Technabob » phone

PhoneSoap Cleans Your Phone and Charges It, Too!

Hazel Chua — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:30:26 +0000

Many people have close relationships with their smartphone. They carry it around with them every day, press it to their cheeks at least once every few hours to make a call, and poke or tap at the screen every few minutes or so to check their email, browse the Internet, or read a message.

You should be aware by now that your smartphone has probably accumulated the growth of a ton of bacteria over the course of you using it excessively each and every day. I don’t even want to begin imagining all the microbes and bacteria that’s breeding in between each key on the keypad or around the grooves of its buttons…

Good thing there’s someone out there who wants to come up with a way to “wash” our phones (without getting them wet, of course) with the PhoneSoap.

PhoneSoap is a charger and sanitizer packaged in one neat, little box. It uses to UV-C light to kill any bacteria and viruses that might be living on your phone. The UV-C light is 99.9% effective at killing bacteria and viruses, and since it doesn’t generate any heat, it doesn’t put your phone at risk during its sanitizing cycle. At the same time, it can charge up your device, since the box allows access to both a micro USB cord and Apple’s 30-pin USB cord.

PhoneSoap is currently up for funding on Kickstarter, where a minimum pledge of $39(USD) will get you your very own PhoneSoap.

iLoop Holds Your Phone, Relieves Stress

Range — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:00:54 +0000

Mobile phone stands aren’t all equal, and I have to say that this one definitely is different from others I’ve seen before. The iLoop is basically a thick silicone ring that doubles as an iPhone stand, and oddly enough, an exercise grip. Yes, you can use this ring as a hand grip which can be used to relieve stress.

The thing that I like the most is that it’s soft and flexible, allowing for easy storage and that you won’t be worried about chucking it into the bottom of your bag. It’s also stretchy enough to fit just about any smartphone.

It can also be pulled into different shapes, so you can use it as a stand for watching movies or playing games if you use multiples.

The iLoop costs €14.90 (~$20 USD) and it’s shipping now. There are four different colors available: black, sky blue, pink and white, and you get a 10% discount when you order a four-pack.

[via Klonblog via Thaeger]

HTC One X: Thinnest HTC Phone Yet

Range — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:00:17 +0000

Recently, HTC admitted that they have way too many models, something anyone could have told them, and that their models are too thick compared to what’s available on the market. The new flagship phone, the HTC One X, aims to correct at least one of these problems. The new model will be available April 5th and it packs some solid tech under its hood.

The HTC One X has a slim lightweight polycarbonate body, measuring just 8.9mm thick. It’s got a larger 4.7-inch screen, which has a resolution of 1280×720, which is pretty good. It’s thin and comfortable to hold, and somewhat smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Note, which is too big in my opinion. 4.7-inches is a good compromise, allowing you to use functions that you’d reserve for your tablet, while still fitting in your pocket. It comes with a Nvidia quad-core Tegra 3 processor, clocked at 1.5GHz and has 1GB of RAM, running Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0).

The phone comes with a 8MP/1080p camera with an LED flash and a f2.0 lens. It’s also got a 720p front-facing camera for video chats. It also features enhanced Beats Audio. It’s also NFC capable. Surprisingly, it has no microSD card support, but it will come with 32GB of internal storage and 25GB of free storage from DropBox for two years.

[via Ubergizmo]

Ferarri Knock-Off Cell Phones Defile the Ferrari Name

Technabob — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:00:03 +0000

You’ve got to hand it to the cheap Chinese gadget makers. Not only are they amazingly ballsy to release products which clearly bear the branding of products they haven’t licensed, but in this case, they’ve produced something that doesn’t even bear a slight resemblance to the product in question. While these cell phones purport to be Ferrari branded, the cars they portray look more like the vehicles of my nightmares than my dream cars.

I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think these ugly, bulbous vehicles look more like something Woody Allen would have driven in Sleeper than something you’d see rounding the track at Nürburgring. That said, you’d hope that at least they’d do the cell phone thing well.

I’m not holding my breath on that one either. These things sport an anemic 2-inch LCD screen, and a camera which offers “200 lacpixel; support to shoot MP4 with sound, the time depends on storage, with front camera, flash, telescopic cameras” I didn’t know what a lacpixel was before today, but I’m going to assume they meant it was lacking 200 pixels, because this calculation clearly doesn’t apply. It also supposedly has a QWERTY keyboard, but I think they meant they were typing the product listing with one, as there’s clearly none in sight. At least this thing makes phone calls, right?

If you absolutely must have one of these for the sheer novelty of the thing, you can get one over at AliExpress for about $76(USD). Me? I’m going to save my money to buy some soap to go wash my eyes out with.

