Mwc2009
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LG Arena rocking SanDisk's 8GB iNAND flash drive
For most, the fact that LG's Arena has 8GB of internal storage space is enough. It holds just under eight full gigabytes of miscellany, and it does so without complaining. But for us -- the nerds in the crowd -- knowing that those eight luscious gigabytes are actually on an 8GB iNAND embedded flash drive just makes getting up out of bed a great deal easier. Said drive can act as both the boot and data storage drive, eliminating the need for a separate boot device and mountains of stress. Mmm... NAND in a cellphone, how calming is that, broseph?
Skype coming to future N-series Nokia devices, N97 gets first
We already knew that Nokia was looking for swanky widgets to cram onto its swanky N97, so it's no real shock to see the suits in Espoo reaching out to Skype here. Starting with the N97 in Q3 2009, future N-series devices will come pre-loaded with a Skype client, enabling handset owners to save those precious minutes and dial up fellow Skype buddies whenever a WiFi hotspot is near. There's no word on just how far this relationship will go, but we'll at least let the cute couple round first before we start making outlandish predictions.
MWC day two: a new hope
If day one of MWC was dominated by Windows Mobile, day two went to Android -- although most of the announcements were vague and Toshiba's Snapdragon-based TG01 did much to impress. Obviously the big announcement was the HTC Magic (née the G2), which'll be coming to Vodafone UK in April, but several other manufacturers committed to building Googlephones as well. What else did we learn?
Samsung OmniaHD's camera put to the test
Samsung sure has made some high claims about its OmniaHD supermegaphone, and now we've got some HD footage and stills to put those claims to the test. The camera does seem pretty stellar for a phone, and the video is undoubtedly HD, but we saw pretty sluggish performance in the HD recording mode, both in the on-screen preview and in the finished product. We'll chalk that up to the super-early build of the device software, but hopefully this will be resolved before the phone ships. The phone also does ultra-slowmotion video, which is awesome, but seems similarly inconsistent and stuttery in frame rate. We'll shut up and let you see it all for yourself, both in the gallery below and the videos after the break. Again, this is all from a pre-production phone, and we're really expecting (or at least hoping for) the frame rate to smooth out by launch. The video was shot in 720p, but it was downsampled for web playback -- it looks pretty sharp in native form, and the first image in the gallery is a screencap from the video in full resolution for your perusal.%Gallery-45104%
LiMo Foundation gains another half dozen members at MWC
While Android is sure enjoying the spotlight underneath that HTC Magic display, the LiMo Foundation is quietly building an army to rule the mobile realm once and for all. Dramatics aside, the Linux consortium did manage to secure another six members here at Mobile World Congress including Telefónica SA, Aromasoft Corporation, Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications, Marvell Semiconductor, Opera Software ASA, and Swisscom. Of course, all these formalities really mean nothing if the group can't manage to get a reputable handset out the door, so for now, we'll say "congrats" and "hurry up, why don'tcha?"
CSR fits WiFi, Bluetooth, FM, and GPS into CSR9000 wireless chip
We don't know if CSR's latest all-in-one chip benefits from the recent acquisition of GPS chipmaker SiRF, but the CSR9000 does manage to bundle the location-based technology with WiFi, Bluetooth, and FM. It's also boasting low energy output and small form factor. The company says it's already sampled it for key, unnamed customers. Those canoodling in Barcelona can check out a live demonstration of the chip running on Android at the company's booth.
Samsung: at least three Android phones and a LiMo handset in 2009
While Acer unveiled its plan to launch a pair of Android phones this year via the slightly ancient pen-and-paper method, Samsung used an even trustier method: spoken word. According to Reuters, the company's head of product strategy Won-Pyo Hong affirmed that Sammy would sell "more than three" Android phones by the end of this year, and furthermore, it would "definitely" unwrap a phone using the LiMo Foundation's Linux-based software before 2010 dawns. Hong wouldn't disclose whether those Google-powered handsets would hit America, Europe or elsewhere first, but he did remark that both the US and Europe would be covered by the year's end. We'd love to say we're totally unaffected by such a tease, but c'mon, who has that kind of patience?
