Samsung Vibrant (Galaxy S)

Samsung Vibrant has the primary features that the Galaxy S offers it consumers. Its multimedia capabilities address all your communication and entertainment needs into one device. Aside from being a smartphone, it is also a TV, radio, movie library, bookshelf, gaming system rolled into one sleek design. So what can you ask for, it’s already a complete package to give you that ultimate communication and entertainment experience.

Among its amazing features are:

• Preloaded with T-Mobile exclusive The Sims 3 Collector’s edition
• Comes with James Cameron’s top grosser movie Avatar preloaded on a 2GB external memory card
• Watch live and on demand TV with its MobiTV which includes more than 35 channels available in English and Spanish
• Provides direct access to the most popular books over 600,000 with the Amazon Kindle Application for Android
• Easy access to Go Go Inflight Internet with a free in-flight Wi-Fi access
• Comes with a slacker radio which enables you to discover new artists and hear your favorite music
• Preloaded with games from an exclusive collector’s edition
• Trouble free access to thousands of applications on Android market with its Android 2.1 which enables you to personalized your device
• Supports up to six languages like English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian and Korean

The Vibrant sports a 4 inch Super AMOLED touch screen display which allows consumers to watch movies, play games and read books with a great viewing experience with its vivid and sharp colors. It is also easy to carry with its sleek and yet simple design. The Samsung Vibrant runs in a 1GH Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor and six-axis censor which maximize its speed and efficiency for better consumer experience.

Samsung Vibrant appears to be a combination of a great hardware, amazing features and the company’s commitment to bring the most innovative mobile devices accompanied by a great technology and its ultimate goal of giving consumers the convenience and entertainment they deserve.

The Samsung Vibrant will be available to mobile consumers by July 21 at an affordable price of only $199.Interested customers may pre-order starting July 1 in any of the more than 4,000 RadioShack stores. So watch out for it…

Read rest of entry

Samsung EPIC 4G

Samsung is really on with its commitment to bring the best gadgets to cater the immediate needs of its intended consumers. As a result, Sprint already confirmed the launching of Samsung Epic 4G smartphone in the coming months.

Originally, according to rumors it will be called Galaxy S Pro but as revealed recently this smartphone will be released in the market as Samsung Epic 4G Model. However, it belongs to the Galaxy S phone line up. This smartphone model comes with a 4-inch AMOLED touchscreen which gives the best representation of colors and a slide QWERTY keyboard. This model is believed to be Samsungs first 4G Android device.

The Samsung Epic 4G smartphone is specifically designed for a wide range of users including corporate people and professionals through superior speed and display innovation .It supports for push email, integrated calendar services and Exchange Active sync for corporate e-mails.

Epic will run Google’s Android 2.1 operating system which can be upgraded to Android 2.2 or Froyo in the future and it is equipped with 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird application processor with a six-axis accelerometer which is known for its speed.

Other features present in Samsung Epic 4G model includes:

• Has a dual camera ,a 5 megapixel primary camera with LED flash which can handle a 720p video recording and a VGA front facing cam for video calls
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity
• Easy to carry with its 14.2 mm thick
• Supports a series of advanced touch screen gestures including multi-touch pinch, long tap and zoom as well vertical and horizontal swiping
• Offers 3 fast ways to enter text ,through its QWERTY keyboard, virtual keyboard and Swype technology
• Offers an optimal gaming experience with its six-axis accelerometer
• Android market for quick access to more than 50,000 useful applications
• Android 2.1 provides access to DLNA support and Social Hub designed for your social networking services

The Samsung Epic 4G model looks to be very promising with its hardware and great software features. Basically, it offers premium screen, speed and amazing content features. With Samsung and Sprint working closely with this great smartphone model which gives consumers a fully integrated multimedia, messaging and social networking experience,  it will surely find its niche in the smartphone industry.

The launching date as well as the price for Samsung Epic 4G is yet to be announced.  For all smartphone users watch out for this amazing phone. It might be the type of phone you’ve finally been waiting for.

