Gadgets Base

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 4:59PMThe back-and-forth between mainstream carriers and external mega-corps may finally be coming to an end, with the almighty FCC expected to make a pivotal determination regarding the use of white space in short order. For those unaware, white space refers to the freed spectrum that will become available when broadcasters move completely to digital TV next February, and there’s been a heated debate between carriers (who typically “fear” unwanted interference by unlicensed use) and tech companies like Google who see this as a great opportunity to bring wireless services to rural areas (for instance). According to a new report from Reuters, the FCC is expected to weigh in at any moment, and it’ll “likely” recommend the unlicensed use of the spectrum. The advice will be based on reports generated from years of data collection, but we’re all stuck waiting in tense anticipation until it’s released. Anytime now, FCC…

[Via phonescoop]

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Filed under: cellphones, Wireless

Hop-on has a new handset that targets senior citizens - the HOP1890 phone, also known as the ChitterChatter. I wonder whether the number in the naming convention has anything to do with the average birth date of its target market, but I digress. Just in case you’re wondering what the ChitterChatter is all about, it is a phone that offers a call center service round the clock, where operators are able to place calls, offer directory assistance as well as help with the setup. Another interesting feature is the GPS/Enhanced Location-Based-Services that offers a unique and affordable way for seniors, or those with special medical needs, to stay connected and in contact with each other.

The HOP1890, a Dual-band 850/1900MHz in the U.S. or 900/1800MHz for Europe, offers 300 minutes of talk time and 300 hours of standby time. With a large, bright screen with large text that is easy to read and bigger buttons that are easy to push, dialing and making calls is easier than ever on the HOP1890. The phone is specific for ease of use for seniors. For the GPS feature, parents or caretakers simply use the Internet or any phone with SMS capabilities to quickly identify the location of the device in approximately 1 minute. The ChitterChatter Phone allows seniors and kids to stay in touch with close family and friends, or send their location with the touch of a button.

According to Hop-on CEO, Peter Michaels, “This is an affordable way for seniors to feel safe and confident. We need to take care of our elders and the ChitterChatter phone gives them the freedom to keep in touch without the burden of an expensive phone. The HOP1890 is equipped with a panic button located on the back of the phone. During initial setup of the phone the consumer will setup their choice of emergency contact. In the event of an emergency, once the panic button is pushed this emergency contact is called immediately and an operator will remain on the line, hands free, until help arrives. There are situations that can literally mean the difference between life and death, efficient communication and the ability to locate your loved one in that moment can save a helpless elder or child’s life.” You getting one for gramps this Christmas?

Press Release

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Nokia’s first touchscreen phone, Nokia 5800 was a blast for Nokia fanatics.  Nokia has recently made another statement pertaining to the production of Nokia touchscreen phones in the future.  In a recent event in India, Devinder Kishore, Marketing Director of Nokia revealed, “We will have lot of touchscreen phones coming up, including an N-series device very soon.”.

Well, this proves that Nokia is really up to the challenge to compete with its rivals and it’s evolving fast!  With the promising looks of Nokia 5800, we are certainly anxious for the next touchscreen product from Nokia.

Read [Cellpassion]

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Our sleeping habits don’t all do so well when there is a partner involved.  Sometimes we prefer to sleep one way, but when a significant other comes into the picture we try to adapt and become a little easier to live with.  Well if before you found that special someone you got into the habit of falling asleep with music on, you might want to check out this speaker.  I have seen on occasion headphones made for sleeping, but no matter what it means you have to sleep with something attached to your head.  Well this little speaker is a bit different and probably would end up being more comfortable.

Just plug it into your headphone jack, then slip it under your pillow.  You can adjust the volume to be more discreet.  Yes, it might still be heard a little, but it’s a decent compromise and you don’t wake up with a headache from wearing headphones.  Even better, if you just want to try the speaker out, it’s very cheaply priced.  You can pick it up on MGS for $16.95.

Source: ChipChick

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If you pay attention to sports, then you probably know that the NLCS (National League Championship Series) is taking place right now between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.  As you can imagine during many popular events such as sporting events, many use their cell phones an awful lot at the same time.  This can sometimes cause a cell phone traffic overload and prevent calls and texts from going through, which would definitely be annoying. 

In efforts to combat this, Verizon is introducing something near the stadium known as COLT (Cell on Light Truck).  This is a fully-functional mobile cell site that adds extra wireless capacity.  Such extra measures will prevent from any calls to be dropped, texts not going through, and making surfing the Internet as smooth as possible.  In addition, if you plan to use a laptop near the stadium, you will probably notice that you have access to better Broadband Internet. 

