The trouble is, this talking while gaming scheme doesn’t work out normally because of the high-bandwidth needs of online games.  However, there is a savior in a product that utilizes a new Internet voice technology called SILK (from Skype).

A new product called Blabbelon looks to change the way gamers communicate while in the midst of game play.  The new product can handle thousands of simultaneous users.  The press release claims the system can handle 7,000 users, whereas existing systems cap out at a few dozen or so.

Also, because SILK uses such minute amounts of bandwidth, game play will be able to go one without impeding game play.

Blabbelon will immediately focus their attention on the online gaming space, with huge audiences who play games such as World of Warcraft.  Blabbelon is free to use between users.

While reading Blabbelon’s site, i see they’re coming out on mobile devices soon – which should extend the reach of their offering many times over.

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Add High Quality Voice To Your Gaming With Blabbelon

Now, video chats on Skype are bringing people together in new and never-before imagined ways.  From US soldiers in Iraq to families living thousands of miles away from each other, we have a new way of staying connected via new Internet technologies.  Way cool!

Her TED talk (embedded below) is a short 8 minutes and is incredibly interesting.

(Hat Tip: Skype Blogs)

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How Skype and Technology Make Intimacy Grow

Recently, Boingo added the BlackBerry smartphone lineup to its list of devices that is supports.  In addition to the iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile and Nokia line of phones, BlackBerry users can now access Boingo hotspots with a new level of ease.

Initially the Boingo Mobile application (available in the download center) is available for the BlackBerry Bold, Curve 9000 and Curve 8320.  I’m sure there will be many more models supported soon as Boingo is quite agressive with these types of rollouts.

So, if you have a Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry and want to access fast and cheap Wi-Fi while on the go, give Boingo and their new mobile application a look!

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Boingo On Your BlackBerry

The Nokia N79 is a deceiving little device.  At first glance, the candybar-shaped phone looks like an ordinary mobile phone.  However, the N79 stands out from the other NSeries cousins in aesthetics in that it is all white in color on the front facing.

This phone features an outstanding camera that produces high-quality images and smooth flowing video. It also has 3G data access and in-built WiFi. On the software side, this Symbian S60 phone has a full messaging and productivity suite.

The Nokia N79 has almost the same feature set as the N85 (review here), which was released at about the same time, but the N79 has is smaller with a more attractive appearance.  While the N85 is a dual-slider, the N79 is a candybar style, as you can see above.

Out Of The Box

This phone is a great-looking device.  Unlike the bulky Nokia N95, the N79 is a slim, light and gorgeous phone.  The face is all-white and the screen is a bit small at 2.4 inches, but it is bright and vibrant.  The XpressOn covers that adorn the back are interchangeable.  Upon purchase, you have the choice of a white, red, and brown back covers and the N79 has a unique feature as you swap covers on and off the back.  The background on the phone and themes change accordingly according to what cover is on the phone…a very nice touch.

The handset is a mere 4.3″ tall, 1.9″ wide, and .5″ deep and weighs in at only 3.4 ounces.  The face of the front is trimmed by a chrome strip.  Overall, the phone feels solid and well-balanced in your hand and slides easily in a pocket or bag.  The screen has a 320×240 pixel resolution that presents text and images in a crisp manner.

The top of the handset has the power button, lock switch and 3.5 mm headphone jack.  As with other N Series handsets, the right hand side features a volume rocker and camera button.  The left side features a micro-SD slot and micro-USB port for data transfer.

In the box, you’ll find a power adapter, the N79 itself, USB cables, Video out cables, a 4GB microSD card, and reference manual.

Features

Being an NSeries phone, it should be assumed that the Nokia N79 was made for consuming and creating media.  The phone comes fully loaded with all the necessary components to make this your one-stop shop for media consumption, whether it’s audio or video content.

The built-in media player plays MP3, AAC, and WMA audio files.  On the video side, the N79 plays MP4, 3GP, and H.264 media.  These files can pump out media via the standard sized 3.5 mm headphone jack or the on-board speakers.  Another great feature – if you have a headset plugged in, you can listen to FM radio on the N79’s on-board FM tuner.

