technology filter: Cell Phones

Are Free Cell Phones Really Worthless?

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:13:38 GMT

Apple COO Timothy Cook was recently quoted as saying the iPhone wouldn't have any problem selling because the populace at large feels that free cell phones are "worthless." Those are the cell phones you get with the $29.99 limited-minutes basic cell phone plan that the guy in the Verizon store is trained to talk you out of.

Now those phones don't have what the iPhone does. No cool touch display, no music or movie playing ability, no ability to easily sync with your email reader or your contact database, and darn sure no way to surf the Web. But is that what people who look at these plans are really seeking? I don't think so. I think all they want is a phone they can put in their pocket.

And what do these phones do nowadays--still more than a basic cell phone 10 years ago, that's what. Cell phone clarity is good, coverage is...well, let's say better than 10 years ago, and most of them have an internal contact database, advanced phone features like caller ID and call waiting. And some of the $49.99 jobs also have a camera, the ability to surf the cell provider's internal wireless data network (not the Web, but it's got stuff on it) and if you buy a third-party syncing program, you can even sync them to the calendar and contact software on your PC.

Frankly, that's quite a bit for $50. Now here comes the Apple iPhone and its competitors from companies like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and more. All these phones sport way cool media features and PDA-style abilities. They also sport price tags from $199 to $499. And that's just the base phone. Add on an extra long-life battery, a car charger and hands-free set, a Bluetooth headset and a decent carrying case and you're up between $300 and $600.

So which would you choose. I'm a geek, so I'm naturally drawn to the data-type phone. But if I could suppress my nerd-like nature, I'd realize that the times I use my data phone for real data purposes are still fairly rare. And that if I actually use its media abilities for an hour or so I'd better have an extra battery in my pocket or I won't be talking to anybody.

So is that kind of reality going to catch up to the iPhone? I predict a wash. The Apple name will carry its sales in the short term, right after its release. But if it doesn't solve the battery problem and doesn't really offer anything that a $199 smart phone doesn't then it's going to have problems long-term.

Posted by Oliver

Putting a Face to the Call

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 22:42:53 GMT

Not long ago, executives were able to order their secretaries to "get Mr. X on the phone." The big-time executive did not have to bother dialing a phone, waiting for a ring and jumping through several other administrative hoops before catching the requested party. Cell phones have put a damper on this practice, since the intended party likely answers his own cell phone.

Still, there are some, perhaps like the President of the United States, who would like to be announced before a call is connected. Enter a new-fashioned ringtone. Imagine your phone ringing to the sound of "Hail to the Chief," and a Texas accent announces that "This is George W. Bush." At the same time, a picture of the President shows up on your screen. That's one use for a futuristic video ringtone produced by the folks at Vringo, an Israeli startup. There are endless ways you can engage a video ringtones, using either your own home-grown video, or some licensed cartoons or other comic and serious introductions.

The videos can only be sent among "buddies" in a cell phone network, and require a receiving cell phone capable of accepting such videos. That means the service is not likely to immediately swamp users with spam commercials… for now. However, Vringo says it is exploring the possibility of running commercial videos in exchange for cutting the cost of its video ringtones to users.

Who knows, the Vringo service may even cut back on some of the obnoxious ringtones you hear in public places.

Posted by Barbara.

Cell Phones Get New Bling Tone

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:23:27 GMT

Cell phone manufacturers are apparently disappointed that many of us are still using our cell phones to receive and make telephone calls. After years of upgrading the devices with tiny browsers, video capability and other add-ons, few of us are tossing our desktops and laptops in favor of the cell phone.

It could have something to do with the fact that the tiny keyboards and even smaller screens are not attractive to those with opposable thumbs. At least one new startup has realized that cell phones were never meant to be simple Web browsers. However, there might be a means of using a cell phone as a standby entertainment or information device at an airport, emergency room, or study hall.

Bling Software eliminates the loading of a browser on a cell phone, a time-consuming process. Its client software is based on the emerging AJAX (Asynchronous, JavaScript, XML platform) which allows specific Web experiences to be played without typical HTML proprieties. The software was demonstrated at the DEMO conference in Palm Desert, CA, by San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds, an investor in the company.

