BHT is primarily an outlet for my tech-nerdness. It will mostly be tech news regarding cellphones, games, all that kind of stuff. It will also be where I post any and everything else that randomly catches my attention, music, news, fashion, etc. hopefully you'll like it too. Follow me on Twitter @Brownhandstech
I have been wanting a device like this forever and it looks like Sony Ericsson finally will be bring it to market..... What is the it I am referring to?.... Sony Ericsson's 1.3 inch OLED screen remote control display! This (potentially) useful little device will allow users to access data and control some features on their Android 2.0 or higher based devices with out having to take their phones out of their pockets, purses, bookbags, etc... Set for launch during the last quarter of the year and if its priced right this guy will have one.
BlackBerry lovers and Tablet PC enthuiast rejoice a new RIM product enters BlackBerry into the brewing Tablet battle. Joining the iPad and Samsung's upcoming GalaxyTab RIM introduces the BlackBerry PlayBook. I have to say I'm impressed with what I'm seeing so far!
The PlayBook has a blazing fast processor (RIM calls it the fastest tablet") with a 7" screen, a 3MP front facing camera and a 5MP camera on back. It's sounding like they will come with 16GB and 32GB models. The PlayBook will be capable of 1080p HD video and has an HDMI port as well as a microUSB port and supports WiFi and Bluetooth.
The PlayBook is being called "the professional tablet" its OS is described as a blend of BlackBerry OS and Palm's webOS (think Palm Pre/Palm Pixi); utilizing a "card view" functionality to handle multitasking. A nice feature is that the tablet can be tethered to your BlackBerry, negating the need to purchase a separate data plan and providing an "amplified view of what's already on your BlackBerry". RIM also states that data will not need to be duplicated on your PlayBook and BlackBerry and that the two "can be used interchangeably"-- whatever that means exactly... The PlayBook is slated for release in early 2011!
T-Mobile, home of the original Android device the G1 has been falling behind a bit lately in terms of competitive high end Android smart phones (barring the Nexus One, but we'll leave it out because of its unique distribution method). While other carriers have been releasing Super-smart phones such as the HTC Evo 4G, Motorola Droid 2, and Motorola Droid X T-Mobile customers have been stuck more-or-less with only mid-level options.
While the myTouch Slide, Moto Cliq and a few others are respectible Android devices the carrier lacked many true high end phones. Well following the launch of the Smasung Vibrant, the carrier's first competitive super-phone in a while comes the highly anticipated T-Mobile G2!
T-Mobile is boasting that the new G2 will have "the fastest smart phone experience in America". The phone will utilize a next generation Qualcomm chipset at 800Mhz, which in theory should be very fast. It will be running a vanilla (standard Google issue) version of Android 2.2 Froyo, which is a really nice thing as it bypasses carrier and manufacturer bloatware. HTC's Sense UI overlay in my opinion is one of the better manufacturer tweaks but getting the default Google experience is great because it allows you to customize your phone the way YOU want! Removing sense will give G2 users an experience like that one the Nexus One, and will likely have similarly quick updates to new versions of Android OS since there will be no need to make sure they are compatible with the manufactuers custom crap. The G2 has a 3.7" screen with 4GB of internal memory plus a bundled 8GB microSD card, Swype keyboard, 3.5mm headphone jack, 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash and 720p HD video. Additionally the G2 will be T-mobiles first HSPA+ enabled device allowing it to run at 4G speeds. The phone is set to launch October 6th! Best Buy has begun pre-orders with the standard price of $199.99 on a 2 year contract. Radio Shack just topped there offering the G2 at $150.00 with a 2yr!
But T-Mobile isn't stopping there rumors of the myTouch HD are heating up stating that it will be the 2nd HSPA+, 4G speed supporting device. The myTouch HD is rumored to have a 3.8" display, Swype, 4GB of internal space plus 8GB microSD card, 5MP rear camera and a VGA front facing camera for video chat on Qik or Yahoo Messenger, some sort of video out feature (most likely HDMI like the Evo) and a 1Ghz processor most-likely the more advanced dual-core processor.
