Cell Phone Accessories

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

The eagerly anticipated BlackBerry Thunder seems to need a little more time, according to a tipster from within RIM, the Thunder is not even close to hitting the market.

“Thunder is in no way shape or form market-ready. If Bold was any indication, Thunder won’t be ready for at least another 4-5 months.”

It looks like there are a bunch of issues with some important and key features. Just to begin with it looks like the keyboard is horrible to actually use and the accelerometer works, but has a tendency to go “bonkers” when the device is moved in certain ways. In addition the UI is apparently slow and lags with the haptic feedback also showing some problems.

Just to give you an idea of just how bad the Thunder is in its current state, the tipster went on to mention that “most of the people who have handled it thinks it’s a joke.”

Well, at least in its current state the Thunder is not going to steal any thunder from Apple, AT&T and the iPhone 3G. Lets just hope they get the issues worked out and in the hands of those waiting Verizon customers soon.

Via [BGR]

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An obvious functionality omissions in Apple's 3G iPhone is voice dialing. Fonix fills this gap with iSpeak, a voice activation application for the iPhone 3G. Thanks to the iPhone's developer's SDK, third-party…

Section: Gadgets / Other, Green, Transportation

Considering how much gas prices have been going up, it is no surprise that alternative energy cars are starting to make some serious headway in the international auto market.  Not only are the hybrid electric/gas cars becoming more and more common, but some designers are experimenting with solar panels on automobiles. 

A recent development by a Swiss company named Mindset AG has put solar panels on their prototype model, the Six50.  The designer, Mura Guntak, expects this car to run 62 miles per charge.  The car itself is a 2+2 seater, and is about 13 feet long.  Not only that, it can also go 0-60 in about 7 seconds. 

It seems obvious to put solar panels on a car, but I have heard that sticking solar panels on a car doesn’t improve the fuel efficiency all that much.  I have also heard that Prius has modified one of their with solar panels, but those are only to power the air conditioner. 

Perhaps Mindset AG will have greatly improved automotive solar power by then.  As for now, the company plans to build about ten thousand of the Six50 cars by the year 2009.  You should about able to purchase one for about $78,000. 

Via [DVICE]

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

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Section: Imaging, Camcorders

With the popularity of video uploading sites such as YouTube, it is not surprising that camcorder manufacturers has been constantly ensuring that they offer something new for the consumers. This might be what Samsung had in mind when it launched its new compact digital camcorder, the SC-MX20.

The SC-MX20 is a feature-packed camcorder boasting a 680K pixel CCD sensor which gives out a 720 x 480 resolution, a Schneider lens with 34x optical zoom and noise reduction technology, and Samsung’s Advanced Image Stabilization technology, a 2.7-inch LCD, memory card slot for SD/SDHC, USB 2.0, 3-hours of battery life, aspect ratio 4:3 & 16:9, innovative swivel grip. And of course, the YouTube recording mode.

In addition, this camcorder features an iCheck mode for checking remaining battery life and memory capacity and the iScene mode that lets users choose 10 automatic modes for capturing the best footage in different shooting environment.

The SC-MX20 will be available in black, red, white and silver trim sometime in August with an expected retail of $279.99

Read [Business Wire]

Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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I had a very difficult time sitting down to write this review because every waking moment in front of the PC became a “testing session” as soon as I laid eyes on the PC 350s at my desk. If you are the competition - these are THE headphones to beat. While they aren’t designed around multiple uses, with some minor design tweaks we could see these cans ushering in a new lineup of Sennheiser headphones. Read on to find out why we are so excited about a set of headphones for the first time in a long while.

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Section: Gadgets / Other, Transportation, Originals

Bicycle technology continues to evolve and this year, we set out to find what new and/or interesting technology is being used to aid these athletes in pushing their bikes faster.  The answers may surprise you.  With a field of competitors with no stand out favorites, this year is surely anyone’s race.  Here is the tech that got us excited:

E-Dura Ace shifters: while not totally new (we’ve seen iterations for 3 years now) Shimano’s luxury shifters are getting some play by top riders.  Most recently on Gerolsteiner’s time trial bike, these shifters allow electronic push button shifting.  Normal shifters are mechanical and push or pull a cable connected to the derrailluer to shift the gears.  Electronic shifters have been pedaled for years by companies like Mavic, but have not caught on mainstream.  Worries of interference such as the guy in front of you shifting causing your gear to intercept the signal and you shift, are the oft cited complaints.

11-Speed.  Remember when 21 gears were a lot?  The seven speed cogset has given way to 8,9,10 and now 11 allowing riders to fine tune their gear inches.  Having 11 choices in the rear cog allows riders to find a comfortable pace and maximize their cadence.  Campagnolo brings out the interest with 11 speeds but we are seeing some riders, like Robbie McEwen decline to use it.  Typically, the more cogs in back, the narrower (and potentially weaker) the chain must get.  It can be these decisions that claim or lose the yellow jersey.

Carbon.  Many of the top riders are riding atop carbon bikes.  Allowing almost no end to fine tuning of any shape, Valverde’s Pinnarello Prince is decked out in the national Spanish colors and features frame design elements engineered to dampen road vibration without losing power.  Carbon has found its way into most parts on a pro level riders bike.

Perhaps my favorite bit of geeky goods is on the Garmin teams bikes.  Combining Saris’ Powertap hub and a Garmin cyclecomputers riders are measuring their effort not in mph but in power.  It is all about the Watts.  Elite riders have been using Watt output to measure their performance for a few years now, but we are seeing riders choose to add this extra weight to their bikes to give them Watt output.  That says a lot for these often anorexic looking riders.  It remains to be seen if the riders are taking advantage of the GPS on their cyclecomputers in the tour…

Join us for two more installments of technologically advanced gear from the Tour.

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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FROM GAMERTELL - A big price drop is set for this Sunday on the Xbox 360
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Section: Imaging, Digital Cameras

For those of you who aren’t into the camera scene, the Hasselblad company has been making some of the best cameras for many proud generations. In fact, these guys have been making cameras since photography was invented. If Hasselblad cameras are gourmet food, then all other cameras are like McDonalds. 

The company’s newest flagship camera is the H3DII-50. It is so named because it has 50, count ‘em, 50-megapixels. It also features Kodak’s 36 x 48mm sensor which is about twice the size of the largest 35mm sensors. 

Other features are improved controls and functionality, better sensor cooling, a new and more intuitive interface, plus a bright 3-inch display. It also has a terrific assortment of large and bright viewfinders, and a wide range of HC and HCD lenses. 

Like I said, Hasselblad cameras are the gourmet of cameras, and this is the high priced food that you would get at a high-priced restaurant. Hasselblad cameras are definitely “for professionals only”, and the best photographers will probably trying like mad to get their hands on the H3DII-50 when it comes out in October. They probably pay top dollar for it, too. 

Via [Engadget]

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

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