If you are not an iPhone fan, and you believe in Android, the Dell Streak is now coming on shelves. The first lucky ones were UK citizens, and Engadget has posted a review of Streak production unit.

Image courtesy of Engadget 

This device has got respectable specs:

Hardware:

• A sharp 5-inch capacitive multi-touch WVGA (800×480) display for a great full-screen experience watching video or browsing the web
• Fast 1GHz Snapdragon ARM-based mobile processor from Qualcomm
• 5 MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash that offers easy point & shoot capability and quick uploads to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and more
• VGA front-facing camera enables video chat functionality down the road
• A user-removable (and replaceable) battery
• A 3.5mm headphone jack means many of you can use the Dell Streak as the music source (and more) in your car
• Integrated 3G + Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + Bluetooth 2.1 (think headsets, external keyboards, stereo headsets, etc.)
• UMTS / GPRS / EDGE class 12 GSM radio with link speeds of HSDPA 7.2 Mbps / HSUPA
• A user-accessible Micro SD slot expandable up to 32GB. That means you can store  lots of movies, music, photos or other kinds of files.

Software:

• A customized multi-touch version of the Google Android operating system that features Dell user interface enhancements
• Access to over 38,000  apps (and growing) via the Android Marketplace
• Microsoft Exchange connectivity and integration through TouchDown
• Google Voice support
• Integrated Google Maps with voice-activated search, turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views
• Quick access to activity streams via integrated social network app widgets like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

If you are looking for a huge 5 inches screen and Android OS, I suggest you to visit the full review at Engadget.

Otherwise you can simply give a look to their conclusions:

So, let’s go back to the question that the whole world’s been asking: what is the Dell Streak? In our humble opinion, it’s most certainly a smartphone. A large and sexy smartphone that still fits in a pocket. Sure, a five-inch phone may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but with devices starting to join the 4.3-inch party, consumers will undoubtedly be considering devices with more screen real estate — the Google Maps screen comparison above probably says it all. We applaud Dell for taking one step ahead and going for the pocketable size limit, and the company’s definitely earned its worldwide attention. The work isn’t finished yet, obviously — on top of the bugs list we’ve compiled, many potential buyers are holding back due to the aging Android 1.6 OS. Don’t get us wrong, though, as the Streak’s running like a well-oiled motor as it is, but we’re hoping to get 2.2′s sweet tethering action and a bit of Flash on that stunning screen as well. Rumor has it that O2′s already road-testing a 2.x upgrade for next month, so let’s keep our fingers crossed there’ll be some Froyo in that cupboard.

After having bought a Motorola Droid/Milestone, I am tempted by Android devices. However, the old Android 1.6 onboard the Streak and the absence of a physical keyboard will keep me away from this beast, more than other bugs.

Does this apply also to you?

Via: Engadget

I am a huge fan of all in one devices, and my dream is a full fledged PC as small and portable as my Touch Pro2.

Image courtesy of JKKMobile

This is why I have always looked with interest at the news about the xpPhone.

For those of you that don’t know this one, it is said to run an improved version of Windows XP Embedded, with 512 Mb RAM and 8 to 32 GB SSD storage. This UMPC also features phone capabilities, and even if it recalls a brick, you will be able to make phone calls with it, thanks to a custom software.

Now, the unit seems to be near production, and JKK at JKKMobile has uploaded a quick hands-on with the device he found at Comoptex 2010.

It will be interesting to read his review of the unit, which should come in the next days, and to see if the newly released Windows Embedded Compact 7 will reshape our mobile experience more than its predecessors.

Via: JKKMobile

I’ve got tons of retail management experience.  I was managing computer retail stores between the ages of 16 – 18. I’ve been a gadget geek all my life.

One of the things that I usually advise people against when purchasing electronics, though is purchasing an extended warranty.  Unless you are going to be taking said electronics into a somewhat less than hospitable environment (like my family room, with my boys and most of their toys), the only thing that purchasing an extended warranty plan does is increase margin dollars for the store.  Most products, if they fail, usually fail during the warranty period, and the manufacturer’s warranty is usually sufficient to cover the loss or needed repairs.

Is AppleCare worth the price..?

Today’s the day!  "Our latest creation" is set to be unveiled later this morning/early this afternoon (depending on where you are).  I’ve got a cool little article on iTechGear.org on what to purchase immediately following the Apple Press Event today; and no, I’m not talking about the rumored tablet…at least not exactly.  If the graphic didn’t give it away (too obvious??), then just hang out for a sec and think about it.  AppleCare is NOT just about the extended warranty, kids. Its a lot more. A LOT more…

Why don’t you take a quick jaunt there, check it out and then COME BACK to JAMM, as a couple of us are going to be commenting on what happens and will have some cool commentary on the event this afternoon!

Stay tuned, kids, just we’re gonna JAMM this event!

Archos announced yesterday the upcoming arrival of their latest MID device, the Archos 9.  Sporting an 8.9 inch screen, the new arrival significantly expands upon the Archos line of media players.  In fact, it would be inaccurate to call this device, which runs the Windows 7 Operating System, a portable media player at all.  Archos really seems to have taken its devices to a whole new level with this one.  

Now, I am not sure how this will all work with no keyboard.  Archos seems to believe that this is another evolutionary step in its system, stating the virtual keyboard is the next best innovation in Netbooks.  Now,  I am not a fan of soft input panels or virtual keyboards on my mobile devices, so this is something I am eager to put to the test when I hopefully get the opportunity to check this on out in the fall.  Keep reading for some information I stole from the press release.

Technical Specifications:

Included Software:

The Archos 9 is expected to drop in September.  Final pricing has not been set, but expect it to be in the $500 price range.  Check out the Archos website for more information.  And keep watching this space for our review.

Well the iPhone Nano has been the toast of the MacWorld rumours, getting early and lot’s of coverage, thanks to not one, but two case makers, letting the rabid fanboys, get what they think is an early look at the iPhone Nano all be it fleeting.

From the Washington Post
The analysts still say it’s inevitable, the critics still say it’s unlikely, and the fanboys are still panting over mock ups and screaming, “yes!” However, this time there might be a little more to it. Vaja–a company that specializes in protective cases for mobile devices–briefly added an iPhone Nano category to its Web site, where you could pre-order a case for this non-existent Apple toy

Needless to say I’ve been skeptical about the Nano iPhone, for a long time, but the feeling around this  rumour seems to be moving from “glass half empty” to “glass half full” on this one. In a rather strange twist today, we’ve gone from minimise to supersize in one foul swoop.

How would you like a netbook sized iPod touch, what about a 7 to 9 inch screen? Well a little tweet from TechCrunch I saw this morning is pointing in that direction!

Read More …