Engadget Mobile

FCC Fridays

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:59:00 EST

We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend ~~a lot of~~ way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy!

Phones
Read - ZTE R220
Read - ZTE S305
Read - ZTE N280
Read - Samsung S5550
Read - Samsung SCH-W799
Read - Samsung i6500U
Read - Samsung SPH-W9300
Read - Samsung SC-01B
Read - Samsung SGH-A687

Peripherals
Read - Huawei E1756A

FCC Fridays originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dynamic Controls unveils integrated iPhone app for wheelchair controls

Laura June — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:21:00 EST

Dynamic Controls has just taken the wraps off of its new iPhone application which should be of great interest to those who use a wheelchair on a daily basis. The application -- which connects with the wheelchair via Bluetooth and has a built-in charger for the iPhone or iPod touch -- enables diagnostics to check for any problems with the chair. It also allows users to get real-time information, speed information, and compass data.

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Software

Dynamic Controls unveils integrated iPhone app for wheelchair controls originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile USA putting out feelers for network partnerships?

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:41:00 EST

Deutsche Telekom has made little secret this year of the fact that its American wireless unit is on thin ice; whether that's a result of poor coverage, a failure to keep pace technologically, weak spectrum allocation, or a combination thereof is a source of endless debate, but none of it is stopping T-Mobile USA from pushing forward aggressively with a nationwide 21Mbps HSPA+ rollout in 2010. Of course, network buildouts of that magnitude don't come cheap, and hungry investors are still marching on DT's doorstep asking when they might be able to expect black ink. A couple loose-lipped tipsters to German paper Handelsblatt have said that the next step could very well involve a major partnership with another carrier -- as opposed to an outright acquisition like we've heard before -- possibly with Clearwire, MetroPCS, or AT&T. T-Mobile USA has been famously tight-lipped so far on its 4G plans, instead concentrating on building out a solid 3.75G one, which means that its long-term plans are wide open -- partnering with Clearwire would likely mean aligning itself with WiMAX, while both MetroPCS and AT&T have already committed to LTE. Another possibility apparently being thrown around involves bringing in a financial partner (a sugar daddy, if you will) to shore up the carrier's bottom line, but either way, we suspect this'll all end up deciding the carrier's post-21Mbps strategy.

T-Mobile USA putting out feelers for network partnerships? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung unleashes two Diva-branded phones, divas everywhere faint

Laura June — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:49:00 EST

Samsung's been showing off two new handsets of late. The S5150 Olivia is a clamshell affair with a mirrored body, an external LED, and we know that it will boast a 3 megapixel camera and a 2.2-inch QVGA display. The other - the S7070 - is an iPhone-esque job, with a crazy diamond-shaped button at the bottom, and a quilted-style back cover, with a 3-inch WQVGA display with resistive touchscreen, Bluetooth, and microSD slot. Samsung hasn't formally announced these ladies yet, but they are expected in the first quarter of 2010. One more photo after the break.

Continue reading Samsung unleashes two Diva-branded phones, divas everywhere faint

Samsung unleashes two Diva-branded phones, divas everywhere faint originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Cellphones

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:00 EST

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

True smartphones like the Palm Pre, Motorola Droid, and iPhone are all chewing up a majority of wireless mindshare these days, which makes it particularly easy to forget that there's this huge, vibrant catalog of cool non-smartphone handsets sitting right below them in your favorite carrier's lineup. They can play music, games, sometimes last for days on a charge (try that with a G1 -- we dare you), and often take up just a fraction of the space in your pocket that a more powerful handset would. They're not for everyone, but odds are you know a couple folks who fit the featurephone mold, and... well, it is the season of giving, isn't it? Follow the break for a few of our recommendations.

Note: Looking to give a few smartphones away to friends and family? This particular guide's all about regular cellphones -- but don't worry, we'll be posting our smartphone guide in the not-too-distant future!

Continue reading Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Cellphones

Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FLO TV for iPhone proof-of-concept caught in the wild

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:57:00 EST

We don't know if watching TV on a 3.5-inch display is your bag, as it were, but it looks like Qualcomm is moving onward and upward with its plans for FLO TV on the iPhone. Not too many details at the moment, just some pics that Electricpig snapped of a handset running a proof-of-concept app that relies on an external device for reception, streaming re-runs of Mayberry R.F.D. to your handset via WiFi. No word yet on the when this device might actually go "prime time," but with any luck the five pocket TV enthusiasts out there may someday be freed from the tyranny of the FLO TV Personal Television. Get a closer look after the break.

