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Legal tie-ups could delay Magic, other HTC launches in Germany
Anyone holding out for that April launch of HTC's Android-powered Magic in Germany might be in for a longer wait than they'd hoped thanks to -- you guessed it -- legal drama. It seems that patent holding company IPCom has gone after HTC over a series of patents related to UMTS in a Mannheim court; the legal eagles over there ruled late last month that there is some sort of violation taking place, so the targeted launch date could be in jeopardy if HTC doesn't come to the table and negotiate. For the record, this is the same IPCom that has a multi-billion dollar lawsuit pending against Nokia over the same patents, so HTC could be looking at some serious dough if they decide to play ball. Realistically, if we had to guess, this'll resolve itself quietly with a settlement totalling some small fraction of what IPCom wants, but it's something to keep an eye on.[Via Engadget Japanese]
HTC black Magic (Sapphire) hands-on: a Vodafone exclusive
Make no mistake, the all-black HTC Magic is for real. Separated here at CeBIT from its glistening white counterpart by an equally white G1, this near-final Magic looked just stellar in its glossy dark coat. We chatted it up with an on-hand representative who confirmed that the handsets on display weren't absolutely finalized, and that when launched exclusively on Vodafone in Europe (you read that correctly), the Voda logo would be proudly plastered on. He stated that there were no immediate plans for selling an unlocked one in Europe or abroad, but that's just the standard line given when a carrier has yet to get their special toy. He also affirmed that HTC "believed deeply" in Android, and that the world at large would be seeing a lot more where this came from in the near future. Have a look at what these lucky Europeans will soon have access to in the gallery below.%Gallery-46910%
Vodafone to slash hundreds of jobs in Britain
Yet another company has succumbed to making tough choices in the face of a rough economy, as Vodafone is reportedly preparing to lay off "hundreds" of workers in Britain. The report stated that the cuts could come as soon as this week, and while there was no definite number given as to how many of its 10,000 employees would be asked to leave, we do know that the operator is aiming to "boost free cash flow by cutting one billion pounds of costs." Predictably, Voda declined to comment on the report, but it'll probably have to talk soon whether it wants to or not.
Pre emerges on Palm's UK website... in a CDMA skin
Last we checked, a GSM handset couldn't exactly hop on those speedy EV-DO waves without some sort of dual personality. And so far as we know, Palm's forthcoming GSM Pre is, well, GSM only. Whatever the case, Britons should be at least mildly excited to know that Palm's UK website now features the webOS-sporting Pre, even though the image is definitely not of a GSM Pre. Of course, the important part here is that a GSM Pre is definitely on its way to the UK, and considering that we already spotted one with a Vodafone SIM, we're hoping that it'll happen sooner rather than later. Much sooner, actually.[Via phoneArena]
Vodafone pulls a mini KDDI, launches 5 sets
Aside form the Android powered Magic, Vodafone also launched a pretty big handful of feature phones this week: the Vodafone 835 (from top left), 736, 735, 235, and the 135. The 835 is Voda's first set for consumers with GPS added specifically for its Find and Go nav, 3G, and a 2.4-inch display. The 736 shines by being affordable, also features a decent 2-inch display, 2 megapixel camera, Google Maps, and will ship in rose, white and silver with its twin the 735 getting black and only on pre paid. Rounding out the offering are the 235, a 2G set with things like FM radio,a 1.5 -inch color screen, and the really low specced, but rather nice looking 135, with a 2-line black and white display meant for emerging markets. Huge gallery of them all posin' like they really mean it after the break.%Gallery-45359%
Samsung's Tocco Ultra Edition (S8300) hitting Vodafone UK in March
Check it, Vodafone UK users -- Samsung's sultry Tocco Ultra Edition, which is better known as the Ultra Touch S8300 'round these parts, will be shipping your way real soon. According to the same "Coming Soon" page that tipped us off to the impending debut of HTC's Magic, the Tocco Ultra will be arriving in March for an undisclosed amount. Hit the read link to register for updates, and good luck avoiding the Magic while you're there.[Thanks, Shattered Ice]
HTC Magic first eyes-on!
