DumbPhone
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Qualcomm ships one billion BREWs, Verizon thirsty for more
Qualcomm isn't finished with the dumbphone just yet. Even after announcing that 250 handsets with Snapdragon cores are in the pipeline, CEO Paul Jacobs slapped his Uplinq 2011 audience with a stunner: over one billion BREW-enabled devices have been shipped. For its part, Qualcomm is continuing to stoke BREW's flames, and Verizon seems perfectly willing to stay aboard. The carrier will introduce several BREW MP devices over the coming months, and the majority of these phones will feature a new storefront for mobile purchases -- oh joy. In addition to getting recommendations, shoppers will be able to test drive many applications before making purchases. This is all well and good, but we'd prefer Jacobs had previewed some of those new Snapdragons. Follow the break for a joint PR from Qualcomm and Verizon.
Emporia RL1 doesn't think your smartphone is all that great
In this age of perpetual smartphone one-upmanship, calling your handset the "most straightforward mobile phone in the world" seems a strange selling point. Still, there are surely people out there who need a reprieve from the complications of iPhones, BlackBerrys, and Android devices, and Emporia's RL1 does eschew pretty much everything that's not a phone call or text. The handset has a bright screen with adjustable text size and big buttons that light up when a call comes through, nice features for older users with vision and hearing problems. The phone comes with the above angular cradle and should give you about three hours of talk time on a charge. For those who want to get fancy with the thing, there's also a calculator, alarm clock, and a feature that'll help you remember birthdays -- the primary reason a lot of us use Facebook. The phone is available now for Vodafone's monthly and pay as you go plans. It runs £60 ($99) -- you didn't think straightforwardness like this comes cheap, did you? Press release after the break.
Eighth Circuit declares RAZR a computer under federal law
There's little doubt that today's smartphones are pocketable computers -- they're equally or more powerful than the desktop PCs of yesteryear -- but what about dumbphones? Well, in US v. Kramer, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals just held that a Motorola Motorazr V3 fits the federal statutory definition for a computer -- and quoted Woz in the opinion: "Everything has a computer in it nowadays." Seems a bit silly to call a RAZR a computer, but courts can only interpret existing laws, not make new ones -- and US law says a computer is "an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions." Because this was the first time a federal appeals court had ruled on the issue, the Eighth Circuit set a precedent that other courts are likely to follow. And yes, the court is aware such a definition may include microwaves and coffee makers, and informed Congress that it should change the law if it doesn't like it. Regardless of whether you agree, this interpretation added some jail time for a guy who pled guilty to trying to engage in sexual activity with a minor, so the mild absurdity of it all is fine by us. Somewhere Chris Hansen is smiling.
Facebook launches mobile app for non-smartphones
As much attention as smartphones get in the mobile biz, it's easy to lose site of the fact that dumbphones still reign supreme by sheer volume of users -- and in all likelihood, they will for years to come. To that end, Facebook has hooked up with Snaptu to deliver an app custom-tailored for these plebeian machines that it promises to be compatible with over 2,500 models -- thanks in no small part, we're sure, to the fact that it's a J2ME app -- with UI elements that closely mirror the Facebook experience on iPhone, Android, and others. 14 carriers around the world (none in the US currently, it seems) have set up a special promo to let subscribers use the app without data charges for the first 90 days, presumably banking on the fact that you'll be well addicted by the time the data counter starts rolling.
HTC Freestyle carries the Brew MP dumbphone torch for AT&T
We saw the HTC F8181 floating around in September, HTC's followup to the Smart, and now AT&T has announced it as the HTC Freestyle. It has a 3.2-inch capitative touchscreen, with a "Sense experience" UI that obviously riffs on HTC's Android efforts, but instead runs on top of Qualcomm's Brew MP platform. AT&T is classifying it as a "QMP" for "Quick Messaging Phone." The Freestyle will be out next month, and while there's no word on price, expect cheap.
John's Phone review: 'the world's simplest cellphone'
It's said to be "The world's simplest cellphone." That's a bold claim from anyone let alone a previously unknown (in gadget circles anyway) Dutch team of creatives over at John Doe Amsterdam who wanted to build a basic phone -- the most basic phone ever -- that wasn't as dull and boring as other affordable phones on the market. So is it? Well, it certainly is basic. In the age of smartphones and cheap featurephones, John's phone is more clearly defined by what it lacks than what it has: no fancy color touchscreen display; no camera; no 3G radio, WiFi, Bluetooth or even GPRS data; no FM radio; no user-accessible storage; and no music player or apps of any kind. It can't even send a text message. It's just a quad-band GSM phone with an ink pen and paper notepad tucked neatly into its capacious recesses. That's right, pen and paper. So, it's definitely basic, but is it simple to use? Read on to find out. %Gallery-109300%
LG strolls into Town with C300 featurephone, offers portrait QWERTY for text addicts
Still on the lookout for an affordable QWERTY dumbphone? You might be in luck, as LG's just released this eye-catching Town C300 to cater to your texting and IM addiction on the cheap. Just like its predecessor, this new handset includes Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger, and push email integration, along with FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 2 megapixel camera from the hardware camp. The damage? Just a mere £69 ($108) from Orange, but don't tell your friends -- keep the extra booze money to yourself. %Gallery-102995%
InputDynamics makes dumbphones smarter with tap-to-touch tech
You can't afford a proper QWERTY keyboard on your phone, much less a expansive multitouch slate. What to do? Well, if a UK startup named InputDynamics has its way, you'll just tap on any surface of your handset. The company's developed a piece of software called TouchDevice that uses a phone's embedded microphone to analyze the acoustics inside, reacting to your finger's impact on the surface with a touchscreen-like input on the device. New Scientist reports that's not all, as the algorithms can also be fine tuned for detect scratches and swipes for scrolling and zoom, and the company's in talks with "tier-one handset manufacturers" to license the program even as we speak. You'll forgive us if we're a bit skeptical, though -- if this truly requires only software and works on any surface, why not release an app to tap the backs of our Droids, BlackBerrys and iPhones?
