Eli Blumenthal
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Homepage: http://teenstalktech.com/
Posts by Eli Blumenthal
New tech from CES: Cell Phones
Jan 23rd
There were many new cell phones announced at CES from many companies, but here are some of the more interesting ones that we saw.
From Motorola: The Z10 and Rokr E8. The Z10, in terms of looks, looks like many simple slider phones, but it is actually very different. This phone slides out to, in a way, look like a banana in terms of shape (see picture below for better idea). It is also loaded with features like a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, ability to record movies in regular TV quality, a 2.2 inch screen, ability to add a micro SD card to increase the phones memory to 32 GB ( just a note: at this point cards in that high a memory range don’t run cheap), an FM radio, and Motorola’s Crystal Talk technology for better phone conversations. Unfortunately though according to Motorola this phone will not be launching in the US in this particular design, but will be available to purchase unlocked (buying the phone without a contract, this is usually at much higher price because it has no carrier to bring the price down).
The Rokr E8 is another new phone announced by Motorola at CES, and this is a phone that is generating a lot of attention. It is looking so good that Cnet.com gave it one of its Best of CES awards. What makes this phone so cool and different from other phones? For one it is running a completely different keypad. This keypad is not like other phones in that it stays in “phone mood” regardless of what your doing like listening to music, or taking pictures. The Rokr E8′s keypad actually changes from phone to music controls to picture controls based on what your using it for (see pictures below for greater detail). It’s also is promised by Motorola to be a better music player than regular music only devices. Other features on the phone include a 2 inch screen, 2 GB of built in memory with memory card slot to add more, Motorola’s Crystal Talk technology, and a interesting new feature that will let you read text messages while dialing or on a call.
The Z10 and Rokr E8 (in keypad and music controls)
Best new tech from CES
Jan 17th
CES and Macworld are now pretty much done (just like our finals Thank G-d). Many new things were released, from keypad changing cell phones, to a 150 inch TV, to a 3.0 lb Macbook, as well as much more in between, and we’re here to help break down all of the information that you would need to know. Since there is a lot of things that happened at CES that we would like to cover, we plan to break down the posts into 3 sections: cell phones, Mp3 players, and Video Games. Talk to you then.
CES and Macworld- What they mean to you and the future of technology
Jan 6th
During the coming days many of the upcoming products in technology like cell phones, video games, computers, TVs etc. will be announced and unveiled to the world. There are two events that really showcase this, and those are the International CES show, and Apple’s Macworld Expo. Some of the products announced at those events include: Windows Vista, Motorola Razr V3xx for Cingular (now ATT), Verizon V Cast TV, Mac OS X Leopard, iPods, iPhone among many others. We”ll be checking up on a lot of the news going on down there at CES and Macworld from sites like www.engadget.com, www.cnet.com, and www.gizmodo.com as well as others. Since both of us are in “finals mode” right now and can’t post often enough to cover everything, we will try help summarize some of the main announcements and what they mean for you, at the end of the week.
Apple Macworld Logo from 2007 CES Logo 2008
Top 5 Cell Phones- Sprint
Jan 3rd
Here are the top 5 regular cell phones to get if your getting a new cell phone for Sprint, in the “free with contract” to $250 price range. Ratings provided from the Editor reviews at www.cnet.com . Pricing information is provided from the Sprint website www.sprint.com.
1T. Sanyo Katana DLX ( High end up date to Sprint’s exclusive Sanyo Katana line which includes the original Sanyo Katana and Katana 2, flip phone, 1.3 megapixel camera, Sprint 3G, Sprint TV (Sprint’s version of ATT Cellular Video and not live VCAST video), Sprint Navigation, MP3 Player, Sprint Music Store, multiple colors: Pink Satin, Champagne, and Platinum Ice).
Rated 8.0 out of 10 by Cnet, price is $79.99 for all three colors online with 2 year Sprint contract.
Sanyo Katana DLX in all three colors
Xbox 360 v.s. Wii v.s. PS3- Which to get as a next-gen console
Dec 28th
All three of the next generation consoles’ are very impressive, and major improvements over there past versions. The question though is which too get now that the major rush of holiday gifts has ended. This post is here to help you decide which to get, and show you some of the pros and cons of each system.
Xbox 360
Pros: Good system for both hardcore gamer and casual gamer, lots of games for both types of gamers, exclusive games like Gears of War and Halo 3, HD output available, Xbox Live for gaming online, Video and game downloads available on Xbox Live Marketplace, HD DVD add-on available, ability to stream music, movies from any Internet connected Windows computer to Internet connected Xbox 360, backwards compatibility with original Xbox, HDMI (like USB just for TV, sends audio and video (including HD) on one cable from Xbox 360 to TV with HDMI in this case).
