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TomTom’s new GPS navigation application for iPhone is now out through iTunes (Link). two months after TomTom demonstrated their application during the WWDC 2009. The new application mat sound appealing, but its true cost and features are not just there yet to compete with the Standalone GPS. The app costs $100 with real time turn-by-turn directions. It is the most expensive GPS apps on the iPhone, it is also one of the largest: the US & Canada version at 1.21 GB. TomTom gives consumer an option to add a Car Kit (which you can see in the picture above). Though TomTom highly recommends the Car Kit, the price is still a mystery. TomTom app doesn’t sound too bad, but it lacks some features and higher price considering others such as Sygic’s Mobile Maps for $64.99 and MobileNavigator (uses NAVTEQ, also used by GARMIN) for $69.99 until August 31. The long term cost is definitely lower compared to AT&T’s Navigator which charges a per-month subscription fee of $9.99. The main benefit here is obviously, one less hardware to keep. But before you shell out $100 for TomTom iPhone app and put your standalone GPS on eBay, consider some factors. The software is only part of the cost. For more enhanced experience, you will need to buy a optional Car Kit, which includes an additional GPS antenna, microphone, speaker, audio-out jack, a car mount, and even charges your iPhone. The cost has not been officially announced, but it is predicted to be around $90. One other thing that turned me off is the lack of Text-to-speech. Wouldn’t you prefer your GPS unit to tell you the names of the exact street instead of just “Turn right in 200 feet.” I suspect it will be available in future updates. MobileNavigator app comes with text-to-speech feature and considering the maps from NAVTEQ, I know it will behave like my Standalone Garmin unit. TomTom is not the only one with GPS application for iPhone. You might want to consider your cost and features that others offer, before jumping to TomTom app for iPhone. Also, you might want to hang-on to your standalone GPS unit for a bit longer.
Samsung is coming out with three new compact cameras with unique and pretty impressive features. The new Samsung TL220 and TL225, also known as ST500 / ST550, respectively each boasts two LCDs, including a 1.5-inch screen on the front of the camera. This can be used for self-portraits, either handheld or on a tripod, etc. Both the TL225 and TL220 are 12.2-megapixel cameras with 4.6x zoom lenses with a 27mm equivalent wide angle setting. The primary difference between the two lies in the rear display. The TL225, which will sell for $350, offers a 3.5-inch touch-screen display with a very high 1,1152K dot resolution and haptic feedback when touched. The TL220, priced at $299.99, also offers a touch-screen with haptic feedback, but at a smaller 3-inch size and more standard 230,000 dot resolution. Both also cameras also offer 720p video recording in H.264 format, along with optical and digital image stabilization, face/smile/blink detection.
Samsung also announced CL65 with touch-screen model, using the same high-resolution 3.5-inch display as the TL225. It also shares the same resolution, at 12.2 megapixels, 720p video recording, gesture-based user interface system, Wi-Fi, GPS and DLNA-compatibility. The lens is a 5x internal zoom. It will sell for $399.99. All three cameras announced today are scheduled for shipment in September.
The 1080p AQUOS HDTV is available in 40?, 46?, and 52?. The 720p AQUOS HDTV is available in 32? and 26?. The AQUOS TVs will be able to burn about 30 hours of HD video on dual-layer Blu-ray discs. The price of the HDTVs range from ¥170,000 ($1,740) from the lower end to ¥480,000 ($4,946.40) on the higher end. Sharp DX2 series lineup is available only in Japan for now.
The keypad in LG GD900 Crystal is a touch-sensitive controller which means you can use it to move through menus, navigate the Web, and even write using handwriting recognition. The thrown in gesture support in LG lets you launch applications with a swipe around the keypad. You can also use the keypad normally, to dial phone calls or type whatever you want. The LG Crystal carries a very impressive spec sheet. All-inclusive imaging, multimedia and connectivity on the inspired S-class interface. Unfortunately, The LG Crystal is available in Europe only. But if unlocked it can be used with any U.S. carrier. Here is a quick summary of what the LG Crystal is all about: General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/2100 (alternative version: 850/2100) MHz, GPRS/EDGE class 12, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps Form factor: Touchscreen slider Dimensions: 105 x 52.5 x 13.5 mm, 127 g Display: 3-inch 16M color TFT touchscreen, 480 x 800 pixels Memory: 1.5GB integrated memory, hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 16GB) UI: LG S-Class Touch UI Camera: 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and D1 video recording at 30 fps, QVGA time-lapse and slow-mo video recording Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, standard microUSB port Misc: Accelerometer for screen auto rotate, proximity sensor for screen auto turn-off, FM radio with RDS, DivX/XviD video support, TV-out, touch-sensitive keypad, gesture shortcuts, multi-touch input, office document viewer Battery: 1000 mAh battery
Also check out the video of his LG GD900 Crystal in water with real fish. The phone is protected by a “custom made” case using transparent food membrane. And remember do not try this at home!
Amazon App for Android has a feature called Amazon Remembers. Amazon Remembers is a feature that allows Android users to take pictures of a barcode and match it to a product that Amazon.com is selling. The application also remembers the items that you took a picture of so it is easy to find again. Amazon App for Android joins the family of shopping applications by Amazon, including the Amazon App for iPhone and iPod Touch, the Amazon App for BlackBerry.
It will be interesting to see how it will turn out. But it’s rather nice idea. Considering most party photos suck. The photos either comes out blurry or most times makes everyone look like red eyed ghosts. Unless you own a SLR camera and have time to play around before taking pictures. The Party-shot Personal Photographer currently only works with the Cybershots TX1 and WX1. Sony is taking Pre-orders and will be available on September 07, 2009. It is priced at $149.99. |
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Last year, Sharp introduced the world’s first HDTV line with integrated Blu-ray players. Well this year, Sharp adds the new lineup of DX2 series with Blu-ray recording capability.
LG GD900 Crystal is billed as the world’s first transparent-design handset. It might not be powerful like the Apple iPhone, but it is probably the coolest phone to play around with. LG GD900 Crystal is a slider phone with a 3-inch touch screen, and a transparent keypad that lights up when opened.
Amazon.com announced the release of its latest mobile shopping application for Google Android users. The application is called, “Amazon App for Android.”
Put the Sony camera with the Party-Shot and it will act as your personal photographer. Take photos like never before with the innovative party-shot personal photographer. The little mount is controlled by Cyber-shot camera’s Face Detection and Smile Shutter technologies to automatically take photos at the event. Intelligent composition uses the rule of thirds to compose great shots and motion detection seeks out movement to take the photo at the right moment.