Vlingo

In a sea of 10,000 iPhone apps available for download in the App Store, a few truly stand out above the rest. My goal in this review is to find out if Vlingo, released last week, is one of those star performers.

Vlingo is a voice-activation service that not only enables the user to voice dial when making phone calls, but also to speak desired locations as well as facebook and twitter updates. Such voice-activation technology has been available for the iPhone prior to Vlingo’s release but was primarily used just for voice dial. The ability to have the phone dictate full 140-character sentences for you is a brand new concept.

So now we can Twitter or do Facebook while we’re driving. Does it live up to the hype? Is it worth the download? Let’s go in-depth to find out.
Types of Vlingo Voice Commands

Voice Dial. “Call Bob at home” or “Call Gina at mobile” are such examples if you are on the home tab. In the phone tab specifically, simply say “Bob home” or “Gina mobile”. This works great with your contacts; however, I attempted to say digits of a phone number and it couldn’t understand what I was dialing — I hope this will be remedied in an update.

Maps. Essentially this is the same process as the google maps app that comes on the iPhone already, but it gives you the ability to speak what you’re looking for, instead of having to type it out. This certainly can come in more handy when you are driving and need to find a certain place in a hurry.

Web. Want to do a google or yahoo search? From the home tab speak “web search” and then what you’d like to look up, or do it directly from the search tab. You can specify which search engine you’d rather use in the settings.

Social. This applies to both Facebook and Twitter updates. For example, I say “Twitter I am testing out vlingo for my review period” and this is what appears:

Then I simply hit the update status button and Vlingo does all the work for me. There are many times I’m not in front of a computer and am too lazy to type a Twitter update on my iPhone, so I prefer to use Vlingo instead.

Vlingo works a lot better than many of the paid apps in the App Store, and it’s offered for free. It’s not 100% accurate when picking up your voice, but it’s pretty darn close. And if it doesn’t pick up everything completely right, it’s easy enough to tap the “press+speak” button and redo it.

One really nice thing is knowing the technology is there to expand out to other features and services. If Vlingo can let you do Facebook and Twitter updates, what’s to stop them from adding other social media sites? Why not let me write full blog posts with the power of my voice? I’m excited at all the possibilities out there, and I’m keeping Vlingo on the front page of my iPhone for now.

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Virgin Launches Pink Samsung m320

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Virgin Launches Pink Samsung m320 Slim and stylish, the ultra-convenient Handy Flip phone, at only 95 grams, packs a bunch of good stuff into one of the lightest phones around. Sleek on the outside, flip it open and you can snap pics on the go with the digital camera, connect wirelessly with Bluetooth®, and the advanced voice dial lets you make a call without having to lift a finger.

2 year term: $29.99
30 day term: $49.99
no term: $49.99

read

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LG VX8000

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The VX8000 looks similar to former LG clamshells, with its boxy rectangular shape reminiscent of the VX7000. At 96 x 50 x 23 mm, it’s fairly large due to the screen size needed to view videos comfortably. The external frame features an outer 128 x 160 px resolution screen, displaying up to 262K colors.A camera lens and flash are situated above providing high resolution photos at 1280 x 960 px in size. While a rotating Camera Key around the lens offers quick camera function control between Portrait and Macro Modes. Left, Right, and Select keys are located below the screen, providing convenient access to shortcuts such as Rewind, Fast Forward, and Play / Stop when listening to the built-in MP3 player. And dual speakers ports located underneath allow for stereo sound.

Turned around, the back includes a capped external antenna port on the upper left, for those times when the extendable antenna may not be enough.
Flipped opened, the LG VX8000 features an impressive 176 x 220 px internal monitor, also able to display 262K colors. The 5-way keypad provides navigation through the menu, flanked by Send, End / Power, Clear, Camera, and Left and Right soft keys. Standard numeric keys provide trouble-free messaging, utilizing T9 predictive text.

Side Keys used to adjust the ringer volume in standby and earpiece volume during a call are located on the left side. Additionally, a dedicated Voice Dial Key and 2.5 mm headset jack are positioned there. Meanwhile, for those impromptu moments, a side key along the right quickly enables Camera Mode at the press of a button. Outlets for attaching the charger and accessories are located on the bottom.

Out of the box, the LG VX8000 comes with a standard 1100 mAh Li-Polymer battery, AC adapter, stereo headset, Quick Start CD, and user manual. Camera

The LG VX8000′s 1.3-megapixel CCD camera captures excellent images at up to 1280 x 960 px in resolution; large enough to make decent prints. Other resolutions include 640 x 480 px, 320 x 240 px, 176 x 144 px, and 160 x 120 px. Compared to megapixel cameras from Motorola, Samsung, and Kyocera, the VX8000′s outperforms them all considerably, with accurate color representation, good exposure even in low light, and sharpness in bright environments. The internal screen doubles as the VX8000′s viewfinder, with the lower portion displaying useful information such as zoom, resolution, and available memory. The directional keypad controls the Brightness Level (Up / Down), and 4x Digital Zoom (Left / Right). And should users want to be included in the shot, closing the VX8000 activates the external monitor viewfinder.

