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Cell Phones

Samsung Recalling Jitterbug Cell Phones That Don't Connect to 911

When you market a cell phone to senior citizens by touting a "Live Nurse" option, you'd darn well better make sure that the 911 service works. We've gotten word from The Consumerist that Samsung is recalling a batch of its Jitterbug pay-as-you-go phones because they apparently cannot reach 911 when outside of a service area.

Last Friday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released a report stating that the Jitterbug SPH-a110 and the SPH-a120 might fail to connect to 911 in some rural areas. According to FCC mandates, all cell phones must be able to connect to 911 -- even in no-service areas. Fortunately, all it takes is a free software update and your Jitterbug will be good to go.

If you bought one of these babies between March 2008 and May 2009, get thee in touch with Samsung at (866) 304-4980, or head on over to a service center at your neighborhood Best Buy. [From: The Consumerist]

Computers, desktops

Dell to Offer Encrypted Solid-State Drives for Careless Workers



Your hard drive is like your pet; if anything were to happen to it, you just don't know what you would do. And it doesn't help that it's constantly being attacked on all sides by viruses, breakdowns, and overheats.

To help deal with the problem, Dell announced yesterday that it will be offering encrypted solid state drives (SSD) from Samsung in the coming months, making Dell one of the first manufacturers to offer secure SSDs. The drives, which will reportedly deliver "some of the fastest encrypted storage available" (remember, SSD's are significantly faster than your standard hard drive) will bring your resting heart rate down a good 20-percent, as well; the drive offers 8.5 times the shock tolerance of a standard notebook's hard drive. Moreover, full encryption means that, for hackers, accessing all of this tightly held information will be tougher than frozen beef jerky. The encrypted SSDs will be available at 64, 128, and 256 GB capacities, though prices are still to be announced.

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Audio/Video, TV

Our Daily Deal: Samsung LN46A650 HDTV for $1,299



Every day, the folks over at TechDealDigger are letting us know about some of the best gadget deals they can find, so we're going to pass that information on to you. After all, in these tough economic times, every little bit counts. We may not be buying Swarovski-covered iPods any time soon, but everyone needs essentials like a computer. So, take a look at what the online deals site sent us today.

There aren't a whole lot of up-sides to this recession we find ourselves mired in, but we here at Switched are always looking for that silver lining, and, in this case, it's fast-falling TV prices. For those of us yet to hop on the HDTV bandwagon, there may not be a better time to buy. Case in point, the Samsung LN46A650, a 46-inch, full HD (1080p) LCD TV for only $1,299 plus free shipping from Fry's. The same TV will set you back more than $1,500 at Amazon.

Even better, this isn't some bargain basement TV -- it has a fast 4ms response time and 120hz refresh rate that make it perfect for watching fast-moving video (like sports) and for playing video games. It also has a feature called Infolink, which lets you get stock prices, weather, and news when hooked up to the Internet. Its Ethernet port is just one of the many, many connections this TV has; you get four HDMI ports, two component inputs, a PC input, and a USB port for hooking up external harddrives and thumbdrives loaded with your JPEGs, MPEGs, and MP3s.

Watch this space every day for new tech deals. [From: TechDealDigger]

Cell Phones, Cameras, Mobile Phones

Is the Samsung Memoir Worth the Hype?


What it is:

Samsung's new Memoir cell phone (available only on T-Mobile) is all about photos; take a look at the back of the phone, and it's all but indistinguishable from a pocket-sized digital camera (and about the same size, too). More importantly, this flash-equipped cameraphone wields an massive 8-megapixel sensor. Samsung opted for a large touch screen for operating the majority of the phone's functions (dialing, texting, menu navigation) and to focus on subjects/serve as a viewfinder, but there are several physical buttons on the phone, including a shutter button, just like your point-and-shoot.

As for specs, the Memoir has a 1.61 x 2.64 inch display, microSD port (a 1GB microSD card is included), Stereo Bluetooth, built-in GPS, full messaging support (SMS, MMS, and IM, including AIM, ICQ, Windows Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger), and a speakerphone.

