Impression
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Nokia Booklet 3G review
You might think MikroMikko is the name of some Asian fusion restaurant, but it was actually Nokia's first computer line -- and in 1987, the MikroMikko 3 was a state-of-the-art MS-DOS machine with 1MB of RAM and 20MB drive. It's been about 25 years since Nokia's made a computer bigger than an N900, but it's back in the game with its first netbook, the Booklet 3G. Nokia's pitching the Booklet as a top-of-the-line machine with an all-aluminum chassis, integrated connectivity and GPS apps, and at $599 it's certainly priced that way -- although inside it's got a low-power Atom processor and 4,200rpm hard drive. The Booklet 3G is one of the best-looking netbooks out there, but is Nokia's entry back into the market a winner? Click on to find out what we think of the entire system in our full review.%Gallery-79539%
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless speakers impressions
Back in the day (or way back, as it were), we recall quite vividly the impression made upon us by Klipsch's ProMedia v.2-400. It wasn't the cheapest four-piece speaker set for the PC, but compared to the competition at the time, it certainly offered up a sound rivaled only by much higher-end options -- options that were generally tailored for home theater applications. Fast forward to today, and Klipsch is still carrying on the ProMedia line nearly a decade later. The latest set to waltz into our labs are these: the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless. Essentially, these are the exact same ProMedia 2.1 speakers that were released eons ago (in the midst of the Y2K chaos, if you're looking for specifics), but with a wireless twist. Klipsch has integrated 2.4GHz wireless technology into the subwoofer, and it tossed in a USB dongle in order to beam out audio from whatever PC or Mac that you connect it to. Pretty simple, right? Hop on past the break for our two pennies on how this package performed.
Adamo XPS hands-on impressions
You might've seen the Adamo XPS cameo on this month's Engadget Show, or viewed our unboxing, but in case you're averse to the long form, really want to dive deep, or perhaps just use some other trite phrase to describe yourself, we've done an in-depth video hands-on with the world's slimmest laptop. The verdict? Well, it's a well-made machine with a significant issue of a price to performance imbalance. Check out the video after the break to see if all this sexiness can win you over.
Video: White PSPgo hands-on
Sure, speaking with Sony's John Koller was great and all, but one of the real treats with the interview was some quiet hands-on time with a white PSP Go, unfortunately not turned on but with the same build quality and weight as its functional black model (also found tagging along to the Q&A). Our impression of the device is largely unchanged from the initial experience -- a sturdy build that's surprisingly light, although with this go around we didn't find the shoulder buttons to be more comfortable this time. Still, our interest wanes pretty dramatically when we're reminded of its $249 price tag, but enough with our chatter, hit up the break for an up-close video of all its nooks and crannies, and while you're there, stick around for more tidbits from our interview.
AT&T Samsung Impression hands-on
We were dying to call this "Samsung Impression impressions," but we found our verbal dignity just long enough to avoid doing so -- and now that we've gotten that off our chests, let's talk a bit about the phone, shall we? The Impression is the first phone to be released on a North American carrier with a full AMOLED display, which is basically a win / win scenario -- you get better battery life and crisper, more vibrant colors. "Vibrant" might be an understatement, actually; the screen is absolutely amazing, with mega-black blacks and colors that seem to pop right off the screen. We can't believe we're saying this, but we kinda wish it had AT&T Mobile TV compatibility.
Samsung Impression now on sale at AT&T
If you were waiting for a big-ass OLED display before pulling the trigger on a new North American handset, go ahead and get your wallet (or coin purse, or piggy bank, whatever) ready. The Samsung Impression has now officially launched on AT&T, bringing HSDPA, microSD expansion, landscape sliding QWERTY keyboard, and a 3 megapixel camera -- but the headlining feature clearly has to be that gorgeous 3.2-inch AMOLED screen clocking in at 400 x 240 resolution. $199.99 on contract after rebate makes it yours, if you think you can really handle everyone within a 50-foot radius being dazzled every time you turn it on.
AT&T's Samsung Impression hands-on with video
With AT&T's Samsung Impression packing things like quad-band GSM, dual-band HSPA for the Americas and a supremely useable QWERTY keypad, we're suitably impressed. All that magic aside, the screen, a fairly giant 3.2-inch AMOLED number, is where the big draw for us lies. The display is completely stunning and viewable from just about any angle, the keypad is pretty much right on, and the set just feels like money to hold onto. Coupled with a reasonable 3 megapixel cam with digital zoom and geotagging support, and we're expecting this to be a wildly popular device at its $200 price point. We tried to capture the beauty of the Impression with vids -- we've taken the leap from VGA -- and pics which you'll find right after the break.
