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Gigabyte's g-Smart t600 and q60 phones
Taiwan's Gigabyte is a bit of a darkhorse in the Windows Mobile game around these parts, but it's been in the game for a while now and its latest round of devices -- getting passed around this week at 3GSM -- shows some R&D savvy. First up, the q60 looks sorta like a Nokia E61 on performance-enhancing substances, bringing tri-band GSM / EDGE plus HSDPA 2100, GPS, WiFi, and a DAB receiver atop a 520MHz XScale core. Next, the t600 tops out with GPRS data, but rocks DVB-H and a gorgeous (well, we can only imagine it's gorgeous) VGA display in addition to the usual spoils like WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0. Expect both to be very hard to come by stateside, but we're sure it's nothing a determined importer can't overcome. See a big shot of the t600 after the break.Read - Gigabyte g-Smart t600Read - Gigabyte g-Smart q60
Lenovo shows Windows Mobile 6 offerings
Lenovo's been pushing phones in its native China for some time -- including some bearing Windows Mobile -- and the company is among Microsoft's launch partners for version six at 3GSM this week. Details are slim for both of these units, but we're guessing the Standard device on the right will be destined for Russia on account of its rather, um... Russia-ish keypad. The Professional handset on the left, though, we're going to call the "Peacemaker." We're not sure exactly how a Google logo found its way prominently onto the frontside of a Microsoft-powered handset, but hey, if all parties involved are cool with that, we're cool with that, too.%Gallery-1610%
i-mate goes deep with Ultimate line, five models promised
i-mate is taking a pretty interesting approach with its newest range of Windows Mobile devices -- the WM6-equipped "Ultimate" range -- by shoving a full five models out the door, all differing only in form factor. Clockwise from the upper left, we have all five in purely theoretical, rendered form: the 5150, 6150, 7150, 9150, and 8150. The strategy makes sense, really; everyone wants a solid spec sheet, but getting everyone to agree on a single shape is an exercise in futility. With 256MB of ROM, VGA displays across the board, tri-band 3G radios, Bluetooth 2.0, and FM radios, the Ultimates definitely hold their own in the spec department -- the only question, then, is whether they've nailed the industrial design. The first model being shown all public-like, the 5150 slider, is admittedly an acquired taste, but some of the others really caught our eyes (7150 and 9150, we're looking at you). Gallery: i-mate's Ultimate line
Palm Treo 750 running Windows Mobile 6
And now, for your viewing pleasure, a Treo 750 supping upon Windows Mobile 6 Professional's sweet, sweet nectar. No, we've no details on when, where, or how this might find its way to existing Treo owners, but it's an encouraging sign, is it not? Follow the break for a little more visual confirmation.
i-mate Ultimate 5150 in the wild
That gold sheen just oozes tri-band HSDPA in its natural environment, does it not? This here is one of i-mate's new Ultimate devices, the 5150, packing pretty much every specification we could hope for in a Windows Mobile 6 package: quad-band GSM / EDGE plus the aforementioned tri-band UMTS / HSDPA, 802.11b / g, 256MB of onboard ROM and 128MB RAM, microSD expansion, Bluetooth 2.0, FM radio, 2 megapixel camera, and VGA (yes, we said it, VGA) display atop a 533MHz XScale core. The unusual layout and style of the navigational controls could throw users a curveball, but, uh... did we mention it does tri-band HSDPA? Check out the gallery for some more champagne-hued hotness. i-mate Ultimate 5150 in the wild
i-mate JAQ4
By any measure, i-mate and one of its post-HTC era manufacturing partners, Inventec, had some explainin' to do after the debacle that was the JAQ; while packing Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition into a device of its form factor was pretty innovative for its time, the chubby dimensions and somewhat bizarre appearance left us wanting. Enter the JAQ4, which will become i-mate's first phone to launch with Windows Mobile 6 (Professional, no less) and makes good on the JAQ's indiscretions with a more understated look integrated into a black shell. Specs are pedestrian but workable, starting with a quad-band GSM / EDGE radio (no 3G here), 802.11b / g, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth 1.2, a camera of the 2.0 megapixel variety, and a 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen. Follow the gallery link for some shots of the JAQ4 doing its thing, including some alongside i-mate's Ultimate 5150, which is also being announced today. Oh, and don't worry about the blasphemous presence of Windows Mobile 5 on the phone -- we've been assured that it'll be hitting with 6. i-mate JAQ4
Windows Mobile 6 Professional in pictures
So Smartphone Edition's successor, Windows Mobile 6 Standard, is really only half of the story behind the launch of Microsoft's tweaked mobile platform next week. Well, technically, it's a third of the story if you count Classic, which we don't -- Classic is to Pocket PC what Standard is to Smartphone, and it's not the phoneless Pocket PCs that get our hearts pounding these days (our apologies, Axim). Instead, it's Professional that's the real prize here, filling Pocket PC Phone Edition's shoes. Revolutionary it ain't, but for folks who love (or own and merely tolerate) Windows Mobile devices, this sucker's fresh look makes it the new king of the hill on the Microsoft side of the fence. Enjoy the eye candy!%Gallery-1532%
