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Qualcomm takes a piece of Pantech
Korea's Pantech has always played second fiddle (well, third fiddle, we suppose) to global giants Samsung and LG, but somehow, the little guy has managed to be cash flow positive for the past eight quarters of financial results since undertaking a corporate restructuring. To further strengthen its position, it's in the process of swapping some outstanding debt for equity -- and one of those creditors just happens to be Qualcomm, which has a booming Korean business and enjoys tight relationships with many of the local players. This sounds like it won't really have any material effect on Pantech's day-to-day operations, since Qualcomm says it wants to stay passive and won't move to install any management or board members; that being said, it could end up with as much as 15 percent of Pantech's common stock, which is a nice little chunk. We're guessing this means we won't be seeing many Pantechs with Broadcom basebands, eh? [Via Unwired View]
O2's Xda Venn is the Pantech Matrix Pro in new clothes
O2 has been known to source its Xda line of smartphones from a number of different sources over the years including HTC and ASUS -- but Pantech? We're pretty sure that's a new one. Then again, WinMo 6.1 dual sliders aren't exactly easy to come by, so we suppose O2 simply did what it had to do to get one in the lineup when the time came. If this so-called Xda Venn looks familiar, that's because it's just a Matrix Pro tweaked with O2's corporate branding, featuring the same 2 megapixel cam, GPS, and HSDPA as its North American cousin on AT&T. It's not on sale yet through O2's online shop, but the plumbing appears to be in place, so we're guessing it'll be available soon.[Via CoolSmartPhone]
Oh, by the way: July 15, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Wednesday, July 15th, 2009: Pantech's SKY division has announced the IM-S480S "Tilt" flip for the South Korean market to be offered through carrier SK Telecom. It's a fairly ordinary phone -- 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion -- but it apparently gets its name from its curved halves (how that evokes a name like "Tilt," we're not exactly sure) and features a trick LED bar above the keypad that can be used to indicate download progress and the like. Samsung has rolled out a so-called Elegant Edition of its S7350 slider in Hong Kong. It's pink and comes with a quilted pink leather pouch, so... you know, you'd better really be into pink. It also features customized "smart seasonal wallpaper" that'll change based on seasons and calendar events. [Via Unwired View] It looks like BlackBerry OS 5.0 will get tabbed browsing, a feature that's become virtually standard across smartphone platforms (and has even started to invade the upper dumbphone echelon recently). The just-announced Sony Ericsson C905a for AT&T has already started to filter into some retail locations ahead of its July 19 release, so don't give up if you've got an unquenchable, urgent yearning for this thing.
More Pantech Escapade shots emerge, sounding very low-end
We're not sure we understand the market for a global phone on Verizon that's so low-end that it doesn't even support 3G, but Pantech seems to understand it -- or at least it thinks it does -- with the latest info leaking out about its upcoming Escapade flip. The phone will apparently support CDMA with 1x data alongside GSM with GPRS data, which makes it next to useless to getting serious work done from your handset no matter where you happen to be in the world. Otherwise, it's expected to feature a 2 megapixel camera and a measly 2.5mm headphone jack, but it's said to be lacking a microSD slot -- something found on even the most basic phones for the last year or two. Global or not, this thing better be within a few bucks of free when it launches; as of right now, we don't know when that'll be.
Pantech Love Actually actually loves dot matrix graphics
This phone vaguely reminds us of the Samsung Memoir for some reason, but rest assured, it's Pantech through and through and it's being sold thousands of miles away. The SKY IM-U460K "Love Actually" will see action on South Korean carrier KTF, rife with global roaming capability, HSDPA, an integrated DMB tuner (par for the course with domestic Korean handsets), a 3 megapixel primary cam, and microSD expansion. The big feature here, though, has to be the 3-inch QVGA display that shocks and delights onlookers with a biggie-sized dot matrix display that's just low-res enough to be more retro chic than annoying. As with all of Pantech's SKY-branded goodies, we'd expect to see this one outside Korea... oh, right around the same day that Apple licenses iPhone OS to third party manufacturers.
