February 26, 2010

Engadget Mobile

Engadget Mobile

Nokia C6 gets FCC approval, launching at CeBIT?

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 03:18 PM PST

Say you're Nokia. Well, you can't be Nokia since Nokia's an inanimate concept; say you're Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo. What'd be a good show to use as a backdrop for a new low-end line of smartphones, none of which are likely to generate a ton of buzz? Why, the monstrous fairgrounds of CeBIT, of course! There's a bit of creative wording in the official Nokia Conversations newsletter that would seem to indicate the long-rumored Cseries is finally ready to bow:
"Of course, we don't comment on rumours or leaks, but we are looking forward to C BIT for the next series of Nokia announcements. Right we're off to pack our rucksacks and lederhosen, C you there."
Get it? All those "C" references? Yeah, looks like a lock. We don't know what phones will be shown off, but the most likely candidates are the C5 and C6, the latter of which could have some legs as an E72 alternative. Speaking of the C6, it was just approved by the FCC this week, complete with 850, 1900, and 2100MHz 3G -- so don't you worry, AT&T folks, this'll work just fine for you when it launches. Stay tuned, because CeBIT is just days away.

Nokia C6 gets FCC approval, launching at CeBIT? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus One coming to Vodafone UK in April, says Telegraph

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:43 PM PST

Without citing its sources, the Telegraph is reporting matter-of-factly that the Nexus One will launch on Vodafone in April for a to-be-determined price, though it's "likely to be priced very similarly to comparable smartphones such as the iPhone." It's no secret that Vodafone's picking up Google's Snapdragon-powered beast -- but we've yet to lock it down to a 30-day window like this, so it's progress. Coincidentally, this is going to collide head-to-head with the European release of the Desire, HTC's remix of the Nexus One with Sense and an optical pad thrown in, so it'll be fascinating to see which of these monsters comes out on top at retail.

[Thanks, Charles]

Nexus One coming to Vodafone UK in April, says Telegraph originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Milestone skipping on music playback, perfect for Billy Joel's 'Movin' Out'

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 01:11 PM PST

For a device with as much superphone street cred as the Milestone, you'd think a basic task like listening to music through the headphone jack would be a cakewalk. No problems, right? So straightforward, really, that it's not even worth testing thoroughly -- and therein lies the problem, it seems. Milestone owners on both sides of the pond are reporting en masse that music playback occasionally skips over the jack -- though stereo Bluetooth, ironically a more CPU-taxing operation, seems to be fine. For many owners, particularly those who don't carry a separate PMP, that can totally be a deal-breaker. It's said you can work around the issue by putting the phone into airplane mode, which effectively makes it a dedicated PMP anyhow -- not an optimal solution, right? Yeah, Moto, this seriously isn't shaping up to be your week, so let's just make sure you earn some brownie points with awesome customer service through this rough patch.

[Thanks, Vlad G.]

Motorola Milestone skipping on music playback, perfect for Billy Joel's 'Movin' Out' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flash 10.1 snubbing non-ARMv7 Android devices, too? (update: yes)

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 12:49 PM PST

The same Adobe employee who mentioned on Adobe's official forums that Flash 10.1 would be blowing right past Windows Mobile 6.5 made another notable comment, too: on Android, they'll be conveniently overlooking devices that aren't based on an ARMv7 core like a Snapdragon or OMAP3 -- in other words, pretty much every device of consequence except the Nexus One, HTC Desire, Acer Liquid, Motorola Droid / Milestone, and Sony Ericsson X10. At this point, we're starting to get a little suspicious -- this is the same company that proudly demoed the Hero's custom-rolled Flash support last year, after all, and there'll be no shortage of devices using Qualcomm's MSM7x27 line of chipsets in 2010 -- so we're holding out for some additional verification on this. Granted, forum mod Jochem van Dieten refers to the commenter specifically as an Adobe employee and he's got a Plaxo profile identifying him as a product manager, but this is pretty wild news if accurate. We'll update you as we know more.

Update: Indeed, PC Magazine points out that Adobe's current verbiage is that Flash 10.1 is going to require Cortex A8 "or better." So much for the "open" in Open Screen Project, eh?

