Consumers waiting for a Facebook phone will see one as early as tomorrow, July 17. But it won’t come from Facebook, itself. Instead, the Cha Cha smartphone with a dedicated Facebook button HTC showed off in February finally arrives on AT&T’s network as the aptly named HTC Status. The Google Android handset has meager hardware specifications when compared to higher-end handsets, but makes it easy to share photos, videos, songs, websites and more on Facebook with the touch of a button.

The HTC Status pairs a small, 2.6-inch, 480×320 resolution touchscreen with a hardware keyboard for fast typing. The 600 MHz processor and 512 MB of memory won’t set any speed records, however, the Status does include two video cameras,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G connectivity, and GPS, so it’s not lacking any major features.

At this price, it’s sure to appeal to the crowd that uses a feature phone to access Facebook, email and the web. My only concern would be if Facebook makes major changes to its service, what happens to this Facebook phone? HTC and AT&T could have to create a software update in that case, and very little in the wireless industry happens fast.

Actually, a new wireless product is pretty quick: the camera on the myTouch 4G Slide. This Android 2.3.4 handset is expected out by the end of the month for 9.99 and T-Mobile sent me one for review. Yes, the 1.2 dual-core processor keeps this phone moving along quickly, but I may be more impressed by the 8 megapixel camera.

A new BurstMode feature captures five photos in immediate succession; perfect for sporting events or any other action-packed scenario. The camera also has a “zero shutter lag” function that speeds up the photo-taking process. A wide aperture (f/2.2) helps for low light conditions and the smartphone supports wide, panoramic picture-taking through an option called SweepShot.

On the tablet front, no new Android slates appeared this week, but an old favorite resurfaced: the Nook Color eReader. No, that’s not a typo: at 9, the Nook Color is becoming a favorite of many who want an inexpensive Android tablet that’s still a capable little device.

It’s relatively easy enough for anyone who’s tech-savvy to root the color eReader and install custom Android software on the Nook Color. But some enterprising folks have made the process as simple as inserting a microSD memory card into the Nook Color and powering it on. The card can be purchased for as low as and comes pre-installed with software both for use as an Android tablet or as a standard Nook Color ebook reader.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Mobile Q2: Smartphone growth surges; iPad’s rule continues
• Mobile Q2: Smartphone growth surges; iPad’s rule continues
• Mobile Q2: Smartphone growth surges; iPad’s rule continues

alt=''
border='0'
/>

GigaOM — Tech News, Analysis and Trends

A few weeks ago when I fell in love with Turntable.fm, I wrote about the emergence of a web that was alive. Driven by constant connectivity, this “Alive Web” is a web that is experienced when and if we want. It was about immersion and interactions. It was about having social connections based on an all familiar offline behavior of engagement with other humans.

On this new Alive Web, what we miss doesn’t matter. What matters is the connection and the interactions. We get online to socialize instead of posting status updates, just as we would when we would go to our favorite club or a neighborhood bar.

Last week when I first saw Google+, it became obvious that Google Hangouts was the next big killer app of the Alive Web. Jenna Wortham gets it right when she deems Hangouts as a killer feature of Google+. Having said so myself, I am not going to disagree.

Why? Because Hangouts is about having a conversation, albeit over video. It isn’t a chat (in the traditional Internet sense) and it isn’t a conference call. Hangout with folks you want to connect, even for a few seconds, enjoy an immersive interaction and then move on. It is just for hanging out — just like some of the early killer apps of the Internet such as BBS, IRC and AOL Chat Rooms. And for that precise reason, Hangouts is very different from the video chatting offered by Skype and Facebook.

Having spent nearly a day with the Facebook/Skype video chat, I have to say, that it is shockingly predictable and conventional, two words I rarely use in the context of Mark Zuckerberg’s baby. I have a theory why Facebook wasn’t daring enough with its video offering and chose the safe route — it is worried that it would distract from Facebook’s core behavior of sharing. I mean if you are all hanging out with your friends, why share photos, links or video clips or random status updates?

As I said earlier — if Google wants to beat Facebook, it would have to do social differently. It would have to circumvent Facebook’s two main behaviors — sharing and use of activity streams. In so doing, it would have to figure out a way to encourage interaction, immersion and engagement, both on web and on the mobile. Hangouts is a good start. And for the Alive Web, it’s a big boost.

Recommended reading: How Google+ Hangouts works.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (subscription req’d):

• Flash analysis: prospects for Google+
• Post-IPO strategies for LinkedIn
• The Case for Increased M&A in 2011: Actions and Outlooks

alt=''
border='0'
/>

GigaOM — Tech News, Analysis and Trends

If you have kids and own a tablet, chances are you’ve passed it to the back seat on occasion, asking your five-year-old to help you navigate to the beach, or to beat an otherwise hopeless level in Angry Birds. Now, you can reward them with a tablet of their own. Available in green and pink, the 0 LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer includes a 5-inch, 480 x 272-pixel (16:9) touchscreen, 2GB of built-in storage, and a durable housing — but your 5-9 year old isn’t going to get caught up on specs. They will take notice to the built-in camera (with video capture), microphone, stylus, and accelerometer, however — all of which enable custom kid-friendly apps and educational games, including Disney Animation Studio, an interactive reader, and compatibility with over 100 downloadable apps and LeapFrog cartridges, which range in price from to . There’s no wireless connectivity, so you’ll be tethering with Windows or Mac OS to download additional content, and to share photos and drawings with family and friends.