Continue reading FLO TV for iPhone proof-of-concept caught in the wild

FLO TV for iPhone proof-of-concept caught in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Motus specs leaked, headed for AT&T?

Nilay Patel — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:21:00 EST

Slowly but surely, the Motorola Motus is coming into focus -- sort of. Hot on the heels of that super blurry shot we saw yesterday, BGR has some specs for the mid-range Android set, which seem to indicate this one's not much more than an AT&T-oriented variant of the Cliq: 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz 7.2Mbps HSDPA, 3.1-inch capacitive 480 x 320 display, microSD expansion, MOTOBLUR, and a Qualcomm MSM 7201A CPU, which will undoubtedly be clocked at 528MHz. Unfortunately, there's no word on what version of Android is on this thing, but we've got the sinking feeling it'll be 1.6, given the last-gen hardware and Blur UI. Not the most impressive first Android set for AT&T -- let's hope there's a better surprise in store.

Motorola Motus specs leaked, headed for AT&T? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Pureness hands-on: Pacman edition

Paul Miller — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:52:00 EST

We've seen it out and about, but at last we got a chance to actually play with Sony Ericsson's tribute to impractical style: the Pureness. As it turns out, using the device is just about as pointless as it seems. You can always just barely make out what's happening on the semi-translucent monochrome screen, and we found ourselves constantly shifting our angle and backdrop to improve readability. The capabilities of the phone should come as no surprise to anyone who's used a Sony Ericsson Java-happy dumbphone in the past, and the handset also has that wild variety of face buttons that are typical on a SE handset. Up top, with the d-pad flush on the face, things start to get crowded, but overall the phone is pretty usable tactile-wise. The meaty numeric pad should be a boon to a T9 afficianado, and we even managed to play a game of Pacman on the handset. Overall the materials used are nice and XPERIA-ey, but the most overt luxury item here is the block of glass that serves as the screen. In the US the phone will be sold unlocked at the Saks online store -- obviously courting the fashion-conscious consumer it's built for -- but there's still no word on a US pricetag. Check out some video after the break.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson Pureness hands-on: Pacman edition

Sony Ericsson Pureness hands-on: Pacman edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N900 drops to $480 on Amazon

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:53:00 EST

The N900's US retail price of $649 is a steep barrier to cross without the carrier subsidies negotiated in Europe. But what if we told you that Amazon has cut the price to $530 minus another $50 (after mail-in rebate) for a $480 take home price? Not bad for an unlocked ARM Cortex-A8 handset with excellent browser, 32GB of flash, 5 megapixel camera and an enthusiastic Maemo development community hellbent on making this the greatest device ever known to mankind. No, not by ship date (which is presumably any day now) but by 2012 if things go according to plan.

[Thanks, Samuel]

Nokia N900 drops to $480 on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Pearl 9100 revealed, has lost its gemstone but not its luster

Tim Stevens — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:54:00 EST

The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 was, and still is, a lovely little phone, ~~QWERTYfied,~~ pocketable, and rocking that little milky trackball that gave it its name. There's finally a true successor coming down the pipeline (the flippy 8230 not really counting) though it ditches the iconic pearl for a now-standard (and hopefully more reliable) touchpad. There's a similarly swoopy SureType keyboard and the overall dimensions look very much the same, meaning this should fill the tiny BlackBerry void once again -- whenever it ships.

Update: But of course the original 8100 also had SureType, not QWERTY.

[Thanks, Alex T]

BlackBerry Pearl 9100 revealed, has lost its gemstone but not its luster originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon's Samsung Omnia II launching December 2 for $200

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:22:00 EST

It may no longer be the first to launch in North America (that distinct honor now belongs to Bell), but we can finally say with some confidence that Verizon's version of the Samsung Omnia II isn't that far off. No, seriously: we've managed to get a peek at the carrier's launch pack for the phone, and the big details here are that it'll be launching in all channels (meaning telesales, online, and in-store) on December 2 for $199.99 on contract after a $100 mail-in rebate. That pricing puts it solidly in the upper echelon of Verizon's offerings these days, yes -- but when you consider that it's got a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 8GB of internal storage plus microSD expansion, 5 megapixel cam, and WinMo 6.5 Professional (allaying earlier concerns that 6.1 would be on shipping units), we think they can justify the outlay. Especially if you can resist the pull of a Droid Eris for a Benjamin cheaper once you set foot in the store, of course.

