Unboxing the Amazon Kindle DX

July 2, 2009

Today I received an Amazon Kindle DX to review from the folks at Amazon… And I like it so far!

See, I dismissed the original Kindle, in part because of its quirky industrial design (I’m fickle), in part because of its silly DRM (not to mention, lack of PDF support), and in part because it was too large for a mobile device, yet the screen was too small for a lot of content.

Amazon remedied most of this with the Kindle DX, while adding even more features (like an accelerometer). Here are some unboxing pictures and a video. Enjoy :)

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Podcast: Talking with Matt #12

July 2, 2009

It’s time for another podcast (30 min) with Matthew Bennett:
- Audio version
- Video version

This week we discussed the June tsunami – the Palm Pre, the Samsung i8910 (Omnia HD), the Nokia N97, the HTC Magic, and the Apple iPhone 3GS, plus a few other things, while sitting outside of Duboce Park Cafe on Pride weekend :)

Click here to subscribe to this podcast.


Pictures taken with the HTC Magic

June 27, 2009

déjà vu \ˌdā-ˌzhä-ˈvü, -ˈvue\ noun: a feeling that one has seen or heard something before

The HTC Magic camera is identical to the T-Mobile G1 camera, and similar to the HTC Touch Pro camera – if you’ve read my review of the G1 camera, you’ve read my review of the Magic camera :)

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Apple iPhone 3GS vs. Palm Pre camera

June 25, 2009

iPhone 3GS sample pictures (slide show):

Pre sample pictures (slide show):

OK, you’re probably thinking this is a bit of an unfair comparison – although the Apple iPhone 3GS camera lacks an (arguably useless) LED flash, the Palm Pre camera lacks the (absolutely essential) auto-focus, as well as video recording…

But, other than the difference in camera and storage specs, the missing GSM/UMTS radios, and the limited selection of apps, the Pre provides 95-105% the iPhone 3GS user experience and features a QWERTY keyboard – that is pretty impressive!

People currently looking for a subsidized über-phone in the US are going to compare the iPhone 3GS and the Pre (and perhaps even the T-Mobile G1 and the Blackberry Storm). So what about the 3 megapixel camera on each device?

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Podcast: Talking with Matt #11

June 23, 2009

It’s time for another podcast (16 min) with Matthew Bennett:
- Audio version
- Video version

So between the gay high holiday month and the June tsunami things have been a wee bit crazy around here lately :)

The bad news is that I’m just over 2 weeks behind with posting this podcast, the good news is that after all this time, it’s still interesting. I’ve edited out the Palm Pre unboxing, since it’s a lot more compelling on video

In this episode we discussed the Sharp/T-Mobile Sidekick LX, the Palm Pre, the Samsung i8910 (Omnia HD), the Nokia N97, the HTC Magic, and the Apple iPhone 3GS!

Click here to subscribe to this podcast.


Unboxing the Apple iPhone 3GS

June 19, 2009

The iPhone 3GS has landed, and with it, “the June tsunami” – as Matt and I are calling it – is finally over :)

So I picked up a black 16 GB iPhone 3GS to contrast with my white 16 GB iPhone 3G

Of course, I’m particularly interested in putting the 3 megapixel auto-focus camera through its paces!

Take a look at my unboxing pictures and video.

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Unboxing the Nokia N97, part 2

June 18, 2009

First the video, now the pictures… It’s a veritable Nokia N97 unboxing bonanza!

Props to Molly at Nokia Blogger Relations for getting me a white review unit.

Enjoy the tasty goodness :) But please don’t drool, OK?


Nokia N97 vs. Samsung i8910 camera, revisited

June 17, 2009

To followup on my first impressions, I’ve taken full sets of pictures and made additional videos with both the Nokia N97 and the Samsung i8910 (Omnia HD)

N97 sample pictures (slide show):

i8910 sample pictures (slide show):

My takeaway? Both cameras are great!

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Unboxing the Nokia N97, part 1

June 16, 2009

First in black, now in white… I can has Nokia N97, again. Oh my :)

This is my official review unit – it’s a European model with tri-band 3G (2100/1900/900 HSDPA).

Stay tuned for more!


The HTC Magic is here

June 16, 2009

A few days ago I scored an HTC Magic… Mind you, it’s not just any HTC Magic – it’s the limited-edition, unlocked device that was handed out to developers at Google I/O!

This phone is noticeably more compact and attractive than the T-Mobile G1. Check out the specs:

- Android 1.5 “Cupcake”
- 3.2″ 480×320 TFT capacitive touchscreen
- 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus, macro, geo-tagging, and QVGA video recording at 30 fps
- 3G (2100/1700 HSDPA), 2G (quad-band EDGE), WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0, GPS, compass
- Micro-SDHC card slot, standard mini-USB compatible (ExtUSB) connector, no standard 3.5 mm audio connector
- Thin, no hardware keyboard

I’m a couple weeks late to the party, but here are some pictures and a video. Enjoy :)

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