The Openmoko Neo Freerunner phone is not exactly new having debuted a few weeks’ back, but here we are with a customized version known as the W.E. Phone. You will be able to take advantage of the plethora of bundled custom Google applications, a core GNU/Linux OS base with dialing, SMS and contacts, and a new plaid case to introduce a little bit more color into your otherwise stoic life. Among the Google applications include GMail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Talk and a straight reroute to the Google search page whenever you fire up the browser. Bear in mind this ain’t no Android handset since such a version will only be available sometime next year.

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by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 31st 2008 at 2:04AM
Remember the ASUS Eee PC roadmap we peeped a few days back? Right, the one that lists the new Ultimate S-series and Pro Fashion Eee PCs amongst the 23 models. Turns out both categories are planned for a 2008 launch with specs like dual-core Atom processors, 120GBs of hard disk, and 32GB SSDs. This according to ASUS president, Jerry Shen. The first Eee PC with a 32GB SSD (wink wink Buffalo) will launch in late September and feature a 10-inch, 16:9 aspect LED backlit display and battery life of about 4-5 hours. As members of the Exquisite and Extremely slim and light S-series, these Eee(ee) PCs will cost between $700 to $900 with the “high-end market” in mind. Funny, we didn’t know there was a high-end to the race to the bottom.

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CNET Australia does a first take review of the HTC Touch Diamond and writes, “It’s simple arithmetic: you take the interface of the iphone and you mash-it-up with the hardware of the Xperia X1 and you get a product capable of superseding them both. Anyone waiting for either an iPhone or the X1, and who isn’t madly fanatical about either, should add the Diamond to their to-compare list…From the information we have so far there is a lot to like about the Touch Diamond, as well as a few notable shortcomings. We look forward to seeing the Diamond in our Labs closer to its release at the end of Q2 or early Q3.”

Read more about the HTC Touch Diamond.

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Don’t you think that these tiny robots from CrabFu are just absolutely adorable? Constructed from spare and leftover remote controlled aircraft parts, they move in a really creepy manner. His most recent creations are a turtle and a fish which while aren’t edible, they make for a really cool desktop toy.

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InfoSync reviews the Motorola Z9 and writes, “Images taken with the Moto Z9 weren’t horrible, and that’s being generous to a camera phone. Colors were okay, but edges and details were fuzzy at best, and oversharpened at worst. Images were noisy, even at the camera’s best settings. We did like that the camera isn’t hidden by the slide, but with middling performance, and the fact that the camera crashed on us sending an MMS message, means we won’t be relying on the lens for anything more than celebrity sightings.”

Read more about the Motorola Z9.

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by Nilay Patel, posted Jul 30th 2008 at 9:40PMAlthough the 30-pin Dock connector in the iPhone 3G looks the same as it has since it was introduced in the 2G ipod, it’s different in one important (and maddening) way — it doesn’t support charging the older FireWire charging pins, only the newer USB method. That means a whole host of older chargers and docks don’t work with the iphone 3G — and it also means that we’ll be seeing a lot of adapters like this one from Ridax make the scene. Hopefully other manufacturers won’t see fit to charge a whopping $40 for two connectors and a resistor like Ridax, but if you’re desperate enough to drop two Jacksons on this thing, you’ll also be able to charge through the built-in mini-USB connector on the side. We’ll wait, though — we expect to see some cheaper, smaller options on the table by the time this thing ships in September.

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For those of you rushing out to get your Sidekick 2008, you may notice that you’ll get an update shortly after connecting to the T-Mobile network. That’s right, a 0 day OTA for the Sidekick 2008 to fix a few performance issues. There’s no official changelist as to what this fixes, but the word on the street is that Sidekick 2008s with v4.7/227383 are getting a “Temperature icon” that signifies overheating when they try to charge. The simple OTA will upgrade you to v4.7/231400 and so far we haven’t been hearing any reports of this overheating alert appearing. So if you’re new device is getting that weird icon, wait till your OTA is received before you run back to the store to return it.

Developing thread over on PBD
Thanks to Kyrios for the detective work on this one

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We’re hearing reports left and right from people that went in and already got their Sidekick 2008 from T-Mobile stores. How about you? Have you gotten it yet? How much did it cost? What do you think? What shells are you getting? Leave some comments below!

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Apple’s iPhone has caused a revolution of the mobile age. The multi-touch screen evolved from the technology of tomorrow to the product of today. While the iPhone isn’t exactly a power hogging device, its battery life is pretty mediocre. Not horrible, but not too impressive either.

If you happen to be one of the millions of iPhone owners who have been caught in a jam, out and about with no battery life left on your Apple device to speak of, than this iPhone Battery Case might seem mighty inviting to your mobile addicted eyes.

This isn’t your average iPhone case, as you might have already guessed. This case comes included with a built-in high capacity li-ion rechargeable battery. The sheepskin case keeps the edges of your phone protected from wear and tare, while the battery provides you with a charge of juice when your battery is running low.

And it’s even pretty affordable. For only around $25, you can save yourself from being left without your precious iPhone. But now you have to worry about two devices running out of juice. Unfortunately, this case is made for use with the first gen iphone and ipod Touch only.

Product Page via 7Gadgets

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by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 31st 2008 at 12:35AM
We’ve been following the rumor since January, today it’s official: LG’s BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will begin streaming Netflix movies in the US this September. The player will cost “well under $500″ and allow Netflix members to stream more than 12,000 standard definition TV and films through the device at no additional increase to their monthly paid subscriptions. Members will use the Netflix website to add movies or TV to their individual instant queues. Movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds when selected from the TV where users can browse, make selections, read synopses, rate movies, and fast-forward / rewind video streams using the BD300’s remote control. While specs on the player itself are scarce, we do know that it supports BD Live and LG’s SimpLink technology to integrate easily with LG TVs and AV products. One thing’s for sure, with this deal announced and those with Roku and the Xbox 360 in the bag, it looks like Netflix is grown-up and ready for the digital age.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Portable Video

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