Baby Italian Stallion

What is Italian for Mini? Well if you ask the folks at Alfa Romeo they would say “Mi.To.” That is the name of their BMW Mini Cooper killer. Looking to compete in the premium subcompact segment dominated by the Mini, Alfa designers took inspiration from their 8C Competizione beauty.

And if drop dead gorgeous looks were not enough, this bad boy Mi.To makes the Toyota Prius green(er) with envy over the little Italians estimated 49 MPG. Don’t look for the Mi.To on the streets of the U.S. anytime soon, but for the rest of the world…Mama Mia, that’s a spicy meatball!

source yankodesign

This Thumb Drive Has Real Buzz…

One of the biggest issues with USB peripherals is the protruding nature of any design. From a Bluetooth adaptor to the tiniest of Flash Memory Drives, they all stick out like a sore thumb(drive). This issue with these protrusions is not just aesthetics, but function.

USB peripherals are constantly being accidentally ripped out, knocked off or jammed into your computer causing not only damage to the external item but the computer’s USB plug itself.

Serbian designer Damjan Stankovic, believes that flexibility in design can solve this problem. His “USBee” Flash Memory Drive won the first prize at the MS Industrial USB Competition held by the Serbian Design Community forum DizajnZona™. Ergonomically designed to bend at life’s will in any direction, this USB flash drive features a vented housing for cooling(I did not realize these needed cooling), and a detachable protective cap that snaps onto the back end of the device when not in use.

No word yet if this will go into production, so all claims of memory capacity are a moot point.

Designer: Damjan Stankovic

Because it can squeeze into really tight spaces between the computer and any other object it cannot cause any physical damage to your PC that happens when the USB is accidentally knocked over.

The electronics are located in an aluminum shell which is covered in yellow silicon/rubber. The bottom part of the USBee has breathing holes within the silicone so that the aluminum can dissipate through and keep device cool.


source yankodesign

Samsung i900 Omnia announcedSamsung i900 Omnia announced, live pics inside, live pics inside

The highly rumored Samsung i900 is finally unveiled by Samsung. Called Samsung i900 Omnia, this Windows Mobile PocketPC seems as a strong competitor of the rumored 3G iPhone, which should be announced today too. Of course, the feature set puts it head-to-head with HTC Touch Diamond too. However we have the feeling that the HTC TouchFLO 3D might be a bit more spectacular than what the Samsung i900 offers.

Samsung i900 Omnia will be first displayed at the CommunicAsia expo held in Singapore from June 17 to 20 but all details about its specifications are already made public.

Based on Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro, the Samsung i900 offers a 3.2-inch WideQVGA display (240 x 400 pixels) and an optical mouse much like the one found in the Samsung i780. Camera-wise the Samsung i900 Omnia is one helluva amibitious handset - offering a 5 megapixel auto focus snapper with face and smile detection plus auto-panorama shot. Geotagging is also among the camera features since the i900 also packs a built-in GPS receiver.

As style has it, the Samsung i900 Omnia waistline is only 12.5mm and the brushed metal back certainly adds to its refined looks. That figure along with the other dimensions makes it rather identical to the Apple iPhone. Most importantly the i900 shares with the iPhone the same massive internal memory - both an 8GB and a 16GB i900 versions will be available with the microSD still present for further expanding those with up to 16 gigs worth of storage.

Samsung i900 Omnia official photos

The specs sheet of the Samsung i900 is then boosted by the quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps. Thanks to the built-in accelerometer, the UI automatically rotates to follow the handset's current orientation. Wi-Fi support is also on board to make the i900 sound even juicier.

The USB port, FM radio with RDS and stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) are among the final touches to this loaded PocketPC.

And since touch-optimization is of critical importance when you strive to compete with Apple's iPhone, Samsung have also ported their TouchWiz user interface for use on Windows Mobile. We saw that Touch UI for the first time on the Samsung F480 and we surely enjoyed it.

The Samsung i900 Omnia will be market available from June 2008 (Europe - July 2008), which also coincides with the projected availability of the new 3G iPhone.

Since we had the opportunity to spend some time with the Samsung i900 Omnia before its official release, we can gladly provide you with some more detailed real-life shots as well as a 3D view of Samsung i900 Omnia. Enjoy!

source gsmarena

Nokia E66 and Nokia E71 finally out

After tons of leaked info and photos, Nokia finally announced officially the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 Symbian smartphones. They shouldn't have bothered, since the full specs and press photos surfaced online quite some time ago, but nevertheless it's good to know that Nokia keeps track of its future phones.

