Wireless

cellphones

Dish Network Wants to Go Mobile

Oh, the irony. A wireless content distributor (Dish Network) needs somewhere between $500 million and $2 billion to support mobile (wireless) TV. Dish owns a chunk of the 700Mhz spectrum; now they just need a friend. But as Dish vice chairman Carl Voge put it, "We're a long, long, long way from building anything out. We're a long, long, long way from deciding who our partners will be..." I'm just not sure how "long" companies like Dish have before crafty wireless carriers coupled with 3G/4G technologies render their services obsolete. [Multichannel News via mocoNews]

5:30 PM on Wed May 14 2008
By Mark Wilson
411 views, 3 comments

Latest by FritzLaurel: That's it! I'm lining my house with lead tomorrow. more »

3g

3G Networks Reviewed: AT&T Is the Fastest

Computerworld took Verizon, Sprint and AT&T's 3G data services for a spin all around the tri-state area—500 points in NY, NJ and CT—with data cards from everyone and an X300 to determine the king of 3G. Surprisingly (or maybe not), AT&T was the snappiest of the bunch in both average (755Kbps) and top data speeds (1.6Mbps). Of course, there's more to consider: As we've said, only Sprint gives you unlimited data freedom; Verizon and AT&T have 5GB caps (they're squishy, but they're there). Also, EV-DO has a bit wider coverage area. But if you're mostly roaming around the NYC area, it looks like AT&T might be the new go-to, especially if speed is your main concern. [ComputerWorld]

1:00 PM on Tue May 13 2008
By matt buchanan
6,030 views, 60 comments

Latest by SomeoneUKno: @wolfenstein-3d: I'm going to add you in my watch list just to see if you actually do it. more »

sprint

Sprint: Still The Best For Data

Sprint, we just don't know how to feel about you. First, we hear your Nextel merger was an oopsie. Then there are reports that you're spending $100 million battling the iPhone in a futile televised slap fight. And to top it all off, we hear that you've just lost 1 million customers. That's some bad news. But it's probably good to note that Sprint is still good for something: their EVDO service may be the best for data-only 3G computer connection. AT&T and Verizon Wireless both cap their "unlimited" data plans at 5GB, which can lead to pricey surcharges. Sprint doesn't do this, and they were the first to roll with a Revision A network.

7:10 PM on Mon May 12 2008
By Mark Wilson
3,190 views, 35 comments

Latest by BenG9810: I hope Sprint stays around too... As being someone who has worked for them for 4 yrs I really hope that someone on the board wakes up and realizes how much Sprint DOES compete with the other companies. Network wise they more »

concepts

A REAL Universal Remote Concept

Not so long ago, we ran an "All Giz Wants" about a real universal remote—one that wouldn't just change your channels but change your life. (Marketers, feel free to use that). This concept holds a kinship to our humble dream of turning on our oven with the touch of a button...errr...remotely. Make no mistake, it's just an artist's rendering with ergonomics that are questionable at best. But it's something to keep us trudging through life (hopefully from our couches). [coroflot via DVICE]

9:20 AM on Mon May 12 2008
By Mark Wilson
7,580 views, 21 comments

Latest by ideaman2020: "Universal"? Phfft. I bet it only works on Earth... more »

blackberry

BlackBerry Bold (aka 9000) Officially Official

They said RIM's BlackBerry 9000 would be formally announced on the 12th. They said it would be called the Bold. Photos suggested that it would be the sexiest thing to come out of Canada since Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. And they wuz right. Boy Genius says it'll be available this summer on AT&T 3G, with a T-Mobile 3G edition in the wings—the handset can handle 850/1900/2100Mhz for HSDPA/UMTS, plus T-Mo's 1700MHz band. Sascha at PC Mag is reporting a CDMA/EV-DO version as well. Jump for more details like that 480 x 320 screen—and giddy tittering—from sources all around the web, plus the official press release. More »

12:01 AM on Mon May 12 2008
By Wilson Rothman
40,775 views, 74 comments

Latest by iomatic: @Monty: Naw, dude. Apple fan here. Own an iPhone. Guess what I switched to? Yup. Blackberry. Oh yeah, ask what I do fer a livin'. Yup. Designing interfaces. For about ten years... no, no, no; Apple is great. Their screen more »

eye-fi

Eye-Fi Announces Explore, Share and Home Models

Not so long ago we reviewed the Eye-Fi, a 2GB SD card that adds Wi-Fi to any digital camera. Now the company is expanding their product line with the Eye-Fi Explore ($129), Eye-Fi Share ($99) and the Eye-Fi Home ($79). The big news? Eye-Fi is now supporting hotspots and geotagging with the Explore. More »

