Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
HTC Diamond shipping: Retail $749.99
HTC launched the next wave in its Touch series of products. The new Touch Diamond is the first device from HTC to run TouchFLO 3D, the latest version of the company's finger friendly user interface layer for Windows Mobile Professional devices. The Touch Diamond takes what was popular with the original Touch and puts it all inside a new, slicker package with gobs of functionality.
Sony Ericsson G900 new release: Retail at $569.99
The G900 is not shy on the camera front, packing a 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus, digital image stabilization, red-eye reduction, and facial recognition. A neat feature is the ability to touch the screen to indicate the focus point of a picture, for those that enjoy taking more artsy photographs. The G900 sports tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900MHz), WCDMA (2100MHz), and WiFi. The slender 13mm (.5") candybar is planned to be available in Dark Red or Dark Brown
Sony Ericsson G700 new release, retail: $469.99
The Symbian UIQ-based G700 is touted by Sony Ericsson as a 'touchscreen organizer for the masses' and it looks to be a hot handset. The 2.4" QVGA touchscreen display features a new panel based home screen, where users can write out personal notes and save them as 'stickies' for later review.
The G700 rocks a 3.2 megapixel camera with red-eye reduction and digital image stabilization, as well as video recording. A Memory Stick Micro (M2) card slot, FM radio and support for Sony Ericsson's PlayNow music store make the G700 a great music handset
The G700 rocks a 3.2 megapixel camera with red-eye reduction and digital image stabilization, as well as video recording. A Memory Stick Micro (M2) card slot, FM radio and support for Sony Ericsson's PlayNow music store make the G700 a great music handset
Nokia N78 now shipping, retail at $599.99
The N78 runs the latest version of Nokia's S60 user interface, 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, and makes use of a novel d-pad controller that also works as a scroll-wheel - without actually turning.
The d-pad on the N78, which feels just like any other ring-type d-pad, is actually touch sensitive along its silver rim. Moving your finger around the perimeter of the d-pad causes the device to scroll. This functionality works in most parts of the phone, like the gallery and menu option lists. The N78 might not be a huge update of the N73 it replaces, but it does offer a newly updated user experience and some cool bonus features like the scrolling d-pad.
The d-pad on the N78, which feels just like any other ring-type d-pad, is actually touch sensitive along its silver rim. Moving your finger around the perimeter of the d-pad causes the device to scroll. This functionality works in most parts of the phone, like the gallery and menu option lists. The N78 might not be a huge update of the N73 it replaces, but it does offer a newly updated user experience and some cool bonus features like the scrolling d-pad.
Monday, May 26, 2008
RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Bold Smartphone
Research in Motion has taken a step ahead today with the introduction of the new HSDPA-capable BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphone. Combining 3G and WiFi, the Bold supports quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band HSDPA connectivity and 802.11a/b/g for global use. The Bold also runs a new version of the BlackBerry OS, v4.6.
The new QWERTY smartphone offers access to email, web browsing, instant messaging, PIM functionality, and a range of other mobile apps. The device's other features include built-in GPS, 1GB of on-board memory, a microSD expansion slot, trackball navigation, Bluetooth A2DP stereo, and a half-VGA (480x320 pixel) resolution display. The Bold serves up 5 hours of talk time or 13 days of standby from its rechargeable 1500 mAh battery.
The new QWERTY smartphone offers access to email, web browsing, instant messaging, PIM functionality, and a range of other mobile apps. The device's other features include built-in GPS, 1GB of on-board memory, a microSD expansion slot, trackball navigation, Bluetooth A2DP stereo, and a half-VGA (480x320 pixel) resolution display. The Bold serves up 5 hours of talk time or 13 days of standby from its rechargeable 1500 mAh battery.
