ROAD keeps their Linux Handy-PC concept alive (Unlocking Mobile)
ROAD keeps their Linux Handy-PC concept alive
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds Announced way back in February 2005, ROAD has been promising this Handy-PC Linux dreamphone of theirs for a while now, and even stated in late 2005 that they’d have it out by Q1 2006. Well, it still hasn’t materialized, but their new concept version of the phone looks a tad snazzier and a bit more for-reals. The specs haven’t really gone anywhere, it’s still a QWERTZ clamshell with Bluetooth, WiFi, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and a 640 x 240 display. When closed the unit acts like a slightly chunky candybar (pictured after the break) — ala Nokia 9300 — with a 102 x 65 monochrome display. What’s new is a fleshed out Qtopia GUI (the Handy-PC was still running Windows screenshots back when we saw it last), which looks functional, if a tad busy. The device is powered by a 400MHz Xscale CPU, and comes in two flavors: the S101 and S101K, the latter of which adds a 2 megapixel camera and encryption of some sort. You can “advance order” your very own Handy-PC right now, but since there’s no word on when it will be available, or for how much, we figure we’re in for a bit of a wait yet.[Via El Reg] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Lenovo unveils Cingular-enabled WWAN ThinkPad T60
Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, WirelessAll of you Cingular users who are happily toting that Dell already know how splendid built-in UMTS / HSDPA-based technology can be, and you Verizon customers with MacBook Pros now have your very own EV-DO ExpressCard to gloat about, but America’s “favorite” GSM provider has paired up with Lenovo to unveil the latest ThinkPad T60. For those who just ain’t feeling the protruding Novatel apparatus, this WWAN-integrated machine comes with Cingular’s BroadbandConnect hardware pre-installed, as well as a communication manager that “easily establishes connections” to service, and Lenovo’s own ThinkVantage software is thrown in to automatically activate / deactivate the host of wireless capabilities based on your in-range options. The specs on this T60 — aside from the WWAN amenities — is on par with other non-Cingular editions, and sports a 14.1-inch SXGA+ display, 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, 80GB hard drive, 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 graphics, 802.11a/b/g, and a DVD burner. The Cingular-enabled T60, which is amazingly not tattooed by a barrage of little orange stickers, is available now to curb your 3G notebook cravings for $1,899.[Via Slashphone]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Engadget Mobile reviews Verizon’s Chocolate!
Filed under: Cellphones, Features Yeah, it’s got hype, alright — but hype alone does not a good cellphone make. Does LG’s VX8500 “Chocolate” for Verizon Wireless have any brains behind the beauty, or is the glossy slider all bark and no bite? Head on over to our Mobile outpost for the full rundown!Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Boy Genius brings BlackBerry Pearl 8100 pics and videos!
Filed under: Cellphones, Features For anyone wanting to finally get their hands on some videos of the BlackBerry Pearl (aka the 8100) in action, The Boy Genius Report over at Engadget Mobile delivers! Oh, and did we mention they have some more hot new photos as well? Yeah, get on over there, you know you can’t stop that uncontrollable urge to gawk at phones that you aren’t supposed to be allowed to see (until September 18th).Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Nokia handset doubles as a Bluetooth mouse
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals Even casual readers of this publication know that we’re always seeking out ways to add more functionality to our existing gadgets, so when we heard about an innovative modder who was able to turn his Nokia cellphone into a fully-functioning Bluetooth mouse, well, we knew that we were approaching convergence heaven. Inspired by Jani ‘Japala’ Pönkkö’s LogiNoki hack (in which Jani embedded a Nokia LCD into a Logitech G3 mouse), “Pyrofer” decided to forgo the hardware modifications and instead write a Java code and corresponding Windows driver that would allow him to use his 6230i as an impromptu optical input device for when laptop trackpads and control nubbins just don’t cut it. Since it’s still in development, Pyrofer has yet to release his code to the public, and the Nokiamouse does indeed have some serious drawbacks; most notably, he has to hold the handset a fraction of a millimeter above the mousing surface — which must contain distinct patterns, so no direct desktop operation — in order for the camera’s CCD to pick up enough usable light. Still, once he develops a proper Bluetooth HID for the phone to work on any BT-enabled notebook (there’s also talk of a GPRS connection) — as well as an interface for mirroring the PC’s screen on the Nokia’s display — this sounds like it’ll be one sweet project that could see some serious widespread adoption.[Thanks, Mike]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
The Onyx – Synaptics’ ClearPad concept phone
Filed under: CellphonesThis is totally on the concept design tip and so won’t ever actually be produced, but check out the Onyx, a prototype handset that Synaptics and Pilotfish put together that uses Synaptics’ new ClearPad touch screen. We’re still not totally sold on button-less phones — we crave the tactility — but the Onyx lets you do stuff like close an app by drawing an “X” over it with your finger, send messages by swiping them off the screen, and answer a call simply by placing the phone against your cheek. Don’t expect to ever actually get your hands on the Onyx, but Synaptics is planning to make ClearPad available to manufacturers around the end of the year, so there’s a decent chance that phones like it could start showing up within a couple of years.[Via Core77]Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Palm Treo 700wx for Sprint in the wild
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds The 700wx looks to be trickling into Sprint retail locations as we speak, and it seems everything we’ve been told about the device so far has been spot-on: it really is bound for Sprint, the addition of the “x” to the name is legit, and it rocks double the RAM (much to the chagrin of plain ol’ 700w users everywhere), though we weren’t necessarily expecting the big, scary floating head on the box. Still no solid word on an official availability date, but stores who’ve received them have apparently been instructed to keep them under lock and key until Sprint proper starts offering them, meaning the previously-reported August 27 date for business customers still seems perfectly plausible. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a Treo 750 rumor mill to attend to.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Treo 700wx already here, videos already out
Filed under: CellphonesWe didn’t even have a chance to hook you peeps up with the latest video of the new Treo 700wx that’s been circulating around the internets, and already did Palm decid to loose ‘em on the unsuspecting QWERTY addicts of the LA metro area — however undoubtedly unintentionally. It seems at least one Palm retail store in SoCal is already stocking 700wxs, according to Gadgets on the Go: the Palm Retail store at The Grove (the very same one we happened upon not a few weeks back; kind of quaint, smooshed next to a L’Occitane) supposedly already has stock in store ready for sale, which means it’s probably not unfair to assume other stores might have them as well. Now, whether you’ll be able to get them to sell you the devices as easily is another question entirely, but for those without a Palm retail store nearby, it’s not unfair to assume you’ll be able to get one at a regular carrier outlet in the very, very near future.Update: We’re getting reports that the device will go for $619, $649, and will see release August 31st — in other words, we aren’t yet 100% of anything, but as before, expect it shortly, and probably in the $600 range.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: cellphones.engadget.com