Archive for: smartphone
- February 8, 2012 11:06 am
Selling gadget accessories is an increasingly difficult business, exponentially so for iPhone accessory designers/makers. There are so many different products out there chasing after the same few goals that it’s literally almost not worth it to jump in at this point. But every once in a while we get surprised. Is G-Form’s new X-Protect rugged iPhone case something that would surprise us? We’ve yet to test one (working on it). But we’re certainly intrigued by the 82 MPH hockey stick their X-Protect covered iPhone took to the gut.
The X-Protect (and similarly designed, equally robust Extreme Grid) are now available for pre-order over at G-Form’s website – $39.95.
Video of what an 82 MPH slap shot against an iPhone 4/4S might look like after the break…
Announcements of new hardware and software often get mistakingly posted before their official release (if they’re not already leaked beforehand). The “bad” affect it has on the company in question is debatable. We’d argue that the small leaks here and there only increase the anticipation and hype around a genuinely lusted after product/service.
Instagram for Android is the latest to suffer from pre-release release. The screenshot above was captured by an AndroidGuys reader and shows the Android Market’s “Featured App” as the currently unreleased Instagram for Android. Clicking on the link by said reader resulted in a failed journey into awesomeness (read: the link was broken). Still, despite leaving the Android Market empty handed, the person who caught the image above (as well as the rest of us) shouldn’t have to wait too much longer. Details around Instagram for Android have been constantly bantered back and forth in the online world.
Keep waiting everyone. It’s almost here.
The HTC Ville is an upcoming (rumored) dual-core device. On top of the mid-range hardware, the Ville will be the first device from HTC to ship with Sense 4.0. As we saw the other day, Sense 4.0 is actually pretty good looking thanks to its more reserved, less flashy aesthetics.
Today, we get another look at the Ville thanks to Chinese site ePrice. (Via) As we’ve stated before, the rumored Qualcomm S4 processor will bring a new level of battery life (for the better) as well as performance all while remaining rather svelte. Outside of the CPU and revamped Sense UI, the Ville isn’t all that special; an 8-megapixel camera and 4.3″ qHD (540 x 960) display round out the list of notable mentions.
While we’re happy to see HTC making the internal hardware of their phones more efficient, it is the quad-core packin’ Edge that has our full attention.
You have to hand it to Nokia. They’re really trying to take Symbian out with a bang. Look no further than their latest marketing push behind a Belle UI update for several “legacy” Nokia phones including the Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia E6, Nokia X7, Nokia C6-01, Nokia C7 and Nokia Oro. (The Nokia 500 is getting the Belle update “within a few weeks”.)
Getting said update is easy enough; hook up to your computer and use the Nokia Suite to download the juicy new bits. Once finished, you’ll be treated to more homescreens (now up to 6), an Android-esque pulldown shade that houses notifications as well as system toggles for things such as WiFi, Bluetooth, etc., improved widget support, and of course, a much better/modern UI. Other notable mentions include the ability to shoot HD video @ 30fps and an enhanced browser.
Despite losing a decent mobile OS that had it’s heyday come and go, we’re glad to see Nokia has a new friend in Microsoft with Windows Phone, yet can still provide support for the army of low/mid-range hardware that really got their name out there. If you happen to update to Belle, let us know how it goes!
The wait for Samsung Galaxy S II and Note owners will soon be over. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is officially coming to your devices by end of Q1, according to a post on Samsung Norway’s official Facebook Fan Page. If our luck stateside is as good as the Norwegians, we too can look forward to ICS blessing the newly launched Note and “legacy” hardware such as the Galaxy S II in the not too distant future.
The recently reviewed HTC Rezound wasn’t perfect when we prodded it back in early December. But as the first phone to feature that wonderful 1280 x 720 resolution, we were awestruck. And soon it’s getting better!
VZW has announced that a new update for the HTC Rezound is “coming soon”. Though, before you get too excited we must stress this is not an Android 4.0 ICS update, but instead a performance/bug fixing release. The update includes:
- Updated signal strength meter to 5 bar Received
Signal Strength Indication (RSSI)
- Screen Timeout issues while connected to Wi-Fi have been resolved
- Resolved issue with Mobile Hotspot data stalling while multiple users are
connected
- Improved audio quality during voice call
- Reduced forced closures related to the People application
- Improved device stability reduces continuous resets
- Resolved issue with Task Manager stopping Mail background servic
Not exactly the update we were hoping for but at least it’s something.
While the Samsung Galaxy Ace is certainly a new phone, it is definitely trying not to be the most powerful smartphone on the market. Not every smartphone owner wants to (or can afford) a high-end piece of technology, and so the Ace is at the rescue as a dependable phone that still mostly copes with most software thrown at all smartphones these days.
We take a look at this phone that fits in the middle of the stack of intelligent devices out there, which you can read right after the break.
Do a lot of stuff that requires the use of both arms leaving you between a rock and a hard place in what to do with your phone? The Podsta smartphone stand aims to please with a simple one-piece design and accepting form that fits most of today’s popular smartphones.
Essentially the Podsta is a big blob of rather stiff foam. It’s soft and easily formed around your iDevice (and other devices) yet at the same time supportive enough to hold even the largest smartphones in place. Speaking of device support, while the Podsta is marketed as an iDevice holder we found it easily held a large swath of popular devices currently on the market. With that said, your mileage may vary.
What’s nice over competing plastic stands is that there aren’t any rough edges, adjustable sliders, or add-on pieces to mess with. Just pick up your phone and slide it in place. Bonus: the Podsta can sit in either portrait or landscape orientation.
Video chatters and movie watchers: take note, the Podsta is a pretty sweet little accessory that doesn’t break the bank @ £9.95 ($12.95 USD). Hop past the break for a few more pics.
Podsta — Buy Now
Researchers from the Kajimoto Laboratory at the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, Japan have gone ahead and created the future — tactile touchscreens! Long a subject of science fiction movies, truly tactile touchscreens are perhaps the current pinnacle achievement sought after by consumer electronics junkies. And thanks to the Kajimodo researchers, we’re one step closer.
Their new touchscreen tech relies on a thin layer of gen located behind the main screen providing the real “feeling” of tactile feedback. We’re certainly intrigued. And we’re pretty sure you will be too after watching the accompanying video after the jump…
