Is the BlackBerry 9000 Really Going to Be Called BOLD

And Lo, it came to pass that, after the blessed angel RIM announced the arrival of the BlackBerry 9000, pointing its followers to a May 12 launch, there came a tumultous cacophony of sound from the masses, who wanted to know if the smartphone was going to get a catchier name, like its sisters, Pearl, and Curve. And the angel RIM paused for a moment and said, "Verily, I say unto you that, from henceforth it shall be known as Bold." And with wailing and gnashing of teeth, the followers rent their garments and, smiting their breasts, said, "Bloody Norah, that sounds more like a washing detergent."
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Newman's M8000 PMP: 250GB never looked so ugly

Newman has never had much luck cranking out portable media players that were easy on the eyes, and unfortunately, things aren't getting any better with the M8000. The bulky PMP features a 4-inch 320 x 240 resolution display, support for NES emulation and text viewing, a 1.3-megapixel camera, integrated speaker / microphone, video output, USB 2.0 connectivity and compatibility with a smattering of file formats. Unlike many craptacular rivals, this one comes in black or white and can be equipped with up to 250GB of internal hard drive space. Of course, it's not like anyone with a shred of dignity is going to fork out $388 for the quarter-terabyte edition, but if you've got the coin to roll, you can certainly test the limits of buyer's remorse.
[Via: PMPToday ]
[Tag: M8000,newman,pmp,ugly ]

Review: Olympus TP-7 Cellphone Recording Mike

The Gadget: This olympus microphone plugs into a recorder and your ear, recording whatever you hear. That makes it perfect for recording cellphone interviews, which traditional telephone voice recorder setups meant for landlines can't.The Price: $18The Verdict: Perfect for journalists, lawyers and students. Comes with different soft earpieces and jack adapters. I love it. Sound quality of the recordings is as you hear it, which is to say as good as your cellphone delivers. If you're recording by cellphone using a native app, that's going to be better, though.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Pioneer launches Air Navi AVIC-T10 in Japan: don't call it a PND

It's times like these when holding our fingers back from buying that one-way ticket to Tokyo is so incredibly difficult. Just today, Pioneer has introduced the Air Navi AVIC-T10, a portable car navigation system that "supports communications modules and provides drivers with new communications services for the Japanese market." According to the release, this bad boy is "clearly distinguished from conventional PNDs," provides oodles of information about traffic, weather, local events, gas station prices, etc. and packs a pretty impressive list of specs. We're talking a 5.8-inch WVGA display, 1-seg TV tuner, 4GB of flash memory, integrated gyro sensor and built-in Bluetooth to boot. Those lucky enough to be in the right nation can snatch this gem next month for a currently undisclosed price.
[Via: AkihabaraNews ]
[Tag: air navi,AirNavi,avic,AVIC-T10,japan,nav,navi,navigation,pioneer ]

Motorola's Q9c finally appears for Verizon

Just like we suspected, after a short delay, the succulent and delightful Motorola Q9c is now available from Verizon. Bonus shot -- instead of the $249.99 price tag we expected it to sport, it's actually bumped down to $199.99 with a two-year contract and online discount. So... what are you waiting for?
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: motorola,q9c,verizon ]

HTC Touch Diamond hits the FCC

Ah -- we'd know that backside anywhere. If you were super-duper stoked about the forthcoming HTC Touch Diamond, you might want to sit down. Apparently, High Tech Computer Corp. has already sent this beauty over to the FCC, where a room is currently filled with men in white coats meticulously judging the above label placement. Regardless, this might bode well for a US release of the company's latest and greatest... don't you think? While you ponder that brainteaser, feel free to truck over to the FCC's site and get all the information you could possibly want about the Diamond's RF exposure.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: diamond,fcc,htc,touch,touch diamond,TouchDiamond ]

Aigo's Patriot MV5920 PMP: new visual shock, worth your small taste

Are you hoping to enter a "two-nuclear detonation true high-definition era" of PMP'ing? Do you desire "really high-definition video playback" which brings a "new visual shock?" Do you want a media player with "super hard drive recorders, easily direct D1 quality" which are "worth your small taste?" If you answered "yes" to those questions, you want the Aigo Patriot MV5920 Dual-Core MP5 player! The unit features video playback at 720p (though not 720p screen resolution), can handle MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI, DivX, XviD, ASF, WMV9, RM, MP3, WMA, WAV, AC3, and OGG files, and features a hard drive as large as 160GB... but that's not what you're really after, is it? What you really want is "unlimited life," right? Well, my friend "the curtain has been opened, such as what you."
[Via: PMP Today ]
[Tag: aigo,dap,dvp,media player,MediaPlayer,patriot mv5920,PatriotMv5920,pmp ]

Zune headquarters mini-tour

Ever wonder where Zunes are designed? Well, right now it's all done in a fairly non-descript and temporary office building on Microsoft's sprawling campus in Redmond. (Soon enough a few hundred Zune employees will be packing up and moving to a new building that's currently under construction, though.) We recently got a chance to peek around the cube farm and spend some time with employees in the laid-back Zune lounge -- check it out!
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: featured,microsoft,tour,zune ]

MWg releasing Windows Mobile 7 gear before the year's out?