Flash 10.1 snubbing non-ARMv7 Android devices, too? (update: yes) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Windows Mobile 6.5 to become Windows Phone Starter Edition

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 12:26 PM PST

Windows Phone 7 Series might have been the big news out of Mobile World Congress this year, but it looks like Windows Mobile 6.5 will live on as the basis of Windows Phone Starter Edition. We'd already heard some whispers to that effect, but now it's been confirmed by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, who got some answers about the stripped-down mobile OS directly from Redmond. It's obviously designed to be a cheaper alternative for developing and emerging markets, much like Windows 7 Starter on the desktop, and it'll come in versions with and without Office Mobile preloaded when it ships on devices later this year. (Office 2010 will be included when it's officially released.) Here's the odd thing, though: when asked which features of 6.5 have been stripped to create Starter, MS replied with a list of radio support that conspicuously omits HSDPA 3G, but includes EV-DO. Simple typo, or an attempt to force international adoption of WinPho 7 in developed countries with 3G networks? We'll do some digging and find out.

P.S.- Just to be clear here, it appears that the family will be Windows Phone 7 Series, and then potentially two WinMo 6.5 products: Windows Phone Classic and Windows Phone Starter Edition. Only Starter has actually been confirmed at this time, though, and we still don't know exactly how Microsoft is going to organize all of this and sell it. We'll keep you updated.

Confirmed: Windows Mobile 6.5 to become Windows Phone Starter Edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm's webOS 1.4 emerges: screenshots galore

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:16 AM PST

We heard (momentarily) that Sprint was fixing to roll webOS 1.4 out to Palm devices starting today, and it seems as if one particular Pre Central forum member has stumbled upon the software early. We've already shown you the full changelog, but if you're too anxious to wait for your own OTA alert, hit up the source link for a deep dive into webOS 1.4 screenshots. Oh, and there's a video recorded within 1.4 just after the break -- huzzah!

Continue reading Palm's webOS 1.4 emerges: screenshots galore

Palm's webOS 1.4 emerges: screenshots galore originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus One hits FCC again, this time in CDMA trim

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 10:53 AM PST

Remember how we figured out that an AT&T 3G-equipped Nexus One had stumbled its way into FCC certification not long ago? Using the same logic -- mainly label shape and model number -- we can safely say that this latest version to get approval is the dual-band CDMA variant that's almost certainly destined for Verizon within the next few months. There's not terribly much to see in the filing, but hey, take solace in knowing they've cleared this crucial bureaucratic hurdle (of course, Verizon's infamous internal testing is another bureaucratic hurdle altogether).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nexus One hits FCC again, this time in CDMA trim originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vodafone turns recycled phones into geek chic

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 10:22 AM PST

Perhaps giving up on extracting every last juicy nugget of copper, tin, and awesomeness out of customers' trashed phones after they've been turned in for recycling, Vodafone is turning to a decidedly more low-tech solution: jewelry. As of next month, it looks like some Voda locales will be getting baubles fashioned from old handsets' green innards -- not to say we've ever necessarily wanted a Terminator-esque owl hanging from our keychain, but at just 120 koruny each ($6), we might be convinced to buy anyhow. Who knows, maybe we'd get our old phone back, and you know what they say: if you love it, let it go... yeah, you know the rest.

Vodafone turns recycled phones into geek chic originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola CLIQs falling victim to latest firmware? (updated with official statement)

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 09:02 AM PST

Haven't willfully submitted to the CLIQ's new update yet? Well, you might want to hold off, because it looks like the new code is causing more heartache than good. A variety of reports on T-Mobile's official support forums echo the same overarching complaint, which is that messaging is a disaster zone ever since version 1.3.18 took hold -- long freezes when using the messaging app or widget, messages not getting sent or being sent multiple times -- basically all the things you really don't want to happen on a device that touts its social connectedness. For what it's worth, we've personally seen this happen on a CLIQ since the update, so we know there's something going on here; T-Mobile says that the complaints have been "forwarded... to the appropriate people," so hopefully we'll see some resolution soon. In the meantime, users experiencing issues are advised to not perform a master reset -- important advice, considering that's one of the first fixes many users might entertain.

