by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 6:24PM
Remember that touchscreen Motorola Blaze we’d mentioned a while back that was on the hook to get Verizon’s visual voicemail service? It may not be in Verizon stores yet, but it’s all up in Boy Genius Report’s labs with a dark red body, MING attitude, and almost limitless mediocrity on board. The touchscreen apparently requires ridiculous amounts of effort to actuate, and that problem is compounded by a lame on-screen keyboard that makes texting tricky at best. EV-DO Rev. A is cool and all — and the visual voicemail support should be a pretty popular add-on feature — but that giant Motorola logo up front with the red ring and three pounds of chrome leaves the Blaze with a face only a mother could love. Let’s hope Verizon’s positioning this one as its low-end touchscreen offering, because we’re not seeing it cha-chinging many registers otherwise.

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It looks like the rumors have come true, Virgin Mobile has officially announced plans to acquire Helio. The deal is still pending approval, however it is expected to close during Q3 2008.

The deal is not going to be a cash deal though, instead Virgin Mobile is taking Helio from the current owners, which are SK Telecom and Earthlink for $39 million in Virgin Mobile USA stock.

Its also sounding pretty good for current Helio customers, as they have already posted a nice FAQ to answer most questions. It also looks like there are not going to be any quick changes.

It seems to be that current Helio customers will not see any service interruption, and new customers are still able to sign up for Helio service. They do however expect the Helio brand to be integrated with Virgin Mobile in the future. It was also noted that this will not be a reason for current Helio customers to get out of the contract, they are and will remain in effect and any applicable termination fee’s would still apply.

Continue reading to check out the FAQ:

HELIO and Virgin Mobile USA are teaming up to combine our strengths and deliver a better mobile experience. On June 27th Virgin Mobile USA announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire HELIO.

HELIO gains access to Virgin Mobile USA’s extensive distribution network and broad customer base, while Virgin Mobile USA gains access to HELIO’s exclusive, high-end devices and premium services. Both companies look forward to coming together to bring exciting prepaid and postpaid opportunities to their customers.

Q: What does this mean for current HELIO members? Can I still use my HELIO device, while keeping my HELIO service plan and number?

A: Current service plans will continue without interruption – it will be business as usual. HELIO members are at the center of this transaction and we’ll continue to bring them the innovative mobile services they’ve come to expect.

Q: Can new members still sign up for HELIO service?

A: Absolutely. HELIO will continue to offer exclusive, high-end devices and our innovative All-In plans.

Q: Will the HELIO brand be retained, or will everything migrate to Virgin Mobile USA?

A: Over time, we expect that all aspects of the customer experience will be integrated under the Virgin Mobile USA brand. Integration of the direct sales channel will begin immediately, and we expect that existing HELIO products and services will soon be offered through the Virgin Mobile USA website at http://www.virginmobileusa.com.

Q: So what’s next?

A: We’re excited by the possibilities our new, combined team offers. We have some big ideas, but as you can imagine, a little bit of housekeeping is in order before we share them. Stay tuned!

Q: Does this affect my current contract with HELIO in any way? When Virgin Mobile USA does acquire HELIO, can I end my current contract without paying an early termination fee (ETF)?

A: HELIO contracts remain in effect and unchanged by this transaction. HELIO members who wish to end their contract early will still be subject to an early termination fee (ETF).

Via [BGR]

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by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 4:56PM
We’re not sure where our tipster got these pictures (nor are we going to ask), but they appear to be screens from the Treo 800w’s specification and knowledge training documentation. New tidbits include a 333 Mhz processor, 4.4.1 x 2.28 x 0.73-inch dimensions, 320 x 320 pixel screen, and a weight of 4.94 ounces. Windows Mobile 6.1 looks to be in full-force, the camera shoots at 2 MP, and the USB port is 2.0. As for other revealed features, you’re looking at threaded SMS chat, but MMS is mysteriously missing in lieu of Sprint Picture Mail, a trend that continues to confuse us. If all this pans out, look for the 800w to be available on July 13th for $249.99. Hit the continue link to see the rest of the juicy shots and details.

[Thanks, brian]

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Verizon Wireless and LG have teamed up to bring the LG Dare to the masses - at least those who are currently subscribing to Verizon Wireless’ mobile service. This summer looks set to be a hot one not only in terms of temperature (no thanks to global warming), but in the world of cell phones as well. While we all know that the 3G iphone is set to take the whole world by storm, this doesn’t mean we ought to overlook other handsets. The LG Dare features a roomy 3″ touch screen display complete with handwriting recognition, along with a host of other features found in high end handsets. It will hit Verizon Wireless Communications Stores from July 3rd onwards.

Features found on the LG Dare include the following :-

• V CAST Music-capable - access more than 3 million full-length songs from well-known and independent artists that can be purchased and downloaded over-the-air directly to the phone
• Music Player for .mp3, .wma, unprotected .aac, and unprotected .aac+ files
• microSD card memory port - with up to 8 GB support with an optional memory card
• USB Mass Storage - transfer files between microSD card and PC
• 3.2 megapixel Camera and Camcorder
• Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens for optimal picture quality
• Camera Resolutions: 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 pixels
• SmartPic technology and manual ISO adjustment for improved image quality
• Face Detection - detects a face when taking a picture
• Panorama, split shot and frame camera settings
• Scene Mode - automatically makes adjustments to camera settings for improved quality in different environments
• Zoom: up to 2x
• Image Editor - zoom, rotate, crop, add frames and icons and write over images
• Video Resolutions: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 176 x 144 pixels
• Video Recording Speed: up to 120 frames per second for slow video playback
• Video Recording Time: 30 seconds (for sending); up to 1 hour (for saving) depending on memory
• Video Player for WMV, MP4, 3GP, 3G2 formats
• Customizable brightness, white balance, shutter sound, color effects, night and preview mode, photometry, self-timer
• Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• One-touch speakerphone
• Speaker-independent voice commands
• Voice Recording: 1 minute or 1 hour (standby)
• Music ringer support (clips from hit songs)
• HTML Web browsing with touch navigation and favorites
• Text, picture, video messaging-capable
• Mobile Email - access MSN Hotmail, America Online and Yahoo! accounts to exchange e-mail
• Mobile IM capabilities
• Speed Dial (up to 996 entries)
• Display: 260K Color TFT, 240 x 400 pixels, 3.0″
• Standard Battery: 1,100 mAh
• Usage Time: up to 280 minutes
• Standby Time: up to 360 hours