Not long after spinning off from former corporate parent O2, Windows Mobile purveyor MWg is moving out of its Asian comfort zone to attempt to sell its wares over in Europe with a splashy press conference to kick things off -- and if the aggressive roadmap they're pursuing for the next year or so holds true, they might just have a fighting chance at making a splash up there. First up are the official European intros of the Atom V and Zinc II, HSDPA-equipped handsets that have been kicking around for a while now, but that's not even close to the interesting part. Looking deeper into '08 reveals a handful of HTC Diamond competitors, devices that are sporting a respectable 7.2Mbps down and 5.2Mbps up, and looking still deeper into the fourth quarter suggests that MWg intends to release its first Windows Mobile 7-powered device -- the Flame II -- with GPS, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and "multimedia features" on board. That seems a little far-fetched considering that 7 hasn't been officially shown off and 6.1 isn't even in broad distribution to users yet, but we appreciate MWg's motivation here. We also see a Shift killer in the wings with Vista and a 3G data connection toward the end of the year, so all told, the future's looking bright for these cats if they can actually execute.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: cellphone,mwg,phone,windows mobile,windows mobile 7,WindowsMobile,WindowsMobile7,winmo,wm7 ]

Cowon's D2 PMP now available in 16GB form

As lovely as the D2 is, we've always had a secret wish for it to offer up a bit more internal capacity. Apparently the higher-ups at Cowon have heard our inner cries, as a 16GB edition of the player is now available through JetMall. Aside from being more capacious, nothing else has changed, but if this was just the thing to push you over the edge, you can hand over your $240 right now and join the club.
[Via: AnythingButiPod ]
[Tag: 16gb,16gb d2,16gbD2,available,cowon,D2,pmp ]

How would you change RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8330?

Yeah, those GSM carriers have been offering up RIM's BlackBerry Curve for eons (we're measuring in cellular years, kids), but not until recently have the major CDMA operators in the US been able to scoop up their own. Now that Alltel, Sprint and Verizon all have the Curve 8330 available to customers, we're interested in seeing an absolute torrent of responses from folks who just aren't entirely satisfied with their new handset. Was it really worth the wait? Is it missing any features that you're just dying to have (like, say, WiFi)? And, be honest, are you jealous of those AT&T / T-Mobile users who've already worn the letters from their keypads? Speak your mind, won't you?
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: alltel,blackberry,cdma,curve,curve 8330,Curve8330,features,how would you change,HowWouldYouChange,hwyc,rim,verizonn ]

BlackBerry Curve now available through Sprint

Late's better than never -- usually, anyway -- and a rumored release date finally stuck long enough for the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to make an appearance on Sprint's online store. In fact, as "mid-May" goes, May 9 is actually on the early side of things if you want to get technical about it, so we guess some kudos are actually due here. Sprint's asking $179.99 on contract with rebates for the pleasure of indulging in its latest mobile productivity tool, which you'll ironically be using to respond to emails during meetings that you're supposed to be listening in on. Funny how the world works, isn't it?
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 8330,blackberry,breaking news,BreakingNews,curve,rim,sprint ]

QSTARZ intros "most powerful GPS receiver in the world"

Really, QSTARZ? You've actually had independent testers confirm that your BT-Q818 eXtreme is the most powerful GPS receiver on the entire planet? We're guessing not, but for what it's worth, the second incarnation of the BT-Q818 features 51-channel tracking, 32-hours of navigation time, -158dBm sensitivity, USB connectivity, built-in Bluetooth, adjustable 1 to 5Hz update rate and a 36-second signal acquisition time (when cold). Sounds pretty run-of-the-mill from here, but QSTARZ wouldn't fib about this thing's world ranking, now would it?


[Via: NaviGadget ]
[Tag: BT-Q818,BT-Q818 extreme,Bt-q818Extreme,gps receiver,GpsReceiver,QSTARZ,world record,WorldRecord ]

iPhone Stocks Being Replenished, Not Sold Out, Say UK Retailers

Despite the rumors of iPhones being out of stock in the UK, it's not really true—according to the retailers themselves. Reghardware has spoken to both O2 and Carphone Warehouse, and both say they're just tackling getting more 16GB iPhones for their online departments. Apple themselves have stock and O2 and Carphone Warehouse have iPhones available in their high street stores. Does this info mean they won't be getting any more 8GB versions, though? Well, we can speculate that, but we don't know. It also leaves us wondering what this news does to the iPhone 2.0 rumors.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

AT&T WiFi access now listed as "included" with iPhone

We're not exactly sure what was going on with that whole on-again / off-again love affair with iPhones having gratis access to AT&T WiFi hotspots, but we're content with letting bygones be bygones. On the slightly tweaked iPhone "Plans" page, the carrier now lists "Access to AT&T WiFi hotspots" as an included feature along with call forwarding, 3-way calling and Caller ID. Sure, it's not a bona fide press release, but same difference, right?