12:01 AM on Mon May 12 2008
By Mark Wilson
6,959 views, 24 comments

bbc iplayer

Vista Media Center Supporting BBC iPlayer (Unofficially)

For those living in the UK, the BBC iPlayer is a pretty fantastic VOD service with one drawback: you have to watch shows in-browser. Now one philanthropist coder has written a Vista Media Center interface for the iPlayer. So you can view BBC content on your TV without the PS3 and Wii workarounds, or, at the very least, break free of your browser's annoying viewing restrictions. It's a free download, so all you Doctor Who fanatics should have plenty of cash left over for living-room-destroying merchandise. [Milliesoft via eHomeUpgrade]

3:30 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
3,043 views, 9 comments

Latest by vertigo: @RetepNamenots: Dood[www.urbandictionary.com] more »

gps

QStarz eXtreme: "World's Most Powerful GPS Receiver"

QStarz has just announced the BT-Q818 eXtreme—the self-proclaimed world's most powerful Bluetooth GPS receiver. The 51-channel chipset and 32 hours of use time are impressive, but it's the adjustable update rate that's their claim to fame. The user can choose between 1 and 5Hz updates, with each Hz good for one update per second. In other words, the QStarz eXtreme can sync your position an impressive five times a second, which should be more than enough to placate the most dedicated of car racers and anvil droppers. No word on price or release date at this time. [product via Navigadget]

8:20 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
2,194 views, 16 comments

Latest by wpns: as kim98 points out, you can't see more than 12 or 13 satellites at a time, so unless it's firmware-upgradable for Glasnoz(?), there's really no point. more »

wireless

Cablevision Launching Wireless Broadband Network

I guess Cablevision was feeling a little left out after the WiMaxMegaZord became official with Comcast and Time on board, because they're planning to drop $350 million on a wireless broadband network for New York. It'll basically be a big Wi-Fi network initially (free for customers), though Cablevision says "ultimately it will be a mobile voice-capable network." Which is the real peg: a quadruple play option with bundled wireless (now just to compete w/ TWC and Comcast, let alone wireless companies). At least hopefully, since a $350 million glorified Wi-Fi network isn't gonna get 'em very far. [Yahoo!]

6:30 PM on Thu May 8 2008
By matt buchanan
1,053 views, 4 comments

Latest by uberfu: Dude_ We're just going to be bombarded with Wireless everywhere by the time this is all done_ Think about it - 15 Carriers deploying Wireless in every major city - it switch from trying to find a wireless signal to more »

gadgets

John Mayer Pioneers the DoubleDouche (Two Bluetooth Headsets at Once)

Hi guys. John Mayer here. When I'm not busy submitting Apple Problem Reports and banging two supermodels at once, I write songs. I know, you probably haven't heard them lately except at Apple events, but don't you know how I get those gigs? That's right, I call people. I call people two at a time with a technique I pioneered called the DoubleDouche. I'm busy, people. Two phones, two ears, two headsets. Believe it. More »

4:00 PM on Thu May 8 2008
By Jason Chen
14,867 views, 74 comments

at&t

Free AT&T iPhone Wi-Fi Is Officially Back

The flip floppery AT&T iPhone Wi-Fi access has finally been made official, with AT&T adding a note on their own iPhone plan page that reflects the free Wi-Fi. That's 17,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, some of which are at Starbucks, some of which are at a Barnes and Noble. Finally, now with wireless access, you've got something to read at Barnes and Noble. [AT&T]

11:55 AM on Thu May 8 2008
By Jason Chen
6,363 views, 26 comments

Latest by faslane: @man_in_gauze: I have the unlimited plan and get the "stock" 200 text with it, I think you have to pay the extra 10,20,30 bucks for the amount of extra "texts" you want. Faslane more »

r/c

First Person R/C Plane, Almost as Good as Actually Flying

The Pilot View FPV 2400 is a (wireless) camera system that can strap on any R/C plane and stream images to the pilot, who wears video goggles below. Range is about 1 kilometer over the 2.4Ghz spectrum, and the video quality from such systems really isn't so bad (hit the jump for an example clip). At $550, it's a commitment, and seemingly a tad risky to strap onto an even more expensive, properly-weighted R/C plane. More »

