Engadget Mobile

Joseph L. Flatley

Samsung Behold II review

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 30th 2009 at 3:00PM

It was but a year ago that Samsung graced us with the original Behold. At the time it was more or less positioned to win the hearts of folks who wanted a luscious touchscreen but had no real truck with smartphones. So what do we have here? With the Behold II, the company has switched things up a bit: instead of a respectable feature phone, you not only get Android 1.5, but a 3.5mm headphone jack and WiFi as well. At least this shows that Sammy has been paying attention! Still, a couple questions come to mind: how does this one compare to the original? And how does it stack up as a Google Android device? Engadget has put her through the paces and our findings are sure to shock or surprise you (or maybe not). Continue reading below.

Gallery: Samsung Behold II

Continue reading Samsung Behold II review

LG / Cyon SU630 caught in the wilds of South Korea

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 26th 2009 at 10:49PM

Were you shocked and surprised when LG put out a Christmas Edition of its Korea-only LG-SU630? Neither were we -- but we are mighty amused that a certain reader named James Roberson was cool enough to take us up on our (joking) plea for pictures of the handset when he came across one at the electronics market in Seoul recently. This isn't the Christmas edition, but it's all LG-SU630 -- as indicated by the Cyon logo and 8 megapixel camera 'round back. Get a closer look in the gallery below. And for our next request, do you think you could send us a Sciphone Dream G2? We hear they're pretty amazing. kkthanksbye.

LG / Cyon LG-SU630 caught in the wilds of South Korea

iPhone app debuts for plastic surgery enthusiasts

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 16th 2009 at 12:26PM

Dear reader, we think you're beautiful. We really do. But we hear you've got a "friend" who's been considering some nip / tuck action. Luckily there is now an iPhone app that will let him or her not only peruse the handiwork of a certain Steven M. Denenberg, M.D., of Omaha Nebraska, but it will put your friend in touch with him for a consult, if desired. Providing an important service? That's debatable. Worth the 99 cent price of admission? Probably not. PR after the break.

Continue reading iPhone app debuts for plastic surgery enthusiasts

Facebook app developer rejects App Store, irony ensues

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 12th 2009 at 11:03AM

We always said that if Apple's arbitrary, inconsistent, and quite frankly baffling approval process didn't get straightened out soon, the defections were going to pick up pace -- and what do we have here? Joe Hewitt, the developer of the well-loved and highly regarded Facebook iPhone app, has flipped the script and rejected the App Store. And, as you'd expect, our man is not mincing his words, stating that his "decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple's policies," and that he's "philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process." While Hewitt can't comment on specific future projects (he's still at Facebook, but the app itself has been handed off to another developer) he has mentioned that he'll be devoting his time to web development for mobile devices. As you know, there is no approval process for the world wide web (which is apparent if you've spent any time on Geocities back in the day). Way to give 'em hell, Joe!

[Via TUAW]

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXL: HTC Hero gets iPhone flair

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 9th 2009 at 3:39PM

It's just like the old riddle: what looks like a Hero, thinks it's an iPhone, and does double-duty as an old-school FM handheld? Why, it's the TVG3 -- and when combined with some prototypical shanzhai flair, its (con)fusion of attributes from all over the cellphone space make this one a stunning exemplar of KIRFness. Behold! 3.2-inch touchscreen, G-sensor (aka gyroscope), dual sims, Bluetooth, WiFi, built-in TV tuner, HTC looks and an almost-iPhone UI: not bad for $130, eh? In case you won't be in Shenzhen any time soon, you can get a closer look after the break.

[Thanks, Jules H]

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake, part CCXL: HTC Hero gets iPhone flair

Acer Liquid handled, evaluated, 'not too shabby'

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 5th 2009 at 7:38PM

Looks like quite a few folks have got their hands on the Acer Liquid as of late, and lucky for us they've been rather loose-lipped with their thoughts on the subject. As suspected, the handset is running a 1GHz Snapdragon that's been under-clocked to 768MHz. And it looks like Acer didn't go crazy with the User Experience either, pretty much staying true to its Google Android 1.6 roots, albeit with a number of additions, including: social networking integration (Facebook and Flickr contacts and photo sharing), nemoPlayer for multimedia files, DataViz for Microsoft Exchange support, and the Spinlets music streaming service. In addition, Acer has redesigned some of the widgets, including the clock and the task manager, which now includes a preview of open apps. All-in-all, it seems to be a pretty solid Android handset with a few useful additions -- but as always, the verdict is out until we get our hands on one. In the meantime, hit up the read links below for a generous helping of screenshots, hands-on pics, and impressions.

[Via JK On The Run]

Read - PREVIEW: Acer Liquid Android 1.6 WVGA Touchscreen Smartphone
Read - Acer A1, Screenshot and Interface

Opera Mobile 10 features tabbed browsing, disses WinMo

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 4th 2009 at 2:37PM

Symbian freaks, do we have a treat for you! While all your WinMo-lovin' friends are out there with Opera Mobile 9.5 (or possibly 9.7), a beta of version 10 has just been announced exclusively for Nokia / Symbian smartphones. As well as being as speedy as ever (fifty percent faster than previous Symbian versions, or so it's been claimed), this release features a new-and-improved user interface, a "speed dial" page that displays all your fave sites as icons, and tabbed browsing. Not too shabby, eh? Hit the read link to get the thing for your Symbian/S60 phone -- but not before peeping the video after the break.

