Archives for May, 2009

Awhile ago I said all HDMI cables are basically created equal, regardless of price. That’s about to change.

HDMI Licensing, the body responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface specification (widely known as HDMI) announced Wednesday the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification. …

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The Ultrasone Zino headphones will retail for $129.99.

(Credit: www.bax-shop.nl)

We tend to really like Ultrasone headphones, but for a lot of folks, they’re just a little too pricey. Well, the Germany-based Ultrasone has realized it needs a more-portable–and affordable–pair of headphones that will appeal to

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(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

I am a fan of practicality. The only reason I have the key fob that I’ve been carrying around for a while is because it also works as a beer bottle opener. But I am about to replace that with something I could use a …

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Android alien

Perhaps because the Google Android operating system is already a year old, because the Android Developer’s Challenge will be kicked off after Google’s I/O developer conference instead of before, or because the platform differences between Android 1.0 and Android 1.5 aren’t as dramatic as …

Originally posted at The Download Blog

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Remember Sony Ericsson’s Idou? That was the flashy “concept phone” that the company announced earlier this year at GSMA. Well, after a long wait, Sony Ericsson on Wednesday finally made the elusive …

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Not every cell phone on Earth needs to pack in all the bells and whistles found on ultrahigh-end models like the iPhone. But for those who still want a fair amount of extras at an affordable price, there are handsets like the Samsung Smooth (aka the SCH-U350). This basic mobile …

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Text ’til your heart’s content with the Moto Clutch.

(Credit: Motorola)

Earlier in May, Bonnie Cha told you about Motorola’s first iDEN phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. Availability details were slim at the time, but this week we saw that the Clutch i465 has landed at Boost Mobile.

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(Credit: Bonnie Cha/CNET)

During an investor conference Webcast on Thursday, Verizon Wireless executive Lowell McAdam revealed that the carrier has big plans for device launches for the rest of 2009–launches that include the Palm Pre and RIM BlackBerry Storm 2.

“Over the next six months or so, you will …

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Verizon unveils three new LG phones

We’ve talked about it for weeks now, but Verizon has finally made it official with the announcement of three new LG phones: the LG enV3, LG enV Touch, and LG Glance. All of the phones have text and multimedia messaging with threaded messaging, mobile Web, mobile e-mail, Bluetooth, and …

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Sonic the Hedhehog(Credit: Crave UK)

Get ready to buy Sonic the Hedgehog for the umpteenth time–the original Sega classic is now available on your iPhone, and for the measly price of $5.99.

The complete first adventure of Hirokazu Yasuhara’s blue-haired speedfreak plays surprisingly well on the iPhone and iPod Touch. …

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Plastic Logic e-reader(Credit: Plastic Logic)
Plastic Logic e-reader

Plastic Logic envisions its e-reader simplifying life for students.

(Credit: Plastic Logic)

CARLSBAD, Calif.–In between the big name CEOs speaking at D: All Things Digital, Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg also have a few tech companies on stage to show their wares.

A short while ago, electronic book maker Plastic Logic showed off the user interface of its touch-screen reader, which is due out early next year. The interface seemed simple, although the page turns on the prototype seemed interminable.

The company wouldn’t reveal pricing, but did say that the device will have both Wi-Fi and 3G wireless, though it did not specify the carrier. As for color screens, they said they have it working in their labs, but it won’t be a next year kind of thing.

Currently, the CTO of force feedback specialist Immersion is showing a couple new technologies, including a prototype touchscreen keyboard. When a user presses a key on the soft keyboard they not only see and hear which key they have pressed but can feel it as well.

“It is a very natural experience,” said Immersion CTO Cristophe Ramstein. “Sounds are not as profound as touch to give you this feel.”

The second demo was what the company is calling “hapticons,” essentially adding feel to an electronic message. He sent a love note to Mossberg, with his screen pulsing to a beating heart.

Originally posted at Beyond Binary

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Android 1.5 on Google Ion

Android 1.5 on Google’s brand-new ‘Ion.’

(Credit: CNET/Photo by Stephen Shankland)

To encourage gifted developers to give iPhone programming a rest, most mobile platforms have built app stores that lure with the promise of a cash-positive distribution. But not Google. It baits with cash.

Sure, Google installs …

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LG enV Touch spotted on Best Buy's online store

LG enV Touch spotted on Best Buy's online store

(Credit: Best Buy online store / Screenshot by Nicole Lee)

An eagle eye reader has spotted the LG enV Touch available for sale on Best Buy for a whopping $599.99. This is much more than the anticipated $219.99 …

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It’s never dull in cell phone land, and this week is no exception. As we gear up for the June 6 release of the Palm Pre and the start of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, there is much more to talk about.

Bonnie, for one, has amassed a roundup

Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast

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