Mwc2009
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Samsung M7600 Beat DJ touchscreen music phone now official
As if a giant billboard wasn't enough of an unveiling, Samsung has released some official shots of its M7600 "Beat DJ" touchscreen handset. Like we knew already, the Quadband GSM / HSDPA music phone sports a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, and Bang & Olufsen amplifier. It's also got codec support for DivX and XviD, microSDHC card slot for up to 16GB, Bluetooth A2DP, FM radio, and a very welcome 3.5mm headphone jack. As for those DJ features, the turntable-inspired "Disc UI" uses a spin wheel for navigation, and the included software lets you both create your own music and sounds as well as remix other songs by adding effects and filters. Unfortunately, mum's the word on pricing or availability. [Thanks, David]
Intel and LG partner up for some hot MID action
Intel's been talking up MIDs for a while now, and it looks like LG's ready to buy in -- the two companies just announced that they'll be cooperating on a series of devices running Intel's Moblin OS on the Moorestown platform. Interestingly, the release says the first product will deliver the "functionality of today's high-end smart phones," which seems to suggest that Intel's willing to shift some product definitions around. Still, we wouldn't expect a straight-up phone out of this one -- we're hoping for something more like Intel's crazy concept MID shown here. We'll see what these two come up with over the next year, it should definitely be interesting.
Sony Ericsson Idou first eyes-on (Update: now with video!)
Sony Ericsson is only teasing this one from behind glass -- and for good reason, the Idou is far from completion -- but we grabbed a few shots of the handset all the same. Let us tell, it's pretty intimidating staring down a 12 megapixel camera on a phone, but we managed somehow.%Gallery-44768%
Sony Ericsson W995 video hands-on
So it's not totally clear to us why you'd wait for this thing over a C905 that you could buy today, but once again, that's the confusion behind Sony Ericsson's Cyber-shot / Walkman branding that they're claiming they hope to clear up going forward -- it's just that the W995 isn't really a step in that direction, and we weren't huge fans of the chicklet-sized nav keys up front. That being said, it seems like a fine phone overall -- the display looks crisp and vivid, the interface was relatively snappy, and there's little to complain about having an 8.1 megapixel autofocus cam at your disposal. Click on for a quick shot at the UI in action!
Microsoft Recite brings voice search to your voice notes
Windows 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. The concept is one of those "I can't believe I didn't think of that" moments, actually: one button records your quick notes, and the magic happens with a second button that you use to search your previously recorded notes by voice. For example, you can record "Sean Cooper's birthday is May 22" and later search on "Sean," "Sean Cooper," "birthday," or any combination of words you've mentioned in the note to recall it. Doesn't get much more straightforward than that -- and happily, you'll pay a big, fat goose egg for the privilege of grabbing it. It's a beta product, but that's not necessarily a bad thing: Microsoft's trying to gather feedback on how awesome (or not awesome) it is before deciding how to use it going forward, so give it hell and let 'em know what you think.
Samsung's OmniaHD: world's first phone to capture 720p video?
We've no way to confirm at the moment, but if SamsungCentral is to be believed, Samsung's newly announced OmniaHD will soon become the world's first cellphone to record 720p video. Unlike the HTC Touch HD -- which had precisely zero high-def amenities -- it seems the next breed of Omnia may actually live up to its moniker. Other purported specifications include an 8 megapixel camera and a 3.7-inch AMOLED display, though the resolution of the panel is currently unknown. Have we mentioned we can't wait to get our paws around this? Because we can't.Update: Sammy's sent out a press release for the OmniaHD and, sure enough, this bad boy's boasting 720p video recording. Also confirmed: we can't wait to try this sucker out. [Via Samsung Central]
Garmin-Asus nuvifone M20 hands-on
So, we played around with the new Windows Mobile-sportin' nuvifone M20 from Garmin-Asus this evening, but there's really not much to say: the software is barely even alpha at this point. Most every tap or swipe of the screen was met with a two or more second delay, and we managed to crash a couple of the phones. That said, it's clear that Garmin-Asus aren't just adding a pretty launcher to Windows Mobile and calling it a day, there's some good navigation and location-based stuff happening here, and we look forward to playing around with it all once it's closer to reality. We don't look forward to meeting the resistive touch screen a second time, but we'll just have to live with that fact -- at least the Garmin-Asus apps are all touch-optimized, but you might have to pull out the stylus for a gander at the rest of Windows Mobile 6.1.Update: Official media handed out for the M20 reveals a small handful of new screen shots, mainly a swanky new media player and calling screen that really don't say a damned thing about the M20's deep-rooted nav capabilities. Thing is, when you have a winged disco ball, you can get away with bending a whole lotta rules -- but yeah, this is one phone where we think we'd rather let the hardware do the talking.%Gallery-44777%%Gallery-44769%
