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Engadget Podcast 118 - 11.14.2008: Cellphone freakout edition
You knew we'd be back, right? It's that time again, ladies and gents: Engadget Podcast time. This week, thrill to the delectable sounds of your hosts -- Josh, Paul, and Nilay -- as they cover all things smartphone. Excite your senses with discussion of BlackBerry wishes and G1 dreams. Hear insight and outrage on the Fuze, X1a, iPhone 3G, and more. And the best part? It's entirely cholesterol and MSG free!Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, and Nilay PatelProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Welcome to the Jungle02:02 - RED's Digital Still and Motion Camera System now official04:24 - Verizon schedules Storm for November 21 release, $199.99 on contract13:05 - AT&T BlackBerry Bold hands-on26:40 - HTC Fuze now for sale on AT&T's web site32:53 - Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 review37:00 - HTC MAX 4G officially announced, world's first GSM / WiMAX phone39:53 - Windows Mobile 6.5 confirmed by Steve Ballmer, might solve half your problems49:10 - Apple's new iPod chief ordered to stop working52:17 - Epic Android bug interprets your typing as system commands57:15 - iPhone 3G overtakes the RAZR as best-selling domestic handsetSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)Contact the podcast1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.
AT&T BlackBerry Bold hands-on at Engadget Mobile!
The Storm's garnering the lion's share of the RIM spotlight at the moment, but let's not forget the mighty Bold -- the fastest, sexiest QWERTY BlackBerry to date. You saw the unboxing of AT&T's version; now, read the hands-on!
AT&T BlackBerry Bold hands-on
We've been playing with AT&T's just-launched BlackBerry Bold for a few days now, and once we got past the absolutely gorgeous display (seriously, it's mesmerizing), we wanted to find out what else there was to RIM's latest QWERTY device. Is the Bold more than a pretty face? Well, it's a BlackBerry, so you can count on it. Read on. %Gallery-35762%
T-Mobile officially announces Samsung Behold and Gravity
The long-rumored Samsung T919 Behold has finally broken cover in an official capacity for T-Mobile, offering a full-featured touchscreen handset (that isn't the G1) to take advantage of that cute little AWS 3G network they've been cooking up. Besides TouchWiz, features include a 5-megapixel cam with video capability, full HTML web browser (we should certainly hope so), and haptic feedback; look for it to launch on November 10 in your choice of two colors for $149.99 on contract, including the rather lovely "light rose." Next up, we have the Samsung Gravity -- T-Mobile's answer to the endless barrage of low-cost QWERTY texters coming from every other network -- featuring a candybar form that conceals a full keyboard on a side slide. It drops by a week later, November 17 for $49.99 on a two-year plan, in "lime" and "aqua." We think we know which one we'd rather have.
NTT DoCoMo reveals fall 2008 lineup: Bold, E71, 20 others
Hot on the heels of RIM's BlackBerry Bold finally hitting AT&T sales channels comes word that Japan's NTT DoCoMo has also joined in to offer the handset. As the Asian carriers dump their cornucopia of fall 2008 mobiles onto the world, this particular one is serving up 22, all divided into the STYLE, PRIME, SMART and PRO series. Naturally, the latter category piques our interest the most, as it hosts the Bold, Nokia E71, HTC Touch Pro (HT-01A), HTC Touch Diamond (HT-02A) and Sharp's decidedly handsome SH-04A. Feel free to have a look at the entire family (and their respective launch dates) just below in the read link.