Bonds, of course, is used to hitting home runs and is hoping that this investment doesn't generate any asterisks in the record books.

Posted by Barbara.

From Helsinki With Abbreviations - A Complete Novel

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:07:28 GMT

Authors often fantasize about books that write themselves. Apparently one author in the homeland of Linux creator Linus Torvalds has realized the dream. Finnish author Hannu Luntiala has put together “Last Messages, “ a thriller novel composed entirely of text messages sent on cell phones.

In the book, a Finnish executive sends text messages from all over the world after suddenly leaving his position. The 332-page novel includes 1,000 replies to the text messages sent by the executive. Like normal text messages, grammatical and spelling errors along with the abbreviations used in text messages are retained.

Luntiala reportedly is a government data base expert himself and has created numerous collections of data on the Finnish people. The very first text message ever sent originated in Finland in 1993, and Finland prides itself in sending more text messages than any other country in the world. The Finns send out an average of 500 text messages per person annually, including one made famous recently that ended the romance of a government minister.

Must be an interesting collection of messages – IMHO.

Posted by Barbara.

UPDATE: Cell Phone Cleared in Injury Fire

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:18:58 GMT

A cell phone suspected of igniting a fire that critically burned a California man did not start the fire, Vallejo fire officials say. The announcement came after Nokia engineers tested the cell phone in question, a Nokia 21251 and found that it was still functioning after the fire.

Fire officials say the blaze that burned a man over 50 percent of his body while he was sleeping in a lawn chair, probably originated elsewhere. A fire department spokesman says the source may include “the improper discarding of smoking materials, matches or a lighter - "an ignition source other than the phone and other than electricity in the house and other than a flammable liquid."

Until now, the model of the phone in question had not been released. The victim remains in critical condition in a Vallejo hospital.

Posted by Barbara.

Dial P-R-A-D-A for Cell Phone Fashion

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:13:33 GMT

Once upon a time, having a mobile telephone was a statement that you have arrived in the world. Now, it seems, cell phones are becoming a fashion statement. Being seen with an old-fashioned “functional” phone will soon be as gauche as being seen wearing a seal-fur jacket at a PETA event.

No longer will we choose between the likes of Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. Now we must choose between Dior, Gucci or Prada. In the years to come, the fashionable communicator will no longer be seen using a keyboard on her telephone. Just a week after Steve Jobs set the standard for the fashion police at MacWorld with Apple’s forthcoming iPhone, the mirrors at Korea’s LG Electronics say its KE850 is the “most beautiful of them all.”

Of course, the KE850 will carry the Prada name and a price tag of more than $700 US dollars. Of course you won’t be able to buy it in the US, because it is limited to tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 with EDGE data, a cellular technology not available here. It will, however, be available in Europe and Asia beginning next month, long before iPhone sales are expected to ramp up in the fourth quarter.

The KE850 runs on Macromedia Flash and includes a video player, along with a built-in digital camera. It does NOT come with matching shoes and handbag, however.

Posted by Barbara.

Fire Ignites Cell Phone Controversy

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:00:44 GMT

A California man was burned over half his body this weekend after his cell phone ignited within his pocket. The resulting fire resulted in $75,000 in damages to the hotel room and its surroundings. The incident in a Vallejo, California residential hotel has raised increasing speculation about the safety of cellular devices.

The Vallejo incident is the most recent in a series of fires traced to cell phones. Vallejo’s fire chief says there have been several reports of cell phone fires around the country in recent years, including a similar case in Ontario, California two years ago. “It's no different than any other fires involving mechanical or electrical items,” the chief says.

The victim was not helped by the fact that he was wearing flammable polyester and nylon clothes, fabrics that are petroleum-based. The chief says the victim may have accidentally held down a button for a long period of time that caused the phone to overheat.

The type of phone and its service provider has not been disclosed for obvious reasons. The fire chief says it could have happened with a phone from almost any manufacturer.

Posted by Barbara.

Can You Hail Me Now?