Telcel launching Pantech C570 slider with preloaded Paty Cantu content
Celebrity tie-ins are always a surefire way to put a little more oomph behind the launch of an otherwise bland handset, and in Mexico, carrier Telcel is doing exactly that to celebrate the launch of its latest Pantech piece. The C570 is a pretty basic GSM phone with some stylish color accents, FM radio with RDS, and dedicated music controls, but what immediately turns up the interest knob by a notch or two is that they've hooked up with local star Paty Cantu to preload the phone with artist content. Further helping the handset's street cred as a music phone is the fact that it's also got a 3.5mm jack, a remote with yet another set of music controls, and microSD expansion up to 8GB -- but with the brooding expression on Paty's face here, we can't rightfully say we're sure whether she's delighted, horrified, ambivalent, or utterly unaware of the offering.
Pantech's SKY IM-R470S succumbs to the 3D UI trend
Somewhere in the past year, Samsung and LG spontaneously decided that mobile UIs should rotate in three-space as though each screen is a face on a cube. Other than sheer visual bedazzlement, there's not a lot of practical value to that -- but that's not stopping Pantech from getting into the game. It's coining its 3D interface "TruEmotion," and the first handset to take advantage of it will be the IM-R470S launched by Pantech's SKY division in Korea. The phone features a 3.2-inch VGA touchscreen and -- if we had to guess, anyway -- it probably supports T-DMB reception, but you'll need to be local to pick it up when it launches in July.
Pantech Escapade getting worldly on Verizon?
Global roaming on Verizon has typically been revered as a premium feature -- which more or less makes sense, considering that the well-to-do are more likely to be globetrotting and the additional radio hardware jacks component costs -- but it always pays dividends to keep a few lower-cost options in any lineup, and that might just be where the Pantech Escapade comes into play. The Korean flip is rumored to be gearing up for a launch on Verizon -- and as the SIM slot suggests, you'd be able to take this one overseas with you on the occasional business jaunt or vacay. It's said to have a 2 megapixel camera and a QVGA display, though a microSD slot may strangely be missing; it's become such a common feature at this point (even on the lowest-end devices) that we'd be shocked to see it launch like that, but who knows? Maybe you don't need music and picture storage where you're going.
Pantech Aladdin for AT&T: QWERTY when you need it, numeric when you don't
Between the Matrix and Matrix Pro, Pantech seems to be carving out a curious niche for itself on AT&T with multi-keypad devices, and the trend looks like it could continue if the "Aladdin" ends up coming to market. The HSDPA-capable dumbphone starts life as a chubby candybar with a numeric pad, but a flick of the finger brings out full QWERTY for when the SMS conversations (threaded, no less!) start to get heated. It's got a meager 1.3 megapixel cam -- proof that it's a lower-end device -- along with AGPS, stereo Bluetooth, Video Share, and support for Windows Media DRM. According to our documentation, AT&T wants this one out in August, but it's unclear if they'll meet that date -- assuming it successfully makes it through carrier certification. Follow the break for a couple closeup shots of the phone.
SKY celebrates tenth anniversary with IM-U440 Hommage
Pantech's domestic market sub-brand, SKY, has been kicking around for a solid ten years now -- and to celebrate, they've cooked up a unique model. Actually, the IM-U440 Hommage isn't really any more unique than your typical Korean slider, but it's pretty cool nonetheless; the headlining feature seems to be an array of 112 multicolor LEDs directly below the display that undulate in a seizure-inducing way according to the phone's current mode. You've also got the typical TV tuner, dynamic noise reduction (a la Motorola's CrystalTalk), and microSD expansion. Look for it to launch on SKT and KTF.[Via Mobile-Review]
Antenna developer sues boatloads of manufacturers
Modern phones deeply rely on the ability to efficiently switch between two, three, or even more bands, a sad reality of the patchwork map of available spectrum the nations of the world have imposed on themselves. That kind of multiband tech requires really awesome miniaturized antenna tech, and a Spanish company, Fractus, says that a whole bunch of the world's top-tier manufacturers are blatantly violating its IP in the field. It's suing Samsung, LG, RIM, Pantech, Kyocera, Palm, HTC, Sharp, UTStarcom, and Sanyo for allegedly infringing on a total of nine patents it holds; the company doesn't specify what kinds of damages it's seeking, but something tells us it's a huge-ish number. Considering that we're pretty big fans of reception, this is a suit we can kinda get behind -- assuming Fractus' claims are legit, of course. [Via Phone Scoop]
Pantech prepping new O2 Xda device, say hello to the Venn?
