Hanvon Launches the First Multi-Touch Tablet PC - Touchpad

By Dusan Belic - IntoMobile


A not that known Chinese company called Hanvon wants to join the tablet PC craze. They apparently already have an ebook-reading device, but that’s obviously not enough. Hence they’re launching a product called Touchpad, which rocks multi-touch support, while at the same time supports handwritten input.

Specs wise, we’re talking about a Windows 7 machine with a 10.1-inch capacitive LED backlight panel with resolution of up to 1024×600 pixels. Moreover, there’s WiFi connectivity on board, 250 or 320 GB hard drive, 2GB RAM, Bluetooth, HDMI out, 1.3-megapixel camera, USB 2.0, SD card reader, some CULV CPU (we’re not sure which one), and a 4800 mAh Li-Polymer battery.

All this is packed in a 18mm-think “furnace black casing” that’s made out of aluminum alloy and which weighs 960 grams.

You’re probably asking when the Touchpad will be released and where I can get it. Unfortunately, we don’t have that information as Hanvon hasn’t mentioned it in their press release. As soon as we hear something new, you’ll be the first to know. Stay tuned…

Nexus One is in the Black, 60000 Android Devices Activated Daily

By Chris Ziegler  Engadget Mobile

We'd heard a couple times that the Nexus One was selling at a mere trickle, but what we haven't heard is whether the phones that have sold are enough to generate a profit for Google -- and on its earnings call today, the company claimed for the first time that its superphone is indeed in the black. Speaking both of the Nexus One specifically and of the platform as a whole, the company said that "it is a profitable business for us... we are driving the business to be a profitable business," some of the strongest language we've heard that Google intends to fully convert Android from a hobby into an integral part of its financials going forward. On a related note, the company also boasted on the call that it's "seeing more than 60 thousand devices sold and activations daily," which -- by our rough math, anyhow -- would work out to close to 22 million Android activations annually, and they're now up to some 38,000 apps in the Market. Certainly seem like these guys have cemented their position as a mobile powerhouse, doesn't it?

Otterbox Defender Case for BlackBerry Review

Posted by LouiV www.bbleaks.com

We've tried a number of different cases for our beloved BlackBerry, but couldn't find a case we felt was 100% protective. We heard many great things about the structural integrity of Otterbox cases, but needed personal assurance so we tested one ourselves. You can read the full review or simply skip to the very bottom to watch a video with stress test, after the break...

Testing the Otterbox Defender on a Storm2 was our choice. We believe this case is standard with any BlackBerry model. Therefore, whether or not you have a Storm2, you should still find this review relevant.

What you get:
There are a total of 3 pieces, which make up the Otterbox Defender case. Two very thick and hard plastic pieces snap together to create the "shell" or primary protective casing around the phone. The third piece includes a silicone skin that fits evenly over the plastic shell. The silicone skin adds an extra cushioning if the phone were to be dropped. It also offers a greater level of grip when holding the phone. However, we found the silicone skin to be a bit difficult when putting in and removing from your pockets. The silicone skin also tended to attract pocket lint and other dirt.

Unlike the iPhone's Otterbox Defender case, you have to manually attach a screen protector on your Storm2. While we opted not to do this (for touchscreen performance reasons) we can't imagine it would be difficult to install. The screen protector also came with a cloth wipe and a squeegee to make sure you press out any air bubbles.

A very durable plastic holster comes along with the case. The phone easily snapped into the holster, but required a bit of a tug to take out. What was nice about the holster is it held the phone with the face closed. This ensured optimal protection while holstered.

Lastly, you also get a nice Otterbox bumper sticker to show your support.

How it held up:
We tested the Otterbox Defender case for a week. Needless to say we did not baby this case. It went everywhere and landed on just about every surface type imaginable.

We threw it on concrete, asphalt, grass. Tossed it down a flight of stairs. Threw it up as high in the air as possible and let it fall, hoping it would shatter, but it didn't. We even had one of our minor league baseball friends throw it at a wall at 87mph, and to our surprise the BlackBerry withstood the carnage.

While we cannot tell you that your BlackBerry will be the slimmest or sexiest phone with an Otterbox Defender case, we can confidently say it will be the most protected. If you're continuously dropping your BlackBerry and frustrated with all the scratches, chips, and cracks on its bezel, the Otterbox Defender will be your best spent $49.99, period.

