Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Computers, Mobile Computers, Web, Google  If Google can keep Gmail constantly improving, I’m sure many mobile users will begin switching to Gmail. Google has made it a priority to keep the Gmail app in top notch shape for the major platforms such as iPhone, Android, and the emerging iPad. The update pushed out by Google basically has to do with contact box when composing a message.
The “To” box has expanded so the whole contact is displayed (Name and email address). In addition, after choosing a person to send an email to, you can quickly press an undo button in case you chose the wrong recipient. When composing an email, if you begin to type a contact’s name, the drop down list will only show the associated names, not their email addresses. For example, if I am sending an email to John Smith (J.Smith@gmail.com), the drop down list would only show John Smith (not his email address) and maybe John P. and John C. if I have more contacts. Lastly, for the contacts you email the most, a Plus sign will be displayed. As the Gmail app becomes more sophisticated, I’m sure many mobile users will consider switching to Gmail from a different email provider. If that is not the case, at least the mobile experience has been improved for the masses. Via [CNet] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Reviews, Peep Shows, Features  The Camangi WebStation first came available back in late-December, and due to the time it was released it was able to tout being the first Android Tablet available. That said, being first does not always mean being the best. Anyway, I was extremely interested in picking up a WebStation when it was first released, but the $399 price tag and so-so first reviews kept me from moving forward. Since then I have followed along closely and watched as Camangi lowered the price to a much more reasonable $275. That said, I still held off but remained interested. Thankfully, coming as a small perk of being a tech blogger we sometimes get to play with toys without having to make a purchase. Yes, that means (here is the full disclosure) that Camangi sent me a WebStation to review—and review I will. I have had the unit since last evening and still need some time to properly write a review, but in the meantime you can check out some of my unboxing images. As for first thoughts, the device looks really nice—it has a good size (7 inch display) and good weight. It also seems to be made solid, which is good for a portable device such as this. But alas, the full review will be coming after I have some more time to properly put it though its paces. Product [Camangi] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile  Unveiled this week, Microsoft’s pair of Kin devices seem an odd duck out of the gate. Microsoft is more or less creating a new category of devices: smart feature phone. Combining a quick messaging along with a smartphone the result is a list of compromises.
15 minutes until next update - what? Yes. One of the compromises in making the data plan less expensive than a smartphone is MS is throttling usage. During continuous use (aka most times) the device will only reach out to social networking sites every 15 minutes. A simple conversation could take as long as 45 minutes to complete. However, there is a work-around: lock and unlock the device. When the device is unlocked, it automatically reaches out to the network. I can’t imagine this being an attractive work-around, but there it is. There’s not an app for that The theme of the phone industry for the past year has been apps. Apps for everything: fishing spots, piloting planes, stamp collecting and everything in between. MS decided social networks are more than enough fun, games are silly. Uh-oh. No games and no app store - crushing hopes for any in the future. Last time I checked, teens like games. Surely, I am safely outside the target market for these devices. I can’t wait to see how consumers view these devices and how Verizon pushes them. Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile 
HTC is the maker of many of the world’s best devices. Currently, they produce phones with Microsoft Windows, Android and even Qualcomm’s Brew. Their design know-how is up at a world class level, yet something is keeping them from dominating. HTC believes it might be their own OS. According to a phone interview, HTC is considering their own OS. This jives with the info we reported on earlier this week that HTC was one of the companies looking at Palm as an acquisition. HTC could surely solve some of the hardware issues with Palm devices but the bigger question is how HTC customers would feel about the wolf in the hen house. Companies like Microsoft partner up with makers like HTC to share information, inform and even teach. If HTC is seen as a competitor, this may discourage new partnering. Would an HTC OS push customers away? The flip side of this is HTC is still a relatively small brand in devices. They’ve gained much ground in the past two years, but competing with say, the iPhone, takes a lot of marketing dollars and doing a lot of things right the first time. Is HTC up for that kind of challenge? Read: [Bloomberg] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks  The Alex eReader from Spring Design was made available for pre-order back in mid-March, and now it looks like those orders will begin shipping. The news comes by way of an official, albeit short press release that confirmed the good news. In short, anyone that was willing to place a pre-order should begin to keep an eye out for delivery.
