We haven’t covered patents in quite some time, simply because companies patent everything and that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll ever produce them, but this patent filed by RIM seems to hold some water. This basically means we’ll have bigger screen BBs (duh) that are possibly touchscreen as well. It retains the trackball, which I’m ok with, but it’s the rest of the patent that intrigues me.

A device is disclosed for use in two different orientations. In one orientation, the keyboard is exposed to the user. This orientation is named the landscape orientation because the device will be positioned such that its width is larger than its height. The user would opt for the landscape orientation for tasks that require the keyboard, such as inputting data, drafting emails, sending emails, and other functions typically associated with a standard computer. The other orientation is named the portrait orientation because the device will be positioned such that its height is larger than its width. In addition, the keyboard is not used in this orientation and therefore hidden away. The user would opt for the portrait orientation for tasks such as making and receiving telephone calls and for reading documents and emails. The device detects the orientation positioned by the user and modifies the elements shown on the display screen so that they are presented in the correct orientation to the user.

I’m a big fan of the slide-out design that really caught my attention with the Helio Ocean. Samsung is set to roll out the Glyde, which I’ve been frothing over for a year now. When and if RIM decides to put this one into production is anyone’s guess, but I’ll be waiting to get my hands on one.

[Via CrunchGear]

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Garmin probably thought getting into the mobile phone game would just be smooth sailing, but it looks like they’ve made a deadly miscalculation. Okay, that might be over-dramatizing the situation, but the PND-maker is facing a new lawsuit over its upcoming 3G wonder-device, the Nuvifone. Apparently, internet telephone provider Nuvio Corp. feels that Garmin has crossed trademark boundaries just a smidge, alleging the nav company is stepping all over its good name. “Our customers commonly refer to our service as the Nuvio phone,” said Jason P. Talley, the company’s CEO. Not only is the provider calling for a cease-and-desist on the use of “Nuvifone,” but it also wants kickbacks for past infringement, and termination of the word “Nuvi” on any device made by Garmin. Garmin spokesman Ted Gartner says the company has been using the Nuvi name since early 2006 in North America, and earlier in Europe. He went on to add that they don’t discuss pending litigation — though we understand to friends and family he was like, “Pfft, whatever.”

[Via Engadget Mobile]

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NEWSLETTER February 26, 2008

CONTACT US Website: www.javoedge.com Email: Info@javoedge.com Phone: (425) 401-5232 Blog: www.javoedgeblog.com   Weekly Web Special (2/26 - 3/3) Apple iPhone - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your Apple iPhone. Regular Price: $16.95 Now: $13.56 (20% off, saves $3.39) BlackBerry Curve - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your Blackberry Curve. Regular Price: $12.95 Now: $10.36 (20% off, saves $2.59) HTC Touch - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your HTC Touch. Regular Price: $19.99 Now: $11.99 (40% off, Saves $8.00) Blackberry Pearl - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your Blackberry Pearl. Regular Price: $8.95 Now: $7.16 (20% off, Saves $1.79) T-Mobile Dash - Anti-Glare Screen ProtectorGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your T-Mobile Dash. Regular Price: $23.96 Now: $11.98 (50% off, Saves $11.98) Samsung Blackjack - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your Samsung Blackjack. Regular Price: $23.95 Now: $11.98 (50% off, Saves $11.98) T-Mobile SDA (USA) - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your T-Mobile SDA. Regular Price: $15.99 Now: $7.99 (50% off, Saves $8.00) AT&T 2125 - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your AT&T 2125. Regular Price: $19.99 Now: $9.99 (50% off, Saves $10.00) Apple iPod Nano 3G - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your iPod Nano 3rd Gen. Regular Price: $12.95 Now: $10.36 (20% off, Saves $2.59) Apple iPod Touch - JAVOSkin CaseGreat skin case accessory for the active lifestyle! Soft and contouring while it protects your iPod Touch. Regular Price: $14.95 Now: $11.96 (20% off, Saves $2.99) face=”Arial”>

iPhone 1.1.4 Update is Out. You can get it now from iTunes. Remember, if you have jailbreaked or unlocked your iPhone, don’t install it. If your iPhone is clean, have fun. We will keep updating this space with our discoveries. Apparently, the 162.1MB update “fixes bugs and supersedes all previous versions.”