Video: Samsung Memoir hands-on
Samsung's long-awaited Memoir has already had its 8 megapixel shooter shown up by Sony Ericsson's 12 megapixel Idou, though the former has one huge leg-up over the latter: the Memoir is shipping to T-Mobile USA in ten days, while the Idou doesn't even have an official name yet. We were able to stop by and see this spectacle live and in-person at Mobile World Congress, and we've got the images and video to prove it. Feel free to peruse the media at your leisure, we're open late tonight.%Gallery-44774%
Sony Ericsson gets official with "Idou" 12 megapixel mobile
We didn't doubt it for a second (okay, maybe one second), but Sony's so-called Idou is for real. Though, we wouldn't go memorizing that name or anything, 'cause SE has plans to change it to something more commercial before summer. At any rate, the touchscreen-heavy handset -- which will run Symbian Foundation at launch -- does indeed sport a 12.1 megapixel shooter (which was hinted at last November), which sort of makes the also-just-official Samsung Memoir seem a bit dated already. It's funny too, as the only dozen megapixeler we were actually expecting at this show was from Samsung. We're still waiting on the minutiae, but we do know that it will pack a 3.5-inch panel (640 x 320 resolution; no word on capacitive or resistive) and "full media consumption," a phrase we're still struggling to digest. More as we get it!%Gallery-44764%
Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC press conference
Sony Ericsson decided to get a really early start to its Mobile World Congress festivities, packing our jetlagged butts into Central Barcelona for a Sunday evening presser / party. Read on to find out what they've got in store!
Samsung Memoir hitting T-Mobile USA on February 25 for $249.99
At this point, it's tough to say the Memoir wasn't official with a straight face, but Samsung and T-Mobile have jointly disclosed all (er, most) of the remaining details that were so sorely missing here at Mobile World Congress. The 8 megapixel handset will boast a Xenon flash, CMOS auto focus and 16x digital zoom, not to mention a full touchscreen and a sophisticated camera menu that enables users to adjust the brightness and flash, change the default destination of images, select a timer and zoom in or out. Moreover, the video recording and TV-out features should provide even more joy in the lives of multimedia lovers, and the blink detection, face detection, anti-shake and geotagging inclusions should shake off any remaining pundits who say there's not a "real camera" in here. As anticipated, the phone will launch exclusively on T-Mobile USA in just ten days (February 25, if you're too excited for math), though there's still no mention of a price. Procrastinate much?Update: Boom, pricing -- $249.99 on a two-year contract with a $50 mail-in rebate. Not the cheapest thing we've ever seen, but you get what you pay for, yeah?%Gallery-44761%
Sony Ericsson's W995 Walkman slips out ahead of schedule
Clearly, the flood gates have opened well before Sony Ericsson intended over in Barcelona, as the countdown is still on while we're watching handset after handset leak out. Next up is the W995 Walkman (can someone say Hikaru?), a multimedia-centric slider which boasts an 8.1 megapixel camera, A-GPS, Google Maps, WiFi, DLNA certification, 118MB of built-in memory, an 8GB M2 card and a 2.6-inch QVGA scratch-resistant display. The mobile should ship in a trio of colors -- Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver and Energetic Red -- and the inbuilt kickstand should make airplane-based movie watching a touch easier on the neck. No word on a price or release, but SE should be remedying that at any moment.Update: As you may have caught in our liveblog, the W995 is now very much official, and just as described in its not-quite-official form. SE did have a few small surprises up its sleeve, however, in the form Sony's MediaGo software, which will let you share media with your PS3 over WiFi, and take advantage of Sony's PlayNow services, including downloaded movies purchased on your PC. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look. %Gallery-44773%
Samsung OmniaHD and BeatDisc official images revealed
We've already seen Samsung's OmniaHD via a massive MWC billboard, and now it looks like the gang at Samsung Central have managed to get their hands on an official shot of the handset. There's also an image of the BeatDisc, another entry into the company's new Beat series alongside the previously-spotted BeatDJ. Other than the appearance of widgets on the OmniaHD's screen, we've got no details on the pair. We're expecting all mysteries to be solved at Sammy's press event tomorrow.
