Posts Tagged mobile phones
COOL LEAF could change the face of mobile devices
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on March 3rd, 2010
I don’t know about you, but what I see in these pictures is the future of mobile devices.
This is actually the COOL LEAF, a new series of input devices designed by Minebea, a Japanese company. As you can see, the surfaces of this keyboard, calculator, and remote control have a mirrored surface to them that is just as good as a real mirror.
You may notice that there isn’t “stand-out” buttons on this guy, but these “non-physical” buttons are just as good. It looks like the mirrored surface is water-resistant, too.
How can this work? It uses a special film made by a Japanese chemical company Toray on top, an electrostatic capacity type touch panel with force sensors beneath, and a backlight as a bottom layer.
I don’t know about you, but I would be very interested in seeing a future where the Φ-QWERTY, Φ-Calcs, and Φ-Remotes have completely taken over. Yes, that is what they are called, and I had to copy/paste those names from my source, as my computer did not have a “Φ” key. I would highly consider renaming these device before they are mass-marketed like Phi-QWERTY, Phi-Calculator, and Phi-remote.
I wonder what it would be like to have a Phi-Cellphone? Would it be a candybar, clamshell, or could you make a slider out of the thing? Hey, could we change the i-Phone so it has the COOL LEAF’s mirrored surface?
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Jabra EXTREME announced
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on January 21st, 2010
How many of you out there use Bluetooth headsets in your everyday communications over your handset? It is more or less a love it or hate it affair with the majority of folks, since the feeling of having a foreign body hanging off one ear while impeding your hearing is a turn off for some, while others thrive on knowing they are able to pick up a call regardless of where they are. Jabra has been around the Bluetooth town for many years already, and their recent release, the EXTREME Bluetooth headset looks ready to make a splash. This device comes with a new innovation known as Noise Blackout Extreme which has its roots in Jabra’s distinguished heritage in noise cancelling technologies, relying on dual microphones and automatic volume control that dramatically enhances call quality. Apart from that, you will also experience double the background noise reduction (24 decibels) compared to the previous iteration of Noise Blackout technology at 12 decibels.
Just in case you were wondering whether the EXTREME Bluetooth headset is comfortable to wear, we are pleased to inform you that the EXTREME comes with a unique new Ultimate-fit Eargel that was specially developed to guarantee superior comfort even when you wear it throughout the entire working day. Making a debut at the recently concluded CES 2010, Jabra claims that the EXTREME will relegate poor quality calls to a distant memory. With all the technology packed in, you can be sure that the caller will never sound like a robot.
Since it was specially designed for comfort and style, most users might be surprised to find that they are wearing a headset, thanks to specially developed Ultimate-fit Eargels that will mold themselves to any ear shape to ensure a snug fit, regardless of whether you have Dumbo-sized ears. You will find that the headset is also equipped with a couple of rotatable ear hooks that were specially contoured to fit the ear perfectly. Regardless of whether you’re an audiophile or a road warrior, the EXTREME’s styling cues won’t disappoint. You can pick up the Jabra EXTREME Bluetooth 2.1 headset for $79.99.
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Aliph unveils Jawbone ICON
Posted by admin in Bluetooth Gadgets on January 21st, 2010
When it comes to Bluetooth headsets, you will find that there is a gulf in class between all the players, and Aliph is one of them right at the very top. After all, who are we to argue with the folks behind the Jawbone Bluetooth headset as well as being the brains of NoiseAssassin, the world’s first and only military-grade noise-eliminating technology? Fast forward to today and Aliph is well and alive, unveiling their latest and most sophisticated device to date known as the Jawbone ICON. The Jawbone ICON supposedly offers unprecedented ease of use and audio quality with a balance of an industry-first software platform known as MyTALK, where it enables users to personalize and update their Jawbones through the Internet. Now that’s definitely something new, as previous Bluetooth headsets from everyone else was basically a device that could not be upgraded software-wise.
Thanks to the all-new MyTALK platform, the Jawbone ICON is able to boast built-in intelligence as well as the ability to personalize with the click of a mouse. Currently in a private beta mode, you can be sure that your Jawbone ICON will offer a richer in-ear experience, pointing to a future where people are able to breathe new life into their Jawbones over a period of time, hence extending the durability and usage of a device which might go some way in helping reduce the amount of gadgets heading to our landfills each year, which can be a pain to dispose of.
Features of the Jawbone ICON include NoiseAssassin 2.5 with wind reduction, an innovative speaker design and signal processing, set-it-and-forget-it audio which eliminates the need to adjust volume from one caller to the next, a talk time of up to 4.5 hours depending on the handset it is paired to, a 10 meter range at the minimum, and the ability to charge up to 80% in just 35 minutes. Each $99.99 purchase comes with 7 earbud sizes as well as one premium adjustable ear loop to get you started right out of the box.
