| Leaked docs confirm Droid Eris details: November 6, $99 |
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(Credit:
Engadget)
New leaked documents suggest all the Droid Eris grumblings we've heard were true: it should launch November 6, and it will supposedly run $99 after rebate. That's pretty cheap considering it matches the specs of the $180 Hero.
What we've heard about the HTC Eris ... |
| | 11/02/2009 10:59 PM (137d 8h 56m ago) |
| Motorola CLIQ lands in T-Mobile USA stores today |
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Motorola's Android-laden CLIQ has been available to existing T-Mobile USA users for a hot minute now, but not until today has the handset been widely available to all that care to take notice. Of course, the proper launch has been dampened somewhat by the emergence of the DROID (alongside Android 2.0), but hey, MOTOBLUR ain't nuthin' to scoff at, right? Feel free to locate your nearest T-Mob retail location, waltz in with $199.99 and get yours today.Filed under: CellphonesMotorola CLIQ lands in T-Mobile USA stores today originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 11/02/2009 10:57 PM (137d 8h 58m ago) |
| Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons |
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Okay, so we understand Microsoft is trying hard to rebrand Windows Mobile as Windows Phone with the launch of WinMo 6.5, but this commercial -- labeled with AT&T logos in the US but also running unlabeled worldwide -- doesn't seem to do a good job of pointing out that Windows Phone is a platform and not a device. In fact, if we didn't know better, we'd think that the HTC Pure is, in fact, the "Windows Phone" -- even though the dude in the spot is holding a totally different generic device. See how that could be weird for people? It's almost confusing enough to distract from the jubilant anthropomorphic app icons in tights. Video after the break.Continue reading Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasonsFiled under: CellphonesWindows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 10/12/2009 3:23 AM (159d 4h 31m ago) |
| T-Mobile BlackBerry Onyx press image leaks out |
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The BlackBerry Onyx hasn't exactly kept itself a secret in the past few months, so it's no surprise that we're seeing what looks to be the official press image and release from T-Mobile well before the handset's launch. No big surprises here, really -- it's still a 3G mashup of the Bold and the Curve 8900 with that new optical trackball -- but apparently RIM's preloading it with the Amazon MP3 store, so that's slightly interesting. From what we can tell, it's due in early November, but pricing is still a mystery -- hopefully RIM and T-Mobile have saved the best surprise for last.Filed under: CellphonesT-Mobile BlackBerry Onyx press image leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 9/08/2009 11:37 PM (192d 8h 18m ago) |
| Sprint backtracks, cancels $100 Pre service credit offer |
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No idea what kind of Zima-based shenanigans are going on in Sprint's marketing department today, but that less-than-impressive $100 Palm Pre service credit promotion was all apparently a mistake, according to John Paczkowski at the Wall Street Journal. Sprint says the promotion was put into the system by error and has since been pulled and canceled, although customers who signed up during the glorious six hours the deal was live will still get the credit -- and if you act fast enough, you might still be able to get in, because the promo is still live as we write this. Amazing.
[Thanks, fresh]
Filed under: CellphonesSprint backtracks, cancels $100 Pre service credit offer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 9/08/2009 11:36 PM (192d 8h 19m ago) |
| Facebook for Android hits the Market, still playing a bit of catch up |
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Well, it's taken a little while, but it looks like Android users now have a Facebook app to call their own. As you might expect from an initial release, however, the app is a bit less full featured than some of its counterparts and, judging from the few initial comments, a bit buggy. The good news is that you'll be able to do all the basics like share status updates, check your news feed, look at your friends' walls, and even check up to 125 of your friends' phone numbers straight from the home screen. You won't, however, get things like messaging or chat and, at least at the moment, it appears to have some particular problems with the HTC Hero and HTC Magic (although those reports are obviously still preliminary). On the upside, the app is completely free, and available to download from Android Market right now.[Thanks, SliestDragon]
Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareFacebook for Android hits the Market, still playing a bit of catch up originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 9/08/2009 11:36 PM (192d 8h 19m ago) |
| Prizefight: Palm Pre vs. MyTouch 3G |
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I know that you're finding it unbelievable that CNET has a Prizefight with touch-screen cell phones that doesn't feature the iPhone. Rest assured, though, we've done just that. After reviewing the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G last month, I began to wonder how it would stack up against the ... |
| | 8/25/2009 4:48 PM (206d 15h 7m ago) |
| HTC readies budget Android phone |
| | The HTC Click features a similar design to the MyTouch 3G.(Credit: Tinhte.com)
HTC has yet to announce its Click smartphone, but images now floating around the Web reveal details about the low-priced Google Android handset. The Click, which should launch in the fourth quarter of this year, is ... Originally posted at Android Atlas |
| | 8/25/2009 4:47 PM (206d 15h 7m ago) |
| BlackBerry Bold gets visual voicemail and more with software update |
| | (Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)On Tuesday afternoon, AT&T will release a software update for the RIM BlackBerry Bold that will bring several enhancements to the smartphone. Such improvements include the ability to manually choose between a 2G or 3G connection and added support for AT&T's visual voicemail ... |
| | 8/25/2009 4:47 PM (206d 15h 7m ago) |
| Fortune names RIM fastest growing company... in the world |
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It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that RIM is doing pretty well even in the face of an economic downturn, but it looks like it's been doing really well -- at least according to Fortune, which has just named the Canadian company the fastest growing firm in the world. That's apparently based on a combination of profits, turnover, and investment return over three years which, in RIM's case, translates an 84% growth in profits in the past three years, a 77% growth in revenue, and a total return of 45%. It's also actually the first time RIM has made the list, although that's at least partly due to the fact that Fortune didn't include non-US firms last time around.
