What It Is

Now available from Sprint is Palm’s latest keyboard style Blackberry wannabe complete with small screen and a full key thumbpad.  Sprint offers this phone on a 2 year contract basis for $199.99 including $250 instant savings and a $100 mail-in rebate.

What It Isn’t

This is the Pro not the Pre. If you’re looking for a full touchscreen ala iPhone or Storm, you’ve got the wrong phone.

Who It’s For

Cellphone users who are email-centric and have tiny fingers or long fingernails.

Geek Stuff

This Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g enabled speakerphone comes with a dual core MSM7201 400MHz processor, 320×320 65k 16bit touch screen display, microSD card slot, 1500mAh li-on battery, Windows Mobile 6.1 and a check-the-box 2mp 8x digital zoom camera.

Performance

This is one very pocketable tiny phone. But that compactness comes at a cost: a Lilliputian screen and keyboard.  Overall screen size is 1¾  x 1¾ but depending on the application, top and bottom menu bars encroach into the viewing area further reducing usable screen real estate.  An included self-storing stylus is handy for application selection on the touch screen as the diminutive screen size is not very compatible with large fingertips.

The high resolution, high brightness and contrast LCD screen tries to overcome its tiny size by producing a very punchy screen display.  This approach is successful as long as you are indoors.  In outdoor daylight it was difficult to read, and, as with virtually all LCD displays, the toughest test of all – direct sunlight – just killed it.

The speakerphone volume on this tiny little package was remarkable.  Used to turning the volume to max and even then having a bit of a struggle with some phones, the Treo Pro was too loud.  A first, I actually had to turn the volume down.  Battery life was outstanding.  With normal phone, texting, and email use I was able to go several days between charges.

Email setup was simple easily synced with Outlook along with my calendar and all of my contacts.  One note of caution: the phone uses the new micro USB connector and the keying for this connector is not readily discernible.  Make sure you have the plug correctly aligned and do not force it as you can easily damage the receptacle.

Recommendation

Despite my operational complaints due to it being so small, I really liked this phone because it was so small. It just slips so easily in your pocket and there you are with your email, the internet, a nav system and a TV set (Sprint TV) and, oh yes, a phone, mixed in with your loose change. Kudos to Sprint for their basic Sprint TV and Sprint Navigation services included with the phone. They are useful, entertaining and addictive and were hard to give up when I had to return the review phone.

Company Page: [Sprint]

Full Story » | Written by Anthony Gargano for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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As soon as the Windows 7 RC 1 was made available just about a week ago, many people took this opportunity to jump on it and see how it compared to Microsoft’s last OS, Vista.  If you have been following tech in recent months, then you probably have noticed Microsoft taking a very active anti-Mac campaign, in efforts to deter potential customers from purchasing a more expensive Mac setup. 

At the TechEd conference, Microsoft delivered a statement indicating Windows 7 would be ready to roll by the holiday season.  Up until now, it was scheduled to be released in 2010, yet other companies, such as Acer, have hinted at an October release, as they were planning to have their new systems run Windows 7.  There are a few times in the year when computers and laptops are bought rapidly.  One being the back-to-school craze, and the other being the holiday season rush.  Since Windows 7 will be running on machines by the holidays, it will be much to late for the back-to-school computer shopping.  However, Microsoft should expect many PCs sold running Windows 7 as long as it is available between Black Friday and Christmas. 

Now, there could be a couple of reasons why Microsoft has decided to get Windows 7 out and running as soon as possible.  Obviously, Vista has been nothing what Microsoft wanted it to be, and so businesses and households are hesitant to use Vista.  As a result, people have stuck with XP, or even switched completely to Mac.  If Windows 7 can help save Microsoft’s authority in terms of OS, then they will want to have it rolling sooner rather than later. 

