More sweet chocolate from LG: the “Black Label II”
More sweet chocolate from LG: the “Black Label II”
Filed under: CellphonesLG just unveiled the next generation of its popular “Chocolate” phone at the recent Expo Comm Wireless Korea 2006, and it seems to maintain the same features and minimalist elegance as its predecessor in a slightly thicker package (16.5-millimeters versus the original’s 15.3). Also called the “Black Label II” or by its model number, KV6000, this handset is primarily targeted at the fashion-conscious crowd who also want to snap a pic or rock out to tunes once in awhile, letting them load the 512MB of memory with up to 120 MP3 tracks. Starting price for this newest bit of Chocolate is around $530, but it will probably only be seen on the streets of Seoul for the time being.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Keepin’ it real fake, part XXVII: Samsung admits to knocking off Apple
Filed under: Cellphones We all know the Korean companies raging against the Chinese knockoff artists aren’t exactly innocent of taking “design inspiration” themselves. As soon as one comes up with an original design, the other knocks it off and vice versa until it spins out of control into hideously mutated 10 megapixel cameraphones. But one thing you won’t see them do is admit it — until now. We’re lacking hard detail on the assuredly pride-crushing debacle, but according to Telecoms Korea, in an interview with Korean publication Yonhap News Samsung fessed up to plagiarizing the menu icons and design work in their SCH-V890 and SPH-V8900 handsets from none other than Cupertino’s finest. Not that anyone should really be surprised or anything that a company knocked off Apple’s design, but you know what they say about the steps to recovery: the first step is admission that you have a problem.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Apple patents audio user interface
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable VideoAnother day, another Apple patent filing. This time, Apple calls dibs on an “audio user interface for computing devices.” Nothing new right? Afterall, we’ve had audio assisted navigation for years. The system described however, uses the relative power of a host system to auto-generate audio tags from text strings which can then be played by a hand-held device such as an “MP3 player, mobile phone, or PDA.” Still not following? Ok, imagine a system whereby your PC or Mac automatically converts the metadata stored on your iTunes Music Store purchases — you know, song or video title, artist, album, episode, etc — into audio tags which are then synch’d to your video iPod, iPhone, or Apple handheld via iTunes thereby allowing you to find and play your favorite song, playlist, whutevah without ever looking at the device and straining your eyes. And since this could likely be a software only enhancement to existing Apple ‘ware, implementing it could be just be a free, point-release upgrade away… hear that display-less Shuffle owners?[Via Unwired View, Thanks Staska]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Nokia 7370
The Nokia 7370 is a trendy-looking phone designed to appeal to fashion-conscious users looking for a decent selection of multimedia features.
Source: www.zdnet.com.au
Windows CE 6 previewed
Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsMicrosoft just dolled-up Windows CE in a new beta dress dubbed Windows CE 6 and turned her out at the Mobile and Embedded DevCon show in Vegas baby, Las Vegas. The new flavor of this embedded OS features a redesigned kernel with expanded capacity for up to 32k simultaneous processes while remaining true to the features and functionality of previous CE generations. So what the hell does that mean to you? Well, as the basis for Windows Mobile we should see new products based on both embedded CE (set-top boxes, industrial automation and medical devices) as well as sophisticated SmartPhones and PocketPCs coming sometime in 2007.[Thanks, kerunt]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Hyon’s VT-300 music player doubles as Bluetooth headset
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Portable Audio If you’re tired of all those phones trying to step on your music player’s toes with included, yet clunky, MP3 functionality, fight back with Hyon’s new VT-300 device that includes what is most likely clunky Bluetooth headset functionality along with regular music playback. Along with your usual music playback, voice recording, and FM functions, the VT-300 can manage most phone functions like receiving calls and text messages, or even dialing numbers from you phonebook using the color LCD display. It also sounds an alarm if it strays to far from your phone while its paired over Bluetooth, to prevent theft and to provide for awkward social situations. Sizes range from 128MB to 1GB, but there’s no word on price or availability. We’re guessing “cheap” and “Korea.” [Via Phoneyworld]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Ogo a go in Germany with CT-17 for 1&1
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless IXI Mobile has made good on its MacArthur-like promise to return to the mobile messaging arena, with the launch of the CT-17 in Germany. As previously reported, the handheld will be selling for about $60, with monthly plans, marketed through 1&1 as the Pocket Web service, starting at about $12. Unlike IXI’s original effort, the text-centric AT&T Ogo (which IXI still markets in some countries), the CT-17 has broad support for a range of services, including web access and voice features (via an external headset). Voice and web functions were among the reasons for the original Ogo’s failure to catch on (that and the fact that AT&T sort of lost interest in it amid the company’s acquisition by Cingular). PocketWeb is being positioned as a lower-cost competitor to products like the Sidekick and BlackBerry, and with the new features and attractive pricing, the Ogo may just be a go this time around.[Thanks, Jerry]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com