The folks at the::unwired have unearthed a bit of news for fans of O2's Xda line, apparently Pantech is lining up a new device purportedly dubbed the O2 Xda Venn. Little is known about the Venn, but the rumored specs are of a quad-band GSM set with single-band HSPA -- of the 2100 MHz variety -- and of course we'd expect Windows Mobile. The when and where are still a mystery, but with a bit of luck Mr. Blurrycam'll be filling us in on the details sometime soon. Keep your eyes peeled for more as soon as we catch a whiff.
Helio's Ocean 2 -- how would you change it?
Check it, Mobile readers -- Engadget Classic's How Would You Change could use your participation this week, as we've got Helio's Ocean 2 up on stage. You bought one? You got something to say? Head on over and spill it, why don'tcha?
Pantech Breeze gets remixed in black for AT&T
Looking for 3G, a wide VGA display, and a 5 megapixel cam? Well, friend, you've come to the wrong place -- but if you're looking for the drop dead simplest handset AT&T has to offer, the Breeze definitely has to make your short list. Following a white launch last year, Pantech's mega-simple clamshell for the older set has been redone in black, offering the same EDGE data, VGA camera, and one-touch "convenience keys" as the original. It's available starting today for $29.99 on contract.
Pantech's Matrix PRO: $179.99, February 24th, AT&T stores
We've known just about everything there is to know about Pantech's slip-sliding Matrix PRO, but those two most important tidbits have thus far eluded us. Thankfully, the pricing and availability details you've been craving since last week have finally arrived. The handset will be available on the 24th (that's tomorrow, kids) in a steel-blue metallic finish at AT&T company-owned stores and online at the carrier's website. The pain? $179.99 after a two-year service agreement and a $50 mail-in rebate.
Verizon Wireless launches CDM8975, rugged push-to-talk on the cheap
It's most definitely a hit and miss affair in the push-to-talk realm, and while the (Pantech) CDM8975 doesn't deliver the sexy, it does seem to deliver the lower-end goods. This flip is priced at $99 on a two-year stint and brings a 1.3 megapixel camera, dedicated push-to-talk and speakerphone buttons, memory expandability up to 8GB, Bluetooth, and even stereo speakers. There is a $50 rebate on a 2-year plan, but Verizon seems to have decided that instead of cash, that rebate will come in the form of a debit card and not cash. Perhaps you can pay for the $5 unlimited push-to-talk services, or a case, or to courrier your letter of complaint about getting a debit card rebate and not cash? Available online now and in stores as of March 9th.Update: As Dustin pointed out, the rebate card can be used anywhere debit cards are accepted.
Pantech Matrix PRO unboxed on video
Pantech's Matrix PRO is certainly an interesting update on the original Pantech Duo, and although we're not super-intrigued by a handset that can't be updated to Windows Mobile 6.5, we're not going to let that get in the way of some unboxing good times -- and they must be good, because PocketNow's Brandon Miniman sounds delighted in this video. We won't hold you back -- it's after the break.
MWC day three: return of the Jedi
Okay, an Android RAZR would have been amazing, but sadly Motorola didn't announce anything at all at MWC, so our dreams are on hold for the moment. In fact, day three was bereft of any major announcements, but there was some action: Telstra boss Sol Trujillo's prototype HTC handset running Windows Mobile 6.5 was pickpocketed, we played with a few real Android prototypes, and we even saw Windows Mobile hacked into compatibility with a capacitive touchscreen. What else did we learn?
Pantech's Matrix PRO slides two ways onto AT&T
This thing's been on quite a journey from concept to production, but here we are -- finally, a true successor to Pantech's quirky Duo on AT&T. The Matrix PRO features HSDPA (up from UMTS), integrated GPS with AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel cam, Video Share support, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, but the real draw lies in the device's pair of sliders -- one for QWERTY, one for digits. At nearly 23mm thick, it's not the thinnest smartphone in the world -- that honor supposedly belongs to the Nokia E55 -- but where else are you going to get this many buttons on a single device? Pricing and availability are forthcoming.
Helio's Ocean 2 spotted in all black attire
While the Americanized version of Helio's Ocean 2 has gobs of red accents (thanks, Virgin Mobile!), many have wondered if an all black version would hit the scenes as well. Clearly, that answer is... well, maybe. A South Korean Helio page shows two variants of the newest Ocean, with one devoid of all those fiery accents. Obviously, we've no way to tell if this thing is ever coming to US soil, but this just might be the excuse you needed to hit up Seoul for an extended weekend.[Via MobileCrunch]