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 20:26:09 GMT

There are still a few areas in the United States where cell phone service is spotty:

·          Somewhere within the heights of Mount Rainier National Park
·          Backwater rivers, like the Georgia country where Deliverance was filmed.
·          Some neighborhoods in New York City

It will be quite a while yet before cell towers multiply in the backwoods and in national parks. However, America’s biggest city is about to be scanned for areas where the guy from the carrier hears nothing when he asks “Can you hear me now?”

Cell phone maker LM Ericsson has launched a project on behalf of “an undisclosed carrier” to pick out dead zones in New York by measuring signals within a device carried in the trunks of New York taxicabs. The city’s taxi commission has approved the tests that will begin shortly. Ericsson officials say taxicabs are being used because they travel around the city randomly and ultimately cover every inch of pavement in the urban area. There are numerous challenges to cover 100 percent of the city with cell phone signals, including things like radio interference.

About 50 taxis will be used for the initial tests, Ericsson says, and deals are being worked out with other taxicab companies. Taxi passengers will be unaware of the tests, the company says.

Posted by Barbara

Cingular Rings in MySpace.com

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:51:30 GMT

Is it worth $3 per month to find out if you have new friends today?

That’s what Cingular Wireless customers will pay to connect to their Myspace.com sites on their cell phones, according to a new deal announced today.   The Cingular deal is part of a continuing effort by the social networking site to make the site more available to its members.

Previously, MySpace.com has announced access deals with Earthlink and Helio, a South Korean cell service.   The deals permit members to access their Web pages, send email and download pictures from their cell phones.

MySpace says the arrangement will allow some of its member bands to create ringtones for Cingular.   The bottom line: Every time a Cingular phone rings, an independent band somewhere may earn a royalty check.

Posted by Barbara.

Tech Novice: How To Unlock Your Cell Phone

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:35:07 GMT

PC Mag's cell phone guru is Sasha Segan. Smart guy, but you get used to him only reporting on the latest slick phone. However, he just did a great how-to article on unlocking your cell phone--provided you have one that can be unlocked. In case you don't know what that means, it refers simply to opening your cell phone so it can take advantage of any cell service provider.

Right now, you buy the phone from a provider moreso than a hardware manufacturer. So you buy your phone from T-Mobile, Sprint, Cingular, etc., and that phone will work only with that provider. Want a new phone? You've got to buy it from a new provider. Unlocking your phone means you can use it across any cell provider--take advantage of better pricing, coverage areas and new features.

Segan lets you know which phones can be unlocked, how to unlock those phones and what you get for the effort. Worth the read if you're a cell junkie.

Posted by Oliver

YouTube to Go

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:16:38 GMT

If your life has reached a point where you spend most of your time indoors watching YouTube Videos, it’s time to step outside.

Now you can, with Verizon’s new mobile YouTube to be offered as part of the cellular network’s VCast programming. Verizon customers will be offered the opportunity to not only download from YouTube’s “Most popular” or “most discussed” videos, but they will be able to upload videos from their own camera phones.

The service is offered at a flat rate of $15 per month, or $3 per day. Verizon officials say the service will be launched before the end of this year, although they have not yet determined the exact date.

YouTube, nearly two-year-old technology has become the Barack Obama of the Internet this fall — named the invention of the year by Time Magazine and acquired by Google for a tidy $1.76 billion. A spokesperson for the technology had no comment on whether the technology is considering a run for the White House.

Posted by Barbara

A New Kind of Toll Call

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:05:30 GMT

Technology will soon make it easier to spend your money!

Just when you thought you weren’t spending fast enough, Sony and NXP Semiconductors are going to work on a new generation “near-field communications” chip that will allow you pay for impulses hundreds of feet away from your cell phone. Feel like a “no-whip, skinny mocha” at the coffee shop ahead? Push a button on your cell phone and have it in process as you approach. Want to download a clip from the game you just witnessed? It will play on your cell phone in seconds.

The technology has been slow in public acceptance because existing chips, such as those in use at some sports venues and at various facilities throughout Europe, tend toward proprietary vendors.

The two companies say their technology will work in a number of platforms, including cell phones and mobile digital devices.

Among the trials for the technology are a pay-by-cell phone test at Phillips Center in Atlanta, and the Oyster smart card test in the London Underground.