Why it's different:

Although cameras have been standard on cell phones for years, they often seem to be an afterthought. Small lenses and 1-3 megapixel sensors have been the norm, and most photos taken on a cameraphone are instantly recognizable as such: They're pixellated, blurry, and rarely in focus. The Memoir's high-megapixel count and advanced camera features offer the promise of change.


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Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Portable Audio, Mobile Phones

Samsung 'Beat DJ' Mobile Phone Lets You Remix Tracks on the Go

As if a giant billboard wasn't enough of an unveiling, Samsung has released some official shots of its M7600 "Beat DJ" touchscreen handset. Like we knew already, the Quadband GSM / HSDPA music phone sports a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, and Bang & Olufsen amplifier. It's also got codec support for DivX and XviD, microSDHC card slot for up to 16GB, Bluetooth A2DP, FM radio, and a very welcome 3.5mm headphone jack. As for those DJ features, the turntable-inspired "Disc UI" uses a spin wheel for navigation, and the included software lets you both create your own music and sounds as well as remix other songs by adding effects and filters. Unfortunately, mum's the word on pricing or availability.

[Thanks, David]

Cell Phones, Cameras, Digital Camera, Mobile Phones

T-Mobile to Release 8-Megapixel Memoir Cameraphone on February 24



At this point, it's tough to say the Memoir wasn't official with a straight face, but Samsung and T-Mobile have jointly disclosed all (er, most) of the remaining details that were so sorely missing here at Mobile World Congress. The 8 megapixel handset will boast a Xenon flash, CMOS auto focus and 16x digital zoom, not to mention a full touchscreen and a sophisticated camera menu that enables users to adjust the brightness and flash, change the default destination of images, select a timer and zoom in or out. Moreover, the video recording and TV-out features should provide even more joy in the lives of multimedia lovers, and the blink detection, face detection, anti-shake and geotagging inclusions should shake off any remaining pundits who say there's not a "real camera" in here. As anticipated, the phone will launch exclusively on T-Mobile USA in just ten days (February 25, if you're too excited for math), though there's still no mention of a price. Procrastinate much?

Update: Boom, pricing -- $249.99 on a two-year contract with a $50 mail-in rebate. Not the cheapest thing we've ever seen, but you get what you pay for, yeah?

Cell Phones, Mobile Phones

Samsung's New Blue Earth Cell Phone Is Solar-Powered



Samsung's Blue Earth handset might just be taking the green thing to a whole new extreme. Made from PCM, a recycled plastic from water bottles, the phone boast an "eco" mode for efficiently adjusting screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth usage, and an "eco walk" app / built-in pedometer to tell you how much CO2 emission you've saved by walking instead of driving. The best part? It's got a giant solar panel on the back that'll apparently charge it enough to make a phone call anytime the sun's peaking out.

Of the form factor, Sammy says it "symbolizes a flat and well rounded shiny pebble" -- which we hope means it can skip puddles with the best of 'em. It'll come in recycled packaging with an energy efficient charger. What we don't know, unfortunately, is what makes this phone tick, neither OS nor hardware specs. Not a word on price yet, but UK environmentalists can look forward to this one second half of this year.

Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Computers, Video Games, CES 2009

