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Garmin-Asus nuvifone M20 launches in Taiwan, Windows Mobile and all
Following last month's launch of the proprietary OS'd G60, Taiwan's now playing host to the Windows Mobile-based M20 from Garmin-Asus, the joint venture's second model. Local carrier Chunghwa will be carrying the phone, which features HSDPA, a VGA display, 3 megapixel cam, and comprehensive navigation capabilities that earn it the Garmin name -- but it turns out they'll also be launching the iPhone 3GS and Hero in the next few days, a situation that effectively defines the phrase "hostile competitive landscape." Best of luck, Garmin-Asus -- given the Duke Nukem-esque delays you've encountered in your bumpy road to retail, you need all the luck you can get if you want to turn a profit any time soon.
Palm Eos coming in October, or next year, or some other time, or never
Two months post-launch, the Pre remains the only official game in town for webOS, but we all know how Palm rolls -- there are unquestionably other phones in the pipeline, and they're going to be available on a variety of carriers. By all accounts, the so-called Eos (or Pixie, if internal codenames are more your thing) for AT&T is going to be the next model to come out of the chute, and now that we've all gotten bored with our Pres, the world seems to be turning its attention to more pressing matters like a release date. To that point, we're dealing with two ends of the spectrum right now: at one extreme, Digital Daily cites a Morgan Joseph analysts as saying he believes the Eos will hit AT&T at some point beyond the holidays, thanks in part to the $99 iPhone's continued strength. On the other end, the Chinese language Commercial Times out of Taiwan says an HSPA-powered version of the Eos will rock a 2.6-inch display and start volume deliveries from ODM Compal to Palm in October of this year with a CDMA variant following on in the first quarter of next year. Ultimately, both reports have the reassuring solidity of Jell-O -- so what have we learned? The Eos (or whatever it's called) will ship when it ships. Read - Analyst likes Eos launch next year Read - GSM Eos in October, CDMA version Q1 '10?
Mystery Nokia flip for AT&T turns out to be 6350
Remember that nameless midrange flip from Nokia that the FCC outed complete with AT&T branding not long ago? Well, we've now got a name to put with the face: 6350. The good folks at the Bluetooth SIG have come through once again, revealing a picture -- admittedly a small one -- of the phone that we can safely identify as the same thing we'd seen getting FCC approval a little while back. We don't have a launch date yet, but the SIG confirms that it's an HSDPA-equipped piece with a 2 megapixel camera -- in other words, nothing that's going to knock your socks off, unless your socks are mysteriously knocked off by 2 megapixel cameras, in which case you need to check your socks. [Via Unwired View]
Nokia / InterDigital patent drama continues with ITC ruling in Espoo's favor
Corporate legal teams are so large, so powerful, and often so evenly-matched that when you combine them with the glacial wheels of justice, patent disputes can take years to resolve -- in fact, we'd say it's the rule rather than the exception -- and inevitably, they end in anticlimactic fashion with the alleged offender agreeing to shell out some fraction of the plaintiff's original request in exchange for sweeping the whole matter under the rug. Nokia's had its fair share of such spats, and one that's been dogging the company for a good long while now is with InterDigital, which has been systematically targeting firms in the industry for years with claims that it holds patents inherently required for UMTS -- in other words, if you make UMTS gear, you automatically owe InterDigital money. Of course, Nokia has been politely disagreeing with that claim all along, and the US International Trade Commission has just issued an initial determination in its favor, saying that it doesn't violate the four patents InterDigital's all worked up over. For the record, the US ITC has been investigating this issue for a solid two years now, so yeah, if someone's ripping off your IP, don't expect a speedy resolution. The commission's initial determination will be followed by a final, binding determination this December; in the meantime; Espoo "will continue to present its case." Now that we think about it, we're pretty sure we saw this episode of Law & Order already.
Palm prepping Pre with North American GSM, but for whom?
Palm seems to be making an active, conscientious effort to say as little as it can about the GSM version of the Pre, possibly in an effort to give Sprint as much spotlight as possible before its exclusivity expires -- but as we all know, it's real and it's coming. Thing is, Palm has always implied that it's being limited to European duty with a 3G radio that fails to cover bands that are of any interest to North Americans, so what the heck is this noise all about? Multiple certification bodies are now reporting the existence of a Pre model number P100UNA, as opposed to the P100UEU that's launching in Europe -- and it doesn't take a lot of detective work to gather that those codes on the end stand for "North America" and "European Union," respectively (for the record, the CDMA version on Sprint is P100EWW, so it ain't that). One distinct possibility is that Palm's preparing a version to cover Bell's new HSPA network since the carrier is Palm's exclusive Pre launch partner in Canada and they're smack in the middle of a transition from CDMA -- and needless to say, if that's the case, there'll be an unprecedented effort to get that sucker unlocked on the double. [Via PreCentral] Read - WiFi certification [Warning: PDF link] Read - Bluetooth SIG
UK to get Samsung Galaxy next week?
