Section: Communications, Smartphones  On what could possibly be the worst day to be a non-Android, non-Droid phone, Nokia has decided to release an update to one of its smartphones. The update, dubbed software update 2.0 comes to the N97 today via PC download. In addition to the update, Nokia has announced that the N97 mini will be launching this week in Europe.
The new update is meant to make the phone better for users, though will most likely not add much for American users to get excited about. New features include “flip scrolling,” which seems like a nicer way to say kinetic scrolling and should improve scrolling across the entire device; shortcuts to personalized homescreen, Ovi Maps 3.1 with 3D maps (still not as exciting as Google Navigation), and Nokia email. The new update will be packed into the new N97 mini as well. The N97 mini is just that, a smaller version of the Nokia N97. The main difference is that the mini is aimed at “style-conscious people who are active with social networks.” The emphasis on social networking and the new design brings the N97 mini to €450, which would make importing it more expensive than just buying the original N97 through Nokia USA. Unfortunately for Nokia, the software update and N97 mini can’t escape Symbian. The OS just doesn’t seem to work well with American consumers. While it is fairly popular in Europe, it is still losing ground. With the N900 coming next month, there is still some hope for an exciting Nokia phone that everyone can like. However, with Android 2.0 and Google Navigation coming up, the N900 running Maemo 5 will have a harder battle. It will certainly be a tough decision for many fans of open source phones. Read [PR Newswire] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
FROM GAMERTELL - Collectorz’s Game Collector application can come in rather handy if you amassed an impressive collection of games so large your friends and significant other complain about not being able to find that one game they always like to play…
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Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile  Verizon, today, made Droid official. They’ve been teasing us with the “Droid does” and “idon’t” ads that poked good fun at the iPhone. Now that it’s here, priced, and dated, we’ve got three surprises they’ve been holding back on. Each one is a potential game changer.
Surprise 1: Google Navigation Say what? I’ve been saying Google Navigation was logical for eons now, but Google finally made it happen and it could be an instant changer. Available as a free part of Google Maps on Android 2.0 phones, Google Navigation will provide turn-by-turn directions. By leveraging their simple search engine (just type in or say just about anything and Google will go find it) along with their satellite imagery to make navigating an unknown area feel almost downright home-like, Google nailed this. While it still remains unclear if there is voice-guided directions, Google is clearly serious about this. Google has made a point about saying this is only for Android phones and it is free. The free part is debatable as there is no free lunch - don’t kid yourself you are trading privacy for the chance to have location-based ads served. Only for Android I am willing to bet is a temporary deal. Google is an advertisement company first and foremost. This will trickle down to other OS at some point, you can bank on it. Surprise 2: Gmail AND Exchange push Typically, you can sync your phone with one and only one profile. For example, if your corporate email uses Exchange, you can set up your iPhone to sync with them while your GMail will be accessed through IMAP or POP, not through the Exchange server as you can only chose one. Droid, ala Android 2.0 seems to allow multiple profiles. Sync to this AND that. Hot diggity dog. Surprise 3: Flash 10 ready browser I really didn’t think this would happen but yes, the Droid is slated to have a full Flash 10 which means Hulu will be in the house. Interesting but it gets better, Flash games anyone? To say that the Droid is going to be a big player is easy. While the form factor doesn’t do much for me, I’ll be extremely interested in the next two Droid phones that are coming down the pipe not to mention the 20 phones Motorola has coming in 2010. And it should be said, well done to Moto. It looks like they are back in the game. Read: [Motorola] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones  A new study may prove worrisome to RIM. It revealed that the iPhone has now captured 30% of the market share for smartphones, a mere 10% less than RIM's leading 40%. Palm, which was once the industry leader, has seen its market share slip to just 6%.
