Samsung Galaxy Ace Review

Samsung announced their latest budget Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Ace back in January, and we have just been testing the Galaxy Ace for the last week.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace comes with Android 2.2 Froyo, and it has just recently gone on sale in the UK, it comes with a range of features you would expect too see in a more expensive smartphone.

Specifications

As I mentioned previously, the Samsung Galaxy Ace comes with Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box, hardware wise you get 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels.

Processing is provided by an 800MHz processor, and there is also a five megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom and an LED flash, plus a range of shooting modes and photo effects.
You also get a built in FM Radio, Bluetooth 2.1, integrated 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, plus a microSD card slot, the model we tested came with a 2GB microSD card but it can take up to 32GB microSD cards.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace features 1350mAh battery, and the manufacturers specifications say that you will get up to 660 minutes of talk time on 2G, 390 minutes on 3G, plus up to 640 hours of standby time on 2G and 420 hours on 3G.

Design, Display and UI

The Samsung Galaxy Ace is designed to be a budget Android device, although it does feel very well made, maybe not as high as the Samsung Galaxy S, but it certainly feels better quality than the Samsung Galaxy Europa we tested recently.

The display is sharp and crisp and the design is excellent and it certainly feels very well made, and could quite easily be mistaken for a more expensive smartphone.
It comes with a pair of interchangeable covers, one black and one white, the black one features a rubberized texture which makes the phone easy to hold, whilst the white cover is smooth, and feels a bit more like plastic than the black one.

Camera

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy Ace is a five megapixel version, it also features two times digital zoom, and it is capable or recording video in a 320 x 240 resolution, no HD here unfortunately, and this is one of the cameras week points, the video recording isn’t the best, but I suppose this can be forgiven for the price.

The camera on the Galaxy Ace is pretty good ,  it does a good job at capturing pretty decent photos and it has a range of features built in which include autofocus, a range of shooting modes which include continuous and panorama plus a range of photo effects.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Ace is designed to be a budget Android smartphone, and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with it, as it has a range of features that you would expect in a more expensive Android device.

It definitely feels a lot better quality that some of the other budget Android devices we have tested, and feels very well built, the display is sharp and crisp and the touchscreen is responsive.
The camera is decent, it will do a good jobs on photos, video is another matter and if you are the sort of person who uses your smartphone for recording a lot of videos you may want to consider something else.
Overall we really liked the Samsung Galaxy Ace, for the money it is an excellent budget smartphone, very well made and very well designed, if you are in the market for a budget Android device, I would definitely recommend you add the Samsung Galaxy Ace to your list of devices to check out.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace is available in the UK from a range of mobile operators, the model we tested was from mobile network Three, who are currently offering the Galaxy Ace for £199.99 on pay as you go and also with a range of their monthly contracts.
Make sure you check out our Samsung Galaxy Ace gallery below for lots more photos of this budget Android smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Ace

Apple Testing Three iPhone 5 Prototypes?

The latest iPhone 5 rumor is that Apple is currently testing three prototype models of the iPhone 5, and the rumor comes from a Taiwan based website which has in the past published information about new Apple devices that have been true.
According to the rumor one prototype iPhone 5 is identical to the existing iPhone 4, except for a larger battery and a more powerful camera, although this doesn’t tie in with the earlier rumor that we heard about the iPhone 5 featuring a larger display.

The other reported prototype which sound interesting, is an iPhone 5 with a slide out QWERTY keyboard, this is something we heard last year and didn’t materialize, and something we don’t think Apple will produce.
If Apple are looking to make more version of the iPhone 5 we suspect they will launch two separate models, a new iPhone 5 to replace the iPhone 44 and an iPhone mini to go after budget Android devices.
via TFTS

Quillit 3 In 1 Pen Is Perfect For Enthusiastic Scribblers

What happens when a bunch of monkeys are locked inside a room with these Quillits? Given time and a few tablets they might just come up with the complete works of Shakespeare and some artistic masterpieces besides. Thanks to the regular pen, brush stylus, and nib stylus packed into this little cylinder, nothing is impossible.

Okay, to get things straight, the infinite monkey hogwash is utter bollocks. It may sound entertaining, but it’s bollocks still. Aside from that, the Quillit 3 in 1 really is an incredible writing tool. It’s perfect for jotting down notes on paper and touch screens.
It’s affordable too. While it’s shipping date is next week, the 23^rd of March to be specific, you can pre-order this marvel pen for just $33.95.
Here’s a better introduction from the product page:

The Quillit 3 in 1 stylus pen has a nice heavy feel and deluxe finish. It will write like a normal pen, but it also works with touch screen devices like smartphones and touch screen computers. As well as the pen function it has a brush stylus for capacitive touch screens, a nib stylus for resistive touch screens. A lovely practical gift suitable for any gadget user.