Nokia N78 Starts Shipping in Finland
egg mobile phone concept
Designer Roman Tubl's EGG mobile phone concept. The body is surrounded by an illuminated red strip. The surface of the phone consists of a flexi true color display for tactile touchscreen feedback. Standard data ports like bluetooth, USB, and Wifi in addition to a 3.2 megapixel camera and up to 4 GB of memory.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Motorola EM30 Hurdles FCC
A new bar-style phone from Motorola has cleared the FCC's approval process. The EM30 is very similar to the MOTOROKR E8, but it loses the omega wheel navigation scroll bar and replaces it with a standard D-pad. Similar to the E8, it has the morphing keypad, which changes depending on which application is being used. Other things confirmed by the FCC documents and accompanying photos are the GSM/EDGE radios, stereo Bluetooth, full 3.5mm headset jack, microSD slot, large internal memory, as well as Motorola's Crystal Talk technology. No carrier branding was seen on the EM30, but it could work on most GSM/EDGE networks.
Sony Ericsson G702 Slips Past FCC
Documents seen on the FCC site reveal a new mid-range bar phone from Sony Ericsson, the G702. While it is similar in basic appearance to the G502 and C702, it has a different feature set. The FCC confirms that is has GSM/EDGE 850/1900 as well as Bluetooth radios. There is a 3.2 megapixel camera, M2 memory slot, and roller bar for navigating the screen. The G702 also comes with a red stylus, suggesting that it will be a touch screen device. The draft user manual also references a touch UI. Considering all these pieces of information, it is likely that the G702 will be a UIQ-based device, though that is not confirmed by the documents. The user manual also references 3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS, but the FCC filings do not confirm those features, either.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Nokia 5310 XpressMusic To Land at T-Mobile
Today T-Mobile announced that it will add the Nokia XpressMusic 5310 to its lineup. The 5310 - which was first announced by Nokia last summer - will come to T-Mobile in a tri-band 850/1800/1900 GSM/EDGE configuration, available May 28. It is a bar-style phone that is focused on music features, and offers external music controls, a dedicated music processor, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth, and a full 3.5MM headset jack. It may lack 3G, but it has a 2 megapixel camera, QVGA display, and its browser supports Flash Lite 2.1. The 5310 will come with a 1GB microSD card, and supports cards up to 4GB.
Boost Opens Its First Retail Stores
Boost Mobile has opened its first three branded retail stores. They are located in Huntington Park, Calif., Hialeah, Fla. and in Houston, Tex. The stores were made partially from recycled materials. Boost says that the stores will offer all of Boost's devices and services, though Boost will retain its presence at its existing retail partners. Boost is a subsidiary of Sprint.
RIM Plans to Sell Touch Screen Smartphone
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that RIM is going to release a touch-enabled device. The touch-screen device, known as the Thunder, will be an exclusive to Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. According to sources familiar with RIM's plans, it should be available in the third quarter of this year. The phone will be able to run on U.S. networks, as well as on networks in foreign countries. RIM did not explain if this means it will be a dual-mode CDMA/GSM phone or not. The Thunder will be able to access 3G networks. RIM says it has worked to improve the battery life, browsing experience, and processing power of its devices. RIM did not provide any more specific information about the Thunder.
T-Mobile Adds Message Blocking Option
T-Mobile has added a page to its support documents that detail how to block email messages sent via SMS from reaching your phone. Subscribers can follow some simple steps to block unwanted spam messages, or messages from a single, unwanted number. T-Mobile reminds users, however, that it won't permit all messages to be blocked, as T-Mobile will use text messages to send alerts and information to subscribers regarding voicemails, emergencies, account changes, billing updates and OTA upgrades.
Microsoft Brings Windows Live to BlackBerry
Microsoft has made its Windows Live suite of services, which encompasses Windows Live Search, Hotmail, Messenger and Spaces, available to the BlackBerry OS platform. It is offering the suite to BlackBerry users for the first time, who will be able to take advantage of BlackBerry's push technology and have their Hotmail / Windows Live Mail delivered directly to their BlackBerries. Windows Live Messenger on BlackBerry will support group chat, presence, avatars, emoticons, file transfers and conversations can be saved. The software will be available later this summer.