BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 for Verizon Wireless

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 for Verizon Wireless features the SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard found on BlackBerry Pearl phones, which makes typing messages and dialing numbers fast and easy. And it also offers two high-resolution color displays, including an external LCD that lets you preview incoming messages without opening the handset.

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 is BlackBerry’s first clamshell smartphone with dual LCD screens and SureType hybrid numeric/QWERTY keypad, it offers fast 3G speed’s via Verizon Wireless EV-DO Rev.0 data network, GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions, and Visual Voice Mail. It sports a 2.0-megapixel camera, Bluetooth stereo music, MicroSD memory expansion up to 16 GB. The phone supports up to 3.7 hours of talk time, up to 216 hours (9 days) of standby time.

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 phone lets you enjoy all the communication and connectivity features you’ve come to expect from a BlackBerry phone–including email served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM)–in a new clamshell form factor.
BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 Phone only $0.01 with new service plan (amazon)
BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 Phone comes with loads of brilliant features
* The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 presents a sophisticated look with a sleek design and a chrome-finished frame surrounding its smooth, luminescent face. Weighing 3.6 ounces, the Flip has two light-sensing LCD screens–an internal 2.4-inch 65K-color screen (240 x 320-pixel resolution) and an external 65K-color screen with a 128 x 160-pixel resolution.
* Opening up the clamshell reveals the Pearl Flip’s unique alpha-numeric keypad, which has been brough over from BlackBerry’s popular Pearl models. Each button on the keypad shares two letters and the unit automatically determines which letter is the intended one based on what it predicts you are trying to spell.
* With BlackBerry push technology, you don’t need to retrieve your e-mail. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new e-mail arrives.
* You’ll be able to easily access up to 10 supported personal and work email accounts, send and receive text and instant messages, and connect on popular social networking sites with friends, family and co-workers.
* Surf the Internet with the BlackBerry Browser, which includes a “Page View” option that displays a full web page on the screen along with a magnifying glass that allows the user to quickly and accurately point and zoom in on a specific area of the web page.
* This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, audio/video remote control, and sending of vCard calendar and contact info.
* With an advanced media player for displaying pictures, listening to music and watching videos, the Flip is the perfect on-the-go entertainment center.
* The 2-megapixel camera features a 5x digital zoom and flash as well as your choice of three picture sizes and qualities and white balance settings.
You’ll find out more cool features when you get the phone.
BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 Phone only $0.01 with new service plan (amazon)
Specs:
* BlackBerry’s first clamshell smartphone with dual LCD screens and SureType hybrid numeric/QWERTY keypad
* Fast 3G speed’s via Verizon Wireless EV-DO Rev.0 data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; Visual Voice Mail
* Connect with up to 10 personal and work email accounts; 2.0-megapixel camera; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion up to 16 GB
* Up to 3.7 hours of talk time, up to 216 hours (9 days) of standby time
BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 Phone only $0.01 with new service plan (amazon)

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New LG Xenon HSPA touchscreen mobile phone

Bell announced New LG Xenon HSPA touchscreen mobile phone with Bell Mobility’s HSPA wireless network and also LG Xenon comes equipped with a large 71mm (2.8″) touchscreen display and a unique customizable user interface that allows for three distinct home screens. It also features a 2 megapixel camera with camcorder, integrated media player, HTML web browsing and memory expandable up to 16 gigabytes.

LG Xenon comes in purple and black and is available nationally from Bell Mobility for as little as $89.95 on a three-year contract or for $289.95 without a contract.

Specifications:

* Compatible with the HSPA network
* Global access
* Speed: Up to 3.6 Mbps
* Full touch screen with slide-out QWERTY keyboard
* 2 megapixel camera with adjustable resolution, colour effects, shot quality, self timer, multishot, night mode and white balance controls, plus camcorder
* Text, picture and video messaging
* MP3 player
* Personal email
* Downloadable games, wallpapers and ringtones
* Internet browser
* Windows Live™ Messenger
* Video Calling
* Live TV
* Bluetooth® 1.2
* Radio
* Speakerphone
* Speech-activated commands
* Expandable memory compatible with up to 16 GB microSDHC cards
* Accessibility (TTY)
* Tools: calculator, voice recorder, alarm clock, airplane mode and datebook
* Dual-Band: 850 / 1900 MHz HSPA
* Quad-Band: 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz GSM

Included in the box:

* 3G LG Xenon
* Standard Li-Ion battery
* Travel adapter
* Quick reference guide

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TomTom iPhone application should be getting updated soon

TomTom iPhone application should be getting updated soon, assuming Apple [AAPL] approve it. Included in the update are a number of features which should have been included at launch such as advanced lane guidance and text to speech.

If Apple do approve it, then it will be made available for download soon.

