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CellPhone posts

LG GD910 watchphone to go on sale in UK this August

by Laura June, posted Jul 6th 2009 at 1:16PM

We don't know about anyone else, but we've been waiting on LG's GD910 ever since we first heard about it way back around CES. We've already heard that the watch / phone-loving combo would hit shelves sometime in July (that's now) in Europe, but it looks like it's going to be more like August -- at least in the UK. T3 says they've confirmed this with Orange (the GD910's exclusive carrier), and though the price remains unspecified, we're expecting it to cost somewhere between $1,000 and way-more-than-you-should-spend. We're not going to bother with the requisite Dick Tracy comments this time (though we'll freely admit we're somehow fond of the Warren Beatty disaster), but hit the read link for fuller details.

Video: iPhone 3GS gets professional shoulder mount, we giggle

by Laura June, posted Jun 25th 2009 at 1:16AM

So, the first time we watched this Macbreak video, we thought to ourselves, "now, this is downright silly" but the second time? Well... we probably won't be investing $300 in a pro Red Rocks Micro shoulder mount for any iPhone 3GSs anytime soon, but the video does demonstrate what we all already knew: if you stabilize an even decent mobile phone cam, the results are better than if you don't. Insane? Surely. Hit the second read link for the video.

[Via Wired]

Read - Video on the iPhone 3GS: How Far is Too Far?
Read - Video of iPhone 3GS with shoulder mount

Flash 10 for smartphone beta coming this October

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 6:44PM

It's been a while since we've heard a peep about Adobe's Flash 10 for smartphone initiative, but according to a slide from its Q2 Fiscal Year 2009 earnings presentation, the platform's on track for a beta release this October at the company's MAX conference. Prime mobile OS candidates for the beta include those from Adobe's Open Screen Project, which at last count included Nokia, Palm, Google, and Microsoft -- and unless there's been some behind closed doors meetings, the two glaring omissions on that list are still gonna be bugging you come this Halloween.

Nokia E72 prototype gets manhandled, torn asunder

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 20th 2009 at 1:42AM

If you stop to think, really, about how much we take pleasure in seeing pictures of phones get utterly dismembered, it's quite disturbing. So don't think about it, and instead hit up the read link for a gallery showcase copious amounts of a prototype Nokia E72 innards, ripped apart alongside an E71 (on the right in the image above) for comparative purposes. There's a very brief question-and-answer session just after the photos, but it's definitely not gonna keep you satisfied between now and its third quarter launch window.

Sony Ericsson bracelet phone concept unearthed in patent app

by Laura June, posted Jun 18th 2009 at 7:05PM

Yeah, we can probably safely leave this one in the file we found it in: you know, the one marked "never going to happen." Regardless, when we spied this little dude on Unwired View, we thought we'd pass along the weirdness. Unearthed in a Sony Ericsson patent application mysteriously dubbed "Mobile Terminal," what we have here is a bracelet mobile phone concept, sort of reminiscent of LG's infamous GD910 watch phone. This one's got some added fun in the form of keys on the side of the wristband for a fuller typing experience. Like we said, it's never going to happen, but that won't really stop us from hoping.

Samsung Blue Earth finally gets a hands-on treatment

by Laura June, posted Jun 17th 2009 at 12:39PM

We've been hearing about the Samsung Blue Earth -- an eco-phone, if you will -- since way back at MWC. Now CNET's finally gotten its hands on one at CommunicAsia in Singapore, and we have to say that we're pretty intrigued with what we're seeing. The back of the phone is covered with a solar panel, and Samsung says that one hour of sunning time for the mobile equals about 10 minutes of talk time. The handset also has a built-in pedometer to count steps for the Eco Walk carbon footprint app -- certainly something prospective buyers of the Blue Earth might be interested in. We still don't know full specs, pricing or availability for the phone, but we'll let you know when we do. Hit the read link for a video.

Nintendo: we're not making a phone, we swear

by Laura June, posted May 27th 2009 at 3:26PM

Despite a statement back in April from prez Satoru Iwata that the company would make a phone if it could avoid monthly subscription costs, it looks like Nintendo will not be getting into the cell biz any time soon. Reggie Fils-Aime, president and CFO of Nintendo of America just put the kibosh on all that with a statement to the New York Times, saying, "Telephony is not in our wheelhouse. It's not something I anticipate us getting into." So, you're telling us that telephony is not in your wheelhouse? Hmm... okay. Thanks for clearing that up! The company is however, considering offering devices with always-on wireless connectivity -- which would be way cooler the DSi's current, WiFi hotspot capabilities.

Hitachi's 720p Mobile Hi-Vision Cam Wooo gets hands-on treatment

by Darren Murph, posted May 25th 2009 at 8:33AM

It may be a Japan exclusive for now, but Hitachi's Mobile Hi-Vision Cam Wooo has folks drooling from sea to shining sea. The cats over at Akihabara News were able to take a glimpse while KDDI unveiled its summer lineup, and they seemed to be quite impressed with the video quality and ease of use. Check the read link for a video of the flip phone in action, but remember, don't get too attached unless you call Japan home.

