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.

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.