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Toshiba Dynario fuel-cell: the battery revolution begins October 29th

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 22nd 2009 @ 1:55AM

We can hardly believe it but the day has finally arrived: Toshiba just launched the first Dynario fuel-cell for portable consumer electronics. That's right, the long promised and highly anticipated direct methane fuel-cell (DMFC) with dedicated fuel cartridge for on-the-go refueling will go on sale October 29th in Japan for ¥29,800 (about $328) plus another ¥3,150 (about $34) for a set of five, 50ml fuel cartridges. Dynario takes about 20 seconds to fill its 14ml fuel tank with an injection of a concentrated methanol solution at which point it's ready to charge USB-connected devices. Dynario's hybrid structure uses a lithium-ion battery to store enough electricity to charge two typical cellphones, according to Tosh. The first run consists of only 3,000 units after which Toshiba will gauge consumer reaction before extending the launch outside of Japan. Boy oh boy, a new age in portability has begun.

Gallery: Toshiba Dynario fuel-cell: the battery revolution begins October 29th

Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba and Sony align on Mobile High-Definition Link

by Darren Murph posted Sep 29th 2009 @ 10:19AM

Say it with us now: "Yippee!" Why such joviality? We'll tell you why. Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony and Silicon Image have all teamed up to create yet another new connector, with this one hoping to forever harmonize the strained relationship between mobile phones / PMPs and high-def displays. The so-called Mobile High-Definition Interface Working Group is seeking to create a new "industry standard" for connecting handsets and other portable consumer electronics to HDTVs and displays, though we're still wondering why exactly we need a replacement for HDMI, DisplayLink and the forthcoming Light Peak so soon. As with most of these things, details about the actual product(s) are slim, but trust us, they're working on it. And they're working hard.

Oh, by the way: September 7, 2009

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 8th 2009 @ 12:24AM

Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, September 7, 2009:

Samsung's got a version of the Jet for its domestic Korean market, the clumsily-named "Haptic AMOLED." Unlike its international cousin, the Haptic AMOLED packs a T-DMB tuner (as just about all Korean phones do) and it's available in spicy pink and white shades for the usual carriers SKT, KTF, and LGT.
Did you know that AT&T used to have a stake in the Indian wireless market? Yeah, us neither, but they did prior to the Cingular merger -- and rumor has it they're looking to get back in by buying a chunk of state-owned operator BSNL, ostensibly because the market -- which is still in a heavy growth phase -- is seen as a powder keg waiting to explode.
This one's been going around for a few days, and with the carrier's full-court press on Android, it makes total sense: the Bluetooth SIG is reporting that the Samsung T939 Behold2 for T-Mobile will feature "Google Mobile services," which would fit in with an earlier user agent profile leak. [Via Cell Phone Signal]
There's a new Samsung i8910 HD firmware that's starting to hit some regions, and it's a good one -- it features an all-new 3D task switcher and a built-in weather forecast widget for TouchWiz. [Via PhoneArena]
Surprise, surprise: Toshiba is relaunching the mighty TG01 with Windows Mobile 6.5 next month, a move that was fully expected all along. If anything, there'd be riots had this not happened.
Sony Ericsson's Panel SDK for the X2 is now available, featuring new "Panelizer" tools to convert existing apps into panels in a few easy steps -- and starting in the next few days, devs will be able to submit their work for inclusion in the PlayNow arena.
Vodafone has launched a range of eight new self-branded devices that'll be available in time for the holidays this year, and as usual, they're positioned squarely at the lower end of the market. Some of them like the E71 ripoff 1240 (pictured) are straight-up KIRFs, while others like the "Crystal" member of the 533 Catwalk Collection are trying to ooze fashion and style without killing the wad of cash stuffed in your pocket. Whether they've succeeded in doing that... well, that's another question altogether. [Via Unwired View]

Windows Mobile 6.5 cellphones coming October 6th

by Darren Murph posted Sep 1st 2009 @ 9:42AM

Unfortunately for those on the hunt for nitty-gritty details, the headline here just about says it all. In a shockingly vague release from Microsoft, the Redmond-based giant has announced that the first batch of Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets will launch on October 6th, or around three weeks after its Zune HD. If we're reading this correctly, it looks as if this round of cellies will be the first to be called "Windows phones," and aside from promising "new customer experiences" and superior browsing capabilities, they'll also feature Windows Marketplace for Mobile (an app store), Microsoft My Phone (a backup service) and Office Mobile. As for what phones we'll see, all we're told is that HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony Ericsson and a few other big time players are onboard, with just about every carrier in the world (save for T-Mobile USA) also voicing their support.

