Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile You are missing life. That’s the gist of what appears to be the marketing direction from Microsoft for their new Windows Phone. We are a world consumed with small screens, tiny gestures and are forever looking down at a gadget instead of life around you. “Be here now” is their new battle-cry. Microsoft hits an interesting point: how much are missing by staring into our phones? The point is valid, as I think we’ve all been stuck behind someone in line that is too busy to notice it’s their turn. But the question remains, will that sell phones?  Don’t we want to hear how much we can do with our phone? Isn’t that the game that Apple and Android devices have going? The phones are designed to scream, “look at me!” What’s your take? Are you overloaded and could use a phone that gets you on and off it quickly (and not because of a crappy signal)? Let us know in the comments. Read: [MobileCrunch] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile 
The latest version of Apple’s iPhone 4 is doing well in China. Apple managed to pre-sell 200,000 and another 40,000 were sold opening day, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. This exhausted the supply on hand, leaving many customers without the new gadget. Apple’s reduction in lag between US introduction and a China launch looks to be a win for the company. Earlier this month, the iPad was introduced in China. These two products combined with more store openings (adding a targeted 25 locations this year) show Apple is serious about getting a foothold in the country. The iPhone is sold exclusively on Unicom on higher-than-average service plans. Apple spokespeople insist shipments of new iPhone 4s are already arriving and interested customers should check online or at local stores for availability. Read: [WSJ] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Video, Content, DVD/DVR/Blu-ray, HDTV, Video Providers  Last week, Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy, to the surprise of no one. Netflix, has managed to emerge from the DVD rental wars as the victor but now finds itself in an emerging battle: online video. This new battle is still taking shape but one Netflix will need to win as well.
“The news widely reported earlier has come to fruition: Blockbuster Video's Chapter 11 bankruptcy is happening,” writes Brian Allen for sister-site GamerTell. While the company plans to keep it’s 3,400 stores (combo of company owned and franchised) open, the future of the company and DVD rentals for that matter is up in the air. Netflix saw this coming. The company has strategically positioned itself to be accessible to consumers. From TVs to DVD players to Apple’s latest do-hickey, you’ll find Netflix on just about everything. But is that the right move? Unlike DVD rentals, there’s no real barrier to entry, companies with money simply cut a deal and buy up some server space. And in the streaming game, there are some folks with lots of money and bandwidth. Companies like Amazon, Apple, YouTube (Google) and Hulu (NBC,News Corp and Disney). Each is very serious in their approach and has the benefit of exclusive deals signed with studios. Many of Netflix’s deals require the titles to be on store’s shelves for 28 days, presumably so studios can get the hard DVD sales. But this approach could put Netflix at a disadvantage. “For example, "Robin Hood," starring Russell Crowe, is available to stream on Amazon but will not be available on Netflix until Oct. 19. Hulu Plus has the current season of "The Office," while the most recent episodes on Netflix are from last season.” Late and old is not a good combo for the online world. For a great article, click through to the NYT. Read: [New York Times] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile 
A new study conducted by Forrester Research in Q2 of 2010 looked at smartphone adoption and habits by generational groupings. The study shows that almost 1 out of 4 in generations X and Y carry a smartphone while all adults over 18 sees that ratio drop to less than 1 in 5. The results show the effects of early adoption and the explosion of social networking. Generation X is defined as 31 to 44 year olds while generation Y is defined as 18 to 30 year olds. “While Americans’ adoption of a digital lifestyle continues, Gen Y and Gen X outpace Baby Boomers and Seniors on almost everything technology related.” “The digital attitudes and behaviors that Gen Y and Gen X are cultivating now will follow them as they age and will only be multiplied in the generations that follow them,” said Forrester Research Consumer Insights Analyst Jacqueline Anderson. “Gen Y in particular is living and breathing a digital social life. In almost every online or mobile behavior, Gen Y leads the adoption curve. The distinctions between Gen X and Gen Y comes in how technology is used. Both are early adopters while Gen Yers lead the effort and are utilize social networks as part of daily rituals while Gen Xers ” have mastered the art of using digital tools in a more functional manner, especially if it supports their family’s needs,” said Anderson. Read: [Cellular News] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Mobile, Computers, Mobile Computers, Gadgets / Other, ebooks Sharp has officially unveiled a pair of ereader styled tablets. The devices are the Sharp Galapagos and come with either a 5.5 inch or 10.8 inch display. In terms of those displays, the smaller offers a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution and the larger has a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. Other features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and they will be able to do things like receive scheduled deliveries of newspapers as well as surf the web and download ebooks. The smaller of the two comes with a trackball and is available in red and black. Otherwise, the press release announcement was rather light in terms of hardware specs. Not to mention anything about the operating system other than it is Android. Lastly, as of now these are not expected to come available until December and at that it looks like that will only include the Japanese market. Still, they look like interesting devices. Read [Sharp] Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile 
