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Boingo launches worldwide WiFi service -- just for mobile phones
3GSM is cranking along and so are the carrier and manufacturer announcements. Among one of the brightest ones today has been the announcement that Boingo Wireless -- the world's leading wholesale network aggregator (fancy term for WiFi ISP) -- will soon unveil the "Boingo Mobile" service to provide what appears to be the first global WiFi Internet service. Sounds rather solid -- but it gets even better because Boingo Mobile is specifically designed for WiFi phones and devices as opposed to dedicated computers and computing devices (not that there's anything wrong with the 802.11n lappy). So, you have a feast for that newer UMA handset and have looked for a solution that goes beyond that slower-than-I'll-get-out HSDPA access? If you're near on of the thousands of Boingo WiFi hotspots around the world, you can tap into the Boingo Mobile network at the flat rate of USD $7.95 per month by visting mobile.boingo.com/download to get Boingo's free software and to check for mobile handset / device compatibility (hint -- WM5 is all for now). It's great to see a global WiFi operator differentiate -- and treat -- two different uses of WiFi at separate and appropriate price levels, since, ya know, not many are BitTorrenting from their handsets these days.
Samsung shows off Mobile WiMAX wares at 3GSM
Sprint has apparently gotten a few of its disparate Mobile WiMax partners to play nice with each other at least for a little while, with Samsung, Intel, Motorola, and Nokia all sharing a booth at this week's 3GSM conference to help spread the WiMax word. For its part, Samsung has trotted out three WiMax-ready devices, including two handsets we've seen before and a new USB dongle to bring some of that wireless broadband goodness to your laptop (or desktop, if you choose). Likely to attract the most attention is the company's SPH-P9000 "UMPC-like" device, running on Windows XP and packing a 5-inch display, 1GHz Transmeta CPU, 30GB hard drive, a foldable QWERTY keyboard and, of course, those integrated Mobile WiMax capabilities, with some good 'ol EV-DO to back it up. The also-on-display SPH-M8100 wraps that Mobile WiMax into a more traditional form factor, running on Windows Mobile 5.0 and packing a 2.8-inch display, 2 megapixel camera, and T-DMB mobile TV capabilities. Rounding out the WiMax lineup, Samsung's USB dongle is about as straightforward as you'd expect it to be, with a UICC slot to accommodate your phone's SIM card and a handy LED to let you know that it's working. Mac users are apparently out of luck with this one, however, as it's strictly Windows-only for the time being. In addition to showing off its wares, Samsung also confirmed that it's currently conducting seven Mobile WiMax trials with various partners, with more planned for later this year, though there's no indication exactly when or where.
Omnifone announces MusicStation: unlimited mobile tunes, one price
UK-based Omnifone is using 3GSM today as the backdrop to announce its intriguing "MusicStation" service, promising an all-you-can-eat serving of music delivered over the air to handsets for £1.99 (about $3.88) a week -- about 8 quid a month, if our math's right. According to the company itself, Omnifone's goal is to get its service onto customer's handsets ahead of the iPhone's European launch at the end of the year, and if we have a good read on how well the iPhone's going to sell, we think that's a pretty good plan on its part. The first two operators to sign up for a MusicStation launch (of an alleged 23 in total) are Scandinavian carrier Telenor and South Africa's Vodacom, with several more European launches plan over the course of the year. The music selection may not be half bad, either, with a number of independent labels signed up alongside Universal. Music can be kept as long as the user maintains service, though the downside -- as with every other all-you-can-eat download service -- is that the tunes evaporate into thin air just as soon as it's canceled. All told, not a bad alternative to the offerings we've seen from carriers Statside so far, and with 23 operators apparently on the hook, we have to believe (read: hope) one or two might be on American soil.[Via MocoNews]
Hands-on with Samsung's Ultra Edition II 12.1, 10.9, and 5.9
We caught Samsung showing off their new Ultra Editions today at 3GSM, too; as we expected, the 12.1 (U700), 10.9 (U600), and 5.9 (U100) were there and sleek as hell. Did we mention we also got a shot of the F700 in there? Because we did. Unfortunately, it was behind a glass case. Ok, well, Samsung was smart about that, we might have made off with it if it wasn't under lock and key. Gallery: Hands-on with Samsung's Ultra Edition II 12.1, 10.9, and 5.9
MOTOKRZR K3 with 3G gets official
No surprises here: we got wind of an upcoming 3G MOTOKRZR K3 with 2 megapixel camera in January, and by golly that's what Motorola is delivering. Of course, the looks are pretty much in line with the original KRZR, other than some missing external media controls and, of course, the fact that this one actually does stuff. For radios, Motorola finally has the HSDPA and UMTS that should've been in here from the start, along with stereo Bluetooth, and things get extra fun with the rear-facing 2 megapixel camera and the front-facing VGA camera designed for video calls. The phone also includes 50MB of available built-in memory, a microSD slot, 2-inch QVGA display and some decent media playback and recording capabilities. Moto should be pushing this one out in Q1 2007.
