If you were expecting a typical Nokia N Series device, then the N900 is not what you are looking for. In fact, the company has tried to find the perfect tool for those who want a high power multimedia device where navigation, speed and connectivity are key.

If we take it as a mobile phone, it is quite similar to the highly successful N97: 3,5″ touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixels resolution, fully integrated QWERTY sliding keyboard, 5 megapixels camera with double LED flash and Carl Zeiss lens, 32 GB internal memory (can be expanded through micro-SD cards), A-GPS navigation and Ovi Maps installed, 3G and WiFi connectivity and a powerful ARMCortex-A8 processor running at 600 MHz. Full tech specs can be found here.

But the real difference is in the core: the N900 runs the new Linux-based Maemo 5, an open source platform that will surely bring added value to all users on a permanent basis. As an example:

• Powerful browser with Mozilla engine that gives full access to any kind of rich interactive contents
• personalise your desktop: calendar, widgets, shortcuts… anything you want, you just have it there
• Multitasking finally made easy
• Access rich Adobe Flash content

If you want to see an in-depth review of this new device, GSM Arena.com is the best we have seen so far and you can find it right here.

But if you just have 2 minutes, then this video is for you.

The new N900 is already available in case you are ready to pay 599 €.

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Source: Nokia, GSM Arena

So here it is to fill up one of the (few) lacks of the iPhone.  Somebody was clever enough to develop a flash for the iPhone. Maybe he was sick and tired of taking blured photos at night, and he didn’t want to give up with his brand new iPhone 3GS.

Its name is BEAMER, a protection case for the iPhone with a built-in LED flash, operated with batteries which are concealed inside the same case. Great idea, right? Not only you can use it as a flash for taking pictures, but also you can use it as a flash light to move around at night: at home, in the car, in the cinema, etc….

So now, for just 38 USD, you can get a fancy protection case, a flashlight and  a flash for taking photos, all-in-one.

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Source:  http://www.quirky.com/products/18-Beamer

If we want to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in mobile phones today, Samsung, LG and HTC are the reference while Nokia is clearly losing the beat despite their latest efforts.

One good example is the new XO1SC from Samsung that has just been launched in Japan through local operator Softbank. This Blackberry style device is a great choice for professionals as it runs Windows Mobile 6.5 version, has a full Qwerty keyboard, 2,4″ QVGA screen (not a tactile one this time), 3.2 megapixels camera with flash and is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7225 processor.

We still don’t know when it will be available otuside Japan, but at least we have this official short video from Softbank to share with you.

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Source: Akihabara News

Ok, so you are not that proud of your latest Blackberry device. Yes, it works fine, mails come and go at lightspeed. But the iPhone of your colleague is so cool…

But wait! Something is going to change very soon: the new inPulse watch is the perfect accessory for your Blackberry. As you can read in their official website, “ it’s a watch which connects wirelessly to your phone by BlueTooth®, alerting you instantly to incoming emails, SMS and calls”.

It does not replace your smartphone, but it can make your life easier. No need to turn crazy trying to find your phone inside your bag; just take a look at the sharp 1.3-in OLED screen and check your emails and SMS, with details such as caller ID,  calendar alerts, e-mail titles and others. Plus, don’t miss a call thanks to its built-in vibrating motor.

And it’s also fully customizable: custom alarms and timers as well as sleep times and message filters, can be easily modified using the large screen and keyboard on your phone.

You can already preorder the new inPulse, launch price is $149.

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Source: Get inPulse

HTC will be  facing new challenges from Corean manufacturer LG. Eve is their first Android based phone, targetted to social media lovers and will be available through canadian operator Rogers Mobile.

This new device features a 3″ touch screen, slide-out 5 lines Qwerty keyboard (similar to HTC’s Dream and G1),  accelerometer and top Google apps such as Maps, Latitude or Search.

And LG has also paid attention to the camera: 5 megapixels, autofocus, face detection, video capture  and LED flash are a guarantee of  high quality photographs.

LG EVe is not yet available in Europe, but in any case it’s a great step for the brand… and for Android platform, of course. Check this video for a first look.

After getting the approval from Apple last August, Spotify is already available for Premium users under iPhone, iPod Touch and Android platforms. It has not been a massive launch though, as it only available in UK, Norway, France, Finland and Spain. Other countries could follow before the end of the year (including the US) but this point has not been confirmed yet.

Perhaps the term “revolution” is too optimistic, but since the company was developed in Sweden in 2006 and the online service launched for public access in October 2008, Spotify figures are growing day after day, with over 1 million users in March… and that was half a year ago.