What does this mean if you are in the market for a smartphone? Not much. While the iPhone is wildly popular, it's still stuck with AT&T's stranglehold and resulting network issues and it lacks the security features many businesses need. The BlackBerry, although it has lost some of its market share to the iPhone, is still a wildly popular device in its own right. (There's a very good reason they are dubbed CrackBerries!) Businesses still rely on it as a valuable tool and the company has begun to successfully enter the consumer market as well. For consumers it still comes down to individual needs and overall value. An iPhone isn't much good to someone who lives in an area without good AT&T coverage, and the touchscreen and lack of a physical keyboard are a turn off to some. A BlackBerry may not be a good fit for someone who doesn't get a lot of emails or who is big into mobile web surfing or gaming. Both the iPhone and the various BlackBerry devices are available for $200 or so with a 2 year contract, so do some research and let your needs and budget decide which is right for you. Read [CNet] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Accessories With the new demand for 3D movies, RealD has decided to offer a line of premium of 3D glasses for retail sale. Instead of using the goofy version offered by a movie theater, you can use a pair of your own that reflects your personal style. The glasses are available as part of a licensing agreement between RealD and Look3D. The glasses will be fitted as well as styled in a design that you like. The eyewear collection will be completely RealD compatible and be available for men, women and children. Look3D glasses feature interchangeable lenses to work with all 3D formats. The glasses will also be available in movie themes in expectation of some major 3D movie releases, such as Avatar, Toy Story 3 and A Christmas Carol. The glasses will be available for sale at movie theaters as well as online stores. Retail pricing has yet to be released on the glasses and they are expected to be ready for purchase in December. Site: [Look3D]
Image Source: Inside SoCal Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile Motorola and Verizon Wireless have officially unveiled the pricing and availability details for the Droid. In short, the Verizon Droid will be available in Verizon Wireless stores as well as online as of November 6, 2009. In terms of price, the handset is $199.99, but that does come after a $100 mail in rebate. Additionally, as you would expect—a two-year contract is also required to get that price. Otherwise most of the specs and other details are what we have seen already leaked. However for those that may not have been following as closely, the Droid will feature a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display with an 854 x 480 resolution, 5.0-megapixel camera with auto-focus and dual-LED flash, full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and EVDO Rev.A support. Additionally, the Droid will also come bundled with a 16GB microSD card. In terms of apps, of course you have access to the Android Market, however the Droid will also come pre-installed with Gmail, Google Talk, YouTube, Google Maps, Calendar, Contacts, Facebook, the Amazon MP3 Store and Visual Voicemail by Verizon Wireless. It is also worth noting that the Verizon Droid marks the first Android handset to come installed and running Android 2.0. Product [Verizon Droid] Read [Motorola] Keep reading to check out the full press release:
Hello Humans: DROID by Motorola Arrives Next Week
Verizon Wireless DROID By Motorola: World's First Smartphone with Android™ 2.0 October 28, 2009 BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – High-speed Web browsing, voice-activated search, customizable large screen, access to thousands of Android applications and hundreds of widgets and the best 3G mobile network in the country: DROID by Motorola arrives on Nov. 6. Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation's largest wireless 3G broadband network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a pioneer in the mobile industry, today unveiled DROID by Motorola, the first smartphone powered by Android™ 2.0. DROID by Motorola features the brainpower and breakneck speed of a modern smartphone, designed to outperform where other smartphones fall short. "We're proud to work with Verizon Wireless and Google™ on the first smartphone to feature Android 2.0," said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices. "DROID by Motorola delivers a rich consumer experience with warp-speed Web browsing, a mammoth screen, and Motorola's expertise in design and voice quality. Combined with Android's open, flexible graphical user interface and the power of Verizon Wireless' 3G network, DROID is a smartphone that simply doesn't compromise." "This is an exciting announcement for Verizon Wireless, as the DROID by Motorola is the first device that we are bringing to market under our ground-breaking strategic partnership with Google," said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "DROID by Motorola gives customers a lifestyle device with access to more than 12,000 applications that will help them stay in touch, up to date and entertained, using the best 3G network in the country." DROID by Motorola has a solid exterior, intelligent interior and is one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available. It is a no-fuss, high-tech, location-aware, voice-recognizing, over-the-air updating, multi-tasking machine – and it is available just in time for holiday wish lists. With DROID by Motorola, you can: - Zip through the Web: Access the Internet at 3G speeds via the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network or from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The multi-window HTML browser with a massive processor delivers the Web the way you expect.
- See it all in cinema-style: View the Web, e-mail, Google Maps™, videos and more in widescreen on a brilliant 3.7" high-resolution screen. Boasting a width of 854 pixels to reduce the need for side-to-side panning and more than 400,000 pixels total, DROID has more than twice that of the leading competitor.
- Run multiple applications at once: Customize your DROID with thousands of applications and hundreds of widgets available on Android Market™. Toggle back and forth between up to six applications at a time to juggle the universe and your apps.
- Perform Google Search™ at the speed of sound: Simply tell DROID what you're looking for using voice-activated search, and it will serve up Google search results based on your location. If you want more, simply type what you're looking for into the search bar on the home screen and DROID will also search content on your phone, such as apps and contacts, and the Web.
