By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

Leads the Way with One of the First Universal Qi Technology Products to Market!

As consumers rely more heavily than ever on devices such as smartphones and cell phones for everything from texting and talking, to working and shopping, their demand for more power and more convenient charging options has skyrocketed. Energizer, a leader in innovative power solutions that make consumers’ lives easier, recognized this growing need and responded with the introduction of their first inductive charger built with Qi technology, the new universal charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

Widely anticipated and considered to be one of the most compelling new developments in charging technology, Qi (pronounced chee) will bring consumers the freedom to charge their smartphones, MP3 players, cameras – any device 5 Watts or less – on a single charging station, regardless of manufacturer.

“We believe that a universal standard is the future of charging, and by leading the way with one of the first Qi products – the Energizer Inductive Charger – we are meeting a clear need for a product that makes charging devices easier by eliminating cords and clutter,” said Jim Olsen, Vice President of Marketing for Energizer North America. “This next generation charger is a natural extension of an innovative product portfolio that brings more freedom for people to live and to work using power that’s reliable and convenient.”

According to market research firm iSuppli, Corp., shipments of electronic products with wireless charging capability are anticipated to increase from 3.6 million units in 2010, to 234.9 million units in 2014. An open, standardized system will create a healthier competitive environment and prompt manufacturers to join forces.* The WPC had this very goal of global compatibility in mind when they formed an international group of more than 55 companies to develop this universal standard.

“The WPC and dedicated members like Energizer have been hard at work developing and testing this universal standard, and we are honored to have a brand with the global reach of Energizer as one of the first to market with a Qi inductive charger,” said Menno Treffers, Chairman of the Wireless Power Consortium. “They are helping to establish and educate about Qi and drive adoption, benefiting consumers and the industry as a whole.”

Designed in cooperation with WPC co-founder ConvenientPower, the first generation of the Energizer Inductive Charger is designed to conveniently charge up to three devices at one time. It features two large inductive charging zones that don’t require locking the device into a precise position, so consumers can simply set down their phone and be sure that it will be charged and ready to go. It also has a USB port so it’s easy to charge an additional device such as a phone, headset, mp3 player, camera or GPS. Two LED charge lights indicate that the device is charging.

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The Energizer Inductive Charger will be introduced with a Qi Sleeve for the iPhone 3GS/3G and a one-time replacement Qi Door for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, so consumers can enjoy the convenience of Qi right away. Soon, consumers can expect to have Qi built right into many of their devices.

“As one of the first to market with a Qi device, we want to make it easy for consumers to experience how easy and convenient it is to charge their devices using this new universal standard,” added Olsen. “We focused on accessories for popular smartphones, but anticipate that it will not be long before manufacturers roll-out devices with Qi built right in.”

The Energizer Inductive Charger will be available at retail this October. Suggested retail price is $89. The removable Qi sleeve for the iPhone 3GS/3G and the Qi door for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 will be sold separately for $34.99 each.

For more information, visit www.energizer.com/inductive, www.energizer.com, http://www.facebook.com/EnergizerBunny, http://www.facebook.com/Energizer.

By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

With all our giveaways, it’s tough to decide which ones are worth doing. So, we need your help! Rate the stars on this article and comment below on whether we should do a giveaway for this device. If we get to 200 comments and ratings, we’ll do a review & giveaway! Also, one of the commenters/raters will win one!

Orders for the Dell Streak Tablet open up for U.S. priority pre-sale registrants at www.dell.com/mobile this Thursday, August 12. General availability follows a day later at www.dell.com/mobile.

The Dell Streak is available for $299.99 with new two-year AT&T contract^†, and $549.99 without. Customers who purchase the Streak, and signed up during the pre-sale program, will receive a free second-day shipping upgrade. Customers who redeem their pre-sale coupon can purchase a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for 99 cents while supplies last.