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Vizio announces new accessory components
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on January 19th, 2010
Vizio knows that most home theater enthusiasts would love to accessorize their setup, which is why they have a brand new line up of accessory components that aim to further enhance the performance and installation of their HDTV and HD audio components. First off the blocks would be a wireless HDMI adapter that comes with a 4-port switch that is capable of delivering HD quality video and audio from a variety of source devices including Blu-ray players and set-top boxes to virtually any HDTV sans the need for an HDMI cable. This would come in handy where keeping a neat living room is concerned, as the lack of visible wires also makes it easier to clean the back of your TV rack/mount whenever small colonies of dust bunnies start to congregate.
Apart from that, Vizio also has a new range of extremely slim wall mounts that cater for HDTVs which range from 19″ to 65″ in size, as long as they don’t tip the scales at more than 130 lbs. You get both swivel and tilt capability with these new wall mounts that provides for a more enjoyable viewing experience. To make sure that your senses receive the very best performance possible, Vizio is also offering a new range of premium HDMI cables alongside an environmentally friendly cleaning foam which is capable ofkeeping HDTV displays as well as other electronic components free of dust and scratches.
Last but not least would be Vizio’s tow new universal remote controls, where one of them looks as though it is from the future, featuring a 3.5″ LCD touchscreen display with automatic backlight control. Known as the XRT100, it offers digital touchscreen control of VIA-enabled television sets, but also has the ability of functioning with any legacy A/V component which ought to make it all the more attractive for those who have yet to upgrade the rest of their home entertainment system. You won’t be able to enjoy multi-touch control on the 3.5″ LCD touchscreen though, but at least its one-touch controls are more than enough to handle the majority of your home theater system components without missing a beat, alongside the ability to display favorite apps grouped by user or genre.
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Jabra Cruiser wireless speakerphone
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on January 19th, 2010
Those who have used Bluetooth headsets right from the very beginning with their then technologically advanced cellphones would definitely have come across the brand name Jabra, as the company has rolled out a fair number of decent Bluetooth headsets in the past. Well, they don’t really have any standout device like Aliph’s Jawbone series, but then again they don’t need such a distinctive device considering the fact that most of the money comes from the average cellphone user who wants a decent performing Bluetooth headset that is priced correctly. Well, today we’ll look at the Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth wireless speakerphone, where it is the first of its kind that features Noise Blackout technology when used with cellphones.
Noise Blackout technology involves a dual microphone system which is capable of removing virtually all street and traffic sounds while optimizing voice quality simultaneously to make sure you get your message across in a crystal clear manner. Of course, this does not guarantee that the person on the receiving end will follow through with whatever instructions you provide since that is out of Jabra’s hand, but at least it does do away with the excuse of the line “being not clear” during a conversation. The Cruiser is able to bring superior audio quality in a sleek design alongside in-car convenience that makes it possible to keep both hands on the wheel while discussing about a multi-million dollar deal.
Another interesting aspect of its proprietary Noise Blackout technology would be the ability to identify the direction of various sounds, where among them include traffic and backseat chatter. This technology helps to reduce only surrounding noise without distorting a user’s voice. With Multiuse connectivity, you can hook up the Jabra Cruiser to a couple of Bluetooth-enabled devices, and they are not limited to just cellphones but can also encompass smartphones and MP3 players among others. The inclusion of a built-in FM transmitter makes it possible to store both calls as well as MP3 files on a mobile device, where you can play it back on the Jabra Cruiser via a vehicle’s stereo system later on. Interested? The Jabra Cruiser comes with a price tag of $99.99.
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Mophie to offer iPhone credit card reader
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets, iPod Gadgets on January 2nd, 2010
When the iPhone was first released a few years ago, the whole world was abuzz with anticipation on how Apple would be able to an above-average cellphone experience to the masses, and I must admit, we weren’t disappointed. Heck, expectations were so high that folks even queued up outside the store for a couple of days before its release, willing to fork out a whopping $599 outright for the handset (and that is even before one takes into consideration the monthly fees). Well, the iPhone has certainly come a long way since its release with incremental upgrades and updates introduced along the way, and it seems as though this smartphone is able to do just about anything (save for stemming pollution around the world). Today, we bring you news of another new function introduced to the iPhone thanks to Mophie – with their iPhone credit card reader.
Mophie, the popular iPhone and iPod accessory and battery add-on maker, will use CES 2010 as the platform to introduce their iPhone credit card reader and third-party app, marking the accessory manufacturer’s first attempt to break into the lucrative mobile payment systems market. The accessory has been unimaginatively dubbed as the “Credit Card Reader”, where each purchase will be accompanied by a complimentary third party processing application which enables one to turn the iPhone into a functional device that accepts credit payments simply by swiping one’s credit card through a special casing attached that is connected to their handset.
There are still a great many details concerning this new mobile payment system by Mophie that have yet to be unveiled, and industry analysts are pretty sure that the device’s success will depend largely on the design and bulk of the iPhone add-on alongsde a price point that is hoped to be customer friendly. Make no mistake, this device isn’t about to start a monopoly in such a segment since it will go up head-to-head against Square. The Mophie Credit Card Reader will be packaged as an iPhone-only shell case which is similar to their Juice Pack Air battery pack for iPhone.