Of course, it has to happen sooner or later -- but how about "any day now?" According to Register Hardware (which sure seems to hear a lot of "stuff," you know, from "people who know stuff") a "handful" of O2 store employees have reported seeing the Samsung Galaxy on the chain's stock management system, which lists it as arriving in stores "next week." In addition, while not listed on O2's website, you can filter for a search for i7500 accessories, although that doesn't really tell us anything we don't already know. No price yet, or even solid confirmation that this is happening, but you'll get all the glorious facts as soon as we do. Promise.
HTC Leo rendered again -- maybe by HTC, more likely by fans
So here's what we know about the Leo with some certainty: it's going to be awesomely high-end. Other than that, though, the sky's the limit; no spec is too wild, no physical design too outlandish until we actually get some official information (or at least some really solid leaks). We wouldn't call these latest renders "solid" by any stretch -- in fact, we're willing to bet it's the result of a daydreamer with some graphic design background -- but we want to believe, especially since the front is basically consistent with what we've seen previously. Imagine a rounded-off Touch HD with WinMo 6.5, a 1GHz Snapdragon, and a 5 megapixel cam accompanied by two high-output LEDs. We love the stylish "Pro.Three" branding (and we guess we're going to forgive the "lorem ipsum" gibberish beneath it since this is a rough, unbranded render), but there are a few holes in this story: for one, we still don't know how this dovetails with Firestone; two, the Touch Pro2 just came out, so we're not sure why they'd release a device with the conflicting "Pro.Three" name so soon thereafter, particularly in a different form factor; and three, this might make more sense as one of HTC's inaugural WinMo 7 devices. Given the rumored pie-in-the-sky October availability date, we'll get this sorted out soon enough.
Nokia 5900 XpressMusic spotted from the back?
At a quick glance, you might think that you're looking at the back of a 5530 here, but look closer -- the camera's a little different, and we don't know what's up with that grille or the slits underneath. Indeed, we could very well be looking at the back of a rumored 5900 XpressMusic, a phone allegedly set to bow at Nokia World in Stuttgart next month with a 5 megapixel camera, S60 5th Edition FP1 (first we've heard of an S60 5th Edition feature pack), and -- get this -- support for SDXC, which would give the phone truly insane expandability options. It's also apparently a bit thinner than the 5800 it'd be replacing, though the SDXC rumor is truly off the wall -- we'll need to wait right up until Nokia World until we believe that particular tidbit. [Via mobile-review] Update: Looks like the photo's been floating around for a while -- hard to say whether it's legit or not -- but these spec details are new. Of course, time'll tell whether they turn out to be legit -- everyone got their German vacations booked? Thanks, Symbian Freak!
Verizon announces AD3700 global modem from ZTE
So here's some interesting insight into the wild, rough-and-tumble world of wireless product launches: Verizon announced ZTE's AD3700 USB modem today, a product that gained FCC approval over five months ago, which means it's probably been getting a trial by fire on Verizon's test labs since then. You've gotta figure that ZTE was working on the prototype for many months before FCC approval, so all told, this launch is probably a culmination of a solid year of work, cash, blood, sweat, and tears. Don't you feel obligated to buy it now? Anyhow, the modem runs $79.99 after a $50 rebate when it launches on the 14th, which is actually a really solid deal considering that it'll do EV-DO in the States and HSPA around the world for 3G service no matter where your job or your whimsical vacation travel habits might take you.
Vertu Ascent Ti Neon screams 'I'm rich and I watch Saved By The Bell reruns'
Variants of existing Vertu models are a dime a dozen. Actually, come to think of it, they're the exact opposite of "a dime a dozen," but we digress -- the point is that we don't really get too worked up these days when Nokia's luxury brand decides to refinish one of its hilariously expensive models in another shade of ostrich hide. There are a few key differences with the new Ascent Ti Neon, though: one, they've actually reshaped it to better fit in a purse; two, they've changed out the leather bits for rubber; and three, it's neon, for goodness' sake. Despite the revised shape, the phone is exactly the same on the inside as any other Ascent Ti already on the market, which means euro 3G, a 3 megapixel cam, and 4GB of storage. It'll all go for the bargain basement price of £6,000 (about $9,900) when it hits in October.
