Vodafone announces Webbox, gives internet access to the developing world

Vodafone announces Webbox, gives internet access to the developing world: "

While many of us are focused on the latest and greatest consumer tech, there are many parts of the globe still waiting for utilities we take for granted -- like electricity, running water, and access to the internet. Developing nations do have access to cellphones, however. Vodafone is keenly aware of this fact, and its latest product, the Webbox, will bring the internet to anyone with a TV and access to 2.5G or EDGE networks. The Webbox is essentially a QWERTY keyboard -- with the data hardware from a phone stuffed inside -- that connects to a TV through basic RCA cables and allows for a relatively speedy internet experience by compressing data by around 90 percent. It's dead simple to set up, as you simply plug in the RCA's and switch on the device -- an Opera Mini browser pops up on screen and allows users to start surfing the world wide web immediately. An app store, some games, and a text editor are baked into the portal, and the ability to send email and SMS messages is included is well. Vodafone is selling the device -- which comes with a 2GB SD card and 100MB of data -- in South Africa for 749 Rand ($102), with other markets and a two year contract plan to be added later this year. Check out the Webbox, and all its elegant simplicity, in the video after the break.

Continue reading Vodafone announces Webbox, gives internet access to the developing world

Vodafone announces Webbox, gives internet access to the developing world originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to show a pair of EVs at Geneva, one rather more futuristic than the other (video)

BMW to show a pair of EVs at Geneva, one rather more futuristic than the other (video): "

The next major auto show is nearly upon us, and BMW is tipping its hat to reveal a few of its plans. The pride of Bavaria will show off a pair of EVs at the show, starting with the official debut of the ActiveE, an electrified version of the 1 Series coupe that has three battery packs (under the hood, in the transmission tunnel, and under the rear seats) for proper weight balance. With 168hp on tap it should be reasonably fun to drive, though a top speed of 90mph makes it a poor choice for Autobahning. Also on display will be the Vision ConnectedDrive, looking a little like a topless Vision EfficientDynamics and surely sparkling with concept tech that we won't see on the road for at least a decade -- if ever. Promo videos of both embedded below, perfect for spending a few minutes in automotive wonderland.

Continue reading BMW to show a pair of EVs at Geneva, one rather more futuristic than the other (video)

BMW to show a pair of EVs at Geneva, one rather more futuristic than the other (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC refreshes Android lineup with Incredible S, Desire S and Wildfire S (update: hands-on)

HTC refreshes Android lineup with Incredible S, Desire S and Wildfire S (update: hands-on): "

The buttonless wonder we once knew only as 'HTC's upcoming flagship device' has today been revealed to be the Incredible S. It's a new 4-incher that emulates the Droid Incredible's successful industrial design, but deviates in a lot of other ways, including the fact it'll launch globally -- at some point in early Q2, but with only Android 2.2 on board. We got to see one in person ahead of today's unveiling and we have to say it feels like a very solidly and neatly built pocket machine. The capacitive buttons' labels are not painted on and actually rotate with the screen, so that they can be either in landscape or portrait mode, whatever your wishes (and physical position). We found that ever so simple little feature added a greater sense of interaction with the phone, plus -- let's face it -- it's just a ton of fun to do.



in terms of hard specs, the Incredible S comes with a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 backed by 768MB of RAM, a 720p HD video-capable 8 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash and autofocus, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing image taker, and a 1450mAh battery. Resolution is your standard-issue 800 x 480.



That res is also shared by another in HTC's newly launched handsets today, the 3.7-inch Desire S. It is essentially an HTC Desire inside a new aluminum unibody shell, making use of largely the same design language and specifications. The camera is still a 5 megapixel unit, and is joined by an MSM8255 powering things from within, a new front-facing camera (1.3MP), 768MB of RAM, and a 1450mAh battery. The big difference between it and the Incredible S it is launching alongside is that the Desire S will ship with Gingerbread (2.4) from the start, which should be some time in the middle of Q2 2011.



Soon after its launch, we'll all get to witness the debut of the Wildfire S, the new low-end offering from HTC, which cranks up resolution from QVGA to HVGA relative to its predecessor and adds yet more colors and vibrancy for the sake of that ephemeral youth appeal that all these phone makers are hunting for. A big point in the Wildfire S' favor is that it'll also come with Gingerbread preloaded. We'll soon be grabbing more hands-on time, along with pictures and video, with all of these devices, so bear with us.

Gallery: HTC Incredible S first hands-on

Gallery: HTC Desire S first hands-on

Gallery: HTC Wildfire S first hands-on

Continue reading HTC refreshes Android lineup with Incredible S, Desire S and Wildfire S (update: hands-on)

HTC refreshes Android lineup with Incredible S, Desire S and Wildfire S (update: hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vodafone UK lands Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 exclusive launch

Vodafone UK lands Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 exclusive launch: "

We reported yesterday that Vodafone customers would be the first to get their hands on the lightweight 10.1-inch tablet, and now we're getting word via Twitter that Vodafone UK will carry the Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 exclusively in Britain, at least to start. Thus far, that's all she wrote -- Vodafone's tweet ends with 'More info Coming soon!' but they've yet to follow up. So there's still no confirmation of a solid release date -- we've heard March for Asia and Europe -- or pricing, and Americans eagerly awaiting the tablet's Stateside debut have been left out in the cold, but at least our British friends will know where to go when the slim slate makes it to market.

[Thanks, Chris W.]

Vodafone UK lands Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 exclusive launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 looks like a new Android PMP

Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 looks like a new Android PMP: "

What happened when Samsung's phone division gobbled up the media player team? We're pretty sure you're looking at it right now -- the YP-MB2 / Galaxy Player 50 is now formally known as the Galaxy S WiFi 4.0, and it's big bad brother the Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 is pictured immediately above. While we can't actually tell you much about the SIM-less smartphone other than hazard guesses at front-facing camera, HDMI port, microSD card slot and (given naming conventions) a 5-inch screen, we can tell you that the 4.0-inch version of the device is now sporting Samsung's Super Clear LCD. We're expecting the company to unveil these any hour now in Barcelona, so keep your eyes peeled for further coverage at MWC.



[Thanks, Kin-Yip]

Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 looks like a new Android PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Samsung Mobile Press (Picasa), Samsung Mobile | Email this | Comments"