Samsung has become the first of the top three mobile phone manufacturers to unveil an Android powered phone – the I7500. This definitely shows that the top mobile players are taking the Android platform quite seriously to counter Apple’s super successful iPhone.

Here’s what JK SHin, Executive Vice president at Samsung had to say:

“Samsung is among the earliest members of the Open Handset Alliance and has been actively moving forward to introduce the most innovative Android mobile phone”

It is yet to be seen if this IS the most innovative Android phone considering the fact there are just two major manufacturers introducing handsets so far. The I7500 does have some neat features like a 3.2” AMOLED full touch screen and 7.2Mbps HSDPA and WiFi connectivity, giving users access to Google™ Mobile services and full web browsing 3.5G speed wherever there is coverage available.

The Samsung I7500 offers users access to the full suite of Google services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Calendar™, and Google Talk™. The integrated GPS receiver enables the comprehensive use of Google Maps features, such as My Location, Google Latitude, Street View, local search and detailed route description. Hundreds of other applications are available in Android Market. For example, the application Wikitude, a mobile travel guide, allows consumers to access details of unknown sights via location-based Wikipedia articles.

Based on Samsung’s proven product leadership, Samsung I7500 comes with latest multimedia features. The large and vivid 3.2“AMOLED display ensures the brilliant representation of multimedia content and enjoyable full touch mobile experience. Along with supporting a 5-megapixel camera and various multimedia codec formats, the I7500 also provides a long enough battery life (1500mAh) and generous memory capacity up to 40GB (Internal memory: 8GB, External memory: Up to 32GB) to enjoy all the applications and multimedia content. The phone also boasts its slim and compact design with mere 11.9mm thickness.

The I7500 is expected to be available in all major European countries beginning June 2009. It will be interesting to see how it performs as it might be the time when a new iPhone might be introduced as well. Not to mention firmware update 3.0! Going to be an exciting 2009 this!

I love watches – especially those bracelet watches with sophisticated chronographs. But recently I came across a faceless watch which looks like just a metal bracelet. There are no dials or digital screens on this watch but apparently it still tells time.

Basically there are LEDs embedded in the bracelet. Press a button and the LEDs light up to show the time. Looking at the picture it doesn’t look like its that easy to read the time as the LED color isn’t contrasting against the metallic bracelet. It certainly looks like an interesting concept for those who don’t like to wear watches but still into jewelery. The product page of this watch doesn’t have any information on the price and shipment date and is still labeled as “coming soon”!
[Via Wired]

Are you a video editor? How about a cool mouse that can make your life easier? The mouse comes with a software that allows professional video editors to program mouse movements to specific video functions. Power users will appreciate being able to program any keystroke, combination keystroke or series of keystrokes (macros) to any of the buttons, scroll wheel or mouse movement.

The switch between normal operation and HD operation is pretty easy by a click on the scroll wheel. This mouse also comes with presets for popular Mac and Windows applications. No software is required for standard operation while the software for HD operation is free and can be downloaded from Bella.

You read that right – LEGO has introduced an all new Boombox. At just a MSRP of $39.99, this is one cheap Boombox that you can afford even in these times.

The LEGO Boombox plays CD, CDR, CDRW with AM/FM Radio function as well. The unit also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack and an auxiliary jack as well. It can be powered straight from an outlet or be carried around with half a dozen C batteries providing the necessary juice. Planning to get one? Check it out at Digital Blue.

If you are looking for good portable speakers for your iPhone or iPod then you might want to check out the new portable speakers from iLuv. iLuv has recently introduced some brightly colored models which will suit your active personality anytime.

They offer from the overly feminine to the neutral colors for those that don’t really want any of that color nonsense mucking up their speakers. Luckily they don’t have any of those overly bright colors that you typically see these days. More subtle colors but with a splash of brightness is how I would describe them.

