Eclectic Electronics

T-Mobile Wing scurries out of the T-Mobile USA website

Posted: 11 May 2009 03:00 PM PDT

Something has been missing from the T-Mobile USA website. It’s the good ol’ T-Mobile Wing. Looks like it flew away a bit early, considering that the T-Mobile Wing II is scheduled for a July 2009 release.

According to AllShadow, it only takes a short time for the updated or new device to arrive once the old model has been taken off the T-Mobile USA website. Brace yourselves for the possible early landing of the T-Mobile Wing II!

[via WINDOWS Phone Mix]

“Palm Reviewer” Pre’s shipping out this week?

Posted: 11 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT

If you applied to be a Palm Reviewer and got selected, you could be getting the device as early as Wednesday this week, according to someone who tipped off CrunchGear.

Don’t forget to post your comments if you happen to be one of the selected few to test drive Palm latest and greatest (or possibly demise?)

ColorWare your Amazon Kindle 2; Starts at $199

Posted: 11 May 2009 12:00 PM PDT

Got a Kindle 2 and tired of the boring plain-white look? Then head on over to the guys at ColorWare! They offer custom paint jobs for external parts of the Kindle 2 and that includes the main panel, back panel, keys, and individual function buttons.

Customization base price starts at $199 and that include the main panel only. Back bottom panel and keypads customization incur additional costs, plus $25 for the back bottom panel and plus $30 for the keypads .

If you don’t have a Kindle 2 yet and want one customized, you can order directly from ColorWare for $599.

ColorWare also customizes other devices, just head on over to their products tab. Those custom color phones would sure look funky and cheap though. They’ll probably have customization options for the Kindle DX soon.

[via 9Gadgets]

Samsung Alias 2 featuring dynamic e-ink keypads, now available via Verizon Wireless

Posted: 11 May 2009 10:00 AM PDT

The Samsung Alias 2 is the first mobile phone to feature e-ink technology. By e-ink, I mean that the keypads dynamically change labels/usage depending on the particular application or orientation the mobile phone is at. For example, if you’re text messaging, the keypads will change to your standard QWERTY layout, for other areas of the phone, you will have the normal navigation keys along with the numerical keys.

If you got confused with the e-ink technology used for the keypads of the Samsung Alias 2, then load this video up to see how it dynamically changes keypad layout at the 1:07 mark.

The main highlight of the Alias 2 is the dynamic keypads which utilize e-ink technology. It allows the device to change the keypad layout depending on how the phone is being used. If it’s flipped open in portrait mode, the keypads will have your standard numeric keys for dialing and of course, navigation keys. If it’s flipped open in portrait mode, the keypads still show the numeric and navigation keys but in a more optimized manner for landscape use.

While it sure it interesting at first, I don’t think the e-ink fad used for the keypads of the Samsung Alias 2 will catch on with other manufacturers. It simply is quite confusing to use, plus there are keypads which are blanked out (those in white with no labels whatsoever).

Other features of the Samsung Alias 2 include a 2.6-inch, 240 x 320 resolution screen capable of displaying 256k colors, Bluetooth, microSD card expansion (up to 16GB cards are supported), and a 2 megapixel camera. The Samsung Alias 2 is built on a dual-hinge design which means you can use it in either portrait or landscape mode.

The Samsung Alias 2 is available from Verizon Wireless starting today. It retails for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract.

[via Mobilewhack.com]