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HTC announces Touch Diamond

Mehan Jayasuriya — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:33:29 -0400

We told you it was coming and now, here it is: the Touch Diamond, HTC's answer to the iPhone. Here's what's on board:

• Windows Mobile 6.1
• High-rez VGA Screen (2.8-inch 640 x 480)
• Quad-band HSDPA 7.2
• Accelerometer
• Opera web browser

What's more, HTC has gone and skinned Windows Mobile 6.1 with a very slick "3-D animated touchscreen interface" that aims to make Windows Mobile both more attractive and more intuitive. The idea is that all of the phone's functions should be easily accessible with one finger, making the device easy enough for anyone to use but powerful enough for enterprise users. Gizmodo calls it "the closest thing so far to an iPhone that hasn't come out of Cupertino" and judging by the looks of it, the Touch Diamond really could be the first iPhone clone that's a real contender. I suppose we'll find out when the phone launches in Europe and Asia next month, and later in the year here in the States.

For more on the Touch Diamond:
- see this Gizmodo article

Hands on: Samsung Instinct

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Having had a full year to catch up, handset manufacturers now are kicking it into high gear with the iPhone clones. What we have here is the Samsung Instinct, just one of many Samsung phones that sport a full-body touchscreen, a familiar-looking UI and a wealth of multimedia features. Apparently, Samsung and Sprint designed the UI for this device from the ground-up, using Java and Brew and it shows: During our hands-on, the interface felt buggy was often unresponsive and even froze up a few times. Still, this phone isn't due out until June, so Sprint has a few months to work the kinks out. In addition to the usual iPhone features that you've come to expect (threaded SMS, music/video playback, photo viewer, even visual voicemail), the Instinct sports EV-DO Rev. A support, GPS, a web browser with tilt navigation and localized haptics. While the tilt navigation is cool, if a bit gimmicky (it uses the device's camera, not an accelerometer), the web browser itself isn't quite up to snuff. The localized haptics, on the other hand, make the onscreen keypad much easier to use than the iPhone's. At the right price, this device could be a real contender in the consumer market--look for it to land for under $300 this summer.

For more on the Instinct:
- see this photo slideshow

Facebook meets RIM, Microsoft

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:59:58 -0400

Some companies might be satisfied with having multiple new dual-network devices to announce, but not RIM. The Blackberry parent company has just announced the latest development for the Blackberry-addicted customer: Facebook on the Blackberry. The new application uses push technology to let Facebook users see wall posts, pokes, and notifications without using a web browser. They can then read and write posts and comments while off-line or on-line, with Facebook pages updating whenever a network connection is found. It's another way to stay connected, and another reason for some users to become even more addicted to their Blackberry.

In other Facebook news, Microsoft has announced that it has acquired a 1.6 percent stake in the social networking service for $240 million--a deal that values Facebook at $15 billion. Microsoft will now sell Internet ads across the Facebook platform outside the U.S., expanding a marketing alliance first launched last year.

For more on the Facebook news:
- see DailyTechRag's report, live from the CTIA IT show floor

A tool chest of features for your new VoIP network

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:01:37 -0400

If you're plugging Voice over Internet Protocol into your infrastructure, you might want to check out a new package of peripherals made just for VoIP networks. The EasyCall Desktop, from Logictech, features a speakerphone that doubles as a call control center, has keys for dialing and storing numbers or IP addresses, and includes a keyboard boasting one-touch access to your e-mail and Web browser. And the price isn't too high considering all that functionality--just a little over $130. Article

Smartphones serve as an "office in your pocket"

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 20:01:37 -0400

Yet another vendor is rolling out new smartphones that promise to operate on the 3G wireless network platform. High Tech Computer (HTC)'s new TyTN handheld is being branded as an "office in your pocket," offering a 2.8 inch display, push e-mail and a Web browser. HTC is also offering the MTeoR, which boasts a built-in digital camera. Both devices are loaded with Microsoft Office applications, providing pretty much everything that a road warrior needs when not in the home office. Article

Sales application promises greater productivity

Sun, 28 Aug 2005 20:01:34 -0400

Oracle says its newly announced application will give mobile sales staff real time access to data and information so that sales communications don't hit the typical snags due to travel, communication glitches and stalled progress on sealing deals. According to the vendor, which released Sales for Handhelds last week, mobile reps will be able to access and update contacts, appointments and tasks through a handheld device using their Personal Information Manager and update deal-critical information via a Web browser in real time.

This capability will let them grab the latest customer and opportunity information, monitor order status, take notes and set follow-up items. Once they input information on the status of a deal, the changes automatically flow into the related sales forecast, ensuring a unified view of customers pipeline and orders for both the sales and management teams.

For more on the new mobile tool:
- read this press release