[Thanks, WC]

Verizon's Samsung Omnia II launching December 2 for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson confirms WinMo 6.5 isn't coming to the X1

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:35:00 EST

We can understand not investing in a deprecated product, we really can -- but when you consider the fact that Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 is still sold around the world, the fact that its hardware is still thoroughly modern, and the fact that Windows Mobile 6.5 is a trivial boost over 6.1, there's really no excuse for this. Sony Ericsson has gone ahead and made it official that it won't be providing an official 6.5 upgrade for its uber-pricey fallen smartphone that never quite achieved its seemingly stratospheric potential -- and its 6.5-based replacement isn't looking much more promising -- so we imagine this is going to spark a voracious run on hackery to get picture-perfect 6.5 builds working on units in the field. Oh, wait, that already happened! No worries, Sony Ericsson -- looks like we've got this one covered then.

Sony Ericsson confirms WinMo 6.5 isn't coming to the X1 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon launches hardcore Casio G'zOne Rock

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:21:00 EST

It doesn't sound as hardcore as its predecessor, the Boulder -- but Verizon's just-introduced Rock is actually the company's most functional Casio G'zOne model to date. Though it looks quite similar to the outgoing model, the Rock's headlining addition is the so-called Triple Sensor -- something certain G-Shock owners might already be familiar with -- which allows the phone to offer an integrated thermometer, compass, and pedometer. It also features touch-sensitive music controls, a 2 megapixel cam, and -- you guessed it -- mil-spec 810F compliance for resistance to the everyday ails of the world like water, dust, and sun exposure. It'll be available online starting tomorrow for $199.99 on contract after rebate, while stores pick it up a few days later on the 30th.

Verizon launches hardcore Casio G'zOne Rock originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Motus spied, snapped by the worst camera in history?

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:05:00 EST

Given what we've heard and seen so far, we wouldn't say we're "excited" about the upcoming Motorola Motus -- it's just a midrange Android set, after all, and the Droid has taught us that Moto's capable of so much more -- but a spy shot's a spy shot, and we'll take what we can get, right? We can't confirm the authenticity of this positively awful photo spotted on motofan.ru, but it looks roughly like what we'd expect for a 2010-spec Android phone designed to appeal to the masses. The usability of that trick keyboard is an open question -- the Droid has already proven that the company isn't afraid to sacrifice a little usability for +5 points in the thin and sexy departments, so we'll just have to wait and see where this puppy lands.

[Thanks, Vitala]

Motorola Motus spied, snapped by the worst camera in history? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm Pre slips to $80 on contract, makes the Pixi that much less attractive

Darren Murph — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:05:00 EST

Man, the Pixi has a tough life. For starters, it launches at a price point that simply makes no sense when you consider that the Pre could be had for the exact same price via third-party channels. Next, Palm's second-ever webOS device falls to just $25 on contract, making it worth a glance once more. Nary two days later, Amazon has chopped the price of the Pre to just $79.99 with a 2-year contract, and to boot the $36 activation fee is being waived. We always heard sibling rivalries were the worst -- guess mum wasn't kidding around.

Palm Pre slips to $80 on contract, makes the Pixi that much less attractive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wireless Dynamics brings the joys of inventory management to the iPhone with the iCarte RFID reader

Tim Stevens — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:36:00 EST

"You know, that pallet of overpriced skin cream isn't going to stock itself. Maybe if you'd stop playing Bingo Bonanza you'd have done that already. Oh, you say you're scanning their RFIDs to add them to our system? Whatever, you're fired." It's a scenario we see playing itself out at warehouses all around the world thanks to the iCarte from Wireless Dynamics, a device enabling iPods and iPhones to read from and write to RFID tags. It clips on the bottom and sports a mini-USB port so that you can still sync, but can also use the phone's wireless mechanisms to communicate with various systems, updating inventory or tracking purchases. As far as we know it will not prevent your phone from playing games, but we won't tell your boss about that. Nor will we tell him how much these will cost or when he can order them, since we don't know ourselves.

