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Samsung's Omnia Pro B7610 previewed
At a glance, Samsung's recently-announced Omnia Pro B7610 seems like a sweet hunk of Windows Mobile love -- especially if you're cross-shopping it with the Touch Pro2 -- but is there more than meets the eye? GSMArena recently put a prerelease unit through its paces, and it's not a perfect situation by any stretch; first off, apparently not very pretty in the flesh, owing in part to its girth and in part to the weird red battery cover. The resistive touchscreen isn't great and the OLED display washes out in sunlight (as they typically do), but on the plus side, the QWERTY keyboard is said to be stellar and it seems that Sammy's done a great job of completely concealing WinMo 6.1's sad, sagging skin with TouchWiz. In the final analysis, the site concludes that the phone easily matches the high bar set by the Touch Pro2 -- strong words considering HTC's market dominance and the fact that we're still looking at a prototype Omnia Pro here, so this should get even more interesting.
Sony Ericsson brings MD400G USB data card to Rogers
It's not every day that you see a USB data card launch that can accept Memory Stick Micro M2 cards, so we wanted to call out this little puppy on Rogers. As you might imagine from the unusual memory card support, it comes to us from our good friends at Sony Ericsson -- and not to fret, because the MD400g takes plain ol' microSD cards, too, all the way up to 8GB. It's got integrated GPS, supports up to 7.2Mbps down, and can roam globally on 2G and 3G networks; add in that wild red and white paintjob, and you've got a winner on your hands -- especially when you consider that it's free on a three-year contract.[Via MobileSyrup]
Original Motorola RAZR refuses to die, spawns new LuK Hot Pink version in Korea
There aren't many products in the world that have been produce for so long that they bridged right from the "modern" to "ho-hum" to "retro chic" categories without ever pausing production (actually, the hula hoop is the only one that comes immediately to mind). A year ago, it was cool to hate on the debilitating age Motorola's original RAZR V3 and the fact that it was still being sold in countless shops and by countless carriers around the world; now, though, it's gone on so long that we've got to wonder whether there's some magical, hidden force at play here that will keep this phone on shelves and in hearts until the very end of time. Evidence of that certainly exists in the freshly-launched LuK Hot Pink edition, an apparent follow-on to the LuK launched back in February of this year with 7.2Mbps HSDPA, video call capability, Bluetooth, and that's about it. At a price under 500,000 won (about $400) on carrier SKT, it doesn't seem like a particularly good deal -- but then again, if you look at it as a perfect replica of a vintage collectible device, maybe it's a downright steal.
Samsung Omnia II gets banded for US 3G, but it's not for the US
Remember how Verizon is getting the Omnia II? Yeah, well, don't get too excited, because this isn't it. A version of Samsung's latest full-touch WinMo superphone just garnered FCC approval, and more excitingly, it packs WCDMA bands II and V -- exactly the bands we use in North America -- but you might notice that there's a surprising dearth of English on the product's certification label. Well, see, it turns out that South America uses those bands, too -- and the "L" in this version's model number of i8000L probably stands for Latin America, if we had to guess. That's not to say savvy North Americans couldn't import this and get some juicy 3G on AT&T or Rogers, but at least in AT&T's case, we still don't have any particular reason to believe that this'll land over there. Certainly wouldn't hurt their case, though, would it? [Via Cell Phone Signal]
Garmin-Asus confirms nuvifone G60 for sale this month in Taiwan, M20 soon after
Is this really happening? Are we all collectively in some sort of lucid, dreamlike state where Garmin-branded cellphones flow like water, or is this the real deal? Correct us if we're wrong, readers -- but if we're reading this press release correctly, Taiwanese folks will have a crack at Garmin-Asus' nuvifone G60 come the 27th of this month, just a few days from now; Singapore and Malaysia will have theirs meanwhile by the end of August, and Europe and the US are "on schedule" for the second half of the year (we hesitate to associate the phrase "on schedule" with this product, but we'll let it slide this time). If WinMo is more your cup of tea, the M20 will be coming to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in August as expected -- the US isn't on the roadmap for this one, but Europe should have it later this half. These phones have taken so long to arrive that they'll be fighting an uphill battle against irrelevance -- but with the reality that handsets will be all but replacing dedicated portable nav units in the coming years, it's a play that Garmin's gotta still be eager to make nonetheless.
