Specs:

• Camera: 8 megapixels
• Display: 3.7 inch touchscreen
• OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• Data Folder Capacity: 1GB (application space) *Content data is saved to microSD memory.
• External Memory (maximum): 2GB microSDTM / 32 GB micro SDHCTM(encryption compatible)
• Size, Weight: Size: 63x118x11.8mm / Weight: Approx. 113g (provisional)
• Infrared Communication
• Osaifu-Keitai (Mobile Wallet)
• Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11b/g/n)
• Bluetooth
• Global Passport*3*3

Product Photos:

Here’s a demo video of the INFOBAR A01′s user interface:

I immediately fell in love with the INFOBAR A01′s user interface. It closely resembles the Windows Phone 7 interface (design and usability) but this one looks and works much better than that of the Windows version. I’m not sure if the interface is exclusively owned by IIDA or the designer but it would be awesome if it would be made available to other mobile phone brands running on Android. Or maybe someone from the XDA developers forum could cook a custom rom based on this and use it for other Android devices. As an iPhone user, I wish that the next iPhone’s user interface will look something like this.

Aside from the 4 different available colors, there are also some very cool covers (5 colors to choose from) and design jackets (8 designes to choose from) available for the INFOBAR A01.

What do you think of the INFOBAR A01? How do you like it’s user interface? For those of you who currently own an Android mobile device, would you like to have this kind of user interface? How about iPhone users? Please share your thoughts.

The Nexus S will be released as “factory unlocked“, meaning users can use it with any compatible GSM network like AT&T here in the U.S. However, it only supports T-Mobile’s U.S. 3G frequencies so if you decide to use it with AT&T’s network, the device can only make use of the 2.5G EDGE network instead of 3G.

Tech Specs:

• Quad-band GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 190; Tri-band HSPA: 900, 2100, 1700
• 1GHz Cortex A8-based Hummingbird processor
• 16GB iNAND flash memory
• 4-inch WVGA (Super AMOLED) touchscreen
• 5 megapixel camera & front-facing VGA camera
• # Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Near Field Communication (NFC) support
• Integrated VoIP/SIP support
• Dimensions: 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
• Weight: 129g

Product Photos:

Nexus S demo video

One of the interesting features on the Nexus S is the Near Field Communication (NFC) support which turns the phone into an electronic payment tool or credit card and enables the phone to be swiped over at the checkout counter. Another cool Nexus S feature is the built-in ability to function as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 6 mobile devices like laptops, netbooks or tablets. Aside from those features, the Nexus S also supports Internet phone calls (VoIP/SIP), video chat and a gyroscope sensor for gaming.

The Nexus S will be available on Best Buy stores starting December 16th and will retail for $199 with a 2-year T-Mobile contract or $529 for a no contract version. It will also be available in the U.K. via Carphone Warehouse on December 20th for £549.

What do you think of Google’s newest high-end Android smartphone, the Nexus S? Can it compete with other smartphones like the Galaxy S, HTC Evo or iPhone 4? Please share your thoughts.

One issue that many iPhone users have with on their iPhones, is the usability of the on-screen keyboard (especially those who text and send emails a lot). I’ve gotten the hang of using the on-screen keyboard but I know many iPhone users haven’t. If you’re having a hard time getting used to the on-screen keyboard and would like to have a physical keyboard on your iPhone, Boxwave got you covered.

Device accessory maker Boxwave has recently released the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case which is an iPhone 4 case with a built-in Bluetooth keyboard. I’m not sure if Steve Jobs is gonna be happy with this but I’m sure many iPhone users will. The Boxwave Keyboard Buddy snaps on like a regular iPhone 4 case with cutouts for the volume controls, camera and other parts, only it has a slide-out physical keyboard that connects via Bluetooth and boasts a 45-day battery life on a full charge.

The Boxwave Keyboard Buddy doesn’t add much to the iPhone 4′s profile so it enables a smooth transition between the iPhone 4′s touch screen and the physical keyboard.

Screenshots:

Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case Features:

• Form-fitting shell designed to snap on securely to perfectly fit your Apple iPhone 4
• Cut-out design for the touch screen so that you can keep the same tactile feel as using the Apple iPhone 4 without a case
• Conveniently designed to provide quick access to all of Apple iPhone 4′s controls, features, camera, and ports
• Integrated slide-out Bluetooth keyboard allows you to switch from the touch screen to a physical keyboard as desired
• Includes a USB cable to charge the integrated keyboard
• Bluetooth keyboard on/off switch allows you to turn the keyboard off when not in use to conserve battery power
• Finished with a high-quality smooth coating making the case smooth to the touch
• Charge Duration: 45 days
• Bluetooth version 2.0
• Jet Black color

The Boxwave Keyboard Buddy comes in one color – jet black and is available for pre-order from Boxwave’s website for $69.95 (after a 10% discount). The Keyboard Buddy starts shipping December 14th and ships for FREE within the US.