Read rest of entry

BlackBerry Torch 9800

The launch of the Blackberry OS 6 and of the specialized phone running on that OS was more or less on the cards as the new platform is so demanding that none of the company’s existing models were evolved enough to support the new Os’ advanced features aptly but this does not imply that the OS 6 users will not be able to use the older version services- the company has made its OS backward compatible and it will support all the apps  and features that were supported by the older versions.

“This is one of the most important product introductions in our history. It’s a really special product because so much new goodness has been added to it.” said Mike Lazaridis, RIM’s president and co-chief executive. “The fact that this device is going to be geared toward both enterprise and consumer, that will be a positive as people will feel that if they design for this device, they can hit two birds with one stone,” he added.

The Blackberry torch 9800 slider is coming with a brand new form factor having both a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard. The phone is running on the OS 6 which indeed in itself is a huge bonus as the new OS offers a host of new and improved features. , the new BlackBerry 6 OS which comes packed with a new browser, and a 5 megapixel camera with a flash. Inside there’s HSDPA support for 3.6 Mbps (assuming you’re stood next to a base station), as well as GPS and n-standard Wi-Fi. Around the back there’s an iPhone 4 matching 5 megapixel camera, with autofocus, digital zoom and the face recognition. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 also bakes in a fair slice of memory. There’s 4GB internal storage and support for micro SDHC memory cards, meaning it can be expanded with an extra 32GB. Again, this makes the maximum memory inside the BlackBerry Torch 9800 an iPhone-battering 36GB.Running it all is a 624 MHz processor. That’s slower than the likes of the HTC Desire and iPhone 4, but it’s running RIM’s new BlackBerry 6 OS.

Features Optical trackpad High-resolution touch screen Full QWERTY keyboard 3G network support Simultaneous voice and data Email and text messaging BlackBerry® Messenger Instant Messaging Phone Browser Social feeds Camera and video recording Wi-Fi® GPS Media player Organizer Bluetooth® Tethered modem	Battery & Battery Life 1300 mAHr removable/rechargeable lithium-ion cell Standby Time: GSM® – up to 18 days, UMTS – up to 14 days Talk Time: GSM – up to 5.5 hours, UMTS – up to 5.8 hours Music Playback: up to 30 hours Video Playback: up to 6 hours
Size & Weight Height (Closed): 4.37In/111mm Height Open 5.83in/148mm Width 2.44in/62mm Dept 0.57in/14.6mm Weight 5.68oz/161.1g	Wireless Networks Tri-band 3G UMTS networks: 2100/1900/850/800 MHz Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Memory 512 MB flash memory / 512 MB SDRAM 4 GB eMMC + 4 GB media card included Expandable memory – support for microSD card up to 32 GB	Ringtones & Notifications Tone, vibrate, on-screen or LED indicator Notification options are user configurable 32 Polyphonic Ringtones – MIDI, MP3
Bluetooth Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR; Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port Profile, Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP), SIM Access Profile, Dial-up Networking and Messaging Access Profile. Bluetooth Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP)	Camera & Video Recording 5 MP camera Continuous auto-focus Image stabilization Flash 11 scene modes 2X digital zoom VGA (640×480) video recording Geotagging
Display 3.2” HVGA+ touch screen (480×360) Font size (user selectable) Light-sensing and proximity detecting screen	Voice Input & Output 3.5mm stereo headset capable Integrated speaker and microphone Hands-free headset capable Bluetooth headset capable Integrated hands-free speakerphone Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n WPA / WPA2 Personal and Enterprise Cisco CCX certified
Data Input & Navigation Trackpad located on front face of device, ESC key to the right, Menu key to the left Touch screen with on-screen keyboard: portrait SureType®, QWERTY and multi-tap, landscape QWERTY Slide-out QWERTY keyboard with backlighting	Device Security Keyboard and screen lock Keyboard lock GPS & BlackBerry Maps Built-in GPS functionality Includes BlackBerry® Maps

Read rest of entry

Nokia X5

Device Description

The X5-01 is a device that is optimized for music and messaging. The device features a full QWERTY keyboard and support for EGPRS, WCDMA, HSDPA/HSUPA (3.5G) and WLAN. Take photos with a 5 Mpix Full Focus (EDOF) camera. Write messages with intelligent text input, enjoy videos, music, and graphics on the 2.36” QVGA display. Additional features include uPnP, Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR, and USB 2.0 High-Speed. Supported WCDMA frequencies depend on the region/variant where the device is available.