4:50 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By Mark Wilson
37,770 views, 46 comments

sprint

WiMax Just Might Make It: Sprint's WiMax and Clearwire Officially Merge

The massive WiMax joint venture expected to be announced today is official, though the rumored details were a bit off. Sprint's WiMax division is merging with Clearwire to form a single WiMax company called...Clearwire. (But Sprint will own most of it.) Happily, the clusterfuckiness factor is lower than we figured. Google, Intel, Time Warner and Comcast are all contributing in ways that actually seem helpful and logical. Here's what they're gonna do, besides chip in $3.2 billion, all told. More »

1:41 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By matt buchanan
4,280 views, 18 comments

Latest by Zlevee: Voltron an the awesomeness of Voltron was the only reason i read this post. more »

bluetooth

Brando Bluetooth Headset Stylus: Napoleon Solo Would be Jealous

Brando's designers, holed up in their top-secret gizmo design bunker, must've been watching The Man From U.N.C.L.E as they dreamed up this Bluetooth device. It's a pendant-style headset, with built-in speaker and microphone, crammed into a pen-shaped stylus. So you can hang it round your neck and use an earpiece, prod at your PDA with it or, most satisfyingly, hold it to your head and gabble into it, making passers-by think you're ~~barking mad~~ a secret agent. It's got Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, a 30-foot range and a USB-charging Li-polymer battery that's good for three hours talk time and 90 hours standby. Sadly it omits a ballpoint function, and an amnesia pill concealed in the cap, but it's available now for just $30. [Brando]

7:08 AM on Wed May 7 2008
By Kit Eaton
1,923 views, 7 comments

Latest by shooter: Unfortunately, it won't "Open Channel D." more »

voip

AT&T and Other Telcos Thinking of Skype Combatant?

Om writes about a report that AT&T and a group of major international telcos like British Telecom, Deutsche Telecom and NTT are thinking of making a free VoIP system. The reason for it is that voice is a "losing proposition" these days in the face of Skype and landline attrition. The system would eventually be moved to cellphones and would be launched in 2009. One problem: The report is so far mostly theory, even if the writer does have a good track record. [Om]

7:30 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By Brian Lam
581 views, 4 comments

Latest by Benitocarmona: Whatever they do I will stay with Skype its the right choice. As for ATT and International carriers: I am tired of paying those thieves for speaking with my family. more »

wireless nunchuck

Lightning Review: Nyko Kama Wireless Nunchuk

The Gadget: Nyko's Kama, a Wireless Nunchuck for your Wii that syncs up with an included dongle on your Wiimote.

More »

11:00 AM on Tue May 6 2008
By Jason Chen
7,789 views, 20 comments

Latest by 8bitvillain: I'd get this as a gift for a friend if they were casual players and were easily excited with wireless controls lol. It seems kind of pointless for hardcore gamers to spend that much money just for wireless- especially if more »

cellphones

HTC Census Device Revealed in New FCC Filing

HTC's Census device first hit the FCC over a year ago, but it's just appeared there for approval again. The data-only device, complete with touchscreen and fingerprint reader, but lacking voice-calling capabilities and a camera, was going to be used in the 2010 census before technical issues led to it being ditched. But here it is again, with a prominent Harris branding and what looks like a hand strap across the back. What's going on? Is it back on the cards to aid Census Bureau staff, or is it getting a new lease on life targeted at other industrial users? Pretty confusing, especially since there's no info on the release date yet. [FCC and Reghardware]

5:08 AM on Tue May 6 2008
By Kit Eaton
1,045 views, 6 comments

Latest by VENAT0R: @strider_mt2k: what movie is that? more »

lenovo ideapad u110 review

Lenovo IdeaPad U110 Review (Verdict: Short Ride In A Reasonably-Paced Machine)

The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 comes in the wake of America's new obsession with tiny laptops. I could tell you that it's powered by a 1.6Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (4MB, 800 MHz), packing 120GB of PATA storage and up to 3GB of RAM (2 tested), but all you want to know is that it's over half a pound lighter than the MacBook Air and will impress the fellow yupps at Starbucks. Still, if you're interested in seeing if beauty is more than ultra-glossy skin deep, hit the jump to see what I loved and hated about the Lenovo IdeaPad U110.