Engadget Mobile

Motorola apparently planning another year of existence with claimed 2009 lineup for Verizon Posted: 16 Dec 2008 10:02 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA Our first thought when we saw Boy Genius Report's alleged shots of Moto phones that'll find a home on Verizon in 2009 was, "holy cow, these look fake." And yes, granted, they're all renders -- but what really set off the alarms for us was the fact that they look... well, nothing like Motorolas. At all. But then we thought about it for a second and realized that hey, you know, when you're a once-great cellphone manufacturer losing market share hand over first and you're looking for the Next Big Thing, you probably want to try something a little new, a little fresh, and a little crazy. So on that note, Verizon can apparently expect a "Rush 2" early in the year that continues Moto's contribution to the low-cost messaging phone trend; the "Calgary" (pictured), looking like a high-end Sidekick Slide minus the Sidekick; the "Inferno," presumably succeeding the ZN4 (which was coincidentally codenamed "Blaze"); and finally the gorgeous "Flash," which -- as far as we're concerned -- should just take the A3000's place. So yeah, these could be an elaborate hoax, but for Motorola's sake, we hope they're not. Motorola apparently planning another year of existence with claimed 2009 lineup for Verizon originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 coming to Bell in January Posted: 16 Dec 2008 09:05 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, Sanyo We've seen no official confirmation or anything, but MobileSyrup has it that Sanyo's cutest couple ever (that'd be the Pro-200 and Pro-700, of course) are headed to Bell Canada in just under a month. The rugged handsets are both made to withstand the pressures of everyday life (and a few off-the-wall encounters with Alaska, poisonous snakes and playground swings), and outside of that, you'll also find Bluetooth, GPS, a speakerphone and 3G data connectivity. The Pro-200 will reportedly cost between $149.95 and $349.95 depending on contractual obligation, while the Pro-700 will go for $50 more across the board. Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 coming to Bell in January originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nokia and Motorola dominate China's smartphone market Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:01 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Nokia, Studies Really, it's not even fair. A recent look at Q3 2008 smartphone sales in China has found that together, Nokia and Motorola encompass around 90% of all handsets sold in the nation (real ones, we presume). The CCID Consulting report also points out that Nokia's share alone is a dominating 69.3%, with its wide range of choices spanning from low-end to ultra-luxurious helping it to hook consumers from all walks of life. Picking up the silver is Moto with a respectable 19.9%, while Dopod snags the bronze with just 4.7%. Overall, handset sales in China were practically flat from Q2, which -- in today's world -- isn't particularly awful. For the number lovers out there (you know who you are), check the read link for even more statistics. [Via mocoNews, image courtesy of SymbianWebBlog] Nokia and Motorola dominate China's smartphone market originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T Quickfire gets reviewed Posted: 16 Dec 2008 05:22 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, ATT AT&T's SideKick-esque Quickfire handset has been up for grabs for a little while now, but if you're still undecided, you may want to take a gander at Phonescoop's review of the phone, which covers just about every aspect of it in minute detail. On the whole, they seem to be mightily impressed with the phone, saying that it "almost makes good on all that it sets out to do," with only a few relatively minor problems holding it back somewhat. Those include a lack of threaded SMS, and some general slowness in the music and gallery apps. On the upside, the phone re-orients itself between landscape and portrait mode "immediately," the camera takes decent pictures and, while not the most responsive around, the capacitive touchscreen apparently gets the job done. Hit up the link below for the full rundown and, of course, plenty of pics. AT&T Quickfire gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Verizon relents, promises to open GPS on some WinMo phones next year Posted: 16 Dec 2008 04:50 PM CST Filed under: Software, Verizon Wireless, Windows Mobile Okay, so maybe the unlocking of the GPS on Verizon BlackBerrys wasn't an accident after all -- and maybe hell has frozen completely over. WMExperts is reporting an official statement released by the carrier claiming that GPS has remained locked down on many of its models simply because it hasn't met Verizon's "performance goals," which granted, sounds like a crock -- but to Verizon's credit, they're the ones getting the phone calls when things aren't working smoothly, not the phone's manufacturer. Still, when you consider that VZ Navigator runs a pricey $9.99 a month for WinMo devices, the financial motivation was certainly there to keep it locked down, so maybe customer dissatisfaction with the policy has reached a boiling point or Verizon is simply realizing that they're not milking enough money to bother. Specifically, the Touch Pro, Saga, and Omnia have all been mentioned as getting fully unlocked, standalone GPS via firmware updates in the first half of next year. [Via Brighthand] Verizon relents, promises to open GPS on some WinMo phones next year originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Verizon's G'zOne Boulder now shipping with front speaker Posted: 16 Dec 2008 02:39 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA, Casio Yeah, you read that correctly. Now shipping with a front speaker. If you'll have a look at the original version (after the break) and compare the front to the image you see above, it's easy to spot the difference. With no rhyme, reason or official announcement, Casio