TomTom iPhone New Features

* Advanced lane guidance giving drivers extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions. For the first time this is in both landscape and portrait mode.
* Text-to-speech helping motorists to keep their eyes on the road by enabling street names and places to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions.
* “Help Me” providing direct access to emergency numbers and directions to the nearest emergency providers.
* Updated map and safety camera database (Europe only)
* Customizable audio warnings when approaching safety cameras or driving over the speed limit, increasing driver safety and saving money.
* iPod player control ensuring drivers can conveniently control their music from within the application.

The update will be free from what we understand.

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Nintendo DS - Pure Gaming Portable System

The Nintendo DS is a well designed portable game system, nothing more nothing less, unless you use hombrew flash carts to extend its capabilities. It has dual screens, while the lower display is a touch screen. The touch screen in some games are used like an analog controller for interacting with games, while the upper part as the main display. The touch screen is a resistive type and made to be used with a stylus, but you may also use your finger or nails, but it won't be that accurate. Why 2 screens? So you may play Super Mario Bros. in the upper screen while playing Tetris in the lower one(as if we can do that haha), actually, from my experience, on fast paced games, if it were using a single display, there would be times, your view on the screen will be obstructed by your fingers/hands. System is well thought of and some games make use of all available interaction features never done even on PC games. It also has a microphone and wifi capability used for internet browsing, game downloads, ad-hoc gaming and some communication use. I find the touch screen a better controller for FPS games against the analog stick on the PSP and because of the 2 screen, view wont be blocked by your appendages. Graphics are ok but not on par with current generation consoles, still game quality and titles make up for its deficiency in the graphics area. For the audio part, well its good enough for portable gaming, sound/music quality is average, while voices are a bit on the rough side. This is the reason that the DS is not a good portable media player, audio quality sampling max out at 32khz only. If you have a homebrew flashcart, you could play video(converted to a specific format) and mp3 audio on the DS. You can't compare the DS against Sony's PSP, because of different gaming libraries, and game play styles/type. But one advantage or major difference of the PSP is it's media playback abilities and for people without ipods, this is a major plus. For now, my PSP is just collecting dust, currently playing Castlevania Order of Ecclesia and just finished Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruins. BTW, games for the DS aren't all for kids, don't believe what you hear until you've actually held one and played different titles. But it's true there are some games designed for children, and some are even educational. If you're planning to buy one, I suggest any Premium shops from Pinoypsp.com except for GoGadgets. Had a bad experience with them, bought my DS from them indirectly, asked a shop from here(province an 8 hour bus ride/6 hrs on private car) to get me a BLACK NDS from GG, only to know they ran out of stock, and they only have silver and zelda limited edition (with 110v charger). We bought 2 units, but problem starts here; Memory card was supposed to be Kingston as per package but, they're out of stock and replaced with sandisk 4gb-class 6, but it had problems with the Castlevania POR, so I test my own original transcend class 6 8gb memory card, and problem was inexistent. I asked the shop here if he replaced the memory card but he said that is what the shop gave with the packaged set, and I believe them because I know them and their trustworthy, besides that, my cousin noticed that the lower screen has a small scratch underneath the touch screen because when he was putting on the screen protection film, he noticed the small scratch. It's more visible when the DS is turned off but when playing, it's not noticeable unless you position the unit on an uncomfortable angle. But I asked the middleman(shop here in our province) if it's possible to replace the unit when he goes to Manila again, only to find out it's not possible. Sadly that's the end, but still I find the games in the DS really fun. Planning on buying new PSP 3k series and Ipod touch from other Premium shop, crossing my fingers hehe. BTW Cellpower is a very good shop too just look for Tomli. My last purchased item from GG was a Skully Headphone, in fairness, it's ok, no problems/defects. But this will be the last item I will get from the shop, because of my experiences with them and I had not much choice, they have the lowest price on that specific skully. Next I'll be sharing my I-Pod ventures.

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Sony PSP, a toy or gadget?

Is the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) a toy or an electronic gadget? Well, it depends on the person using this device, but most of the persons I've met who owns one usually consider this as a plaything. Few ones in the Philippines like the community in http:\\www.pinoypsp.com knows it's a lot more.

Standard PSP features or capabilities using official firmware (currently version 3.93):

• View pictures from your memory stick (Jpg, gif, png, & bmp)
• Play MP3 & WMA audio music files
• Play videos in MP4 format files (converted from pc)
• Play games/movies from the UMD drive
• Play downloaded demo/purchased games online from the memory stick.
• Remote control of PS3 console
• Web browsing using it's built in wifi
• Listen to Internet radio (shoutcast)
• Read RSS feeds
• Voice, video, text Chat using Go messenger with go!cam or skype.
• Watch videos using Location Free Player thru streamed video by using Sony's expensive Location Free Base; with this device, you could connect satellite receivers, or any video player device and stream its output thru wifi and still have remote access to the device like changing channels, etc.
  

