CES was last week and quite a few cool devices popped up at the event. Here are some of my favorites.

Palm Pre

The biggest (in my opinion and CNET’s, is the Palm Pre. This iPhone competitor is a touchscreen phone with a slide out QWERTY keyboard and a cool new Palm OS called WebOS. This OS is filled with cool animations, gestures (multi-touch ones), and seems to be very intuitive. Now, I bet you are thinking along the line of: Doesn’t the iPhone have that already? True, but this Palm does have the ability for you to multitask and it has an actual keyboard (the jelly button kind like the one on a Palm Centro). In addition, it does have copy and paste. Multitasking (not just being able to play music in the background like the iPhone) works by having multiple “cards” on your main screen which you can flick back and forth from. And these aren’t just static views, they are live mini-views of the open apps and you can interact with them too.

Other tidbits: the web browser is also very good (comparable to the iPhone’s), the Pre comes with a 3 MP camera, and you can download music through the Amazon Music Store (similar to the G1). There is also GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack (yay!), and 8 GB of internal storage.

No details yet on pricing or release date. But it is supposed to be around the iPhone’s price and released in the first half of 2009. The Pre will be available on Sprint.

Palm Pre Video:

More info:

Palm Pre First Impressions on CNET

Palm Pre Photo Gallery on CNET

Official Palm Pre website

Palm Pre Info on Engadget

The Sony P-Series Lifestyle PC

This not quite netbook like netbook is going along with Sony’s general premium higher end feel for laptops. It has a wide 8 inch screen with a 1600*768 resolution, is less than an inch think, and weights 1.4 pounds. But it has no touchpad, instead, it has a pointing stick. It also has 3G mobile broadband (Verizon), 802.11n wi-fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. The P-Series runs Windows Vista and will retail at $900.

CNET article on the Sony P-Series Lifestyle PC

Engadget Hands-on videos of the Sony P-Series Lifestyle PC

LG Watch Phone

This futuristic watch is also a touchscreen phone. It uses iPhone like gestures to navigate through the TFT capacitive touch screen (1.43 inches diagonally). It looks quite cool though I question its usability as a phone. You would probably need a Bluetooth headset to talk calls since your other option is to take phones with speakerphone. There is also a camera built-in. But the main issue is that you can’t get it (no plans, yet), not unless you are in Europe. The LG Watch phone is scheduled for release later this year and pricing has not yet been released.

Hands-on video of the LG Watch Phone

A CNET article on the LG Watch Phone

So that is basically it for what I though was cool at CES. For more info about it, check out the CES Page at CNET (here) and the articles on CES at Engadget (here). Want to mention another gadget that was at CES that I didn’t mention? Tell the readers in the comments!

Images from CNET and Engadget.

Yeah, I know. You guys already know all about the new iPhone. Yeah, it does have 3G, GPS, and that evil $199 price tag which will take over the world (I’m already having nightmares about everyone in the world having an iPhone and Steve Jobs controlling the minds of all of them). July 11, 2008 is the dreaded day when it comes out. And that new ad for it is driving me nuts (see here)! Oh and what is worse is that everyone will get an iPhone now (wait, did I say that already?)

Okay, Kevin, I know, blah blah, you don’t like Apple products. Stop your rant and get on with the details!

Fine, I will. See, you people are obsessed! So the new iPhone is almost just like the old one (Now dubbed the iPhone EDGE) in terms of design, except for the slightly different back side of the phone. (see more photos here) As you probably already know everything there is to know about the old iPhone, I’ll just talk about the new features here. I’ll begin with the most anticipated feature, 3G. I think the best part about it (which means worst) is the fact that you get a shorter battery and talking duration. On the iPhone 3G, you get up to 5 hours of 3G talk time. The “3G-ness” of the new iPhone will allow you to surf the web around 2 times faster than the iPhone EDGE.

Google Maps with GPS

Next, GPS. Yay, now you can get rid of that Nuvi and TomTom GPS system that you just bought! The iPhone 3G uses assisted GPS, meaning it uses normal GPS tech combined with the triangulation techniques of the iPhone EDGE. After you combine the power of Google Maps (traffic functions) with this new GPS, the device is almost irresistible.

The App Store

The App Store. This is what really gets to me. As soon as Apple had opened the iPhone for application development, all the developers flocked the the SDK and made really cool software. This includes some games like “Super Monkey Ball” where you can use the accelerometers of the iPhone to control this money in a ball through a complex course.

Top and Bottom View

Other new features: now business users can use Microsoft Exchange for their company’s email. Also, there will be a 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you can use your own normal pair of headphones with the iPhone 3G. Also, the iPhone come in an 8GB model that will only be in black and a 16GB model which will come in white and black.

