LG shows first LTE chip for 4G phones

LG this morning said it has developed the world's first practical chip for 4G-grade cellular access using Long Term Evolution (LTE) as its standard. The 13mm square (0.51in) modem is small enough to fit in a cellphone but is capable of the theoretical peak speeds of LTE, which LG says tops out at 100Mbps downstream and at 50Mbps for uploads. A testbed Windows Mobile device has successfully reached bandwidth of 60Mbps down and 20Mbps up in a real-world example and should lead to slim cellphones with fast data performance, according to LG.

BlackBerry Storm for Telus in limited shipping

Telus today officially became the first Canadian carrier to start selling the BlackBerry Storm. The carrier notes that "limited" numbers of the touchscreen smartphone should be in its stores today and will sell for the promised $250 on a three-year plan and $600 when contract-free. Telus' version clings to the reference version's 3.2-megapixel camera, hybrid CDMA/GSM with matching 3G, and 1GB of internal memory. Telus' version is more conspicuously pitched against the iPhone and comes with an 8GB microSDHC card preloaded with music from the Arts & Crafts label.

New MacBook Pro faced with NVIDIA defect?

Apple's latest-generation MacBook Pro systems may face the same material defect in their dedicated graphics hardware as encountered by earlier models, according to an investigation by the Inquirer. A dissection of the GeForce 9600M chip shows the part using the same non-eutectic (higher melting point) soldered contact bumps as the GeForce 8600M, suggesting the graphics hardware is prone to the same long-term heat damage risk as the GeForce 8400M and 8600M series chips, producing the blank screens and other video errors that have triggered recalls of previous MacBook Pro revisions as well as wider-still recalls by Dell, HP and others.

8MP Samsung cameraphone for T-Mobile US spotted

Blurred images of an 8-megapixel Samsung handset that is expected to be offered at wireless provider T-Mobile have surfaced on Monday, all but confirming an earlier report. The touchscreen handset is expected to be called Memoir and feature the same TouchWiz interface as the current Samsung Behold handset. The handset is on course to be the first subsidized cameraphone in the US with an 8-megapixel shooter, which also has autofocus, a built-in flash and optical zoom, as well as video recording capabilities.

Reports claim FCC head has anti-cable bias

A new US House Committee on Energy and Commerce report (PDF) published today accuses current FCC chairman Kevin Martin of unfairly biasing policy against the cable industry. The government body head is specifically accused of overriding others' views and is said to have reversed a finding that exempted cable providers from offering à la carte rules as well as attempting to force through a report that would have accused the cable industry of greater than 70 percent control of the market, allowing Martin and the FCC to regulate the field.

Dell launches UltraSharp 1909W

Computer builder Dell has begun selling the UltraSharp 1909W, its latest LCD monitor. Measuring 19 inches in a 16:10 ratio, the screen supports resolutions up to 1440x900, with a a 5ms response time and brightness rated at 300cd/m2. Contrast is measured at only 1,000:1, and the viewing angle is limited to 160 degrees; a number of ports are provided however, including four for USB devices, one for VGA input, and another for DVI video. The last is HDCP-enabled for protected HD content.

ARM, Sony Ericsson, more join Open Handset Alliance

The Open Handset Alliance today said it has added 14 new members to its group in a move that will bolster support for Google's new Android operating system. The new roster includes phone manufacturers such as ASUS, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba as well as prominent chipmakers like ARM and Atheros as well as carriers Softbank and Vodafone. GPS device maker Garmin is also included in the list.

DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project

A DirecTV spokesperson recently announced the company has discontinued any and all development work on the HDPC-20 tuner that promised to link DirecTV's high-definition content with Windows Media Center. The HDPC-20 was first introduced at CES in 2006, or nearly three years ago. The decision to end the project was reportedly made after DirecTV missed the August 2008 update for Windows Media Center software and timing of the next release.

GeForce 9400M coming to Intel Atom soon?

NVIDIA is in the process of porting the technology behind the GeForce 9400M to mainboards meant for Intel's Atom processors, alleged sources from PC builders claim. The MCP79 chipset, which sits at the heart of both the 9400M in newer MacBooks and the lower-powered 9300M, is said to be in conversion for the mini PC platform with the aim of improving graphics over Intel's existing but relatively limited GMA video. NVIDIA would first focus on hardware for nettops but would potentially expand to netbooks later on.