We’re certainly far outside LeapPad’s target demographic, but we did have a chance to go hands-on with the device earlier today, and felt that the tablet was solidly built, with a well-rounded feature set and sufficient expandability options — for a kids toy, of course. Games and apps took advantage of the Pad’s features, such as Roly Poly Picnic, which uses the accelerometer to navigate through a maze, spelling out simple, three-letter words along the way (like all apps and games, Picnic is adjustable based on your little one’s age and skill level). There’s also a video player (currently limited to 4:3 content), photo, and video capture apps. Shipping August 15th, the device doesn’t have a ton of horsepower under the hood — a 400MHz processor means apps won’t launch with the speed and grace of an iPad 2 — but for a 0 toy, the LeapPad will do just fine. PR and hands-on video are after the break.

Continue reading LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer tablet hands-on (video)

LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer tablet hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  LeapFrog  | Email this | Comments
Engadget

You have seen all the adverts. The Apple apple iphone is among the few phones that are genuinely internet friendly. There are many locations to go to with a cellphone, yet depending on your phone and network speeds, you may be significantly disappointed. The iphone has revolutionized how we access the internet with our cell phones. If you do not believe this, just take a examine how many internet sites supply iphone content. There are a number of actually great internet sites for your iphone. Those listed here are just a couple of of them.

Facebook is really a internet site that appears to have been developed for an iphone. There are many mobile applications accessible for free downloading on Facebook. A go to to this internet site via your Apple iphone will permit you to definitely share photos, feelings, suggestions, and much more with your entire online social network. On-line social media internet sites have become much more popular everyday. If you do not think this just simply examine how numerous new Facebook and MySpace company accounts are opened everyday. This is not just for children. Together with Facebook and an iphone, you are able to remain in touch with your teenagers. It’s straightforward to keep tabs on them if you have all of them list you as a friend in their Facebook profile. In this way with a few taps of the display screen, you are able to see who her or hispals tend to be. You will know where they’re going and exactly what they’re doing because you are able to quickly inquire further. This really is one method to make internet sites for your iphone work for you personally. And remember that if you happen to be looking through this because you might be a firm interested in social marketing and advertising attempting to create a local mobile monopoly that you must pay strict attention to these kinds of tips.

Another internet site for your iphone is Youtube. The movies along with other items accessible for download on Youtube are iphone appropriate. You do not need a converter application to download and view content from YouTube on your iphone. YouTube and Apple have worked with each other on this to ensure that with your iphone your access to the fun on YouTube is fast and straightforward. This is useful when you are on vacation or away from your pc and also boredom is setting in. YouTube has a great deal to supply. From the amusing to the absurd to things of a much more serious character, you are able to usually find some thing there to captivate you. Have bored youngsters in the back of the vehicles? Hand them YouTube on your iphone and let them watch quick clips from the Muppet Show. Relaxing in a waiting room for what appears like an eternity? Why don’t you have a look at the content on YouTube along with other internet sites to keep you from being bored to tears. In the end, it can be much much better than just sitting there studying your hair increase.

Another internet site which is a must visit for Apple iphone consumers is itunes. This is where you are able to obtain quite a lot of content for your iphone. With what appears like a never-ending supply of movies, Tv shows, ebooks and tunes, you can virtually spend days looking and downloading every thing that appealed to you. This is the way iTunes along with other internet sites for your iphone help in keeping you having fun .

These are just 3 of the most popular internet sites for your iphone. The great factor about this is that you are able to access them via your Apple apple iphone or with your Mac or pc. How about that for straightforward accessibility. Has the iphone completely changed the communication industry? Possibly not single-handedly nonetheless it certain has added to it.

Acer AO532h-2223 10.1-Inch Matrix Silver Netbook – Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life

• 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N450 Processor
• 1GB DDR2 Memory
• 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM); 802.11 b/g/n Wireless Certified
• 10.1″ WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite LED Display, Intel GMA 3150 Graphics
• Windows 7 Starter; Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life

Acer AO532h-2223 comes with these high level Specs. Intel Atom Processor N450, Windows 7 Starter, 10.1-Inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite LED Display, Mobile Intel NM10 Express Chipset, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150, 1024MB DDR2 Memory, 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM), Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, Acer InviLink 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, Built-In Webcam, Two Built-in Stereo Speakers, 3 – USB 2.0 Ports, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), 2.76 lbs. | 1.25 kg (system unit only)Aspire One AO532h: Go Anywhere Mobility Browse the Web, check email, share photos, keep up with social networks, listen to music and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment with the Aspire One AO532h, which features a small compact design that you can take anywhere. Combining the power of the latest Intel Atom N450 processor and NM10 Express chipset with a 6-cell battery, this Aspire One AO532h model (AO532h-2223) in silver provides up to 8 hours of battery life on the go–enough for a ful

Rating: (out of 110 reviews)

List Price: $ 299.99

Price: $ 274.95

More Products

Apple Airport Express

• Take the music from the iTunes library on your computer and sends it wirelessly to any stereo or speakers in your home
• Print wirelessly through AirPort Express–it’s almost like having a printer in every room of the house
• Wirelessly share photos, movies, and other files without having to worry about slow data transmissions
• The AirPort Express Base Station now features 802.11n, the next-generation high-speed wireless technology included with most shipping Mac computers and some newer PCs with compatible cards
• Industry-standard encryption technologies built into AirPort Express, including WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP, plus a built-in firewall that creates a barrier between your network and the Internet

Now with blazing 802.11n, the affordable AirPort Express is powerful enough to run a home Wi-Fi network, yet small enough to take on the road. Share your wireless network with up to 10 users, print documents, photos, and more from any room in the house to one central printer, play iTunes music through your stereo or powered speakers using AirTunes, and more.

Rating: (out of 231 reviews)

List Price: $ 99.99

Price: Too low to display

More IPod Products