November 26, 2008

Engadget Mobile

Engadget Mobile

Two BlackBerry Storm updates imminent, handset unlocked for use on T-Mobile

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 10:41 PM CST

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Here on Thanksgiving Eve, we've got two juicy Storm tidbits sure to make your Turkey Day that much more interesting. For starters, one fellow over on HoFo has purportedly unlocked his touchscreen BlackBerry for use on T-Mobile's GSM network. Hot, right? The process involved sourcing a SIM unlock code from VZW, then updating the phone with software intended for the Bold. If you're not confused yet, you'll also need a dash of Elvish magic and a bit of luck, but you should know that you can't tap into T-Mob's 2G voice network and Verizon's 3G data network at the same time. Next up, the Boy Genius has it on authority that two firmware updates are but weeks away, both of which will target some of the many issues that early adopters have been harping on since launch day. Hit the links below for more details on everything.

Read - Storm unlocked for T-Mobile [Via SlashGear]
Read - Storm updates [Via SlashGear]

Two BlackBerry Storm updates imminent, handset unlocked for use on T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Omnia becomes first DivX Certified handset in USA

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 09:50 PM CST

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Samsung's Omnia is far from being the first handset in its stable to grab the coveted DivX Certified badge, but it is the first with said badge to ship in the United States of America. What's it all mean? Pretty simple, really -- those lured in by the Omnia's boyish good looks and seductive touchpanel will have no issues playing back DivX video files on the 3.2-inch screen, regardless of whether those files are stored on the 8GB of internal space or on a microSD card. We probably speak for DivX fans across the web when we say that this is hopefully just the beginning of a long list of DivX-friendly phones to come stateside.

Samsung Omnia becomes first DivX Certified handset in USA originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS gets serious about R&D, plans ten HTC-rivaling handsets for 2009

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 06:20 PM CST

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Oftentimes, it's difficult to remember that ASUS is in the handset game at all, and don't think for a second that ASUS isn't well aware of that fact. According to undisclosed sources, said outfit is looking to ramp up its reputation and seriously take on the likes of HTC next year by pumping out no fewer than ten handsets, almost all of which will boast 3G and a touch user interface. There's no definitive word on what operating system(s) will be relied upon, but we'd say it'd do ASUS good to get an Android-based mobile out in the States if it wants to seriously roll with High Tech Computer. Oh, and three cheers for competition.

ASUS gets serious about R&D, plans ten HTC-rivaling handsets for 2009 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia viNe goes live: share your mobile adventures online

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 04:35 PM CST

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Not that anyone really needs to see what photos you take, where you take them and what videos are captured during your daily walk through the game of life, but if you feel inclined to share, Nokia's making it exceptionally easy. The viNe service, which is compatible with a slew of E and N Series handsets, taps into your built-in GPS receiver and uploads your media to the viNe website in order for others to keep track. Think real-time social networking, driven by your cellphone. Yeah, it's a touch too voyeuristic for our tastes, but you know you want to give it a go. Hit the read link to explore.

[Via Symbian-Guru]

Nokia viNe goes live: share your mobile adventures online originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pharos offers up WinMo-based Traveler 619 smartphone for $199.95

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 02:52 PM CST

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Can't say it looks like anything special, but Pharos has launched its latest Traveler courtesy of Dell. The GPS-enabled Traveler 619 boasts a 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel camera, 3.5G support, a quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE radio, Windows Mobile 6, Bluetooth / WiFi, IrDA and a battery good for four hours of yappin'. Order now for a buck ninety-nine and it should be under the tree in plenty of time.

[Thanks, Pavel]

Pharos offers up WinMo-based Traveler 619 smartphone for $199.95 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung launches BizBee family of business-oriented smartphones

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 01:10 PM CST

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We're not quite sure what Samsung's trying to pull here, but it's apparently using some BizBee moniker to revamp a few dusty smartphones with Windows Mobile 6.1. So far as we can tell, the BizBee family will house a "new range of designer business mobiles," though Samsung's starting off rather poorly by reintroducing the i780 with WinMo 6.1. Said handset will be re-launched initially in the UK, Nordics, Spain and Netherlands this month, though we're not sure if the marketing blitz will escape the clutches of Europe in order to serve as entertainment elsewhere. For Sammy's sake, we hope not.

