Mwc2010
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Samsung i8520 'Halo' Android 2.1 phone with 3.7-inch Super AMOLED and pico projector (updated)
While Samsung is desperate for us and the world to focus on its very first Bada device -- the Wave S8500 -- we found something a bit more interesting for Google fans. Tucked away in the depths of a spec sheet is Samsung's unannounced i8520 phone running Android 2.1. After quizzing a team of perplexed executives of increasing rank, a VP from Samsung's mobile division finally told us that it'll be revealed as the "Halo" tomorrow when the show floor opens. Looking at the spec sheet then, the i8520 Halo packs a 3.7-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display (bigger than the Wave's 3.3-incher), 8 megapixel autofocus camera with flash (VGA on the front), 720p / 30fps video encoding / decoding, DivX and Xvid playback support, Bluetooth 2.1, standard 3.5mm headphone jack, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, A-GPS, 16GB of internal storage and microSD expansion, stereo speakers, DLNA support, and -- get this -- a DLP pico projector integrated. The spec-sheet also lists a "Specialized Projector UI" as one of the features, suggesting it'll look a little different when you toss it up onto the big screen. This quad-band GSM / EDGE phone with tri-band UMTS 900 / 1900 / 2100 will ship in Q3 to Europe and Asia with a chance for a US version at some point later. We'll bring you more tomorrow just as soon as we get through all this paella. Note: Even though the i8520 clearly seems to run the same UI as the Bada-powered Wave, we've been assured by multiple people in Samsung -- including a VP in the Mobile division -- that it is, in fact, running Android 2.1. That ties in nicely with the fact that Bada's graphical representation comes through as a new cut of TouchWiz, so it makes sense these guys would want to port the same look and feel to other platforms. Also of note is the fact that we couldn't confirm from the company that it's got a projector on board, but there's plenty of evidence to suggest it does: the so-called Specialized Projector UI, the fact that the 14.9mm girth is likely thick enough to swallow the necessary optics, and -- of course -- the big DLP logo on back. We'll bring out the final details just as soon as we know 'em. Update: Images confirm it, Halo is a projector phone!%Gallery-85474%
Samsung Wave first hands-on: Bada-packed and super fast (video!)
Well, we just had our first encounter with Samsung's new Bada-sporting Wave handset. We'll say this to start... the screen is gorgeous, and the phone itself is super fast. No hesitation almost anywhere, but it's hard to make a judgment call at this point. A lot of the software seemed unfinished, and we saw a few crashes and weird behavior. Still, it's clearly a device capable of handling some pretty intense work, and a Samsung rep we spoke to wanted to emphasize its ability to multitask. We were also told that the phone has more than 512MB of RAM, which is notable for a device of this type. We're going to play with it a bit more and flesh out our impressions, but for now feast your eyes on the gallery... and check the video after the break! A few more takeaways (with some input from senior editor Thomas Ricker): Overall the device feels like a glorified feature phone, and speaking to some other tech folks here, that feeling seemed to be common. There just doesn't seem to be a lot to it that we haven't seen in other Samsung devices, especially considering the TouchWiz integration. There was an issue with flipping the keyboard from portrait to landscape -- as we said the phone is early, so this may change, but we had to leave an app and reopen in the other orientation to get it working. We also noticed that there doesn't seem to be word prediction in place right now. The browser is redirecting to WAP pages, so it was hard to see what the results were. We also thought the buttons were in a very odd place, making it a bit hard to navigate. The display wasn't always responding to touches, and at least one unit completely froze on us. For those asking, from the looks of things (and the press release) there is no multitouch on this device. Correction... we just tried pinching and zooming on the phone and while it did create some kind of zoom result, it also kept giving us an error! Furthermore, when we tried to load an image heavy site, it forced the phone into its task manager mode and made us close all applications before we could proceed with using the phone. Clearly there is work to be done. %Gallery-85462%
Samsung shows off LTE-packing netbooks at MWC
Samsung's just busted out some more news from MWC, and one of the hottest items on offer are its LTE netbooks -- the first ever. Sammy's showing off the previously launched 10.1-inch N150, NB30, and N220 -- all with the same specs otherwise, but now packing the company's own, in-house designed Kalmia LTE modem chipset. There's no word yet as to when we can expect to see one of these bad boys on the market (though we certainly expect them to show up this year) -- so far, Samsung's only saying it'll deploy them "according to service schedule and market demand." You don't say? Check the full press release which is after the break (which includes each model's specs).
