H T C M A G I C T H E G - 2

Y’all might know the next Android phone from HTC as the G2, but around these here parts we know it as the HTC Magic. An exclusive to Vodafone in Europe, the Magic is of debatable sexyness when compared to the T-Mobile G1 (and looks very Sony Ericsson, does it not?) and just happens to be one those phones that we’re just dying to know more about.

But for now we can safely say that the Magic will feature HSPA, WiFi and GPS connectivity along with a 3.2 megapixel camera — sans flash — and of course come with a healthy dose of that sweet, sweet Cupcake that so many of you G1 users are clamoring for.

Now we can’t say with absolute certainty when this thing will released or even announced, but since MWC is going on and with CTIA just around the corner, now is as good a time as ever to steal the spotlight from those damn pesky competitors.

Oh, one more thing… don’t be too shocked if the name Magic is replaced with Pioneer. Just sayin’. Hit the jump for some more shots.

NOKIA THE NEW INNOVATION

NOKIA AT OVI STORE

At the Mobile Word Congress in Barcelona, Nokia has unveiled its initiative to try and repeat the runaway succes of Apple’s App Store with its own mobile storefront dubbed Ovi Store. This was an expected move as the rumors about the Finnish mobile juggernaut’s mobile applications store already spread last week; they were late confirmed to Reuters by industry sources.

Here’s how they pitch it:

“Offering a range of content including applications, games, videos, widgets, podcasts, location-based applications and personalised content, Ovi Store will be available on S60 and Series 40 devices. The first device to include the mobile storefront on board will be the Nokia N97, set to launch in June.

Meanwhile tens of millions of existing S60 and Series 40 devices will be able to take advantage of the store from May. Ovi Store is unique in its ability to target content based on where you are, when you’re there, why you are where you are and who else has downloaded similar content.”
That last part, as well as the geo-location features, seems interesting.

Ovi Store will include what it calls a ’social discovery’ feature which will enable users to find out which content is being used by their social network peers, as they will automatically be highlighted and made available for download on their devices.

Nokia, still the number-one maker of mobile phones until further notice, expects that the store will reach 300 million users by 2012. According to The Guardian, Nokia also said 70 percent of revenues from the store would go back to software developers.

As from today, content publishers and developers will be able to register for the Ovi Store here, but they will only be able to upload starting next month. The application store will be gradually rolled out, starting next May in nine countries.

Touch your Music

Scroll through songs, artists, albums, and playlists with a flick. Browse your music library by album artwork using Cover Flow. Even view song lyrics that you’ve added to your library in iTunes. Get a call while listening to music? A pinch of the microphone on your iPhone headset pauses the tune and answers the call.

Watch in widescreen.

iPhone brings you a video experience unlike any other portable device. Watch TV shows and movies from the iTunes Store on the 3.5-inch widescreen display. Just tap to bring up video controls whenever you need them.

Sync it all.

Audio and video from your iTunes library sync to your iPhone when you connect it to your computer. Choose what you want to sync and iTunes does the rest. Learn more

i Pod

With its beautiful 3.5-inch widescreen display and Multi-Touch controls, iPhone is also one amazing iPod.

Browse your music in Cover Flow and watch widescreen video with the touch of a finger.

HP anounces world’s first multi-touch notebook, TouchSmart tx2

HP has done a pretty good job with their line of convertible tablets thus far and today they announced the latest addition that incorporates multi-touch two-finger control, the TouchSmart tx2. The only caveat, however, is that the multi-touch functionality works within the HP MediaSmart suite of applications (like on the TouchSmart desktops), which isn’t really a caveat now that I think about it. It’s not like Apple is doing anything with their multi-touch technology on a notebook form factor, yet.

The TouchSmart tx2’s multi-touch screen can be attributed to an embedded N-trig digitizer (video after the jump). With a WXGA 12.1-inch screen the tx2 can handle up to 8GB or RAM with storage ranging from 160 to a 500GB 5400 RPM SATA drive and an AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core proc (2.0GHz up to 2.4GHz). What I really liked about the tx2 other than the multi-touch stuff was the textured trackpad. I don’t know why but I did.

