LG Launches GW520 and GT505 Social Networking Phones

LG has announced two new handsets, the GW520 and GT505, especially made to target the social networking, business-oriented crowd. Both handsets feature push notification of updates from various social networking sites, push email from personal accounts and Microsoft Exchange support. The GW520 is a QWERTY side slider with a 2.8-inch touchscreen, 7.2Mbps HSDPA and a 3 megapixel camera. The GT505 is a candybar with a 3-inch touchscreen, 3.6Mbps HSDPA, Wi-Fi and a 5 megapixel camera. The GT505 also comes with a 30 day trial of WisePilot for LG which offers turn by turn navigation. Both handsets are expected to be available in June 2009 with the GT505 launching on Orange while the GW520 to debut with various, yet-to-be-named carriers.



LG Official Press Release:

May. 29, 2009
LG launches two new social networking devices to its range with the LG GT505 and LG GW520

Boasting messaging features designed for effortless contact with friends and family

Berkshire, UK, 29 May 2009- LG Electronics (LG), a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announces the launch of the LG GW520 and LG GT505. These two new handsets enable consumers to be at the heart of their online communities anytime, anywhere, with push updates from social networking sites and both business and personal email.

Following the success of LG's feature-rich messaging device the LG KS360, these new additions boast more messaging functions that are smarter and easy-to-use. The LG GW520 and the LG GT505 are the first LG phones to offer push social networking updates allowing consumers to receive alerts from multiple social network sites as they are posted. Users now have the ease of use and functionality to update their own statuses, personal pages or photos. Both new models support push email for personal accounts and have Microsoft Exchange ActiveSyncfor business accounts.

"Mobile communications have been about more than just voice based calls for a long time, but consumers are now demanding more than just SMS and IM services. They want the kind of messaging and social networking features previously the preserve of high end handsets on a wide range of models, and that is what LG is offering. We recognise the demand for mobile devices that enable quick and easy interaction with social network sites as a growing market. LG aspires to be at the forefront of this with the launch of these great mobile phones." said Jeremy Newing, head of marketing, LG Mobile UK.

LG GW520

The LG GW520 is a mobile made for messaging be that via social networks, email or SMS and IM. It enables users to connect to their communities and grow their social life on the move.

Features of the LG GW520 include:
- 2.8" full touchscreen
- Full slide-out QWERTY keypad
- Push email via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
- HSPDA 7.2
- 3G enabled
- WAP 2.0 browser
- 3-megapixel camera

This handset also includes LG's LiveSquare feature which enables the consumer to see those friends that you talk to most often appearing as an animated character on the homescreen. These characters enable quick and easy access to a contact at the click of a button.

LG GT505

The LG GT505 allows easy navigation using Wisepilotfor LG. This handset comes preloaded with a 30-day free trial of WisePilotfor LG, a turn-by-turn navigation solution, which offers voice instruction and a choice of 2D and 3D mapping to guide users to their destinations.

Features of the LG GT505 include:
- 3" full touchscreen
- GPS
- 30-day free trial of WisePilot
- Push email via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
- Wi-Fi (TM)
- HSDPA 3.6
- 3G enabled
- Voice instruction
- 5-megapixel camera

The LG GW520 will be available widely across most networks in June 2009.

The LG GT505 will be available on Orange from June 2009.

-End-

*Availability of email services is dependent on the operator service package provided

*Wisepilotand the Wisepilotlogo are registered trademarks of Appello System AB. Preload of Wisepilotfor LG is dependent on the operator service package provided.


About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of $44.7 billion, LG comprises of five business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both A Global Partner of Formula 1(TM) and A Technology Partner of Formula 1(TM). As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event.

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.

Nokia and Vodafone launch the new and exclusive Nokia 6730 classic

Nokia and Vodafone today announced the exclusive launch of the new Nokia 6730 classic. This mid-level S60 3rd edition handset features quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, dual-band UMTS/HSPA, 2.2-inch QVGA screen display, 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera, GPS/aGPS, FM radio, Bluetooth 2.0, 48MB of internal memory and microSD expansion. Vodafone will be the exclusive carrier and will start offering the 6730 classic across all markets this June. Pricing is yet to be determined but we're pretty sure this handset will not break anybody’s piggy bank — this little guy is destined to be a freebie on most contracts.