Invitations have gone out for a an October 11 event Microsoft appears to be holding in both New York City and London. While the invite doesn’t give any hints to the content of the event, if it’s anything less than the introduction of Windows Phone, the heir to the Windows Mobile dynasty, we’ll be amazed. The event in London is slated to begin at 2pm (9am Eastern Standard Time) while the event in NYC is said to be an open house for consumers. cnet apparently has confirmed the consumer event in NYC while MS has sent out invitations to the press for the London event. It looks like Microsoft is looking to make this event as big as possible. Just this past week, we saw Microsoft confirm the OS can handle tethering, relying on your carrier to make such important decisions to allow it for you. We’ve also seen HTC comment that it plans to launch a Windows Phone next month. Read: [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  This one seems a bit of a stretch right now, however rumor has it that T-Mobile may begin offering Wi-Fi calling on future Android smartphones. And for those not as familiar, Wi-Fi calling is just what it sounds like, being able to connect and make a voice call using a Wi-Fi connection. It is also know as UMA. Of course while that sounds like really good news there are a few catches. First and foremost, according to the details in the leak, this is “Wi-Fi Calling without a hand-off” which means that if you are on a call and leave the area or otherwise lose that Wi-Fi signal your call will be dropped. Furthermore, this is noted as coming on future Android smartphones and not ones that are currently available. In the end, sounds interesting, but at the same time it may not be what everyone had been hoping for. Either way, we may be seeing something as early as the 6th of October when the next Android smartphone, the G2 launches with T-Mobile. Read [TmoNews] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Reviews, Features, Originals 
The Samsung Fascinate is the fourth Galaxy S smartphone to launch in the United States and it is Verizon’s own flavor of the Galaxy S. It is similar in aesthetics and hardware to the Samsung Vibrant and Captivate, but also bears LED flash which is a feature only found in the Samsung Epic 4G. Currently I am still in the process of reviewing the phone but it has met my expectations that I have come to expect from Galaxy S devices. There are really no complaints with the phone other than the fact that it comes bundled with Verizon apps, still runs Android 2.1, and sometimes acts a bit sluggish. Expect the full review of the Samsung Fascinate shortly, but in the mean time, feel free to check out the unboxing pictures below. Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile  It looks like we may be (finally) seeing a pair of new phones coming by way of Palm. The latest bit comes by way of TUV Rheinland, (who have been reliable in the past) and have uncovered the details including two model numbers—P102UNA and the P102EWW. And for those wondering just what that number means, the current Palm Pre Plus is sporting the model number of P101UNA and P101EWW. Of course, this does come with a potential for disappointment in that 101 to 102 seems like a small bump as compared to a new phone. Either way though, it does look like something new. And given that we are going to try and be hopeful.
Via [PreCentral] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile The T-Mobile G2 is now available for pre-sale at a few places. Best Buy is offering it for new and current T-Mobile customers alike and T-Mobile is limiting the pre-orders to current customers. That said, our personal favorite third party retailer—Wirefly, has listed the G2 as a pre-order item and is not only allowing anyone to place and order—they are doing so at a nice price. New T-Mobile customers can pre-order the G2 with Wirefly for $149.99 (and that comes with free Fed-Ex shipping). Furthermore, those who may be current customers can also order, though the handset will be a bit more. Those looking to renew/upgrade will be charged the regular $199.99. Product [Wirefly] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile Android 2.2 has a wonderful feature in that tethering is enabled, but with that —the carriers can limit or block the functionality. And that seems to be the case with the T-Mobile G2. According to a recent statement from T-Moible; "T-Mobile does not currently support handset tethering or offer a tethering rate plan. Though tethering and Wi-Fi sharing will not be initially supported on the T-Mobile G2, we know that consumers are interested in these features and we are working to develop a solution to support them in the future."
And while that alone is disappointing it is not all that surprising. That said, it does offer a bit of hope that the support will arrive at a future date. Read [TmoNews] Via [AndroidGuys] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
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