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Meet the iPhone 3GS, last year’s iPhone after 365 days of a Russian-theme Rocky IV workout. Leaner, meaner, and speedier.
Faster Processor
The all-new built-in processor is, according to Apple, twice as fast as the previous generation, capable of loading message and web pages in less than half the time. What’s more, the added speed comes with a boost in efficiency, giving the 3GS battery more staying-power. The added efficiency means on a single charge you get:
- 12hrs talk time on 2G
- 5hrs talk time on 3G
- 300hrs standby
- 5hrs of 3G internet use
- 9hrs of Wi-Fi internet
- 30hrs of music, 10 hours of video
The folks over at CrackBerry.com have managed to get their hands on a pre-release version of the BlackBerry known only by its codename ‘Onyx.’ For those of you who want to know whether to get hyped up or not the short answer is a solid ‘yes.’ With hands-on examination of the early build, CrackBerry quickly note that the Onyx “IS the traditional (no touchscreen) BlackBerry smartphone so many of us have been waiting for.” So, what have many RIM aficionados been waiting for?
Yes, the Alias 2 might not have a tactile touch screen and it may never become the envy of your lawyer/CEO/BlackBerry-addicted friends but it’s cool in its own right. For many non-smartphone users, texting can be a hassle. Even for those phones that flip open sideways, a la the Samsung Alias, find the right keys amidst the myriad numbers, letters, and symbols can be like staring at one of those magic eye puzzles; eventually what you’re looking for materializes above the visual din. Well, no more with the Samsung Alias 2 and its dynamic E-Ink keypad (as seen in action here).
Sensitive Object boasts that their new technology turns “any part of a product touch sensitive,” a feat they’ve accomplished through pop technology’s latest buzzword ‘piezoelectrics.’ The Anywhere MultiTouch platform, which is Windows 7 compliant, is actually an extension of the company’s patented piezoelectric RiverSys technology, which allows for touch recognition through surfaces such as aluminum, glass, and plastics. As Sensitive Object notes the whole platform “simply relies on two small piezoelectric sensors, a controller and some software.” ‘Nuff said, right?
The Hub essentially combines the greatest features—okay, the bottom-line features—of online services like traffic reporting and a calculator and appends them to a bottom-line touch screen handset. The premise here is to create a central location—or hub—for all your communication needs. Wanna order movie tickets, there’s an app for that. Wanna look at the calendar without actually walking over to the calendar, there’s an app for that...and that’s about it. The Verizon Hub is surprisingly limited despite its level of connectivity. That being said, what apps they do provide are quite effective at what they do. For instance, the calendar apps can sync with every family member’s cell phone, so you’ll always been in the know when the plane’s leaving for your family Christmas trip. And if you’re some kind of negligent parent and you leave your kid home alone, well than he can track just how far away you made it before you realized with the Chaperone feature (a service Verizon offers that allows you, in most cases, to track the whereabouts of your delinquent children).
Okay, so perhaps Skype’s iPhone launch isn’t that monumental, especially for those that don’t even own an account with the premier voice over IP provider, but it could do wonders for the brand. That is, if the app itself is of sound design. So, let's have a look.
First off, the logistics. The Skype for iPhone app launches today, for free, via the App Store. It’s already appeared in mobile iterations for Google Android, Nokia, and Windows Mobile users (Blackberry users will be able to join the fun in May). The Skype interface has been redesigned in true iPhone app style, right down to the 'quick-jump to a specific letter' feature in the contacts tab. Fortunately, Skype was wise enough to tap into your iPhone’s contact list, which does wonders for the start-up process, not to mention saving your sanity from independent lists. What’s more, the app will actually pull Skype profile pictures from the ‘net for contact photos.
With the fluctuating shape and size of cell phones, finding a good case can be tough. Many times a clip-on holder is a great idea, but for walk on the wild-side you can try the Nanaco Banana cell phone holder (as seen above). While it does have a good grip on it, this accessory is really a matter of personal style. But when looking into serious cell phone cases, it’s best to go with what your individual cell phone manufacturer advises for your model.
While you may say, and rightly so, that this is merely Amazon cashing in on the preinstalled iPhone fanbase it still upholds that the message transcends the medium. Though Amazon isn’t exactly in competition with the touch-screen cell phone, there is still potential for the iPhone to generate a substantial e-book following. Thus, rather than posturing the Kindle as the be-all end-all for e-books, Amazon Kindle vice-president Ian Freed said in a recent statement “Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch is a great way for customers to catch up on their current book wherever they are, like in line at the grocery store or between meetings.” This free gesture, as the app is gratis through the iTunes App Store, shows a commitment first and foremost to the content. And it’s even designed to work in conjunction with those that already own a Kindle.
The Rundown: It would be an understatement to say that the HTC Touch Pro was 'well received' by technophiles the world over. HTC managed to pack a great deal of hardware into the touch-screen slider. That left the Pro2 designers with a bit of a conundrum; how do you improve upon such a sound design? Well, first you start with the eye-candy, in this case on-screen eye candy. Gone is the VGA screen, replaced with a sleek 3.6-inch WVGA display running at a 800 x 480 resolution. Now you can call it ergonomics or you can call it just plain cool but feel free to tilt the screen to your preference when you've slid it up for some full QWERTY texting.