But, if you are using a custom firmware (currently 3.90 m33), its like unleashing the full potential & capabilities of the sony psp, like:

• All features from the official firmware except Location free player (removed to save memory. Besides, theres a cheaper better way of streaming videos from your pc to the psp)
• Run your legally owned games from the memory stick to save the PSP's UMD laser from wear and tear. (Remember PS1 & PS2 laser problems)
  
• Run homebrew applications made by lots of people from all over the world which extends the psp's capabilities
  
• Play ogg, flac, mod, stm & other audio file formats.*
• Play PSX(PS1) games by converting your psx iso images to eboot
  
• Watch videos from youtube.com*
• IRC chat*
• Plug-ins or add-ons*
• Use the psp as a universal remote control*
• Emulate different old computer systems, game consoles & scientific calculators like the amiga computers, Texas Instruments calculators, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis/Megadrive, PC-Engine(Turbo-Grafx 16), Capcom Arcade System, Neo-Geo, etc..*
• Manage files in your memory stick**
• Stream video/audio files from your pc thru wifi just using your pc and wifi router.***
  
• And a lot more thanks to homebrew and the people who made them.
  

* Possible with homebrew apps
** PSPFiler (homebrew too)
***PimpStreamer (what do ya think, its also homebrew)

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Apple Ipod Touch, a threat to PSP ?!?

Ahhh.... Ipod Touch. What can I say, it's a great portable media player. People who haven't seen it will be awestruck by the cool and very futuristic like controls or the way you flick and point your finger on the screen. Plays video with its large screen and of course mp3 music files better than the psp and nds. The iPod touch like other iPods has built in index for it's mp3 files you've downloaded to it. Searching by title, artist, or even by album is easily done smoothly like a breeze, with its famous cover flow, you could peruse the albums with cover arts displayed, and scan through like flipping pages from book. Unlike on the nds or psp, you'll have to scan through all your songs to look for a specific title, unless you use a homebrew app like lightmp3 where it builds an index of your mp3 files. For audio quality, its good, so if you already have a psp and don't have extra dough for another device, thats good enough, unless you've got lots of mp3s with you and like to scan through different libraries which will be slow and hard on the psp. On the nds side, mp3 music quality is on the lower quality side, but acceptable for non audiophiles and is even now better with the new moonlight shell.

On the Video capability, for me the psp slightly wins this category, it's scanning by configurable intervals with preview is really cool compared to scanning by dragging the position bar on the ipod. For the nds, its irritating if you try to scan scenes, so slow and its takes like forever.

And lastly, the gaming side. Well, the iPod isn't actually a gaming portable, but with it's powerful processor and graphics processor, it's capable of doing some graphics comparable to the current players in the portable gaming arena. But it will never be like the psp, it can't even shake the grounds of the nds territory. iPod's game graphic details is lower than the psp and above the ps1 area. But one major difference is the frame rates from the nds and psp are far more fluid than the iPod. But some well made racing game actually have a very good frame rate but still not close to psp nor nds. Controls on the iPod is really cool, very ingenious and intuitive style of interacting with the games are unique. Game music is good but I notice that most of them don't have asimple fade in/fade out effect, it's kind of annoying when a background music abruptly stops when scene/stage changes. Sound quality in-game is good, almost cd quality on some few titles. The NDS and PSP games are incomparable to iPods', they're made for games so, they excel in this area. They provide a complete and fulfilling gaming experience.

Gadget	iPoD	PSP	NDS
MP3 audio Quality	***	***	**
MP3 searching	***	*	*
Video Quality	***	***	*
Game Quality	**	***	***
Game Graphics	**	***	**
Coolness Factor	***	***	**

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Satio - The flagship line of mobile phones from Sony Ericsson

In the lineup of mobile phones from Sony Ericsson now has a clear leader - Satio (previous name - Idou). The device is surprise. The first 12.1-megapixel camera with xenon flash, with a focus on the touch display, with the function of recognizing individuals and smile recognition technology. In addition, the camera has the function of Smart Contrast, Photo fix, BestPic, Geo-tag, the suppression of red eye and a 12-fold digital zoom. Right there in the apparatus of the camera more than the phone. At the appropriate level in the phone Satio implemented feature video recording at 30 frames per second. But all that has been captured, can be viewed on the 3.5-inch display. Another advantage Satio would be that he will be working on the Symbian S60. In addition, the unit will find its place of technology A-GPS and Wi-Fi. Phone will receive 128 MB of internal memory and a memory card in the set at 8 GB. The maximum amount of supported memory cards microSD format is 16 GB. We are waiting for the appearance of the phone Satio in the fourth quarter of this year.

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