Netbooks are mostly used as stop-gap mobile devices for getting on the internet to surf and check email. Then Nvidia wanted to change that by providing HD video and gaming capabilities for the Intel Atom processor. We all wondered if better screens, specs, and graphics would bring new life to the netbook class.
The recent models available are the ASUS Eee PC 1201N, Lenovo Ideapad S12, HP Mini 311, and Samsung N510.
The Canon PowerShot G11 (US$440) is the update to the PowerShot G10 compact camera. The G11 is part of Canon’s G line of compact cameras, aimed at enthusiasts.
In the market for a new E-book reader? You probably should do some research first, and see what models and brands are available, and what their corresponding features are.
Head on to the E-book Reader Matrix page, and see the different devices and their specs, grouped in 5” Devices, 6” Devices, Larger Devices, and Older Devices.
(via the-gadgeteer.com)
Nokia recently released firmware 20.0.019 for the N97 Symbian smartphone.
Changes:
You can update to the new software using your phone, or using your PC. To update via PC, you need a USB cable for your phone, and must download the Nokia Software Updater (23.3MB).
The Dext MB220 [a.k.a. CLIQ] is Motorola’s smartphone that has Android OS v1.5 (codenamed Cupcake). It should already be out on the store shelves this month of October 2009.
Features:
CNET gave the Motorola Dext an 8 out of 10:
“If you're drowning in a social-networking deluge of updates and messages, the Motorola Dext may be the answer for keeping everything under control. Throw in a full QWERTY keyboard, you've got an excellent phone that's built for staying in touch, as long as you don't actually want to make calls.” [CNET Asia | Motorola Dext]
Sometimes, smartphones become too smart, that its main purpose is no longer making calls. ;)
The Nokia internet tablet series will have a refresh in the form of the N900. Expected to be released this October 2009, this is the first Nokia internet tablet that has built-in telephony features. (The previous models, N770 and N800, did not have phone features.)
Features:
In my opinion, the lack of popularity of the previous Nokia Internet Tablets could be due to the absence of the mobile phone function. This shortcoming was addressed by Nokia in coming up with the N900, and also added the whole nine yards!
The Maemo operating system is a modified version of Debian GNU/Linux, specifically developed for the Nokia Internet Tablet series.
Recently, there were reports of some iPhone screens suddenly cracking up, without just reason.
“Consumers in the UK, Holland and Sweden have reported similar problems, prompting an earlier EU investigation. … Apple said it was aware of the reports and was waiting to receive the handsets from the affected customers.” [Exploding iPhones investigated | BBC News]
Some reported that the iPhone’s lithium ion batteries could possibly be the source of the problem.
While there are various factors for purchasing a portable (such as speed, portability, design, and looks), one would probably have wondered what brand is the most reliable. RescueCom, a popular computer repair and support company in the US, gives us an idea of what brands are the most reliable, at least for 2Q 2009:
Brand (Computer Reliability Score):
Computer Reliability is based on two key measures, including the quality of the components and software that's used in manufacturing the computer, and the post-sale support that's provided by the manufacturer to its customers. The higher the score, the greater the reliability of the brand. [RescueCom]
So, if you just can’t decide what brand of portable to get on your next purchase, maybe the reliability factor can help.
The N86 8MP is the Nokia’s newest offering in the N8 smartphone series.
Features:
“… Great all-round performance is what you can expect in one of the most-complete smartphones on the market. A cameraphone, an N-gage gaming phone, a dual slider with a kickstand, a true Symbian all-in-one. … Nokia have got the hardware right however and the image processing is hopefully fixable through a firmware update. How the first Nokia 8 megapixel cameraphone fares against the competition is probably a short-term strategy. The important thing in the long run is the Nseries is done catching up and is ready and willing to discover. ” [GSM Arena | Nokia N86 8MP]
One can say that the N86 is an N85 with a better and cooler camera. If you’ve been wanting to buy an N85 but held off, the N86 won’t disappoint.
The much anticipated iPhone 3G S (starts at US$199, plus subscription plan) is Apple’s third generation smartphone.
