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AT&T certifies Opticon smartphone for compatibility, not beauty
Avert your eyes, average consumers, because Opticon's two new Windows Mobile smartphones are aimed squarely at the business fleet market and they've got spec sheets to match. The H16 is a Windows Mobile 5 -- yes, you read that right, Windows Mobile frickin' 5 Pocket PC phone with EDGE data, WiFi, Bluetooth, and an integrated barcode scanner for the princely sum of $1,195. The H19 meanwhile gets a little bit closer to modern era technology with Windows Mobile 6, WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated GPS, and a barcode scanner, though it shares the H16's lame EDGE radio and stratospheric price tag. The big deal here is that AT&T has officially certified the H16 for use on its network and certification for the H19 is expected (hoped) by September; in other words, corporate brass will be able to rest a little easier knowing that their wireless requisitions aren't considered unsupportable rogues by the carrier -- and with most of those types already at their daily Tums limit, any stress reduction is a good thing.[Via the::unwired]Read - Opticon H19Read - Opticon H16
T-Mobile inexplicably brings back MDA
So, we imagine it went something like this: some dude at T-Mobile USA's headquarters was crawling through the attic. Maybe he was looking for some classic Jamie Lee Curtis promo shots to throw up on eBay, maybe he was seeking out a replacement battery for his trusty Ericsson T68; the purpose of his adventure is pretty irrelevant. Anyway, he stumbles upon this giant flippin' stash of dusty MDAs. You know, HTC Wizards -- the things T-Mobile sold back in the day before the Wing reigned supreme. What's a company to do? They can't rightfully dump 'em in the local landfill, it just wouldn't be right. May as well sell the whole lot off for a song ($79.99 apiece, to be exact) on the corporate website! If you simply must get in on this circa-2005 action, we might recommend you do it soonly 'cause there's really no telling how long these relics are going to be available the second time around.[Thanks, Cesar G.]
"WhoNeedsAniPhone" for WM users in iPhone denial
We're personally of the opinion that the best way to cure iPhone envy is to... you know, buy an iPhone, but we understand there are plenty of reasons why folks might be forced to admire from afar. A lengthy contract might be stifling your inner free spirit, for example; maybe the lack of 3G is just too much to bear (YouTube addicts, we're looking at you). The aptly-named "WhoNeedsAniPhone" project seeks to ease the pain of this demographic -- likely a sizable one -- by using Flash Lite to bring the iPhone's key visual elements to touchscreen-enabled Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices. Key goals for the release (which isn't yet available -- sign up to beta test it at the site) include a functional launcher, slide-style lock screen, and weather widget; baby steps, yes, but when you consider that the real iPhone's visual fireworks nearly match its actual functionality, that ain't a bad list.
HTC self-brands retro Panda as P6300
If you're still hung up on 2.5G data and Windows Mobile 5... well, first, we recommend you consult a professional. Failing that, though, check out HTC's P6300, the self-branded version of the throwback "Panda" that looks straight outta 2004 and has a feature set to match: tri-band EDGE data, Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone Edition, and SD / MMC slot. Mercifully, internal Flash is a more 2007-ish 256MB, and the WiFi and 3.5-inch QVGA display certainly helps round this one out. You can already grab this one on O2 as the Xda Argon, but it looks like folks elsewhere should be able to pick it up now too -- if you're into that sort of thing.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
HP crushes dreams, offers no WM6 upgrades
The former Windows Mobile heavyweight champ (sorry, HP, but we're pretty sure that title belongs to some friends of yours now) has made the unfortunate -- though not altogether unexpected -- announcement this week that it will not be providing Windows Mobile 6 upgrades to its existing line of Windows Mobile 5-based devices. That list includes the rx4000, rx5000, rw6800, and hw6900 series -- among others -- leaving even buyers of the company's more recent models in the lurch. If it's any consolation, the models won't be offered with Windows Mobile 6 preinstalled either (because let's face it, it'd just be downright insulting to be teased with an upgrade you can't have) though all future models out of the company will mercifully be rocking Redmond's latest and greatest.[Via the::unwired]
BlueBird's BM-500 Pocket PC debuts at CeBIT
If you're in Germany this week and have a chance to hit the CeBIT show, you may be able to peep the new BlueBird BM-500 WM Smartphone (yes, it's Windows Mobile 5-based). This bar handset -- part of the PIDION line -- features a rather nice 2.8 inch touch-screen, EV-DO data speeds, built-in 802.11b WiFi, Bluetooth, the now-standard 1.3 megapixel cam and the less-often used miniSD card slot. Changes we'd make? Get microSD in there and dump the miniSD, upgrade that cam to 2 megapixels and get WM6 in there. Seriously -- WM5? The older BM-200 and BM-300 had this way back when. Come on now; WM5 is so January 2007.[Via Wired.com]
Zenum Opus Operis aims for spring launch
Man, we hope this is true. Switzerland's Zenum has been talking up its gorgeous "Opus Operis" concept Pocket PC for a while now -- but as is too often the case, the alleged release date came and went with no product in sight. Zenum's site has been reborn recently, though, suggesting that the company is still on track to eventually offer the QWERTY device, this time with a spring '07 launch. Though the site shows Windows Mobile 5 as the platform of choice, we trust Zenum will have the wisdom to switch over to 6 by the time the Opus gets out the door. Other specs should include 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, 2 megapixel cam, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 1.2, and a tri-band GSM radio (no 850MHz, apparently) atop a 200MHz OMAP750. We'd love to see a successful launch on this one, folks, but we'd gladly wait a few weeks if you could squeeze some quadband action in there. Oh, and Windows Mobile 6, while you're at it, eh?[Thanks, Ramesh]