By turning the Camera switch around the lens, Macro Mode can be activated; allowing users to take photos at extremely close range. To take regularshots, the switch is turned to Portrait Mode.Additionally, an abundant array of camera filters and controls are incorporated including Brightness (EV -9 to +9), White Balance (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Glow, All Pull-In), File Quality (Economy, Normal, Fine), Color Effects (Normal, Black and White, Negative, Sepia, Horror, Solari), Photometry (Average, Spot), ISO Settings (Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600), Night Mode, Self-Timer, and Flash.

Encoded in 3GPP2 codec (MPEG-4 and H.263 Video, AAC, AMR, and QCELP Audio) format, video clips up to 176 x 220 px in resolution can be recorded. Limited to 15 seconds in length and 15 frames-per-second, the VX8000 takes advantage of MPEG-4 for delivery of video and audio. Video adjustment settings include Brightness, White Balance, and ISO Settings. Computer playback for clips require QuickTime 6.5.

Basic Features

Released for Verizon Wireless, the LG VX8000 is built on a dual-band CDMA 800 / 1900 network. LG rated the VX8000′s 1100 mAh Li-Polymer battery at 3.33 hours and 110 hours of talk and standby times respectively. However, those are under optimal conditions.

When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you’re probably safe to assume you’ll experience at least the minimum rated range. Actual talk and standby times are lower.

Screen

Built with dual TFT (Thin Film Transistor) 262K color screens, both internal and external displays use state-of-the-art LCD technology, providing crisp and brilliant images needed for video streaming. The 128 x 160 px front display is wonderfully versatile, conveniently showing date, time, battery level, signal strength, custom wallpaper, and caller ID; even doubling as a camera and video viewfinder, picture browser, text message reader, or MP3 player controller. A large 176 x 220 px internal monitor is just as bright and responsive for main functions, navigating through menus, and viewing videos.

TFT active display matrices can achieve more vibrant colors and faster refresh rates over other LCD technologies due to circuit transistors being placed directly on the glass at the pixel location; refresh rates needed for using the VX8000′s screen as a television during streaming video.Entertainment

Common preinstalled software is included on the LG VX8000, including Alarm Clock, Calculator, Calendar, EZ Tip Calc, Notepad, and World Clock. And should users want to install additional applications or games, the VX8000 supports BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless).

The dynamic BREW platform allows users to transfer and install files on the VX8000 through a PC or through the web. Conveniently, Verizon Wireless also uses its network to bring consumers games, productivity tools, wallpapers, ring tones, and more with Get It Now. For a minimal fee, users can transfer multimedia at the touch of a button.

A new category in Verizon’s Get It Now service includes 3D Gaming. Costing more than standard games, about $10 for a 3-month subscription, the 3D games are considerably more entertaining providing 3D rendering and effects reminiscent of the 90s consoles.Made by a small UK company named SuperScape, there are currently a few games in a wide range of genres including AMF Bowling, Asphalt Urban GT, Evel Knievel 3D, Evil Slayer, Kingdom Hearts, Spider-Man 2 3D: NY Rooftops, SWAT: The Movie, and Swerve Basketball.Internet

Using Verizon Wireless’ broadband EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) service, the LG VX8000 can achieve speeds of 300 to 500 kbps, allowing for high-speed Internet browsing and video streaming. Users surf with the installed Openwave UP 6.2.3 web browser; rendering pages built upon WAP 2.0 – WML, xHTML Mobile (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) and xHTML Basic markup languages.Additionally, through Verizon’s VCAST service, customers can stream and playback video clips using Windows Media, currently the highest-quality digital media format available for streaming applications. For a $15 month access fee, customers can receive unlimited access to more than 300 daily video clips, including news and entertainment from the News Corp.’s Twentieth Century Fox studio and Viacom Inc.’s VH1 and Comedy Central cable channels.

Using technology from PacketVideo and thePlatform, video-on-demand is available through Get It Now. Preloaded with PacketVideo’s media player, the VX8000′s content catalog with integrated Windows Media playback allows users to fast forward and rewind streams, or download for local playback. Media publishing technology through thePlatform allows customers to subscribe and select preferences for their favorite content; receiving text alerts when new content becomes available, viewing new clips within their favorite channels, and checking summary reports on videos purchased.

While similar technologies have been available in Asia for years, VCAST marks the North American wireless industry’s initial push into mobile television, delivering live and prerecorded TV programs from such networks as ABC News, CNBC, MSNBC, and the Weather Channel.