Keep reading to check out the full press release… Spring Design to Ship Alex eReader Wednesday April 14
International Versions to Be Announced Shortly Alex eReader from Spring Design Alex eReader from Spring Design
FREMONT, Calif. - April 13, 2010 - Spring Design today announced that the dual screen multimedia Alex eReader, available online at www.springdesign.com, will begin shipping to customers as planned tomorrow, April 14. Weighing only 11 ounces, the Android-based Alex eReader supporting eBooks in EPUB, PDF, HTML and TXT formats offers full Internet browsing using WiFi connectivity, and later this year will also feature 3G and EVDO/CDMA connectivity. Alex offers multitasking, enabling users to enjoy music while they read, supplement their eBook on the EPD screen with video on the LCD screen, search the Web or use email so users may connect with each other in book clubs and social media. The Alex eReader costs $399 and measures 4.7” by 8.9” and less than a half inch deep. It comes with headphones, AC connector, USB cable and protective cover. The USB 2.0 connector makes it easy to transfer photos, videos or other files to the Alex MicroSD card offering expansion of user libraries up to 32GB. Spring Design will offer periodic over the air updates for the Alex. Spring will shortly being to announce multi-language versions of Alex for countries speaking Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Korean and Hebrew. Alex is the first eReader to offer international versions of the product through its local country partners connecting to local bookstores. About Spring Design:
Spring Design Inc., founded in 2006, designs and delivers eReader products to the eBook market. Its Alex eReader is the first multimedia, Android-based, dual-screen eReader with a full-function browser. It offers a hyperlink publishing tool, “Link Notes”, that links eBook text to related video, audio, notes or web addresses. Spring Design Inc. is located in Fremont, California with engineering offices in Taiwan and China. Spring Design’s innovative patented technologies incorporate the seamless interaction of dual display and multi-online access in a single device, benefiting and leveraging the technology and resources of the Web to enhance the reading experience. For more information please see www.springdesign.com.
Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Netbooks Yet another Eee PC netbook has shifted into the available for pre-order status with Amazon. The latest is the Eee PC 1005PR, and it also marks the second offering from Asus that is packing an HD display. And for those wondering that HD display means a 1366 x 768 resolution, which is an increase from the typical netbook standard of 1024 x 600. Just to finish off the display, it is 10.1 inches in size and glossy in nature. Otherwise, the Eee PC 1005PR features will include a Broadcom Crystal HD accelerator, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, Windows 7 Home Premium and 6-cell battery that is said to offer up to 11 hours of run time. The remaining feature include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, a 0.3 megapixel webcam and a chiclet style keyboard. In terms of pricing, expect to pay $399.99. As of now an availability date is not offered, and the purchase would simply be a pre-order. Still, this is a nice offering for a netbook. Not only are you getting a higher resolution display, but a slightly larger hard drive and the Premium version of Windows 7 as opposed to the Starter version. Product [Amazon] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks  It is certainly not April 18 yet, not according to my calendar at least. But that does not seem to have stopped Best Buy from offering the Barnes & Noble nook a little earlier than expected. The good news, those that have may be interested in purchasing a Barnes & Noble nook from Best Buy can now do so. That is as long as you are willing to shell out enough to meet the $259.99 price tag. In addition it looks like Best Buy is also stocking some accessories including an AC adapter and USB cable kit for $14.99, a spare battery for $29.99 as well as a selection of cases.
Product [Best Buy] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Web, Online Music/Video  With just about every cable and national network providing some sort of access to their content online, the need for traditional TV subscriptions is becoming obsolete. The person who only watched a couple hours of television daily now can get his fix from sites such as Hulu. A new estimate by The Convergence Consulting Group states that more than 800,000 people not only consume their TV online, but completely ditched their cable boxes and satellite receivers for an internet run television. While of course this doesn’t even put a dent into the massive $84 billion industry that is television, it has been an interesting trend to follow. In fact, since online video has become so convenient, many analysts agree that the 800,000 people depending solely on the web could easily double within the next year. So the question is, could you survive on only online video? I think many people would be surprised at just how much is available for free online. But even more interesting, I think they would enjoy not being tethered to a contract from some cable mogul, relying on their technicians to keep media streaming to their house; which is an inconvenience for everyone. Read [The Convergence Consulting Group] Via [TechCrunch] Full Story » | Written by Hunter Clarke for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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