Archive for October, 2009|Monthly archive page
Verizon’s new campaign – Don’t text and drive
Leave a Comment“No message is that important”
New Storm2 commercial
“Why says lightning never strikes twice. Introducing the supercharged new Blackberry Storm 2. Wi-Fi enabled, ultra responsive, tons of apps. And because it runs on the network with 5 times the 3G coverage of AT&T, it just may be, the perfect storm.”
TCPJ Unlocked Show #035
With 3G cellular’s spotty performance, there is an increasing demand for easy, high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity at an affordable price. Boingo Wireless, the world’s largest network of Wi-Fi hotspots, announced the availability of a new application for the BlackBerry on 10/27. Mickey sat down to talk with Christian Gunning, the Director of Corporate Communications to find out what this new app was all about.
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TCPJ Unlocked Show #034
The future of Windows Phone aka Windows Mobile. We delve into the new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, and discuss whats new in the OS, and what devices are now out to take advantage of it. Mickey also discusses his experiences a couple of the new devices, and which phones will be receiving upgrades.
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Dexim P-Flip Overview
Dexim P-Flip Overview
Whether you can’t make it through an entire day on your iPhone battery, or you just want to stay charged up at all times, there are many reasons to have an extra battery with you while on the go. But what if you want to dock your iPhone at the same time? Or how about have a stand to watch media on it while charging? The Dexim P-Flip Foldable Power Dock is your answer. With its 2000mAh Lithium Plymer battery, you can get 1.5-2 times of additional battery life for your iPhone 3G/3GS or iPod Touch 1G/2G. The product used in this review was provided by P-Flip.
Product Overview
Dexim’s P-Flip is a foldable, portable, multi-functional and rechargeable power dock compatible with the latest iPod and iPhone models. The P-Flip is capable of extending talk time up to eight hours, video time up to 15 hours, or audio playing time up to 80 hours. Users can flip the compact dock horizontally or vertically for hands-free video viewing or position it to slimly fold for easy storage while ensuring your device remains charged.
Features
• Compatible with the first, second, and third generation iPod Touch models and both the 3G and 3G S iPhone
• Mini USB cable (1.5 M) allows you to charge and sync your device with the PC or MAC
• Advanced technology and components of 2000 mAh lithium polymer battery ensure your device will never be over/under charged
• Uses 3 LED’s to indicate battery life – LED switch button allows you to see charging status of both the P-Flip dock (blue LED lights) and your mobile device (red LED lights)
• Compact and lightweight design makes the P-Flip perfect for fitting into a pocket, purse or briefcase
• Price: $54.95
Product Images
Sprint Samsung Intrepid Review
- Samsung Intrepid with Stylus
- 1 Standard 1480 mAh Lithium Ion Battery
- Sprint SIM card
- MicroUSB AC Charger
- 3.5mm Stereo Headset with microphone
- MicroUSB Sync/Charge Cable
- Various guides and CD’s
- Technology: CDMA/EVDO Rev. A with GSM/EDGE/HSPA world roaming capabilities
- Frequencies: 850/900/1800/1900/2100
- Weight: 4 oz
- Size: 4.6″ x 2.6″ x 0.5″
- Cubic Volume: 5.98”
- Screen: 320 x 240 (QVGA)
- Camera: 3.2MP
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm
- 150MB of RAM after reset
- 260MB of storage space
- 528MHz processor
Phone/Data
As I have come to expect with most Samsung devices on the CDMA side, the signal strength is decent. The quality of sound on both ends of the conversation was clear, and the typical great Sprint connection was there. However, it did seem that in comparison to a Sierra Wireless USB stick, the phone did lose service in areas with weaker signal. I had the opportunity to travel with the device, and found that the the Voice and 3G were solid in and around the Phoenix and Chicago areas. Also, Wi-Fi worked great when connecting to hotspots as I went. There is a nice option to toggle the radios on and off through the use of the dedicated key located on the lower right corner of the keypad.
One of the nice things is the Global Network capabilities of the Intrepid. With both GSM/EDGE in a quad-band configuration, and single-band 2100mhz HSPA 3G, the phone can literally be used almost anywhere in the world. This feature makes the phone much more attractive to those that want to have CDMA service here in the US, but want to take their phone with them when they travel. The phone does come with a Sprint SIM card, but the phone can be unlocked to use with other SIM cards, and the phone will not recognize any other SIM cards until you do so. Unfortunately, you’re out of luck if you want to use your unlocked Intrepid on HSPA in the United States; neither T-Mobile nor AT&T employ the 2100Mhz frequency for U.S. 3G. So your Tour will be stuck on 2.5G EDGE if you decide to unlock and use here in the US.Hardware
If there is one thing that could be changed right off the bat about this device, it would be the screen. The 320 by 240 resolution seems very “fuzzy” by current smartphone standards, and the 2.7 inch screen is cramped compared to the almost inch larger one of the new Touch Pro 2 devices also running Windows Mobile 6.5.
