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HTC Patents Screen to Prevent Onlookers and Magnetic Stylus For Capacitive Displays

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Two of HTC's pantents have just been found. The one above has to deal with a screen that will prevent onlookers from seeing whatever is on your screen and the one below is a magnetic stylus that will work on capacitive touchscreen displays. Let's talk about the one above first.

Like I said, this display will prevent onlookers from viewing whatever is on your screen. This could be a good or bad thing, unless you can somehow turn it off. This display will use G-sensors along with front-facing cameras to centre the screen onto your face and your face only. It will prevent others from seeing what is on your display by altering the angles and stuff that I can't really explain. You can check out the links below for more information. In case you're interested the official patents are here and here.

The patent below has to deal with a stylus that actually functions perfectly on a capacitive touchscreen display. We all know that the stylus - for the most part - is a thing of the past and they function well on resistive touchscreens, but not not so well on capacitive touchscreens. HTC looks to change that by using a magnetic stylus. This stylus will precisely pin-point exactly where your touching the display by using a small current. It seems interesting, but we'll just have to see if HTC puts this to use. The official patent is here.

HTC Patents Screen: WMPowerUser
HTC Patents Magnetic Stylus: WMPowerUser



Picture and Specs of the Android-Based Huawei U8220 / T-Mobile Pulse Arise

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This afternoon, we heard about the Android-based Huawei U8220 handset that will launch in Europe as the T-Mobile Pulse. Above is the first picture of the Huawei U8220 and it has a simplistic design. We also have the specs for you now. So, with this handset you get: a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, a 3MP camera, 256MB of internal memory, a microSD card slot, and WiFi / Bluetooth support.

[Unwired View]

HTC Touch Pro 2 Not Coming to U.S. Cellular, Samsung Handset Instead -- Tipster Lies

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Even though U.S. Cellular's rebate form said that the HTC Touch Pro 2 was on the way, the CEO of U.S. Cellular, Gregory House, has just said that "everybody lies." He went on to mention that they will not be launching the Touch Pro 2. U.S. Cellular does plan to launch a Samsung handset this week though, it'll be similar to the LG Xenon without the slide-out QWERTY keyboard. We'll see what happens later this week, quite possibly the weekend.

Update on August 15th: According to the comment below, we've been fooled. The CEO of U.S. Cellular is actually not "Gregory House." It's probably coming to U.S. Cellular, so don't worry! This rebate sheet didn't lie after all.


[Phone Arena]

Lenovo O1 OPhone Hitting China Mobile Next Month

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China Mobile is set to release Lenovo's Android-based O1 OPhone soon. It'll be the first 3G handset to run on OMS (Open Mobile System), which is, basically, "China's Android Based OS." This will be the same OS found in Dell's OPhone mini3i. The O1 OPhone has: a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, 8GB / 16GB of internal memory, a 628MHz CPU, and GPS / WiFi support. You can check out Lenovo's O1 OPhone website here, unfortunately the price hasn't been mentioned yet - it'll be available next month.

[Fone Arena]

Microsoft Zune HD to Have 33 Hours of Audio / 8.5 Hours of Video Playback

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Microsoft has just pushed out an updated spec sheet of their Zune HD. The Zune HD is projected to last 33 hours of audio / 8.5 hours of video playback. That's amazing and beats out the current iPod Touch's battery life. The Zune HD will have 720p playback, but not with the PMP itself, you'll have to purchase an external dock connector for that. Don't forget that the Zune HD is now available for pre-orders in the US!

Windows Media Video (WMV) (.wmv) – Main and Simple Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 3.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD WMV files at device sync.
MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) (.mp4) Part 2 video3– Simple Profile up to 2.5 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD MPEG-4 files at device sync.
H.264 video – Baseline Profile up to 2.5 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD H.264 files at device sync. DVR-MS4 – Zune software will transcode at time of sync.


[Gizmodo]

September 7th / 8th Apple Event Will Not Be For the iTablet, That's Coming in 2010

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I just finished talking about how Apple is looking to hold an event on either September 7th or September 8th. According to the latest murmurs though, this event will not include the Apple iTablet. So what could it be for? I guess it'll be a perfect time to announce and release their new iPod Touch. That would be right before Microsoft's Zune HD hits the shelves. Let's just hope it's not another upsetting event like MacWorld 2009 was. Oh yeah, I should probably mention that numerous sites are saying that the iTablet will not come out next month - it will actually be hitting shelves early next year.

