Author Archives: Stefan Etienne

Founded tech site LaptopMemo. 16-years-old, loves tea, tennis, reading, tech, gaming, + more.

T-Mobile reports epic server failure, all data on T-Mobile Sidekicks lost

October 10, 2009 7:48 PM ⋅

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Talk about an epic cloud computing failure. All of your important info (ha, ha) is now missing due to a severe error with Microsoft/Danger’s server. And if you thought there was a chance you could get your stuff back, well, read this official statement:

Regrettably, based on Microsoft/Danger’s latest recovery assessment of their systems, we must now inform you that personal information stored on your device – such as contacts, calendar entries, to-do lists or photos – that is no longer on your Sidekick almost certainly has been lost as a result of a server failure at Microsoft/Danger. That said, our teams continue to work around-the-clock in hopes of discovering some way to recover this information. However, the likelihood of a successful outcome is extremely low.

That’s right. No more personal data for you, it’s all gone. The T-Mobile Sidekick gave you a big kick in the side.

Posted in: Breaking ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

HP Envy 15 Beats Edition beats everyone else

October 10, 2009 11:40 AM ⋅

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The already cool HP Envy 15 is now demanding respect. Look at the touches here and there. This is the best looking laptop of all time! Sort of. Although it looks better than all Macs combined, it probably costs as much, too. $2,299 is the price, although you do get Beat Headphones, so it’s worth it.

Although you could get a 17 inch Macbook Pro for the same price….

[HP via electronista]

Posted in: Laptops ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

NEW RUMOR: Barnes & Noble has its own e-reader in the works

October 8, 2009 8:34 PM ⋅

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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Barnes & Noble is planning their own e-reader for use with their E-Book Store.  Insiders claim that it will include a 6-inch screen, touchscreen interface, and wireless Internet to connect to the E-Book Store. Here’s what is interesting, according to even more sources, it will run Andriod, and you know when stuff run Andriod what happens, they really sell.

But of course, this is speculation from a supposed app developer inside of Barnes  & Noble.

And of course, this also means that there will be more than just one device using the Barnes E-Book Store, IREX has an e-reader of their own coming up.

[REUTERS]

Posted in: Breaking ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

Andriod estimated to overtake iPhone by 2012, in market share.

October 8, 2009 4:51 PM ⋅

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According to Gartner, a research firm, the Andriod platform will overtake the iPhone and its iPhone OS. Why? Well, it is very obvious, because Google lends the Andriod OS to multiple phone makers, allowing more profit to come in, which means more options for smartphone buyers.  With the iPhone currently at the 3rd spot, they estimate that it will stay there, with Andriod taking 2nd place in 2012, and the Nokia Symbian OS will stay at the top.

Note that Andriod beating the iPhone is in terms of market share, not sales, that’s the empty hole here.

So, there’s not much else to talk about here. Possibly.

[via AppleInsider]

Posted in: News ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Sony VAIO X Series live on Sony’s website, costs $1299

October 8, 2009 9:46 AM ⋅

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The Sony VAIO X Series really is something interesting to think about. At 1.6 pounds (yes, that’s what I said) and as thin as a pencil, this is one of the coolest laptops around. And not for the super price I thought it would retail for.

The specs are an 11.1″ LED backlit LCD, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, GPS, Verizon Broadband (built-in), Bluetooth, and Standard as well as Extended Batteries. This is all for the basic black model for $1299, and Bronze will cost you $1499. Yeah I know, it is pricey, but not as bad as other VAIOs.

The only deal breaker is the 2Ghz Intel Atom processor, and it has a supposedly long battery life: 12 hours on max brightness, and 14 on default.

Sony, I would love to have a hands-on with this thing..

Read More →

Posted in: Laptops ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Samsung Moment from Sprint announced, will run Andriod, costs $179

October 7, 2009 4:05 PM ⋅

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Here, here! The Samsung Moment from Sprint, running Andriod, for the price of $179, with a giant QWERTY keypad. Okay, might not be your type of phone, but that’s one comfortable looking keyboard!

According to Sprint it sports an 800 mhz processor, a fancy 3.2-inch AMOLED screen, then there’s the in-your-face 3.2 megapixel camera, and a optical trackpad. For $179, it is a pretty good deal. Coming out November 1st.

Read More →

Posted in: Breaking ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

VoIP calls are no longer illegal on AT&T 3G, you can use Skype now

October 6, 2009 5:21 PM ⋅

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VoIP calls are now legal on AT&T’s 3G network.  So now Skype can be on your iPhone, but remember that AT&T has network capability issues, so you might get your calls dropped a lot.

A reason that this might be happening is because of the recent FCC investigation over the rejected Google Voice app, and the scandal that followed afterward.

Great news huh? Now let’s see if Google Voice can make a comeback!

Read More →

Posted in: Breaking ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

2 Verizon Andriod phones found in photo, details for the Verizon HTC Hero

October 6, 2009 3:44 PM ⋅

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Hey look! That’s the Google CEO, Eric Schmidt on the left! And look next to him, it’s the CEO of Verizon, Lowell McAdam! Okay, now to the serious side here,  Eric is holding a Verizon branded HTC Hero as BGR claims, and Lowell is holding the Motorola Sholes.

And remember Google & Verizon said earlier that they would be releasing 2 new phones in the next couple of weeks, and the Verizon HTC Hero is coming out November, so that’s one phone we know more about.

So, now guys, what’s the prices? You know we all want them.

[Boy Genius Report via Verizon]

Posted in: Featured ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

F.T.C wants bloggers to reveal if they’re paid for reviews or get gifts

October 6, 2009 12:43 PM ⋅

Well as many of you might of heard, the F.T.C wants bloggers who review products to reveal their relationships with the companies. It’s all I think in the right direction, and it’s only necessary to have this kind of regulation.

Just for my readers to know, I do not receive gifts from companies or payments to review products. In fact, so far I have never gotten any products from any company I have contacted. In fact if you are a big company wanting to send products for me to review, I would be more than glad to review your product, but note that I will have my opinion in that review, and that I will not accept any payment for good content.

So with that taken care of, what do you all think about the new policy that will be affective on December 1st?

[NYT]

Posted in: News ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

Now Revealed: The new 11.6-inch Gateway Tablet with Windows 7

October 6, 2009 10:43 AM ⋅

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According to a tipster who sent these photos to Engadget, this is the new Gateway Tablet, called the EC18t. Yes, the it’s a tablet, but not the Apple Tablet, but you can console yourself with the Gateway Ec18T for now. It’s supposed to have an 11.6 inch screen, Windows 7, Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, Intel GS45 graphics, no CD drive (possibly external), and up to 4GB of RAM.

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No release date or price, but since it has Windows 7 that means a release date of  October 22nd or after.

I’m sure you know the golden rule:

More news after the jump.

[via Engadget]

Posted in: Laptops ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,