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Mobile Phones

cellphones

KDDI Delivers "World's First 3D Mobile Phone Screen"

The term "word's first" gets thrown around a lot with gadget releases, but with kooky creative phone maker KDDI behind the project, I'm a lot less skeptical about the claim that they have developed the first 3D cellphone screen. You can't get the full effect from the images here, but it appears that this prototype 3.1-inch 480 x 800 WVGA LCD utilizes the "parallax barrier method" that divides images or video separately for the right and left eye. Naturally, no timetable for a release has been revealed. [IT Media via Mobile Mentalism]

HD Camera Phones

LG Rountable Hypes HD, Cell Phone/Digital Camera Convergence

According to LG, the future of HD video, mobile phone cameras, and the point-and-shoot varietals couldn't be more, well, the same. At a round table event in London this past week, the company hyped up convergence between the industries, and used its camera-happy KC-910 to show why there is no reason why mobiles should not overtake or absorb digital cameras in the near future. When one looks at what the KC-910 (aka Renoir) will bring to the cell phone market, it's hard not to agree. As we've detailed here before, this "phone" comes equipped with an 8-megapixel cam with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens and xenon flash. ISO is rated up to 1600, and it also does VGA video at 30fps as well as high-speed 120fps filming (at QVGA resolution). More »

cell phones

Google 'Instant Bid' Wireless Patent Could Threaten Cellular, Wi-Fi Providers

If Android sputters out and fades away, Google might have another plan to shake up the phone industry. In a patent filed and 2007 and published this week, Google details plans for an "Instant Bid" system for dealing with wireless connections. The concept is pretty straightforward: devices broadcast their request for service, and available networks automatically return a list of price offers for that service. The system makes perfect sense for locations with competing Wi-Fi hotspots, but the application specifically talks about telecommunication devices. That's where things get interesting. More »

cellphones

JD Power Rates the Country's Best Wireless Companies, VZW Still Champ

Survey-masters JD Power and Associates have completed their most recent review of US mobile providers, dividing the US into six regions and crowning a king of call quality for each. And for most areas, Verizon is still tops. But not everywhere. More »

gadget afterlife

Where Cellphones Go After They Die: A Photo Essay

Technology Review has a fascinating photo tour of a ReCellular facility, where many of the phones "traded in" for new ones end up. Dealing with thousand of phones at a time, the workers are charged with figuring out which phones can be reused, which can be broken down into their component materials and which are just plain useless. The photography is stunning, and you're just about guaranteed to see at least one of the models you used to carry (or maybe still do) nestled among of the piles and piles of disused handsets. Most interesting is the undignified, molten fate met by parts of the least lucky StarTracs and Nokia bricks, pictured after the jump. [Technology Review -Thanks David!] More »

question of the day

Question of the Day: Do You Feel Naked Without Your Cellphone?

It seems like a distant memory now, but there was a time I could walk out of my house without a cellphone and never give it a second thought. As the years have gone by I have found myself growing increasingly attached to my phone. To be perfectly honest, I would rather not be bothered with phone calls and emails when I'm out—so why the hell do I bring my damn phone with me when I'm riding on a mountain bike trail? Seriously, it's unhealthy. So, I have to ask—are you like me? Do you feel naked without your cellphone? More »

cellphones

SlyDial: Avoid Annoying Conversations by Going Directly to Voicemail

If there is one thing I can't stand it is getting into long-winded conversations with people on the phone. This is especially true if that person happens to be annoying. If I am forced to initiate the call, I find myself muttering a silent prayer that they won't pick up, but the fact of the matter is that annoying people are always available. The good news is that SlyDial has come up with a solution to this problem with a service that allows the caller to go directly to voicemail. More »

cellphones

Hop-On Set To Release $125 Smartphone, Super Cheap 3G, GSM and More

You may recognize Hop-On from their wide array of cheap-o disposable cellphones and budget-friendly mobile devices. The company is looking to build on this reputation by unveiling six new phones including the $125 HOP 1801 smartphone and the HOP1809 which they claim will be one of the cheapest 3G capable phones you can buy. It will also feature a camera, Bluetooth, and support for MPEG-4 media playback. More »

cellphones

Palm Centro Headed to Verizon

With Sprint and AT&T already down, the Palm Centro continues to cut a swath through the major wireless carriers. Based on the images above, its latest stop appears to be on Verizon. Word is that the first installment will feature this lovely blue color with other versions following later on down the line. [Engadget Mobile via BGR]

question of the day

Question of the Day: Which Cellphone Style Do You Prefer?

With CTIA 2008 winding down, we have been inundated with phones of all shapes and sizes. Some cellphone styles are more popular than others, but each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. That having been said, which of the following cellphone styles do you prefer? More »