Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
We briefly mentioned a couple of days ago that as well as the Motorola DROID 2 launching, a special R2-D2 DROID 2 would also launch.
We now hear that the R2-D2 DROID 2 will be launching in September on to the Verizon [VZ] network.
The special edition DROID 2 will come pre-installed with exclusive Star Wars content. As well as the internals getting a little Star Wars treatment, the outside will also be designed to look like R2-D2 from the Star Wars films. [Read more…]
It appears that the Motorola DROID Android 2.2 update is now incoming OTA. Engadget received a bunch of tips earlier today indicating that the Android 2.2 update was live.
The update will roll out over a number of days. This means that if you haven’t received an OTA notification just yet, it should follow in the next few days.
Normally it is possible to force the update to land early by going in to settings and checking for new updates. We haven’t tested it for this phone though so this “might” not be a work around in this case. [Read more…]
Verizon [VZ] is right on schedule as you are now able to pre-order a Motorola DROID 2 ready for launch tomorrow.
The pre-order pages list the full retail price of the phone at $559.99 along with both a 1 year contract price and 2 year contract price which weigh in at $269.99 for 1 year and $199.99 for the 2 year.
Hardware wise, you get a 3.7 inch screen that has a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels in a WVGA format. 8 GB of internal memory is included along with an 8GB microSD card (provided). A 5 megapixel camera is found on the back. [Read more…]
The Nikon D3100 has shown up on the inventory system at Best Buy. Details included in the listing include a SKU number which is 1222817 along with the description of it being the “Nikon D3100 DSLR w/ 18-55mm v”.
A release date of September 18 this year is also mentioned although dates often change when added to Best Buys system according to Nikon Rumors.
Other details provided just include the box dimensions. [Read more…]
The Dell Streak pricing was revealed yesterday on the AT&T network. You might be wondering what this has to do with the next gen iPod touch 4… well, in a post written over at Daring Fireball, John Gruber also mentioned the Dell Streak pricing, but also dropped a couple of details about the next gen iPod touch in that it will have a Retina display as found in the iPhone 4 along with dual cameras like the iPhone 4. The comparison was made because the Dell Streak looks a little overpriced in comparison when compared to the iPad or iPod touch pricing.
With the information coming from John Gruber, we are inclined to believe it. This is for a couple of reasons… first is that he is often spot on with the details he reports on in regards to Apple, and it just seems like the next logical step for the iPod touch to follow the iPhone in terms of technology used. [Read more…]
Apple [AAPL] has agreed to replace iPod nano’s sold in Japan that have a problem with overheating. The decision comes after a couple of years of debating with the Japanese government.
Prior to this agreement, Apple had a battery replacement program in effect and this was available to any 1st gen iPod nano owner who complained. This new move now goes above that decision and will replace any iPod nano 1st gen on request.
The problem nano players were all built over a 15 or so month period between September 2005 and December 2006. Since then 27 overheating incidents have been reported with 6 of those going up in flames causing minor burns for users. [Read more…]
Google [GOOG] is holding an event this week on August 12.
Not much is known about the event other than it being related to Google Mobile in that they announce that they are “unveiling a couple of cool new mobile features”.
We’ll keep an eye on the details. It’s only a couple of days away, so there isn’t too much time to wait now. [Read more…]
Dell has finally announced that the Dell Streak will be launching this Friday August 13.
Price wise, it will cost $299.99 when launched which also requires you sign up for a two year contract with AT&T. If you want it off contract then the price is $549.99.
Orders are being taken on August 12 over at the Dell site.
For those who sign up for the pre-sale program, you will get a free second-day shipping upgrade. Also those who pre-order can take advantage of a coupon that allows you to get a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for just 99 cents (while stock is available). [Read more…]
Saudi Arabia has allowed the BlackBerry messaging services to continue as normal after if gave a 48 hour dead line to get things put right. It appears that RIM has kept the Saudi regulators happy with Saudi Arabia saying a positive development had happened.
It isn’t clear exactly what was done to keep things alive, although speculation indicates that… “CITC will now be able to monitor communications via messaging services,”. Basically it means that encryption codes have been handed over. [Read more…]
Amazon looks set to be working on a number of devices other than the Kindle to deliver content. The Kindle was built in Lab 126 and that same lab is responsible for new hardware at Amazon. Recently, 80 job postings were made for that particular division which further indicates new hardware could be incoming.
It is expected that the new staff will be working on a number of projects as well as the next generation Kindle which could feature a touchscreen or/and colour screen.
According to people with direct knowledge of the company’s plans, who declined to be identified because they are not authorized to speak publicly about Amazon’s internal workings and unannounced products, Lab 126 has been looking into building other gadgets that it could sell to consumers.
One of those people said building more hardware products would be a means to an end. This person said Amazon wants to make more devices for consumers that would enable simple purchasing of Amazon content including its digital books, music and movie rentals and purchases.
The Notion Ink Adam tablet looked very promising when we first stumbled across it a few months back. The first time we saw it was back in February. Shortly after that we heard it was being delayed, and delayed again. We now hear that it has been delayed till the year end due to problems with investors.
From what we understand, the company has lost investors and has lost money also which is the main reason for the delays.
The sad part about all this is that this particular tablet looks like it could be in with a chance of doing well. It’s innovative, looks good and appears to perform well… but with the delays it’s looking less likely that we will ever see it. [Read more…]
This gadget is called the Battery Boost. It comes from Sprint and is designed to recharge gadgets such as cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, MiFi devices or MP3 players as well as other small gadgets.
The device is quite small in capacity and appears to have been designed for emergency use as it provides about an hours worth of extra juice to make calls on a smartphone.
The Battery Boost is also a micro SD card reader and can be plugged in to a laptop or USB port to both read the microSD card installed, and charge up the internal battery. [Read more…]
