Phones

Microsoft’s SideSight, multi touch without touching

SideSight technology is contained in a paper that Microsoft company executives are presenting at the User Interface Software and Technology conference this week.  The paper in question is titled “SideSight: Multi-“touch” Interaction Around Small Devices,” and is authored by Alex Butler, Shahram Izadi, and Steve Hodges, all with Microsoft Research UK. Touch was a revolutionary concept when it debuted with the iPhone, in part because it was implemented so well with gestures. Pinching, sliding and tapping the iPhone and iPod touch all directly impact the interface. SideSight removes “touch” from the device and makes it a function of the paper, tabletop, or even the air that’s next to the device. What does this mean? According to Microsoft, it opens up the possibility for “touch” functions to be built into tiny devices that don’t actually need a touchscreen.

Motorola go all V70 on us with the Aura

Motorola today announced the new Motorola Aura handset which many people would agree is a complete redo of the good old V70 which was popular back in 2002.

Motorola Aura Views

The swivel on the phone is controlled by (wait for it……..) 130 precision ball bearings and 1 Swiss made main ball bearing making it much smoother than the V70.

Motorola V70

Lets have a little look closer and see what this phone has to offer:

• Band: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
• Data: GPRS/EDGE
• Size: 96.9mm x 47.6mm x 18.6mm (3.8" x 1.9" x .7")
• Weight: 141g (5oz)
• Battery: 810mAh
• Battery Life: Estimated 16.5 days standby time
                      Estimated 7 hours talk time
• Main Display: 1.5" diameter 16m color round TFT capable of displaying 16 million colours with 300 DPI resolution
• Camera: 2 megapixel
• Video: Record/Playback
• Messaging: SMS/MMS/IM
• Email: POP3/IMAP and Web-based
• Bluetooth: 2.0 + EDR with A2DP
• Memory: 2GB internal
• Availability: Planned Q4 2008
• Other: Speakerphone, Sapphire crystal lens
• MicroUSB
• MicroSD

You would guess that a phone like this would be rather expensive due to the parts inside needed to make it run (all 700+ of them) and the 62-carat sapphire crystal lens but I was not expecting to see it on the MOTO Store for $1,999.99. I think I will stick to looking at it’s photo’s.

Posted by: John

HTC Touch HD unboxing video

Want to see what will come with your HTC Touch HD when it eventually launches?, we have just had another tip off from Big Mo about an unboxing video that has just hit Youtube but again it is not in English unfortunately. Check out the video after the break for all the details and thanks for the tip off.

HP iPAQ Data Messenger and Voice Messenger announced

HP have announced a couple of new devices today, the first is the iPaq Data Messenger and the second will be called the iPaq Voice Messenger. Both are equipped with 3G. The Data messenger is running on Windows Mobile Professional (Touchscreen) while the Voice Messenger will be Windows Mobile Standard (Non Touchscreen). Full specs and pictures after the break.

NY Times Explains Why Windows Mobile Is In Trouble

Om Malik of the NYTimes.com has written an article explaining why he thinks that Windows Mobile is in trouble. Treo Central’s sister site WMExperts reported back in September that Windows Mobile 7.0 would be delayed. According to the NYTimes, VentureBeat reported that WM 7 could be delayed as late as 2010. Malik says that WM 7, which was aimed at giving Microsoft a bigger presence on the mobile stage, wouldn’t have been enough, delayed or not. He says that Windows Mobile is facing its toughest environment yet with competition from RIM’s BlackBerry, Apple’s iPhone, and mainly the new Google Phone platform.

Sony Ericsson Xperia reviewed – In German

Msmobiles.com have nicely summarised a German review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia (X1). Everything looks to be above board and worth getting excited about. Aside from the lack of the acceloremeter.

Video look at the Xperia X1

This is an absolutely fantastic 12 minute video look at the Xperia X1. In the video, the guys at the USEB are covering the design and feel of the phone, boot-up, the XPERIA panels, camera and briefly the two web browsers, Opera Mobile and Mobile Internet Explorer. The whole video is set to music and gives you a great feel for the device. If you are awaiting delivery watch this to build the anticipation. Video after the break.

Opera Mobile v9.5 beta2 released

Opera Mobile have just announced the availability of 9.5 beta2. The major new feature in Windows Mobile is the Widget Manager, but they have also added a Zoom slider and done some user interface and usability improvements in addition to many under-the-hood fixes in the browser core. You can grab it here Windows Mobile 5/6 Pocket PC, version 9.51b2.

IMOVIO Launches iKIT – New Mobile Messaging Device

A device that offers consumers an alternative to a smartphone or mini-PC has today been launched by IMOVIO. The iKIT is a Pocket Mobile Companion that at 95mm by 65mm and only 15.5mm high is as portable as a mobile phone. Yet the WiFi and  HSDPA enabled device comes with a full QWERTY/AZERTY keyboard, an 8GB SD card slot and a 2.8 inch QVGA display, making it a fully functional communicating and browsing device and a viable substitute for a laptop. Full details and specs after the break.

Qik expanded for Nokia and Sony Ericsson

Makers of Qik have just announced that their video app is now supporting J2ME phones as well as smartphones. Included in the first batch of the alpha version of Qik video are some Nokia and Sony Ericsson models, full details after the break.