Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks, Lifestyle The ebook reader market certainly looks to be heating up quite a bit as of late. There’s the new international version of the Kindle 2, Plastic Logic teasing us with a new reader, Sony’s new readers and tomorrow’s Barnes & Noble announcement among others. Today, we can add another name to that list: Spring Design. Spring Design looks to have beaten B&N’s announcement by a day, announcing a device similar to the bookstore’s rumored ebook reader. Spring Design’s new design brings two screen to an ebook reader and not in the notebook fashion like Asus’ design. The Spring Design device, Alex, will feature a 6” e-ink display for reading large blocks of text. It will also feature a 3.5” LCD touchscreen below that screen that will be used for functions such as web browsing. The bottom screen will be powered by Android. The device will have Wi-Fi as well as a 3G data connection, though no carrier is named yet. All we know so far is the name of the device, its features and design. Spring Design’s Alex looks to bring an interesting dynamic to ebook readers. Sure, the battery life on it might not be as great as an e-ink only device, but that’s a small price to pay. There’s a number of possible ways the two displays can interact, and it makes for a device that can have a keyboard for searching without having the ugliness of having to have a physical keyboard. Spring Design has said that this isn’t the B&N ebook reader, which is supposed to have similar features to the Alex, and yet be cheaper than the Kindle. If this is where ebook readers are going, I might just have to go out and buy one soon. Read [Spring Design] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
FROM GAMERTELL - Home Shopping Network hosts obviously didn’t pay attention to Nintendo’s statement that the Wii remote and accessories should probably be secured before play, as a host sends a tennis racket accessory careening into a TV during a live broadcast.
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Section: Communications, Accessories, Smartphones, Mobile  BlackBerry is quickly transitioning from being solely a top of the line business tool to a must have consumer device as well. In what may be an attempt to capitalize on that and appeal to geeks everywhere as well, RIM has announced it's developing a BlackBerry watch.
The new device, pictured above courtesy of Crackberry, features a large OLED screen and long battery life. It's designed by RIM to compliment, not replace, a traditional BlackBerry. The screen will display notifications of incoming messages along with a brief preview, presumably to allow you to decide if you want to whip your Berry out and answer. Okay, it's not as if checking your Berry itself is such a task, but still it's a cool looking gadget. So far a release date and price are unknown. I never understood why BlackBerry users affectionately call it the CrackBerry until I got my own in August. This thing is an amazing device and yes, it truly is addictive. There's just something about having what for all intents and purposes is a tiny laptop that fits in your pocket. Having email, social networking, weather, breaking news, sports scores, live TV, streaming radio, YouTube, IM, and the web along with organizational features and of course, a phone, at your fingertips is just irresistible, and there are millions like me who agree. Okay my fellow BlackBerry fans, what do you think? Is this destined to be the next must have accessory or will it be a dud? Let me know what you think! Read [Crackberry.com] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile It was a few weeks back that AT&T officially announced the Windows Mobile based HTC Tilt 2 and as of today that handset is now available for purchase. The Tilt 2, which is a Windows Mobile 6.5 handset will set you back $299.99, which comes after a $50 mail in rebate. In other words, expect to pay $349.99 on the day of purchase and then wait for that last $50 to come in the mail. Additionally, that price also requires a two-year agreement. Feature wise the Tilt 2 offers a WVGA display, a full slide-out (from the side) QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2-megapixel camera with 4x zoom, Bluetooth, 3G and a full HTML browser. Basically, if you are an AT&T customer and also a fan of Windows Mobile then the HTC Tilt 2 may be worthy of consideration. Product [AT&T] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle Livescribe, producer of the Pulse smartpen that can record writing as well as audio (voice) is expanding its line to include a pair of pens with different memory options as well as a business-focused pro pack bundle. In the battle to replace pen and paper, the Pulse pen is an impressive tool that should be on students wish lists this holiday season. The Pulse pen’s big draw for me is the ability to search through your notes. Once uploaded to your computer, your notes become so much more valuable as the software identifies the words and allows you to search through them. The audio can also be cued up and matched to your notes so you can review the salient points instead of tangents professors have a tendency to ramble on about for hours. The Pulse Smartpen line up will now feature two models with memory of 2 GB and 4 GB. Priced at $169 and $199, the pens come with special paper that allow special functions and desktop software to upload the data from the pen. The 4 GB version is capable of recording 400 hours of audio. Tough professors don’t stand a chance against the Pulse Pen. For $249, the Pro Pack bundle paints the 4 GB pen black, includes a stand up charger and premium leather case. The full line up is available now. The Pulse Smartpen is available from the company, Target, Best Buy, Apple Stores, and Staples. Product page: [livescribe] via [Venture Beat] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Software / Applications  A public beta version of Microsoft Office 2010 is being released next month. This is another way to build momentum for the release of the productivity software after July's limited preview of the programs. Features of the new MS Office include screenshot captures, background removal tools, Jump Lists, numerous templates and web based Office applications.
