For the past few weeks I’ve been trying out the Panasonic HDC-SD5 HD Camcorder and have been using it to record some of our unbox videos. Regular readers may have noticed the improvement in the video quality/clarity of our more recent recordings.
So far I’m enjoying using the SD5, tranferring video to the PC for editing is nice and easy thanks the fact that video is recorded on the standard SD or SDHC memory cards that can either by inderted into a card reader or else read via the SD5 itself when connected to a PC via USB.
The only issue we have at the moment is the seeming lack of support for Full HD video recorded in AVCHD format (native on the DS5) in almost every piece of editing software we’ve tried. The only alternative I’ve found is to convert the videos to 720×576 MPEG’s prior to editing.
I’ll cover this more in the final review, but until then have a look at the unbox video (recorded on a Sony DVD camcorder):
I’m sure that Neonode isn’t a name that too many will recognise but the N2, as the name might suggest, is the second device to be released by the Swedish handset manufacturer, Neonode. The original N1 was released back in 2004 and was a interesting device, it was a radical design shift and looked very different to the other handsets available at the time, such as the HTC Canary and the HTC Magician.
The N2 is builds upon the original design and specification of the N1 and includes advances such as integrated Bluetooth and additional memory.
The Neonode N2 is not available on contract from any network here in the UK, Neonode have done deals with operators in other countries but if you want an N2 you’ll have to purchase from Neonode direct from Sweden.
The Neonode N2
Neonode N2 Specification:
2″ TFT display 176 x 220 pixels
Windows CE 6.0 embedded
miniSD Card slot, 1 GB card included
64MB RAM (no ROM as the miniSD card contains the OS
2.0MP camera
GPRS
MP3/WMA/MPEG/WMV player
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
77 x 47 x 14.7 mm
65 grams
200 hours standby
4 hours talk time
GENERAL
The Neonode N2 is a tiny phone with a black, hard-rubber case and very few exterior controls. The screen isn’t a true touchscreen but instead uses a patented technology called zForce. zForce is a new breed within touch screens. It is an optical touch screen that doesn’t require hard pressure or a stylus.
So apart from the screen itself there is very little to see on the front of the device apart from a small joystick-style control at the bottom.
N2 joystick control
On the left side of the device you’ll find an up/down volume control rocker and a tiny power button. The right side of the N2 is bare.
N2 left side
The top of the N2 is home to the connector that offers sync, charge and audio connectivity. It’s a custom connector that allow you plug in a charger, USB Sync cable and a set of headphones. Next to the connector you’ll find a switch that allows you to remove the back cover in order to install your SIM card and the supplied 1GB miniSD card.
N2 top
N2 inside
HIGHLIGHTS
Incredibly small and light
Cool factor
Battery life
Excellent touchscreen navigation
LOWLIGHTS
Has only GPRS, no EDGE or 3G
No email client
Lacks software
OS on removable memory card
REVIEW
This time around, as a result of feedback from readers, I’ve recoded a brief review as part of our unboxing video which you can see below. I’m going to cover the main points here too.
Neonode N2 unboxed and reviewed
Initially the Neonode N2 struck me as looking just like one of those cyberpets that were very popular a few years ago, it certainly doesn’t look much like a typical mobile phone. The N2 is very small and light although I suspect that it might be too small for some peoples taste.
Having a 1GB memory card included in the package seems like a nice ‘generous’ thing for Neonode to have done until you realise this is actually a necessity. Perhaps one of the strangest things about the N2 is that the operating system – in this case Windows CE 6.0 embedded – is actually installed on the supplied miniSD card! This means that you cannot remove the memory card and put in another until you have copied or downloaded the OS from the Neonode site it also means you cannot borrow someone else’s memory card to look at their photos etc. I cant really see any advantage for this arrangement.
I’ve been using the N2 for a couple of weeks and I amazed at the battery life. Granted, I’m not using it a great deal, mainly just sending a few texts and making a few calls but then I’ve only had to charge the battery twice. This is great for me as I can carry the N2 in my bag and keep it as a backup phone without having to worry about checking the charge level all the time. In comparison my TyTN II needs charging every day.