If you’re interested in a purchase, go here for the good stuff.

DIY Pulse Laser Gun looks like it was sent from the future

by Mark R - on March 9th, 2011

This Pulse Laser Gun may look like it is from the future, but believe me, it was just recently made.
The gun was a DIY project that has a small pulse laser head and generates a kW-pulse of infrared light. There is a video below of it shooting a balloon, but it can blast through plastic, razorblade, and even 5mm of Styrofoam. It has a range a 3 meters, and the gun itself is 320mm long and weighs at 2 pounds.
Just be warned, there isn’t any sound at the beginning of the video, but it kicks in later. Too bad there isn’t any laser pewpew sound. To make up for sound is the sight of this blue lights to create a real science fiction look.
The video says that it is battery powered, and it is good for about 50 shots. For obvious reasons, safety glasses are required at all times.
According to the video, it sounds as if the creator has sold this gun. Hopefully it came with a matching holster. However, it sounds like he or she wants to make more. This looks like you would have to have a license to carry one of these, or a Stromtrooper or Clone Trooper uniform.
Source

USB Jewel Butterfly Flash Drive

USB Jewel Butterfly Flash Drive

Here comes another USB gadget, from the guys over at HKColordigital, the USB Jewel Butterfly Flash Drive.
The USB Jewel Butterfly Flash Drive com,es with 8GB of storage, and measures 20 x 30 x 8mm and weighs just 8g.

Here are the specifications.

• USB 2.0
• Portable and easy operation
• Stylish and useful
• Plug and play
• Support Windows XP/Vista, Linux 2.4, MAC OSX or latest version
• Dimension: 20 x 30 x 8mm (approx.)
• Weight: 6g

The USB Jewel Butterfly Flash Drive is available for $32 from HKColordigital

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16GB USB Jewel Lucky Flower Necklace Flash Drive

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Price: $38.99

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USB Jewel Lucky Flower Necklace Flash Drive is designed with decorative crystals and lucky flower shape. Necklace is included to wear around your neck, surely will give you a stylish look.




Features:

Lucky flower shaped design USB 2.0 Portable and easy operation Stylish and useful Plug and play Support WinWindow 7 / Vista / XP, Linux 2.4, MAC OS X or latest version Dimension: 24 x 45 x 9mm (approx.) Weight: 27g Package Content: USB Jewel Lucky Flower Necklace Flash Drive

Airplane 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Add some fun to your desktop with the Airplane 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub. It may look like a toy airplane, but this is a fully functional 4 port USB 2.0 hub. Not only is it a nice decoration to make your desk look more fun, it actually has fun features such as a button on top to spin the propeller and “take-off” sound effects when you plug it in.

An ordinary USB hub simply adds clutter to your desktop, while this design can reflect your personality. Even though it serves double duty as a USB hub and a fun toy, this device is actually quite small, so it doesn’t take up much desk space.
The Aircraft 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub is available for $11.40 at Lightinthebox.com.

Week in Geek #09, 2011

In the past week there were many popular posts here on GeekAlerts. There were some unique curiosities such as the applause machine and instant inflatable window. There were food and drink related items like the fuel gauge coffee mug, ninjabread man cookie cutters, Darth Vader coffee mug, and a flash drive that looks like a Heineken beer bottle. Check out all these posts and more in this Week in Geek #09, 2011:

Star Wars Talking 9-Inch Plush: Jawa & Boba Fett

These new Star Wars Talking 9-Inch Plush toys are soft and cute, plush they say memorable phrases from the movies. Boba Fett has always been a fan favorite character from the Star Wars movies, so this plush is sure to be a hit. Jawas aren’t as popular with most people, but this Jawa plush toy with light up eyes sure does look cool.

Jawa and Boba Fett Star Wars Talking 9-Inch Plushes are available to pre-order for $20.99 at Entertainment Earth with an estimated delivery of June 2011. Jawa and Boba Fett Star Wars 9″ Talking Plush toys are available to pre-order for £14.99 at Firebox.com with an estimated delivery of Match 8, 2011.