HITTING A SWEET SPOT

The Dell Streak, a carbon black Android-based tablet with a 5-inch display, is designed to provide an excellent “on-the-go” entertainment, social connection, and navigation experience. The spacious 5-inch screen is ideal for experiencing thousands of Android Market widgets, games and applications, all without squinting or compromising portability. Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth capability and available 3G connectivity brings easy access for downloading and listening to music, updating social networking status in real-time, and staying connected to friends and family through e-mail, text, IM, and voice calls.

On-the-go students, mobile professionals, and active families will find Streak’s web-browsing capabilities as natural as a laptop. The 5-inch screen is large enough to present Web pages in their natural form, create a comfortable viewing experience, and make turn-by-turn navigation simple. The Dell Streak is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor to combine basic functionality and benefits of a laptop in a pocket friendly size.

The Dell Streak was designed with the future in mind to support future software, application and platform upgrades.

QUOTE:

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives.” – Ron Garriques, president, Dell Communication Solutions.

DELL STREAK FEATURES:

• Integrated Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views
• A full screen browsing experience with a 5-inch capacitive multi-touch WVGA display
• Easily integrated social media apps: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
• High resolution 5 MP camera, VGA front facing camera, removable battery, built-in Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth connectivity options
• 2GB* of internal storage provides plenty of space to access and download Google Android Market’s many options
• Packaged with cushions made from 100 percent sustainable, compostable bamboo

DELL STREAK SPECIFICATIONS:

• Android platform complete with Android Market and Dell user interface enhancements
• Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor
• 3G + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
• UMTS / GPRS / EDGE class 12 GSM radio with link speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps
• 5 MP Autofocus camera with dual LED flash. Easily point, shoot, and upload to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and more
• User accessible Micro SD expandable memory available up to 32GB*. Store up to 42 movies* or 32,000 photos*, or 16,000 songs* with a 32GB* Micro SD upgrade

By: Bill Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

The newest rumor coming out of the old mill today claims that Sharp is planning on launching a 3D smart phone sometime this year. Not too incredulous considering that Sharp is the company manufacturing the 3D screens for Nintendo’s 3ds gaming system. The screens would display images in 3D without the need of special glasses. No information regarding operating system, or pricing has surfaced as of yet.

Ok, back the truck up for a minute. I find it hard to decide if this is a good idea or not. Clearly, 3D has made a big leap off of the silver screen and into our homes with the introduction of 3D televisions, cameras, and video games. Now 3D wants to find its way into our pockets by invading smart phones? This device has the potential to be a landmark piece of technology, but it also has the potential to be the one gadget too many and knock 3D off of it’s pedestal and bring everyone back around to 2D.

What do you think? Would you buy at 3D phone? I know for sure I will not buy a 3D television until I know for sure that 3D is going to last. I made that same mistake when I bought an HD DVD player! We would love to hear your thoughts on the whole 3D evolution.

via CNET

By: Jenna Gonzalez (Editor In Chief)

Nary a fortnight ago, the newest, most exciting gadget yet was unveiled upon the world. ”4″ they called it. Like its predecessors, it was met with fanfare and celebration all across the globe. With 1.7 million units sold in the first three days and over 8 million sold to date, it’s no wonder “4″ is the number to cozy up to nowadays. However, it’s no secret that it’s had its fair share of flaws and criticisms. The elephant among them: the dreaded signal/reception issue that purportedly causes customers to experience higher dropped-call rates. Why? Well, apparently it’s “no bueno” to have metal touching the antenna, which is what Apple did. So to make a long story short, all the haters decided to band together and make a huge issue out of “Antennagate” despite the fact that less than 1% of owners complained about it. So what do we the think? Aside from the ridiculous similarity to the blatant “Toyota Sabotage” earlier this year, it’s pretty lame. Why? Well, I happen to like the new iPhone a lot! Like A LOT! Sure, nothing is perfect, and I’m sure many of us totally realize it. That being said, the iPhone 4 is pretty darn awesome. So to celebrate the awesomeness of the most talked-about phone to hit the market yet, we’re giving away over a dozen iPhone 4′s! That’s right, where else can you play for all those prizes? Only here at MRT! 

