tri-mode
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Line2 adds unlimited phone, voicemail and texting to your iDevice for $10 a month
Line2 is a tri-mode calling app for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It uses data, WiFi or even cellular voice connections to make and receive calls -- a first for iPhone. While there's a 30-day free trial, the service ultimately costs $10 per month. But for that fee you get unlimited calls, unlimited texts and a powerful voicemail system. Check out the gallery for some screenshots of the app in action. When you're in a WiFI area, Line2 uses that for calls and texts. When you're in an area with data available, Line2 is smart enough to use the data connection for your calls. This app could save you around $50 a month on your bill, but even more if you drop down to the cheapest iPhone calling plan available. The app itself is quite nice, with all the features of iPhone calling, including merge calls, speaker phone, mute. Plus, you can transfer calls or set up a conference call as easily as you can in Skype. Texting is nicely done with a great interface similar to Apple's. Voicemails are handled as you would expect and you can easily send them to others via email. Personally I like the implementation in Line2 of voicemail and calling features more than Apple's in some ways. The pop-up menu for emailing or forwarding a voicemail, for example, seems more intuitive than Apple's secondary menu. If you're looking for a cheap way to make and receive calls, or you have issues with AT&T's coverage (and who doesn't?) you may want to give Line2 a shot. It just might be what you're looking for. %Gallery-113296%
LG's dual-screen KP202 clamshell ready for UK
LG's looking to add a dash of style to the lower-end UK market with its KP202, which boasts a clean, sleek exterior and twin LCDs to keep your eyes occupied. Specs wise, you'll find a built-in VGA camera with white balance and contrast adjustments, a 160 x 128 resolution internal screen and a 96 x 94 pixel external display, tri-band (900 / 1800 / 1900) GSM support, an internal antenna, and the always handy flight mode so you can still play those integrated Java games 'til your heart's content whilst on the plane. Additionally, it supports polyphonic ringtones, comes in at just 87- x 45- x 19.8-millimeters, weighs 78-grams, and can last up to 200 hours in standby mode. No word on price just yet, but it will reportedly be showing up in UK stores quite soon.[Via TechDigest]
Nokia shows off 5500 "sports phone"
We tend to leave the cellphone behind when we're in the gym, assuming that callers would just as soon skip the conversation than listen to our heavy breathing as we struggle to actually burn some calories. But if Nokia has its way, more cellphones may find their way into health clubs. The company's new 5500 "sports phone" not only comes in a ruggedized, rubber-gripped shell, but it also features such sports-friendly features as an integrated pedometer and a database to track and monitor workout goals. The tri-mode GSM phone also includes a music player, text-to-speech engine for message-reading, and 2-megapixel camera. That camera may, however, be the phone's downfall; we've heard of some gyms banning cameraphones, and Nokia might want to consider a cam-free version to beat such restrictions.
