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T-Mobile Releases Samsung Trace
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
T-Mobile has added the diminutive Samsung Trace to its product line. Weighing in at only 2.5oz and a size of 4.5 X 2.0 X 3-inch, the Trace has a 262k color TFT display of 220 X 176 pixels. It has a microSD memory slot, a 1.3 megapixel cam, USB connectivity, and speakerphone. Other features include an MP3 player, bluetooth technology and caller ID.
The Trace is available for $199.99 in retail stores and T-Mobile, with a $50 instant rebate and $50 mail-in rebate with a 2-year agreement. With up to 6 hours of talk time or 8 days of standby time, the champagne-colored Trace can keep even the fussiest princess from whining.
Read More 
| Mobileburn
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NETGEAR Skype WiFi SPH101 Phones Home
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,
If only E.T. had waited. NETGEAR is finally shipping their new Skype WiFi SPH101 Phone to pre-ordered customers in the U.S. and Canada. With Skype you can make unlimited free calls to your other Skype buds both here and abroad without a computer. All you need is access to a WiFi network that doesn’t require a browser. You can also make calls to other cells and landline phones for a few cents a minute without a nasty monthly fee.
Preloaded with software, the Skype features wireless security through WEP and WPA-PSK, is compatible with 802.11b/g WiFi standards, has call-forwarding, and receives updates without the use of a USB cable. Weighing in at a mere .11kg and at dimensions of 110 X 46 X21mm, it utilizes a TFT screen with a menu that displays your contacts and their availability.
Skype will be available in October to Europe, Asia-Pacific, and online retailers at an MSRP of $249.99. It comes with a one-year warranty and full tech support. As a bonus prize, you get 30 free SkypeOut minutes and 30 days of free voicemail. Multiple language support will also be available later this year.
Read More | NETGEAR Skype Product Page via NETGEAR Press Release
Sonos System Software 2.0 Connects Rhapsody Without PC
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
Sonos, Inc. has updated its service and released its system software version 2.0. Teamed up with RealNetworks’ Rhapsody web service, the new version enables a direct link with millions of songs from all genres and thousands of radio stations without the need of an installed application or computer.
Sonos allows you this access by means of their wireless controller - see our Sonos review on The Bleeding Edge. Simply plug and play the controller in any of up to 32 rooms in your home or office, and you get tunes with the aid of a 3.5-inch color LCD screen, scroll wheel, and a button. Choose the same music for each room, or have blues in the bedroom and classical in the bathroom. You can even download music that has been taking up all that valuable space on your PC.
The controller permits you to pick your fave artist and Rhapsody can build your very own commercial-free radio station that will include other artists from the same music genre. Select from their top 100 song charts or be your own jock. This 2.0 upgrade allows you to update daily with audible content or podcasts or choose a randomized shuffle mode. Also featured is improved multinational Internet radio and alarm functionality, as well as French, Italian, and Spanish language support.
Sonos is available at a whopping price of $999.99, but think of it as a way of getting rid of obnoxious DJ’s, endless commercials, and hunting in vain for that track that got lost somewhere in the bowels of your PC. Can musical life get any better? Sure it can. Rhapsody is offering a 30-day free trial of its service with your new Sonos.
Read More | Sonos 2.0 Release
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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced that he will sign into law legislation that bans the use of handheld cellphones while driving. Although 38 state legislatures have considered similar bills, only New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. have actually passed them. Under the new law, which takes effect in 2008, a minimum of a $20.00 fine will be given when using a cell without a headset, speaker phone, or other wireless device.
“Public safety is the governor’s No. 1 priority,” said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson, “and this bill will make the streets and highways of California safer by ensuring that drivers have both hands available for driving.”
Senator Joe Simitan (D-Palo Alto) has taken five years to bring his idea to fruition. The California Highway Patrol indicates that last year alone there were 775 accidents involving drivers who were using hand-held cellphones. Statistics show that the risk of death is 9 times greater for those drivers. Our only question is if public safety is Arnie’s #1 priority, why are they waiting until 2008?
Read More | LA Times
LG Clamshell Chocolate VX8600 Revealed
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
If you like Chocolate, but prefer it in a clamshell, here is a sneak-peak at the LG VX-8600. Similar to its VX-8500 mate (it has a lower resolution display), this model features EV-DO high-speed data, stereo Bluetooth, a 176 X 220 main screen with 262k colors, a 128 X 128 external screen with 65k colors, a 1.3 megapixel cam, a microSD card slot, and music player with external WMA/MP3 controls. Although no pricing or launch date has yet to be set, rumor has it that this exclusive Verizon Wireless gourmet Chocolate will be available for our stockings this holiday season.