[Via: MacRumors ]
[Tag: access,apple,att,hotspot,internet,iphone,starbucks,wifi ]

BlackBerry 9000 gets extended interface video tour

A few weeks ago we got a quick tour of the new BlackBerry 9000's UI, but now that the folks at CrackBerry have a unit we all benefit by getting a far deeper look at what's going on. One highlight: (limited) YouTube support! Videos of this thing after the break, check 'em out.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: blackberry 9000,Blackberry9000,interface,rim,video ]

Verizon launches the Samsung Glyde

One of the worst-kept secrets in Verizon's stable is finally getting official today; that's right, ladies and gentlemen, meet the Glyde from Samsung. Wearing CDMA guts underneath its F700 clothing, the fashion-friendly QWERTY slider offers a 2 megapixel cam with flash and autofocus, GPS, the full range of Bluetooth profiles, microSD slot, and a true HTML browser. Unlike its crosstown competition -- the LG Voyager -- the Glyde doesn't offer support for Verizon's VCAST TV service, but we imagine most folks will consider that a minor (read: nonexistent) inconvenience. Look for the phone to start circulating into retail channels this week for a princely $249.99 on contract after $50 rebate. Have a quick gander over on Engadget Mobile for a few shots of the Glyde doing what the Glyde does best -- posing for press photography, that is.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: breaking news,BreakingNews,cellphone,glyde,phone,samsung,verizon,verizon wireless,VerizonWireless,vzw ]

Details emerge on Apple's acquistion of chip designer P.A. Semi

There weren't a whole lot of firm details on the reasons behind Apple's acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi to be had back when the deal was announced last month, but it seems that a bit of the veil of mystery may now be lifting, at least if the word EETimes is hearing from its unnamed source is to be believed. Apparently, Apple was keen to have P.A. Semi's crack chip-making team design a new chip for them, but P.A. Semi had "more or less burnt through its venture capital funds," leaving them unable to take on the project. According to EETimes source, that meant that the only way to get P.A. Semi involved was for Apple to pay off all of P.A.'s investors and bring the company in-house, something they were able to do for a mere $280 million or so. Of course, as EETimes points out, the big question remaining is exactly what it is that Apple wants P.A. Semi to help it out with, and that's a detail we'd expect to take considerably longer to trickle out.


[Via: Mac Rumors ]
[Tag: apple.chip,chip designer,chip maker,ChipDesigner,ChipMaker,p.a. semi,P.a.Semi,pa semi,PaSemi ]

Details emerge on Apple's acquistion of chip designer P.A. Semi

There weren't a whole lot of firm details on the reasons behind Apple's acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi to be had back when the deal was announced last month, but it seems that a bit of the veil of mystery may now be lifting, at least if the word EETimes is hearing from its unnamed source is to be believed. Apparently, Apple was keen to have P.A. Semi's crack chip-making team design a new chip for them, but P.A. Semi had "more or less burnt through its venture capital funds," leaving them unable to take on the project. According to EETimes source, that meant that the only way to get P.A. Semi involved was for Apple to pay off all of P.A.'s investors and bring the company in-house, something they were able to do for a mere $280 million or so. Of course, as EETimes points out, the big question remaining is exactly what it is that Apple wants P.A. Semi to help it out with, and that's a detail we'd expect to take considerably longer to trickle out.


[Via: Mac Rumors ]
[Tag: apple.chip,chip designer,chip maker,ChipDesigner,ChipMaker,p.a. semi,P.a.Semi,pa semi,PaSemi ]

Verizon launches the Samsung Glyde

One of the worst-kept secrets in Verizon's stable is finally getting official today; that's right, ladies and gentlemen, meet the Glyde from Samsung. Wearing CDMA guts underneath its F700 clothing, the fashion-friendly QWERTY slider offers a 2 megapixel cam with flash and autofocus, GPS, the full range of Bluetooth profiles, microSD slot, and a true HTML browser. Unlike its crosstown competition -- the LG Voyager -- the Glyde doesn't offer support for Verizon's VCAST TV service, but we imagine most folks will consider that a minor (read: nonexistent) inconvenience. Look for the phone to start circulating into retail channels this week for a princely $249.99 on contract after $50 rebate. Have a quick gander over on Engadget Mobile for a few shots of the Glyde doing what the Glyde does best -- posing for press photography, that is.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: breaking news,BreakingNews,cellphone,glyde,phone,samsung,verizon,verizon wireless,VerizonWireless,vzw ]

Details emerge on Apple's acquistion of chip designer P.A. Semi

There weren't a whole lot of firm details on the reasons behind Apple's acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi to be had back when the deal was announced last month, but it seems that a bit of the veil of mystery may now be lifting, at least if the word EETimes is hearing from its unnamed source is to be believed. Apparently, Apple was keen to have P.A. Semi's crack chip-making team design a new chip for them, but P.A. Semi had "more or less burnt through its venture capital funds," leaving them unable to take on the project. According to EETimes source, that meant that the only way to get P.A. Semi involved was for Apple to pay off all of P.A.'s investors and bring the company in-house, something they were able to do for a mere $280 million or so. Of course, as EETimes points out, the big question remaining is exactly what it is that Apple wants P.A. Semi to help it out with, and that's a detail we'd expect to take considerably longer to trickle out.


[Via: Mac Rumors ]
[Tag: apple.chip,chip designer,chip maker,ChipDesigner,ChipMaker,p.a. semi,P.a.Semi,pa semi,PaSemi ]

Details emerge on Apple's acquistion of chip designer P.A. Semi

There weren't a whole lot of firm details on the reasons behind Apple's acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi to be had back when the deal was announced last month, but it seems that a bit of the veil of mystery may now be lifting, at least if the word EETimes is hearing from its unnamed source is to be believed. Apparently, Apple was keen to have P.A. Semi's crack chip-making team design a new chip for them, but P.A. Semi had "more or less burnt through its venture capital funds," leaving them unable to take on the project. According to EETimes source, that meant that the only way to get P.A. Semi involved was for Apple to pay off all of P.A.'s investors and bring the company in-house, something they were able to do for a mere $280 million or so. Of course, as EETimes points out, the big question remaining is exactly what it is that Apple wants P.A. Semi to help it out with, and that's a detail we'd expect to take considerably longer to trickle out.


