Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

It’s not everyday that you use an cordless phone (remember what those were?), let alone see one that catches your eye. For those of you who still actually have a landline, you might want to consider upgrading your handsets to this sleek new VTech model. It sports both a great design, the most advanced technology, and the added appeal of customization.

The VTech LS6117 is inspired by skateboard and snowboard designs and can be customized to fit every season. Operating on DECT 6.0 technology for crystal-clear conversations, the LS6117 includes interchangeable graphic inserts for customizing the back plate, and the option to create and print your own artwork online.

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Another newly leaked Sony Ericsson handset, this time it is the successor to the W580, which is dubbed the W595 and comes with a codename of Linda has just surfaced courtesy of Le Journal du Geek.

The W595 is a slider style Walkman handset and will feature an FM radio, the Walkman 3 player and will be running the A2 software platform. Similar to some other recent Sony Ericsson handsets the W595 will include Google Maps pre-installed and also have a 3-dimensional accelerometer.

While SE has been quite on the release date for the W595, it is rumored to be announced during July. Aside from the model pictured, it is also expected that it will be available in a red and white colored model. Keep reading to check out a few more images of the SE W595…

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Recently, we reported on how the OpenTable Beta version has made it possible to set up a reservation at your nearest restaurant, however it would appear that restaurant reservations aren’t the only thing that have been updated for mobile technology.

Police departments in Boston, Cincinnati, and 100 other communities have adopted a text message tip-line. So if someone sees a crime being committed, all it would take is a dropped line to alert the authorities. 

So far, this new department system has produced “great drug information, specific times, dates, names of suspects, locations, pick-up times, and license plate numbers”. 

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Some more information has been leaking about in regards to the upcoming BlackBerry Kickstart and thankfully this time it was not another set of blurry images. Instead its some speculation based on just how much RIM is planning to charge for this little clamshell BlackBerry.

We have already heard that it was headed to T-Mobile and it looks like it will land there in September, but the latest information is calling for this to be a very affordable handset. Coming in at just $49.99 with a two-year agreement. Which assuming this is accurate would have it even less expensive than the popular and low-cost Palm Centro. At that price I think that RIM could have a winner on their hands.

Via [CrackBerry] Image [http://blog.berryshack.com/blog/content/new-leaked-blackberry-kickstart-pictures]

It looks like Verizon will be introducing a third variety in their Q9 lineup, and as of now its being code named “Napoleon.” It does however have something special in store for worldwide business travelers as it will not only offer CDMA EV-DO Rev. A support but it will also include full GSM support, meaning you can take and use this worldwide.

The Q9 Napoleon will be running Windows Mobile 6.1 and feature a 320 x 240 display, 2-megapixel camera with flash, Wi-Fi, stereo speakers and ship with a 1500mAh battery. In addition to the added support on the inside, the new world edition Q9 has also gotten a little face lift with a new shiny bezel around the edges.

Also, just good measure they have included a fingerprint scanner on the back, I guess when traveling worldwide you should never have your data unsecured.

As of now, no pricing or release information has been let loose, but as usual we will keep you posted when we find something out.

Via [BGR]

Some of you might remember back when Disneyland had their “House of the Future”.  I’m guessing it was located in Tomorrowland, and it featured such futuristic advances like speakerphones, big screen TVs, and microwave ovens.  Most homes of the present have these devices now, but during the ten year period that the exhibit was open (1957-1967), this was the future. 

Disneyland has just recently opened their new house of the future, otherwise known as the Innovative Dream Home.  The 5,000-square-foot house has been built as a collaborated effort with HP, Microsoft, and LifeІware.  Visitors can watch the everyday adventures of the fictional Elias family with their more modern advancements. 

Some of Microsoft’s contributions include the ever-so-popular Surface, the Home Server, but it also has some advancements we are all familiar with, such as Vista, the Zune, and even the Xbox 360. 

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The Samsung Instinct has been a hot selling handset here in the US, and it would seem that it would only be smart to take advantage of that, and do it quickly. Bell Mobility and Samsung have just announced that the Instinct will be available in Canada beginning August 8.

The features are expected to be the same as the currently available Sprint version, of course, the UI will most likely be just a little less Sprint like. The Instinct is expected to retail for $149.95 with a three-year agreement and also be available for a no commitment price of $449.95.

Also in non-Canadian specific Instinct related news, it seems you can also now follow along with the Instinct on Twitter.

Via [mobilesyrup]

Just yesterday it was announced that the FreeRunner from OpenMoko would be ready for sale beginning on July 4, but it seems they just could not wait any longer, and have made the handset available today.

We would expect the original July 7 shipping date will however remain in effect, just due to the weekend. However if you were waiting, head on over and place you order today, after all that just means one less thing you will have to do tomorrow.

Product [OpenMoko Store]

I don’t really eat out often, but I know business people who eat out constantly.  Of course, some of these restaurants require a reservation, and making the reservation over the phone can be pretty time-consuming, not to mention frustrating. 

OpenTable has simplified this process by creating a real-time online reservation system for diners, as well as reservation and guest management solutions for restaurants. 

The company has recently launched a Beta version of the OpenTable Mobile, which allows for consumers to find real-time availability and book restaurant reservations with mobile devices. 

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Google Maps is experimenting with speech recognition technology for its mobile users. The lucky guinea pigs are owners of the Blackberry Pearl 8110, 8120, and 8130 in the US. This is the same voice search technology that they use in their free directory service, GOOG-411.

This service proves to be very useful for many mobile users who lack the time or patience to type the long names of the places they want to go to. It will hopefully also add a level if safety as it could help to keep peoples hands and eyes off their phones and on the road, because even knowing the danger people still insist on using a mobile phone while driving. Here are the simple steps:

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