Samsung's Ultra Smart F520: HSDPA touchscreen with dual-sliding action
Surely you remember Samsung's Ultra Smart F700 HSDPA QWERTY, right? Well, check their latest Ultra Smart, the F520. Just how smart is it? Well, to start with, it's a dual slider offering both a full QWERTY and numeric keypad depending upon your need. Next, it packs Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera with flash, and a 262k color, 3-inch, 480 x 272 touch-screen display. It brings pretty much all the audio and video format support you'll need and microSD to store your goods. It features a Flash UI with document viewer and full HTML browser all bundled in a sleek 104.8 x 53.7 x 17.4-mm piece of kit. It even features dedicated hot-launch keys for TV (DMB?), Internet and Music. Alas, it's only tri-band GSM / EDGE and 2100MHz HSDPA. Still, pretty smart when it arrives around September. How you like them apples, Apple?%Gallery-1593%
Hands-on with Nokia's E90 and E61i
We had only a few brief, fleeing moments with Nokia's new powerhouse E90 mega mobile communicator, but it should come as no surprise that we liked what we saw -- a lot. Sure, it's a little mammoth, kind of like two phones sandwiched together -- but that's the price you pay for real ultimate power. Oh yeah, we saw the E61i, too -- not a whole lot going on there, we're all pretty well familiar with how that one goes, having seen and used the E61. Gallery: Hands-on with Nokia's E90 and E61i
Yep, we're at 3GSM World Congress
Just in case y'all haven't noticed, yeah, our boys at Engadget Spanish are hitting up 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona -- the largest cellphone trade show in the world -- covering all the new hotness. Of course, our front-page news coverage is only the biggest phone news you need to see, but for complete 3GSM coverage, as always check out Engadget Mobile. If you're only interested in 3GSM news, check out our 3GSM feed and tag: engadgetmobile.com/tag/3gsm and engadgetmobile.com/tag/3gsm/rss.xml
Toshiba's G900 and E01 with Windows Mobile 6
Toshiba's new duo may not steal the show together, but the G900 is officially ready to help redefine high-end smartphone devices. The behemoth features, as we mentioned an utterly unreal 3-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, rear biometric scanner, 2 megapixel rear camera, front-facing video conferencing camera, 64MB of internal memory, miniSD expansion, tri-band HSDPA (yes!), 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, USB, video calling, and USB On-The-Go. The E01 is far more lower end, but still manages HSDPA, a 65k color display, A2DP Bluetooth, and that same 2 megapixel camera. We're still missing out on pricing and launch details, but for now you can still check out the gallery below for more pics, including a couple side-by-sides. Gallery: Toshiba WM6 devices
Motorola's new Qs: Q gsm and Q q9
Nokia's got their E61i, and Motorola's got their Q. Not just any ol' Q though, today they've the new Q, two of them actually: the MOTO Q q9 (pictured left) and MOTO Q gsm (on right). The 11.8-mm thin q9 brings quad-band EDGE and HSDPA to this Windows Mobile 6 device for accessing all your PlaysForSure media over the air or stored in either the side-loading microSD card or 256MB of on-board memory. It also brings a USB 2.0 jack and 320 x 240 pixel display which automatically adjusts for indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. The q9 is capable of capturing video at 30fps off it's integrated 2 megapixel camera with LED light. It also brings plenty of multimedia power to the table with A2DP stereo Bluetooth audio and support for all the audio and video formats associated with the latest edition of WinMo. The MOTO Q gsm then is just what you expect: quad-band GSM and EDGE on a WinMo 6 OS. It brings a slightly different design including a thumb-wheel for navigation. The Q q9 is expected by Q2 with the quad-band Q gsm on the way in the second half of 2007.Update: It turns out the device on the left is the q9 -- the more advanced of Motorola's GSM-radioed Qs, while the one on the right is the more pedestrian Q gsm. Makes sense to us, considering the q9's redone (sexier?) cosmetics. Our apologies for the confusion! Motorola's new Qs: Q gsm and Q q9
ASUS Aries
Either we're dreaming a lovely dream, or phone manufacturers are finally starting to embrace the concept of tri-band UMTS; for the sake of speed-loving Americans everywhere, we're hoping it's the latter. The "Aries" from ASUS will come bearing all the sweet, sweet fruits of Windows Mobile 6 Standard (that's like Smartphone, for you WM5-toting gals and gents) combined with UMTS on the 850, 1900, and 2100MHz bands for global coverage. Other features include a true scroll wheel (none of that Excalibur-style touch strip action here), 2 megapixel camera, front facing secondary cam for video calls, 520MHz XScale processor, and -- in the event you couldn't deduce it from the pictures -- a QWERTY keypad. We're told the Aries clocks in just a hair wider and thicker than the Excalibur, and if we're going to get global 3G in exchange, well, we're just fine with that. If in-the-flesh shots of phones aren't your thing, peep a decidedly more conceptual view of the Aries after the break!
