Gadzooki

The Google Nexus One: it’s coming

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It all started as rumors spreading in Twitter. Apparently Google employees were given a phone to test (or “dogfeed,” as the practice is known). The employees started tweeting about how amazing it was and how it can cure cancer, solve world hunger, etc. Okay, I’m just kidding. But we all know how great the new phone is and how Android 2.1 is amazing on it.

Soon, pictures of the new phone started to leak and spread like wildfire. The “Google Phone” is running on HTC hardware and it seems to be an HTC Passion, but without the branding.

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Google at first was claiming that the phone was just a mobile lab for their developers to use over the holidays:

We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe. This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.

Soon it was revealed that the Google Phone is actually called the Nexus One, and it will be sold unlocked. Amazing.

Again, I don’t think I want to use the term iPhone killer. Please, it’s been overdone. But believe me when I say that only Google would have the same brand equity as Apple which would demand the same amount of loyalty. Plus the fact that the Nexus One is unlocked and can be used with any carrier is going to win them a lot of users fed up with AT&T.

Let us wait and see what will happen.

Meanwhile, here’s a video of Nexus One booting up at a less-than-impressive 20 seconds. If Google hopes to beat the iPhone, the Nexus One has got to do better than that.

Nokia N-Series Phones Will Probably Switch From Symbian to Maemo

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I have a love-hate relationship with the Symbian OS. On one hand, it’s a mature mobile operating system with a huge selection of applications. On the other hand, it’s been pretty restrictive, especially now that you have to sign your applications before you can even install them. Also, it’s pretty old, the UI is horrible, and application programmers everywhere are complaining about how hard it is to make apps for Symbian.

Which is why we’re all keeping an eye on the N900. The N900, if you haven’t heard, is the first phone running Nokia’s Linux-based Maemo. Nokia already released a few internet tablets running Maemo before, but this is the first time we’ve seen Maemo being set up to do mobile phone functions. Also, Maemo has that sexy UI that Nokia’s other OS is sorely missing.

Nokia has held “meetups” throughout the world to celebrate the launch of its new N900, and during one such meetup in London, Nokia dropped a bomb: Nokia’s marketing team has unofficially revealed that they are planning to drop Symbian from N-Series phones by 2012!

This makes sense, really. Have you guys seen how Maemo is able to handle multimedia? The reason I’ve stayed away from the N-Series is the amazingly bad sluggishness these phones acquire after a few weeks of usage. I haven’t used (much less seen) an N900 yet so I can pass judgment on Maemo, but I’m pretty sure it’ll perform way better than Symbian on the multimedia front. It was mad for that purpose, anyway.

If you really, really, really like Symbian and really don’t want to let it go, worry not. Lower-tier phones will still retain Symbian. I don’t see Symbian going away completely in the near future.

Now what do you think of this? Is this a knee-jerk reaction to Google Android or is it something Nokia has been planning for a long time already? Tell me all about it!

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Palm Pixi!

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Palm Pixi

Introducing the Palm Pixi, the newest member of the Palm OS Family. Just look at it you guys. It’s beautiful.

Originally nicknamed “Eos,” the Pixi has with 8GB onboard storage, 2 megapixel camera (with flash), a full QWERTY keyboard, and a minute, 2.63-inch, 320 x 400 capacitive display. Sadly, there is no Wifi. You can also customize your Palm Pixi phone with a limited-edition back cover designed by some of today’s most unique and compelling artists with the “Palm Pixi Artist Series.”

You can now purchase a Palm Pre from Sprint for as low as $149.99 with contract. But the rumored price of the phone is said to be below $100. Hmmm. What gives, Palm?

Nokia 5800i: Wifi-less. Waitwhatwhy?

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In a move that left me scratching my head a lot, Nokia is readying an update to their venerable 5800 XpressMusic. I guess to sell cheaper units, Nokia decided to release a version of the 5800 that does not have wifi.

The new unit is called the 5800i, and it may have all the bells and whistles of its older brother, the one thing that’s missing is the wifi radio.

Check out the report from Unwired Review:

Nokia 5800i XM just passed through FCC, and all the documents show pretty much the same handset, with similar specs and looks as the original 5800. Except for the Wi-Fi connectivity, which is lacking in Nokia 5800i.

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This is pretty weird, because most of Nokia’s ‘i’ phones are minor upgrades of the previous model. I don’t know about you guys, but 3G I can live without, but wifi?

There’s no news yet on pricing, but I’m thinking Nokia wants something in the price range of their upcoming 5530 (which I am so excited for).

What do you guys think?

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Ade, the new guy, spends his days lusting after gadgets and one day hopes to marry an imaginary woman made out of old computer parts. Check out his blog at AdeMagnaye.com

Mini Nokia N97 Spotting

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Did you ever think that they would come out with a tiny version of the Nokia N97? Kunal Gangar at Tech Ticker wrote a blog post on the “leak” yesterday and not only did he write about it – he showed pictures! Take a look at that.

At this point, the phone seems to be at the prototype stage. It has no proper name yet, but it does have the label “N00.” Taking a close look at the image, it is easy to see that it resembles the Nokia N97 very closely. Obviously, the screen is much smaller as well. More than that, the keypad has been tweaked a bit. They did away with the directional pad and replaced it with buttons instead.

Based on other unofficial information from Xataka, here are other specs of the N00:

Another change in the Nokia N97 Mini would be the reduction of internal storage space, which is 8 GB. All other specifications remain very similar, with a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, 3G connectivity and Wi-Fi and FM transmitter and receiver.

