The Geek Church

The Enercell 1350mAh Universal Portable Power doesn’t really do anything new per se, but it still is something that we all need.

The purpose of these battery packs is to hold some electric power until it is needed the most, and then it can be used to charge up a smartphone or other mobile device.

The Enercell is just a bit smaller than the one from Mophie Powerstation that we reviewed a while ago. This one is designed for four hours of emergency power. It takes a while for it to charge via USB, but worth it to have around.

You should be able to purchase the Enercell Universal Portable Power pack for a price of $29-39 at Radio Shack.

A while ago, Samsung put out their Galaxy Nexus which had some terrific features. Unfortunately, it had a pretty big pricetag of $700.

The company has now put out another device, the Galaxy M, which is $200 cheaper. It will have a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, and is rumored to have a full 720p HD resolution.

As for the phone’s other specs, it has Android 2.3 Gingerbread (as opposed to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwhich), and a 1GHz single-core processor. The front-facing camera is a 3 Megapixel job, and the rear camera is 8-Megapixel job.

The Galaxy M will be available for T-Mobile and AT&T customers, at an ultrathin size of 0.39 inches in colors of Platinum Sliver, Blue Black, and Lavender Pink.

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Heads up, dear readers! We’ve got breaking news as Steve Jobs of Apple unveiled the iPhone 4 earlier today. Obviously, you’ve got plenty of questions about what to expect from this new smartphone so we’ll give the full rundown of Apple’s latest product. Let’s start by discussing the iPhone’s design. Of course, the outer body of the phone consists of black glass and stainless steel rim, just like the infamous prototype misplaced, discovered and leaked in the news several months ago. The iPhone 4 is also three grams heavier and 34 percent thinner than its 3GS predecessor and has split volume buttons made of stainless steel. Apple says that this smartphone is currently the thinnest one in existence today. The stainless steel rim is also used for the phone’s antenna to provide better reception for 3GS and WiFi. The physical size of the phone is 4.5 x 2.31 inches in width, 0.37 inches thick with a weight of 4.8 ounces (137 grams).

Now we’ll take a look at the smartphone’s hardware. Like the iPad, this iPhone has an internal Apple A4 chip. Furthermore, the phone also uses several other interconnected chips, which include a Cortex-A8 main processor unit, a PowerVR SGX 535 and two low-power 128MB DDR SDRAM chips. The Cortex-A8 processor acts as the phone’s main controlling mechanism, the PowerVR SGX provides hi-def graphics and the SDRAM chips give greater processing speed. The iPhone 4’s battery was also improved, made 16 percent larger than the previous iPhone battery with a longer lifespan. According to Apple, the new battery makes the iPhone 4 capable of 7 talk hours over 3G, 6 browsing hours over 3G, 10 browsing hours over Wi-Fi, 10 hours with video, 40 hours with music and 300 hours on standby.

The new iPhone’s multi-touch screen is 3.5 inches with 960 × 640 pixels and Apple calls it the Retina Display. Thus, it has four times as many pixels compared to the previous iPhone display with 326 pixels per inch resolution in the screen. Apple said that this IPS display is the same tech found in the iPad, so applications can run with better resolution, sharper view for text, 3D graphics and vectorial art. The new display also has the same oleophobic layer as the iPad and iPhone 3GS for easy cleaning. The iPhone 4 has two cameras as well. The main camera is backlit, has a larger sensor, larger lenses and a higher ISO but retains the same 5 megapixels. However, the main camera also has an LED based flash for making photos and video. Meanwhile, a video conferencing camera is located on the front of the phone. It has standard VGA resolution, third-party application compatibility and also features Apple’s own video conference solution. In addition to these features, the iPhone has a internal gyroscope for tracking movement with great accuracy. It has a 3-axis, enabling it to detect roll, pitch and yaw. It’s also combined with an accelerometer to make 6-axis sensing possible. It features an extra microphone to cancel out noise and the same micro-SIM standard as the iPad as well.

Finally, let’s consider the iPhone’s 4’s software. It has ISO 4 for selective multi-tasking. Thus, you can multi-task with applications while consuming less battery power and resources. ISO 4 also gives the Retina Display resolution independence, so applications are instantly adjusted to look sharper. This applies to typography, 2D vector graphics and 3D graphics as well. Meanwhile, the iPhone also offers the capability for video calling, made possible with its video conferencing camera. Apple calls this service FaceTime and communication is available from one iPhone 4 to another over Wi-Fi. Apple is featuring a new editing sofware called iMovie for iPhone as well. This software runs on hi-def with 720p, allowing you to edit video clips, add extra effects for still images and gives you access to a music soundtrack from your phone’s iTunes. Then you can export finished videos to 360p, 520p and 720p. However, iMovie is a separate application not included with the iPhone 4 itself. Lastly, ibooks are also compatible with ISO 4 and they’re accessible through the same controls used on the iPad’s iBook application. The new smartphone is scheduled for release on June 24 in black or white color options while prices are $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB.