The Boxwave Keyboard Buddy is a bit pricey and I’m not sure about the 45-day battery life, but I’m sure many iPhone users won’t mind paying that much just to have a physical keyboard on their iPhones. Too bad they don’t have one for the iPhone 3G or 3GS, coz if they did I would’ve gotten one for myself.

What do you think of Boxwave’s Keyboard Buddy? If you had an iPhone 4, would you go get one? Please share your thoughts.

The Wi-Fi Alliance has recently launched a new technology called Wi-Fi Direct that will enable electronic devices and gadgets to communicate and connect to each other without the need of a network or network access point. The Wi-Fi Alliance have started certifying the first batch of gadgets with the new Wi-Fi Direct technology a couple days back. With this new technology, users can now do things like share photos with their digital cameras or play video games on their game consoles/mobile devices with their friends without a wireless hotspot or Internet connection.

Edgar Figueroa, Wi-Fi Aliance CEO brief statement on the new Wi-Fi Direct technology:

“We designed Wi-Fi Direct to unleash a wide variety of applications which require device connections, but do not need the Internet or even a traditional network.”..”Wi-Fi Direct empowers users to connect devices — when, where and how they want to — and our certification program delivers products that work well together, regardless of the brand.”

Here’s demo video of how the new Wi-Fi Direct technology works:

The Wi-Fi Direct protocol is similar with regular Wi-Fi but different in some ways because first it doesn’t require a network or network access point. Also with this new protocol, users can browse nearby Wi-Fi Direct enabled devices and connect to them with just a push of a button and have the connection automatically encrypted.

802.11n devices certified with the Wi-Fi Direct technology will be backwards compatible with existing Wi-Fi enabled devices that are no available in the market. Atheros, Broadcom, Intel, Realtek and Ralink will be producing the first line of Wi-Fi Direct certified products and are expected to be in the market in time for the holidays.

WIth the introduction of Wi-Fi Direct, it can’t be helped that there are many speculations that this new technology/protocol would surpass or kill Bluetooth because it has a wider range and faster speed. However, there are certain issues in the Wi-Fi protocol like the use of a single channel, interference and Wi-Fi Direct being a software-only protocol that could prevent it from doing so. I’m not an expert in this so I’ll leave this to those who know more about it. If you want to read a side-by-side comparison of Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth 4.0, check out this post.

What do you think of the new Wi-Fi Direct technology/protocol? Do you think it would kill Bluetooth? What ways do you think the use of Wi-Fi Direct would be better or more efficient than using Bluetooth? Please share your thoughts.

So why did Nokia come up with the Booklet 3G and decide to enter the netbook/umpc market? Here’s what Nokia’s Executive Vice President for Devices, Kai Oistamo has to say:

“A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility. We are in the business of connecting people and the Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us. Nokia has a long and rich heritage in mobility and with the outstanding battery life, premium design and all day, always on connectivity, we will create something quite compelling. In doing so we will make the personal computer more social, more helpful and more personal.”

Check out the fancy promotional video for the Nokia Booklet 3G below:

Product Photos:

If the promo video got you on the edge of your seats and the photos made you excited, wait til you hear what’s under the hood of this landmark product from Nokia. The Nokia Booklet 3G comes with a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 120 GB HDD, integrated wireless 3G, a swappable SIM card, A-GPS with Ovi maps, Bluetooth and WiFi. Other features are an aluminum body weighing 2.7lbs, a height of 2cm (.78 inch), built-in camera, a 10.1″ HD display and a HDMI port for HD video out. It will be a Windows-based machine and get this, the Nokia Booklet 3G boasts a 12-hour battery life!

There’s no information regarding the shipping date and the suggested retail price for the Nokia Booklet 3G yet, but expect that information and more details about this new device during the Nokia World 09 event happening next week, September 2nd in Stuttgart, Germany.

So what do you think of Nokia’s latest product, the Booklet 3G? Does it have all the features that you’re looking for in a netbook/umpc? Rumors have it that it’ll be sold for $799, do you think that its features justify that price or should it be cheaper?

[video and images by Nokia Conversations]