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The most interesting latest news on the topic: Gadgets & Gear |
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Forgot your iPhone charger? If you're not too thirsty, just add water.
PowerTrekk, a portable system that uses water to generate hydrogen-based electricity, can re-charge a dying phone even if it is miles away from an outlet. The system uses hydrogen cartridges, which contain a chemical that begins to produce energy when mixed with water. The cartridges, called PowerPukks, are biodegradable and disposable. Developed as an offshoot of a program to bring electricity to underdeveloped rural areas, outdoor goods haven REI will sell the kit for around $200, with hydrogen cartridges running around $3. It would take an astronomical hike in natural gas prices to make the technology feasible for larger-scale projects, so for now, PowerTrekk's source of energy is best for extreme situations for individual users. There are a bevy of unusual ways to charge iPhones cropping up, including a system harnessing energy from viruses and another from footsteps. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army is developing cloth that charges smartphones. These innovations demonstrate a demand for alternative ways to charge electronics, especially as they become linchpins for professional and military communication in areas without easy access to traditional power sources. Those systems are likely less cumbersome than carrying around a PowerTrekk box, but the PowerTrekk box is extremely efficient, which may make it the best bet for use in emergencies -- as long as a the user can reach a viable water source. Each cartridge will re-charge a depleted iPhone two times, and can power LED lights for weeks at a time, which could be crucial to an outdoor sports enthusiast in an emergency. The situation James Franco's character experienced in the film "127 Hours", for example, when he got trapped while hiking without a way to get into contact with anyone, would have turned out to be more like 3 or 4 hours if he'd carried the PowerTrekk. |
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The next generation iPhone will have a larger 4-inch display, according to the Wall Street Journal, trending with consumer interest in bigger displays.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company is ordering larger displays from its Asian suppliers as it prepares to start production on the handset next month. Analysts believe the new iPhone will launch in the fall. A 4-inch display in the next-generation iPhone would be the biggest physical change to Apple's smartphone since it originally launched in 2007. The iPhone has always featured a 3.5-inch screen, but Android manufacturers have continued to push the envelope when it comes to the display size of smartphones. Many smartphones now feature 4.3-inch screens, and others like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the upcoming Galaxy S3 sport 4.7-inch displays. Apple doesn't seem interested in increasing the size of the iPhone screen too much and blurring the line between smartphone and tablet. A bump to 4-inches will make the device more formidable at media-related tasks like watching videos and playing games, while still keeping the overall size of the device the same. A move to a 4-inch screen may be an external change, but it could present problems for developers under the hood. Developers created more than 200,000 apps in Apple's App Store to run on a 3.5-inch retina display. Apps on the new iPhone will have to run with black bars until developers issue updates to avoid pixilation. Still, while a 4-inch iPhone could be a bit of a headache for developers, it is a decision that will pay dividends for Apple. Increasing the size of the device's display gives owners of the 4S plenty of reason to upgrade, as well as get some Android users who were holding out for a larger screen to make the switch to an iPhone. As long as there are millions of people buying Apple's new handset, developers won't mind working a bit harder to make sure their apps run well on the device. The difference between 4 and 3.5-inches may seem small, but for Apple, it's very, very big. |
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Sprint will launch the HTC Evo 4G LTE on May 18 for $200, and all indications are it's the kind of device the carrier can use more of.