Official Nokia Press Release:

Nokia and Vodafone launch the new and exclusive Nokia 6730 classic giving access to full range of Vodafone services
May 29, 2009

Espoo, Finland - Consumers wanting a feature packed mobile only have to look as far as the new Nokia 6730 classic, which begins shipping in June and will be available exclusively across Vodafone's global footprint. Mobile internet, Vodafone Music Client and personal and business email access along with mobile navigation capabilities are all included in the Nokia 6730 classic. The device utilises S60 software which means customers can easily download their choice of additional applications from the web.

Peter Becker-Pennrich, Director of Terminals Marketing at Vodafone says "The Nokia 6730 is a great all-round handset - just as perfect for mobile internet users as for music fans who want to take their tracks with them. This product follows a successful line-up of Vodafone exclusive devices from Nokia and is another great example of our collaboration. "

With the Nokia 6730 classic, getting lost and being out of touch with your friends could be a thing of the past thanks to the mobile navigation capabilities on the handset. The services offer accurate turn by turn instructions helping both drivers and pedestrians to find their way. It also provides access to comprehensive point of interest databases and both white and yellow pages information making it easy for the user to find their destination, whether that is an address, a company or even a person.

"'Feature packed' describes Nokia 6730 classic really well. With its iconic design - available in sleek black or white - the device is a perfect upgrade for Nokia 6500c or 6300 users or anyone seeking an elegant device, optimized for mobile internet and navigation. What's more, this mobile comes with industry-leading power-saving features and accessories" says Gustavo Eichelmann, Head of Vodafone Global Account Team, Nokia.

About Nokia
Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world's leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways - fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.

About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile telecommunications company, with equity interests in 27 countries and Partner Markets in more than 40 countries. As of 31 March 2009, Vodafone had approximately 303 million proportionate customers worldwide. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com

Sony Ericsson Aino with Sony Remote Play and 8.1MP camera

Sony Ericsson announced earlier three new phones – Yari, Satio and Aino – that are gorgeous and easy on the eye and boast some powerful multimedia features. The SE Aino is basically a slender phone with a slider keypad and a 3-inch touchscreen display and interface. Aino will have a whopping 8.1 megapixel camera and will offer a snap-on speaker stand for audio aficionados.



A new amazing feature from Aino is the Sony Remote Play. Aino owners will be able to control their PlayStation 3 remotely from anywhere in the world they have a network connection. With a PlayTV tuner, they’ll also be able to watch, pause and record live TV from free-to-air digital TV channels.

Those without a PS3 aren’t left behind; Sony Ericsson have also announced Media Home, a sync app which pulls media data from a PC to the Aino via WiFi or when docked in the included recharging cradle. As for the wireless remote, that has sound-sensitive LEDs. The Sony Ericsson Aino will hit the market in Q4, price to be announced.

Here are more Aino pictures to drool at.








Official Sony Press Release:

Sound and vision set free with the Sony Ericsson Aino

Keep up to date with the latest videos and music on Aino. Media Go™ helps you transfer, play and organise all your music, photos, videos and podcasts from your PC simply and effortlessly to enjoy directly on Aino via Wi-Fi™. No more wires, no more searching – always the latest fun.

London, UK – May 28, 2009 – Sony Ericsson today showcases Aino. Get the best of two worlds with the keypad combined with an intuitive touch UI in media mode. An intuitive media browser gives users a clear overview and one touch direct access to their content.

Control your PLAYSTATION®3 and access its media content on your Aino anywhere, anytime using Remote Play with PLAYSTATION®3. Remote Play with PLAYSTATION®3, initially developed for PSP, enables users to control and access media content on PLAYSTATION®3 from their phone. This can be done via a local network between PLAYSTATION®3 and Aino in your home or via the internet from anywhere in the world. For TV lovers in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and in the UK users can also enjoy the PlayTV™ service on PLAYSTATION®3 via the Aino. Watch, pause and record live TV from a huge range of free channels via Aino on the go.