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If you’re familiar with Ford’s Sync system, then you know that it’s a very handy application to have if you’re a 2011 Ford or Lincoln owner. The Sync features navigation, access to traffic information, voice command capability, Internet radio and a 911 Assist mode for emergencies on the road. The 911 Assist mode actually gives dispatchers an approximate location for your vehicle through signal triangulation or your phone’s GPS if it’s connected to the system. Now Ford has updated the 911 Assist mode in its Sync system with a new GPS module.

This GPS module was added to the 911 Assist mode to make it more accurate. Thus, enabling emergency dispatch to be more effective in sending assistance for quicker response to an accident. Furthermore, the Sync system itself will continue to be a subscription-free service, even with this update. Sync is free for Ford and Lincoln owners in the United States and Canada. You only need a Bluetooth cell phone in order to use it. The GPS module allows the Sync system to give exact coordinates for finding accident victims since the module functions as a GPS receiver to provide the right location. The 911 Assist mode is also designed to send a customer’s cell phone call directly to a priority emergency line instead of a call center and gives the location information to emergency service providers through the GPS module. The 911 Assist mode is designed to alert an emergency service operator in the event of an airbag being triggered or emergency fuel pump shutoff as well.

This weekend, Ford will make an appearance at the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) 2010 conference in Indianapolis to announce this GPS module update for the Sync system. This update for the 911 Assist mode is available for Sync-equipped 2011 vehicles, which include the Ford Taurus, Focus, Flex, Fusion, Escape and F-150 as well as the Lincoln MKS, MKZ and MKT. In addition to the GPS module, Ford is also offering customers a variety of emergency service options such as a priority emergency screen. This feature will provide location information and quick-touch access to In Case of Emergency (ICE) contacts after a 911 Assist call is made. Ford is currently working with nonprofit organizations such as NENA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International as it seeks to continue making improvements on the 911 Assist feature.

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Researchers and businesses continue to develop new concepts in lighter, more portable technology for the general consumer. Some examples include the smartphone, iPad and iPod, which tend to be less bulky than older cellphones, netbooks and mp3 players. Now Chinavasion presents their latest product as the smallest mobile phone in existence and it fits on your wrist.

They call their new mobile creation the Penthouse watch phone. It features quad band GSM support, two SIM card slots and Bluetooth capability. Although this watch phone does have a 1.5 touch screen display, it also has a key pad and a four-way directional controller surprisingly enough. Apparently, Chinavasion thought older control set options were necessary to include on their new phone as a backup to the touch screen.

Furthermore, the Penthouse watch phone isn’t a strong contender in the smartphone market since its multimedia options are quite limited. You can only capture pictures at 640×480 and the device’s memory is 506kb, requiring the use of a 1GB micro SD card, which is included. Video capability is also lacking with a maximum of 176×144 AVI files, having a 5fps frame rate. Sadly, this phone’s greatest selling point may be the fact that it was made to wear on your wrist as a smaller mobile set. If you’re interested, it’s available for $113.

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When it comes to new technological developments on their product lines, companies tend to be secretive and protective of their latest stuff. Businesses often limit or restrict information about their newest products to have a competitive edge over their rivals and carefully plan out the release of their latest developments to make the biggest profit possible from them. Thus, information leaks and misplaced product prototypes are normally quite frowned upon in regards to their newest stuff. Apparently, an employee of Apple forgot these important facts about the proper handling of new merchandise when he brought a next-generation iPhone to a bar in Redwood City, California last month and accidentally left it behind.

This employee works for Apple as a software engineer who is responsible for the iPhone Baseband Software, the program that allows the phone to make calls. On the fateful night of March the 18th, this software engineer decided to spend his evening enjoying imported ales at Gourmet Haus Staud since this day just happened to be his 27th birthday. His reason for taking the new iPhone from outside the premises of Apple was to give it a field test. Of course, he prepared for this field test by disguising the new phone as a 3G iPhone and even discussed the test run briefly on his Facebook profile. Then he forgot about the new phone during his night at Gourmet Haus Stud and left it there before returning home.

Later on, this iPhone 4G was found by another man at the bar, who took it home and realized the significance of the find after he removed the phone’s fake 3G jacket. Afterward, the next-generation iPhone found its way into the hands of Gizmodo, who bought it for five thousand dollars weeks later. Of course, the tech blog also took the opportunity to post their own story about the iPhone 4G discovery this past Monday as well. Then, a letter signed by Apple General Counsel and Senior VP Bruce Sewell was issued to Gizmodo, formally requesting the safe return of the new iPhone prototype. So, Gizmodo Editorial Director Brian Lam sent a friendly reply to Apple, promising to give them the phone back after the opportunistic tech blog posted Apple’s letter on their website. At this time, it is unclear whether or not Gizmodo is facing legal repercussions for being in possession of the next-generation iPhone. Well, this whole situation was certainly more than a simple information leak. Personally, I wonder how it could affect the future of Apple’s smartphone product line and if that software engineer is facing certain disciplinary action for his mistake last March.