To get more info, check out Otterbox.com

Verizon makes Droid Incredible official, will launch April 29 for $199

Not much of a surprise considering the leak we saw yesterday, but Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless officially introduced the HTC-made Droid Incredible Thursday as a more capable alternative to the Google (NSDQ: GOOG)-branded Nexus One – an alternative that offers more features and higher-end hardware than its Android kin. The Droid Incredible will be available on Verizon Wireless starting April 29th for $199 with a new, two-year contract. That price includes a $100 mail-in rebate. And, as with any other high-end smartphone you’re likely to pick up from a carrier these days, the HTC Droid Incredible will require that you sign up for an unlimited monthly data plan to the tune of $29.99 per month.

We’ve already heard of most of the specs of this power-packed Android phone but Big Red said it will feature:

* Android 2.1 with HTC Sense experience
* 1 GHz Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) Snapdragon processor for maximum responsiveness
* Friend Stream for unified Flickr, Facebook and Twitter updates
* “Leap” view for quick access to all seven home screen panels
* 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash for crisp, detailed images
* Razor-sharp 3.7 inch WVGA (480×800) AMOLED capacitive touch display
* Optical joystick for smooth navigation
* Dedicated, touch-sensitive Home, Menu, Back and Search keys
* Proximity sensor, light sensor and digital compass
* Integrated GPS
* Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
* 3.5 mm headset jack

The overall sexiness of the device appeals to me, but I’ll be curious to see how the Leap view and Friend Stream works out. Keep you eyes on this space, as I get the feeling we’ll have a full review up sooner than you’d imagine.

How say you? Is this your next phone or are you still waiting for the EVO 4G or iPhone HD? Sound off in the comments, friends.

Sony Ericsson Satio hit US Market

If you’ve been jonesing for the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) Satio, you’re in luck because the handset is now available in Sony Style stores for a mere $650 unlocked.

I’d consider the Satio a cougar because it’s still pretty darn sexy but is kind of old – it was announced nearly a year ago. It has a ton of features: a whopping 12-megapixel camera with a plethora of auto-detecting and focusing features, 3G (on AT&T (NYSE: T) bands), WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and much more. The only problem is that it’s running Symbian. Don’t jump on top of me Symbian fans, I know it’s a more-than-capable operating system but it lacks the visual panache or polish of some of the competitors.

Satio users, let me know why I’m wrong in the comments.

[Via Sony Style]

Sasktel confirms iPhone 4 coming to them June 22

Remember those rumours about a new iPhone coming out June 22? Canadian regional carrier, Sasktel, let slip a mention about a new iPhone launching in June during an announcement of their new 3G network, confirming the rumour. CEO Robert Watson said:

“The good news is that (Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)) is coming out with a new version of the iPhone in the June time-frame and they’re going to put us on that. So we’re quite excited about that.”

It goes without saying that this is probably something he shouldn’t have mentioned, since letting the cat out of the bag about an unannounced device is an easy way to get in Apple’s “bad” books, and possibly even getting axed from the launch, but hey, at least we’ve got some more to ride on regarding Apple’s booking of the Yerba Buena Center on June 22.

There has been a healthy dose of speculation lately about what the next iPhone will bring to the party to compete with the likes of the HTC Incredible – it seems likely that a forward-facing camera will be in there, and it will be hard for Apple to really keep pace with the competition if they don’t upgrade the screen and camera resolution (960 x 640 and 5 megapixels are expected).

[Leader-Post via AppleInsider]

T-Mobile and Wind Mobile Canada to get HTC Incredible too?

The HTC Incredible has just landed on the Verizon (NYSE: VZ) website, as coming soon, and has been anything but kept secret. The beefed up Nexus One, or Desire is obviously bound for Big Red, but now some are saying that the device may be coming to T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) via Costco.

This is pure rumor at the moment, but it looks like the Incredible was spotted in the Costco system, and it indeed says that it is a T-Mobile device. This would be a great addition to the T-Mobile line up, as most of their phones lack a certain something. Power. The Nexus One is available for T-Mobile, sure, but not in the way we’d like (only through Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s online store). Hopefully, since accessories have started to pop up at the stores, we may actually see the device in stores sometime soon, but it looks doubtful.

The Incredible bests some of the best Android phones out on the market today. With more internal memory – 8 GB to be precise - and an 8-megapixel camera (opposed to the 5 megapixel cameras found on many Android devices) the Incredible is in fact, pretty incredible. The Incredible also sports HTC’s custom Sense UI. If this device does eventually come to T-Mobile, it would make it the second HTC Sense phone to come to Magenta. The upcoming MyTouch Slide coming in first.