Read More | LG Home Page via Phone Scoop
Microsoft Zune Comes Out To Play
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Movies, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Microsoft finally unveiled the long-awaited Zune today. Basics include a 3 inch screen, WiFi, 30GB hard drive, and a built-in FM tuner. Music, pictures, and video playback are all standard fare here. With Zune-to-Zune sharing, you can wirelessly share a full-length track with a compadre, who gets 3 viewings/listenings before purchase at the Zune Marketplace (unless they already subscribe to the unlimited “Zune Pass”.) You can also share your pictures and playlists with your amigos, along with homemade recordings.
Zune will be available in brown, white, and basic black, but no news yet on pricing or availability. Stay tuned to Gear Live for more details, or subscribe to The Zune Newsletter for updates.
Read More | Zune Release
Sony’s Chic VAIO N Series Notebook to Debut in October
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi,
Sony’s chic new VAIO N Series notebook computer line is not only designed to be practical, it’s pretty too. Available in three colors, “wenge brown – a creamy, coffee-color made to resemble wood furniture; black for an elegant contemporary look; and white for a light, airy feeling.” The notebooks are Windows Vista-capable and have Inter Core Duo processors on select models.
Other Specifications:
- 15.4-inch widescreen display with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology
- Windows Vista Premium ready
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g
- DVD±R DL/DVD±RW /DVD-RAM burner
- DVgate Plus software
Sony’s N Series notebooks will be available to all the “pretty people” in October at an MSRP of $999.00.
Read More | Digital Tech News
Logitech Harmony 1000 One-Touch Remote Launched
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, Wireless / WiFi,
Logitech has announced a new and improved Harmony remote control. With its cool silver and black finish, the Harmony 1000 boasts a 3.5” color touch-sensitive screen, Internet programability, a variety of one-touch activity options, and rechargeable batteries.
Logitech has redesigned its online interface to automatically match to characteristics, discrete codes, and infrared commands of over 175,000 devices from more than 5,000 manufacturers contained in Logitech’s online database. The Harmony can even function behind a closed door and will work with VCR’s, digital video recorders, high-definition televisions, many household appliances, as well as multi-room entertainment systems.
“The Harmony 1000 remote delivers affordable luxury — it simplifies control of today´s complicated home-entertainment systems at a fraction of the price of traditional custom-installed remotes, and it’s luxurious in its sophisticated design, which adds an element of prestige to any living room,” said Bryan McLeod, vice president of Logitech´s remote control products.
Luxurious? That’s putting it mildly. The Harmony 1000 will be available in both the U.S. and Europe later this fall at an SRP of $499.99 You can also purchase a wireless extender at the same time for $149.99.
Read More | Harmony 1000 Release
Miuro iPod Dock
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Toys, Wireless / WiFi,
There are all kinds of toys for your iPod, but this one wins an originality prize in our book. Japanese company ZMP (in collaboration with Kenwood) today announced its new iPod dock, Miuro. Clip your iPod onto the top of Miuro and let the musical fun begin. This 9 pound, 14” wide bot can be programmed to literally follow you around the house or just let it do its pre-programmed “wild thang”. It can also stream music from your PC wirelessly.
Miuro is available in 4 colors and will become available in the U.S. later this year. Sold separately are various options such as a camera and sensors to keep it from running into your cat. At the hefty price of $930, you really have to love your iPod to buy it a pet like this.
Read More | The Raw Feed via Miuro Product Page
Samsung Shows Off 4G Wireless Internet
Posted by Brian Viele Categories: Broadband, Smartphones, Internet, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi,
Today in South Korea, Samsung Electronics demonstrated new 4G wireless technology to the press. Samsung showed 4G technology could carry speeds of 100Mbps over the air. That’s more bandwidth than most current broadband providers can even harness. The demo took place on a bus while traveling across the city. Samsung reps demonstrated high speed access through HDTV streaming as well as data access. According to Samsung, this type of performance should be attainable whether standing still or traveling at over 70mph on the highway.
The speeds demonstrated by Samsung best the WiMAX standard that is currently being used to supply wireless network access city-wide to customers at speeds of up to only 20Mbps. Samsung also did some demonstration showing that the 4G technology could potentially even hit speeds of up to 1Gbps! 1Gbps wireless…the best I can get is Comcast’s ultimate connection at a rockin 6Mbps. Go figure.
Read More | EE Times
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