AT&T to finally get a decent Android device in Samsung Captivate? (But how badly will they neuter it?)

AT&T users, your life is close to being ridden of sub-standard Android handsets, for a newcomer is sizing up the competition, taking names, and preparing to lay a beat down. Introducing the Samsung Captivate.

Basically a Galaxy S re-named, the Samsung Captivate is a slick looking unit along with some pretty compelling hardware: 4-ish inch AMOLED, 5-megapixel camera, 1GHz processor, and 16GB of internal memory.

Don’t expect this hot piece of action to drop anywhere near the iPhone 4 release as AT&T obviously doesn’t want anything stealing its thunder. My bet would be on a July/August release for right around $199. The only thing left to question now is just how badly will AT&T neuter the Captivate as it has down with it’s two past Android devices — the Backflip and now the HTC Aria.

What do you guys think?

[Update] Eye Candy: Droid X features 720p (1280 x 720) resolution

It’s pretty crazy to think, but the Droid X’s display is the same resolution as “higher-end” computer displays a mere 5-6 years ago. At least that’s what Verizon’s new splash page showing the Droid X alongside it’s other Droid siblings says. It could very well be a misprint — perhaps VZW meaning to put that “720p” verbiage next to text boasting of the 720p video recording. But I’d much rather like to assume they’re spot on with the 4.3 720p screen, wouldn’t you?

If you’re keeping track, that 720p ‘splayed across 4.3″ of screen real state works out to 341ppi — more than the iPhone 4′s retina display (326ppi).

Ha, iPhone 4 retina screen what?

Update: As I thought but hoped wouldn’t come true, VZW changed the splash page so that it now shows “Captures 720p” instead of the old “720p display”. Aw well, here’s to hoping the next be all end all Android device has 720p display packin’ power.

WordPress 3.0 (Thelonious) released!

WordPress has come quite a long ways in only a few years to the point that a massive chunk of the internet is now powered by the blogging/site building tool. Today, WordPress 3.0 has officially been released. With over 1,217 bug fixes, a new theme called “Twenty Ten”, and a lighter admin interface, WordPress 3.0 is definitely a major upgrade. The list of improvements are literally too long to list here. But a video would capture it all in a much easier fashion. Jump inside to give the video a look, highlighting some of the major improvements in WordPress 3.0…

Is your phone going to make the Froyo cut?

With Android fragmentation a hot button issue in the mobile sphere, I’m sure plenty of Android users are wondering if their handset of choice is going to make the cut. It’s a perfectly legitimate concern especially given the recent Samsung Behold II debacle. PC World has an answer however, pieced together from various news pieces and industry insider comments, divulging the future direction of Froyo. So hop to it and jump inside for the list of Froyo winners and losers…

Microsoft Kinect to make you $149 poorer.

The Kinect is Microsoft’s attempt at getting in at this whole motion/active gaming revolution of sorts. The Wii was the first notable recent device to get people up and off the couch and moving. Eschewing eye candy for interactive gaming was a risky move that has shown to paid off. Now that the interactive gaming cash cow has been tapped, Microsoft is finally getting in on the action with the Kinect.

Announced at E3, the Kinect was thoroughly run through on stage and in hands-on previews by countless other blogs. But one thing that wasn’t mentioned was the price. So far, Microsoft has remained elusive on that little gem. But thanks to the eager fingers of online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and BestBuy, it looks like users can expect to drop $149 smackers on the Kinect. Too pricey?

Eh, I’m not into the Wii’s (and in this case the Kinect’s) whole motion/interactive thing. But I can see the draw. Is $149 worth it if it is the final price? How does the Kinect compare to Sony’s Move price/features to you? Drop a line inside…

AT&T gives us yet another reason to avoid their Android ventures — Needlessly neuters HTC Aria.

I swear, AT&T must have an entire department dedicated to finding new ways how to piss off people and fuck over customers. Case in point: AT&T hates Android, or at least has some OCD control issues. Just like the Moto Backflip before it, AT&T is needlessly neuteruing (and ruining) the HTC Aria by removing the ability to install apps outside of the Android Market, removing stock apps that compete with AT&T’s offerings, and filling up the phone with bloatware and useless garbage apps that try to peddle overpriced junk to unsuspecting customers.

Up until this news was revealed, the Aria looked like an awesome device — that is, considering the Android scene on AT&T anyway. But AT&T has shown yet they would rather remove functionality than actually provide something useful to customers. Looks like Android hopefuls looking for AT&T service will have to wait until the Aria is rooted and restored to it’s proper form. Until then, avoid it like the plague.

Any AT&T users looking towards the Aria as redemption fed up yet? Basically, if you want a good Android device, get the unlocked and AT&T compatible N1 or just avoid AT&T altogether. The latter is your best bet…

It’s never going to stop: USA vs. England LEGO edition

It’s legit — I have some weird fascination with LEGOS and more importantly, things made out of LEGOS. I’ve shown off countless LEGO-fied items in the past. And now on this late Wednesday evening I have another that looks to tap into the World Cup mania — USA vs. England “LEGO Edition”. Check the vid out after the jump…