The Sprint Echo is turning a lot of heads since its launch yesterday. The device features not one, but two 3.5-inch 480 x 800 displays which unfold into a single 4.7-inch 960 x 800 surface. The device, manufactured by Kyocera, has a patented “liquid-metal” hinge which provides multiple configurations for the device. You can close it up and use it like a single-screen phone, open it up like a mini-surface, or prop it up like a baby laptop.

Kyocera has customized seven core apps to take advantage of the dual screens, including the browser, email, and messaging. There is also a dual-screen app launcher which is accessed by tapping both screens simultaneously. Unfortunately, all other apps will just take up the whole screen as they don’t support the dual-screen hardware, but Kyocera and Sprint say an SDK is coming.

Many love this device at first sight, but many think it will fail. Some have even compared it to the Microsoft Kin. Coming from Sprint, you’d expect the Echo to be 4G-capable, but it’s not. It also only has one camera, a rear-facing 5 megapixel camera with 720p video capture.

While the dual-screens seem like a killer feature, the fact that developers will need to re-write their applications to support it is less than optimal. It also opens the door for more fragmentation. We will have to see how the Echo does once it’s launched later this year.

via engadget

In an attempt to keep your kids safe online, you can do one of two things: Shield your kids from any sort of Internet connectivity for fear of exposing them to the many dangers of the interwebs, OR teach them about responsible computing and educate yourself on the many ways to keep your kids safe online. Even if you do choose the latter, I’m sure you don’t want your kids messing around your nice computer (I cringe every time my two-year-old even breathes on my iPad).

Toshiba has decided to nip two birds with one stone and put together a tougher, “kid-friendly” laptop and include parental controls designed to help parents control what their kids do online with the new Satellite L635 laptop.

Let’s go over the design: It’s a 13- inch laptop that is small enough for kids to start on and big enough to last as your kids grow. The laptop comes with a lime green accent color to set it apart from your other computers and gives it that “kiddy look” but without being too lame. It also comes with textured fingerprint-resistant keys in addition to the entire keyboard being wipeable just in case peanut butter comes out of “nowhere” and “magically” finds its way onto the keyboard. Finally, the hardrive has a drive impact sensor that protects the data on the hard drive if and when it gets banged around a little.

Now that your kids are ready to hop on the Internet and you don’t have to worry (so much) about computer damage, you are free to worry about what your kids are doing online. The Satellite L635 hopes to ease some of your fears with its built-in child safety features:

- Using the Net Nanny parental control software so you can prevent access to the wrong sites or disclosure of private information though email or instant messaging in addition to limiting online visits, so you don’t have to worry about your kids sneaking back on the computer after bed time.

- KidZui Internet browser that gives your children easy access to do research, play games and browse the Web safely (websites, games, and videos are pre-approved by both teachers and concerned parents)

By no stretch of the imagination is this just a kiddy laptop with only a hard shell and an Internet connection. This baby has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a webcam so your kids can actually be productive online in addition to, having a good time video chatting with their little friends (and grandma). It also has some preloaded entertainment features as well including CinemaNow, which offers thousands of movies on demand, and includes Disney’s “Princess and the Frog” movie and Lego Batman game which should give your kids enough stuff to discover without them trying to download Lord knows what.

So if you feel your kids are at that explore the Web phase, but you want to make sure that they have the ability to learn, enjoy AND be safe, check out the Toshiba Satellite L635 Laptop.

“It plays well with others.”

The Kobo ereader is a device and platform the follows you on whichever device is in your presence.Whether it’s a desktop computer, tablet, laptop or even a smartphone all of your e-books will be waiting for you. Even the bookmarks will transfer to the mobile device of your choice. Kobo refers to this as being “device-neutral.”

Born into the Borders books family, the Kobo device is a nice sized, lightweight (eight ounces) e-reader that gives user six inches of display screen for comfortable reading. A simple four-way D-pad allows you to maximize your navigation and the device comes equipped with 1GB of memory which is enough for approximately 1,000 books. If you need more storage space, you are allowed to add an SD storage card of any size. The price of this device is $129 which is a great value for a portable e-reader.