CES Day 2 Highlights, Part One

CES Day Two Begins

It was a long and exciting first day at CES, with the Palm Pre proving to be the biggest announcement made at the show. It certainly made us do a double (and triple) take, but there's plenty more to report and lots of surprises still to come.
  • Grippity Keyboard Reinvents Typing - There's a very strong chance you're sitting in front of a keyboard right now as you read this, and while the things are nearly ubiquitous when it comes to home consuming, many (including us) would be very happy to see a typing interface that's a little more fresh. One possible solution is called the Grippity, a handheld device that looks something like an overgrown PS3 controller with a normal QWERTY graphic layout on the front but with the keys themselves on the back. While we find the idea to be totally intriguing, it sadly feels a bit clumsy to use.
  • Gateway's Mid-Range MD and UC Laptops - There's something of a growing divide in the laptop realm between high-end, powerhouse laptops and low-end, budget netbooks. Gateway is filling the void with its MD and UC series laptops, both with stylish designs and practical specs at reasonable costs that should fit into most people's budgets. They're not exactly groundbreaking in any respect, but they're solid choices for sure.
  • Samsung Shows Off Flexible OLED - LCD screens have definitely reached something of a saturation point, but the way things are going, it looks like they'll soon be superseded by OLED. These new screens don't require backlighting like an LCD, so they can be ridiculously thin. They can also be extremely flexible, as is Samsung's trick screen shown in the above link. Right now, OLEDs tend to be small and expensive and, generally, not available, but we expect to see many, many more of them this year.
  • Skype Hits Android, Java-Compatible Handsets - Millions have used Skype to make free online calls, and now it's getting much easier to make those calls on the go as the folks at Skype have announced the program's compatibility with numerous handsets. First up is a version of the app capable of running on Google's free mobile operating system Android, meaning anyone using a G1 can make calls without using minutes. Skype has also released a streamlined Java version of the client that's compatible with many handsets. If you're pushing the limits of your calling plan's allocation, you may want to make the leap.
  • Coby Shows Off Sub-$200 Netbooks - Netbooks are great, truly bringing low-cost portable computing to the masses, but they still need to get a bit cheaper before they're ubiquitous. While Gateway is filling the middle of the cost spectrum, Coby is heading to the bottom with its lineup of under-$200 offerings. The machines have the standard tiny netbook styling and hardware specs, with Intel Atom processors, but their bright coloring and low cost should make them a hit -- if and when the company actually puts them into production.
  • Mattel's Mind Flex Will Challenge Your Kid's Minds - There are plenty of games out there that will make your kids think, but not many tax the ol' noodle quite like this. The Mind Flex uses a headset to detect your brain activity which, in turn, levitates and guides a ball through an obstacle course: relax to lower and focus to raise. It's actually a lot of fun and we're eager to hear what others have to say when it's released this Fall for $80. [From: Engadget]

Computers, Google, TV, CES 2009

CES Day One Roundup

CES Pre-Show Roundup


CES is underway, and we've had a chance to check out a number of hot new products that could very well change the way you play your tunes, call your friends, or make videos of your kids. There's plenty more to see as the show picks up speed, but here's the best of what we've seen thus far.
  • Motorola's SURF A3100 Touchphone - There's absolutely no shortage of smartphones here, but Motorola's SURF A3100 caught our eye early. The thing feels incredibly solid to the touch, and while Windows Mobile isn't exactly the most finger-friendly operating system in the world -- it was initially designed for use with a stylus -- Moto has managed to make this one quite usable and a solid competitor to the current WinMo handsets by HTC.
  • Samsung's Tiny MBP200 Projector - Tiny, or "pico," projectors are definitely a hot topic this year, and Samsung is one of the few companies previewing a product that looks ready for retail. Its MBP200 projector is slightly bigger than a deck of cards and not only can project a decent sized image onto a sheet of paper or a wall, but also has an integrated LCD screen and, impressively, can read many file format types, like Word and PowerPoint documents, without needing an external laptop. It should be released sometime this year and we can't wait.
  • GiiNii's Movit Mini Mobile Internet Device - Accessing the Internet from anywhere is getting easier and easier and GiiNii's upcoming Movit Mini promises to make it even more engaging. Why? For starters, it's powered by Google's Android, which looks very interesting itself. It also has WiFi connectivity and integrated Web browsing, media playing, and an interface that's just as user friendly as the iPhone's. Pricing and availability haven't been announced yet, but we were told that it should be cheaper than an iPod touch, which is quite appealing indeed.
  • Sony's 1080p GPS-Supporting, High-Definition Cameras - The highest level level of HD content you can find in most consumer-level sets is 1080p, and Sony's latest camcorders all support it. The HDR-XR520V is the highest quality, with 240GB of integrated storage, and the HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR200V, with 120GB, are the more mid-level models. All three support GPS (letting you know where you took your pics and vids), have 3.2-inch touchscreens and will be priced between $1,500 and $750. It's definitely not the cheapest way to make your home movies, but it may be one of the nicest.
  • Biggest and Best HDTVs Roundup - CES is always the time of year when manufacturers bring out their biggest and bestest sets. This year's event is no exception, with luscious sets sitting on the floor, mounted on the walls, and hanging from the ceiling. We snuck around before the show opened to take pictures of what was out there to see, the largest so far being a massive 82-inch set from Samsung. We'll have more updates on these sets soon.

