Posts in Handhelds
ASUS to launch Android phone next year?
John Chan | Oct 30, 2008
CNET Asia blogger Jonathan Gardner alerted us on ASUS' intention to enter the Google Android game, following the buzz created by HTC's G1 in the US.
Digitimes is reporting the same thing, giving even more details by saying that the product will be launched in the first half of 2009.
Interestingly, if you head over to the Open Handset Alliance Web site, ASUS is not listed as a handset manufacturer there. Currently, three out of four of the manufacturers signed up have not launched any Android product, but are seemingly waiting to see how the HTC G1 will do. So, as much as we'd like to see an Android-powered "Eee phone", as long as ASUS or Google haven't made any official statement, we'll have to take this rumor with a pinch of salt.
T-Mobile's G1 now unlockable
Matt Hickey | Oct 30, 2008
(Credit: Android Community)
So let's say you want the fancy G1, the T-Mobile phone that runs Android, the Google OS, but you don't want to use it on T-Mobile. Let's say you wanted to use it on AT&T. We have good news for you.
The G1 has finally been unlocked. For US$22.99, you can send in your IMEI number to unlock-tmobileg1.com, which then returns an unlock code for you to enter. Once done, you can use the much-talked-about smart phone on any GSM network.
It's pricier than most GSM unlocks, which usually go for between US$10 and US$15, but it's far easier and less risky than the unlock methods employed by iPhone owners.
Via CNET Crave
X1 shows that SE can ditch the M2 card slot
John Chan | Oct 29, 2008
The X1's microSD card slot under the battery cover.
(Credit: CNET Asia)
Instead of an M2 card slot for memory expansion, the XPERIA X1 comes with the ubiquitous microSD card slot. The company told us that this is a "platform issue" which is partly due to the device being "manufactured by a partner" (HTC, in other words). This makes it the first Sony Ericsson handset to have no support for its own Sony-branded memory card format. That's good news for consumers because it's more likely for someone to have a microSD card than an M2 card since the majority of mobile phones use microSD.
Another thing about the X1 is its standard 3.5mm audio jack. This means you can plug in your favorite headphones easily. Ironically, the company's own Walkman-branded phones require an adapter for you to use a standard pair of headphones because of the proprietary Sony Ericsson connector.
Now, we don't want to get ahead of ourselves and say that the Swedish-Japanese company is finally adopting standard interfaces. After all, it's only one handset and it's not even manufactured by the company itself. But it does show a willingness to let go of the proprietary standards the company has held on to for years now and, hopefully, this will permeate to the rest of its mobile phones.
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 in the house
John Chan | Oct 29, 2008
(Credit: CNET Asia)
The day many fans of Windows Mobile devices have been waiting for has finally arrived--the XPERIA X1's availability has just been confirmed and should reach consumers' hands before the end of November. Sony Ericsson provided us with a retail set and we've broken down the contents for you. Here's what you'll get in a standard package:
- Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 (duh)
- Wired microphone with 3.5mm jack
- In-ear headphones with silicone earbuds of various sizes
- AC adapter
- USB cable
- 4GB microSD card
- Five instructional leaflets
- Installation CD for Windows
It will retail for S$1,298 (US$924.11), just S$50 (US$35.60) more than the HTC Touch Pro. We spent a few days with this PDA-phone, so head on over to the full review to find out what we thought about it.
Virtual keypads set to grace Android phones
Marguerite Reardon | Oct 28, 2008
Ever since Apple's iPhone hit the market, some people have loved using a virtual keypad. Others have hated it.
Owners of Google's new G1 Android phones could soon have a choice to use either the existing slide-out QWERTY keyboard or a virtual keyboard like the iPhone's.
Google has added "soft keyboards" to its road map of future software releases. The new software hook is expected to be available for phone manufacturers as part of the source code in the first three months of 2009.
While there are many features to love about the G1, which is the first Android phone to hit the market, there are several items missing. A virtual keypad is one of them.
Without the touchscreen keypad, people have to slide out the QWERTY keypad to send text messages, IMs, and email.
Via CNET Crave
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