Tag: Mobile Tech

Three Things I Learned From CES 2011

Now that we’ve all had a weekend to digest all the announcements and happenings from the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we’ve all learned. Here are my three takeaways from CES 2011:

Now that we’ve all had a weekend to digest all the announcements and happenings from the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we’ve all learned. Here are my three takeaways from CES 2011. Check ’em out and let me know what you learned (please)!

1) I Need a Dual-Core Mobile Processor Now! Never mind that the 800MHz Scorpion in my T-Mobile G2 is performing well and I’ve been perfectly happy with the phone for months. I lust for the superior power and efficiency of dual-core processors. Of course I want to see benchmarks and real-world battery tests, but that won’t stop me from glaring at my G2 for not having a dual-core processor.

2) The Motorola Atrix 4G’s Laptop Dock is Clever. Prior to CES 2011, I found the thought of a dockable mobile phone unappealing — probably because the Palm Foleo made it sound so ridiculous. That said, I have to admit that the netbook-like functionality of the Motorola Atrix has me interested. It appears to be a smart and sharp implementation that would extend the capabilities of the phone and eliminate the need for a secondary laptop. Color me intrigued (which, in my head, is a bright shade of blue).

3) Vizio’s Boldness is Awesome! Vizio isn’t the most well-known brand in America. Some people view it as the “cheapie” brand they see at CostCo and Sam’s Club. That’s a shame because the company offers some really excellent televisions, some of which are tough to beat from a price/performance ratio. I was surprised by the company’s aggressive and diverse moves at CES 2011. It’s entering the mobile computing market with Android and the gaming space with OnLive.

How about you? What were your favorite lessons learned from CES 2011?

Verizon’s Inadvertent iPhone 4 Hook: Unlimited Data?

Even though Verizon has plans to move to tiered data pricing, it doesn’t have the structure in place. Some pundits believe that this inadvertently gives Verizon an edge over AT&T in the impending battle of iPhones; the former will offer unlimited data, while the latter lacks an unlimited option for new customers. The Wall Street Journal has reported:

Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest wireless carrier, is confident enough in its network that it will offer unlimited data-use plans when it starts selling the iPhone around the end of this month, a person familiar with the matter said. Such plans would provide a key means of distinguishing its service from rival AT&T Inc., which limits how much Internet data such as videos and photos its customers may use each month.

This makes the decision more interesting for consumers. If everything goes as predicted and Verizon announces an iPhone 4 with unlimited data, what would you do? Do you snap up the old phone on the more reliable network using slower technology simple because it offers truly unlimited data? Or do you wait for the iPhone 5, which will certainly feature tiered data on AT&T and probably feature tiered data on Verizon by the time it’s released (likely June 2011). Ah, the decisions those with disposable income have to make…. (For the record, I’m not one of those people. Ha!)

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Today’s Poll: Will Steve Jobs Appear at the Verizon Presser?

Most of the tech world has accepted that Verizon will announce the iPhone 4 at its press conference tomorrow. Some believe that Apple CEO Steve Jobs will be on hand and some don’t. On one hand, it’s a pretty huge partnership and the date is quirky cool (1/11/11 at 11AM!). On the other hand, some believe that Jobs is saving himself for new product announcements like that iPad 2 and iPhone 5; these people believe that an old product on a new network doesn’t merit an appearance by his royal highness grandmaster Steve Jobs.

What do you think? Kindly vote in today’s poll and discuss!

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Verizon to Announce iPhone 4 on January 11?

The word on the street is that Verizon is set to announce that the iPhone 4 will join its lineup in February. The company is holding a press conference on Tuesday January 11, 2011 and The Wall Street Journal says that it’s to unveil the iPhone. Meanwhile, AllThingsDigital has it on good authority that his royal lord worshipfulness grand highness Steve Jobs will be on hand to christen the partnership.

After years of speculation, it looks like the iPhone will finally be on Verizon’s network. Any of you planning to buy one? Do you think an iPhone 4 on Verizon is appealing with the iPhone 5 just months away? How do you think this will impact America’s mobile phone market? Will polarities shift? How about the Earth’s rotation?

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CES 2011: Motorola Xoom Tablet Sizzle Videos

Here are a pair of teaser videos for the Motorola Xoom tablet featuring Google Android 3.0. The Xoom packs a 10.1-inch display and a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor. It will be available on Verizon in Q1 2011, with a 4G upgrade arriving in Q2. Here’s a snippet from the press release:

Motorola Xoom features a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that captures video in 720p HD. It delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280×800 display, and features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting for new types of applications. It also features Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction and delivers access to over 3 million Google eBooks and thousands of apps from Android Market.

I’ve played with a few Samsung Galaxy Tabs and have been largely unimpressed. The Xoom seems far more useful and interesting. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this Google Android tablet. Check out the videos when you have a chance and share your thoughts (please)!

CES 2011: Droid Bionic Packs Dual Core and 4G LTE

Motorola and Verizon have announced the Droid Bionic, a Google Android phone with a 1GHz dual-core processor and 4G LTE speeds. Additionally, it has a QHD 4.3-inch screen and dual cameras. Here’s more from the official press release:

Packing a dual core processor with each core running at 1GHz, delivering up to two GHz of processing power, and 512 MB RAM, the sleekly designed Droid Bionic smartphone with 4G LTE delivers a mobile Internet experience that’s up to 10 times faster than 3G. This means consumers can stream their favorite music and the latest TV shows with unparalleled quality experience. Droid Bionic also races through loading of complex web pages and media that take advantage of Adobe Flash Player and HTML5, rendering graphics faster than previous generation single-core devices.