If you’re more into creating you own digital content, the N79 will suit you as well.  The on-board 5MP camera has a Carl Zeiss lens that captures phenomenal photographs.  The camera is also great at shooting video at full VGA resolution at 30 frames per second for true-to-life video.  To help make your videos look even better, Nokia has included a video stabilization feature to help reduce shake as you capture videos.

While I’m talking about the camera, I’d like to mention one great feature…a sliding cover that not only protects lens, but provides a great piece of functionality that I really like.  When you have the N79 in your hand and want to shoot an image, you simply open the cover, snap the photo, and close it when you’re done.  No weird menus to navigate through – just easy photo taking fun.

The N79 features is 3G capable, meaning it supports the 850/1900 Mhz for 3G data access on AT&Ts 3G network.  T-Mobile USA uses a different set of frequencies so if you’re out of luck if you’re on the T-Mobile network.  However, like other N Series models, the N79 has Wi-Fi for fast data when you’re in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.  The N79 also features on-board GPS and Bluetooth 2.0.

On the software side, the Nokia N79 does not disappoint.  The Nokia N79 runs on the 3rd edition of the S60 Feature Pack 2 of the Symbian operating system.  For navigation, the N79 features Nokia Maps 3.0 which provides driving and walking directions along with syncing with Ovi services along with color maps, route planning, and other points of interest.

For productivity and other needs, the N79 features QuickOffice gives you access to view Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.  Also, you have access to a PDF view, a calendar, and other standard mobile applications.  As with other Nokia handsets, the N79 features e-mail functionality with standard e-mails in addition to Exchange email for corporate-types.

Performance

I tested the Nokia N79 throughout the Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, CA areas on the T-Mobile network. I found call quality to be very good in areas with even low signal areas.  As with other Nokia handsets, the Finnish company engineers and manufactures amazing radios in their mobile handsets.  I consistently enjoyed great volume with no background noise or other common problems associated with cell phone issues.

The built-in accelerometer performed well also – changing screen orientation whenever needed (this feature can be disabled in preferences).  In terms of system performance and usability, the Nokia N79 performed well.  There was minimal lag and delay when launching applications or navigating menus.

Going into the hardware capabilities, the N79’s speakers are very audible, even in slightly noisy environments.  Music sounds great both using the headphone jack and the Bluetooth chip with wireless headphones.

I achieved very good battery life on the N79.  Even using battery-heavy features such as snapping photos, shooting video, and using Wi-Fi, the battery held up well.  I was able to easily get 2-4 days of battery life based on my usage – which is much better than some other handsets I’ve tried in the past.

Conclusion

All-in-all, the Nokia N79 is a fantastic handset.  In my opinion, for a candy-bar style phone, the N79 has all that anyone could ask for.  The N79 has good looks, great call quality, strong multimedia performance, awesome photo and video capturing capabilities and stunning battery life.

The Nokia N79 may not have a touch screen like the Nokia N97 or an amazing full QWERTY keyboard like the E71, but this phone carries a lot of great features.  The little stunner of a phone makes it easy to keep in touch with your friends and capture all the important moments of your life.

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Techcraver Review: Nokia N79 Handset

Today, the mobile carrier took another step to help win over mobile phone customers.

The Even More and Even More rate plans were announced today.

Lets start with the Even More packages.  These require a two-year service agreement and include a discounted phone.  The unlimited individual prices begin at $59 per month and go up to $99 if you want unlimited messaging and web access as well.

With  the Even More Plus plans, you don’t get any equipment discount and unlimited plans start at $49 per month for voice and are only $79/month for unlimited everything (messaging and web access).

So, basically, if you already have a handset or don’t mind paying full price for one – the Even More Plus is a better deal in terms of monthly service charges.

One change I don’t like at all: T-Mobile has done a way with the myFaves plans, which allowed unlimited calling to your 5 most called contacts.  With other carriers such as AT&T and Verizon recently adding these types of “calling circles” to their plans, T-Mobile has taken a step back in taking the myFaves option off the table.

