Archive for July, 2008

Google announce better sync options

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Google

Google have announced support for CalDAV, which allows a whole range of additional applications which can now natively sync their data with Google. Over at Lifehacker, they’ve written up a long article on how to configure this for a number of applications. These include Microsoft Outlook (via Google’s Outlook Calendar Sync program, which is free), Mozilla Sunbird, Apple iCal , and Mobile devices.

On that final point, they mention Goosync as one method of syncing your mobile to Google, and it’s one we use all the time. If you are an existing subscriber, they are currently offering a July only (which means it ends today) special offer to upgrade your account to a Lifetime subscription for only £20 (a saving of £20). If you aren’t a member, then sign up and you can get that Lifetime sub for £40.

Thanks to James Whatley of SpinVox for pointing out the Lifehacker article.


Permalink

Garmin delaying nuviPhone

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Garmin Nuviphone

Garmin originally announced the nuviPhone back in January (see here), and said they hoped to release them in Q3 (ie in time for Christmas). Well, Garmin have just announced that they will now not be available until Spring 2009. The spec remains the same, but this delay, and the subsequent release of the iPhone 3G with similar features (plus the Nokia 5800 S60 touch phone due around then too) is going to hurt Garmin. Apparently some of the delays are caused by needing to make changes to the device to meet various mobile network operators’ requirements; let’s hope these are adding extra functionality and features, and not simply about locking and customising the interface…

More news in 2009 as we get it…


Permalink

Truphone available for iPhone

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Truphone on iPhone

We’ve covered the Symbian S60 Truphone client before, but they’ve also released their VOIP client for the iPhone, and it’s even available via the iTunes App Store. Courtesy of Truphone, here’s the information on why they believe Truphone is a good solution (which routes your VOIP calls via WiFi)…

  • Absurdly low rates – particularly great value for calling internationally or when you’re travelling. Eg, 3p/min to anywhere in USA. Calls to 40 major countries are just 3p/minute to landlines and 15p/minute to mobiles.
  • No roaming charges – prices are the same no matter where on the planet you’re calling from.
  • Make calls in deadspots – Wi-Fi VoIP means your iPhone works even with zero cellular reception
  • Free to download, no lengthy contracts, no subscriptions. And we give you £2/$4 credit to get going

Permalink

iPhone extended batteries

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

iPhoneck backup battery

Continuing the theme we started yesterday with longer life Asus batteries, today we look at a few iPhone extended battery options. The unit featured above will go on sale on 1st August (in the US) for roughly £25, and is called, according to the manufacturer, iPhoneck, a backup battery for the iPhone 3G. It’s own battery gets used up first, so after a few hours, you can detach it and your iPhone is still fully charged.

However, there are a couple of other devices that are already on sale, albeit for the iPhone v1…

There’s the iPhone portable extended battery, which offers an additional 2200mAh battery to keep the iPhone going. This wraps behind the unit, and offers a more sleek design at the expense of thickness.

iPhone extended battery

Or, there’s the Kensington Mini Battery Pack Charger for iPhone and iPod, which looks much nicer…

Kensington Mini Charger

Both of these last two devices are available today from Amazon (see below)…

iPhoneck information and picture courtesy of Tech Digest.


Permalink

Asus planning All day batteries for Eee PC

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Asus Eee 900

The latest rumours are that Asus are planning to provide longer lasting batteries for their Eee PC range to allow “All day usage”. Now, “All day” means different things to different people, and we suspect it means some different again to marketing folk, but this bodes well for the Eee range. No word as to whether these will only be available for new devices, or whether they will be available for existing devices.

Of course, if you can’t wait, there are already third party extended batteries available…

Story and picture courtesy of Eeeuser.com.