Posted by Barbara

FREE Cell Phone Service Ahead?

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 18:20:24 GMT

“What this country needs is a good five-cent mobile telephone.” Maybe even a FREE mobile service?”

That’s not the meanderings of a customer who just roamed his way to bankruptcy, but an increasingly important voice in online advertising. Google CEO Eric Schmidt says advertising may ultimately eliminate your cell phone bill.

Schmidt confesses that he has no word of any cell carriers who are inclined to offer an advertising-based service model, but he believes it could be the wave of the future. "Your mobile phone should be free," Schmidt told the Reuters News Service in an interview, "It just makes sense that subsidies should increase" as advertising rises on mobile phones.

Schmidt compared cell phones to newspapers, which rely heavily on advertising revenue, rather than subscriber fees. He noted that newspapers still charge subscribers, but not at the level they might charge if advertising did not exist.

Some of us are old enough to fondly recall a five-cent pay phone call.

You DO remember pay phones, don’t you?

Posted by Barbara

Making Movies — One Cell At a Time

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 23:34:01 GMT

You're traveling through another dimension, a device created not only for the delivery of sound, but a three-inch vision of entertainment. A journey of two-dimensional imagination, and flat-screen drama. Why turn off your cell phone in a movie theater if the movie in hand is better than the one behind the curtain? There’s a credit up ahead — your next stop is The Global Short Film Project…

Can Robert Redford and the Sundance Institute succeed where bigger names have failed? Stay tuned for next Spring’s 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, where some decorated directors join with some hopeful techies to produce short films specifically for cell phones.

Redford, the founder and leader of the Sundance Institute (and its famed film festival) says there is an audience for short films on “the fourth screen.” Until now, there has not been a rush to create specific films for this tiny platform. But then, it’s been only a couple of decades since films ventured outside the big screen.

Posted by Barbara

Review: Sprint Katana

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:13:45 GMT

Review on the latest contestant in the anorexic cell phone competition: The $80 Sanyo Katana, sold at the moment only through Sprint. Very thing, big-time RAZR competitor. All the basics: nice keyboard for a clamshell, backlighting, a bright and useful display, etc. etc. Also has a Web browser and texting, but you'll need to read the review for more specifics.

(via UberGizmo)

DUI? Check with Your Cell Phone

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:13:54 GMT

This isn't exactly new, but given the start of Monday Night Football, it may have new life. Seems LG Electronics recently came out with their LG 4100 cell phone. All the usual clam shell features, with a little safe-drinking twist: The thing has a breathalyzer built-in. Pretty nifty when your team just got stomped and mayhap you downed one brewskie too many in a fit of depression.

(via Gizmodo)

Gotta Smartphone? Skweeze It.

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:31:57 GMT

For those of us with new smartphones (or PDAs that can surf the Web via WiFi), it's always a battle to look at a regular Web site on a screen that's half the size of your average coaster. There are some few Web sites who have enough smarts to know what kind of device you're surfing from and provide a site optimized for a smaller screen--or at least give you the option to get such a view manually. Mail2Web is one such. But most sites, just don't care.

Enter Greenlight Wireless, which announed its Skweezer technology some time ago. The site acts as a middleman between your smartphone/PDA and the Web; enter a site and Skweezer simply optimizes everything for a smaller screen and (usually) slower pipe. But for many sites, Skweezer also requires support from the Web site in question. So Greenlight is busy making deals. They've got quite a few already and the newest one will be Bloglines.

Wish they'd do Spaces, because the Mobile Spaces client just bites the hardest cheese.

(via Techie Diva)

Nokia Plays Memory Games on N91

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:38:45 GMT

The Mvox Duo may be slimming down the cell phone look, but not everyone's going that way. Nokia, for example, is taking the bad reviews it got on its N91 music phone and simply making it bigger--memory-wise that is. The N91 originally came out with 4GB worth of music storage, but Nokia just announced it's bumping that to 8GB. Good, but as long as they were doing that they should have addressed some of the original critiques as well--like adding support for Bluetooth stereo and tighter deals with some music services. Ah well, if you want all that guess you'll have to look at the N95.