[Via: Mac Rumors ]
[Tag: apple.chip,chip designer,chip maker,ChipDesigner,ChipMaker,p.a. semi,P.a.Semi,pa semi,PaSemi ]

Live shots of Sony Ericsson's Paris surface, Mr. Blur mysteriously absent

Enough of these overly pixelated, totally fuzzed-out captures of something supposed to Sony Ericsson's Paris -- we're looking at the real deal now. This definitely sexy slider has somehow fell in front of someone without hands a-shakin', and a smattering of distinct images are waiting just below in the read link. If you just like to be teased, the snapshots show a 5.0-megapixel camera and confirm that the keypad touts a two-character-per-button layout similar to the P1 -- but really, there's nothing like seeing it for yourself.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: Paris,pics,pictures,slider,sneak peek,SneakPeek,sony ericsson,SonyEricsson ]

TV Shows - Colbert says Zune Ownership Proof You're Crazy

On last night's Colbert Report, Stephen gave advice to George Bush on how to go "completely nutball" so Sen. McCain can distance himself from the extremely unpopular president on the campaign trail. Not only did he tell Bush to wear a tinfoil jockstrap, he said the prez should buy a Zune. Really? Sure it's market share is 4%, but what about the new software? [Colbert Report]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Concept Nokia's People First, a Concept Cellphone that Encourages Hacking

Nokia's fired out some interesting concept phones this year, but this newest "People First" design centers more on the functionality of the device than its physical shape. The idea is based around what Nokia calls "three human universals of the way people think about communication" which are time, lists and people. So instead of being the standard pile of multi-option menus, the UI relies on a scrolling history list, with the most relevant and recent things popping onto the top.The phone would have a kind of dual-layer display: the main monochrome "history" scroller, and a smaller color display that deals with your selected options. At heart it's very simple, having just the "mobile essentials" of phone (or push-to-talk), camera, calendar and calculator. But this is where hacking comes in: the idea is that the phone would have widgets support, a simple and accessible programming language and openly available software and hardware specs. Presumably Nokia imagines a host of applications would arise, better-suited to user's needs than "default" applications, and saving them the bother of designing them too.

Matching the list-like, graphic-heavy nature of the UI, the phone would have a long, slender screen with a kind of jog-dial interface. Do we expect to see a real phone just like this anytime soon? Probably not. But we kind of like the direction this concept is taking— placing how people use their phones at the heart of design. What's your opinion guys: do you think this would work? [Nokia, Like Cool and Behance]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Sprint Spending $100 Million to Kick iPhone in the Nuts (iPhone Wearing Cup)

Starting May 9th, Sprint will begin a massive, $100 million marketing campaign aimed straight at the iPhone's nether regions. Stacking its 3G Instinct against the iPhone, Sprint hopes to show that EVDO and GPS make their product way better than anything coming out of Cupertino.The problem isn't that the Instinct is necessarily a bad phone, or that Sprint is a worse service than AT&T. It's that Sprint's series of commercials will cost the company $100 million to promote a message that will most probably be a moot point in one month if/when Apple announces their 3G iPhone. Here's their second commercial:

Also, in a more general suggestion to the advertisers of the world, never put a your device side by side against a competitor if the competitor has a higher screen to case ratio. We'll probably be posting the other three spots as they come in...but even if we don't, expect to see the series all over the television soon.Oh, and to put $100 million into some perspective, that's more money than it would cost to run a 2009 Super Bowl commercial every day for a month.

[via Kansas City Star]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Phone Charger Doubles as Data Backup Unit, Triples as an SD Card Reader

There are other methods of backing up your cellphone contacts, but integrating that capability into a cellphone charger makes a lot of sense from a convenience standpoint. Plus, throwing in the ability read your SD/MMC cards doesn't hurt either. It can even act as a portable battery backup in a pinch. The cleverly titled "Data-backup mobile phone charger" (also referred to as the VT-100 elsewhere) works with most major phone brands and can be used for PMPs, digital cameras and other gadgets strictly as a portable power supply. The device is available for around $30 US.

 [Longshow via Gizmag and Alibaba]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Samsung U940 Glyde Accessories Show Up on Verizon's Site

If all of the past stuff indicating the Samsung Glyde (u940) was on its way to Verizon wasn't enough for you, doubting Thomas, these accessories for it on Verizon's public site should pretty much clinch the deal. [VZW, Thanks Josh!]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

NBC Streaming Full Episodes of 30 Rock and the Office to iPhones (for Free, No Ads!)

Even though there's no love lost between NBC and iTunes, that doesn't mean NBC doesn't love you! At least if you've got an iPhone or iPod touch. They're streaming full episodes of 30 Rock and The Office to iPhones (and touches) in Quicktime, for free, with NO ads. They work, nicely, but the major catch is that if you exit Safari, you've gotta re-DL all over again, and the files are huge, so is this Wi-Fi only, really. This looks weird for NBC, but it's really not.They're putting their shows out online in a million different ways (you can even download 30 Rock, The Office, Conan and Leno direct to your desktop now) and more than happy to pipe 'em to you, as long as it's in a controlled sandbox of some sort. NBC Direct requires a walled-garden player install with loads of DRM, and they wanted copyright controls from Apple and Microsoft to give just two examples, not to mention Hulu. It's sorta surprising that the Quicktime feed for iPhone is unprotected, but theoretically it's restricted to two devices. You know, if they'd just relax a bit, overall, they'd be in a good place online. [Silicon Alley Insider, Thanks Peter!]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

HTC Touch Diamond: the Blurb, Specs and Official Pics

We came, we saw, we blogged, or Vidimus, Vicimus, Blogimus, as they used to say in Latin. HTC's press release for the Touch Diamond is after the gallery.