Storage

An abundant 128 MB of internal memory available on the VX8000; needed for users storing photos, MP3 music, and video from VCAST. The memory is dynamically shared among stored files including multimedia and third party applications. Unfortunately the VX8000 does not feature an expandable memory card slot, so users will have to clean out memory should more free space be needed.

Connectivity

Needless to say, the connectivity features on the VX8000 are severely lacking. A common problem among Verizon phones, the carrier encourages customers to use the fee-based Get It Now services rather than allowing opportunities to transfer free through either infrared or Bluetooth. Good for business, bad for customers.
LG VX8000 Features

* 1.3-megapixel CCD camera with flash, 4x digital zoom, Macro Mode for extreme close-ups, photometry adjustments, and ISO settings
* Capture 15-second videos or still pictures (save up to 100 videos and 200 photos)
* VCAST service to stream up to 3-minute video clips (15 frames / second) with hi-speed EV-DO connection
* Two-way Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Short Messaging Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), and Mobile instant messaging (IM)
* Personal organizer with Calendar, Scheduler, Voice Memo (1 minute each for up to 30 total), and Notepad
* Tools including Alarm Clock, Shortcut Key, World Clock, Calculator, and Ez Tip Calc
* Dual speakers for stereo sound and speakerphone functionality

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Blackberry Storm 9500 Unlocked Phone

Blackberry Storm 9500 Unlocked Phone comes with 3.15 Mega pixel Camera, full HTML browser, on-screen SureType keyboard.

The BlackBerry Storm 9500 is RIM’s first touchscreen BlackBerry device, incorporating many features found in the BlackBerry Bold 9000 along with an all-new display.
The Storm 9500 is the BlackBerry with touch sensitive screen, targeted as a rival to the iPhone. It features 3.2” display, 3.2MP camera, full HTML browser, on-screen SureType keyboard and all is 0.5” in thickness.

The Storm 9500 Unlocked Phone also has a built-in GPS receiver and a navigation function. The GPS can also be used to automatically geotag photographs taken with the 9500’s camera, which is a 3.2 megapixel unit with autofocus and flash.

What’s more, this is a 3G device, the BlackBerry Storm 9500 has quad-band GSM and UMTS 2100 with support for HSDPA high-speed data. There’s also a US version, the BlackBerry Storm 9530 which runs on CDMA/EV-DO networks.

Neither version of the BlackBerry Storm supports WiFi, which is a serious omission in our view. So I think you’ll like this BlackBerry phone too.
Specs:

• 3.15 Mega pixel Camera
• Video recording
• BlackBerry Maps
• Built-in GPS
• 3.5mm Stereo headset capable
• Quad band
• Bluetooth
• Full Touch screen
• SurePress Screen
• 528mhz processor
• 1 gig internal storage
• 3.5mm stard audio jack
• Document editor
• Mp4 Player; MP3 player
• Voice Dial

Price as Reviewed: $385.50

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T-Mobile Blackberry Curve 8900

Blackberry devices as the Bold and Storm recently, it’s hard for any other Blackberrys to get any respect just because they don’t have as many cool features or are on as popular a wireless carrier. But as I played with the Blackberry Curve 8900 this past week, I discovered the lack of respect is unwarranted.In fact, the Curve 8900 is packed with a lot of goodies and still has as much quality as any other Blackberry that came before it (well, the jury’s still out on the Storm, but you get my point).And with the device showing up on T-Mobile, it has a couple extra features to take advantage, which I will get into later.On first impression, it has a very similar look and feel to the Curve 8300 series, but with the same OS as the Bold (4.6). After dabbling in the Bold and having been a user of the 8310 and Pearl 8100, it didn’t take long for me to get used to the 8900.
Enough small talk — let’s discuss the ins and outs of the Blackberry Curve 8900.
Design of the 8900

Let’s examine the outer shell of the 8900. The phone is really a revamped, modern-looking version of the 8300 series. The buttons are all the same, and even the keyboard has the same exact feel, though I’m not sure if one technically has larger keys than the other. The 8900 screen, however, is certainly taller and wider.

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When comparing the thickness, the 8900 is thinner by a very small margin. They almost look exactly the same thickness if you’re not looking closely.

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Now, onto the other differences. First, the sides:

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On the right side we find volume keys, shortcut button (camera by default), 3.5 mm headphone jack, and the major difference — a Micro USB port, departing from the usual miniUSB that the Blackberry has kept standard for years.

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Not much to see on the left side. RIM left this side rather blank with the exception of another shortcut button (by default, it does voice dial).

On the back we find a sleek-looking battery cover and 3.2 MP camera with an accompanying flash.

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That looks nice. But you may be curious what’s underneath (peeping Tom…).

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The thing I like most about this view is the fact that the MicroSD card is accessible without having to take the battery out. To be quite honest, this was one of the biggest frustrations I had with the 8300 — taking out/putting in the MicroSD involved yanking out the battery and thus turning off the phone.

