Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks  Amazon has announced a firmware update is on the way for its popular Kindle 2 e-reader. The update will give the 6-inch e-reader native PDF support and also claims to increase battery life by a whopping 85%, meaning the device will last up to 7 days between charges (even with the wireless service turned on) rather than 4.
"Kindle, already the #1 bestselling, most wished for, and most gifted product on all of Amazon.com, is now even better—with 85 percent more battery life and a built-in PDF reader," said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "These two significant enhancements are available now."
The company says the update is the product of 6 months of testing and development and will offer the native PDF support of the update to owners of the original Kindle as well. It will be delivered wirelessly, although Amazon has yet to say when. Kindle has been wildly popular since its release 2 years ago. It's appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show in October 2008, along with her pronouncement that it was her favorite gadget, led to the device selling out just as the holidays hit. A minor controversy followed when Amazon discontinued it and releases the Kindle 2 in February of this year. It has remained popular but now faces competition from Sony, Barnes and Noble, and other manufacturers, and has versions of its software for the iPhone/iPod Touch, PC, and soon for the BlackBerry. Read [Amazon] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile It has been a long time since HP released an interesting iPAQ device. Now, with the release of Windows Mobile 6.5, it looks like the iPAQ is back once again with the Glisten. The HP iPAQ Glisten is a smartphone heading to AT&T targeted at business users over everyone else. The iPAQ Glisten looks to be a good alternative to those who like the BlackBerry-esque form factor, but either require or prefer Windows Mobile 6.5. It has a 2.5” AMOLED touchscreen, along with a QWERTY keyboard and five-way directional pad. In terms of specs it holds 256 SDRAM/512 MB Flash memory, GPS, 3.1 MP camera, 3G and Wi-Fi (complete with a dedicated on/off switch, which could prove very handy). It runs stock Windows Mobile 6.5, along with Flash support in the browser, and built in apps for Facebook and HP’s Snapfish. The iPAQ Glisten may not be the most exciting Windows Mobile 6.5 phone compared to others recent releases, but it does seem like a decent choice. The combination of a candybar smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard, and a touchscreen makes it fairly interesting, and could put it above popular BlackBerries. There is also a great brand in iPAQ, with it being one of the better PDAs back when those were still around. The only thing holding it back is the $180 price tag after the $50 mail-in rebate. Unless users really need Windows Mobile or a physical keyboard, there’s no reason to pick this up over the 16GB iPhone 3GS. Unless, of course, you hate Apple’s policies for the iPhone and can’t switch the Verizon for a Droid. Read [AT&T] Read [HP] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  Plenty of people nowadays are looking to an iPhone, BlackBerry or something sporting Android for their smartphone needs, but that should not rule Windows Mobile based handsets out.
That said, Verizon Wireless and Samsung have recently announced the upcoming availability of the Omnia II. And in a nice twist on numbers, the Omnia II will be available as of December 2 for $200. Well, more specifically it will set you back $199.99, but that price does come AFTER a $100 mail-in-rebate and along with a two-year commitment. Feature wise, the Samsung Omnia II is running Windows Mobile 6.5 with Opera 9.5 for browsing and has a 3.7-inch “ultra-briliant” touchscreen display, a virtual QWERTY keyboard and a 5.0-megapixel camera with flash, auto-focus and video recording. Additionally, the Omnia II also offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, EV-DO Rev. A, Bluetooth, 8GB of internal storage and has a microSD card slot for additional storage. Read [Verizon Wireless] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Broadband Cards, Mobile, Computers, Mobile Computers, Netbooks, Wireless  I first saw the LG X120 netbook back in January of this year during CES, and although it looked to be a decent offering design wise there were a few points that kept me from really being interested. First, it was nothing out of the ordinary in terms of specs, and second it was not available here in the US.