[The Loop, 9 to 5 Mac]

LG Producing AMOLED Displays For Handheld Devices

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The latest report has mentioned that LG Display is looking to create AMOLED displays for handheld devices like mobile phones and possibly even PMPs. Samsung has already beat them to the punch, but LG will try to do some catching up by the end of the year; they plan to produce 8,000 AMOLED displays every month by the end of this year. I'm just hoping that they'll decide to make a touchscreen handset that has over a 3-inch display because 3-inches is just way too small -- that's what she said.

[Unwired View]

Starline NB1000 Netbook Sports An Invisible Trackpad

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Over in Hong Kong, the Starline NB1000 netbook was spotted. It's your fairly average netbook with its Atom N270 CPU, but it has an invisible trackpad - basically, at least. I can't see how that's a good thing, but it's definitely an interesting idea. Making the trackpad a little bit less invisible is a good idea, but I think this is a little bit too much. Take a look at the video below to get a second look.



[Liliputing]

Acer Aspire 1810T Now Available For Pre-Orders in the US, Disguised as the Aspire 1410

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Remember the Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T? Looks like "two to three weeks" was pretty damn accurate. In the US, it's actually now available for pre-orders but it's not the Aspire Timeline 1810T. It's actually on Acer's website as the Aspire 1410. Before you jump to that website, you should probably check out a site where the pre-orders are actually available now, say over at J&R.com here. On J&R, you'll find that the Aspire 1410 is available for pre-orders for just $450 USD. As a refresher, the 1410 has: an Intel ULV 1.4GHz SU3500 CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD, integrated GMA 4500MHD graphics, an integrated webcam, WiFi 802.11 n, Windows Vista Home Premium, and a 6-cell battery.

[Netbooked]

Apple Tablet UI Video Leaked Online? Apple Holding Event on September 7th / 8th, "Inside Source" Spills the Beans

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There are three videos below of what people are calling the future Apple iTablet's UI. We don't know if it's real, but I'm betting that it's not. The latest news states that Apple is actually holding an event on either September 7th or September 8th. We don't know what Apple will announce, but everyone on the face of the earth is hoping that it has something to do with their Apple tablet. If it's not the tablet then it will be a waste of time.

Apparently, one of Gizmodo's writers talked to an "inside source" about the Apple tablet. The source mentioned that there will be "two editions, one with a webcam and one for educational use." If you want to check out the whole article, head over to Gizmodo here.







Apple Event: Tech Crunch, The Next Web
Apple Tablet Information: Gizmodo, 9 to 5 Mac
Supposed Apple Tablet UI: Slash Gear, Tech Crunch

Two More Android-Based Handsets Pop Up; The MB200 to be the CLIQ, MB300 to be the Morrison -- What?

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If I wasn't confused before, I definitely am now. According to Cell Passion, the MB200 and MB300 has just been spotted. Apparently though, these aren't new Android-based phones. The MB200 could actually be the Motorola CLIQ and the MB300 could be the Motorola Morrison. So much for thinking that the CLIQ and the Morrison were actually the same handset. Anyways, I'm just hoping all of this Motorola Android news gets official soon, so that we can clear everything up.

[Cell Passion]

Samsung ND10 is the NC10 Without an OS, Someone Put Moblin / Android / Google Chrome OS On It Please

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In China, this Samsung ND10 netbook was just spotted. It's basically the NC10 netbook without an OS and $50 cheaper. That means it has: a 10.2-inch display, an Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270 CPU, and a standard battery long enough to last 6 hours and 34 minutes - according to a Laptop Mag review. To me and Slash Gear, this netbook is just screaming for Moblin, Android or the Google Chrome OS. Too bad it won't be hitting US or Europe - it's exclusive to China.

[Slash Gear]

China Unicom Orders 5 Million iPhones From Apple, Launching Next Month -- Debunked

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According to the latest report, China Unicom has just bought 5 million iPhone's - supposedly the iPhone 3GS - from Apple for approximately 10 billion yuan. These iPhone's do not have WiFi since it's against the government and stuff like that. The 8GB iPhone will cost 2,400 yuan while the 16GB model will cost 4,800 yuan. China Unicom could start selling these iPhone's as early as next month.

Update on August 14th: According to the latest MacNN post, China Unicom has denied these rumours. They've mentioned that they haven't finalized a deal with Apple yet, so the rumours are "not true."

