Girl Crowned US Texting Champ, End of World is Nigh

CNN is reporting (via Textually.org) that a 15 year old Iowa girl, Kate Moore, has won the L.G. National Texting Championship held in NYC last week. The girl won $50,000 for overcoming such texting challenges as accurately texting such thumb-killing phrases as "Which wicked witch wished which more wicked witch in the well?" and "Zippity Dooo Dahh Zippity Ayy…MY oh MY, what a wonderful day! Plenty of sunshine Comin’ my way….Zippitty Do Dah Zippity Aay! Wonderful Feeling Wonderful day!" while being distracted by “Human Emoticons” trashtalking them or running obstacle courses.

LG has been using texting in much of their recent advertising, including putting a Text to Normal Speech translator “for parents” on their web site. They have been attempting to appeal to a younger demographic by painting TXT as the language of hip youngsters, while we old fuddy duddies still use lots of letters and other silly things in most words.

The girl, whose mother says gets phone bills stretching nearly 300 pages (unlimited data plans, the modern parent’s best friend) agreed to an interview after her victory with CNN…by SMS of course.

The interview (if you believe it wasn’t just a stunt cooked up by CNN and LG) went as follows…

CNN: OMG U r ltrlly the wrld’s bst txter. How does it feel?

Moore: It feels the best! Im so prd of myself & it feels aswm that ive gottn so far! :)

CNN: How mny txts do u snd a day? A month?

Moore: Uhhh about lyk 400-500 in a day, an avrg of 12014 thousand a month?

CNN: Wht r u going to do w the 50 k?

Moore: Idk yet! Prlly spend a good amount of the $$$……but ya gotta save some 2 b smart of course!

CNN: Do u ever get in trubl in skwl 4 txting 2 much?

Moore: haah just once or 2ce, teachers hv seen it and taken it away…lol that sux when that happens tho.

CNN: What’s ur crzst txting story?

Moore: Haha I actually have a scar on my hand from txtingg….i was txting on the top bunk and I sat up cuz it was a cool txt and then I hit it in the ceiling fan

CNN. Do ur thumbs hurt?

Moore: Hahah not at all! Ud b surprised they don’t get stressed out.

CNN: Kthxbi.

Moore: cya! :)

Be afraid….be VERY afraid.

Now if you’ll all excuse me, I have to go and bleach the parts of my mind that understood that.

           

Recent AT&T ROM Upgrades

I thought I would just pass this on (again) for those of you that might have missed these announcements.  There are two ROM upgrades that AT&T has announced.  The HTC FUZE upgrade has been widely reported on a number of sites but in case you somehow missed it, you can get it here. The landing page provides additional detail and instructions.

Simultaneously, LG has officially released the LG Incite ROM upgrade which is now available for download from the LG support site. This has not been widely reported but is a great upgrade for users of this model. So how do you get the upgrade for the incite?  Click this link: http://mobilephones.us.lge.com/support.aspx then follow these instructions:

Select AT&T for Carrier, Select Incite for model,

Click LG Incite software update button in far right column

Download to a folder of your choice, run and follow the directions

           

More Leaked AT&T + WinMo Love. LG Herald (GW600)

Wow. This is a huge leak, It’s provided a ton of info for WinMo fans and I haven’t even read all the info available for non WInMo phones yet. So much info this week. Here is another one, the LG Herald (GW600). This one looks simple and to the point too.

The 1st thing to note is the reasonable OS and dates. It has an interesting 20 key keyboard instead of a full qwerty. Quite interesting really. This wouldn’t do much for me, but for those coming from a feature phone or another without, it would be fine I am sure. It’s running Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, so no touchy for you either. I think Mike Temporale will like this one!

Source: Engadget

           

1st Windows Mobile 7 Phone Coming to AT&T?

Maybe so, but I doubt seriously it will be around the time they suggest in the leaked AT&T slide. September? Wow. That is lofty. I think Chris at Engadget said it best, “…but seeing we’ll be lucky to have 6.5 devices in our hands by then, this date has undoubtedly slipped since the slide was made” No way possible in my opinion. That’s not really the point though, the point is that we have info about what will likely be one of the 1st WinMo 7 devices and to top that off, it’s advertised to be using one of them there fancy dancy Snapdragon processors. This is the  Qualcomm QSD 8650 Snapdragon CPU that runs at 1ghz. Looking good so far, throw in that slide out keyboard and there is even more excitement in store for WinMo fans!

Look good to you? Me too. Just don’t expect it in 2009 in my opinion.

Source: Engadget

           

LG Eigen Officially Announced as the LG-GM730

Look out Omnia, here comes the LG-GM730…

If you like this, get ready. Engadget is reporting that LG is planning to make Windows Mobile their main OS now. They also have some hands on video with this one online already. Check it out.