The Nokia E71 has got a full hardware QWERTY keypad and comes as a successor of the Nokia E61i. The Nokia E71 brings much more style to the E-series since it packs a waistline of only 10mm. However the display has shrunk a bit to 2.36 inches (as compared to the 2.8-inch one of Nokia E61i).

Nokia E71 White Steel and Nokia E71 Grey Steel

The Nokia E66 is the same business-grade device as the Nokia E71, however without the QWERTY keyboard. It comes as a successor of the Nokia E65 and is equipped with a large 2.4-inch TFT display of QVGA resolution. Infrared port (are they serious?), microUSB port, and Bluetooth (A2DP and EDR) are also on board.

Nokia E66 will also sport a built-in accelerometer, which would allow auto screen rotation, as well as silencing of incoming calls when the device is turned over.

Nokia E66 White Steel and Nokia E66 Grey Steel

Besides that both the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 feature built-in GPS receiver which works with Nokia Maps, 3 megapixel auto focus cameras capable of shooting video in up to VGA resolution at 22 fps (which is actually usable) and of course - HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity. Also both come equipped with microSD card slots that will allow expanding the available 110MB memory with up to 8GB worth of additional storage.

Email messaging is the highlight of both devices as they both support a wide range of personal and corporate email standards such as Microsoft Exchange, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email solution, as well as System Seven and Visto Mobile. These new Symbian smartphones also come with a new switch mode for switching between personal and work home screens. Encryption is also on board as well as mobile VPN support.

Dressed in stainless steel cases and etched graphics (E51-style), the new handsets will be available in grey steel or white steel colors. Both Nokia E71 and Nokia E66 are expected to begin shipping in July and both devices are expected to retail at 350 euro before taxes and subsidies.

source gsmarena

The BMW Gina

BMW is famous for making cars with pretty damn good reputations – and in the case of a significant number of their vehicles, excellent performance to boot. The BMW Gina Light Visionary Model is a two seat roadster that has a textile cover resistant to water and extremes of temperature. This fabric ‘overcoat’ is pulled across a moveable metal framework for a lovely outer shell. The lightweight aluminum space frame underneath has only four body sections – this minimizes roll and provides stability. The body is made of fabric.

The craziest part of this car is Electro-Hydraulics which allows the car to shift into place for greater down force and concealment of various elements until desired. No doubt that one way to increase the level of fuel efficiency is to lower the weight of a vehicle

However, we can see in the picture that the car made of fabric, its safety measures, you can think when it hits the road, and though I’m sure the finished model will have a roof. It is very attractive indeed, but we have also to think about its safety measures.

It comes across more ‘shark like’ in appearance than just about any other BMW model ever produced. The Gina eschews the usual BMW storyline and is a concept worthy of the more exotic manufacturers out there.

source autoinfo

Lights, Camera, Glass…Action!

Glass surface inputting is the new hotness for almost every gadget maker today. From from the iPhone to Microsoft’s Surface technology, flat is where it’s at.

Introducing the flattest full size QWERTY keyboard to date, “No-key Keyboard” by Kong Fanwen. Consisting of just a glass surface, camera and lighting, this alternative keyboard concept will use the latest motion capture technology to watch your fingers nervously select just the perfect smiley for your online bantering.

Designer: Kong Fanwen

source yankodesign

Is It Stank By Your Computer?

Oh I know a lot of people who should get this thing ASAP. The Aroma USB has a scented fragrance strip that dispenses a nice does of freshness anytime the air gets a little stale around you.

It does use a bit of power to heat up the strip and drive a small fan and I can forgive the fact it doesn’t have any memory even tho it’s so big because at the end of the day - stank is nasty and stank needs to be delt with. Agree?


source ubergizmo.com

Samsung L870 unveiled - Symbian smartphone in metal

Yet another Symbian S60 joins the ranks of Samsung high-class sliders. Reminding strongly of the Samsung G810, the Samsung L870 has a great-looking brushed stainless steel body and some capable hardware.

The Samsung L870 is powered by the same Symbian OS and user interface as all Nokia N-series smartphones. This new pup is only 13.5mm in thickness and has a 3 megapixel camera and a 2.4-inch 16M color TFT display with QVGA resolution. Unfortunately we still don't know whether the camera has an auto focus system or not.

The Samsung L870 will have tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support plus HSDPA 3.6Mbps for fast wireless data transfers. Speaking of wireless, the only thing that let us down in the L870 specs sheet is that it lacks Wi-Fi functionality. Pity indeed, since the device is the first Symbian smartphone to have the Safari mobile web browser on board. Whether it's exactly the same browser as in the Apple iPhone is not yet sure. However we should point out that the excellent Symbian S60 3rd edition mobile web browser shares one and the same platform with the iPhone's Safari mobile browser.