Windows Vista gadgets running on WM6
If you're already a Windows Vista fan, are you using all the gadgets on your desktop too? If so, would it not be great to take some of the sleek usefulness of those Vista gadgets on your WM device? How about Vista gadgets on that shiny new WM6 handheld -- or even newer Windows Mobile-powered digital picture frames like the i-mate Momento 70? There is a proof-of-concept being worked up by Microsoft-ite Mel Sampat that may indeed allow you to get those wonderful gadgets on that WM6 device -- hopefully soon. Perhaps Microsoft will get official on WM6 gadgets soon before the iPhone's OS X steals a little thunder. Until then, those WM6 gadgets are apparently in pre-beta stage for the time being with no available timeline on an official Microsoft release. [Via Slashgear]
Toshiba announces G500 WM5 device with extended PC connectivity
Toshiba's higher-end G500 was announced and fondled quite a bit at the 3GSM show in Barcelona, Spain a few weeks ago. The G500's Bluetooth, WiFi, tri-band HSDPA, USB on-the-go and WM5 support (why no WM6 yet, Toshy?) seems fairly standard and par for the course. As such, there is little to set this unit off from all the other WM5 devices on the market now -- except for that Toshiba nameplate we're starting to see more and more these days as it steps up to the plate against the likes of HTC and others. One thing that's mentioned includes "extended" PC connectivity for the G500 as it acts as a the keyboard for a PC. While that sounds a little odd, we'll use that ergonomically-enhanced split soft-touch PC keyboard, thank you very much.
The "F@rmphone" coming for all those in-field needs
As if there wasn't enough WM units out there with navigation ability, how about one called the "F@rmphone?" In a highly value-added version of Glofiish X500, we again have to giggle at symbols being used in the name of a handset which just confuses the pronunciation. Slicker-than-slick marketing there. Not. Anyway, the F@rmphone comes with WM5, 400MHz CPU, 128MB ROM and 64MB RAM, obligatory 320x240 screen and microSD expansion. Landing out the wireless details are 802.11g, GSM quad and GPRS/EDGE -- no 3G here. But the glam is in the software for tracking, well anything (like runaway tractors perhaps.) PocketArea, PocketNav and Trackomat are included here, which are all designed for the farm environment for navigation and remote monitoring and control.
Palm makes Treo 700wx official for Verizon
Palm and Verizon have made official today what we've known now for a while (as have Sprint and Alltel): 32MB of RAM in a Windows Mobile 5 device just doesn't really cut it. The Treo 700wx rights the 700w's wrongs with an extra 32MB of memory for a grand total of 64MB; otherwise, though, the device is all but identical to its older sibling, with Windows Mobile 6 sadly nowhere in sight. Get it now while it's hot at Verizon stores or online for a stiff $399 on 2-year contract after $100 rebate.
Sharp shows EM-ONE Pocket PC for Japan's EMOBILE
Goodbye W-ZERO3, hello EM-ONE. As lust for Japan-only Windows Mobile devices goes, Sharp's W-ZERO3 for Willcom (along with its various spinoffs) has always held a very special place in our hearts, but it looks like there's a new sheriff in town. The EM-ONE, also from Sharp, will be a launch device for Japan's new GSM carrier EMOBILE next month, rocking HSDPA, WiFi, and one-seg TV tuning in a 18.9mm-thin package. "But wait," as they say, "that's not all." Nope, not hardly. The madness continues with a dual-slide design, providing what Sharp calls "Control Style," "Input Style," and "View Style." And just what will you be viewing, you ask? A true wide VGA (800 x 480) display showing Windows Mobile 5 in all its glory sitting atop a 520MHz XScale. Throw in a little Bluetooth here, 512MB of onboard Flash there, and you have pretty much the hottest thing going (at least among the outgoing batch of WinMo 5 devices). It'll apparently run ¥95,000 (about $796) contract-free, but tack on the requisite 2 year agreement and you're only looking at ¥39,800 ($333) -- not bad at all, considering the package.[Via Unwired View]
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
Microsoft says WM6 coming to T-Mobile in Q2
Microsoft dropped a semi-bomb by stating that its next-generation mobile operating system -- Windows Mobile 6 -- will be coming to T-Mobile USA shelves in the second quarter of 2007, according to Microsoft. This just-released information -- which had previously been embargoed by the software giant -- was given after an extensive pre-briefing on its capabilities to wireless industry analysts and press this week. Based on information from Microsoft officials, the latest version of Windows Mobile will be given first to T-Mobile here in the U.S. before any other wireless carriers get their official mitts on it. The question then becomes: Will T-Mobile USA immediately make the OS upgrade available to owners of current-generation WM5 devices? After all, there are "ten thousand" changes in WM6 from WM5 according to Microsoft. We hear some massive testing by T-Mobile USA in the near future.[Thanks, TJ]
'Virtual Navigation' WM5 Smartphone unveiled by Taiwan's OKWAP
Taiwan's OKWAP is sitting on a new Windows Mobile smartphone that looks eerily reminiscent of many newer Sony Ericsson designs. It's not really a first for OKWAP -- a Windows Mobile Smartphone, that is -- but this baby sports a slick "virtual" scroll wheel, ala iPod. Sporting a very clean and almost sterile white design, we were first perplexed by the absence of a joystick or d-pad of some kind, but alas, OKWAP has designed the whole keypad to be a touch-sensitive virtual navigation array. The SD slot on the top of the unit (great move OKWAP) takes old school full SD cards and the single connector -- miniUSB -- rounds out the bottom. Price in Taiwan? $450US for that beauty, once you find it.[via Slashphone]
HTC Vox in the wild?