LG Electronics (LG), a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announced LG-GM730, its newest handset in LG’s smartphone line-up, which makes advanced smartphone features easy to use. This, the first smartphone to use new version of Windows Mobile OS integrated with LG’s advanced 3D S-Class User Interface, will be on display at the Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona from February 16-19.

LG Electronics steps forward to the smartphone market making statement that users don’t have to outsmart to their smartphone.

The LG-GM730 is the newest phone among LG’s easy-to-use smartphones line-up to come. The company has recently signed a special contract with Microsoft, allowing them to be the first manufacturer of a phone with the new version of Windows Mobile. On top of Windows Mobile, the LG-GM730 will provide LG’s dynamic, direct and intuitive S-Class User Interface.

“The combination of Windows Mobile and our new 3D S-Class User Interface will make the LG-GM730 the most functional and easiest to use smartphone ever created,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “This phone is a springboard for us. We will launch a number of smartphones this year; most of them will follow this same winning formula.”

[Read more]

           

Tired of carrying your phone?

LG has the solution by introducing their 3G HSDPA wrist phone, the LG-GD910 that supports both 3G and HSDPA technology.  Pretty cool huh?

Well it is just another “toy” but a darn cool one that got me interested.  It has a 1.43-inch color LCD touchscreen and it has a video camera integrated in the watch face for video recording. In addition, it has text-to-speech, Bluetooth, MP3 playback and voice dialing with speech recognition. I hope to see this at CES  and I will ask if it is just slated for the European market or will we see it in the USA.

Akihabara News via Electronista

           

LG Incite Hands On Video 1st Look

Yesterday AT&T announced the LG Incite. The Incite is an attractive Windows Mobile 6.1 phone with a 3″ touchscreen and a 1300mah battery. It has an adequate amount of memory and a 528mhz processor. I am not too sure how well I will do without an actual keyboard (slide out or front facing). Unless LG has added some touches to the default Windows Mobile keyboard, I will most likely have to try a 3rd party on screen keyboard.

In this video, I just rip the box open, show the goodies you get inside and do a quick look at the hardware. The software walk through will come later.

Some readers/viewers here and on Youtube have mentioned that the videos are sometimes too long and that I should break them up into easier to eat portions. I am going to try that out for the next couple video 1st looks.

PS. There is a heads up on upcoming contest details in the video as well.

           

LG Incite - Another Week, Another AT&T WinMo Phone

I have to say that I am impressed. Another WinMo Phone for the US. LG no less, interesting. The Incite is available now in AT&T retail stores nationwide and online  for $199.99 with a new two-year agreement and mail-in rebate.

The Incite looks to be a nice WinMo device with Windows Mobile 6.1, a 3″ touchscreen, and a 1300mah battery. For memory, the Incite has a MicroSD slot and 256 MB ROM, 128 MB RAM internal. It’s also got the must haves too… 3G, WiFi, aGPS, 3 megapixel camera, and more.

AT&T Inc. and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A. Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced the availability of the LG Incite, the newest Windows Mobile device powered by the nation’s fastest 3G network for users who crave premium capabilities with ultramodern design. The Incite — available in the U.S. exclusively to AT&T customers — stirs up the smartphone market, with its stylish, sleek look and sophisticated technology.

The LG Incite boasts the latest in wireless communications technology, with domestic and international 3G capabilities, built-in aGPS and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0. The LG Incite is equipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5. The Incite, the first of its kind for LG Mobile, offers Windows Media Player 10.

[Read more]

           

Dust Off Those Binders

I use to have a lady friend who swore by her Franklin Planner. She dragged her heavy black leather binder everywhere and swore that it was the only thing that kept her life orderly, centered and on course (well, that and Chai Latte). She would devotedly and (at least in my chaotic appraisal) obsessively record every appointment and event in her planner, even going so far as to make comments on past entries so she could reconstruct her week at a later point. Despite my affectionate ribbing over her devotion to what seemed to me to be a luddite productivity tool, she even gave one to me. The model she gave me had a pocket built into the binder to hold my Tungsten E (which she insisted on calling a Palm Pilot)…why I will never know. It struck me like selling a Vespa with a rack to carry your Ducati on back. I still have it somewhere, barely touched, buried in a box with remnants of other faded technologies like 8 track tapes and rolodex cards.

It seems however that at this late date, Franklin Planners are coming into the information age thanks to LG.

[Read more]

           

Windows Mobile Devices with no Hardware Buttons

Have you noticed a new “minimalism” trend in Windows Mobile phones designs?

New devices (for example: HTC HD, LG Incite) come with really few hardware buttons.

No ‘OK’ button, no ‘Start’ key, and even… have mercy… no D-Pad buttons!

(hmm… is it something I said?)

   

Knowing the limitations of Windows Mobile, I wonder how good the user experience can get without having some of the traditional hard buttons.

Most of the new applications are designed in a way that does not require a stylus or d-pad: they are what we call: finger friendly.

