ITG xpPhone gets a price, more pretty pictures

ITG xpPhone gets a price, more pretty pictures originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Picture of Motorola ‘Shadow’ leaked, inverted on Taiwanese forum

Picture of Motorola ‘Shadow’ leaked, inverted on Taiwanese forum originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP files for ‘Zeen’ and ‘Airlife’ trademarks for handheld devices

Having only recently marked its return to the handheld computing space with the iPAQ Glisten, HP seems intent on forging ahead with more hardware in the coming year. The above trademark applications — filed in September and October 2009 — mark out some very broad categories, but we can narrow them down a little with the help of some context. Given all the industry excitement over tablet devices, the Zeen could well be the name of a forthcoming slate-shaped machine and accompanying software, while Airlife seems to be planted firmly in the smartphone arena. The moniker suggests a software ecosystem rather than actual hardware, but that would make little sense with just one handset out there; if we were the betting type (and believe us, we aren’t), we’d probably expect to see more mobiles coming from the computing giant in order to take advantage. Of course, companies don’t always follow through on trademark applications, but it sure seems as if HP is casting a wary eye over the burgeoning handheld market (and / or planning to not get left behind in the months ahead).

HP files for ‘Zeen’ and ‘Airlife’ trademarks for handheld devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer, Asustek working on custom 3G phones for China?

If the sources that Digitimes is reporting are correct, then China can expect to see a few more customized, 3G phones in the coming year. The sources are saying that both Acer and Asustek are planning models for 2010, and that Acer is working with China Mobile and China Unicom to produce TD-SCDMA and WCDMA models while Asustek is reportedly set to release a China-specific Garmin-Asus branded handset for both carriers in 2010 as well. Now, keep in mind of course that none of this has been confirmed by either company as of yet, but the move certainly wouldn’t surprise us, either.

Acer, Asustek working on custom 3G phones for China? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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San Francisco considers displaying phone radiation levels next to price tag

If the San Francisco Department of the Environment gets its way, starting as soon as next month Bay Area residents might start noticing the radiation levels of cellphones displayed prominently next to their respective price at retail outlets. This is, of course, despite no definitive research that the handsets cause harm and the FCC’s insistence that the devices sold to consumers are safe. The proposal is being endorsed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, who as it’s noted is not about to stop using his iPhone anytime soon. Not to worry, Maine, you’ll still keep the top spot for most ridiculous cellphone warning label.

San Francisco considers displaying phone radiation levels next to price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IEEE begins work on new cellphone battery standard, we circle 2029 for ratification

You’ll excuse us for poking a bit of fun at the IEEE, but after it took seven years to finalize a wireless standard that didn’t change for most of that time, we have to wonder how long a new battery rulebook is going to take. IEEE Std 1725 is the current set of commonly agreed rules, in effect since 2006, but apparently “the cellular industry has grown tremendously since then” and our needs as consumers have changed. No kidding, 1GHz processors and 1080p video recording can kind of do that. The Cell Phone Battery Working Group (a real entity!) will hold its first meeting on the topic in February, and the final outcome will lay out up-to-date rules on the requisite quality, reliability, construction, and discharge characteristics of modern cellphone batteries. Let’s hope “smartphones that last more than a day” figures somewhere on that list.

IEEE begins work on new cellphone battery standard, we circle 2029 for ratification originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone to be sold by Tesco in the UK, hemorrhages cachet

So we know the iPhone has been slumming it and selling itself on Walmart shelves in the US for a while now, but it’s retained a somewhat more dignified cachet over here in Europe. Until today, that is. Just “in time for Christmas,” British retailer Tesco will make it possible for you to buy your socks, no-frills groceries, and shiny smartphone all in the same place. You’ll still be riding O2’s network, thanks to the Tesco Mobile service, but the department store chain is likely to price its contracts more aggressively, as it already has a £30 per month plan that includes unlimited calls, texts, and web surfing. Maybe there’s something to this whole “competition” thing after all then, eh?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone to be sold by Tesco in the UK, hemorrhages cachet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sciphone’s Android-loving N21 gets some time on video

There’s just something about Sciphone’s Android-based handset, the N21, that we can’t get enough of. This KIRF-tastic little dude has attitude in droves, to go with its clunky exterior. The 3-inch touchscreener boasts a 5 megapixel cam, WiFi, and an onscreen keyboard — not to mention what looks like a killer stylus experience. In the video (which is after the break), you can check out the many and varied features of this looker of a device.

