T-Mobile USA is offering yet another Android-powered smartphone when November 18 rolls around Stateside, in the form of the Samsung Behold II. This is a full touchscreen smartphone that aims to live up to expectations of it being a multimedia powerhouse, where it will deliver fast Web and data supported by Wi-Fi connectivity and T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network. Available from T-Mobile on an exclusive basis, the Behold II holds the distinction of being the first phone from T-Mobile that boasts a 3.2″ AMOLED screen which allows for crisper colors and wider viewing angles. When paired with a 5-megapixel camera that has autofocus, zoom, flash, five shooting modes and video capabilities, you know you’ll have a rocking good time with the Samsung Behold II right from the moment it is removed from its box. Apart from that, the Behold II will rely on Samsung’s intuitive cube menu while offering quick access to a half dozen multimedia features which are frequently accessed by most people includingmusic, photos, videos, the Web, YouTube and Amazon MP3 for music downloads.

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Boost Mobile, a division of Sprint, aims to further broaden its brand appeal which has traditionally targeted men, to reach out to female consumers. Their game plan to do so would be introducing the Motorola Debut i856w that was specially designed for fashion savvy consumers, where the handset itself throws in stylish ivory coloring alongside a flattering front and back detailing to make up a pleasant visual approach to the first slider handset from Boost Mobile.

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I’m not really certain why Motorola’s messaging phone the i465 is called the Clutch. Perhaps it is because the back of it is completely covered in textured rubber, just like the clutch of a stick-shift car.

Of course, nothing should ever be judged by its name, and not be its looks, either. You may notice a vague resemblance between the i465 and a product whose first name is “Black” and last name is “Berry”. The i465 is slightly thinner than the popular Research In Motion (RIM) device, and the proportioned skinnier keyboard takes some getting used to. However, I was surprised at how easy it was to text. Normally I use a QWERTY that has to be turned on its side to work.

One of the problems that I saw with the i465 is that it really is an ordinary phone with all the usual features like the camera (both video and stills), Bluetooth, GPS, voice dialing, and Push-To-Talk. Yet I think that in its heart, the Clutch really wants to shift into high gear and be a full-on smartphone. Fortunately, it is possible to access the web and e-mail if you buy the right plan.

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This digital microscope made from a cellphone and $10 in parts could revolutionize bush medicine.

First there was the One Laptop Per Child laptop for under $100, now an engineer has created a $10 do it yourself microscope out of a cellphone!

The vision of engineering professor Aydogan Ozcan of UCLA, the microscope uses a cellphone and ten dollars ($10) of off the shelf parts. The idea is pretty groundbreaking and could help doctors who seek to diagnose illnesses in the “bush” areas of the third world where sophisticated lab equipment simply isn’t available.

The idea is pretty ingenious. Rather than take a slide and magnify it, the cellphone microsope can image the slide sample and send it wirelessly to the nearest hospital laboratory. But with special “app” software developed by Ozcan, the cellphones can also detect abnormal shaping of bloodcells which could show signs of infection.

And there’s even a special microscope box which can connect to a cellphone which can then transmit the data where it needs to go.

“There’s no need for regular microscope lenses anymore because the software can magnify the cells electronically,” said Ozcan, “by creating a hologram that can image several cells at the same time and analyze how they interact. We can learn a lot in seconds.”

And in a world where infectious disease can strike hundreds in a few hours, this invention can save lives to boot. My only question is, when will we see the iPhone app?

Hat Tip – the NYTimes via The Giz

So you’ve heard about a brand new kind of chocolate in town that won’t help lower your blood pressure due to the presence of anti-oxidants, especially when this is the type of chocolate which requires you to fork out a monthly subscription fee. We’re talking about the LG Chocolate Touch here that is available from Verizon Wireless, boasting qualities that will make audiophiles happy thanks to its patented Dolby Mobile feature that offers a dramatically richer listening experience with its potent bass and sparkling clarity. Among the other functions of the LG Chocolate Touch include :-

• FM radio with 12 presets
• Integrated Song ID
• Dedicated side key for easy access to favorite songs
• Bluetooth-capabilities
• “Join the Band” feature
• The “Join the Band” piano function allows customers to play along on a full scrolling 88-key keyboard
• Dolby Mobile equalizer
• Touchscreen display
• Access to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites
• 3.2 megapixel camera

Expect to exchange $79.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate for the LG Chocolate Touch in a new two-year customer agreement that is on a Nationwide Calling Plan.

Press Release

Verizon Wireless will be offering the Samsung Convoy handset for those living Stateside, where this rugged Push to Talk device with military specifications was specially constructed in a manner to withstand the harshest of elements while working just fine. You will find that the Convoy comes with a high-quality stereo speaker, extended battery life and multiple messaging options that enable it to remain connected despite operating under the toughest conditions. Among the other specifications of the Samsung Convoy include :-

• Meets military specifications 810F standards for shock and dust resistance, vibration, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and low and high temperature storage
• Push to Talk capabilities
• 1300 mAh for long battery life
• VZ Navigator support
• 2.0 megapixel camera with Night Shot, panorama, color effects and more
• Bluetooth version 2.1 wireless technology
• Support for headset (mono and stereo), hands-free, dial-up networking, serial port, object push (vCard and vCalendar only), basic image, basic printing and phonebook access
• Personal organizer with calendar, tip calculator, currency converter, notepad, alarm clock, world clock and stop watch

Expect to fork out $49.99 for the Samsung Convoy after a $50 mail-in rebate alongside a standard 2-year customer agreement. The Samsung Convoy will be made available from November 15th onwards.

Press Release

Nice to know that RIM does not put all of their eggs in a single basket, with their range of BlackBerrys being released across multiple carriers regardless of the country. Well, Verizon Wireless subscribers can now look forward to the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone which will be able to take full advantage of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network alongside a bevy of other specifications, where it will come in a choice of black or smoky violet. We’ll take a closer look of the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone right after the jump.

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The REDFLY Mobile Companion from Celio is one gadget that has no internal processor despite looking like some sort of netbook or mini notebook. First released a year ago, the REDFLY Mobile Companion has yet to gain traction worldwide as most people do not see the need to tote around another device that functions as an external display while offering a much larger QWERTY keyboard than you’ll ever get on any smartphones or cellphones. Still, I guess there are enough people around who have purchased the REDFLY Mobile Companion to keep the production lines open, but not all smartphones can play nice with the device, including the all important BlackBerry line. Nice to know that the latest update corrects the situation by being compatible with select BlackBerry smartphones with its BlackBerry software driver now for download.

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