Filed under: CellphonesFortune names RIM fastest growing company... in the world originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/18/2009 6:16 PM (213d 13h 39m ago) |
| BlackBerry App World 1.1 now archives apps |
| | You can now archive apps on your MicroSD card.(Credit: RIM/BlackBerry)
One of my biggest complaints when BlackBerry App World debuted this past April at CTIA 2009 was that applications installed to Flash memory, giving you no option to store more apps on a microSD card. On Friday, RIM, ... Originally posted at The Download Blog |
| | 8/13/2009 7:48 PM (218d 12h 7m ago) |
| LG BL40's new promotional video |
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Now that the LG BL40 Chocolate is official, LG has released this promotional video of the LG BL40 that shows you how to really use the long phone to surf the Web, check your e-mail, and watch your favorite movies or TV shows. We've also confirmed a few more ... |
| | 8/13/2009 7:48 PM (218d 12h 7m ago) |
| T-Mobile MyTouch 3G gets GPS with TeleNav |
| | TeleNav Navigator running on the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.(Credit: TeleNav)
TeleNav announced on Monday that it will make its TeleNav GPS Navigator application available to the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G when it goes on sale on August 5. It will be the first location-based service to launch on the MyTouch 3G ... Originally posted at Android Atlas |
| | 8/13/2009 7:47 PM (218d 12h 8m ago) |
| MyTouch 3G on sale, skydivers celebrate |
| | MyTouch 3G(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)
T-Mobile's second Google Android phone, the MyTouch 3G, lands in stores and online today. The all touch-screen device goes on sale 10 months after the G1 made its debut. We've already had the opportunity to give it a thorough shakedown, and we ... Originally posted at Android Atlas |
| | 8/13/2009 7:46 PM (218d 12h 8m ago) |
| Samsung Omnia 2 coming August 23? |
| | No iPhone 3GS for Verizon, but the Omnia 2 is due to hit stores shortly.(Credit: Samsung)
Since we posted a First Take of Samsung's Omnia 2 back in June, a lot of readers have been asking when Verizon would actually begin selling it. Well, according to the good ... |
| | 8/13/2009 7:44 PM (218d 12h 11m ago) |
| HTC Fiesta: definitely Android, headed for AT&T |
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Months and months after the telltale signs appeared over at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, we've now got further confirmation that HTC's as-yet-unpeeped "Fiesta" will indeed be an Android handset. The good folks over at Cell Passion "stumbled upon" the UA Profile for this bad boy, also known as the HTC T5252, and here's what we know: the phone will boast a QVGA display, and a numeric keypad (read: non-QWERTY). Did we mention that internal HTC linking indicates this puppy is headed to AT&T? Yeah, we're definitely getting one -- to go with our super stylish, tricked-out Ford of the same name.Filed under: CellphonesHTC Fiesta: definitely Android, headed for AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/10/2009 12:44 PM (221d 19h 10m ago) |
| T-Mobile myTouch 3G storming retail stores today for $199.99 on contract |
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You knew good and well this day was coming, but if you're sick and tired of lusting after your proactive neighbor's myTouch 3G, today's your lucky day. The highly customizable HTC handset will be widely available starting this morning in T-Mobile USA retail outlets, partner locations and online, and if you're really looking to celebrate, you can dart over to San Francisco at noon as 100 skydivers take a leap of faith in order to generate buzz, relieve some stress and put food on the table. Speaking of cheddar, you best bring $199.99 if you plan on snagging one on a two-year agreement, and you'll do everyone there a favor if you've already settled on black, merlot or white beforehand.Filed under: CellphonesT-Mobile myTouch 3G storming retail stores today for $199.99 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/05/2009 11:29 PM (226d 8h 26m ago) |
| Google: The Web, Not App Stores, is the Future Of Mobile Development |
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Speaking to attendees of the MobileBeat 2009 conference in San Francisco yesterday, Google Engineering vice president Vic Gundotra predicted that the Web would prevail as the dominant mobile application development platform despite the huge success o...
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| | 7/20/2009 10:43 PM (242d 9h 12m ago) |
| Sony Ericsson's 8.1MP C905a and W518a Walkman on sale at AT&T |
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Don't act surprised -- AT&T already told you that these two would go on sale this fine Sunday in July, and lo and behold, the carrier looks to have kept its promise. Starting today (officially, anyway), customers looking for a camera that doubles as a cellphone or a Walkman that occasionally makes calls can bring home the C905a or W518a, respectively. As expected, the C905a (which is available in silver only) will run you $179.99 after rebate and two-year agreement, while the W518a (which arrives in any color you like, so long as it's black) goes for $49.99 under the same conditions. Any takers? Or are all you SE fanboys waiting to court Rachael?[Thanks, Jazzdoc]Filed under: CellphonesSony Ericsson's 8.1MP C905a and W518a Walkman on sale at AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/20/2009 10:41 PM (242d 9h 14m ago) |
| Motorola Ivory E18 luxury phone developed, scrapped |
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If you're considering a luxury cellphone, you've probably given some thought to the Aura -- either as an object of unattainable techno-lust, or as a way to lighten your wallet by a grand or two (don't even get us started in Vertu). According to Mobile Review, Motorola wasn't planning on stopping there: The Ivory E18 (a name which either evokes elegance or animal cruelty, depending on your POV) featured a slider with two movements (a short slide for function keys, and a longer for the T9 keypad), a small footprint, and and a 3 megapixel camera. The price? Well, for the stainless steel chassis you were looking at about €2,000 (about $2,821 at the moment). Also planned were phones with gold and platinum chassis, which would take the purchase price up to "several tens of thousands" of Euros. If Motorola wasn't aware of the sheer silliness of such an extravagant phone, at least the carriers were -- apparently it was lack of interest on their part that caused Moto to sack the project. Make sure you hit that read link for the whole story -- in Bulgarian.[Via Unwired View]
Filed under: CellphonesMotorola Ivory E18 luxury phone developed, scrapped originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/20/2009 10:37 PM (242d 9h 18m ago) |
| AT&T gets social with Nokia Surge |
| | Nokia Surge(Credit: Nokia)On Monday, AT&T Wireless introduced the Nokia Surge, a Symbian-based smartphone aimed at all you social butterflies out there.
Equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the Surge offers a suite of messaging capabilities (Oz Email 2.8 for personal accounts and Mail for Exchange 2.... |
| | 7/16/2009 7:10 PM (246d 12h 44m ago) |
| Latest Black Label LG demo video leaked? |
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We've already seen the teaser for a new Black Label Chocolate phone from LG, but now it looks like everything's out in the open if this video is to be believed.
The rendering shows a very long mobile phone with a 4-inch touch-screen display. Its features include HSDPA, ... |
| | 7/16/2009 7:10 PM (246d 12h 45m ago) |
| Samsung Highlight debuts for T-Mobile |
| | The Samsung Highlight in fire(Credit: Samsung)
T-Mobile's Samsung Highlight is the newest model in Samsung's touch-screen phone line that began last year with the Behold.