[MacNN]

New RIM Patent Shows Off Sliding Camera Cover

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Cell Passion has the knack of picking up patents and WiFi Alliance information and here's an interesting patent from RIM. The patent shows off a sliding camera cover for quite possibly one of their future BlackBerries. We don't know which BlackBerry will have this, but let's hope RIM can push this out next year. I also hope that they can perfect it, since I've read that the Nokia N97's camera cover actually scratches the lens.

[Cell Passion]

MSI Releases Five Budget Notebooks Starting at $550

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MSI has just officially announced and released five new notebooks. They've announced three 16-inch notebooks, the CX600, CR600-013, and the CR600-017; they've also announced two 17-inch notebooks, the CX700 and the CR700. All of these notebooks pack an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200 2.0GHz CPU, except for the CR600-017 which is being outed with the T4300 2.1GHz CPU.

They all have: 4GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD, a DVD burner (the CR600-017 has a Blu-ray drive though), WiFi b/g/n, giagbit Ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, a 1.3MP webcam, a 4-in-1 card reader, a 6-cell battery, and discrete graphics. The CR notebooks have ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 graphics and the CX notebooks have Nvidia GeForce 8300M G graphics, respectively. All of these notebooks have Windows Vista Home Premium and start out at just $549.99 USD. Check them out on MSI's website.

[Slash Gear]

Canada's Koodo Mobile Launching the Motorola Rival Too

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It looks like Canada will have another carrier launching the Motorola Rival; like Telus, Koodo Mobile will be launching the Motorola Rival. It's expected to launch on Koodo somewhere between August 17th to the 24th and is expected to cost around $50 at the least and $200 CAD contract-free. We'll have the official word when it gets launched.

[Mobile Syrup]

Unnamed MID Running Android, 4.3 to 5-Inch Touchscreen Display

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Another supposed "iPod Touch rival" has been circulating the Chinese interwebs. This unnamed MID is running Android and comes equipped with: a 4.3 to 5-inch touchscreen display, 3G / WiFi support, and a Rockchip CPU. Details on this MID are scarce, but various sources are saying that it's "expected to perform better than Apple's iPod Touch." Although I love Android, absolutely nothing will trump the iPod Touch in North America even though I dislike Apple. I want a Zune HD.

[Engadget, Slash Gear]

BenQ Announces LED-Backlit 21.5-Inch V2200 Eco and 24-Inch V2400 Eco Monitors, Hitting China Mid-August

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BenQ has just unveiled their latest LED-backlit Eco monitors. The 24-inch V2400 Eco and the 21.5-inch V2200 Eco has LED-backlit 1080p displays and a supposed 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. This monitor is made up of 28% recycled plastic and uses about 36% less power than your tradition CCFL displays; it sucks 30% less power when you put it into Eco mode too. These two monitors should be hitting China in mid-August, but the price hasn't been mentioned yet. Check out BenQ's press release here.

Update on August 25th: According to Akihabara News, the Eco monitors were just made official. The correct dynamic contrast ratio is actually 50,000:1 on the monitors above. BenQ also went on to announce 19 and 21-inch LCD monitors at the event, but they're not Full HD-capable - the G920WL and the G922HDL.

[Engadget]

Huawei U8220 Hits WiFi Alliance, Could Be Headed to Europe as the T-Mobile Pulse

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A new Android-based Huawei handset has just hit the WiFi Alliance, the Huawei U8220. What makes things more interesting is that we've already seen Huawei's U8230 Android handset, so this could be their second handset. Either that or they're the exact same device. Either way what you see above or below is probably the Huawei U8220 and it will launch on T-Mobile overseas in Europe. We don't know when T-Mobile will launch it, but they could be launching it as the T-Mobile Pulse.

[Cell Passion]

CDMA Motorola Morrison Gets FCC Badge, Headed to Verizon?

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We already know that the Motorola Morrison is going to be launched by T-Mobile, but that may not be the only US carrier to push it out. According to the FCC filing, a CDMA Motorola Morrison is on the way which means that it could also launch on Verizon. It could launch on either Verizon or Sprint as the Motorola CLIQ. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Phandroid]

LG X130 Netbook is Average With a Beefy 9-Cell Battery

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Just over a month ago the LG X13 / X130 netbook passed the FCC and now we have more information about it. The X130 netbook has: a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display with a 1,024 x 600 resolution, an Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, and a 9-cell battery that supposedly lasts 12 hours. Will it live up to the claim? Let's hope so. This netbook is going to hit Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa for 789,000 Korean won ($632 USD). Yes, no word on a North America release date yet.