Samsung launches BizBee family of business-oriented smartphones originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Google was naughty, broke App Store rules with iPhone app

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 12:25 PM CST

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Okay, any talk that consistency in Apple's approval process for the App Store has improved definitely has to be put on hold at this point; first we had that BdEmailer situation that duplicates functionality (albeit shoddily) of the iPhone's own email capabilities, and now we have official confirmation that Google did a no-no when it slipped its voice-powered search through the checkpoint. The problem is that enabling the automatic voice detection requires use of an undocumented API call for the proximity sensor that Apple neither guarantees nor approves use of, meaning firmware updates can break it at will. In and of itself, that's not a huge indiscretion on Google's part since they're probably committed to keeping it up-to-date, but the real issue is that this violates an explicit rule of the App Store that bans the use of undocumented calls. Apple, guys, seriously: if you want to be jerks about what gets through and what doesn't, fine -- but at least do it consistently so it doesn't look like you're favoring companies run by members of your own executive board (or in the case of BdEmailer, companies that are doing a bang-up job of making your own products look better).

[Via mocoNews]

Confirmed: Google was naughty, broke App Store rules with iPhone app originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Velocity Mobile's WinMo-powered 111 hits the FCC

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 11:42 AM CST

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Being that Velocity Mobile's 103 just made it through the FCC gauntlet a few months back, we knew the delightful 111 couldn't be too far behind. Sure enough, the Windows Mobile-based smartphone has made its final stop before hitting store shelves in the United States, though we can't say for certain where it'll actually be sold. Also of note, the linked Users Manual is inexplicably corrupt, so we can't say much about the functionality, either. Ah well, it ought to be landing in eager hands soon enough -- we can stand the wait. Maybe.

Velocity Mobile's WinMo-powered 111 hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK smacks Apple for another misleading iPhone commercial

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 11:13 AM CST

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We figured Apple would've learned its lesson after the UK's Advertising Standards Authority banned those "the real internet" iPhone commercials, but it looks like Steve's back in detention -- the ASA just ruled that another ad claiming that the iPhone is "really fast" is also misleading enough to be pulled. You've probably seen the similar US version of the ad, which shows the iPhone 3G loading a web page, switching to Maps to locate itself, downloading an attachment, and then finally taking a call, all in 30 seconds -- yeah, that doesn't happen. Apple claimed that its "Network performance may vary by location" disclaimer was enough to keep it safe, but the ASA wasn't having that: it said that the ad was likely to lead viewers to believe the iPhone was really that speedy. Of course, we're pretty certain most people understand that reality and advertising don't really have anything do with each other, but we're not the ones in charge -- just wait till the ASA finds out that drinking gallons of beer doesn't actually make you more attractive. Check the ad in question after the break.

[Thanks, David]

Continue reading UK smacks Apple for another misleading iPhone commercial

UK smacks Apple for another misleading iPhone commercial originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peek CEO: buy two Peeks, your next iPhone or G1 bill is on us

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 10:14 AM CST

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Yesterday we sat down for an interview with Amol Sarva, CEO of the email-handheld startup Peek. We're in the midst of transcribing what was a fairly interesting conversation, but in the middle of our chat he proposed a pretty striking deal, and we wanted to put it out there (and to see the company put its money where its mouth is). Sarva and co. are pretty convinced that while the Peek may not be the perfect device for the hardcore gadget junkie, it is the perfect device for their moms or girlfriends (or boyfriends, we assume) -- in fact, they're so convinced that they're offering to pay a month of said junkie's iPhone or G1 bill (up to $150) if they buy a Peek for their mom... and girlfriend. According to Amol, if you buy two of the devices (which you can get for $79.95 right now) and activate them, the company will cover your November cellphone bill. Amol himself will be heading up this project, and as long as you place your order by December 1st, you can make the magic happen. Wildly, Amol says to just email him with the account info at: amol (at) getpeek (dot) com.

