Check this out. New reports are coming in that a very interesting memo is currently circulating internally at AT&T. Said memo reportedly lists a variety of features that will supposedly be included on the upcoming iPhone 3G. Among them is an exciting new service that – get this – allows you to send SMS-like messages that include multimedia attachments. Imagine! The service, cleverly named Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) supposedly allows users to attach one or more image, audio file or even video and deliver the message along with text. The recipient of the message will then see and / or hear the multimedia on his or her mobile. Nutty. None of this is confirmed as of yet, but how sweet would it be if a mobile phone had functionality like this?! Oh Apple, you’ve done it again! Next thing you know we’ll find out that Apple has figured out a way to copy text from one place and paste it to another. Ok, that’s just crazy talk.

[Via Boy Genius]

read more | JAVOedge Apple iPhone Accessories | JAVOedge Weekly Deals

I’ve been a strong supporter for hard shell cases ever since I got one for my iPod 5th Gen and loved it. I suppose because I’m just used to hard cases, I’m more cynical of silicone or soft cases, and harder to impress. However, the JAVOSkin soft case was, surprisingly, an exception.

One of the best benefits of soft cases, I was quick to discover, is the protection they provide for your buttons. A hard case must provide a hole for usability, but covering up the buttons is not a big deal for soft cases. In addition, the material is actually nice to touch, instead of sticky or rubbery as I’d come to expect from soft cases. The JAVOSkin fits the iPhone perfectly, even though I’ve read otherwise in other reviews, and provides fantastic protection against dropping or scratching most surfaces of your phone – other than the screen.

There is an additional built-in belt-clip which swivels and locks, and although I’m sure this is useful for someone, I didn’t find myself using it at all. I did test it, and it seemed to function just fine. As a final note – and this isn’t a necessary component of any case, but rather a complete frivolous luxury, I was delighted that this case had specifically built a loop for cellphone dongles. Which is super-convenient for carrying around a screen-wipe (and ninjas).

Overall, I have to give credit to JAVOEdge for making a pretty fantastic product, and to surprise and impress me. At $16.95 + Shipping, this durable case is a fantastic buy, I highly suggest picking one up from the JAVOEdge Website, and choose between Black, Pink, Purple, Blue or White.

At the WWDC Keynote, Steve Jobs drew heavy applause when he announced the iPhone 3G headphone jack will be flush, not recessed as on the current iPhone. As I stated in our coverage, the response clearly illustrated just how passionate iPhone users can be, and how boneheaded Apple’s design team can be. But, surely no one will upgrade to the iPhone 3G just to get a flush headphone jack, right? Right?! Of course, not. At least, not as long as we’re also still dealing with Apple’s external microphone being placed on those horrid earbud headphones.

Thankfully, Griffin and JAVOedge are here with their Headphone Adapter for iPhone and Handsfree Stereo Headset Adapter, respectively. This is good because, considering the new iPhone purchase policy, it may be quite some time before I’ll own an iPhone that allows me to use my headphones of choice.

Griffin’s Headphone Adapter for iPhone ($9.99) is simply a little device that fits into the iPhone headphone jack, and then provides a flush jack of its own at the end of a small cable into which you can fit any 1/8” stereo mini-jack. It’s convenient, it does the job, and it’s fairly cheap.

The thin housing also allows the adapter to slip through any case you may have on your iPhone, which makes it handy for most iPods, as well. Many iPod cases don’t take wide headphone jacks into account, but the Headphone Adapter for iPhone will make any pair of headphones compatible with whatever device you happen to be using. Even if you do upgrade to the iPhone 3G, your case of choice may still require a device such as this in order for you to continue using your favorite headphones.

And speaking of headphones, I absolutely can’t stand the earbud headphones Apple includes with their iPods and iPhone. Aside from the fact that the sound is mediocre at best, I apparently have some kind of mutant ear that won’t hold the headphones in place. However, Apple’s earbuds are necessary to make use of one of the iPhone’s coolest features—the ability to pause your music when a call comes in and use the headphone/microphone combo to take the call, thereby allowing you to leave the iPhone in your armband or pocket or wherever it is. My headphones of choice don’t have a microphone, so taking calls means unplugging the headphones, grabbing the phone, and stopping whatever activity in which I’m engaged. This time, it’s JAVOedge to the rescue with the Handsfree Stereo Headset Adapter ($12.95).

This cable provides the ability to interrupt your music to take phone calls, but with whatever set of headphones you choose. Simply plug the Headset Adapter into your iPhone (and yes, the adapter does fit into the iPhone’s recessed jack), plug your headphones into the 1/8” mini-jack, and you’re all set. You now get the complete functionality of the iPhone’s call inerrupt feature without having to deal with the earbud headphones. If a call comes in, just press the button on the microphone, and you’re connected. Even better, the Handsfree Stereo Headset Adapter includes a mic clip, so you can attach the microphone to your clothing for proper placement. When clipped at the top of my shirt, the Headset Adapter provided just enough cable to reach my iPhone attached to my belt or in my pocket. This is good in that there’s not a lot of loose cable flowing about, bad in that if I caught it on something, it would rip my headphones off my head. And consider that because the headphone jack is above the microphone and clip, I’m now plugging in my actual headphones just under my chin. Even if your headphone cable is only three feet long, that’s still going to be over two feet of useless cable dangling about your shoulders.