Also called the SGH-T749, the Highlight is positioned as an entry-level touch-screen device. On the outside it sports an agreeable design in ... |
| | 7/16/2009 7:09 PM (246d 12h 45m ago) |
| HTC Hero's UK launch pushed back to July 24th or later? |
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The official time box for the launch of the HTC Hero in Europe is July -- entirely too broad a date range for the most celebrated Android device to date. That leaves the Hero hopefuls idle, aimlessly wandering the dank HTML corridors of on-line retailers for more detailed clues. In hopes of slaking that jones, we just learned that Amazon UK has pushed its release date back from July 15 to July 24th while another site, Devicewire, says via its Twitter account that it won't have stock until the first week of August. There, feel better?[Thanks, Drew T. and Sam P.]Read -- Devicewire tweet Read -- Amazon UKFiled under: CellphonesHTC Hero's UK launch pushed back to July 24th or later? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/14/2009 4:22 PM (248d 15h 32m ago) |
| Video: Toshiba TG01 gets UK launch, we handle it again |
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It may have already been teased, poked and prodded, but the TG01 from Toshiba still insisted on making a big splash on its arrival to the UK and we were only too happy to oblige and join in on its launch event in London. As you should know by now, this is Toshiba's most significant attempt to date at penetrating the consumer smartphone market, and it's coming equipped with a battering ram named Snapdragon. Head over to Engadget Mobile for the juicy details on the UI, construction and general feel, as well as a neat stash of images and videos of the phone in action.Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsVideo: Toshiba TG01 gets UK launch, we handle it again originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/10/2009 6:33 PM (252d 13h 22m ago) |
| BlackBerry Onyx with optical trackball leaks out |
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Looks like RIM's getting serious about optical trackballs -- first the Curve 8520 ditched the spinner and now it looks like the Onyx has been upgraded as well. That's pretty much just as we've all expected ever since we first laid eyes on this 3G mashup of the Bold and Curve 8900, and we're pretty stoked about it, since we find optical trackballs to be pretty great. Of course, there's no word on a ship date, but we're hoping it'll be soon.[Via Boy Genius Report]Filed under: CellphonesBlackBerry Onyx with optical trackball leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/10/2009 6:30 PM (252d 13h 24m ago) |
| T-Mobile Dash 3G slips into availability on T-Mobile's website |
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Well, there wasn't exactly much mystery left around this one, but it looks like the HTC-made Dash 3G (or Maple, or S522, or Snap) has now finally rolled its way into availability on T-Mobile's website, just as expected. While its full suggested price is $349.99, T-Mobile will gladly let this one go for just $169.99 on a two-year contract, which'll of course get you a Windows Mobile 6.1-based device with a full QWERTY keyboard, and plenty of niceties like built-in WiFi, GPS, Exchange support, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, and some nifty red accents and refined touches that certainly make the original Dash look a bit dated in comparison.[Via Mobile Burn]
Filed under: CellphonesT-Mobile Dash 3G slips into availability on T-Mobile's website originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/09/2009 7:30 PM (253d 12h 25m ago) |
| Sony Ericsson "Rachael" Android XPERIA handset unveiled? |
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Hello, beautiful. Danish phone site Mobil has uncovered "internal documents" on what appears to be Sony Ericsson's upcoming Android-based handset, an XPERIA number codenamed Rachael. Under the hood is a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, HSPA and an 8 megapixel camera. It's unclear how big the touchscreen is, and other details are scarce -- there is a 3.5mm headphone jack, so that's nice, but unless we're severely misguided, there doesn't seem to be a slide-out keyboard tucked away inside this thin chassis. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsSony Ericsson "Rachael" Android XPERIA handset unveiled? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/06/2009 5:51 PM (256d 14h 4m ago) |
| Best Buy-sponsored survey shows that Americans want smartphones even though they don't understand them |
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Do you understand your smartphone... really understand it? Know its moods, its wants, its desires? A survey hosted by Best Buy Mobile shows that half of people don't, with 47 percent saying the things confuse the heck out of them, while 60 percent of those aged 35 - 49 feel that people with smartphones spend too much time working and not enough time playing Wii Sports Bowling. Those feelings of confusion and ire doesn't stop a "sizable segment" of the rest of the 1,000 people surveyed from wanting a handset with brains, with most desiring access to the sort of apps you can't get on dumbphones, and 14 percent of women saying that playing games was "very important" -- only nine percent of men said the same. Sadly, there was no figure indicating how many people enjoy paying too much for text messages and signing their lives away on lengthy contracts.Filed under: CellphonesBest Buy-sponsored survey shows that Americans want smartphones even though they don't understand them originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/01/2009 4:23 PM (261d 15h 32m ago) |
| Windows Marketplace launching with 600 apps, or one bazillion times what the App Catalog has |
| | So Microsoft France's product manager for Windows Mobile, Audrey Zolghadr, is saying that the company's upcoming Windows Marketplace launch will be accompanied by around 600 apps certified and available on day one. Depending on your perspective, that's either ridiculously anemic -- the iPhone's App Store has a couple orders of magnitude more currently available, for example -- or a veritable cornucopia. Though the Ovi Store has no shortage of "items" to buy, an overwhelming majority of those are currently wallpapers, ringtones, and the like, and Palm's App Catalog launched with so few apps that many folks (we're not naming names) literally had every app installed within a few minutes of buying the phone. At the end of the day, it's all about signal-to-noise ratio; if Microsoft can deliver 600 apps and half of those are terrific, they're on the right track -- though at this point, we're thinking the next battle in Smartphone Platform Wars doesn't really kick off until WinMo 7 swings by anyway.[Via PhoneArena and WMExperts]Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsWindows Marketplace launching with 600 apps, or one bazillion times what the App Catalog has originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/29/2009 5:35 PM (263d 14h 20m ago) |
| Nokia, Apple, RIM and others agree on micro-USB phone charger standard for Europe |
| | While the free-market works pretty well when, uh, left alone to be free, sometimes it needs a push from a visible hand. Case in point, phone chargers; at the moment some 30 different types of chargers are used with handsets throughout Europe. Today, the European Commission received industry backing of its phone charger standard that relies on a micro-USB socket. The standard is now backed by all the majors (representing 90% of the European mobile market) including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Apple, LG, NEC, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments with compatible devices starting to appear in Europe next year. Or course, the micro-USB charger standard already has the blessings of CTIA, OMTP, and GSM Association which implies a broader adoption beyond Europe, someday. One charger for any mobile phone... where's the catch?Filed under: CellphonesNokia, Apple, RIM and others agree on micro-USB phone charger standard for Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/29/2009 5:28 PM (263d 14h 26m ago) |
| HTC Hero running Android and Sense UI leaks from HTC's own website (updated, official, video) |
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var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Official_HTC_Hero_runs_Android_with_new_Sense_interface'; As we prepare for HTC's official launch event today, we're starting to see some details appear on HTC's own website of the much rumored Hero. Through some URL trickery, we've managed to unearth several details that confirm the previous rumors. Hero includes the new HTC Sense widget-based interface that puts at-a-glance info right up front on the home screen where it belongs. A new Scenes profile feature lets you transform your phones focus from business to weekend mode. Viewing your contacts shows the usual data in addition to the interactions you've had through social networking status updates and photos from the likes of Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter. A dedicated search button searches the phone as well as services like Twitter. In fact, like Palm's Pre, the HTC Hero seems ready to fully integrate your local data with all your subscribed social media sites. The biggest deal here, however, might just be that HTC is touting this as the first Android device to support Flash out of the box.Inside you'll find Qualcomm's MSM7200A proc running Android at 528MHz, 512MB/288MB ROM/RAM, 3.2-inch TFT-LCD with 320 x 480 pixel rez, 900/2100MHz HSPA and Quad-band GSM, trackball, GPS, 802.11b/g WiFi, 3.5mm audio jack, G-sensor, compass, and 5 megapixel auto-focus cam with microSD expansion. It's all there baby. The White version of the device has an industry-first Teflon coating (right, just like your pans) to keep things clean and grime free. Multi-touch and anti-fingerprint coating too. Hero arrives in Europe in July with T-Mobile and Orange, Asia later in the summer, and North America even later in 2009. Stay tuned for a full hands-on, but for now, enjoy the press shots in the gallery below and the new video after the break!Other HTC Hero coverageRead - Adobe demos Flash on the HeroRead - Hero hands-on and impressionsRead - Product pageRead - Official PRGallery:... |
| | 6/24/2009 6:20 PM (268d 13h 35m ago) |
| HTC Hero hands-on: Flash, keyboard and ruminations (updated!) |
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digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Hands_on_with_HTC_Hero'; We're going to need some real time with the device to make a final opinion, but we're cautiously optimistic that HTC has a winner with its new Hero. Here's what we've got from our first looks at the phone in London and NY:
The beveled edges along the back makes the handset sit comfortably in the hand, and while the teflon coat doesn't necessarily feel revolutionary, it's going to make a world of difference after a couple of months riding in our grubby pockets. It's certainly solid, but much more so than other "brick" phones.