Bashed: We received an email from Samsung apologizing for the misunderstanding about the mentioning of the Safari browser in their press release. The Samsung L870 is equipped with the latest version of the S60 web browser and not the Safari mobile browser by Apple. As we already pointed out, the two mobile browser share the same platform.

The Samsung L870 will also host FM radio and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The internal memory is 100MB and the memory card slot can take a microSD card with a capacity of up to 4GB.

source gsmarena

Fujitsu Introduces Its Latest Mobile Phone, the F906i

We've just returned from a Fujitsu Press Conference in Tokyo (Shimbashi), where they introduced their new mobile phone, the F906i. The first thing we'd like to highlight is the very warm welcome we received from Fujitsu's employees!.

About the new F906i… It's is a pretty phone that comes with 3.2'' FullWide rotary screen with a VGA resolution of 864x480. It carries two cameras with a CMOS sensor, 3.2Mpix for the outside one, and 320,000 pixels for inside one, a slot for microSD/SDHC (8GB Maximum), OneSeg TV Tuner, FM radio, GPS. It can also read MP4 and ASF video formats, and is 3G +

Here are some other nice functions found on our F906i:

- Research function: With a simple press of a button (look at the pictures) you can find anything, a stored contact, an MP3 file, a restaurant on the Internet, or a place…
- The ability to split your screen in order to watch TV and navigate the Internet simultaneously.
- A small finger-print sensor on the back that acts as multi directional keys.
- Rainbow-color keypad illumination (in seven colors - the key pad can be set to change colors as desired).
- Something I really like, just hit your phone in order to silence an alarm.
- Adobe Flash 8 compatible, allowing you to navigate to almost any web site on the Internet.
- Quick Zoom-in and zoom-out function.

source akihabaranews

Samsung Announced the Launch of Their Latest Mobile: "Spirit Of Ultra"

Samsung announced its new "Spirit of Ultra" in bar form factor. Our mobile phone features a 2.0'' QVGA screen, a 3MPix camera, a new UI, 1GB of internal memory, and a MicroSD Slot. This new device is Tri-Band (900, 1800, 1900MHz), HSDPA (2100MHz) compatible. It supports MPR/AAC/AAC+/e-AAC+/WMA/RA audio files, and allows you to record and edit your videos in 15fps. Available in five colors: Soul Grey, Platinum Silver, Metallic Black, Soul Pink, and Amethyst Violet.

SEOUL, KOREA – May 30, 2008 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a leading mobile phone provider, announced the launch of Soulb, “Sprit of Ultra” (Soul) in bar form factor. By containing all the merits of Soul DNA, Soulb outstands from all of the other bar type handsets available in market today, setting a brand new standard for bar handset category.

Continuing the legacy of Soul, Soulb captures the eyes of the viewer at once with its astonishing state-of-the-art design. Just as Soul, Soulb is fully covered in an elegant metallic body which is softly brushed with hairline pattern. Soulb‘s trim graceful outline with mere 9.9mm thickness undoubtedly resembles the sleek silhouette of Soul. Just as its precedent, Soulb once again amazes the viewer with its utterly splendid yet minimalistic design.

Available in five luscious colors, Soul Grey, Platinum Silver, Metallic Black, Soul Pink and Amethyst Violet, Soulb will satisfy even the most unappeasable style-conscious users’ needs.

Soulb is not only beautiful to stare at from the outside, but it is also fully equipped with attractive up-to-date features inside. An embedded 3-megapixel camera with Power LED, office document viewer and editor, full speed internet browser and Bluetooth v.2.0 will fully support convenience users need without compromising style.

Quality entertainment features such as music player, video editor and recorder and FM radio with RDS are also embedded within Soulb. 1GB internal memory and microSD slot provides sufficient space for users to store all the music and pictures they love.

“Soulb is an important stepping stone for Samsung.” said Geesung Choi, President of Samsung’s Telecom Business. “Soulb proves the world that Samsung is not only a predominant leader in selective form factors, but that it continuously seeks after becoming the leader in all variety of form factors, including slider, clamshell and bar.” he continued.

Soulb will first become available in Germany early June. It will then continue the Soul legend in numerous other countries and regions, including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia (China), Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America.
source akihabaranews

Dual Music Player That Plays Your MP3 Collection & Your CDs

You want to enjoy your audio CDs while traveling but you also have a huge MP3 collection at home that you want to take with you. The ideal solution? DMP, a portable music player that supports CD and MP3 files.