Update: Wireless Dynamics asked that we clarify that this device is indeed consumer-oriented, able to scan the RFID tags in your credit cards, transport badges, and probably even that chip you had implanted into your dog's head. So, this means you would be able to make MasterCard PayPass and similar RFID transactions without even reaching for your wallet -- which sounds as convenient as it does disconcerting. Being able to verify that your dog hasn't been replaced by an evil clone while you were at work? Priceless.

Wireless Dynamics brings the joys of inventory management to the iPhone with the iCarte RFID reader originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Kurara has speedy Cortex A8, PowerVR purring inside

Vladislav Savov — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:36:00 EST

Eldar Murtazin, the man/legend behind Mobile Review has snagged one of those already leaked SE Kurara handsets, and he's got some juicy info to share with the rest of us. Apparently, the CPU on that little goer is a Cortex A8, backed by 256MB of RAM and a PowerVR graphics processor. It's no surprise then that the HD label we saw earlier has been corroborated by 720p video recording and playback capabilities, and the Symbian S60 interface is said to "fly." Eldar promises fuller impressions and more imagery by tomorrow, and indicates the second half of February as the likely landing date for the new handset, with a price point around €500 ($745) in Europe.

[Thanks, Alex]

Sony Ericsson Kurara has speedy Cortex A8, PowerVR purring inside originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome to the next Engadget

Joshua Topolsky — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:25:00 EST

Welcome to the new Engadget, humans! As you can tell by taking a quick look around, we've been doing some major work on the site behind the scenes, and we couldn't possibly be more excited to finally share this work with the rest of the world. For months now -- nearly the whole year -- we've been tinkering, adjusting, tweaking, and honing the experience at Engadget with one goal in mind: do what we do as best as we can, and bring news to our readers better than anyone else. We think we've achieved that goal through a lot of hard work and long days (and nights), and it is truly awesome to finally be able to show everyone!

Obviously there is a ton of new stuff here, and if you're a long-time reader of the site, you'll probably be a little shell-shocked at first. Don't worry, we're still cranking out news the way we always have; in fact, we think the new design will allow us to crank even harder and provide more up-to-the-minute info to you guys. If you're a new reader, you picked the right time to check us out, because the site has never been more organized, had more content, or been more useful to someone who's reading us for the first time!

We just want to say that this has been a long labor of love, and we're thrilled that we get to share it with the world. We think that the new Engadget evolves our work in a major way, moving us from a straightforward blog into something else, an expandable amalgamation that fuses the good bits of blogs, social media, news sites, magazines, and video into something bigger than those parts.

We're going to walk you guys through some of the major new features (there are a ton, believe us), but first we want to talk a little about how the site got to where it is right now, and who the people are responsible for this thing. Read on after the break for all the info!

Update: Hey, we're having a few issues with the introduction of the new site. Hang tight, it'll be perfect soon!

Continue reading Welcome to the next Engadget

Welcome to the next Engadget originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Complete: a $300 contract-free BlackBerry Curve 8520 with one month service

Ross Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:27:00 EST

Good old T-Mobile's on a roll these days with new phone plans, and this one seems perfectly catered to stocking stuffers. The quartet of phones start at $59.99, but so far we know of two: BlackBerry Curve 8520 for $299.99 and the Pearl for $149.99, according to the Best Buy stores we contacted. There's no contract commitment, and according to the press release, the first month is included in the bill from the point the phone's out of the box and activated. We don't know the details of that first month of service (data? texting?), but it's still a pretty penny for an unsubsidized handset. After that second month, of course, T-Mo's probably hoping you'll be enticed to keep with the network. If not already, you should start seeing the phones pop up at local Best Buy and select Walmart locales shortly. Press release after the break.