Read [Microsoft] Via [Electronista]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

It is illegal in thirteen countries.  The United States is not one of them.  Holocaust denial is actually against the law in thirteen countries, and is said to represent a form of hatred and hate speech in general, that is simply not tolerated.  But don’t worry all you haters, you are apparently just fine on Facebook.

While a big part of any social networking site is talking and building communities with like minded people, what happens when the line is crossed and those communities become offensive to others?  Of course at that point we have people jumping in and yelling “Free Speech! I have my rights!” but is that really what our Amendment rights were put there for?  To promote hate?  Also, freedom of speech aside, what about that simple fact that they are breaking Terms of Service of these social networking sites?  And it is being allowed to happen?

Attorney Brian Cuban is trying to do something about this.  This Dallas,Texas attorney is facing off with Facebook, confronting them on the issue that groups like this should not be allowed to continue, and are breaking Facebook’s own Terms of Service.  Terms that apparently Facebook picks and chooses when to enforce and when to turn the other way.

Take for instance the issue of if you are a breastfeeding mother.  Don’t even think of having a shot up on your page showing you nursing your baby.  That is so clearly against Facebook’s TOS, because this is apparently very offensive to some.  This is a rule that is enforced, and photos just like this have been removed from the site.

Now, on the other hand, a photo of children in a concentration camp is clearly not offensive, nor breaking Facebook’s guidelines for “pornography” since there are naked children, is by all means okay to be posted?  So very logical.  Women cannot post nursing photos since the idea of nursing offends some.  But these hate groups I’m sure offend no one.  Of course.  No random ridiculous picking and choosing going on there.  They sound a little like Apple.

Facebook’s response is that they want to “be a place where people can discuss all kinds of ideas, including controversial ones.”  Okay, except that the way this is being done is in direct violation of their own TOS, particularly section 3.

“Nigger faggot, Jew nosed cunt.”  There is a gem of of an idea being discussed as one person addressed another in the one Facebook Holocaust-denial room.  Or maybe this one, “Jews are snakes and they are liars, and they are the biggest disease this planet has ever endured.”  Most definitely no hate speech going on there that would violate Facebook TOS.  This is an intellectual debates of history going on….not a spewing of hate.  Right.  Oh for Pete’s sake, what in the world is Facebook thinking?  As many others have pointed out, in a private business, freedom of speech does not apply. 

Cuban elaborates this point by saying how in the past, Facebook has removed different groups based on different complaints.  But now, he says, they are “setting the subjective standard on what they remove and what they don’t.”  He goes on to say that “This isn’t a freedom-of-speech issue. Facebook is free to set the standard that they wish.”  And apparently they don’t wish to make a stand against this hatred and prejudice.  Violation or not.

Yes, here in the States, you have the right to protected speech.  And unfortunately people who feel the need to mis-use that freedom by spewing forth hatred and lies are protected as well.  However, web sites do not have to give them carte blanche to spread it.  Especially when it is in clear violation to Terms of Service that they say they mandate.  US representative Deborah Lauter of the International Network Against Cyberhate says that “Our position is that if you are going to be providing it, then you have to step up and put in the mechanism for policing it.”

Stop being such wussies, Facebook.  Breastfeeding a baby is offensive and this kind of crap isn’t?  Please.  I think you need to grow some and practice what you preach.

via: techcrunch

Full Story » | Written by Jodie Andrefski for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

The Wall Street Journal, in a bid to survive the growing shift of newspaper readership from print to online, has announced it will implement a new micropayment subscription model on its website.

Robert Thomson, editor-in-chief of Dow Jones and managing editor of the Journal, told The Financial Times that “a sophisticated micropayments service” will launch this autumn. The system would charge small fees to occasional users who may not be willing to pay more than $100 a year for a subscription to WSJ.com, Thomson said.

The WSJ is not the first paper to try and maximize its online profits.  In February, Newsday announced it will soon start charging for access to its online content.  With print newspapers struggling to survive amid sinking ad revenue and dropping readership, expect more and more of them to start experimenting with online revenue ideas.  These days more and more people go online for their news and it makes sense for the papers to do what they can to profit from it.

