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BlackBerry Storm 2's voodoo-powered screen torn apart, raises more questions

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 25th 2009 @ 8:59AM

If the Storm 2 seriously uses newfangled piezoelectrics to provide localized tactile response on its display -- something the original Storm lacked with just a single clicky button mounted underneath the screen's center point -- then how come we're coming to find out we've got four buttons mounted near the corners this time around? At this point, this picture posted of the Storm 2's sensitive innards probably raises more questions than it answers -- we're clearly looking at four buttons here, which as CrackBerry says would facilitate the "multi-press" necessary to engage key modifiers like Alt just as you would on a regular keyboard. The problem is that this doesn't even being to explain how or why the screen hardens up like a rock when the phone is off, because the four buttons plus traditional capacitive touch sensitivity would realistically get the job done without alien technology. We're looking forward to a thorough briefing from RIM once the phone gains some official recognition, but until then, let the theories fly.

[Thanks, Doughy]

Nokia patent app suggests N97's form factor isn't complicated enough

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 13th 2008 @ 8:16PM

Combining huge screens with usable keyboards in a pocketable package is the challenge phone manufacturers are eternally doomed to try to solve, leading to an endless stream of (mostly comical) patent applications for ridiculous form factors that will never see the light of day. That's where we think -- well, we hope -- Nokia's latest app comes into play, combining a portrait-oriented QWERTY keyboard with a wide display that somehow swivels behind the body of the phone when you only need a little bit of screen real estate. Looks cool on paper, but realistically, we think this thing would be the most unwieldy Frankenstein of a handset since the MPx were it ever to be produced. Tilt-slide on the N97 looks fine, guys. Seriously.

[Via Cellpassion]

BlackBerry KickStart / Pearl 8220's screens: pretty, T-Mobile-y

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 25th 2008 @ 1:39PM

Along with the all-new form factor will come an all-new -- well, kinda new -- software build for RIM when it releases the BlackBerry Pearl (or KickStart, or whatever the hell they decide to call it) 8200 series later this year. The most fliptastic of the Pearls will join the Bold in sporting BlackBerry OS 4.6, and shots are surfacing of what exactly that'll look like once it gets grafted onto T-Mobile's WiFi-equipped 8220 model. As one might expect, it looks like it's taking a lot of UI cues already seen and enjoyed on the Bold with the usual T-Mobile twists added in like myFaves support; in particular, we're loving the insanely slick stopwatch display. Too bad we'll use it... oh, never. Cell Phone Signal likes October for the 8220's release, which runs the risk of burying it beneath the Dream -- maybe that rumored $50 out-the-door price can move a few, though. That, or overflow once the Dream stock dries up.

Rural carriers fight for return of spectrum cap

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 24th 2008 @ 3:36AM

What started as a hard 45MHz limit enacted back in 1994 to ensure that there was enough spectrum to go around in every market was first raised, then eliminated, then later changed to a somewhat more toothless guideline used for analyzing proposed mergers, and rural carriers are pretty fired up about it. Following an absolutely dominating performance by the big boys in this year's 700MHz auction, the nation's back-country providers are more concerned than ever that license distribution in some markets is making it virtually impossible to compete. The solution? Bring the ol' cap back into play, but plug it at 110MHz instead of the 45 they started with nearly a decade and a half ago, a reflection of the RF-saturated, heavily licensed world we now inhabit. They've managed to pique the interest of some congresspeople, too, so there's a fighting chance this could go through; if it does, the Verizon-Alltel merger could turn into a fire sale of freed spectrum, which we imagine these little guys would be just delighted to scoop up in bulk.

[Via Phone Scoop]

ASUS P750 secretly packing VGA resolution?

