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T-Mobile teases global data roaming plans via its official site
We still haven't heard exactly what Shakira and CEO John Legere have up their sleeves today, but T-Mobile decided to offer a sneak peek to its online visitors. As you can see in the image above, which was posted on T-Mo's official site not too long ago, the company seems to be preparing to announce a plan to offer global data roaming in over 100 countries later this month. This would coincide with teasers we heard from Shakira's fan site earlier today. As this particular peek tells us, the global roaming feature will be available on select Simple Choice Plans and only on "capable devices." We still don't know any specifics, but we have a feeling that the countries in red are amongst the 100 that will be involved. Also, something tells us that Shakira will be singing Whenever, wherever tonight on stage, since that would certainly fit with the whole global theme, but we'll just have to wait and see like everyone else.
T-Mobile reportedly set to unveil global data plans with service in 100+ countries (updated)
Could this be the global data plan of our dreams? A fan site for Shakira, the artist set to perform at T-Mobile's UnCarrier event tonight, published a teaser on its Facebook page today. The image above suggests that the carrier will announce data plans that include global roaming in more than 100 countries, with no additional fees. That's all we have to report for now -- it's unclear whether or not data will be capped, which countries are included and what you'll need to pay for the plans -- but this Facebook post is consistent with a tweet from T-Mobile CEO John Legere this morning, declaring "Today is the day! The day we change the way the world uses their phones! You ready? #unleash." Update: It appears those rumors were spot on as T-Mobile's site is now showing a promo for free global coverage in over 100 countries, with plans to launch the service later this month. No other details are available just yet, but it does appear this will only apply to postpaid subs on the Simple Choice Plan.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 to hit US for less than $300 unlocked, we go hands-on
Last time we heard of Sony Ericsson's Xperia X8 it was crawling around the FCC, but last night we found the little thing in a more welcoming, though equally as judgmental place -- our hands. Formerly codenamed the "Shakira," we were hoping the Android phone would be a bit more modern and slim, but sadly that's just not the reality of the rather chunky smartphone. Just like its X10 Mini and Mini Pro siblings, the 3-inch handset runs Android 1.6 with Sony's rather-deep custom skin -- a Sony rep on hand told us there would be an upgrade to 2.1 sometime in Q4. That seems a bit late, but there's no doubt that the X8 is a lower-end phone with its 3.2 megapixel cam and 600MHz CPU. The X8 we saw was wearing a white cover, though were also told there would be other interchangeable cover options available when it hits the market soon. Other than that we found the prototype (it was clearly marked that!) to be rather responsive and the UI to be quite intuitive, however the onscreen keyboard was extremely cramped for typing a URL into the browser. In comparison to the hoards of powerful Android smartphones we've seen in the last month or so, the X8 is certainly lackluster, but the little thing may just be an affordable unlocked choice when it hits the US for less than $300 soon. %Gallery-100496%
FCC cracks open Sony's Xperia X8, posts user's manual and revealing photos
Sure, that Xperia X8 in the picture may look demure, but the FCC doesn't mess around -- mere seconds after we found this shot of the 3-inch, Android 1.6 handset, we stumbled across a PDF showing the phone in -- ahem -- various states of dress. Now, we try to run a clean site here, so you'll have to hit our source link to find those salacious pics (and manual) yourself, but if you want some nice, tasteful shots of the device's exterior and ports you'll find them immediately below. No new specs here, by the way -- it's the same quad-band GSM HSPA handset with WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, A-GPS and FM radio we've seen before. %Gallery-100312%
Sony Ericsson's 3-inch Xperia X8 made official, coming in Q3 2010 for €259
While the real Shakira may be busy gallivanting over in South Africa, Sony Ericsson's handset that bore the same (code)name has today been unveiled as the latest member of the Xperia line. Bridging the gap between the fully formed X10 and its Mini siblings, the 3-inch Xperia X8 will run Android 1.6 somewhere deep underneath a comprehensively customized skin. That means you get Sony Ericsson's social (Timescape) and media (Mediascape) aggregators whether you like them or not, and by the looks of the early hands-on pictures, it seems like a straight port of the UI available on the X10 Mini. A 3.2 megapixel camera is available around back, with WiFi, a 600MHz CPU, 1,200mAh battery, and interchangeable covers completing the value proposition. The X8 will cost around €259 ($318) when it launches in the third quarter of this year. Hit the sources for more pictures.
Sony Ericsson 'Shakira' to be called the Xperia X8?
We hesitate to call these legit press shots -- as we've said before, Sony Ericsson fans are world-renowned for their capacity for high-quality fakery -- but German site mobiFlip.de has posted a bunch of renders of the so-called Shakira that look very possibly real to us. They're also saying that the phone will be dubbed the Xperia X8 at retail, a name that probably makes sense considering that the 3-inch Android phone is clearly designed to slot in below the high-end X10. Beyond that, we still don't have much to go on -- pricing, availability, target markets, and so on -- so we'll just hang out here on the edge of our seats for a while longer, or until we're distracted once again by the X10 mini pro's mind-numbing cuteness. [Thanks, René]
Sony Ericsson 'Shakira' is a lower-cost X10 alternative?
Call it the Legend to HTC's Desire, if you will, but we're hearing that Sony Ericsson may have another Android device in the works that would slot in beneath the high-end Xperia X10. The phone -- allegedly codenamed "Shakira" -- is said to have a 3-inch display, but otherwise, we don't have any details; the tipster says that it could be running either Android 1.6 or 2.1, and with Sony Ericsson's custom skin in full effect, it's impossible to tell from this shot. Of course, the SE community has a legendary reputation for creating unbelievably convincing mockups, so we can't rule this real until the day it's announced; then again, it stands to reason that they'd want to make something cheaper than an X10 and less of a novelty gadget than the X10 mini. Stay tuned, folks. [Thanks, Dion]
Blu-ray movie releases for the week of Dec. 16
Wow, what can this be? Yet another week with several great Blu-ray releases? Apparently so as we're treated to one of Harrison Ford's greatest movies, Shakira in HD and the Governator. What more can you ask for? Blade Runner: Complete Collector's Edition Blade Runner: Ultimate Collector's Edition Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Shakira: Oral Fixation Tour That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection The Simpsons Movie Underdog While we'll happily pass on Underdog and That's Entertainment, The Simpsons Movie is definitely a must-buy. But if this week's releases aren't enough, you might be interested in the Fox and MGM buy one, get one free deal that's currently going on at Amazon. There are some pretty decent deals to be had.