Lenovo discounts IdeaPad S10 netbooks

Desktop and portable PC maker Lenovo on Tuesday reduced prices for its IdeaPad S-series range of netbooks by between $50 and $80, depending on model. The basic black or white IdeaPad S10s now cost $349 and sport 10.2-inch LED-backlit LCD screens along with Intel's 1.6GHz Atom CPU. The custom-colored S10s have dropped from $439 to $359.

Jabra intros two multiuse Bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth headset maker Jabra on Tuesday announced the launch of a pair of multi-use headsets with the M5390 USB and BT530 USB. Either can pair up with up to eight devices including cell phones and Internet-connected PCs for VoIP or soft-phone use. Additionally, both can pair up to two devices simultaneously, allowing users to answer the device that is ringing. Users can answer either their cellphone or a PC-based VoIP call thanks to the included USB dongle.

Lenovo discounts IdeaPad S10 netbooks

Desktop and portable PC maker Lenovo on Tuesday reduced prices for its IdeaPad S-series range of netbooks by between $50 and $80, depending on model. The basic black or white IdeaPad S10s now cost $349 and sport 10.2-inch LED-backlit LCD screens along with Intel's 1.6GHz Atom CPU. The custom-colored S10s have dropped from $439 to $359.

Jabra intros two multiuse Bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth headset maker Jabra on Tuesday announced the launch of a pair of multi-use headsets with the M5390 USB and BT530 USB. Either can pair up with up to eight devices including cell phones and Internet-connected PCs for VoIP or soft-phone use. Additionally, both can pair up to two devices simultaneously, allowing users to answer the device that is ringing. Users can answer either their cellphone or a PC-based VoIP call thanks to the included USB dongle.

Jabra intros two multiuse Bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth headset maker Jabra on Tuesday announced the launch of a pair of multi-use headsets with the M5390 USB and BT530 USB. Either can pair up with up to eight devices including cell phones and Internet-connected PCs for VoIP or soft-phone use. Additionally, both can pair up to two devices simultaneously, allowing users to answer the device that is ringing. Users can answer either their cellphone or a PC-based VoIP call thanks to the included USB dongle.

Lenovo discounts IdeaPad S10 netbooks

Desktop and portable PC maker Lenovo on Tuesday reduced prices for its IdeaPad S-series range of netbooks by between $50 and $80, depending on model. The basic black or white IdeaPad S10s now cost $349 and sport 10.2-inch LED-backlit LCD screens along with Intel's 1.6GHz Atom CPU. The custom-colored S10s have dropped from $439 to $359.

Lenovo discounts IdeaPad S10 netbooks

Desktop and portable PC maker Lenovo on Tuesday reduced prices for its IdeaPad S-series range of netbooks by between $50 and $80, depending on model. The basic black or white IdeaPad S10s now cost $349 and sport 10.2-inch LED-backlit LCD screens along with Intel's 1.6GHz Atom CPU. The custom-colored S10s have dropped from $439 to $359.

Jabra intros two multiuse Bluetooth headsets

Bluetooth headset maker Jabra on Tuesday announced the launch of a pair of multi-use headsets with the M5390 USB and BT530 USB. Either can pair up with up to eight devices including cell phones and Internet-connected PCs for VoIP or soft-phone use. Additionally, both can pair up to two devices simultaneously, allowing users to answer the device that is ringing. Users can answer either their cellphone or a PC-based VoIP call thanks to the included USB dongle.

Nokia teases handset with gesture-driven UI

Nokia reportedly unveiled this advertisement for an unnamed, next-generation handset at a Capital Markets Day presentation in Brooklyn on Thursday. Little is known about the cellphone other than what the photo reveals, which is a touchscreen that covers nearly the entire face of the handset with no hard buttons visible. The cellphone breaks from Nokia tradition as it forgoes the use of any form of a conventional keypad or keyboard and instead relies nearly entirely on what the phone maker calls a Direct UI interface.

Microsoft brings in ex-Yahoo exec for ads, search

Microsoft has hired an ex-Yahoo executive to run its Online Services Group, the company has announced. Qi Lu -- who until recently was the executive VP of engineering for the Search and Advertising Technology Group at Yahoo -- will assume his new role on January 5th, where he will report directly to CEO Steve Ballmer. His responsibilities should involve directing Microsoft's efforts in online search and advertising, which are centered around Windows Live.