The Sense UI (or as HTC terms it, "user experience") riding a capacitive touchscreen offers a people-centric approach to managing your information that is absolutely dreamy at first blush -- though it shares a lot of TouchFLO heritage. In fact, HTC promises to have a very similar Sense-branded experience for Windows Mobile.
The on-screen keyboard also seems quite useable with a nice simulated haptic forced-feedback bounce when you strike each key in either landscape or portrait mode (which can naturally be deactivated). HTC has built its own touch keyboard from the ground up, and in our brief couple of tests we'd say it's probably the best touchscreen typing experience we've ever felt. It never lags behind, and has great colorful visual cues for its auto-corrected words -- green means it's suggesting a correctly spelled word, red means we've gone off the beaten path, and the T9-style multiple suggestions are heavenly.
This intuitive one-hander isn't shy with the specs either as we've already seen in the official press release. Our only concern is possible sluggishness from the Qualcomm processor that cause the graphic transitions to stutter a bit and results in screen rotations that feel dangerously uncomfortable.
We were told that the device we saw was running pre-production firmware so there's still time to tweak -- though not much with a July European... |
| | 6/24/2009 6:19 PM (268d 13h 36m ago) |
| Sprint lets loose the LG LX370 and Samsung Exclaim |
| | LG LX370(Credit: Sprint)Sprint launched two new phones over the weekend: the LG LX370 and the Samsung Exclaim.
The LG LX370 is a slider phone with Sprint's One Click interface, a 2.0-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, GPS with Sprint Navigation, a music player, a microSD card slot that ... |
| | 6/22/2009 8:41 PM (270d 11h 13m ago) |
| T-Mobile myTouch 3G announced, starts shipping late July |
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The good news is that T-Mobile USA has finally gotten around to announce its second Android handset, the myTouch 3G; the bad news, though, is that you can't have it just yet. The carrier-customized version of the HTC Magic that has already shipped in parts of Europe, Asia, and Canada features a 3.2-inch 480 x 320 touchscreen, AWS 3G for use on T-Mobile's high-speed network paired with quadband EDGE for global roaming, WiFi, a 3.2 megapixel camera, Exchange support, and -- of course -- Android 1.5 with all the virtual keyboardin' you can handle. Better than the G1? Other than the larger internal memory common to all Magics, that's strictly a matter of personal taste -- but don't worry, you'll have a while to sort it out, because T-Mobile won't even start taking preorders from current customers until July 8 for $199.99 on a two-year contract. Those orders will start shipping in late July, with full national availability following on in early August in your choice of black, white, or "merlot."
Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsT-Mobile myTouch 3G announced, starts shipping late July originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/22/2009 8:33 PM (270d 11h 22m ago) |
| RIM announces BlackBerry Tour 9630 for Sprint, Verizon Wireless |
| | RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630(Credit: RIM)
On Monday, Research in Motion unveiled its newest device, the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630, a 3G-enabled world phone that will be available from Sprint and Verizon Wireless later this summer. In addition, the smartphone will be sold in Canada through Bell Mobility and Telus.
... |
| | 6/19/2009 6:19 PM (273d 13h 35m ago) |
| Nokia N86 8MP and N97 launching in UK today |
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Most of us have our sights squarely fixed on the iPhone 3G S launch today, but in the UK, there are a couple of other heavyweights that are finally hitting retail: the N86 8MP and the N97. All About Symbian is covering the launch live, though it looks like there isn't much chaos and bedlam outside the Regent Street store -- maybe it has something to do with that other flagship store reflected in the window?Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsNokia N86 8MP and N97 launching in UK today originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/19/2009 6:12 PM (273d 13h 42m ago) |
| SciPhone shocker! N12 handset features 'genuine' Android OS |
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It looks we don't have ol' SciPhone to kick around anymore. Sure, we had some laughs -- mainly due to the fact that the irony-resistant handset manufacturer was ripping off an open source OS -- but now it looks like all that has changed. The SciPhone N12 (apparently) runs genuine Android, sports both quadband GSM and WCDMA (3G), and packs a 3.2-inch touchscreen, WiFi, a GPS module, CMMB TV support, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and a 624MHz Marvell processor under the hood. Listed for CNY $1,600 (roughly $234), this bad boy should be out June 25. Check out a couple more pics after the break.[Via PMP Today]
Continue reading SciPhone shocker! N12 handset features 'genuine' Android OSFiled under: CellphonesSciPhone shocker! N12 handset features 'genuine' Android OS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/19/2009 6:12 PM (273d 13h 42m ago) |
| Augmented reality: iPhone 3G S' killer app? |
| | Layar running on Android, but the iPhone 3G S could up the augmented ante.(Credit: SPRXmobile.com)
While video recording, more storage space, faster processor speeds, and better games have been the main calling cards for the iPhone 3G S, the biggest reason to upgrade may be yet to come--and it has to do with the seemingly most innocuous feature of all, the magnetometer.
Imagine a browser in which you view the real world through a camera lens and an HUD picks out interest points amid the living cityscape. This type of augmented reality has been the stuff of science fiction, but the cell phone browser Layar by Dutch software developer SPRXmobile claims to make it real. See the video for yourself.
Layar takes the sort of GPS POI data in current map-based apps, like ATMs, houses for sale, or nearby hotspots, and displays them overlaid on the landscape as seen through the camera lens.
It's debuting later this month for Android phones in the Netherlands--not exactly a huge starting demographic, but if it works, this could be the start of something big.
