TheTechLounge - Recent Reviews: Electronics: Communications

HTC Touch Smartphone

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 15:35:23 -0500

For me, Windows Mobile has always been primarily focused on data access, rather than data creation or modification. The Touch excels in this regard. It's not a multimedia powerhouse, but it will get an acceptable job done for most of your basic needs. If HTC added a hardware keyboard and a standard audio port, I think this would be a perfect Windows Mobile device. For now, if you are looking for a small, attractive smartphone and you can put up with a less-than-ideal input solution, the Touch may be a great option for you.

Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:05:53 -0600

People recognize Aliph Jawbones in the same way that they easily spot iPhones. These Aliph headsets are loved by those who use them, while everyone else in close proximity of the secret conversation mutters profanity. Showoff, that's what he is, the cockbite with that hundred-dollar Bluetooth headset. "Look at me, I'm Alexander Damn Bell." Aliph talks about the Jawbone (the Jawbone) like it isn't a headset. As though it were an idol for worship. And after the rebuking I suffered at the feet of their Cockney representative at CES, I dug in for this review with prejudice.

OtterBox for iPhone Defender Series

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:01:35 -0600

Next up in our series of iPhone case reviews is the OtterBox for iPhone - Defender Series. OtterBox is well-known for offering extremely rugged, often waterproof cases for everything from laptops to smart phones, PDAs and iPods. The Defender Series is touted as having bump, drop, and dust protection, and, while not waterproof, will provide protection against rain and other precipitation. Otterbox also has an Armor series for the iPhone, which is even more rugged: completely waterproof, dust-proof, and drop-proof.

LG VX10000 Voyager Full Review

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 14:13:59 -0600

First, I must admit that I have a hard time not comparing the LG Voyager VX10000 to the iPhone. I�ve owned an iPhone for six months and am very happy with it, but to be blunt, the two phones shouldn�t be compared directly. The iPhone is more expensive, $100-200 more than the VX10000, and isn�t available on the Verizon network. The best feature of the phone is the Verizon V-Cast mobile TV. It�s fairly expensive at $15/mo, but having eight channels of TV at your disposal is pretty sweet, and I was usually able to find something to watch between ESPN, Comedy Central and NBC News. The biggest flaw with this phone (and it�s not the only phone with this problem) is that the touch screen is more of a gimmick than an honest to goodness feature. It�s as if it�s added on to compete with that other phone rather than be a useful feature.

LG VX10000 Voyager First Looks

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:30:13 -0600

A few days ago I got the LG Voyager mobile phone, and I've played with it for a little while now. So far it's been a mixed bag. There are some standout features; however my expectations were a bit higher, especially considering an MSRP of $350, discounted to $300 for new and renewing contract customers via Verizon's website. Amazon.com carries the phone for $200 including a new contract.

Apple iPhone Cases by Speck Products

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:58:37 -0500

With the recent $200 price drop, the Apple iPhone is a bit more reasonably priced for average consumers. With the holidays quickly approaching, the iPhone is sure to be a hot gift. And with those hot gifts, you'll need stocking stuffers. What better way to compliment the phone than with a case to *protect* the iPhone?

Apple iPhone

Sun, 8 Jul 2007 00:13:14 -0500

Looking back now, things seemed so different in my coverage of the iPhone announcement... I talked the most about the phones features, rather than the user experience. And that's what the iPhone has come to symbolize. It doesn't have 3G speeds, GPS, Adobe Flash or stereo Bluetooth capabilities, but judging from the long lines and sold out stores this past weekend it doesn't seem to matter that much. What does seem to matter is making the experience easier and more convenient, and having it all in one device. The content of the ads (unlike most other phone ads which tell you what their products can do) showed you what the product does along with how it gets done. People could see how easy getting around the phone was, and that's what they wanted. After all, what good is a phone if the features are too difficult for most people to utilize? But would a huge bug with the data and phone service be enough to sour my experience?

My First Day with Apple's iPhone

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 23:46:08 -0500

I arrive at the mall here in Las Vegas where the Apple store is located around 10:45 AM on Friday. An eight hour wait would lay ahead of me as I waited in line for that once in a lifetime product. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a big water bottle later, it was six o'clock and we were cheering (as well as being cheered on by Apple store employees) as the Apple store reopened and ushered in their first customer for the new phone.

Samsung BlackJack i607 Smartphone

Mon, 7 May 2007 20:47:21 -0500

The smartphone market has several recent entries, including the Motorola Q and the Samsung Blackjack. Both phones sport a slim profile and QWERTY keyboard. Both phones are aimed at getting the phones in the hands of more consumers, not just business customers and their loyal Blackberry following. Today I'll be reviewing the Samsung Blackjack Smartphone. This phone runs the Windows Mobile 5 for Smartphones operating system and is 3G capable. The phone runs on Cingular's HSDPA GSM network. So how does it shape up? You might be surprised to find out what our biggest complaint is!

Linksys iPhone CIT300 Dual-Mode Skype Phone

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:32:12 -0600

Rarely in the life of a tech enthusiast does a new gadget or technology come along that actually ends up saving us money. Most of the time we're spending our hard earned cash on products that are new and exciting one minute, and then old, obsolete, and boring the next. While I'm sure the product we have for review today won't be new and exciting forever, I'm fairly sure that it could save quite a few of us a substantial amount of money before it's completely obsolete.