The LG Dare will retail for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Press Release

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It looks like the MSI Wind is finally getting ready to begin shipping to US customers. The Wind, which was listed in the MSI Shop and then removed has since been re-listed and is now showing a shipping date of July 7.

Currently the Wind is simply just listed and is unavailable, with no pre-order option available. There are also limiting customers to a one Wind netbook per order because of limited quantities. The models listed will include the three-cell battery and they are retailing for $479.99.

Amazon, who also has them listed for $479.99 with the three-cell batteries is still reflecting a 3 to 5 week time frame before the Wind will ship. Still unknown is when the Wind will begin shipping with a six-cell battery, however it is rumored to becoming sometime in July, of course after all of the delays related to the three-cell model I would not be all that surprised when that gets pushed back even further.

Product [MSI Shop] Via [I4U News]

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 10:04AM
Look folks, just because Dyson can build a motor with enough oomph to power a vehicle, that doesn’t mean it’s actually going to. At least that’s the message a company spokesperson wants you to believe. Contrary to earlier reports, James Dyson is not looking to enter the electric automobile sector in any way, shape or fashion. Said spokesperson was quoted as saying that “James Dyson did say that [Dyson’s] new digital motor could power a car, but it is not working on, and [we] have no plans to create an electric car.” Okay, but can you at least make the Ball 2.0 street legal?

[Via AutoblogGreen, image courtesy of Telegraph]

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by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 8:35AM
Progressive insurance has been testing out the MyRate driving monitoring system for a few years now (it used to be called TripSense), but it’s finally taking the system national, bringing pay-as-you-drive insurance into the mainstream. The little blue box plugs into your car’s ODB II diagnostic port (all cars made after 1996 have one), and studiously records your driving habits, wirelessly sending the data back to Progressive HQ (it’s not clear exactly how). Every six months, Progressive will crunch the numbers and issue a new rate for you based on how you drive — savings of up to 40 percent are possible. That’s pretty tempting, depending on your current rates and driving habits, but we’re not so sure we’re willing to share that much data for an unspecified discount — especially since we’re confident the MyRate box will get cracked almost immediately.

[Thanks, Mike; image courtesy of Aaron Landry]

Read - MyRate press release
Read - MyRate video
Read - How MyRate works

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 5:33AM
Just think — Zappos has been shipping out shoes .9284 minutes after you order them for years with mere humans running the show. Now, your new kicks will likely be at your doorstep moments after you think of ordering them. Said e-tailer has just completed implementation of Kiva Systems’ Mobile Fulfillment System, which will see “a fleet of Kiva’s mobile robotic drive units and inventory storage pods” hit the company’s Shepherdsville, Kentucky facility. The move is being made to keep its distribution system in tip-top shape even with the addition of new products outside of just footwear, and unless some of those mechs grow a mind of their own, we’d say things should pan out just fine.

[Via CNET]

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by Ryan Block, posted Jun 28th 2008 at 3:27AM
You didn’t really think we’d make it through his retirement without running the sexiest of all Bill photos, did you? We have to wonder what he’ll feel like tomorrow morning, though — we hear the headache on a 33 year software hangover is absolutely vicious.

Anyhow, just because the man’s left the building doesn’t mean you can’t take home a few of his fine products. Hit the contests below, they close up Sunday night.

Feel the love
The Bill Gates Engadgethology
Bill Gates: top ten greatest hits (and misses) - the Microsoft years
Engadget’s farewell card to Bill G
Bill Gates wipes away tears at Microsoft farewell
How would you change Microsoft if you were Bill Gates?
Celebrate Bill Gates Day with us here at Engadget

Contests
The Bill Day giveaway (part 1) - Toshiba Gigabeat T400
The Bill Day giveaway (part 2) - Office Ultimate 2007
The Bill Day giveaway (part 3) - Zune 80GB (black)
The Bill Day giveaway (part 4) - Windows Vista Ultimate

Read - Coverage of Bill’s farewell town hall event
Read - Clip from Bill’s little speech to employees

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Lego is no stranger to the world of video gaming. They have formed their own niche in the gaming market with their Star Wars and Indiana Jones titles. And while the look of Lego still remains intact in their games, we’ve never seen something quite like this.

A clever Flickr user by the name of skinny coder has put together a collection of video game screen renditions using nothing but Lego bricks and his imagination. His Lego creations include Duck Hunt (NES, pictured), Contra (NES), Castlevania (NES), Shadow of the Colossus (PS2), Mortal Kombat (Arcade), Excitebike (NES), Bionic Commando (NES), and Metal Gear (NES).

There’s something intriguing about mixing two forms of geek media. Especially when it has the DIY touch of a home creation. It’s the constant mind-churning intellect of geek culture which keeps the momentum running hard for the rest of us.

To check out more of skinny coder’s creations you can check out his Flickr page. If you’re as similar to us as we think you are, you’re sure to find these creations pretty creative and ultra-interesting. Let’s keep the geek culture alive with more of this!

Flickr via LikeCool

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