The Motorola i776 resembles the design of the Motorola RAZR, but in a much thicker package with PTT capabilities for Nextel’s iDEN network. With a future destined for Nextel and two notable features, GPS and Push to Talk (PTT), the i776 is just another wave of uninspiring designs by Motorola. While looking over the user manual we did see that the i776 has the option to be used as a modem after installing the iDEN Wireless Data Services software (available separately), but that was about as much as we could handle reading (page 31 if you care to look).
The i776 includes a media center which allows you to record your voice, access ring tones, audio recordings from MMS as well as audio recordings downloaded to your phone. If you were worried about the i776 lacking a camera, fear not, a camera with digital zoom is included as well as Bluetooth.
You can find out more about the Motorola i776 for the Nextel Network over at the FCC website HERE.
Motorola has announced that the stylish MOTO U9 is now available in the US and is currently being sold for $275.99 unlocked. This GSM based cell phone resembles the style of the PEBL, but is targeted at the music-centric youth market. While the true standout feature of the MOTO U9 is the stylish design, the 2.0 megapixel camera, 2 inch QVGA TFT internal display, and advanced speech recognition system are solid components.
With the lack of 3G connectivity, this unlocked GSM cell phone is destined for a happy T-mobile USA customer, but at $275.99 will the device see a warm welcome? Personally, the unlocked Palm Centro GSM offers a much more attractive package despite its aging OS and less than stellar camera. If you are looking for a stylish music phone and do not need the 3G connectivity of At&t’s network, the MOTO U9 is worth a peak.
Motorola MOTO U9 Specifications:
- Quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE (no 3G)
- Stereo Bluetooth
- 25MB of internal memory, microSD slot with support up to 4GB
- 2.0 inch TFT internal display QVGA resolution (320 x 240 pixels)
- web browser, push email, sms/mms capabilities
- 2.0 megapixel camera with video recording
- CrystalTalk technology, Advanced Speech Recognition
- USB 2.0 support
- 7 hours talk time, 14 days standby mode
- Retail Price Unlocked: $275.99
It looks like the Garmin Nuvifone’s late 2008 launch date will be pushed back once again, but this time the carriers are to blame. The Nuvifone was first announced back in February at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (MWC 2008) and later in June at CommunicAsia where the device was still riddled with bugs due to an unstable OS. Garmin has insisted that the device has been fine tuned at it is ready for the lime light, but carrier specific requirements are taking longer than expected and as a result we will not see a launch in 2008. Here is what Garmin had to say about the Nuvifone release date:
The nüvifone will not be available in fourth quarter as previously announced. While we had hoped to have carrier launches in the fourth quarter, we have found that meeting some of the carrier specific requirements will take longer than anticipated. We remain pleased with carrier interest in the device and are working toward making necessary design changes to meet their requirements. We anticipate launching the product during the first half of 2009″
With advanced GPS features and a direct competitor to Apple’s iPhone, the Nuvifone is set on joining the ranks of fellow iPhone-killers such as the Samsung Instinct, Nokia E71/N96 and the Samsung Omni. The biggest supporters for Garmin’s Nuvifone still remain to be seen, but focusing on carriers who have not secured deals with Apple’s iPhone would be the best choice if Garmin hopes to find worldwide success.
We have also been told that the Nuvifone might be seeing a facelift and a more streamlined design after some carriers found the aesthetics to be less than pleasing. If this is in fact the case then we might be looking at even longer delays than early 2009.
With the mounting reviews suggesting that the single most disappointing feature of the Samsung Instinct is the web browser, you would think that the first software update would fix this problem, right? Unfortunately Sprint’s iPhone killer still remains at browser version 1.0 and the only noticeable improvements are a slight reduction to overall phone lag and possible reduced pixelation on SprintTV. If you are wondering whether your Samsung Instinct needs to be updated to the new software simply go to Main -> Settings -> General -> Phone Information and check to see which software version you are running:
- [OLD] SW:ES.M800 BE09
- [NEW] SW:ES M800 BF30
Additional bad news seems to be coming in suggesting that the Opera 4.1 Mini browser still does not offer a keyboard, making the browser useless and forcing Instinct owners to continue to make due with built-in offerings. Overall the general mood can be summarized as utter disappointment and too little too late. With the single biggest improvement being the ability for the battery to show 100% instead of 90% Sprint has their work cut out for them, but at least they waited until the 30 day return window was up so early adopters are now tied into the phone for another 2 years.
If you want additional information and a support group for the not-so-great update there is a thread up over at Instinct-Samsung.com HERE.