Kobo has designed their desktop application to be like a version of “iTunes but for books.” After downloading the application, you can read books immediately, sync with other non-Kobo e-readers (as long as they are any Adobe DRM / ePub compatible eReader or device), read offline and instantly transfer your bookmarks from the Tablet, to the PC, to the smartphone and perhaps back to your Kobo. Only interested in a smartphone version of the app? Kobo is available on the iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Palm Pre. All of the apps are free and packed with numerous features to keep you reading for hours. iPad users don’t despair, the app works for you as well.

In terms of improvements to the app, the one glaring missing feature for the mobile app is a built-in dictionary. If Kobo can fix that along with increasing its selection of free and paid books at a brisk enough pace, we could have on the best e-readers on the market. The cross-platform utilization is a brilliant customer-centric idea and I applaud Kobo for that. In the future , I look forward to seeing how Kobo evolves and stacks up with the other e-readers on the market.

Book lovers  do you have a Kobo reader or the mobile app? Share your experiences with us in the comments section.

HP continues to roll out the hot tech. The latest piece of hardware we got our hands on was the HP Envy 14. Sleek, powerful, and loaded with features, if you’re looking for a solid machine with an accessible price point, the Envy might be your machine. Aesthetically speaking, it’s a stunner. The silver and black motif coupled with the glossy screen will definitely draw comparisons to a a MacBook Pro. The Envy is a mid-sized notebook with a 14.5-inch HD LED screen that should be plenty of real estate to watch any movie, video, etc., comfortably. As is the case with most notebooks on the market, thin and light is the name of the game. The Envy 14 weighs in at a comfortable 5.25 lbs and is an amazing 1.1-inch thick.

But this notebook is more than techie eye candy. It has some serious power under the hood. The basic model of the Envy runs on an Intel Core i3 processor, but can be upgraded to a Core i5 or Core i7 processor if necessary. It also comes with 4GB of memory, but that can also be expanded to a generous 8GB. As far as the hard drive, potential buyers have a choice of a hard drive or a solid state drive. Other notable features include a 2-in-1 Integrated Digital Reader, the HP TrueVision HD Webcam, and HP ProtectSmart, which is a cool little safety feature that detects if your laptop has been dropped and automatically locks the hard drive to prevent any data loss.

Similar to the HP Mini 210, the HP Envy 14 also comes equipped with HP Quickweb, which allows users to connect to the internet as soon as you turn on the computer. That’s right, no more waiting for Windows and all the other programs you have set up to run at start to load. If you have a viable internet connection, you can connect to the web with the touch of a button and begin surfing the web, updating your status on your social network, or watching a video or two. As you can see, this is clearly one of my favorite features.

Another beloved feature is Beats Audio. If you’re familiar with Monster and the Beats by Dre headphones, then you have a pretty good idea why I love this audio system. The sound is rich and engrosssing. You don’t miss any of your highs, lows, or mids. It’s a great machine to watch movies with, but my favorite activity was just letting my playlist rock and have my own private jam session.

All in all the Envy is a great machine to consider if you want a machine that can handle business and playtime. Starting at $999, it is extremely customizable and would be a great addition to any techie’s collection. I think a mid-to-high level user would get the most use out of all the features, but even a newbie could look like a pro with this  notebook. That said, the Envy is worth a second, third, and fourth look.

Netbooks continue to be an easy solution for the person on the go that needs to stay connected. Light, compact, and extremely customizable, netbooks have come a long way from when they first entered the market. Sporting larger screens, more processing power, and longer battery life, netbooks are a durable option for students, businesspeople, and everyone in between.

HP has consistently raised the bar with its Mini series and the latest addition is no exception. Dubbed the HP Mini 210, this netbook is turning heads of techies and laymen alike. A combination of looks, speed, and power the Mini 210 is set to prove that the most amazing things come in the smallest packages.