Ed Chan, executive director of network for Verizon Wireless’ Philadelphia Tri-State Region had this to say about the whole process: 

“During special events, traffic on our network can increase significantly. With the activation of this temporary cell site, our network is prepared to handle the expected increase in cell phone and laptop computer use at the stadium complex.  We want to ensure that Phillies fans can make that long-awaited call to their friends and families once the ‘Fightins’ win this series.”

It looks like he’s a Phillies’ fan, and wants everyone to be able to call people when and if the Phillies win.  Verizon has been trying to improve network capacity ever since they got involved with cell phones and they have invested nearly $45 billion dollars in projects such as this one.  Furthermore, since 2000, they have spent around $1.5 billion in the Tri-State area alone.

It’s good that Verizon does things like this, I hope they will do something similar for the ALCS and World Series, and in future sporting events.

Via [PR Newswire]

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by Paul Miller, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 10:50AM
Oh ASUS, you bring us such joy. When this company isn’t busy diluting its Eee brand, it loves to pick fights with noted rivals, and this latest spat with Gigabyte (who isn’t at all innocent in this war) is wonderfully trivial. Apparently ASRock, ASUS’s budget motherboard wing, has taken it upon itself to inform hardware review websites like HEXUS of Gigabyte’s wasteful implementation of copper. The email ponders: “While the demand for copper keeps increasing and with that the price of this natural resource, why would manufacturers choose to use more copper without any valid reason?” And it gets better: “I [unidentified] am not talking about unnecessary heatpipes that most people do not need, but about Gigabyte’s ‘2 oz Copper PCB’. Gigabyte is adding more copper to the PCB to reduce the heat that is produced by their motherboard, and to spread it across the motherboard so that the heat will dissipate more quickly.” Naturally ASRock’s own P45 motherboard falls into none such pitfalls, offering better cooling with less copper, and they even provided a handy chart up above in case you don’t believe them, you idiot. Say no to waste!

[Thanks, Jordan]

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Filed under: Desktops

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 6:11AMThis is it, soldiers. The day you’ve been anticipating has finally arrived. Okay, so maybe that’s a build up not deserved by the lowly Metal Gear Solid 4 Bluetooth headset, but seriously, we’ve been waiting ages for this thing to ship. Like, so long that the whole MGS4 aura has already come and gone. Those still firmly planted in Snake’s posse can choose to prove their fanhood by snagging this thing now for $39.98; if all goes well, it should be headed your way in a matter of business days. Over and out.

[Via LogicBuy]

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Filed under: cellphones, Peripherals

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 9:17PM
Oh sure, you’ve seen the 8.1-megapixel C905 Cyber-shot in the wild and in our very own hands, but have you seen it unboxed entirely on video? No? Well, today’s your lucky day. Sony Ericsson’s shutterbug-of-a-cellphone is a touch on the thick side and doesn’t come with too many extras (you know, like a detachable zoom lens), but as SE always manages to do, it has delivered a pretty enviable beast all things considered. Have a look at the video after the break.

[Thanks, Gregg]

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Filed under: cellphones

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 5:02PM
La Fonera fans, it’s finally time to celebrate. Iteration 2.0, which is fittingly dubbed the Liberator, is at long last ready for shipment… to developers, at least. The La Fonera 2.0 box will certainly look familiar to owners of the first, with just 1,000 of these being prepped for consumers in France, Germany and Spain. The intention here is for devs to start toying around and “programming their own applications for other Foneros out there.” More specifically, the creators are hoping that more USB functionality will be worked in so we’ll eventually have Fonera WiFi boxes that play nice with USB hard drives, printers, scanners, webcams and all manners of cooling devices. It’s available now (for a limited time, obviously) for €39.95 ($53) if you’re up to the challenge. Oh, and if you design an application sweet enough for the Fonera 2.0, you’ll be reimbursed the purchase price — not bad, eh?

[Via WiFi Romania]

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Filed under: Wireless, Networking

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 1:26AM
T-Mobile sold right out of its original allotment of G1 pre-orders quick, fast and in a hurry, and even the second round has been claimed in a flash. What’s it all mean? It means that someone at T-Mobile and Google are sitting in a fancy restaurant in France sipping on the good stuff, and it also means that 1.5 million G1s have already been reserved for eager early adopters. In addition to that, another couple of million are all set to take the retail scene by storm later this month. In other words, folks are genuinely stoked about the possibilities of Android, and scads of ‘em have already committed to the OS (and HTC’s design, by extension) before even having a chance to toy around with it in person. No pressure at all, Google.

[Via Pulse2]

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Filed under: cellphones