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Alpine partnering with Nokia to integrate smartphones into cars
Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Corporate News, GPS, Transportation,
Need a reason to chuck your Garmin/Tom-Tom, etc. out of your car other than ‘has stupid name and labels me as a poor-driving tourist wherever I go’? Well wait no longer, avid reader: today Alpine announced a strategic partnership with the Finnish cel phone giant, Nokia, to fully integrate smartphones into car infotainment systems. While I was surprised that ‘infotainment’ was actually a word, I was more surprised that this type of alliance hasn’t been made sooner. Not only are these two electronics giants looking to elbow in to the lucrative GPS/Nav market, but they are also bringing a few bells and whistles of their own, namely widgets that can monitor fuel levels and direct you to the nearest and cheapest gas station. Might as well go ahead and chuck that gas gauge now, Chachi, ‘cause you’re not going to need it anymore; welcome to the future, only 48 years after your grandpa thought he’d have a flying car.
Read More 
| Alpine
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Bleeding Edge TV 342: MPower Emergency Illuminator
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Full Episodes, Gizmatic, CES, CES 2010, Features, Household, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos, USB,
We took some time to chat with MPower at CES 2010, and they gave us a quick demo of their Emergency Illuminator flashlight device. Definitely unique, as it has two battery compartments - one for standard, and one for a super-long lasting battery. In addition, the flashlight sports a USB port, which you can use to charge, say, your mobile phone, in the event of an emergency.
A big thank you to Bing for sponsoring our CES 2010 coverage!
Palm Pre Plus unboxing gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Galleries, Handhelds,
We’ve finally got around to getting our hands on the Palm Pre Plus, Verizon’s version of the Pre, which Palm had hoped would spur the additional sales needed to take the company away from the brink of irrelevance at best, and extinction at worst. While that may not have happened, and while we can go over the myriad of reasons why (Palm, your App Store is atrocious…,) one that thing we are sure about is that the Pre Plus is a great phone. In fact, it has some features that you’d be hard-pressed to find in any other device, like the ability to act as a Mobile Hotspot for up to five other devices. We’ll be hitting you with a review of the Palm Pre Plus shortly, but in the meantime, go ahead and take a gander at our Pre Plus unboxing gallery.
Read More | Palm Pre Plus unboxing gallery
Gallery:
What to expect from Xbox Live on Windows Phone 7
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft, Video Games,
So last week when Windows Phone 7 Series was introduced to the world, one of the major bulletpoints was the fact that Xbox Live integration would be a big part of the platform, although Microsoft didn’t give too many details. That changed on during a conference call this morning, where Microsoft mobile communications chief Andy Lees gave a bit on insight on hat we can expect to see in the mobile version of Xbox Live:
“We are very excited about the way in which the platform works across screens, so we have commonality of platform across the PC, the Xbox, and the web and the phone. We provide a new set of tools that makes it easy and very fast for people to develop applications for the phone but also in a way that works across screens, and we’ll announce details of that at MIX. You’re also right to point out that a marketplace is included, and the marketplace will work for applications but also for games, so the gaming marketplace for the first time will utilize Xbox Live, and that enables you to create multiplayer, multiscreen games, and the marketplace will facilitate that, so that it will actually work across screens.”
We like it, especially that whole multiplayer, multiscreen aspect, although of course we have to see how it actually looks and feel before making final judgment. We’ll know about when Microsoft’s MIX conference kicks off next month.
Read More | TechFlash
What is Google Voice? A video explanation
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Internet, Videos,
Google Voice, formerly GrandCentral before Google acquired it, has been around for a few years, but the company is really just now starting to push the product hard. They’ve put together a great channel on YouTube that describes each major feature (like voicemail transcription, personalized greetings, SMS to email, the mobile app, and more) individually, but we figured we’d throw the Google Voice overview up there so give you a taste of what we mean. Hit up the Google Voice YouTube channel to check out the rest of the video series, and to request an invite to the service.
