Phones

Just when we thought Plantronics couldn't improve their Discovery 600 headset series any more, here it comes with a brand new update, the Plantronics Discovery 665, which debuted at CES 2007.

Though it isn't a significant upgrade from the Plantronics Discovery 655, there are a few notable improvements. First, the headset itself is much slimmer and smaller than its predecessor. Second, it is packaged with a new sound-enhancement technology, AudioIQ, which optimizes sound quality on both sides of every call. And third, it comes with a sparkly headset-charging pocket that lights up whenever there's an incoming call. … Read more

If there were no buttons on your cell phone, imagine how big the screen could be.

Synaptics is doing just that with its Onyx phone, a new concept in cell phone technology. Shaped like a remote, it's a bar-style phone that would integrate GPS, music, teleconferencing and calendar events.

But the coolest part is the screen, which takes up nearly the whole handset. Synaptics calls it ClearPad, a thin, high-resolution touch screen based on the company's proprietary sensing technology. With it, there would be no need for buttons to input information. Information can be entered into the Onyx … Read more

Imagine being able to recharge your laptop by placing it on a pad. The people at WildCharge hope you can. In fact, they're betting that you're also sick of buying different power cords for every gadget you own--cell phone, smart phone, MP3 player, etc.

The WildCharger from Arizona-based WildCharge is the latest attempt to bring wireless power mainstream. The device works using a small flexible pad, approximately 6 inches by 15 inches on which gadgets or laptops are placed. The pad does have a wire and plugs into the wall. A receiver either integrated into a phone or … Read more

It's now T minus one day until the big Apple keynote, where everyone's expecting a new iPod phone to be announced (I'm still skeptical). But now that I've been at CES for a couple of days, I'm starting to wonder: is Apple too late?

At the very least, I've already gotten good looks at two cool form factors for music-playing phones. The first one is the Samsung Ultra Music, which is a phone on one side and an MP3 player on the other, and it's thinner than a Razr. Granted, it's sporting … Read more

Nokia has signed a partnership with Skype to offer Internet calling for its new N800 Internet Tablet smart phone.

While the phone will be immediately available in the U.S. and some European countries, Nokia announced Monday at CES, the Skype service will not be available until June. People can stay connected until then with the N800's instant messaging feature over WLAN, in addition to regular cell phone calls.

The N800 smart phone has 128MB RAM and 256MB of flash memory with two memory cards slots that will each take SD, MicroSD, MiniSD, MMC and RS-MMC cards of up … Read more

OK, so you think $842,000 is a wee pricey for a cell phone strap (tightwad). All you bargain hunters out there may be pleased to know that you can get a cheapo alternative for chump change-- just $250--that features a 24k gold charm as seen on Tokyomango to commemorate the "Year of the Boar" (or pig, if that seems more appropriate for this bit of conspicuous consumption). If you're so inclined, you can even get a set of genuine gold and silver USB keys as the perfect accessory. And at this level of decorative wastfulness, it'… Read more

Sometimes you chat. Sometimes you listen to music. Sometimes you alternate between the two on your music phone. And sometimes you alternate between the two using two different devices. Oh, why can't there be one Bluetooth earphone to handle all these situations?

Well, there is--the Jabra BT8010, to be released in the next couple months. First, it's a regular, single, over-the-ear Bluetooth earpiece with an OLED display that shows caller ID. You can also transfer up to 30 contacts to the headset in case you don't want to reach for your cell phone to make a call. … Read more

Though Verizon Wireless has yet to announce officially that it will start offering the Motorola Slvr L7c, Motorola demonstrated such a phone this evening at a CES press event. Motorola reps declined to comment, but it's clear Verizon will join Sprint in offering the candy bar version of Moto's slim handset line. And in any case, bloggers have sighted the Slvr L7c on the carrier's prerelease Web site. Clad in silver, Verizon's Slvr L7c will be similar to both Sprint's model and the GSM Slvr L7 for Cingular. Features should include a VGA camera, Bluetooth, … Read more

Samsung is no slouch when it comes to music phones, but at CES 2007, the company is doing everything it can to top its efforts of previous years. Instead of offering new music features, however, the Samsung Ultra Music brings an innovative music phone design. And if our hunch is correct, we should see it from Sprint by March.

While most music phones barely give a thought to music functionality in their designs, the Ultra Music takes a more Jekyll-and-Hyde approach by combining elements of both devices. Yes, dedicated music controls are here but you'll find dual displays and … Read more