Aino also introduces Media Home, an application that pulls media content from Media Go™ on your PC over Wi-Fi™ to your phone automatically. Users just insert their Aino into its charging stand and it automatically synchronizes with all the latest media content on their PC. You are always ready to go with the latest content on your phone.

“Sony Ericsson has established itself as THE Communication Entertainment brand and Aino highlights our commitment to bringing the latest communication technology to the market in fun and innovative ways for consumers to enjoy,” said Alexandre Cardon, Market Business Manager at Sony Ericsson. “Media Home and Remote Play with PLAYSTATION®3 are key steps in broadening the entertainment experiences users can enjoy on their Sony Ericsson phone and gives a taste of our vision of the future.”

Watch movies on the crystal clear 3 inch screen and listen to music in superb quality and with increased freedom - thanks to the stylish Wireless Stereo Headphone MH100 and matching Charging Stand EC100 included with Aino. This powerful phone offers a full range of exciting features to support the entertainment experiences on the phones such as; an 8.1 megapixel camera, Photo flash and Clear audio experience.

Aino
Sound and vision set free

The best of both worlds: traditional keypad and touch UI in media mode
Media Home and Media Go™ - simple to take your content with you
Remote Play with PLAYSTATION®3 – control and access your PLAYSTATION®3 media content from your mobile phone
3 inch 16 million colour screen – surf the web in widescreen
Clear audio experience – listen to music in superb quality
Design matched Wireless Stereo Headphone MH100 and Charging Stand EC100
Aino supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 850/1900/2100. Aino will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Obsidian Black and Luminous White.

The Sony Ericsson Aino at a glance

Camera

8.1 megapixel camera
Up to 16x digital zoom
Photo fix
Photo flash
Video recording
Auto focus
Face detection
Image and video stabilizer
BestPic™
Geo tagging
Photo feeds
Photo light
Red-eye reduction
Send to web
Smart contrast
Touch focus
Music

Album art
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Clear Bass
Clear Stereo
Touchscreen media player
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™
SensMe™
Stereo speakers
Web

Access NetFront™ Web browser
Bookmarks
Google™ search (from standby)
Web feeds
Communication

Speakerphone
Polyphonic ringtones
Vibrating alert
Video calling (main camera)
Messaging

Conversations
Email
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Instant messaging
Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync™
Design

Auto rotate
Picture wallpaper
Wallpaper animation
Entertainment

Facebook
3D games
FM radio with RDS
Java
Motion gaming
Remote Play for PLAYSTATION®3
Tracker
Video streaming
Video viewing
Walk mate
YouTube™
Connectivity

A-GPS
Bluetooth™ technology
DLNA Certified™
Google Maps™
Modem
PictBridge
Synchronisation
USB mass storage
USB support
Wi-Fi™
Organizer

Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Flight mode
Notes
Phone book
Stopwatch
Tasks
Timer
Accessories

In-Box:

Aino
Battery
Battery charger
SanDisk microSD™ 8GB
Colour-matched Wireless Stereo Headphone MH100
Design-matched Charging Stand EC100
User guide
Optional:

Wireless Stereo Speakers MBS-400
Snap-on Speaker Stand MS410
Digital Photo Frame IDP-100
Facts and Figures

Size: 104 x 50×15.5 mm
Weight: 134 grams
Colours: Obsidian Black, Luminous White
Main screen: 16,777,216 True Colour TFT
Resolution: 240 x 432 pixels
Size: 3 inches
Phone memory: Up to 55MB
Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™
Talk time GSM: Up to 13 hrs
Standby time GSM: Up to 380 hrs
Talk time UMTS: Up to 4.5 hours
Standby time UMTS: Up to 367 hours
Video talk time: Up to 1 hour 40 mins
Music listening time: Up to 31 hours
Availability and versions
Networks:

Aino

GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS/HSPA 850/900/2100
Available in selected markets from early Q4 2009.

Legal

1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant.

2) Talk and standby times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. games. Kit contents and color options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2009.

Upcoming Asus G51 Gaming Notebook Revealed

Asus has been constantly on the gaming laptop limelight lately, with the monstrous W90 paving the way for 18.4-inch laptop displays. Now Asus has announced a smaller gaming notebook, the G51, to be released at Computex. This notebook is actually very similar to the Alienware gaming notebooks in terms of style, but it has a few distinct tricks up its sleeve.



The new robot looking G51 will appeal to less hardcore gamers with its smaller size, but will sport some powerful components. The Asus G51 will be available with 15.6-inch or 16-inch screens, with the following hardware to choose from.

* Intel Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad processor
* Up to 4GB of RAM
* 1GB GeForce GTX 260M video card
* Optional Blu-ray
* 2 Megapixel camera
* Dual 500GB hard drives
* White glossy shell

The G51 also has a 16:9 widescreen 15.6-inch LED backlit display and up to a terabyte of hard drive space. We don’t know how much the G51 will cost exactly, but pricing estimates fall between $1,300 and $1,500 with a release date coming sometime in July.

Zune HD Officially Available this Fall

This is the real thing, the Zune HD is coming this Fall. Microsoft officially announced it today and made all Zune hopefuls' dream into reality. The specs goes something like this: 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, built-in HD Radio receiver, and HD output (utilizing a new dock). Microsoft is set to feature a full multitouch screen in a 16:9 aspect ratio with TV out port on the side (apparently HDMI), and they seemed to indicate that some new touch-friendly apps and games would be headed our way. Coming in 16 and 32GB versions, the device will also support wireless syncing to your computer. Some even speculate the PMP will support 3D Xbox games, if the Zune HD will actually use Nvidia's Tegra chipset. The device will boast an IE-based, customized browser, but let's hope it won't be anything similar to Internet Explorer on Windows Mobile.



Details are also scarce concerning storage capacities, CPU performance, and other crucial numbers, but it seems like they've got more in store come E3.

Microsoft official release:

Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE.

REDMOND, Wash. - May 26, 2009 - Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company's end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.

"The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we're proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. "Delivering on Microsoft's connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world."

Zune Service Expands to New Platform

Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE to create a game-changing entertainment experience.

Introducing Zune HD

Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.

* Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don't like the song playing on your station's HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
* The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
* The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
* Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
* Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

More information on Zune and related images is available at http://www.zune.net/press and http://www.zune.net/ZuneHD.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft's music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Pass music subscription service, and the Zune Social online music community, created to help people discover more music. Zune is part of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company's software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space. More information can be found online at http://www.zune.net/en-us/press.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries to each other and the entertainment they love. Home of more content from one remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, Xbox LIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, no matter where they are - in the living room or across the world. More information and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Supported 720p HD video files play on the device, downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 - not HD resolution. Zune HD and AV Dock, and an HDTV (all sold separately) are required to view video at HD resolution.

HD Radio™ and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.

Latest Nokia, Motorola and Samsung Handsets Heading AT&T this Year

Leakfest galore for a number of cool handsets heading AT&T this year. Leading the pack are four handsets from Nokia, followed by two from Motorola and a budget touchscreen from Samsung.

Nokia Mako, Thresher, Grouper and Snapper

The Symbian OS won’t be left out of the fray this year with AT&T. The Nokia Mako is a Symbian S60 3.2-powered device unlike anything we’ve seen from Nokia thus far. This side slider will feature a 2.6-inch QVGA screen, four row QWERTY keyboard, quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), dual-band HSDPA (850/1900MHz), 2 megapixel camera, aGPS, Bluetooth 2.0, 128MB of on-board memory, microSD expansion and a 2.5mm headset jack. That is apparently all the love S60 will be getting at AT&T this year but hit the jump for details on three mid and entry-level offerings from Nokia headed our way.

The remaining three handsets, the Thresher, Grouper and Snapper, share the same S40-based UI. They also share designs that were seemingly recycled from Motorolas of old. The Thresher is a standard slider with quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA, 3.2 megapixel camera, aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1, built-in compass, 140MB of on-board memory, microSD expansion and a 2.5mm headset jack. The Grouper is a flip phone that shares the tri-band HSDPA, aGPS and Bluetooth of the Thresher but drops the camera down to 2.0 megapixels, loses the compass, and lowers the on-board memory to 70MB. For those die hard PTTer’s out there, the Grouper also includes Kodiak PTT 5.2 support. Lastly, is Nokia’s more entry-level offering the Snapper. The Snapper is a flip phone with quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.1, AGPS, up to 70MB of on-board memory, microSD expansion, 2 megapixel camera and Kodiak PTT.