Use the MP3 player as you normally would, hang it around your neck, clip it on your jeans or place it in your pocket. Otherwise open both sides and insert your favorite CD and you got yourself a CD player my friend. Now that’s music to my ears.

Designer: Yong-Seong Kim

source yankodesign.com

Sony Ericsson W980 preview: First look

Sony Ericsson W980 is among those gadgets with enough class and guts to hope for a long run in the spotlight. A Walkman-series phone, armed with 8GB of internal memory, 3 megapixel camera and a built-in accelerometer simply cannot go unnoticed. Now, add the exotic FM transmitter feature and the light effects and you can feel the tingle of excitement of having a real star in your hands.

You can bet that we are already working on a full-blown review of the sleek clamshell but before it's ready to serve, here is a quick taster of our first impressions. It should give you the first idea of what the Sony Ericsson W980 is good for.

For starters, check out some photos of the newest addition to the Walkman family. It looks all set to become the flagship of the Sony Ericsson music feature-phone portfolio and has some pretty high expectations to match. The question is whether Sony Ericsson W980 is capable of going that extra step towards stardom.

Design and construction

Sony Ericsson W980 is finished in nice glossy plastic that gives it those sleek and sexy looks. Its mirror-like front surface is not the easiest to work with but is visually impressive. The main problem here is fingerprint smudges. Those are a huge issue with the W980 and we had to spend almost as much time cleaning the handset as we did using it.

The Sony Ericsson W980 stands at 92 x 46 x 16.9 mm, which is compact enough for a clamshell phone. It seems rather large when opened but is in fact very pocket-friendly when closed. Besides, it weighs the delightful 100 g.

The front panel of Sony Ericsson W980 looks as if it holds no controls whatsoever. When the handset is dormant, the whole front is just one solid piece of opaque mirror. As soon as you press a key however, eye-pleasing illuminations appear to mark the location of the touch-sensitive controls. Those are in charge of the music player and the FM radio without even opening the phone.

There is a lock slider on the side of Sony Ericsson W980 that comes in handy for avoiding accidental presses. The volume rocker is also placed on the side, as usual.

We however didn't like the Walkman key location much. It's placed under the cover, so you have to open the flip to use it. It would have been much more comfortable somewhere on the side, so you can use the Shake control feature without bothering to flip up.

The lower part of the front is decked with a transparent stripe. It illuminates to create light effects to the currently playing music track. Those light effects are also available when you play some of the preinstalled games but in different color. We know it's only eye-candy with no actual use but that doesn't make it any less cool, does it?

Opening the Sony Ericsson W980 reveals the 2.2" QVGA display. The moderately sized screen doesn't quite befit a flagship device that the W980 is supposed to be. It is capable of showing up to 262K colors and really won us over with picture quality.

The keypad of Sony Ericsson W980 has rather extraordinary looks (very much like the low-end R306 radio) with its round buttons. It is however quite comfortable to use due to the large enough keys and sufficient space between them.

It's difficult though to say the same about the soft keys that are too tiny for our taste. They are a nuisance to use if you have larger fingers - pressing some of the neighboring keys seems imminent.

A nice feature in Sony Ericsson W980 is the ambient light sensor that is placed slightly below the display. It takes care of adjusting the display brightness according to the current lighting conditions.

The thing to note at the rear is the 3 megapixel camera lens. Sony Ericsson didn't bother putting either auto focus or flash, so you probably understand you're not to expect miracles of it. Its placement is also quite inconvenient as it is exactly where your index finger will normally rest when shooting. You will need to work out a proper way of holding the W980 when taking pictures.

source gsmarena.com

Philips X800 and X-Connect are all-touch

Philips are obviously making a go at the high-end market, something they've been keeping away for quite some time. Today they've officially stepped up with two new handsets - the Philips X800 and the Philips Xenium X-Connect. The Philips X800 is a full touch-screen device with a large display, while the Philips Xenium X-Connect is a Windows Mobile-based device with an even bigger TFT display. Let's not waste any more time and delve into the specifics.

The Philips X800 is the first full-touch device by the China-based manufacturer. Images of the X800 already leaked a week ago but now it's the real deal - the device is officially announced.

The Philips X800 is a tri-band GSM/GPRS handset and its highlight is the large 2.9-inch 262K color TFT display with touch-screen functionality and a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. The interface of the device is also fully touch-based and offers handwriting recognition. The Philips X800 also flaunts a 2 megapixel auto focus camera, a microSD memory card slot, Bluetooth, an office documents reader.