Modu's next handset to sport a touchscreen?

by Darren Murph, posted May 23rd 2009 at 10:35AM

Modu may be down, but unlike one Ricky Hatton, it ain't out. We haven't heard a whole heck of a lot from the niche handset maker since it handed out pink slips to around one-forth of its workforce, but now that things are looking a bit brighter, it seems as if innovation is back in full force. In fact, a new report on the outfit has it that its next cellphone will pack a touchscreen in order to fit the mold of today's finger-friendly array. Aside from being "iPhone like" (its words, not ours), little else is known about the forthcoming device, though we're told that development should be complete in around eight months. So, anyone wagering that R&D accelerates that just a touch to get this thing out by CES 2010?

[Via Talking Mobile]

Sony Ericsson drops clues on Android 2.0-based smartphone

by Darren Murph, posted May 22nd 2009 at 8:08AM

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]

Hitachi's Mobile Hi-Vision Cam Wooo cellphone does 720p video recording

by Darren Murph, posted May 22nd 2009 at 6:58AM

While it won't be the first handset to capture 720p video (hello, OmniaHD!), Hitachi's Mobile Hi-Vision Cam Woo is still apt to garner quite a bit of attention. As the leaked images hosted down below show, this clever flip phone packs 1,280 x 720 video recording, a 5 megapixel sensor, HDMI interface and a microSDHC slot for good measure. A generous tipster has informed us that said phone is slated to launch this coming Monday on KDDI, though we fully expect that envious North Americans won't ever get to toy with one on their home turf. For shame.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Gallery: Hitachi's Mobile Hi-Vision Cam Wooo cellphone does 720p video recording

Sony Ericsson's facial recognition patent plays the perfect song to complement your mood

by Ross Miller, posted May 21st 2009 at 11:43PM

We don't expect this to be indicative of any near-term projects for the now financially hindered phone maker, but one of Sony Ericsson's recently unearthed patents paves the way for some interesting uses. From what we gather, while listening to music on your device, a picture of your face would be taken. That image would then be run through software that interprets your mood, and an appropriate next song based on those emotions would be picked -- so much for the art of mixtapes. Presumably, it'd also require a phone or device with a camera mounted on the same side as the screen, so unless mobile video conferencing takes off in a huge way, we can't see people paying extra for a phone or device with this configuration. And if you just got dumped over SMS, we hope it doesn't intepret those tears as a good time to play that Damien Rice song you two fell in love with. Hit up the read link for the full patent details.

[Via Slash Gear]

US Cellular's battery swap program puts a new charge in your handset, for free

by Darren Murph, posted May 18th 2009 at 8:32AM

Ever dreamt of keeping a phone so long that the original battery went kaput? And, during that same dream, did your loving, compassionate carrier decide to bless you with a second battery for free? No need to keep dozing, as regional operator US Cellular has decided to show up the big boys by introducing its Battery Swap program. Launching tomorrow, the initiative enables customers to come into any US Cellular store and "change out a dead or dying battery for a fully-charged one, for free." Needless to say, the firm is pretty stoked about being the only wireless carrier in America to offer such a service, though you should know that only phones which have been purchased within the last 18 months are eligible. Sounds fair enough to us -- so, when's everyone else jumping on this bandwagon? Bueller...?

[Thanks, Kristofer]

ViewSonic throws caution to the wind, plans own 3G smartphone

by Darren Murph, posted May 11th 2009 at 9:27PM

Take it from Garmin-Asus -- making a smartphone ain't exactly easy sauce. Regardless of the facts, ViewSonic has decided it prudent to jump head first into the tumultuous waters known only as "the smartphone industry," announcing today plans to create its very own offering that'll undoubtedly compete with the likes of HTC, Samsung, LG, Apple and the rest of the gang. The portfolio addition brings it a major step closer to realizing a "3- to 300-inch product line," but outside of a launch pattern, no details whatsoever were dished out. We're told that China will get the phone first, with Europe and the Americas following suit. We'll go ahead and start the vaporware watch now, just so we aren't caught off guard when there's nary a mention of this at CES 2010.

Motorola announces W7 Active Edition for fitness and sporting enthusiasts

by Laura June, posted May 11th 2009 at 10:02AM

Sure, we were a little hard on it back when we first saw its rumored, horrifying existence but it turns out our nightmare scenario has come true: the W7 exists. The one we're seeing above however, has had at least a little sexy added to it -- ditching the three-part color scheme for blackish silver -- and it also has 3G which lessens the pain a little. The fitness and sporting targeted handset sports an accelerometer, which can be used to do all sorts of things like silence the ringer and pause or restart the tunes on a run, and it also boasts a pedometer for those of you who like to enumerate every step you take. The W7 (which will be available in white as well) is going to be available by June of this year in Asia and Latin America, but there's no word on pricing or availability elsewhere. There is one more shot after the break -- if you dare.

Continue reading Motorola announces W7 Active Edition for fitness and sporting enthusiasts