A NEW AGE FOR MOBILE PHONES BEGINS; HTC UNVEILS 'TOUCH DIAMOND'Debut brings breakthroughs in size, style connectivity and overall user experience, leaves compromise at the door.

LONDON — May 6, 2008 — Born from a unique heritage of innovation and a deep desire to blend design with simplicity, HTC Corp., a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today unveiled its new flagship phone, the HTC Touch Diamondпѓ¤. Delivering unmistakable style and meticulous craftsmanship the HTC Touch Diamond is defined by its compact size, game-changingВ Internet and its new captivating 3D touch interface called TouchFLOв„ўпЎї 3D. The result is an uncompromising mobile phone that sets a new benchmark for phone sophistication and shapes consumer expectations for how a phone can be used."Today we mark a new era in mobile phone evolution, an era where beauty and size integrate with uncompromising innovation at broadband speeds," said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. "The HTC Touch Diamond will make browsing the Web and using Web-enabled applications just as practical and easy to use as making calls."A New Dimension To Touch
HTC has taken a great leap forward in touch screen innovation with the introduction of its new 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D. TouchFLO 3D provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather and more. In addition, HTC is introducing a new innovative touch-sensitive control for interacting with Touch Diamond.Making The Mobile Internet Fun
With the introduction of the Touch Diamond, HTC delivers an entirely new mobile Internet experience that utilizes broadband-like speeds with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA wireless connectivity. Committed to improving Web browsing, HTC provides a new customized mobile Web browser that enables easy viewing and effortless navigation of Websites in the way they were designed. As part of this browsing experience users can zoom and pan Websites with one-hand and automatically view optimized content that has been specially created to fit the display. Turning the device sideways automatically rotates the web page view from a portrait to landscape view.In addition to Web browsing, the Touch Diamond includes a customized new, HTC-developed, YouTube application for watching a variety of user generated video content as well as utilizing Google Maps for mobile for mapping and traffic data.Unmatched Style and Size
The Touch Diamond is crafted with precision to fit comfortably in a user's hand without compromising on features or functionality. Blending contrasting design elements of metal and unique geometric facets, the Touch Diamond complements a user's personal style.Bursting with Innovation
The Touch Diamond delivers an unrivalled combination of features and functionality that set a new standard for integrating mobile phone innovation into a small package. The 2.8 inch display provides near-print quality viewing that enables beautiful Web browsing and viewing of photographs. The built-in camera includes an optical auto-focus lens that ensures the photos you take will be clear and consistent. Advanced wireless and auto sensor screen pivoting are just a few of the features that make the Touch Diamond experience a stand out.Availability
The HTC Touch Diamondв„ў will be available to customers across all major European carriers in June. It will be available later this quarter in Asia and the Middle East. The North American and Latin American versions of the Touch Diamond will be available in the second half of 2008."Our long-standing relationship with HTC meant they shared their phone concept and worked with us from the earliest stage. This early collaboration is important to us because at Orange, we know that the right multimedia experience is about more than just the phone," said Olaf Swantee, EVP of Orange's global mobile operations. "Our approach is to select and test the best phones and integrate our applications, combining them with access to the Orange World portal, the best tariffs, integrated billing, a user-friendly interface and excellent customer support. With the Touch Diamond from Orange we have created a unique phone which has taken advantage of our latest service innovation to build upon the consistently rich experience customers expect from Orange."HTC Touch Diamond Key Specifications
Size: 102 x 51 x 11.33mm
Weight: 110 g
Connectivity: WCDMA / HSPA: 900/2100MHz. HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA
Operating system: Windows MobileВ® 6.1 Professional
Display: 2.8-inch VGA touch screen
Camera: 3.2MP, with video calling
Internal memory: 4 GB Internal Storage, 256 MB flash, 192 MB RAM,
Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR
Wireless: WiFi 802.11b/g
GPS: GPS/AGPS
Interface: HTC ExtUSBв„ўпЎї (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed)
Battery: 900 mAh
Talk time: GSM: up to 4 hours
Standby time: GSM: up to 300 hours/100 hours with push email
Chipset: QualcommВ® MSM 7201Aв„ўпЎї 528MHz

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Long Awaited Nokia E71 May Hit On May 8th

Based on its appearance on various Dutch retail sites, rumor has it that the long awaited Nokia E71 may be announced as early as May 8th. The device is expected to feature 3G connectivity, a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS navigation and Wi-Fi in a 112 x 57 x 10 mm package. [MPHD via Unwired View via BGR]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Hands-on With Windows Mobile Skyfire Browser Beta 0.6 [Skyfire Browser]