The Intrepid hardware looks like a blend of the Samsung Ace and a Blackberry. The front-facing qwerty is very comfortable to use, and the keys are spaced very well. There are dedicated keys for the speakerphone, voice command, email and the comm manager. Each is also customizable, and can perform other functions per the direction of the user.
As a comparision, here is the Intrepid compared to other smartphones.
T-Mobile Touch Pro 2 vs. Intrepid vs. HTC Diamond
Intrepid vs. Blackberry Curve 8330
Bottom side. Just the microphone port
Also, the back cover of the device slides off to reveal the battery, which unfortunately must be removed to access the SIM and microSD card.
Software/Features
All you need to say…Windows Mobile.While Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional is an upgrade to the 6.1 revision of the software that has been out for the past year, besides the Marketplace and the honeycomb Start menu, there is little difference to the user.
The 3.2MP camera on the Intrepid has so-so photo quality. When compared to the HTC or Blackberry 3.2MP shots, it seems a bit grainy and washed out. The auto focus helps create clear shots, but it just doesn’t impress like some other smartphone cameras these days.
Here are a few photos showcasing the quality of the camera.
If you are looking for a low priced front facing qwerty smartphone with the latest Windows software, then the Samsung Intrepid will not disappoint. Samsung has improved many things over the Ace/Blackjack line that keep the die-hard fans going. However, if innovation is what you are looking for, move along, the Intrepid simply blends into the crowd.
The Cell Phone Junkie Show #178
The Cell Phone Junkie Show #178 1:06:15
Show Notes
AT&T hinting at the end of an era, arguments over net neutrality and T-Mobile’s Project Dark.
iPhone/iPod Touch Application
Smartphone Experts iPhone leather holster with microfiber cloth and screen protectors giveaway
News
Apple quarterly financial results
Microsoft Q1 earnings
Comcast enter mobile data market
FCC initiates a Net Neutrality fight
Verizon and Google agree on Net Neutrality
Sen. McCain wants to block Net Neutrality
Universal Charger OK’ed
Q3 AT&T Results
AT&T record number of iPhone activations
AT&T hints at end of iPhone exclusivity
Deadline to cancel smartphone data plan extended to 10/31
AT&T looks at higher data rates for the heavy user
AT&T starts up 850MHZ in Baltimore
Sprint to acquire iPCS
iPCS shareholders ready to fight acquisition
Boost ads Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands to $50 plan
Sprint and Clearwire detail remaining 2009 WiMax rollouts
T-Mobile posts Sidekick contact recovery info
How to restore contacts
Project Dark Info
Thanks to our sponsor, Netflix
Devices
iPhone coming to some authorized retailers next month
AT&T Tilt 2 price drop
TP2 head to head competition
Ballmer confirms Zune integration in WM
Storm 2 on Verizon website
Storm 2 coming 10/28 on Verizon
Blackberry Watch
T-Mobile announces Bold 9700
9700 specs
AT&T also announces 9700
Nokia N900 Delayed until November
Motorola Droid details
Droid Specs
Droid Preview
Preview wrapup
Verizon Droid announcement set for 10/28
Motorola CLIQ now available
Motorola Calgary
Software
Blackberry OS 5.0 coming this week
Questions/Comments
Question from Sean
Voicemail from Charles
Comment from LeQuinte
Comment from David
Comment from Greg
Comment from Pauline
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Smartphone Experts Accessories Quick Look
Smartphone Experts Accessories Quick Look
While at the CTIA conference in San Diego this month, I stopped by the Smartphone Experts booth and talked with Chris Kingree, Director of Wholesale Operations and Business Development about the new accessories they have available. SPE has long been a good place to pick up aftermarket batteries, cables and cases for your devices, but they have now ventured into the world of their own branded items. We had a look at the iPhone sidepouch, microfiber cloth and screen protectors.
The SPE iPhone holster is a stylish way to protect your device without a full on case. The dual-color Red-Brandy leather side pouch keeps the phone safe and secure on your side, with a look that stands apart from most typical holsters.
The soft interior fabric keeps from scratching the phone.
The clip on the back secures the case to your belt. There are cases available for many different phones, and can be found at the Products page of the Smartphone Experts site.
Vodafone NZ’s Symphonia
The Symphonia
The making, part 1
The making, part 2