Sony Ericsson outs Xperia X10 mini and Xperia X10 mini pro
We'd heard a few whispers of Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 mini, but frankly, the X10 mini pro here comes as a bit of a surprise. The sets are nearly identical with the exception of launch colors -- the mini will ship in black, pearl white, lime, pink, red and silver, while the mini pro features just black and red -- a minuscule size difference, and the pro packing a QWERTY keyboard. The X10 twins run Android 1.6 (though with the time to market gap we've come to expect from SE this could change) on a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 and will ship in both North American and global 3G variants with quad-band EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a pack-in 2GB microSD card. As far as OS tweaks are concerned, Sony Ericsson's Timescape is being touted as a major feature that enables all your communications with contacts to be accessed in one place making it simple to access to call history, Facebook, Twitter, messaging, and the like. Four-corner control also gets a mention and is basically user-customizable shortcut icons placed -- not surprisingly -- in each corner of the device's 2.5-inch QVGA touchscreen display. Both phones' launch dates are set for sometime in Q2 this year.
Sony Ericsson launches Vivaz pro, now with more QWERTY
Loved Sony Ericsson's Vivaz but not the awkward name form factor? No biggie, as SE's seen fit to launch a "pro" version of the set replete with QWERTY slide out keypad today at Mobile World Congress. The handset's other specs pretty much line up with what we saw launched in January: very usable 720p video capture, a 640 x 360 wide HVGA touchscreen display, S60 5th Edition (so says the press release, though an SE-tweaked Symbian^2 or Symbian^3 seems more likely), mountains of connectivity options, apps, gee-whiz camera functions, and will ship in both North American and global 3G variants with quad-band EDGE. Digging through the specs, we're a little concerned that somehow the Vivaz pro's megapixelry has slipped from a decidedly more pro-ish 8.1 in the original Vivaz to 5.1 in this venture -- so we're guessing the form factor has something to do with it. Of course there's no firm shipping date, but look for it in white or black sometime in the second quarter of this year.
Samsung Wave: 3.3-inch Super AMOLED, Bluetooth 3.0, and new Bada OS (updated)
How's about a little smartphone love on Valentine's Day? Samsung's press conference just got underway in Barcelona, and one of Mobile World Congress' first smartphones to debut this year is a real doozy. The Wave (S8500) that we've heard so much about lately is finally official, and it's the first handset to ship with Bluetooth 3.0. It's also packing 802.11n WiFi, TouchWiz 3.0 and the company's own Bada mobile platform. You'll also get a 3.3-inch "Super AMOLED" (saywha?) display, and while the 800 x 480 resolution is just dandy, the lack of multitouch is a real buzz kill. Digging into the internals, you'll find a 1GHz processor, 5 megapixel camera, aGPS, accelerometer, 2GB or 8GB of internal storage space, a microSD expansion slot, multi-codec support for DivX, XviD, MP3 and WMV, and support for virtual 5.1 surround sound and 720p recording / decoding. The company's also touting its mDNIe (mobile Digital Natural Image engine) technology, which is already used in its LCD and LED TV lineups; in other words, this phone is probably one of the better ones for multimedia viewing (so long as you don't venture under direct sunlight, of course). It'll be available worldwide starting in April, but unfortunately pricing remains a mystery. Full specifications and press release are after the break. Update: Check out our hands-on with the device! The at-show prototypes do respond to multi-touch pinch and zoom... with an error. But at least they detect it. %Gallery-85459%
Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2010 press conference
We're gearing up for Sony Ericsson's big event here at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which is being staged in the rather swank Opium nightclub -- and as long as the phones are equally swank, we'll be pleased. Stay tuned!
Live from Samsung's 2010 MWC press event
Engadget is live in Barcelona at Samsung's big show. We're expecting the first Bada handset to arrive in all its glory, but who knows what surprises might be in store. Get ready -- the liveblog begins soon!
Garmin-Asus Nuvifone M10 and A50 hands-on
So, we had a few precious moments to play around with Garmin-Asus' latest Nuvifones here in lovely Barcelona today -- the M10 and A50, running on Windows Mobile 6.5.3 and Android 1.6, respectively -- and even better, we did so in the back of a black Mercedes expressly purposed for testing out the integrated turn-by-turn capabilities. Follow the break for our quick impressions! %Gallery-85455% %Gallery-85454%
Windows Phone 7 Series: that's the name
So we were just casually strolling through Plaça d'Espanya today in front of Fira de Barcelona -- better known as the site of MWC 2010 this coming week -- and we couldn't help but notice that Microsoft's digs at the Hotel Catalonia across the street had white stickers obviously covering something important underneath the Windows Phone logo that we'd seen a few days ago. The ensuing conversation went something like this: Chris: Dude, I think I see something there underneath the sticker. I think it says "SEVEN" in all caps. Thomas (staring intently): No way. Chris: Yes, I'm telling you, "SEVEN." It's there! Thomas: Fanboy. It's official, I'm covering MWC with an insane person... looks like I'm bouncing back to Amsterdam. Peace. Well, turns out we were both wrong -- a little Photoshop magic (okay, a lot of Photoshop magic) reveals "7 Series" underneath the decal, just waiting to be torn off after Monday's big press event. The "7" is certainly no surprise, but the "Series" part of this is cause for some last-minute speculation -- are we actually going to see consumer and professional breakouts of the platform as we'd heard rumored a few times in the past? We'll know in less than two days. Follow the break for the full retouched image.