When the shot's blurry, you know it's got to be good -- and boy oh boy, is this one ever blurry. This sucker is said to be an HTC Vox, the upcoming numeric and QWERTY keypad-equipped Pocket PC, doing what it does best. Notice the presence of a d-pad front and center, which is something we haven't seen on older shots, but we're not taking that to mean it ain't a Vox we're looking at here. Really now, can you imagine a Pocket PC without any sort of directional control? Still no word on when Voxes might be in abundant retail supply, but if it turns out to be true that a 3G radio is absent from its innards, it'd best hit post haste before we all end up waiting for a Wings.[Thanks, Maximus]
Voxtel shows W740 Pocket PC phone
What happens when you introduce a nifty looking Windows Mobile 5-based Pocket PC Phone Edition device with a bizarre mix of hot (4 megapixel autofocus cam) and cold (GPRS data) specs? Voxtel is about to find out, showing off its W740, a 15 millimeter thick Pocket PC with what appears to be an etched metal keypad, a la RAZR and company. Other details include Bluetooth 1.2, 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM, and a 900 / 1800 / 1900 GSM radio, all sitting atop a 200MHz OMAP730 from the good folks at TI. A slide-out QWERTY keyboard is absent, but we suspect that's just how some folks like it. Now, who's making the trek to Russia to pick up a couple for us?[Via AVING]
Verizon Wireless branded Pantech PN-820 pictures leaked
It looks like our favorite mobile tipster Roc A Fella is at it again. This time he shows us the soon to be released Pantech PN-820 for Verizon Wireless, latest addition to their growing PDA lineup. This clamshell bad boy runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone with an EV-DO dual band radio, 1.3 megapixel camera, expandable memory via miniSD, Bluetooth, and a QVGA display. Pantech has updated the color scheme from what we previously have seen, and we like it way more seeing how the all-black scheme might be a fingerprint magnet. Look for the device as an exclusive on the web and B2B on 12/18 and in retail on 12/29. The pricing isn't confirmed yet, so stay tuned for that tidbit. Check out more pictures after the break!
i-mate gets real with JAQ3
Let's just sweep that original JAQ under the mat and carry on as though it never existed, shall we? The TechFaith-commissioned JAQ3 looks to take a major leap beyond the original Inventec piece in the looks department, thanks in part to its slimmer form and black shell. High-speed data is conspicuously missing here, though it'll top out with EDGE on all four GSM bands -- better than the previous intel we had indicating that GSM 850 and EDGE would be no-shows. Other major features for the Pocket PC Phone Edition device include a 2 megapixel cam, 802.11g, 128MB of ROM, and 64MB of RAM. Initially, it looks like the JAQ3's launch is restricted to the Middle East, but who knows? If we ask nicely, it might just come to grace US shores alongside the JAQ and SPL.[Via the::unwired, thanks kerunt]
Cingular launches 3G-enabled 8525, sort of
It's still forwarding us back to the old-skool 8125's product page at the moment, but a tipster has managed to coax Cingular's site into giving up the goods on the 8525 -- Buy Now link and all. We're guessing it has something to do with region or Premier account status, we're not sure, but the point is that a select few are able to place their orders for Cingular's first HSDPA smartphone as we speak. Breaking out the wallet might be hard to justify for folks in 2G areas coming from an 8125, but if speed and power are top priorities, lick your chops as you read the full specs (highlights include a 400MHz Samsung core, 2-megapixel cam, and that fabulous 3G radio) after the break.[Thanks, John]Update: Judging from commenters' experiences, it's sounding like there's some buffoonery going on behind the scenes over at Cingular HQ -- the phone may not be shipping to anyone yet after all. In the meanwhile, enjoy the literature and imagery we've scooped, and we'll let you know what's going on as soon as we do.