However, if you want an unlimited plan with no worries about the amount of minutes used or texts sent, it looks like these new T-Mobile plans are a winner.  What do you think about the new rate plans?

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T-Mobile USA Unveils New and Improved Rate Plans

The Nokia N97 is the Finnish handset makers’ latest flagship N Series device.  I first saw the N97 in December of 2008 where I first got to play with a prototype and was shown the facets of this new handset.  The Nokia N97, with its touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard has qualities that both leisure mobile users and business users would like.

At First Glance

The Nokia N97, with its 3.5″ touch screen and impressive aesthetics, makes you look when catch a glance of this handset.  The Nokia N97 comes in white and black colors – with my favorite being the white model.  The phone is roughly the same size of an iPhone, being a bit thicker.  The front of the phone features a front facing camera, proximity sensor (for dimming the screen when on a phone call), ‘Home’ Button, and send/end soft keys.

The N97 touch screen is resistive, meaning you have to press down on it for your ‘click’ or tap to be registered.  This differs from the iPhone which is a capacitive screen that requires no pressing, a nice feature!.  The screen on the N97 is a very good resolution and is bright and vibrant.

The sides of the Nokia N97 reveal the regular NSeries buttons.  On the top of the N97 you see the headphone jack (regular 2.5 MM jack) and power button.  The left side of the device reveals a micro-USB connector and lock button and the left side of the N97 has the camera button and volume rocker.

The impressive part about the N97 is the side action that reveals a full QWERTY keyboard.  Nokia spent a lot of time on the hinge and it’s industrial design is impressive.  After the N95’s poor slide-out hinge quality, Nokia apparently didn’t want to make a similar mistake on their newest flagship.  When the keyboard is visible, the screen is at a 45 degree angle from the base of the device – a very nice touch.

Functionality

Hardware

The Nokia N97 is loaded in terms of hardware functionality.  The phone features a quad-band GSM calling with support for 3G networks.  My review unit is the Euro version meaning it supports 3G bands used in Europe, but it does support 1900Mhz which is used in certain geographies in North America.  I use T-Mobile USA, so I wasn’t surfing with 3G speeds during my review, but the phone’s built in Wi-Fi made data access fast when Wi-Fi was available.

The N97 also features on-board GPS with A-GPS and a 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens.  Nokia loaded the N97 with a whopping 32GB of on-board memory and it accepts a micro-SD card, which means you could have as much as 64GB of storage on this device, plenty for your videos, images, and music you’d like to take along for the ride.  To enjoy your music, you can also use the N97’s built-in FM transmitter for pushing your tunes out to any FM radio.

Software

The N97 features Symbian S60 5th edition which is the touch-friendly version found on the XpressMusic 5800 as well.  This version of S60 has been optimized for Touch, meaning the icons are larger and the menus are more logical and easy to manage.

Another unique feature of the Nokia N97 is the customizable home screen.  You can embed widgets on the Nokia N97 which keeps different type of online content at your fingertips.  This is a distinguishing feature from the iPhone – which allows no customization of information on the homescreen.  On my N97 screen, I have my Facebook contacts, local weather, my Twitter updates from Gravity, and 4 of my most used contacts.  Pretty handy!

Using the Device

With all this firepower in the hardware department, what is it actually like to use the N97 on a day-to-day basis?  The N97, in a word, is fluid.  Going between menus is quick and easy.  Shooting photos and video happen with minimal delay and messaging via SMS and emails is a joy on this Nokia handset.

As mentioned before, the Nokia has a 5MP camera.  During outdoor shots, the photo quality is excellent.  For indoor shots and night shots, the dual-LED flash do a decent job of taking photos and capturing memories.

Video quality is pretty good on the Nokia N97.  For a sample, check out this video I shot:

The sound on that video leaves a lot to be desired, but keep in mind it was windy that day, hence the issues.

The on-board GPS on the N97 locks on to satellites quickly.  Not as fast as the amazing Nokia N82, but the N97 quicker than most other GPS-enabled mobile phones I’ve used.  This is extremely useful when you are lost or seeking a route while in your car or walking to a destination.

