Wize Blog

Nokia Unvails New Devices and Internet Services

The Nokia N96, Nokia N78, Nokia 6220 classic and Nokia 6210 Navigator all exhibit different location based and multimedia experiences from pedestrian navigation to geotagging (automatically tags photos with the location where they were taken according to info from the cellular towers the phone was connected to at the time) and movie viewing to video and photo sharing.

“As we continue to free the Internet from the limitations of the desktop, we are taking mobility into a completely new realm of possibility,” said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Chief Executive Officer of Nokia. “We are, in fact, redefining the Internet itself as we’re making it context aware and more personal. With context, the Internet becomes a medium of very immediate and personal experiences.”

Nokia Maps is taking its mapping and navigation experiences to the next level by enhancing its pedestrian navigation, adding multimedia city guides, offering satellite images, and sporting a redesigned user interface. Nokia Maps 2.0 adds ‘Walk’, a pedestrian focused navigation component to the application, while still offering ‘Drive’, a world class car navigation system.

Better images are part of Nokia's quest for capabilities of new phones. Nokia 6220 classic (pictured above) is a full-featured device that combines a 5 megapixel camera with A-GPS functionality to give new meaning to the phrase “to share”. High quality images and videos can be snapped, tagged, editedand shared online, phone-to-phone or even viewed on a television. The Nokia 6220 classic is expected to start shipping in the 3rd quarter of 2008 in select markets.

From GPS to Cell Phones, Garmin Competes

Garmin announced today that it is entering the mobile phone market.

Garmin's no stranger to technology. They've been producing GPS systems since 1989.

"What began as a brainstorming session of a handful of engineers around a card table in 1989 has evolved into a worldwide collaborative effort of thousands of colleagues," the company's Web site states.

The company's goal squarely puts cell phones into its domain.

"To create navigation and communication devices that can enrich our customers’ lives," it continues on its Web site.

With GPS devices that range from Garmin zÅ«mo 450 GPS Receiver (rated 95 at wize.com) to the Garmin nuvi 670 GPS Receiver (rated 93), it's no wonder that they're making a GPS-enabled cell phone. The phone, coined Nuvifone, is a touchscreen device that combines a phone, mobile Web-browser, and GPS navigator. The Nuvifone includes Google's local search capability, a feature that lets users search for locations and where Google sorts out the results based on the user’s current location. The phone will be available later this year.

Wide Screen GPS for Older Adults

The 2008 Consumer Electronics Show is bringing a slew of new devices to the market. One of them--the Maestro 5310--is geared for older adults who can't see well up-close.

The GPS device has a 5-inch WQVGA full-color display, thin industrial design and easy-to-use  menu interface.

The device assists people in locating important places while traveling. "Maturing and affluent consumer segments will look for intuitive solutions that excel on ease-of-use and provide rich features such as comprehensive points of interest (POI) and travel guides,” said analyst Thilo Koslowski.

Getting directions from the device is easy. It has Say Where™ text-to-speech technology that announces street names.

The device ships with the following:
windshield mount and cradle
a cigarette lighter adapter
protective pouch
A/C power adapter
USB data cable
adhesive disk for dash mounting.

To see how the device works go here.

Three Gadget Gifts Reviewed on Video

1. There's a Wall to wall home networking kit. Extend your home network. Set up is easy. Plug in; attach ethernet cable, plug other end of ethernet cable into router and you can extend where your internet is being received inside your home.

2. The Panasonic VS2 GSM cell phone, which has a  1.3 MP camera, ships with Sonic the Hedgehog, great stocking stuffer.

3. GPS receiver from Route 66; place on dashboard, transmits your location to any pocket PC (PDA). Powered by bluetooth.

Budget GPS Car Navigation Systems

You get what you pay for when you buy a GPS for your car. Generally speaking, you’ll have to pay $400 or over to get a dependable one. Garmin’s a good brand.  Here’s are some of the less expensive ones (each one contains voice navigation system and touch screen):

Garmin nuvi 660 Portable car navigation system with Bluetooth GPS Receiver
Rated 95 at wize.com.  Cost--about $500

Garmin nuvi 350 GPS Receiver
Rated 95 at wize.com.   Cost--about $400

Magellan RoadMate 1200
Rated 95 at wize.com.   Cost--about $200

10 Facts about My Location

There's a new version of Google Maps called My Location.

Here are 10 facts about it:
1. You won't need GPS to find out where you are much longer.
2. The My Location feature is available for most web-enabled mobile phones.
3. When GPS isn't used, there can be a 10 city block error as to where you are located.
4. To find your location, all you do is press 0 on your cell phone.
5. My Location works when your cell phone is indoors.
6. The result that turns up your location on your cell phone can be up to 10 blocks off.
7. It works in most countries, except Japan and China.
8. The accuracy of My Location is dependent on how many cell phone towers there are in the area.
9. My Location is not compatible with iPhone
10. My Location draws less battery power from your cellular device than a GPS system does.

