Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Having converted to smartphones with a candy bar form factor years ago, I was certain I couldn’t be swayed by this cute, light, small Pantech C610.  That was until Pantech sent me one.  Not only does the phone feel great in hand, its list of features would make my smartphone drool.

Check out this smart flip phone - hit the jump for follow.

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How do you get the new Treo Pro free?  Two easy steps:  1. Move to the UK.  2. Sign up for Vodaphone.  In a move that is sure to have Treo fans jealous, Vodaphone is offering the new sexy black Treo Pro to its customers with different plans ranging from free to 340 pounds.

My hands on

Last week, we got to play with the Treo Pro.  To see what Gadgetell thought of it, click more.

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Free 3D modeling software 3DVIA Shape 2.0 was released today.  3DVIA Shape is a program that allows users to create 3D models.  The software integrates with an online community at 3DVIA.com so users can share their models created with Shape.  If you have no idea how to use their software, 3DVIA has a bunch of helpful tutorials available. 

This software is a competitor to Google SketchUp.  SketchUp also allows users to create 3D models and is available as a free download for Windows and Mac users.  3DVIA Shape software is only available on the Windows platform and its minimum requirements include Internet Explorer 6 or Firefox 2.0. The 3DVIA Shape software cannot be used unless a user creates an account with 3DVIA.com.  Both Google and 3DVIA also offer pro versions of their programs.

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MobileSphere recently launched a free voice messaging service called (very aptly!) Slydial, that connects you automatically to someone’s voice mail so you can leave a message when you don’t feel like going through the conversation mode, or are pressed for time.

Some of the scenario’s they present where Slydial could be especially useful are quite humorous, others very realistic.  Feel like taking a play day and you are calling in “oh so sick” and don’t want to actually talk to your boss? There you go. How about that “let’s just be friends” call that you’re too chicken to actually have the other person on the other end of the line listening to because you don’t want to hear an hour’s worth of sobbing? Uh-huh. Want to call and thank Great Aunt Bessie for the lovely birthday sweater she sent you, but don’t want to hear all about her aches and pains for a half-hour? Yep, you’re seeing where this could come in handy, aren’t you?

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Pixlr, a program from Sweden that some compare to Photoshop Express, is a web-based photo editing software that really holds it’s weight.  When you click on the Pixlr.com link, you will immediately be brought to the site and invited to “jump right in” and begin using the software. Flash based, it is actually really rather simple to use for anyone even vaguely familiar with photo editing. 

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Anyone looking to become a new T-Mobile customer may just be in luck. Wal-Mart of all places currently has a sweet deal in place on a variety of models. Some of the items include the Wing, which comes with a free Kingston 1GB memory card and USB card reader and will (after rebate) give you $50.

The titanium BlackBerry Curve, Pearl and Dash are all in the same category, giving you $50 cash back, however these last three do not offer the free memory card and USB card reader. Still a nice deal though.

The Samsung Blast, Katalyst and the SGH-T639 will all get you $75 back after rebates. They also have some good deals on the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic phone, MOTORIZR as well as some MOTORAZR models.

Of course most of these deals require a mail-in-rebate so be sure to fill out all your paperwork. Click the product link below to check out the full list of deals.

Product [Wal-Mart] Via [Gizmodo]

For many people just getting into digital photography, the world of photo editing can seem a tad overwhelming. Hewlett Packard offers some help in the foray through the forest of editing your precious snapshots and helping you turn them into all they can be, even if it didn’t happen exactly the way you wanted right from the camera.

The Adobe Photoshop program, a perennial favorite among many photographers is rather tried and true. It’s used by everyone from magazine layout staff and professionals to the Joe Schmoe who captured his son playing flag football at the weekend game. However, if you are first wading into the waters of photo editing...granted, the program may seem a little daunting, especially for those not familiar with any kind of editing or publishing software. 

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Sony has recently begun shipping the mylo com2 with a free charging cradle. While its certainly not a must have item, and I am not sure it would push me over the edge and make me run out to purchase a mylo, its always a nice deal when you are getting a $29.99 item for free.

A dock or charging cradle is one accessory that I consider a must have for most gadgets. It looks much nicer sitting on the desk, it helps to keep your device from getting bumped and knocked to the floor and is much easier to stick your device in the dock or cradle as opposed to fiddling with a loose wire.

Sony has not made any mention of whether this is a permanent or just a limited time offer, but if you were already considering a mylo purchase, this sounds like as good a time as ever to make that purchase.

Product [Sony Style] Via [pocketables]

It was way back in February when we first learned that AT&T was beginning the process of taking over the Wi-Fi offering at Starbucks. With that announcement came the word that as long as you have a Starbucks gift card that you are actively using you will be able to receive two free consecutive hours of Wi-Fi a day. Well since then we have seen lots of Wi-Fi coming and going, sometimes with stories about the offers and sometimes it was related to the access being live. Well it turns out that two free hour offering is just about ready to go live.

According to Dave Zatz:

“the system was configured a few days ago and they’ve confirmed it works. I saw the back of the store memo and the manager says they’ve got signage behind the counter ready to go in conjunction with the June 3rd launch.”

And, just in case you have something against using the Starbucks card, those two hours of Wi-Fi will set you back just $3.99. In addition to this offer, those Laptop Connect customers are also able to get free Wi-Fi at Starbucks locations as well. Sadly this offer has no mention of whether that free iPhone Wi-Fi offer will be returning, but with the launch rumored to take effect tomorrow, we will not have to wait long to find out. Hopefully this roll-out will be for all Starbucks locations, however its possible that it may be a limited roll-out on an area by area basis.

Read [Zatz Not Funny] Via [jkOnTheRun]

Once again we are back on the AT&T free Wi-Fi offer, however in a refreshing twist (except for this mention) it has nothing to do with an iPhone. In fact this latest offer is giving all Laptop Connect customers, who are on a service plan of $60 or higher free access to Wi-Fi hotspots at any of AT&T’s 17,000 plus hotspots. The best news is that it is effective beginning today, May 20, 2008.

Effective tomorrow, May 20th, the long-awaited FREE WiFi Access to over 17,000 WiFi locations throughout the U.S. launches for Laptop Connect Customers with plans $60 or higher. This exciting new feature will allow customers unlimited access to over 17,000 WiFi locations at no extra charge including locations in Starbucks and McDonalds. Customers will need three things for this free access:

* A laptop card. FREE WiFi for Smartphones is not available yet, but will be later in 2008.
* The latest version of Communication Manager (version 6.8). Once loaded this version will automatically log onto AT&T hotspots.
* A Laptop Connect plan of $60 or greater.

Also, in addition to the Laptop Connect customers, all smartphone users will also be able to get free the same free Wi-Fi offer, however this will not be available till later in the year. Lets hope the free offer for smartphone users comes sooner than later, and also that this offer stays around.

Via [Boy Genius Report]