So, a couple minor gripes aside, the Handsfree Stereo Headset Adapter is a fantastic deal at only $12.95. It frees you from Apple’s earbud headphones, the mic does a good job of picking up your voice, and it finally allows you to use the iPhone without having to actually hold it. If you want to take calls while exercising or being active in any way, you should really check this out.

In fact, you should check both out. If the need is there for either, the price is pretty much right for both (the Headphone Adapter for iPhone gets docked a point for being a tick too high), and each does its job very well.

Rating:

• Griffin Headphone Adapter for iPhone – 7/10
• JAVOedge Handsfree Stereo Headset Adapter – 8/10

Okay, so the iPhone 3G is going to be the second coming of Jesus in pocketable form, but maybe you’re a rebel and don’t wanna look exactly like the estimated 27 million other tools expected to be running around with an iPhone by 2009. You wanna be different. (Or maybe you can’t seem to break out of that damn Sprint contract.) Still, you do want a touchscreen, 3G data, a music player and all that jazz. Is there an iPhone clone worth buying from your carrier? Relax, we’ve done the work for you and broken down the top three nationwide carriers’ best iPhone wannabes into a single chart.

[via Gizmodo]

read more + gallery | JAVOedge Weekly Deals

One of the major questions still unanswered about the iPhone 3G on AT&T is whether or not you can do family plans with it. Good news. AT&T just let us know that yes, Family Talk plans ARE available. Voice plans start at $39.99 a month (same as the regular one-line starting plan) and additional lines will be $9.99 a month. AT&T’s expecting lots of Family Talk Plans this time around because of the $199 price point. I’m planning on signing up for a family plan as well, so it’s great news for me personally.

Finding an iPhone case that suits your needs perfectly is difficult, which is why being able to read reviews of products online before committing to a product is so helpful. One of the main problems I have run into in trying to find the perfect case is which materials are best for ease of use, look great, provide great functionality and above all protect my iPhone.

The JAVOLeather Case combines the durability of a hard case, in an attractive leather molding. The JavoEdge case does provide excellent protection for the iPhone, as the reinforced leather is lined with felt.

When the removable flip-cover is in place you would be hard-pressed to damage your iPhone if it were dropped, bumped or tossed around in a bag with other items. However, since it does come in three colors (Black, Red, Pink) and with an attached belt clip, you may find yourself attaching it to your person more often than throwing it a purse, or briefcase. Especially because the added bulk of the case pretty much prevents it from fitting nicely in pants, or suit jacket pockets.

JAVOedge was kind enough to send me some of their screen protectors to try out on the new iPAQ 200 series. The iPAQ 200 series (210, 211, 212, 214) out earlier this year, is starting to get more and more accessories for it. I wanted to provide other iPAQ users some examples of some great quality accessories for their new toy. Please note though, that anyone with a mobile device requiring a screen protector should take notice of this review, as it applies to your device as well. JAVOedge sent me a sample of their JAVOScreen 2.0 Ultra Clear and their Anti-Glare screen protector.

Over the past several years, I have been using a different brand of screen protector

When I got my new 210, I had to start using the universal size of this brand and had to cut to fit my screen size. To me, this is a real pain in the neck. I have also never been a fan of putting on the screen protectors, because of the possible dust, bubbles and repositioning. I get irritated very easily with it. But with that said, I will not use my screen without a screen protector on it. The first one I tried from JAVOedge was the Ultra Clear protector. I had visited their website to see what the actual install process was before I opened the package.

The 5 steps they list are:

1) Clean the screen with the provided cleaning cloth

2) Remove and fold the plastic backing on the new protector

3) Align the protector with the screen

4) Gently pull the full backing off

5) Gently use the application card to get rid of the bubbles

Seems simple right? I was not fully convinced yet. I opened the package to look at the contents. Inside the package were the following pieces.

1) Screen protector inside a plastic sleeve. The protector has separate plastic coverings on the front and back, which are taken off for the installation process. There are also a couple tabs that tell you which is the back and front, with the appropriate steps

2) Instruction sheet insert

3) Cleaning cloth in a separate wrap

4) Application tool in a separate plastic wrap attached to the inside of the cardboard packaging

It truly is a real nice and thought out package and kit.

[Via BostonPocketPC]

read more | JAVOedge HP IPAQ H200 Accessories | JAVOedge Weekly Deals

When we reported last week that Apple and AT&T would require iPhone 3Gs to be activated in-store or else no dice, the Internet let out a collective sigh. There are many who want to use the handset on non-AT&T networks, like T-Mobile. Being that they’re subsidized heavily, AT&T doesn’t like that idea at all, thus the policy. But there comes word today that the notion of in-store only activations might not be necessarily so.

Rumors from Apple Insider point to the idea that home activation may be possible if customers sign up online, making the in-store process smoother and shorter. While our AT&T rep can’t confirm or deny anything we haven’t already published, we think both companies would be foolish to put up extra hurdles for potential customers to jump through. And if there’s one thing the iPhone has shown us, people will find a way to unlock them and use them as they want, no matter what AT&T — or Apple — do.

[Via CrunchGear]

read more | JAVOedge Apple iPhone Accessories | JAVOedge Weekly Deals