The Mini 210 features a 10.1-inch diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1366 x 768), an Intel Atom N455 processor  (1.66GHz, 512KB L2) + Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 3150, which makes for a great viewing experience when you’re watching movies or video. There’s also 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive. Excluding the screen size, all of these features can be upgraded to suit those of us that need to enjoy a little more power under the hood.  The Mini also features a 93% keyboard for more accessible typing, It also has three USB ports and a 5-in-1 integrated card reader for all your peripheral needs. Other built-in features include the webcam with the integrated digital microphone and the built-in speakers.

The Mini 210 HD was built with Web surfing and social networking in mind. Thanks to HP QuickWeb, you can connect to the Internet as soon as you hit the power button on your netbook. Instead of waiting for Windows and all your other programs to load, the 210 HD lets you access email, Skype, IM, and all your social networking platforms 30 seconds after the device is activated.  Another cool feature is HP QuickSync that allows users to sync up files including photos, music, documents, and other files to your main PC, external hard drive, or phone with ease. Files can also be stored in the cloud thanks to HP Cloud Drive. All you need is an Internet connected computer, which shouldn’t be too hard thanks to the integrated wireless-G for Wi-Fi access when you enter a hotspot.

As far as OS, Mini buyers have a choice of Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 or upgrading to the Windows 7 Starter or Premium pack. Expect approximately 4.5 hours of battery life from the 3-cell Lithium Ion battery. If you need a little more staying power, you should definitely think about investing in the 6-cell upgrade.

When you begin to unbox the 210, expect to be greeted by a stylish, sleek-looking machine. The 210 is available in a variety of colors including, silver crystal, black crystal, sonoma red, pacific blue, preppy pink, and white crystal. Aside from looking good, the Mini also feels good. Weighing in at a feather-light 2.96 lbs., with a .94-inch thickness, it can fit effortlessly into almost any bag.

It’s easy on the eyes as well as the back.

Sporting both power, speed, and some seriously good looks, the Mini 210 can do it all. Whether it’s watching a movie, sending those important docs, or updating your Facebook status, this netbook has you covered. In short, HP Mini 210 HD is the perfect blend of business and pleasure. For more information on the HP Mini 210 HD netbook and other HP products, be sure to visit www.hp.com.

Also check out Angela’s quick review and why she decided to get an HP Mini:

Don’t forget you can also enter for a chance to win your own HP Mini 210!

Yes,  Monster Cables, the company that’s made a virtual empire creating cables that deliver some of the best audio/visual results on the market is cutting the strings with their latest product line. Named Clarity HD, this new line of products deals primarily with compact listening solutions, namely wireless Bluetooth speakers. While Monster always produces quality products, I’m particularly looking forward to getting my hands on the Clarity HD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker or the iClarity HD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker.

Head Monster Noel Lee noted: “One of the main goals of our new Clarity HD product family is to literally open people’s ears to the possibility of truly great sounding music from some unexpected sources. That’s exactly how most people feel, for instance, when they hear our wireless Bluetooth speakers for the first time – it just doesn’t seem possible that such powerful sounding music could be emanating from such a tiny source!”

So just how small is one of these speakers? I got to spend a little quality time with the speaker and it is indeed tiny. A little bigger than a deck of card, the speaker fits right in the palm of your hand. It’s the perfect size to accompany an iPhone, Blackberry, or any other device that has Bluetooth capability including laptops. While the size is intriguing, it doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t deliver on the sound. With 120 CC of acoustic volume and two 35 mm full range drivers and passive radiator, the speaker has amazing sound quality. During the demonstration, the Clarity HD speaker filled a medium sized room with Miles Davis’ “Some Kind of Blue.” The music  could be clearly heard over all the side conversations taking place in the room. The sound was further amplified when the Monster representative placed it against his chest.