Millennium Falcon Auto Sun Shade

If you live somewhere with hot, sunny summers, a car windshield shade can really help keep your car interior cooler. I’ve seen various designs of windshield shades over the years, but none come close to being as cool as this Millennium Falcon Auto Sun Shade. Put this up on your car’s windshield, and to passers-by it will look just like the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.
This auto sun shade shows Han Solo and Chewbacca at the controls with Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi standing by in the cockpit. The Millennium Falcon has got to be veryone’s favorite smuggling starship, and geek or not, everyone should immediately recognize this scene from the Star Wars movie.

Especially if you have a dark interior in your car, you really need a sun shade. Not only do these keep your car much cooler so you don’t burn yourself on your seat and steering wheel, they also help protect your dashboard and interior from sun damage. Since you need one of these, why not have a cool on like the Millennium Falcon Car Windshield Sun Shade?
The Millennium Falcon Auto Sun Shade is available exclusively from Star Wars Shop.

Millennium Falcon Auto Sun Shade

If you live somewhere with hot, sunny summers, a car windshield shade can really help keep your car interior cooler. I’ve seen various designs of windshield shades over the years, but none come close to being as cool as this Millennium Falcon Auto Sun Shade. Put this up on your car’s windshield, and to passers-by it will look just like the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.
This auto sun shade shows Han Solo and Chewbacca at the controls with Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi standing by in the cockpit. The Millennium Falcon has got to be veryone’s favorite smuggling starship, and geek or not, everyone should immediately recognize this scene from the Star Wars movie.

Especially if you have a dark interior in your car, you really need a sun shade. Not only do these keep your car much cooler so you don’t burn yourself on your seat and steering wheel, they also help protect your dashboard and interior from sun damage. Since you need one of these, why not have a cool on like the Millennium Falcon Car Windshield Sun Shade?
The Millennium Falcon Auto Sun Shade is available exclusively from Star Wars Shop.

Pizza Boss 3000 Pizza Wheel Saw

Are you so attached to your power tools that you can’t even bear to put ‘em down for a pizza break? Start investing in power-like kitchen tools, starting with the Fred and Friends PIBOSS Pizza Boss 3000 Pizza Wheel. This creative pizza cutter looks just like a power saw, for more fun when slicing pizza.
Buy this cool pizza slicer and you’ll get kudos from your wife or girlfriend as you chivalrously flex your biceps to carve her a perfect 45-degree angle slice; or you might get the usual pathetic eye roll. But at least you tried, right?

The laser-etched stainless steel blade gives the pizza slicer a real-life circular saw look, and the pizza cutter’s removable shield made of engineering-grade plastic is safe for the dishwasher. With compact dimensions of 6″ x 4″ x 5″, this gadget won’t take up an obnoxious amount of space.

Pizza Wheel Saw Features

• Great for pizza parties, this slicer is sure to get a round of laughs from everyone
• Built from tough, engineering-grade plastics with a laser-etched stainless-steel blade
• Shaped like a circular saw, the pizza wheel makes whoever’s doing the cutting look like a carpenter in action
• Dishwasher safe and comes packaged in a clear plastic gift box
• The cutter has a removable shield for easy clean up

Cleanly packaged in a clear plastic box, the Pizza Boss 3000 makes the ideal gift for that hard-to-shop-for handyman who seems to have it all.
Have your pie and saw it too with the PIBOSS Pizza Boss 3000 Pizza Cutter for $14.11 at Amazon.com.

Audio Light Bulb

The light bulb is a marvelous invention. Who knew a little bit of glass and some wire could have such a profound effect on how we live? There are all kinds of light bulbs – bright ones, dim ones, colored ones, eco-friendly ones – but all they did until the Audio Light Bulb came along was provide light.

Now your source of light can also be your source for sound, specifically the music that comes from your iPod or iPhone. The Audio Light Bulb screws into any recessed can light receptacle just like any old ordinary light bulb, but this bulb provides crisp audio with a full-range, 10-watt speaker that’s built within. It can receive interference-free wireless audio signals from up to 50 feet away from its transmitter, which docks with any iPod/iPhone equipped with a 30-pin connector, and the included remote lets you control volume, play/pause, and light dimming to 50% of brightness. When the dimmer’s not being used, the integrated LED’s provide approximately the same amount of light as a 60-watt bulb.

Details:
Transmitter has an auxiliary port for connecting other audio inputs
Includes two speakers; supports a total of eight speakers.
Speaker 3 1/2″ Diam. x 6″ H. (16 oz.)
Transmitter 3 1/2″ L x 3 1/2″ W x 1/2″ H. (3 1/4 oz.)

Enjoy light and sound with the Audio Light Bulb from Hammacher Schlemmer for $299.95