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It was only a couple months ago when Samsung decided to drop a bomb on the world and release their first s60 powered 8MP camera phone.  The phone got rave reviews in particular for new features such as face, smile detection and image stabilization.  It was and still is a phone that far exceeds what is available on the market and easily one upping efforts by Nokia’s N-series (N95, N96, N85) line up.  Although the device did have everything anyone could want from a high end megapixel shooter it did lack the highly coveted U.S. 3G band.  Well, not anymore!  The FCC site has a posting with the Samsung I8510 in a U.S. flavor with the 850/1900 3G bands.  Whether this will be picked up by a major carrier is yet unknown but seeing Samsungs track record with major U.S. carriers it seems rather likely.

The trial with the N78 left me with something that I would desire in all handsets that would come from Nokia, the FM transmitter.  This feature allows users to stream audio over an FM channel.  I find t this feature is great for impromptu sharing or just using it as a dedicated music device in your vehicle.  I understand that the quality of FM streaming isnt the best, but its better then nothing. 

Although I did get a chance to stream music over radio, I wasnt able to test navigation and other audio, if this can stream voice navigation directions to car speakers it would greatly increase the usability of Nokia Maps and many other audio based applications.  In the Los Angeles area most of the FM stations are currently in use so I had a difficult time finding a station that would clearly stream audio, both car and in  home.  Sometimes the audio would be clear without interruptions, other times there would be hiccups.  It is a possibility that Los Angeles just doesn’t have any open FM stations (took me forever to find a decent station to use), or something to do with the sensitivity of the FM transmitter.  I hope to explore this more when I am able to receive a trial of the N85 (which is a newer device that has FM transmitter feature).  But I have to ask myself is this a true tool or gimmick to pack more into phones?

So I have been messign around with the phone for a couple days and I must say, this device is it!  The 8MP camera shoots excellent shots, the screen is gorgeous, the speed of the device is amazing, and the construction is superior.  Ill have more thoughts and photos up later, for now enjoy some sneak peaks.

So for the past couple months I have been itching to purchase a new handset.  I have researched and have been patient to see what Nokia (N85, N96, XpressMusic 5800), SonyE (C906, Xperia), LG (??), HTC (Touch HD, Diamond, Touch Pro) might have to offer.  While some of these devices look interesting, they didn’t really cause me to “bite”.  I previously owned the N95 and now use the E71and Moto V3xx daily.  While the N95 was cutting edge when I first purchased it now the 5MP cam seems quite common as evidenced by this years line ups.  This is where I pose the question, Why isn’t there better?  Why don’t we have higher resolution screens? Why don’t we have better cameras?  Why isn’t there innovation in products?  This is when I started to look else where to satisfy my gadget needs.  I wasn’t about to plop down $500+ on technology that was slightly better.  I needed something more and Japan is where I found it.  I introduce the Sharp Sh-01A.  The handset released this November by NTT DOCOMO.  The phone houses a 8MP camera with CCD sensor, 3.3″  Hi Resolution screen, Finger print scanner, touch pad, and overall a unique design with rotating screen.  I had to do quite a bit of research because these devices are locked.  With some clever trickery they can be used in the United States.  The real drawback or trade off is that I wont be able to use 3G, Internet, MMS.  I find that I will take these trade offs to have a phone that can do my general work from day to day.  It doesn’t need to be an Internet workhorse.  When I receive the unit I will have full pics and review up. Enjoy!

User SR1329 from HoFo has uncovered an old article (dating 2007) regarding Nokia’s patented touch screen vibration technology, Haptikos.  Many handsets on the market today support physical feedback but this involves the whole phone vibrating.  Haptikos offers technology that will emulate actual physical buttons on a touch screen with clicks, and button depression.  This sounds very similar to the technology that is seen on the yet to be released BlackBerry Storm.  Whether its the same type of technology is unknown.  But it seems as though Nokia’s is more specific to each button while the Storm is more of a whole screen depression.  What comes to mind is that I was expecting seeing this technology on the upcoming XpressMusic 5800, but it will not be featured on this device.  So I can only assume that this technology might be featured on the upcoming N-series touch device from Nokia.  Only time will tell.  Hit the link for the full read, Enjoy.

http://www.intomobile.com/2007/11/06/nokia-shows-off-some-seriously-cool-haptic-feedback-touchscreen-tech-haptikos-takes-haptic-feedback-to-a-whole-new-level.html

Ricky Cadden has released his weekly episode which discusses the newly released Nokia 6650 from ATT.  He does a quick overview of the phone and for the most part finds the handset an incredible buy.  He also quickly gos over the newly released Motorola S9HD, Tankzors and Nokia E63. Enjoy!

FULL LINK TO SYMBIAN-GURU

BGR has uncovered the first pics/specs of the handset code named Wahoo.  According to the spec sheet it supports US 3G which means most likely it will be coming to ATT.  Interestingly it has a suretype keyboard ie the BlackBerry Pearl and is a flip form factor.  Most likely case this model will be introduced to combat TMobile Blackberry Pearl Flip.  Specs include:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• Dual-band UMTS/HSDPA (850MHz/1900MHz
•  2.2? with a 240×320 resolution inner display and 1.36? with a 128×160 resolution outer display
• 2.0 megapixel camera with flash
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP
• Four hours of UMTS talk time
• Sadly a 2.5mm headset jack

FULL READ LINK

Mobile Industry Review has a short clip on HulloMail, a software that is aimed to revolutionize the way voicemail is heard and used.  Typically when a voicemail is accessed you are alerted via a notification then you call into the host and listen to your email.  Pretty plain, but thats how its been.  The problem arises when you have 10+ voice messages and cant really visually see or sort them.  Thats where HulloMail comes in, HulloMail allows the user to download the voicemails directly to a supported email account and then listen to the voicemail from the inbox.  You can also replay to the voicemail through email, or standard call.  A pretty nifty idea, the free beta is underway, I tried but it is only available in the UK.  Enjoy!

Untitled from Mobile Industry Review on Vimeo.

HULLOMAIL BETA LINK

LonelyCatGames has updated SlickIM.  SlickIM is a great program that allows S60 users to use mulitple chat clients from one prgram.  I use SlickIM and love the speed, interface and amount of clients that I can access (I personally use GTalk, AIM, and Yahoo).  The new version .44 brings themes and a couple fixes (MSN).  If you havent yet I urge you to try it.  Enjoy!

LINK

Samir has come out from hiding and is launching AikonLab!  If you arent familiar with AIkon Labs aka Samirs work, hes made countless applications that have changed the way S60 users use their phones.  He has made RotateMe, ShutUp, and Nokmote to name a few.  With the launch of the new site, he introduces us to nAlertMe which is motion based software that works like an alarm for your phone.  Once the phone is armed if picked up and not deactivated the alarm will sound.  As if this isnt cool enough Samir has made it a motion based gesture to deactivate the alarm.

AIKONLAB