Sony Ericsson C903 hands-on
First off, red handsets never seem to be particularly photogenic, mmkay? But color aside, Sony Ericsson's C903 is well specced, fairly handsome, and we'd expect that the price won't be wallet numbing. The C903 is comfy as far as the phone's footprint in-hand goes, though, it is a little husky through the middle with the sliding camera cover -- and the inner workings of the autofocus 5 megapixel shooter we suspect. Keyboard? Meh, our fingers immediately got a little lost while banging on it as each row has no real defining line between keys. Though despite the chubbiness and keyboard awkwardness, if this newest in the Cyber-shot line is priced properly it could be a hit. Follow on for more pictures of a red handset than you're likely going to be comfortable with.%Gallery-44992%
Sony Ericsson W395 hands-on
Sony Ericsson's W395 was one of the sets that was launched in the week leading up to, rather than at the show. Strange launch aside, this lower-end Walkman handset is pretty sharp in the -- admittedly basic -- look and feel department, with the housing's metal material lending it heft and a quality feel. The set we saw was Blush Titanium, but it is also being offered in Dusky Grey -- which looks sorta purple in our eyes. Pretty run-of-the-mill as far as the UI goes, if you've had an SE phone in the last few years, you'll definitely feel at home -- and we're not saying that's a bad thing. Follow on for a pile of pics of it in action.%Gallery-44940%
Samsung's S7220 and S7350 get real
Samsung's S7220 and S7350 are but the sideshows here at Mobile World Congress, but did you really expect anything different when it's up against the 8 megapixel Memoir and the 720p-capable OmniaHD? The Ultra S7220, once known as the Eltz, boasts a 2.2-inch AMOLED display, a 5 megapixel camera (with AutoFocus and LED flash), an accelerometer, FM radio tuner, Bluetooth 2.0 and HSDPA 7.2Mbps support. The Ultra S7350 ups the ante with a 2.6-inch WQVGA LCD, GPS and video recording. No word on pricing or availability on either, but we'll keep our eyes peeled.
Novarra making web pages easier to view on Verizon Wireless
On far too many handsets, browsing the web is a lesson in futility. Particularly for dumbphone owners, who practically need a gun to their skull before they'll willingly engage in even mildly extensive surfing. We're hearing now, however, that Verizon Wireless is making things a little easier to stomach for its users -- though it's doing so for the bandwidth savings more than anything. Reportedly, the carrier has contracted Novarra in order to help out, and as subscribers request that certain pages be accessed, the aforesaid company "adapts the content (including Flash!) and optimizes it for a smaller screen" before letting it hit the user's handset. It's expected that Verizon will showcase the new approach at Mobile World Congress, and in the future, it could even help struggling smartphones surf more easily.[Via phonescoop]
Samsung Valencia outed by Microsoft, not Samsung
Microsoft's mansion at Mobile World Congress contains -- among other things -- a playground of recent Windows Mobile-powered models designed to show off its licensees' collective design and manufacturing prowess. By and large, the models were nothing we haven't known about for days, months, or years, but one stood out for us: this here Samsung Valencia. We've heard of this sucker through Expansys as the C6625 with a $365 sticker price -- but Samsung doesn't seem to know anything about it and it's only being shown by Microsoft, so we suppose they've opted against an unveiling here at the show. Microsoft's spec sheet indicates that it's got 3G (which jibes with Expansys' details), GPS, 128MB each of RAM and ROM, a totally pedestrian QVGA display, and a 393MHz processor -- slow for a Professional device, yes, but this sucker's Standard with some minor UI mods. One thing that's got us a little confused is the line item indicating 20GB of storage -- something tells us that a phone with these kinds of specs wouldn't be packing 20GB on board, so it might refer to a theoretical max of 20GB with the microSD maxed out. We're not losing sleep over the missing announcement with this one, guys, so don't sweat it or anything.%Gallery-45088%
Nokia 6710 Navigator and 6720 classic hands-on
Nokia's 6710 Navigator and 6720 classic aren't gonna win any beauty contests. Our friends at Engadget Spanish can attest to that, and after getting some hands-on time with the GPS-friendly handsets, they pointed in particular to the simple, inelegant design. Still, they say the navigational functionality should more than make up for the aesthetics, so if you're in the market for such a phone, this might be the ugly duckling for you. Hit up the gallery for more beauty shots. Gallery: Nokia 6710 and 6720 hands-on
LG plans Android phone by June, two more by end of year
As is so often the case, details are scarce here, but Engadget Spanish got word from LG that, as expected, they're planning to put out an Android phone by June, and two more of 'em by the end of the year. 2009 is certainly looking to be the year of the Android, and it seems like every month that goes by without Windows Mobile 6.5 on the market gives truly finger-friendly OSes like Android a chance to shine -- now to see what a manufacturer that isn't HTC can make of it.