Verizon XV6800 in the flesh
Hold on, Apache owners, your knight in shining armor is just around the corner! At least we think it is, now that we've seen some shots of a Verizon-branded XV6800 doing its thing in the wild. It may not look much different than the XV6700 it replaces, but we figure that if the EV-DO Rev. A doesn't tempt you -- or the promise of a Rev. A upgrade at some point, at least -- the 2 megapixel camera and 256MB of Flash just might. Hit the gallery for more pictures.[Thanks, anonymous tipster] Verizon XV6800 in the wild
Windows Mobile 6 announced
Microsoft's finally ready to take the wraps off Windows Mobile 6, the long-awaited successor to Windows Mobile 5 (what else?) that's been baking in the oven for a while now as "Crossbow." The platform formerly known as Pocket PC Phone Edition has become Windows Mobile 6 "Professional," while its more pocketable little brother, the Smartphone, has become "Standard" and plain ol' Pocket PCs are "Classic."Major new features include: - HTML support in email - Windows Live for Windows Mobile - File transfer capability in Windows Live Messenger - New versions of mobile Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with rich editing - Remote wipe capability for stolen and lost devices - Call history in contact cards - Tight Vista integration - "Calendar ribbon" for more easily viewing schedule by day or week - New versions of .NET Compact Framework and SQL Server built-inNo carrier or manufacturer announcements have been made at this point regarding availability or upgrades -- all eyes are on next Monday for that. Stay tuned for details to come fast and furious from us ahead of some fanfare at 3GSM in Barcelona, including full hands-ons with the new OS in both Standard and Professional form!
i-mate's JAQ3 gets the review treatment
i-mate was quick to right its wrongs after the... uh, unique looking JAQ dropped at CTIA last year. The TechFaith-sourced JAQ3 (there was no JAQ2) improves on the original Inventec piece by leaps and bounds. And yes, we can say that with confidence despite the fact we've never laid hands on the 3; one need only to put up pictures of the two side by side to make that call. Of course, just because it's better than the JAQ doesn't mean it's good. Mobility Site had the chance to put a JAQ3 through the ol' review gauntlet recently and came away with a generally positive impression of the device; the keyboard is apparently decent, and really, what's not to like about a QWERTY Pocket PC with WiFi anyway? Downsides include a relatively pokey 200MHz core, poor battery life (though nothing BlackJack owners can't relate to, we reckon), and -- yeah, we're starting to nitpick here -- the lack of a mirror next to the camera. With the quadband radio and US availability of unlocked units, this is one review that's actually relevant to Windows Mobile fans, so have a look, k?[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Verizon signed up to get Treo 700wx
Sprint scored a rare rib on CDMA rival Verizon when it went straight past the Verizon-exclusive Treo 700w to launch the 700wx, but as the old saying goes, all good exclusivity agreements come to an end. New rebate verbage spotted by a customer on Verizon's website makes mention of a $100 rebate on the 700wx -- $150 for the soon-to-be-outmoded 700w -- and even better, the rebate expires February 19, suggesting that there's a sliver of hope we'll see a launch in the next few weeks. To be fair, the re-upped model is nearly identical to its predecessor save for an extra 32MB of RAM, correcting a major complaint from current owners but otherwise adding little to no excitement value. No word on pricing, but hey, at least we know we'll be getting $100 off whatever it might go for.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC Athena previewed in pics
If that last round of HTC Athena pics didn't quench your thirst for all things shiny and detachable, you may want to head over to the blog of one Lucretius, who's managed to get his hands on one of the coveted devices and snap shots of every nook and cranny of it. For those that don't have the specs memorized yet, the device itself packs a 5-inch VGA touchscreen, Intel Bulverde PXA270 624 Mhz chipset, integrated GPS receiver, an 8GB hard drive, a 3 megapixel digital camera and, of course, that detachable QWERTY keyboard on display above, among other goodies. While Lucretius doesn't provide a full review of the device, he does mention that it has "impressive" battery life and that the VGA screen is "amazing." Check out a couple more pics of it after the break, the click through for the full spread.
i-mate K-JAR gets some FCC love
Without 3G, we're still not excited about it, but the i-mate K-JAR's four bands of GSM / GPRS coverage count for something, we reckon. The FCC apparently agrees, giving it its wholehearted stamp of approval -- and as is so often the case with our federal friends, the approval comes complete with a full spread of glamor shots and a user's manual. Though the K-JAR's form factor smacks of the JASJAR (alias HTC Universal) before it, the screen resolution takes a sizable dip from VGA all the way down to QVGA, nixing one of the JASJAR's greatest claims to fame. Still, a swivel display is pretty cool, and if you want to send one over to us, i-mate, well... we're not going to put up a fight about it.
