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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide gets pictured with Gingerbread, may debut next month
We didn't know it was possible, but Mr. Blurrycam just got out-Blurrycam'd. After getting some quality hands-on time with the FCC this week, the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide had a brief photo shoot showing off a few of its assets. The images, provided by one of BGR's sources, give us a brief look at the device's keyboard and some of its software specs. The myTouch 4G Slide appears to be running Android 2.3.4 -- the same version of Gingerbread found on the Nexus S -- and the latest iteration of HTC Sense UI. This source also confirmed an 8 megapixel camera and teased that the phone runs "as smoothly as the HTC Sensation" and the screen "isn't much to write home about." We hear that the myTouch 4G Slide is penciled in for the first half of July, and looks to be a mighty fine QWERTY-slide option within T-Mobile's Android stable. Or, as good as one can look given the circumstances.
HTC Doubleshot slides through the FCC
Rumor has it that the HTC Doubleshot, aka the MyTouch 4G Slide, will be popping up in T-Mo shops across the country on July 6th. But, before consumers can turn in that paper they've been stackin' for one, the handset has to make it by The Man. Well, the FCC just cleared an HTC phone with a QWERTY keypad and a 1700MHz radio inside, and there's a good chance it just so happens to be that Sensed-up, dual-core Gingerbread slider we've been waiting for. Sadly, regulators don't have any teardown pics for you to ogle but, hey, we've got an FCC tag -- that's gotta count for something... right?
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro now available for pre-order in the UK
Outside of a bit of bootloader talk, we haven't heard much about Sony Ericsson's Xperia Pro since it made its debut at Mobile World Congress in February. The company's now gotten things rolling again, however, and has made the phone available for pre-order in the UK. As you can see above, it'll set you back £349.99 SIM-free (or roughly $575), and it should be available sometime next month. Not pictured above is one of the phone's main selling points: a sliding QWERTY keyboard -- but don't worry, you can get a good look at it in our hands-on. [Thanks, Amarjit]
HP Pre 3 listed for pre-order on Amazon.de: €449 for the best of webOS
We're not dealing with price estimates anymore, here's an honest-to-goodness pre-order for the HP Pre 3. Amazon Germany, a traditionally quick retailer to put device listings up, has added the webOS 2.2 QWERTY slider to its online catalog at a price of €449 ($640) -- though availability is predictably undefined for now. Lest your memory needs a refresher since the Pre 3's announcement back in February, this is a 3.6-inch smartphone with a WVGA (800 x 480) resolution, a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8x55 processor, 512MB of RAM, and a pair of cameras, the rear of which can record 720p video and 5 megapixel stills. To fill the time until a launch date is made known, why not consult our handy chart for a detailed look at how else the Pre 3 improves on its Pre-decessor. [Thanks, Timo]
HP Touchpad and Pre 3 pricing revealed... by Playboy Magazine (update: just estimates)
Hey, we're growing kind of close to that "summer" release window for HP's marquee mobile devices, aren't we? Playboy Magazine sure thinks so, as its latest issue (June) comes with pricing for the Pre 3 and Touchpad, information we haven't yet heard from anywhere else. The 3.6-inch smartphone with a sliding keyboard is expected to land at the industry-standard $200 on contract, while its 9.7-inch tablet brandmate should make itself available for $500 without any subsidies. These numbers are stated authoritatively, as if already known, though we'd still urge a note of caution until HP itself blurts the prices out. Skip past the break to see evidence of the Touchpad pricing as well. Update: False alarm, people. The author of the Playboy article -- yes, Playboy reads Engadget, apparently -- got in touch with us to say that the numbers quoted were just price estimates rather than concrete insider intel. Oh darn.
Nokia N9 hits the FCC, packs more bands than a rubber tree
Last we heard, the Nokia N9 rode Stephen Elop's burning platform into the sunset, never to be seen again. Today, there's a FCC filing that begs to differ. Wireless Goodness spotted that RM-680 in the always-helpful government database, where it claims support for six cellular frequencies as well as Bluetooth and 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n WiFi -- enough to appear on most any GSM carrier, to say nothing of AT&T and T-Mobile. Will the MeeGo-packing QWERTY-sliding hardware that Eldar Murtazin called "near perfect" appear in the US or Canada one day? We don't think it's terribly likely, but if it comes with a dash of Windows Phone 7 on board, we can't promise not to jump for joy. See the full list of bands after the break.
