Mwc09
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Nokia E55 hands-on
We sniffed out Nokia's new E55 not-a-QWERTY QWERTY candybar phone, which uses a SureType-esque predictive text mechanism with two letters per key, and looks pretty good doing it. Nokia's calling this the "world's thinnest smartphone," quite the feat if it's true, and it might just give Nokia's ultrapopular E71 a run for its money in the "fashionably smart" category. We played with the phone for a brief moment, and though it's running an alpha software build, we didn't have much trouble typing out a quick message. Unfortunately, while the keys are naturally larger, they aren't very "clicky" or distinct -- not horrible, but certainly not best-in-class. The prediction works well enough, learning new words after one entry, and letting you d-pad up and down through other options if it doesn't get it right the first try. Overall the phone feels on par with quality of the E71, though lighter and smaller, and is insanely pocketable. Video is after the break.%Gallery-44856%
Samsung OmniaHD hands-on
We're not sure if it's the 720p video or the simply breathtaking 3.5-inch display that does it for us, but one way or another, Samsung's ridiculously-spec'd OmniaHD is a sight to behold. The team at Engadget Spanish had a chance to swing by and check out the high-end handset's goodies today, and let's get right down to the point (and the main reason you'd buy this phone): the video that's getting shown off on the phone looks as good or better than anything we've ever seen before (it does have "HD" in its name, after all). Follow the break for the video!
First hands-on with the HTC Touch Diamond2 (with video!)
While HTC's press didn't deliver on our Android dreams -- or electric sheep -- it did land us the new Touch Diamond2. First off, this set is a stunner, build quality and feel in your hand is really a quality affair. The material choices in both metal and plastics used here are really first rate -- we gush because we're rather impressed. The screen is bright, easy to read and the UI overhaul -- and new features underneath -- are much appreciated. One standout in the new improved UI has to be the start menu which, when clicked, pops you into a full screen shortcut list which is miles better to surf through with a finger. All in all? We're impressed with the Touch Diamond2 and though it's not a wildly new device, it is worth peeking at if you're lost in the decision making process for a new Windows Mobile phone. Follow on for some video action.%Gallery-44845%
First hands-on with the HTC Touch Pro2 (with video!)
So this thing's definitely got some heft to it -- and honestly, especially for a business-centric device in this class, we don't think that's a bad thing. As with just about everything HTC churns out, the Touch Pro2 is exquisitely manufactured, feels rock-solid, and the WVGA is absolutely awesome -- we noticed that the gestures and animations are totally smooth and responsive, proving that WinMo is perfectly capable of handling this kind of UI dazzle. The Straight Talk functionality for seamlessly moving between different types of communication will be appreciated by anyone who spends half their business day on the phone and seems to work (and look) positively lovely -- and as for that speakerphone? We can totally picture ourselves slamming this thing upside down during a meeting in a fit of "our company just lost a $100M contract"-style rage with a satisfying, weighty "thud" and instantly bringing the whole room into the conversation. Follow the break for a couple videos of this thing in action (and sorry, no angry speakerphone fits).%Gallery-44850%
GSM Palm Pre spotted with Vodafone SIM card
We would've wagered 50 euros there'd be a GSM Pre announced at MWC this week -- but strangely, it didn't happen. If we had to guess, a grand unveiling was probably held up by behind-the-scenes manfacuturer-operator drama in the course of trying to nail an exclusivity agreement, but that's not to say there weren't still SIM card-toting Pres floating around the show. PreCommunity happened across one of these today and astutely noted the presence of a Vodafone SIM around back -- not damning evidence that the Pre will be announced as a Voda exclusive, granted, but it kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it? See for yourself in the video after the break.
Nokia E75 hands-on
Here she be, up close and personal, Nokia's newly official E75 QWERTY slider. We're still not seeing much of the 9000 series heritage Nokia mentioned in its presser, but it's one sexy wide-QWERTY phone, any way you slice it. There's video after the break!%Gallery-44831%
Live from Samsung Mobile's MWC 2009 press conference
We're here at Samsung Mobile's presser, ready to be totally non-surprised by the great kit Samsung has already shown at the show or leaked before MWC. That said, we'll be hitting you with the live updates, just in case things get crazy.
HTC CEO: Windows Mobile 6.5 to be announced this afternoon
Looks like HTC CEO and President Peter Chou just spoiled Microsoft's MWC surprised. In his words, "Later today, together with Microsoft, we're introducing Windows Mobile 6.5." Whoops! Keep your eyes peeled, we'll be live at Microsoft's press conference at 9AM ET today.
