KickStand
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A kickstand is the most interesting feature on Acer's new 2-in-1
Of all the new Switch laptops and convertibles that Acer unveiled in New York today, the most eye-catching is the Switch 5. It's a slick 12-inch Windows 10 hybrid with what the company calls an "auto-retractable" kickstand that lets you adjust the angle at which it's propped up by pushing it with one finger. Everything else about the convertible is pretty much par for the course, but I'll get to that later. At the crowded demo area, I was taken by how easy it is to shift viewing angles on a Switch 5: It works just like a laptop's lid.
Microsoft airs its first Surface tablet ad, focuses on keyboard, kickstand and... dancers?
Considering how interested we are in trying out Microsoft's new Surface Windows 8 tablets, it turns out we should've been practicing the art of dance instead of blogging. The first TV spot for the tablets aired tonight during Dancing with the Stars, fitting, since it featured an entire troupe of dancers and was directed by Jon Chu, best known for his work on flicks like the Step Up series and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. While it didn't expose any deep details about the hardware, its potential pricetag or the software running on it, it appears Microsoft will separate itself from the pack based on that slick Touch Cover, Type Cover and kickstand. At the end it teases "coming 10/26" and promises a future behind the scenes video from the ad, but that's it. Check out the minute-long spot itself embedded after the break and let us know if you spot any new information about the slate.
RIM applies for patent on tablet with concealable keyboard, keeps your QWERTY love a secret
RIM just can't quit keyboards, and neither can many of its fans: even the BlackBerry PlayBook has an official Mini Keyboard case. It almost shouldn't be a surprise, then, that the company is applying for a patent on a tablet design with a stealthy keyboard built-in. The layout hides a full, hinge-attached QWERTY keyboard from critics (and accidental key presses) underneath a back-mounted cover. When an owner's urge to use physical buttons becomes overwhelming, the keyboard swings into action and relies on the cover as a kickstand. It's a clever solution to lugging around a separate keyboard or specialized case, but it's hard to say if RIM will implement what it's learning into a finished product -- the firm isn't in the best position to experiment with new tablet concepts, and we've already seen a few imminent solutions to the concealed keyboard problem from other vendors. That said, the patent does show that the folks in Waterloo would like to keep a love of keyboards alive in the tablet era, even if it requires some subterfuge.
Apple reveals 'Purple' phone prototype in court filing, to prove it didn't copy Sony
The previous batch of sketches revealed during Apple v Samsung suggested the iPhone may have actually borrowed ideas from Sony, but a new filing goes back even further into history to show that's not the case. The Verge spotted that the latest raft of paperwork includes a "Purple" prototype [above left] that was made around August 2005 and bears several hallmarks of the iPhone that finally appeared. The Sony-styled prototypes came later, and were apparently just an "enjoyable side project." AllThingsD has also drawn together around 100 prototypes from Apple's deposition, which offers some interesting insights into what the iPhone could have looked like.
Apple v. Samsung court filings reveal Sony-inspired iPhone, kickstand-equipped iPad and other prototypes
There's no telling how much more we'll see once the big Apple vs. Samsung trial finally gets underway in a San Jose federal court next week, but today has already seen the release of a swath of new documents full of surprises. Most notably, that includes a range of previously unseen Apple prototype devices, including various renderings of both the iPhone and iPad. One standout is an iPhone 4-esque device that quite literally wears its Sony influence on its sleeve (in one instance with the logo changed to "Jony," a la Apple's Jony Ive). According to the filing, it was designed by Apple's Shin Nishibori, and was apparently up against another more metallic, iPod-style device at one point (ultimately winning out despite some protestation). But those are far from the only iPhone prototypes that have been revealed. There's also an elongated device identified by the codename N90, seemingly with a small screen and space for a keypad or input area of some sort below, plus a device with squared off corners somewhat reminiscent of the Motorola Photon 4G. Another prototype goes in the opposite direction, with sharp corners and a slightly rounded back. As for the iPad, we've gotten a look at some more recent prototypes than the early 2000-era model that surfaced earlier this month. While there's no stylus in sight, there are a couple of iPad prototypes with kickstands built into the back of the device, and a number of considerably different designs than what Apple ultimately settled on. Dive into the galleries below for a closer look at the whole lot. Michael Gorman contributed to this report. %Gallery-161208% %Gallery-161207%
HTC EVO 4G LTE for Sprint review (updated)
More Info HTC EVO 4G LTE preview HTC One X for AT&T review HTC One S for T-Mobile review HTC is on a roll in the US, first releasing the One S for T-Mobile and the One X for AT&T. Now, with the EVO 4G LTE on Sprint, it's ready to shift to the CDMA realm in a different costume. Internally, it's incredibly close to what's offered in the One series' flagship, but the Now Network has made a few tweaks to the device so it'll adjust to life as the latest smartphone in the fabled EVO lineup. This time it's packing a powerful processor, gorgeous display and the ability to connect to the still-dormant LTE. It's eager to show its face in retail stores beginning May 18th for $200, placing it in the high end of Sprint's selection. This review, however, is just a bit different from any we've done before. How so? To our knowledge, we've never done one in New Orleans before. But when a phone gets dropped in our lap at CTIA 2012, we're naturally going to put it through its paces, regardless of location. As it shares so many commonalities with its One brethren, we've been expecting a very similar fit, feel and performance. In our review, we'll take you through what's different and what's better or worse. Is this the best device to grace the hands of Sprint customers? Follow us past the break to find out. %Gallery-155118%
HTC launches kickstand-tastic One S cases, we go hands-on
Kickstand lovers rejoice! Not content with jazzing up its One X flagship, HTC just sent us a set of cases made specifically for its lovely One S. These come in four colors -- gray, granita (red), navy blue and black -- the latter featuring a tweaked design with an integrated kickstand. Unlike most third-party products, build quality is top-notch -- the accessories use a precision-molded flexible plastic shell covered in a soft touch finish. The kickstand is made of a metal alloy and is spring-loaded, but blocks access to the micro-USB port when in use. While the cases protect the back and sides of the One S, the front remains exposed to potential damage. Availability is slated as "soon", but pricing is $24.99 for the plain model and $39.99 for the kickstand version. Enjoy the gallery below.
Sprint's HTC EVO 4G LTE zips into the FCC, zips back out again
HTC's EVO 4G LTE swung down on a rope of white mercy and straight into the FCC's cold and dark underground bunker. Given that the device is exclusive to Sprint, it's no surprise to see that it'll slurp down LTE from the network's Band 25. There's also the usual selection of CDMA 2000, 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth radios we'd expect from a smartphone in this day and age. Now that the Government's given its blessing, everything's on track for that pre-sale to begin on May 7th, with the device expected to arrive in your paws soon afterward.
Sprint HTC 'EVO One' gets some in-person pics, kickstand and all
While the supposed HTC One series variant destined for Sprint only just broke cover in a leaked PR photo yesterday, now there's more concrete evidence of its existence in a few pics posted by Android Life. Still being referred to as the HTC EVO One, the specs listed are the same, with a 4.7-inch 720p screen, 8MP camera, Android 4.0.3 with the Sense 4.0 UI that we've already become accustomed to and that oh-so-familiar kickstand around back. According to the description, the hardware is up to the standards of HTC's other One phones, and the software is predictably running "buttery smooth". All that's left now would appear to be the official unveiling (which may only be hours away now), hit the source link for a few more close up shots.Update: It's official, and branded the HTC EVO 4G LTE. Check out our impressions here.
Is this the LTE-ready Sprint HTC EVO One?
Did the likes of HTC's One X and One S catch your attention? Well, those looking for something with a seasoning of Sprint might interested in the phone nestled in the middle. According to Pocketnow, this is a press shot of the HTC EVO One, supposedly packing a 4.7-inch 720p display, a dual-core Snapdragon processor and LTE capabilities. We have our reservations on that name (EVO HD?) and those slightly dated style lines, but know that the Now Network and HTC are primed to show off something tomorrow. Rumors add that a 2650mAh battery and (hopefully intelligently placed) kickstand could also be part of the offering. Expect to hear some definitive answers at Sprint's big reveal -- we'll be there.
Motorola Photon 4G review
It's summer, which means the usual deluge of Android handsets is upon us. The Motorola Photon 4G is Sprint's latest specimen, and follows hot on the heels of HTC's somewhat disappointing EVO 3D. Like its stablemate, it's a proper superphone with a dual-core processor, large qHD display, and of course, WiMAX. Instead of trying to wow us with a gimmicky 3D camera, it differentiates itself by being Sprint's first global phone with WiMAX, and as such supports CDMA / EV-DO for North America along with GSM / HSPA for the rest of the world. Motorola further spices things up with a dash of WebTop functionality, something it first introduced on the Atrix 4G. So, is the Photon just the smartphone flavor du jour, or does it stand out from the seasonal crowd? How does it compare to the EVO 3D and the other Android flagships? Hit the break for our full review. %Gallery-130607%
Motorola's 4.3-inch Photon 4G brings Tegra 2, kickstand magic to Sprint (video hands-on)
You know something big is about to go down when you can get the CEOs from two major tech companies to sit down together for lunch. As suspected, today's Sprint / Motorola event, presided over by Dan Hesse and Sanjay Jha, marked the debut of the rumored Photon 4G. The handset packs a 4.3-inch qHD display, 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in memory, and pre-installed Gingerbread -- plus, for better or worse, the latest version of Blur. The skinny new smartphone's got front and rear facing cameras (the latter of which is eight megapixels), a dedicated camera button, and micro-USB and HDMI ports, which will hook into a soon to be announced docking device. The handset is the first from a US carrier to offer up global 4G connectivity, and it's also got 3G support, should you need it (that's CDMA / WiMAX in the US and GSM internationally). Enterprise functionality, traditionally a bit of an oversight with Android handsets, is present too, thanks to business-minded tools built into Blur and increased security, courtesy of the manufacturer's acquisition of 3LM ("Three Laws Mobility" to its friends). Sprint's influence shines through as well, with the inclusion of a built-in active kickstand on its rear, a first for a Motorola device. Flip it open, and the display will automatically switch to landscape mode for optimal viewing. We managed to get a little hands-on time with the device prior to the announcement, and by and large, the touchscreen and software seemed quite responsive. The handset itself is both skinny and narrow and feels good in the hand, though the smooth back doesn't offer much in the way of traction for those prone to dropping their phones. The buttons on the device were a bit stiff and sunken, though we'll have to hold off on passing judgment on that front, since this is a pre-production unit -- hopefully we'll get out hands on something more final in the near future. The Photon 4G is set to hit Sprint this summer -- an exact date and price point have yet to be announced. %Gallery-125865% Dana Wollman contributed to this report.
Evolve Three's Maestro C tablet has a swiveling bezel stand and a screen-protecting keyboard (video)
Evolve Three's goal of creating the world's most versatile touchscreen tablets seems to be going swimmingly so far -- first the boutique Australian outfit introduced the triple-booting Maestro, and now it's got an Oak Trail slate on the way with some most intriguing hardware. You see, not only does this Maestro C have a 1.5GHz Intel Atom Z670 inside, 2GB of DDR2 RAM and most all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a netbook PC, it's also got a bezel that physically rotates -- turning into a chunky kickstand and exposing ports at the same time -- and a removable wireless keyboard that doubles as a hard-shell protector for the entire 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen. There's also a 32GB "high performance" SSD, optional 3G connectivity, a pair of stereo speakers and once again, three operating systems (Android 3.0, MeeGo and Windows 7) to choose from at startup. The only things keeping us from purchasing our customary two units is lingering worry that the other shoe has yet to drop... not to mention a starting price of $729, sans optional keyboard.
Sprint's HTC EVO 3D official case to have kickstand?
Admirers of Sprint's new flagship EVO 3D may have noticed something lacking that's often lauded by current EVO 4G owners: the kickstand. Why did it get dumped in the first place? Well apparently -- according to the folks at Androinica -- there simply wasn't room with the two cameras and the battery. Thankfully, all may not be lost as HTC is reportedly creating a case for the device that'll include the kickstand. Though, if you peek at the mockup above you may notice the glaring issue that also plagues the Thunderbolt: the charge port -- which has been relocated to the side -- is facing the desk, making charging a non-starter while in use. No mention of release date, pricing, or if this thing'll even look like this once final, but we're bound to hear more. So in the interim, keep your eyes on the accessory shelves and please holler if you bump into something a bit more useful than this.
Huawei S7 gets Best Buy listing for $299.99, not shipping until November 7th
Huawei's Ideos S7. We loved it in June (resistive touchscreen notwithstanding), Expansys picked it up a few weeks later, and now Best Buy is also joining in on the phone. The 7-inch Android tablet -- with kickstand -- is now but a listing on the US retailer's website, "coming soon" for $299.99. Store pickup is coming soon, but shipping availability is November 7th... no matter how expedited you make the order. If it's any consolation, that's still before the Galaxy Tab.
Smartphone Coaster keeps your eyes on the prize, even while you eat
From the parallel universe known as "you've got to be kidding me" comes yet another trinket from New PC Gadgets that'll undoubtedly sell well despite being about as mindless as a product comes. In a bid to solve a simple problem that every internet addict faces when dining out or simply joining other Earthlings around a dinner table, the aforesaid company has just issued the Smartphone Coaster. That's a fanciful name for a bent piece of stainless steel. In practice, it holds just about any smartphone (or dumb / featurephone, for that matter) at a 75 degree angle, enabling you to keep a close eye on your display while stuffing your face. We're surmising that these will be aimed as restaurants more than in-home dinner tables, but hey, if you'd rather enable your tweens to ignore vital family conversations while gathered for supper, more power to you. It's available now for $3.95 (or less if buying in bulk), and no, we won't tell anyone that you're seriously considering a dozen.
Kensington's PowerBack kickstand case doubles as iPad battery pack
At this point, the only thing standing between you and one of many, many iPad cases is your indecision. In other words, it's not for lack of choices. But Kensington has managed to concoct something interesting here in the PowerBack, which is effectively a Juice Pack for your iPad. At first glance, it's simply a kickstand-infused case used to protect the back and sides of your dear tablet, but the integrated 4400mAh battery pack provides up to five extra hours of juice should you actually decide to prove Steve wrong and read for over ten hours. Surely it's worth the $129.99 just to say you told him so, right?
PowerEZ Plus provides power boost, kickstand for iPhone 4
If you're a power user like our very own Erica Sadun, you may have already run into that situation where your iPhone 4 burns through a full charge and leaves you high and dry. Sure, you can use any number of external battery packs that use a Dock Connector dongle, but maybe you want a pack that isn't a unitasker. KONNET Technology updated the PowerEZ Plus today, which not only provides extra power to just about any iPhone or iPod touch device -- including the iPhone 4 -- but also includes a retractable kickstand for watching movies in landscape mode, much like the stand on the back of the new Droid X. The 1000mAh PowerEZ Plus retails for US$29.99 and won't take up a lot of space in your pocket or bag. It's just .5" thick, and plugs into the bottom of your device. When you want to do some hands-off video viewing, just pop out the stand. There are four LEDs to tell you the charging level of the pack, and a recharge can be done by connecting the included USB charge/sync cable to the computer of your choice. The PowerEZ Plus also has Smart Charging technology built-in to ensure that charging stops when your device's battery is topped off. Starting this Friday, KONNET is giving away a couple of PowerEZ Plus packs on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/KONNET. We're going to try to getting a few of the packs for giveaways as well.
Dell Streak car and AV docks now on sale, HDMI may or may not be included (update: included)
Hey England, in need of some retail therapy after an unsatisfying sporting weekend? Dell's got the goods for you with a rich new selection of cables, plugs, adapters, and cases for your new Streak. It looks like the HDMI dock we've been jonesing for has probably become a retail reality, but there's no way to be sure right now -- Dell's only listing an AV dock without going into the TV connectivity options. The fresh offerings also include the kickstand-equipped wallet case that we found intriguing, spare battery and sync cables, and an international travel kit. Of course, every silver lining has a cloud, which in this case is the pricing: nothing here costs less than £24 ($35) and the car- and TV-enabling docks will set you back a cool £55 ($80) each. Jumbo smartphone, jumbo accessory prices. [Thanks, Kingsley] Update: Dell's updated catalog now reflects HDMI connectivity on the AV dock. Phew!
Dell Streak HDMI dock gets the hands-on treatment, kickstand-equipped case makes a cameo
We managed to get an early look at the HDMI dock for the Dell Streak way back in February courtesy of T3's Greek site, but the accessory is now finally official (if not widely available), and Laptop Magazine has come through with what appears to be the first proper hands-on. Of course, there's not exactly a lot to go hands-on with, but it seems that dock does indeed function as a dock, and it also thankfully has a USB port and a line-out in addition to that HDMI port. Perhaps just as notable, however, is a Streak case that Laptop has also managed to get its hands on, which has a built-in kickstand. Check it out after the break.
