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Daily Tech: The Best Smartphone on Your Network

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:11:10 -0800

Here are the best smartphones on the most popular carriers - Gizmodo
Great gifts for those who aren't tech savvy - CrunchGear
Find out what the cold weather can do to your phone - Popular Mechanics
The ultimate DS and DSi gift guide - Kotaku
T-Mobile offers $50 off handsets for Black Friday - The Boy Genius Report
Submit your Cool Captures for your chance to win a CanvasPop print - GeekSugar

Welcome to the Jungle: The Palm Pre

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:00:57 -0800

This year's CES has already begun pouring in the tech treats, and one I was particularly excited for was Palm's. I wasn't let down: Palm announced its newest smartphone, the Palm Pre, with soft lines and a gorgeous OS.

The new phone has a multitouch touch screen, full Internet browser, slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, but the best part - and what actually sets it apart from the iPhones, the BlackBerrys, the Androids - is the wireless charger, the "Touchstone."

No pricing has been revealed yet, but the phone should be available in the early part of this year; if the Pre also comes with competitive pricing (around $200), then look for this to be a worthy rival in the smartphone game.

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Santa's Gone Centro. Say Hello to Claus.

Sponsor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:06:03 -0800

For centuries, Santa functioned as a recluse, emerging only once a year to spread joy. But everything changed when he received an unexpected gift: a new Palm Centro. That was the moment when Santa became Claus.

The Centro streamlined his whole operation; he could get wish lists via text, compile his naughty/nice list through Facebook, and master his delivery route with Google Maps.

With voice, text, IM, email, web, touchscreen functionality, and picture and video captures, Claus thinks the Centro will be his No. 1 gift this year.

If you see Claus out and about, don’t be afraid to give him a shout and let him know what you want for the holidays. But don’t try to sit on his lap. A nice fist bump will do.

Can’t wait for Christmas? Get Palm Centro now!

Apple to Dominate Cell Phone Sales This Summer

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:00:43 -0700

With Apple's iPhone 3G set to make its entrance into this world next Friday, financial experts are already making predictions about companies that will be the biggest movers and shakers in the smartphone market over the next few months.

According to Electronista, a study conducted by RBC Capital Markets indicates that consumers looking to purchase a new phone are seriously eyeing up the iPhone 3G. Of the 3,600 participants in the study, only 35 percent said they would purchase a new iPhone back in March, unlike the 56 percent now.

Reasons why they changed their minds? The drop in price of the iPhone, the built-in GPS mapping, enterprise email and third party applications. Yes, yes, yes and yes, I know exactly what you mean! What about you guys? If you don't have an iPhone, are you now thinking about getting one?

To Smartphone or Not to Smartphone?

GeekSugar — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:10:39 -0700

I'm a devout smartphone lover now, often espousing the virtues of the iPhones and the BlackBerries, but I remember the days of having a regular cell phone and thinking - I didn't need all that "junk." I just need a cell phone for calls, I thought. How young and naive I was. Then of course, I wanted a camera on my phone, so I hit that up. And it sounded nice to have email whenever I wanted too, so I started to succumb.

By the time the iPhone came out, with its gorgeous Internet interface, touchscreen, and integrated iPod, I was first in line (well, first in line when it died down a week or so later).

I can't imagine life without a smartphone now and could absolutely never go back, but I still hear the same things now that I thought before - either that you don't need "fancy" features, or worse, I know girls who say a smartphone is too "high tech" for them, which I hate! When did accessibility and convenience become equivalent with high tech? I hate overly complicated gadgets, and I think the iPhone and Blackberry are totally not.

So I want to know, do you have a smartphone or a regular cell phone? And is there something keeping you from getting a smartphone, besides the price?

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The Palm Centro Goes Pink

GeekSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:17:00 -0800

If you were on the fence about the teeny and chic Palm Centro, here's some news that may help your decision-the Centro is now available in pink!