The extraordinary battery times have been, so to say, a Philips trademark in recent years. The Philips X800 doesn't make difference and the manufacturer promises up to 850 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours of talk-time.

Unfortunately, no availability or pricing information is yet known.

Next Philips unveiled preliminary information on their upcoming Philips Xenium X-Connect. It will run on Windows Mobile 6 and will have a large 3-inch display (resolution and touchscreen functionality are still not clear). It will be rich in connectivity features such as GPRS/UMTS/HSDPA, however lacking Wi-Fi.

The Philips Xenium X-Connect will also have an integrated GPS-receiver and will offer Bluetooth, USB and a microSD memory card slot. More than anything though, the device has killer looks.

Currently no availability or pricing info is known on the Philips Xenium X-Connect.

source gsmarena.com

Bugatti Veyron Hermes 2008 Geneva Motor Show

Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermes review:
On the occasion of the 78th Geneva Motor Show (from 6 to 16 March 2008), Bugatti and Hermès co-present the fruit of their partnership: the "Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès", associat-ing Bugatti`s technical performance with the expertise of Hermès and its craftsmen. In partnership with Hermès, designer Gabriele Pezzini has married the distinctive Hermès style to the legendary Bugatti Veyron 16.4, magnifying the car`s personality.

This remarkable car features an array of exceptional characteristics: the innovative alliance of a technologically advanced engine, delivering 1001 horsepower, with an understated yet uncompromising silhouette reflecting the high performance capacities of state-of-the-art engineering and design, and above all, the pleasure these inspire in every Bugatti owner.

The fascination exerted by this sports coupé, capable of reaching 407 km/h, is due in large part to its unique alliance of the very finest motor-racing technology with comfortable handling for everyday driving. The 16-cylinder "W" configuration engine is fed by four turbochargers and features 64 valves, generating 1001 horsepower at 6000 rpm. The engine draws on its 8-litre displacement to deliver a maximum torque of 1250 Newton-metres between 2200 and 5500 rpm. With full-time all-wheel drive, the car`s phenomenal power produces breath-takingly dynamic handling, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.5 seconds.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 benefits from aeronautical and aerospace technologies, making it the fastest production car ever made. The car also features a braking system designed to deliver unprecedented powers of deceleration, establishing a new industry benchmark. The carbon-fibre discs provide brake pressure of up to 180 bars, combined with eight-piston monobloc callipers and titanium pistons fitted with fine steel heads and ceramic heat protectors. Apply the brakes at speeds above 200 km/h, and the rear wing acts as an airbrake, positioning itself at an angle of 113 degrees in less than 0.4 seconds, augmenting the Bugatti Veyron`s already impressive stopping power.

The airbrake increases negative lift at the rear of the car to 300 kg, enhancing the braking torque on the rear axle. At 400 km/h, emergency braking will bring the sports car to a complete halt in less than 10 seconds. This, the world`s most fascinating car, has pushed back the limits of physical engineering to offer a completely new sensation for driver and passenger alike. But it has also adopted a radically different stance to that of other sports cars: its features and finish are sure to impress the most demanding clientele. Hermès and designer Gabriele Pezzini have lavished attention on the interior and exterior of this exceptional car, to create the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4: the "Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès"

A harmonious design, inside and out
The official name of the highly exclusive Bugatti Veyron "Fbg par Hermès" refers to the historic Hermès headquarters on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the heart of Paris`s eighth arrondissement: the "Fbg" appellation evokes the house`s "faubourg" address. With the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès, the exacting standards of Emile Hermès and Ettore Bugatti come together for the first time, in an exceptional collaboration: the culmination of their extreme attention to aesthetic and technological quality and performance. Gabriele Pezzini has reinterpreted Bugatti`s traditional two-tone carriage work, fostering a fluid, harmonious transition between the car`s exterior and interior design.

The colour of the hood extends to the interior of the cockpit, and re-emerges behind, at the level of the rear wing. As a tribute to the celebrated 1924 Bugatti Type 35, undoubtedly the most famous of all time, thanks to its many successes on the racetrack, the new Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès features eight-spoked wheels in polished aluminium, central butterfly wheel locks branded with the letter H, and air vents around the rims reproducing the characteristic appearance of Hermès saddle-stitching. The horseshoe radiator grille, and the lateral ventilation grilles flanking it, are made from lightweight alloys with a design of interlocking H`s evoking the Hermès "signature".