Source: IT Pro Portal
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Logic Bolt Projector Phone
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on December 29th, 2009
There has been a lot talk about the LG eXpo, a phone that has a pico-projector. However, CES last year had on display Logic Wireless’ Bolt projector phone. That phone is capable of throwing a VGA image on the wall that is 64 inches wide.
Of course, the projector is only one of the features of this phone that can run Symbian. It also has a touchscreen, as well as slots for two SIM cards.
It also has two cameras, one for the front and one for the back. I suppose that this is some design for the days when cellular phones will be all video-capable. Yeah, I’m still awaiting that day myself.
The Logic Bolt is available at, of all places, Sky Mall. It costs about $500, and that’s the unlocked price. I don’t know who wants this particular phone, as it doesn’t seem to have a carrier.
I’m going to venture a guess and say that this will be on display on CES on a little more than a week. If so, I would like to see how the projector fares against pico-projectors. If it can make the images more clear, then there might be market for this. As it is, it seems a little excessive.
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Brightkite releases augmented reality advertising solution
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets, iPod Gadgets on December 22nd, 2009
Brightkite, the Social Discovery Network, recently rolled out the first national augmented reality advertising solution. Users of Brightkite have gained the ability to access its augmented reality (AR) service since August earlier this year courtesy of the company’s partnership with Layar. Up till now, the service’s users can also check out their friends’ posts and photos at places around them. Now, with the rolling out of a new local advertising solution, those very same users are also able to check out tantalizing, special offers available in nearby stores to further tempt them to part with their money.
The Brightkite service enables users to look at the world around them via their phone’s camera, checking out real-time digital information on top of real-world locations. As the camera is pointed at different directions, the graphics will alter to accommodate various lens’ movements, as you check out your friends’ Brightkite data revealed around them. Imagine the possibilities of forging new partnerships with retailers, bars, restaurants and other businesses to enable Brightkite users to check out what those outlets are offering regardless of where they are.
According to Brightkite, “this initiative pioneers the latest in advertising – combining mobile phones, location awareness and augmented reality. This is truly a groundbreaking media campaign about which we, as well as our users, are very excited.” We’ll see about that though – just when you thought that the advertising industry is running out of ideas to entice potential shoppers, along comes this interesting and useful method. Guess mobile advertising has gotten yet another boost in such a form, but it will take some time before it rolls out worldwide as this does not seem to be as effective in emerging markets at the moment, so only developed countries with the relevant infrastructure will be able to support such a model. Take note though – this AR campaign is running on the Brightkite service till the end of this year, where it is available for both Android and iPhone devices.
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Synaptics introduce Fuse cellphone concept
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on December 17th, 2009
Synaptics Incorporated recently introduced the Fuse concept cellphone which demonstrated where the future of user interaction is headed, and it seems that the iPhone could be in for a challenge. After all, the Fuse will introduce multiple interface technologies for the first time, among them including multi-touch capacitive sensing, haptic feedback, 3-D graphics, and force, grip, and proximity sensing. Are you Apple fanboys quaking just yet? Of course, it is way too early to tell whether the Fuse is able to usurp the iPhone since there are still many other things to consider about, especially its ease-of-use and the all important App Store competitor.
While the touchscreen display is almighty in this day and age, we must remember that Synaptics was first to introduce the touchscreen way back in August 2006, thanks to their award-winning Onyx cellphone concept. Other phone manufacturers have long followed suit, and Synaptics has gone on to the next level by tackling the issue of single-handed usage with the need to look at the screen by coming up with the Fuse. The Fuse will boast innovative sensing technologies that surround the entire device to enable quick, intuitive, single-handed navigation. Take for example its grip sensing capability that relies on force and capacitive touch sensors on the sides of the phone, where users can execute pan and scroll functions in a jiffy. Apart from that, the Fuse is first off the blocks to introduce 2D navigation from the back of the phone! This will allow one to enjoy effective and fun single-handed control without having to obstruct the display.
It makes us wonder when will Synaptics actually roll out the Fuse cellphone concept, moving it to the production stage as we’re pretty sure it is able to make more than just a ripple in the industry’s ocean. After all, modern cellphones are all about progress and change, and the Fuse is definitely a game changer – assuming it ever enters production, that is.
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Beriscope: See underwater, from land!
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on December 17th, 2009
Some of you might remember the other day when we reported on the Coolerbot, a way of exploring the outdoor wildlife from remote control while indoors. The Beriscope is a way of looking at undersea life from remote control.
Here’s how it works: The ball shaped thing on the left side of the device can separate from it, but is still tethered to it with some cable. The user throws this ball into the ocean, and it has a camera on it. From there, the user can look into the visor itself and get a view of the life aquatic.
The goggles look like the type from a Viewmaster, but it doesn’t look like you can view stuff in 3D. I mean, after all, I’m surprised that the ball has a 2D camera on it.
When you are finished with your underwater viewing by a lake or river, you can just pull it back with the handle. At this present time, there doesn’t look to be a way to record the footage.
Of course, the Beriscope is just a concept for now. Yes, it is neat enough to actually be a real product, but this one is conceived by one of our friends over at Yanko Design. I’m sure that some of their concept designs have been made into an actual product, but I don’t know which.
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Beriscope: See underwater, from land!