Gizmodo Gifts: Cellphones

Gifts for the Chatty Cathy: Netgear SPH200W Wi-Fi Skype Phone

Travis Hudson — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 16:30:18 EST

While every Dick, Sam and Harry is touting around a cellphone capable of landing a shuttle on the moon, the real bargain hunters know the best deals begin with Internet calling. Netgear's SPH200W is the top dog for phones designed for Skype and Internet calling. This phone comes ready to go out of the box, just set up a Skype account, which can be done from the phone. It works at a variety of public Wi-Fi hotspots as well, so it could even be a portable cellphone, kind of. It's available for $150. [Dell]

Why You Shouldn't Ask For or Give the iPhone this Holiday Season

Travis Hudson — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:14:32 EST

The iPhone is gracing every gift guide out there, include the Amish Times, but you really shouldn't ask for one or give one, really. There are a lot of legitimate reasons to wait—I'm not just being a Negative Nancy.
• The 3G iPhone is coming next year. And if you haven't compared EDGE speeds to 3G speeds, trust me, it is worth the wait.
• The iPhone SDK is coming in early 2008. You wouldn't want to mess up your iPhone getting overzealous installing unauthorized third-party apps that end up bricking the device.
• Wait and see what happens with Google's Android. The potential with Android and the Open Handset Alliance is endless and may out game the iPhone, while possibly being cheaper and more versatile.
• Just get an iPod Touch.
• If anything, just wait until the MacWorld Expo January 14-18. There will likely be some big news announced then that may convince you enough to want to wait.
• Regardless, be sure and buy Jason's damn book so he will stop bugging me.

Verizon's Holiday Cellphone Lineup is Awesome

Travis Hudson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:02:28 EST

Verizon came out of the woodworks back in September with an end-of-the-year lineup and it isn't too shabby. We've had plenty of time with the phones since then and here is the quick roundup:

First up is the Samsung Juke. This is a swivel design handset that also doubles as a MP3 player. It has 2 GB of internal memory, but no options for expandability. It also lacks the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and you have to use Samsung's included, and mediocre headphones, or get an input converter. It is available for $99 after rebates. [Hands-On, Hype Sheet]

The LG Venus is multi-screen slider. The big, top screen is a plain-jane display, with a smaller touchscreen below and a sliding keypad underneath. It has an MP3 player, 2-megapixel camera and more. This phone is $200 after mail in rebates and contracts. [Gallery, Review]

The LG Voyager is the big boss of Verizon's holiday lineup. This is a full touchscreen that opens up horizontally (think book) to reveal another screen and a full QWERTY keyboard. It is loaded with a 2-megapixel camera, browser, V Cast TV, GPS navigation and more. It is available for $300 after rebates and with a contract. [Review, Sizemodo, Gallery]

The lesser of the releases is the BlackBerry 8130, or Pearl 2. This is same Pearl we are used to. It has a 2-megapixel camera, GPS, microSD expandability, sideloading music, browser and more. It's available for $200 after rebate and contract. [Gallery]

[Verizon Wireless]

Gifts for Grandma: Jitterbug Cellphone

Travis Hudson — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:04:14 EST

Yeah, there is actually a gift section for grandma on Gizmodo. It may be small and it may be stereotypical, but it is here. The Jitterbug is the perfect gift for those aging folks that are not ready to embrace technology. The Jitterbug is a cellphone available in two varieties. One phone includes a keypad so grandma can go wild calling 1-800 numbers. The other model is more tame and just includes a few buttons for an operator that keeps track of your phonebook and 911. It has a big screen and big font, you know, because all old people can't see worth a damn. Monthly rates begin at $10 with the phones going for $150. [Product Page]

Cellphone Holiday Shenanigans: Motorola Razr 2

Travis Hudson — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:30:55 EST

Ahh the gift of the cellphone. Such a growing trend in the recent years and I suspect this year to be a biggie with the cellphone gifting trend. If there is one phone this holiday season that even Grandma could handle buying (maybe), it would be the Motorola RAZR 2. Mainly because it is everywhere, at every store and carriers a very familiar name.

The RAZR 2 features a pretty significant redesign from the first RAZR. It includes a larger outer screen, touch sensitivity, 2 GB of internal memory, A2DP and more. One nice aspect of the RAZR 2 is that it is available at almost all carriers. Carriers have quite a bit of control over the design elements of cellphones, but this phone is very similar across all. For more details about this phone and if it is the right gift, be sure to check out our hands-on video, gallery and the carrier-by-carrier breakdown. Most carriers are selling the RAZR 2 with a contract for $250.

Cellphone Holiday Shenanigans: BlackBerry Pearl

Travis Hudson — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:00:07 EST

Getting your loved ones a cellphone is an interesting decision. Stateside, nearly all cellphones are subsidized through the carrier, so unless you want to spend more than the giftee is worth on a phone, you are often giving a phone AND a brand spanking new contact. Oh well, what do you care, it's a good gift! There are obviously a boatload of cellphones out there, but I'll ease you in slowly with the BlackBerry Pearl.

Call me a non-Gizmodo-ite, but this is and has been my favorite phone. Some people call it feminine, some call it lame, but I call it glorious. The size and ability of this phone is perfect for any user and with every carrier and their mother carrying this phone makes it quite easy to pick one up. The latest variant of the Pearl is the 8130 which includes GPS and speedy EV-DO. Oh BlackBerry Pearl, you had me at hello. Prices usually vary anywhere from free to $200 depending on the version, color, carrier and contract.

See your designated carrier for pricing and availability.

• Previous BlackBerry Pearl coverage here

Sony Ericsson MBW-150 Bluetooth Watch Merges Style, Technology

Travis Hudson — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

Maybe it could be a gift that also hints towards something else (e.g., put your freaking phone in silent mode!), or maybe just a trendy watch for a tech-conscious individual — regardless the MBW-150 Bluetooth watch from Sony Ericsson could be a great addition to any cell users repertoire.

This watch can sync with a Sony Ericsson phone via Bluetooth to display caller idea infomation, song information and more via an small OLED display. It's also pretty trendy, if I do say so myself. It's available for $200 from Sony Ericsson directly and there are a few other models to choose from.

MBW-150 Bluetooth Music Watch [Sony Ericsson]