The Back of the iPhone 3G

Yes, now my most favorite part: what is wrong with the iPhone 3G. There still is no copy-and-paste function on the phone. I would imagine that users would really appreciate this function. Also, there is no multimedia messaging, so you can’t send your photos to your friend’s phone, only email. Video recording, is not an included function, still. I can’t believe how Apple is ignoring this too. (That is why Apple is evil!) And what makes me pull at my hair is that people will still buy the iPhone 3G even with these crucial omissions.

iPhone Physical Specs

So, I hope this short little tidbit about the iPhone 3G has given you a good picture of the device. Yes, I agree it is a good phone and piece of tech, but I still have that “anti-apple” feeling inside me. But it is your decision to get it or not (even though I say “don’t get it”). Just remember to activate your iPhone right to avoid getting a 300 page bill from AT&T.

For more info see:

• iPhone 3G Tech Specs
• iPhone 3G on Apple.com
• Steve Jobs’ Keynote
• iPhone 3G on CNET.com (it is all over the homepage)
  
• Wikipedia Article on the iPhone
• and search on Google!

I don’t have an iPhone, but I can say this is a pretty crucial part in the “iLife” of the iPhone. Apple also released the news that they will be providing an “App Store” (No more “jailbreaking”) as a part of the iPhone firmware. Here a developer can sell apps for free or for a price. If you are selling it, you get to keep 70% of your earnings and 30% goes to Apple. Otherwise, if your app is free, you don’t have to pay Apple anything. You will be able to download apps in June of this year.

iPhone App Store Icon/Logo

For now, you can download the SDK at http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/
for free. Apple also gives you the option of joining their “iPhone Developer Program” which for individuals is $99, and for enterprises $299. This program will allow you to have access to a bunch of resources on their site and “code-level” support from Apple engineers.

Also, Apple has set up an “iFund” (ooh, very creative name. Just like the others iPhone, iPod, iMac, in other words, “i” EVERYTHING) which will fund 100 million dollars to iPhone developers (not one, obviously), and is managed by KPCB. Other than that, I don’t know much more about it. It also will act as a way for more people to get into developing iPhone apps which will not only make Apple happy but also iPhone users. But not only that, it’ll cause more people to buy the iPhone and use it.

So if you are one of those iPhone owners, you should be excited as this means you could play backgammon, Spore (yes, that intriguing life form game), or do whatever else you want (if you know how to code) and what others want.

For more info. check out CNET’s iPhone SDK Articles (here) and Apple’s iPhone Website (here). Remember, Super Smash Bros. Brawl comes out on Sunday and if you go to Gamestop, they’ll be having a midnight release of the game and I might go to it.

Well, the iPhone came out quite some time ago, the GPhone (Google Phone) has its rumors and there are also rumors for a phone from Microsoft (No, not the ZunePhone). But what if Funknowledge came up with a phone. So here I’ll talk about what features are rumored to be on the “upcoming” phones and what the iPhone and other smartphones could have done better. I might also over the next few days make a little diagram of it. This is supposed to be a discussion and a time to reflect. So anyone who wants to, post a comment, or email me at funknowledge@gmail.com.

Although stupid, it is pretty funny
(From Mac4ever.com) <= Oh, really.

We’ll start with what the iPhone didn’t do well. First of all, which is one of the most evil: the tight integration between iTunes, you have to activate it through that, download stuff through that and do everything else through that! I hate Apple’s enclosed circle of its products. Also the no stereo Bluetooth and 3G, is kind of disappointing even though it is a pretty expensive phone.

The recessed headphone jack is pretty annoying too, especially if you bought a set of expensive earbuds (or headphones), and you can’t use it along with your $399 iPhone.

There are also numerous features missing like no flash or editing on photos, no video, no self portrait mirror, no external memory card slot, and low volume.

The good things on it we like. The sleek design and interface we loved. The picture quality and additional apps (Youtube, Google Maps) were nice. Even the battery life was good when used normally. So we’ll take those into consideration.

Next, the business people Blackberrys. These are actually not that bad. Although they are not great “fun” devices, they are the preferred device for many companies as they can surf the internet, use third party apps, and are good for emails. But, we’ll want to make “our” phone a little more friendly for the average customer.

The Blackberry 8800 (Courtesy of Phonesreview.co.uk)

Now, the Windows Mobile Based Phones. These mainly come from HTC. The Touch (Not to be confused with the iPod Touch) is a Windows Mobile 6 based phone. It also features finger control (TouchFLO, and it can’t be used in landscape), but you can also use a stylus (which you can’t on an iPhone). TouchFLO features a 3D cube where you can easily access all your basic stuff. The phone also has a modified Home screen that has a lot of basic information (Time, Weather, and a Schedule) and you can also access some programs through this. The Touch uses the normal Windows Mobile keyboard which is small and cramped, only fit for a stylus, making it slow and a pain. The SIM card and MicroSD slot are also hard to get to.

The HTC Touch (From Intomobile.com)

The camera on this phone is 2.0 megapixels, but the picture quality was only OK, but it does have a self portrait mirror and video.