... |
| | 6/17/2009 4:23 PM (275d 15h 32m ago) |
| Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVI: HiPhone F06-Slim is brewing up a Storm |
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Oh hi, HiPhone. Not much of a surprise to see you here, again. The latest masterpiece, the HiPhone F06-Slim, is a Frankenstein amalgamation of KIRF favorite iPhone and RIM's first foray into the world of touchscreen phones, albeit with a slightly smaller, 3.2-inch display. We're also looking at a 1.3 megapixel camera, FM radio, microSD support, GPRS, Bluetooth, dual SIM card slots, and "TV phone" capabilities, which we're taking to mean a mobile receiver of some sort. Looks like it forgot the refresh button on the bottom of the device, but with any luck, it left out SurePress as well. If you hang out with the kind of friends who respect a good knockoff, the price of raising your street cred is just a penny under $190 before shipping.[Via PMP Today]Filed under: CellphonesKeepin' it real fake, part CCXVI: HiPhone F06-Slim is brewing up a Storm originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/17/2009 4:16 PM (275d 15h 38m ago) |
| Video: SPRXmobile's Layar is world's first Augmented Reality browser for cellphones |
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This one's been a long time coming but it looks like Dutch company SPRXmobile has launched the world's first Augmented Reality browser. Layar, as it's called, runs on Android and aggregates the data from the cellphone's compass and GPS coordinates to understand where you're standing and what you're looking at. A "radar view" then applies a visual information layer on top of the camera display as you pan around your environment. Content partnerships including a local bank, social networking site, and a realty company allows Layar to identify houses for sale, nearby ATMs, and local clubs and bars all laid out visually on your cellphone's display. Layar will be available this month in The Netherlands via the Android Market for phones such as the G1 and HTC Magic. It will launch in the US, Germany, and the UK sometime later this year with the iPhone 3G S listed as a primary target platform. Looks great with plenty of data populated in the video sample (posted after the break) but we have to wonder how well it works in day-to-day reality.Continue reading Video: SPRXmobile's Layar is world's first Augmented Reality browser for cellphonesVideo: SPRXmobile's Layar is world's first Augmented Reality browser for cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/17/2009 4:15 PM (275d 15h 39m ago) |
| Nokia E72, 5530 XpressMusic get official |
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You'd think that Nokia would want to do a better job of building up such important product announcements with a long, drawn-out series of frustratingly unhelpful teasers, viral videos, and global PR campaigns, but instead, it turns out that the rumored E72 and 5530 XpressMusic have been officially unveiled at the company's Connection 09 event in Singapore. The E72 is arguably the bigger announcement of the two, succeeding the E71 by adding a whopping 5 megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack (thank goodness), integrated compass, 10.2Mbps HSDPA, and an optical navigation pad; it'll hit in the third quarter for €350 (about $489). Follow the break for video of the E72 in slick, polished, high-orchestrated marketing action. Next up, as we'd heard, the 5530 ends up being a small step down from the 5800 in the S60 5th Edition totem pole, offering just EDGE data without any form of 3G (though you've still got WiFi). It's got a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, 3.5mm jack, and a 640 x 360 touchscreen display. Like the E72 it'll be available in the third quarter; it'll retail for €199 (about $278) unlocked.[Thanks, nabs]
Read - Nokia E72Read - Nokia 5530 XpressMusicContinue reading Nokia E72, 5530 XpressMusic get officialFiled under: Cellphones, HandheldsNokia E72, 5530 XpressMusic get official originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/15/2009 3:25 PM (277d 16h 30m ago) |
| Palm and Verizon looking to take shine off Apple and AT&T |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhoneIn a minefield of failed "iPhone killers" one is making some headway on fulfilling that murderous promise: the Palm Pre.
Perhaps it's no surprise: the Palm Pre was conceived by a team that includes plenty of Apple alumni, including Jon Rubenstein, who was made Palm's CEO yesterday to replace Ed Colligan. (John Gruber reminds us of one of Colligan's more famous quotes.) Rubenstein used to be the general manager of Apple's iPod division.
Not only that, but Fred Anderson, Lynn Fox, and Mike Bell are all connected (if not employed by) the re-energized Palm. Valleywag's Ryan Tate says it's no wonder, then, that the Pre syncs with iTunes right out of the box.
Competition is good, though, right? We'll see improvements to both the iPhone and the Pre because of the products' competitive relationship with each other. Look at the rivalry between Canon and Nikon: The result? Awesome cameras both. In the end, the customer wins.
This is true with carriers, too, as exclusivity agreements begin to expire. There were rumblings that the Pre would be released on the Verizon network around Christmas, but blowback from Sprint CEO Dan Hesse pushed the rumor mill's schedule back a month to January 2010, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Watercooler talk suggests that the iPhone's exclusivity agreement with AT&T expires around the same time for U.S. customers, but the Magic 8 Ball says that we might not see an iPhone for Verizon until both they and AT&T finish their LTE networks.
If you're using a Pre with your Mac, especially if you're taking advantage of the iTunes sync capability, let us know in the comments how it's going.TUAWPalm and Verizon looking to take shine off Apple and AT&T originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/15/2009 3:12 PM (277d 16h 43m ago) |
| Sprint CEO says Pre deal is longer than six months |
| | The Palm Pre will be in consumers' hands starting Saturday.(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)
Update 7:55 a.m. PDT: Comments from Dan Hesse's presentation at the press event here have been added to this story.
NEW YORK--Verizon Wireless's claims that it will be offering the Palm ... Originally posted at News - Wireless |
| | 6/05/2009 3:53 PM (287d 16h 1m ago) |
| Palm Pre designers sit down to talk, reminisce and revel |
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By now, you know precisely what the Palm Pre is capable of. You know the ins and outs of the user experience, and you've probably got a solid idea of whether or not you'll be lined up come June 6th to claim one as your own. But here's a side you probably haven't heard: the voice of the design team. At long last, the masterminds behind Palm's comeback phone have finally sat down to talk about the build process and what drove them to create both the Pre and webOS. Not surprisingly, most of it came from the desire to truly revolutionize the mobile experience, one that's been generally poor for far too long. In separate (but equally awesome) interviews, Michelle Koh and a gaggle of design engineers (including Matias Duarte, Mike Bell, Peter Skillman and Michael Abbott) have opened up to spill their soul on rejuvenating the company with a single product. We won't issue any spoilers here, but we'd argue that the read links below are required reading if you're even remotely interested in this handset.Read - Michelle Koh interviewRead - Design team interviewFiled under: CellphonesPalm Pre designers sit down to talk, reminisce and revel originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/05/2009 3:41 PM (287d 16h 14m ago) |
| Sony Ericsson W995a attractive, functional |
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Just a week after the Sony Ericsson Idou became official, the other phone that the company unveiled at GSMA 2009 was released into the wild. The W995a is notable not because it has an 8.1-megapixel camera and a Walkman player--we've seen those before--but because it had a 3.... |
| | 6/03/2009 4:29 PM (289d 15h 26m ago) |
| Energizer expands Energi To Go charging line with more solar, iPhone options |
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We've seen Energizer dabble in portable charging solutions before, but we've yet to see it go all out like this. Thanks to a newfound partnership with XPAL Power, the company famous for making drum-toting bunnies famous has issued several new wares in its Energi To Go line. The rechargeable power packs and emergency chargers -- over ten of 'em in all -- will all ship by July of 2009 and will include devices for PMPs, PNDs, portable DVD players, netbooks and digicams. There's even an AP Charger that mounts your iPhone (à la mophie's Juice Pack Air), and the SP line consists only of solar-driven power packs designed to rejuvenated your iPod, camera and pretty much any other handheld device. There's no mention of price just yet, but as with anything Energizer, you can go ahead and brace for sticker shock.Filed under: Cellphones, PeripheralsEnergizer expands Energi To Go charging line with more solar, iPhone options originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/03/2009 4:23 PM (289d 15h 32m ago) |
| T-Mobile: New Android device in early summer |
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Just got an interesting little e-mail from T-Mobile USA. The note was short and sweet--and vague--but the carrier has announced its plans to release its next Google Android device in early summer. The handset will be a "follow-on" device to the T-Mobile G1, so we're guessing it's the ... |
| | 6/02/2009 5:31 PM (290d 14h 23m ago) |
| Nokia N97 hitting 75 countries in June (updated) |
| | If you had any doubt about the reach of Nokia, the world's leading mobile handset maker, then check this: Nokia just announced the simultaneous June launch of its flagship N97 in more than 75 countries. We already had hints of this for the US and Western Europe but it's good to have it official. And with N97 chatter on the uptick recently, we're expecting to see this 3.5-inch QWERTY touchscreen slider running S60 5th sooner rather than later.Update: Available June 19th for £500 sim-free in the UK or June 26th if you want it bundled with a contract. Anyone else seeing local launch dates?Filed under: CellphonesNokia N97 hitting 75 countries in June (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/02/2009 5:28 PM (290d 14h 27m ago) |
| Sprint has Palm Pre exclusive through 2009 |
| | (Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)Just after Verizon Wireless revealed that it would offer the Palm Pre in the next six months or so, Sprint has pushed back and asserted that it will have the exclusive on the Palm Pre through 2009.
