Gadgets ! What's Next

They said RIM's BlackBerry 9000 would be formally announced on the 12th. They said it would be called the Bold. Photos suggested that it would be the sexiest thing to come out of Canada since Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. And they wuz right. Boy Genius says it'll be available this summer on AT&T 3G, with a T-Mobile 3G edition in the wings—the handset can handle 850/1900/2100Mhz for HSDPA/UMTS, plus T-Mo's 1700MHz band. Sascha at PC Mag is reporting a CDMA/EV-DO version as well. 

New to the VTech DECT 6.0 lineup is the customizable LS6117, which was inspired by skateboard and snowboard designs. The front offers all the key functionality of a cordless phone while the back side is dedicated to making a design statement.

With the LS6117, consumers can easily alter the back of the phone to feature one of five unique design inserts provided, or they can log onto http://www.vtechphones.com/ to create and print their own designs, including adding pictures, to slide into the phone’s back panel.

D4 WS016SH UMPC is the world’s first phone with Intel Corp's Centrino Atom microprocessor. The phone was rolled out by Japanese handy-phone firm Willcom Inc. Willcom, which held 4 percent of Japan's mobile market at the end of March, said it aims to grab an annual 50,000 to 100,000 users with its D4 phone, which runs Microsoft Corp's Windows Vista operating system.

Willcom's newest phone, which comes with a touchpad made by Sharp Corp, goes on market in mid-June priced $1270.

VTech today announced shipments of the first cordless phone system with instant messaging (IM) using a QWERTY keypad. In addition to its traditional landline capabilities, the VTech IS6110 offers free access to MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger. The base unit simply needs to be connected via a USB port to the PC. Thanks to its extra-large, high-resolution color LCD and full keypad, the VTech IS6110 enables users to easily read messages and text multiple buddies simultaneously. Additionally, the “click-to-talk” feature enables instant voice (peer-to-peer) chats with friends. Offered on the latest DECT 6.0 platform, the Wi-Fi friendly IS6110 also features the best interference-free sound quality, security and range in cordless phones today.

You can also personalize ring tones by recording directly from PC or stereo equipment (mp3, CD, etc.) or choose from 17 "real" musical ring tones preset into the phone. Available now at vtechphones.com and Best Buy retail stores (USA), the VTech IS6110 provides the ultimate wireless freedom to enjoy this popular form of communication anywhere in the home.