Features:
Gizmodo was a bit bored with the new iPhone, but still considers it the best:
“Like I said in the Palm Pre review, I'm a bit bored of the iPhone look and feel. If you're looking for something new, something different and something you're not quite familiar with, there's the Pre or the MyTouch 3G. But as a whole, the iPhone 3GS is the best all-around smartphone available. If you're looking for a refined, augmented version of what you already know, a phone that, not for nothing, runs all the tens of thousands of apps on the App Store, choose the iPhone 3GS.” [Gizmodo | iPhone 3GS]
InfoSync World gave it an 86% (“Very Good”) score:
“If you're already in love with your iPhone and you have a few hundred bucks to spend, the Apple iPhone 3GS is a no-brainer. … With the Apple iPhone 3GS, Apple seems to be shoring up its borders, and not branching out into new spaces. Popular business features like e-mail and productivity apps have been left behind, or left to third parties, while there seems to be no relief in sight for users who want more buttons or, gasp, an actual keyboard. Still, there's no denying the appeal of the iPhone, and if you thought the older model was the best, with the Apple iPhone 3GS, the best just got even better.” [InfoSync World | iPhone 3GS]
Register Hardware gave it an 80% rating:
“If you don’t already own an iPhone then the iPhone 3G S might well be the model that finally wears down your resistance. The lack of a camera zoom is a glaring omission, but the iPhone’s great strength remains the sheer variety of features and software that it offers, and which make it vastly more versatile than most of its rivals.” [RegHardware | Apple iPhone 3G S]
Looking to get a new smartphone? The iPhone 3GS should be on your short list.
Currently for Mac OS X only, users can now the Pwnage Tool to jailbreak their iPhones. QuickPwn for Windows and Mac OS X will follow sometime soon.
Notes:
Palm recently released update 1.0.3 for webOS. This is particular for the Palm Pre from Sprint.
Changes:
PSP Custom Firmware 5.50 GEN-A Build 4 for Sony PSP-1000 (Fat) and PSP-2000 (Slim) is now available.
Features:
What is needed:
NOTE: DO NOT attempt to flash or install CFW 5.50 GEN-A on a PSP-3000 or TA-088v3 hand-held. You will render your PSP a useless brick.
Download PSP Custom Firmware 5.50 GEN-A Build 4 at PSP-Hacks.com >>
Palm detailed how system updates work on their new operating system, Palm webOS.
The Palm Pre automatically checks for system updates every 7 days. Manual checking of update availability can be done by opening “Updates”. When an update is available, it is downloaded in the background (no user intervention needed) whenever a Wi-Fi connection is established.
“Palm provides system updates wirelessly to webOS phones. These updates are released periodically and are intended to increase stability, improve the user experience, and in some cases add functionality to the phone. Software updates cannot be downloaded on a 1xRTT connection because it would block incoming phone calls. You need to be in an EVDO network coverage area or connect the device to a Wi-Fi network. System updates are intended to be automatically installed. In order for this to happen, your phone's battery must have a 30% (or higher) charge. We recommend that you charge your battery frequently as this also improves battery life. Never remove your battery during an update as it may permanently damage your phone. There are several steps to a system update, but almost all of them are performed automatically.” [Palm]
While a system update is being installed, you will not be able to use any part of your phone, and all wireless services are disabled. A system update usually takes about 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, your phone will shut down. Never remove the battery while an update is being installed as this may permanently damage your phone.
The Apple iPhone 3G S (US$199, plus subscription plan) is the successor to the previous iPhone 3G. It is tagged as the “fastest, most powerful iPhone yet”.
Features:
AnandTech has got the skinny on the iPhone 3G S hardware:
“… the Palm Pre uses a similar combination of hardware to what I expect from the iPhone 3GS. TI’s OMAP 3430 combines a Cortex A8 CPU core with a PowerVR SGX 530 GPU. The difference is that while the Pre uses its excess horsepower to enable user-level application multitasking, Apple won’t be. The Pre is most definitely faster than the iPhone, but it still has some rough edges. Combine the power of the Pre with the highly optimized software stack of the iPhone and you’ve got the recipe of an extremely fast iPhone. … The iPhone 3GS may be a mild upgrade from a consumer perspective, but what it's going to enable is far from it…” [AnandTech | The iPhone 3GS Hardware Exposed & Analyzed]
Yes, Dorothy, it does have new hardware. ;)
(Picture courtesy of RapidRepair.com)
RapidRepair.com has a complete take-apart repair guide for the Palm Pre:
“Welcome to the RapidRepair Palm Pre take-apart repair guide. Here we show (in nearly sickening detail) the internals of the new Palm Pre and how to safely reach them in a few easy steps. Be sure to check our repair tools page for easy to use toolkits for replacing screens, batteries and more on your Palm Pre.” [RapidRepair.com | Palm Pre Repair Guide]
If you ever need to disassemble your Palm Pre, the guide gives you a step-by-step procedure of going about it.
The Palm Pre (US$200 plus plan) is the new smartphone from Palm.