But the problem is that up to this point - the vast majority of Windows Mobile applications is not yet finger friendly: mails, SMS, calendar, files explorer, different settings, word, excel - all of those are older applications not well designed for finger use.

Few examples:

1. Menus: I often find myself navigating through menu items using the d-pad.

Since Windows Mobile was originally designed for stylus use - the menus are too small to be clicked by a finger. The workaround to this problem is the d-pad - can you imagine using a finger or pulling the stylus each time you need to click on a menu item?

2. Lists: Let’s say I need to scroll down a bit in order to select an image when I’m using the default files explorer. Currently, the fastest way (for me) would be to use the down arrow button (leave it pressed) and this would move the selection down 1 by 1 until it will scroll the entire list down. I personally hate using the scroll-bar with my finger (or pulling the stylus out of its’ endless sleeping mode…)

I assume that if I try harder and can come up with some other examples, but I feel that those 2 are strong enough to prove that Windows Mobile is not yet ready for finger navigation only.

 

This, I hope, is something that will be solved in windows Mobile 7. I’m really anxious to see how the user interface will look like, but until that point, I would rather stick with some hard keys to ease and speed things up when I’m using my phone.

What do you think?

           

AT&T LG Vu Video 1st Look

This is another fancy feature phone that i’ve had a chance to look at. I have looked at the Samsung Glyde already and have the Samsung Instinct left to look at as well. Look for the Instinct sometime next week though, I have a couple others I am looking at right now. Stop by Monday for the next phone. This one is inexpensive, but a very nice phone. It’s somewhat limited on features you might be used to with a WinMo phone or the iPhone though.

           

LG Dare Released on Verizon

It’s kind of neat how I just got a hold of the Samsung Glyde on Verizon and they announce this one today. The Mobile Phone world is rotating quicker than the Earth is right now. Too many phones too fast. Overload…

This is another touch-screen device that people are going to really like I think. <sarcasm>Seems this new “touch-screen” is catching on. Hmm… I wish Windows Mobile phones would get on board with this new touch-screen fad too. </end sarcasm>

Anyhow, you can grab this new phone at Verizon for $199.99 plus contract and some other fees and such.  I didn’t “DARE” say iPhone once in this post.

Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced the highly-anticipated LG Dare™ is now available through Verizon Wireless’ online store. This summer’s must-have phone dares to be different with its bold looks and advanced capabilities – boasting a spacious three-inch touch-screen with handwriting recognition, a superior 3.2 megapixel camera with face detection and flash, and unique photo editing capabilities.  The phone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, on July 3. 

[Read more]

           

It’s not a Secret anymore

This is one device that has had a lot of coverage lately, well the Secret is out!  LG Electronics has launched the third LG Black Label Series handset LG Secret.

Following the success of its predecessors, LG Chocolate and LG Shine, the third model from the LG Black Label Series resonates a highly stylish design and enriched technological features including the slimmest 5 megapixel camera and innovative materials. The phone was developed to satisfy the refined tastes of trendsetters who desire a sophisticated design with an enduring elegance.

The name Secret symbolizes a slender and stylish handset that does not compromise benefits and convenience of smart, digital technology. The meaning of the pet name, ‘LG Secret,’ is to tantalize the user with the intrinsic features of the phone and engage in a continual process of exploring the inner workings of the handset that will never go out of style.

[Read more]

           

LG-KF700 … integrating three separate input methods

LG Electronics launched its LG-KF700, a new multimedia phone that combines three input methods to create an amazingly intuitive user interface and provides instant access to features.

The LG-KF700 is the first phone to integrate three separate input methods, including a 3-inch touchscreen, alpha-numeric keypad and Shortcut Dial. Each of these input methods is assigned to the tasks at which it is most best suited, creating a user-optimized interface and making all of the phone’s functions and features instantly accessible.

The LG-KF700’s 3-inch full touchscreen provides easy access to features and widgets, an adaptive onscreen interface and a wide aspect ratio that is perfect for watching movies or browsing the internet.
The Shortcut Dial on the back of the phone quickly scrolls through six user-selected features by controlling a virtual dial on screen, eliminating the need to dig through menus. The Shortcut Dial can also be used to zoom in on web pages, scroll through e-mails or adjust volume.

[Read more]

           

GPS Navigation service now Available from AT&T

A new GPS Navigation service is now available on select AT&T wireless devices, including the new Motorola Z9, the Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q, AT&T Tilt, and BlackBerry devices (8310, 8800 and 8820).  Available as a 30 day free trial, this program is a vast improvement on TeleNav, this program features integrated speech recognition for address entry and points-of-interest searches!

For any one who is constantly on the go but sometimes not quite sure where to go or how to get there, AT&T Navigator is here to pave the way. AT&T Inc. announced today at CTIA Wireless 2008, the immediate availability of its company-branded GPS-enabled navigation service, AT&T Navigator.

[Read more]