Oh the shiny iPhones!

So what’s the big giveaway? How about a shiny new Apple iPhone 4 every week for the next twelve weeks! Oh and not just any iPhone. How about the top of the line 32 GB model! That’s right, every single week, one uber-lucky iPhone lover will win their very own sparkling 32 GB iPhone 4 worth $700 no-contact! No, these are not unlocked, although a quick search online will yield you some unlocked iPhones for up to $999! Of course, we don’t endorse illegal unlocking methods…but hey, it’s your iPhone. The very first winner will be announced on Monday August 2, 2010 followed by one winner every following Monday. Easy enough to grasp right??

Deathgrip? What's that?

A new face on our classic giveaway: As you know, MRT always has the best prizes. That’s a given. For our iPhone 4 giveaway, we’ve decided to make it a Facebook contest. Why? I’ve been told that if you don’t have a Facebook, you’re probably living under a rock. So basically, I’m a cavewoman since I don’t have one. If you happen to be one of the select few like myself who live under such a rock, don’t worry, there’s a special section below on how you can try winning one. Like all our other contests, there are three simple things you can do. Ready?

For a simple Facebook post, one of these could be yours!

For Facebook users: This one’s for you folks! First, if you haven’t already done so, add MRT to your “likes”. Second, in no more than 2 sentences, post your “iPhone Haters themed” comment our wall under the iPhone 4 giveaway. Finally, you MUST immediately re-post the contest link on your own wall. These steps should take you about 80-100 seconds (we tried it) so that makes it super simple and convenient. Plus, you only need to do this once a week! That’s how simple it is! However, it’s very important you follow these easy directions. If you make a mistake, you’re disqualified for the week (that, and you probably don’t need an iPhone 4, since it would be way too complicated & out of place for you & the rock you live under.)

Yes, they are 32 GB top of the line iPhone 4's

Now, for those who don’t have a Facebook account: In no more than 2 sentences, simply post a comment below on “iPhone Haters”…Be creative, original, honest, whatever you like. Just don’t copy someone else’s entry. We’ve seen this before and that’s a good way to disqualify you. Only ONE comment can be submitted per person, per week. One very lucky non-Facebook winner will be chosen at the end of August, followed by another one at the end of September. Basically, 2 iPhone 4′s will be awarded this way.

If you’ve got Twitter: Follow us at http://twitter.com/myrealitytech and RETWEET the contest post as many times a week as you like (more entries, more chances to win). One very lucky person from Twitter will win their own iPhone 4 on September 1, 2010.

You could be unboxing your very own iPhone 4G from MRT!

Ok now for the uber-important qualifying rules: Due to the nature and configuration of the product, the MRT Apple iPhone 4 Facebook contest is only open to all North American (yes Canada, you’re in there too) Residents 18 yrs and over! If you are not 18, please ask for your parent’s permission and have them sign up for you. Winner(s) agree(s) to provide & confirm to us their full name, valid email, valid shipping address and telephone number. All such personal information are for our security & validation purposes (we don’t want giving prizes to convicted serial killers, child molesters and/or general psychopaths), and as such, will not be shared in any way or form with anyone in order to protect your privacy. All winners are chosen at random using a randomizer in an effort to make everything fair, and as such, we do not determine the outcome of each contest. In addition, staff editors and their immediate families (defined as parents, children, siblings & spouses of staff editors) are not eligible to enter any of our contests. We reserve the right to disqualify any entry we feel violates any law or is being unfair/innapropriately vulgar/derogatory in any way we see it. Winner(s) agree(s) to the above simple rules. Best of luck!

If you have any questions, use the “Contact Jenna” link on the very top of the page.

By: Nate Nelson (Contributing Editor)

If you thought Antennagate was going to go away, Apple has other plans. In their latest defense of the breakthrough antennae design, they claimed that even the recently launched Motorola DROID X suffers from the same issue: holding the phone tightly will result in loss of signal strength. There’s even a video to proof their point:

Apple: Even the DROID X has reception issues!!