Skyfire just got its 0.6 update, bring with it a few more features (listed after the jump) and a bit of compatibility increase that makes it feel more like a real browser than it was even when we saw it at CTIA. The overall idea is the same: Skyfire servers render pages into image form, which then makes it onto your Windows Mobile phone over an internet connection. On our Sprint HTC Mogul, Gizmodo loaded pretty damn fast over EV-DO, and features like Flash actually seemed to work well.Because the page is like an image, you can pan and scroll around fast and easily, but zooming in and out is a bit clunkier. Typing in a text field requires you to type something on Skyfire's text input, then sending that to Skyfire, then sending the resulting image back to your phone.Although it touts Flash video, support, watching YouTube videos is still more like a fast slideshow than an actual video—though most of the video quality depends on your connection type and speed. It's no iPhone Safari browser—and probably will never be because of the fact that rendering is done off-phone—but it's a reasonably close approximation for now.* Multi-line text entry (2,000 character limit)
* Auto-complete text entry
* Paste into URL or search
* Ability to delete bookmarks
* Multiple zoom modes for touch screen phones
* Double tap to Zoom In and Zoom Out
* Support for custom virtual keyboards (SIP)
* Web search shortcut in softkey menu
* Access to the Windows Mobile Taskbar in softkey menu
* Persistent settings for SmartFit, Mute and Zoom size
* Support for 12-key and ВЅ QWERTY devices
* Password masking
* Backlight usage based on system settings
* OK button sends Skyfire to the background

[Skyfire]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

BlackBerry 9000 Reviewed Early (Verdict: Fantastic)

Crackberry, the BlackBerry fan site, bought a BlackBerry 9000 off of eBay for $828 and reviewed it. Why's this notable? Because the phone doesn't go on sale until July or August. This fact doesn't stop them from throwing lots of praise on the phone now, however, saying that the "9000 will leaves [sic] every other BlackBerry made to date in the dust."The 9000 still takes a long time to start up—Crackberry says the software should be updated before launch and that might speed it up a bit—but the keyboard is nice and OS 4.6 is also "smooth", "fast" and "pretty." The display is "bright and crisp", and 3G is definitely welcome. If you even have the smallest interest in BlackBerry, this is a phone to consider.

 [Crackberry]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Hands-On with the HTC Touch Diamond (Verdict: Slightly Sluggish, But Has Nice UI Touches) [Htc]

The HTC Touch Diamond—iPhone Killer or just another Windows Mobile device? It kinda reminds me of a mini-iPhone. A couple of nice design features: the animated weather display (you can have up to six places' weather forecast bookmarked) makes me think of the widget on my MacBook; the click-wheel in miniature that lets you zoom in on the screen; and there's a very nifty little feature that automatically switches the phone onto silent mode when you lie it on its front. UI was much more attractive than I was expecting, but the touchscreen takes quite a bit of getting used to: it's sluggish to the touch, compared to the hot-butterish iPhone, but the HTC rep assured me that it's not a final version of the software, and everything should have been ironed out by the time of the European and Asian launches next month. So, to answer my questions, No, and No.



[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

NBC Coming To Zune After Ditching iTunes

While NBC decided that Apple's $1.99/episode mandate was not for them, the company has opted to give Microsoft's Zune store a shot to host their content. Apparently the decision comes because Microsoft is more flexible in their pricing. And while Microsoft still retains the right to set a show's ultimate price, they claim to be "open to understanding which episodes can be priced lower and how we may introduce premium content which may be priced higher than $1.99," according to Zune Social general manager Julio Estrada. But something tells me that NBC is more interested in that "premium content" than the lower priced stuff. [infoworld]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

iPhone SDK Beta 5 Now Up: Bug Fixes, Updated OS Support

Besides supporting the latest iPhone OS version, beta 5 doesn't do a whole lot else besides throwing in small tweaks to the UI, tweaks to the developers tools and some bug fixes. No big feature addition like last time, but you gotta update if you're making iPhone apps. You just gotta! There probably won't be very many more of these before the next iPhone's out.

This п¬Ѓfth beta release of the iPhone SDK includes a complete set of tools, compilers, frameworks, and documentation for creating iPhone OS applications. These tools include the Xcode IDE, and the Instruments analysis tool, among many others. With this software you can develop applications that run on iPhone and iPod touch using the included iPhone Simulator.

[Apple]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

AT&T and Other Telcos Thinking of Skype Combatant?

Om writes about a report that AT&T and a group of major international telcos like British Telecom, Deutsche Telecom, and NTT are thinking of making a free VOIP system. The reason for it is that voice is a "losing proposition" these days in the face of Skypes and land line attrition. The system would eventually be moved to cellphones and would be launched in 2009. One problem: The report is so far mostly theory, even if the writer does have a good track record. [Om]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

HTC Touch Diamond all gussied up and official

We've got some hands-on shots and impressions with the newly announced HTC Touch Diamond that we'll be sharing with you shortly, but here are some official press shots to whet your appetite. Tell it to us one more time, HTC. VGA? You really do love us.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: htc,press shots,PressShots,touch diamond,TouchDiamond ]

HTC Touch Diamond hands-on

We had a little thumb-print orgy with the new HTC Touch Diamond immediately following its launch. Light and small, the Touch Diamond comes off as a unit with promise. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a while to get our hands on this via a US carrier, but Orange users in the UK will no doubt be pretty happy with this new handset, the first of its kind to use Windows Mobile 6.1.

Check out the gallery below, complete with comments and interface walk-through. A couple vids after the break, too!