AT&T exec rides Infuse excitement, reveals upcoming plans for Android and Windows Phone
When AT&T launched its Infuse 4G smartphone today, the company also took the opportunity to discuss its plans for upcoming Android and Windows Phone handsets -- as somewhat of a follow-up to the carrier's announcement to release twelve additional Google phones during 2011. Jeff Bradley, Ma Bell's senior vice president of mobile devices, confirmed its next Android phone will be a QWERTY slider from Pantech, featuring a large screen and rugged styling (which he compared to Casio's G-Shock line of watches). Might this be the P8000 we saw gracing the FCC in December? On the Windows side, the company added Dell's Venue Pro to its lineup today, and is gearing up to debut the HD7S -- which will be the last of its first-gen WP handsets, as all future Windows Phone devices will feature Microsoft's updated reference platform. Bradley also hinted that AT&T will begin allowing its Android customers to download apps from third-party repositories, starting with Amazon's Appstore -- surely to Mr. Bezos' delight.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on (update: video!)
We've just gotten to grips with Sony Ericsson's new compact smartphones, the Xperia Mini and its keyboard-equipped sibling the Xperia Mini Pro, and have a gallery of shots for you below. Hit them up now and we'll have hands-on impressions and video coming shortly. %Gallery-122911% The Xperia Mini has wonderful size when it comes to width and height, but we have to ask: why so thick? The Mini Pro is only slightly thicker despite having a fully-fledged slideout keyboard, so it would have been nice if the keyboard-less Mini was more svelte. Sony Ericsson is clearly going after the pocket- and handbag-conscious demographic here, who might not be all that receptive to the Mini's girth. SE also made some bold claims about the finger-friendliness of the Mini Pro's keyboard, which we were told were backed by usability tests against rival phones. Those trials were isolated to devices "in its size class" (of which there aren't many), but our first response was still very positive, at least once we turned on auto-correct. This will be a matter of personal preference, but we found ourselves enjoying not having to take care of every little slip of the finger. Anyway, settings adjusted appropriately, we bashed away on the Mini Pro rather speedily and would rate it right up there with the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in terms of our typing rapidity. Browser rendering has its flaws, there's a stuttery quality to zooming in and out of a page, but at least it's done quickly and Flash playback seems to work without a hitch. Update: Hands-on video now embedded after the break! Additional reporting by Sharif Sakr %Gallery-122901%
Sony Ericsson announces new generation of Xperia Mini and Mini Pro smartphones
Sony Ericsson has just outed a brand new pair of compact Xperia smartphones. The new Xperia Mini will run Android Gingerbread (2.3) on a 3-inch, multitouch, scratch-resistant display, which comes with Sony's proprietary Bravia Engine with Reality Display. There's a 1GHz processor inside, access to Android Market, and home screen customization with custom shortcuts available in the four corners of the screen. A 30 percent improvement in battery life is also touted, courtesy of a larger cell. SE is also pretty jolly about having the world's smallest smartphone capable of recording video in 720p HD. You'll be able to grab yours in one of four different colors this August. The new Xperia Mini Pro features the same 1GHz processor, 3-inch display, and 1200mAh battery, but it also adds a front-facing camera and that sliding QWERTY keyboard that made the original X10 Mini Pro such a favorite. The new model is coming at some point in the third quarter of this year. Sony Ericsson's launch presentation is still ongoing, but we'll have more details and hands-on pics as soon as we can. Update: Hands-on pics and impressions can be found right here! %Gallery-122891%
HTC Doubleshot appears in XML file, brings dual-core QWERTY handset to your future
When this curious bit of XML crossed our news desk today, we were immediately intrigued by the coyly-named HTC Doubleshot -- an 800 x 480 device that packs Gingerbread into a QWERTY slider. After further digging, it looks like the handset gets its distinction from a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8260, which immediately elevates it into the realm of superphone. Given the resolution and form factor, look for a screen size of 3.6 to 4 inches. While others have hastily speculated the inclusion of a 6+ megapixel camera, we've noted the widescreen aspect ratio, and suspect we'll see the same 8 megapixel shooter on this device that's found in some of HTC's other phones. Basically, think of it as a sliding Sensation, but with a lower resolution screen. We've taken note of the coffee allusion, and suspect the Doubleshot involves more than one quietly brilliant company from the Seattle area (think magenta). If we're right about the T-Mobile connection, look for an HSPA+ handset that could potentially take life as the MyTouch 4G Slide. Care to join us in the speculation?
