Android *finally* getting Facebook app

Social networking and the associated sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc. have become a staple in many peoples’ lives so much so that they want constant access to said content while on the go. For over a year now, BlackBerries and iPhone’s have enjoyed two of the nicest Facebook apps released to the world. Android meanwhile hasn’t seen much Facebook love as Google and Facebook are sorta kidna competitors. Helping your enemy isn’t exactly the most talked about favorite topic at company meetings. It looks as if the two sides are at least coming together for a short time as evidence of an Android Facebook app has finally been given some screen time. Want a peek?

X-Power 1 adds a new twist in the iPhone extended battery game.

Extended battery options for the iPhone/3G/S have exploded into a huge aftermarket niche as we all know the iPhone’s battery across all iterations is pretty much crap when you use your iPhone for anything that it’s marketed for. Thankfully, 3rd party vendors have kept busy bringing consumers many different options in the war against the ever dying battery. So far we’ve seen batteries built into cases, stand alone batteries and everything in between. Oh so we thought. However, the X-Power 1 is adding a new dimension to the iDevice charging game. This little wonder gadget looks just like your standard iPod/iPhone USB sync cable with one added bulge in the middle where a rechargeable battery is housed. While the built in battery looks small and relatively worthless, the manufacturers claim up to additional run times of:

• 5 hours on 3G, 9 hours on 2G, up to 5.4 hours additional on Wi-Fi, standby time of up to 270 hours, audio playback up to 20 hours, and video playback of up to 6 hours.

Clearly it won’t let you write a novel when on vacation in the Colorado wilderness for a week, but it will get you through those few extra hours in the day when your battery is normally screaming for mercy and an open outlet to cuddle up with. For those of you who don’t want the added bulk of a battery case or the inconvenience of having to lug around battery packs to plug in to, the X-Power 1 may be just the thing for you.

[Product Page]

Source: Gizmodo

BlackBerry 9020 gets more Bold

Following the rally cry of the bottom end BlackBerry business with the up coming, wifi equipped BlackBerry 8350 for Verizon, we will now venture towards the cream of the crop top end with it’s premium features, more sophisticated looks, and equally top end price tags. The new up and coming top-o-the-line BlackBerry which for several weeks now has been called a variety of things is finally getting its own identity. Many classified it as in the same model line as the Bold with all of its high end features and all. However, others, because of its smaller size relative to the Big Papa Bold wanted to classify it as something else. The Bold as you may recall is pretty much on an island by itself when it comes to styling. So far, every Berry with the newer face job has taken cues from the Bold, but has not directly copied it into smaller proportions. If you were in the camp that called the Onyx/9020 a Bold model, you can pat yourselves on the back as it is becoming more apparent that this is in fact a valid statement. Want some extra proof?

The good folks over at Feed Berry have managed to snag a 9020 with a bling-a-rific faux leather battery door. (So is that 5 or 6 completely different battery doors RIM is now making?). Some love the faux leather look and deem it classy and sophisticated while others look at it as if it were ripped from the walmart toy isle. To each his own. I’m rather neutral on the subject. To me it looks nicer than plain plastic, but I know it’s not real…which detracts from the hole “premium” image they’re trying to market. Still, the evidence is building that we are in fact looking at a Bold replacement and not a partner. Now if they could manage to cram the Bold’s wider screen onto these narrow berries…

Source: CrackBerry

Verizon to get low end BlackBerry savior: 8530

If you just so happened to be one of those CDMA toters in the BlackBerry world, always looking over your shoulder at your GSM frenemies with jealousy and haste as you watch them time and time again get the coolest berries first and even exclusively, you sometimes find yourself questioning your odd yet steadfast alliance to this less used wireless technology CDMA. While the top of the line BlackBerries always leave us speechless and ecstatic, the bottom end needs just as much lovin’ too. Not everyone wants, needs, or can afford a $400+ BlackBerry. For GSM users, the up and coming 8520 with it’s 2005 technology is just perfect — a mostly gorgeous new Berry wrapped in new skin with time tested gadgetry inside. As has been reported many times earlier, Verizon will in fact be picking up their own variation of this low end Berry with the call numbers of 8530. Perhaps the greatest news I’ve ever heard about a Verizon handset is that the 8530 will back up Verizon’s claim to include WiFi here on out on all devices as the 8530 CDMA Verizon version will in fact be toting the often elusive wireless radio. Is WiFi the only thing that some lower end buyers were holding out for? Will it make you switch from your current device?