The 8900 comes with OS 4.6, the same OS as the Bold, and it looks identical. Anyone used to OS 4.5 or lower may need to get used to the futuristic look, but as long as you’re familiar with any Blackberry or used it for longer than 5 minutes should be able to figure it out pretty fast.

All in all, this is a nice improvement in design over the previous Curve model. The only shortcoming I can see on first impression is a lack of color choices. With that said, T-Mobile Blackberrys typically begin offering several different colors eventually.

Features of the Curve 8900

WiFi/UMA – The inclusion of WiFi is a must since there is no 3G connectibility. Using the WiFi is a breath of fresh air when compared to the EDGE speeds of the 8300. However, T-Mobile also takes the device to the next step by including the UMA at-home service, which enables you to make unlimited calls using your WiFi router instead of T-Mobile’s network.

To try it out, I turned off the network connection and made a call with only my WiFi connection on, and I couldn’t tell any difference in the call than if I were actually using the network.

GPS – While there is no voice turn-by-turn navigation that I could find, I was able to download Google Maps onto the 8900 and utilize the GPS to find my location.

Finding my location was a rather quick process. As the 8900 uses a-GPS, it triangulates your position using a combination of GPS, nearby WiFi hotspots and cell towers to find my location faster than strictly GPS alone. It took only 1-2 minutes to find me the first time and faster each time after that.

I plugged in the route I had planned, told the app to find me, and GPS followed me along the route in real time. So while Google Maps will not speak the turns, it will still show you each turn and where you are in relation to that turn.

Memory – The 8900 includes roughly around 120 MB internal memory, with a MicroSD slot for external memory.

Camera – There is a 3.2 MP camera with flash, zoom and autofocus included. Video capture is also featured. It’s not the best camera T-Mobile offers anymore, but it still the best camera resolution on a Blackberry thus far.

Here are some scenic pictures taken in my backyard with the 8900 camera.

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The picture on the right takes advantage of the zoom feature

MyFaves – T-Mobile threw in MyFaves, which is the service that gives you unlimited calls to up to 5 specific people. I did not take advantage of the service, but it was easy to turn on the MyFaves feature and it showed prominently on the front screen.

bb8900faves

Multimedia – RIM has integrated a good multimedia viewer into the 8900. The resolution of the screen (at 480 x 360 HVGA, compared to the Bold’s 480 x 320) certainly makes a huge difference in your video-watching experience, and the included headset does a surprisingly good job with the audio, though having the 3.5 mm jack will give you the option of using your own, more comfortable headphones to listen to music and watch movies with.

The 8900 comes included with a minute-long snippet of a John Mayer concert video, but I strongly recommend you get a MicroSD card with movies and music of your own to show off on this phone. With a screen resolution that rivals the Bold, you’re bound to have a great experience.

Internet Browser – The included browser is full HTML, so it gives us the opportunity to see all of our favorite websites as if they were on the computer’s browser. A little magnifying glass acts as the cursor, allowing you to zoom in and out as needed.

I did notice a bit of sluggishness on this browser with the default settings activated. Even with WiFi enabled, it did seem to take longer than usual to load all of the images from Unwired View’s site. Thus, I recommend tweaking the settings in such a way that the pages will load up faster.

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Applications – The Blackberry has a large capacity for downloading apps both OTA and from your computer. On the 8900 I installed Google Maps, Flycast, Slingbox, and a few different games.

Naturally it came with Brickbreaker. No Blackberry is complete without Brickbreaker already loaded onto the device, right? It’s a tradition unlike any other, in that regard.

bb8900flycast

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And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for apps. I won’t bother going into more specifics, but there are hundreds of great apps available for Blackberry devices.

Docs to Go – Another app already installed on the 8900 when I received it was Documents to Go. I’m not positive if this is pre-installed on every model or if it was just on the demo unit I received, but either way it is definitely worth your while. Documents to Go gives you the ability to not only view but create and edit any Office Documents you need with you at all times.

Performance of the Curve 8900

In a sentence: the 8900 performs as well as its predecessors. RIM has a knack for coming with phones that have good phone quality and battery life, as well as a reliable OS.

Battery Life is rated at 5.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby. Those numbers are pretty accurate when only talking and text/email are factored in, and are better than the Bold due to the lack of 3G; however, when I used the GPS to navigate my routes the battery drained much faster. Thus, when using the GPS on the road be sure to have a car charger handy.

I found all other aspects of the 8900’s performance to be nearly identical to that of the Curve 8300. Call quality, multimedia, reception, etc. were all good.

My overall opinion? The Blackberry 8900 is a great catch. The only negative on it that I could find is the lack of 3G, but at least WiFi is included to make internet surfing a more pleasant experience. The 8900 works wonderfully for both business users and consumers alike.

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