Dimensions

• Dimensions: 74.3 x 66.44 x 16.85 mm
• Weight (with battery): 129 g
• Volume: 113.4 cc
• Additional size and shape information:
• Slide form factor

Display and user interface

• Size: 2.36"
• Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels QVGA
• Up to 262,000 colours, 18-bit colour
• Landscape
• Torch light
• Accelerometer
• Internal vibra 

Keys and input methods

• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
• Media key for quick music player access
• 4-way Navi™ key
• Call and end keys
• Home key 

Colours

• Available colours:
  • Azure
  • Graphite Black
  • Pink

Personalisation

• Customisable home screen:
• Themes
• Icons
• Shortcuts
• Menu
• Customisable profiles
• Ringtones: MP3, AAC, eAAC+, polyphonic 64 voices, video
• Themes
  • wallpapers
  • screensavers
  • ringtones
  • pre-installed themes
  • changeable colour themes

Read rest of entry

Sony Ericsson Zylo

Introduction:

Sony's Walkman brand has given a lot to mankind, from the first mobile cassette player to the Sony Ericsson Zylo, which we are about to review. We have always liked the idea of having Walkman-branded devices (yes, we are old school), but how will the Zylo perform as a music-centered phone? Read on to find out...

What's in the box :

•Sony Ericsson Zylo handset

•900mAh Li-Ion battery

•Manual and quick start guide

•Charger

•Headset with microphone

Design:

The Sony Ericsson Zylo has the typical slider form factor we are used to seeing in many of the company's handsets, with rounded edges, and a slightly curved back panel, which makes it pleasant to hold. The handset is rather smallish, and to operate it with one hand, you have to support it the usual way with the pinky, or even the ring finger. Well, that's why nature gave us opposing thumbs, we guess. The Zylo is built well and the slider mechanism snaps back and forth with ease.

You can compare the Sony Ericsson Zylo with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The screen is a regular 2.6” QVGA resolution display with average visibility in direct sunlight. The screen is able to display 262 thousand colors, and its glass cover is rated as scratch-resistant. No touchy-feely here, operating the UI is done mainly by the six buttons and the circular d-pad under the screen. The send and end buttons on both sides are decently sized and easy to press, but the two soft keys and the two little activity and clear keys are extremely small, and with shallow travel. The navigation ring of the d-pad is not the most correct of them all either, but you get used to it after some time with the phone.

Pushing the screen part up reveals a traditional numeric keypad with a smooth plastic feel on the buttons. They are fairly large and really easy to press with deep travel.

As a typical Walkman series phone, the Sony Ericsson Zylo has a dedicated button to fire up the music player on the right, just below the volume rocker. The Walkman key is also utilized as a camera button, but you have to start the camera software from the menu first, again annoying. The only other element around the phone is the charging/headset port on the left. The company is still bothering us and itself with proprietary connectors, so you will have to buy an adapter cable if you want to use another headset.

The 3.2MP camera on the back is also a video recorder without an LED light to it (or any sort of light). There is a chrome-like band surrounding the Sony Ericsson Zylo, but our review unit was the silver version, so it didn't make much distinction. The chrome color would stand out better on the black or the pink versions of the Zylo.

Read rest of entry

Apple iPhone 4 vs. iPhone 3GS: side by side

Introduction:

It has been a few days now since the iPhone 4 has been made available for purchase and there is no doubt that those early adopters are getting a crack at checking out the talked about smartphone. Apple just recently announced selling over 1.7 million units in the course of the first three days it has become available for sale – it's an astonishing figure in every way you look at it. However, we'd imagine there are many people still out there sporting the last-gen hardware, the iPhone 3GS in fact, that might have that slight inkling of moving up to the iPhone 4 in the near future. In this comparison, we're going to compare and contrast some of the different features between the two iPhone handsets so you can judge for yourself whether or not it's a compelling argument to jump up to the iPhone 4.