The confirmation came on Thursday afternoon from Sprint spokesman ... |
| | 6/01/2009 8:47 PM (291d 11h 8m ago) |
| Jitterbug unleashes the Jitterbug J |
| | Samsung Jitterbug J(Credit: Jitterbug)
There's a new Jitterbug in town, and it's called the Jitterbug J. Made by Samsung, the Jitterbug J is the successor to the original Jitterbug Dial, which if you'll recall was the phone we dubbed as friendly to seniors thanks to its ... |
| | 6/01/2009 8:46 PM (291d 11h 8m ago) |
| The 411: Waiting for the Pre |
| | Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.
Should you get the Palm Pre? Wait and see.(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)I am currently have an old Samsung phone and am with Sprint. I also have a Palm Zire and a 4gig iPod. I'd like to combine them if possible and stay with Sprint. The phone part is most important. Next comes an organizer/calendar and then a web browser. The MP3 player is really secondary. I'm leaning toward a keyboard as opposed to a touch screen. I've been looking at the Pre and some of the BlackBerrys and I keep hearing a rumor that Sprint is going to come out with the BlackBerry 9630 (Niagara). Do you have any suggestions? -- David, via e-mail.
Since you're familiar with Palm, you might want to consider giving the Palm Pre a shot. It's a different operating system from the older Palms--WebOS instead of Palm OS--but it seems to fit your requirements, and since you're already with Sprint, there's no need to worry about service transfer. Of course we can't tell if the Pre is any good or not yet, but if you can wait around until the second week of June, I definitely suggest doing so. BlackBerrys are also a good option, and I've also heard the same rumor about the BlackBerry 9630, but since I've heard positive things about the Pre's Web browser and media player, I would suggest waiting to see how the Pre shakes out before making a decision.
... Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast |
| | 5/29/2009 8:15 PM (294d 11h 40m ago) |
| AT&T plans to double wireless broadband speeds by 2011 |
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AT&T announced Wednesday plans to double the speed of its wireless broadband network by 2011. The move to HSPA technology, and eventually LTE networks, will begin later this year.
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson outlined the carrier's plans at the D: All Things Digital conference in Carlsbad, Calif. "... |
| | 5/29/2009 8:14 PM (294d 11h 41m ago) |
| Google's Idol-like Android challenge |
| | Android 1.5 on Google's brand-new 'Ion.'(Credit: CNET/Photo by Stephen Shankland)
To encourage gifted developers to give iPhone programming a rest, most mobile platforms have built app stores that lure with the promise of a cash-positive distribution. But not Google. It baits with cash.
Sure, Google installs ... |
| | 5/29/2009 8:13 PM (294d 11h 42m ago) |
| A sneak peek at Android 1.5 apps from Google I/O |
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Perhaps because the Google Android operating system is already a year old, because the Android Developer's Challenge will be kicked off after Google's I/O developer conference instead of before, or because the platform differences between Android 1.0 and Android 1.5 aren't as dramatic as ... Originally posted at The Download Blog |
| | 5/29/2009 8:12 PM (294d 11h 43m ago) |
| AT&T / Cingular class action gets go ahead from federal court |
| | This one goes back a little ways, but a U.S. District Court in Seattle has now given the go ahead to a class action lawsuit brought by former AT&T Wireless subscribers, who have complained that their service went downhill after the company was bought by Cingular and ultimately became the new AT&T. They're also not too happy that they were forced to pay to get new Cingular phones, and they're now asking that AT&T pay back all those extra charges, plus the usual damages, of course. For its part, AT&T isn't saying anything more than that it "respectfully" disagrees with the court's decision, and that it's now studying the ruling and considering its options.Filed under: CellphonesAT&T / Cingular class action gets go ahead from federal court originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 21:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/29/2009 8:04 PM (294d 11h 51m ago) |
| Sprint affirms Palm Pre exclusivity "through 2009" |
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Ready for your daily dose of obvious? Good. After Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam proudly proclaimed that America's largest mobile operator would be painting the Palm Pre red "in about six months," Sprint has come forward to make sure we know that said statement is probably right on the money. According to Sprint spokesman James Fisher: "We have the Pre through 2009." Short, sweet and chock full of pent-up rage. 'Course, six months after the Pre's launch on Sprint lands us in December, giving VZW just enough time to cripple the phone's hottest features and push it out before Valentine's Day. Sounds pretty reasonable, no?Filed under: CellphonesSprint affirms Palm Pre exclusivity "through 2009" originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/29/2009 7:59 PM (294d 11h 55m ago) |
| iPhone nabs 59% of smartphone 'net traffic, 43% of mobile web traffic |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Internet, iPhone, iPod touch
Fortune has the results of an AdMob survey up, and they're pretty surprising -- Apple has apparently taken over 59% of smartphone traffic on the Internet, and in the mobile category in general, they've got a giant 43% of 'net traffic surveyed. But there's another side here: the report doesn't just point out that Apple accounts for the lion's share of mobile 'net traffic, but it states that smartphone traffic, and specifically the iPhone in general, hugely overshadows the actual sales numbers. The iPhone has 8% global market share, but accounts for 65% of HTML traffic. And smartphones in general overshadow their sales to a lesser degree: smartphones represent about 12% of mobile device sales, but AdMob calculates them at around 35% of their traffic last month.What does this mean? AdMob suggests it's a phase -- right now, because we're so early in the development stages of this platform, mobile web makes up the main chunk of traffic. But in the future, we may go through applications to get data, or use push notifications, and/or come up with other, more streamlined ways to get information out to mobile devices. But for now, iPhone and iPod touch users are still browsing the web, and as a result, they are accounting for way more traffic than their sales hint at.TUAWiPhone nabs 59% of smartphone 'net traffic, 43% of mobile web traffic originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/29/2009 7:52 PM (294d 12h 2m ago) |
| Faster AT&T 3G network on the way |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, WirelessAT&T today announced that it will begin upgrading its network to the faster High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology later this year. The 3G network upgrade will not be completed until 2011, at which time AT&T plans to start deploying the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. This is contrary to previous roadmaps, which showed HSPA+ (20+ Mbps) deployment occurring prior to the move to LTE.
