Specs aren’t always accurate, especially when it comes to the frequencies supported by the devices we review — something we learned the hard way with T-mobile’s G2x last year. While both Samsung and AT&T list the radios in the awesome new Galaxy Note LTE as quadband GSM / EDGE, tri-band UMTS / HSPA+ (850 / 1900 / 2100MHz) and dual-band LTE (1700 and 700MHz, bands 4 and 17) we’ve read emails, tweets and comments suggesting that Samsung’s giant phone (or little tablet?) is also compatible with AWS (1700 MHz) for HSPA+, which is used by T-Mobile in the US. Bell, which carries the same Galaxy Note in Canada, shows it supporting 1700MHz for HSPA+, further adding to the confusion. Of course, it’s possible the Canadian handset is slightly different, but we wanted to verify the radio specs for AT&T’s model so we unlocked our white review unit with the help from our friends at Negri Electronics. The verdict? AT&T’s Galaxy Note does not support AWS for HSPA+ — it’s EDGE only on T-Mobile USA. Sure, it’s rather unfortunate considering Samsung’s flagship unlocked Galaxy Nexus features a pentaband HSPA+ radio, but to be clear, the same restriction applies to the global non-LTE version of the Galaxy Note that we reviewed last year.

via: engadget

People using cellphones while driving has become an enormous problem, so laws restricting phone use keep getting tougher. This device provides a way to block unsafe phone use in a car, while still allowing authorized methods of communication.

The Scosche CellCONTROL plugs into the car’s OBD-II port, (found on all 1996 or newer cars,) and uses Bluetooth to prevent phone use including Internet, phone calls, and texts both incoming and outgoing. It’s clever enough to know when the car is in motion, allowing phone use when the vehicle is stationary, and it even knows if you plug in a hands free headset so it can unblock the phone.

Scosche sees the CellCONTROL primarily as a tool for the parents of young drivers, who might otherwise be tempted to read texts as they chime in. Any attempt to disable or simply unplug the box will result in an alert being sent to the designated administrator (i.e. Mom or Dad,) so the kid’s stroke of genius to simply unplug the box won’t work..

Scosche says the device works with over 1,200 types of phone including Android, BlackBerry and Windows 7. That means every kid who wants a car will also be asking for an iPhone, which doesn’t appear to be covered.

The Scosche CellCONTROL is available now for about $130.

via :dvice

There’s continued speculation Apple will unveil its next iPhone with a 4-inch screen. A Wall Street expert lent his voice to the chorus, telling investors the new device will begin production in June. But how will Apple increase the 3.5-inch screen and retain the iPhone’s iconic style?

Susquehanna Financial analyst Chris Caso didn’t reveal his sources on the 4-inch screen, but it isn’t the first time we’ve heard talk that Apple could follow other smartphone makers that also are expected to offer bigger displays. In late 2011, speculation arose about the next iPhone gaining a larger screen. Indeed, just recently, we reported one inventive (but probably incorrect) rumor that Apple will do away with the single button to make room for a 4-inch screen. Knowing Steve Jobs’s love of simplicity, such chatter is laughable.

Instead, what could push Apple to stretch the iPhone screen is competition. Many of Apple’s rivals are reportedly moving to the larger touchscreen as a way to attract customers. But as we’ve reported, size isn’t what really matters to consumers shopping for smartphones.

Some observers even suggest the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS could be kept at 3.5 inches while the new handset upgrades to the four-inch display. Although there is precedence for creating different price levels with the 3GS marked down to free and the iPhone 4 dropping to $99, creating differing physical footprints is totally different.

Which brings me to the question of ‘What Would Steve Do?’ Jobs detested tiny tablet screens, saying consumers would have to sand down their fingertips in order to move objects. The opposite would likely be true for larger smartphone screens. The 3.5-inch display is perfect for the average human hand — anything larger and using the screen literally becomes a reach.

So, will the next iPhone have a larger screen? Probably. But we’re unlikely to see an iPhone with a 4-inch screen. Which is how Apple has always kept ahead of its opponents, by zigging when everyone else is zagging.

via: cultofmac

Seagate has added a new storage solution to their range today, unveiling their latest creation which combines both a traditional hard disk drive, together with a Verizon 4G LTE modem, capable of creating a handy hotspot, and allows you to download files from the cloud.

The new creation is yet to be officially named and is currently just know as the “4G LTE Mobile Wireless Storage” by Seagate. The internal battery provides enough power to keep the hotspot running for up to 5 hours, and supports 802.11b/g/n.

Unfortunately no information on storage capacities, pricing or worldwide availability has been released as yet by Seagate. But as soon as information comes to light we will keep you updated as always.

via: engadget/geeky gadgets