I think we have a first in Gizmodo history. This is DIY electrical-related project that the average Joe might be able to do. This project is cheap, semi-simple and allows gadgets like iPods and PDAs to be charged via USB. A 9-volt battery does all of the charging and this DIY device is small and good for travel.

Instruction Page [Via Make]

From Gizmodo

Looks like Sony (Ericsson) decided to forgo the CTIA announcements this week and go straight for the digital cameras: their new 7.2 megapixel T30 ultracompact has a 3-inch display (though not touchscreen, like their N1, which also has a 3-inch screen), added ISO 800 / 1000 levels for lower light / higher noise shots (which, paired with their Steady Shot OIS is now called Super Steady Shot), 3x optical, 58MB internal memory, a 420 shot (CIPA-rated) battery, and an expected $500 price tag for May release. As usual, our bone to pick with Sony making extremely desirable devices that use Memory Stick applies, but if you’re one of the 16% willing to look past all that, this looks like a very promising little camera.

[Via DC Review]

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From Engadget

That 0.39-inch thick SGH-T509 phone from Samsung — the slimmest candybar phone so far announced for the US — just got confirmed today, and should be available in the states this May. The phone features EDGE data, Bluetooth 1.2 connectivity, and a camera of undetermined resolution. Samsung actually isn’t spilling much info on this phone for as hyped up about it as they are in their PR.

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From Engadget

 

CTIA is just getting rolling here in Vegas, but we’ve already spotted a couple of fine looking new handsets, most notably LG’s new LG550 musicphone. LG was lame and wouldn’t let us take any hands-on shots, which turned out to be a big mistake since the press shots they gave us really don’t do this thing justice.

Yeah, that touchpad on the front definitely reminds us of you-know-what, but the rest of the phone is sleek and thin, and along with the Chocolate Phone, the LG550 represents an evolution of LG’s handset design sensibility Specs are decent, but not extraordinary: EV-DO, Bluetooth, a MicroSD memory card slot, a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, swappable faceplates, and software for creating your own ringtones by humming the melody of what you want it to be (or something along those lines). No carrier or price confirmed yet, but the LG550 should be available here in the States sometime in Q2.

From Engadget

 

The Motorola Q isn’t even out yet, but that isn’t stopping TechFaith Wireless, our new favorite renegade Chinese handset manufacturer, from showing off an eerily similar knock-off here at CTIA (or at least a mock-up of a knock-off). We weren’t able to get any specs or a name, but we did learn that this fakester will differ from (or improve on, depending on your perspective) the original by running the Pocket PC version of Windows Mobile 5.0 rather than Smartphone. Not sure when this thing will ship, but if TechFaith hurries up they might even beat the Q to market.

From Engadget

Is it just us, or are RIM’s Blackberry devices getting svelter by the minute? The latest pictures to surface are of their unannounced 7130c phone for Cingular. The device shares the keypad ethics of the rest of the 7100 series, though it does seem to have its very own sense of style, a definite departure from the 7130e which was launched last year. The good news is that the phone seems to be trimming the bulk, with its front dominated by the screen and keypad. The bad news is that’s all we know so far. We’ll keep you posted.

[Via MobileWhack; thanks Jon]

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From Engadget

It’s hitting our shores a little later than expected, but you can finally queue up for the US version of Samsung’s hot little YM-PD1 personal media player (pictured), the YM-P1 (the absence of the “D” refers to the lack of a DMB over-the-air DTV receiver). Since we’ve been following this model for some time, you’ll no doubt recall that it features a 4-inch widescreen TFT display, sports in-line recording to a 20GB hard drive, and supports a gaggle of formats including MP3, WMA, OGG, AC3, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, JPEG, and BMP. You can also jack up the memory a bit via the SDIO slot, listen to and record FM radio, and even play some videogames (although the controls don’t look all that well-suited for serious gaming). SamsungHQ spotted the P1 available for pre-order on Datavision’s website at $370 (where “Our prices are too low to advertise!”), although there is no mention of when the devices will actually be shipping, so don’t toss your Archos aside just yet.

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From Engadget