Steampunk Telephone: 1890 Called, They Want Their Phone Back

Conner Flynn — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:24 +0000

If you have an aversion to modern technology and it’s lack of style and sophistication, then check out this Victorian era replica phone. It should go perfectly with your other Steampunk decor.

It’s a replica of an 1892 L.M. Ericsson model, but the rotary dial has been changed to push-buttons, with the center being a dedicated redial button. And even though it isn’t necessary, the magneto generator crank really turns. The cord even resembles that fabric-covered material they used to use for power cords on old devices.

At $110(USD) it might also be a good gift for your grandparents, who likely have trouble with the way modern phones look anyway. It’s pricey, but you are really paying for that old time style. Find it at Museum Replicas.

[via Redferret]

Bumper Sound Finally Figures out How to Stow Your Earbuds

Technabob — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:07 +0000

What to do with your earphones when you’re not using them seems to be a problem that’s still in search of a good solution. Sure there are cases and gadgets which let you wrap them around your mobile gadget, but they still take up space, and make it difficult to cram your phone or media player into your pocket, and they still often end up a tangled mess when you undo them. The Bumper Sound concept seems to have solved the problem for good – assuming it ever gets made.

Korean designer Sang Hwa Lee came up with this ingenious concept which turns your headphone cable into a bumper for your gadget when not in use. By using a flat tangle-proof rubber ribbon cable for the headphone cord, they simply wrap around the perimeter of your device when not in use. The three layers of rubber even provide added protection when the cord is stowed. It’s not 100% clear from these images, but it looks like the earbuds themselves would be fairly low profile, and snap into a groove placed on the headphone line itself along the edge of the device.

I’m still not completely sure of how the cable would stay put, but that could probably be achieved by pairing the headphones with a matching case with clips built in to hold it. While it’s definitely not ready for production, the concept seems like it’s on the right track to finally solving this annoying and challenging problem. Kickstarter, anyone?

[via reddot]

Wavelength: A Complicated Way to Go Hands-Free With Your Landline

Hazel Chua — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:00:06 +0000

You can go wireless with your landline, but not hands-free, unless you’re on speakerphone. And this isn’t really an option people would go for if they value their privacy and want to keep their conversations private (as we all probably do.) But the Wavelength is changing this limitation by bringing you landline – without wires, without the fear of eavesdropping, and 100% hands-free.

I think the “no more eavesdropping” bit is the most impressive aspect of this concept design by Daniel Fitzgerald. This is made possible as the Wavelength makes use of a process called “parametric interaction,” generating two directional high frequency sounds that interact when they crossover so that only the user can hear it at an audible frequency. Sounds complicated, I know, but basically, it just means that the frequency and direction that the sound waves are emitted make this “no eavesdropping” bit possible.

In Daniel’s words:

As a substitute ‘Wavelength’ uses a directional (parametric array) speakers and a directional (parabolic) microphone to transmit and receive audio. This allows the user to engage in a completely private conversation through this device without having to hold or wear anything. During a conversation ‘Wavelength’ (with the help of a camera and rangefinder) will track the users face. A two axis pivot allows ‘Wavelength’ to aim the speaker and microphone accordingly.

Pretty cool in concept and definitely amazing, if it actually works in real life.

[via Yanko Design]

The Space Invaders Called, and They Want Their Phone Back

Technabob — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:00:32 +0000

You know my rule. Slap some Space Invaders on something, and I’ll probably post it. Ok, I won’t post just anything with an Invader on it, but if it’s remotely interesting, I’m a pushover. Take, for example, this Space Invaders bedecked phone.

The vintage British Trimphone is covered with decoupaged Invaders fabric, wrapped around its face and on its handset too, courtesy of UK artist Vicki Lee (aka “lovekittypink“). From the looks of things, this is an earlier level of the game, and the Invaders should be moving slow enough that you should be able to shoot down most of them with ease.

And this isn’t just any phone. It’s a genuine old-school ROTARY phone. Can you even still use those here in the U.S.? Heck, do people still have landlines? Well, either way this particular rotary dial Space Invaders phone is actually set up to work in the UK, and it’s creator claims there’s a US adapter available, so what do I know? It’s available over on Etsy for £160.00 (~$255 USD).

iPhone Cordless Handset Takes Your Phone Back in Time

Conner Flynn — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:30:25 +0000

The iPhone is a cutting edge piece of technology, so of course it makes sense to take away its portability and add an old fashioned 1930s style handset. Makes perfect sense to me.

This iPhone Cordless Handset will let you connect your iPhone with the base via Bluetooth, then the cordless handset communicates with the base via DECT 6.0 wireless technology from up to 160 feet.

All you need to do then is pretend that you are an old-time dude with an old phone. Maybe a hard boiled detective waiting for a call that will crack your current case wide open. Or you know, whatever you choose to do with an old looking phone. The handset will receive and make calls and can recall up to 30 received calls and record up to 50 phone numbers, which are displayed on the LCD screen. It’s compatible with all iPhone models, and can also charge your phone while docked. The iPhone Cordless Handset will cost you $160(USD) from Hammacher Schlemmer.

