850
Latest
Braven's latest portable Bluetooth speakers: 850 charges your iPad, BRV-1 laughs at H2O (eyes-on)
It's no secret that we generally enjoy Braven's pushes into the portable Bluetooth speaker arena. The company is again aiming to take your dollars away from the likes of the Jawbone Jamboxes, offering up two new units for CES. The 850 is its largest speaker yet, being roughly the same size as Big Jambox -- and priced much the same at $300. As you'd expect, the 850 is clad in aluminum, and has a USB port for charging external devices. That's not all, however, as Braven claims this is the world's first battery-powered speaker that'll charge 2.1A gizmos (like the iPad) on its own accord (no word on expected battery life). Even more impressive -- and expensive -- we're told that two units can be run in true stereo with either serving as the left and right channels. No pictures for now, but we'll update this post as soon as we get them. Aside from the 850, the $170 BRV-1 (dummy units pictured) ditches the company's smooth rectangular speaker angles, in favor of ruggedness and IPX5 water-resistance. The not-so pocketable speaker is clad in rubber, featuring two large buttons on both edges for playback controls. The speaker grill on the front get's Braven's usual treatment with aluminium, while the back houses twist-cap protected microUSB port, USB port, battery indicator and a 3.5mm input jack. Both speakers are set to sit along its Six Series units sometime this month, and you'll find more pictures of two BRV-1 mockups in the gallery below.
Did LG's Optimus L5 handset sneak through the FCC?
Remember LG's Android L-style series of smartphones from back at Mobile World Conference? While we can't be totally certain this is the case, it appears that the Optimus L5 handset recently passed through the FCC's subterranean lair. Buried within the testing report is the diagram pictured, displaying measurements that fit in nicely with the mid-tier device's 4-inch screen size. For cellular connectivity, you'll find GSM (850/900/1800/1900) and WCDMA (850/2100) radios, alongside the requisite GPS, Bluetooth and WLAN. Mum's still the word on when we might start seeing this device and its siblings up for sale on US shores, but feel free to parse the FCC testing report at the source link below in the meantime.
AT&T Google Nexus S on sale today, exclusive to Best Buy
If you shelled out 600 clams for an unlocked Nexus S, buyer's remorse starts now: the subsidized AT&T version is out today. Available exclusively from Best Buy (and exclusively in black), the AT&T Nexus S will set you back only a paltry $99 with a two-year contract. Is the loss of color choice (and that whole "SIM-locked to AT&T" thing) worth the savings? We'll leave that up to you and your (Google) wallet.
BlackBerry Torch 2 slides through the FCC, bound for AT&T?
We've already gotten our grubby little mitts on it, and it looks like soon enough you too will be able to wrap your QWERTY-loving digits around a Torch 2. It looks like the display-centric BlackBerry just slid its way through the FCC, sporting 850MHz and 1900MHz GSM bands, indicating this particular model (listed as RDM71UW) is destined for AT&T. Obviously, even if this is in fact the Torch 2, an FCC filing is not exactly a confirmed release date -- so don't start lining up outside your local AT&T outlet just yet.
White Nexus S with AT&T 3G bands hands-on! (video)
Well, what do we have here? Sure enough, it's that coveted white Nexus S with AT&T-compatible 3G that we mentioned yesterday, and we just got our dirty little paws on it thanks to a friendly tipster. This particular handset was purchased from Negri Electronics, and it's both unlocked and running Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread), the version that just barely started rolling out to existing AWS Nexus S units in February. As you can see, it's pretty much identical to the current model, except of course for that white tuxedo and 850 / 1900MHz-friendly 3G radio. Feast your eyes upon Google and Samsung's latest prodigy in our gallery below, and hit the break for our hands-on video. [Thanks, Steve] %Gallery-120640%
Nexus S with AT&T bands available in white for $600, headed to Fido and Rogers
It's been a long time in coming, but it looks like Google and Samsung's love child, the Nexus S -- a favorite around these parts -- is finally available with AT&T's 850 and 1900 MHz 3G bands from online retailer Negri Electronics, for $600 in your choice of black or white. It's not the first time we've seen the elusive Samsung GT-I9020A in the wild: it's already appeared both in the hands of the FCC and on the Bluetooth SIG's website. We've also seen pictures of a Nexus S with a white battery cover before. And here's more: we already knew the AWS version of the Nexus S was coming to Canada via Mobilicity, but according to MobileSyrup, you'll soon be able to pick up the Nexus S on Fido and Rogers for C$500 contract-free or C$100 with a three-year commitment, and these two carriers use the same 3G frequencies as AT&T in the US. So, until we hear something official from Samsung or Google, hit up our plethora of source links below.