The Evo 4G LTE is powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and features a 1.5-gigahertz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, a 4.7-inch display and an 8-megapixel camera. The device is the latest in Sprint's successful line of Evo phones. The carrier has seen great success with the iPhone, so why does Sprint need more phones like the Evo 4G LTE? 1. The Promise of LTE Technically, the name of the Evo 4G is a bit deceiving. Sprint hasn't launched its LTE network yet, so the device will be running on 3G out of the box. But when the nation's third-place carrier does go live with LTE later this year, devices like the Evo 4G are the ones users will want to have in their hands. Verizon and AT&T are way ahead of Sprint when it comes to LTE rollout and devices, but handsets like the Evo 4G make sure the second the carrier's network is up to speed, Sprint's users will be also. 2. Great Specs, Good Price At $200 with a two-year contract, the Evo 4G isn't the cheapest smartphone customers can get at Sprint, but it's one of the best values. The Snapdragon S4 processor is powerful enough to perform nearly all tasks even the most demanding smarpthone users will put it though and the 4.7-inch display provides a really media friendly experience. Did we mention the LTE capability? 3. Great Camera, Great Battery Life Two of the things customers care most about when shopping for smartphones is the camera's quality how long the device will run before it needs another charge. The Evo 4G delivers on both fronts. The device's lens captures sharp pictures, whether the target is far away or up close. Critics have also given HTC's new camera software rave reviews, with features like Continuous Shooting and a HDR function for taking photos in areas with harsh light. Meanwhile, the 2000 mAh battery is above industry standards and the processor is designed to preserve as much juice as possible. 4. The Latest and Greatest The Evo 4G is part of HTC's One line revamp of its smartphones. It comes with the new HTC sense and runs on the latest version of the Android operating system, making it one of the most up-to-date devices on Sprint's network. 5. It's Not the IPhone The iPhone has done great things for Sprint since the carrier started offering the device last October. However, that's not an excuse for Sprint to shortchange the rest of its smartphone catalog. Many customers who are not fans of the iPhone want to buy a top-of-the-line device and the Evo 4G is just that. For Sprint, offering the iPhone is simply an exercise in staying relevant among its peers, not making money. The company has put itself in debt by striking a deal with Apple to sell the device and won't make money on it for years. That's not the case with handsets like the Evo 4G. The Bottom Line Devices like the Evo 4G help make Sprint's catalog of phones eclectic and balanced. The promise of LTE support, coupled with its top-tier specs and other great features, make it a good alternative to the iPhone, and Sprint needs more of those. |
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Verizon plans to launch the Droid Incredible 4G LTE "in the coming weeks," but consumers should pass and wait.
The Incredible 4G features some decent specs: it's powered by Google's new Android 4.0 software, runs on Verizon's faster LTE network, and features a 4-inch high-resolution display, top-notch 8-megapixel camera with 28-millimeter f/2.2 lens, Beats Audio for better music and a speedy 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip. So what's not to love? 1. Consider the HTC Rezound The HTC Rezound, Verizon's fourth-quarter flagship phone, features a bigger 4.3-inch screen, with a higher 720-by-1280 pixel resolution -- that's a big difference. The Rezound also comes with an 8-megapixel camera, a plenty-fast 1.5-gigahertz chip, and will soon run on Android 4.0 -- initially released with Android 2.3 -- and works on Verizon's 4G LTE network too. While the Incredible is thinner, lighter, and offers NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, its only real advantage is HTC's Sense 4 -- over the Rezound's 3.5 -- a big improvement for a more streamlined interface, a 50 percent improvement in processing speed and lower power consumption. For a new flagship phone, the Incredible offers slight upgrades in hardware. If you're considering the Incredible, give the Rezound some serious thought. 2. Consider the HTC One The Incredible couldn't have come at a worse time. HTC is in the midst of a turnaround, after a serious decline last year. Why does that matter? The company overhauled its product line to focus entertainment, and the first batch of new phones is the... "One" series, which hit the market a few months ago. That's right. The One is the future. The Incredible is the past. AT&T and T-Mobile carry versions of it, but Verizon has yet to announce a launch -- but that's just a matter of time. 3. Sit Tight, HTC Is Revamping Its Products Still, it's probably best to wait. HTC's second batch will be leaps and bounds ahead. So if you're looking at HTC, give the first generation of One phones a pass, and wait for them to work out the kinks before diving in. 4. Samsung Is on Top of Its Game There's a reason Samsung sold over 20 million Galaxy S2 phones in under nine months. And the South Korean company just announced the successor, the S3, which also runs on Android 4.0, but features a massive 4.8-inch display, advanced "S Voice" technology that responds to spoken orders and gestures, and a 1.4-gigahertz "quad-core" -- not dual-core -- chip. It also comes with a 8-megapixel camera, but with "intelligent" camera options that tracks and adapts to what it sees you doing. Verizon may water down the specs before releasing its version in the summer, but if you can wait a few months, it'll blow the Incredible out of the water. 5. The IPhone 5, Nuff Said Rumors. They're all rumors, really. But still, we'll run through the list: made of liquidmetal, similar 4.6-inch screen, LTE-compatible, and other major changes. In short, it's the iPhone. Expect it sometime in June. Bottom Line If you're going cheap, the Rezound is a better choice. If you're sticking to HTC, wait for the next batch. And if you want the best, wait a few months. When everyone's showing off their quad-core phones, Galaxy S3s and iPhone 5s, just don't say we didn't tell you so. |
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Verizon plans to launch the Droid Incredible 4G LTE "in the coming weeks," but consumers should pass and wait.