Continue reading Sciphone’s Android-loving N21 gets some time on video

Sciphone’s Android-loving N21 gets some time on video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative to show off ‘Zii Android mobile phone’ next month at Chinese summit

We’ve been saying all along that we’d love nothing more than to see someone throw a 3G chip into Creative’s Zii Egg and sell it as a pretty strong smartphone, but so far we’ve been hit with little to no indication of interested parties making that happen. So when we spot phrases like “Zii Optimized Android Phone platform” and “the line-up of devices on display includes a Mobile Phone platform” on an informational site for the ZiiLABS Showcase happening early December in China, our interested are definitely piqued. The event is geared towards companies who’d like to use the Plaszma platform for their products, and with any luck, some debonair decision-maker will give Zii phone a chance.

[Via myCreative Fansite; thanks, Kyle]

Filed under: Cellphones

Creative to show off ‘Zii Android mobile phone’ next month at Chinese summit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm Pre WebOS 1.3.1 update available now, a day early

webOS 1.3.1 was always destined to come alongside the launch of the Pixi, but it’s surprised us by showing its face a day early. No app catalog bombshells here, but there are a slew of other fixes and updates that should make users experience a great deal smoother. Is this the update that finally unlocks access to the GPU and provides the speed boost Pre owners are waiting for / advances the iTunes chess match another step? We’ll let you know once our unit reboots, for now here’s a few highlight’s from Palm’s list of changes:

• Yahoo! now appears as a Calendar/Contacts/instant messaging synchronization account.
• You can forward a text or multimedia message by tapping the message > Forward.
• A new option is available for restarting the phone: press and hold power > Power > Restart. The prior restart method (Device Info > Reset Options > Restart) is still available.
• Widescreen videos (including YouTube) now display in widescreen mode on the phone by default, instead of being cropped.
• If you tap to play a YouTube video embedded on a web page, the YouTube application launches and the video plays in the app.

Filed under: Cellphones

Palm Pre WebOS 1.3.1 update available now, a day early originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst estimates 100,000 DROID smartphones sold in first weekend

The lines may have been subdued, but one way or another, it sounds as if Motorola managed to sell quite a few DROIDs over the weekend. According to analyst Mark McKechnie at Broadpoint AmTech, the outfit managed to move around 100,000 of ‘em during the opening weekend, with most stores moving at least half of their original shipments. He also estimated that Moto would sell one million Android-based phones in Q4 2009 alone (which includes the CLIQ, obviously), and that he viewed the first few days as “encouraging.” It’s been a long, long while since we’ve been able to say this, but hey — nice job, Motorola.

Filed under: Cellphones

Analyst estimates 100,000 DROID smartphones sold in first weekend originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Mini 3iX shows up at FCC, with WiFi and 3G in tow

Having already witnessed the case and UI of Dell’s incoming Android invader, we can now pretty much complete the picture with the latest info from the FCC. Reassuringly, WiFi and 3G — the two big modifications from the China-bound Mini 3i — both make it onto US soil, leaving us with only the timeless questions of when and how much. The Chinese version of the phone runs a 360 x 640 resolution on a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, which makes for a nice base to get all that wireless communication (Bluetooth included) flowing. We can expect the Mini 3iX to find its way onto AT&T’s awesome networks some time in 2010, joining a growing army of Android devices vying for your cash, love and understanding.

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: Cellphones

Dell Mini 3iX shows up at FCC, with WiFi and 3G in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Mini 3iX has WiFi, 3G, and a number of leaked UI photos

You know what’s ridiculous? Modern smartphones without WiFi (why hello there, Pixi and Tour). Looks like Dell’s getting the message with the supposed Brazil-bound Mini 3iX, which as far as we can tell is the Mini 3i as it should’ve been — same specs, plus WiFi and 3G connectivity. The OPhone-esque user interface also seems to have gone through some changes, at least cosmetically, and Cellular Cafe has the vivid imagery — so might this be the little guy rumored to be coming to AT&T, or will we get the 2G variant instead? How about we just skip this one altogether and get the Streak?