HTC's Whitestone for Verizon, high-power Leo rendered again?
HTC' Leo and Whitestone have been mentioned enough times in different contexts this year so that we have absolutely no doubt that they're real -- the questions at this point revolve around what they are, what they look like, and when they're coming. We still don't have most of those answers, but the situation might be getting a little clearer with the latest round of supposedly leaked renders. First up, the Leo (pictured left) basically sounds like HTC's go-for-broke, ultra high-end model with an 8 megapixel camera, 4.3-inch (yes, 4.3-inch) WVGA capacitive display, 1GHz Snapdragon, and all the trimmings; how it fits in with the Touch HD-replacing Firestone is unclear, so we'll have to keep a close eye on that one. Next, the Whitestone pictured here on the right looks a little less in-your-face than the last shot, though we don't know whether this is a newer or older render; either way, though, we feel good in saying that Verizon's lined up for one of the coolest Touch Diamond2 variants on the block. [Thanks, Brian and sleepymia] Read - Leo Read - Whitestone
T-Mobile Touch Pro2 review
Followers, fans, and casual observers of HTC alike all know that when the company launches a new landscape QWERTY model, it's a big deal. In fact, it's more than a big deal -- it's a Big Deal. Many describe it as the ultimate smartphone form factor, the perfect execution of everything a modern handset is capable of doing -- and realistically, no company has as much experience or know-how at making powerhouse landscape QWERTY sliders than HTC does. That's why droves of subscribers on virtually every carrier are on the edge of their seats awaiting the Touch Pro2's release. Whether you love, hate, or feel nothing but pure, unadulterated ambivalence toward Windows Mobile, it's hard to argue that the Pro2 isn't a gorgeous smartphone at a distance, and T-Mobile USA's gently-tweaked version is no exception. Unless you're desperate for SLR-quality photography (which you're frankly not going to get regardless of what phone you buy), the spec sheet reads like a dream -- an expansive 3.6-inch WVGA display, full QWERTY, tilt-up display, all the 3G and WiFi you could ever want, and HTC's latest and greatest build of TouchFLO 3D constantly working to make sure that WinMo cleans up nice -- but is it true love or just lipstick on a pig? Let's have a look.
AT&T's LG Shine 2 in the wild
We've know for a while that AT&T's had an eye on launching a successor to the Shine -- an obvious move, considering that the first model has been immensely successful for the carrier -- but we weren't too sure what form it'd take. Early launch documents suggested that AT&T might just take LG's KF510 and slap a few logos on it, but if you look at what we've got here, that's decidedly not the case. In fact, the Shine 2 (if that's the launch name) really doesn't look a whole lot different from the original, and judging from the smallish outline of the display that you can vaguely make out, it'll stay firmly planted in midrange pricing territory. As far as we know, it's still slated for launch later this year -- but can't we please have a BL40 to go along with it? [Thanks, Ahres]
Rogers now blowing out Dreams and Magics for $79.99 on contract
Hey, T-Mobile, allow us to hit you up with some knowledge, if you would. Take a quick gander up north of the border, where our dear friends on Rogers have reduced both the Dream (your G1) and the Magic (your myTouch 3G) to just $79.99 on a three-year deal -- and that's in Canadian dollars, which works out to $74 in greenbacks. Granted, yes, we understand that a three-year deal is a full 12 months longer than an old-fashioned American two-year deal, but still, you're going to have to forgive us if we start working on our visa applications. Coincidentally, we know there's a version of the Hero kicking around that'd work swimmingly on Rogers; we don't mean to start any rumors, but... oh heck, who are we kidding, of course we're trying to start rumors. [Thanks, Ilia]
AT&T's Samsung A797 pawned on Craigslist, definitely under the table
If you're looking for a Palm Pre that's made by Samsung, not running webOS, and AT&T branded... well, bless your heart, because today's your lucky day. Craigslist (of all places) has unveiled the first shots of what's said to be the Sammy a797, a full-touch feature phone with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard -- a form factor arguably popularized by Palm's baby. We don't know a blasted thing about this phone other than what you see here, but we do know that the lucky individual that currently has it is pawning it for a bargain-basement price of $115... which is probably a good deal less than AT&T will sell it for, whenever it launches. Totally legit, right? [Via Unwired View]
HTC Touch Pro2 spotted again, this time with AT&T branding -- to be called Tilt 2?