Sony Ericsson Idou revealed a little early
We're just getting into our seats for Sony Ericsson's MWC press event, but it looks like the partnership's newest Symbian offering has leaked a little early. Called the Idou, it sports a 16:9 touchscreen, a 12.1 megapixel camera with a xenon flash, and an official web site that doesn't seem to be active yet. We'll hopefully be finding out more in just minutes, we'll let you know!Update: Our tipster says the above model might be a concept, but a similar device will be released sometime around the second half of 2009 -- we'll keep you posted as we get more info.Update 2: Nope -- it's real.[Thanks, aleksandarkazi]
Sony Ericsson "Reese" flip QWERTY smartphone leaked?
If the above picture is to be believed, Sony Ericsson's looking to release a new swivel-based QWERTY called the "Reese" that boasts one-click access to "your favorite networking sites." Details beyond this ad are pretty light, and we're not ruling out the possibility that this might be a fan render (as SE aficionados are fond of). Furthermore, the original poster told forum members at Esato that this device "will not be announced soon," which makes the appearance of an advertisement even more perplexing. Regardless, we'll know one way or another soon, as the company is just about to start its MWC press conference... and we'll be there live.[Via Boy Genius Report; Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona: we're here!
If this last week's wide assortment of pre-show announcements and leaks was any indication, this is going to be one helluva MWC. Naturally, we're here, on the ground, scarfing down tapas and working ourselves into a mild frenzy. The excitement is due to begin at 5PM local time (11AM EST) with some pre-show events, and should carry well into the night as phones are unveiled, embargoes lift, and we get our hands on the latest and greatest. The show proper begins tomorrow, so rouse yourself a few hours early, pour a pot of coffee into your face, head on over to Engadget Mobile and get ready for phones, phones and more phones! Nuestro equipo de Engadget en español también está aquí, y realizará las coberturas en directo y en español!
Samsung's Windows Mobile-based GT-i8000 oddly outed
It may be easy to act like these interoperability certificates are nothing to worry over, but we've certainly seen 'em foreshadow some amazing phones in the past. And given that Samsung's expected to unload about eleventy billion new handsets at Mobile World Congress, we wouldn't be shocked at all to see the newly listed GT-i8000 become a reality. Reportedly, this WiFi-enabled smartphone will run on Windows Mobile 6.1, and sadly, that's all we know. Hang tight, though, as MWC gets going in earnest just hours, minutes and seconds from now.[Via CellPassion]
Samsung's Omnia HD and Beat DJ unveiled in massive MWC ad
Samsung has plastered MWC's host city of Barcelona with huge ads depicting its new Ultra Touch handset, alongside the previously unannounced Omnia HD and Beat DJ. We've spotted both of these handsets previously, the former being a dead ringer for the incredibly-specced Acme i8910, and the latter being that M7600 set which sports a Bang & Olufsen amplifier in a Ocean-like form factor. There's nothing else revealed by the ad, but we're obviously expecting to find out a lot more this coming week once the show proper gets underway.[Via Phone Arena]
Samsung Show projector phone landing this month in Korea, soon in Europe
We knew that Samsung's Show (or "the projector phone") would be headed to South Korea first, but now we've got official confirmation on exactly when from both Sammy and partner Texas Instruments. The W7900 is expected to go on sale later this month in South Korea, while Europeans will get the I7410 in the very near future. There's no mention of any other corners of the globe getting a taste after that, but maybe Samsung's just testing the waters before it really cranks up that supply chain. As for a price? Take a wild guess -- you might be close.
Netgear to demo femtocell / WiFi router combo at MWC
Netgear and Ubiquisys have been toying with this whole femtocell residential gateway thing for years on end, but it looks like the stars are aligning for a full-scale demonstration at Mobile World Congress. For those who can't quite remember back, what we'll be seeing is an all-in-one contraption that essentially combines a femtocell with an ADSL2+ WLAN router, giving users extended cellphone range and providing traditional WiFi services in one handy box. Sadly, we aren't told where or when the DVG834GH will be released, but given just how pervasive these femtocells are becoming in America, we'd say they better hurry up and lock down a provider. Or, you know, just leave it open for us to choose.