A refined formal vocabulary
The inner surfaces of the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès have been designed and sheathed in bull calfskin by the Hermès workshops in Paris. The care and attention to detail observe an extremely refined, minimalist formal vocabulary, reflecting the tradition of the very first Bugattis and the fundamental design principles of the house of Hermès. The door handles echo the fluid forms of handles on Hermès travel bags and luggage.

And the dashboard, traditionally finished in brushed aluminium, is here clad entirely in bull calfskin. Passengers aboard the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès will find a dashboard glove compartment designed to hold a selection of small travel accessories and a zipped Hermès wallet. Both seats are covered in two-toned bull calfskin, and the panel separating the cockpit from the central rear engine – traditionally made of carbon fibre – is covered in the same fine leather. The leather-lined trunk holds a specially-fitted "Toile H" and leather case, hand-made by craftsmen from the Hermès workshops.

This exceptional model – in toning colours of ebony and étoupe, or ebony and brick – is priced at 1.55 million euros (not including tax), available at the end of 2008.
source auto-power-girl.com caradvice.com.au

Ivyskin iPhone Xylo T2 Reflect Chrome Case

Xylo Touch-Thru© (T2) case by ivyskin is the first of its kind to provide a hard screen shell over the iPhone. This German designed material is second to none on the market today! Enables you to navigate the iPhone's screen with the hard scratch resistant shield. ivyskin has designed and manufactured the all new T2 case© from scratch by using the latest technology available in crystal case manufacturing.

Another breakthrough from a company that always thinks outside the box. Surface Xylo Wave (SXW)© technology passes ultrasonic waves that pass over the touch screen panel and transfer them to the iPhone's screen without any interferences. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. This change in the ultrasonic waves registers the position of the touch event and sends this information to the iPhone's screen for processing.

source expansys-usa.com

Give your Apple iPhone a new look in seconds and protect it from abuse at the same time. Forget about thick cases that bulk up your iPhone, making it look fat and thick. This iStyles Skin hardly adds any volume to your device, creates a whole new look that sets you apart in the sea of iPhones and even provides basic scratch protection to keep your device in prime condition.

This Apple iPhone iStyles Skin features an ultra-high resolution full-color design that is printed on premium grade adhesive-backed cast vinyl with UV resistant inks and then covered with a clear protective layer for ultimate durability. All iStyles Skins use a patented repositionable and removable adhesive backing for fast, easy and accurate installation and goo-free removal.
This Skin set features a three piece kit that includes coverage for the front and back of the Apple iPhone for maximum effect. Each Skin also includes a special download code for a free matching background wallpaper (as shown) and is 100% compatible with our Silicon Screen Protector.


More details about the quality of our skins are available in our article about Skins Demystified.

source istyles.com

Porsche Design P’9521 Mobile Phone

The casing is milled out of a solid aluminum block a” a unique production method for mobile phones. With this product, Porsche Design has remained loyal to its clear design language and has utilized sophisticated material. The typography, styling and colors of the menu emphasize the mobile phone’s very functional character. A double hinge made from aluminum enables the screen to be rotated through 180A a” thus allowing the phone to be used as a digital camera.

The P’9521 features a fingerprint reader, which clearly identifies the user and thus ensures secure access to personal data. In addition, individual fingerprints can be assigned to particular numbers or phone functions, making operation particularly easy. The standard PIN code can also be replaced by a fingerprint. The know-how for this technology was delivered by Sagem, which has expertise in the field of biometrics. The new mobile phone will be available from fall 2007 in Porsche Design Stores and specialist mobile-phone retailers worldwide. The mobile phone will not be sold in the US, Japan or Korea.

source yankodesign.com

Iriver E100, The Review

Here it is, the iRiver E100 review. No need to hide it any longer, the E100 is an excellent product. Very well built and, at a price of 129€ for the 8GB version, it's as good as it gets.

Content:
Open the box of your brand new E100 and you'll find the usual suspects: player, a USB cable, audio headset, quick start guide, and installation CD. The USB cable can be used to recharge the player and also to transfer files from your computer to the E100 (pictures, videos, music...). The installation CD carries a couple of software including iRiverPlus3, also the drivers and the user's manual.

Design:
Hate it or Love it, the design of the E100 is pretty slick and simple, nice at first touch. On its top lies the microSD port, the bottom is where the USB port was placed as well as the jack (in line). The E100 is available in three versions 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB five colors (white, black, pink, light blue and chocolate). At only 59 grams and 11.3mm of thickness, it can be easily transported.

