V900 & X610

Whilst we know that the X610's specs aren't screaming out "I'm fantastic", it's a pretty good looking device with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. The more "I'm Fantastic" of these two is the V900, a device that can handle DVB-H, DVB-T, T-DMB, and DAB broadcasts on a VGA display that certainly doesn't hurt its case.

So far, the launches on these two are noted simply as "soon," so best keep your eyes open for further release details (or subscribe to our blog via RSS)

We have been promised a trial of these units soon so again watch out for our usual un boxing video's and detailed reviews.

In the meantime lets have a look at the specs that come with these handsets.

Glowfiish V900

First of we will look at the V900:

• Windows Mobile^® 6.1 Professional (Crossbow)
• Samsung S3C 6400 533 MHz Processor
• 256 MB Flash ROM, 128 MB SDRAM
• 2.8", 640 x 480 (VGA), 65,536 colors, TFT-LCD
• 106 (L) x 60.5 (W) x 17(18.15) (H) mm
• 147g
• HSDPA / UMTS ( 2100 / 1900 / 850 MHz )
• Quad-Band GSM?850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
• GPRS class 10 / EDGE class 10
• Bluetooth® v2.0 class 2 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate),
• WiFi IEEE802.11b/g Certificated
• Digital TV
• DVB-T / T-DMB
• GPS
• Embedded SiRF Star III chipset, TMC function supported*,
• FM 76 ~ 108MHz, support Channel Search
• FM Transmitter
• 87.5 ~ 108MHz
• Built-in 3.0 mega pixels Auto-Focus CMOS camera, up to 2048 x 1536 resolution
• 0.3 mega pixels Fixed-Focus CMOS camera for conference call usage
• MicroSD card slot
• Built-in microphone and speaker, external stereo headset jack, hands-free mode supported
• USB Sync, Composite TV out support
• Touch screen for stylus or fingertip, navigation button, power button, send/end button, record button, volume control, left soft-key, right soft-key
• Lithium Polymer rechargeable with 1,530 mAh capacity
• Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional, Microsoft® Office Outlook® Mobile (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Inbox), Picture, Notes, Microsoft® Office Word Mobile, Microsoft® Office Excel® Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile, ActiveSync, Calculator, Game (Solitaire, Bubble Breaker), Voice Recorder, Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® Mobile, MSN® Messenger, Microsoft® Transcriber*, Windows Media® Player 10, Direct Push Technology, Microsoft Reader* (* subject to change by region)

E-TEN Exclusive Applications

• Phone Tools: Phone Application*, Phone Setting, SIM Toolkit, Speed Dial, Call Filter, Wireless Modem, Wireless Manager, Dialer Skin, Add Ringtone, CSD Type, Voice Commander*, Connection Wizard, SMS Sender, SIM Manager, Video Telephony (*subject to change by region)
• Multimedia Tools: Image Wizard, Image Maker, Multimedia Manager, Camera, Camcorder, FM Tuner* (*subject to change by region)
• MMS Composer* (*subject to change by region)
• Utilities: Quick Link, Battery Meter, Zoom SMS, Bluetooth Manager, M-Desk, Scenario, Backup Utility, Namecard Manager
• GPS Tools: Location SMS

Packing List

• Glofiish V900, stylus
• USB sync cable
• AC adapter
• headset
• leather case
• getting started CD
• quick start guide
• standard battery
• TV-out cable

Accessories (Optional)

• USB Sync Cable
• AC adapter
• car-charger
• car-mount
• battery pack
• Bluetooth® Headset
• leather case
• headset
• TV-out cable

Glowfiish X610

So now lets look across to the X610:

• Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
• Samsung SC3 2442 400 MHz Processor
• 128 MB Flash ROM, 64 MB SDRAM
• 2.8", 320 x 240 (QVGA), 65,536 colors, TFT-LCD
• 107 x 58 x 14.7 mm
• 134g (with battery)
• GSM/EDGE Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• GPRS/EGPRS Class B, Multi-slot Class 10
• Bluetooth® v2.0 class 2 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• WiFi IEEE802.11b/g Certificated
• GPS
• Embedded SiRF Star III chipset, TMC function supported*, (*subject to change by regions)
• Built-in 2.0 mega pixels, Fixed Focus CMOS, up to 1600 x 1200 resolution
• MicroSD card slot
• Built-in microphone and speaker, external stereo headset jack, hands-free mode supported
• Mini USB Sync, headset jack
• Touch screen for stylus or fingertip, navigation button, power button, 2 quick application buttons, send/end button, record button, volume control
• Lithium Polymer rechargeable with 1,530 mAh capacity
• Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional, Microsoft® Office Outlook® Mobile (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Inbox), Picture, Notes, Microsoft® Office Word Mobile, Microsoft® Office Excel® Mobile, Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® Mobile, Microsoft® Office OneNote® Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile, ActiveSync, Calculator, Game (Solitaire, Bubble Breaker), Voice Recorder, MSN® Messenger, Windows Live ^TM, Microsoft® Transcriber*, Windows Media® Player 10, Direct Push Technology, Getting Started, Microsoft Reader* (* subject to change by regions)