Motorola Heron and Sawgrass

Next in line are two Motorola nature inspired offerings. First up is the Android-based Heron which was first scooped back in April as the Motorola IRONMAN. From the slide, it appears as if the handset was meant to be a Windows Mobile device that was switched over to Android. The specs, which are subject to change of course, give the phone quad-band GSM, dual-band HSDPA/HSUPA, 2.6 inch QVGA screen, 3 megapixel fixed focus camera with auto-flash and aGPS. So the IRONMAN is also known as the Heron — pretty straight forward there.




Next up is the Motorola Sawgrass which apparently is the QA1 “Karma” and showed itself on the recent AT&T rebate form. The Sawgrass will sport quad-band GSM, dual-band HSDPA, 2 megapixel camera, A2DP Bluetooth, aGPS, microSD expansion up to 32GB and a full HTML browser. This handset bears a rather striking resemblance to the Motorola Somerset, which of course was formerly known as the Alexander. Even the little known specs from the Somerset/Alexander (3.5mm stereo jack, A2DP, MMC support, and a camera) line up nicely with what we know about the Sawgrass/QA1 Karma. The only piece of the puzzle that doesn’t quite fit is the camera — Alexander was supposed to sport a killer shooter but this little guy is only packing 2 megapixels.



Samsung Infinity

Last on our the deck is the Samsung Infinity. Hardly as exciting as some of the other handsets we’ve seen from this deck, the Infinity is presumably set to replace the Samsung Eternity — whose name, by the way, now looks to be a blatant lie. Spec highlights for the Infinity include quad-band GSM/EDGE and dual-band UMTS, a low-grade 3-inch touchscreen display that’s hardly on par with Sammy’s recent AMOLEDs, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, aGPS and a 1,000 mAh battery. The Infinity will definitely make a decent affordable phone when it drops sometime in 2H.



Via: Engadget

Latest iPhone Rumor: New Specs and Launch Date Revealed

With the Palm Pre's looming release next month, it’s time for iPhone rumors and speculation to get hot and heavy. The latest and greatest — July 17 being the rumored launch date, accompanied with a lengthy list of specs. History tells us that when it comes to iPhone rumors, most guesses are a shot in the dark. So here's the buzz: The new iPhone will have double storage capacity of its predecessor at 16GB and 32GB, up from 8GB and 16GB respectively. Battery life will be 1.5 times greater and its processor will be twice as fast as the current model — though. Aesthetically, the back will be a rubberized material and the chrome bezel will disappear. Most of the list of upgrades seem minor, but some are new like a compass with Google like map combined. For the full rumored spec list, see items below.



* 32GB and 16GB storage
* $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
* 3.2-megapixel camera
* Video-recording and editing capabilities
* Ability to send a picture & video via MMS
* Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
* OLED screen
* 1.5 times the battery life of the current models
* Double the RAM and processing power
* Built-in FM transmitter
* Apple logo on back will glow [please let this be a joke]
* Rubber-tread backing
* Sleeker design
* Built-in compass
* The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations
* Turn-by-turn directions

New Sony PS3 Slim Photos Leaked?

With the Sony PS3 price cut looming around, these rumored photo leaks of the new PS3 slim could make sense. Although the company still denies the Slim’s existence, but it looks like an assembly worker may have risked life and limb to put the truth in the hands of the people. And while these photos are certainly hard to authenticate, it's still hard to ignore that we may be looking at the first images of Sony’s upcoming PS3 Slim. The PS3 logo looks new and beside that, it oddly looks cheap. That leads us connect Sony's desire to cut the PS3's price and be able to compete head-on with cheaper Wii and Xbox 360. Barely no valuable information is available at this point, so we're not expecting any sort of confirmation from Sony and will get by with these photos until any official release is made.