Along with sound range, the speaker also has excellent Bluetooth range. able to pick up a paired device up to 35ft away. If there’s a device that doesn’t have Bluetooth or isn’t compatible with Bluetooth 2.0,  it can be plugged into the speaker via a 3.5 mm minijack cable. As far as battery life, Monster’s site claims that the Clarity HD can last 5 hours thanks to the rechargeable lithium batteriers.

Aside from the sound quality, the biggest selling point about Monster’s latest product is the selling point. At a suggested retail value of $119.00, it’s hard to pass up. Another notable feature is that the speaker isn’t solely a portable dance party. It can also be used to conduct conference calls via Skpye or iChat.

It’s almost time to show our love and adoration to dear old dad, and the granddads, uncles, brothers, and all the positive male figures in our lives. Instead of giving them that played-out tie, why not give him want he really wants — some hot, sexy tech. The following are a few suggestions for the tech-savvy man in your life.

Aliph Jawbone ICON – Usually when you think of Bluetooth headsets, an unattractive, oddly shaped do0-dad attached to the unsuspecting wearer’s ear. Rather than have dad look like a reject from a b-grade sci-fi movie, why not have him walk around with his head held high? Available in six eye-catching styles, the Aliph Jawbone ICON collection is a sight to behold. Dubbed the “World’s First Intelligent Headset, the ICON includes NoiseAssassin 2.5 which greatly reduces background noise, the ability to connect to multiple phones and customize with a number of apps.

Samsung HT-C600 Blu-Ray Home Theater System – The entertainment system is always a source of pride. The cornerstone of many living rooms, give your father the gift that keeps on giving — a home theater system that makes him feel like he’s in the thick of his favorite action flick.  Look no further than the Samsung HT-C600 Blu-Ray Home Theater System. The 1000W packs a wallop in the sound department thanks to the 5.1 digital surround sound, but it also has the content to make this a gift any techie will love. The HT-C600 comes with InternetTV complete with widgets for Facebook, Pandora, and Netflix. A seriously feature-rich product, you don’t want to pass this up.

Scosche FlipSYNC – It might not be the flashiest piece of tech, but what it lacks in flash it makes up for in practicality. With the increasing amount of portable tech (smartphones, mp3 players, etc.), it’s hard to keep everything at maximum charge. If you’re a techie or know one, you know that there’s nothing more heartbreaking then watching a phone shut down because you forgot to bring your spare charger. Spare the man in your life the agony and get him a Scosche FlipSYNC. Small enough to fit on a keychain, the FlipSYNC easily plugs into a computer and powers and syncs iPods and iPhones, no fuss, no muss.

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera – For the guerrilla filmmaker, the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Camcorder is the way to go. Affordable, compact, and easy to use, you can’t go wrong with this pocket cam. The Zi8 takes video in crystal clear 1080HD and has some serious image stabilization to counteract shaky arm syndrome.  There’s also 4X digital zoom to get those up close and personal shots. The best part about the Zi8 is you can expand its memory with a SD/SDHC card unlike other pocket cams that leave you at the mercy of their built-in memory. Similar to other cams, there’s an fold-out USB arm for quick downloading to Facebook and YouTube.

By Robert S. Anthony, Editor & Columnist

If you get your hands on the new HTC Evo 4G cell phone for Sprint and you’re not impressed with its 4.3-inch display, solid feel and sleek lines, just remove the battery cover. The engineering inside is just as elegant as it is outside. Even its battery is color-matched to its innards.

At a splashy press event in New York Wednesday, Sprint introduced the HTC Evo 4G, the first 4G cell phone to come to market in the U.S. The unit ($199.99 after a $100 rebate and with a two-year service agreement) arrives at Sprint stores on June 4. According to Sprint representatives, 4G data service is up to ten times faster than today’s 3G networks, like the one used by the Apple iPhone 3G S.

One thing that didn’t arrive in New York with the May 12 launch event, however, was the 4G network. While Sprint’s 4G service is already available in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Seattle and a handful of other cities, New York is listed as “soon.” However a temporary 4G cell was set up near the event site so that the 4G features of the phone could be demonstrated to the press.