That said, things change with time, and although the specs have remained the same as when I first saw the X120, it is now going to be available here in the US. So moving on, the fortunate or unfortunate part here, depending on who you ask is that the LG X120 will be tied to AT&T. In other words, it is coming 3G-equipped, and that means it will require an AT&T DataConnect plan. Anyway, the X120 will be found exclusively at Radio Shack and will set you back $179.99. And as I mentioned, the DataConnect plan is required, which means you will sign a two-year agreement at $60 a month. Feature wise, the X120 has a 10.1-inch display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and is running Windows XP. The one nice part here is that the X120 also features the SmartOn interface which means you can boot up and connect quickly. Basically, if you are looking for a subsidized netbook then this appears to be a nice option, but at the same time I have to offer just three words of advise; “Get a MiFi.” Keep reading to check out the full press release… LG Netbook Debuts Revolutionary SmartOn Interface That Takes a Shortcut to the Fun Stuff and Puts Users at the Center of Their Social Universe AT&T’s 3G Mobile Broadband Service to Help People Stay Connected SAN DIEGO, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/—LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) announced today the newest addition to their innovative product line-up with the launch of the LG X120 netbook. The first of its kind from LG, the LG X120 delivers the benefits of netbook functionality and gives users a shortcut to the fun stuff with a unique SmartOn(TM) interface that makes staying connected faster, easier and just seconds away. Available at RadioShack, the LG X120 is the perfect computing companion for social networkers, college students and young professionals on the go. Weighing only 2.8lbs, the slim and stylish LG X120 provides the computing power of a laptop with the freedom of a mobile device. Equipped with an innovative SmartOn interface that loads in seconds, the LG netbook connects to web and photos, instant messaging and MP3 player with just the touch of a button. Designed with a sleek white matte exterior and fashionable blue trim, the LG X120 delivers 7 hours of battery life and built-in AT&T 3G wireless connectivity. Users can explore the internet, update blogs and download music from just about anywhere, anytime on the nation’s fastest 3G network. The LG netbook also features 1GB RAM and 160GB hard drive that offers users ultimate storage space for music, photos and gaming while a generous 10.1” screen with crystal clear LED backlighting creates a viewing experience perfect for watching videos and reading e-mails while on the run. A built-in 1.3 megapixel camera and HD stereo speakers provide clear, more precise video chatting and conferencing with friends and colleagues. “We created the LG X120 to allow consumers to stay connected on their own terms,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “The SmartOn button puts consumers seconds away from the fun stuff such as showing off your vacation photos or picking your fantasy football line-up.” LG X120 also includes a traditional start up feature booting the complete Windows XP Operating system that allows users to plan a budget or build a basic presentation on professionally based applications. No longer limited to Wi-Fi hotspots, 3G HSDPA provides on-the-go connectivity giving users instant access to all the tools that keep them connected and make them unique. The LG netbook will be available at select Radio Shack stores nationwide and online at www.RadioShack.com for $179.99 with a 2-year AT&T DataConnect service agreement, a $60 monthly 5GB plan. AT&T DataConnect subscribers also receive access to AT&T Wi-Fi service, which includes more than 20,000 Hot Spots nationwide. Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract, rate plan brochure and rebate form at store for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing address within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activation fee applies. Equipment price & availability may vary by market & may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but a restocking fee may apply; thereafter up to $175.
Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Web, Web Apps, Websites  Remember coupons? Those little rectangles of paper designed to bring you to one store or to purchase one brand? Their back and their mobile. Thanks to Google, these coupons are now added to their search results and can be shown to clerks to reap the savings.
If a business adds a mobile coupon to their Local Business listing on Google, the coupon will appear in a Google search on the “Places” page. I searched in vain to find a local retailer offering a coupon but it looks like existing offers by local merchants will have to be enabled to go mobile, new offers from here out will be offered mobile as the default. It will take a little for savvy businesses to catch on but when it does, a simple Google search as you head to check out might save you some money. If you are a business owner and want to learn how to turn your coupons into mobile coupons, click here. Read [Official Google Mobile Blog] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, HDTV, Portable Video 
Creative launched their 3rd generation Vado video camera yesterday, selling at $179. The new version is glossy, better looking and addresses a list of issues that plagued the first two designs. Is it ready to be added to your holiday wish list? Creative touts their ease of use for the Vado and previous Vado’s featured a HDMI out port along with a wide angle lens. The third generation updates the device with a microphone jack (as complaints about the original audio recording were common), improved video in low/high light recordings, headphone output, motion detection to activate recording based on movement, PC and Mac compatibility and still image capture. The only thing keeping me from recommending this video camera is memory. The 3rd gen Vado comes with 4GB and no expansion slots. In this day of relatively inexpensive SD cards featuring up to 32GB of space, I am uneasy about being locked into just 4. Even a 4GB SD card gives me the freedom to swap out cards and keep going without stopping to download and clear memory on the device. I see myself on a Caribbean island, wedged between some giant rocks filming whales in the setting sun when a out-of-memory message pops up. Is it just me that worries about these things? If you can live with 4GB, check out the new Vado, it is a fine looking device. Press release: [Creative] Product page: [Creative] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Netbooks  Anyone looking for a deal on a netbook may want to check out one of the latest offerings coming courtesy of Dell. The netbook that is on sale is the Dell Vostro A90 and can be purchased for just $184.
Of course, there are a few points that may cause people to think twice—this particular model is running Ubuntu 8.04 and has a smaller (8.9-inch) display. Otherwise, the features are pretty much the netbook standard. The Vostro A90 sports an 8.9-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, an Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 8GB SSD drive, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and a 4-cell battery. All things considered, this is certainly not the best, fastest or most powerful netbook available, but for $184 it seems like it would make a nice addition to someones living room. Its always nice to have that extra PC laying around for the kids or guests. Of course, getting back to that one point—Ubuntu 8.04—personally I would suggest switching this over to the latest version of Ubuntu Netbook Remix or Jolicloud, both of which are available for free and also supported on the A90. Product [Dell] Via [Liliputing] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation Thanks to a new program, those looking to save a few bucks and at the same time recycle their older model GPS will be able to take care of both at the same time. The program comes courtesy of TomTom, who are offering would be purchasers the ability to “Trade-In. Trade-Up. Get Cash Back.” The program seems simple enough, and according to the website can be completed in just four steps. 1.) Purchase any new TomTom GPS on TomTom.com
2.) Determine the value of your trade-in, using our GPS estimator.
3.) Log in and print a prepaid shipping label and send your old GPS to our trade-in warehouse.
4.) In 7 – 14 days, you will receive a rebate check!
One nice part here is that you can trade-in just about any other brand GPS including those from Alpine, Garmin, Insignia, Magellan, Navigon and more. Of course, as with any offer like this, you may not get as much for your older GPS as you potentially could if you used another source like eBay. That said, sometimes you just want something simple and easy. Read [Club TomTom] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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