HTC Hero review
The HTC Hero has been an object of lust for some time now for gadget enthusiasts. Even from the earliest days of leaked hardware shots and blurry demo videos of its UI, smartphone fans seemed to agree that the company had finally achieved what has been missing in the world of Android. Namely, a polished and attractive device -- polished enough to go head-to-head with the iPhone -- that kept its open source heart. So, here we are months later with an actual, bona fide Hero in our midst. Yes the reports were true, it is a beautiful device, both inside and out (though of course opinions differ on that chin). But does being a beautiful device mean Android is about to move to a bigger stage? Is HTC's spit-shine enough to overcome some of the hurdles that have plagued the platform? That question -- and more -- is answered in our review, so head on over to Engadget for the full story.
ZTE shows off recent smartphones at Wireless Japan
China's ZTE is still sticking to the low end in North America, but in its home country, the manufacturer is a huge player. Evidence of that lies strewn about ZTE's booth at Wireless Japan this week, where it's showing a pair of WinMo devices plus a Linux-based model that look ripe to compete with some of the best in the world. First up, the RAISE and XIANG do WinMo and HSPA for China Unicom's Wo network, rocking 5 and 3.2 megapixel cameras, respectively. The D820 reps the open-source world (though we're not sure what kind of Linux distro is running on it -- it's not Android, if we had to guess) and runs CDMA with WiFi, GPS, and a 2 megapixel camera. We're not sure if ZTE is using phones like these as warmups for more global launches, but given what we're seeing here -- and the low price points they're likely looking to hit -- we're all for it.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Samsung Comeback, Gravity 2 carry on the QWERTY legacy on T-Mobile
There aren't any surprises in this particular batch of announcements, but we're sure Samsung's new Comeback and Gravity 2 will sell like gangbusters for T-Mobile considering the overwhelming popularity of the text-savvy segment. First up, the Comeback flips to the side to reveal its inner goodness, featuring a 2 megapixel camera, microSD support up to 16GB, and a pair of displays -- one 128 x 128, one wide QVGA. Next up, the Gravity 2 succeeds -- you guessed it, the Gravity, with a more traditional side-slide QWERTY layout; like the Comeback, it features a 2 megapixel sensor and 3G. The Comeback drops today for $129.99 on contract with the Gravity 2 following on in August for a to-be-announced price.
Nokia takes Surge global with 6760
Nokia's North American product portfolio dude had mentioned in a recent interview that AT&T's Surge would end up seeing global duty, and sure enough, here it is. Known as the 6760 around the world (which complies with Nokia's typical four-digit naming scheme, by the bye), the phone's specs are basically identical to its Yankee cousin: 3.2 megapixel cam, 2.4-inch QVGA display, AGPS, S60 3.2, microSD expansion, and a side-sliding full QWERTY keyboard. "Typical Nokia" is not a phrase we'd use to describe the 6760, but here's the million-dollar question: can a phone clearly designed with AT&T's needs (and North America's needs) in mind sell elsewhere? Look for it to launch around Europe in this quarter for €199 (about $283) unlocked, with black, red, and white versions becoming available on a region-by-region basis.