Devices compatible with HSPA 7.2 3G networks are capable of a theoretical peak download speed of 7.2 Mbps (megabits per second), or almost a megabyte per second. While the current iPhone 3G does not support HSPA 7.2, many of the rumors circulating about a next-generation device include HSPA 7.2 compatibility. AT&T's press release also noted that "multiple HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones" will be available later this year.
The AT&T network is currently undergoing other upgrades, to the tune of over $17 billion of capital investment. AT&T is still deploying more 850 MHz spectrum for better coverage and in-building 3G reception. The 'Death Star' is adding fiber-optic connectivity and more capacity to many cell sites in anticipation of the higher bandwidth required by HSPA 7.2 and LTE, and the plan is to add almost 2,100 new cell sites in 2009.
AT&T also noted that they're working on customer trials of AT&T 3G MicroCell, using femtocells to improve in-building wireless coverage.TUAWFaster AT&T 3G network on the way originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/28/2009 4:14 PM (295d 15h 41m ago) |
| AT&T expects to sell Palm Pre when Sprint's exclusivity ends |
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We've heard in the past that the Palm Pre would be available at other carriers "next year" sometime after Sprint's exclusivity period is up, and now we have a vague verbal confirmation from AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson that he "sees" AT&T grabbing hold of the Pre once it's available. The remarks were made today at the D7 conference. If this pans out, it fits with rumblings we've heard of the Eos being AT&T's low-end, Centro-style webOS device, with the Pre snapping up the higher end.[Via Phone Scoop; image courtesy of PreCentral.net]Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsAT&T expects to sell Palm Pre when Sprint's exclusivity ends originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/28/2009 4:11 PM (295d 15h 43m ago) |
| AT&T announces 7.2Mbps HSPA rollout plans |
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We knew AT&T had an HSPA upgrade in the works, and now the company has announced its plans, with initial rollout beginning later this year and reaching completion in 2011. That will overlap only slightly with LTE, which AT&T plans to put into trials in 2010 and start melting our faces in 2011. The HSPA upgrade takes the network from 3.6Mbps to 7.2Mbps in theoretical speed, and AT&T also plans to nearly double the amount of wireless spectrum it dedicates to 3G in metropolitan areas -- which should come as a relief to city dwellers who haven't managed more than a couple minutes of sustained conversation since mid-2008. To support the increased bandwidth of HSPA, AT&T also plans on adding thousands of new cell site backhaul connections, while also rolling out 3G service to 20 new metro areas and deploying 2,100 new cell sites in total. HSPA-sporting mobile data cards and smartphones will be available "later this year."Filed under: CellphonesAT&T announces 7.2Mbps HSPA rollout plans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/27/2009 4:44 PM (296d 15h 10m ago) |
| Sony Ericsson drops clues on Android 2.0-based smartphone |
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Sony Ericsson's finance team may figure that it needs a wheelbarrow full of cold, hard cash in order to steamroll through the next decade, but we know better than that. What it needs, friends, is Android, and in the worst possible way. At a launch event over in Taiwan this week, SE Asia-Pacific's vice president of marketing Peter Ang was quoted as saying that the outfit's first Android-based smartphone would actually be humming along on Android 2.0. So, there are two ways to take this: one is that Android 2.0 is just around the bend, which would totally rule, but is absolutely unrealistic to believe. The other, more feasible possibility is that SE's first Android-based phone won't hit the market until your next grandchild is born, which definitely doesn't bode well for a handset maker that can't possibly reinvent itself soon enough.[Via Slashphone]Filed under: CellphonesSony Ericsson drops clues on Android 2.0-based smartphone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 May 2009 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/22/2009 5:05 PM (301d 14h 49m ago) |
| T-Mobile USA starts pushing Android 1.5 to G1 owners |
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That delay wasn't too painful, we suppose. After slipping the US release of the Cupcake-rich Android 1.5 by just a handful of days, T-Mobile USA is starting to push it out to G1 users in the field. The company estimates everyone will have it by early June, so if you haven't gotten the notification yet, hang tight, shake your fist at the sky, and scream a few choice obscenities for us. One more screencap is after the break, and it's a real treat for the anti-Apple crowd.[Thanks, Raymond and Jamie]Continue reading T-Mobile USA starts pushing Android 1.5 to G1 ownersFiled under: Cellphones, HandheldsT-Mobile USA starts pushing Android 1.5 to G1 owners originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 May 2009 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/22/2009 5:00 PM (301d 14h 54m ago) |
| BlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-on |
| | digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/BlackBerry_Storm_2_the_official_unofficial_hands_on';
We've been bumping into the new BlackBerry Storm 2 for quite a while now on the so-called "information superhighway," but we've finally had a chance to escalate those encounters and spend a few sweet moments with a live unit in the flesh. First off, let's confirm the huge news: RIM's abandoned the original Storm's SurePress click-screen and gone with a traditional fixed capacitive display for the sequel. It's over, guys. Unfortunately, the Verizon-branded dual-mode GSM / CDMA unit that we played with has a bug preventing us from getting past the license screen so we couldn't dive deep into the OS (and yeah, we tried scrolling to the bottom of the agreement -- no dice), but we can tell you what we do know: the Storm 2's sleeker style and more heft combined with the newly-stable screen collaborate to make everything feel a wee bit higher end than the original. Follow the break for more impressions!
Gallery: BlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-on
Continue reading BlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-onFiled under: Cellphones, HandheldsBlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/21/2009 10:37 PM (302d 9h 18m ago) |
| Ad impression report proves the Palm Pre is out there, somewhere |
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With just over a fortnight to go before Sprint starts selling Palm's Pre, it stands to reason that a few of the units have made their way out into the wild. According to Millennial Media, that's absolutely what has happened, with this month marking the first in which it recorded "initial Palm Pre [ad] impressions." In other words, those lucky few Pre owners (or "testers," if you will) are really just goofing off online rather than testing tactility and radiation output. Good to know.[Via mocoNews]Filed under: CellphonesAd impression report proves the Palm Pre is out there, somewhere originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/21/2009 4:09 PM (302d 15h 46m ago) |
| FLOW is like the Ikea bookshelf of Android phones |
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"You know, I could build a better phone than this." We've probably all uttered something to that effect in our past in a fit of frustrated rage -- some more than others -- but are you ready to put your money where your mouth is? If so, you can now part with some cash and cobble together a bunch of modules to create a do-it-yourself Android phone called FLOW -- just be aware that it's probably not going to solve your troubles. At nearly $500 for the bare minimum hardware, you're not saving any money over a phone expertly manufactured by an Asian OEM, and no offense, sport, but something tells us the OEM's craftsmanship is in a different league. Putting away the practical concerns for a moment, the project seems like it'd be a blast -- so the only trick is finding someone willing to use a phone that looks like this clunky and geeky day in and day out. G1 owners, care to step forward?Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsFLOW is like the Ikea bookshelf of Android phones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/21/2009 4:08 PM (302d 15h 47m ago) |
| Samsung i7500 to be renamed Galaxy, released in France in early July |
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Speaking of Samsung touchscreen handsets, Bouygues Telecom's announced that they expect to ship the company's first Android handset -- the i7500 -- in early July, making it the first carrier to snag it. The French company will rebadge the device, calling it the Galaxy, which is certainly sexier than the numeric moniker. The quad-band GSM, tri-band 7.2Mbps HSDPA (900/1700/2100MHz) handset has a 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 pixel AMOLED touchscreen, WiFi, GPS, a 5 megapixel camera, 8GB of storage with MicroSD expansion for up to 32GB more. We're still expecting this bad boy -- which recently passed through the old FCC -- to make a possible T-Mobile debut this fall. [Via Talk Android]
Filed under: CellphonesSamsung i7500 to be renamed Galaxy, released in France in early July originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/19/2009 4:47 PM (304d 15h 8m ago) |
| Poll: Are you buying a Palm Pre? |
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So... it's official. Palm's wonder-device, the Pre, is hitting shelves on June 6th for $199 (after mail-in rebate). That begs the most important question of our generation (or of the week, at least): are you going to get one? Go ahead, cast your vote in the poll below, we'd love to hear what the Engadget crew thinks!View PollFiled under: CellphonesPoll: Are you buying a Palm Pre? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/19/2009 4:40 PM (304d 15h 14m ago) |
| Nokia unveils its cheapest 3G phone |
| | Nokia unveiled three new cell phone models on Monday, including the cheapest 3G phone —$108 — to date from the world's top handset maker.