T-Mobile G-Slate and Sidekick 4G now on sale, Android overload imminent
That delectable G-Slate we just reviewed is today shaking off the cobwebs from its long journey westward and is making itself available for purchase directly through T-Mobile. The price is still a daunting $530 with a two-year contract and there's a suggested retail price of $750, though we're not seeing any option to obtain it that way. Then again, why would you want to, it's a 4G tablet designed to ride T-Mobile's HSPA+ airwaves anyhow. In more budget-conscious news, the Sidekick 4G is also making its retail debut today, at $99 on contract, bringing all the goods of a Galaxy S handset, combined with a QWERTY slider keyboard and a tricked-out Android UI. Hit the links to learn more about both, though don't blame us if you end up doing damage to your bank balance in the process. Update: Fear not, there is indeed a fine-print option to purchase the tablet off-contract if you really want to spend $750. [Thanks, Charlie]
HTC Arrive now available for $200 from Sprint (update: $50 at Amazon)
It's March 20th and, right on schedule, Sprint has started taking orders for its first Windows Phone 7 handset. The HTC 7 Pro, renamed the Arrive on the Now Network, can now be had for $200 after rebate when bought with the customary two-year contract. Amazon's doing its usual thing of undercutting carriers' own pricing by offering it up for 50 greenbacks less at $150, and we suspect other online retailers will follow suit. So affordability shouldn't be a problem, but if you're still wondering if the investment will be worth it, we'll have our review of this handset early next week -- just before Sprint makes it irrelevant by blowing the doors off CTIA. [Thanks, Justin] Update: That was quick, Amazon's dropped its price to just $50.
T-Mobile demos new Sidekick opening mechanism, promises mobile hotspot and tethering support
So what do you think of the first touchscreen Sidekick? A desperate attempt to keep an archaic brand alive with unrelated hardware or a modern retelling of a successful retail story? Either way, T-Mobile's keeping the popular name alive, albeit with an Android 2.2 foundation and Samsung-built guts. The new slider mechanism, which replaces the popular 180-degree swivel that was the hallmark of Sidekick devices, has now been treated to a neat video demo, where it's assured upwards thrust gives us cause to be cautiously optimistic. Phone Scoop has also received confirmation that Android's built-in mobile hotspot and USB tethering functions will be supported on the new device, along with MicroSD memory expansion -- 1GB of storage on board will be supplemented with a 2GB card in the box -- WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Video follows after the break. [Thanks, Brandon and Timothy]
HTC Arrive up for $50 pre-order at Wirefly, requires new Sprint account and two-year contract
HTC's first Windows Phone 7 QWERTY slider handset is a mere five days away from its launch on Sprint, but already there's an online retailer keen to undercut everyone else for your business. Wirefly is currently offering the HTC Arrive (aka the 7 Pro outside the US) for $49.99 in upfront costs when bought in conjunction with a new two-year service plan from Sprint on, importantly, a new account. Eligible upgraders will have to shell out $149.99 for the privilege, though that's still less than Sprint's own $199.99 pricing. If you find it any cheaper elsewhere, do make sure to let us know.