The Xbox 360 is priced in middle of three game systems. It’s 3 main versions: Arcade (256MB memory card with arcade games, wireless controller, HDMI input, $279), Premium (20GB Hard Drive, Wireless Controller, 2 game included, HD Composite Cables (like AV cables, just 3 additional with HD capability), HDMI input, $349), and Elite (Special Black Color, 120GB Hard Drive, Wireless Black Controller, 2 free games, HDMI and Composite cables included, $449).
Cons: Xbox Live Gold membership (membership needed for playing online) costs money unlike PS3 and Wii, still has problems, though not as often, such as red ring of death, no built in WiFi, HDMI cable not included on Premium and Arcade systems.
Xbox 360 (Premium and Elite)
Tips for Picking a New Computer
Dec 24th
As the holiday sales continue and computers go on sale, here a couple of things to consider when getting a new computer (desktop or laptop):
1. At least 2 GB of RAM if you are getting Vistas’ Premium, Business, or Ultimate, and Mac OS X Leopard. If you are getting Vista Basic 2 GB will not hurt especially if you want to upgrade later to a higher version of Vista. The more RAM you have the smoother your computer will run in terms of both speed and overall ease of use.
2. Hard Drive of at least 80- 160 GB. A standard for today is 160 GB and you can even find computers on sale in stores with more space. Just a note: If you plan on using your computer for a lot of music, videos or pictures, the more space you have will be better. A space of 160- 320 GB or more would be good. More >
Top 5 picks for a Cell Phone- Verizon Wireless
Dec 17th
Here are the top 5 regular cell phones to get if your getting a new cell phone for Verizon Wireless, in the “free with contract” to $250 price range. Ratings provided from the Editor reviews at www.cnet.com . Pricing information is provided from the Verizon website http://www.verizonwireless.com/ .
1. LG VX8350 (flip phone based on the popular VX8300 just without the antennae, MP3 Player, EV-DO, V CAST, 1.3 Megapixel Camera, available in red or gray colors)
Rated 8.3 out of 10 on Cnet, Price is $49.99 when you buy online with 2 year contract.
LG VX8350 Red
2T. Samsung SCH-U740 (dual flip phone, flip straight for standard phone, sideways for phone with a full keyboard, EV-DO, V Cast, 1.3 Megapixel Camera with flash, MP3 Player, available in black)
Rated 8.0 out of 10 on Cnet, Price is 129.99 online with 2 year contract.
Samsung SCH-U740 (Gold, though is now only black color listed on Verizon’s website)
Top Picks for a new Cell Phone- ATT
Dec 13th
Here are the top 5 regular cell phones to get if your getting a new cell phone for ATT, in the “free with contract” to $250 price range. Ratings provided from the Editor reviews at www.cnet.com . Pricing information is provided from the ATT Website www.wireless.att.com .
1. Motorola Razr 2 V9 (large update to original Motorola Razr, notable updates include ATT 3G, 2 Mega-pixel Camera, 2 inch screen on the front with touch music controls, 2.2 inch screen on the inside, mahogany color for phone, and an all around smaller design).
Rated 8.0 out of 10, price $299.99 though can be had for $250 with rebate.
Razr 2 V9
2. Motorola V3xx (same design as original Razr just with updates most noteably as ATT 3G, 1.3 megapixel camera, MP3 player, and a shinier casing).
Rated 7.6 out of 10 on Cnet, $99.99 for Dark Grey/ Blackish color, and $129.99 for Platinum, Pink and Ruby Red colors.
Motorola Razr V3xx (Platinum)
Tech Terms- Cell Phones
Dec 12th
Here are a couple of terms worth keeping in mind when looking for a new cell phone.
Cell Phone Terms:
GSM and CDMA: GSM is the cell phone technology that in America is used by ATT and T-Mobile, as well as by a majority of countries around the world.CDMA is the cell phone technology that is used in America by Verizon Wireless, Alltel and Sprint, and it is also used around the world, but not in the same amount as GSM.
3G for Cell Phones: EV-DO and HSDPA/UMTS:EV-DO is a 3rd generation technology used by CDMA carriers Sprint and Verizon. EV-DO is used in order to bring in information like music, videos, and internet browsing to cell phones at a faster speed.
HSDPA/ UMTS are the 3rd generation technologies used by GSM carriers ATT and in the future T-Mobile. HSDPA is a 3.5G technology that brings in information like those mentioned in EV-DO faster than UMTS, which still does it quickly for a cell phone.
Camera Resolution: Camera Resolution is the amount of pixels used in a picture take by a camera. The resolution name for every 1 million pixels is called megapixel. Most camera phones today use at least 1.3 or 2 megapixel.