A little game using the HTC Touch Diamond's accelerometer

HTC Touch Diamond's YouTube interface

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: diamond,features,htc,touch,touchdiamond ]

XRoad V7 3rd version GPS unit headed for Korea

XRoad has released a few of its GPS units 'round these parts, but it looks like it's sticking close to its home base with its latest V7 model, which will apparently be exclusive to Korea. If that doesn't preclude you, however, it looks like you can expect a pretty decent unit, with the new V7 3rd version boasting a 7-inch 800 x 480 display, all the usual PMP functions, 4GB of flash memory, an FM tuner, a DMB mobile TV tuner, picture-in-picture, real-time traffic information, and a generous 4200mAh Li-Ion battery, to name but a few features. No word on a price or release date just yet, but we wouldn't expect it to be too far off the $600 or so the previous model demanded.



[Via: Navigadget ]
[Tag: v7, xroad, xroad v7, XroadV7 ]

A little more on HTC's Touch Diamond

We've got a few more details on the Touch Diamond to keep your motor running. Check it out!

• The Touch Diamond makes use of GPU accelerated procedural graphics, so you will not see a backward-compatible TouchFlow 3D update for the current Touch. It's capable of doing 7-8mil polygons per second (not that many games or apps will make use of that right now).
  
• HTC has made hiding WinMo away something of a priority; CMO John Wang stated, "You wouldn't even know this device was Windows Mobile. You would just think it's TouchFlow 3D."
  
• HTC totally reworked the WinMo virtual keyboard (as you can see above). Definitely not the best laid out we've seen (okay, it looks kind of messy), but it's instantly lightyears ahead of what WinMo had before.
  
  
• Opera "reflows" web formatting, which HTC is pitching hard. Basically it just reformats and wraps text on zoom -- unlike, say, the iPhone.
  
• Unfortunately, the device still uses a resistive touchscreen, while the controls below are capacitive. That really ought to be flipped around.
  
• And of course, we had to ask about Android: the first device is (still) coming later this year, but it will not br in the form of the Diamond.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the hands-on (with video).
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: featured,htc,touch diamond,TouchDiamond ]

BlackBerry Curve now available on Verizon

Verizon said we'd be getting the BlackBerry Curve 8330 in May, and it looks like the company is right on schedule: RIM's latest is now available with a two-year contract for $219 and a $50 rebate. Specs are exactly the same as we've known forever, which means there's no WiFi, but that's not going to stop any of you, now is it?

P.S.- Sorry, Sprint subscribers, we still don't know when you're getting this one, apart from "mid-May."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 8330,blackberry,blackberry curve,BlackberryCurve,curve,curve 8330,Curve8330,verizon ]

BT said to be prepping a "BlackBerry-style" hybrid handset

Britain's top fixed-line carrier is apparently aiming to get back in the handset game, as Times Online is reporting that said company will reveal a "BlackBerry-styled" device that does everything your typical smartphone can along with one extra inclusion. According to the writeup, the forthcoming device will "switch from BT's wireless Home Hub indoors to Vodafone's network on the move," and it's expected to be sold with a broadband package. Of course, those familiar with BT will recall that this isn't the outfit's first foray in the sector, but it's hoping the new handset will fare a good bit better than the poorly received BT Fusion. So, how's about a picture of this thing?


[Via: Pocket-lint ]
[Tag: blackberry,BT,europe,hybrid phone,HybridPhone,smartphone,uk ]

Motorola's cellphone business needs a new leader: okay, I'm in.

From the (tiny) desk of the editor:

Yesterday Motorola CEO Greg Brown told board members and shareholders that, among a lot of other bad news, the company is no closer to finding someone to lead the company's rotting cellphone business (which Moto is in the middle of spinning off as its "Mobile Devices" unit). One shareholder remarked, "You're not doing your job that you're paid for. Either put up or get out." That investor, like the rest of us, has witnessed the slow-mo train wreck that's been that handset business in the days since the RAZR peaked; the things brought to light in the insider letter I published on Engadget just reinforces the fact that it's time for a change at the top. Some even suggested that I take over Motorola's handset business. I thought it over -- okay, I'll bite if Greg does.

The problem with so many American technology companies today -- especially in the mobile space -- is that while they have no dearth of business acumen at the top of the pyramid, they're typically dry on vision and foresight. They spend brief periods of time innovating, and then milk a technology, brand, patent, or some combination therein for as long as they can get away with it (or in Moto's case, way longer). They play it safe and go for the easy money. Motorola's handset business has come to define this in the gadget world.

I'll be honest, I'm in no way a professional businessman. I wouldn't know how to interpret a multi-billion dollar OIBDA sheet, and as the crew at the Engadget network of sites might tell you, I'm probably a better editor than manager. I'm woefully ill-equipped to run a business end-to-end of the scale of Motorola's handset division. Thankfully there are plenty of suits there to blather on about SarbOx and earnings and compliance, because while I won't be the person to bring it, what's clear is that Motorola needs someone at the top who knows what makes a good phone good, and a garbage phone garbage. Somebody that isn't afraid to say no, and who isn't interested in flogging a slow-dying brand to pad an earnings report. The company needs someone that's not entrenched, an outsider with little interest in pandering to internal big company politics and the post-Zander status quo. Maybe someone that's not afraid to leak some upcoming handsets to Engadget.