- Capture moments: Snap digital camera-quality photos with a 5 megapixel camera loaded with the works, such as a dual-LED flash, AutoFocus and image stabilization, or capture your friend's antics in 16 million colors with DVD-quality video capture and playback. Store it all on the included 16 GB memory card, so you always have it on hand.
- Multi-task like a master: Keep tabs on all your messages with integrated Gmail™ and Exchange e-mail pushed directly to you, but don't let them get in your way. With the handy Android notification panel, go straight to the message or simply ignore it, and get back to the task at hand. And, a smart dictionary learns as you type and automatically includes your contacts.
- Get where you need to go with Google Maps Navigation (Beta): DROID is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It's powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say "Navigate to [your destination]," and you'll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.
Pre-loaded Applications and Enhancements to Google Mobile Services: - Google Maps: With layers in Google Maps, view geographic information, such as My Maps, Wikipedia, and transit lines, right on the map.
- Gmail: Multiple accounts support and undo for common operations.
- YouTube™: One-touch recording and playback from homescreen widget or app, one-touch sharing with friends, and the ability to view your own uploaded videos and high-resolution videos.
- Google Talk™: Easily switch between chats, search your chat history, and preview pictures and videos sent by links.
- Android Market: Browse and download applications created by third-party developers.
- Calendar: Ability to see who has R.S.V.P.'d to your meeting invitations.
- Facebook: Syncs Facebook contacts to your address book, and a live widget gives the ability to update status and view latest updates from friends.
- Amazon MP3 Store: Download the latest tracks over the air.
- Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail: Delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions.
Pricing and Availability: - DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, Nov. 6, for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
- Experience the all-new DROID by Motorola at www.droiddoes.com.
- To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.
- For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Hardware, Laptops  Yesterday, Dell announced that its new Latitude XT2 XFR tablet laptop is shipping. Claiming to be world’s thinnest for a 12.1” screen at a narrow 1.5”, the laptop/tablet comes ruggedized and ready for battle. Designed for the rigors of first responders in the field, the price tag is a sharp $3599 for the base model.
Here we are just a week after the Windows 7 launch and Dell’s new tablet says it runs Vista with XP Tablet installed in the buy information, but the Tech Specs say Windows 7. Trying to customize the device in Dell’s packages only lead to Windows Vista options. Windows 7 doesn’t seem to have propagated to this release. Odd for a new release huh? The 12.1” LED screen is impact resistant, capacitive, sunlight viewable, and is mulit-touch enabled. A resistive screen is an option as well. Dell will have accessories that are hot-swappable such as GPS and webcam in the coming weeks. "The Latitude XT2 XFR is more than a laptop, it's a key part of our mobile command and data-center solutions for field service, defense and first-responder customers," said Paul Bell, president, Dell Global Public-Sector Business. "These unique solutions, coupled with our service model, make those communities more effective, enabling them to focus on their core missions instead of managing technology." The announcement does not include a shipping date as it uses future-tense for its verbs. Know a good lawyer? Product Page: [Dell] Press release: [Dell] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Content, HDTV, Video Providers Roku has officially added to their lineup of set-top boxes, which means they are now offering the Roku SD, Roku HD and the Roku HD-XR. To begin with, all three models still stream Netflix like we have to come to expect in the past. Additionally, they all still offer both wired and wireless connectivity. Basically, the previous model, which also used to be the only model has been given a price cut and is now $79.99. Of course if you are looking for a little more then you can step up to the Roku HD. The additional features on the HD include an optical audio output, an HDMI connector and as you can see from the name—the ability to play HD content. The Roku HD is selling for $99.99. Moving on, we also have the Roku HD-XR, which similar to the HD model offers the optical audio output, HDMI and ability to play HD content. However the HD-XR also offers a little bump in Wi-Fi connectivity which includes Wireless-N. The other models (the HD and SD) do offer Wi-Fi but not the Wireless-N speed. In terms of price the Roku HD-XR is $129.99. One other yet unused feature worth mentioning on the Roku HD-XR is the USB port, which is currently located on the back of the box, but simply noted as being “for future use” in the press release. Finally, Roku has also announced the Roku Channel Store, which will allow customers to pick and enable new content channels on their device. So far the Channel Store is not yet active though, instead it will be available “later this fall.” Product [Roku] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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