So do many if not all phones have the same problem? We probably noticed but never made a big deal out of it. Is the issue blown out of proportions? Does Apple have the right to act the way they are right now? That’s subject to interpretation. It’s gotta be frustrating when everybody’s going at you from every direction. So…maybe. The thing is, we’re not concerned about the signal strength. I could be in 1 bar zone for most of the day and if I can still make and receive calls without issue, I have no problems. The problem is that holding the new iPhone 4, in what seems to be a natural way, drops the call. So much so that some people have speculated that the problematic bottom-left zone of the phone was actually meant to function as an End Call. Do you think Apple should continue with this marketing? Sound off on the comments below.

Speaking of Apple (and one’s that don’t seem to have bad buzz,) don’t forget to enter our ongoing weekly iPad giveaway contest here on MRT. With everyone pointing fingers about the iPhone, you may as well try for a sweet 64GB iPad. Click here: An Apple a Week Giveaway

By: Bill Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

Is it a giant phone? Is it a small tablet? Yes. Dell, one of the leading computer manufacturers in the world has made its foray into the mobile phone world with the Dell Streak. The Streak, already released in Europe, is set to make its US debut very soon.

Combining the features of a phone, personal media player, and tablet PC, Dell is hoping to provide an all in one solution for your mobile needs. Powered by Android, the Streak offers a mammoth 5 inch display. While this size pushes the limits of pocket portability, it offers a perfect screen for browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games. The ultra fast Snapdragon processor will let you perform these tasks without much delay. Being an Android device, you will have access to the full array of Google tools that have made Android phones such a success. These include Google search, Google Maps, Text to Voice GPS, the Android Marketplace, and Gmail. All the tools one needs to stay happy and productive on the move. A 5mp camera and 512mb of ram round out the major features.

The current European release is using an older version of Android, 1.6. Most Android phones in the US are running on Froyo, v2.2. Hopefully an early update will bring the Streak up to date with the rest of us. Dell is hoping for a home run with this sizeable entry, and this extra large device will have no small task in competing with the amazing line up of tablets and touch screen phones available now. Check out more on the Dell Streak at dell.com.

By: Bill Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

The whole tech world tuned in this past Friday to hear Apple’s official response to the tremendous outcry regarding the recently released iPhone 4. An earlier post of mine covered the major issues that were being reported, most notably, the antennae issue. For those who are unaware of what all the hubbub was about, there is a connectivity issue that is caused when you hold the device in a certain area that leads to signal loss, and in some cases, dropped calls. An interesting problem, to say the least, but even more interesting is how this issue led to a media frenzy that nearly matched that of the huge oil spill in the gulf.

The initial response from Apple and Steve Jobs himself seemed to many to be indifferent, or even contemptuous. The most famous of these responses being to “hold the phone differently.” This did little more than fuel the growing fire. The outcry continued, and gained momentum as celebrities and politicians joined in. The iPhone 4’s antennae issue even made appearances on popular talk shows, including a spot on Letterman’s infamous Top 10 list. Even the almighty Consumer Reports chimed in by refusing the iPhone its recommendation. Perhaps it was US Senator Charles Schumer’s letter to Apple, stating that, “The burden for consumers caused by this glitch, combined with the confusion over its cause and how it will be fixed, has the potential to undermine the many benefits of this innovative device” led to Apple’s decision to address the issue directly. And address it they did.

In a press conference led by Steve Jobs himself, Apple finally conceded that there was indeed a problem with the iPhone 4 antennas. And, in a move that reminded me of my own daughters, Apple began pointing out that many other popular devices have the same issue, Even going so far as to demonstrate on other phones. An interesting approach that made me wish someone would have asked, “Now Steve, if the other phones were jumping off a cliff, would you join them?”  Apple did indeed offer a solution to help remedy the issue. It was determined early after the problem was discovered that it is easily fixed by covering the affected area with some sort of non-conductive material. So Apple is going to give a free case to everyone that has already bought an iPhone 4, and anyone that buys an iPhone 4 up until September. They have even gone so far as to offer refunds for any customers that have already purchased a bumper from Apple for this issue.