[via Gizmodiva]

Eclipse DECT Phone: Cool Shape, But Who Needs It?

Range — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:00:27 +0000

The Eclipse DECT Wireless Home Phone definitely looks cool, kind of like those Bang & Olufsen phones, but do people still use landlines enough to justify the cost of a designer-looking phone? In an age where people are canceling their landlines in order to exclusively use their cell phones, it makes you wonder why anyone would buy one.

I suppose if the phone packs the right tech, like VOIP and computer-compatibility, it might be useful, albeit somewhat cumbersome. The donut shape and concealed keyboard and display are interesting, but the phone takes up much more space than a regular handset.

To me, the Eclipse looks more like something you’d want to display as a piece of art rather than use as a phone.

The Eclipse DECT phone was designed by Sebastien Sauvage. For now, it’s just a concept.

[via Yanko Design]

LG Doubleplay: Split Keyboard Android Phone for Power-Texters

Range — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:00:45 +0000

There’s no doubt that LG’s latest phone was designed for teenage hyper-texters. You know the kind, the ones that can text without even looking at their miniature keyboards, the touch-texters. The LG Doubleplay has a split keyboard for even faster typing, and comes with a secondary touchscreen which sits between the two halves of the keypad.

The Doubleplay runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and features a 3.5-inch main touchscreen. The slide-out keyboard is perfect when you want to get down to the texting nitty gritty. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU and has a 5 MP rear camera with 720p video and an LED flash. The camerasounds like nothing to write home about, but that’s not what users will be looking for when they get this phone, which is all about typing.

The LG Doubleplay will be available from T-Mobile in a couple of weeks.

[via Designboom]

IIDA Jupitris Phone Charger: No More Tangled Cords

Range — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:00:41 +0000

Have you ever gotten annoyed at the tangled web of wires that any AC adapters become, when left untouched in your bag? Well if so, then check out this charger. The new Jupitris phone charger created by the Japanese designer Jin Kuramoto for IIDA.

IIDA makes accessories for phones in the Japanese market. The adapter comes with an integrated cable management system, so your wires will stay untangled. The cord is retractable and you’ll find a microUSB port at the other end.

It took IIDA three years to finally finish this concept and ramp up production. It comes in a variety of different colors and sells for ¥1,780 (~$23 USD).

[via designboom]

FoxLv2 Platinum Portable Bluetooth Speaker: Hi-Fi on the Go?

Range — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:00:18 +0000

While I usually listen to my tunes with headphones, sometimes it’s good to have a portable speaker if you want to share your music. Bluetooth speakers are cool since they allow you to do so with your smartphone. The Soundmatters FoxLv2 Platinum Bluetooth speakers are made with high-end parts and are supposed to allow you to get great quality on the go.

These speakers come with extended batteries and new audiophile cabling, and take advantage of an improvement in the streamed signal from some Bluetooth devices. The cables are the Evergreen from Audioquest and their battery life is supposed to last up to 20 hours. There’s also a built-in microphone with noise-cancelling, so that you can use it to make calls too.

It weighs 9.5oz and the Bluetooth version will cost $229 (USD). The non-Bluetooth version will retail for $169. They will be available soon directly from Soundmatters.

Invoxia NVX610 Turns Your iPhone into a Land Line Phone… for a Price

Conner Flynn — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:00:30 +0000

Your iPhone is awesome. It’s sleek, compact. There’s an app for whatever you need. If only there were a way to turn it into a land line phone, it would be perfect. Because as it is, it gives you way too much freedom. There may not be an app for that, but there’s a dock for that.

The Invoxia NVX 610 Desktop docks your iPhone and turns it into a modern looking land line style phone, allowing you to make calls using the dedicated invoxia application. The built-in In Vivo Acoustic technology claims to deliver superior sound quality. Your mobile and business contacts are merged into the Contact button, while all your recent calls go into Recents. Sounds cool enough, so how much is it?

This is one expensive device to turn a phone into a… phone, at $500 (USD) from Amazon.

[via Likecool]

iPhone Flask Perfect for Drunk Dialing

Technabob — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:27:54 +0000

I suppose that there’s a reason these iPhone-inspired flasks never made it to market. How easy would it be to pour booze into your iPhone if you accidentally mixed it up with this thing?

Still, I kind of like the idea behind designer Dhanai Holtzclaw’s Phone Flask as a stealthy way to carry your hooch around wherever you go. Looking very much like an iPhone 4, flicking the little “power switch” on the top allows booze pour out of the “headphone jack.” Imagine the next time you find yourself stuck in some boring-ass company meeting – just make a little marimba sound with your mouth, pull the fake iPhone from your pocket, and take a swig to take the edge off. Now isn’t that better?