The Incredible features some decent specs: it's powered by Google's new Android 4.0 software, runs on Verizon's faster LTE network, and features a 4-inch high-resolution display, top-notch 8-megapixel camera with 28-millimeter f/2.2 lens, Beats Audio for better music and a speedy 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip. So what's not to love? 1. Consider the HTC Rezound The HTC Rezound, Verizon's fourth-quarter flagship phone, features a bigger 4.3-inch screen, with a higher 720-by-1280 pixel resolution -- that's a big difference. The Rezound also comes with an 8-megapixel camera, a plenty-fast 1.5-gigahertz chip, and will soon run on Android 4.0 -- initially released with Android 2.3 -- and works on Verizon's LTE network too. While the Incredible is thinner, lighter, and offers NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, its only real advantage is HTC's Sense 4 -- over the Rezound's 3.5 -- a big improvement for a more streamlined interface, a 50 percent improvement in processing speed and lower power consumption. For a new flagship phone, the Incredible offers slight upgrades in hardware. If you're considering the Incredible, give the Rezound some serious thought. 2. Consider the HTC One The Incredible couldn't have come at a worse time. HTC is in the midst of a turnaround, after a serious decline last year. Why does that matter? The company overhauled its product line to focus entertainment, and the first batch of new phones is the... "One" series, which hit the market a few months ago. The One is the future. The Incredible is the past. AT&T and T-Mobile carry versions of it, but Verizon has yet to announce a launch -- but that's just a matter of time. 3. Sit Tight, HTC Is Revamping Its Products Still, it's probably best to wait. HTC's second batch will be leaps and bounds ahead. So if you're looking at HTC, give the first generation of One phones a pass, and wait for them to work out the kinks before diving in. 4. Samsung Is on Top of Its Game There's a reason Samsung sold over 20 million Galaxy S2 phones in under nine months. And the South Korean company just announced the successor, the S3, which also runs on Android 4.0, but features a massive 4.8-inch display, advanced "S Voice" technology that responds to spoken orders and gestures, and a 1.4-gigahertz "quad-core" -- not dual-core -- chip. It also comes with a 8-megapixel camera, but with "intelligent" camera options that tracks and adapts to what it sees you doing. Verizon may water down the specs before releasing its version in the summer, but if you can wait a few months, it'll blow the Incredible out of the water. 5. The IPhone 5, Nuff Said Rumors. They're all rumors, really. But still, we'll run through the list: made of liquidmetal, similar 4.6-inch screen, LTE-compatible, and other major changes. In short, it's the iPhone. Expect it sometime in June. Bottom Line If you're going cheap, the Rezound is a better choice. If you're sticking to HTC, wait for the next batch. And if you want the best, wait a few months. When everyone's showing off their quad-core phones, Galaxy S3s and iPhone 5s, just don't say we didn't tell you so. |
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For crafty tech fans sick of paying high prices for cell phones, a solution may be at hand: make your own.
MIT's Media Lab created a do-it-yourself cell phone, with parts running about $150. Once assembled, the wooden phone can make and receive calls using the same networks and SIM cards as traditional phones, and even features caller ID. The finished product looks like a clunker from 1997, a far cry from today's sleek smartphones, but the challenge of putting it together may appeal to tinkerers and people who catch the DIY bug from excessive Pinterest use. The phone isn't practical -- many high quality smartphones cost about the same, do a lot more, and don't need assembly -- but the project shows mobile technology has advanced to a point where piecing together a basic phone is as simple as assembling an Ikea bed. The home-grown phone kits will probably not become available for commercial use due to FCC rules about using U.S. airwaves for homemade devices. However, MIT's project demonstrates how easy it is to assemble a rudimentary phone, which may inspire others to try their hand at making a knockoff iPhone or black market Galaxy S, although cobbling together all the features those handsets offer would significantly increase the price of parts. Still, there is interest in these kind of tinkering. One man already tried his hand at a mock-up iPhone, although it did not make calls. Another handy student went further, buying a touchscreen and piecing together old computer parts to create a fully functional faux-iPad for about $125. Phone users looking for customized experiences often "jailbreak" their phones, overriding conventional settings to play around with software options. Sometimes this creates problems, as it leaves phones vulnerable to malware and security invasions, but it points to consumer desire to take control over their mobile technology experience and to deepen their understanding of the mechanisms at work. MIT's DIY kit may appeal to that type of phone user, as it encourages customized hardware, and although it will likely not be available for in stores, it shows the growing interest in personalizing phone hardware.