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Thanks to JavoEdge I had the chance to test out one of their JAVOSkin Cases. The one I tested was for the Sansa Connect.

A skin case is a flexible case for your MP3 player that is designed to protect your player from things like dust and scratches without hindering you ability to use the device easily.

Most folks like skin type cases over plastic or metal cases, because of their small size, usability and low weight.

JavoEdge gives us a basic product description of their cases as:

“EAD coating treatment enhanced! EAD (Enhanced Anti Dust) coating gives the JAVOSkin case a softer surface to grab and significantly reduce dust which would accumulate on the surface.

JAVOedge’s innovative JAVOSkin is designed to protect your device from scratch and impact damage while retaining the sleek look of your device. It features strategically placed cut-outs to allow maximum usability. With these cut-outs, using the case would feel as though the case wasn’t on the device at all! JAVOSkin is easy on your hands with it’s soft texture. Made out of specially blended silicon materials, it can stretch and flex to cushion your device from hard bumps and falls.

With this low-profile case, you get the best of both worlds. It will remain fully usable, stylish and protected. JAVOSkin is the smart way to protect your device!“

The skin comes in a basic plastic envelope with no real effort put into fancy packaging. Which to me is no big deal. I don’t buy products just because the box looks pretty.

The installation of the skin is extremely easy. You simply slip it on, adjust it a bit and you are done. The fit was perfect and it did not cause any problems with operating the Sansa Connect or make it any harder to utilize all the controls.
I could definitely see how the skin could help protect the player. This skin would help protect your player from dust, scratches or the occasional drop. It also felt soft to the touch.

I did think that it seemed to make the player slightly more slippery  but that may be just because it takes a  bit of getting used to.

The skin also came with a Neoprene Sports Armband Strap. There were no instructions , so it took a bit to figure out how the velcro adjustment tie down worked.
After figuring it out though it worked fine, did not get in the way and could be very handy for someone who works out, runs or just takes long walks.

The JavoSkin comes in three colors, White, Black and Pink. So with a new skin you do get the chance to personalize your player .

The price is not bad at their normal $19.95, but right now they have it for $13.96 (30% off, saves $5.99).

Also, products sold by Javoedge.com offer a 30-day money back guarantee

All in all if you are looking for a skin I would not hesitate to give the JavoEdge skins a try.

[Via Sansa Community]

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Pros: Easy to use, all ports are accessible, ok price

Cons: No real protection (just a carry solution), belt clip seems like it was designed for larger belts

Score: 7/10

Price: $24.95

You can buy this direct from JAVOedge.com.

[via tekbru.com]

On iPhoneFreak today, Brian McAlipin has released a new Email Application for the iPhone that delivers a more “Refined Email”. With MailCurve, it will allow you to send copies of your incoming emails, from as many accounts as you’re using, to a single account where you can filter it right from your iPhone. This application will basically let you choose which emails are important enough to forward to your iPhone that you would like see and will filter out the junk/spam.

Here’s an excerpt from their page:

“Email on your mobile phone is usually extended, secondary email of some kind, so it’s a great opportunity to make it your best, refined email…. now you can precisely control it without ever having to sync to anything, install any software, or use a new address.

Instead of trying to determine what types of email to reject, you can choose the only mail, specifically, you’ll receive on your iPhone, from your iPhone, with a MailCurve™ account.”