(via Engadget)

Mvox Duo: Cell Phone on Your Ear

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:28:46 GMT

The DEMOFall 06 convention going on right now has a number of interesting things being shown, but this one looks cool because it hearkaens where cell phone technology is headed. Since tech is getting smaller, there's little reason to keep cell phones the same size as they are now. So many makers are experimenting.

The Mvox Duo is one such trial. It looks like a slightly chunky Bluetooth headset--like the kind that Verizon sold me that doesn't quite work. But this one is not only a Bluetooth headset, it's also the entire phone. Next to that, it's got a speakerphone, which I suppose is useful; and it's got the ability to run VoIP applications, apparently including Skype.

The thing costs $200, but you've got to ask yourself whether this is really the form factor you want for a phone. Smartphones can handle addresses and calendars--this thing can't. No camera, no games. I suppose eventually it could be an MP3 player, but then you'd have to deal with the stereo thing.

All in all, while it looks cool, I don't think it's got long term legs except as a niche.

(via Gearlog)

Cingular 3125 Smartphone Review

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:39:39 GMT

Mobile Tech Review just took a look Cingular's new 3125 smartphone. And apparently they love it. The thing is a Windows-based smartphone and part of Cingular's Star Trek family, but adds loads more battery capacity (useful if you're doubling it as an MP3 player) as well as quad-band reception, EDGE data connectivity and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Sounds pretty good.

Cell Phone Screamer

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 01:26:23 GMT

This is a nice touch. I've long been in favor of cell phone protection software. Something you could activate with a phone call or a special text message that tells your phone to wipe all its private data--phone numbers, addresses, call histories, passwords, files, etc.

Several companies have come out with software like this. One of them is the Mobile Manager service from Synchronica. These guys specialize in managing corporate cell phone fleets, but the concept of the service is the same. Get your phone stolen. Contact your Mobile Manager and have the service wipe your phone pronto. But Synchronica has thrown in an added twist: Screaming.

That's right, they can tell your cell phone to start screaming as soon as you realize your phone's been stolen. a thief can't access your phone's private data and he can't use it to make calls because it's constantly wailing. HA! He can take out the battery, but then he still can't use the phone. Wonderfully annoying touch.

(via Gearlog)

Nerd Alert: Taking Apart Your Cell Phone

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 18:54:25 GMT

This is for serious nerds, or people who are curious and have a spare cell phone. If you've ever needed to fix a cell phone but didn't want to stand in those ridiculous lines at Verizon Customer Service, then check out this link at Repairmobilecellphone.org. Gives links to take apart all kinds of mobile phones, from Audiovox to Samsungs, andmanage things like replacing internal batteries, fixing screens, memory or other internals.

Just remember that it likely voids your warranty.

(via Digg)

Nerd Alert: Linux-based User-Moddable Cell Phone

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:25:16 GMT

No, it's not meant for the populace at large, but that doesn't take much from the cool factor. TrollTech showed off this new Greenphone last month at LinuxWorld in San Fran. The phone uses an open source OS as well as open source communication stack called Qtopia Phone Edition (QPE).

The Greenphone isn't meant as a general use cell phone; instead, it's intended as software development tool for third-party software designers to be more easily able to build software for Trolltech's QPE--see that's real smart because one of Linux' oldest drawbacks is the lack of commercial-grade third-party software. TrollTech isn't looking to make the same mistake the desktop Linux people did and rely solely on indpendent software developers. They're giving commercial development companies the tools they need to build apps that can compete with what larger companies like Nokia, RIM and, yes, Microsoft are doing.

Only problem they face is making sure they don't get blocked by the cell carriers. Still too much dependence on making a deal with those guys, in my opinion; but if they're smart about it, TrollTech could do extremely well for themselves.

(via Digg)

Sony Announces an Anemic Mylo

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:51:28 GMT

So the Mylo looks like Sony's swipe at the T-Mobile Sidekick, but it falls a little short, as Sascha Segan points out. The Mylo looks attractive with a 2.4-inch screen and a slide-out thumb-style keyboard. It also looks pretty cool, and costs about $350.

