mwc 09
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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.
Darren Murph02.16.2009
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.
Darren Murph02.16.2009
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.
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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!
Nilay Patel02.16.2009
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%
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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%
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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.
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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%
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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%
Paul Miller02.16.2009
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!
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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%
Sean Cooper02.16.2009
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%
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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.
Ross Miller02.16.2009
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%
Paul Miller02.16.2009
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.
Paul Miller02.16.2009
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.
Ross Miller02.16.2009
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.
Sean Cooper02.16.2009
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%
Ross Miller02.16.2009
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!
Chris Ziegler02.16.2009
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.
Ross Miller02.16.2009