Nokia’s flagship N97 to suffer from weak processor?

The mobile market, particularly the smartphone market is heating up as mobile web usage and data plan usage both reach towards the skies. With the increase of mobile web usage comes a need for more powerful devices that can take advantage of everything the web has to offer as well as slowly replacing our time spend at typical desktop or laptop computers and instead investing that time into our mobiles. One of the biggest parts of the whole *productive* mobile usage is the processor. A smartphone can live or die by how fast its little silicon heart pumps. In the case of Nokia’s much hyped touchscreen + qwerty keyboard combo, one would think that it would be powered by a 600+MHz CPU (as in Nokia’s own Xpress Music 5630) in order to make the most of you mobile time. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Now second to the processor is the GPU or RAM that is included. The more GPU or RAM, the more graphically intense applications and games will be and the smoother they will run. Again, in the case of the N97, it is sorely lacking. The cause? Blame it on the use of the ARM11 434MHz processor and paltry 128MB of RAM. One would think that Nokia, a once (and still more or less) mobile giant who is steadily losing market share would maket he N97 all that it could be and really blow peoples’ doors off. Instead, it appears they went down the road of “just OK” and took a turn at adequate. Nokia claims to be “refining” the OS drastically as to make system based tasks effortless and smooth. However, CPU/GPU intensive tasks such as games, graphically rich websites, and other multimedia content could take its toll on the weak in the knees processor. Maybe they’ll up the ante on the N97′s sucessor. We can only hope.

Source: Slashgear, Symbian-Freak

Think FiOS is fast? Well…it used to be…

Verizon FiOS users who once bragged about their insanely fast internet connection will now be left sucking the dust from Optimum Online/Cable Vision subscribers. Just announced, Cable Vision’s new Ultra plans put the speed back in speed. With numbers like 101 Mbps down and 15 Mbps up, you can sure put a mighty dent in several RIAA/label/copyright holders’ pockets. (Not that we’re endorsing that in any way). Speed with such swiftness must cost an arm and a leg and maybe even a sacrificial goat to get right? Wrong! Priced at a mere $99/month for the Ultra package that includes those 101/15 Mbps speeds, Cable Vision is now not only the fastest ISP in all of the U. S. of A., but the most competively priced! **Time Warner….are you watching/listening? THIS is how you get business!** So it’s cheap and fast, but will it even come to my area? Come right inside and you shall know! Even more good news folks. Starting May 11th, every Cable Vision subscriber across their entire service area will have access to the new Ultra speeds! The next best offering now (speed wise) is Verizon’s now slower FiOS service. You may be saying to yourself that $99 is too much to waste on internet plans, however compare it to Verizon’s FiOS which tops out at only 50 Mbps/20 Mbps up/down respectively and will set you back considerably more, $150/month. Now do yo use the true value here. If you can afford it…go, run, or call Cable Visoin and check to see if you’re inside of their service area. You can’t let this deal go! Hopefully this will force Verizon to drastically drop their FiOS prices, up the speed, or better yet…both! Time Warner could learn a thing or two as well….just sayin’

Source: Boy Genius, *Image Source: Schemanmag

T-Mobile, HTC, and RIM team up for device trade-ins

That shiny and swanky new Berry or HTC device while the top of your digital world now (or then), will at some point become old and busted.  Or, you simply may just grow tired of it or be completely wowed by the next latest and greatest mobile device.  Whatever the case, T-Mobile, RIM, and HTC want to let you know that they are in fact thinking of you and have teamed up with a pretty trade-in deal.  The gist of the operation includes you sending back your old phone, (must be in working condition), in which your handset device manufacturer will send you a coupon good for up to $75 off of a new device.  Sweet!  Below is how the switch will go (per Cellphone Signal):

1. Print, bookmark, or email yourself this e-coupon so you have it handy
2. Buy and activate a BlackBerry device with T-Mobile – either online or at any retail location
3. Go online to www.recyclerebates.com/tm-rim and use the password flipyourcurve for access.
4. Fill in some info about your old phone and print out a free shipping label
5. Send in all of the below items before April 30th, 2009 (letter must be post-marked prior to April 30th, 2009)
   1. The old phone
   2. A copy of the UPC code from the box of your new BlackBerry smartphone
   3. A copy of the invoice/receipt from the purchase of your new BlackBerry smartphone

   Tip: ask the sales rep to make copies of these before you leave the store!