Only thing is, you don't need a cell phone plan because it's not a cell phone. It's a WiFi gadget that has the ablity to make Skype calls. That sounds great on paper, but I agree with Sasha: WiFi Internet access isn't exactly ubiquitous. Which means you only get to use Skype someplace like Starbucks or an airport or someplace else where you've got a wireless hot spot. And then, even though it's built for instant messaging, it doesn't support AIM. Which is a bit of a problem for much of the instant messaging world, though maybe Sony will have that fixed by the time the device sees daylight.

(via Gearlog)

Cingular Moves Against Older Phones

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:33:38 GMT

Jen DeLeo pointed me at this. Seems Cingular's becoming a little ruthless in its desire to do away with older cell technology. The company says it's going to start charging customers using older phones an extra $5.00 a month. The reason is they want to move towards a 100% GSM-based system that should provide better voice quality and work overseas. Only trouble is, older phones aren't compatible, so they need to get their customers off those older jobs and onto the newer ones. Fast.

I get the need to stay competitive, but this is a pretty crappy way to do it. Only good news is that if you do upgrade, Cingular will give you a discount. Still means more money out of our pockets to keep them happy, not just the phone but that GSM calling plan is going to be different, too.

(via Gearlog)

More Evil from Verizon

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:25:52 GMT

I mean HONESTLY!!! This kind of stuff just steams my clams to no end. Verizon's sabotaged the Motorola RAZR phone in an attempt to force users to pay it extra money. Buy a RAZR from Cingular and you can transfer audio files from your PC to your phone via USB or Bluetooth--music or ringtones. Try that on the Verizon version and you're blocked. You can only add audio by using Verizon's wireless data services--for which, of course, you'll pay extra.

Yeah, I know it's a freely competitive market and I should just shut up and go buy the Cingular version if it's so much better. But still--to actually go out of their way to screw up a perfectly good device just so they can sucker you into paying them more money after you've already signed up for the service (with the associated early service contract penalty) is just...sleazy. I mean they're worth so many billions, can't they give the money grubbing a little rest? Geez,

(via Digg)

Don't Trust Someone? Try the SpyPhone

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 18:30:19 GMT

This is pretty sneaky. It comes from SpyPhones.com. So if you don't trust someone, you give them this special cell phone as a gift. The phone works as advertised just like a regular cell phone. But then your evil nature takes over and you call a special preprogrammed number. Shazam!! The phone turns into a sophisticated listening device that lets you anything going on in the vicinity of the phone. It's not cheap ($1005-$1832 depending on model) but it works.

(via Gearlog)

Cingular Does 3G in New York

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 15:48:50 GMT

Sascha Segan just posted this on Gearlog: Cingular has just released its high-speed 3G-based HSDPA wireless data service in select parts of the NYC metro area. Fortunately, the map seems to cover not just chunks of Manhattan (notably where the banks are), but also airports and the part of North Jersey where I happen to live.

And for those outside the NYC area, don't get cranky: Cingular isn't stopping there. The service is also available in several other US metro areas, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Vegas, San Fran, Seattle and DC among others. We're just happy that we can get it in the Big Apple. Now if only Cingular had more than one 3G-compatible phone...

(via Gearlog)

No Keypad...The Future of Small Cell Phones?

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:16:35 GMT

NEC just showed this device, the NEC N908. It's an ultra-small cell phone, about the size of a credit card, that also manages to include Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel digi-cam, SD Card slot from which it can play both audio and video content, and even stereo sound speakers.

It manages to fit all this into a credit-card-sized form factor by simply eliminating the physical keypad and sticking entirely to a keypad that's displayed on its touchscreen. The N908 will be showing up in Asia in the Fall, and will likely never make it here, but it is interesting as a precursor of new ultra-small American phones we may be seeing as early as next year.

(via Sci Fi)

CA Initiates Mandatory Cell Phone Recycling

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:21:48 GMT

California just announced a new measure in its Keep California Beautiful campaign: CA residents must recycle their cell phones. As of July 1, all cell phone retailers must establish a cell phone recycling collection program. I believe they already have such a program for PCs.

After watching a couple of episodes of Entourage, I guess I can see why this is so important to Californians.