Engadget is live from MWC 2010!
That's right, we just arrived in Barcelona fattened up on airline food and as rested as 8 hours of recirculated oxygen consumed at a 30-degree incline can provide. Weary? No way, we're staring Mobile World Congress 2010 in the face, and if you're a smartphone nerd (and really, what modern gadget fan isn't?) then this is the event that will reveal our future handheld device purchases. So what's going to happen? Windows Mobile 7 seems like a lock as is a Samsung Bada debut with the Wave handset. But what are HTC, Sony Ericsson, Nokia and the rest of the industry up to? We'll find out soon enough -- press events begin tomorrow.
Samsung S8500 Wave caught in a spigot of leaks
Trust in yourself, son, the increase in smartphone news that you sense is not imagined, it's very very real. Mobile World Congress is about to kick off in Barcelona which means we're just hours away from being knee-deep in the stuff. One of the most anticipated devices is the Samsung Wave, first spotted on billboards around Barcelona yesterday. The anticipation is warranted for 2 reasons. First, this 3.3-inch candybar slate is presumably sporting Samsung's new Super AMOLED which should help with outdoor viewing. And b, it's the first phone to run Samsung's new Bada smartphone OS... yes, another one, developers. According to Daily Mobile, the Wave S8500 brings a1GHz processor, 5 megapixel autofocus camera with flash, 720p video recording to 2GB of internal memory or microSD expansion, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and HSDPA data, DivX video support, and a 3.5-mm audio jack in a device measuring 10.9-mm thick. Unfotunately, we can't confirm any of those specs yet (wait until Sunday's press event) -- the pics, however, certainly match up with what we've already seen. We've dropped in a few choice shots after the break, the rest are at Daily Mobile in the link below. [Thanks, Daniel]
Garmin-Asus nuvifone M10 gets handled, reviewed in the wilds of Russia
We just heard about Garmin-Asus' WinMo 6.5.3-packin' M10 yesterday, and already the handset has been broken out for a photo shoot and hands-on review in Russia. The design itself isn't anything otherworldly, but we have to say -- we're kind of digging the user interface. Granted, we've a soft spot in our hearts for Garmin's nuvi line of PNDs, so anything remotely familiar gets a big thumbs-up 'round these parts. At any rate, critics noted that the phone was a pleasant mix of WinMo and nuvi, which is something that really sets it apart from other Windows Mobile-based offerings. There's nary a mention of exactly how awesome this thing would be with Windows Mobile 7, but if you're in no hurry to ponder the next big thing, give that source link a look.
Marvell's Pantheon platform to bring $99 smartphones, Armada 618 to dominate HD clips
In a presumed effort to get its news out before the whirlwind that is Mobile World Congress officially begins, Marvell has just shot out two vital pieces of information that may very well impact the price and performance of your next smartphone. First off, we've got the new Pantheon platform, which is designed to "provide breakthrough levels of integration that lower the bill of materials for mobile devices while offering consumers excellent performance, connectivity, and a compelling user experience." In other words, this is said to be the core ingredient in a future wave of "$99 smartphones" that can handle 3D gaming, HD media and some random thing called "calling." Next up is the latest member of the Armada family, the 618. Packed with a 1GHz clock speed and the ability to chew through 1080p content, 3D graphics and pretty much anything else you can throw at it, there's a halfway decent chance we'll see this under the hood of a few upcoming tablets, e-readers and bodacious smartphones. Hopefully we'll learn more at MWC next week, and we'll be sure to share it as soon as we get it.
Wall Street Journal: Windows Mobile 7 coming next week
We pretty much knew that Windows Mobile 7 is coming next week at MWC, but the Wall Street Journal has a piece up confirming the announcement, along with a few other interesting details. As we'd heard, the new UI is a riff on the Zune HD interface, and the OS "reflects a much tighter focus" on hardware / software integration, all based around a "small number" of hardware chassis specs -- pretty much what we've known, but it's interesting that the Journal's source says the plan is to "limit the wild variation" that's typically been the hallmark of Windows Mobile. The WSJ also says that the long-rumored Pink project is a separate phone designed to replace the Sidekick -- which we also basically knew -- but that it won't make an appearance at MWC at all. Hmm, sounds like someone ought tell all those Twittering Danger employees. We'll see what happens -- it all goes down early on Monday.