Unlimited Skype calling comes to Verizon next month
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software,
We are loving how mobile wireless carriers in the US seem to be opening up their previously locked down networks. First, AT&T allows 3G access to SlingPlayer Mobile, and now Verizon Wireless has just announced that they will allow unlimited Skype calling over 3G from their smartphones, starting next month. All you need is a smartphone with data plan, and you can both make and receive Skype-to-Skype voice calls right on your phone over 3G. You’ll also be able to use Skype Out, instant messaging, and remain online in the background to stay connected to the service. At launch, unlimited Skype services will be available on nine Verizon handsets, and you can take a look at the full list after the break.
Click to continue reading Unlimited Skype calling comes to Verizon next month
Windows Phone 7 22-minute definitive walkthrough
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft, Software, Videos,
Okay, so we’ve hit you with the Windows Phone 7 Series keynote video, which introduced the product. We also gave you the shorter Windows Phone 7 Series demo video, which just gives you a glance at the new hotness from Microsoft. We’ve got one more for you though, as Joe Belfiore, the VP of Windows Phone, as he chats with Microsoft’s Laura Foy on Channel 9. They have a conversation about the new operating system, and it’s a deep 22-minute look at what Microsoft has been cooking up to try and reclaim their mobile crown.
Read More | Channel 9
Windows Phone 7 Series demo video
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft, Software, Videos,
So, aside from that Windows Phone 7 Series keynote video, we thought you might want a condensed version that will allow you to just take a look at what all this Windows Phone 7 fuss is all about. Microsoft took the liberty of putting together this much shorter demo video to explain. Here you can get a look at all of the design elements and decisions that have gone into Windows Phone 7, which fundamentally set it apart from other mobile operating systems on the market. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Every Windows Phone 7 device will have three physical buttons on the front: Start, Search, and Back.
- There’s a focus on productivity, simplicity, music, and gaming. Both Xbox Live and Zune are deeply integrated into Windows Phone 7.
- People hub: Pulls in live data feeds, bringing you social networking status updates and photos from services like Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live.
- Pictures hub: Brings together picture and video assets from your phone, web, and PC, allowing you to view your entire collection.
- Games hub: Check out your Xbox Live messages, achievements, avatar, and even play some games. Achievements can be earned on the phone.
- Office hub: Access to Microsoft Office suite, including OneNote and SharePoint Workspace. Also includes new version of Outlook Mobile for email.
This is definitely the biggest step that Microsoft has taken in the mobile phone space, and they do it over three years after Apple announced the original iPhone. The competition is heating up, and we are super-excited about it.
Windows Phone 7 Series keynote video
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Software, Videos,
The big news today is the announcements of Windows Phone 7 Series over at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and Microsoft has released video of the announcement and reveal of their new mobile OS. Let it be said right now, Microsoft has essentially killed what we all know as Windows Mobile, and has replaced it with what may, in fact, be the slickest interface we’ve seen on a mobile phone. They borrowed heavily from the Zune HD navigation scheme, but made it highly polished and optimized for a device that is constantly connected to a cellular data connection. Also, it looks like that whole Xbox Live Anywhere demo that we saw at E3 a few years ago is finally coming to fruition, as Windows Phone 7 Series includes Xbox Live gaming built right in. Hit the play button on the videoafter the jump for a look at everything, but color us impressed.
Hey, Apple, the ball is in your court.
You can expect to find Windows Phone 7 Series devices in stores this holiday season.
Click to continue reading Windows Phone 7 Series keynote video
Bleeding Edge TV 339: Powermat wireless charging for iPhone, BlackBerry, and more
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Full Episodes, Gizmatic, Accessories, Cell Phones, CES, CES 2010, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
We’ve gotta say, what Powermat has going on with their wireless charging technology is very cool. At CES 2010 we spoke to Powermat President, Ron Ferber, about the products that the company currently has on the market for wirelessly charging device like the iPhone, BlackBerry, iPod, and Nintendo DS. He also gave us a look at some products that will be available in the future.
If you are tired of having to constantly plug your mobile devices into a wall outlet or USB port in order to charge them, you’ll wanna take a look at what Powermat can do. If you wanna get your own, here you go:
- Powermat Home and Office Mat
- Powermat Receiver Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS
- Powermat Battery Door for BlackBerry Bold
- Powermat Battery Door for BlackBerry Curve
A big thank you to Bing for sponsoring Gear Live’s CES 2010 coverage.
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