The introduction of this device on T-Mobile would surely make it one of the best phones that has ever been offered from the 4th largest US carrier. The only rival? Another HTC phone, the HD2. While the HD2 may be selling very well, Android is more appealing these days. Plus, even though HTC did a wonderful job covering up all the Windows Mobile on the HD2, it’s still a Windows Mobile. HTC’s new ‘Droid Eris’ should have no problem flying off shelves, where ever it is sold, or whatever it’s up against.

So anyone holding out for the Incredible? If T-Mobile doesn’t end up getting it, would it be worth switching to Verizon for?

[Via: Phandroid]

RipCode bringing Flash Videos to iPad

RipCode is butting its head in Steve Jobs’ war on Flash, as the transcoding company is helping content providers bring Flash videos to the iPad.

The company said it will work with web sites to create a transcoding layer that can enable users to view Flash videos on their iPads. They’re betting that many video sites are not quite ready to switch fully to another technology like HTML5 and RipCode said its product is essentially a video-transaction layer in the cloud. This means it won’t involve long load or buffer times for the end user. Because it’s done in the back end, companies won’t have to worry about upsetting Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s new terms of service for iPhone 4.0.

“The ‘Flash on iPad’ dilemma is really just the latest in a long line of speed bumps on the road towards ‘any-content, any-time, any-place, any-device’ that we all desire,” said RipCode CEO Brendon Mills, in a prepared statement. “Fortunately, our technology removes this barrier in a way that is attractive to content hosters, a key device manufacturer, a key video player provider, and the end user alike.”

It’s cool beans but I’m wondering if the lack of Flash is just making publishers adapt to the somewhat-inevitable HTML5 future. Netflix, The New York Times and other heavy hitters have already adopted to reach the highly-coveted iPhone OS demographic. Well, regardless, RipCode’s solution is an interesting twist in the story.

[Via RipCode]

Go Old School on the iPad with the Moshi Moshi 01 Handset

By now you’ve probably heard that the international iPad launch has been pushed back a month, due to overwhelming US demand. Darn it you crazy Americans, can’t you share some of the love with the rest of the world!? Seriously though, by the sounds of things, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has underestimated the popularity of the device… awesome for them, not so awesome for anyone residing under the ‘international’ umbrella.

If you’re feeling salty, don’t let the lack of iPad in your country stop you from purchasing nifty accessories for the device you’re soon to purchase. In fact, above is one of the first accessories I recommend you purchase

The Moshi Moshi 01 Handset (MM01) from Native Union isn’t limited to use with your iPad (it can be used with other mobile phones and VoIP via USB), but heck, doesn’t it look retro chic on that iPad? Priced at $29.99 USD, you get the handset and a 3.5mm headset jack. Other adapters are available, but they’re sold separately.

I want to get one of these, hook it up to the iPad, walk into ANY Starbucks in Canada or the US… sit down… and start making phone calls. Would that be hilarious or what?

Moshi Moshi 01 Handset ($29.99) [Native Union]

[Via: BoingBoing]

IM+ Updated to Version 1.0.2 for webOS

Received a nice little note from the folks at SHAPE Services the other day. The note was to let me know that an updated version of IM+ is available for webOS. The new version brings the app up to 1.0.2, and is available in the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Catalog in the US, Mexico, Ireland, Great Britain, France, Spain, Germany and Canada. Best of all, the price has been dropped from $9.99 to $2.99. Nice!

If you’ve never used or heard of IM+ before, here’s the official description:

IM+ is an award-winning multiclient messenger for AIM®/iChat, MSN®/Windows Live™ Messenger, Yahoo!®, ICQ®, Jabber®, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Talk™ and MySpaceIM. Now available for webOS! With IM+ you easily stay in touch with parents and children, have fun with your friends and make business deals with your partners! Features: All public IM services in one client! No cost per message. View all open dialogs and unread messages in one window. Avatars in dialogs. Free updates/upgrades and support.

Be sure to check out IM+ in the App Catalog for all the details.

IM+ ($2.99) [App Catalog]

Official Twitter App on the way to Android

On top of location-based check-ins, Twitter’s CEO has mentioned at the Chirp conferencethat they will have an official Android application, potentially stealing some limelight from the third parties who have been working hard to create their own clients. This seems like a natural move, given Twitter’s recent acquisition of Tweetie, which will soon become the official Twitter for iPhone application. Of course, RIM has made the Twitter for BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) app, which has recently gone public, showing that Twitter could just as easily work with, say, Google (NSDQ: GOOG), as they could acquire a popular developer, like Twitdroid or Twicca, to create the Android app.