[Via Mobile Tech World]

Continue reading Opera Mobile 10 features tabbed browsing, disses WinMo

Blacksn0w unlock available now for iPhone 3G and 3GS

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 12:23PM

There's no stopping the eternal tug-of-war between the powers that be and the hackers that will, and for the time being it looks like things are back in the hands of the hackers. As of noon today giddy jailbreakers can take the next step and go full-on with blacksn0w, the unlock for the latest 05.11.07 baseband (with tethering enabled to boot). And if that weren't enough, it looks like blackra1n RC3 is alive as well, with Mac and Windows support. What are you waiting for? Hit the read link to get started, if that's your thing. And the battle for the iPhone's immortal soul continues...

[Via On The iPhone]

TAG Heuer Meridiist Lamborghini model announced, snickered at

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 11:36AM

In the market for an over-priced luxury handset? Do you equate luxury with a brand name, snakeskin, perhaps even a feature phone with all but the barest of "features?" You're in luck! Once again looking to give Vertu a run for its money, Tag Heuer has upped the ante with its newest, the Meridiist Automobili Lamborghini. In addition to that world famous 1.9-inch sapphire crystal display, 2 megapixel camera, media player, Bluetooth, and roughly seven hours of talk time, this guy throws the Lamborghini logo into the mix. Available in a limited edition of 1963 (the date that its namesake was first sold), look for it sometime this month at selected TAG Heuer and Lamborghini retailers -- which we're sure you frequent anyways. PR after the break.

[Via Pursuitist]

Continue reading TAG Heuer Meridiist Lamborghini model announced, snickered at

Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video)

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 30th 2009 at 3:33PM

As you are no doubt well aware, the launch date for the Xperia Pureness is looming. If you've been dying for a closer look, you're in luck: the fashion icons over at MobileBurn have got their hands on one and have been kind enough to make us a short film of the reveal. At first blush, the phone doesn't look any less impressive than it did in the shots and video we've seen before. There doesn't appear to be any hint of a keypad before the thing when shut off, although that obviously changes once it's powered on. As far as that transparent glass display goes, we can tell from here that it's not likely to be visible in direct (or even some indirect) sunlight -- but since you're a jet-setting nightclub habitue' who hasn't been outside in the daylight in four years that probably shouldn't bother you much. The UI is pretty much standard for an SE feature phone, and the battery is not removable. The price? Looks like it will run you a healthy £530 (about $875). Still interested? Peep the video in action after the break.

Continue reading Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video)

November 6: stores open at 6AM for DROID, Droid Eris?

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 30th 2009 at 3:03PM

So, you're a prospective Moto DROID customer. You've soaked up the review, studied the manual, and even built your own cardboard dock in anticipation of the big November 6 street date. What's next, you ask? Well, set your alarm early -- if the rumors are true, Verizon Wireless will be opening its retail shops at 6:00 AM sharp. Of course, all that is in addition to the Droid Eris, which is rumored to be making its debut on that auspicious date as well. So what's the plan, guys -- wake up early or camp out the night before?

[Via i4u]

Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video)

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 28th 2009 at 11:41AM

While the newly launched DROID is keeping us plenty busy, we'd be remiss if we didn't hep you to this hands-on video that's recently popped up on the YouTubes. Of Vietnamese origin, we do believe that this is the first GSM version of the phone we've caught on tape. All seems to be going well until about 2 minutes 7 seconds, when the viewer encounters a considerable lag in between gesturing to open the app drawer and the event itself. But don't take our word for it -- see for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, Vincenzo]

Continue reading Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video)

Symbian Horizon app store launched, dev program detailed

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 28th 2009 at 9:36AM

Mobile World Congress came and went all those months ago without an app store for Symbian freaks, but you know what? That's OK -- Rome wasn't built in a day, y'know. Besides, all that is changing now that the Symbian Foundation has announced that Horizon, the publishing program / mobile marketplace, is up and running as we speak. Currently the home of fifty award winning downloads (including Bubblewrap!) users can look forward to "thousands of applications in 2010." What are you waiting for? Hit that read link to get started -- but not before you peep the PR to see how you too can begin developing for the platform. It's after the break.

[Via TrustedReviews]

Continue reading Symbian Horizon app store launched, dev program detailed

Sense UI update for HTC Magic makes the scene in Taiwan

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 26th 2009 at 5:04PM

If our ability to guesstimate Chinese website contents based on sketchy machine translation software is correct, it looks like HTC Magic owners in Taiwan are finally getting that Sense UI update they've been teased with since mid-August. Further blurring the lines between the aforementioned handset and the Hero, it is unknown whether or not the update will ever come to carriers besides Chunghwa Telecom, or how long that could even take. One thing we are fairly certain of, however, is that phones "with Google" will probably remain without this update, into perpetuity. Sorry, myTouch! If you're one of the lucky few, hit that read link to get started.

[Via Unwired View]

BlackBerry Storm 2 appears on Verizon pages

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 20th 2009 at 10:51AM

While we haven't seen iron-clad proof of an October 21 (read: tomorrow) launch date, all signs do point to something imminent. And this next item is due to make all of you Storm 2 chasers positively giddy: yes, Verizon has posted the definitive Flash demo for the handset. So hit the read link to 'ooh' and 'ahh' your way through 360 degrees of spine-tingling render -- just try not to get dizzy.

[Thanks, Marc-Anthony]

Continue reading BlackBerry Storm 2 appears on Verizon pages