It seemed unlikely that Apple could go any other way, but AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson finally confirmed that 2008 will see the iPhone upgraded with 3G connectivity. The handset, which has been robustly criticised for making use of last-gen EDGE data rather than one of the newer, faster technologies, was limited to the slower network as the company felt battery life would suffer unduly from power-hungry 3G chips. Speaking at a meeting of the Churchill Club in California, Stephenson told reporters querying the updated phone that “you’ll have it next year”.

When pushed on price, AT&T seemingly have little say in what Apple charge for their hardware; “[Steve Jobs] will dictate what the price of the phone is” Stephenson explained. Nonetheless, it’s potentially enough to delay some shoppers over the coming holiday period, although ever-verbose Gene Munster of analysts Piper Jaffray & Co dismissed those buyers as “not enough to make a difference.”

The confirmation comes a month after Broadcom unveiled what some believe will be the 3G chipset the upgraded iPhone will use, that boasted 7.2Mbps HSDPA connectivity, onboard graphics support and image processing for up to 5-megapixel cameras, as well as lower power demands than existing chips.

Source Blommberg

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Orange UK and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the launch of two new Wi-Fi-enabled BlackBerry smartphones to customers in the UK - the BlackBerry Curve 8320 and the BlackBerry Pearl 8120.

The BlackBerry Curve 8320 with built-in Wi-Fi offers an exceptional design and rich combination of features. Available in a liquid silver finish, the BlackBerry Curve 8320 is RIM’s smallest and lightest full-QWERTY keyboard smartphone and includes a two megapixel digital camera, music and video player, a standard 3.5mm stereo headset jack and a microSD/SDHC card slot for expandable memory storage.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 with built-in Wi-Fi is ideal for people who want business-grade functionality in an ultra-sleek phone. It enables users to customise the Home Screen with shortcuts to frequently used business applications, as well as providing convenient and quick ways to trial games, ringtones and more from Orange Downloads. It also comes complete with a two megapixel digital camera, music and video player, a standard 3.5mm stereo headset jack and a microSD/SDHC card slot for expandable memory storage.

The BlackBerry Curve 8320 and BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphones combine EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for data access and voice support (UMA). The smartphones switch seamlessly between Wi-Fi and GSM networks, making them fully compatible with Unique from Orange, which allows customers to use one device for all their calls.

The new BlackBerry Curve 8320 and BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphones are available online at Orange.co.uk, in Orange retail stores throughout the UK, and through selected authorised dealers.

Thanks to SlashPhone

Popularity: 4% [?]

I have been testing Bluetrek Bluetooth headsets since they released their first product in the US, several years ago - the Bluetrek G2. Today I found some interesting posts about the Bluetrek ST1 which is a Bluetooth v1.2 enabled stereo headset compatible with any Bluetooth enabled product that provides music playback, such as mobile phones, MP3 players, and computers that support Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP profile. The headset incorporates a unique and innovative design that uses flexible rubber arms that twist and fit comfortably around the neck. Once the Bluetrek ST1 receives the stereo or mono content via Bluetooth it is then processed using SRS WOW HD for a superior audio entertainment experience with crisp highs, deep lows and immersive realism.
to read the full review, or I found a really good review about the ST1 from Techcastnetwork.co.uk, with a very nice content and pictures. If you are trying to find more information about the ST1, click herehere to visit the official website.Thru : BlueToothLounge

Popularity: 4% [?]

The previous N810 unboxing video was awesome because of the soundtrack the guy used, this one is awesome because the producer uses an awesome camcorder to get insane amounts of detail. WOM World, the PR Firm Nseries hires that speaks exclusively to bloggers, recommended this video and I’m in full on agreement. There is also a 2 part video (1 and 2) done by the same guy where he compares the N810 to the N800. Personally I always thought the 770 was more handsome than the N800, but the N810 is clearly the new hottie on the block:

Via : IntoMobile

Popularity: 4% [?]

In case the recently revealed E-ten Glofish X600 didn’t rock your world, the up-and-coming smartphone manufacturer has pushed their new E-ten Glofish X650 through the FCC’s testing process. We had speculated that the Glofish X600’s spec-sheet failed to include 3G, nor a VGA disply, because they were saving those features for the Glofish X600+ (much like E-ten did when they bumped-up the Glofish X500’s display with the VGA-equipped Glofish X500+). Well, there’s no word of an E-ten Glofish X600+ in the works, but this E-ten Glofish X650 could serve the same function in E-ten’s lineup.

