Joby introduces Zivio Bluetooth headset with boom mic
Filed under: Cellphones Generally speaking, boom microphones run counter to the logic that a Bluetooth headset should be as small and discreet as possible, but Joby may have stumbled upon a solution that brings the audio benefits without making the sides of our faces look too ridiculous. The Zivio Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR headset features a small, stylish body just 53.5mm in length and a retractable metal stalk for the boom; when it’s fully extended, you’re looking at a 137mm long wonder with the mic conveniently placed directly in front of your pie hole. The idea is to maximize the voice to background noise ratio while maintaining some semblance of fashion, and if the actual product holds true to the press shots, it looks like they may have succeeded. Look for an official unveiling at CES next week. Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Zeetoo’s Zeemote: the Wiimote for your cellphone
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, PeripheralsZeetoo’s Zeemote has actually been around the block a time or two before, but now it looks like this drawing board darling has grown legs. Reportedly, the Boston-area firm has secured some €4.7 million ($6.9 million) in funding from Nauta, Commonwealth Ventures and Egan Capital, which it will likely use to further develop and commercialize a wireless joystick for mobiles that looks (and sounds) strikingly similar to some other peripheral we’ve grown fond of. The Zeemote would purportedly communicate via Bluetooth in order to make gaming slightly more palatable on vanilla handsets, but we can’t say we’re champing at the bit to clutter up our precious pocket space with one of these things anytime soon. [Via Joystiq] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Yapping motorists found to make long commutes longer
Filed under: Cellphones, TransportationAs if there wasn’t already enough conflicting evidence surrounding the act of talking while driving, along comes a new “study” suggesting that yapping motorists actually make long commutes even longer. According to David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, drivers on the phone tend to cruise “about 2 miles-per-hour slower on commuter-clogged roads than people not on the phone, and they just don’t keep up with the flow of traffic.” Of course, one may wonder just how much difference that would make if traffic is crawling already, but we digress. Additionally, it should be noted that the results were garnered from three dozen students “driving in simulators,” but nevertheless, Mr. Strayer still maintains that “distracted drivers are adding an extra five to ten percent of time to your commute.” Telecommuting never sounded so good, eh? [Via Techdirt] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
BlackBerry 9000 series spy shot revealed?
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds An image surfaced on the BlackBerryForums this morning that purports to be of the upcoming BlackBerry 9000 series. The forum member with the scoop claims that the device has no touchscreen, and that rumors are raging even within RIM as to whether touchscreen devices are in the works. What can supposedly be confirmed is that the device in the picture is part of the 9000 series, 3G is being tested on multiple devices, and that HTML email is in the works for the BlackBerry service, possibly in conjunction with the launch of the 9xxx devices. Update: Turns out this picture was swiped from an eBay auction, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not an upcoming BlackBerry device, it does call into question the accompanying commentary from the forum user who posted the image, so take it all with a grain of salt.Update 2: Those auctioneers added a new pic with some spicy innards and a view of the back. Check it out after the break.[Via Pocket-lint; thanks Cellenin]Continue reading BlackBerry 9000 series spy shot revealed? Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
P2i’s Ion-Mask coating could make waterproof phones an everyday occurrence
Filed under: CellphonesPlenty of waterproof phones and other small weatherproof devices have made it off the assembly lines and into our clumsy clutches, but P2i, a small spinoff company using tech originated within the Defence Science and Technology Lab in England, could be bringing waterproof gadgets to the masses. The Ion-Mask is a special invisible coating that is chemically bonded to the device and repels water. It should allow waterproofing to make it into devices that are too small for the seals that are usually used to do the trick. Devices can have joins and gaps coated for a general level of water repellence, or have individual components treated for even more protection. The tech was originally designed to repel toxic vapors and liquids from soldier uniforms, and could also be making its way into athletic shoes. Three leading phone makers are apparently in discussions over using the tech in upcoming phones. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Broadcom wins major injunction against Qualcomm
Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessIn the latest major twist in this epic battle between wireless chipmakers, a US District Judge has slapped a permanent injunction on any products containing those Qualcomm 3G chips ruled to be infringing on Broadcom’s so-called ’686 patents. Not only can Qualcomm no longer offer infringing devices nor the chips themselves in the US, the retroactive nature of the ruling means that the company can’t even provide service or technical support for ’686 products already on the market. At this point, with a voluntary licensing agreement seemingly off the table, the next move for Qualcomm is establishing a plan of action to show Judge James Selna how it plans to redesign its products into compliance. [Warning: PDF link][Via Reuters] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Qualcomm: yeah, Broadcom injunction smarts a bit
Filed under: CellphonesIn case there was any doubt, Qualcomm has publicly acknowledged that Broadcom’s win in US District Court over the banning of its chipsets that infringe on Broadcom’s patents will “hurt” as it immediately halts shipments and adjusts to provide a more law-abiding set of products. The company seems pretty convinced that the pain will be felt primarily in the first quarter, largely because redesigned silicon is already in manufacturers’ hands with commercial availability following on in the next few months. Investors seem to agree, with shares sliding a mere 1.8 percent on the news; as analysts point out, the far-reaching nature of the ban is offset somewhat by the relatively speedy availability of replacement designs that don’t infringe (or so Qualcomm claims, anyway) on any pricey intellectual property. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Celio’s REDFLY platform enables Foleo-like WinMo devices
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds It’s not that we don’t see the appeal of using a supplementary keyboard and display with our smartphones, rather, we simply felt that the Foleo was way overpriced for the relatively limited functionality it provided. Well now a new company called Celio seems to be heading down the same risky path as Palm, announcing the REDFLY Smartphone Interface System, a platform that allows Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices to be controlled using external hardware — sounds promising, except that the first piece of gear to incorporate the technology will cost $499, the same targeted MSRP as the failed Foleo (after its planned instant rebate). Celio wisely claims that it’s initially targeting enterprise users with the Bluetooth 2.0, clamshell device, although frankly it seems like they’d have more success concentrating on the software and letting OEMs deal with designing products that offer a more attractive price / performance ratio. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Syntax-Brillian’s Olevia line: Now with 120Hz and more 1080p
Filed under: Cellphones, Displays, HDTV, Home EntertainmentNewly LCD-focused HDTV maker Syntax-Brillian has teased a few details about its plans for CES, bringing a high-end feature from CES 2007, 120Hz, to its mainstream Olevia brand. No word on specific models or prices, but 1080p and 120Hz motion processing are the highlights of the 42-, 47-, 52-, 55- and 65-inch LCDs. Rounding out the CES 2008 plans are a JPEG/MP3 support, USB firmware upgrades, a new universal learning remote, and a whole slew of Olevia-branded accessories including HDMI cables, wall mounts and a wireless/waterproof LCD. Expect more details in a few days, and look for these HDTVs to hit shelves in the second quarter. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
Zealot leaps onto subway tracks to retrieve iPhone
Filed under: CellphonesAt first listen, one may assume that leaping onto subway tracks for an iPhone is completely and utterly insane, and while we’d tend to agree, it’s not like we haven’t seen folks do similarly zany things in the heat of the moment. Reportedly, a vacationer in New York recently dropped his iPhone down onto the subway tracks while shuttling back home, and after realizing his dear mobile was missing and backtracking quite a ways, his pal finally spotted it down below. As you can probably imagine, the crazed owner leaped down, snagged the scratched up (but still fully functional) device and managed to climb back out unscathed. Granted, we can only imagine how painful it would be to drop even more dough on yet another iPhone when all that stands between you and your current one is a leap of faith, but we’d probably just ask one of those friendly MTA employees to help us out before going mano a mano with the Reaper.[Via Switched] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Source: www.engadget.com