Permalink

Alpine Dock’n'Roll

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Alpine Dock’n

Despite the name, this is an interesting idea. Alpine have combined a large screen (6.5″) permanently fitted stereo system (IVA-W205) with a portable SatNav unit (PMD-B200). You can either use the SatNav unit at home to plan routes, or use it in other cars / whilst out walking, but when you are in your own car, you slot it into the system and it will use the larger screen and provide the navigation instructions through the speakers. It’s a bit like the TomTom Duo which we’ve covered before here, although that still uses the TomTom’s screen.

A little expensive though, at $600 (£325 best price for an import before delivery and taxes) and $500 (£460 best price for purchase in the UK) respectively in the US, this may be a step too far compared to simply using a TomTom / Garmin with a built in FM transmitter, but a nice integration idea nonetheless.

Original story and picture courtesy of Navigadget.


Permalink

Another pair of Revo Blik devices

Monday, July 28th, 2008

iBlik Radiostation

We’ve already seen a number of DAB / Internet radios from Revo in their Blik range, and now they are adding iPod docks into the loop to create two new devices.

The iBlik Radiostation is the same full on spec of the current Blik Radiostation (Internet Radio via WiFi, DAB radio, RM radio with RDS, and digital music streaming), whereas the iBlik Wi-Fi drops the DAB radio and just features the Internet Radio and iPod dock.

The iBlik Radiostation will sell for £179.99, with the iBlik Wi-Fi at £129.99. Both come with compact remote controls and a “selection of dock adaptors for most models of iPod”, which includes the iPod Touch, although it may not support the iPhone variants, and both come with a wired LAN port as well if you want to use them without wireless. Also, the iBlik Radiostation is a dual mode DAB/DAB+ unit, and will be ready to receive DAB+, when / if it becomes available in the UK.

Both units should be available from the middle of August (18th to be precise), either direct from Revo, or from various outlets (the iBlik Radiostation should be available from normal Revo retailers, John Lewis and Apple Stores, although the iBlik Wi-Fi seems more limited in that it will only be available from Currys.digital and PC World as well as direct).

We’re hoping to review an iBlik Radiostation, and it will be interesting to compare it against it’s competitors, which must include the PURE Chronos iDock at roughly half the price.


Permalink

SatNav with Rear View Camera

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Binatone T430

Pocket GPS World have reviewed the Binatone T430 SatNav device, which comes with a rear view camera as standard. Now, that’s the type of integration we like here on UK Gadgeteer! The spec of the device is not that amazing, but that extra little integration makes it all worthwhile. Head over to Pocket GPS World to read their review.

Picture also courtesy of Pocket GPS World.


Permalink

Fancy a cheap Nokia Internet Tablet?

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Nokia N810

The UK Nokia Shop is currently selling the N800 at £145 and the N810 at £299. However, Quidco (you’ll need to register) is currently offering 30% discount on all purchases from the UK Nokia Store, bringing down the prices to £105 and £240 respectively. Equally, the N82 smartphone (normally £315) is down to £220.50, so plenty of bargains to be had. As we said before, you’ll need to head to Quidco and register.


Permalink

Samsung i8510 INNOV8

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Samsung i8510

Nokia are well known for their high quality 5 megapixel cameras in their top end smartphones, but here’s Samsung, one of the smaller players in the Symbian marketplace, announcing an 8 megapixel cameraphone. Other specs include:

  • Network: HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (900/2100), EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900)
  • OS: Symbian OS v9.3, S60 v3.2
  • Display: 2.8-inch QVGA 16M TFT LCD
  • Camera: 8 megapixel CMOS with AF and dual-power LED. Smart Reader, Image Stabilizer, Auto-Panorama Shot, Smile Shot, Blink Shot, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), Face Detection, QVGA video recording at 120 fps / VGA at 30 fps
  • Memory: 16GB Flash + microSDHC memory slot
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi
  • Other features: A-GPS, optical Mouse, accelerometer, FM radio with RDS, 3.5mm output
  • Battery: 1200 mAh
  • Size: 106.5×53.9×17.2 mm

It should be available in August, and looks an impressive spec.

Story and picture courtesy of Symbian Freak [Via IntoMobile]


Permalink


Switch to our mobile site