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 12th 2008 @ 4:44PM

Here's one you may not have heard before: a manufacturer decides to stick a VGA touchscreen in some handset model not because it wants VGA resolution, but just because it got a killer deal on them. That's the rumor being floated on a handful of sites and forums about ASUS' monster P750 Windows Mobile 6 Professional device, with some sharp-eyed contributors noticing that each logical pixel on their devices' screens are actually comprised of -- count 'em -- four physical pixels. Indeed, a quick glance of the spec sheet for the alleged part number used reveals a "VGA/QVGA dual viewing mode," so the story seems to check out, and folks are apparently already hard at work enabling full 640 x 480 resolution on their beloved devices. Good luck, everyone!

iPhone owners experiencing display issues, too?

by Darren Murph posted Sep 21st 2007 @ 12:46PM

We aren't saying that this is a widespread issue just yet, but a (rightfully) annoyed tipster has informed and shown us that his "refurbished" 8GB iPhone seems to have the same "negative black issue" that some iPod touch owners are currently grumbling about. Granted, he admits that the photo makes things look a little worse than they do in person, but the problem is still apparent. So, dear readers, are any of you experiencing iPod touch-like display issues on your iPhone?

[Thanks, Jason G.]

Brix concept phone wows, expands into large screen display

by Sean Cooper posted Aug 29th 2007 @ 8:49PM

Designer Seokwon Hong's Brix mobile phone concept looks to be the stuff of dreams, but we'd welcome it today with arms wide open. This innovative idea sees a mobile with a screen covering all of the front real estate feature the ability to connect with other Brix, the two then become one as the screens merge content. The idea behind it while simple, offers up endless fun scenarios for use: from gaming nights with friends -- you'll need a lot of Brix-toting friends, of course, and it'll have to support some type of input -- to family events for pic sharing, and the like. When devices are connected a temporary shared content folder is created until your break them apart, alternatively one device can be set as the control or hub device. We've seen countless concept devices, but this is one of the first to really stand out with excellent real-world possibilities. Job very well done! We're lining up for review samples -- we think a minimum of ten should be good -- today.

[Via Sci FI Tech]

BenQ-Siemens SL98 reverse slider

by Sean Cooper posted Jul 24th 2007 @ 9:42AM

Just when we thought that the slider form factor had reached its zenith, BenQ-Siemens has apparently knocked that all to bits with this, the SL98. Rather than always having the screen exposed to the elements -- and über abrasive pocket lint -- this novel approach has a small display to get a quick peek at incoming call info, with the main screen squirreled away inside. With the touch of a button -- or flick of the wrist, we really don't know -- the main screen is unleashed for your viewing pleasure. As proof that these guys are on to something, both Asus and LG have submit patent applications with similar ideas. Pretty slick stuff, we're looking forward to getting more details as soon as we can.

[Thanks, Staska]

Nokia N95 one-ups Apple's iPhone via unrefined display 'hack'

by Darren Murph posted Jul 4th 2007 @ 3:13AM

There's no denying that we were fairly taken aback by the beauty of the iPhone's screen, but leave it to a clever (and likely bitter) N95 owner to trump Apple's best shot with his very Nokia. While not nearly as ingenious as converting the device into a mapmaker, this crude demonstration explains how to increase the screen real estate linked to the N95 if you're willing to sacrifice your left (or right) arm. Granted, the "hack" did begin with a broken N95, so strapping a portable TV onto one's forearm and utilizing the device's video output was about the only real solution within arm's reach (ahem). Like it or not, it's laced in utility, and you can catch a video of the action after the jump.

[Thanks, Eirikso]

Continue reading Nokia N95 one-ups Apple's iPhone via unrefined display 'hack'

Apple's Finger Tips walkthrough shows off more iPhone attributes

by Darren Murph posted Jun 29th 2007 @ 1:55PM

What's a smelly line sitter to do but leech off a nearby WiFi signal and catch last minute content of the mobile they're about the snag? In case you've been following along, Apple has released yet another video walkthrough that carefully explains ten more niceties of the iPhone. 'Course, we can't imagine anyone (well, there's always an outlier) having trouble resetting their device, setting up a passcode, or deleting a text message, but the kind folks at Apple are showing you anyway. Additionally, you'll catch instructions on how to silence the ringer, create a favorites list, assign a ringtone, browse in Cover Flow, edit text, and set up mail preferences. Go on, check out the vid in the read link, we promise we won't tell anyone you're still miffed by the lack of a number pad.