Features:
Is the Palm Pre and the new webOS software the current king of hill smartphone? Here are some feedback around the web:
“Once the initial Pre launch is over and done with and all the hype, smoke and mirrors are clear though, we can see Palm being pretty successful moving forward. Hell, Palm has converted tons of people into raging Pre fanboys before they could even see the phone in person! Very Apple-esque. More carriers will get the Pre, more handsets will be released and WebOS could very well keep things interesting even if the hardware is lacking.” [Boy Genius Report | Palm Pre Review Part 1]
“… webOS makes the iPhone look clunky, which is stunning in itself. It also thoroughly shows up Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile. That operating system has had multitasking for years, but few users have appreciated that. Rather, Windows Mobile has been blamed for making phones clumsy and slow. Now, webOS comes along and does multitasking right. … Whether you get a Pre or not, its brilliant software will leave its mark on the phones you buy in the future, just like the iPhone did after its debut.” [Associated Press | Dazzling Palm software beats the iPhone]
“Despite some missing features and performance issues that make it less than ideal for on-the-go professionals, the Palm Pre offers gadget lovers and consumers well-integrated features and unparalled multitasking capabilities. The hardware could be better, but more importantly, Palm has developed a solid OS that not only rivals the competition but also sets a new standard in the way smartphones handle tasks and manage information.” [CNET | Palm Pre (Sprint)]
“That means even if you're one of the folks who likes the Pre's features a bit better than the iPhone's, you might have to do without some of the cooler mobile apps for a while. If that's OK with you, the Pre is a very good choice.” [CNN Money | To Pre or not to Pre?]
“To put it simply, the Pre is a great phone, and we don't feel any hesitation saying that. Is it a perfect phone? Hell no. Does its OS need work? Definitely. But are any of the detracting factors here big enough to not recommend it? Absolutely not. There's no doubt that there's room for improvement in webOS and its devices, but there's also an astounding amount of things that Palm nails out of the gate.” [engadget | Palm Pre review]
“The Palm Pre is an impressive device with a slick design and an even slicker user experience. It took me five minutes to learn how to use it, unlike the Sprint Instinct, which I almost threw into oncoming traffic. … With the Pre I saw a bunch of bugs: screens that held and didn't move, lag time for the screen to refresh after turning the phone on its side, and a weird incident where the right-side up screen stayed in landscape mode. … If Palm addresses these concerns soon, it may have a victory on its hands.” [Fox News | Palm Pre Is No iPhone Killer]
“The software is agile, smart and capable. The hardware, on the other hand, is a liability. If Palm can get someone else to design and build their hardware—someone who has hands and can feel what a phone is like when physically used, that phone might just be one of the best phones on the market.” [Gizmodo | Palm Pre Review]
“We’ve seen many smart phones come and go since the original iPhone, and the $199 Palm Pre is the first device we’ve tested whose user interface not only matches up well to Apple’s offering, but also beats it in some areas. The Pre isn’t just cool and fun to use; its highly integrated approach to calendars, contacts, and messaging, the way it elegantly multitasks, and makes apps and notifications accessible across the device change the game. … Nevertheless, Palm and Sprint have a hit on their hands with the Pre, and the webOS is a smart phone platform to be reckoned with.” [LaptopMag.com | Review of the Palm Pre]
Okay, so like the Android G1, the OS is great (or has great potential) but probably no “cigar” in the hardware department. Personally, I’ve been a Palm (or more appropriately, a Palm OS) fan for many years due to the easy-to-use platform and wide availability of apps. It’s simple, gets the job done, and has (or had) a large dev community. Sadly, the tech and consumer community has declared the Palm OS *already old* (no support for fancy sensors and gestures, etc.), thus the need for a new OS. It looks like the new webOS would not disappoint.
The Nokia N79 (US$350 Unlocked) is a refresh of the previous N78 mobile phone.
Features:
InfoSync World gives the N79 a 79% rating:
“The Nokia N79 is a smaller, powerful Nseries device, and it fits neatly beneath the Nokia N85 in the lineup, even though the larger dual-slider can be found for less. Regardless, the candybar N79 won't win too many fans for its hodge podge design, but if the insides count more than the outside, the Nokia N79 shines from within with good call quality, robust Web browsing and good performance all around, especially in multimedia playback and GPS navigation.” [InfoSync World | Nokia N79]
Best features of the N79 are: Calling, Multimedia, Web Browsing, and GPS Navigation. If you already have an N85, maybe it’s better to stick with your present phone.
Looking for a new netbook (a small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet.)? LifeHacker.com gives their shortlist of netbooks:
The Samsung NC10, Dell Mini 10, Asus EeePC 1000HE, Acer Aspire One, and MSI Wind. [LifeHacker | Five Best Netbooks]
Maybe you would like to have a Mac OS X netbook as well? The shortlist is as follows:
MSI Wind, Lenovo S10, Dell Mini 9, or HP Mini 1000 [BoingBoing | Mac OS X Netbook Compatibility Chart]
If we would be basing our purchasing decision on the two abovementioned articles, the winner would be the MSI Wind, but popularity seems to be on the EeePC 1000HE’s side. If you’re not planning to create a Hackintosh portable, any of the LifeHacker shortlist is a good pick. Your choice…