Continue reading T-Mobile Complete: a $300 contract-free BlackBerry Curve 8520 with one month service

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, T-Mobile

T-Mobile Complete: a $300 contract-free BlackBerry Curve 8520 with one month service originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Office Mobile 2010 hits beta, available now for WinMo 6.5

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:28:00 EST

Office 2010 is getting a big companion piece for handsets in the form of Office Mobile 2010, which is being made available today in concert with the suite's beta release. It's a pretty major overhaul thanks to comprehensive, WYSIWYG editing capability in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the addition of SharePoint Workspace Mobile for managing Office documents off your office's servers, and a trick Bluetooth mode for PowerPoint that lets you effectively use your handset as a second screen by showing you your slide notes in real time while running a presentation off your PC. You can grab it now off Windows Marketplace in beta form, but be warned: it's only for 6.5, and we're being told that it won't be back-ported to 6.0 or 6.1 for the retail release.

Filed under: Software, Windows Mobile

Office Mobile 2010 hits beta, available now for WinMo 6.5 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Bada phone to be announced first half of next year

Nilay Patel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:49:00 EST

We're still not entirely sure why Samsung feels the need to launch its own mobile operating system while still cranking out Android and Windows Mobile devices, but it seems like things are going full steam ahead: a spokesperson told CNET Asia today that a Bada phone would arrive in the first half of 2010. Sure, that sounds like a long time off, but really it's just six months after the big Bada SDK reveal in December, so we'll have to see if that's enough time for developers to sort things out and release any apps.

[Thanks, Siobhan]

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung

Samsung Bada phone to be announced first half of next year originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own

Paul Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST

Boy, AT&T sure isn't taking Verizon's Map for That campaign too well. After losing a request for an injunction (for now), the company seems to have decided that the only thing to do in the short term is to start advertising right back at Verizon. Unfortunately, it looks like AT&T threw this one together in a hurry, grabbing a bucket of magnets and a board and sticking them into some abandoned warehouse with Luke Wilson and some Apple-ad-style music. Luke didn't even have time to shave! As for the claims made by Luke's magnetic board, it's hard to take issue with them since they don't really say lot. So AT&T's present and accounted for in this newly minted ad war, but Verizon clearly still has the upper hand... though this is clearly just the beginning. Check out the 30 second spot after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own

AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TomTom updated to support iPod touch and original iPhone

Ross Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:09:00 EST

Back in much simpler times, TomTom's navigation app had claimed compatibility with all iPhone and iPod touch models. Then suddenly, somewhere along the primrose path to publication, original iPhone and iPod touch support evaporated. But no more. TomTom's pushed an update that allows for turn-by-turn navigation, but of course, you'll still need the car kit to work. Was this the missing link between your $100 and owning this app? [Warning: iTunes link]

[Thanks, Scott M]

Filed under: Handsets, Software, Apple

TomTom updated to support iPod touch and original iPhone originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T loses request for injunction against Verizon's Map for That ads

Nilay Patel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST

Looks like AT&T's not getting its holiday wish after all -- a federal judge just ruled against Ma Bell's request to have Verizon's Map For That ads pulled off the air. That doesn't mean that this whole thing is over, though: the judge called the ads "sneaky" and said that it was possible people might misunderstand them because "most people who are watching TV are semi-catatonic." Whether or not that's enough to support a legal conclusion that the ads are misleading is a fight for another day -- specifically December 16th, when AT&T will have a second chance to argue its case. Still, this is a big win for Verizon -- everyone ready to be inundated with these ads for the next month?

Filed under: ATT, Verizon Wireless

AT&T loses request for injunction against Verizon's Map for That ads originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint pulls piping hot Hero update out of the oven

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST

We don't have details on exactly what has changed yet, but that minor Android 1.5-based update Sprint had announced it'd be pushing out to the Hero has now launched. The best-case scenario would have the SMS issue -- which causes the phone to stay awake when it shouldn't -- get resolved, but until Sprint hands out a proper changelog, it'll be a matter of testing and guessing. Just a thought: if they've managed to squeeze a proximity sensor into the update, that brings 'em up to the speed with the Droid Eris. Hey, it could happen.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Software, HTC, Sprint, Android

Sprint pulls piping hot Hero update out of the oven originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft leaks a screenshot of Windows Mobile... something

Nilay Patel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:27:00 EST

Microsoft's been pretty cagey with the future of Windows Mobile so far, but apparently the Office Mobile 2010 team just doesn't care -- in addition to leaking a new interface in that confidential slide deck last month, they've now included this screen shot on the Office Mobile 2010 beta website. Here's what's wild: this design language completely matches the first set of Windows Mobile 7 leaks we saw nearly two years ago, so either Microsoft hasn't made any changes in that time, or what we're seeing here is something else entirely. Combine that with rumors that WinMo 7 isn't due to hit until the end of next year, and we're starting to think there's something bigger afoot here -- the only other alternative is that Microsoft has waited nearly three years to launch what's little more than a refresh of its current interface, and even Redmond can't be that slow to execute... can it?