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| | 5/18/2009 6:04 PM (305d 13h 51m ago) |
| Nokia N97 NAM launching June 2nd? |
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The Nokia Blog's got it on good authority that the Finnish phone maker's giving its North America distributors the heads up to expect the N97 to arrive on June 2nd for $699, although that price might end up lower. We've been hearing an expected June launch for some time, so it's definitely not out of the question. This does, however, serve as both an exciting and somewhat painful reminder that, should a couple other rumors pan out, June's gonna be a busy month for smartphones.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: CellphonesNokia N97 NAM launching June 2nd? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 May 2009 23:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/18/2009 5:06 PM (305d 14h 49m ago) |
| Expect at least two more HTC Android handhelds this year |
| | The HTC Magic and HTC Dream: we could see more HTC Android handhelds soon. (Credit: HTC)
Here's some news straight from the horse's mouth. At Thursday's launch of the HTC Magic in Singapore, Executive Vice President Jason Juang told CNET Asia in an aside that the company ... |
| | 5/15/2009 7:45 PM (308d 12h 10m ago) |
| Leaked pictures of the LG enV3 and enV Touch |
| | Left to right: LG enV3 closed, LG enV3 opened, and LG enV Touch opened.(Credit: Phone Arena)
The rumors of a new LG enV3 and a LG enV Touch are becoming hot and heavy now, especially with these new leaked pictures on Phone Arena. The LG enV3 is, as expected, ... |
| | 5/15/2009 7:44 PM (308d 12h 10m ago) |
| Verizon Wireless to light up LTE in 20 to 30 markets in 2H 2010 |
| | Looking for some LTE news that's harder than those wishy-washy vibes you've been getting thus far? Listen up. On a recent conference call, Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam (shown) stated that its LTE network would launch commercially in around 20 to 30 US markets during "the second half of 2010." He continued by noting that a "nationwide buildout would be complete in late 2013 to early 2014," but failed to elaborate on the whens, whos and whys in between. For those locked into the 4G movement, you'll notice that these dates are slightly different than ones tossed out in April by the outfit's CFO, which leads us to believe that we could hear something else in just a few month's time if things don't go perfectly to plan. At any rate, McAdam did confirm that a tiny group of VZW testers would have access to 4G this year, with one "pre-commercial" network per US coast being activated during 2009. Bring on the bytes, baby.[Via phoneArena]Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessVerizon Wireless to light up LTE in 20 to 30 markets in 2H 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/15/2009 4:56 PM (308d 14h 59m ago) |
| 3G Sidekick LX 2009 now available on T-Mobile |
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No doubt, the latest Sidekick looks pretty much like the swivel-screen Hiptop of yore. But as you'll recall from our review, the new 3G Sidekick LX takes the original tweener aesthetic high-end to match its aging user base. That means one of the best displays (854 x 480 pixel) available on a US handset and new 3G and assisted GPS radios to upload geotagged pics on the quick snapped by the LX's 3.2 megapixel camera with flash. Available now for $250 (after instant discount, mail-in rebate, and 2-year commitment) in your choice of carbon or orchid paint.[Via PhoneArena]Filed under: Cellphones3G Sidekick LX 2009 now available on T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 03:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/13/2009 3:20 PM (310d 16h 34m ago) |
| Orange bringing Comes With Music-equipped Nokia 5800 XpressMusic to UK |
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What a difference a year and a half makes, eh? It was August of 2007 when Orange first got all weird on Nokia over the then-wild concept of a manufacturer-owned and operated music store -- bear in mind the iPhone hadn't launched very widely at that time -- and look how far we've come. The two companies have just announced that the venerable Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will be available starting May 29 loaded up with Comes With Music, Nokia's all-you-can-eat service that brings endless downloadable tracks through its Music Store. In Orange's case, Comes With Music will be available on any of five special plans starting at £25 a month (about $38), meaning that you'll be able to nab music for the duration of your two-year contract. As long as DRM's in the mix, you're basically locked into your contract for as long as you want the definitive Bryan Adams collection that you've downloaded -- so we're hoping Nokia nixes that nightmare sooner rather than later. And hey, congrats, Orange customers -- you're the first Brits to officially be offered this through a carrier, and you'll be getting it in an "exclusive" black / silver color combo.Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Portable AudioOrange bringing Comes With Music-equipped Nokia 5800 XpressMusic to UK originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/13/2009 3:19 PM (310d 16h 35m ago) |
| Motorola's first Android phone to be the T-Mobile G1 v2? |
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Okay, so T-Mobile confirmed on Saturday that it's launching "multiple" Android devices from "three partners" later this year, and since most people assume the HTC Magic / Sapphire / myTouch / whatever and the Samsung I7500 are pretty much locked in, speculation has generally centered around that mysterious G1 v2 and the identity of the third partner -- and it looks like it's going to be Motorola. Not only did commenter Someperson notice that the button labels on the alleged G1 v2 are basically identical to those on other recently-launched Moto phones, Boy Genius Report says today that they can "more or less confirm" the v2 will be Schaumburg's first Android set -- a development that lines up perfectly with last month's rumors of a slider QWERTY piece. Yep, it all fits together nicely, except for the fact that HTC is oddly out of the loop on the sequel to the G1 -- but since T-Mobile owns that particular trademark, it can do whatever it wants, you know? Hopefully we'll find out more soon -- if that sketchy leaked roadmap is correct, we'll be seeing this guy in the fall.Update: Or... the G1 v2 could really be the Samsung Bigfoot. It's a mystery for now, we'll let you know.Filed under: CellphonesMotorola's first Android phone to be the T-Mobile G1 v2? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 May 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/12/2009 4:45 PM (311d 15h 10m ago) |