If nothing else this is a effort by T-Mobile to show its customers that it is in the Android game and still ready to go head to head with the competition. T-mobile customers you have some good devices coming your way and this is a great sign for all of us as competition heats up the phones keep getting better and better!
Apple has once again refreshed its iPod line with some significant new features (well except the shuffle).
The iTouch has got the cameras that have been rumored for sometime now; which now enables it to utilize FaceTime. It is described as basically being a slim iPhone 4 with out the cellphone radio. Adding the two cameras really opens up what the iTouch can be used for and makes it one of the only (or at least best) video phone devices that do not require a contractual agreement with a cell carrier. With new cases coming out that aim to convert the iTouch into a sim card supporting phone it will be interesting to see how the iTouch shapes up as an alternative phone option... I honestly could seee coupling it with my Evo and using my it's wifi hotspot functionality to FaceTime chat with all my Team Apple friends.
The new Nano has had the biggest changes; it now sports a tiny little touch screen and a miniaturized version of iOS. At first I was skeptical but after watching the video below I could see this being a really nice little gadget. I'd love to see Apple release a watch style case/band for it. I would definitely rock this at the gym or honestly maybe even as a daily watch with the right apps loaded on it.
Finally we have the new iPod Shuffle; nothing ground breaking here it has just added the classic iPod scroll wheel and as usual is available in a multitude of fruity flavors.
All of these new iPods are looking really great and I'm sure will sell like hotcakes lol. The bigger question is where do they fit in your gadget repertoire as our phones continue to have more and more features built right in and negate the need for stand alone media devices. The new iTouch definitely continues to blur the line between phone and iPod.
As of today VZW will begin rolling out the long awaited Android 2.2 Froyo update for HTC Droid Incredible units. Bringing a speed boost, wider app library, 720p video recording, mobile hotspot, and Flash 10.1 and other tweak and goodies to the Incredible. VZW has really done a great job with its Android devices and its good to see its first 1ghz super Droid get brought up to date. Better late than never right? if you haven't automatically been prompted to update yet go to menu/settings/system updates and start checking periodically. if its as smooth as it is on the Evo (which it should be) you will love the tweaks! Please share your thoughts after upgrading below in the comments.
iPhone and of course the iPod Touch both just got their own versions of the Netflix App that has been available for the iPad that allows the streaming of video content to your handheld iDevice of choice. This is great! If you have an iPhone you need to cop this app IMMEDIATELY! If you dont have Netflix you need to get that too; if you watch movies trust me you wont regret it.
Netflix's cheapest setup (with instant viewing privileges) is only $8/month, which gets you as many DVD's as you want and keep them as long as you want, but only one DVD at a time (higher packages allow more DVDs at once). The best part is you get to watch their online movies instantly as often as you like. The instant selection though limited, is constantly growing and has a great selection of movies and TV series that will keep you occupied and easily make the $8/month membership worth it (Especially considering that the theaters like $15/ticket now). Instant movies can be watched via your computer (perfect for long boring desk jobs lol), Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, special boxes(they run about $100 and hook to your tv), and even by default on some newer web connected tvs. Now iPhone and iTouch can be added to this list.
An Android app is expected soon; and hopefully this is a sign that soon will actually be soon! I'm so jealous (you wont hear me say that often about an iAnything lol) because I would use this app all the time and it makes the $8/month fee that much more worth it. Movies on the go! Lets just hope that with the Evo, Droid X and other androids with HDMI (or HD video) out options can use this to play the movies on the TV.
Ohhh and new iPhone users, hows this gonna work on that limited data plan?.... Ouch! #AT&TFail
Google is goin in with Android and has been dropping hot features and devices left and right. Today its voice search app gets a boost for Froyo equipped devices. Its new features include very advance voice commands. But why type what you can watch. Check out the unbelievable app in the video below. I'm downloading this RIGHT NOW!!!!