As for call quality on the N97 – again Nokia has nailed this important feature of a mobile phone.  Callers constantly said I sound great as did those who I called.

A bad thing on the Nokia N97 is the lack of on-board RAM.  Of course, this phone has a ton of on-board memory, but in terms of the C:\ drive, with only a few applications installed, I only have 20MB available for use on the root drive.  For a flagship device, this is appalling – especially one that retails for $600.

Conclusion

If you’re seeking a multi-media powerhouse mobile phone, the N97 should be on your radar. This handset features a remarkable hardware list that functions well.  Also, S60 5th edition is a very nice mobile OS that most people should get along with just fine.

This phone, in one phrase, is an all-in-one Internet connected device that will allow you to consume and create awesome digital media and capture important moment in your life.

After using the N97 for a few months, I can see how the hinge will likely stand up to years of use with no problem.  I dropped the N97 a few times with no issues and also, I carried the N97 in my pocket with change and keys and have yet to see any scratches on the touch screen.

My main issue with the N97 is the lack of memory on the C:\ drive, but a future release of the OS is supposedly going to fix this.

Overall, the N97 is a great device that any serious mobile phone user should evaluate for purchase.

(Photo Credit: Flickr User William)

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Techcraver Review: Nokia N97

Skype, the granddaddy of consumer VoIP products, has been lobbying the FCC for many moons now to get AT&T to open up 3G bands for Skype usage.  In a blog post, CEO Josh Silverman praised AT&T’s announcement.

What does this mean? If you have Skype running on your iPhone via AT&T, you’ll soon be able to make Skype phone calls over the cellular network.  This was possible before, but only via Wi-Fi and not a 3G connection.

Om Malik praises increased telco competition for today’s AT&T announcement.  Some are saying AT&T is trying to counter Verizon Wireless’ announcement that Google Voice will be support on Verizon’s new Android based handsets, due in the coming weeks.

Either way, being able to use Skype via 3G on AT&T is a huge bonus for people who make international phone calls or are otherwise using Skype on their mobiles.  Thank goodness for competitive energy!

For those interest, here’s the official announcement from AT&T.

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AT&T To Allow All VoIP Apps On 3G, Even Skype

Introduction:

Nokia’s ExpressMusic series is a line of phones centered around music and entertainment.  The 5800 XpressMusic was released in 2008 and has seen very positive sales figures.  The 5800 was revolutionary because it was the first Series 60 phone that was fully touch-enabled.

The 5530 XpressMusic appears at first glance to be a less expensive, stripped down version of the 5800. The 5530 is definitely easier on the eye with its white casing and slimmed-down form factor, making it a beautiful and attractive phone

But, when it comes down to it – is the 5530 XpressMusic a usable phone for day-to-day usage?  Lets dig in and break it down.

Hardware Capabilities

Back in 2008, Nokia introduced the 5800 Xpress music, equipped with a a 3.2″ touch-sensitive screen, 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, onboard GPS and 3G chip for ultra-fast data connection.

To make the 5530 more affordable, this handset features:

• Quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900) with EDGE data support
• S60 5th Edition
• 802.11 b/g WiFi
• BL-4U 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery
• Bluetooth 2.0
• 2.9 inch 640 x 360 pixels touchscreen display
• microSD card slot (4GB card included)
• 3.5mm headset jack
• 3.2 megapixel camera with 15 fps video support
• Dimensions: 4.09 x 1.92 x 0.51 inches and 3.77 ounce

In summary, the 5530 strips out the 3G chipset, onboard GPS, and awesome Carl Zeiss lens and excellent video capture capabilities.

While the 5530’s screen may be slightly smaller than the 5800, it is of higher resolution, so overall the 5530’s screen makes images and text appear brighter and clearer than the 5800 model.  I have seen a lot of mobile phone screens in my time, and the 5530’s stands out as a winner.

In terms of aesthetics, the 5530 shines.  It’s all white plastic exterior is very well designed.  As for buttons, on the top you only have a solitary power button.  The right side features a volume rocker, slide lock (for locking the touch screen), and camera button which is also used to snap photos.  On the left hand side of the device, you only see the compartment for the SIM card and external MicroSD slot.  The bottom of the 5530 is where you plug in USB cord, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and power.