While there may be speculation that this solution is not going to satisfy the masses, one thing that is quite clear is that nothing has stopped the success of the iPhone 4. A million phones were sold the first weekend, and in the time since, even with all of the controversy, another 2 million iPhone 4’s were sold. Apple’s response may have been less than apologetic, but maybe that isn’t so undeserved. Apple has stood as an industry leader in both style and innovation. So much so that perhaps people are expecting nothing less than perfection with every product it releases. Forgetting about features that are going to forever change the industry in order to focus on one feature that is not so great is probably not the best way to look at a product. Customer loyalty and confidence is gained by offering a variety of dependable, cutting edge products, and by being there to support the customer and stand behind  its products every step of the way. This is something that Apple has never failed to do, and will continue doing for many devices to  come.

By: William Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

Everyone understands the importance of keeping your information safe, especially with the risk of identity theft at every turn. That is why it is good to have tools to help keep information safe. iPhone users have had the advantage of mobileMe software for quite some time now, but now Blackberry users have their own option with the arrival of Blackberry Protect.

Blackberry Protect offers a suite of tools to protect Blackberry users on multiple fronts, and is easily managed right from your PC. You are able to back up your contacts, documents and settings on a regular basis to help protect you from data loss due to software or hardware failure, theft or loss. An extra loud ring feature is included, for those times you misplace your Curve around the house. Other awesome features include a lost and found screen, allowing honest citizens the opportunity to return your phone to you. Remote data wipe and a device lock can prevent the less honest among us from gaining access to your sensitive information. And a built in GPS locator lets you keep tabs of where your lost device has been hanging out without you. Of course, this feature only works if your Blackberry is turned on. Once your device is recovered or replaced, you can easily restore all of your backed up information with a push of a button.

The standout feature of Blackberry Protect compared to other similar software is the price. Blackberry Protect is free to Blackberry users, and is being released first as a beta in the next few days.

via Blackberry

GPS Locator will help determine if your phone was stolen or left behind.

By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

Staff Note: August 6, 2010. This contest is officially closed. All four winners have been notified via email, and have 14 days to reply and claim their prizes. You must email us with your full information in order for us to verify your identities. Any misleading information will result in immediate disqualification, and as such, new random winners will be annnounced. We’d like to thank our friends at Aliph Jawbone for the amazing set of prizes. Congratulations to all the winners!

Staff Note: July 9, 2010. It’s official, Ed’s review is now a giveaway! You heard right. On August 5, we will be choosing two very lucky winners to take home their very own Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headset! You already know the rules, but just in case you’re new to the game…all you have to do (if you haven’t done so already) is register your email on the right-hand side of the page to receive our weekly newsletter (make sure to go back to your email and confirm, otherwise your entry doesn’t count.) Then once you’re in, come back and comment below on what makes the icon something you’d want. Simple as that! Two very special winners from Twitter & Facebook will also be chosen on the same day, so if you have both, follow us, retweet and repost for even higher chances of winning! Goodluck! ~Jenna

Now that Bluetooth headsets have become a mainstay in the market place – design is becoming as important as functionality. Many companies are kicking it into high gear and Aliph’s Jawbone is definitely leading the pack. Never one to shy away from highend design, their latest Bluetooth headset, the Jawbone ICON not only is stylish, but it also has an App store as well.  Now that takes guts.

The Jawbone Icon from Aliph is the 4th and latest in the line of Bluetooth headsets known for their noise cancellation technology.  The Icon has actually been on the scene for a wile, however, Aliph just recently added A2DP to Icon allowing you to play streaming audio, music, and podcasts, etc. through the headset. Since I haven’t talked about the Jawbone Icon before I figure that this would be a good time to give it a proper review.