Sprint officials said that since they knew that 4G coverage would be spotty for some time, the goal in creating the Evo 4G was to create the best possible 3G phone–with 4G capabilities. Also, since the 4G circuitry is rather power hungry, most users would not want to leave the 4G capability on all the time, the Sprint officials said.

“If you’re going to build a great product for 4G, you better have a large display,” said David Owens, vice president of consumer marketing for Sprint in a meeting before the press event. “This will impact gaming, as you will see.”

Indeed, the bright, 4.3-inch display is stunning. Combined with the unit’s one-gigahertz processor, high-quality YouTube videos run smoothly and without audio problems. While the HTC Evo 4G isn’t the first cell phone with a front-facing webcam (the Pharos Traveler 137, introduced in 2009, is one example), the combination of the 1.3-megapixel webcam with an 8-megapixel, back-mounted digital camera makes the HTC Evo 4G a rather formidable communications and image-recording tool for both casual and professional use.

“I see more utility in this than I see in a netbook,” said Owens, who also noted that the phone can used as mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.

Included among the preloaded Android applications is Google Goggles, an interesting utility that makes good use of the phone’s camera and Google’s archive of images. Point the camera at an object or a photo and the software will try to figure out what it is. During the press event, the phone successfully recognized a photo of the Guggenheim Museum (see video).

Also preloaded on the HTC Evo 4G is Qik, a service which lets you stream live videos from your phone. However if you enable an upgrade to the software, you can use Qik to engage in live video chats with other mobile devices or with desktop computers. An attempt to demonstrate the utility on stage at the press event failed quietly (see video), but the Qik app worked perfectly when shown off at a demonstration table afterward.

At a price just under $200 and with data plans that are significantly cheaper than those of other major carriers, the HTC Evo 4G may quickly evolve into a true competitor to other top-shelf cell phones like iPhone 3G S, Google Nexus, and Motorola Droid. Only time, and the speed of the growth of Sprint’s 4G network, will tell.

For those familiar with ThinkFlood’s RedEye, you’d understand that you’re getting some swank tech, but at the price of what’s in your wallet. The device’s response was pretty fair-weather as the tech was deemed “convoluted”. Four months later RedEye is pretty much history and the “mini” version has went on to set the bar in the World of Apple.

At $49 it looked to be a steal for those looking to pimp out their homes 22nd Century style. But New Potato Technologies has introduced their own Infrared iPhone/iPod touch dongle and while it isn’t as cheap as the RedEye mini — this one has subtle differences you may enjoy.

The tech connects to a dock connector, and when you use the accompanying app, you can control the lights in your home, the stereo system, your home cinemas, and pretty much anything that allows dictation via IR. The juicy part of this new product is that the app will allow users to search a database of over 14,000 device codes. You’ll be able to add the products that are necessary and most used in your home or office. In the end you’ll probably be stuck still programming that Jurassic Park VCR you still own, but for $79.99 (plus shipping & handling), you can have your friends going ooh-and-ahh via the company’s own website… Or you can head over to Best Buy on March 28th to pay a middleman.

Impress is said to be a deliverance from the woes of the touch screen. No longer is the user subjected to technology, as Impress has to cave in to human application, not the other way around. It is the chance to merge man and machine in a harmless, non-Terminator type of way.

Impress uses a flexible display utilizing foam and force sensors which is deformable and feels soft to the touch. The parameters position and time much like other touch screens, but Impress reacts, above all, on the intensity of pressure. You can merge in and collaborate with technology more than ever — literally “squeezing” out information and flying through rooms, with the pressure of your hand.

Created by Silke Hilsing, using Arduino and Processing, the user can form 3-D models and put objects in motion by deforming the surface. Impressive (pun intended) applications allow an insight into a new world full of intuitive interaction possibilities.

But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself in the video below:

impress – flexible display from Silke Hilsing on Vimeo.

Are you impressed by Impress? What ideas will folks think of next? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!