There is a stylus included that is on the back – it integrates very nicely and is similar to the 5800 XM’s stylus, except for the fact that the stylus is round.

Speaking of the battery cover, it is a piece of white flimsy plastic that appears to be very weak in design.  I’d imagine that after years of use, this plastic piece could be a problem and might break easily.

Software and Applications

One new change with the 5530 over the 5800 is that you main contact bar on the phone’s home screen.  With the 5800, you could choose 4 contacts to have a photo of them with one-click access to recent calls, text messages, and other points of information.  You could even assign an RSS feed to keep up with your contact’s online activity as well.

With the 5530, you can have many contacts and scroll through them as needed.  I have more than just 4 contacts to keep on my home screen, so I appreciate Nokia enabling the new functionality with the Contact Bar on the 5530.

At the bottom of the 5530’s home screen, you can set up to 4 applications to have shortcuts to.  I wish they allowed for more than 4 as in the contact bar, but this is a personal preference.

Clicking on the menu button, you’ll find the standard array of Symbian applications including media player, FM Radio, and games such as Bounce and a racing game.  Overall I think with Symbian S60 5th edition, Nokia has enhanced the menu system to make Symbian easier to navigate and manage through the touch interface.

With the 5530, like the 5800, the touch interface features haptic feedback. This is important as it makes the user aware that a touch or click has been registered by the system.

Call Quality and General Performance

I used the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic on the T-Mobile network in the United States, and I was amazed again with Nokia’s call quality.  Callers said I sounded great and to me, I could hear voices very well.  I liked the on-screen keyboard for composing text messages and emails.

I found the performance of the 5530 to be superb.  Response time when going through menus and options was quick and didn’t present any issues.  I liked the fancy transitions when going between screens – a very nice UI touch.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a touch screen phone that is unlocked and ready for use anywhere in the world and on any GSM carrier, take a look at the 5530 XpressMusic.  It may not have the best camera and may lack 3G, but this phone is a budget-conscience success waiting to land in your hand.  I recently saw this phone for $250 in a local retailer and it is well worth the price.

For those looking for even more features, check out the 5800 or even the N97.  But overall, Nokia packed a lot of features and fun into a sub $300 mobile phone in the 5530 XpressMusic.

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Techcraver Review: Nokia 5530 XpressMusic

It is my fourth passion mentioned above that has inspired my newest project: PintsandSteins.com.

I am a huge fan of Oregon’s craft brewery industry and the fantastic beer we have come to know and love here in the Pacific Northwest.  I’m always talking about and seeking new beers and I finally realized it was time to help share the news and analysis I come across.

Pints and Steins will feature new breweries, local beers, and the brewers that make it all happen. Please visit my new site and subscribe to the RSS Feed.

My first featured article profiles a local brewery that is about to go big: Pale Horse Brewing of Salem, Oregon.

I am currently seeking new brews and breweries to profile, so if you want to connect, please email me or call me at (503) 334-2574.

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New Project: Launching a New Site – Pints And Steins

Techcrunch is reporting that the purchase price is between €10 million and €15 million.  Also, it has been reported that Dopplr was about to gain another round of funding before Nokia came knocking.

Why does this acquisition matter? As a frequent traveler, I’m constantly on the lookout for people in my social circle who might be in the same area traveling for business or leisure.  Services such as Dopplr (and TripIt) make this type of information readily available.

It’s true Dopplr isn’t a widely adopted social service, the service does have a userbase that is passionate about the Dopplr service – all things that will benefit Nokia going forward.

For Nokia, this deal is intriguing.  As the handset maker looks to expand into the software service market, it’s obvious Nokia is going after companies that will offer invaluable services to mobile phone users.  In the case of this acquisition, mobile phone users who are frequent travelers and want to connect with others.

An interesting note about Dopplr : they have an iPhone app, in addition to their mobile Internet site.  It will be interesting to see what happens going forward.  I imagine an S60 app will come out soon!

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Nokia Acquires Social Travel Site Dopplr