Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Yesterday,  Google let loose their video chat to the masses.  If your account doesn’t have the option yet, Google promises within a day or so you will.  The new option for video is very simple and many users are wondering, how does this differ from other online video services like Skype?

Skype is a full-featured video calling program.  It is easiest to think of Gmail voice and chat as augmenting their instant messaging chat rather than something completely new.  One of the biggest differences is Gmail’s version only allows video chatting with other Gmail users who have downloaded the plug in (about 2MB).  With Skype, users are allowed to contact both online and offline numbers, albeit for a fee.  There is not an option to go offline with Gmail voice and chat.

See what else Gmail voice and video users won’t be doing anytime soon.

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Sections: Communications, Email / IM, Web, Web 2.0, Google

E-mail, messaging, Internet, touchscreen all for under $100.  That is what Samsung has been bringing to AT&T now for about 2 years under the BlackJack name.  Today, Samsung changes things up and rolls out the Epix name for what looks to be the 3rd installment in the BlackJack family.  Thankfully, its got two big additions its supposed siblings were sorely missing.

Namely: touchscreen and voice dialing.  Oh, thank the higher powers!  For those of us on corporate phones, the BlackJack was a safe bet.  It did most of the things you needed, though none too well.  We all missed voice dialing.  This version finally brings it all home.

The Epix runs Windows Mobile 6.1, features a 2 mp camera and runs on the 3G network.  The phone is on AT&T’s site now for just $99; $20 more than the BlackJack 2.  Sounds like a pretty good deal.  I’ll have one to play with soon, so expect an update on how it really performs.

Product page [AT&T]

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The voice to text service company, Jott, has brought its voice recognition technology to BlackBerry devices. Using Jott’s technology BlackBerry users can now reply to email using their voices. The Jott voice recognition technology works with the BlackBerry 8800, 8300 and 8100. By using Jott for BlackBerry, you will be able to reply (at least according to Jott) 3-5 times faster than typing the message out, you will be able to send more personal replies and possibly most important be able to keep your eyes on the road while replying to email, of course in order to reply you would have had to read the message first.
Jott for BlackBerry also works with Bluetooth headsets. If you are interested, simply download and install, Jott will then automatically add a “reply with Jott” option to all emails that you receive from then on.

Product [Jott for BlackBerry] Via [Boy Genius Report]

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US Cellular has gotten into the unlimited offering spree that we have seen from the other carriers this past week. Their new unlimited national calling plan is $99 per month and includes unlimited voice calls. In addition to the unlimited voice plan, US Cellular also has an unlimited texting option for $14.95 and unlimited easyedge data for $9.95. The unlimited voice plan is available for new and existing customers but is a limited-time only offer.

Read [US Cellular] Via [IntoMobile]

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Helio first ran this $99 unlimited data and voice plan late last year but unfortunately it was only available for a limited time. Good news for anyone that wanted to take advantage of the offer but missed out, its back.

Down from the regular $145 a month, you can get unlimited daytime minutes, nights and weekends, mobile to mobile calling, text and video messaging, 3G web and email and GPS with Google Maps, all for $99 a month. Once you choose your plan you will have the option to choose the Ocean, Mysto, Fin or Heat. Helio does indicate that this will be a limited time offer, but no ending date was found so better not hesitate if this is right for you.

Read [Helio]

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