[Via iPhoneFreak]
[MailCurve.com]

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NEWSLETTER February 19, 2008

CONTACT US Website:  www.javoedge.com   Email:  Info@javoedge.com   Phone: (425) 401-5232   Blog: www.javoedgeblog.com         Weekly Web Special (2/19 - 2/25) SanDisk Sansa e260 - JAVOSkin Case Great skin case accessory for the active lifestyle!  Soft and contouring while it protects your SanDisk Sansa e250 / e260 / e280.  Regular Price: $9.99 Now: $6.99 (30% off, saves $3.00) SanDisk Sansa Connect 4GB - JAVOSkin Case Great skin case accessory for the active lifestyle!  Regular Price: $19.95 Now: $13.96 (30% off, saves $5.99) iRiver Clix 2nd Gen - JAVOSkin Case Great skin case accessory for the active lifestyle!  Soft and contouring while it protects your iRiver Clix 2nd Gen.      Regular Price: $9.99 Now: $6.99 (30% off, saves $3.00) Cowon D2 - JAVOSkin Case Great skin case accessory for the active lifestyle!  Soft and contouring while it protects your Cowon D2.    Regular Price: $9.99 Now: $6.99 (30% off, saves $3.00) Sony PSP Slim - JAVOSkin Case Great skin case accessory for the active lifestyle!  Soft and contouring while it protects your Sony PSP Slim.   Regular Price: $14.99 Now: $11.90 (20% off, Saves $3.09) Sony PSP - 6 in 1 Pack UMD Clam Shell Case Slim and great- looking pack of 6 UMD Clam Shell Cases for your Sony PSP UMD games and movies.     Regular Price: $3.99 Now: $3.19 (20% off, Saves $0.80) Sony PSP-  Portable Battery Charger Starter Kit This is the essential kit for your mobile charging needs.  JAVOedge’s external High Capacity Portable Battery Charger will keep your Sony PSP powered up at all times.   Regular Price: $49.99 Now: $32.49 (35% off, Saves $17.50) Sony PSP - 6 Pack UMD Skin Case Great UMD skin case for your Sony PSP. Add add a touch of attitude and ultimately protect your UMD games and movies.   Regular Price: $8.99 Now: $5.84 (35% off, Saves $3.15) Nintendo NDS Lite - Ultra-Clear Screen Protector ( Upper and Lower Screen ) JAVOedge Ultra-Clear Screen Protector is a simple and inexpensive way to scratch and smudge-proof your Nintendo NDS Lite, keeping the original condition of your screen.   Regular Price: $12.95 Now: $9.06 (30% off, Saves $3.89) Nintendo Wii - JAVOSkin Bundle (2 Pack) 2-Pack DEAL!  Mix and Match your JAVOSkin case cover for the Nintendo Wii Remote Controller and Nunchuck. Regular Price: $21.90 Now: $17.52 (20% off, Saves $4.38) face=”Arial”>

Anyone interested in taking a curious look at RIM’s new Remote Stereo Gateway can get some sleep now. The Bluetooth audio transmitter is currently available from online retailer Tessco $79.99. What does $80 buy you? Here’s the product description straight from the source:

Bring the convenience of wireless stereo audio connectivity to your home with the RIM Bluetooth Music Gateway! Listen to the music stored in your mobile phone, computer or other compatible device wirelessly on your home stereo. Then just flick a switch and listen to music from your compatible home stereo on your Bluetooth wireless headset.

At the very least, it sounds pretty intriguing, but is it worth the cost? We’ll have to wait until we can get our hands on one to let you know. Let’s just hope RIM focuses on their network uptime a little more instead of worrying about frivolous Bluetooth accessories…

[Via Boy Genius]

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We’ve been telling you about BlackBerry Unite! for a while now and it looks like the wait continues for stateside BlackBerry users. First launched back in October with Spanish Carrier Telefonica, Unite! essentially turns your home PC into a BlackBerry server. Rather than rely on a RIM server, Unite! allows users to install free software on a home PC and bypass RIM servers all together. Unite! also allows users to manage and share photos and other media files across devices. The bad news? Thus far at Mobile World Congress RIM has mentioned Germany and a few other countries that will gain access to Unite! this year, but no mention has been made of the US. Further RIM-related news from Mobile World Congress comes from Alcatel-Lucent, which has announced a new prepaid solution for BlackBerry. Their solution, currently in the early stages of development, would fully integrate with existing carrier network equipment and facilitate a complete range of prepaid services. Most notably, the solution will support prepaid email and track volume in real time to appropriately and instantly deplete the user’s balance. Once released, Alcatel-Lucent’s prepaid solution will open a wide range of potential new business that had previously been inaccessible to RIM.

[Via Boy Genius]

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