Oh! Gizmo

By Shane McGlaun

I am not a big fan of Bluetooth headsets. I think they have their place, like when you are trying to drive in a manual transmission car. However, if you use one while say walking in the mall you should be kicked in the balls (or punched in the ovaries if more appropriate).

If you are into music on your phone, most go for ear buds because they are compact and don’t look as strange on your head as say your massive headphones from 1984. Nokia has announced a new Bluetooth headset called the BH-905 that is quite large. The massive size looks like something you would see with a home stereo rather than a mobile phone or MP3 player.

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By Shane McGlaun

Today Nokia officially announced its N810 Internet Tablet. The pocket-sized device connects to the internet via WiFi hotspots or your Bluetooth enabled phone. Using the N810, you can make VOIP calls, check web based mail services like Gmail and watch YouTube videos.

The N810 has a built-in VGA camera for video chat sessions. An integrated GPS receiver allows you to find local attractions with pre-loaded maps. You can also get voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions with upgraded Wayfinder service.

An optional 10GB memory card allows you to store up to 7500 songs and the N810 can play the music for 45 hours. Maemo Linux is the operating system used and the web browser is Mozilla based with Ajax and Adobe Flash compatibility. The Nokia N810 is expected to ship in November at an MSRP of $479.

VIA [ Nokia ]

By Shane McGlaun

Users of the Nokia 5310 Xpress music phone looking for a slick docking station to play their music from will want to check out the JBL On Call 5310. The dock is designed specifically for the Nokia 5310 Xpress phone, though it will work with any 3.5mm mini jack equipped device.

An integrated stand allows you to place the dock anywhere, but it can be hung on a wall as well. The On Call 5310 is powered by four AA batteries that promise power for up to six hours of music listening.

When the Nokia 5310 is docked, the phone is charged up as well. The device uses dual 3-watt Odyssey transducers, an integrated amp and a computer-controlled equalizer for improved sound. To save battery life the device goes into energy conservation mode automatically. The On Call 5310 will be available in November 2007 at an undisclosed price.

[ Press Release (Subscription Required) ] VIA [ JBL ]

by Shane McGlaun

Linux Devices is reporting that Sprint will sell the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet in the U.S.A. next year. The version we get here in the U.S. will be a Mobile WiMAX-enabled device to go along with Sprint’s quest to offer WiMAX 4G services to over 100 million users in 2008.

The target markets Sprint is rolling 4G out to first will be Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington DC. Sprint claims that by the end of 2008 several other 4G areas will be activated with Motorola handling Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Minneapolis.

Samsung will help roll 4G out to Baltimore, Boston, Philly, Providence, and Washington DC. Nokia will then be responsible for rolling 4G services out to Austin, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Seattle.

VIA [ Linux Devices ]