Dell's ST2010 20-inch monitor: HDMI for only $120

Dell's display business has been consistently providing everyone sleek monitors, offering some of the best bang for the buck display monitors in the industry. Dell's latest 20-inch HD widescreen flat-panel monitor is already out in Hong Kong. This entry-level monitor compliments the new design language of Dell's XPS and Studio rigs and comes packing HDMI and VGA inputs with specs that include a 1600 x 900 (that's a 16:9 aspect) pixel resolution, 5 millisecond response, 1000:1 contrast and 250 nits of brightness with a 160-degree viewing angle. Not great, but decent specs for the HK$1,098 (tax inclusive) price which is expected to be about $120 - 130 by the time Dell's ST2010 reach the US shores.

Bell: The First Samsung Vice Official Carrier

Bell officiailly got the Samsung Vice and became the first carrier to offer the messaging slider device. The mid-range device has a serious messaging focus and it’s slide form factor makes for a convenient handset for those with a need to get in touch without a hassle.

This handset features GPS, a 2-megapixel camera, EVDO 3G and a QWERTY keyboard. Social networking is a big focus here and you can even customize this phone with many decal options with an offering of one free decal from 50 designs to choose from.



The Samsung Vice comes in two flavors, blue-silver or white-red. It’s nothing much but it’s a good handset for those that don’t need a whole lot of extra features. You can buy it today for $50 with a three-year plan or $250 for a no contract up front purchase.

Bigwig Industry Players Formed WiGig Alliance to Stream Everything Over 60Ghz

A newly formed WiGig Alliance backed-up by a group consisting of bigwig industry players like Microsoft, LG, Dell, Samsung, Marvell, Nokia, NEC, Intel and Broadcom (just to name a few), aims to use the 60Ghz unlicensed band in order to stream just about anything imaginable. From HD videos, images, instant messages, audio, contact infos, etc. This "unified" approach differs from most other alternatives, which generally pick one niche (1080p video, for instance) and stick to it. If the more than 15 technology firms have their collective druthers, the WiGig specification will find its way into everything from set-top-boxes to telephones to home stereos, ready and willing to stream to other WiGig-enabled devices at a moment's notice.



According to their representatives, plans and specifications will be submitted to the committee fourth quarter of this year. Which means, we could be waiting for another year before we see products carrying the WiGig logo in the market. But nevertheless, a year or more ss worth a wait as everyone's excited to see such new high-bandwidth wireless technology take off.

Full release:

Industry Leaders Form Wireless Gigabit Alliance to Promote 60 GHz Wireless Technology

Diverse Group of PC, Consumer Electronics, Handheld and Semiconductor Companies Unite to Develop High Speed Wireless Ecosystem

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 7, 2009 – More than 15 technology companies today announced the Wireless Gigabit (WiGig) Alliance, an organization formed to establish a unified specification for 60 Gigahertz (GHz) wireless technologies. The widespread availability and use of digital multimedia content has created an ever-increasing need for faster wireless connectivity that current wireless standards cannot support. This has fueled demand for a single technology that can support instantaneous file transfers, wireless display and docking, and streaming high definition media on a variety of devices. To meet this demand, WiGig Alliance is developing a 60 GHz wireless technology that provides the optimal way to connect consumer electronics, handheld devices and personal computers.

The WiGig specification will allow devices to communicate without wires at gigabit speeds within a typical room. The group's vision is to create a global ecosystem of interoperable products based on this specification, which will unify the next generation of entertainment, computing and communications devices at speeds more than 10 times faster than today's wireless LANs.
Bringing together a diverse group of leading wireless semiconductor, PC, consumer electronics and handheld device manufacturers, WiGig Alliance is creating a unified 60 GHz specification that meets the performance and energy efficiency requirements of many types of wireless devices and applications all around the world. This will drive an interoperable ecosystem of easy-to-use, high speed, low power wireless products. Among the companies that comprise this industry-leading board of directors are:

• Atheros Communications, Inc.
• Broadcom Corporation
• Dell, Inc.
• Intel Corporation
• LG Electronics Inc.
• Marvell International LTD.
• MediaTek Inc.
• Microsoft Corporation
• NEC Corporation
• Nokia Corporation
• Panasonic Corporation
• Samsung Electronics Co.
• Wilocity


"Our member companies are leaders in the wireless, CE, PC and handheld markets. They have the technical acumen and business experience to make the 60 GHz wireless technology a reality for both the home and enterprise," said Dr. Ali Sadri, President and Chairman of the Wireless Gigabit Alliance. "To help bring this technology to market, we welcome new member companies to join our group."