Am I serious? Would I really leave my position as editor of Engadget to try my hand at plugging the holes in Moto's sinking ship? Sure -- not that it matters, because let's be honest, there isn't a chance in hell that's going to be happening any time soon. But the right technologist -- I didn't say exec, I said technologist -- sure as hell needs to step up, because if Brown plans on installing another out of touch, overpaid, clueless executive in the revolving door, they might as well sell the company off now while they can still fetch a reasonable price. And hey, if that's the case then maybe I'll lobby our Time Warner overlords to pick it up and let me try my hand. I doubt I could be much worse than the last guy.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: business,featured,greg brown,GregBrown,motorola ]

BlackBerry 9000 gets a very early review

We're all about reviews of products before they're released, but reviewing something before it's even been officially confirmed by a company is its own special brand of magnificent. Granted, these are more like the hands-on impressions of a self-confessed BlackBerry addict, who was willing to fork over $828 US on the off chance that the eBay auction the other day was actually legit. A week later Kevin of CrackBerry.com has the BlackBerry 9000 in hand and seems to be loving every minute of it. Apparently the keyboard is better than the 8800 series, the OS4.6 is smooth, fast and pretty, and the 480 x 320 LCD is "awesome." And don't get Kevin started on 3G: the logo alone brought a tear to his eye -- we're clearly dealing with a bona fide fanboy here. That said, it's an encouraging sign to see all those leaked shots weren't just for show, there's a real-live performer behind the legend. Kevin's major caveat is the size and weight of the phone, compared to his Curve, but we're sure the $828 hole in his checking account will have him coming to terms with that drawback in the near future. He'll be posting more details and impressions as he goes.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: blackberry,blackberry 9000,Blackberry9000,hands-on,preview,review,rim ]

Zune headed for Canada on June 13th!

Hear that? That's the sound of dozens of Canadians rejoicing as they finally get a launch date for the Zune in Canada, a year and a half after Zune's debut in the US. As rumored, Canadians will have a slightly limited lineup on offer, with no 30GB or green versions to puzzle over, but the red Zune 80 will indeed be making an appearance, along with the rest of the players. Prices range from $140 to $250 Canadian Dollars, which sources tell us is a real currency akin to salt traded by the ancients or a Starbucks Card.
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: canada,microsoft,zune ]

HTC Launch the Diamond--Small and Very iPhone-esque

So, this is the Touch Diamond. It's small, slim, "a holistic experience", according to Horace Luke, HTC's Chief Innovations Officer, and "just like your life." Out in Europe and Asia next month, we should get our hands on it later on this year, and it's the the closest thing so far to an iPhone that hasn't come out of Cupertino. Not surprising, since Luke and his team wanted the design to be worthy of MoMA. I'm just not sure about the diamond design on the back.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
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Zune Finding Ways to Work with Danger = Zune Hiptop? [Zunephone]

After a presentation at Microsoft's Zune media event, Chris Stephenson, GM of Marketing for Zune, offhandedly mentioned that they're finding ways to integrate and work with Danger's 250-man staff. As a reminder, Danger, who Microsoft bought, is strictly a consumer handset OS maker. No one has officially confirmed the Zune Phone project's existence until now, without a retraction. But this is a step in the right direction.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

How to Do a Fake iPhone 2 In Five Easy Steps

It's Do your Fake iPhone 2 Leaked Photos Season, and everyone is trying to trick everyone else with crappy, noisy, allegedly-leaked images. But why read about stupid rumors when you can make your own—and even send them to our contest? "How" you ask? Easy, just follow the easy 5-step tutorial after the jump, and get some inspiration from some examples I've made just for you (warning, my dog's genitals may be NSFW in the Great State of Minnesota).Before starting, you need the material. Grab the mandatory high-resolution image from Apple, and resize it to low resolution (like 600 pixels high) in Photoshop. Take a photo of any object in your hand, preferably of a size similar to the iPhone and black (not obligatory, as you can see in the samples.)Now, follow these steps:1. Copy the front of the iPhone minus the borders.
2. Paste the iPhone image on the photo of the object serving as the base of your fake.
3. Use the Distort or Warp tools (under the Edit menu) to adjust the image size and perspective to match the base object (optional: if necessary, add a mask to blend the borders of the pasted iPhone with the base surface).
4. Add noise to your image (under the Filter > Noise menu.) Choose Gaussian, color noise. Select a good amount but not excessive.
5. Apply Gaussian blur (under the Filter > Blur menu). Again, not a lot, just enough to make it craptastically rumor-worthy.You are done. Now save to JPEG using a low quality setting—to add even more realism to the stolen nature of the image, and eliminate any errors caused by your lousy Photoshop skills—and you are done. Then, send to your least favorite blog. Yes. You know exactly where.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
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Live From the HTC Launch in London

Well, we're here. This is the Soho Hotel in, er, Soho, where HTC are launching something (although I think we all know it's going to be the Diamond.) Come back in a bit for the juicy stuff.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

HTC Census Device Revealed in New FCC Filing

HTC's Census device first hit the FCC over a year ago, but it's just appeared there for approval again. The data-only device, complete with touchscreen and fingerprint reader, but lacking voice-calling capabilities and a camera was going to be used in the 2010 census before technical issues led to it being ditched. But here it is again, with a prominent Harris branding and what looks like a hand strap across the back. What's going on? Is it back on the cards to aid Census Bureau staff, or is it getting a new lease of life targeted at other industrial users? Pretty confusing, especially since there's no info on the release date yet. [FCC and Reghardware]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
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