Sony Ericsson's Android-powered XPERIA X3 sorta confirmed by way of retailer
We don't take the word of just any retailer at face value, but when a big player like eXpansys decides that it's time to list a new phone in its inventory, that usually means something's afoot. The company's British outpost has now listed full details for a phone it's identifying simply as "Xperia" in its headline, but if you read further in, you'll see that the product code is "SEMXP3_BLK_UK", suggesting X3 is the likely moniker for Rachael. For your hard-earned (but yet-to-be-determined) money, you'll get pretty much everything you could possibly want, spec-wise: 10Mbps HSDPA and 2Mbps HSUPA, 8 megapixel cam with image stabilization and LED flash, 3.5mm headphone jack, a 4-inch 800 x 400 display (a first at this resolution for a production Android device), AGPS, and microSDHC expansion. Sadly, it's listed as 900 / 2100 only for the 3G radio, so we'll need to rely on the telecommunication gods (and Sony Ericsson, we suppose) to deliver a North American version as well.[Via Slashgear and the::unwired]
T-Mobile myTouch 3G unboxing
Our attention is still vaguely fixed on that Hero off in the distance, but let's focus for just a minute -- the myTouch 3G for T-Mobile is now in our well-guarded possession as it trudges toward a late July release for those lucky enough to pre-order. Other than a few silkscreened details, make no mistake -- the myTouch is literally an HTC Magic in basically all but name (we compare it with a Rogers-branded Magic in our gallery below so you can see what we mean), and all things considered, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Like all of its Magic contemporaries, the phone feels small and well-balanced in the hand; one unique detail, though, is the crazy packaging which consists of a semi-soft zippered nylon case enclosed by a paper sleeve. It's cool, different, and unlike a regular box, it's something you'll probably want to hold on to.This is the first time we've seen it in that "merlot" shade, and in person, this is a great-looking color that could play well with anybody -- man or woman, business or casual. It's a touch of highlight without going overboard (unlike, say, the actual Highlight). Software-wise, this is looking like a bone-stock Android 1.5 build so far (notice the keyboard, for example), which plays with T-Mobile's prior statements that its software value-add with these sets would primarily come through Market downloads. Stay tuned for our full review, but in the meantime, enjoy some visuals!
Verizon's HTC XV6975 turns out to be the Whitestone: 5 megapixels, no keyboard
Remember way back in March when HTC's 2009 lineup first started to come apart at the seams? You might recall that there was a "Whitestone" in there, rumored to be packing a wide VGA display, 5 megapixel camera, and global GSM / CDMA support for Verizon sometime around September. That leak looks to be proving frighteningly accurate now that Dutch site Tweakers.net has seen (and we've been able to verify) a user agent profile that describes the XV6975 in just enough detail so that we can fit the puzzle pieces together: 800 x 480 display and no keyboard, chiefly, and when you add to that the fact that we know it's got HSDPA on board from its GCF certification, you can pretty much see where this is going. Hard to say whether it'll launch with Windows Mobile 6.1 or 6.5 -- obviously we're pulling for 6.5, but if the rumored September launch is even close to accurate, that'll put it right on the cusp; fortunately, we'd fully expect it to be upgradeable either way. Separately, we're hearing that Verizon's Touch Pro2 is actually the XV6875, but the real question is this: at this point, which one do you want?
Vertu proves carbon fiber doesn't have to be functional with latest Ascent Ti
Carbon fiber: a highly-engineered material prized the world over for its overwhelming strength without sacrificing weight, used in some of the world's most mission-critical machines. Vertu's Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre Edition, however, decidedly doesn't qualify as such a use -- but that's not stopping the luxury handset division of Nokia from touting the new model's been "repeatedly tested to ensure the optimum amount of fibres and resin and processed together to achieve a flawless uniform look on both the flat and curved parts." It's available next month with your choice of carbon, aluminum, or copper grips, but the term "available" might be a stretch for most of us considering that pricing is only being provided "upon request" -- and we all know what that means. [Warning: PDF link][Via Unwired View]
HTC XV6975 picks up GCF approval en route to Verizon
If you're holding out for a Touch Pro2 on Verizon... well, we really don't want to jump the gun and say that your wait won't be much longer -- the original Touch Pro just launched last November -- but signs of a XV6975 in a major certifying body are certainly a step in the right direction. We've heard from our sources that the XV6975 is going to be the go-to-market model number used by Verizon for its version of the Touch Pro2, and the Global Certification Forum has just gone ahead and approved precisely that model. If you're wondering what's up with all the mentions of GSM and HSDPA, wonder not -- like Telus, Verizon will be getting a global device for the business-minded folk that are likely to be latching onto this thing. Add in a 3.5mm jack and it's just a bag of awesome, isn't it?[Via the::unwired]Update: We're being told by commenters Yums and Verizon Tester that this'll actually be the Touch Diamond2 -- probably not as hotly-anticipated as the Pro2, but still a nice little device to have nonetheless (especially with a global radio thrown in). Guess we'll have to wait and see how this shakes out.
