Based on the original Motorola CLIQ, but dropping that handset’s slide-out hardware keyboard in favor of a slimmer chassis and Swype text-entry system, the CLIQ XT certainly has a reasonably packed spec-list.  A 5-megapixel camera, multitouch and Flash Lite support are all this season’s must-haves, and despite the CLIQ XT being positioned as a mid-range device they’re all onboard.

Still, it’s been a long time since Android 1.5 was current, and as we’ve learnt the hard way in the past, it’s not about the specs but how the device delivers.  Does the Motorola CLIQ XT do enough to push past its OS limitations in what’s now a far more competitive Android segment?  You’ll have to read the full review to find out.

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That’s because, to change from delivery to pick-up, the order must in fact be cancelled and then re-placed as an in-store collection.  However, the “overwhelming” number of orders have seemingly left Apple uncertain as to whether they’ll have sufficient store units to satisfy that demand.

It’s unclear whether this is a US-wide situation or limited to certain stores, and Apple themselves are yet to officially comment.  Previous rumors and leaks suggested that iPad production had faced issues and that initial numbers of devices would be limited; however they were quickly followed by reports apparently from component suppliers that production was on-track according to schedule.

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According to the Eye-Fi blog, that’s all down to their new X2 engine, which bundles together a 200 MHz ARM926 processor with an MMU, dedicated flash and radio interface engines, and encryption acceleration hardware.  Combined, they’re good for improved WiFi-triangulation geotagging accuracy and “Endless Memory”, Eye-Fi’s new system whereby images and video are automatically deleted from the X2 once the card has verified that they’ve been correctly uploaded to the server.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 will also come with Eye-Fi Center, the newest version of the company’s desktop manager app for PC and Mac.  Eye-Fi Center will also be available for existing Eye-Fi owners, though so far we can’t find it to download on their site.  As for the Eye-Fi Pro X2, that’s available for $149.99.

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Spring Design had previously been promising early March 2010 availability for the Alex, though that time period came and went.  In fact, at time of posting the company’s store page still reads “Thanks for your patience. We’re almost ready with our Alex store. Keep checking in and by the first week of March you’ll be able to order your Alex online.”

Before that, a February 22nd release had been suggested.  We’ve got a request in with Spring Design for more information, and will update as and when we hear back from them.

Spring Design Alex hands-on demo:

[Thanks Alex!]

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Plastic Logic are promising free shipping to preorder customers as an apology for the delay; the QUE was originally expected to ship in mid-April 2010.  The device – which uses an E Ink display like other ebook readers, but paired with a unique plastic backplane of Plastic Logic’s own design – is being positioned as a business device, with pricing to match.  The entry-level model kicks off at around $650.

Plastic Logic statement:

From: Richard Archuleta
Subject: QUE proReader Shipping Update

Thank you for being one of the first customers to order a QUE proReader from Plastic Logic. We appreciate your business.

Today, I wanted to personally inform you that we are postponing the first QUE proReader shipments until this Summer in order to fine-tune the features and enhance the overall product experience.
Within the next month we will send you an email with more details about your order. If you also ordered accessories for your QUE proReader, we plan to ship them at the same time as your QUE proReader.
I can imagine that you want to get your QUE proReader as soon as possible. We are sorry for the delay. For your inconvenience, the shipping charges will be on us.
Please note that we will not charge your credit card until your order is ready to ship.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at QUEhelp@PlasticLogic.com.
Once again, thank you for being one of our first QUE proReader customers.
Best regards,

Richard Archuleta
CEO
Plastic Logic

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What’s the TiVo paradox? It’s a term I coined to explain how hard it is to market the contextual value of features. A distinct conflict existed between consumer understanding of TiVo features and their ability to value the functionality. This was the TiVo paradox. While the purpose of TiVo features was clear and consumers valued features exclusive to TiVo, they don’t learn to appreciate the entire package of features until they used them. The net result was a rabid fan base of users who loved and praised the product and other users who couldn’t understand the cost of a $500 “digital VCR”.