AU Optronics squeezes more real estate onto mobile screens

by Darren Murph posted Jun 10th 2007 @ 5:07AM

AU Optronics seems to know a thing or two about LCDs, and the engineering minds behind the scenes have apparently developed a few mobile screens that replace those wide borders with more pixels. The firm will be showing off its new 2.2-inch transflective panel with the "world's slimmest border of 0.9-millimeters" and its 2.7-inch panel which touts the "world's highest contrast ratio" (for its size, we presume) of 2,100:1, which just barely edges Sharp's iteration. The near-borderless display is reportedly "a half size smaller" than existing renditions, and the 2.7-incher claims to be uber-bright and offer up an unusually wide viewing angle as well. Unfortunately, it sounds like this technology won't be making its way up the LCD food chain, as one researcher noted that what you see here will be "mobile device-exclusive."

[Via FarEastGizmos]

Hitachi does 800 x 480 display for phones

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 27th 2006 @ 3:53PM

Heck, plain ol' QVGA displays on phones are still a fairly scarce commodity in some parts of the world, but Hitachi knows you want... nay, need more. VGA, perhaps? Nope, keep going; think wider. Hitachi has officially started pumping out copies of its 2.9-inch, 800 x 480 cellphone display, promising web browsing experiences that could finally catch up with the 3G data speeds modern handsets are offering. The company points out that such crazy-fresh resolution typically leads to crazy-fresh battery drainage thanks to increased backlight brightness requirements, but engineers have apparently put in some late nights miniaturizing the circuitry and designing a new pixel structure to minimize power draw. Better yet, the panel promises a 170 degree viewing angle and a 400:1 contrast ratio. Only thing left, it seems, is for some scrappy manufacturer and/or carrier to step forward and announce a killer device wrapped around this sucker. Why do we get the strange feeling we should keep our eyes on NTT DoCoMo for that?

Sony cooking up widescreen mobile display

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 5th 2006 @ 1:09PM

Some modern phones seem to have enough trouble with battery life as it is without throwing a glorious 16:9 display into the mix. Be that as it may, Sony's hard at work on exactly that, and we admittedly can't help but revel in the thought of dropping one of these suckers into a Sony Ericsson handset somewhere down the line. The screen is apparently only a part of their "RealityMAX" graphics subsystem that'll presumably handle all your MPEG and 3D acceleration needs, and at just under 3 inches long with a 432 x 240 resolution and 262K color depth, we've no doubt that watching a movie (or at least some manner of broadcast television) would be a very rewarding experience indeed.

Samsung shows off 1.98-inch VGA display

by Paul Miller posted Jun 7th 2006 @ 3:56PM

Seems like every time we turn around somebody is doing an LCD smaller or bigger or thinner or bendier. In this case we have Samsung doing an LCD just plain awesomer, managing to squeeze a 640 x 480 resolution into a mere 1.98-inch panel. Samsung is saying the display is the first of its kind, and is targeting it for use in cellphones. Beyond the resolution, the display is rated at a plentifully bright 250 nits, decent 300:1 contrast ratio, and lovable 16 million colors. No word on when we'll see this in phones, but we'll sure be there with a drool bucket when one drops

Palm patents color-to-monochrome screen switch on low power

by Evan Blass posted Apr 4th 2006 @ 11:38AM

Could your next Treo sport a black-and-white screen? Well, of course not all the time, but MobileRead has dug up a patent filed by the PDA and smartphone manufacturer that would throttle a device's screen down from Palm IIIc-style backlit color to Palm V-style monochrome when battery power drops below a certain threshold. While the idea doesn't seem all that innovative, Palm's "unique" take on this switcheroo would have the device prompt users to drop the color, and then automagically reinstate it when some of that sweet, sweet juice was added. It's great to see that Palm is trying to squeeze every last drop out of their products -- the screen switch could alleviate power consumption by as much as 75% -- but we'd prefer them to focus that zeal on other areas, like, say, allowing our Treos to actually make a phone call when the battery is still 25% full.