The HTC Hero has landed... in our hands
Guess what the Gadget Stork delivered on our doorstep today? A robot baby? No. Better. An actual, real, in-the-Teflon HTC Hero. Let's just say this -- it's pretty much the sexiest Android device ever created. We're not going to go into too much detail right now, as we're planning on delivering a full review next week, but we do want to say that this thing has our eyes glazed over like Scrooge McDuck checking out a pile of gold... if you know what we mean. HTC has truly outdone themselves here, not only with build quality (the thing kind of feels like a luxurious rock in your hand -- it's a good thing), but so far the software seems truly outstanding as well. Of course, we haven't taken the deep dive yet, so for now, feast your eyes on these photos, and get ready for the main event.Update: Oh why, HTC? Apparently, this thing ain't covered in Teflon at all. According to the company's PR, only the white models are getting the dirt-resistant treatment. We're guessing the unit we have is just sporting a regular, soft-touch coating. It feels good and all... but now it seems so much less special
Nokia N86 8MP coming to the US for $558
Nokia's trying to make a big deal today about the fact that the N86 8MP will be coming to Nokia's US flagship stores in New York and Chicago along with nokiausa.com in the "coming weeks," but in light of the company's recent North American strategy shift, the US availability of the N85, and the handling of the N97 launch, we'd be far more surprised if it wasn't coming. As for pricing, you're going to be looking at $558 out the door -- an oddball price, to be sure, but considering that you're getting arguably the best S60 3.2 device ever conceived, it seems within the realm of reason (and you'll be able to get it through third-party retailers for considerably less, we'd wager). Who's in?
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 16, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Thursday, July 16th, 2009: The Samsung Omnia II will go on sale in Singapore this Saturday, July 18 for S$898 (about $619) unlocked, while the Omnia Pro will be available August 1 for something under S$550 (about $379). [Thanks, Rixter] Remember that mysterious Samsung Link for Bell? MobileSyrup has scored the lowdown on the device, and it turns out not to be a smartphone of any sort -- instead, it's just a text-centric dumbphone (isn't that theme starting to get a little played out?) with a 1.3 megapixel camera and a 2.2-inch display. It'll allegedly launch on July 30 in your choice of white or black for CAD $19.95 (about $18) on a three-year deal. HTC has already managed to roll a fix for that Bluetooth vulnerability they've been dogged by in recent days. [Via pocketnow.com] Ovi Maps 3.1, N-Gage, Ovi Contacts 2.1, and a mysterious "phone memory update" are all now available to users of North American Nokia N97s. Early reports suggest that some users are having trouble getting the goods installed successfully, so let us know how it goes. Continuing a trend it started earlier this year on other smartphones, Verizon has gone ahead and unlocked the GPS on its Samsung Omnia with an official firmware update. The release also includes an updated WinMo 6.1 AKU, Bluetooth tethering support through VZ Access Manager, and some memory fixes. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
LG BL40 garners FCC approval, no US 3G in sight
Unlike HTC and Nokia, LG has a reputation for playing by the rules and submitting fully to the whims of US carriers, which means that if a carrier doesn't pick up a device for inclusion in its lineup, you're simply not going to see it with North American 3G -- the best you'll be able to do is an international import with EDGE. So far, we're not seeing anything to suggest that the mighty BL40 will be bucking that trend, unfortunately; it's just earned itself some FCC approval on GSM 850 / 1900 alone. Since Verizon essentially owns the Chocolate brand around here, that's not to say we won't see a CDMA version before too long -- but hopes for an unlocked version whose molasses-like radio doesn't make you want to gouge your own eyes out are fading quickly.
Nokia E72 passes FCC in North American flavor
Speak of the devil -- we were just chatting about Nokia's new strategy for getting the best devices to the US (even if it means going unlocked if necessary), and what do you know? That's right, the E72 (or E72-2, if you want to get technical about it) has just won its FCC badge, offering full HSPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands in addition to quadband EDGE and HSPA 2100 for those times when you find yourself out of the Western Hemisphere. The fact that this phone is unbranded is both a blessing and a curse -- a blessing because... well, it's not carrier branded, but a curse because that means we're probably going to be subject to the usual Nokia preorder rigmarole / flagship store drama to get it. You know we'll still end up doing it, though, and so will you.
