Gadget Blog for the Mobile World

Well, if anyone of our devoted readers has been paying any attention, then you would already know that I am a huge fan of BlackBerry.  I desperately want one.  They can do everything!  And I mean everything (well not literally, they can’t care for my children, but maybe someday there will be an app for that too).  But now there is news that a UK band called Underworld streamed live footage of their concert tonight right to the iPhones of their fans who were unable to make it to the live performance in Oakland, California.  Unable to pay for airfare and tickets?  Doesn’t matter, just point your iPhone browser here or there and get the live concert for no cost.  How amazing is that?  Now if only Bright Eyes would do the same…

For a while it seemed as if cell phone makers thought there were only two sorts of smartphone consumers; those who like touch-screen and those who prefer a QWERTY keyboard.  They were neglecting those of us who prefer to have it all.  The Palm Pre already had that concept with the Palm Centro but that phone, in no way, could compete with the “all-mighty” iPhone.  Things didn’t look that good for Palm for a while ago but things didn’t look quite good for Apple before the iPhone.  Some will argue that the iPhone saved Apple and many will say that the Palm Pre will save Palm.  Whichever’s the case, we can all say that the Palm Pre helped save us from an iPhone dominated smartphone world.

The Pre comes with a new Linux based operating system dubbed, WebOS.  Switching between applications on the screen is as easy as switching cards in your hand and so the coined term “cards” is used to name that feature.  The feature called Synergy is also a great feature that allows the Palm to stand up confidently alongside the iPhone.  However, just like the iPhone, carrying it around makes you worry about breaking with one little, “oops.”  Maybe it’s just the thought of having something of this magnitude in our hand.  You better have insurance on this one, buddy.  The Price, after rebate and contract with Sprint, is $199. (…Read Some More…)

AT&T and Sony have meddled together and come up with a flip-phone for those that have a passion for music and won’t settle for a measly MP3 player.  For those music enthusiasts they released the Sony Ericsson W518a Walkman phone.  Some nice Music features include:  FM radio, Bluetooth A2DP, Walkman Player 3.0, and XcrossMediaBar (say cross for the X) player.  This slimster flip-phone comes with other standard features like a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS, Video Share calling, and CV on-demand video.  Currently the price at AT&T is $199, with contract.   Hop over the jump for the review. (…Read Some More…)

The LG enV has made a steady, progressive evolution throughout its existence and has served Verizon Wireless well.  It has always been a powerful messaging machine with the ever  loving music playing capabilities.  Now LG decides to have the enV join the touch-screen phenomenon with the LG enV Touch VX11000.  They didn’t betray the QWERTY loyalists, a smart move, and kept the keyboard while giving the user the option of using the touch-screen for the situations that make it too inconvenient to open up the phone.  They’ve done well with the display and kept its multi-media and messaging stature but there are a few shortcomings in regards to its lack of ability to connect to social networking sites and less than optimal browsing.  Let’s take a look-see at what this phone has to offer. (…Read Some More…)

Reviews can often be biased and based on one person’s opinion and preference.  Reviews can also be influenced on a site’s affiliation with a certain company.  A review site could also just be more of a fan of one brand over another.  It’s like going to a Democratic blog; you can be damn sure there will be nothing good written about any Republican.  So what are reviews good for and how can consumers get the most out of the reviews they do find? (…Read Some More…)

It was only time that Samsung jumped on the mini laptop bus to get their share of the market.  For those who primarily use their laptop for surfing and music then what’s the use of having a 17” display when you have your flat screen HDTV on your wall for movies?  What they offer is the Samsung NC10 with a 10.2” display, a not-so-mini keyboard, and a plain Jane design.  Hey, we don’t care much for sparkly sprinkles; we want performance.  Here’s a quick review of the NC10. (…Read Some More…)

Motorola has proven to the mobile world that cell phone technology can be a bit earth friendly.   The plastic parts of the Renew W233 are made out of recycled water bottles.  The Renew also claims a 9 hour talk-time and an 18 standby time on its battery thus requiring less frequent charges – a feature that can only be more energy efficient if the cell phone owners remember to unplug the charger between charges.  The reduced carbon emissions and waste from the use and manufacture of the Renew apparently required reduced features.  Nonetheless it is still a decent phone for the modest cell phone user with a message that mobile convenience and earth-friendly can go together. Read on for the full review. (…Read Some More…)

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine – and how.  The LG Shine does exactly what the name suggests with its metallic glossy finish and a display that’s also a mirror.  If you’re an ugly duckling there’s no worry about the mirror breaking as this phone is solid.  Of course we won’t be fooled by pretty phones.  It’s not always what it looks like on outside; it’s always how it performs on the inside.  Let’s scrutinize… (…Read Some More…)

So…the difference between normal text and bold text is that bold stands out. The same thing goes for the BlackBerry Bold 9000; it stands out from the rest of the BlackBerry phones.As far as standing out from the rest of the cell phones in the market, you can be the judge.