Style and Fit

The first thing that you should notice about the Jawbone Icon is that it is not just one Bluetooth headset…  It is six.  The Icon comes in six different styles.  The Thinker, which, we are reviewing here.  The Rogue, the Hero, the Ace, the Catch, and the Bombshell.  Each headset has a unique color as well as a unique styling that differentiates just a bit from each of the other models in the Icon line.  Once you select the style of Icon that suites your personality and move beyond the aesthetic differences, each headset is virtually identical.

And they each weigh only 8 grams! All of these designs have masculine and feminine appeal, but in a classy, not overly girly way. Many other bluetooth headsets try to have feminine appeal by coloring themselves pink, red or purple, or throwing on some floral patterns, yet the Jawbone ICON succeeds in having the appeal for both just by the fact that its design is modern and fashionable. The fact that Aliph includes additional earbuds and the optional earloop is not only a nice gesture, but it ensures that no matter what type of ear size you have – the ICON won’t fall off unlike some other bluetooth earpieces we have tested in the past. There is also a switch on the ICON that lets you turn the headset on or off, and a talk button that is easily accessible to answer calls.

Accessories

The first thing you see after opening the box are three ear-only buds including the one already on the Icon as well as 4 ear buds to be used with the behind the ear earloop.  Most people will find that one three buds with the rubber circle on the back (option A) fits nicely in their ear without the need for the earloop. If, however, you like the security of the earloop, there are 4 different size earbuds to be used with it (option B). Aliph also includes a USB wall charger and a corresponding microUSB cable for charging. The cable, which is less than a foot long, can make charging at remote outlets (like one buried under your desk) difficult, but also eliminates tangles and makes it easier to travel with.

Sound Quality

Just this past week we had a freak rain storm in NY and what better way to test the Icon’s Lethal NoiseAssassin technology. For those not familiar with NoiseAssassin from Jawbone, it is a technology that was originally developed for military use in tanks and helicopters, and features a wind reduction proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations. So this tech is definitely helpful on a noisy NY street. I put the headset through its paces walking against the wind, standing in the line of fire of screaming fire engines, all the while on the phone talking to my friends and then colleagues who use various different cell phones.  I then went to the beach and watched kids playing in the sand and surf, and still the quality of the voice on the other end of the headset was crisp and clear and they heard me just the same. In fact, my peeps claimed that I sounded even better than when I talked directly into my handset, and I have to admit they sounded much crisper and louder too than when I use the handset directly! The earpiece didn’t fall out of my ear once, nor did it give me a headache or ear pain as many of the Bluetooth headsets have done in the past after having worn it in my ear for awhile.

Setup and Usage

Pairing Aliph’s Jawbone Icon via Bluetooth goes as simply as you could hope. Just slide the toggle switch on the side of the headset to the on position, wait until the LED ring flashes quickly white, then connect from your cell phone’s Bluetooth menu. Charging the Icon will display the the same LED colors. Wile it’s in the charge mode it will flash slowly RED, almost like it’s snoring… When it has a full charge the LED ring will stay a constant white.

Software

Yes, the Jawbone Icon has an App store. Well sorta – it’s called MyTalk which is currently in beta and exclusive to Jawbone Icon owners. It offers a selection of AudioApps and DialApps for free (carrier fees may apply but the App to download is free). Once you sign up via the MyTalk website which can be found on the Jawbone website, you will be sent two separate emails allowing you access to this additional feature. As we mentioned before, we where reviewing the Jawbone Icon – The Thinker which already comes with a standard Jawbone audio voice, which I didn’t  like very much. But Jawbone has turned it up a notch and has offered its customers customized voices specific to each model of Jawbone Icon. These distinct voices alert you to important information like how much battery life you have left and what number is calling you. So just because you own one version of the Icon headset, that doesn’t mean you can’t have the option of getting the voices associated with the other headsets. Personally I found the voices of The Ace, The Bombshell, and The Catch to be the best and they are also female… The men representatives sounded almost comical. In order to sync the new voice to your headset you must download the software to your PC or Mac and then all you need to do is choose which voice you want and then select ‘SYNC’, and it will automatically transfer to your headset when it’s plugged in via USB to your computer. This process is extremely easy, and if you run into a problem there are some video tutorials to help you out.