As I mentioned earlier in the review, the touchscreen isn’t a true touch screen as the sensors are optical and use infrared light beams to work out where your finger is on the screen. The result is an extremely sensitive touchscreen that requires the lightest of touches to make it work. This means that the gesture based interface works really well.
Just a few words on the gesture based navigation then. There has been a lot of talk in the mainstream media about touschscreen phones as if they are a truly new and magical invention. As the rest of us know, touchscreens have been around quite a while. When the iPhone arrived on the scene last year much was made of the gesture based touchscreen navigation and once again there was a media frenzy. Let’s just point out then that the original Neonode N1 has touchscreen gesture based navigation when it was launched back in 2004 – a little ahead of Apple then?!
The OS on the N2 is Windows CE 6.0 embedded but if you are thinking that this is a Smartphone then STOP. The N2 really isn’t a smartphone or PDA device. You wont find activesync or an email client here and you wont even recognise the custom interface that Neonode have built in. As a result, many CE and Smartphone applications simply refuse to install and those that do will refuse to run. Having tried out numerous apps and games I struggled to find anything that would in fact work. The bottom line is that anything you might hope to use on the N2 needs to be developed specifically for it and as such there is very little out there. However this is a situation that should hopefully improve now that Neonode has some deals with operators in India and the USA.
I’m sure that N1 owners out there will love the N2. It’s smaller than the N1 but seems to include much of what was missing from the N1 including bluetooth, vibrating call alert and perhaps quite importantly more RAM. Not much else has changed on the inside of the device, it has the same CPU and virtually the same custom OS.
Neonode N1 vs N2
Compared to other devices on the market at the moment the N2 might seem a little basic. 64MB of RAM isn’t much and the 176 x 220 screen seems quite cramped but perhaps there are two more important things that are more likely to put a potential buyer off the N2. First of all there’s no proper email on client. Despite running Windows CE you wont be able to sync your Exchange or even your Outlook email. The only option for reading email is to use the web browser and some kind of webmail. On top of that is the fact that the N2 only has GPRS so there’s no high speed data in the form of 3G or HSDPA. Perhaps this wouldn’t seem so bad of the N2 had WiFi but sadly it’s lacking in this department too. Mind you with no email feature GPRS may well be enough!
Reading the last few paragraphs you might think that I don’t like the N2, however, that’s not actually the case and there is plenty to like about the N2. The size is a big plus for this phone not only is it small overall but it’s really quite thin and slips easily in the that little pocket in your jeans. The gesture based interface is easy to use and very responsive and there’s a definite cool factor to it.
Sending a text or dialling a phone number is a breeze on the N2 as well. The on screen phone pad offers predictive text entry as well as regular multi-tap. It’s here also that we see a small extra feature that makes a big difference; When you tap a key on the screen you get a tactile response thanks to the N2’s built in vibrate function. It’s a simple thing but makes all the difference.
As you can imagine, I get a lot of devices to try out here and I always show other people to see what they think. Never in all the time that I’ve been running the blog have I seen a device generate so much interest among my colleagues at work. Everyone wants to play with the N2 even to the point where they start to argue over who gets to have the next turn!
Neonode N2 vs HTC TyTN II
CONCLUSION
If you use your phone for business then the Neonode N2 certainly isn’t going to replace your Windows Mobile or even your Blackberry. The lack of email and 3G really does render this phone useless for a business customer.
However, if you want a discreet mobile phone for making and receiving calls and for text messaging then the N2 is very capable and performs these functions in style.
I like the N2 but I wont be giving up my TyTN II, however I do carry the N2 in my pocket all the time and use it with may PAYG SIM. If I go out socially then I’ll just take the N2 and leave the TyTN II at home. I just wish Neonode would include some kind of pocket outlook client!
It seems like a long time ago that we first previewed the Mio Digiwalker P560 but at last we’ve managed to get our hands on a retail unit to review.
The all new Mio P560 is a Pocket PC PDA device with integrated GPS and is the upgrade to Mio Digiwalker’s very successful Mio P550.
With similar specification as the P550, the Mio P560 benefits from improved design and ergonomics as well as Windows Mobile 6 classic operating system.