They say that the information has come from an employee of Vodafone, which may have the contract with Nokia. Naturally, nothing has been confirmed or denied. That has not stopped people writing about the N00 and speculating about it all over the web, though. This includes some bits of info including the idea that the phone might be out before the year ends. I am not a big fan of Nokia but it is quite exciting, isn’t it?

CellPhones…CellPhones Everywhere…

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cellcEverybody’s sure to have a mobile device today for it has revolutionized the way we communicate with each other. It has created a niche in popular society, responsible for words such as SMS, Texting, Twitter, iReports and many more as testament to our reliance on the said technological wonder. Some love them some hate them but you’d have to give credit that without it, we would still be living in an age where phones had wires.
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Cellular phones are one of the most prolific, intrusive and indispensable technologies we have and they pack a lot of technology in so small a package. From a radio phone, GPS device, digital still and video Camera and a personal digital assistant device, they have all managed to fit in one small box that gives us all the conveniences of communication whatever form it may be.

Ocarina

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Well, at first sight I said… this must be the silliest thing that was ever programmed for the iPhone.  Who in his right mind would see how possible this could be.  Well, it is possible, and so now the iPhone has made history another time by being the FIRST smartphone that can also be used as a musical instrument.

Smule’s new iPhone app “Ocarina” is making waves in tech world by turning your iPhone into a fully-functional musical wind instrument.

Ocarina is the first true musical instrument created for the iPhone. Both experts and beginners will be amazed by this innovative player. Ocarina is sensitive to your breath, touch and movements, making it even more versatile than the original. Unlike other musical applications, there are no pre-compiled riffs so musicians will find unlimited opportunities for self-expression. Advanced options allow you to choose between diatonic, minor and harmonic scales. Or channel your favorite video game adventurer with Smule’s Zeldarian mode.

How cool is this eh?  They even started an online community where you can upload songs made thru Ocarina.

 

 

Shopping for the Mrs. :)

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Last weekend i went shopping for a new cellphone for my wife.  I went thru the Nokia shelves, then the Motorola shelves, the Samsung shelves and then finally hit the Sony Erickson shelves too.  You know when shopping for something tech, I often times forget who I’m shopping for.  I’d always think of what is good for me to have, what I like, what I crave, what I can, what I will, what I should.  Boy there’s too many of me when I tech shop!

I was too engrossed with several choices from those brands that I finally gave up and shot a text message to the Mrs., to come and just point what she likes off the stuff I laid down for her.

Ok, so she came into the shop. took five steps towards the middle of all the shelves… in a breath she hit the Sony shelves and pointed what she liked.

Whoooaaaa!  Too fast too furious for me there.

I pursued a question to say, “What made you chose Sony Cybershot phone model K810i?”

I was landed with a single line.  “I want a shiny phone, a camera, and it should fit on my hand.”

Ok… so we tested it out and true enough, she loved it.  I had the Sony memory card upgraded from the stock 256MB to a huge 2GB.  Well, just thought she’d not mind.  But actually, for 256MB, I’d probably be asked to transfer files every other day! Ha… now with 2GB of memory, I’d say she’d call me every other month???  I hope.  Unless she gets too snappy with her new toy.

Unlock Your iPhone for Under 30 Bucks

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If you’re looking to unlock all firmware versions of the iPhone (including the current 1.1.3 version), a new Website will lend a helping hand – for $27.50US, £14.00 or 18.70 Euros.

The iPhone unlocking software gets the job done in under 10 minutes and each purchase includes video instructions on getting the deed done.

No matter where in the world you’re located, you’ll be able to use any type of GSM SIM, maximize the iPhones iPod capabilities, receive RSS Feeds, use your client chat interface, and browse the Web via WiFi.

Given AT&T’s service track record in my neck of the woods, the ability to use an iPhone on any network worldwide is appealing (this method will NOT work on Verizon).  You do not need to activate through AT&T first.

Payments are accepted via Paypal.

To check what firmware is preinstalled on your iPhone, go to emergency call and enter *3001#12345#* – then press call.

The software allows you to unlock as many iPhones as you like, so go make some iPhone friends and reduce your cost!

You gotta shake it to believe it!

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I was strolling down a mall, window-shopping one lazy Sunday afternoon, when I noticed an unusual crowd of uniformed high-school students flocking into the Sony Phone shop.  Shaking my head, I said, “It’s just a bunch of kids testing out a tired model”.  I was right.

These kids were getting excited with the Sony Ericson W910 and the Sony Ericson W960.  One of the first models to introduce the “shake mode” or as they call it “flick-of-the-wrist control”.  Go to this mode and you can skip and shuffle around  your music collection by doing just that.  Also works with a few games!

Not sure how successful it is on the rack, but a noble idea nonetheless if it was creating that mall buzz.

But in my mind, I was saying “now that’s soooo old news!”.  I mean Sony Ericson released those models June 2007. The heck is going on! 

I think people are 6-months behind technology.  Release something today chances are it will get the mileage it needs in 6 months, just when a new better toy is about to be released.  6-months tops probably would be a decent guage, don’t you think?

Keynetic PrototypeI say this because yet another “shake tech” is heading off.  This time it is Keynetic, Inc. that is trying the lead.  The reference has become even a little corporate, perhaps to attract another set of geeks. Hee hee.

Now called “motion input”, Keynetic Inc. is trying to show-off several alternatives to the way people use a handheld device.  Check out their website www.keynetic.com .