Personally, I’m more interested in the Droid Bionic than the two AT&T Google Android phones I wrote about yesterday (the Samsung Infuse 4G and Motorola Atrix 4G). AT&T blows in too many places I frequent. The Droid Bionic offers formidable hardware coupled with a reliable network. If the LTE speeds are competitive with other 4G speeds (WiMax for Sprint, HSPA+ for AT&T and T-Mobile) then this phone should rock.

Anyone interested in this beauty?

Google Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Teaser Video

Google has released a teaser video for the upcoming Android version 3.0 (Honeycomb). This particular video focuses on the OS’s tablet functionality. While several vendors have jumped the gun with Android tablets, Honeycomb is the first version of Android designed with tablets in mind.

Kindly check out the video and let me know what you think (please)!

CES 2011: Samsung Infuse 4G Features 4.5-Inch Screen

AT&T and Samsung have announced the Samsung Infuse 4G Google Android phone. The phone appears to be a bigger, badder, and more powerful version of Samsung’s Galaxy S. The large 4.5-inch screen — featuring next-gen Super AMOLED Plus tech — stands out, while the 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor should provide ample power. Here’s the official word:

The Samsung Infuse 4G will be the thinnest Android device and feature the largest screen — at 4.5 inches — in AT&T’s smartphone lineup. The device delivers a brilliant display using Samsung’s next-generation Super AMOLED Plus technology which features 50% more sub-pixels for better contrast and outdoor readability. The Infuse will be powered by a 1.2 GHz application processor, run the Android 2.2 platform and be offered exclusively by AT&T.

On paper, this looks like a fantastic phone. However, I’m a little wary of Samsung’s Android offerings (aside from the Nexus S). The company has been relatively slow at providing updates. Android 2.3 is out now and rolling out to numerous phones within the next 30 days. Android 3.0 should be out before June 2011. Based on Samsung’s history, I’m not confident that the Infuse 4G will receive these updates as quickly as competing phones.

What do you guys and dolls think of this beefy Google Android phone? Would you rather have a Samsung Infuse 4G or a Motorola Atrix 4G?

CES 2011: Totally in Love with the Samsung Series 9 Laptop

Windows users looking for a MacBook Air alternative should definitely keep an eye on the Samsung Series 9 thin-and-light laptop. Going by the spec sheet, the Series 9 offers reasonable power in a svelte form factor with sharp looks. The Series 9 is a seriously sexy piece of consumer electronics and I’ve been drooling over its pictures for the last hour or so. Here are the specs:

  • CPU: Second Generation Intel® CoreTM i5 Processor 2537M (1.40 GHz, 3MB; turbo up to 2.3 GHz)
  • Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 bit) / Windows® 7 Professional (64 bit)
  • Memory: 4GB DDR3
  • Storage (max): 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
  • Screen: 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit SuperBright Plus display (400 nit)
  • Resolution: 1366×768
  • Graphics: Intel HD GT2 Integrated Graphics
  • Speakers: 3 watt (1.5W x 2) stereo speakers and 1.5 watt sub-woofer
  • Battery: Lithium Polymer; up to 6.5 hours
  • Wireless: 802.11b/g/n; WiMaxi
  • Weight: 2.89 lbs.

The Series 9’s body is made from Duralumin, which is twice as durable as aluminum according to Samsung. From my research, it’s not nearly as strong as the adamantium found in Wolverine’s claws. The specs are mostly strong. While many tech enthusiasts shudder at the words “Intel integrated graphics”, the GT2 is supposedly the first Intel integrated GPU that doesn’t blow.

I want one of these machines now!!! Sadly, it won’t be out until February (and I can’t afford it).

What do you think of the Series 9? Is it a worthy MacBook Air competitor? Does the machine cause you to drool or is that just me?

CES 2011: Motorola Atrix 4G Impresses with Power

AT&T and Motorola are teaming up on the Atrix 4G. Purported to be the world’s most powerful Google Android phone (this week anyway), the Atrix 4G will be out in Q1 2011. Here’s the laundry list of features:

AT&T and Motorola are teaming up on the Atrix 4G. Purported to be the world’s most powerful Google Android phone (this week anyway), the Atrix 4G will be out in Q1 2011. Here’s the laundry list of features:

  • Nvidia Tegra – the world’s most advanced mobile processor featuring dual core technology including 3D graphics
  • QHD display – 24-bit color graphics that refresh faster than other smartphones
  • Pocket or dock it – experience connected computing no matter where you are with Motorola Laptop Dock and HD Multimedia Dock
  • High performance 1 GB RAM – up to 48 GB available memory for quick access to thousands of songs, photos, and files
  • Advanced fingerprint recognition reader keeps everything secure – only you can access what’s on your device
  • Android 2.2 operating system with access to thousands of apps in Android Market
  • Voice quality is clear even in loud environments thanks to two-microphone noise reduction technology
  • Front-facing VGA video camera
  • Long-lasting 1930 mAh battery

The Atrix 4G sports some interesting features that should help it stand out from the crowd. The laptop dock is novel and allows for some interesting functionality. On paper, the screen tech is compelling. Android lovers that suffer from marijuana-induced paranoia or those worried about corporate/personal security will dig the fingerprint scanner.

Any AT&T users out there interested in the Motorola Atrix 4G?

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