Glofiish Exclusive Applications

• Phone Tools: Phone Application*, Phone Setting, SIM Toolkit, Speed Dial, Wireless Modem, Wireless Manager, Dialer Skin, CSD Type, Voice Commander*, Connection Wizard, SMS Sender, SIM Manager (*subject to change by regions)
• Multimedia Tools: Album, Camera, Camcorder, FM Tuner, MMS Composer
• Utilities: Spb Mobile Shell, Quick Link, Battery Meter, Zoom SMS, Scenario, Backup Utility, Quick Bar, Task Manager, Memory Optimization, Backup Utility, Default Setting, Application Recovery, System Information
• GPS Tools: Satellite Data Update (Not supported in USA), Location SMS, GPS Viewer
• Free Download Programs: Image Wizard, Image Maker, Birthday Reminder

(The programs are posted on the website: http://www.glofiish.com for downloading)

Packing List

• glofiish X610
• stylus
• USB sync cable
• AC adaptor
• headset
• leather case
• getting started CD
• quick start guide
• standard battery

Accessories (Optional)

• USB sync cable
• AC adaptor
• car-charger
• battery pack
• leather case
• headset

I'll let you make your own mind up as to which device is best of these two but for me I'm gonna go with the "I Don't look too great but I am fantastic" one.

Posted by: John

Sony Ericsson isn’t exactly sitting pretty on top of the cell phone world at this point in time, but they aren’t down in the doldrums to accompany Motorola either. They’re tucked away safely in the middle, but I am pretty sure that Sony Ericsson executives can’t wait to hit the jackpot with one of their handsets - better sooner than later, of course. The Sony Ericsson X1 Xperia could be a potential winner here, creating plenty of buzz when it was announced back in February this year. The long wait (well, anything more than half a year in the world of technology is just too long, especially when the device is extremely desirable) will soon be over as it will be available in retail stores across the UK within one month from now. No idea on pricing though, but it looks set to be on the high end of the spectrum. More on the specifications and features of the X1 Xperia right after the jump.

Check out the features as shown below and get a Kleenex, since you’ll probably be wiping a fair bit of drool once you’re done.

• 256MB RAM
• 400MB internal memory
• 512MB storage memory
• 3″ TFT touch screen display
• Arc Sliding QWERTY keyboard
• 3.15 megapixel camera
• A-GPS
• Handwriting recognition
• Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system
• Office Mobile and Outlook mobile
• 3G and Video calling capability
• Wi-Fi connectivity

This feature packed smartphone not only looks good, it ought to keep just about anyone happy. The Arc sliding QWERTY keyboard might seem familiar to some, that’s because it is similar to that of the HTC Tytn. Good to know that you have a decent keyboard to compose your text messages, emails as well as long Office documents while you’re out of the office without suffering from any serious thumb cramps. When not in use, just slide the QWERTY keyboard back in and you’re good to go with a sleek-looking smartphone, ready to wow all and sundry who lay their eyes on it.

This might sound like a business handset from the specifications, but it also functions as a recreational device equally well. The 3.15 megapixel camera isn’t anything to shout about, since it doesn’t carry a well-known lens as found on other Sony Ericsson Cybershot models or Nokia’s N Series, but it ought to do a decent enough job when capturing impromptu moments - just make sure the subject is not moving about too quickly and there is ample light in the immediate vicinity. In addition, the X1 comes with a dedicated video chip that enables it to record video at 30 fps, capturing near DVD quality memories for posterity.

Do you happen to need to remain connected at all times, whether you’re at home, at the office or out from both places? The X1 Xperia is more than able to satisfy your lust for Internet connectivity, thanks to the Wi-fi capability which lets you leech off free wireless hotspots in a jiffy, while the HSUPA capability makes sure you get the best connection possible no matter where you are (dependant on the signal strength and coverage area, of course). It would be ideal to get an unlimited data account with the X1 Xperia if you plan to take advantage of its HSUPA connectivity, since we all know mobile data charges do add up to an insane amount if left unchecked on a pay-per-use basis.

As for the user interface, the highly customizable 9 panel interface makes it a snap to navigate through a plethora of applications, and good thing the X1 Xperia is no slouch when it comes to processing power, allowing you to run multiple applications simultaneously without suffering from any lag or slowdown. If you are looking to upgrade your smartphone experience, would you choose this over the iPhone 3G? After all, the user interface here might not live up to Apple’s iPhone experience, but it is definitely much more dummy-proof compared to a plain Jane Windows Mobile 6.1 system.