[Via IntoMobile]

Filed under: Windows Mobile

Microsoft leaks a screenshot of Windows Mobile... something originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XPERIA X10 hands-on: lukewarm edition (now with video!)

Paul Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST

We've seen the new Android-based XPERIA X10 from Sony Ericsson at a fast pace and a snail's pace, but have we ever seen it so stunningly middle of the road? We just got a chance to play with the phone in person for the second time, and from our random sampling of three or four different handsets, it seems that performance is very contingent upon how much content is loaded into the device and what particular thing it's trying to perform. Sometimes we'd fly through the stacks of faces, while other times we'd sit there waiting for the simplest thumbnails to load up. The good news is that we have until next year to see this thing really come together, and the word is that the software is improving and a rapid pace. The big change about this phone is the "Nexus" UX platform, which actually all takes place in two "apps" at the moment, Timescape and Mediascape. Timescape is an integrated view for social networking and messaging, with an "infinite view" to see all types of communications for a particular person, while Mediascape is a more tame media app with a modicum of internet and social integration. It all seems very logically placed, and we like the fact that SE hasn't really sacrificed the Android experience -- you can still do Gmail and the Android Market and so forth, with very familiar UIs -- but it's going to have to be a lot more bulletproof before it hits the market if Sony Ericsson really expects us to use this day to day. Oh, also: the soft keyboard is terrible. We hear they're working on it, but boy does it need work.

Update: We've added the video below, go check it out!

Continue reading XPERIA X10 hands-on: lukewarm edition (now with video!)

XPERIA X10 hands-on: lukewarm edition (now with video!) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm Pixi one step closer to free, now $25 on Amazon

Donald Melanson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:44:00 EST

Start placing your bets folks,'cause it now looks like its almost certainly no longer a question "if" the Palm Pixi will drop to a free-on-contract price, but "when?" The latest stop on the saga is none other than Amazon, which is now offering the webOS-based phone for a mere $24.99 with a service plan, beating Walmart's already bargain price by a full five dollars -- which should be just enough to let you buy a second Pixi next month at the rate things are going.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Handsets, Palm, Sprint, webOS

Palm Pixi one step closer to free, now $25 on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia's Maemo 5-equipped N900 on sale in America for $649

Darren Murph — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST

We've already given you a glimpse at the N900, but as of today, you Yanks in the crowd can wrap your own limber paws around Nokia's hero device. Admittedly tailored for enthusiasts and developers to use while the company maneuvers Maemo into its product line, the N900 is now available through Nokia Flagship stores in New York and Chicago, the firm's website and "various independent retailers and e-tailers." A tidy sum of $649 (or $510 if you're smart enough to check Amazon) nabs you an unlocked version with a 5 megapixel camera, 32GB of internal storage and a bombastic, Flash-lovin' web browser. Ain't no shame in lusting after one, but tell us earnestly -- are you forking out nearly seven bills to bring one home?

Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Linux, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA

Nokia's Maemo 5-equipped N900 on sale in America for $649 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson closing four facilities, laying off 2,000 employees worldwide

Darren Murph — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:58:00 EST

Sony Ericsson has yet to make this public, but we've learned that the flagging handset maker has caved once more to the pressures of the modern phone market place. If you'll recall, 450 employees were nixed from the company's payrolls in September of last year, and now the entire Research Triangle Park facility is being shuttered. In an internal announcement made this morning, SE is fixing to close four total sites: RTP in North Carolina, a smaller Miami facility and operations in Kista (Sweden) and Chennai. All told, 2,000 employees will be trimmed, with severance packages being offered to those who qualify. As of now, the departing individuals have yet to be chosen, with employees in RTP given the opportunity to apply for jobs elsewhere (likely in Atlanta or California). We're told that the cuts will happen "in stages," with project teams being assembled as we speak to work out the logistics. Frankly, we aren't as shocked as we are saddened to hear the news -- SE has refused to keep pace with the other handset makers, and its decision to wait until next year to ship an Android device is indicative of the choices that have kept it in the shadows these past few years. Here's hoping this restructuring effort actually gets things headed in the right direction.