Amosu hands-on: pink, pricey, and plenty of diamonds
While scavenging for pricey handsets to hang on the gilded walls at the Mansion, we luckily bumped into one Alexander Amosu, of Amosu fame. The Amosu brand is synonymous with gold, encrusted and dripping with gemstones, and most of all, pricey. In his bag of tricks we found three fully-kitted BlackBerry Bolds, a pink iPhone, and an iced Motorola Aura. If you lined them up on a table -- which, of course, we did -- you'd be looking at some 12 plus carats and a price tag somewhere up around 50k. Sure, we're normally harsh on these types of things, but seeing them up close, we could almost kinda get it. Huge sparkling gallery after the break, so if you have shades, now's the time to don them.%Gallery-45070%
TI's OMAP 4 bringing 1080p support to smartphones and MIDs
Right around this time last year, Texas Instruments was busy showing off its OMAP 3 platform, which enabled 720p playback from a mobile phone. At this year's MWC, we've got a real live handset recording 720p, and TI upping the ante once more with a chip that handles 1080p. For those still with us after being blasted with resolutions, the predictably titled OMAP 4 aims to bring 1080p support, 20 megapixel imaging and "approximately a week of audio play time" to mobiles and MIDs that house it. Granted, TI also calls this stuff "future-proof," so don't believe it's totally incapable of uttering some pretty outlandish stuff. At the heart of the platform is a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 chip, a programmable multimedia engine based on TI's C64x DSP and a POWERVR SGX540 graphics engine. We're told that it'll play nice with Linux variants such as Android and LiMo, Symbian and Windows Mobile, though it'll have to be mighty impressive to outgun NVIDIA's Tegra. Battle on, we say.[Via Linux Devices]
ASUS announces WiMAX-equipped Eee PC 1000HG
Despite the fact that LTE looks to be the de facto standard for next-gen mobile data, ASUS has an unwavering love affair with WiMAX. In fact, we've already seen the company introduce a WiMAX-equipped laptop, and a WiMAX-enabled Eee PC was demoed way back at CES 2008. That said, the company is just now getting around to producing a new one for the adoring public, but for whatever reason, it's not even boasting about it. Tucked deep, deep within a release gloating about the Eee PC 1003HA and T91's ability to handle Windows 7 Beta is the promise of an Eee PC 1000HG. Said netbook will include both WiMAX and WiFi capabilities -- or, more specifically, IEEE 802.16e, WAVE2 and WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n support in the 2.4GHz~2.7GHz and 5.1GHz~5.8GHz bands. Of course, "future" could mean "we'll release this in late 2019," but we're banking on hearing more details sooner rather than later.
Hyundai's phones are creatively ridiculous
We associate the Hyundai name more closely with cars and ten-year warranties than we do phones in these parts of the world, but Hyundai Mobile does a little business selling low-cost phones in parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia (cars... phones... right, makes sense). We had a chance to check out some of the offerings today, and yeah, let's just put it this way: some of these devices are a bit off the beaten path. Pictured above from left to right are the MB-400 (bearing absolutely no resemblance to any existing device), the MB-910 touchscreen watch phone, and the lovely MB-105 "Chico" (which -- interesting fact -- features a whopping 50-message SMS storage capacity). The Chico wasn't functional for us, but follow the break for some hands-on time with the unfortunate iPod rip and one of the nicer watch phones we've seen come to market. Odd couple, isn't it?%Gallery-45055%
HTC Magic in-depth hands-on, with video!
We only got a brief glimpse of this device before it was whisked away at the Vodafone press event today, so we tracked down HTC's megabooth and sat down for a much longer gander at the new HTC Magic. The unit we played with has a non-final button layout on the front -- we'd say the final version, reflected in official press shots, is much-improved -- but was raring to go otherwise. Check out our impressions, along with a couple of videos after the break!
LG gets official with 3G-equipped X120 netbook
LG was all too happy to show this one off at CES in January, but it wasn't quite ready to talk about it any sort of official manner, though it has now finally rectified that situation more than a month later at MWC. From the looks of it, the netbook seems to be unchanged from its CES iteration, with it packing a 160GB hard drive, the Splashtop-powered LG "Smart On" quick-boot interface and, we presume, the same 10-inch WSVGA display and de rigeur 1.6GHz Atom processor as before. Most notably, LG has also now confirmed that the X120 will indeed come equipped with standard 3G HSPA connectivity, which is no doubt why LG took advantage of MWC to finally get official with it. If you missed it the first time around, be sure to check out our CES hands-on for plenty of pics and a video of that quick-boot in action.[Via Liliputing]