Interface:
The E100's graphical interface is nice and clean, browsing is ultra easy from icon to icon thanks to the D-Click system which, unfortunately, tends to take a little bit of time to react.

Audio:
As you can expect with an iRiver product, most audio codecs are supported. MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF, FLAC, all with excellent audio quality no matter which you use (headset or built in speakers). Part of this success comes from the use of the SRS WOW HD technology.

Video:
The E100 can play MPEG4/WMV9/XVID and, despite a rather small screen (2.4"), the experience is pretty good in both visual quality and smoothness. iRiverPlus3 software can be used to encode videos.

Photo:
Photo display is also very enjoyable, fast and easy thanks to the D-Click system. The E100 also gives the user the ability to create slideshows and add music to them.

Other functions:
The E100 can do more than what we've seen so far, some extras include FM Radio (play/record and timer recording), voice recorder (through an integrated microphone), a recording function from an external source, plus .txt file compatibility.

Autonomy:
iRiver previously stated that video autonomy was 5 hours and audio 17 hours but, in their latest update, video autonomy remained unchanged while audio went up to 25 hours.

Plus:
+ Excellent audio quality
+ D-Click system
+ MicroSD port
+ MTP/UMS (the player is detected as an external drive)
+ Price to quality ratio
+ All around player (Audio, Vidoo, Photo, Text, FM radio, voice recorder)
+ Design

Minus:
- No Bluetooth
- Battery Life in Video mode
- D-Click sometimes lacks reactivity

source akihabaranews.com

Sony Mylo 2, Nice but...

The second generation Sony Mylo is kind of a "User Friendly PDA" with which you can surf the internet (in a/b/g WiFi), send/receive e-mails, use Skype, listen to music, social network, take and view pictures, watch videos... That sort of thing.

Hands-on
The Mylo is really easy to handle and use. It's compact, the keyboard slides perfectly, materials feel pretty good too and in no time you'll type as fast as you're used to... I noticed a couple problems though: the stick feels awkward and I just don't get why JogDial wasn't implemented in this device, it would really have been a perfect addition...

In general
The Mylo is pretty quick and won't force you to wait patiently from one software to another and Skype can be used while surfing the net or listening to music...

The screen is excellent and sports a 800x480px resolution, the touchscreen system works very well in most instances.

Photo
The screen can play pictures up to a resolution of 3000x2000px, which is excellent, but taking pictures with the Mylo it's a whole different story... I suggest you forget it features a digital camera and really don't understand why Sony didn't install a real sensor... There seems to be enough room for one...

Video
As I said before the (excellent) screen is 800x480, I don't know what went wrong here but the max resolution of the videos you can play is 320x240px... This simply doesn't make any sense...

Music
The sound quality is excellent, a good point.

Internet
Near perfect! You can use the internet on the Mylo just like you do on your PC, the WiFi is fast even though I didn't try it outdoors so I don't know how well it works with other networks, but it should be just as good...3G, to use it as a telephone would have been appreciated...

Skype
Decent audio quality during communication, the application can also be left ON while doing something else until a call is made...

Connectics
Nothing fancy here... USB and memory stick... A standard jack plug can be used, hopefully.

Plus:
Perfect screen resolution
Quickness and performance
Very nice to use
Good keyboard

Minus:
No telephone
No JogDial
320x240px videos on a 800x480px screen...

Conclusion:
Sony's Mylo 2 sure is a nice looking device and it also is pretty cool to use but it still lacks a couple important functions to properly rival the iPod Touch or iPhone.

source akihabaranews.com

LG VX10000

Touch Screen Multimedia Phone with QWERTY Keyboard If sublime style and profound performance are part of your mobile destiny, the new VOYAGER™ is just what you’ve been waiting for. The first handset with both interactive touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard, this one-of-a-kind wonder can also tune you in and turn you on to V CAST Mobile TV and full HTML Internet browsing. The VOYAGER™ will take you where you want to go with a music player, dual speakers for stereo sound, Bluetooth,® and a 2.0 megapixel camera & camcorder. For the ultimate mobile excursion, there is nothing like the VOYAGER.™ Features

• Large External Touch Screen
• QWERTY Keyboard
• V CAST Mobile TV
• HTML Web Browsing
• 2.0 Megapixel Camera & Camcorder
• Music Player
• Bluetooth® Capable
• microSD™ Memory Port

DESIGN
• Stylish and Functional Design with Dual Screens
• Large 2.81" External Touch Screen
• Touch Protection – prevents unwanted key actions
• Touch Screen Vibration for Tactile Feedback
• QWERTY Keyboard with Large, Widely-Spaced Keys for Easy Messaging
• 3 Keys on External Flip (Send, Clear, Power/End)
• Soft-Feel Coating for Comfortable Grip

V CAST MOBILE TV*
• Watch Full-Length Broadcast Quality Shows with Phone Open or Closed
• Wide Screens for Optimal TV Viewing
• Retractable TV Antenna for Enhanced TV Reception
• Channel Surf with No Buffering
• Easy-to-Use Program Guide

*V CAST Mobile TV only available in the V CAST Mobile TV coverage area. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/mobiletv for details. Additional fees may apply.

