Tag Archives: cellphones

How to Make Your Personal QR Code [Cameraphones]

Ever since I installed a barcode-scanning app on my phone, I see QR codes everywhere—so naturally I wanted one of my own. If you're a barcode-scanning fool, the QR code to the left links to my personal web site. Fun! A QR ("quick response") code is a square barcode that makes getting URLs, location coordinates, any text or contact information onto a phone quickly. With a barcode scanner app installed, you just point your phone's camera at the code to read its contents
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Android-Powered Motorola Backflip Now Available at AT&T [Motorola Backflip]

Normally a phone like the Motorola Backflip wouldn't get much fanfare when it appears on a retail web site, but this is AT&T's first Android phone (of many), so let's give it, say, 40 words or so, shall we? [ AT&T ]
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Use Written Gestures to Search Your Android Phone [Google]

Forget typing out searches or searching by voice. Devices running Android 2.0 can now use Google Gesture Search to find contacts, music, and more. All you have to do is "draw" letters on the screen.
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Get the Most from Your Non-Smartphone with SMS Tools [Cellphones]

We talk a lot about using smartphones to stay productive here at Lifehacker, but those with regular cellphones shouldn't be left out. Weblog MakeUseOf offers a handy guide to keeping up on social networks and staying productive through SMS only. Photo by Jeramy Jannene . Some of you with regular cellphones may already have Facebook or Twitter updating set up via SMS, but a number of services allow you to cross-post on multiple social networks as well, such as Posterous and Ping.fm , making it a snap to update multiple sites quickly with just an SMS, MMS, or email from your "dumb" phone. They also delve into ways to receive updates on your cellphone for Twitter and Facebook, which is nice for keeping in touch on-the-go.
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This Windows Phone 7 User Interface Skin Makes Old WinMo Phones Feel Young Again [Winmo]

The mobile OS running on this old Toshiba TG01 looks like Windows Phone 7 and it mostly acts like Windows Phone 7. But in reality it's a clever user interface skin covering up Windows Mobile 6.5. Put together by a fellow named LeSScro, this interface tweak can make older WinMo phones pretend that they can handle Windows Phone 7 and will hopefully be made available soon. [ Pocket Now via Mobile Crunch ]
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All Android Phones in the U.S. Will Receive an Upgrade to Android 2.1 [Updates]

According to Android fan site Android and Me, every Android phone in the U.S. will eventually receive an update to Android 2.1. That's great news for Android users (like our own Kevin Purdy) who've been frustrated with how quickly Android devices are left in the upgrade dust . Not every device will be capable of supporting every feature of Android 2.1 (like live wallpapers or other hardware prohibitive stuff), but that's the sort of thing that's to be expected.
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All Android Phones in the U.S. Will Receive an Upgrade to Android 2.1 [Updates]

According to Android fan site Android and Me, every Android phone in the U.S. will eventually receive an update to Android 2.1. That's great news for Android users (like our own Kevin Purdy) who've been frustrated with how quickly Android devices are left in the upgrade dust .
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Windows Phone 7 Could Allow For PlayStation Integration [Microsoft]

What do you do if you really want a Windows Phone 7 handset but prefer PlayStation to Xbox 360 ? Microsoft may end up catering for you too, with a senior product manager on the mobile division musing on the possibility. Michael Chang told TechRadar that Microsoft's doesn't intend to be a closed door to other companies. "If you look at our history in mobiles, we have never blocked anything off this platform because we compete in the same space, at least not in the phone space." Typically, he couldn't actually pinpoint "a specific scenario" where they've allowed competing products onto their phones, but mentioned they allow Exchange "on other devices." At a hefty license cost, I'm sure. But going back to allowing users of WP7 to integrate their PlayStation Network stats and games, it's something they're considering.
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Color-Compensation Chip Will Make Cellphone Displays Viewable Outdoors [Guts]

LCD displays aren't exactly made for the outdoors. You have to squint, tilt the screen, and adjust the brightness to decipher anything in bright sunlight. But with NEC's new color-compensation chip that will hopefully be an issue of the past.
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When Do You Pick Up the Phone Rather than Send Another Email? [Ask The Readers]

Email has become the default form of communication for many of us—as evidenced by overflowing inboxes despite our best attempts to wrangle them —but actual voice communication still has it's place. So we're wondering: When do you pick up the phone rather than sending another email? Photo by Atilla1000 (come back soon!) .
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