American Xperia X1 delayed past Christmas

Americans should not expect to Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1 smartphone anytime soon, according to indications. Best Buy is said to have changed the online status of the phone from "Pre-Order" to "Coming Soon," and Sony's own Sony Style website has moved the release date to January 12th of next year. Those who have already pre-ordered through Best Buy are reportedly being sent multiple e-mails, warning of stock delays. The phone has been on sale in Europe since the end of September.

Google launches fully unlocked Android Dev Phone

Google today catered to Android developers either outside of T-Mobile coverage or eager to avoid restrictions with the Android Dev Phone 1. Essentially a carrier-neutral T-Mobile G1, the new model is completely unlocked for both its SIM card slot and hardware features to let users test the device on other GSM networks, including AT&T. The The change lets any owner run Google's reference firmware as it appears. The black design also sports a unique back engraving with a fractal-like pattern and the Android logo.

Dell leak reveals 16:9 ratio Inspiron 1545 notebook

Dell has unwittingly revealed a major revision to its Inspiron notebooks courtesy of a company-hosted technology guide discovered late yesterday. The Inspiron 1545 will be one of Dell's first truly mainstream notebooks with a 16:9 aspect ratio display and should switch from today's 15.4-inch LCD to a more movie-friendly 15.6-inch, 1366x768 (WXGA) screen with the option of an LED backlight. It should also mark a jump to Centrino 2 that carries anything from a 2GHz Celeron to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo and will bring GMA 4500MHD integrated video as a result.

Logic3 launches i-Station25 iPhone, iPod speakers

The UK's Logic3 has recently launched its i-Station25 portable speakers meant to work with Apple's iPhone and iPod touch. The i-Station 25 includes an accelerometer that will adjust the output of the speakers to output at the correct left and right separation when users turn it 90 degrees to better view photos or videos stored on their connected Apple device. The four built-in speakers deliver a total of 8W RMS of power, and each is sized at nearly 1.6 inches. The buzzing noise heard in speakers right before an incoming call is suppressed with the use of TDMA noise distortion circuitry.

AT&T may use Symbian as main smartphone OS

AT&T may focus almost exclusively on Symbian for its smartphones in the future, company director of next generation services Roger Smith said in a presentation later on Thursday. The executive says AT&T has grown frustrated with the splintering of most of the smartphone market and that the carrier is likely to settle on a single, very flexible operating system like the soon to be open-sourced Symbian platform rather than attempt to code for multiple platforms.

Acer set for own smartphone in early 2009

Acer is on track to release its first smartphones in the early part of next year, the company says. Following up on its buyout of cellphone company E-TEN in the spring, the PC builder now says it hopes to have the first phones under its own name to ship before the end of March and hopes to launch them first within Western Europe and Russia, with other areas following later.

Holiday pricing on electronics from across the net

Online retailers have begun to drop prices on a variety of electronics with the holiday season upon us. Buy.com has cut prices on everything from MP3 players and digital photo frames to GPS units and notebook computers. Prices are slashed on everything from wireless routers and printers to wireless mice and Bluetooth stereo headphones at HP.com.

Argentinian company offers OpeniMac clones

An Argentinian company is the latest computer maker to defy Apple and release Mac clones. Customers can choose from two models, OpeniMac and OpeniMacPRO. The standard version features a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive. The Pro clone integrates a 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce GS 1GB GPU, and a 20-inch LG widescreen monitor.

Acer set for own smartphone in early 2009

Acer is on track to release its first smartphones in the early part of next year, the company says. Following up on its buyout of cellphone company E-TEN in the spring, the PC builder now says it hopes to have the first phones under its own name to ship before the end of March and hopes to launch them first within Western Europe and Russia, with other areas following later.

Acer set for own smartphone in early 2009

Acer is on track to release its first smartphones in the early part of next year, the company says. Following up on its buyout of cellphone company E-TEN in the spring, the PC builder now says it hopes to have the first phones under its own name to ship before the end of March and hopes to launch them first within Western Europe and Russia, with other areas following later.