Like many of you, we were in line on July 10th through the 11th waiting to be one of the first to purchase the iPhone 3G. In the end we bought both the white and black 16GB versions and today we have become victims of the mysterious white iPhone 3G cracks. Starting as early as July 18th, users over at Macforums began noticing that some white iPhone 3Gs have hairline cracks along the edge of the housing. Without the device being dropped or damage to the surface of the phone, these cracks look to be forming under the glossy finish. With our White iPhone 3G remaining in the box for the majority of the time since launch day, we cannot be sure that these cracks did not exist from the moment we purchased the phone.
The mystery will continue to unfold regardless of whether it was a manufacturing flaw at the time of production or just faulty materials. What we can tell you is that if any further hairline cracks begin to form on our white iPhone 3G we will be first in line for a swap over to a second black version.
You can follow the developments of the white iPhone 3G hairline cracks over at Macforums HERE.
Nokia’s promise to replace the Nokia 6110 Navigator by Q3 2008 has been fulfilled with the launch of the Nokia 6210 Navigator in India today. The 6210 Navigator takes off from the solid foundation of the 6110, but offers several upgrades that were lacking on its predecessor. With that being said, the main selling point for the Nokia 6210 Navigator is still the built-in GPS receiver as its name suggests. The other big features are the voice-activated controls, 3G connectivity, Symbian S60 OS and of course Nokia Maps 2.0 (One feature that we really enjoyed was the compass which is very helpful for pedestrian use).
Unfortunately a feature you will not find on either the 6110 or the new 6210 Navigator is WiFi so users will be forced to rely on their 3G connection, Bluetooth or USB. As we have grown to expect from Nokia, the list of compatible media formats is robust (mp3, H.263, H.264) and a FM transmitter is included. While you will not find the 5.0 megapixel camera seen on the Nokia N95/N96, the 6210 does offer a solid 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and a colorful 2.4 inch QVGA display.
The remainder of the features include a non-standard headphone jack (still no 3.5mm) and portrait or landscape mode capabilities which suggest a possible accelerometer. With a focus on GPS, solid OS and quality camera, Indians can pickup the Nokia 6210 Navigator for less than Rs. 18000 ($430 USD).
Nokia 6210 Navigator Specifications:
- Network Support: WCDMA 900/2100, HSDPA and GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
- 2.4-inch 16-million color QVGA display of 320×240 resolution
- GPS and aGPS
- Bluetooth 2.0 and Micro-USB connectivity
- Symbian S60 OS, release 3.2 user interface
- FM radio
- 128MB internal memory with microSD expansion
- 369MHz processor
- 950 mAh battery
The Sidekick lineup has long been the friend to those who are hearing impaired, but today At&t has delivered on their promise to offer similar services on the iPhone 3G. Much like the Sidekick data only option for $29.99 a month, the At&t iPhone 3G offers a $50/month service which delivers unlimited text, email and web browsing. Voice minutes are still an option, but the standard 40 cents per minute applies. If you are looking for the iPhone 3G option that includes Microsoft Exchange access you will need to pay the 5 dollar premium, $55/month.
This option for those who are hearing impaired has been named the TAP system and is only available for those who are hearing impaired. In order to sign up for this service you must complete a special form which you can download HERE. Simply print the PDF file and submit the form in order to be approved for the TAP System. It is also worth mentioning that the TAP System is available on both the iPhone 3G and the original iPhone. Similar plans already exist for the BlackBerry, but with the talk of the town focused on the iPhone 3G it is of little surprise that At&t has focused on their flagship device.
At&t TAP system for iPhone / iPhone 3G Form
First it was the Sidekick Gekko, then the Sidekick 2008 and now just the ‘Sidekick’. T-mobile has an interesting way of releasing the next iteration in the Sidekick family by losing all unique identifiers in the name. The 2008 Sidekick has smaller dimensions than the Sidekick LX in both length and weight which result in a smaller screen while still maintaining the WQVGA resolution. The 2008 Sidekick’ stand-out feature are interchangeable shells which customers can design themselves for $15 or choose from pre-designed shells. Although the Sidekick iD had the option of interchangeable shells, the 2008 Sidekick delivers the same specifications as top of the line Sidekick LX with a form factor just between the size of the LX and Slide.