MUSIC
• Music Player for MP3, WMA, AAC, & AAC+
• V CAST Music & Video†
• Sync Music from PC to Phone via V CAST Music Manager*
• USB Cable & V CAST Music Manager CD Included Create & Manage Playlists
• Music Library – songs are auto organized by artist, genre, and album
• Music Only Mode (RF off except Bluetooth)
• Dual Speakers for Stereo Sound
• microSD™ Memory Port with 8GB Support**

*Requires USB cable. V CAST Music will only work with V CAST Music Manager, Windows Media Player 10 (or higher) on the Windows XP (or higher) operating system. Mac OS is not supported.
**Not all downloaded content may be moved to the microSD card (sold separately).

BLUETOOTH (V1.2)
• Supported Profiles: headset, hands-free,* dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution (stereo), phone book access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar,** file transfer, basic imaging, human interface
• Save up to 20 Bluetooth Pairings
• Bluetooth Stereo Support for Listening to Music***
• Send Calendar Events & All Contacts via Bluetooth
• Print & Send User-Generated Pictures via Bluetooth

*For Bluetooth vehicle/accessory compatibility, go to www.verizonwireless.com/bluetoothchart.
**Phone does not support all Bluetooth OBEX profiles.
***Accessories sold separately.

CAMERA/VIDEO
• 2.0 Megapixel Autofocus Camera & Camcorder
• Landscape Viewfinder Usage for Real Camera Feel
• Turn on the External Display for Self-Portraits via Camera Options
• Camera Resolutions: 1600x1200 (default), 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240 Pixels
• Image Editor – zoom, rotate, crop
• Zoom: Up to 2.5x*
• Customizable Brightness,** White Balance,** Shutter Sound, Color Effects,** Night Mode, Photometry, Self-Timer, Autofocus
• Video Resolutions: 320x240, 176x144 (default) Pixels
• Video Recording Time: 30 Sec. (for sending) or up to 1 Hr. (for saving)***
• Video Player for WMV, MP4, 3GP, 3G2 Formats
• Set Videos (under 5MB) as Wallpaper

* Varies by image size. Camera setting of 1600x1200 pixels does not support zoom function.
** Available in both video and camera modes.
***Depends on available memory.

MOBILE MEDIA
• Full HTML Web Browsing with Touch Navigation* & Bookmarks†
• Call & Messaging Restrictions†
• Text/Picture/Video Messaging†
• Get It Now® Capable†
• Mobile E-mail, Instant Messaging & Account Info†

*Touch navigation is only available from the external screen.

VOICE/AUDIO
• One-Touch Speakerphone (via internal keyboard)
• Speaker-Independent Voice Commands
• Text to Speech
• Voice Recording – 1 min. or 1 hr.* (standby) or 5 min. (during a call)
• Music Ringer Support (clips from hit songs)†
• 26 Unique Ringtones + Vibrate & Silent Modes
• TTY/TDD Support
• Hearing Aid Compatible (M3-Rating)

*Depends on available memory.

TOOLS & DATA
• USB Mass Storage – transfer files between microSD card* and PC
• VZ NavigatorSM Preloaded – voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions†
• Tools: Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notepad, Ez Tip Calc
• Function Key for Quick Access to 10 Shortcuts
• Phone Book with 1,000 Contacts – each stores 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, and a picture ID**
• Speed Dial (95 entries + 4 pre-programmed for voicemail, #BAL, #MIN, #PMT)
• Emergency Contacts – enter 3 contacts & personal info

*microSD card sold separately.
**Dependent on photos stored in your album (My Pictures).

GENERAL
• USB Charging via Computer
• Flash User Interface for Clear Images/Text & Fun Animations
• Simultaneous GPS for Enhanced Location Accuracy
• Standalone Mode (RF Off)

†Verizon Wireless service required. V CAST service is not available in all areas. Product features subject to change. Features based on carrier program availability.

source LG