Source: BGR, Image Source

Raise an eyebrow with your spectacular eyebrow hat

If you’ve ever felt your eyebrows weren’t quite to your liking or you simply want to have a little DIY fun, the DIY Eyebrow Hat certainly won’t disappoint. While some may tinker with such common tinker toys as RC Cars or small gadgets, you can take pride in knowing you made not only a gadget, but one that many people will see on a daily basis if you so choose. The materials needed aren’t really that expensive nor does the whole project require too much effort. The parts list according to the hats’ creator, Tom Judd:

• 1 x Arduino Board – located within the controller

• 4 x mini servos – tailored into the front of the hat

• 2 x slide potentiometers (adjust height of each brow

• 2 x rotational potentiometers (adjust pitch of each brow)

• 1 x Bowler hat

• 2 x synthetic eyebrows

• 2 x skin coloured plasters (to disguise your original brows)

A little elbow grease and some other miscellaneous crafty tools and you’re good to go. Weekend project?

Source: The Awesomer, Tom Judd

BlackBerry App World 1.1 coming soon?

While the title may not tip off your interest in the slightest, BlackBerry App World 1.1 looks to be bringing a couple of highly requested features for RIM’s mobile app store. First off, downloaded apps will now be able to be stored to memory cards…woo hoo!!! Second, an actual App World website that would allow desktop users to browser apps, read reviews, and other app store goodness all from the comfort and more roomy foot print that a desktop monitor offers. Per RIM:

lexible storage capabilities –

This feature permits BlackBerry App World™ storefront users to remove applications from their BlackBerry® devices and reinstall the applications without paying for the application a second time. BlackBerry App World archives a record of the application to save memory and so that the user does not have to maintain the application on the BlackBerry device. BlackBerry App World users can also install or archive applications on expandable memory, such as a media card.
web site for BlackBerry App World -

This feature permits users to read descriptions and reviews and view screen shots of applications even if they are not BlackBerry App World users. Users can find applications by using the search function, selecting an application category, or browsing by Featured Items, Top Free, Top Paid, or Newest Applications. Users can visit the web site for BlackBerry App World at www.blackberry.com/appworld.

Finally app/memory card support. Crack addicts should be in the drool phase right about now. It doesn’t appear to be that much longer until BlackBerry gets graced with update mobile shopping goodness.

Source: Berry Review

Creative Zii EGG breaks into the developer wild

For those of you who have a thing for Creative born players, today is your day to relish the limelight and all its glory. The Creative Zii EGG that strolled on through the FCC a few months prior has finally broken cover and revealed its face to the world. As far as the innards go, with more extraordinary specs such as front and back facing cameras, 1080p video output support, X-Fi audio, OpenGL ES, 32GB built in (expandable with full SD card slot) and more run ‘o the mill features such as your now common Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR, WiFi, GPS, and 3-axis accelerometer, this little Creative gem is shaping up to be quite the iPod Touch fighter. A few other big points of interest include 10-point multi-touch support as well as featuring Android straight from the factory. What’s even more interesting is that the Zii EGG uses Creative’s “Plaszma” platform which makes use of “stem cell computing” which in basic terms devoid of marketing jargon and fluff translates to developers being able to simultaneously develop for both Plaszma and Android. Yup, my stocking stuffer has just been claimed.

How will Apple respond and what are they cooking? I mean, with all of the leaked cases that show what appear to be camera holes, do you think the new iPod’s will be as cool as the Zii EGG? The Zii EGG definitely has a lot going for it in the sense that it has a great mobile operating system from the factory (usually the downfall of an amazing gadget hardware wise) and an impressive feature set to boot. Who’s excited?

Source: Engadget, DAP Review, Zii