(via Engadget)

ATI's Next-Gen Cell Multimedia Chip

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:31:22 GMT

ATI had an event in New York City this past week, where PC Mag's Sascha Segan caught a glimpse of ATI's next-gen cell phone 3D processing chip, the Imageon 2380. Right now, it's in a Korean phone because the far East is way ahead of us in terms of cell-based broadband and the games that go along with it. But the first iteration of the chip already found its way into an LG phone (also not available here), so we can keep hoping.

If it ever does find its way here, get set to be happy. The chip can do full-motion video at 352x288 resolution and grab still shots at 5 megapixels. Plus it's got 3D rendering capability that appears smooth even though its tiny.

Go 3G go.

(via Gearlog)

Review: Broad Cell Phone Shootout from PC World

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:05:58 GMT

Haven't been too impressed with PC World's review center in teh last couple of weeks. Just never got into those "worst ever technology" stories. If it's one of the worst technologies, just forget it. I just don't have time for much else.

But recently, the Worlders also put up a rather large buyers' guide to today's cell phones. This is rare because buyers' guides are a lot of work to do and the consumer market changes so quickly your guide is almost obsolete by the time you finish it.

But PC World's Grace Aquino forged ahead and put together a shootout between 17 of today's most popular cell phone models along with rankings and a features chart. And she doesn't just stop with a features chart, but actvely compares all the phones on a variety of features, including data transmission, calling plans, cameras, music playing capability and more.

Definitely an excellent place to start doing research if you're in the market for a new phone.

Treo 650 Black Tie Edition...Why?

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:37:23 GMT

The Treo 650 Black Tie Edition was initially rumored to be a Far East-only item, but now Palm has announced the phone will be available in the US pretty much immediately. Question is: Why should we care? 'Cause if you're thinking that 'Black Tie" means cool new features and power you'd be wrong. More like it means a new black shell, a black hard case, a dual stylus/pen and...a regular old Treo 650. Which isn't too bad, except you can get 650s for under $200 if you know where to shop. These guys want $599 out of the gate for the Black Tie Edition.

Nonsensical.

(via Engadget)

Motorola's New Low-End Cell Phone Line

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 17:32:39 GMT

Motorola just released a pile of new low-end phones that come in all kinds of citrus flavors and colors. The US model numbers include the W208 and W375. Your basic phone is there but so are options like a digital camera as well as an FM radio. They're also real small and light so they're easily lost, but they're also cheap so they're easily replaced. A marketer's dream.

Additionally, these phones also take the RAZR's multi-colored concept to the next level, and yes, there are more colors available than in the picture. Motorola also intends to release accessories in matching colors for all you decorative type As out there. Find them initially at T-Mobile and Cingular, both by the end of the year.

(via Gearlog)

Motorola Has The Most Rads

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:43:07 GMT

CNet just released a study of popular cell phones and their associated radiation levels. The stuff that'll eventually make your head glow green if you keep holding those things to your head--or at least so some people believe. Unfortunately for Motorola, the list gives them the top 8 spots for highest SAR levels. SAR is the term of measurement for the amount of radio frequency absorbed by the human body during use of the phone. And this wasn't CNet doing the testing, it was the FCC.

I still don't know whether I buy into the cell phone-to-brain tumor concept, but the emission of the radiation is undeniable.

Frankly, I think if you mostly stick with headsets, you should be fine, no?

ASUS Does WM Phone

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 00:08:43 GMT

If you're into Asus only for mommaboards, think again. The company has a thriving cell phone biz now centered around the smartly-named P525 quad-band smartphone. Nice-sized 2.5-inch screen, 2 megapixel digi-cam, a 416Mhz XScale CPU, WiFi, Bluetooth, 128MB of ROM and 64MB SDRAM--all of it running Windows Mobile 5.0. That means you can do the cell phone-Skype thing. Even has an integrated information security feature (read: data encryption feature) called MySecret.

Overall, it looks good, especially the form factor; but when you announce something, it'd be nice if you gave some clue as to "when" and "how much". So far, nada.

