Posts in Mobile Phones
No GPS? No problem for Google Maps
John Chan | Nov 29, 2007
Using maps on a mobile phone or handheld without a GPS chip can by trying sometimes. For one, you need to find your own location in a map first before any manual navigation can take place. That's a problem Google seems to have solved with its latest version of Google Maps Mobile.
By pressing "0", the My Location feature on the application approximates your location on the map with a blinking blue dot. This is achieved by detecting how close you are to the cellular base stations around you. It's isn't spot-on precise, but it sure beats having to scour the vicinity for a road name to key into your device.
We tried this feature out on an HTC Touch
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Korean man killed by phone battery explosion
Reuben Lee | Nov 28, 2007
Update: A further investigation has revealed that the Korean man was killed by his co-worker, not the mobile phone battery explosion. See the full report here.
While research scientists are still grappling with how using cellular handsets are harmful to the human body, a fatal accident involving a mobile phone happened recently in Korea. According to a report from TelecomsKorea News Service, a 33-year-old man was found dead, presumably killed by an explosion of a mobile phone battery identified to be from LG, though no specific model was stated.
It was reported that the man, known as Sur, was found lying beside an electronic shovel at a quarry where he worked as a shovel operator. A co-worker described him as bleeding from the nose and having a phone with melted battery in his left shirt pocket. Meanwhile, a professor from the Chungbuk National University after examining the body conjectured that the phone battery explosion, which punctured his heart and lungs, was the main cause of death. He added that Sur's ribs and spine were broken.
This is the first time a cell phone battery explosion has taken a life in Korea. Earlier this year, a man in China was reportedly killed by a mobile phone explosion.
Via TelecomsKorea
Samsung Ultra Edition III imminent?
Damian Koh | Nov 28, 2007
Update: The next version of Ultra Edition II will be announced in February 2008, which we suppose will be during 3GSM.
In an aside with Crave Asia recently, a Samsung representative revealed that the Ultra Edition III series is on the cards. A case of natural progression? Well, it seems that's the case. Unfortunately, that's about all we know at the moment as the Korean chaebol is keeping a tight lid on the upcoming lineup. It doesn't hurt to share a bit more information, yeah? For now, we're placing our stakes on the upcoming annual Consumer Electronics Show in January and 3GSM in February. Surely, one or the other will bring on the good news?
Pictured is the Samsung Ultra Edition 12.1 (U700)
Ultra Smart F700 set to launch in Jan/Feb 2008
Damian Koh | Nov 28, 2007
In Malaysia that is. According to a Samsung representative, the Peninsula is the only definite country in Southeast Asia for now that will get the F700 come early next year. The phone is currently available in Germany and the UK, while plans to introduce the touchscreen HSDPA handset elsewhere in Asia Pacific are still pending confirmation.
We had a brief hands-on with a production unit and found ourselves liking the haptic feedback when we were using the touch panel. Sliding out the QWERTY keyboard, which was aided by a spring-loaded mechanism, was also very smooth and solid. Adding a dash of style were the square keys with rounded borders that resembled those on the Apple MacBooks. Our only gripe with the unit was with the glossy surface that tended to pick up fingerprints fairly easily.
We'll be back with a more in-depth preview of the handset. And we'll update on availability once we get the information. For now, here are two shots of the F700 in the wild.
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As long as there's sun, you can talk
Mike Yamamoto | Nov 28, 2007
For all the talk about solar-powered phones this year, there still aren't any that have taken the mass market by storm, or even a light breeze. Until one does come along, we'll be stuck with alternative solutions to harness the sun's rays for endless yakfests. But that doesn't mean we have to resort to carrying a purse to keep our batteries charged, so to speak.
Enter the "Vero Solar Power Bluetooth Car Kit," which claims to be the first Bluetooth portable system of its kind. We're not so sure about that, but it's still a good idea if it works as billed: With 15 hours of talk time and 600 hours on standby, according to Mobility Site. And it's better than having to witness fellow Craver Charlie Cooper do his sun-worshiping dance whenever the we need a new charge, as seen here.
Via CNET Crave
Picture credit: In Car Discount
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