TiVo’s features were relevant to the TV viewing experience based on a user’s immediate contextual need; the pause and rewind live TV feature is the killer feature for a sports fan, while remote access to the electronic programming guide is key to the busy traveler’s DVR experience. Without trying these features, users are unaware of their overall value as they come together as a whole. Want to pause TV when the phone rings? That’s the killer app at that moment. Recording a show using an EPG to simply search for it? That’s the killer app at that moment. Skipping commercials when you watch recorded content? That’s the killer app at that moment. Contextual functionality ONLY comes together when you get to see the whole, not a piece or part. When you see only pieces, you just get a very expensive VCR not a TiVo.

This is exactly the issue I think Palm is having right now.

Palm’s features by themselves are not “killer applications”. In fact, they look a lot at the surface like most of the other phones that are out there. There are, however, a multitude of features related to things like Synergy that are totally contextual, that at a given moment in time BECOME the killer app for using the device. It’s something you see reflected in the base of the webOS user. Those who use webOS are totally fans of the experience and don’t discuss issues such as a lack of applications. They focus on the contextual experience that delivers on the notion of mobile social context.

The problem for Palm (as TiVo learned) is this is a nasty marketing problem since there’s no good way to get the message across in 30 seconds. It’s important for Palm to start focusing it’s marketing on getting the message of mobile social context out there; at the same time Palm needs a better way to leverage the fan base that make up webOS users, since those are the folks who have made the leap of faith and for whom the light bulb has already lit up. I don’t think Palm is anywhere close to being down and out but they need to re-think how to tell a great story of engineering and technical achievement and break the Palm Paradox.

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Video demo after the cut

It’s not the first time we’ve seen designers attempt to cater to gamers with their iPhone concepts.  Given Apple’s attempts in recent months to position the smartphone – and its iPod touch cousin – as a legitimate gaming handheld we wouldn’t be surprised if the company themselves were looking at how to make the control experience better, though we don’t imagine they’d quite take the step to giving the next-gen phone wings.

Elsewhere in the iPhone Pro concept there’s a MagSafe connector for easier charging, a bigger display and a front-facing camera for video calls.  The power button slips from the top to the back and gains some MacBook Pro style too.  We doubt this is what Apple really have lurking in the wings for release later this year, but it’s good enough to tide us over for a while at least.

[via Recombu]

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In fact, in the ten week period between December 28th 2009 and March 7th 2010, Sony are believed to have shifted a grand total of 17,618 PSP Go units.  Again, that pales in comparison to the regular PSP, of which 667,961 were sold.

[via CrunchGear]

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The Lenovo L2261 Wide has 250cd/m2 brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, along with an anti-glare screen coating and an integrated PSU.  Connectivity includes VGA and HDCP-compliant DVI-D, though no HDMI, and the display adjusts for tilt and swivel but won’t rotate for portrait use.

As for the Lenovo L2351p Wide, that looks a whole lot more like an LCD HDTV and gains an HDMI input too; it also has a 0.3-megapixel webcam, speakers and a microphone, along with a three port USB 2.0 hub.  It too offers 250cd/m2 brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.

Finally, the Lenovo L2461x Wide with Multitouch has a 2-megapixel webcam, speakers and microphone, along with HDMI and VGA, a four-port USB 2.0 hub and an LED lightbar that’s controllable from a capacitive touchstrip.  There are also various Windows shortcut buttons on the front panel, while specs include 300cd/m2 brightness and 1,000:1 contrast.

According to the three datasheets (in the gallery below) all of the new monitors will arrive in March 2010.  No official word on pricing, but Thinkpads have dug up a couple of listings ranging from $549 to $1149 for the L2461x.

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That accompanies support for Apple’s own, DRM-encrypted ebooks and digital content that will be purchased on-device through the iBookstore.  Previously, while we’d known which format Apple would be using, it was unclear whether titles from outside of the iBooks ecosystem would be supported.  Still, it looks like there’ll be no way to download such content directly onto the iPad itself.

Meanwhile Apple have thrown up some screenshots of the 3G management system by which owners of the iPad WiFi + 3G models will be able to control their mobile data usage.  As well as being able to sign up and cancel on-device, there’ll also be a running total – useful for those on the 250MB package ($14.99 per month) – and the ability to switch between that and the unlimited data package ($29.99) or add a one-off 250MB boost ($14.99).  It’s also been made clear that you can sign up and cancel as often as you like.

[via Everything iPad 1 and 2]

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