I think this model could really work well for them.  Many people who aren’t willing to pay the steep cost of an online subscription to the paper would probably have no problem paying a small fee to access an article that interests them.  This could be especially popular with students and others who do a lot of research.  The only question is just what the fees will be.

What are your thoughts?  Would you be okay with a micropayment model for your local/favorite paper?  Why or why not?

Read [Cnet]

Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

According to results just released from the National Health Interview Survey, more than 20 percent of United States households have only wireless phones.  The survey was conducted between July and December 2008 and showed an increase of almost 3 percent since the first half of 2008.  Additionally, one out of every seven homes receives all or almost all of their phone calls through cell phones.

The stats were retrieved by a sampling of almost 13,000 households with each household having a minimum of one adult and one child.  The National Health Interview Survey started this bi-annual survey in 2003 as a trend began to emerge that showed that more and more consumers were turning to mobile only solutions and canceling their landlines.  Significantly more than one third of individuals between the age of 18 and 29 are wireless only users.

It is likely that this surge in wireless only households has occurred due to the economic downturn.  As more and more people try to look for ways to save money, canceling an unnecessary landline is likely to be one of them.

Read: [NHIS]

Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

With all the excitement last week regarding the announcement of the new Kindle DX, a larger version designed for bigger text like newspapers, it is easy to start to justify the almost $500 expense.  But then a sobering weekend brings up the thought, “why drop that kind of cash on a locked system?”  What can I build on my own and have a better experience?

Thankfully, the world isn’t convinced Amazon’s Kindle will reign supreme and reinvent newspapers.  Leading this charge, newspapers themselves.  Most of the top papers have recently begun experimenting with other delivery options.  Here are two that are worth checking out.

Got an iPhone?  Sure you do, you are a tech reader (if not, just play along).  Check out the Wall Street Journal iPhone app.  As a recent subscriber to the Journal, I hate this app.  Why?  Simple; they took all the content I paid a whopping sum for and are giving it away on a slick, easy to read, custom formatted iPhone App.  Awesome.  While the Journal makes it clear it is a limited time offer, get it while the gettings good.  It is an impressive app.

The other is perhaps a bit more interesting.  You crave a bigger screen than the iPhone offers, but want to be able to do anything (*virtually, damn lawyers) with that screen.  You want access to things like the web, email, word processing, whatever you feel like.  Oh, and keep it cheap.  The answer?

Yeah, it’s a netbook

A netbook.  All that and a color screen in a form factor that looks like you could possibly be working, not just goofing off, lounging around reading.  You could pick up a cheap one with Windows XP or even Linux and load up this recently updated New York Times app that runs on Adobe Air. 

The NYT app is really slick.  It is lightning fast and very graceful in its movements.  The app allows you to easily select a date of publication so you can check an article you heard about last week quite simply.  There are sections that are locked to subscribers only (they offer a $3.95 weekly web subscription) but freebie seekers like me have access to the front page, videos, Business Day section and most popular.  I really like this app.

Many local newspapers put their content online with no limitations, so you can find your local content with ease. 

Check out this great CNET post on some tools to help convert your netbook into an e-reader.  The above image is from that site as well.

Caveats

Now, you’ll need some kind of connectivity through a cell connection or WiFi, so give that some thought.  It’s not e-ink and the experience isn’t nearly as seamless or flawless.

While not a perfect solution, it is a very flexible one.  Serious readers with a penchant for hauling around another gadget can easily justify the Kindle DX I suspect.  Both those of us who can’t it is good to know alternatives abound.

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

For the most part recently it seems that Intel can do no wrong by many people.  It keeps churning out new processors like the i7 that greatly improve on everything else on the market.  There’s also all its other random side projects that could improve any number of technologies.  None of these things get passed the EU antitrust regulators, though, who are expected to fine Intel sometime this week.