6. Once the old phone is received, we will mail you a check for a minimum of $75*

Note: please pack up your old phone carefully with lots of padding – when we receive it, it must be in the condition you specified on the website or you will not get the $75*. Additional terms and conditions on request.

If you need more information, you can find RIM’s requirements here, or HTC’s here.  Any money towards a new mobile device is always welcome, especially in this economy.  Way to go T-Mo, RIM, and HTC!

Source: Cellphone Signal, *Image Source: CDN Layer*

Wow your gardening buddies with the Solar Powered Rock

We have solar powered lights, solar powered cars, and now…solar powered rocks.  Have you ever been sitting outside on your patio or deck and looked at your garden, your garden that you have slaved over for countless hours over many days and weeks and thought that something was missing but you just couldn’t put your finger on it?  I am happy to tell you I know exactly what it is.  The Solar Powered Rock is just the gadget to take the style and sophistication of your garden from boring to high class.  During the day it just sits there with what appears a painting or design on its face.  But at night, the rock comes alive with that design actually being numerous LED’s that light up.  How is this feet accomplished?  You might be thinking, “Great, now I have to run wires to a stupid rock.”  No sir, you can take comfort in knowing that this light up gem is solar powered and will absorb all of the energy it needs from natures most abundant light source.  Never again be embarrassed when friends come over and look at your empty and void garden.  Truly wow them with the Solar Powered Rock!  We may joke, but there is stuff like this on the market because people actually want it.  The privilege for the midnight garden light show?  $49.98  Is it worth it?

Source: Foolish Gadgets, Cool Buzz

USB/Tape Dispenser frees up your precious desk space

Yes, it is true that advances in technology often come in in the form of not only faster, more efficient products, but also smaller products as the downsizing of components allows us to do more with less.  Every once in a while, a truly unique and useful gadget comes along that just makes your office life easier and less clutter filled.  Todays gadget that accomplishes that feet: The USB Tape Dispenser.  This gadget is pretty straight forward.  It combines old school adhesives with a new school transmission method.  The USB Tape Dispense will allow the space limited office worker to connect up to 4 USB devices to his or her computer for the low cost of $22.  If you get excited over multi-purpose gadgets, or really have a space issue, you might want to stop by USB Fever and give this particular USB hub a look.

[Product Page]

Does Apple really want a leading market share?

Everyone who knows anything about computers knows that Apple computers will always be more expensive than their PC counterparts.  According to Microsoft and as well as many individuals, the “Apple Tax” is wasted money on nothing more than some cute little fruit logo affixed somewhere on your machine.  For others it is a sign of “coolness”, youth, and individuality.  One thing is for sure, Apple who was expected to weather the economic storm is mortal just like everyone else.  So much so that even they lost market share year-over-year with quite an astounding decline.  But how how much?  And is Apple really suited for marketing products that could propel them to the majority of the world markets, or at the very least the U.S.?  Heck, do they even want to be market leaders?

Seagate Replica brings Time Machine-esqe features to Windows world

Apple users have in recent years touted Time Machine as the most efficient and easy to use back up service available in the world today taking away the worry and pain of having to remember to manually back up your data.  Then the Time Capsule debuted and made even wireless back ups and storage simple.  Until now, if you wanted a program that operated as nicely as Time Machine or a piece of hardware as nice as Time Capsule, your only choice was to switch to OS X.  Many people however don’t exactly have a thing for Apple or their software and have remained within their Windowed world.  Seagate, seeing the vast potential of a Time Machine/Time Capsule, has decided that Windows users should get their own slice of heaven: The Seagate Replica.