As usual T-mobile has not updated the 2008 Sidekick to include support for their AWS 1700MHz 3G network so once again you will be stuck with quadband GSM/EDGE. Bluetooth 2.0 support with Stereo Bluetooth, a 2.0 megapixel camera with video capture, 512MB memory card and USB connectivity are still included in the 2008 Sidekick. Beyond the interchangeable skins, the biggest selling point for the 2008 Sidekick is that it is priced at $150 which is half the cost of the LX and it packs the exact same feature set. Although we would really have liked to see some upgrades to the Sidekick lineup, the $150 dollar price point is an attractive option considering the Sidekick still delivers the best physical keyboard in the industry and we never get tired of the simple and effective Danger OS.
The new T-Mobile Sidekick is also much smaller than its predecessor but doesn’t sacrifice on functionality; the Sidekick comes fully loaded with video capture and playback ability, IM, text-messaging, e-mail and phone, as well as stereo Bluetooth, Quick Find and a 2.0 megapixel camera. The Sidekick is also equipped with multi-media features such as customized Web surfing, an enhanced IM experience and more storage for ringtones, multimedia messages and voice messages.”
Additional T-Mobile Sidekick Features Include:
- Easily personalized exterior that provides customers the ability to create “shells” on their own terms.
- Record, play and share videos: record videos using the camera; receive video attachments from e-mail, picture messaging, or side load videos to the microSD card; play video using the built-in media player; share videos via e-mail, Bluetooth or picture messaging
- T-Mobile myFaves-enabled
- Horizontal swivel screen and full QWERTY keyboard (manufactured by Sharp)
- WQVGA screen with high-definition LCD technology
- Personalized Web surfing: PC-like, full-size layout or standard Sidekick screen-size layout to scroll and read a page; use Mini Page to zoom out on an overview of an entire Web page; save images from Web pages to the microSD card
- Customized IM experience: create and join group chats, set custom status messages, search for friends in a buddy list and see who is logged into IM to immediately start a conversation
- Easy downloads: install and use downloads without the need to restart the device; set a theme as the device’s default instantly
- Store more information: Up to 25 ringtones, add up to five slides to multimedia messages, and up to 60-second voice messages
- Quick Find to search across all applications
- Dimensions: 4.7” x 2.3” x 0.7”, 5.3 oz.
- 2.6-inch display, 400×240 pixels
- 2.0 megapixel camera
- Quad-band world phone 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- GSM,GPRS,EDGE
- 512mb microSD memory card
- 1030mAh Lion battery
- Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP supports stereo Bluetooth and Bluetooth file transfer to other Bluetooth devices including Bluetooth photo printers.
The expectation that Palm would sell 2 million Centros in 2008 was a reasonable assumption with the $99 price point and availability in more than 25 countries. Unfortunately the world has grown tired of an aging Palm OS and eventually the financial struggles of Palm will return to the forefront of the media. The good news is that only a little over a month after Palm’s senior vice president of marketing, Brodie Keast, told the NY Times that they expected to sell 2 million Centros in 2008, the achievement was reached.
According to recent data released by Admob, the largest advertising network on the mobile web, the Palm Centro has jumped to number 8 on the list of mobile phones worldwide as of May 2008 and currently sits at number 7. This is what Admob had to say about the Palm Centro in their report,
Consumers are ready to do more on their mobile phone, and Centro has struck a chord around the world,” said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of marketing for Palm, Inc. “Centro has everything a person needs to stay connected with everyone who is important to them — and at a price point and size that make smartphones more attractive to a much wider audience.”
Another interesting piece of information is that Palm has showed strong growth among smartphone manufacturers, ranking Number 2 in the US in mobile advertising reach and Number 3 worldwide. With all major US carriers, except T-mobile, offering the Palm Centro and the unlocked version being sold on Palm’s website the success of the Centro should continue. The big question now is whether the iPhone 3G will maintain its current pace to reach the 2 million units sold mark in 2008.
T-mobile UK has announced the arrival of the Nokia 6650 multimedia phone complete with a wide range of multimedia features. With Mobile TV support, Mobile Jukebox, MP3 Player, FM Radio and built-in GPS complete with Nokia Maps, the Nokia 6650 is a solid flip phone for UK customers. Unlike many Nokia devices powered by high megapixel cameras, the 6650 only brings a 2.0 megapixel camera with LED flash and 4x digital zoom to the table. Younger users might find the color-changing keypad attractive, but the real value with the Nokia 6650 is T-mobile’s web’n'walk service which delivers affordable mobile Internet without emptying out your pockets.
The Nokia 6650 is available today on T-mobile UK for free on Combi 30 plans and above. If you are looking for a solid mid-range device with an affordable mobile Internet plan, the 6650 is a solid choice in the UK for the flip phone enthusiasts.
Learn more about the T-mobile UK Nokia 6650 HERE.