Ask Engadget: best messaging phone that doesn't need a data plan?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Josh, who simply ain't interested in spending the loot necessary to get a full-on smartphone. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm a student right now on a tight budget. That said, I can't afford a data plan. What is the best messaging phone that doesn't require data? Also, I am a medical student, and for our third- and fourth-year rotations, we have to purchase something with Windows Mobile in order to communicate to our school's software for submitting patient data. They recommend the iPAQ handhelds, but what will happen since Microsoft has come out with Windows Phone 7 and HP has acquired Palm?" Hate to hear about your Windows Mobile dilemma, but hopefully that OS will be pushed aside as far more capable ones hit the market. It's tough to say at this point whether webOS or Windows Phone 7 will be your answer (probably not for some time, though), but we're pretty sure our commenters would be more than happy to assist with your need for a messaging phone. Right, guys / gals?
Modu, world's lightest cellphone, lands in UK
Another day, another... oh wait, what's this? The Modu phone has been an enigmatic figure in the mobile world, treading the precipice of vaporware for a while before finally launching in its home market of Israel last year and in a few more places around the world since then. Aiming to shake up the apparently stale mobile market, this minimalist take on the phone is no larger than the standard battery in your modern smartphone and gets its name from the modular "jackets" it can slip into. They furnish it with added functionality and buttons, while also sprinkling a bit of extra style on top as well. Slide past the break to learn more about this handset, the Modu 1, together with a few teasers about the upcoming touchscreen-based Modu 2.%Gallery-97442%%Gallery-97441%
Samsung announces rugged Xcover handset with 67-day standby time
Prefer your cellphone to be more tough than smart? Then you might want to give Samsung's new Xcover E2370 handset a bit of consideration. While it may not be ideally suited for much more than calls or the odd text message, it is fully ruggedized and IP54-certified for dust and splash resistance, and it boasts an impressive 67-day standby time (and 22-hour talk time) to ensure it lasts throughout your next arduous expedition (or regular business trips, as the case may be). Still no indication of a release over here, but the phone should be rolling out across Europe next month for just under $100.
Sony Ericsson's Cedar and Yendo phones leaked, vying for your attention
Oopsie! Looks like Sony Ericsson's become as leaky as BP's oil rig these days, although we can't say we're all that stirred up by this particular exposé. On the left we have the Cedar, which is much like its hippie GreenHeart cousin Naite but with a touch of SE's "human curvature" sculpting on the back. So yes, still a dumbphone. As for the little Yendo on the right, we won't blame you if you mistook it as the similarly-shaped X10 Mini -- even the UI looks strikingly alike, plus both are littered with similarly vast ranges of back cover options to suit your retinal taste. That said, there's been no mention on whether this Walkman phone also runs on Android, so until SE gives us a clue, we'll be looking elsewhere for the time being. Head over to the source links for more pics. [Thanks, scotsboyuk]
Nokia C2 render spins QWERTY right round
Render plus logo does not a new phone make, but that didn't keep us from admiring the ridiculous form factor on this supposed Nokia C2. While the 'C' label puts the device squarely in dumbphone territory and the only specs available (320 x 240 display, 2 megapixel camera) don't belabor that point, split-horizontal keyboards have a special place in our heart, and we eagerly await their return. That said, Nokia better get cracking if they want to beat the MOTOSPLIT -- the way we see it, they're one whole leaked, possibly fake render behind the competition.
Celsius X VI II LEDIX, the $300k tourbillon dumbphone, gets handled
Yes, folks, what you are looking at is perhaps the world's most overly complex cellphone, and it has been given an overly complex name to match: the Celsius X VI II LEDIX. All those Roman numerals don't convey the sense of power you'll feel in holding this to the side of your face while yelling at your assistant in a futile attempt at gaining the respect of your peers. Despite the phone quite naturally having a battery inside, the (soon to be broken) watch mechanism is purely mechanical, given another three hours of life each time you open and close this clamshell. Inside you can gaze at a design straight out of 1998 and functionality not much more advanced -- a simple browser, text messaging, and tri-band GSM. 3G isn't even on offer here folks, but when you're this rich you can pay other people to download high-res lolcat pictures for you.
Dell creates communications division for push into handheld market
Turns out Mini 3i is only the beginning. Dell has announced plans to create a new Communications Group with a focus on mobile phones and similar portable devices. Current consumer division head and former Motorola exec Ron Garriques will take the helm. Not much else to say at this point, but make no mistake, Dell is now officially in the phone business for the long haul.
Sony Ericsson Aino now Remote Playing with European PS3s
We know Sony Ericsson's PS3-lovin' Aino would be hitting European shelves at some point during the month, and now Sony itself has stepped forward to confirm that the handset is on sale. We're hearing that it's selling for £399.99 ($639) sans a contract, and just in case you're wondering why you and your PlayStation 3 should care, the Aino is capable of turning your console on and off, browsing the XMB user interface, accessing DRM-free content on the HDD, shopping for items in the PS3 Store and watching live TV via PlayTV. Hit up the read link for all the nitty-gritty, and be sure to hit your British friend up if you're stuck yearning here in the States.[Via Joystiq]
LG Versa Gamepad hands-on
We've spent a week now fiddling with the LG Versa game pad module. How does the phone's first premium attachment fare? Does it amp up the gaming cred or join the ranks of ultimately forgettable peripherals? Unfortunately, we're inclined to think it falls in the latter category. Read on for full impressions.
