Gadgets Blog

It’s an accepted fact by now that iPhone killers come and go, but so far none have quite managed to dethrone the crowned prince. But Droid managed to set the press on fire yesterday as news and reviews poured in for this Motorola-Verizon-Google Smartphone. Many gadget lovers believe that this might just be the one tenacious contender to finish the job that others failed to accomplish!

Let’s start with the basics. Said to be the slimmest phone on the market with a full, slide-out QWERTY keypad , it is poised for release on Nov. 6th for $199 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate. It makes it at 4.6 by 2.4 by 0.5 inches, a negligible few hundredths of an inch thicker than the iPhone. If you are looking for a lightweight phone, you might be disappointed that it is on the heavier side at six ounces. But there are going to be some pay-offs for the physical keyboard and the big display which is lacking in the iPhone and sought after by many.

Droid’s 3.7-inch touch screen is about two-tenths of an inch bigger than the iPhone’s display and provides an advantage while web browsing. What’s got everyone’s curiosity piqued is the fact that it is the first phone to run on latest version 2.0 of Android, Google’s open source operating system. That comes with a few extra perks such as full-on push support for Microsoft Exchange and Google Gmail. If you are a Facebook addict, the phone will draw contact information from your Facebook pals into your address book via a widget. A click gets you right into their profiles and you never need to miss on any of their status updates when you are on the go. Other preloaded widgets include YouTube, a corporate calendar, and “Power Control” where you can turn on/off your wireless connections, adjust brightness etc. (The iphone does not support widgets.) A You Tube app lets you comment on clips, favorite them, or share videos via e-mail and Facebook.

Google Maps with new GPS-aided turn-by-turn navigation makes it’s debut with Android 2.0 and Droid. The navigation system provides free, voice-activated service with satellite view, traffic, ATMs, and restaurants, Google latitude, turn-by-turn directions etc. Thanks to Android’s voice-recognition technology, you can say where you want to be directed to if you find typing cumbersome.

The Droid’s 5-megapixel camera comes with a dual LED flash and auto-focus/image stabilization capabilities and the consensus is that the DVD-quality video recording is comparable to that of iPhone’s. You can then upload your shots directly to Facebook and Picasa with geotags. The iPhone is still king when it comes to cooler and more numerous apps for download, not to mention the popular access to movie rentals and iTunes store. (Droid does let you download songs via the Amazon MP3 store). But it is only a matter of time before Droid’s open android platform, more malleable to customization to get the development community going for a more creative apps palette.

Other features include Wi-Fi; USB mass storage; Bluetooth 2.0; a 3.5mm headphone jack; 440×854 pixels resolution, a vibrate mode, text ;multimedia messaging, a calculator, and an alarm clock .

Now the million dollar question is if Droid will manage to knock Apple off its pedestal. Judging by past record of wannabes, I wouldn’t hold my breadth on that one. But judging from all the excitement in the media, Droid promises a stiff fight ahead.

 
From: $539

Apple MacBook(MB062LL/A) Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile 1 GB 13.3″ Widescreen Active Matrix TFT Color LCD 120GB

Just in time for fall semester, this MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz processor and 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM has a 13.3″ Widescreen, Active Matrix TFT Color LCD 120GB Serial ATA and is especially suited for your mobile computing needs. Mac OS X 10.4 comes pre-installed.

Don’t forget the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wireless ard, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and Gigabit Ethernet to connect you to the web world and the built-in iSight webcam. Also includes slot-loading DVD±RW DL drive, two high-speed USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, one mini-DVI and audio ports.

Apple notebook computers are known for their inspiring blend of intelligent mobile design, cutting-edge performance and contemporary style. The case is white, which leaves plenty of room for personalization with notebook covers, bags, and even stickers showing your school pride if you should so desire.

Get this at ComputerGeeks.com and enter coupon code DEALHUNTING to save 10% on your order.

Find this and other Apple MacBooks, laptops and accessories at Smarter.com.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

•  The World’s Largest Cheetoh Eaten Over the Most Expensive Keyboard - Gizmodo
• Speakers that look like trash cans - Engadget
• Wooden iPhone cases - OhGizmo!
• Self-propelled suitcase drives itself - Technabob
• Blue Space submarine - Machines that Go Bing
  

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• SkyMall Deal: Save $25 off $150 at SkyMall 
• Xbox Stimulus Package; Hero Hawking Hospitalized
• Logitech Deal: Save 10% on Logitech Security Camera
• Banned Apple App: Apple Takes Down Baby Shaker
• Top 8 Helpful Gadgets for the Unemployed
• How to Buy an LCD: Tips on Buying an LCD TV
  

Just about everyone knows someone who recently got the dreaded “pink slip” or is that unfortunate person himself.

Hopefully, these items can aid in a speedy recovery.

1. Laptop – For your remote job searching and resume storage, something like the HP Business Notebook 2133 is small but mighty. With a 120GB 5400-rpm hard drive, 8.9″ widescreen display, and Wi-Fi capability, this notebook can help you find your next job and then at 2.6 lbs. it slips easily back into your bag for mobility. Save $30 on your first purchase at Buy.com (until April 30 no code required) off the $479.99 price, and you can save $40 with a manufacturer’s rebate.

2. All-In-One Printer/Scanner/Fax/Copy – If you haven’t already, there’s no better time to set up that home office. Gone are the days of exploiting the office printers for your CD covers and Borders coupons. You’re going to be printing and faxing applications and resumes so you need a machine that does it all. Like the LexMark X3470 All-In-One or HP Officejet J4580 All-in-One Printer Fax Scanner Copier at about $70, it’s a good investment in yourself. Think of all the money you’re saving by not having to go to Kinko’s every time.