Source: Dial a Phone.
[ Sony X1 Xperia Smartphone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Microsoft AutoCollage 2008

Today, Microsoft launched the AutoCollage 2008 application for digital image tweaking enthusiasts. Look, as much as we’d like to, not all of us are gifted with “mad Photoshop skillz.” Not only that, but not everyone has the time to sit down in front of the computer for hours to erase wrinkles and zits on faces, and of course, to create collages.

The Microsoft AutoCollage 2008 is an application that easily compiles pictures and creates collages out of them. The application uses various techniques such as face and object recognition so it could blend pictures and make them look seamless without accidentally slapping another picture on top of a key object. The AutoCollage 2008 can even choose an overall theme for the collage to avoid duplication of images.

The Microsoft AutoCollage 2008 is now available for a free 30-day trial download at Microsoft Research, with a licensed version available for purchase in the UK and in the US.

via Press Release

Qik has now expand its services to support HTC-sourced handsets, including the following :-

HTC Touch Dual HTC Touch Diamond HTC TyTN IIAT&T Tilt Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

You will need to sign up for a free account before getting started, and it will take quite some time before the application is approved. I would highly recommend you getting an unlimited data plan and a stay in an area where there is a decent 3G signal if you want to take full advantage of what Qik offers.

Add a comment | From: Qik Now Supports HTC | Visit Ubergizmo

More: click here…

When Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 was announced, the tech communities are abuzz with how great it would be. Unfortunately, the delayed release date and the entry of other touch screen handsets effaced the XPERIA X1 into the background.

Good thing it’s now confirmed that the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1’s release is right on track. According to Register Hardware, whatever the handset’s problem was with Windows Mobile 6.1 has now been fixed. There’s a wee bit of an issue regarding video capture, but all is well. Germany, UK, and USA will be the first countries to get the handset; other countries—that means us—will have to wait until next year. On a similar note, the SDK for the development of custom interactive panels of the touch screen device is now available for free.

Via Register Hardware and Sony Ericsson

The Specifications:

• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless (USB Adapter)
• Power: Two AA Batteries
• Sensor: 848nm Adjustable-dpi laser
• Special: DPI Controls & Stealth Thumb Button

The Buttons: - 5/5 stars
The best part of the MX 1100 is the large amount of buttons it features without becoming overwhelming for those who don’t plan on using anything past the essential ones. The mouse is a bit larger than an average sized mouse, but is quite comfortable to use and both the left & right click buttons provide great tactile feedback. A button below the scroll wheel allows switching between a “notched scroll” and a “frictionless scroll”. The standard “notches” setting lets you feel each bump while scrolling, whereas the “frictionless” setting allows flicking through pages rapidly. The scroll wheel supports 4-way scrolling, so leaning it to either side will allow scrolling in that direction. Pushing in the scroll wheel functions as a middle-click, which is great for opening links in new tabs. A plus and minus button at the top left of the mouse allows increasing or decreasing the DPI settings to adjust sensitivity. It’s quite neat to be able to change the sensitivity at anytime without having to dig through the Control Panel. Directly above the thumb rest are the forward and backward keys. Although well placed, they were a bit too soft to offer enough feedback in my opinion. The final neat feature is the “stealth thumb button”, located in the thumb rest, which has been configured by default to launch Vista’s 3D flip interface to switch between open windows. And as always, installing Logitech’s SetPoint drivers and software will allow customizing any button to do just about anything you would like it to do.

Accuracy and Transmission: - 5/5 stars
Despite being a wireless mouse, the device maintained a strong connection with the transmitter. There were no problems getting it to work from even over 20 feet away. The MX 1100 is also quite accurate, movements are almost flawless and the adjustable DPI doesn’t disappoint. Hard-core gamers will probably still complain about accuracy, but for most consumers this will end up being the most accurate mouse they have used. That doesn’t mean its bad for gaming, it was better than any of the mice I had and was excellent to use while playing a game of Counter-Strike.

Battery and Charging - 3/5
The way the mouse gets it’s juice is probably the only drawback. The Mouse runs of two AA batteries and Logitech claims it will last about nine months. The mouse automatically goes into a power-save mode, however Logitech still says by using the “on/off button, you save even more power.” There is a battery indicator on the mouse that lights up when turned on, but fades away after a couple of seconds. A re-chargeable version of this mouse is available, however it can only be purchased as a part of a Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard-mouse bundle. Unfortunately we can’t test the mouse for nine-months, but from experience I can say that the lifespan could be much shorter or longer based of how many hours it gets used each day.