Windows Mobile 6 and a 3.5” display gives you increased functionality in dealing with your everyday tasks. View and edit Word and Excel files, view a PowerPoint presentation, all from the palm of your hand.
As always we’ve recorded the unboxing ceremony for you to have a look at and we’ll be uisng the device over the next few weeks.
Mio Digiwalker P560 unboxed
Mio P560 Specification:
Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.0
Built In GPS
SDHC/MMC expansion slot
Processor: 400 MHz
Memory: ROM 2048MB/RAM 64 MB
Display: 3.5” Colour transflective TFT , 240 x 320
Mark mentioned the HP iPAQ 214 Enterprise Handheld briefly last week and I must admit that I wondered if a ‘classic’ PDA design really had any place in todays market when you can have a mobile device, that will take a SIM card, that can do the job just as well. However, judging by your emails and comments, there are still plenty of you out there that are looking for a decent PDA with a large screen and where Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity is enough.
On that basis then the iPAQ 214 seems to be a good device, has a large clear display and plenty of CPU power. We’ve got our ‘Enterprise Man’, John, reviewing the device at the moment so here is our unbox video:
HP iPAQ 214 unboxed
HP iPAQ 214 Specification:
Windows Mobile 6 Classic
4” VGA display
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth V2.0
624MHz Processor
128MB SDRAM/ 256MB ROM
2200 mAh battery
SD and Compact Flash Slot
126mm x 76mm x 16mm
192 grams
HP iPAQ 200 Series Enterprise Handheld is a powerful, large screen PDA with Wi-Fi, that is well-suited to run a broad range of business applications.
Designed with business in mind, there is much to appreciate about the sophisticated design of the iPAQ 214.
The iPAQ 214 has a large 4-inch TFT touch screen display for improved visibility in a variety of environments. Further expansion comes from the SDIO slot and USB connections making this device the ideal solution for communication and mobile office.
Integrated IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless networking allows Internet and email access at the office or other Wi-Fi hot spots in airports, cafes and hotels. Whilst with Bluetooth, you can connect your iPAQ 214 to peripherals like headsets and keyboards.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 is the new digital SLR camera from Panasonic. We first saw the L10 at the Panasonic press event in London last September and we’ve finally managed to get our hands on a review model.
The DMC-L10 comes equipped with a LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm / F3.8-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. lens designed specifically for a digital SLR camera to be sold as a kit, the DMC-L10K.
The DMC-L10 features an advanced 2.5-inch free angle LCD for full time live view that offers 270 degree rotation and a versatile shooting style. A 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor provides the beautiful images with delicate gradation and wide dynamic range. The superb image processor, Venus Engine III, boasts a high quality image rendering and high speed response.
John is working on the review at the moment but for now here’s the unbox video:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 unboxed
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 specification:
Interchangeable lens digital SLR camera
SD/SDHC memory card slot
Image sensor size 17.3 x 13.0 mm
10.1 Mega pixels
ISO sensitivity: Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
Light metering system: TTL Full Aperture Light Metering by 49 Zones Multi-pattern Sensing system
White balance: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash
Last week I mentioned that MWg had just launched the Atom Life and this it was now for sale over at eXpansys. I’ve just managed to get my hands on an Atom Life for review and I’m working on the review at the moment. As you should be able to see from the unboxing video below, the Atom is an attractive looking WM phone with a pretty decent specification and is a device that I’m looking forward to putting through its paces.
A little over a year ago I reviewed the SanDisk Sansa e260 portable MP3 player, at the time I was very impressed with the e260, it wasn’t too big or heavy and had a decent capacity. The thing that really made the e260 stound out though was the amazing battery life. Despite using the e260 for a couple of hours each day, charging was a rare event!
I was, therefore, very pleased when SanDisk asked me if I would like one of their new Sansa View MP3 players to review. The one I am looking at now is the 16GB version. It’s also physically larger than the e260 but I’ll cover more of this in my review later. For now, here’s my unbox video:
SanDisk Sansa View unboxed
SanDisk Sansa View specification:
16GB internal flash memory
2.4” 240 x 320 Colour TFT screen
FM Radio
Built in microphone for recording
Expandable MicroSD/SDHC™ card slot for additional storage
The HTC Touch Cruise is another one of those devices from HTC that everyone seems to be talking about and waiting for. It’s the latest in the line of devices from HTC to bear the Touch monica and to include the TouchFLO software and the extra-sensitive touchscreen.
