ULTRAVIAS - Notebook, Laptop and mobile device reviews

The USB memory stick which also works as a bottle opener is an inventive yet inefficient idea. Following a logical line of thinking you would end up realizing that if you desperately need a bottle opener with you at all times, then you shouldn’t mix one with an USB stick. In other words you’re likely to loose the stick after one too many beers. Because I am sure you won’t realize you need to get that beer opener in your pocket when heading for home.

However if you fancy this TrekStor creation then head to Europe. It’s there where where USB users lack bottle openers. You can choose various models, from 1 to 16GB and they will cost you from about $10 to $71.

You might be lucky enough to have pre-ordered the G1 in time. Or you might be just like the rest of us, waiting for October 22nd to buy it in store. In any case you probably want a taste of that Android OS mounted on the HTC Dream as soon as possible.

T-Mobile has a G1 emulator for you to play with. Sure it doesn’t have all the functions of the real thing but you can still get a general idea of how stuff works. Don’t bother complaining about various issues and bugs you might spot along the way. It’s just an emulator for now. You’ll get the chance to complain later on about the real thing.

The FCC has just approved Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 but hold on to your hats. You might not see it arrive that soon in your country. The FCC has approved a version X1i which is going to be released in Europe probably. The device they played with lacked 3G support which doesn’t sound that good, does it.

But since the X1i was already approve we assume it’s only a matter of time until a North American version will be given the OK. Hopefully the X1 will arrive in most markets by the end of the year. Waiting for carriers to announce it.

Sony has revealed its latest ebook reader, it is now in the third generation and is codenamed PRS-700. This one is small and light-weight, only 283 grams and the size of a paperback book.

The digital book reader has the usual touchscreen functions that in this case are similar to the iPhone, which means that to flip a page you only need to slide your finger across the screen. The screen size can be considered good, 6-inches with zoom in and zoom out features. In terms of text size there are 5 options you can pick.

Extra features include support for memory cards - SD and Memory Stick Duo, a built-in LED light, and the option to create notes.

Remember the Optimus Maximus OLED keyboard? You know, the really cool one? Well that keyboard was designed by Art Lebedev. The same company has developed a WiMAX concept phone together with Russian carrier Scartel.

The device looks like an iPhone clone from the pictures here. It will also have Apple like features if we don’t count the WiMAX support: WiFi, tri-band GSM and a 850×480 touchscreen. Two cameras are also available, one for pictures and the other one for video calls. There’s a microSD slot, a 3.5mm headphone plug and an A/V plug. A mini-USB socket will fit about right

While the design is not final and future changes might still occur, we know for sure that Scartel has WiMAX networks deployed in Moscow and St. Petersburg only for now. In the USA Sprint is getting ready for its XOHM network but it hasn’t launched it yet.

SocialLife is a new application from Verizon Wireless. How did they end up creating it? Well people say that Verizon will do almost anything to add some extra dollars to your monthly bill. Like any other service, this is quite an affordable application. For $1.49 per month you will be able to go to any of the following social networking sites: Myspace, Photobucket, Livejournal, AsianAve, BlackPlanet, FaithBase, GLEE, MiGente, Rabble and MTV

Sony Ericsson had some problems with the full integration of Windows Mobile in their first Xperia phone. People noticed it but the Xperia wasn’t delayed to 2009. Now after the official release of G1, the world first handset wearing an Android OS, it’s reported that Sony Ericsson officials are considering the open-source OS for their future generation of Xperia smartphones.

Sony Ericsson president, Dick Komiyama said that his company is interestd in Android but they aren’t ready to adopt it yet. But they will be ready won’t they? Is Microsoft ready to see its Windows Mobile replaced with Android?

I’ll give most phones a chance if they’re not made by Sagem. Is it only me with this problem? Should I have it looked at and properly medicated?

In the mean time I’ll show you the Sagem P9522. If you have the same problem like me you can always pretend you haven’t seen it anywhere. The P9522 is a candybar handset, and here’s what it will get you:

• 2.8 inch display
• 5 megapixel camera
• GPS navigation
• WiFi connectivity
• Fingerprint reader
• microSD memory card slot.

How much would anyone pay for it? $399? $499? Well how about $875? The guys over at Sagem have been sleeping for the last couple of days. I’ll take 4 G1s in the mean time. I’ll have them with plans, to go please. And forget about the medication. I am dead fine!

I am not exactly sure about the actual iPhone arrival in China but we know how Apple is eager to enter that large consumer market. South China Morning Post is saying that the iPhone 3G will come without 3G and WiFi. Which is really a very bad thing if proven to be so.

China Mobile will apparently ask Apple to disable the two features. They don’t have a 3G network so it makes sense. But WiFi is everywhere! So why disable that?

If I am in China will I be able to use my Apple as a cell phone? And how much would an Chinese iPhone 3G without 3G and iPhone cost?

via Gizmodo

Remember the guy that managed to pull in a whooping $250,000 after developing that silly Bejeweled game version for the iPhone? Want to be one of those guys? Well Apple will offer you a chance through its iPhone Developer University program which is now available in the USA.

It’s not actually a real university but an opportunity for other universities to introduce curriculum for developing iPhone and iPod touch applications. This program will let your university start development programs with up to 200 students free of charge.

Here’s what Apple has to say about it:

With the suite of sophisticated and elegant tools included in the iPhone SDK, and a wide-range of resources in the iPhone Dev Center, students participating in the class will have everything they need to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod touch.

Is Apple investing in its future developers? So it would seem. What are you doing Microsoft? Anything similar in the works? a Vista Developer University?