Full specs after the jump.
Editor’s Note: This is not the ‘first’ multi-touch notebook as Captain Fantastic points out. The Dell Latitude XT was the first to be announced with the N-trig digitizer, but the tx2 is aimed at the general consumer whereas the LXT is a business oriented notebook. Apologies for the confusion.

This is not the tx2, but it gives you an idea of what it actually does.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 19, 2008 – HP today announced the industry’s first convertible notebook PC with multi-touch technology designed specifically for consumers.
Building upon the touch innovation HP developed for its TouchSmart desktop PCs, the HP TouchSmart tx2 Notebook PC was developed for people on the go who value having their digital content at their fingertips – literally.

The enhanced HP MediaSmart digital entertainment software suite on the tx2 allows users to more naturally select, organize and manipulate digital files such as photos, music, video and web content by simply touching the screen.

“Breezing through websites and enjoying photos or video at the tap, whisk or flick of a finger is an entirely new way to enjoy digital content on a notebook PC,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “With the introduction of the TouchSmart tx2, HP is providing users an easier, more natural way to interact with their PCs, and furthering touch innovation.”

The tx2 is the latest result of HP’s 25 years of touch technology experience, which began with the introduction of the HP-150, a touch screen PC that was well ahead of its time, in 1983.
Digital media powerhouseThe tx2 gives customers the choice to set aside the keyboard and mouse in favor of a more natural user interface – the fingertip.

HP’s multi-touch display delivers quick and easy access to information, entertainment and other social media. The tx2 recognizes simultaneous input from more than one finger using “capacitive multi-touch technology,” which enables the use of gestures such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick, press and drag, and single and double tap.

The convertible design with a twist hinge allows consumers to enjoy the TouchSmart in three modes: PC, display and tablet. With a rechargeable digital ink pen, users can turn the tx2 into a tablet PC to write, sketch, draw, take notes or graph right onto the screen – and then automatically convert handwriting into typed text.

Starting at less than 4.5 pounds, the tx2 possesses a 12.1-inch diagonal BrightView LED display and an HP Imprint “Reaction” design.

The tx2 notebook’s HP MediaSmart software lets customers enjoy photos, listen to music and watch Internet(1) TV or movies in high-definition.(2) The software is optimized for multi-touch input while also making it simple to search digital content.

In an effort to provide consumers with rich content through the Internet, HP has expanded its partnership with MTV Networks (MTVN) by offering video content from 10 television channels and online brands within MediaSmart’s TV module.


Beigning in December, users can enjoy all the best content from Nickelodeon, the No. 1 entertainment brand for kids; MTV, the premier destination for music and youth culture programming; and COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network and the No. 1 network in primetime for men ages 18 to 24. MTVN also plans to make content from Atom, CMT, GameTrailers, Logo, Spike, The N and VH1 available within MediaSmart’s TV module.

The MediaSmart software was first brought to HP HDX notebook PCs in September, using the interface first popularized on HP TouchSmart PCs. HP plans to include the software in the tx2 and all future HP consumer notebook PCs.

Powered by the AMD Turion™ X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor or AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor(3) and built on Windows® Vista Home Premium, the tx2 will be made available worldwide in an array of configure-to-order options.

Additional features, accessories and serviceThe HP TouchSmart tx2 series is ENERGY STAR® qualified and EPEAT™ Silver registered. Mercury-free LED display panels are included on the tx2 as part of HP’s ongoing commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.

The HP tx Series Notebook Stand elevates the tx2, enhancing its usability while stationary, including making it possible to put the PC in an upright position for full interactivity with the touch screen.

HP Webcam with Integrated Microphones allows users to see brighter, cleaner images when chatting over an Internet(1) connection.

The tx2 offers access to a variety of self-help tools built in and online. It also is supported by HP Total Care, which enables consumers to reach support agents 24/7 by phone, email or real-time chat.

Pricing and availabilityThe HP TouchSmart tx2 is available for ordering today in the United States at www.hpdirect.com with a starting U.S. price of $1,149. (4) More information about the tx2 is available at www.hp.com/go/touchsmarttx2.