Surprise, surprise! Vodafone and HTC launched a new Android set named the Magic today. We had a brief eyes-on with it, though the version we see above is not final hardware. If you peek at the slides in the gallery you'll notice that there are more buttons and they're laid out quite differently than what you see above. Of course, we plan a more extensive tour of the Magic and all its Cupcake goodness a little later on today. Pics and a shaky vid after the break.%Gallery-45004%
HTC Magic is official, bringing Android to Vodafone sans keyboard
Vodafone just scooped planet earth with the first touchscreen-only Android phone: HTC's Magic. All the specs look to line up with what was rumored, with a 3.2-inch QVGA screen front and center (that resolution might be a typo, HVGA seems more likely), HSDPA, GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera (no flash), and a G1-style trackball. Details on pricing and availability will be unveiled for local Vodafone markets as they see fit, but pricing in Spain will be from 99 to 199 Euro, depending on contract. Initial markets to nab the phone will be UK (due in April), Spain, Germany, France and Italy, with more countries to follow, and the phone will be a timed exclusive with Vodafone. Crazily enough, the phone has a proprietary headphone jack, proving once and for all that HTC doesn't like you, but at least this one will ship with a touchscreen keyboard out of the gate.
HTC's Magic appears for Vodafone in Europe, G2 moniker nowhere to be found
We can already tell that this naming thing is getting out of hand, but for all intents and purposes, the handset you see above is the same HTC G2 we've seen hosted up in T-Mobile documentation and those gnarly in the wild snaps. Now, according to some very believable Vodafone snippets, we're being told that this here handset will launch exclusively on the aforesaid carrier as the Magic, bringing with it a 3.2 megapixel camera, HSPA, WiFi and GPS. Also of note, Cupcake will be loaded on from day one, though there's no word on pricing and availability just yet.
GSM Palm Pre spotted with Vodafone SIM card
We would've wagered 50 euros there'd be a GSM Pre announced at MWC this week -- but strangely, it didn't happen. If we had to guess, a grand unveiling was probably held up by behind-the-scenes manfacuturer-operator drama in the course of trying to nail an exclusivity agreement, but that's not to say there weren't still SIM card-toting Pres floating around the show. PreCommunity happened across one of these today and astutely noted the presence of a Vodafone SIM around back -- not damning evidence that the Pre will be announced as a Voda exclusive, granted, but it kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it? See for yourself in the video after the break.
ZTE showing off ten smartphones at MWC
ZTE's quite an ODM powerhouse these days, taking boatloads of low- and midrange contracts for carriers -- especially when having a brand-name manufacturer's badge appear on the device isn't a priority. To that end. the Chinese company has announced that it'll be "unveiling" some ten smartphones at MWC next week, though it appears most of the devices have already launched somewhere in the world (like China Mobile's U981) -- and others, like the pictured VF 1231 for Vodafone, have already been well-leaked courtesy of our friends at the FCC. The goods run the full range from CDMA and GSM all the way up to HSUPA, so clearly, ZTE's aspirations may not rest merely in the low-end; look out, Nokia.
Verizon, others plan LiMo handset launches in 2009
That other massive international collaboration for a standardized Linux-based mobile platform, the LiMo Foundation, is still toiling away at building its global empire -- but the good news is that Release 2 is now ready to rumble, albeit a few weeks behind schedule. The new version -- a collaboration among a slew of Foundation members -- adds enhancements for location-based services, improved security, high-end multimedia, and other miscellany that hope to make LiMo competitive with the best that Android and others have to offer in 2009. Speaking of 2009, LiMo now says that six "major" carriers have committed to launching handsets running the latest version of the platform this year -- NTT DoCoMo, Telefonica, Orange, SK Telecom, Verizon, and Vodafone -- which is a pretty powerful testament to the pull that LiMo has at the moment. Delivering on those commitments, of course, is another matter altogether.[Via Phone Scoop]
Hutchison and Vodafone to merge in Australia, become VHA
So, how does one successfully snatch away market share from Telstra and Optus? If you're Hutchison or Vodafone, you merge! Announced today, two of Australia's smaller operators have decided that an equal joint venture would be the best approach to moving on up, and while they aren't suggesting that the current economic conditions influenced the decision, many analysts are suggesting that the tie-up could help the newly formed VHA fend off adverse effects from slowed spending on mobile communications. Once together, the combined group will have a local market share of around 26 percent, and Hutchison Australia's current chief executive, Nigel Dews, has been chosen to lead the new venture. Under the agreement, VHA will market its products and services under the Vodafone brand, though it will retain exclusive rights to Hutchison's "3" brand in The Land Down Under.[Via MobileBurn]