We’ve known all about the device for several months but it was just launched last week. Initial stock arrived at Devicewire on Thursday and was sold out the same day. I guess this proves how popular the HTC Touch Cruise is!
Looking a lot like the HTC Artemis the similarity is only skin deep as under the hood you’ll find a 400MHz CPU, 256MB ROM and 128MB RAM – quite well specified then. So as usual we’re reviewing the HTC Touch Cruise and we’ll have that online soon so we leave you with the unbox video for now:
Last week we unboxed the i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 so this week I thought I would follow that up with our i-mate ULTIMATE 8150 unboxing video.
The i-mate ULTIMATE 8150 is very similar to the 6150, same size and design with the exception of the screen and keypad – the screen is a little smaller to accomodate the keypad.
I hape to have the review of the I-Mate ULTIMATE 8150 and the I-Mate ULTIMATE 6150 later in the week but for now here’s the video:
i-mate ULTIMATE 8150 unboxed
The i-mate Ultimate 8150 is a 640×480 touch screen device powered by Windows Mobile 6. Complete with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G and XGA Video output support.
The bright, sharp focus 2.6″ VGA screen supports ClearType enabling its use in multiple locations and light conditions with ease. The i-mate Ultimate 8150 has a 520Mhz XScale processor with the Nvidia GeForce 5500 graphics accelerator ensuring a quick response and video playback, scrolling, document search and Internet browsing is fast.
The Nvidia GeForce 5500 graphics accelerator also enables the i-mate Ultimate 8150 to offer an expansion port. Using the included cable that provides a 15 pin D-SUB and audio out, the 640×480 display will be able to fill a 1024×786 pixel screen or Projector for mobile presentations using PowerPoint from your PDA. In this mode the screen turns off and allows the touch pad to control the pointer on the projector or monitor giving full access to all the i-mate Ultimate 8150s programs and functions.
i-mate ULTIMATE 8150 Specification:
Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100
Quad-Band GSM/GPRS EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Video Out: XGA (1024×768)
Xscale® PXA 270 520MHz
Nvidia GoForce 5500 graphics accelerator
128MB RAM/256MB ROM
FM Radio
Built-in numeric phone keyboard, 18 keys
Windows Mobile® 6 Professional
Bluetooth
WiFi: 802.11b/g/e/i
2.6inch VGA Touch-screen
2.0 Megapixel digital camera/video with flash and auto focus and 4X digital zoom
Supports microSD expansion cards
118.5mm(L) x 60.5mm(W) x 15.5mm(T)
You can see our full I-mate ULTIMATE review online HERE.
It’s been quite a while since we saw any new devices from i-mate so I was quite keen to get my hands on the i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 this morning.
First impressions are that the 6150 is a nice looking device and it’s great to see another Windows Mobile phone with a VGA display and the addition of the VGA output is interesting. However, it’s strange how quickly new technology seems to become the norm so the lack of GPS is slightly disappointing.
We’ll be working on the review over the next few weeks so here’s the unbox for you to look at:
i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 unboxed
The i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 utilises the latest in global mobile device technology. With a high quality large 2.8″ VGA screen, 3.5G and Wi-Fi high speed connectivity.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6, the i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 is a quad-band device with 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options.
XGA Video Out allows you can connect to a digital projector, desktop screen, or TV and view your photos, emails, presentations and important documents in larger than life high definition.
i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 Specification:
Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100
Quad-Band GSM/GPRS EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Video Out: XGA (1024×768)
Xscale® PXA 270 520MHz
Nvidia GoForce 5500 graphics accelerator
128MB RAM/256MB ROM
Windows Mobile® 6 Professional
Bluetooth
WiFi: 802.11b/g/e/i
2.8″ TFT 65K colour screen
2.0 Megapixel digital camera/video with flash and auto focus and 4X digital zoom
Supports microSD expansion cards
118.5mm(L) x 60.5mm(W) x 15.5mm(T)
You can look forward to seeing our review online soon.
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