Mwc09
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LG's KS360 to be company's first Android phone?
It was about this time last year when we heard that LG was aiming to push out Android-powered handsets by 2009, and sure enough, it looks like it'll happen by this summer. According to T3, the company's altogether bubbly KS360 will be relaunched with Google's operating system, though the actual specifications (outside of the OS, obviously) will remain the same. Marketing Manager Jeremy Newing also confirmed at Mobile World Congress that LG would be releasing two other Android phones this year, though he wouldn't divulge any model names or favorite colors for us to guess.[Thanks, Kat]
Huawei's Android touchphone is a mystery wrapped in an enigma
We were really hoping MWC would be Android's coming out party, but while there's a hefty amount of name-dropping at the show, nobody much seems ready to put hardware on the line. And then there's Huawei. We were expecting a handset from them at the show, and they're halfway there, announcing an Android phone, but only bringing a non-working prototype to show for it. The touchphone hardware is decidedly iPhone-esque, and almost seems too button scarce to work with the traditional Android interface, but that's where the rest of the story comes in: Huawei is working with an "established design consultancy" to develop its own custom interface for the device. The as-yet unnamed phone will be coming to market in Q3 of this year, and Huawei is currently in talks with a carrier who will rebrand the device -- the lack of finality there left much of the rest of the info on this phone shrouded. We're looking forward to learning more about this device in the coming months, but for now you can check out the tease of a gallery below, and the even less informative press release at the read link below.%Gallery-44904%
LG Arena KM900 hands-on with video interface tour
We've been waiting to get our grubby mitts on the LG Arena KM900 and try out the S-Class 3D UI for ourselves, and well -- it's a nice featurephone interface, but it's not exactly revolutionary. The widget interface is nice, and we're into the picture-based contacts screen, but the icon-based home screen just feels cluttered, especially when viewed in the expanded horizontal orientation. It'll be interesting to see how LG refines these elements in its upcoming onslaught of Windows Mobile phones -- we wouldn't drop back to a featurephone for this stuff, but we'd be plenty interested in seeing more phones like the GM730 with this interface. Video after the break!Read - Engadget Spanish coverage of the KM900Read - Press release%Gallery-44902%
Four previously unknown Acer phones spied in Barcelona
Well, these are not the Acer phones we saw leaked a few days ago -- in fact, there are four new dudes here, all previously unseen. We know little about them, except that they are apparently on hand somewhere at MWC, and we hear that it's possible they're going to be unveiled today, so we'll keep our eyes peeled for them. In the meantime, try to contain yourself and hit the read link for photos of the other two.
Windows Mobile 6.5 walkthrough with Engadget (now with video!)
We saw a Touch Diamond2 running old-skool Windows Mobile 6.1 this morning -- and don't get us wrong, the hardware's pretty hot, but who really wants that noise when we've got the same thing running Windows Mobile 6.5 a few blocks away? Shortly after the fanfare of Microsoft's press conference today, we were ushered downstairs for a walkthrough on a freshly-flashed Touch Diamond2 of virtually everything that makes 6.5 different from the versions before it, and while we're not blown away by the sheer freshness or paradigm-shiftyness of what we're seeing here, it's a totally acceptable bump of 0.4 in the version number. Let's put it this way: we still have a burning desire in our hearts and our loins for 7.0, whenever that happens. Follow the break for video and some key highlights!%Gallery-44887%
Sprint Simply Everything plan now includes mobile broadband for laptops
Sprint's Simply Everything plan's always brought a lot of bang for the buck, and it looks like it's about to include a little more everything -- you'll now be able to add mobile broadband to the package. $149 a month ain't cheap, but you won't be short of connectivity with unlimited messaging, data, and voice, GPS navigation, and 5GB of laptop internet access a month. That explains Sprint's willingness to promote the Pre's data tethering abilities -- anyone going to take the plunge?Update: Sprint pinged us to clarify that the additional fee only covers the use of a USB stick or laptop card, not tethering. We'd still love to just carry one thing, though.[Via Phone Scoop]
Nokia busts out its own 8 megapixel slider: the N86
Whoa, Nelly! While Samsung is strutting its 8 megapixel Memoir and Sony Ericsson is letting us all in on the forthcoming 12 megapixel Idou, Nokia is getting even with its 8 megapixel N86. Amazingly, we saw that the suits in Espoo had this thing on the brain way back in 2007, but not until today have we seen a real live product. The N-series slider boasts a Carl Zeiss lens, AutoFocus, dual-LED flash and Symbian S60, not to mention a 2.6-inch OLED display, 8GB of internal memory, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, microUSB connector and Share on Ovi integration. We're left in the dark when it comes to pricing and availability, but we're hoping to hear more really, really soon. More shots are waiting in the read link.Update: The full specs sheets have just leaked, yum!