Samsung Wave launching Bada onto its very first handset at MWC
There's something nice and unequivocal about a huge billboard popping up in the host city of major tradeshow, and Samsung's Wave handset is making just such an entrance at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The previously unannounced handset will be running Samsung's brand new Bada platform, and appears to be a full touchscreen handset from the look of things. Enough touchscreen for a 3.3-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED display? We sure hope so, and we'll be finding out in just a few days. [Thanks, Danijel]
Compaq Airlife 100 puts Android OS, Snapdragon CPU, and an SSD behind 10.1-inch touchscreen
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Compaq_Airlife_100_puts_Android_OS_Snapdragon_CPU'; HP's mobile computing unit appears to have decided that the term smartbook refers to putting a smartphone's components inside a netbook's body -- which kind of makes sense -- so they've built their Airlife 100 atop an Android OS platform, underpinned by a Snapdragon CPU (unconfirmed, but highly likely), a 16GB SSD, 3G and WiFi connectivity, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. We really can find no cause for complaint -- in fact this is the most excitement a Compaq-branded product has caused us... ever. HP touts a rock solid 12-hour battery life for the Airlife, which stretches out to a mighty 10 days of standby, in case you're one of those folks who hate to switch their electronics off. Announced in partnership with Telefonica, this smartbook will be offered as a subsidized part of mobile broadband service plans in Europe and Latin America. It may well find itself renamed under the HP Mini branding when it rolls around to the US, but for now head on over to Engadget Spanish for the full PR.%Gallery-85326%
Is this the Nokia N98, or the twisted brainchild of a Sidekick fanatic?
There's no shortage of reasons why we should throw this render in the trash. First is the simple fact that it's a render at all, and we all know how extraordinarily talented the world's artistically-inclined phone fanboys and girls are. Second, we're hearing that this is known as the N98, which runs counter to other rumors (and retail evidence in the X3 and X6) that Nokia is moving to a one-letter, one-digit naming convention across its smartphone range. Third, this looks like a straight-up cross between a Sidekick 2008 and a Sidekick LX 2009 (save the tilt-up display, of course). All that said, we can't help but feel that a device exactly like this makes sense for Nokia's high-end, multimedia-savvy Symbian range -- a proper successor to the N97 that might clear up some complaints like the off-center spacebar. Anyhow, rumor has it the so-called N98 features a 4-inch touchscreen (likely capacitive, considering the precedent set by the X6) with 32GB of internal storage and a launch date in time for holiday 2010 at around €450 ($617) -- and we're even seeing an HDMI logo silkscreened on the side, too. This actually mixes pretty closely with another recent rumor that says we can expect an N8 model this Summer with a 3.5-inch capacitive display, 12 megapixel sensor, and Symbian^3, so an alternate possibility is that we're actually looking at that N8 here. Either way, if any of it is real, it could see a debut anywhere between MWC next week and Nokia World later in the year -- but admittedly, our fake-o-meter's reading pretty high on this one until we see an announcement. Nokia fans: is this what you're looking for in a next-gen device?
Intel to be part of Nokia's MWC press conference -- a new Booklet, or something more?
Well, this is interesting -- Intel just sent us an invitation to Nokia's press event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week. We're told that the two companies will update us on the "latest developments" from their relatively new relationship, before Nokia launches into its solo presser directly afterwards. That could mean pretty much anything from a ho-hum Atom N450 refresh of the Booklet 3G to a fire-breathing Moorestown Maemo 5 phone, so we're obviously extremely curious to see what goes down -- our money is on the more conservative side of things, since we're thinking Intel just wants to have a presence at MWC, but we do love to be surprised.
Garmin-Asus nuvifone M10 offers Windows Mobile 6.5.3 with an obsession for navigation
Garmin-Asus phones, they're like buses aren't they -- you wait for ages to get one, then two come along at the same time. Seeking to sate as many mobile OS appetites as possible, the partner company has quickly followed up its A50 Android handset with this here M10, sporting Microsoft's latest Windows Mobile build. As only the second WinMo 6.5.3 device around, the M10 is as up to date as you can get on the software front, though earlier word of a slightly dated 600MHz Qualcomm MSM 7227 CPU will douse some enthusiasm on the hardware side. Then again, Garmin-Asus do furnish you with 512MB of both RAM and ROM and a decent 4GB of integrated storage, so it's not like this is going to be a slouch or anything, and the 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen should also do a nice job of displaying the built-in turn-by-turn navigation. Location awareness is said to be ingrained in everything the phone does, with navigation functions attached to the calendar, web browser, messaging and email clients. Launch is slated for the first half of 2010, and you can quite naturally expect us to get all up close and personal with this handset at MWC next week.