Microsoft switches up names for Windows Mobile 6
Some of us are still trying to keep straight in our brains the difference between Windows Mobile Smartphone, Pocket PC, and Pocket PC Phone Edition devices, but with the impending arrival of Crossbow, that ship has apparently sailed. In the realm of new Windows releases, Vista has obviously been garnering the lion's share of the attention, but Windows Mobile 5 is about to ride off into the mobile platform sunset in favor of Windows Mobile 6 -- codenamed the aforementioned Crossbow -- and the naming convention to differentiate between its various flavors is riding with it. Smartphone (read: phones without touchscreens) is rumored to be replaced by the slightly less colorful "Standard," Pocket PC Phone Edition becomes "Professional," and the plain ol' Pocket PC becomes "Classic," perhaps to reflect the fact that phoneless Pocket PCs have been all but shunned to niche markets in recent years. With all due respect to Microsoft and its hardware partners, they could call it "The Stopgap Version To Hold Us Over Until Photon" for all we care; let's just get some product moving in the pipeline, eh?
ASUS announces P735 with 3G
If only ASUS made that GPS-packin' P535 with a 3G radio... well, by George, they do! (Sorta.) The P735 takes the P535's winning formula (for folks that consider a keyboardless design a "winning formula," anyway) but trades GPS for some glorious UMTS data in a 19mm-thick package. Other features include 256MB of onboard Flash, 2 megapixel primary and VGA front-facing cams, 802.11b / g, Bluetooth 2.0, and miniSD expansion. Conspicously missing from the spec sheet, though, are Crossbow and any form of 3G usable this side of the pond. Maybe next time you'll think of us, ASUS.[Via NaviGadget, thanks Dimitris]
O2 prepping Xda "Atom Life" and "Flame" Pocket PCs
Ooh la la, Xda Flame, how could we forget you? You stole our hearts a couple months back with mere rumors of your existence, and now that your impending release has been confirmed, we're about ready to pack our bags and head for greener pastures (that is, parts of the world serviced by O2). Best of all, it sounds like everything we heard about the Flame might be spot-on -- the 3.6-inch display, NVIDIA GPU, 2GB of onboard storage -- everything. Then again, the also-announced Xda Atom Life is no slouch either, packing a full gigabyte of Flash, HSDPA, and the promise of a white variant down the road. We'll gladly take either -- with support for HSDPA 850 / 1900, please.[Thanks, h20]
HTC X7500 "Athena" has tri-band HSDPA
Is this a dream? Have we landed in some alternate reality where the world's hottest devices inexplicably rock 3G radios with compatibility on American bands? That's the only conceivable explanation we can come up with after catching wind that HTC's X7500 / Athena / T-Mobile Ameo will pack not one, not two, but three frequencies of glorious High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, aka HSDPA, aka "we must have one, now." Since all our intel thus far has suggested that the Athena would come out of the gate with 2100MHz only, we'd normally be our jaded selves and reject this new spec as hearsay, but Boy Genius himself has scored what appears to be a legit spec sheet straight from HTC that delivers the good news. Guess there's only one way we can confirm this (HTC, you have our mailing address) but we're cautiously optimistic that things are looking up for North America's mobile warriors here.
More details surface for ASUS Pegasus
It's been a short time since the ASUS Pegasus was first shown to us and at that time, details were few and far between. Since then, more intel has been uncovered for the Nokia 6600 lookalike. It turns out that the device runs Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC, sports a 2 megapixel shooter, and has GPS. It's possible that it may come stateside as there is no 3G radio on this badboy. Still no word on whether or not it will have expandable memory or just how much onboard memory will be available, but we'll assume there's going to be something to differentiate it in the growing sea of Pocket PC devices. [Via Unwiredview, thanks Staska]
T-Mobile rolls out HTC Athena as "Ameo"
Move over, Universal, there's a new sheriff in town. The Athena from HTC is finally starting to make some public appearances in carrier livery, and we've gotta say, T-Mobile Pink is suiting this thing just fine. Specs for the new reigning king of HTC's expansive Windows Mobile lineup include a 5-inch VGA display, an 8GB hard drive to supplement any Flash you might have stowed in the miniSD slot, on-board GPS, quadband GSM plus HSDPA (sorry, yanks -- 2100MHz only), 3 megapixel camera, an XScale core clipping right along at 624MHz, and -- get this -- three styli in the box, two traditional and one multi-function pen. T-Mobile's European division will get this as an exclusive for a few weeks as the "Ameo," at which point we'd imagine a wider European release is in order. American availability, as always, is an open question.
Samsung i760 for Verizon: yep, it runs Crossbow
Every time we see Crossbow, we're reminded of something else... oh yeah, that's right, Windows Mobile 5. Don't get us wrong, it looks a little slicker, but the i760's attraction is more likely to lie the hardware itself -- not the ultra-mild update to the Pocket PC Phone Edition guts we've loved (and hated) for the past couple years. We expect this thing to hit Verizon stores before the first half of the year is out, but with Verizon, Samsung, and Microsoft all potentially weak links in the delivery chain, we're having a bugger of a time staying positive. Don't let us down, folks![Thanks, anonymous tipster] Samsung i760 for Verizon