Vodafone Portugal hits 16Mbps on HSPA+ trial
We've known that HSPA+ had the potential to deliver internet on-the-go at 20Mbps or so, and we've seen rivaling technologies outpace it in the past few months. That said, real world speeds of 16Mbps ain't nothing to scoff at, and that's exactly the mark which Vodafone Portugal has hit in Lisbon. The carrier, in partnership with Ericsson, was said to be using HSPA+ 64QAM technology, which touts a theoretical maximum download speed of 21.6Mbps. We're even told that Voda believes the speeds could be pushed as high as 28.8Mbps with MIMO functionality, though there's no word given on when this stuff would be available to the general populace. Soon, please?[Via RCRWireless]
Vodafone's Vittorio Colao dreams up "unbeatable" alliance around LTE
And here we go again -- new CEO, same message. Just under a year after ex-chief Arun Sarin urged the industry to rally around LTE, the new bigwig (that's Mr. Vittorio Colao to you) is coming forward with even zanier ideas. In a recent interview with Financial Times, Colao asserted that collaboration between China Mobile, Vodafone and Verizon Wireless around LTE could create an "unbeatable" alliance. More specifically, he noted that the trio could "work more closely... in the management of customers, procurement and service creation," which in some courtrooms may be misconstrued as collusion. All kidding aside (maybe), this master plan makes more sense when you realize that Vodafone owns a 3.2 percent stake in China Mobile and is already involved in VZW via a joint venture. Still, just because Microsoft and Apple could join forces to create an unbeatable operating system factory doesn't mean that laws would allow it.[Via mocoNews]
iSuppli: BlackBerry Storm costs $4 more than its purchase price to build
In a fiscal climate where profit margin reigns intensely supreme, we've got yet another dollop of bad news to heap upon the parfait of pain that is the $199 (after $50 mail in rebate) BlackBerry Storm. Research firm, iSuppli, estimates that the cost for the components and assembly of RIM's BlackBerry Storm are just shy of $203 -- an estimate that does not include software development and uh, bug fixing costs or those attributed to patent licensing, physical distribution, marketing or anything else in the product lifecycle. The most costly component is the $35 Qualcomm MSM7600 processor that gives the Storm its dual GSM / CDMA personality. Now, $203 isn't that big of a spread compared to the per unit cost of a $175 8GB iPhone 3G, $169 BlackBerry Bold, or $144 T-Mobile G1. However, the lost prophets profits add up quickly when you've moved over a million units globally.P.S. We're not implying that RIM is losing money here (the price is obviously carrier subsidized), only that the Storm is likely less profitable than its peers. But without knowing what VZW pays on a per unit basis, we can't say for sure who's getting the fiscal-shaft.
HP's iPAQ Data Messenger finally up for pre-order
In reality, HP should've made sure that its iPAQ Data Messenger shipped alongside the Voice Messenger back in December, but given that it didn't, we suppose it's a small victory that the handset is finally up for pre-order in the UK today. Of course, getting any halfway intelligent Briton to spend £419 ($593) on this already forgotten WinMo 6.1 device (with Mobile World Congress just weeks away, no less) is a challenge we're thrilled to not be responsible for. [Thanks, Lester]
Huawei's HSPA+ modem a possibility for Vodafone trials
Rumors, mystery, and hopefulness sum up this tale, dear friends. We know that Vodafone's trialing some HSPA+ (that's 16Mbps of fast) and apparently way back in February of last year, Vodafone announced it was working with Huawei, Qualcomm, and Ericsson for this trial. Could Huawei's upcoming Mobile World Conference announcement of the first commercially available HSPA+ stick be the kit being used for this trial? Check back in a few weeks and we'll hopefully have all the answers, and, with a little luck, we'll have had a chance to check it out live.[Via T3 Magazine]
Vodafone bringing BlackBerry Storm to India
Not much to say in addition to the information-packed headline, but yeah, RIM's BlackBerry Storm is coming to India courtesy of Vodafone. The handset is expected to go on sale January 15th for Rs 27,990, which -- at $574 using present day conversion charts -- should shut any American up about high phone prices.[Via Cellpassion]
Samsung Armani Night Effect gets exclusive on Vodafone
We've seen the Samsung Armani Night Effect fashion phone pop up pretty regularly over the last few months and it seems it has finally found a home chez Vodafone and Phones 4u sometime in January. We've covered the specs, poked fun at the garish branding, loved the pretty lights, and ultimately ended up confused about the whole thing. We've done our bit so now it's your time to chime in European friends, so what's it gonna be?[Via Mobileburn]