"The stuff's in the back": AT&T previews its new lineup
AT&T's done us all a favor by doing its own quick hands-on of three of its more hotly-anticipated devices in its just-announced spring lineup -- the Nokia E71x along with Samsung's Propel Pro and Impression -- and putting together a little video of the action. Our lovely host Seth (if that is, in fact, his real name) gets ushered to the rear of a corporate-owned store before opening where the new devices lie in wait, and while us lay folk won't be able to buy any of these for a few days, the dude's able to give us a quick video tour of each unit's finer points. Each of the three devices looks exactly as you'd expect it to, but notably, the Impression's AMOLED touchscreen really seems to shine (literally) with an insane viewing angle and an almost paper-like appearance; in fact, if he hadn't changed screens, we'd almost have thought he was playing with a dummy unit. Follow the break for the video (don't worry, the stuff's in the back).
LG Xenon, Neon join Samsung Magnet and Impression on AT&T
Outside of the smartphone realm, AT&T's really stepping up its game in the feature phone game, too -- so let's take this clockwise from the top left, shall we? First up, we have the brightly-colored Samsung Magnet, targeted squarely at the teen audience looking for serious texting power in a cheap package. Pricing hasn't been announced, but it should be easy on the wallet; it'll be available in the next few weeks. Next is the Impression -- also from Samsung -- which we'd previously known as the a877, the very first handset to officially launch on a US carrier with a full AMOLED up front. The screen's 3.2 inches of organic touchscreen awesomeness, accompanied by a 3 megapixel cam and a full HTML browser, all launching on April 7 for $199.99 on contract after rebate. Down below, we have the LG Neon -- a phone that's already launched up north on Rogers -- offering a full landscape QWERTY keyboard in addition to a touchscreen display for a low price, thanks in no small part to its lack of 3G data. The launch day hasn't been set for this one, but it'll come shortly. Finally, we have the long-rumored Xenon, featuring 3G, a 2 megapixel cam, QWERTY slide, GPS, and your choice of colors -- black, blue, or red -- all for $99.99 when it launches on April 8.
AT&T-bound Samsung SGH-a877 gets detailed further
We already had plenty of reason to believe that Samsung's QWERTY-packin', landscape-layin' SGH-a877 was headed to AT&T, but now it's pretty much a lock. phonescoop has dug up a few more pertinent details about the so-called Impression, confirming the 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen and adding that the handset will include an accelerometer and built-in Bluetooth. If this one has your eye, we'd wager that it won't be long before it goes on sale for real -- maybe all's that is left is a formal CTIA unveiling?
Nokia "Piranha" touch smartphone, others coming to AT&T? (Updated: probably just the E71x)
We've just been graced with a new trunkload of tentative -- very tentative -- release dates on AT&T, and while most of the devices were already rumored for launch, one is definitely sticking out here: the Nokia Piranha. We're assuming that's a codename, but the device is described as a "thin" smartphone with a touchscreen -- which can only mean S60 5th Edition -- and what's more, it's currently slated for a March 24 release. (Updated: see note below.) Speaking of touchscreens, a Samsung Impression touch slider with a 3 megapixel camera is due on March 26, the Propel Pro should hit a bit earlier on March 19, and the LG Xenon -- which is once again being spelled "Xenon" instead of "Zenon," so who knows -- is expected on April 9 with a 3 megapixel cam in tow. Speaking of LG, that Neon we've been hearing about (notice a noble gas theme here?) apparently won't be dropping by until May 9, and it'll only be EDGE, just like its Rogers-based cousin. On Samsung, we've got a device here that's being called the "BJ 2" with a 3 megapixel camera also launching on May 9, which we're assuming is actually the BlackJack 3 or something to that effect seeing how there's been a BlackJack II on the market for a hot minute now. Finally -- drum roll, please -- that AT&T-branded Sony Ericsson C905 we saw a ways back is currently slated to come around on June 9. Let's hope this one doesn't get canceled, eh?[Thanks, Kal]Update: Sadly, AT&T almost certainly screwed up the description of the Piranha -- it's likely just the E71x. We're weeping quietly to ourselves over here. Not to say the E71x won't be a fine phone, but it would've been awfully nice to randomly see a crazy touchphone from Nokia on AT&T out of the blue, wouldn't it?
All the World's a Stage: Something to remember me by
All the World's a Stage is a column for creative minds, playing with roles every Sunday evening.The best characters in novels and movies often leap into your mind from the moment you first see them -- something they say or do sets them apart and captures your interest, and from that time on, you're hooked. Likewise, when we roleplay, our characters should always have some memorable trait which can hook other people's interest. Too often, I see roleplayers focusing too much on dark secrets that they only reveal to their closest friends, and neglecting those mannerisms which could give everyone they meet an instant and profound impression of their character. Of course, if some people prefer to roleplay this way, that's fine. But to my mind, roleplaying is best when it avoids cliquishness, and the best roleplayers are those whose characters stay with you, even if you never see them again. When I'm creating my own characters, I think of such memorable traits as "gimmicks," but that word usually has a negative connotation that doesn't apply in this case. For now, the best word I can think of is "quirk." It's an instantly recognizable pattern of behavior or speech that can let others know who your character is right away. Below you will find some of my favorite quirks I have seen people use in their roleplaying in WoW, each of them entertaining and inspiring it its own way.