HTC's Touch Diamond2 adds zoom bar, mega screen, surprisingly few diamonds
HTC is following up on its ultra-sexy touchphone, the Touch Diamond, with the new Touch Diamond2, which seems quite worthy of the title of successor. This time around there's much more room for screen, with a huge 3.6-inch 480 x 800 LCD up front, and around back there's a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus. The other main addition is a "touch zoom bar" below the screen -- just like on big brother Touch Pro2 -- which we presume provides expected (and welcome) functionality. There's also the new version of TouchFLO 3D running on Windows Mobile, but under the hood there's the same old 528MHz processor, and the whole kit is actually a tad thicker a 0.54-inches. Still, memory is up to 512MB ROM and 288MB RAM, and if HTC keeps hoisting pixels and sexy on us at this rate we can hardly complain. This phone should hit major markets in Europe and Asia in "early Q2 2009," with more spots to follow later in the year.
Live from HTC's MWC 2009 press conference
We're here at HTC's presser and it is set to get under way in just a few minutes. What's on deck? We're not entirely sure, but we'll know real soon.
Nokia's GPS-centric 6710 Navigator and 6720 classic announced
For those less interested in QWERTY keyboards and more inclined for something navigation-centric, Nokia's announced the 6710 Navigator slider and 6720 classic handset. Both phones dedicated GPS service with real time drive-and-walk navigation, and full regional maps. Outside of that, you've got a 5 megapixel camera to capture the memory of our adventure. The 6720 is coming out second quarter of this year for 245 euros, while the 6710 Navigator will be popping in third quarter for 300 euros.Update: More details from the fact sheets. The 6720 classic's got a 2.2-inch TFT QVGA, music player with support for MP3, AAC and WMA, FM tuner, and a dual-LED flash. Standby time is 20.5 days and talk time is 5 / 8.5 hours for 3G and GSM, respectively. The 6710 Navigator's sporting 2.6-inch outdoor optimized QVGA with ambient light detector, support up to 16GB microSD, 18.5 day standby time and 4.5 / 7.5 hour talk time for 3G and GSM, respectively. Both handsets feature built-in A-GPS and Nokia Maps 3.0, a web browser, FM Tuner, and Carl Zeiss optics for the 5MP camera.%Gallery-44837%
Live from Nokia's MWC 2009 press conference
We've been ushered into a rather imposing castle for this morning's Espoo-bred press event -- and since we're not really sure what to expect out of this one, the possibilities are endless: court jesters? Knights? Medieval torture? Read on!
Nokia Ovi Store unveiled, launches in May
Nokia's just announced at its Mobile World Congress presentation that, lo and behold, the company's launching its own online app and media portal, the Ovi Store. Download, Mosh, widgets are going to be focuses of the Ovi Store. The N97 will be the first device to be "pre-integrated" with Ovi Store, but "tons" of existing S40 and S60 customers will be able to download the service starting in May. The company says it'll learn your tastes over time and anticipate what you want, as well as make recommendations based on your geographical location. A developer site has launched, and is touting a 70% revenue share, which appears to match what Apple's doing with its respective app store.
Nokia E75 QWERTY slider announced with Nokia Messaging built-in
Nokia's second phone of its MWC presentation is the E75, a full QWERTY side-slider that we've seen more than a few times in the past few months. It's the first phone to come equipped with Nokia Messaging built-in. It ships next month for 375 euros, and if you're eager, pre-orders are being accepted starting today on Nokia's site.Update: Some more details from its fact sheet: The display is a 2.4-inch QVGA, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 3.2 megapixel camera, built-in VPN, HSDA, 802.11 b/g, EGPRS, Bluetooth, and support for up to 16GB microSD card. Standby time is 11 days, and talk time is 5.4 hours on GSM, 4.2 hours on WCDMA, and yes, official colors are silver black, red and copper yellow. %Gallery-44833%
Nokia E55 'compact QWERTY' smartphone unveiled
Nokia's just announced what it's calling the "world's thinnest smartphone," the E55. They're calling it a compact QWERTY keyboard, but let's be honest, it's SureType. According to the press release, it's got 28 days of standby time in its battery, as well as full Nokia Maps and assisted GPS with integration. Look for it this summer for 265 euros unsubsidized.Update: New details from the fact sheet. The 28 days of standby applies to GSM -- it drops to 19 days on WCDMA -- and talk time for GSM / WCDMA is 8 and 6 hours, respectively. The phone sports a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 802.11 b/g, EGPRS, and Bluetooth 2.0.%Gallery-44836%
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!
Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 hands-on (Update: now with video!)
We got a bumpy car ride through Barcelona, and handled the newly spruced-up and official Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 along the way. The phone has come a very long way since we last saw it, with a snappy, smooth interface, and nary a glitch or crash. The touchscreen keyboard -- usable in portrait and landscape modes -- is no pretender to the iPhone's throne, but is one of the best we've seen on a resistive touch device. We also found the WebKit-based browser to be one of the smoother ones we've seen outside the T-Mobile G1 and the iPhone. The phone is pretty slow when reorienting itself or entering certain applications, and, as feared, there seems a general lack of depth to the functionality of the actual "smartphone" features like calendar or contacts, but the location-based services -- in the car and out -- really do bring a lot to the table.Update: we added a video after the break, pardon the bumps!%Gallery-44770%