AT&T says New York 850MHz 3G upgrade is complete, voice quality improved 47 percent
AT&T's service in New York City has long been decried as some of the worst in the nation -- we've heard people claim 30 percent of iPhone calls drop on average -- but hopefully things are about to get a lot better, as Ma Bell's just finished its 850MHz 3G upgrade in the city. That means the carrier should have more capacity in all five boroughs, and we're told voice quality has improved 47 percent since last quarter. Of course, the proof is in the pudding, so we'll see how things go -- hit us up in comments, won't you?
Samsung's 2010 3DTVs priced from $1,700 to ridiculous and everywhere in between
Enjoy your CES peek at Samsung's ultrathin 9000 series LED-lit LCD HDTV, with its touchscreen, video displaying remote control (also available as a $350 add-on for the 7000, 8000,and 750 series televisions) and 3D capability? That's good, because bringing the 55-inch UN55C9000 home in April will cost you a cool $6,999 (the thrifty can slum it with the 46-inch version for $5,999.) Still, if you're just looking to jump in on 3D without spending the max money, the cheapest model available at first will be the standard LCD LN46C750 available in May. In between, there's all manner of LED (most of them listed above, both with and without 3D capabilities) or old-school CCFL backlit LCDs plus a healthy lineup of plasmas arriving over the next few months, so with a note that grabbing 3D Blu-ray player and display at the same time will net a couple free pairs of active shutter glasses and a copy of the Monsters vs. Aliens 3D Blu-ray, check Samsung's site for each type to see what your budget can handle.
Sony Alpha 850 full-frame DSLR given the hands-on treatment
Sony debuted three fairly high-end cameras earlier today, but there's no question that the full-frame, 24.6-megapixel Alpha 850 is the flagship of the lot, and sure to garner the most attention (if not necessarily the most purchases). Thankfully, the folks at Pocket-lint have managed to get their hands on the DSLR, and have naturally provided plenty of pics showing it off from every angle (paired with Sony's 50mm F2.8 Macro lens). Hit up the read link for the complete slide show, and a bit more time to contemplate the $2,000 price tag it'll be sporting come September.
Palm's Treo Pro gets its first update: Bluetooth improvements promised
Aw, isn't this cute? Palm's unlocked Treo Pro has just received its very first software update, and we're happy to bring along the obligatory balloons and party foods. As of today, users of the Treo Pro can download a Bluetooth Update which reportedly resolves an issue with multiple calls sometimes getting twisted and diverted to voicemail and / or an operator on Pluto. In other words, this update will eliminate those conversations you keep having with extraterrestrial beings, so it's probably worth installing. Got it? Good.[Via Palm InfoCenter]
Palm's Treo Pro in the wild, probably not fake
In case there was any lingering doubt that the Treo Pro (alias Treo 850) was real -- and there probably shouldn't be, considering it got snapped all the way back in May -- this round of non-blurry (dare we say artistic?) shots should pretty much seal the deal. The glossy shell, promise of a 320 x 320 display, and a general acknowledgment of circa-2008 industrial design definitely have us feeling just a little less pessimistic about Palm's prospects right now; if anything, it makes us wish they had some Android kit up their sleeves rather than slaving away on the thus-far vaporware Palm OS 2. As WinMo goodies go, though, this thing looks like it's ready to hang with the best of the best -- so bring it on, Palm. A legion of fans with well-worn 750s awaits you. In the meanwhile, check another shot after the break.[Via WMExperts]
First official HTC Touch Diamond ROM with GSM 850 support released
Not a huge fan of cooked WinMo ROMs, but desperately want in on that 850MHz action for your Touch Diamond? Well, first of all, anyone who isn't a fan of cooked ROMs is just a little loony as far as we're concerned (but we still love you); secondly, HTC's made it possible to have your cake and eat it too with a new firmware update posted to its Asian site that proclaims the addition of GSM 850 support among several other changes and fixes -- some ten in total. After working through some confusion over the appearance (or lack thereof) of 850 in the band selection screen after updating, it looks like this does actually work for a variety of Touch Diamonds floating around out there, so let us know how you fare if you decide to give it a shot.[Via xda-developers, thanks Dayne]
Samsung unveils 46- / 52-inch Series 8 LCD HDTVs
Might want to slow down there, Samsung -- don't want to pull anything by cranking out too many new HDTVs at a time. Yep, Sammy's letting loose a few more sets today alongside the Series 7 plasmas and Series 9 LCDs: the September-bound Series 8 LCD HDTV line. The Series 8 850 (rose accents) and Series 8 860 (deep blue accents) only differ in color, while they both pack a 1080p Ultra Clear panel, Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology, a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, InfoLink RSS reader, DLNA certification, 4-millisecond response time and twin down-firing speakers with an integrated subwoofer. You'll also find a built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM TV tuner, a DNIe Pro video processor, swivel stand and four HDMI-CEC ports (among others). The pain? $2,699.99 for the LN46A850, $3,399.99 for the LN52A850, $2,799.99 for the LN46A860 and $3,499.99 for the LN52A860. Got all that?