Palm joins Adobe's Open Screen Project, Pre to support Flash
Copy and paste, data tethering, and now Flash -- it looks like the Pre's going to fill in a lot of unchecked iPhone feature boxes, doesn't it? Yep, Palm's just joined Adobe's Open Screen Project, and there's no two bones about what that means: the press release flat out says "the Open Screen Project will help deliver Adobe Flash Player for smartphones on the new Palm webOS platform." That's especially interesting since the webOS SDK is so heavily based on web technologies and native player support potentially opens the door for Flash-based apps, which would instantly bring a ton of new devs to the Pre. That's not a bad thing. We'll find out more at the end of the year, when the mobile Flash player is due to arrive.
LG GM730 hands-on (with video!)
We had opportunity to check out one of LG's newest smartphones, the LG GM730 at MWC today. We've seen all the specs but thought knew you all needed a really good look at the new S-Class UI. This phone is not final, so our hands-on shows a few interface hiccups, but, you'll get the drift. So what's the take away here? This appears to be a darn fine overlay on Windows Mobile, access to things from the home screen are simple and quick: mail, messaging, calendar, menus to get at network settings and so forth are a welcome addition. The device feels sturdy (even without a back) and looks just fine in our sleep deprived eyes. Carry on for a video with all the action and a gallery stuffed full of MWC love.%Gallery-44877%
Samsung Beat DJ hands-on
Touch Wiz in Spanish -- you know you love it. The Engadget Spanish crew grabbed a little time with Sammy's Bang and Olufsen-powered Beat DJ M7600, and sadly, this one looks like it's better in stills -- the interface is a little laggy and unresponsive, and the "scratching" features seem like more of a goofy novelty than anything else. Vid after the break, amigos.%Gallery-44885%
Samsung UltraTouch hands-on
The hits keep coming at MWC 09, and while we're racing around from liveblog to liveblog, the crew at Engadget Spanish managed to snag some quality time with Samsung's Ultra Touch S8300 slider. The refined Touch Wiz interface does a good job of transcending its terrible name -- it's not the prettiest thing we've ever seen, but it's fast, reasonably intuitive, and seems to get the job done. Spanish-language video after the break -- trust us, you'll know what's going on without subtitles.%Gallery-44881%
LG picks Windows Mobile as its primary smartphone OS, plans to release 50 new phones
Kind of a big announcement from Microsoft and LG at MWC just now -- LG's going to make Windows Mobile its primary smartphone operating system, and it sounds like there's going to be some serious cash involved from both sides to make it happen. No specific device plans yet, but that's going to change big fast -- LG's going to drop 50(!) WinMo handsets on us through 2012. Yikes. Hope you're ready for some S-Class WinMo action, guys.
Casio's Exilim C721 pictured for Verizon Wireless
Remember that funky Casio we spotted in the FCC around two months ago? Even if not (we're guessing you said "no"), we're betting that real, bona fide images will stick to your memory cells a lot better than some low-rate sketch. Word on the street has it that the cameraphone will arrive with a 5.1 megapixel shooter and a WVGA rotating display, and it seems that all signs are pointing to a near term release of the outfit's Exilim C721. Your guess is as good as ours on pricing, but you can hit up the read link for a few more looks.
Video: ZiiLABS demos Android in HD on ZMS-05 processor
ZiiLABS -- that same company that blew up the hype machine with its StemCell Computing initiative at CES -- is making good on its promise to demonstrate Android in HD on its ZMS-05 media-rich processor / development platform. There's not much here that can't be better explained via video than words, so hop on past the break for a look at the (admittedly silky smooth) demonstration.
Live from Microsoft's MWC press conference!
Microsoft's event is located in the Plaza Catalunya across the street from the expo center proper, and the world's WinMo faithful (well, okay, the world's technology press) have started to gather inside in preparation for the 3PM Central European Time extravaganza.
Microsoft announces Windows Marketplace and My Phone for Windows Mobile
No big surprise here -- Microsoft just announced Windows Marketplace, a unified storefront for the over 20,000 Windows Mobile applications. As rumored, that means you'll be able to get apps directly from your phone, and Microsoft has also promised new and better tools for developers in the future. Also confirmed: My Phone, which will let you sync your phone to the cloud with access from the web. Sadly, we'll have to wait for all this stuff -- it's coming with Windows Mobile 6.5 which isn't due until later this year. We'll let you know more as soon as we find out, keep it locked!
Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.5
With an endless chain of leaks dating back several months, the suspense factor might not be there that Microsoft had been hoping for -- but for what it's worth, Windows Mobile 6.5 is now official. The latest rendition of Microsoft's mobile platform puts an emphasis on touch-friendliness with a honeycomb-style main menu that the company says is easier to finger than a traditional grid layout; a new lock screen that can be slid on different alerts to automatically call up texts, voicemails, and so on; a thoroughly-restyled cut of Internet Explorer Mobile that features a touchable zoom slider and frequently-used commands; redesigned menus that don't need a stylus to actuate; fingerable home and contacts screens, and more. It's not the thorough gutting of the platform many were hoping for, but for anyone thinking that Windows Mobile 6.1 can stand another facelift without ending up looking like Joan Rivers, 6.5's clearly your baby. Sadly, Microsoft's saying that no devices in the market today will receive official 6.5 updates, but don't pull out your wallets just yet, though -- the first devices with Windows Mobile 6.5 preinstalled should be available in the fourth quarter of the year.%Gallery-44794%Further reading: #saleschart { border: 0px solid #333; border-collapse: collapse; } #saleschart td { padding: 7px; border-bottom: 0px solid #ccc; vertical-align: top; margin: 0; line-height: 1.3em; font-size: 100%;} #saleschart th.bottomrow { border-right: 1px solid #333; } #saleschart tr.features1 { border-top: 1px solid #333; } #saleschart td.bottomrow2 { border-right: 1px solid #333;} #saleschart th { font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 4px; background: #f3f3f3; border-top: 1px solid #333; } Windows Mobile 6.5 feature tour sneaks onto YouTube Well, what have we got here? Someone has upped nine breathtaking minutes of Windows Mobile 6.5 (build 21159.5.0.0, if you must know) running live on an HTC Touch HD. Microsoft readies Zune service for non-Zune devices, Marketplace appears in WinMo 6.5 screenshot We're just days away from Mobile World Congress where Microsoft is expected to make a few notable announcements. Until then, we have to settle for all the hints and innuendo we can gather. Microsoft confirms MyPhone, invite-only beta coming to MWC Remember that alleged Microsoft MyPhone beta page that popped up on getskybox.com yesterday? It's back up now and being hosted under the company's official domain, with everything apparently intact except that tantalizing "Sign In" button. Microsoft Recite brings voice search to your voice notesWindows Mobile 6.5's presumably going to be the big news out of Redmond here at MWC this week, but Microsoft's also using the show as an opportunity to launch the "technology preview" of its Recite software, an ultra-simple voice note app for WinMo 6.0 and above.
LG demoing "world's first LTE-enabled mobile device" this week
LTE trials are starting to sprout up around the world -- and there'll be plenty more before the year's out -- so it's a relief to see that we're going to have some hardware to help us burn rubber once we get some live airwaves in our midst. LG will be demonstrating what it claims to be the "world's first LTE-enabled mobile device" this coming Wednesday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, a data card using LG's homegrown modem chipset -- and they'll be using it in three different devices: a laptop, a netbook, and a prototype MID. There'll also be a prototype LTE-enabled smartphone on display, and needless to say, the thought of tethering a 20Mbps handset to our PC is leaving us just a little breathless at the moment; hopefully we'll be able to recover in time to check out the demo in a couple days.
LG brings S-Class UI to Windows Mobile with GM730
Turns out LG's fancy new feature phone UI -- S-Class, as it's called -- isn't just for feature phones. The GM730 brings the same 3D interface into the wide world of Windows Mobile, along with 7.2Mbps HSDPA, 2Mbps HSUPA, quadband EDGE, and Internet Explorer Mobile 6.0 into a package just 11.9mm thick. Sadly, LG's elected to do nothing but 900 / 2100MHz with the 3G here, so North Americans are left out of the equation at this point -- but much of the rest of the world can look into picking it up in the first half of the year.%Gallery-44724%
LG's GD900 previewed, features transparent keypad
Most of its "advanced features" are being kept under wraps for the time being, but LG is showing off its strikingly-designed 13.4mm-thick GD900 this week with 7.2Mbps HSDPA in preparation for a launch later in the year. By and large, the design DNA here doesn't break rank with LG's sliders of the past year or two save for one very important exception: it features the world's first transparent keypad that softly glows when open -- and we've got to admit, this might be one of those rare instances where we're digging sheer beauty over functionality or usability. The company has also designed a dedicated Bluetooth headset to go along with its latest work of art -- but unfortunately, this image is about as close as you'll get to any of it until the planned second-half retail availability.%Gallery-44722%