(via Engadget)

Treo/Motorola Q Warning From Gearlog

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:35 GMT

Gearlog's Sascha Segan has made some interesting discoveries on how Verizon is billing for data use on these new super-duper smart phones. Seems that the basic data plans that are offered with these phones as a bundle may not cover all the data uses the phone can perform. Using those features means big overage charges if you're not careful.

If you're a Verizon smart phone customer, this a post worth reading.

(via Gearlog)

Yet More Super Slimness for Cell Phones

Wed, 24 May 2006 14:13:28 GMT

As if the MFJM53 PMP wasn't enough, LG also showed an ultra-slim new cell phone yesterday, called the LG KG320. Figure the SLVR is about 11.5mm thick...well, this thing is 9.9mm thick. So what does that get you? A cell phone, 1.3 megapixel digi-cam, 128MB of flash memory, MP3/MPEG support and USB connectivity.

So pretty much nothing new except the fact that it's slim enough to make not losing an accomplishment in attentiveness.

(via Gizmodo)

Verizon & Motorola Announce Q Availability

Mon, 22 May 2006 18:29:07 GMT

Verizon and Motorola have finally gotten together and released a press doc and a dedicated Q Web site announcing that the Q will be available via Verizon Wireless stores May 31.

The thing looks great. Think a RAZR with a bigger screen and full keyboard running Windows Mobile 5. PC Mag's Sascha Segan has a good point about whether or not you can use Microsoft's push email functionality with Exchange or not. If you're reliant only on Verizon's pay-by-the-millisecond messaging service that could be a real ding. I'll post again when a review comes out.

(via Gearlog)

Better Than the PVOT

Fri, 19 May 2006 15:03:24 GMT

Sony Ericsson just announced yet another new cell phone yesterday--and, no, it doesn't double as a .22 calibre pistol. The Z710i is, however, billed as a business professional's phone that handles quad-band EDGE-GPRS phone that has all the other usual goodies (Bluetooth, 2 megapixel camera with digi-zoom, a pretty decent 1.5-inch screen, USB as well as personal organizer features and email).

It's got a couple of new and IMHO decidely non-business-oriented features: First, there's the FM radio. Can't wait till those become XM satellite radios, but the lawyers need to finish squabbling about that first. Second, it's got a built-in blogging feature called "Image blogging". Lets you snap a picture with the digi-cam and send it straight to your blog. Probably some more compatiblity issues there, but nothing specific yet.

Look for it here in Q3.

(via Gearlog)

Palm Unveils Treo 700p

Tue, 16 May 2006 13:25:23 GMT

PC Mag just pubbed a review of the new Treo 700p. I'm a little confused with the naming, tho. Figured anything with 700 meant it would run Windows Mobile 5, but not so. This thing runs PalmOS 5.4.9--same OS but with numerous new software features added. It's got the same look as the Treo 700--which I guess is the reason for the naming. So slightly bigger screen and easier keyboard.

It's got a few additional hardware features, but the big news is that it supports Sprint's and Verizon's EV-DO high-speed wireless networks. But it looks like it doesn't also have WiFi--which would be the ultimate. Even so, it's looking like this is the best Treo yet. Give it WiFi and Windows Mobile and I'll have to get one.

Motorola Concept Phone...Why Again?

Mon, 15 May 2006 20:03:07 GMT

Okay, what exactly is the deal with this thing? Motorola just unveiled this concept phone, called the PVOT. What makes this unique is that it's powered by a hand crank. A freaking hand crank! And talk about efficiency: 25 cranks for one minute of usage. What is that about?!?!

They're aiming this at developing countries. Supposedly the same countries that'll take the MIT hand-crank-powered $100 notebook. So now weakened, malnourished people will be able to make cell calls or use Linux by hand-cranking their electronic equipment. Wonder how many of them will expire while cranking away at this stuff.

(via UberGeek)

CTIA Wireless Best of Show Winners

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:52:09 GMT

The enviously named Sascha Segan just pubbed a post on Gearlog detailing the Best of Show winners at the CTIA wireless expo and trade show being held in Vegas. Strangely, the Samsung T509 was awarded best of show, which I can't figure out because it's got nothing new. Just Samsung's answer to Motorola.

There were numerous other categories, including general mobile phones as well as smartphones.

(via Gearlog)