has apparently started shipping VZW a refreshed version of the rough and tough G'zOne Boulder. According to the owner of this here mobile, the model number now sits at C711ORXB, though the significance of that is anyone's guess. We know, your "old" Boulder now feels totally inadequate -- shame a simple software update can't bring it up to speed. [Via phoneArena] Continue reading Verizon's G'zOne Boulder now shipping with front speaker Verizon's G'zOne Boulder now shipping with front speaker originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung's low-end E1410 candybar goes 22 days strong Posted: 16 Dec 2008 01:06 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, Samsung It still can't hold a candle to Philips' Xenium 9@9 line, but 22 days ain't nothing to scoff at. Reportedly, Samsung is prepping a low-end E1410 candybar that'll last up to 22 days on standby, and better still, it can support up to 11.5 continuous hours of yappin' before calling it a night. The stout battery life is joined by a lackluster 128 x 128 display (1.63-inches), a simple phonebook, GSM connectivity and 4MB of inbuilt memory. Clearly Sammy's not kidding around with "low-end." Samsung's low-end E1410 candybar goes 22 days strong originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T rolls out BlackBerry Curve 8320 at long last Posted: 16 Dec 2008 12:20 PM CST Filed under: Handsets, RIM, ATT We heard a good while back that the WiFi-loving BlackBerry Curve 8320 would be making its way to AT&T, and here it is. The stunningly conservative Sapphire Blue shade might draw you in if the WiFi enhancement wasn't enough to convince you to upgrade from your 8300. Of course, this is all a bit less enticing now that options like the Bold (and the likely arrival of the 8900) exist, but hey -- better late than never, right? It's going for $149.99 with a two-year contract and a mail-in rebate, or $399.99 if you're just dying to pay full retail and have stacks and stacks of cash lying around. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] AT&T rolls out BlackBerry Curve 8320 at long last originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

More shots of Lenovo's Android-powered OPhone: 'love on the rocks, with no ice' Posted: 16 Dec 2008 11:58 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Others, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, Android What goes down easy with a gorgeous cellphone that'll probably never leave China's borders? Stately rocks, of course. The Android-powered "OPhone" is quite the sight to behold, and while the Lenovo logo may not look quite right to American eyes, we're sure you could learn to love it in time. We're also finding out a bit more about the unit's internals, as it will include a 5-megapixel camera (with Auto Focus and flash), a microSD card slot, English / Chinese input via virtual keyboard, a video recorder and Bluetooth 2.0. Check the read link for a few more angles, and just in case you're wondering, no touchscreens were harmed during the shoot. More shots of Lenovo's Android-powered OPhone: 'love on the rocks, with no ice' originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nokia's ravishingly red E63 gets unboxed on video Posted: 16 Dec 2008 11:30 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA We already know just how classically sexy Nokia's E63 is, but there's just something in the pits of our stomachs that gets revved up by a video unboxing. Even more so when the handset is draped in a seductive red coating. If you're in the mood for a pinch of Nokia-style teasing, head on past the break, dim the lights, fire up a few candles and mash play. Or just the latter if you're short on time and motivation. Continue reading Nokia's ravishingly red E63 gets unboxed on video Nokia's ravishingly red E63 gets unboxed on video originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Crazy AT&T gets $150 refurb'd iPhone 3G in stock, will club a baby seal if you don't buy one Posted: 16 Dec 2008 10:57 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, ATT, Apple, OS X If Walmart's $197 iPhone 3G had you salivating, wait until you get ahold of this deal: AT&T has refurbished iPhone 3Gs in stock for a mere $150, effectively doubling your rice and ramen budget for the month should you take the plunge. AT&T claims the refurbs were returned within the 30 day trial period, are quality tested, and might be just a little scuffed up. If you're really feeling wild, there's also a 16GB refurb available for $250. Apple and AT&T are being a little shady on the warranty, stating "90 days or more," as opposed to the standard one year, but that's a risk you and your growling stomach are just going to have to take. [Via Cnet] Crazy AT&T gets $150 refurb'd iPhone 3G in stock, will club a baby seal if you don't buy one originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Neoi 906E is world's first, thinnest, most beautiful, most calculator-esque QWERTY phone Posted: 16 Dec 2008 09:49 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Others, GSM We like to keep a positive attitude around here, so we're trying not to be overly um... skeptical about this one, even though "World's" followed by anything awesome (in this case "thinnest," and "first micro sized Java J2Me hand phone") sets off a few alarms. The Neoi 906E, at least in the renders, is an exceedingly thin GSM / GPRS handset with a QWERTY keyboard, though beyond that, it's all pretty unimpressive and run of the mill. It's got an MP3 player, a camera, a microSD slot, plus some shortcut keys on the upper right of the phone, but details about its actual specs are a bit sparse. It's not clear when or where the 906E is going to be available, but it doesn't seem like Neoi plans to cut out the middle man -- the minimum order number is 500. [Thanks, Fredrik J] Neoi 906E is world's first, thinnest, most beautiful, most calculator-esque QWERTY phone originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mystery T-swivel handset identified as Compal Tabasco Posted: 16 Dec 2008 08:47 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Others, Palm