Anyone that knows me knows that I have some issues with the iPad. But this is certainly not one of them. Madden '11 looks sweet as hell on the iPad! Check out the Video:
Last night (while I was supposed to be studying lol) I couldn't help but keep checking my favorite tech sites; there where several big announcements so lets check them out!
First, the Droid 2 was officially launched today so VZW customers be sure to check that out my last Droid 2 post has been updated with video and I may have a personal review coming soon!
Images of the special edition Star Wars R2D2 version have begun to leak as well this unit is set to go on sale in September.
Next, Sprint customers another 4G phone is headed your way! The Samsung Epic 4G, Sprint's Samsung Galaxy S phone became official and will drop August 31st, for $250. This phone has a 1Ghz hummingbird processor (Samsung's 1Ghz processor option said to be very fast), a Super- AMLEOD screen for crisp deep color, front and rear camera and full physical keyboard. It is easily the best of all the Galaxy S variants in my opinion. Sprint Premiere customers should be receiving an email regarding pre-ordering the device!
Check Out Sprint's vid comparing the Epic and the Evo:
Not to be left out Dell's rumored device the Dell Thunder video footage has been leaked. The vid shows of the upcoming 8MP, 720p recording, 4.1" OLED toting Android phone. Hopefully it will be launching with at least Android 2.1 with speedy update to 2.2.
This is a more pocket friendly Android device to go along side the Dell Streak 5" tablet/phone soon to be released on AT&T for $300 on a 2yr contract.
Next is in my opinion the best news of all and that is the Google Android based Sony Ericson PSPhone!!!! This partnership between Google and Sony will introduce the long awaited PSPhone. It will launch with Google's next software Android 3.0 Gingerbread and will have a separate part of the Android Market for PSX/PSP quality games. The phone will be a slider but instead of a traditional qwerty keyboard it will have a full PSP supporting controller with standard Playstation buttons an special touchpad (joystick alternative) and shoulder buttons! This phone could be out as early as October! I can't wait! SNESoid, Genesoid and all the emulators will be effin amazing on here and not only will you have free access to all the classics but you will get access to Playstation and PSP classics as well as new content. This phone is a gamers dream phone and will likely be the only phone that will make me consider putting my Evo up for sale. Android's momentum is steadily building and they are not looking like they are going to let up. This will launch Android to the top of the list for mobile gaming and allow Sony to finally introduce a PSPhone that has been desperately requested. There is also a chance that some of the games will be available for non-PSPhone Android 3.0 high end devices.
And finally, not to leave Team iPhone out there may be good news coming your way too. You may finally be able to ditch AT&T as rumors are becoming more solid that a CDMA (VZW or Sprint) iPhone is being prepared for a January 2011 release. Now many automatically assume it is coming to VZW but with their heavy support of Android lately I think its possible it could be headed to Sprint. This would defintiely be interesting if Sprint surprised us all and nabbed the new iPhone. I doubt it (and hope I'm wrong don't want all the iUsers on my network), but who knows I'm sure we will know the truth soon enough..... Could the pressure form the growing Android Army have hurried the plans to get the iPhone away from AT&T?
The Evo recently got an update to Android 2.2 Froyo, but because it is an HTC device some features where not included as HTC opted to use their own versions. One of such features is the 3D picture gallery. I just installed it and it looks really great but is a bit slower and less efficient than the stock option from HTC. Still it doesnt override your stock HTC pic gallery so you can use both and show off the 3D effects of the stock Android 2.2 gallery. Check out the video and if you like it follow the link to download and install.
To install you will need either an app like Astro file manager (highly recommended app) or you will need to download to your computer and email it to yourself at your Gmail account, at which point your phones Gmail will offer you the option to install the file.
I have been wanting a device like this forever and it looks like Sony Ericsson finally will be bring it to market..... What is the it I am referring to?.... Sony Ericsson's 1.3 inch OLED screen remote control display! This (potentially) useful little device will allow users to access data and control some features on their Android 2.0 or higher based devices with out having to take their phones out of their pockets, purses, bookbags, etc... Set for launch during the last quarter of the year and if its priced right this guy will have one.
