Nckia E8 - Bootleg Nokia N8 mock-up

Interested in getting a Nckia E8 for yourself or someone's birthday present? Check out this phone review by ashens!  

Featured Gadget: Samsung Galaxy W

Being a budget smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy W can't be compared to its higher-end siblings like the Galaxy Note or the Galaxy S II. However, the 'W' in its name stands for 'Wonder', so let's see if this smartphone lives up to its reputation .

The Samsung Galaxy W combines a thick bezel and rounded curves in a chic design. It also has a rough, criss-crossed back casing. This makes it easier for users (particularly those with sweaty palms) to grasp and handle the phone.


Pros

• Cheap price of US$387
• 1.4GHz CPU
• Built-in FM radio  (not common in high-end smartphones)
• Full range of connectivity features, including HSDPA and HSUPA
• Clear 3.7-inch TFT display with a WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) resolution
• 1500 mAh battery provides up to 36 hours of usage (Wi-Fi ON)

Cons

• 512 RAM makes it insufficient for Google's new Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) OS upgrade

As we can see, the pros far outweigh the cons. If you're searching for a low-priced Android smartphone that is stylish and performs well, then look no further!

For more information, click here.

Texting and driving?

Think that you can text and drive at the same time? Think again.


Researchers at Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute have proven that texting and driving slows down a driver's response time, and makes them more likely to miss a flashing light.


"Essentially texting while driving doubles a driver's reaction time," says Christine Yager, who led the study, which appears on the institute's website. "That makes a driver less able to respond to sudden roadway dangers,"


In the study, 42 drivers between the ages of 16 and 54 drove on an 17 kilometre test course while sending or receiving text messages, and again while focusing completely on the road. They had to stop when they saw a flashing yellow light and their reaction time was recorded by researchers:

• Typical reaction time without texting: 1~2 seconds
• While texting: 3~4 seconds

A texting driver was 11 times more likely to miss the flashing light as well.


Yager explains that the 3 to 4 second lag time is significant, because at highway speeds a driver can travel the length of a football field in that time.


"We had participants strike barrels, and it is very scary to think that this is happening on our public roadways," says Yager, adding the findings also apply to other distractions such as checking emails and Facebook.


I'm pretty sure that a lot of people (including myself) have narrowly missed knocking into another vehicle in front of their car, because their eyes were on their phone.

Just think of it this way: is texting more important than your life?


If you really have to reply an urgent message, stop by the side of road and do so; that way you won't put yourself and other people at risk.

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