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Samsung is beefing up the Galaxy S3 with a quad-core chip for smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, taking aim at Apple and its next-generation iPhone.
The Galaxy S3 will raise the bar for smartphone power with the Exynos 4 Quad processor, which doubles the speed of the S2. Samsung has yet to announced a launch date, but analysts expect it to beat the iPhone 5's fall release by at least a few months. Samsung is taking a big leap forward by being one of the first companies to launch a quad-core phone -- and doing so with its flagship device, the S3. Over the past two years, the company has emerged as Apple's primary competition in the smartphone business, and releasing a quad-core device before the iPhone maker helps set it up as a true innovator. Apple is now faced with the task of matching and surpassing its competitor's technology, rather than the other way around. The Galaxy S3, with the extra power of the Exynos 4, represents a significant leap for smartphones -- by improving every task that users do on their devices. The S3 will easily outperform current top-of-the-line handsets like the iPhone 4S, and the Exynos 4 will make games look and run smoother, load the most complicated websites without a hitch and make demanding tasks like video streaming effortless. Quad-core chips will go a long way to improve the performance, but the real difference maker will be in multitasking. For example, the Exynos 4 will allow users to stream videos and download apps in the background seamlessly. It's this ability to multitask and offer more true PC-like power that will truly set apart a quad-core device from a dual-core device. Apple is expected to counter with a quad-core iPhone later this year, but Samsung's ability to launch its device first will go a long way in proving the company is leader in the smartphone industry, not a follower. In addition, HTC and other rivals have announced quad-core devices later this year, but Samsung's Galaxy S3 is the most high-profile handset confirmed to feature the new hardware.
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Apple is reportedly working on a low-cost iPhone to launch alongside its iPhone 5 later this year, but the device won't have the same impact as it would a few years ago. |
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Apple is reportedly working on a low-cost iPhone to launch alongside its iPhone 5 later this year, but the device won't have the same impact as it would a few years ago. |
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The new iPad does not work with some older "smart covers," pointing to another Apple design flaw competitors can potentially exploit. Smart covers snap onto iPads using magnets, and since the iPad 2 and its newer iteration are physically alike, the covers still fit. Apple's branded Smart Case automatically sends iPads into sleep mode when closed, and illuminates the screen when opened. However, the covers use magnets inside the tablet to control this on-off function, but they do not work with the new iPad because it is polarity-specific, meaning it matters which way the magnets face. Since older iPads were not like this, the older smart covers may have magnets that face the wrong way, rendering them useless. The magnets issue is a relatively minor problem, but Apple's failure to account for the snafu undermines the company's image as design perfectionists and gives some customers headaches. Apple announced strong sales for the new iPad, but some of these customers are likely to own an older version and thus run up against a problem when they try to use the old case. Apple is still on the top of its game and dominates the tablet market, but this sort of issue alienates loyal customers, and Apple's competition is about to heat up this fall with Windows 8 tablets hitting stores and Google-branded Android tablets in the works. This is not the first design problem discovered in the new iPad, with recent reports of new iPads growing excessively hot sparking concern. The "hot iPad" dilemma, coupled with the annoyance of having to shell out for another new case, may turn some customers away from Apple if the company does not swiftly address these problems. Ironically, other companies developed third-party smart covers due to their convenience and popularity, and Apple was just awarded a patent for the part of the technology. Apple's new iPad has top-of-the-line features and will likely continue to set the benchmark for premium tablets regardless of this smart case problem. Apple, however, faces increasingly stiff competition. Small irritations like this nip at the California company's heels as it tries to maintain tablet dominance, because several little problems could provide its rivals with big gains. |
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