I have always had sort of a love-hate relationship with Mobile Internet Devices, or MID’s.  They are too small and underpowered to work well as a real laptop, and too large to function well as a media player.  The truth is, pretty much every MID I have used has suffered from a serious lack of synergy between the software/functionality and the hardware.  so, I was awfully excited when I stumbled upon this concept MID from Yanko Designs.  Now, obviously, there is a good chance this will never see the light of day, but I have to think that a lot of MID manufacturers are slapping their collective heads right now and wondering why they did not think of a sliding keyboard design.

Even better are the specs (which again, exist only on paper) but would hypothetically include:

• 180 x 80 x 20mm
• wide-aspect OLED touchscreen
• trackball embedded in the keyboard
• stereo speakers for entertainment
• Intel Atom processor
• two USB ports
• audio in/out
• SD card reader
• docking port
• Bluetooth and wifi connectivity

I used to think a MID like this could only exist in my dreams…but now I know, it can exist on paper as well.  We’ll keep you posted if this ever becomes an actual device, though I might not recommend holding your breath.

[via Slashgear (where you can find a whole gallery filled with pictures.)]

The latest installment in the Star Trek series will hit the theaters on May 7.  I am not a Trekkie, but I’m actually looking forward to seeing this movie.  There may be some inside jokes I miss, but it will be interesting to see how it all began.  Plus, I will make sure to take a Trekkie with me to explain things later.  To go along with all the Star Trek excitement, Nokia has released a special edition version of its 5800.  The phone comes packed with some special Star Trek exclusives that no fan will want to be without.  First, it has 8 ringtones including:  Phazer Shot, Red Alert, and Kelvin Communicator.  There are also 4 animated screensavers and 3 exclusive wallpapers.  The most intriguing feature is the Phazer app.  Hmmm…that might be dangerous for people with road rage.  I would much rather have a Beaming app to send me to work in about a second.  I could sleep-in, and save that 40 min commute.  The Nokia 5800 will be available in blue, red, and black/silver from Phones 4 U in the UK and on Vodafone, Orange, O2, and T-Mobile in North America.

Via Engadget

“And there’s another country I heard of long ago
Most dear to them that love her
Most great to the them that know”

A line I love from the lyrics to a staunchly British song called “I Vow To Thee My Country” but appropriate for this StationBreak.

When I was young and growing up, I’d watch TV and see the glamour of America. She seemed so big and huge and wonderful, where anything could happen if you believed it could happen. It was like some kind of fairytale place, and over the course of my childhood and my teenage years and subsequently into young adulthood I heard America’s siren song.

And due to chance, circumstances and a lucky break, on April 30, 1999 husbandthefirst and I landed on American soil to start a new, wonderful life together in this land that called to us both.

Of course, it didn’t quite end up being a fairy tale and I’ve had to work my fingers to the bone to get where I am in life now, but to celebrate a decade of being here, I give you the song that brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

The Star Spangled Banner

Because I for one am proud to call America “home”. I’ll always have my English roots and traditions, but here is where I belong and I sometimes don’t realize how lucky I am.

Alright, well we got our winner (Congrats Kevin!) but that doesn’t mean your shot at getting a new Matrix Pro of your own for the low, low cost of free is gone. Below is a list of the sites still running or have yet start promotions!

MediaBlab (27-Apr 01-May)
Smartphonethoughts (28-Apr 02-May)
Mobilityminded (29-Apr 03-May)
The Gadgeteer (30-Apr 04-May)
Geekzone (01-May 05-May)
Techie Diva (02-May 06-May)
Bostonpocketpc (03-May 07-May)
GearDiary (04-May 08-May)
MobilitySite (05-May 09-May)
AbsoluteWindows (06-May 10-May)
Mobilejaw (07-May 11-May)
Experiencemobility (08-May 12-May)
HackCollege (09-May 13-May)
Gear Live (10-May 14-May)

Doug posted the other day, well yesterday, “Is the Palm Pre 2 coming sooner than we think?”, woe and behold, this rumour seems to be getting fleshed out. seems like the second Web OS phone is going to have a form factor like the Treo, albeit with anorexia. A super slim Treo form Palm smartphone with an unconfirmed model name has appeared in the last couple of days, and it’s gone from blurry pics to quality pics to specs.

From Engadget Update: Oh boy — looks like we just got the full spec list. And yes, it’s definitely coming to AT&T (if it’s really coming).

• 4GB storage
• Price: $349 (pre-rebate)
• Camera: 2 megapixel fixed focus digital camera and flash / video capture
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 w/ A2DP and EDR, USB 2.0 via micro USB
• Removable 1150 mAh battery (4 hours 3G talk time)
• Messaging: SMS, MMS (picture and video only), integrated IM client
• Contact sync with AT&T Address Book
• MediaNet
• Cellular Video
• Email: POP3, IMAP4, and EAS support
• A-GPS
• Audio: WAV, MP3, AAC, AAC+ ringtones
• Video Playback: MPEG4, H.264, H.263

Quite surprising really, and it’s going to  AT&T, which is really interesting considering all of the Verizon, getting the iPhone and maybe some other Pink device as well. An opportune rumour, it might be said!

In my opinion it only makes sense that Palm put out a device in it’s most successful form factor, some would say “familiarity breeds contempt” but I reckon it breeds comfort. If this device actually comes to pass, it’s very exciting and may herald a step back towards the big league for Palm devices.

Palm Eos: super-thin, 3G, and headed to AT&T?