[Via MobileTechWorld]

Update: AT&T has informed us that starting on September 14th, customers with Wi-Fi-enabled Windows Mobile smartphones and unlimited / other qualifying data plans will receive unlimited access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide.

Toshiba TG02 earns WiFi certification, still unclear what it is

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 31st 2009 @ 9:15AM

The Toshiba TG02's strange path to reality continues to unfold with a fresh Wi-Fi Alliance certification to shove under its belt alongside that FCC approval it earned a few months back. Of course, it wasn't called the TG02 back then -- it was known only by the more cryptic TM5-E01, a phone alleged to be a Windows Mobile clamshell despite the TG01-ish external photos provided with the filing -- but at any rate, it seems that we're talking about the same thing here. There's not a lot of additional detail to go on here, but it's encouraging to see that Toshiba's still hard at work besting its already-awesome first Snapdragon model -- and if it really is a clamshell, that'll be sure to bring out a whole trove of HTC Star Trek fans who've been in hiding for a year or two. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Unwired View and tweakers.net]

Toshiba TG01 gets third-party motion sensor for large picture viewing, not virtual golf

by Ross Miller posted Jul 22nd 2009 @ 7:44PM

Looking for a way to further push the Snapdragon processor while constrained with a 4.1-inch screen, the Japanese-based Usuda Research Institute and Systems Corp has tacked on a MEMS motion sensor to Toshiba's T-01A, also known as the TG01, for motion-based navigation around what it's touting is a 2,000-inch picture. According to Nikkei, this "MotionPlus" like adapter has been shown to work alongside the camera, potentially paving the way for some AR application like we've seen with Tegra. It's hard to tell from the videos just how accurate it is, but we'd love to see this go official -- after a few cosmetic improvements, of course. Check out footage of the dongle in action after the break.

[Via WMPoweruser]

Continue reading Toshiba TG01 gets third-party motion sensor for large picture viewing, not virtual golf

Toshiba TG01 passes FCC with some CDMA thrown in

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 21st 2009 @ 12:39PM

The Snapdragon-powered Toshiba TG01 is a beast of a phone -- as Windows Mobile-powered phones go, anyway -- but for Americans, there's one small problem: it's not clear how, when, or if it's getting here. We still don't have many answers there, but we've got one piece of very encouraging news in the FCC approval of a CDMA flavor today, bearing all the hardware you'll need to use the phone on a carrier like... oh, you know, Sprint or Verizon. Even better, the test documents list the device as "production" -- many FCC filings use prototype hardware -- suggesting that this is pretty close to being ready for market. So, as we said, Sprint or Verizon have to be ramping up for this -- but which one is it? Both?

Toshiba's potent TG01 back on sale through O2 Germany

by Darren Murph posted Jul 18th 2009 @ 11:48PM

Well, that was snappy. Just days after O2 Germany abruptly halted the sales of Toshiba's 1GHz TG01 smartphone due to an unexplained virus outbreak among new units, it seems as if things are back in gear. Online, anyway. As of this moment, web shoppers can order the Snapdragon / WinMo-powered from the carrier once more, though there's no word on if retail shops are still keeping their stock in quarantine. Either way, we'd don a mask before waltzing in to inquire.

[Thanks, Fab]

Video: Toshiba TG01 gets UK launch, we handle it again

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 10th 2009 @ 8:00AM

It may have already been teased, poked and prodded, but the TG01 from Toshiba still insisted on making a big splash on its arrival to the UK and we were only too happy to oblige and join in on its launch event in London. As you should know by now, this is Toshiba's most significant attempt to date at penetrating the consumer smartphone market, and it's coming equipped with a battering ram named Snapdragon. Keep reading for the juicy details on the UI, construction and general feel, as well as a neat stash of images and videos of the phone in action.