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Computers

Oops! New Digital Picture Frames Come Pre-Installed with Malware


Oh, geez. Not this again. Just months after everyone involved with that virus-ridden Insignia frame finally cleaned things up, here comes two new reports that select frames could indeed be shipping from the factory with malware pre-installed. For starters, the 1.5-inch Mercury Digital Photo Keychain -- which is sold at Wal-Mart and other fine retailers -- seems to have some pretty nasty software loaded on, and Amazon has went so far as to issue an alert that some Samsung SPF-85H frames are leaving the dock with the 32.Sality.AE worm on the installation disc. Something tells us someone in quality control couldn't quite get in the holiday spirit. [Via Slashdot]

Cell Phones

Samsung Launching Google Phone in 2009


Without a doubt, 2009 is destined to be the year of The Android. Samsung earlier this week announced its ticket to the party with a Q2 launch of its Android phones on both Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile in the US. Apparently, the touch-screen device will be an adaptation of the Omnia (Korea's 800 x 480 pixel version please) and Instinct. In other words, a rectangle with a full-screen display and minimal set of buttons just like every other touchscreen device out there. In case you missed it, this game is no longer about the hardware. [Via ModMyGphone, thanks Neerhaj]

Cell Phones

Consumer Reports Picks BlackJack II as the Top Smartphone


Sometimes it's the unsung workhorses that deserve the lion's share of the praise, and that might just be the case with the aging Samsung BlackJack II -- a phone that you probably wouldn't expect to top Consumer Reports' January 2009 ratings of popular smartphones. Sure, it may not be the shiniest device on the market these days, but you've got to admit it's just about as functional as you'd ever need a business-class handset to be with GPS, HSDPA, and WinMo 6.1, which gladly sucks up Exchange accounts until you're blue in the face. When you factor in the fact that it runs just $80 these days on an AT&T contract in a choice of four colors... okay, yeah, we can kinda see it. The iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1 don't play second fiddle terribly often these days (they were way down in the middle of the Consumer Reports pack in this testing cycle, in fact), so let's just let this old dog have one more moment in the spotlight, shall we?

Cell Phones

Samsung No. 1 in US Cell Phone Market, Dethrones Motorola


No matter how dire Motorola's situation may be, it's still been able to cling to one last title keeping it firmly entrenched in the ranks of the world's mobile manufacturing elite: US phone sales. For years, Motorola has ridden the RAZR gravy train to success on its home turf more than any other, keeping more globally relevant rivals like Nokia and LG at bay.

No longer, though -- Samsung has finally dethroned Moto, upping its share of the US market to 22.4 percent from 16.2 percent a year ago. That leaves Motorola in number two with 21.1 percent, a shocking fall from 32.7 percent in 2007. LG's knocking on the door at 20.5 percent, so unless the boys and girls in Chicago can get their Android-supportin' butts in gear on the double, we could see a drop to number three within a quarter or two.

Audio/Video, TV, Home Video

Samsung Brings Netflix to Blu-ray Players, and It's a Free Update


And so the Netflix partnerships roll on. Netflix just reached a deal to stream Internet movies and TV over a pair of Samsung Blu-ray players. The first Sammy players to go Netflix are the $400 BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 with "a range of home entertainment products" expected to follow suit. Good news for those of you who already own these players as the Netflix update is a free download through Samsung support (link below).