WiGig Alliance members are defining a unified specification that leverages the unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum to provide unprecedented wireless performance. This technology is being designed from the ground up to address the specific requirements of various platforms, to coexist with future 60 GHz solutions and complement millions of Wi-Fi devices already in use around the world. Wireless docking, display and entertainment, without performance compromise, will become a reality with gigabit-speed wireless I/O and eliminate the unsightly cables that clutter today's homes and offices.

"We're now at the point where the last barrier to wireless being able to do everything that wire can has fallen," said Craig Mathias, a Principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm, Farpoint Group. "In both the residence and the enterprise, more capacity and throughput are always desirable. WiGig Alliance is going to deliver technology that will have an enormous impact on connectivity and mobility, information technology, consumer electronics, and many other applications."

The WiGig specification is expected to be available to member companies in Q4 of 2009. To register as an adopter in advance of the final specification, visit http://wigig.org/specification.

About the Wireless Gigabit Alliance

The Wireless Gigabit Alliance envisions a global wireless ecosystem of interoperable, extremely high performance consumer electronics, handheld devices and personal computers that work together seamlessly to connect people in the digital age. WiGig's technology enables multi-gigabit-speed wireless communications among these devices and fuels industry convergence to a single radio using the readily available, unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum. By bringing together the leading manufacturers of semiconductors, personal computers, consumer electronics and handheld devices, WiGig Alliance is creating a comprehensive specification to drive a global ecosystem of easy-to-use, interoperable, high speed wireless products.

Among the companies that comprise this industry-leading board of directors are Atheros Communications, Inc., Broadcom Corporation, Dell, Inc., Intel Corporation, LG Electronics Inc., Marvell International LTD., MediaTek Inc., Microsoft Corporation, NEC Corporation, Nokia Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. and Wilocity. At launch, these founding companies are also joined by the following contributor companies; NXP, Realtek, STMicroelectronics and Tensorcom, Inc. For more information, please visit http://www.wirelessgigabitalliance.org.

Xbox 360's Innovative Full-body Motion Controlled Gaming

Hot off Sony's rumored motion-sensing PS3 add on, here's another wild one for Microsoft Xbox 360. A tip from someone who allegedly got insider info that Microsoft's at it again to beat the Wii at its own motion-sensing game, which included some of the details from what we were hearing last year. The word is that Microsoft is building a "sensor bar" of sorts, but instead of detecting the waggles of Wiimote-like controllers, it detects full body movement and sound, without any Wii-like controllers. There are two sensors on the bar, along with a mic and a camera, and while nobody knows how it actually works, it sounds pretty impressive. Here's a quick rundown of capabilities mentioned:

* Full body and hand gesture control of games / characters.
* In fighting games you kick, punch, duck, dive, jump and so forth with your body.
* It also picks up small hand gestures like pinching, grabbing and scrolling.
* There will also be video conferencing and games with video.
* Trivia game over the internet with live images of each person playing. When a question pops up, they can clap to buzz in.
* You can "move objects on your screen" and the other party can see what you're doing in real time.
* Sensor detects only the person playing, not folks observing on the couch.



Everything about these new innovations could very well be a tremendous leap where motion-controlled home gaming is concerned and from the sound of it, it could definitely eclipse Sony’s solution which sounds more like catch up than anything else. In both cases however, motion control will definitely be a nice value-add for PS3 and Xbox 360 owners. We just hope Sony and Microsoft aren’t viewing these solutions as game changers — especially where sales are concerned. Sure, the Wiimote might not be unique anymore once these new products hit the market but its just one piece of the equation as far as Wii appeal goes. Of course, this could be real or just another elaborated hoax. But either way, it's only natural for Microsoft to be looking to duplicate -- and expand upon -- the wild success Nintendo has enjoyed with motion-controlled gaming.