The final release for MS Office 2010 will be sometime next year. Microsoft will also include Microsoft Office 2010 already pre-installed on computers released by major manufacturers. The Starter version will include basic versions of Word and Excel. You can also upgrade by purchasing a license card from an electronics retailer, such as Best Buy. The announcement came in conjunction with the upcoming release of Sharepoint 2010. Sharepoint 2010 is a type of portal software and also has plans to be available in beta next month. Sharepoint will be a collaboration tool that can streamline communication when paired with Office 2010. Read: [eWeek] Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile Assuming we can believe this latest leaked screenshot, then it looks like we are going to see the Blackberry Storm 2 launch with MiFi capabilities. The details are coming courtesy of a screen capture from the Verizon Infomanager system and appear to show that the “Totally New Storm2” will be launching on October 21 and featuring the capability that many have come to love in the MiFi. Unfortunately, this little detail, despite being exciting is nothing more than a capture from an internal Verizon system, which means that despite good intentions and the real possibility—things could change or simply be entirely inaccurate. Anyway time will tell on this one, but assuming for a minute that it is real and the Storm 2 will also feature an internal MiFi, this could be something to watch. Maybe not enough to convince anyone to purchase a BlackBerry, but maybe enough to convince other manufacturers that this is a feature that many would want. To me it seems a logical step moving past regular tethering functionality, of course many smartphones do not truly allow you to tether now. Via [CrackBerry Forums] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile Over the weekend, Verizon taunted the iPhone with television ads featuring the phrase “iDon’t” followed by a series of things the iPhone on rival network AT&T can’t do. This morning, we are treated to an early hands-on of the phone to perhaps confirm some of the ads claims. The ad encourages viewers to visit droiddoes.com, presumably where they’d find a phone from Verizon that can do those things. I still have to pinch myself that they are this excited about a Motorola phone. The Motorola Droid, a touchscreen phone with slide out QWERTY keyboard is the new hope for a home run on the Verizon network. Boy Genius got some hands-on time and gushed at the phones amazing speed, beautiful screen, thin lines and ease of use. To sum it up: “the Droid, even in its non-final form, is the most impressive phone we've used since the iPhone. It's positively amazing”
Verizon’s TV spot points out some of the iPhone flaws: no simultaneous apps, no night images, no real keyboard, no open development, etc. Verizon’s website touts the things Droid does: high definition, multitasking, speech recognition, video, tunes, 10,000 apps and more. The tactic is interesting in pointing out the differences. While I’d rather see Droid stand on its own, Verizon is under pressure from the iPhone, so they succumb to the Instinct-like comparisons. It seems Google had a bigger hand in this phone than perhaps most Android phones. It seems Verizon brought Google in directly to work with Motorola down to Google calling out specs of the phone for total optimization. The Droid does not have the Blur skin that Motorola is so proud of, rather it runs Android 2.0. While the hands-on was on a pre production device, we believe the high points of the phone will remain unchanged. This is going to be a important device on the Verizon network. Read [Boy Genius Report] and [droiddoes] Image credit: Boy Genius Report Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Apple, Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Computers, Software / Applications, Gaming, Console, Web, Websites, Features, Podcasts, InterrupTech Welcome back to InterrupTech where we catch you up on the most important tech stories. This week there's plenty to cover: The best part about the show? Topics move quickly, but if you don't like a topic, just skip it. Keep an eye on that timer to help you along. Enjoy the show. Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks Plastic Logic has just unveiled their upcoming ebook reader, which has been dubbed the QUE. Unfortunately the press release they used to unveil the reader does little more than serve as a tease for now because the QUE will not be officially launched until January 7 during CES. But in the meantime, while we are waiting for January and CES, the press release did offer enough details to at least convince me that a visit will be worthwhile. Basically it looks like the QUE will be a nice competitor for the current kings of ebook readers—the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader lineups. Feature wise we can expect the QUE to have a an E Ink display that is both shatterproof and capacitive. Additionally that display will be the size of a regular sheet of paper, 8.5 x 11 inches with the complete unit coming in at less than a 1/3 inch thick. Additionally, the QUE will also be Wi-Fi and 3G equipped with the 3G coming courtesy of the AT&T network. However it looks like it will not only be books that users will be downloading and reading as the press release also notes that the QUE will be able to offer “professional newspapers, books and periodicals” as well as read “PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents”. Sadly though, nothing in terms of pricing or when it will be available. Basically it looks like we are going to have to wait until January to get a look at the device and also to find out when it will be ready for purchase. Until then we can always hope for a nice leak or two. Keep reading to check out the full press release… Premiering January 7 at CES: QUETM proReader by Plastic Logic MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – OCTOBER 19, 2009 – Plastic Logic revealed today its plans to unveil QUETM, the first proReader designed for business professionals. Premiering January 7, 2010 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (Central Hall of Las Vegas Convention Center at Booth 11840 anchoring the e- Book Techzone), QUE is an essential tool for busy professionals, providing access to a dynamic ecosystem of content. With QUE, Plastic Logic is expanding the eReader category, which to date has focused on leisure reading devices and casual users. QUE is designed to simplify the multi-faceted lifestyle of the modern businessperson, and to quite literally lighten their workload. In addition to connecting its users with their business and professional newspapers, books and periodicals, QUE supports the document formats business users need (including PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents) and features powerful tools for interacting with and managing the content. "The QUE brand stands for a premium reading experience," said Richard Archuleta, CEO of Plastic Logic. "QUE enhances business performance and gives you a competitive edge. More than an eReader, QUE means business." Extra thin, lightweight and wireless-enabled, QUE is the size of an 8.5 x 11 inch pad of paper, less than a 1/3 inch thick, and weighs less than many periodicals. The innovative QUE proReader features the largest screen in the industry, an intuitive touch screen user interface, and provides access to a file cabinet's worth of documents, plus your favorite—and most necessary—publications. QUE stands out in a crowd because it's a business reader, but it's also unique for its shatterproof plastic display. This exclusive technology from Plastic Logic, along with E Ink Vizplex® technology produces an outstanding reading experience. Its battery can last days, instead of hours. QUE users will be able to connect to content and download wirelessly via Wi-Fi and AT&T's 3G network, the nation's fastest 3G mobile broadband network. QUEreader.com will offer the most significant collection of business reading available on any eReader. The QUE store is powered by Barnes & Noble, the worlds' largest eBookstore. Full product specifications, availability and pricing of QUE will be announced on January 7, 2010 at CES. The QUE for CES starts at http://www.QUEreader.com. About Plastic Logic Plastic Logic's mission is to lead a revolution in the way people acquire, organize and consume information. We are using our proprietary technology leadership in plastic electronics to create a range of innovative products. Our first product, QUETM, the proReader for business professionals, will enter the marketplace in 2010. Founded in 2000 by researchers out of the Cambridge University Cavendish Laboratory, Plastic Logic has research and development in Cambridge, England; high-volume, state-of-the-art manufacturing in Dresden, Germany; and executive management, product engineering, sales and marketing headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information about Plastic Logic, please go to http://www.plasticlogic.com. Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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