All contract phones come locked on to a specific network when you purchase them on contract. This is to prevent you moving on to another network with your phone and thus, not paying your initial phone provider any more. If you are based in the UK then it’s good to know that unlocking a mobile phone is NOT illegal. Mobile phone manufacturers build mobile phones with no network restrictions and it is the network providers who lock them on to their networks. With it not being illegal there are a number of software and hardware solutions available to unlock your mobile phone. However, this has made the manufacturers of phones make stronger locks to prevent you from doing this and keeping the network providers happy.

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It appears that the iPhone has created such a splash on the mobile market that anything remotely like it will only be seen as a cheap knock-off. However, HTC’s latest cell phone could be an exception to this rule.

The HTC Touch Diamond has been called “the next 3G iPhone” by many gadget blogs. In addition to its 3G capability, it has a 3D interface known as TouchFlo 3D. This complete touch interface “provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather, and more”. The Touch Diamond also features a built-in camera with auto-lens focus, as well as a 2.8 inch display for clear viewing.

The Touch Diamond can surf the net with broadband-like speeds of HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and use HSUPA wireless connectivity. The Touch Diamond includes a customized mobile Web browser that allows for easy viewing and effortless navigation. It can even zoom and pan on websites with just one hand, and you can rotate it automatically for a portrait to landscape view.

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I remember way back in the day when Dick Tracy was my hero. Honestly as I look back, I can’t really remember much about him except that he wore yellow and had the coolest watch. The ability to talk to someone else through a small device on your wrist just seemed so awesome. Well now you can get a cell phone on your wrist, though it’s not nearly as cool as you might think.

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AT&T is nearly one year late to the game, having launched its mobile TV service this Sunday and playing catch up with bitter rival Verizon Wireless by offering broadcast TV services for those who are constantly on-the-go. Unfortunately, AT&T’s Mobile TV will be restricted to only a couple of clel phones, and high end ones at that. First off we have the touch screen maestro Vu from LG, while the other would be the Access from Samsung. The Vu and Access will retail for $399.99 and $299.99, respectively, although you can cut off $100 from that retail price with a mail-in rebate. Needless to say, picking up either would mean having you tie down yourself to a 2-year contract with AT&T.

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Last week LG announced the latest phone in their Black Label range, the LG Secret. I was fortunate to be invited to the bloggers press event to hear about the phone and get my hands on one to take home.

There were 2 features of the Secret that really stood out to me, it’s hard, it’s incorporates carbon fiber and tempered glass to protect it from the elements. You can actually smack the screen with your keys without it breaking or even scratching.

Like the Apple iPhone it has a built-in motion detector so the screen automatically rotates depending on orientation and it has a fun element by being used in some of the supplied games. The phone acts a bit like a Wii controller, where you have to flick it to smack a baseball or tilt to navigate a maze. The games are very simple (both graphically and playability wise) but it’s hopefully a sign of exciting things to come.
Check out our review of the LG Secret on our sister site Coolest Reviews.

Zurado Systems has released software which turns Bluetooth-enabled Windows Mobile phones or PDAs to send or receive proximity-based information. What’s the big deal about this, you ask? For starters, retail, exhibitions, and store displays will be able to push out marketing information (some people prefer to refer to it as spam) to folks who walk by, but only if they keep their Bluetooth connection on all the time (I don’t as I prefer to prolong my handset’s battery life instead). This software can also be used for personal use, where Please Explain That (PXT) sends text, images, and audio over a range of approximately 30 feet.

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It looks like one of those inflatable pool loungers you use to soak up the sun. However, SolarStore panels are meant for a more practical use. Backpackers can use them to store up to 3 full tanks of water per day while heating the water at the same time. Easy to fold, easier to use, SolarStore panels are now being looked to provide not only heated water, but also solar energy to low income and third world housing.

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I know that Japan has been using cell phones as a mode of payment for quite a fair number of years already, but that country is pretty much isolated when it comes to advanced stuff like that. How would you feel about using your cell phone to make that odd payment for your shopping or meal? While it might be much safer compared to carrying a wad of cash, what happens when you lose your cell phone (either by accident or through a theft)? Not only will you despair knowing that your contact list has been lost (serves you right for not having a backup), in addition to precious photos of your family taken by the handset’s digital camera and most importantly - your wallet. To suffer from so many blows at once isn’t exactly kind on a person, which is why I prefer to let the cell phone continue doing what it does best - communication. Let the good old fashioned wallet do the rest of the purchasing work. How do you see this?

Source: Geeks are Sexy