Delta has announced that travelers are now able to book flights through Facebook using their new “Ticket Window” service. They are also planning to introduce an iPhone app that will allow customers to track frequent flier miles, view flight status, check in for flights and more. The new services are part of the company’s efforts to make themselves more user friendly.
FROM APPLETELL - In celebration of its one year anniversary, Navigon is knocking half off the price of its Mobile Navigator GPS app and add-ins through August 15th. MORE »
Starbucks announced it will be unveiling its own digital network as part of its free WiFi offerings. The network will offer both free and premium content from specially chosen content providers like Apple and the New York Times. The network will offer this content in a variety of categories including news, entertainment and local interests. They are also planning to offer special ebook downloads in the future. The Starbucks Digital Network will debut this fall.
FROM GAMERTELL - There will be two special editions of Call of Duty: Black Ops - the Prestige and Hardened. The Hardened edition comes with an avatar outfit, extra maps, a steelbook case, medal and the game. The Prestige edition includes all that and an awesome R/C car. MORE »
Dell has announced that they will not be making an unlocked version of the new Streak. The device, which is currently available for pre-sale, will be locked to AT&T only. It is available for $299 with a two year contract or for $549 for those who aren’t eligible for an upgrade or don’t want to extend their contracts. The company hasn’t offered any explanation of why the device won’t be available unlocked but it’s likely their contract with AT&T may prohibit it.
FROM GAMERTELL - For a long time we’ve been hearing rumblings of a PlayStation phone. Sony flat out denied rumors that Sony Ericsson was developing such a product. In January 2009, Sony allegedly stated the only way Sony Ericsson would ever make a PlayStation phone is if their product was equal or superior… MORE »
The big story with Verizon Wireless is the launch of the Motorola Droid 2, not so much the launch of the Samsung Gusto. I guess if you’re looking for a really basic phone and do not want to spend a whole lot of money on a smartphone, the Samsung Gusto may not be that bad of an option. But when every major phone launch these days is a smartphone, these simplistic featurephones tend to seem pretty boring.
The Gusto is a flip-phone with a 2 inch internal screen, VGA camera, mobile web browser, Bluetooth connectivity, Bing search, VZ Navigator, and costs $20 after a $50 MIR on a two year contract. The Gusto does have a few interesting features including a Driving Mode and Fake Call Feature. Basically, the Driving Mode makes the in-call volume on high, overrides vibrate settings, and reads contact information aloud when a text message is received. The Fake Call Feature will let you plan a call ahead of time in case you anticipate an awkward social situation that you need a quick escape from.
Full press release below:
BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and DALLAS, TX — Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced that the Samsung Gusto™ is available online today and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks. The sleek Samsung Gusto sports a 2-inch main display, multiple messaging options, Dynamic Voice Enhancement technology with noise suppression, mobile Web browser and Bluetooth® technology for hands-free communication.
Color: Metallic Gray
Key features and specifications:
Slim form factor 2-inch internal screen Mobile Web browser to connect on the go Messaging options include text, picture and voice messaging; Mobile IM; Mobile Chat; Mobile Email; and Mobile Web Email VGA camera with night shot Bluetooth® technology to support headset, hands-free, serial port, object push for vCard and vCalendar and phonebook access Lifestyle features:
Dynamic Voice Enhancement technology with noise suppression technology to reduce background noise levels and enhance speech frequencies Driving Mode – changes the handset volume automatically to high, overrides vibrate settings, and reads contact information aloud when a call or message is received Fake Call feature – lets customers set up a pseudo call with a timer to manage social situations Voice Commands – voice dial, send text, send picture, digit dial, text message readout, call announcement, My Verizon, check features, contacts, redial, GoTo, help and driving mode Personal Organizer and Tools – calendar, calculator with currency converter, world clock, alarm clock and stop watch Media Center-capable – access downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services and more Preloaded with Bing Search VZ Navigator® capable – receive audible turn-by-turn directions to more than 15 million points of interest and share the directions with others Price and availability:
The Samsung Gusto is available online today at www.verizonwireless.com for free after an online discount with a new two-year customer agreement and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $19.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. 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. 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.
The Motorola Droid 2 coverage rolls on, the latest—a video walkthrough coming courtesy of Verizon. Which seems to be a nice follow up to the introduction video that was offered up by Motorola yesterday. With that, we have a little over 3 minutes of Droid 2 coverage from Derek at Verizon. Bottom line here, the Verizon Droid lineup is pretty tight right now, the Droid Incredible, Droid X and Droid 2 make a nice trio. Of course, that just means making a purchase decision will be that much more difficult. But I guess in the end it will come down to whether you want a big display (Droid X), physical keyboard (Droid 2) or the Sense UI experience (Droid Incredible). And as someone who needs to replace a Droid Eris with a cracked display—I must say I am stumped as to which one to get, although I am pretty sure that the Droid X is a little bigger than I like in a cell phone.
FROM APPLETELL - A straightforward iPad sleeve made out of silky smooth neoprene, the Taipan Spacesuite XS may be a good choice for those looking to protect their iPad while in another bag. MORE »
Smart announced the launch of their iPhone app and Drive Kit that brings the functionality of the iPhone to the Smart driving experience. The Drive Kit is a charging cradle for the car while the app is designed to make navigating the iPhone's basic functions while driving an easier task. The result is a rather large UI and simplified choices.