Blackberry Bold shows up for free on contract at Walmart
Well hell, that Blackberry Bold decision just got a lot easier if you're, uh, bold enough to sign a two-year contract with AT&T -- it's now free after rebate at Walmart. Yep, it's only been out for two days and Wally's already handing 'em for free -- somehow we don't think that's gonna happen with the Storm. Still, this is the one you want if you double-heart keyboards with itty-bitty keys -- just make sure you actually mail in the forms, okay?Update: The deal is through LetsTalk, so if you and Sam aren't getting along you can order direct from them.[Thanks, Barry and Jedidiah]
AT&T kicks off BlackBerry Bold sales on the web
Some stores have already let a few slip out the door a day early, but for those of us who haven't left our parents' basements since 1989, turns out there's now a sweet alternative to heading down to the brick-and-mortar. The BlackBerry Bold's now up on AT&T's site ready to ship for $299.99 after rebate on a two-year contract, so go ahead and whip out the plastic. If you haven't been using a Curve or an 8800 lately, prep your unsuspecting thumbs with some hardcore workouts -- and if you have been using a Curve or an 8800, get those freakishly muscular, overbuilt digits out of our sights.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
AT&T's BlackBerry Bold showing up in stores a day early
Got $299.99 (well, $399.99 that you can afford to get rid of today while you wait for a $100 mail-in rebate)? How about a burning desire to have the absolute latest, greatest QWERTY BlackBerry money can buy? You might want to give your local AT&T branch a quick ringy-dingy then, because some of 'em already have Bolds. Yep, that's right -- they're just sitting there in a back room with sad faces, hoping that someone will love them enough to come by and take them home. Do you have room in your heart to save a Bold today?[Thanks, Kal]
AT&T BlackBerry Bold gets unboxed on Engadget Mobile
It's like Christmas in October. Hanukkah on Halloween. Festivus on Friday. You get the idea -- we just unwrapped one of the fall season's most-anticipated AT&T handsets, the BlackBerry Bold from RIM, and we'd just love to show you. Follow us over to Engadget Mobile, if you will; right this way, folks. Watch your step.
AT&T BlackBerry Bold unboxing
Yeah, the Bold's out in pretty much every country recognized by the United Nations at this point, but to attention-starved Americans, we can only say this: it's new to you. Unlike the Epix, AT&T has spared RIM's latest and greatest full QWERTY handset from any over-the-top carrier branding, opting for a tiny logo at the bottom of the shell and letting the gorgeous industrial design speak for itself. We're not typically BlackBerry people, but we've got to admit -- this thing feels solid, substantial, and generally just great in the hand, and we can see how you'd feel lost without it in no time. Oh, and yes, everything you've heard about the display is true -- it's insanely crisp, bright, and easy on the eyes. We'll have a more thorough look at the AT&T version of the Bold in the not-too-distant future, but in the meantime, enjoy some photography, won't you?%Gallery-35762%
AT&T officially delivers free WiFi to BlackBerry / iPhone users
We thought we'd heard the last of this whole AT&T / Starbucks WiFi deal yesterday, but alas, we were terrifically mistaken. AT&T has come forth today with two fluffy press releases that flesh out the details, and amazingly, there are some inclusions that we weren't made aware of yesterday. For starters, all iPhone / iPhone 3G customers will now have free (and seemingly limitless) access to AT&T WiFi hotspots across the US -- we're talking Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, the whole lot. Additionally, the carrier has welcomed select BlackBerry users -- that's the Bold for now, the Pearl 8120 / 8820 "later this year" -- into the same deal, though the official verbiage mentions that an "unlimited data plan" is required. If you didn't make the cut this time, fret not -- AT&T has plans to invite "more mobile devices" into the fold here shortly.Read - Free AT&T WiFi on iPhone / iPhone 3GRead - Free AT&T WiFi on BlackBerry
BlackBerry Bold up for pre-order at Best Buy: $680 smackers
We already knew RIM's BlackBerry Bold would sell for a stiff $299.99 on contract with AT&T, but if you're one of the many AT&T users who'd rather not sign a new agreement (or renew your current one), you've probably been patiently waiting to hear an unsubsidized price. Here is it, but we're warning you, you might want to sit down. The contract-free Bold is listed at $679.99 at Best Buy, and fittingly enough, the product page offers a convenient link for seeking financing. At any rate, it also tells us that pre-orders will typically ship out within one to two weeks, though we'd be hesitant to bet the farm on that. After waiting for, like, ever, for this handset to finally hit shelves, are you still so anxious to drop nearly seven bills to claim one as your own?[Thanks, Christen]
Engadget Podcast 115 - 10.24.2008
We're back, just as promised! This week, Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, and Nilay Patel discuss the finer points of new ASUS laptops, Casio digicams, and a score of other compelling, enthralling, and generally fascinating items that will tickle your braincells and delight your many respectable senses. Sit back, relax, kick off your shoes, crack open a can of Dr. Terrific's Party Juice, and enjoy the soothing sounds and delightful pseudo-sights of the Engadget Podcast. Update: It looks like the Podcast is back up in iTunes! Thanks to everyone who pinged them, but you can call off the dogs -- and a big thanks to Scott at Apple for making it happen! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, and Nilay Patel Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Professor Murder - Dutch Hex Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.
iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Storm and Bold compared on video: awkward...