Peek CEO: buy two Peeks, your next iPhone or G1 bill is on us originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson's axed Paris gets video review: here's to what could've been

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 09:26 AM CST

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Sony Ericsson sure knows how to toy with the heartstrings -- 'course, one could argue that it's our own fault for delving beneath the surface and learning far too much about a handset that was never assured of a public release, but whatever. The Paris, or P5, or the one that got away has been reviewed in a two-part video series over at UIQ Blog, and while the handset used was indeed a prototype, it's pretty much the most finalized version anyone ever saw. We wouldn't dare spoil anything in case you just can't take anymore positive press about a phone you'll never be able to own, but those with hardened hearts can hit the read link and mash play (twice).

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Sony Ericsson's axed Paris gets video review: here's to what could've been originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft working on its own Tegra-powered superphone? Doubtful.

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 07:59 AM CST

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The popular rumor floating around at the moment is that Microsoft intends to announce self-branded handsets powered by NVIDIA's beefy Tegra architecture for next-gen phones and MIDs at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress in February of next year. Let's put aside for a moment the fact that Redmond continues to vehemently deny having any interest in getting into the hardware end of its Windows Mobile racket -- concealing the truth is a part of doing competitive business, after all -- and turn our attention to the practical matter of whether this makes any sense whatsoever. First off, Windows Mobile's strength lies in its incredibly deep and wide partner base, a base that includes visionary teams at HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and countless others. With Android and Symbian finally becoming viable opportunities for third-party manufacturers, Microsoft doesn't want to do anything that's going to hasten the revolt before it's able to wrap up version 7 (or at the very least, 6.5) -- and competing with your own licensees would be a bang-up way to do that. Granted, Microsoft did exactly that by introducing Zune following the PlaysForSure initiative, but let's be honest: Windows Mobile and Zune don't play in the same league. Zune's a hobby, a side gig; WinMo's a monster, a long-term cash cow that's got to be treated with the same franchise tag as Windows itself.

Continue reading Microsoft working on its own Tegra-powered superphone? Doubtful.

Microsoft working on its own Tegra-powered superphone? Doubtful. originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skyfire v0.85 supposedly available for worldwide consumption

Posted: 26 Nov 2008 03:33 AM CST

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Being that we're currently situated in the United States of America, we can't personally test out Decoder's claims that the latest and greatest version of Skyfire is ready for global domination, but we're taking it's word for it. Reportedly, most WinMo users and Symbian S60 owners can point their browsers to Skyfire's download page and suck down v0.85 without having to prove that they're in the US / Canada. Stop salivating and give it a go, hopefully everything turns out just peachy.

Skyfire v0.85 supposedly available for worldwide consumption originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G1 and BlackBerry Bold get the Colorware treatment, finally feel at home with your bippies and lightsticks

Posted: 25 Nov 2008 01:01 PM CST

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As you probably learned in grammar school, there's a time in every gadget's life when it gets the Colorware treatment -- and for the G1 and the Bold, the time is now. It'll run you $150 to dress up your current T-Mobile handset, or the company will ship you a brand new one $725. Prices for the BlackBerry Bold run $139 and $674 for the makeover and the whole phone, respectively. Sure, that's a pretty pile of change, but if you'd spent your formative years in the East Coast rave scene you'd know just how coveted and stylish a pink, blue and orange G1 really is. If the BlackBerry is more your speed, make sure you check out that sexy number after the break.

[Thanks, Ken]

Continue reading G1 and BlackBerry Bold get the Colorware treatment, finally feel at home with your bippies and lightsticks

G1 and BlackBerry Bold get the Colorware treatment, finally feel at home with your bippies and lightsticks originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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