The GPhone (Google Phone) will supposedly use a Linux based operating system and have Java based applications which is said to be very responsive. The thing is that Google hasn’t been denying the GPhone exists, so it could actually be coming. Also back in 2005, Google bought a Android, a phone software producer, further confirming this theory.

A possible design of the gPhone
(From SciFi.com)

With the GPhone it probably won’t be a shiny and good looking as the iPhone. They’ll most likely be focused on usability. It might even have ads so you can have lower priced service, but I’m not sure what the public would think of that. It is said also to have a large color screen and a predictive Qwerty keyboard so you can type faster. It is likely if it is made that the maker will be HTC.

Another gPhone mockup
(From SciFi.com)

Although the iPhone has Google Maps, it isn’t really useful unless it has GPS, and the GPhone might do just that.

One more mockup of the gPhone

Microsoft doesn’t really have too many good rumors on making a phone, but they have some ideas on phones and calling in general. Bill Gates believes that calling should be moved the the computer and the internet. This in fact is a good idea but will not likely actually happen for quite some time. The VoIP thing although works well, isn’t as reliable as normal phones, and until it becomes that, not everyone will make the switch.

So what will the Funknowledge Phone be like? Well, we want to combine the good ideas and get rid of the bad. So help us design it and we can come up with a phone that will be sleek, at a reasonable price, easy to use, and innovating. So post a comment or email me at funknowledge@gmail.com.

Well, it is, sort of. It is what you would call a “watered down iPhone”. It looks like one, acts like one, but isn’t one. It’s the iPod Touch. I know, I know, It looks JUST like the iPhone, without all the extra menu buttons and a speaker above the screen. Also, keep note that this “iPhone” has a 3.5 mm jack, so you can use your normal headphones without an adapter. Today, during the Apple conference they announced the new iPods, which includes updated versions of the Shuffle, Nano, and “Classic” (In other words, the original iPod). The iPod touch will sell in two versions: an 8GB one for $299.00 and 16GB one for $399.00.

The iPod Touch in its dock.

The Back and Side of the iPod Touch

The iPod Touch Box

Steve Jobs announcing the new iPods (Left to Right: Shuffle, Nano, Classic, Touch, iPhone)
Image courtesy of Cnet News

All other images courtesy of Apple Corporation.

Not too many days left until the release of the highly anticipated iPhone. On June 29th, 2007 the iPhone will be sent out into the world, probably at 6:00 pm. This is what PC World said about the release day of the iPhone: “On June 29, the day the Apple iPhone goes on sale, AT&T-owned stores will close early at 4:30 p.m. and reopen at 6 p.m. to sell the iPhone for the first time. Some Apple stores I spoke with said they were not planning a pre-6 p.m. shutdown before the iPhone goes on sale. Still, other Apple stores did say they were going to shut down as they got ready for the onslaught of want-to-be iPhone customers to fill their stores.

“At least one AT&T-owned store in the Boston area said it was going to be handing out bracelets to customers at 10 a.m. on June 29 when the store opened. The customer service representative I spoke with said that those customers could return at 6 p.m. and show their bracelets which would hold their place in line to buy the iPhone. That store was the exception. All the other Apple and AT&T-owned stores I spoke with said the iPhone would be sold on a first come first serve basis with no exceptions starting at 6 p.m. on June 29.

“People wishing to be the first to get their hands on the iPhone will only be able to buy the iPhone at Apple stores and AT&T-owned stores. The Apple Web site will also be accepting orders on June 29. And AT&T says it will offer iPhones through its Web site some time in the future. Authorized AT&T resellers will not be selling the iPhone on June 29. Many resellers I spoke with said they expected iPhones sometimes in August.

“One thing that was unclear from the Apple stores I spoke with was whether the Apple stores would be equipped to activate the iPhone for AT&T wireless services at the time of purchase. Apple didn’t get back to me with the answer to this question.

“Store hours for all the AT&T-owned stores have been extended to 10 p.m. and many Apple stores I spoke with said they would also stay open late to accommodate iPhone customers.”

(Read the article here)

Some of you might have heard that the iPhone may not have Flash, and will not have Java. So many of you will be disappointed not being able to watch your Youtube videos, but wait, the iPhone will come with a built-in Youtube application! Apple describes it as:” iPhone has a special YouTube player that you can launch right from the home screen. So now you can access and browse YouTube videos wherever you go. And when you find a video you want to send your friends, iPhone can even create an email with the link in it for you.” (See this).

This is the technical specifications of the Apple iPhone:

(Credit: Apple Corporation)

If you want more iPhone info, I recommend visiting CNET, or the Apple website. And if you are one of those people planning to get an iPhone, then good luck. You might not be able to get your hands on one, the first day.

This must be one of the oddest commercial I’ve seen, and plus it’s from Apple!!! Also be sure to check out the earlier post: “The Real iPhone (Not)”.

Well we still have to wait a few months for the iPhone to come out. This is a funny video featuring “Steve Jobs” (I’m not sure who that is acting) explaining the iPhone, Enjoy!!