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Showing posts from December, 2008

Samsung's INNOV8 through FCC with US-friendly 3G

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The Samsung i8510 InnoV8 is a high-end Symbian S60 smartphone packing Wi-Fi, GPS, and an 8 MPx camera. While it has been assumed since its European launch that this device would not be available on North American shores due to its lack of the 3G frequencies for this region, a listing on FCC changes that. This government agency has approved a version of the i8510 with North American UMTS/HSDPA support, as noted on its website. Samsung InnoV8 is a slider-based smartphone with a QVGA (240 by 320 pixel) screen and numeric keypad, the Samsung i8510 comes with Symbian S60 Feature Pack 2 (v3.2) and a host of hardware and software that makes it one of the most feature-packed devices available. In addition to the aforementioned Wi-Fi, GPS, and 8 megapixel camera, this model features 16 GB of internal memory, a microSDHC card slot, built-in FM tuner, 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, support for Bluetooth Stereo, and an optical mouse. The Euro-version of the i8510 retails for about $600 and can be

Cellphone Hacked to Analyze Blood, Detect HIV and Malaria

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A new MacGyver-esque cellphone hack could bring cheap, on-the-spot disease detection to even the most remote villages on the planet. Using only an LED, plastic light filter and some wires, scientists at UCLA have modded a cellphone into a portable blood tester capable of detecting HIV, malaria and other illnesses. UCLA researcher Dr. Aydogan Ozcan images thousands of blood cells instantly by placing them on an off-the-shelf camera sensor and lighting them with a filtered-light source (coherent light, for you science buffs). The filtered light exposes distinctive qualities of the cells, which are then interpreted by Ozcan's custom software. By analyzing the cell types present in a much larger sample, a more accurate diagnosis can be made in a matter of minutes. No more sending blood away to a lab and waiting days or weeks for the results. [via Wired]

Pentax K2000 White Limited Edition

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It can be hard to get your lower-end SLR to stand out in the crowd of options these days, which is doubtless why Pentax on Tuesday announced a white version of its entry-level K2000 SLR and two bundled lenses. The "very limited edition" model comes with white versions of the smc DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL and smc DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 AL lenses beginning in February, Pentax said. The company won't announce prices until later, but the ordinary versions of those products cost about $800 today. There's something slightly whimsical about a white SLR studded with black buttons, eyecup, and hand grip. It reminded me of an Imperial stormtrooper from Star Wars. Or perhaps a ptarmigan in winter plumage. Or maybe James Bond's underwater-ready Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me. I don't think I'd buy it though. Aside from the premium pricing I'd expect with a "very limited edition" product, I'm not sure how well the white Pentax will hold up agains

Kogan Agora, World’s Second Google Android Phone

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KOGAN, the Australian company, has pulled off a cool scoop in the world’s second Android phone and the very first in Australia. It’s called the Kogan “Agora”, and comes in two versions, the “standard” Agora for AUD $299, and the Kogan “Agora Pro” for AUD $399. The standard Agora features a full QWERTY keyboard, central navigation key, 2.5” touchscreen, microSD slot, and 3G connectivity. The Agora Pro has the same form factor, but also adds a 2 MP camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS to the Agora’s impressive specifications. Kogan says, “The Android operating system means the handset can capture and play music, photos and video, surf the web, play games, navigate, and organise your life with extremely powerful applications.” “Google is a key player in developing efficient and innovative online solutions for customers around the world. The open source nature of Android means the operating system will continually improve over time.” (via ITWire ) *** Visit the site here...

White Bread Wrist Rest

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We spend at least eight hours surfing the Internet on a daily basis. That's why ergonomics is so important. We need specific keyboards and mice to angle our wrists properly and alleviate all that unnecessary stress. Thanks to the brilliant minds at Brando Workshop, we now have another ergonomic tool at our disposal. The White Bread Wrist Rest is designed to fit neatly under your hand, elevating your wrist just enough to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome later in life. They're sold in individual slices for $6, but you can save $2 by purchasing two. Each one measures about 4.4 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and a little over half an inch thick. According to its Web site, the Bread Wrist Rest is also "good for decoration." [Via CNET.com & Toy.Brando.com ]

Nokia N97 Ship in 2009

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NOKIA has a new flagship phone. The N97 packs a 3.5-inch, 640 x 360 pixel resistive touchscreen display with tactile feedback and QWERTY keyboard into this sliding communicator with an "always open" window to favorite internet or social networking sites. Nokia calls it the "world's most advanced mobile computer." To back up the claim they've dropped in HSDPA, WiFi, and Bluetooth radios, A-GPS, a 3.5-mm headjack, 32GB of onboard memory with microSD expansion (for up to 48GB total capacity), and a battery capable of up to 1.5 days of continuous audio playback or 4.5-hours video. Five megapixel camera Carl Zeiss and "DVD quality" video capture at 30fps. The N97 will launch with a retail price set at around $693 excluding subsidies and taxes, phone to ship in 2009.