Nokia's 6110 quad-band HSDPA GPS navigator
It's not just raining N and E-series devices today in Espoo Barcelona. Nokia also unveiled their Nokia 6110 navigator, their second device of the day -- after the E90 -- to flaunt both GPS and HSDPA data. The S60-based 6110 combines GPS and AGPS (assisted GPS) with quad-band GSM/EDGE and UMTS 2100 for up to 3.6Mbps of hot HSDPA data. This beast brings a 2.2-inch QVGA display throwin' 16 million colors, a 2 megapixel camera with sliding lens cover and flash, and MicroSD expansion to augment the onboard 40MB. The handset touts a 3.5-hour (GSM) and 2.5-hours (3G) talk-time or up to 11 days (GSM and 3G) of standby. The 6110 is expected to ship in Q2 for an estimated pre-tax, pre-carrier-subsidy price of €450/$583. A few more pics after the break.
Neonode's N2: the iPhone is just "following" its lead
We knew the announcement was coming, now here's the product: the Neonode N2. According to Neonode's 3GSM press release, "Apple's iPhone and several other manufactures" are just "following the lead set by Neonode." Of course, they are referring to their N1 which stuttered onto the scene back in 2004. Hyperbole aside, the quad-band GSM / GPRS N2 does look pretty sweet bringing MiniSD support to store your media, a 2 megapixel camera, and a 2-inch, 176 x 220, 65k color, and of course a touch-screen display all boxed up in a small 47x77x14.7-mm / 70-gram package. We'll try to get a hands-on of a working prototype from our crew in Barcelona later today. Until then, color us skeptics... we've been burned by our Neonode enthusiasm before.
Nokia's E61i QWERTY and E65 slider announced: some style for the suits
We knew they were coming and now, finally, Nokia went and blessed their quad-band GSM / UMTS / WiFi totin' E61i and E65 official. The E65 is the first slider to drop as an E-series business device. Although the styling is a bit flash for an E, this slider is designed with suits in mind so it'll integrate just fine with your corporate telephony system. The E61i (pictured) also integrates with your corporate email system -- as you'd expect from QWERTY-based E -- and adds a 2 megpapixel camera to the mix as well as an enhanced keyboard which includes new NAVI and "One Touch" keys. Both the E65 and E61i feature Nokia's new Intellisync Mobile Suite 8.0 platform which, according to Nokia, allows businesses to "achieve new levels of productivity and competitive advantage." We'll just have to wait and see about that. The E65 is already available in select markets while the E61i won't pop until Q2 -- both S60 devices will demand an unsubsidized price of about €400. You can peep the E65 after the break.
Nokia's N77 with DVB-H mobile TV
If Nokia's high-end N-Series multimedia phones computers are just a tad too beaucoup for you and yours, then check their newly launched 3G N77 handset. This N is supposed to bung right smack in the middle of mobile TV devices. Like any good Nokia it packs DVB-H mobile broadcast technology and runs S60 3rd Edition beneath that 2.4-inch, 16 million color display. It packs a 2 megapixel camera, integrated stereo speakers and standard 3.5-mm headphone jack, visual radio, and support for MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA media. This tri-band GSM / EDGE with UMTS 2100 MHz handset starts shipping in Q2 to "countries were DVB-H services are available" for a pre-tax, unsubsidized price of about €370 / $481. One more picture after the break.
Nokia's E90 communicator launched!