Update: Follow the break for the full details from Motorola -- it looks like a date issue where the year gets stuck on 1969 is priority one for them, but they've got a workaround set up until a new OTA update's ready. Messaging issues may be alleviated by clearing out your backlogs -- if you've got too many old messages, it sounds like this could be bogging things down.

Continue reading Motorola CLIQs falling victim to latest firmware? (updated with official statement)

Motorola CLIQs falling victim to latest firmware? (updated with official statement) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Mini 5 to be the vanguard of 'a family of tablets'

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 07:29 AM PST

Well isn't this good to know. The Mini 5 isn't even coming out for at least another month, yet already we're hearing Dell has big plans for what's to follow. Wired has the dish straight from Neeraj Choubey, GM of Dell's tablet division, that there will be "a family of tablets" which will "scale up to a variety of sizes." It appears there will be a common feature set throughout the forthcoming portfolio, so it's likely going to be Android all the way, while Choubey also shared his company's intention to bundle "inexpensive data plans" with the new devices -- indicating a belief that carriers will accede to such ambitious ideas. And speaking of network operators, in a separate interview with Laptop, the loquacious gentleman has confirmed that Dell's working with AT&T on bringing the Mini 5 to the masses. Good to know, indeed -- now how about a release date?

Dell Mini 5 to be the vanguard of 'a family of tablets' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Symbian^4 makes video debut, fails to wow

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:11 AM PST

Maybe it's the lack of a banging soundtrack, but we're finding ourselves somewhat underwhelmed by these first video appearances by the highly anticipated Symbian^4 user interface. What we're shown is a now familiar layout for touchscreen devices, with a trio of home screens that can be customized with widgets and live information trinkets such as a clock and a weather app. It is, as promised, very touch-centric, but it is by no means revolutionary. Both videos are titled as mere "first glimpse" offerings, however, so the eternal optimist in us likes to believe that there'll be plenty more to get excited about as we move closer to that early 2011 launch. See them after the break and let us know what you think.

Continue reading Symbian^4 makes video debut, fails to wow

Symbian^4 makes video debut, fails to wow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG GW990 shows up on video, competes with HTC HD2 for camera's attention

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 03:32 AM PST

When people say the smartphone market is growing, they don't usually mean literally, but looking at the massive popularity of HTC's HD2 whopper, and the anticipation surrounding Dell's Mini 5 and LG's GW990, it's pretty safe to say there is a market for oversized and overpowered (is there such a thing?) handsets. The Moorestown-powered GW990 has made another video appearance, this time showing off its multi-screen functionality and not altogether smooth pinch-to-zoom skills. We're reminded this Mobile Internet Device (a title that's inscribed on its case) will run Moblin (now known as MeeGo), before a HD2 is whipped out for a showdown between super-sized smartphones. It's really quite a sight. After all that excitement is done, the video continues on to take a look at the forthcoming GT540 Android handset and Mini GD880, giving you all the more reason to click past the break for a viewing.

[Thanks, Iacopo]

Continue reading LG GW990 shows up on video, competes with HTC HD2 for camera's attention

LG GW990 shows up on video, competes with HTC HD2 for camera's attention originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Survey says: Android users mostly male, webOS not just for women, iPod touch for kids

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 12:01 AM PST

Jump down off that scud missile and holster your brew Droid owners, the stats are in for smartphone gender preferences. The numbers reported above are based on a AdMob survey of 963 total respondents consisting of 318 Android, 244 iPhone, 356 iPod touch and 45 webOS users in english speaking countries. According to the data collected between 5 February to the 16 February, men make up a whopping 73% of all Android device users. Even webOS, that smartphone OS from Palm that's supposedly aimed at the ladies carries a 58% male to 42% female preference, almost exactly the same as the iPhone. While it would be easy to suggest that Verizon's overtly machismo advertising campaign for Droid (one of the most popular Android handsets) helped skew the demographics, it doesn't explain why its Palm ads targeting women failed to skew the webOS numbers. Perhaps it's an unspoken man on robot love that we all recognize as truth but choose not to discuss openly for fear of reprisal? Or maybe it's a lack of recognition for what Asian marketing geniuses figured out long ago: a device has to be pink and glittery with just a touch of lace to woo the more fickle tastes of the female demographic. Uh, yeah.