Unfortunately, it looks like the Phone Flask was listed up on IndieGoGo and didn’t ever reach its fundraising goal, but maybe Apple will pick up on the idea and build in a tiny flask inside the iPhone 5. Or maybe he’ll put it back up on Kickstarter.

Neo-Victorian Cell Phone Still Smaller (and More Stylish) Than 1980s Brick Phones

Technabob — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:50:32 +0000

If you’re sick and tired of your modern, touchscreen smartphone, then have I got a deal for you. This retro-styled cellphone is sure to stand out from the crowd.

What you’re looking at here is what was once a Sagem X-5m cell phone, which has been converted into a neo-victorian calling device thanks to the creativity of one J. Redmer from Poland.

The phone has been integrated into a handmade wood case, and modified to use some antique brass buttons for dialing. The backlit LCD screen appears to have been set behind a green window to give it a glow which fits nicely with the retro style of the phone.

It’s currently listed over on Etsy for $350 (USD), and if you want it, you need to know that it only works on GSM 900/1800 bands, and comes with a 230V charger. So if you happen to live in Europe, you’re in luck. Be sure to check out Redmer Werkstatt’s Etsy shop for more of his unusual Neo-Victorian and Steampunk creations.

DrawBraille Phone Concept: Texting for the Blind?

Range — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:00:58 +0000

This interesting concept is called the DrawBraille phone, created by Shikun Sun while he was studying industrial design. It’s basically a haptic phone that uses a braille board as a display. Braille boards mechanically raise dots so that visually impaired and blind users can read using their fingers.

There is also a touch-sensitive input pad to allow users to interact with the display. It’s pretty cool, but after I checked out how expensive some of these portable braille boards were, putting this together might cost a pretty penny.

Still, it could allow blind users to access their phones without having to use their voice functions, so it would be interesting to see this made.

[YouKu via core77]

Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman Phone: Sharing on Droids

Range — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:45:57 +0000

While the name might be a bit of a mouthful, the Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is basically an Android smartphone that comes with integrated sharing services, specifically for music, thanks to a dedicated hardware button on the phone.

The button allows you to share and discover content through Facebook integration. It also will let you explore the Qriocity service from Sony, which provides streaming music and video content. The phone has got a glossy finish and a mineral glass display. It will be available in either black or white, but the white version is certainly distinctive.

It has a 3.2 inch touchscreen and a 1GHz processor under the hood. You’ll find two cameras, including a rear 5MP AF one that will capture 720p HD video. It also features Sony’s “xLoud” technology, which lets you crank the volume all the way without distortion. Since it’s an Android phone, it will have access to the 250,000 apps in the Android Market. The Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman will be launched later this year – sometime in Q4. Prices haven’t been announced yet.

[via FarEastGizmos]

LocalSin App Encourages You to Sin With the Locals Around Your Town

Hazel Chua — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:45:12 +0000

These days, you can do anything and find almost everything with applications that you can download and run on your phone. You can bang out some awesome beats without needing any drumsticks with the TableDrum, get a virtual boob job and some lipo on the side with BuildMyBod, and name your future son/daughter with the Kick to Pick app.

Everything still sounds all PG or PG-13 and wholesome, right? That is, of course, before the advent of LocalSin, which is an Android/iOS app that helps you hook up with a one night stand and increases the odds of you getting lucky by up to 90%. (I’m not sure where they got their statistics, though.)

The app has you fill out your profile, maps out your current location, and places markers on the places where other “willing” singles are waiting to hook up with someone else as well. You can check out their profiles, view a photo, and send others a message, if you’re interested in them.

LocalSin isn’t my cup of tea, but it could be yours. (And it could also attract some sexual predators and other creepy people, so better be careful if you’re planning to use this app to meet some people.)

[via The Daily Mail via Gigadgetry]

Guy Gets Stuck in Manhole Trying to Get His Phone, Blames Gang Members

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:36:28 +0000

As the story goes, a guy was walking to his buddy’s house that was only a few doors down when some gang members started shouting “gang stuff” and then attacked him. The dude says he was punched and kicked and then the gang members tossed his phone into the drain.

The guy says that rather than going to his buddies house he opted to climb into the drain to retrieve his phone and call for help. If you are feeling like this is hardly the real story, you aren’t alone. The hilarious epic fail of all this is that the dude went WAY into the storm drain looking for his phone and got stuck.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Only his legs were sticking out. The guy then went on the local news, claimed to not remember any of being stuck and talking to the police, and blamed all the scratches and scrapes on the beating laid down by gang members. All of the scratches look like damage from wedging yourself into a manhole to me. What do you think?

[via BuzzFeed]