You saw the first photos right here on Engadget. Now, Nokia brings the official specs on their S60-series E90 Communicator. Like we heard, it brings quad-band GSM, WiFi, and HSDPA radios along with a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash (and second up front for video calls). Better yet, it does indeed pack integrated GPS and Nokia Maps for all you corporate jet-setters. Expect the E90 to hit in Q2 (volume shipments in Q3) for an unsubsidized price of between "750-800" -- they don't say but we're thinking that's euros or about $1000 of the green stuff. Damn, best put this one on the corporate account where it belongs.%Gallery-1584%
Motorola's MOTORIZR Z8: a Symbian "kick-slider" with HSDPA
What a difference a profile shot makes, eh? Say hello again, to Motorola's 3G MOTORIZR Z8 -- the first ever "kick slider" sporting a new form factor meant to more confortably fit the profile of your face. This pup packs a Symbian (yes, Symbian) OS and up to 3.6Mbps HSDPA data in a 15.3-mm thin form factor. It delivers a 1.4 x 2-inch, QVGA 16 million color display and 2 megapixel camera around back (VGA cam up front for video calls) with the ability to record in either MPEG-4 or 3gp (for MMS). It also sports 90MB of internal memory with MiroSD expansion to store even more pictures, video, or MP3 audio; A2DP stereo Bluetooth audio; and up to 5-hours of 3G talk time or up to 16 days standby. Again, no mention of such trivialities as the frequencies supported, but the BSkyB partnership is a pretty good hint that the UK and Europe will be first in line for the Z8 when it pops in April. More pics after the break.
Motorola's SLVR L9 brings the multimedia
Motorola just busted out their new SLVR L9 handset in Barcelona. The latest SLVR ditches the laser etched keypad and brings a focus on multimedia with an integrated FM radio with RDS support, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, and support for MP3/AAC/AAC+/AAC+ enhanced/ AMR/ WAV ringtones and music. It also comes packin' a 2 megapixel camera with MPEG-4 video capture and Moto's CrystalTalk technology said to enhance conversations in noisy environments. No word on whether this is a tri-band or quad-band SLVR, only that it sports GPRS/EDGE class 10 data. It also features microSD and MegaSIM expansion and up to 400 minutes of talk time and 350 hours of standby time. Ready sometime in Q2... somewhere in the world. More images after the break.
Samsung's Ultra Edition II series loosed at 3GSM: U300, U600, U100, and U700
What better way to kick off 3GSM than with a shotgun blast of second generation Samsung Ultra Editions. Don't worry, it won't hurt... much, these are Ultra IIs which means they're ultra slim. All the phones start with tri-band GSM, Bluetooth, and that new 3 megapixel shooter we've been expecting. The thinster of the bunch is of course the "world's thinnest" 5.9-mm U100 candybar we've already seen. Next up is 9.6-mm U300 clamshell which packs a 2.2-inch, 240 x 320 TFT internal display (98 x 16 OLED external) and 70MB of on-board storage. Bumping things up by a millimeter comes what Samsung calls the "crown jewel" of the pack, the 10.9-mm U600 slider (pictured second from the left). It ships in sapphire blue, garnet red, platinum metal and copper gold. Get it, "crown jewel!" Uh hem. The U600 comes brandishing a fourth band, a 3.1 megapixel camera, 2.2-inch 240 x 320 TFT display, Bluetooth 2.0, and 60MB of on-board storage with microSD expansion. Last up is the 12.1-mm U700 3G slider (far right) whose biggest claim to fame is 3.6Mbps HSDPA data and microSD expansion. All are expected to hit Europe before March with some hope of that quad-band U600 coming Stateside.%Gallery-1582%
i-mate adds splash of color, WM6 to SPL
It looks like i-mate's SLVR-like Smartphone, the TechFaith-sourced SPL, has gone to finishing school and learned a few new tricks in the process. First up, the phone will now be offered in red, blue and pink -- all welcome additions to the slightly less-exciting gloss black launched back at CTIA last fall -- but that's only half the story. The other (arguably more interesting) half is that we're seeing shots of the phones bearing Windows Mobile 6 Standard, and while no announcement is being made at 3GSM regarding available of the re-upped OS on this particular device, we reckon it's a good sign for the future. Internally, the new colors look exactly the same as the original model -- meaning that 3G, EDGE, and GSM 850 are all no-shows -- but really, who doesn't want a bright red candybar rocking Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel cam, 128MB of Flash, 64MB of RAM, and the platform formerly known as Crossbow? Hit up the gallery for more shots of the full SPL prism! i-mate's SPL in color