Videos added to Netflix members' instant queues from a PC are automatically displayed on Samsung's players and available to watch instantly -- the players' remote control allows you to fast-forward and rewind video and browse and rate movies directly from the TV... exactly like LG's Netflix-enabled BD300. Come now, you didn't think Samsung would let hometown rival, LG, have all the fun did you?

Read -- Samsung netflix update
Read -- Press Release

Cell Phones

AT&T Announces Four Phones Focused on Texting


If you're into that whole SMS craze and you're on AT&T, you're in luck -- four times over. The carrier's gone ahead and announced not one, not two, but four QWERTY-equipped dumphones yesterday, including a dual slider and a Pantech being billed as "the world's thinnest device with a full QWERTY keypad."

First up, the Pantech Matrix is available now in your choice of blue or green, with red being added on Thursday, October 16. It slides two ways -- a conventional vertical slide to reveal a numeric keypad, and a second side slider for the full QWERTY action. It's got 3G, AT&T Navigation, Video Share support, and a 1.3-megapixel cam, running $79.99 on contract with rebate.

Next, the Samsung Propel apes the i620's industrial design -- but make no mistake, there's no Windows Mobile to be found here. It also does 3G and features the full host of AT&T services, packs a 1.3-megapixel cam, and will run the same $79.99 as the Matrix when it hits in late October in blue, green, red, and white with red accents.

Next, the Pantech Slate is pretty appropriately named -- if its claim of being the thinnest QWERTY device in the world ends up holding water, anyway. It'll be available in late October alongside the Propel for $49.99 on contract with a 1.3-megapixel camera, but there's no high-speed data to be found in this sucker.

Finally, the long-rumored Quickfire -- you may know it better as the Knick -- will come in November bearing AT&T branding and a Sidekick-esque style that'll likely appeal to the young'uns among us. It's got a touchscreen in addition to a slide-out QWERTY deal, a 1.3-megapixel camera (notice a trend here?), and 3G in your choice of orange, lime, and silver for $99.99 after you've inked up the dotted line.

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Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams

    Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
    When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.

     

    Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
    In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.

     

    Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
    Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.

     

    Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
    Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.

     

    17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
    When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.

     

    Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
    Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."

     

    Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
    Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?

     

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

  • Home Audio Reviews

    9.0 out of 10

    Denon AVR-4306 (black)
    Incredibly well-featured 7.1-channel receiver; excellent sound quality; three HDMI inputs; converts analog video to HDMI output; upconverts analog video to 720p/1080i HD resolution; iPod and USB MP3 player connectivity; Internet radio and MP3/WMA streaming audio via built-in Ethernet port; XM Satellite Radio compatible; touch-screen remote; multizone, multisource operation; browser-based control via home network; accurate autocalibration routine. Full Review

    8.8 out of 10

    KEF KHT3005 (black)
    The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review

    8.8 out of 10

    KEF KHT3005 (silver)
    The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review

  • Cell Phone Reviews

    8.6 out of 10

    Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
    The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review

    8.6 out of 10

    Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger
    The Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger successfully delivers emergency power to your cell phone. It's easy to use and comes with a couple of surprising features. Full Review

    8.3 out of 10

    LG VX6000 (Verizon Wireless)
    Compact and stylish; impressive battery life; solid audio quality; sharp color screen; built-in camera; USB ready; affordable. Full Review

  • Digital Camera Reviews

    9.3 out of 10

    Canon EOS 1D Mark III
    Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review

    9.3 out of 10

    Nikon D3 (body only)
    Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review

    9.0 out of 10

    Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
    Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review

  • Desktop Reviews

    8.5 out of 10

    Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
    A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review

    8.4 out of 10

    Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
    One of the fastest PCs we've tested; a PCI Express RAID card helps media encoding performance; typically immaculate Velocity Micro assembly; strong, three-year warranty. Full Review

    8.3 out of 10

    Dell Studio Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 750GB HDD, 6GB)
    Best performance in its class; dedicated graphics card; large hard drive. Full Review

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