3. Nova Development Winway Resume Deluxe – Affordable at $34.99 and because you want to stand out from the crowd, it’s time to revise and renew the old resume. Features enhanced Resume Auditor to catch mistakes before employers do and a Merriam-Webster English Language Resource disc with a 70,000+ word dictionary, a 157,000+ word thesaurus and other reference tools.

4. Nova Development Berlitz Spanish Premier- Learn a new and valuable skill while waiting for employers to call you in. Imagine the opportunities adding “bilingual” to your list of abilities can bring. Italian, French and German are also available. Starts at $35 and up.

5. Total Training Educational Software – For Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, any of these educational training softwares can aid you in becoming adept in these popular programs and can build your resume skill set, helping you gain an extra edge over the competition. From $32-$190.

6. Stamina InMotion E-1000 Elliptical Trainer - At $70, or about 2 month’s gym membership, bring the gym to your house. Stay fit and motivated, hey, you’ve got the time now so no more excuses! Replicates the elliptical machine, but without the bulky arms and front console resulting in lightweight and easy closet storage.

7. Apple iPod shuffle 2GB – Affordable musical entertainment. At $60, it can store up to 500 songs and be worn on your arm, sleeve, belt, bag, etc. Upload some motivational tunes to keep you going through those workouts and prep before interviews. Maybe something like Joe Esposito’s “You’re the Best”, ala Karate Kid soundtrack. Classic.

8. Solo Business Cases Leather BiFold Padfolio-At $28, appearances count, whether for the interview you’re going to score or even at the coffee shop, you gotta look professional. Great for keeping resumes and calling cards on hand — you never know who you might run into, and how embarrassing to be unprepared. Also available with a zip around feature, to keep those important docs from falling out, for about $35.

Apparently Apple, for a very brief moment in time, did not like crying babies.

Apple approved a controversial iPhone application, “Baby Shaker,” then immediately had to take it down, due to outrage and protest from child protection groups.

The app does just what it says. It puts a baby on the screen. It begins to cry. And then you see how long you can take the annoyance before you shake the crap out of your phone.

“On a plane, on the bus, in a theater. Babies are everywhere you don’t want them to be! They’re always distracting you from preparing for that big presentation at work with their incessant crying. Before Baby Shaker there was nothing you could do about it.

“Now, Baby Shaker gives you a charming drawing of a baby sure to make those with a less than iron will fawn. True to life, it begins to annoy you immediately. See how long you can endure his or her adorable cries before you just have to find a way to quiet the baby down!”

Very interesting, and yes, a cruel attempt at fun and humor.

I’m sure Michael Vick for a brief moment in time was thinking of how to create an app for fighting pitbulls to help him earn his millions back.

Source.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• 10 of the geekiest music videos of all time - Gizmodo
• David Beckham goes Terminator for Motorola - Engadget
• 3,500 Per Square Inch - Yanko Design
• Fujitsu’s Secure USB memory device, with erasing capabilities - OhGizmo!
• Star Wars T-shirts for the eco-geek - Technabo

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Dell Monitor Discount: Save 10% at Dell on a 20-Inch 
• Sleeping on Air: Floating Cloud Sofa
• Save 30% off ANY HP Photosmart Photo Printers
• Video Chatting: Next Gen iPhone to Have Video Chatting

I love how Apple keeps trying to keep the iPhone.

The latest Apple patent shows how Steve Jobs and the boys have applied for a patent for a type of video chatting. There are looking to create a front-facing video camera for chatting for the next generation iPhone. Also included in the patent is a morphing interface that will adapt to the motion of the user. Meaning, if you’re shaking like crazy, the elements on the screen will get bigger so you can punch them with your stubby digits.

Now, will they just figure out a way to send picture messages through text messaging. Is that to much to ask Mr. Jobs!?

Source.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• Area 51 secrets revealed - Gizmodo
• Apple orders 100 million 8GB flash chips - Engadget
• HTC Touch Diamond launches on Verizon Wireless - OhGizmo!
• Download the early version of Google Chrome - Technabob
• Breastlight helps you determine your health!…Odd - Shiny Shiny

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Save at Accessory Geeks: Take $10 off Purchases of $40 
• Wireless Floating Speakers: Aqua Sounder
• HP Printer Deal: Save 30% off a HP Photosmart C4599
• Neuroscientists at SUNY Erase the Minds of Mice with ZIP

I love coupons with very little restrictions.

And that’s exactly what this 6ave.com coupon is. A coupon with practically no rules. You can use this coupon site wide on any of their products and save 5%.

The only restriction is that you can’t apply this coupon to items from Apple, Samsung, Bose, Velodyne and Control 4 Products. So who cares that you can’t get a discount on an iPod. At least you can save 5% off everything else on the site.

Just enter in this 6ave.com Coupon Code during check out for the savings:  AFL5

To check out more deals and discounts for 6ave.com on Smarter.com, click here.

To go to 6ave.com, click here.

This week in gadget blogs and news from around the Net:

• Hyundai BLUE WILL to debut in Seoul - Engadget
• Dexter iPhone cases…Why not - Destructoid
• iPhone 3G now available without contract - The Boy Genius Report
• Pizza machines dispenses pie in 3 minutes - The Raw Feed
• Cooking in Space - Gizmodo
  
• iTune Premium Tracks to go for $1.29 - OhGizmo!

And this week in the Smarter Gadgets Blog we talked about:

• Dell Mini Deal: Save $50 on a Del Inspiron Mini 12
• James Bond DVD: Quantum of Solace Out Today
• HP Savings: Save $30 off Purchases of $150 at HP
• Odd Car: Mercedes Benz F-Cell Roadster