8 Things about the Nokia N82 You'll Want to Know

The Nokia is about to come out and the buzz is on. Here's the latest:

1. Phone costs about $650 according to Engadget.
2. It's got a 5 megapixel camera with xenon flash, auto-focus and Carl Zeiss lens and a 2GB microSD card.
3. Has a navigational A GPS feature installed.
4. Comes with voice guided navigation trial.
5. Features Web 2.0 capabilities.
6. Can store thousands of high-res photos an over an hour's worth of video.
7. Features Ovi family of internet services--Nokia Music Store, N-Gage games and Nokia Maps.
8. Has 2.4 inch QVGA display

Wize.com Top 5 Thanksgiving Gadgets

This Thanksgiving you deserve to splurge on the following gadgets that will make you both happy and thankful.

1.      

1.  To take pictures of your crazy Uncle Larry Wize recommends the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital Camera

2. When still photos might not catch all that this Thanksgiving has in store, Wize recommends the Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder

3. Whether you are looking forward to the Parade, or Thanksgiving football everything will look better on the Panasonic TH-42PX77U Television

4. This Thanksgiving don’t argue with your significant other on how to get to the grandparents house, get the Gamin nvi 350 GPS Receiver. It will save you time and will prevent you from pulling your hair out, both of which are things to be thankful for this holiday.

5. And for the newest member of the family spoil him or her with the Peg Perego Prima Pappa Multiposition Highchair Marble so that they, too can join in the dinner festivities

6. If you are ready to take dinner to the next level, instead of buying your bread at the grocery store, how about making your own with the highly rated Zojirushi BBCC-X20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Maker, and if you are cutting down on carbs (don’t ask me why you would want to do that on Thanksgiving), at least your home will smell delicious.

7. You can tell, I love espresso, because I am recommending two. The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine or the Gaggia Titanium Espresso Machine. The Rancilio will suffice for the amateur espresso enthusiast, but if you are looking for a top of the line machine that will replace Starbucks or Peet’s from your routine, and can afford the wallet dent, make a statement with the Gaggia Titanium. With either one, guests will surely be impressed.

8. Pie dough, mashed potatoes, stuffing, the Cuisinart DFP-14BC Custom 14 Cups Food Processor can do it all and more.  It is a must have kitchen tool for Thanksgiving. 

9. Need a Microwave upgrade before the holiday? The Panasonic Panasonic NN-SD967S 2.2 cft, 1250 Watts, Sensor, Stainless Steel Face, Pop-Out Dial Microwave just hit stores this past summer and is the sleekest most stylish microwave that will match the rest of your Stainless Steel appliances.

10. If you are cooking for a large family and need a second gadget that goes along with the Cuisinart Food Processor, pick up the KitchenAid 350 Watts KP50PS Professional 5 Series Stand Mixer

 

With these top WizeRanked products you are sure to have a fun and festive holiday season. 

 

Nokia Inroduces N810 Internet Tablet

Wize.com has learned the Linux based Nokia N810 was officially announced today. 

The theme with the new Nokia N810 is "mini."  This tiny tablet PC fits in the palm of your hand, all the while hooking up to your internet via Wi-Fi, and has Bluetooth capabilities to sync with your mobile phone.

Alone it has 2GBs worth of storage space, but by adding a 10GB memory card videos and music can be stocked making this a possible contender for the iPod Touch.  The screen on this mini player is tiny however, measuring 4.13-inches, and a 800x400 touchscreen.

In addition, this mini-tablet also has GPS capabilities with pre-loaded maps, and points of interest in case you are not sure where you want to go, and need some guidance. 

Comparing this to its predecessor, the N810 has a 20% brighter screen and a 400MHz Processor, although the resolution between Nokia N800 and the new N810 is exactly the same. 

The new Nokia N810 will be shipping in November, just in time for the holiday season and will make a $479 dent in your pocket book. 

Garmin Turns Cell Phones into Spiffy GPS Master with Mobile XT

That's right, just in case you were about ready to jump out and buy a new GPS system like the Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx GPS Receiver with a WizeRank of 90, Garmin (with the highest rated products on Wize.com of the existing GPS systems) introduces a new set of microSD cards preloaded with its navigation software and standard maps of the US or Europe for your mobile phone. 

The Garmin XT provides like turn-by-turn directions, route planning, and voice prompts right on your regular cell phone.  As well, imagine this, as you drive along the new Garmin XT can provide you with real-time fuel prices, traffic reports and weather updates. 

What is even more amazing is that all this is being offered right now for a mere $99, with no monthly fees or other costs.  This along makes us undoubtedly once again concur that Garmin is two steps ahead of the game when it comes to GPS systems.