Aside from the fact that it's now available in a fun new color, the Centro is great because it fits perfectly in the palm of your hand and is extremely lightweight. Palm's Centro includes a full QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen capability and get this, it only costs $100 with a two-year contract. All these great factors contributed to its spot in geeksugar's January must haves line-up!

Featured on Crave, this pretty-in-pink smartphone will run on the Sprint network and can currently be purchased online.

Should People That Talk and Drive Go to Jail?

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:00:31 -0800

Fresh off the realization that I've been an irresponsible smartphone user recently (yes, I checked my e-mail while driving across the Golden Gate bridge) I have gotten wind of authorities in Europe cracking down on people that talk and drive.

According to the Telegraph, drivers caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving could be jailed for two years under tough new guidelines in the UK. Even more extreme, drivers who "adjust sat-navs, tinker with MP3 music players such as iPods or send text messages at the wheel could also face prison sentences."

What do you think of the regulations? Would you support such a law locally?

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The BlackJack II by Samsung: Yay or Nay?

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:30:35 -0800

After my brief encounter with the BlackJack II at the Samsung/AT&T launch party in LA, I knew that I needed a one-on-one test drive session with this new sleek smartphone. What's great about this wine colored phone is the fact that it is lightweight, yet it feels sturdy and durable. Since the back is lined with a soft leather-like material, you can easily grip the phone in your hand while making a call or checking messages. The most appealing features of the BlackJack II include the internal GPS which comes with the latest version of TeleNav GPS, Windows Mobile 6 functionality and the included AT&T video share capable SIM card. Also included is a standard 2.0-megapixel camera, bluetooth technology and a QWERTY keyboard with front jog wheel. What's not so hot about this phone you ask? There's no WiFi, but I think the GPS makes up for it! Priced at $150 with a 2-year contract and when you purchase it online.

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Where's the Worst Place You've Used a Smartphone?

GeekSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:00:32 -0800

The other day I found myself driving across the Golden Gate Bridge and trying to read the new emails on my BlackBerry.

It wasn't my finest moment, but as I weaved through traffic I suddenly realized what I was doing and put my phone down.

I suppose reading something on your cell phone is better than text messaging while driving, but that doesn't make it safe. Smartphones provide unparalleled temptation to browse, text, chat, research, and Google whenever you feel like it, but that doesn't make it all right. Where do you draw the line?

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The BlackJack II by Samsung Debuts Style

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:57:22 -0800

Last night I put on my party dress and attended the star-studded BlackJack II by Samsung launch party in LA. Held at the hot new Mexican restaurant Beso (which officially opens mid-December) and hosted by self-confessed gadget girl Eva Longoria, my partner in crime Molly and I rocked out to a special performance by Mark Ronson and the Version Players and, best of all, got to check out the BlackJack II.

The AT&T exclusive Samsung BlackJack is a lot sleeker then I envisioned, and I was thoroughly impressed with the large 2.2-inch color display screen. This new Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA is powered by AT&T's 3G-enabled Broadband Connect network, includes an easy-to-use navigation click wheel, and comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, which we all know is a must have! The BlackJack II boasts a full QWERTY keyboard for fast typing and Bluetooth connectivity and is available in slick black or red wine color options. After examining the BlackJack II, I was able to chat with CrunchGear's Peter Ha about cell phones and his love for his heavy 3-year-old Sidekick, which was totally adorable.

The party really got started when I kicked off my shoes and joined LC and Audrina for a dance session as we belted out Rihanna's "Umbrella." When we sat down to catch our breaths, the ladies pulled out their BlackBerrys for what else - texting! Call me a deer in the headlights, but after all our Hills tech quizzes, I didn't know if I should take a picture or start talking in text acronyms - what's a girl to do? So I joined in. But instead of using my BlackBerry Pearl, I pulled out my iPhone, hoping to score a few cool points, which I don't think happened. All in all, a very memorable evening indeed!

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