Design:

At its core, the basic design cues employed in previous iterations of the iPhone are quite prominent in the iPhone 4. From afar, you can instantly know that it's an iPhone without any doubt coming into mind as you conveniently recognize the home button. However, what's interesting to note between the two handsets is that the iPhone 4 is noticeably thinner (0.37”) than the iPhone 3GS (0.48”). Despite looking deceptively lightweight, the iPhone 4 (4.83 oz) packs a substantial amount of weight over the 3GS (4.76 oz), but thankfully it actually aids in making the handset feel a bit more complete. The chrome outer bezel on the iPhone 3GS has been replaced with a wider brushed stainless steel band which looks to conceal scratches a bit better. Finally, we prefer the glass like material used for the rear on the iPhone 4 as opposed to the piano black plastic in use with the 3GS. Although both are highly reflective, we love that Apple decided to place an oleophobic coating to both sides of the iPhone 4 – it just makes it look cleaner whenever we take it out of our pockets.

Every single iPhone that came out had one thing in common – it utilized a 3.5” display. Sure its screen size might've remained unchanged since the release of the original handset, but the iPhone 4 marks a stark overhaul under the hood which catapults it over every incarnation. The iPhone 3GS's LCD display has a resolution of 320x480 pixels, which we feel to be adequate for its screen size, but the iPhone 4's LED backlit IPS LCD display has a definitive advantage with its 640x960 resolution. Packing four times the amount of pixels, there is no denying the clarity and detail the iPhone 4's Retina Display radiates over the iPhone 3GS. For example, looking closely at some of the text and icons on the home screen, you can visibly see how much more detailed they look – as the iPhone 3GS looks a bit more jagged. When you're in a zoomed out view on our web site, you can easily read out the small fine print text on the iPhone 4, while on the iPhone 3GS, it's more garbled looking. Still, both handsets handle admirably in direct sunlight, but the iPhone 4 performed better at all viewing angles.

When you get down to it, the iPhone 4 still employs a lot of the design elements we've seen on the iPhone 3GS – making it a distinguishable product from Apple's camp. There's no question that we adore the updated look which provides for some modern dash to the nostalgic design, but the iPhone 4 is still at its core a recognizable iPhone that closely follows its predecessors. It's by no means a radical redesign that'll enthrall people to wonder what it is, instead, the iPhone 4 gracefully continues Apple's legacy of being a fine tuned handset that keeps in mind design and aesthetics to the utmost potential.

Read rest of entry

Apple iPad

Introduction and Design:

Let us start by saying this: Apple has not created anything new with the iPad, just like they didn’t create anything new with the iPod or iPhone. If you look at it, Apple rarely creates something new, they simply take an old idea, let it establish a niche in the marketplace and then completely rethink it. Take the iPod, arguably the product that brought them where they are today. Digital music players had been around for years before Cupertino got around to releasing the iconic white rectangle, but the iPod was different. It had a positively massive 5GB of storage and the interface was so simple to use on the monochrome LCD.

Fast forward to the iPad and we see an even more drastic gap between product introduction and Appleification. Microsoft (of all companies) showed the first tablet computers back in 2000 (check out the press release, it’s a fun read 10 years later.) The tablet is described as “a long-cherished goal for technology visionaries and computer designers,” but as we know even though the tablet produces lots of ohhs and ahhs and gadget envy, it has failed to gain any real traction in the marketplace. So why now and what makes Apple think they can do it any differently? The iPad has the power of the App Store behind it but is still missing some of the basic components of computing such as multitasking (sound familiar?) So where exactly does the not-quite-a-computer iPad fit into your gadget lineup, and more importantly is it worth it?

UPDATE: Since Apple announced that the iPad will get multitasking and the other new features of iPhone OS 4 this fall, we take some of our criticisms we had towards it back. Read here for the full details about iPhone OS 4.

Like Apple so often does, let’s start with design. The iPad should look extremely familiar since- in effect- it is a giant iPhone/iPod Touch. The display has blown up to 9.7” but a single home button remains on the front bezel, and along the sides you’ll find the volume control, switch (now to lock rotation,) a power button, 3.5mm headphone jack, speaker and of course Apple’s proprietary charging and data connector. What it does not have is a built-in expansion port, so you’re stuck with a myriad of accessories or the memory you buy it with.

Read rest of entry