Also of interest is the Age by Platform data that shows 78% of iPod touch users are below the age of 25 compared to 25% of iPhone users and 24% of webOS and Android users. In fact, 65% of the platform are just 17 years of age or younger. That would explain the demand for all the biscuit floating apps. See the chart after the break.

Continue reading Survey says: Android users mostly male, webOS not just for women, iPod touch for kids

Survey says: Android users mostly male, webOS not just for women, iPod touch for kids originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm boss Rubinstein sends letter to employees, talks turnaround

Posted: 25 Feb 2010 07:29 PM PST

There's very likely a little unrest inside Palm's corporate walls today on news that the company's falling a little short of its financial expectations, so CEO Jon Rubinstein has wasted no time firing off an all-employee letter explaining the sitch while trying to calm some nerves in the process. As analysts had feared, Rubinstein clearly isn't pleased with the way the company's launch on Verizon has gone -- but he's already got a plan in place involving some 200 "Brand Ambassadors" deployed to Verizon stores to help get reps the straight dope on Palm products and a refreshed ad campaign across several mediums. Is it enough? That remains to be seen, but in the meantime, he's quick to note that they've got around $500 million in cash in the bank just for a rainy day like this. There's an all-hands meeting scheduled for after Palm's earnings call next month -- would be interesting to be a fly on the wall for that, wouldn't it?

Continue reading Palm boss Rubinstein sends letter to employees, talks turnaround

Palm boss Rubinstein sends letter to employees, talks turnaround originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Supersonic (or Incredible) spotted on video?

Posted: 25 Feb 2010 06:21 PM PST

It's impossible to say with certainty what we're looking at here, but by all appearances, this is likely the first time most of you (and all of us) have seen HTC's so-called Supersonic on video. As a refresher, this is the phone rumored to be rocking Android, WiMAX, and pretty much every other spec line item you could possibly want for a date with destiny on Sprint later this year -- and while you can't make out much from the 40-second video, you can clearly make out the red earpiece grill we've seen in past pictures, suggesting that this isn't the similarly-equipped Incredible we've heard of for Verizon. Anyhow, care to get dinner and a movie sometime this Summer, Supersonic? Follow the break for the full video.

Update: ...and that was quick! Video's been pulled, but if it's any consolation, there's not much more to it than the screen grab above. We'll leave the video after the break just in case it comes back online.

Update 2: New video posted after the break! Yay! Also, commenters have astutely noted that there appears to be some sort of nav pad at the bottom of the phone, something the Supersonic lacks -- so perhaps this is the Incredible after all, or a third Android superphone out of HTC. Clearly, we're not complaining if that's the case.

Continue reading HTC Supersonic (or Incredible) spotted on video?

HTC Supersonic (or Incredible) spotted on video? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For Rogers, HTC Magic + Sense = Magic+

Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:44 PM PST

Thought that one of the first major Android devices in the world would go away without a fight? Think again! T-Mobile and Rogers have taken two very different roads to extend the lives of their HTC Sapphire-based devices. Big Magenta, of course, has opted to make a hardware tweak, adding a much-needed 3.5mm headphone jack and spitting out a faux wood limited edition; Rogers, meanwhile, rather suddenly updated the firmware with Sense. Oh, but that's not all -- it turns out that Rogers views the Sense upgrade as such a big deal that it's changing the name of the phone altogether, tacking a plus symbol on the end. Yep, that's right: meet the Magic+. Apart from Sense on 1.5 with a promise of 2.1 down the road, though, there's nothing materially new here, so don't feel too bad if you've been stuck with one of the plus-less models. No, seriously.

For Rogers, HTC Magic + Sense = Magic+ originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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at 6:13 PM