Motorola DEFY first-impressions [Video]

T-Mobile’s Motorola DEFY has dropped with a bump onto the SlashGear test bench, but we’re not too concerned: after all, this particular smartphone is one of the few ruggedized Android handsets around. You wouldn’t necessarily know it to look at it, however, since Motorola has managed to avoid the over-rubberized look so many rugged devices suffer from. Still, we thought we should get the main challenges out of the way first, so check out the wet entrance the DEFY makes after the cut.

T-Mobile myTouch 4G review

Coming hot on the heels of the ultra-impressive G2, T-Mobile has returned to its myTouch series with the myTouch 4G. While the G2 is the natural enthusiast flagship, the 4G represents a flagship in its own right of a skinned, curated Android experience. If the G2 is the Droid 2 killer, T-Mobile probably sees the myTouch as the iPhone 4 killer (even the name has a similarity to the popular "iTouch" misnomer, and the 4G / 4 mirrors T-Mobile's matchy matchy naming sense with the myTouch 3G / iPhone 3G... we're just saying, is all). So, what does that mean in practice? Some impressive functionality inside and out, including a front facing camera for video calls, HSPA+ network speeds, and WiFi Calling. How does it all play out in the real world? Let's find out.

T-Mobile customers being mistakenly shipped Micro SIMs, just begging to get shoved into iPhones (update: Galaxy Tab!)

You've got to admit, this is a little weird: we've received a number of tips today about T-Mobile USA customers being shipped Micro SIMs rather than the typical Mini SIMs. We've gotten a picture of just such a module (see above), and you can plainly see it's not a hybrid -- it can't be snapped out as a Mini SIM, meaning that unless you've got an adapter lying around, you need to head into the store to get it swapped out for the right kind. The only consumer devices out there in any measurable quantity right now that make use of Micro SIMs are, of course, the iPad and iPhone 4 -- and when you pair this up with the fact that T-Mobile stores are starting to sell iPhone cables right now, the situation is starting to get wacky. Now, we still want to stop short of suggesting this means T-Mobile is getting either the iPad or iPhone any time soon; after all, Apple would have to provide a new hardware variant that supports AWS 3G, and it's totally reasonable to think the carrier could be offering other phones in the near future that'll use Micro SIMs. We do love us a good conspiracy theory, though.

Origami Sleeve Folds Into An iPad Stand

There is something about designs that manage to work in dual functionality that just make me excited. When I set out to buy something, I usually want to get the most bang for my buck. Thus, if a product can do a couple of things instead of just one, it’s more than likely going to make the cut. This Origami iPad cases would be one such thing.
This case not only protects your iPad, but it can be folded up and turned into a nice little stand. My favorite part is how simple the whole thing looks. There’s not some ugly plastic stand built into the back or anything, it’s all made out of a nice soft material. For $35, I think you’re getting your money’s worth with this case.

Samsung expects to sell a million Galaxy Tabs this year, 40 million smartphones next year

We've already heard Samsung boast that it expects to ship 10 million Galaxy Tabs by next year, and the company's now back at the prediction game yet again, with mobile biz president J.K. Shin saying he expects the company to sell a million of them this year alone -- given that the end of the year is fast approaching, that translates to a million sold in just under 60 days. As if that wasn't enough, Shin also told Nikkei that Samsung expects to sell 40 million smartphones in 2011, which is more than double its projection for this year -- of those, it obviously expects the majority to be Galaxy S phones, but it has quite a way to go from ten million it expects to sell this year. Incidentally, Shin also dropped another hint that Samsung would "soon" be releasing a 10-inch Galaxy Tab, but he doesn't seem to have provided any more details than we've heard before.

Tactile+Plus Adhesives Kind Of Add A Gamepad To Your iPhone

I’ll admit that I find myself gaming on my iPhone more and more these days, but they’re typically titles that take advantage of its gyro or touchscreen in an interesting way. So far I’ve yet to get into games that try and emulate the use of a traditional controller with on-screen directional pads or joysticks, because I find them difficult to play. But this unique accessory known as the Tactile+Plus could make gaming with on-screen controls a bit more doable.
It adheres to your iPhone or iPod Touch’s screen just like the plethora of screen protectors on the market do, making it easy to remove and/or reposition, but features little raised nubs allowing you to feel for where the on-screen buttons are located. The biggest problem with that kind of control scheme is when your fingers inevitably ‘wander’ off the buttons in the heat of combat or racing, but being able to physically find them without looking (like the nubs on your keyboard’s F & J keys) seems like an easy enough solution. From what I can tell, 2 sets of buttons which each include an 8-way and 4 individual buttons are ~$7.40 (¥600) so it’s a relatively cheap solution too.

How would you change Sprint's Epic 4G?

It's the only Galaxy S variant to offer 4G connectivity, but it's also the only one that requires a $10/month data surcharge to use. That boost in cost will undoubtedly bring higher expectations, and we're eager to hear from early adopters on how their Epic 4G experience has been. For those who skipped over the EVO 4G in order to get this, we're keenly interested to find out if you've been satisfied with the decision. How's that slide-out QWERTY keyboard treating you? Would you have changed up the UI any? Would you have added any of the quirks from those other Galaxy S versions to this guy? Speak loudly in comments below. But not too loudly. More like a stern whisper.