Continue reading Video: Toshiba TG01 gets UK launch, we handle it again

Video: Toshiba TG01 officially exclusive to Orange UK

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 9th 2009 @ 6:37AM

Orange has come out this morning, in advance of the official UK unveiling of the phone, to confirm it will be the exclusive UK carrier of the TG01. We can confirm availability from July 10 (i.e. tomorrow), and the phone can be had for free on a 2-year contract costing £39.15 per month. To figure out if that sort of investment is worth it, we'll have an intrepid reporter stationed at this afternoon's event, who'll be bringing you up-to-the-minute details and imagery of the first Snapdragon handset to hit British shores. You'll find the full PR at the read link, or continue reading for an unshaven Orange rep walking you through the phone's specs.

[Via CoolSmartPhone]

Continue reading Video: Toshiba TG01 officially exclusive to Orange UK

Toshiba's TG01 outed on Orange UK

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 2nd 2009 @ 6:41AM

Well, well, there it is. The world's first and only Snapdragon phone available for retail, Toshiba's TG01, is up and dancing on Orange's UK site with a "coming soon" badge. Soon meaning the July 9th London press event, presumably, where this 9.9-mm slate running WinMo on a 4.1-inch 800x480 pixel display should get a shove out the retail door. Yes, Windows Mobile 6.1, why do you ask?

[Via CoolSmartPhone]

Toshiba's TG01 stepping out in London on July 9th

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 1st 2009 @ 7:28AM

It's already out in Japan and a few select countries in Europe, now Toshiba's skinny TG01 is hitting London on Thursday, July 9th. Presumably the invite will be met with an official UK launch of Tosh's deftly skinned Snapdragon handset with a Windows Mobile 6.1 core. Then again, it could be a lot of tech reporters eating mini triangular sandwiches slathered with pickle spread discussing the HTC Hero for four hours. We'll let you know next week.

Toshiba TG01 now available on Movistar in Spain

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 23rd 2009 @ 9:24AM

If you're in... say, Spain, we can understand how you might perceive Japan as being a bit far to go just to put your hands on Toshiba's T-01A Snapdragon powerhouse. Then again, it is the first Snapdragon handset to hit the market -- and it's an absolutely stunning-looking phone -- so we certainly wouldn't blame you for packing your belongings, children, and pets into wooden crates, shipping them via freighter, and hopping the next flight to Tokyo. The good news, though, is that you won't have to: Movistar has now launched the phone locally in its global TG01 flavor, offering 7.2Mbps down, 2Mbps up, a flippin' 4.1-inch wide VGA display, and very likely the snappiest Windows Mobile experience you've ever had. The best part is that you can get it for free depending on your contract and plan pricing, so seriously, what's holding you (other than the fact that you might not be in Spain)?

Toshiba's TG01 running Snapdragon launched as T-01A in Japan

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 22nd 2009 @ 4:11AM

One of the hottest pieces of gear this year just made its way to retail in Japan. Less than a centimeter thick, the NTT DoCoMo T-01A is the same TG01 device revealed by Toshiba back in February running Qualcomm's ultra-fast 1GHz Snapdragon chipset. As such, our far east brethren can lay claim to that 4.1-inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) resistive touchscreen display; HSDPA, GPS, and WiFi radios; and Toshiba's custom-built UI meant to mask its Windows Mobile 6.1 core with a bit of Rothko misdirection. And now that Toshiba's home country of Japan is all set, we hope to see the TG01 make its launch debute in Europe and beyond.

Gallery: Toshiba's TG01 Snapdragon phone launched as NTT DoCoMo T-01A in Japan

Toshiba Biblio e-reader handled, deemed extremely small

by Laura June posted May 25th 2009 @ 11:58PM

We heard that Japanese carrier KDDI au had unveiled a Toshiba "e-reader," and now we're getting a first look at it. The e-inkless Biblio has a 3.5-inch, 960 x 480 LCD, with WiFi, 7GB of onboard storage, an electronic dictionary, and a 5.1 megapixel camera. The device features a slide-out keyboard which displays a numeric pad in the portrait orientation and doubles as full QWERTY in landscape. There's no word on pricing or availability for this bad boy as of yet, but we'll keep our eyes peeled and our ears to the ground. One more shot after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba Biblio e-reader handled, deemed extremely small