open tens of contacts to customize how they notify you audibly who’s calling, Ringo makes life much easier. Adding the ability to give each category its own tone makes Ringo a one-up over Windows Mobile default customization. If you’re one like me with a large contact database, however, this probably won’t do you much good unless you like hearing two different songs at the same time. :) Hopefully Ringo can find a workaround for this problem. Finally, $20 seems a bit steep for this application where $15 would make more sense with $10 being the perfect sweet spot for price.

Price
$19.95

Platform
Windows Mobile, Windows Smartphone, Pocket PC 2003

Product information

Tags: electric, pocket, ringo, ringtone manager, custom ringtone, ringtone

A second Sidekick III case came in yesterday. It doesn’t work well. The first one had a leather-like cover and interfered with my interactions with the Sidekick. This one fits too loosely and gets in the way of using the device.

I spent too much time searching the Internet for case reviews and suggestions. With so many devices on the market and almost all of them having unique shapes and sizes - it adds up to a whole lot of cases. The same goes for screen protectors.

I can recommend two screen protectors and one case. Just not for the Sidekick III. For the Palm Tungsten III, I use the PA72 classic Vaja Case (didn’t pay that much) and mine is completely black.

For the same device, I use Brando WorkShop Screen Protector. I’ve had it for three years and it still works. It has a couple of bubbles, but they appear on the sides. This happened after I removed the screen once ages ago and couldn’t get the bubbles out. The first time I put it on, it had little or no bubbles. Unfortunately, the site doesn’t sell any for the Sidekick III.

The Dell Axim x51v has WriteShield Crystal Clear protecting its face. No bubbles at all and it works great.

If you have a case for a mobile phone, handheld or other mobile device and a case or screen protector that you like - please share what device you have along with the brand / model of the case or screen protector. It’d give people a resource for when they’re in need of a good quality case or screen protector.

Tags: accessories, pda, cases, mobile, screen protectors, meryl k. evans

We here at SvenOnTech love, love, our Sonos. We can listen to our vast music library and change tracks, volume, and so forth, from anywhere in the house. But there’s one thing the Sonos can’t do and that’s play Apple FairPlay music, or, music downloaded from the iTunes Store. But that problem is about to be amended.

Today Keyspan announced its TuneView a unique dock that connects to any stereo or to powered speakers via a line-out connector. It also will bring the video of the iPod to a TV through an S-Video jack. Charging and syncing to iTunes is handled through the high-speed USB connector. And oh yes, don’t forget the two-way RF remote with an LCD screen.

“TuneView is unique. It’s unlike any iPod remote that you’ve used before,” explained Keyspan president Mike Ridenhour. “TuneView features a color LCD screen that lets you remotely view the contents of your iPod and control playback - allowing you to manage the iPod as if it were in your hands.”

The TuneView will be equipped for the future with the ability to update itself via upgradeable firmware. “Both the TuneView dock and TuneView remote are USB devices that can be updated via a firmware download, just like an iPod,” noted Ridenhour. “Over time, Keyspan will release firmware updates that will add new capabilities to TuneView.”

So like the Sonos, the Keyspan TuneView will let you rule your music collection, only limited by the size of your iPod, from a little hand-held remote that w