Alright, listen up: we're going to play a little game we like to call, "what carrier isn't getting the Touch Pro2?" Sound easy? Not so fast, partner -- this bad boy gets around like a record, if you know what we're saying. In fact, the beefy, all-business WinMo superphone is well on its way to becoming the first handset carried by every top-tier North American carrier in we-don't-know-how-long (granted, we don't have solid intel on Bell or Rogers, but we wouldn't be surprised to see them coming). We suspected AT&T was signed up for it some time ago, and now we've got it snapped in the flesh, complete with an AT&T logo conveniently assigned as the function on the down key. We don't know when this'll be available, but seeing how all notions of exclusivity appear to be out of the window on this one, we could see an announcement any day now. Better list that Fuze on eBay now, ladies and gentlemen. [Thanks, Ahres] Update: It'd stand to reason that this is going to be branded Tilt 2 in light of the screen shot posted earlier; kinda strange that AT&T would return to the Tilt branding, but... you know, marketing departments work in mysterious ways that we'll never understand.
Rogers signs up for the Nokia Surge?
It shouldn't come as a surprise that leaked lineup documents suggest Rogers has an eye on Nokia's Surge; Rogers has a pretty good relationship with Nokia, after all, and the Surge is the kind of device that pretty much any text-savvy carrier with an established rapport with Nokia would be looking into. What might be more of a surprise is that they'll apparently be launching it as the 6790 Surge -- Nokia's global designation for the device -- as opposed to the simpler "Surge" preferred by AT&T. After AT&T's move we'd taken 6790 as more of a European branding, but hey, props to Rogers for keeping it real and letting Nokia roll with its traditional scheme. No word on availability yet, but we'll allegedly be looking at CAD $89.99 (about $83) on a new three-year agreement when it finally does launch.
Nokia device passes FCC for T-Mobile USA, looks an awful lot like a new Internet Tablet to us
Every week, random, seemingly anonymous Nokia handsets quietly pick up FCC approval. Most will never see the light of day on an American carrier, and the ones that do have usually already been announced so that by the time we figure out what the FCC filing refers to, it's uninteresting. Today, though, we noticed a Nokia RX-51 get certification, and we were immediately intrigued; standard Nokia phones have an "RM" designation, so "RX" has us thinking that this is no ordinary phone. Taking a peek at the SAR documentation reveals that it rolls deep with AWS 3G, just the kind that T-Mobile USA needs to do its thing. The final piece in this amazing puzzle has to be the ID placement doc, which shows the outline of a device far wider than your standard dumbphone. Where are we going with this? You might recall MobileCrunch's information from a while back suggesting that T-Mobile USA would be getting a Maemo 5-powered superphone codenamed "Rover" -- and, well, we're pretty sure this is it. Stay tuned -- things are about to get interesting.
BlackBerry Storm 2 spotted in Vodafone Germany's systems
There's little doubt that the Storm 2 is real, but where's it going, exactly? Not long after its debut in some 1960s-era Verizon mainframe that occupies two and a half acres of rural real estate in an underground bunker in North Dakota (we totally fabricated that, by the way), the phone has shown up in a Vodafone Germany computer of similar vintage and unfathomable size. RIM's latest attempt at the touchscreen craze is undoubtedly being pursued with some vigor by the world's top-tier carriers, and it makes sense that all of the original model's launch partners -- Vodafone Germany included -- would have first dibs. No word on a launch date, but we take it as a good sign that everyone's feverishly entering this stuff into inventory databases now. [Thanks, anonymous BlackBerry lover from Germany]
Sony Ericsson's W508 coming in stunning Bob Sinclar bundle
If you celebrate French DJ and producer Bob Sinclar's entire catalog (and who doesn't?), we'd like to direct your attention to a very special version of Sony Ericsson's W508 Walkman clamshell that's launching in "select European markets" this quarter. The aptly-named W508 Bob Sinclar Edition has the usual array of pack-ins that you expect from any self-respecting special edition -- wallpapers, ringtones, themes, and a unique mega-colorful cover -- but it also includes a copy of Sinclar's latest album, Born In 69, right in the box. Of course, you'll need to be cool with a QVGA display and 3.2 megapixel cam, but really, who needs 8 megapixels when you're in the VIP section of a basically unlit club with French house music permeating your very core?