Now even though it’s bolder than the other BlackBerry phones, it’s still a BlackBerry after all. It still functions like the others but with its own tweaks and updates. The boldness of it is first the price – $640 – $999 unlocked. Now, now, get those eyeballs back in your head and let’s just go over the features and specs before we dismiss this as another overpriced phone.  Read on for the full review. (…Read Some More…)

The LG Venus was apparently named in attempt to equal the glamour and awe of the planet, Venus, and the goddess, Venus.  With CDMA technology, this slider phone, with its metallic, mirrored, front-side shine, and its soft gripped back, is sure nice to look at.  But as we pound this in again and again, it’s not just how it looks; the functionality must match the glamour. (…Read Some More…)

This phone just may take you on a Voyage to dream land with its modern style, nifty touchscreen, great resolution and clarity, and reasonable price for the features it holds.  It is a phone with CDMA technology and high-speed EVDO, for data transmission, that offers Internet using 3G.  The style is similar to that of the enV with features and quality comparable to the iPhone.  To keep with the tradition of being corny; go on a mobile dream voyage with the LG Voyager VX10000!  (Corny joke IS very neccessary.) (…Read Some More…)

If you’re a fan of the LG Rumor but aren’t a Sprint fan and don’t mind Alltel then you should take a gander at the LG Scoop AX260.  The features of this phone are magnified when the price is considered- $9.99 with a mail-in rebate and an Alltel plan.  For the modest cell phone carrier, this phone will make the most frugal buyer be without regret. (…Read Some More…)

Now the BlackBerry Curves are typically business class type of phones.  The Curve 8300, however, has some general consumer friendly features.  Besides, there are different types of business requirements for phones and some are just too suped up.  Then you have some regular phones that just feel like playing the original Atari.  Do you really need to work for Donald Trump or be a doctor to use a good quality smartphone?  No.  The BlackBerry Curve 8300 is the bridge between the business folks and the rest of us.  Here’s a review: (…Read Some More…)

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Design

The Pearl 8120 is sized up the same as the 8130, at a slim 4.2 x 2.0 x 0.6 inches.  It’s a bit lighter at 3.2 ounces vs. 3.4 ounces.   The Pearl 8120 includes a microSD/SDHC Card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The 8120 also parades the same sharp and bright 2.3-inch, 240 x 260-pixel display.  The 8120 has a cleaner e-mail and calendar interface than older BlackBerry phones with friendlier font and improved graphic layout. (…Read Some More…)

Three times’s a charm, or so hopes LG when they came out with the LG Chocolate 3 – VX8560.  There are some pleasant – and not so pleasant – similarities and drastic differences that are welcomed.  The Chocolate 3 is an improvement to the series but doesn’t come out with the hype of the 2^nd chocolate.  Over all, the phone is worth its price and will please the LG Chocolate fans.  Here is the review: (…Read Some More…)

LG has found an answer to the problem drivers face as they insist on talking on the phone while driving…most of us do it.  They have gone a little James Bond on us and come out with the Decoy, a phone that has a detachable Bluetooth headset on the back.  This is the first phone to do this and we can plan on the competition to come out with better versions but for now, the LG Decoy VX8610 will be the only one.  Does having a detachable headset make it worthy? (…Read Some More…)

For those folks who covet the iPhone but have dedication to Verizon, the LG Dare will be something of interest.  The Dare isn’t a smartphone, by definition, but it is one of LG’s version of a touch phone.  It has plenty of goodies, making it a pocket stereo as well as a pocket camera whenever you need one.   (…Read Some More…)

LG has an iPhone competitor that is smaller than Apple’s prima donna as well as cheaper.  The LG Vu is a phone made for the multi-media junkies as the high resolution display is great for watching TV, watching videos, or playing video games.  This is LG’s answer to the iPhone and stands up, about to Apple’s nose.  This is the phone for the iPhone gawking folks who are loyal to LG. (…Read Some More…)