For instance, the Hero sounds like Brian from Family Guy, the Thinker sounds like a snotty English man, the ROGUE sounds like a bad version of Antonio Banderas, the ACE is your typical female spy, the CATCH sounded like a happy shiny 20 something, and the Bombshell makes it sound like you might have accidentally dialed a 1-900 number. Kinda silly as they are, everyone can test them out here at the Jawbone Website and try it for free.

The DialApps allow you to use your voice to unlock special applications specific for the Jawbone Icon. Directory 411, Jott for hands free email, Twitter, Facebook, and Google Calendar interaction, 1800free411, and HandsFree Assistant, even new features like A2DP. Where you can listen to streaming music or your favorite sports game via bluetooth. I’m sure there will be more Apps available in the near future as this app store is still in beta testing, but it certainly already offers a wide a variety of options that easily installs and helps you in ways you never thought possible.

The Good:

Excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, great design aesthetics, very easy to pair with devices, extra earbuds and optional earloop are included for a perfect fit, app store extends the functionality of the headset.

The Bad:

Fingerprints can be annoying, and the caller ID just say’s the phone number only and not the name of the caller.

Reality Grade:

The Jawbone Icon hits all the sweet spots – the device isn’t just pure eye candy, but a functional and well thought-out device that also looks to leave a small foot print on the earth due to its environmentally sound packaging. The headset offers truly excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, that not only will you appreciate, but those calling you will adore it too. The App store might seem gimmicky to some, but a lot of these apps are actually quite cool. For those looking to make the leap to an attractive Bluetooth headset that hits all the right marks, I highly suggest the Jawbone Icon. The boom is not intrusive on your face, the extra earbuds and earloop for optional ways to wear the device are very much appreciated, and it also happens to be one of the nicest looking bluetooth headsets ever made. Overall, you really can’t go wrong with the Jawbone ICON.

By: Bill Armstrong (Contributing Editor)

It happens to just about everyone. You finally get the cool new gadget you have been saving up for, and before you even learned all the features, a brand new model comes out that is even better. If you are among the fiscally fortunate, you just toss your toy aside and buy the new one. But if you are like the rest of us, you need to find other options. This is especially true now, with the brand spanking new iPhone 4 just days away.  

If you purchased your iPhone 3Gs after May 7^th of this year, AT&T is taking pity on you and offering a courtesy trade in and upgrade. You will get a partial credit of $50 or $100, depending on which model you purchased, towards an upgrade to the new iPhone 4. A generous offer, worth looking in to if you bought your new iPhone within the allotted time. However, for the millions of us that bought their iPhone prior to May 7^th, there is a different option: trade ins.  

Video game and movie stores have done this for years, so why not electronics? All over the country, businesses are popping up offering cash for your used electronics. Not a bad idea, considering there is always someone willing to pay less for a used or refurbished device. Some popular retail locations like Radio Shack offer a gadget trade in program, but it is in exchange for store credit. Many on line gadget trade in services are offering cold hard cash for your gently used devices. 

iPhones are a hot item on the trade in list. Some websites , like Cell for Cash, offer upwards of $300 dollars for some models. Of course, the amount of money you get will depend on a few factors, regardless of where you try to trade it in. These factors include, age, model, condition, and accessories. And in case you were wondering, your gadget WILL be inspected quite thoroughly before they cut you a check. The whole process can take a couple of weeks, but the reward can be worth it., especially for those of us that just can’t wait for our upgrade dates.  A list of some of the more popular trade in sites is listed below.

BuyMyTronics.com — www.buymytronics.com

EcoNew.com — www.econewonline.com

MyBoneyard.com — http://myboneyard.com

Consumer Electronics Recycling — www.cerecycle.com

YouRenew.com — www.yourenew.com

Nextworth.com — http://nextworth.com

Gazelle.com — www.gazelle.com