The iSP100 speakers include 720-degree surround sound 4W speakers and of course the necessary 3.5mm jack. This makes it easy for you to use it with your favorite music player. They run on three AAA batteries and it comes with a carrying case to protect from scuffs. You can pick one up for $34.99 in purple, pink, black or gray.
[Via Gearlog]

How would you like to play a game of truth of dare and make sure that your friend is really telling the truth? Well having a few beers before the game is one option, but for those who don’t drink you can use the truth wristband. Apparently, this $45 wearable device is supposed to be able to dynamically “reflect your psycho-emotional response to the world, promoting internal states to be externalized and made into interactive forms of expression.

This is how it works:

“Measuring the galvanic skin response (a marker of emotional arousal commonly used in lie detector tests), this device lights turn from blue to red as the wearer becomes aroused. Ask the wearer an evocative question and reveal his or her inner Truth.”

Does it work? Not sure! But if you see it on CSI, then it probably will work after all!

Who can forget that utterly disgusting yet likable green ogre – SHREK! Now there’s an interesting MP3 player on the way (still in concept) which looks like Shrek. Pretty interesting actually.

As usual, it comes in Shrek’s signature green color, sotring earplugs where the “ears” are. There is also 4GB of internal memory within. A cool gift for any season I must say.
[Via Ubergizmo]

Are you a morning person? Or are you like the rest of us human beings? If you belong to the latter, you’re going to love (or really hate) this alarm clock. This innovative alarm clock will ensure that you will either have to wake up on time or go broke before the end of the month. Just make sure your mom doesn’t read this!

Called the Banclock, it is pretty much like any alarm clock for someone unassuming. That’s until the alarm goes off in the morning – you can’t shut it off until you drop a coin in it. So you’ll have to think twice about setting another alarm for ten minutes later. Powered by three AA batteries, the Banclock is available in four colors, and its box shape is both sophisticated and kind of fun.

A nice gadget for bosses to get for their employees. At $53.03, it might be a worthwhile investment for your company after all.
[Via Switched]

You’ve used the Wii to practice bowling, shooting pool, hitting a homerun and even doing that moonwalk! But now you can take it one step even further by working out using your Wii. Now there’s no excuse for not lifting those dumbbells anymore.

Enter Riiflex – the dumbbell weight accessory for the Nintendo Wii and Wii fit. Initially perceived as just a CAD mock up, it has now graduated to some sort of a plastic sleeve prototype. The dumbbell set is now actually available in meatspace in pixel-green or baby raster-blue. The set will come in at either 2lbs or 4lbs (0.9 Kg or 1.81 Kg) and will cost $35 and $40 for pairs (one slides onto the Wiimote and the other onto the nunchuk).

Here’s an excerpt from the product website:

Riiflex™ weights combine the durability you would expect from quality fitness gear, and innovative design you’ll appreciate each time you use these in your Wii™, and Wii Fit™ exercise routines. The ergonomic grip provides secure control throughout a broad range of motions.

A nice addition to your gaming accessory! The Riiflex will be available for shipping during summer 2009.

Some of you might be familiar with the My Book series of external hard drives from Western Digital. The My Book Essential line up of external hard drives offer up to 1TB of data storage capability. Now Western Digital has expanded their line up to include a new 2TB model as well.

2TB storage is currently the largest available storage in a single drive storage device. These new models are compatible both with the Mac and Windows machines. There are four models available: My Book Studio Edition, My Book Mac Edition, My Book Home Edition, and My Book Essential Edition.

All these models share the same 2TB capacity and the USB 2.0 connection available in the My Book Essential edition. However, the other models also offer FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA interfaces for faster data transfer rates. The My Book Home Edition is also equipped with continuous backup software for PC users who need an easy way to back up data.

Here are the highlights of the features available on the My Book:

- Small footprint to save space
- Capacity gauge to check available space at a glance
- Goes into standby after 10 minutes of inactivity
- SmartPower feature which turns off and turns on the device along with the PC.
- Safe Shutdown feature prevents the drive from being powered down until all the data has been written
- Kensington Security Slot that lets users secure the drive to their desk

The new My Book family is available now at retailers and cost between $329.99 and $379.99, depending on model and capacity. The Mac version is currently unavailable and is expected to be available sometime next month.