Spotted on the FCC’s website, the E-ten Glofish X650 sports pretty much the same internals as its little-brother, the X600, but adds an FM transmitter that should have you rocking-out to your favorite tunes (as long as there’s an available FM channel to broadcast said tunes). We’re even hearing that the Glofish X650 will have a VGA display - which may mean E-ten is done with the “+” branding in favor of tacking on an addition “50? to the model name to indicate a boosted spec-sheet. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of any 3G radio for the Glofish X650.

We don’t care what E-ten prefers, “+” or “50,” just give us some VGA goodness and we’ll happily accept whatever name they see fit to use.

Via : IntoMobile

Popularity: 4% [?]

My experience with the Nokia N95 Smart Phone has so far been really amazing. Lets just not say “grapes are sour” but definitely the Nokia N95 is better than the iPhone in many aspects. Especially after Nokia revealed and publicized the API for the hidden Accelerometer Motion Sensor many developers have made applications that make Nokia N95 more cool than any Touch Phone.

The recent good news for all Nokia N95 users is that the version 20.0.015 firmware for the Nokia N95 classic is available through Nokia Software Update. Thew new firmware adds some good new features to the Nokia N95 software and is highly recommended for better software performance.

All About Symbian gives us a list of all the new features brought about by this new firmware along with the screenshots of some of these new features. The list of new features goes as:

* New Welcome application
* New camera software and tweaks from the 8GB model
* Image processing algorithms have changed
* Long press on camera button launches camera if shutter is open
* New My Nokia SMS tips and mobile web portal system
* Demand paging (for ROM applications) with 30 plus MB free RAM after booting.
* Search 4.0 integration on standby screen.
* N-Gage game previews (FIFA, Asphalt) and portal/shortcut to upcoming N-Gage client, as in N81 and N95 8GB
* Nokia Music Store client, although the store server hasn’t been updated to handle the N95 yet
* Assorted other minor tweaks, along the same lines as the N95 8GB, with video ringtones, theme animations and a Circles Music Player visualisation.

This seems cool. Plus Nokia N95 users are desperately waiting for applications built using the accelerometer API. So its really good news for all

Bye//

Popularity: 4% [?]

Today, in the evening, in France, 12 different stores will be selling the iPhone on Orange’s behalf, actually I am pretty sure they are all Orange stores, but you get the idea. The pompous Didier Lombard thinks that he can sell 100k iPhones in France alone by the end of the year.

France is the second country to get an Apple unlocked iPhone, once again, because the law says they have to offer it. The unlocked handset is about $965.32 in France, and about $1485.91 in Germany (the first country to get an unlocked iPhone. The locked phones will be selling for about $593, a considerable premium over what they are selling for here.

Here the iPhone is $399, and in the UK its about $556, so it seems like the English speaking countries get the better deal. Regardless, if you are in France, and want an iPhone, the doors open 6:30 your time, be there, or save your money and get a cheaper phone.

Apple’s iPhone hits French stores [via yahoo news]

Popularity: 5% [?]

Microsoft has finally released the new Office Mobile 6.1 today, which will support Office 2007 file format. This upgrade to the Office Mobile applications allows viewing and editing of Word documents and Excel workbooks and viewing of PowerPoint slideshows created by using Microsoft Office 2007.

Other improvements include:

• Enhanced viewing experience for charts in Excel Mobile.
• Ability to view SmartArt in PowerPoint Mobile.
• Ability to view and extract files from compressed (.zip) folders.
• Microsoft Office Mobile 6.1 Full Version to support Microsoft 2007 file formats

The Office Mobile application suite includes Microsoft Office Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint® Mobile for Windows Mobile 6 powered devices, helping users manage and review documents. Microsoft Office Mobile includes support for rich reviewing and minor editing capabilities as well as support for rights-managed documents.

check here for more information

Popularity: 4% [?]

If you are a user of the Bang & Olufsen Serenata music phone, Louis Vuitton is releasing a premium leather case for it

Check out more about the phone here

http://www.slashphone.com/102/8516.html

Popularity: 5% [?]

Microsoft has finally released the new Office Mobile 6.1 today, which will support Office 2007 file format. This upgrade to the Office Mobile applications allows viewing and editing of Word documents and Excel workbooks and viewing of PowerPoint slideshows created by using Microsoft Office 2007.

Other improvements include:

• Enhanced viewing experience for charts in Excel Mobile.
• Ability to view SmartArt in PowerPoint Mobile.
• Ability to view and extract files from compressed (.zip) folders.
• Microsoft Office Mobile 6.1 Full Version to support Microsoft 2007 file formats

The Office Mobile application suite includes Microsoft Office Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint® Mobile for Windows Mobile 6 powered devices, helping users manage and review documents. Microsoft Office Mobile includes support for rich reviewing and minor editing capabilities as well as support for rights-managed documents.

check here for more information

Popularity: 5% [?]