Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Phones
GSM Touchscreen BlackBerry Storm Specs Leaked, Thunder Name Ditched
11:50PM Wilson Rothman | Although Verizon definitely has dibs on the touchscreen BlackBerry Storm when it launches in the US, AT&T and T-Mo customers are watching the European rollout of the GSM version to see what’s up for their future. Today BlackBerry News published a leaked spec sheet that confirms iPhone-elbowing performance: 3.2MP camera, video recording, 1GB internal memory plus MicroSD slot for up to 8GB more, and a blazing 7.2Mbps of HSDPA connectivity. In related news, PocketLint UK has all but confirmed this phone will be called the Storm like its US sibling, and not the Thunder, as had previously been reported widely. More specs and another leaked pic below. More »
Software
Leaked Shots of Android on T-Mobile G1?
11:37PM Mark Wilson | It looks like a few shots of the T-Mobile G1, the first Android phone, have leaked a little early on Boy Genius Report. The pictures reveal, not only some fundamentals behind the OS, but small details like MyFaves support and the slew of Google Apps we all pretty much expected to see: More »
Toys
Wristwatch With Tiny R/C R2D2 May Be Best Office Distraction Toy Ever
11:30PM Kit Eaton | This toy wristwatch is Star Warsishly perfect: it’s a digital blue and white Artoo-themed digital watch with a mini detachable infra-red remote control R2D2. I’d be sending this trundling down the desks in my office to put a smile on my colleagues faces in a pew-pewing instant! (Well, I would if I worked in an office. Here it’d just get chewed by the cats.) Doesn’t look like it makes Artoo’s trademark beeps, though: you’ll just have to be a big kid and supply ‘em yourself. It’s out now for about $US40. [Firebox via RandomGoodStuff] More »
Software
Windows Mobile 7 Delayed Half a Year
11:03PM Mark Wilson | Microsoft has informed their investors that Windows Mobile 7, formerly slated for early 2009, would be pushed back for a release sometime in late (second half) 2009. Microsoft did not comment as to any specific reasons for the setback, but it’s hard to see the Android launch timing as a complete coincidence (though maybe it is and the entire tech world is not driven by deep, dark conspiracies). [CNET] More »
Software
Amazon MP3 Store is Preloaded On HTC G1, 6 Million DRM Free Songs
10:50PM Kit Eaton | Amazon’s just officially announced that the Amazon MP3 Store will come pre-loaded on the HTC G1 Android phone. It’s a special optimised version of the store which lets T-Mobile G1 users “search, download, buy and play music from Amazon MP3.” That means six million DRM free songs from major and independent labels will be at the fingertips of G1 users, though you need Wi-Fi to download tracks (browsing and sampling can be done over the phone network) and albums cost less than $US10 with individual tracks going for around $US0.90. Press release below. More »
Random Stuff
Mum Finds Macabre Use for Useless Mobile Phone Straps, Kills Son
10:30PM Jesus Diaz | You only have to take one look at this spent piece of used trash to know that nothing good can come out of her petrol eyes and twisted gesture. Kaoru Tomiishi is her name, and she has admitted that she killed her 6-year-old son with a mobile phone strap, probably the most inane and naff cheapo object of modern culture. She initially tried to cover it, but after the body was found thanks to the GPS inside the same mobile phone. More »
Peripherals
Eye-Fi Doubles Speeds, Adds MobileMe
10:22PM Mark Wilson | Eye-Fi just made a series of announcements that will please existing users. By October 5, their cards, new and old, will receive a firmware update to double photo upload speeds on all models. Also, MobileMe was added to the list of supported services and those interested in advanced functions like geotagging will be able to buy the options in an a la carte subscription menu. Good stuff—read on for the full release. More »
Phones
Android Rumours Rounded-Up Before Launch
9:34PM Kit Eaton | Over at TmoNews they’ve gathered together as much leaked info as they know about the Android-powered HTC G1/Dream in one place, and it makes for interesting reading ahead of the launch event. The phone’s apparently due on sale “in all stores within 3G boundary area, regardless of whether or not store is in a 3G dead spot” and some stores near 3G zones since customers might have travelled from their home in a 3G reception area to a store outside it. Other stores’ll have just a demo unit. Doesn’t that make it sound like it’ll only go on sale in 3G-capable areas? The full list of leaks and rumours is below. More »
Vehicles
First Production VH71, Future Presidential Helicopter, Takes to The Air in England
9:15PM Kit Eaton | That plain old yellowish-green helicopter is the really the first production version of the VH71… the future Presidential Marine One. It’s been a year since the prototype took flight, but apparently PP-1 (the first of five in phase one) performed “exceptionally during its 40-minute flight.” More »
Science