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With the iPad and iPhone O S 4.0 recently announced by Apple, Microsoft is now poised to present their latest developments to stay competitive in the ever-changing market of mobile technology for communication and internet access. These products by Microsoft come in the form of two handsets called the Kin One and the Kin Two and they are being marketed as Windows phones. Here’s a rundown of these brand new handsets.

The Kin One and Kin Two are based on the Windows Phone 7 but they have some unique differences. The Kin series has its own custom-made user interface which is very focused on social media and also has a custom browser. The screen displays are multi-touch capable and you can even pinch and zoom with the browser. However, there is no support for third party applications, in-browser Flash or Silverlight.

The Kin One is also known as the “Turtle”. It’s a curved square sliding phone equipped with a QVGA display, 4GB of internal storage, a five megapixel camera with LED and a full QWERTY keyboard. Meanwhile, Kin Two is nicknamed “Pure”. It’s a more conventional QWERTY sliding phone with a HVGA display, an eight megapixel camera and 8GB of internal storage. Beyond that, it’s the same as the Kin One.

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Since the world is still reeling from last weekend’s release of the iPad, Apple is attempting to wow consumers further with their newest development, the iPhone OS 4.0. So far, fifty million iPhones have been sold, along with 450,000 iPads and OS 4.0 is scheduled to be applied to phones this summer. Then the iPad will get this upgrade in the fall. Obviously, people are wondering what the OS 4.0 can do. Well, here’s a rundown of its features and capabilities.

First of all, it offers multi-tasking. You can run applications with a double tap of the home button, pause games at any time and there’s a tray available for switching between applications. This tray pushes up the other home icons and has a metallic background. However, you will be facing limitations in using active applications even though you have the ability to switch between them easily. Furthermore, multi-tasking will not be available for iPhone 3G or the second generation iPod touch and there is no task manager to do the app. organization for you, either.

Second, seven background services are available for use. For background audio, you can play Pandora and manage it with pop-up controls. For background VoIP, Skype calls are still compatible, you can switch applications, a “return to call” button is available and you will be able to receive Skype calls on a locked phone. Push and local notifications are still available but local ones are for in-phone applications, pop-up alarms, etc. Fast app. switching is now possible. This feature allows you to store one app. in its present state as you switch to another one and then back to the previous one. The final background service is task completion, which allows for an upload if you close an app.

Next, folders are available for storing lists of usable applications. Up to 2160 applications can be stored for future use. There are also homescreen wallpapers, enhanced mail and unified mail to combine web mail, Mobile Me and multiple exchange accounts. A thread organization is provided as a more powerful inbox and attachments are now possible for third party email. Of course, iBooks are possible, similar to how they work on the iPad and you can sync bookmarks and between devices. There is also better email encryption and SSL VPN support for non-bold text. Then, gaming features include being able to challenge friends, compare high scores on leaderboards and do matchmaking and achievements. The OS 4.0 also supports Bluetooth keyboards. Lastly, ads will be appear in HTML 5, they are fully interactive and they now have access to APIs, which includes location and accelerometer as well.

However, there is no confirmation that it supports cameras with flash, and how easily you can download applications is another unanswered question.

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Granted, this isn’t the first time that I have seen products like the PowerPak from Technocel, but success is often seen by its number of forms.

The PowerPak is an on-the-go battery designed for those whose mobile devices run out of juice, and they just need “that little bit more”. The PowerPak can be charged by plugging it into the wall, and then using one of its many tips to charge whatever device is needed. According to the site, you can get about 3 hours of extra talk time out of the PowerPak.

You can see my full hands-on review here.

The trend of portable technology continues to grow in popularity, causing devices like the cellphone to keep getting smaller. Let’s consider the evolution of the phone in the last few decades. Once, it was just a basic, land-line unit with cords of limited length and then the cordless phone was created. After that, the development of the cellphone came and most units have been about the size of small two-way walkie talkies. Now phones have gotten even smaller.

Take a moment to imagine a cellphone being the size of a portable mirror. That’s what Qiao Sheng has recently developed. They call it the A45. The device comes in a high lacquered finish and has a display which can be rotated through 180 degrees. The phone’s display is a 2.2” mirror-sized touch screen and the device has a user interface. Furthermore, the A45 is also equipped with a camera that uses 3 Megapixels. Unfortunately, there wasn’t information available at this time concerning the price of this new product.

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