Developers who have been doing well selling these clients may get a little bitter about being shouldered out by the very social network they’ve been supporting with their products, but Twitter has been trying to be gentle about the whole thing. The company line so far has been that Twitter is trying to avoid confusing new users with a flood of Twitter clients by having single, official presences in the app markets, but I’m tempted to think that Twitter would need to take control of the client application to ensure those brand new sponsored tweetsfind their mark. We’ve already seen this pushiness with BlackBerry and their support of only the official retweet, with no quoting or editing. At this point, it feels inevitable that in time, Twitter will take control of picture services, URL shorteners, and fill any other gaps it may have, essentially cannibalizing the developers who have flocked to them and given them these feature ideas in the first place. Unfortunate maybe, but it looks like that’s the cost of progress.

[via TechCrunch]

Pantech's Sirius Sky smartphone does Android 2.1 on Snapdradon

One gigahertz is becoming the bar of entry in the world of Android, and the upcoming Sirius Sky fromPantech meets that with its Snapdragon processor. It's also helped along by an Android 2.1 install and a 3.7-inch 800 x 480 OLED screen that does look rather vivid in the above shot -- presumably taken indoors. 500MB of storage is offered internally by the phone while expandable memory bumps things up to 32GB, upon which pictures from the five megapixel camera can be stored for later mockery. The phone is said to be hitting Asian markets "pretty soon" and, while there are rumors of a US release, they're sounding a bit unsubstantiated at this point.

Land of Android

XM Radio Online+ if available for Canadian Blackberry Users

As we reported on earlier, XM Radio Online has maintained its scheduled release date and is now available to all Canadian users. Offering up many of the same channels as the SIRIUS application, XM Radio online offers a free 14 day free trial so that you may check out the services. As it stands, if you want XM Mobile you can get online and mobile for $7.99/mnth or if you are already an XM subscriber, you can pay an additional $2.99 just for the mobile access. Still no Howard but if you enjoy others channels on XM it may be worthwhile giving it look at. The app works over 3G and WiFi so no issues there and all devices 85xx and up numerically are supported, incl Storm series.

• Download The App OTA And Get Your Free 14 Day Trial Of XM Mobile Online+ >>

BlackBerry Bold (700 available in White at Vodafone UK

The white Bold 9700 has been all the buzz lately, and it looks like some more of you may be able to get your hands on one. We saw it pop up the other day for the Netherlands, and the device is now available for pre-order from Vodafone UK as well. From the looks of things you can order it now, and it is "expected" to be available for delivery on April 20th. The interesting thing is that it is listed as free with select pay-by-month plans. If you're a UK user and ready to rock out in white, head over to Vodafone for more info. Be sure to drop a comment and let us know if you'll be picking one up.Thanks Dave!

• More information on the white Bold 9700 from Vodafone UK >>

Sirius Radio for Canadian BlackBerry is finally here

We let you know when SiriusXM became available as a BlackBerry App and we reviewed the SiriusXM app, the only drawback was that it was only available for the U.S., and now it’s finally available for Canada as Sirius! There seems to be a bit of a difference between them, let’s take a closer look…

SiriusXM has a devoted following of users, and it’s nice that they are able to use it not only at home and in their car, but also on their phones. You can listen to it over both 3G and WiFi. There’s a 14 day free trial and then it’s $7.99 for a monthly subscription, or if you’re a current subscriber it’s only $2.99 monthly. When looking at the U.S. version, it states the app can play over 120 channels of the SiriusXM programming you love (with the exception of Howard Stern, which isn’t one of my personal faves anyhow) and the Canadian version states that it has over 100 channels of the Sirius programming you love on your BlackBerry.

I like the variety SiriusXM has to offer, but I’m partial to Pandora as I can start a song from the beginning, or even Slacker. I don’t get that opportunity with SiriusXM. With SiriusXM, it’s just like turning on the radio, however you can still listen to the channels you love.

If you’re interested or are a current subscriber, you can grab your trial copy now, and if you’re a subscriber, log in with your user name and password and get more serious about your Sirius.

Download the Canadian Sirius Radio App For BlackBerry here

Download the U.S. SiriusXM Radio App For BlackBerry here