It looks like that obscure Korean handset we spotted a week or so ago has been identified as a MID from Compal with the unlikely name of Tabasco. The images we saw were shot at Computex 2008 in June, and this is what Blog Times has to say about it: the non functioning prototype sports a rear facing 3.2 megapixel camera with 2x optical zoom and a flash, a front-facing webcam, and it measures about 6.3 x 3.3 x 1.3-inches with a 4.5 or 5-inch screen. It's impossible to determine the device's processor, OS or storage capacity at the this time -- so it seems that, after all this, the handheld is still something of a mystery. Of course, it could always turn out to be that fresh breath of Palm New-ness we've been warned of -- after all, it's been rumored that the company placed a significant order with Compal way back in August. Perhaps we'll find out at CES. [Via Pocketables] Mystery T-swivel handset identified as Compal Tabasco originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Palm introduces Software Store for WinMo / Palm OS devices Posted: 16 Dec 2008 08:01 AM CST Filed under: Games, Software, Palm, Palm OS, Windows Mobile Apple's doing it. RIM's doing it. Google's doing it. Heck, even Microsoft might be doing it. As the peer pressure mounts, Palm has finally decided to cave and introduce its very own applications market place, which is simply being christened Software Store. Oddly, it looks as if Palm farmed out the production of said store to one PocketGear, but we're assured that the app will hum along just fine on over 25 Windows Mobile / Palm OS-based Palm devices. Available for download as we speak, it offers up over 5,000 apps and games, 1,000 of which are completely free. Hmm, we wonder if Palm's keeping a Nova-compatible version in its back pocket? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Palm pinged us to say that this is actually the very same software store that has been around, it's just a sweet looking veneer to make accessing it easier. Palm introduces Software Store for WinMo / Palm OS devices originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung SGH-T929 (Memoir) shuffles through FCC on its way to T-Mobile Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:45 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA Mr. Blurrycam delivers again. The not-at-all-clear shots we saw of a fabled Memoir last week look to be the real deal, as evidenced by the matching shape in the image above and whispers from a nearby gnome. The Samsung SGH-T929 -- which will still likely be sold under the aforementioned Memoir label -- is apparently making a beeline for T-Mobile, or at least that's the vibe we get when seeing a 1,700MHz HSDPA band mentioned. Reportedly, the handset is a "slightly different version of the Samsung Pixon," and it should pack an 8-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 and aGPS when it arrives. Hold tight, T-Mob faithful -- it just can't be long now. [Via UnwiredView] Samsung SGH-T929 (Memoir) shuffles through FCC on its way to T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone 3G finally unlocked by the Dev-Team! Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:43 AM CST Filed under: Software, Apple, OS X Well this has been a long time coming. It seems that the iPhone Dev-Team has finally done the impossible -- they've gone and unlocked the iPhone 3G. The hack isn't out yet (the team says they're shooting for a December 31st release), and it requires that you've got a baseband of 2.11.07 or earlier, but when it drops, the crew seems fairly confident it will result in freedom from carrier oppression. The team is packaging the app -- formerly codenamed "yellowsn0w" -- into a user-friendly app a la PwnageTool and QuickPwn. Of course, you know how this cat and mouse game goes by now, so don't be surprised when Jobs and company come calling with an update that adds toast making to the official menu, but breaks your breaks all over again. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] iPhone 3G finally unlocked by the Dev-Team! originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motorola A3000 (Atila) gets official-ish... for China Posted: 16 Dec 2008 06:50 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA Rumors were rampant that Motorola's touchscreen-based Atila would be launching somewhere in the wide world next quarter, and said whispers are shaping up to be right on target. The typically reliable iDNES has it that the A3000 (same device, people) has been certified for use by China's telecommunications authority, which pretty much signals that it'll be on sale in the not-too-distant future. Specs wise, we're told to expect a 528MHz processor, Windows Mobile running the show, Bluetooth, a microSDHC card slot and a QVGA display. It's not certain the cost nor the exact release date, but we'd say that should all be much clearer at CES. Hear that Moto? Much clearer at CES. Motorola A3000 (Atila) gets official-ish... for China originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motorola i9 gets detailed in official shots Posted: 16 Dec 2008 03:16 AM CST Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Sprint If this were anything but an iDEN phone, we'd be laying into it for looking like a circa-2007 RAZR 2 clone (which it essentially is), but for a Nextel Direct Connect piece, this is as good as it's ever gotten. Official pictures of the i9 are now available from Motorola, some of which clearly show Nextel branding -- not to say that we'd expect iDEN's single biggest customer to bypass Motorola's single awesomest iDEN phone, but it's a reassuring confirmation for potential buyers nonetheless. We don't have a release date handy yet, so let's hope we can get some hands-on time at CES, especially since it's been just about a year since we first saw this thing. [Via Unwired View] Gallery: Motorola i9 gets detailed in official shots Motorola i9 gets detailed in official shots originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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