Holiday pricing on electronics from across the net

Online retailers have begun to drop prices on a variety of electronics with the holiday season upon us. Buy.com has cut prices on everything from MP3 players and digital photo frames to GPS units and notebook computers. Prices are slashed on everything from wireless routers and printers to wireless mice and Bluetooth stereo headphones at HP.com.

Argentinian company offers OpeniMac clones

An Argentinian company is the latest computer maker to defy Apple and release Mac clones. Customers can choose from two models, OpeniMac and OpeniMacPRO. The standard version features a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive. The Pro clone integrates a 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce GS 1GB GPU, and a 20-inch LG widescreen monitor.

Acer set for own smartphone in early 2009

Acer is on track to release its first smartphones in the early part of next year, the company says. Following up on its buyout of cellphone company E-TEN in the spring, the PC builder now says it hopes to have the first phones under its own name to ship before the end of March and hopes to launch them first within Western Europe and Russia, with other areas following later.

Holiday pricing on electronics from across the net

Online retailers have begun to drop prices on a variety of electronics with the holiday season upon us. Buy.com has cut prices on everything from MP3 players and digital photo frames to GPS units and notebook computers. Prices are slashed on everything from wireless routers and printers to wireless mice and Bluetooth stereo headphones at HP.com.

Argentinian company offers OpeniMac clones

An Argentinian company is the latest computer maker to defy Apple and release Mac clones. Customers can choose from two models, OpeniMac and OpeniMacPRO. The standard version features a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive. The Pro clone integrates a 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce GS 1GB GPU, and a 20-inch LG widescreen monitor.

Sprint to carry hybrid CDMA, WiMAX handsets

Wireless provider Sprint Nextel will offer handsets that can switch from the existing CDMA network to the WiMAX mobile broadband network currently being built up across the United States by Sprint's recent partner, Clearwire. Apart from the handsets, Sprint will carry other WiMAX products and services, including the first hybrid CDMA/mobile WiMAX modem. All will be branded as Sprint 4G, replacing the existing Xohm brand name for the existing high-speed mobile broadband gear.

Sprint to carry hybrid CDMA, WiMAX handsets

Wireless provider Sprint Nextel will offer handsets that can switch from the existing CDMA network to the WiMAX mobile broadband network currently being built up across the United States by Sprint's recent partner, Clearwire. Apart from the handsets, Sprint will carry other WiMAX products and services, including the first hybrid CDMA/mobile WiMAX modem. All will be branded as Sprint 4G, replacing the existing Xohm brand name for the existing high-speed mobile broadband gear.

Sanyo R227 Internet radio coming to the US

Sanyo's R227 Internet radio, announced to ship at the end of October in Canada, will soon be available for US customers, the company announced on Thursday. The R227 connects to the Internet via its Wi-Fi module or a wired Ethernet connection and allows users to search for Internet radio stations from around the world by country or genre. There are no fees associated with accessing the stations. The R227 can access secured wireless networks via a key entry interface.

AT&T slashes 12,000 jobs, shifts to wireless

AT&T today announced one of the larger job cuts in the midst of the US recession and said it would drop 12,000 employees, or about 4 percent of its total worker base. The effort is attributed both to the poor economy as well as to a "changing business mix" that has left its traditional landline service in decline. Much of that business is shifting towards cellphones and other wireless services, the company says. It also plans to reduce its overall capital spending at the same time but won't have details until January.

World's first HSPA+ network goes live

Telstra today said it has switched on the world's first HSPA+ network. Also known as HSPA Evolution, the early 3.5G network promises to be about three times faster in downloads than the best regular HSPA networks, which top out at 7.2Mbps in peak conditions. The Australian carrier's service should theoretically allow downloads as quick as 21Mbps and should also help with uploads; the speed is enough to rival many landline Internet connections, the company and its launch partner Ericsson boast.

Acer and DisplayLink release 22-inch USB monitor

Acer, in conjunction with DisplayLink, announced on Friday the availability of a new USB computer LCD monitor which, despite the dependence on the CPU rather than a graphics chipset, still supports Windows Vista's Aero Glass interface as well as other 3D functions. The 22-inch B223 display features a 1680x1050 resolution and DisplayLink's DL-160 network display chip that lest users connect up to six of the monitors to a single PC or notebook via their standard USB 2.0 ports.