Filed under: Cellphones

Dell Mini 3iX has WiFi, 3G, and a number of leaked UI photos originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video)

Continue reading Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video)

Filed under: Cellphones

Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia’s N97 mini gets its shipping papers

Right on cue, the smaller-but-just-barely N97 mini is now ready for public consumption over in Europe. Granted, we’re certainly at the tail end of October, but we can’t say that we caught Nokia in a lie or anything based on what was said last month in Stuttgart. You’ve already committed the specifications to memory and read all about firmware 2.0, so now all that’s left to do is run along, fork out €450 ($667) and wonder forever if this decision will positively or negatively change the course of your life.

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia’s N97 mini gets its shipping papers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ukraine war memorial given eternal LED torch, cell antenna

An eternal flame that once blazed via good old fashioned science has now been given a new lease on life thanks to modern technology. This Cherkassy, Ukraine war monument, erected in honor of fallen World War 2 soldiers, had been sitting extinguished given the price of natural gas after the fall of the Soviet Union. Now, though, the bowl has been gifted with a LED marquee simulating a flame, which covers up its alternate use as a cell tower. Sure, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder and we’re fairly certain this hasn’t been accepted with universal approval, but if you ask us, and admittedly we’re biased, the more LEDs the better.

[Via Hack a Day]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Ukraine war memorial given eternal LED torch, cell antenna originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer neoTouch S200 reviewed, not recommended

After what seemed like a full lifetime of waiting, Acer’s recently-launched neoTouch S200 is finally making its way into some reviewing hands. The fine young cannibals over at Phone Arena have just given it the head to toe treatment, and we have to say, we’re glad they’ve done the dirty work for us. This WinMo 6.5 handset, according to their impressions, seems to be a not fully baked affair — sluggishness and random crashing are both reported, as is a rather serious sounding call quality issue. The battery also seems to be inadequate for a workday, coming in at around five hours. Overall, the phone suffers from software optimization problems more than hardware issues. The one ray of light in all this is of course that 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, which can multitask and handle several things at once without flinching — but it’s rather hard to get pumped about it in the face of all that sadness. Hit the read link for the full, exhaustive review.

Filed under: Cellphones

Acer neoTouch S200 reviewed, not recommended originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original BlackBerry Storm to get flick scrolling, better browsing through firmware update?

Despite Verizon’s best efforts to ignore the obvious, RIM’s BlackBerry Storm2 is not only official, it’s (un)officially destined for Big Red’s airwaves. If you’re one of those slightly disgruntled Storm 9530 owners, however, you could be looking at a rather nice firmware update coming your way in the near future. According to phoneArena, the Storm and Storm2 will eventually be “practically identical” in terms of software, with a forthcoming update to add flick scrolling, tabbed browsing and threaded texting to the original. Of course, we should probably wait for VZW to confirm the existence of the Storm2 before expecting any formal word on this, but feel free to go about your day with cautious optimism.

Filed under: Cellphones

Original BlackBerry Storm to get flick scrolling, better browsing through firmware update? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG GD900 Crystal makes a very portable fish tank, PETA magnet

Remember the good old days with your virtual pets on your keyring? Well, how about an injection of life that actually roams around inside your phone? Some dude in China had this exact idea — probably inspired by the waterproof LG GD900 Crystal in a fish tank — and popped open the hollow keypad of his own Crystal, slapped in two unfortunate little neon tetras, squeezed in some water and snap! There’s no mention on how long the poor things can survive in there for, but chances are PETA will be after your backside well before something goes wrong. We also went through the warranty paperwork, and honestly, we think this gentleman might be in a fishy area here. Video of the mod after the break, if you dare.

Continue reading LG GD900 Crystal makes a very portable fish tank, PETA magnet

Filed under: Cellphones

LG GD900 Crystal makes a very portable fish tank, PETA magnet originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Hockney paints with his iPhone, results not typical

Filed under: Cellphones

David Hockney paints with his iPhone, results not typical originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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