[Akihabara News, Electronista]

Marvel vs Capcom 2 Available on PSN Today For $14.99; Package Hitting GameStop Today Too

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The long wait is over Marvel and/or Capcom fans. Marvel vs Capcom 2 is going to hit the PSN today for $14.99. If you live in the US, GameStop should be offering up their Marvel vs Capcom 2 package. In case you forgot, the package has: a download code (not the actual game), an eight-page colour manual, a free 1-month subscription to Marvel Digital Comics, and 2000 Capcom-Unity points. And yes, the August 13th date we heard about clearly stood still.

[PlayStation.Blog]

Dell Android Smartphone Specs and Pictured; Motorola Sholes Not Shules, Morrison Launching on T-Mobile in September

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If you're like me you've been keeping a close ear / eye out for the Dell smartphone, the OPhone mini3i. It's supposedly "launch ready" now for the Chinese market and we have the supposed specs and picture (above) for you now. The Dell OPhone mini3i will supposedly have: a 3.5-inch nHD multi-touchscreen display with a 640 x 360 resolution, a 3MP AF camera with a flash, digital zoom, and 30fps video recording capabilities, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, aGPS support, a microSD card slot, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE class 12 support, OTA capable, Microsoft Exchange / Google / AIM / Yahoo / MSN IM support, and sports, of course, a virtual QWERTY keyboard. And yes, it looks like it could be running Android folks.

Boy Genius also went out to mention that the Motorola Android handset will actually be called the Sholes and not the Shules - it's also supposedly 13.7mm thin. And T-Mobile's Motorola Morrison could be launching in late September.

[Boy Genius, Engadget]

Another Probably Fake Ad For the PS3 Slim; This Time It's Kmart

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There are just so many rumours floating around about the PS3 Slim right now, so I'm warning you to just take every single one with a grain of salt - this one included. We saw the Best Buy ad yesterday and now we're seeing a PS3 Slim ad in a Kmart flyer. This one is a little bit different, it's a 120GB PS3 Slim model for $299.99. Apparently, it'll be available "in a few weeks." It's only five more days until Sony's GamesCon press conference, so let's hope that we don't get disappointed.

[Gizmodo]

Samsung Instinct s50 / M850 Dash Hitting Sprint on September 8th as the Instinct HD?

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So much for the September 3 rumour, the latest one outlines that the Samsung Instinct s50 / M850 Dash will be available on September 8th - on Sprint. According to Phone Arena's article, Sprint could be actually launching this handset as the Instinct HD. At this point, I have no clue why the "HD" was slapped on the name, seeing how this phone doesn't have an HD display or HD video recording capabilities so I guess they just ran out of names.

[Phone Arena]

More Rumours About the Nokia 5900 XpressMusic; 5MP Camera, 3.5-Inch Display, S60 5th Edition SP1

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Back in May, we heard about a possible Nokia 5900 XpressMusic and it actually turned out to be the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic. Well, the rumours of the 5900 are starting to fly again and, yes, the image above is probably not a picture of the real 5900 XpressMusic. Anyways, the 5900 could actually resemble Nokia's N97 more than the 5800. The 5900 will supposedly have: a 5MP camera, a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with a 360 x 640 resolution, possible support for SDXC cards, and it could run on S60 5th Edition SP1. And yes, the 5900 XpressMusic is also rumoured to be thinner and lighter than the 5800. Excited yet?

[Unwired View]

Microsoft Zune HD Hitting Shelves on September 15th, Up For Pre-Orders Now!

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Looks like the September 15th date we heard about two days ago is now official. As a refresher, the beautiful Zune HD has: a 3.3-inch OLED multi-touchscreen display, the Nvidia Tegra chipset, and a teflon-backing. Today, the Zune HD is available for pre-order at a few select stores - like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and the Microsoft Store. The 16GB model is now available $219.99 USD and the 32GB model (with the "platinum" finish) is available for $289.99 USD. Other information is below, courtesy of Engadget. The full spec sheet is here.

If you're super impatient and in select markets (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis / St. Paul, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.) you can head into a Best Buy on August 22nd and 23rd to play with a device and drop $25 on a pre-order.


[Engadget]