Motorola has just announced the ES400S, and it will be the first Motorola Mobile Enterprise Handheld to be sold through a wireless carrier, namely Sprint.
The enterprise-class handset is built to be rugged and it runs on Windows Mobile 6.5.3. A few of the phone's features include a biometric finger swipe, a 3-inch VGA touch screen, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, 1GB ROM and 256MB RAM, a customizable enterprise user interface, a bar code reader, GPS, and 3G/EV-DO Rev. A support.
It also has GSM/HSPA for international roaming. Pricing starts at $499.99 for qualifying … Read more
Though I've always been intrigued by Apple's original Nike+ Sports Kit, I didn't want to have to buy a specific Nike shoe (I'm an Asics guy) just to use the sensor. Also, the sensor seemed like just another thing that I would lose.
Still, I liked the idea of keeping track of my runs by measuring pace and actual distance. So when Nike finally introduced a standalone app earlier this month, I was pleased to give Nike+ GPS a run (so to speak). Granted, competing iPhone apps like Runkeeper are available--CNET contributor Rick Broida compared four such titles last year--but I wanted to see if Nike's+ GPS could deliver on its promises. Fortunately, I was pleased with the experience even after a couple days of use on CNET's iPhone 4. There are some missing features I was hoping to see, but the app performs well and is easy to use. I have no trouble recommending it, particularly at the affordable price of $1.99.
Getting started After downloading Nike+ GPS from the iTunes App Store, I was ready to hit the pavement almost immediately. I started by setting my profile (height, weight, and sex), units of measurement (miles or kilometers), and preferences for voice feedback (more on that later). The app also has a short tutorial, but I didn't find it very useful.
After you've described yourself, you're offered three convenient options for structuring your runs. You can designate a set distance, a set time, or you can just go for as long or as far as you'd like. The first two options offer several preset choices--with distance, for example, they range from one kilometer to a full marathon--but you can enter a custom field if you like. To finish, just tell the app whether you'll be running outside or on a treadmill, and you can be off on your way.
On the go For outdoor runs, first you'll need to establish a GPS connection. Keep in mind that this can take a couple of minutes if trees and buildings are in the way; on both runs I had to move to an intersection to get a fix. Luckily, the GPS connection didn't appear to wave once I had a fix, though I noticed on at least one occasion that the iPhone lost a cellular connection for a few seconds. It didn't seem to make a difference in tracking my route (see the Maps section below), but I'm wondering why I received the notification at all. I'm checking with Nike and will report back.
As you run, Nike+ GPS will continually track your distance, time, and current pace (minutes per mile). And if you activate the voice feedback feature, the app will alert you of your progress every few minutes or after a set distance. You also can pause the app when you're stuck at a spotlight or pausing for a rest. I didn't always do this, but it's a good idea if you don't want the app to factor any stops into your pace.
If you prefer running to tunes, the app can tap into your music player. It supports a shuffle mode and playlists and you can set a "powersong" if a particular track gives you an extra mental boost. I didn't test this feature completely--I find music distracting when I run--but appears to work as expected.
Maps When you're finished and resting your feet, you can view your route on a Google Maps interface. Two versions of the map are available: the first shows your total distance with flags for each mile, while the second shows your pace throughout the course. The latter view was particularly interesting for my first course, which took me from San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood to the top of Corona Heights and back. As I climbed hills and stairs, my pace slowed but then picked up again in flatter areas. … Read more
MetroPCS Communications opened its second 4G LTE market today, this one in the Dallas-Forth Worth area.
The new service follows the carrier's initial 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) launch in Las Vegas last week. As in Vegas, the Dallas-Forth Worth service will offer prepaid monthly plans starting at $55, which include unlimited talk, text, and data, and require no contract.