Nokia E7 up for pre-order in the states with presumed April delivery
Dedicated stateside Nokia watchers, we have good news: the E7 is up for pre-order on the company's American storefront for a hearty $679. Set to ship in the beginning of April, this bad boy has been kicking around Amazon since late last year, and much to our surprise the price hasn't changed one penny since then. Of course, if you'd gone through Amazon Prime you'd have saved $4 on shipping (which you probably need after spending the better half of a grand on a handset). Get out your credit card and hit the source link! [Thanks, Evaristo]
Dell Venue Pro arrives in the UK at long last: £459 off contract, shipping in 10 days (update: Germany also)
Time for a quick memory check: remember the WP7 slider that Dell announced some months ago? That's right, it's the Venue Pro -- the one that's been struggling to meet demand in the US due to some mysterious reworking. Well, here's some good news for the folks on the other side of the pond: starting today, Dell's UK store is taking orders for this unlocked slider for a hefty £459 ($745), and the first deliveries are expected to arrive in 10 days. Man, these wicked people from Round Rock sure love making us wait, but better late than never, right? Update: We've been informed by our friends over at BestBoyZ that Germany's also getting the Venue Pro today for around €534.
HTC Merge official, coming to 'multiple' US carriers this spring
Boy, we've had so many leaked materials relating to the HTC Merge that we kind of assumed the handset was official by now. Never mind, HTC is taking care of that little oversight now, admittedly much later than we expected the phone to show up, by announcing that the Merge will arrive on multiple US carriers in the spring. It brings Android 2.2, skinned with HTC's Sense UI, a 3.8-in touchscreen plus that slide-out keyboard, and a 5 megaixel autofocus camera with 720p video recording. Not bad, now let's see how those carriers decide to price this mid-range contender.
Sprint renames the HTC 7 Pro the Arrive, launching it tomorrow
Punch sprint.com/arrive into your address bar and the above is what you shall find. Not a generic error marker but a URL-specific "coming soon" message that would seem to confirm the existence and indeed near-future arrival of the HTC Arrive. Beyond that bit of web sleuthing, we also have ourselves a proven tipster informing us that this will be a carrier-branded version of HTC's 7 Pro and confirming that it will be launched tomorrow. A tweet from Sprint earlier this week, intimated heavily that it's about to introduce a Windows Phone 7 handset on the 24th, which we surmised to mean exactly the long-awaited 7 Pro QWERTY slider. Already available in Europe, this device will serve as the first CDMA representative from the WP7 stable, meaning that you'll soon be able to Glance and Go on the Now Network of alliterative advertising slogans.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro first hands-on! (updated with video)
Amazing! Sony Ericsson actually managed to keep something secret from us. The Xperia Pro is the one handset from its MWC presser today that wasn't known about in advance, but we're damn happy to see it anyhow. It features a well-spaced QWERTY keyboard that slides out much in the same way as the gamepad would on the Xperia Play. We did notice there were some software issues on our demo devices -- the Sony Ericsson-customized Android 2.3 installation was nowhere near as smooth as what we've seen on the Xperia Arc previously, so maybe SE will need a bit more time to fashion out its software here. Physically, the Pro is compact and seems decently well built -- we did find the oddly placed power button and teeny tiny volume controls a bit of a bother to locate and operate, however. Obviously, this is a big step up in size from the Xperia X10 Mini Pro, but thickness is kept mercifully in check. It doesn't feel significantly thicker in the hand than phones that lack its hardware keyboard. We'll have video of the device for you very shortly, but for now, enjoy the hands-on shots below. Update: Video now embedded after the break. %Gallery-116438%
Nokia E7 starts shipping to 'select markets'
"Better late than never" has been Nokia's rallying cry when it comes to releasing high-end devices, but we can't begrudge the delay we've experienced with the E7, this phone was gorgeous back in September and it's still a beauty today. The QWERTY-equipped sibling to the N8 brings a 4-inch Clear Black Display -- whose name is no exaggeration, it's as sharp and vibrant as any AMOLED screen we've seen so far -- together with the latest version of Symbian, an 8 megapixel camera round the back, 16GB of onboard memory, and a finely crafted aluminum body. The slideout keyboard on this device is easily among the best we've ever handled, although the same can't be said about the mechanism for opening it up. Nokia hasn't been specific about the markets the E7 will be arriving in over the coming days, but the UK seems a lock and distribution should expand rapidly from there. Jump past the break for Nokia's press release and a sweet little video promo. %Gallery-115811%