Unofficial Touch Diamond ROM magically unlocks GSM 850
We'd given up any hope of the Touch Diamonds out in the field ever being completely function on North American networks; the lack of 3G sucks enough as it is, but the mysterious absence of GSM 850 was the final slap in the face. xda-developers has taken its usual no-mountain-too-high approach, though, and has somehow managed to uncover and enable GSM 850 capability lying dormant in the Touch Diamond's circuitry. Granted, you'll still be poking along at EDGE speeds at best, but at least you'll be doing so in a wider swath of the colonies.[Via wmpoweruser.com]
Treo 850 specs leaked?
If recently leaked specs for Palm's Treo 850 end up ringing true, it looks like the darned thing might actually have some bite to back up its bark. TamsPPC cites a "good friend" working at Palm who claims that the device will feature HSDPA 3.6, WiFi, AGPS, a 320 x 320 display (we should certainly hope so!), 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, 256MB of internal storage, and a somewhat anemic 32MB of RAM. It clocks in at 14mm thick, 60mm wide and 113mm tall and features Windows Mobile 6.1, so all told, it looks like this could end up being a serious competitor in the WinMo space coming out of Palm's camp at a time when it needs another big hit. Just bump up that RAM to 64MB, Palm, seriously. Trust us on this.[Image via Boy Genius Report]
Palm Treo 850 spy shots leak out
It's finally, really happened. The Boy Genius has gotten his hands on pictures of a brand-spanking-new Palm device -- a heretofore unknown model called the Treo 850. As you can see in the above photo, this is a whole new look for the ailing smartphone maker, though it certainly bears a resemblance to the Centro and Treo 500. Apparently the Windows Mobile device will sport a 400MHz CPU and a 100MB of RAM, though other details are sketchy at the moment. Honestly, not a bad turn for Palm at all -- now if you can just whip up that new OS and some new form factors and...
Garmin's pricey nuvi 850 shows up fashionably late
Quite frankly, we were a touch overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of new nüvis announced for CES, but apparently, Garmin has managed to recuperate from its own outpouring and is dishing out yet another newcomer. On the docket today is the nüvi 850, a Bluetooth-less navigator that attempts to compensate for its lack of handsfree support by featuring a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution touchscreen, a rechargeable Li-ion good for around four hours, a microSD slot, speech recognition, a 3D map view, support for MSN Direct and a built-in media player. Additionally, you'll find an FM transmitter, audio out and an internal (read: non flip-up) antenna to ratchet the style factor up a notch. According to Garmin, this fairly potent device will be up for grabs in Q2 for upwards of $800.[Via NaviGadget]
HTC typo leaves MTeoR customers fuming
Unsuspecting American buyers of the MTeoR, HTC's self-branded cut of the 3G-capable Breeze candybar, might be a bit surprised to find that they're not having much luck with reception. Some versions of HTC's own marketing materials for the device list it as sporting quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS, but alas, it's actually a tri-band GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 unit with support for UMTS only on the European 2100 band. Of course, had this really been a tri-band UMTS phone, we'd have been throwing parties, launching fireworks, and generally making merry here at Engadget HQ, but for the few folks who've imported one of these pieces stateside, our hearts go out to you.[Thanks, Rick V.]