But Dallas-Forth Worth customers will also get a few additional features. MetroStudio, available through the $60 monthly plan, will offer downloads and ringtones as well as video content from NBC Universal and other providers, MetroPCS said. A new combined … Read more
Picture this: You're out to dinner and your spouse is giving you grief because you keep glancing at your cell phone. What's a guy (or gal) to do? Pick up the new Sony Ericsson LiveView, that's what. Now you'll be able to sneak a glance at your RSS feeds and text messages on the sly.
Announced earlier today, the LiveView is a new Bluetooth accessory for Android handsets running OS 2.0 and higher. The device features a 1.3-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 128x128 pixels. Acting like an extension of the phone, it … Read more
We were excited and a little bit relieved that RIM announced its widely rumored BlackBerry PlayBook (with video) yesterday at the BlackBerry Developer Conference in San Francisco.
Although we did learn some specs--like the tablet's dimensions--there's still much RIM isn't telling. We'll share what we know and will update our list as soon as we learn more.
What are the specifications?
7-inch screen (1,024x600 pixels) 5.1 inches tall 7.6 inches wide 0.4 inch (9.7mm) thick 0.9 pounds 3-megapixel front-facing HD camera 5-megapixel rear-facing HD camera 1GHz dual-core processor 1GB RAM 1080p high-definition video playback HTML5-capable browser 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Adobe Flash 10.1 support Adobe AIR support H.264, MPEG4, and WMV, HDMI video output Micro USB, Micro HDMI, and DLNA media streaming Enterprise-strength e-mail security
Is the PlayBook a phone? No. RIM's new device will be an Internet-enabled tablet. However, RIM is emphasizing video calling over Wi-Fi, so you can expect to see video chatting software. … Read more
Welcome to the 411, my column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have similar queries, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.
In light of BlackBerry DevCon happening right now, I decided to take this opportunity to answer a few of your BlackBerry-related questions.
Despite the hopes of many, Mozilla made it official today that it will not develop a standalone Firefox browser for the iPhone.
Instead, the browser-maker will continue to pour resources into Firefox Home for iPhone, its browser companion app. Mozilla said in a blog post:
"People have asked about adding more browserlike features to Firefox Home, but there are technical and logistical restrictions that make it difficult, if not impossible, to build the full Firefox browser for the iPhone. We are focused on building Firefox Home as a rich, cloud-based application and making it a valuable product that people … Read more
The BlackBerry Torch may be the only of RIM's smartphones on the market to currently run the new OS 6 operating system, but that's not stopping the company from showcasing several handsets running OS 6 at the Developer Conference in San Francisco this week.
We took a look at OS 6 powering the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and 9650, the Curve 3G, and Pearl 3G. It's no coincidence that these are the same models that carriers like Sprint and Verizon are snapping up; RIM would never let conference goers and the press anywhere near top-secret handsets. Even so, … Read more
Verizon Wireless today officially announced what some Android users have been anticipating for quite some time: the R2-D2 edition of the Droid 2. Bowing September 30, the highly customized Droid 2 is sure to delight "Star Wars" fans.
Unlike other special smartphone versions, the handset has more than just a white battery cover painted to look like Artoo Detoo. Verizon and Motorola definitely have spent some time customizing the phone with subtle touches.
The Star Wars experience starts immediately with a box that resembles carbonite, the substance in which Han Solo was encased. The hardware is identical to … Read more
San Francisco--RIM gave developers yet another reason to stick with BlackBerry when it announced its own advertising platform at the BlackBerry Developer's Conference on Monday. Similar to iAds, the BlackBerry Advertising Service will allow developers to integrate advertising into their applications. RIM will act as mediator and will work with five different ad networks at launch (JumpTap, Amovee, Lat49, Millenial Media, Mojiva) with more ad networks to follow in the coming months.
The ads can be as simple or as rich as developers want, and they can insert the ads with just three lines of code, according to RIM. … Read more
What's the #1 music streaming-app for iOS? Who wins in an iPhone v. S4 faceoff? We've got it covered with iPhone news, rumors, app recommendations, and more.
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