According to the EU Intel has been paying computer manufacturers to not release computers using AMD chips.  Intel also reportedly set limits for manufacturers on what percentage of their computers could use AMD chips.  For example, all Lenovo and Dell laptops had to use Intel chips, while HP was allowed to use AMD chips in 5 percent of its laptops.  There’s also the issue of Intel paying off retailers to not stock machines that use AMD chips.

According to Intel it never did anything wrong regarding these issues.  However, if the EU does fine them, and does find that Intel did indeed pay off retailers and manufacturers it might possibly result in more AMD chips being used in computers.  Then again, this case is only in Europe, and will most likely not affect American Intel and AMD chip sales very much if at all.  Not to mention the fact that Intel’s chips are just better than AMD’s at the moment, which is why nobody really would have questioned never seeing AMD chips, at least not the average consumer.

Read [Reuters]

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

There are some reviews that are a bit difficult to compose.  Sometimes the products are so intricate that it takes a whole lot of work to boil them down to a brief review.  Other times the products are just so simple that there isn’t much to say about them beside “it works” and “it is great.”  Thankfully, this review is the latter.

I am not sure about you but I am regularly running out of space on my living room DVR (from Time Warner Cable) and am forced to delete movies and/or TV shows that I haven’t have time to watch.  I could opt to record in SD instead of HD (which requires significantly less space), but that is just too big of a sacrifice.  With the Seagate Extender these problems dissolve away.

What is it?

The Seagate Showcase DVR Storage Expander allows you to expand your hard drive space on your DVR.  It is available in 500GB or 1TB versions.  Each version comes in USB 2.0 or eSATA variations.  Prices range from $119.99 to $164.99 depending on configuration.

The Good

The Showcase is a plug and play DVR expander via USB 2.0 or an eSATA connection.  It adds up to 200 additional hours of HD shows or 1000 hours in standard definition.  To get it going you turn off your DVR and then plug the large power block into the wall and the Showcase.  Finally, do the same for the USB or eSATA cable (now between your DVR and the Showcase).  Once this is complete (a.k.a. 30 seconds later) turn your DVR back on, at which time you should see a prompt asking if you want to “reformat your external drive.” 

Upon saying yes, you are done—your DVR will do the rest.  It will fill up your external drive as the internal drive reaches capacity and play off of either drive, based on where the program is recorded.

The Bad

The only downfall is that if/when you disconnect the Showcase and move it to another DVR (even if from the same provider and same model DVR), the device forces you to reformat your drive and lose those saved shows.

The Crux

If you’re looking for a way to expand your DVR without hacking, the Seagate Showcase DVR Storage Expander is a very good option.

Product Page: Showcase

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

Its almost an unspoken truth that save for a few handsets, most cell phones tend to be rather ugly.  It can be rather frustrating when new phones with decent features, specs and OS come out with ugly or just bland design.  It’s easy to point to the iPhone as a well designed phone, and maybe a few others, which is why concept phones can sometimes be depressing since they may never make it to market.

The latest interesting concept phone, from designer Jaren Goh is the Sony Black Tribute.  There’s nothing indicating that this design was actually made for Sony, or if Goh just decided to give it a Sony look.  The design is rather nice, with an all aluminum casing, a 3.2 MP camera and a wide touch screen.  The phone design has a lot of hard lines and smooth surfaces, unlike the iPhone’s curved back.  It gives the phone a sturdier and more professional look.  The GUI looks very Sony-esque with a lot of unused black/blue gradient space and clean graphics.

Concept phones always seem to bring about a strange mixture of awe and depression.  The design tends to be rather interesting that would be nice to actually hold.  However, there’s always only a small chance the phone would actually ever make it to market.  With the Sony Black Tribute it would be nice to see it make the trip to market, though maybe from a different company.  I know I wouldn’t mind seeing a phone with that design carrying Android, which Sony doesn’t seem to be all to up on.

Read [Yanko Design]

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »