Michael Caputo

Reviews By Michael Caputo

Hands-on with the LG Voyager

There is certainly a substantial amount of hype built around LG's latest stab at the QWERTY phone market for Verizon Wireless -- the VX10000 Voyager -- and it isn't without merit. For starters, the feature-packed candybar sports a 2.81 inch exterior touchscreen paired with second display of equal size and a full keyboard on the inside. In the media department, the handset features a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus, video camera, expandable memory via microSD up to 8GB, and VCAST services of both the Music and TV varieties. Do the features stack up in Verizon's favor? Does the Voyager live up to the hype or will it fall short of expectations? Continue reading to find out.

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Reviews By Michael Caputo

LG Voyager unboxing

Well, it's finally here: meet the LG Voyager, successor to the enV and arguably one of the best QWERTY handsets on Verizon to date. Pretty much everyone walks away with a feature or two here that they're gonna love: EV-DO, VCAST TV, a 2 megapixel camera, two amazingly large displays, expandable memory via microSD, touchscreen exterior display and a full keyboard all make the cut. But hey, enough of the small talk -- head off to the gallery, check it out, and stay tuned for our full review!%Gallery-10419%

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Verizon preparing a Samsung i760 world phone?

Even though Verizon just released the Samsung i760, we're already hearing rumblings about the carrier introducing another version for its globetrotting customers. Preliminary intel's a bit slim, but we know the device will be both EV-DO for the states and GSM for across the pond -- and get this, there's even a possibility of HSDPA data to boot. Other than that, the feature set appears to be status quo for the i760's world-traveling sib, but we'll pass along more details as we get 'em.

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Quick start guide offers sneak preview of LG Venus

For devoted LG fans, each incarnation of the Chocolate line of music phones has been a step up from the one before it. With the LG Venus sporting new features like touch-screen navigation and being more ergonomically styled, many wonder if the device will live up to the hype. As Verizon prepares for online availability in the coming weeks, we thought it'd be fair to add more fuel to the flame with the quick start guide, yeah? Have a look!%Gallery-9854%

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

BlackBerry 8130 makes its way to Telus

It seems only fitting that RIM would launch its BlackBerry Pearl 2 in the motherland, doesn't it? Available immediately, the 8130 is on sale with the carrier for a penny under $200 CAD on a three-year contract, $400 on a two-year, and $450 on a one-year, and a whopping $500 without a contract. Just in case the features slipped your mind, we'll run 'em past you again: EV-DO radio, 2 megapixel camera with video recording, Bluetooth with A2DP, media player, and expandable memory via microSD. If anyone up there has a pocketbook brave enough to bear such pricing, sound off in comments and let us know what you think of the latest 'Berry. [Thanks, Don C.]

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Microsoft

Microsoft By Michael Caputo

Microsoft adds speech recognition to Live Search

If your hands and fingers are beat up from too much typing on your Windows Mobile piece, we may (or may not) have just the solution for you. Available now, Microsoft has released an updated version of Live Search for both Windows Mobile 5 and 6 that incorporates speech recognition for business listings and locations. Other gee-whiz features include searches for gas prices, hours of operations for business, and even being able to connect to your GPS for location-based stuff.

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Quick start guide offers sneak preview of the LG Voyager

For some of us, the LG Voyager could be the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel that Verizon customers have been hoping for. Stacked to the gills with features like EV-DO, VCAST TV, a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus, expandable memory via a microSD slot, an exterior display which touchsrceen capability and another interior display that reveals a full QWERTY keypad, it's certainly designed to please almost anyone. Even though some of the features appear a little quirky -- like only being able to rotate the phone clockwise while snapping pics -- we're sure that you'll find great info in the quick start guide while you wait ever so patiently for its release.%Gallery-9602%

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Mobile By Michael Caputo

Visuals surface of Samsung's bricklike "Solid"

In what appears to be homage to old school iDEN cellphones everywhere, Samsung looks to be preparing its latest phone for Orange, a rugged little beast appropriately named "Solid." The important details are a little sparse at the moment, but we hear the device will sport a VGA camera and by the looks of the keypad, it will also have a speakerphone. If it's real -- and frankly, we have no good reason to suspect otherwise -- it should hit Orange come December.

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Mobile By Michael Caputo

Motorola announces music-centric T505 carkit

It seems only fitting that Motorola would announce its latest in-car solution when the largest automotive accessory extravaganza -- SEMA -- is starting its 2007 show. Motorola's MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth carkit combines handsfree calling, A2DP support, and an FM transmitter which allows music and phone calls to be streamed over Bluetooth and played through the car's speaker system. Don't rush out to the stores just yet as this won't be available to sometime in early 2008 (well, actually, you can rush out right now if you're so inclined, you'll just be waiting in the cold for a few months).

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Reviews By Michael Caputo

Samsung i760 unboxed

Several months and a few in the wild pics later, Verizon Wireless has gotten around to launching its latest Windows Mobile Professional device, the Samsung i760. Weighing in just under 5.3 ounces and measuring in at 2.28 x 4.49 x 0.77 inches, it's one of the more compact PDAs available for the carrier. The i760 is packed with features like a 2.8 inch touchscreen LCD, 128MB of RAM and 64 MB of ROM, an EV-DO radio (sorry, no Rev. A here), Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi connectivity, microSD expandable memory, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Enough with all this chit chat, though -- how's about some pics?%Gallery-8956%

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Nokia expands color palette for E61i and E65

Following in the footsteps of other manufacturers, Nokia has raided the proverbial crayon box and released new shades for the E61i and E65. First up, the E61i gets painted a rich "Titanium Black" color -- possibly the nicest looking color on the QWERTY smartphone -- and the E65 gets redone in both pink and plum colors. There's no sign that the new shades will be coming stateside anytime soon, but they should be easy enough to import.

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Rogers poised to launch HTC Touch?

Not wanting be outdone by its rival -- Telus Mobility -- could Rogers Wireless be planning to launch the HTC Touch? Signs are starting to point to yes with internet ads begin to pop up depicting an upcoming launch for the Canadian carrier. Just in case you've been in hiding for the last six months, we'll run down the specs again: Windows Mobile 6 Professional combined with HTC's TouchFlo interface, 2 megapixel shooter with expandable memory via microSD, 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, and Bluetooth 2.0 rounding out the feature set. 'Course, the original Touch can't take advantage of Rogers' just-launched 3G network, but hey, it's still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

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Google

Google By Michael Caputo

Google puts mobile Gmail on a diet

Frustrated with mobile Gmail eating up all your kilobytes? If so, we have some good news for you as Google has upgraded the app. Available now, the software has been streamlined to consume half as much data as before, reducing the amount of time needed to send and receive emails as well as accessing labels. Other improvements include better search and desktop synchronization -- so all told, we'd say it's a worthy download if you're already using version one.[Via All About Symbian]

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Reviews By Michael Caputo

Samsung Juke unboxed

Ah, there's nothing better than a good, old fashioned unboxing, right? Thanks to our favorite parcel carrier, we're able to get our grubby paws on Samsung's latest stab at the music player / cellphone combo -- the Juke -- for Verizon Wireless. It's a compact flip that's a throwback to Motorola's V70 and Kyocera's Koi that features a CDMA 800 / 1900 MHz radio (sorry, EV-DO and OTA music downloads aren't supported), Bluetooth with A2DP, a VGA camera, and 2GB of memory dedicated just to music. It doesn't sound too shabby for a penny under $100 after contracts, now does it? Anyone willing to stop by their local retail store, sound-off in comments about your experience. %Gallery-8822%

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Mobile By Michael Caputo

Sprint launches entry-level Sanyo S1 for the masses

From Sprint's roadmap to the FCC to a Radio Shack shelf near you, Sprint has decided to launch the entry-level Sanyo S1 right on time. Equipped with nothing more than a dual-band CDMA radio, speaker phone, and Bluetooth 2.0, it leaves much to be desired for all but the most basic tastes. You can catch the uber-thin candybar at Radio Shack now $220 full retail, $95 on a one year, or free after a two year contract. [Thanks, Brandon]

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Apps

Apps By Michael Caputo

Nokia Labs introduces Device Status application

Hot on the heels of its last release, Nokia's Beta Labs has wasted no time in releasing its latest software, Device Status 1.1 for S60 devices. The app is intended to help during the troubleshooting process by providing extra details such as IMEI, software version, and device memory. Once the application collects the information, it can be analyzed by the end-user or it can be sent to Nokia Customer Care to determine the issue. Anyone brave enough to install beta software on your latest N95, drop us a line and let us know how its workin' out.[Via All About Symbian]

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Samsung

Samsung By Michael Caputo

Samsung's SCH-W380 for Korea

Now here's a possible camera replacement we'll keep in mind for our next trip to Korea. Dressed up with Anycall branding, Samsung's SCH-W380 comes fully equipped with a 5 megapixel shooter complete with autofocus on the back and a VGA camera in the front for video calling. The clamshell also sports a triband 900 / 1800 / 1900 GSM radio with HSDPA, MP3 player and expandable memory via microSD. We wouldn't hold our breath for this device to come stateside, so it's an awfully good thing we have a couple of 5 megapixel options of our own 'round here these days.

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Mobile By Michael Caputo

Is this Verizon's PDA line-up for November?

With the holidays right around the corner, carriers will pull out all the stops to attract new customers and Verizon's no exception to the rule. First up, it's the Motorola's elusive Q9c -- cousin to the Q9m -- outfitted with a 1.3 megapixel camera, expandable memory via miniSD, 128MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM, Windows Mobile 6 Standard, and Bluetooth 2.0. Next up, it's UTStarcom's QWERTY-sliding SMT5800. The device will rock a 1xEV-DO Rev. A radio (which unfortunately looks like it will be held to Rev. 0 at launch), 2 megapixel shooter, microSD support, 128MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM, Windows Mobile 6 Standard, and Bluetooth 2.0. UTStarcom looks to finally bring the XV6800 running WM6 Professional, too -- but sadly, it will also have the EV-DO Rev. A radio downgraded to Rev. 0 at launch. Rounding out the November launch schedule is the Palm Treo 755p, trailing Sprint by a country mile, but Palm OS faithful are probably thinking it's better to launch this one late than never. Let's hope these dates stick, yeah?[Thanks, HTC Kid]%Gallery-8629%

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Another look at the BlackBerry 8320 for T-Mobile

In the world of mobile email, it's hard to compete with RIM and the plethora of BlackBerry devices it has to offer. With BlackBerry's latest smartphone for T-Mobile, the Curve 8320, the companies hope to capitalize by taking advantage of RIM's infrastructure, T-Mobile's wireless calling plans, and the undeniable benefit of adding a little WiFi into the mix. Does the device live up to the hype? Did RIM make a mistake when it outfitted the Curve with a small processor and WiFi? Continue reading on to find out.

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News

News By Michael Caputo

Canadian court certifies class-action lawsuit against carriers

If you're sick and tired of wireless carriers charging an arm and a leg for so-called "system access fees," you aren't alone. As wireless carriers up north rack in close to $800 million a year in said fees, they continue to brand the fees as required by the Canadian Radio-Television Commission -- even though the Government says that fees are no longer valid and don't need to be charged. Carriers were whacking Canadians with charges ranging from $6.95 for Rogers and Telus and up to $8.95 for Bell customers. Naturally, that kind of apparent overcharging can only lead to one thing: a class-action lawsuit. Get in while the gettin's good!

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Mobile By Michael Caputo

Cellphones are dangerous/not dangerous, hearing loss edition

Apparently, talking on a cellphone for 60 minutes or more per day can result in a partial loss of hearing -- at least that's what some researchers in India are saying. The scientists conducted an experiment to test the correlation of hearing loss to the average use of a cellphone call. The experiment covered 100 participants with cellphone usage ranging from four years and over to just started using a cellphone. The results? Long-time users seemed to suffer some high-frequency hearing loss, usually in their right ears -- the ear most commonly used for chatting on the celly. There also seemed to be some correlation between warm, full, or ringing sensations in the ear, so if you're experiencing any of those, enjoy the stealth ringtone while you still can.[Via textually.org]

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Samsung's i640v for Vodafone caught on camera

Hot on the heels of its Christmas announcement, it turns out Vodafone teased with a preview of Samsung's i640v at GITEX. Hoping to improve upon its predecessor, the just-released i620, newest model adds a WiFi radio under its hood along with GPS support. Add these key features in with Bluetooth 2.0, microSD storage, a 2.4-inch QVGA display all running on Windows Mobile 6 Standard, and we figure this device is built to please. There doesn't seem to be any solid release info floating around just yet, but we can take a solid stab at the launch carrier, eh?[Via the::unwired]

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Mobile By Michael Caputo

British children surveyed: "poor children don't have mobile phones"

Researchers in England recently polled children about their views on poverty, and in their eyes, what signs indicated that another child was poor. The children ages ranged from seven to sixteen, and surprisingly one in five kids reported that not having a mobile phone was a sign that other children were poor -- the highest response among all the indicators. The study was used to demonstrate that school-age children are paying close attention to the most obvious signs of wealth among their peers, while ignoring the more damaging indicators like being unable to pay for food or being without a safe place to go after school. We're not even sure a six year old should know what a cellphone is let alone make snap judgments about a person's wealth based on it, but if you think age six is too young for British kids to have mobile phones, another country has them beat.[Via textually.org and SMS Text News]

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Is this Fujitsu's F905i for NTT DoCoMo?

NTT DoCoMo customers will have no shortage of cool phones to choose from in the upcoming holiday season (as if they ever have a shortage of cool phones). Luckily, the same sleuth who found Mitsubishi's D905i has returned for round two, and now it looks like Fujitsu's F905i is appearing on the radar. It features a 3.2-inch display that rocks WVGA resolution (862 x 480) and a 3.2 megapixel CMOS shooter to match. Let's not forget that Fujitsu threw in a rotating display that offers split screen viewing for those times when you just can't tear yourself away from the teevee while you're browsing the 'nets. If we had to guess, we'd say this'll be one of about twelve or fifteen released in a typically NTT DoCoMo-esque launch extravaganza any week now -- everyone gettin' amped for it?

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Smartphones By Michael Caputo

Nokia brings threaded SMS to an S60 device near you

Being unable to view SMS in a threaded fashion on your S60 handset got ya down? Fret no more, messaging fiends, as Nokia Beta Labs has heard our cries. The so-called "Conversation" app should run on most phones that rock S60 3rd edition, with or without Feature Pack 1. Seeing that the app isn't finalized yet, proceed with caution and if you do install it -- there are some concerns right now about memory usage -- so sound off in comments about your experience. [Via All About Symbian]

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