Cell Phone Accessories

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile

It looks like the first in-the-wild image of a Sprint branded HTC Touch Diamond has surfaced, but in keeping with the unofficial rule regarding these images, this one is just as blurry. Well actually I think it is even worse than the normal, but nonetheless it does fit in with the rumor that it is headed to Sprint, so we can only assume that this was not a Photoshop job.

The image comes courtesy of user ksemt7781 from PPCGeeks and was appropriately snapped with another Sprint handset, the Mogul. The Sprint logo is pretty clear, however so is the reflection of the person who took the picture. The Sprint branded Touch Diamond will retain the same features of the currently available model, but it appears that Sprint has made a few tweaks to the TouchFLO 3D interface, which would also be safe to assume because Sprint has a past history of adding their own “features” into already capable handsets.

Via [IntoMobile]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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FROM GAMERTELL - To help celebrate the Fourth of July 2008, DirecTV is offering a free preview weekend of its Game Lounge interactive channel for the long weekend (July 2 through 6, 2008, CH 110).
MORE »

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Section: Video, Imaging, Digital Cameras

Camera giant Olympus has been recently playing with the idea of a 360-degree camera lens.  The company believes that it could be marketed for surveillance purposes. 

This makes sense, as most cameras are only designed to shoot at one angle, and perpetrators can easily get around the ones that can swivel.  However, a 360-degree horizontal image cannot be avoided. 

The image in the vertical is only 180 degrees, which may not be enough to see anything of interest on the ceiling, but it is enough to get more of a view than normal. 

Another obvious application is video conferencing.  Now a room filled with many people can be easily pictured without an automatic focus. 

Of course, this leads to a question my source didn’t address, the playback function.  How can a two-dimensional screen possibly see what a 360 camera could?  It’s like trying to put a globe on a flat map.  Of course, map companies do that all the time, but the image always gets distorted.  In case you aren’t aware, Greenland is about the size of Mexico, not five times its size. 

I suppose that you could set up several monitors around you in a ring formation, and then watch the footage that way.  It reminds me of an exhibit at EPCOT center with a 360 degree movie theater.  Instead of seats, the audience watches the film standing.  The theater has these bars that they need to grab because watching a film with a 360-degree view can result in a very dizzying effect. 

In short, there is easily a market for a 360-camera, but it would certainly change the market of picture taking and viewing as we know it.  Then again, it has already been turned upside down by the age of digital photography, so what’s another advancement? 

Via [DVICE]

Full Story » | Written by Mark Rollins for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Web

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Full Story » | Written by Adam Berger for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile

Earlier today we saw what AT&T has in store for use device-wise for the remainder of 2008 and now it is Verizon’s turn, and it looks just as exciting as the AT&T lineup.

Beginning in August, it looks like we can expect to see the UTStarcom TXT8010. Also coming in August is the Nokia 2605 Mirage and the Samsung SCH-U440 which are both expected to be released on the 8th, then the Motorola VU30 is expected in mid-August and the Samsung SCH-U430 is expected in late-August.

Moving on from there we also have the Samsung SCH-U310, Nokia 7205 Intrigue and Palm Treo 800w. Finally we also have the Motorola Blaze ZN4, which has no specific date, however it is expected sometime before September 22.

Also anticipated is the UTStarcom Touch Diamond and the UTStarcom Touch Raphael, which are the CDMA versions of the already released Diamond and Touch Pro.

As expected with any leaked or rumored release lineup, most of the dates are still missing as is any pricing information. As always we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

Via [PhoneArena]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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"Phone Racing", a new mobile phone craze, is sweeping Sweden. It's stupid, yet fascinating. Swedish cell phone owners are putting their mobile devices to the test by participating in cell phone races.…

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile

Not long ago we heard that the OpenMoko FreeRunner was just about ready to hit the market, in fact it was expected to be clearing customs as of July 1. Well, July is here and OpenMoko has announced that the FreeRunner will be available for order beginning on July 4, and that the shipping will begin just a few days later on July 7.

The FreeRunner will feature a 2.8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, GPRS 2.6G, 128MB WSDRAM, and 256MB NAND flash. It will be available with support for both the 850Mhz and 900Mhz tri-band GSM networks and is going to retail for $399.

Product [OpenMoko] Via [EngadgetMobile]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile

Aside from the obvious upcoming release of the iPhone 3G, it looks like AT&T customers will have a good remainder of the year device wise. Based on a recently leaked 2008 roadmap there is a nice selection of phones that will soon be available.

It looks like the upcoming 3rd quarter is going to be dedicated to the BlackBerry with an anticipated release of the Curve 8320 with Wi-Fi and the Bold. In addition it looks like the updated BlackBerry OS will also be released during Q3, which will put the 8820, Pearl 8120, Curve and Curve 8310 up to version 4.5.

Then for those who are not quite as excited by the BlackBerry, it looks like Q4 will be the time for you, of course its almost like a flip with the 4th quarter focusing a little more on Windows Mobile 6.1 goodness. Expected to be released is the Pantech Duo, Samsung Blackjack 3, AT&T Tilt 2 and also a still unknown handset from Samsung. Of course that unknown handset is rumored to be the Samsung Omnia. The four handsets that are on track for the fourth quarter release are all going to be running Windows Mobile 6.1.

In addition to the new WM 6.1 handsets AT&T also has a few current devices that are scheduled to be upgraded to 6.1 as well. It looks like the Samsung Blackjack 2, AT&T Tilt and the Moto Q9H will be updated in July with the old Pantech getting updated in October.

Sounds like a good rest of the year is to be expected for both BlackBerry and Windows Mobile 6.1 fans alike, as you would expect we will keep you up to date as more information becomes available.

Via [BGR]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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