Conclusion:
Overall, the Logitech MX 1100 is a top-of-the-line mouse and is probably one of the best ones I have used to date. It is extremely comfortable, completely customizable, and just works. If you do happen to be a “lefty” (left-handed), you are out of luck. It would be quite difficult to use this mouse comfortably with a left hand. For a retail price of $79.99, while being available for as low as $65 online, it’s affordable and offers just about everything you could ask for. I only wish it was rechargeable, but despite that most owners will be truly satisfied by what Logitech’s MX 1100 has to offer.

Links: Logitech.com MX 1100
Buy: MX 1100 For $65 (no tax + free shipping via Amazon)

Aside from electricity and water, AIR seems to be a potential source of power for automobiles. This was shown by the project developed by mechanical engineering students from Dalhousie University, Canada. The study was about using compressed O2 to run a go-kart. Based on the test runs that were done, the air powered go-kart performs as good as electric powered go-karts. The air powered vehicle was able to finish three rounds in the test laps with the speed of 43 km/h by 2 minutes using two tanks containing equal amounts of air.

The mechanical engineering students used a 40-year old snowmobile engine and modified it for the project. They made the compressed air ran through its engine so it can produce power similar to a gas engine. The engine was then attached to a revamped go-kart. Two scuba tanks were used to contain the compressed air and by means of a standard scuba fitting with a high-flow regulator, the air was released and it went through the tubing leading to a ball valve connected to the foot pedal and throttle.

The project still has a long way to be completely furnished. If it pushes through, it will really be a convenient choice for motorists since AIR is just around us. We don’t actually see it but it’s there and it comes FREE of charge.

This is part of a $310 million investment AT&T is making this year in the greater Los Angeles area, which spans from San Clemente to San Luis Obispo. This should improve cell signal for voice and data calls.

South OC was considered high priority, said Geoff Mordock, an AT&T spokesman. He couldn’t elaborate as to why South OC is special to AT&T, as is Bakersfield and Palm Springs where the improved service has also launched. But, apparently, not high priority is North OC. (South OC, as AT&T defines it, includes Irvine and anything southward.) But North OC “is in our plans, ” he said.

And the upgrade, he added, has nothing to do with reports of unsatisfactory 3G iPhone service.

Technically, the improvement came about because AT&T added the wireless frequency of 850 Megahertz, which supplements its existing 1900 Mhz service, Mordock said.

Now, 850 MHz is a frequency that has been reserved for analog cell phone users since the 1980s, said Charles Golvin, who tracks the mobile industry as a principal analyst at Forrester Research. The newer 1900 MHz started in the 90s and is used for digital service (Sprint uses just 1900 for its all digital service). Over the years, the technology has been tweaked so service and features have improved. While most cellular carriers use both frequencies, they may use different ones depending on region. AT&T has now chosen to offer both here in parts of OC.

“Over time, AT&T and Verizon offer the same thing because they both have 1900 and 850. They have gradually transitioned their services and technologies so in any market that you travel into, you may be using 1900, maybe 850 or both but not simultaneously,” he said. “But the main point is 850 Mhz penetrates buildings better.”

AT&T turned on the service this week. By the end of the year, the company will have added 74 new cell cites in OC to boost its high-speed services. Most are already online, the company said.

Any South OC AT&T users out there? Has the service improved? Please share your experience with the rest of us!

Image from AT&T

Past AT&T posts:

• DSL down to $10/month from Verizon and AT&T
• How iPhone users can save money overseas
• Make Outlook Express work with AT&T e-mail
• Get tech help in your home from AT&T
• AT&T offers $10,000 to help catch copper-wire thieves
• BillShrink quickly shows how to save on cell bill
• Did AT&T yank free Wi-Fi for iPhone users?

The latest handset to win Telstra’s “Blue Tick” nod of approval is the Palm Treo Pro. Apparently, the Windows Mobile-powered smartphone isn’t just good for tapping out emails and editing documents, it’s good for making calls in the Australian outback too! The Telstra Palm Treo Pro has become the “first smartphone on the Next G™ network to be accredited with Telstra’s Blue Tick of approval showing that it is recommended for handheld use in metro, rural and regional areas.”

The Palm Treo Pro is slated to go on sale for free on qualifying service contracts come mid-September. Rural Telstra customer and business users willprobably want to at least consider the Palm Treo Pro as their cellular-signal hunting handset of choice.

Press release

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Palm Treo Pro gets all official
• LG KF390 hits Australia exclusively through Telstra
• Palm Treo Pro getting cozy with CDMA?
• Palm Treo 850 aka Treo Pro shortly shows its face
• Rogers to bring Palm Treo Pro to Canada on September 17?

If you buy one of four bullshit accessory packages—going for $106 to $234, according to AppleInsider—Geek Squad will set up your phone and email for free. In other words, something they have to do anyway (activate your phone), and another that's complimentary at the Apple Store or easy enough to do yourself. Thanks, Geek Squad. [Apple Insider]