The kit plus the app has already won the coveted "Best Portable Telematics Solution" in the 2010 Telematics Update Award. The kit is available at Smart dealers where, according to Benzinsider.com, purchasers will get a $10 iTunes gift card to cover the cost of the $9.99 app in the App Store. Clever enough.
Currently, the app handles phone calls, music controls, odd maps, navigation, and assistance for help with roadside assistance. Impressive features include a remember where I parked, a Shazam-like "what song is playing" identifier and access to loads of web-radio stations. An upgrade to navigation to include traffic updates is in the works.
The comments in the App Store are decidedly unfavorable. The reviews center on many of the features are already available on the iPhone without spending $10. I'd counter that by saying, the cradle is a must buy for Smart Fortwo owners, the app is free (with the $10 gift card) and provides a more driver-friendly UI so users can keep more attention on the road, less on the gadget.
Now that Sprint has officially announced the pricing and release date for the Epic 4G, they seem ready to begin showing the phone off a little more. This first bit comes by way of the official sprint YouTube channel and gives a nice side by side comparison of the two Android powered 4G smartphones—the HTC EVO 4G and the Samsung Epic 4G. That said, this offers a pretty decent look at the two phones. The Epic is looking pretty nice about now and with the slide-out QWERTY keyboard I am fairly certain that there are plenty who will be happy to make the purchase.
With the announcement of the Motorola Droid 2, we also received word that it was also going to be available as an R2-D2 special edition. Unfortunately at the time of the announcement all we got was mention of the handset in a press release and a teaser page on the Verizon website with no real images. Thankfully, the internet wanted to know, and know it will, and Twitter user @r2d2central managed to snap a picture of the backside of the phone. Well, truth be told—I am disappointed. I am a HUGE Star Wars fan and really liked the idea behind this. That said, I am not sure I would be comfortable sporting this phone for more than a few weeks, much less for the life of a two-year agreement. I am not sure, maybe it will grow on me, but with a first look, something just does not look right.
Remember that absurdly cheap Indian tablet that recently made some waves? Well, I am glad to announce that we actually have some specs on this little wonder. While it was subject to a plethora of media speculation, the unofficially named “Indian tablet” could change the lives of millions of unfortunate Indian children. So what do we know about this thing so far? Apparently the tablet is actually real and sports Android OS. Other features include: 2GB of RAM, a mini USB port, a camera, wifi capabilities and will be released in mid 2011. In addition, Google and Microsoft are currently in talks with the Indian minister on adding a little spice to the tablet.
Check out the hands-on video that breaks down the device in further detail:
Is it just me, or do those seats look like something out of Tron? I digress. It looks real ladies and gentlemen. What could a device so cheap mean for the future of computing for the rest of the world? Stay tuned.
It looks like the Dell Thunder has been spotted online, and this time it is in both video and image form. The nice part here is that this latest leak did reconfirm some of the earlier rumors. Granted that does not make them official, but further confirmation is always nice. Given that, we can pass on that the Dell Thunder is sporting a 4.1 inch (800 x 480) OLED display, 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p video recording, 1400 mAh (removable) battery and is running Android 2.1. And although this last part is still nothing but a firm rumor, the expected time of arrival is Q4 of this year. In the meantime, hit the read link below to check out a few more images along with a short but sweet video.
FROM APPLETELL - MIMO monitors are tiny monitors designed to add to your screen real estate without tying up your monitor output or taking up much space on your desk. A 10 inches plus, the iMo Monster is their biggest yet. MORE »
Sprint has officially announced the pricing and release information for their second Android powered 4G smartphone. The Samsung Epic 4G will be available beginning on August 31st and will sell for $249.99. As for the catches with the price, that comes after a $100 mail-in-rebate and along with a two-year agreement.
Otherwise, the Epic 4G will be available by way of Sprint, Radio Shack, Best Buy and Walmart. And Sprint retail stores will be opening up at 8am on launch day. Lastly, those interested and worrying about getting a phone on the first day, rest assured because as of August 13th you can reserve your phone. The reservations can be done online (link below) and then picked up in store when available.
And just like that, another 4G powered Android smartphone will soon be available. That said, similar to the Droid 2, it is nice to be passing on factual information about the Epic 4G release as opposed to rumor and speculation.
Delta has announced that travelers are now able to book flights through Facebook using their new “Ticket Window” service. They are also planning to introduce an iPhone app that will allow customers to track frequent flier miles, view flight status, check in for flights and more. The new services are part of the company’s efforts to make themselves more user friendly.
Starbucks announced it will be unveiling its own digital network as part of its free WiFi offerings. The network will offer both free and premium content from specially chosen content providers like Apple and the New York Times. The network will offer this content in a variety of categories including news, entertainment and local interests. They are also planning to offer special ebook downloads in the future. The Starbucks Digital Network will debut this fall. 
Dell has announced that they will not be making an unlocked version of the new Streak. The device, which is currently available for pre-sale, will be locked to AT&T only. It is available for $299 with a two year contract or for $549 for those who aren’t eligible for an upgrade or don’t want to extend their contracts. The company hasn’t offered any explanation of why the device won’t be available unlocked but it’s likely their contract with AT&T may prohibit it. 
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