The fact is that any user can access around 5 million tracks via searching for artists, albums, titles, labels and genres, set playlists, share them… and with the new iPhone app that was released 6 days ago, Premium subscribers will be able to listen to music without being connected to a network. How? Just take a look to this demo videos. I’m sure you will rush to your phones  immediately after.

Iphone platform:

Android platform:

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Source: Slashgear, Spotify

Are you tired of using Google maps to guide yourself inside a new city? Now iPhone owners with the software upgraded to 3.0 have a wide selection of navigation softwares to choose from.

Navigon has recently released their version for the USA and Canada, while the European version (covering 40 countries) was released one month earlier.  A version for Australia is available too from the iTunes store at an affordable price. An excellent software from one of the main manufacturers of Navigation systems, now available for your iPhone, which includes  interesting features like Lane Assistante Pro, 2D and 3D map displays, Reality view pro and information on speed cameras (not available for all countries).  I had the opportunity to use it recently  driving from Czech Republic to Austria, and the result was excellent!! Just try not to use your phone too much, otherwise you will miss the turn (the navigation system will temporarily turn off while you speak on the phone and will resume after finishing the conversation).

And just recently a new software came to compete with a very atractive offer.  ”iGo MyWay 2009” is available in three different versions: America (USA and Canada), Europe and Western Europe.  Although being a new competitor in this market, it offers a very attractive 3D navigation display showing the shape of famous monuments and free map updates till 2010.

But if you leave or you are planning to travel to Asia, Brazil or  Russia you will also have the opportunity to use your iPhone like a Navigation device. Go to iTunes and look for “Sygic mobile maps“. With the most exstense selection of GPS maps (and an attractive price too), it will for sure become a serious competitor for the other manufacturers.

And very soon, TOM TOM will introduce its own software.  We will cover this story when the software is released. Meantime, you can see an introduction video here

Who will be the winner? Time will say. ..

If you are still hesitating which mobile phone to buy next Xmas, watch this video first.  The Inquirer has recently published a video showing the new OS for mobile phones running under Windows.

New user friendly interface, large icons,  similar display to Windows Home Edition, and easier to browse around. Will be available sometime between October (after Windows 7 becomes available) and Xmas. A great step forward for Windows, but will this be enough to become an iPhone killer? Watch this video and judge yourself.

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Source: The inquirer

When Samsung announced their new Omnia HD during the last WMC ‘09, quite a few of us thought: “mmmm… too many brands are talking about HD, but results are always far from real “High Definition”. Perhaps it will be the same with Samsung’s new baby”.

Fortunately Samsung Omnia HD is [almost] up to expectations; and not only when we talk about HD video recording and playback at 720p@24 fps: this amazing phone also has a 3,7″ AMOLED touchscreen with 16 million colours, the new TouchWiz 3D interface, Wi-Fi, an 8 megapixel camera (again: do you really need a digicam?), A-Gps, 8 / 16 Gb internal memory… everything running under Symbian S60 5th edition.

Although video recording could still be improved, this is the best multimedia mobile phone you can get. But if you still need some more information before rushing to the nearest store, there is a great review from Gsmarena right here, plus a demo video that will surely convince you:

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Source: Gsmarena

After one year of speculations, delays and rumors, the new Nüvifone will soon be available. Not only one model, but two, the G60 and the compact size M20!! The only “but” is that you will have to pay a trip to Asia to get one of these…

If you are rich enough to pay a trip to Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong or Singapore , you will be for sure the only one in your office who can show off with your new gadget, when you come back from holidays.

As a result of a collaboration between Garmin and Asus, these new models will soon become a “must have” gadget. Why buying a car Navigation device when you can have one of the best navigation systems integrated in your mobile phone? Or is it vice versa?

The new M20 is a compact “navigation-phone” operating under Windows Mobile 6.1, which can switch easily to  navigation mode with the award-wining turn-by-turn Garmin software. With a 640×480 touch screen display , 3 megapixels camera, 3G with HSDPA, WI-FI connection and 4 to 8 Gb memory, what else can you ask for? Well, an interesting feature of this new phone is Ciao! an application very similar to Google Latitude that will allow you to locate your friends easily.

If you are one of those who prefer to use alternative OS, you may want to buy the new G60. With similar features to the new M20 (although bigger in size), the G60 runs under Linux software.

Maybe you would like to check the full specifications before buying your ticket to Taiwan…

And if you are not ready to spend hours flying to Asia, then wait till the end of the year.  Both phones will be available throughout Europea and North America in the second half of 2009…

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Source: Garmin blogs