Wize Blog

Motorola and Kodak Take on Camera Phone

Motorola has joined forces with Kodak to bring a new camera phone--Motozine ZN5--to market.

As a promotion for the phone the two companies had eight photographers take photographs of their city with the phone. Then the two companies collaborated to put a video together with the resulting photographs.

The camera phone was unveiled at a gallery event in Beijing. The camera is an ultra-fast 5 megapixel model with auto-focus, a Xenon flash, 4GB of optional external memory3 and settings for low-light environments.

The phone has ZN5 features Motorola’s patented CrystalTalkTM technology to help callers hear and be heard, even in noisy environments. With dual compatibility for GSM and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), users can connect in more areas around the world2 and enjoy high-speed wireless connections to surf the Web via a full HTML browser2. ZN5 also supports SMS, MMS, IM and personal e-mail2.

Cell Phone Providers Jump on Flat Rate Bandwagon

Virgin Mobile has announced today that it will offer a flat rate for its cell phone service. The service would be unlimited with no contract and no roaming charges.

Virgin Mobile uses Sprint's CDMA network.

Other details of the plan include: no activation fees, add unlimited text for $10/month. You can change your plan anytime for no cost.

The company also has two other plans that are convenient for cell phone users:

1. A "pay as you go" plan where you get .05 minutes when you purchase $50 minute pack. For $6.99 a month you can get .10 a minute phone calls anytime. Text messaging and picture sending are extra.
2. Monthly plans without annual contracts can include unlimited after 7 p.m. nights and weekends. Packages start at $25 a month.

For coverage go here.

iPAQ Pocket PC Does Not Disappoint Video Review

Last April wize.com posted a video review for the iPAQ 614. Just last week a new review about a new iPAQ is out--the HX2490C really rocks.

Runs on Microsoft Mobile, 520mHz processor, 64MB SDRAM, 512MB built-in memory, WiFi capable and more.

Watch below--

Save on Lenovo Notebooks

Lenovo is offering discounts on notebooks at its Web site.

The Thinkpad R series, T series, X series and X series tablets are all marked down.

You save 20% on the R Series, which include 15.4 and 14.1-inch widescreen models. The lowest price for these models is only $572.

You save 22% on the T series, which include the 14.1 and 15.4-inch T61. The T-series mobile workstation, comes with a free Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess built-in for free.

The X-series include the following models: X61 and X300, the former a 12.1-inch screen ultra-portable notebook and the later a 13.3-inch model.

Last of the on-sale models is a 12.1-inch tablet (a X-series Tablet), which costs $1,406

Android Delayed

The phone everyone is waiting for has come up against a delay. The Google Android handset won't be available until the fourth quarter. The phone uses a suite of mobile software called Android.

The delay is in part due to the number of partners that are in on the deal. There are 30 of them. Some of them may not come up with with their programs for the operating system until after the fourth quarter.

T-Mobile's roll out in the fourth quarter is sucking up all of Google's energy so that other carriers like Sprint won't be able to come up with the Android-based phone till after the fourth quarter.

Another part of the problem is that it takes time for the partners to develop new features. Phone companies are sorting out what broadband networks the phone will run on.

Some companies are forgoing involvement in the Google venture until Google figures out  distribution and revenue issues.

Memorex 10" Widescreen Digital Picture Frame

Here's a picture frame that seems to do everything. It's widescreen, full color display (16X9 aspect ratio).

The frame supports MP3 and includes speakers and remote control. The resolution is 800X480. It has USB 2.0 for transfer and memory card slots.

Cool deal.

Here's the video--

Dash Express--Two-Way Connected Device

The price for the GPS system, Dash Express, has dropped to $300 from $400.

Dash Express collects current traffic speeds from other Dash owners and road sensors and other sources so that members of the network have all the latest data to give you the best directions.

You get up to 3 ways to get to your destination. You can get info from the Internet by using Yahoo local search.

Cellular and WiFi networks give constant access. You can also make a list of preferred destinations.

According to the Dash Express Web site, "The Dash Express wirelessly connects using both cellular and Wi-Fi radios. For cellular, Dash uses a cellular network composed of multiple carriers, so its coverage range is larger than any single national carrier."

Most importantly, voice guidance gives you the street for your next turn.

The only drawback of the system is it only gets 2 hours for each battery charge.

Those Arrogant Gadget Buyers

Early gadget buyers have a streak of arrogance according to the following headlines today:

Headline 1: Gadget buyers seen as assertive, even arrogant: study
Headline 2: Early gadget buyers are arrogant: study
Headline 3: Study Probes Gadget Zealots’ Minds

Yes, indeedy, gadget buyers have extremely high opinions of themselves. Here's what the study found item by item:
1. Tech lovers scored high (from a sample of 25,000) in leadership and assertiveness.
2. They scored low in modesty.
3. Adotas.com even went as far as concluding that tech lovers are "decisive, conceited boors."
4. People who purchased more 3 or more computers in the past 2 years tend to be inclusive and decisive.
5. People who know what they want and go after it were likely to purchase the latest model cell phone.

My guess is ads for technological gadgets will begin with the following question:
Are you dynamic, assertive and know exactly what you want? Then...

Watch Phone Does More than Tell Time

Here's the gadget we've been waiting for (that is after the TV phone). It's the watch phone. Not the easiest thing in the world to use, but, hey, it keeps track of the time. This one's got a camera too. You can get it at www.mp3plusmore.com.

What is Tenori-On?

 
Tenori-On, at $1,200 has to be something special, doesn't it? Well, for starters, Tenori-On is a digital musical instrument. I'm listening to the video about it now and the sounds it comes up with appear to be post-technological if there could be a name for it.

This is something people could play with all day, provided they are in a space away from others to listen in solo.

So, what is this device already? Here's what the Web site says: "TENORI-ON.
A 16x16 matrix of LED switches allows everyone to play music intuitively, creating a "visible music" interface."

I get it now, do you?