Sanyo R227 Internet radio coming to the US

Sanyo's R227 Internet radio, announced to ship at the end of October in Canada, will soon be available for US customers, the company announced on Thursday. The R227 connects to the Internet via its Wi-Fi module or a wired Ethernet connection and allows users to search for Internet radio stations from around the world by country or genre. There are no fees associated with accessing the stations. The R227 can access secured wireless networks via a key entry interface.

Sanyo R227 Internet radio coming to the US

Sanyo's R227 Internet radio, announced to ship at the end of October in Canada, will soon be available for US customers, the company announced on Thursday. The R227 connects to the Internet via its Wi-Fi module or a wired Ethernet connection and allows users to search for Internet radio stations from around the world by country or genre. There are no fees associated with accessing the stations. The R227 can access secured wireless networks via a key entry interface.

AT&T slashes 12,000 jobs, shifts to wireless

AT&T today announced one of the larger job cuts in the midst of the US recession and said it would drop 12,000 employees, or about 4 percent of its total worker base. The effort is attributed both to the poor economy as well as to a "changing business mix" that has left its traditional landline service in decline. Much of that business is shifting towards cellphones and other wireless services, the company says. It also plans to reduce its overall capital spending at the same time but won't have details until January.

AT&T slashes 12,000 jobs, shifts to wireless

AT&T today announced one of the larger job cuts in the midst of the US recession and said it would drop 12,000 employees, or about 4 percent of its total worker base. The effort is attributed both to the poor economy as well as to a "changing business mix" that has left its traditional landline service in decline. Much of that business is shifting towards cellphones and other wireless services, the company says. It also plans to reduce its overall capital spending at the same time but won't have details until January.

Sanyo R227 Internet radio coming to the US

Sanyo's R227 Internet radio, announced to ship at the end of October in Canada, will soon be available for US customers, the company announced on Thursday. The R227 connects to the Internet via its Wi-Fi module or a wired Ethernet connection and allows users to search for Internet radio stations from around the world by country or genre. There are no fees associated with accessing the stations. The R227 can access secured wireless networks via a key entry interface.

World's first HSPA+ network goes live

Telstra today said it has switched on the world's first HSPA+ network. Also known as HSPA Evolution, the early 3.5G network promises to be about three times faster in downloads than the best regular HSPA networks, which top out at 7.2Mbps in peak conditions. The Australian carrier's service should theoretically allow downloads as quick as 21Mbps and should also help with uploads; the speed is enough to rival many landline Internet connections, the company and its launch partner Ericsson boast.

World's first HSPA+ network goes live

Telstra today said it has switched on the world's first HSPA+ network. Also known as HSPA Evolution, the early 3.5G network promises to be about three times faster in downloads than the best regular HSPA networks, which top out at 7.2Mbps in peak conditions. The Australian carrier's service should theoretically allow downloads as quick as 21Mbps and should also help with uploads; the speed is enough to rival many landline Internet connections, the company and its launch partner Ericsson boast.

AT&T slashes 12,000 jobs, shifts to wireless

AT&T today announced one of the larger job cuts in the midst of the US recession and said it would drop 12,000 employees, or about 4 percent of its total worker base. The effort is attributed both to the poor economy as well as to a "changing business mix" that has left its traditional landline service in decline. Much of that business is shifting towards cellphones and other wireless services, the company says. It also plans to reduce its overall capital spending at the same time but won't have details until January.

Sanyo R227 Internet radio coming to the US

Sanyo's R227 Internet radio, announced to ship at the end of October in Canada, will soon be available for US customers, the company announced on Thursday. The R227 connects to the Internet via its Wi-Fi module or a wired Ethernet connection and allows users to search for Internet radio stations from around the world by country or genre. There are no fees associated with accessing the stations. The R227 can access secured wireless networks via a key entry interface.

AT&T slashes 12,000 jobs, shifts to wireless

AT&T today announced one of the larger job cuts in the midst of the US recession and said it would drop 12,000 employees, or about 4 percent of its total worker base. The effort is attributed both to the poor economy as well as to a "changing business mix" that has left its traditional landline service in decline. Much of that business is shifting towards cellphones and other wireless services, the company says. It also plans to reduce its overall capital spending at the same time but won't have details until January.