One might think that the BlackBerry Bold and the BlackBerry Storm could get along together, but similar to twin brothers who both aspire to graduate Magna Cum Laude from an Ivy league school, these two aren't exactly the most loving of siblings. Oh, and toss in that iPhone 3G -- which played a huge role in helping Apple sell more phones than RIM last quarter -- and you've got yourself a bona fide mess. Check out all three getting shoved up on one another in the name of comparison just after the break. It's a little uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it.
It's official: BlackBerry Bold hits AT&T on November 4 for $299.99
The hopes and dreams for a "summer release" have long since faded, but at least AT&T's finally agreed to a hard date for the hotly-anticipated Bold: November 4. The news comes courtesy of the company's earnings call -- not the most obvious place to slip in news this big -- but at least it's coming straight from the horse's mouth.[Thanks, Joe]Update: And the press release just slipped out, too -- $299.99 on a two-year contract. Yikes!
AT&T BlackBerry Bold pops up on eBay, box and all
It's hard to say how this happens, but yet again, we're seeing a not-yet-released handset up on eBay for those willing to pay the earliest adopter premium. So far as we can tell by the photo above and the one after the break, this here is a real deal AT&T BlackBerry Bold -- the same one you've been waiting months upon months (upon months) for. The current auction price is pretty steep, but if you've got a great feeling about buying a high-end handset that's not yet available to the public from someone with a feedback rating of 2, have at it.[Via BlackBerry Forums, thanks Vin]
RIM's BlackBerry Bold (probably) hitting AT&T on October 27th
RIM's BlackBerry Bold wasn't technically supposed to have launched already -- that's the magic in being all vague about a release date, we guess -- but we can safely say we're absolutely relieved to finally have something out in the open here. Even if it's not carved in stone, per se. An internal AT&T e-mail discovered today notes that the "latest ETA" for the release of the Bold is October 27th (with a price TBD), though we'd feel a lot better about that if it said "definitive release date." At any rate, we'll find out in just ten days. Ten. Days.
Guts of BlackBerry Bold found to cost $170
Not that it really matters to consumers one way or another -- after all, if you want a Bold, you'll pay the asking price -- but recent analysis by research firm iSuppli has found that parts and materials used to make the device "cost $158.16, and that assembly and testing add another $11.25, for a total cost of $169.41." Just for comparison, the Curve costs a cool $103 to build, and assuming RIM can sell the Bold to carriers at around $350, it'll net a gross margin of around 45% before R&D costs, software, marketing, shipping and freebies given to obscenely wealthy celebs are taken into account. The report (er, the part about the nice margins) should come as welcome news to shareholders, who have recently been worried that the current economic situation may keep individuals from snatching up new 'Berrys at a breakneck pace. Now, if only RIM / AT&T would let the thing get through testing, we'd be all set to contribute to those margins here in the US. Ahem.
Orange pulling Bolds to fix software issues, AT&T smiles
If you're wondering why you don't have an AT&T-branded BlackBerry Bold in your hand at this very second, the answer might lie a couple thousand miles away where Orange has allegedly pulled all units off the shelves to hammer out some "software issues" that have plagued early devices in subscribers' hands. The whole situation leaves us to wonder whether carriers jumped the gun on validating early builds of the Bold's firmware in an effort to get it out into the market in a non-ridiculous amount of time, while AT&T may have chosen to play it safe with a longer, more excruciating battery of tests -- leading to RIM's swipe that the October 2 miss was all AT&T's fault. It's just a theory, and probably a pretty meaningless one since this Orange fiasco should apparently take a couple weeks to clear up at most, and we're still hearing occasional whispers out of the AT&T camp that they're still pushing for an October release over there. Chop chop, guys.[Via Mobile Tech Addicts]
RIM's co-CEO sez AT&T still testing BlackBerry Bold
We've long since known that RIM's BlackBerry Bold was AT&T bound, but in case you haven't noticed, the rumored October 2nd release date has come and went, and there's nary a Bold on any of AT&T's store shelves. According to RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, the handset is still undergoing testing at AT&T, suggesting that it wanted to avoid the complaints that arose when the newest iPhone hit in July. AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel remained mum on the subject when asked, only affirming that the handset would eventually be available this year. Ah well, you've been looking for a reason to vacation in Chile, haven't you?[Via phonescoop]