Update: And it's official. SE will also be shutting down small offices in Seattle and San Diego, with its North American headquarters shifting from RTP to Atlanta and its research and development operation transitioning from RTP to Redwood Shores, California.

Filed under: Handsets, Sony Ericsson, Misc

Sony Ericsson closing four facilities, laying off 2,000 employees worldwide originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei U8230 (in other words, the one that isn't the Pulse) gets reviewed

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:55:00 EST

Huawei's on the cusp of making a pretty serious Android push in Europe with the recent introduction of its Pulse on T-Mobile and this little puppy, the U8230, which -- let's be honest, is shaping up to be little more than a Pulse remix for countries where T-Mobile doesn't do business. In fact, it seems to be the same thing from a hardware perspective (right down to the 3.5-inch HVGA display and unfortunate 2.5mm headphone jack), so you can almost look at as a prime application of HTC's classic strategy of re-skinning devices for different carriers and markets around the world. Anyhow, PointGPhone has had a chance to screw around with a proper U8230, coming away with the conclusions you might expect -- it's an interesting play at the right price point, but with that sluggish 528MHz performance, limited on-board storage, and inexplicably missing 3.5mm jack, you might be better off looking elsewhere. Not to say we have an option in the States, anyhow.

Filed under: Handsets, Others, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Android

Huawei U8230 (in other words, the one that isn't the Pulse) gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia abandoning S60 for Maemo on future N-Series devices?

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:22:00 EST

Confused by Nokia's dual-platform, Maemo 5 and S60 5th Edition smartphone choices? You're not alone. Fortunately, things are starting to become a bit more clear thanks to some loose-lipped members of Maemo's marketing team attending an official N900 meet-up in London last night. According to The Really Mobile Project, Nokia will drop S60 from all of its flagship N-series consumer devices in favor of Maemo. Apparently, Nokia has been pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response to the N900 OS even though the enthusiast package is not quite ready for mass-market appeal. Mind you, the transition won't be instantaneous as anyone with an N900 (and a clear mind) can attest -- the OS, services, and apps just can't compare to the mature S60 platform regardless of Maemo 5's superior user experience. As such, we'll continue to see N-Series handsets already in development pop with S60 on board alongside mass-market Maemo devices as the platform matures to the point that Nokia can make the full switch by 2012. Assuming, of course, Nokia doesn't end up adding webOS to its portfolio somewhere along the way.

Update: The Nokia Blog has what it claims is an official response from Nokia on this delicate matter. As you'd expect, Nokia says it remains "firmly committed to Symbian as our smartphone platform of choice." It then added this little gem: "Maemo is our software of choice for devices based on technology that you'd typically find inside a desktop computer. It delivers a different user experience and enables us to widen the market we can address." Perhaps you're even reading this on an ARM Cortex-A8 desktop PC right now?

[Thanks, Sockatume]

Filed under: Handsets, Software, Nokia, Linux, Symbian

Nokia abandoning S60 for Maemo on future N-Series devices? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google-branded phone coming early next year?

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:47:00 EST

We've been hearing talk of thoroughly Google-branded phones since before Android was announced -- and if you want to get really technical about it, you could argue that it's already happened twice in the form of the Dev Phone 1 and the Ion. Thing is, those are strictly developer-oriented one-offs based on existing models, and TechCrunch is reporting in a rather authoritative tone today that Google's just about to launch a consumer phone all its own designed to in-house, no-compromise specifications with signs suggesting that either Samsung or LG would be responsible for OEM duties. Allegedly, the device was supposed to be at retail in time for the holidays but ended up getting pushed back into early 2010, at which point we can expect a big marketing push -- but the question is, why? Google had a heavy hand in the design and development of the chunky, geeky HTC Dream, so we already know they're probably better off leaving the details of the industrial design to the guys who've been doing this for a while -- and with strong new partnerships with Verizon and Motorola just now bearing fruit, it's safe to say that Big Red wouldn't be a launch partner. Our most interesting theory here is that AT&T -- which has gone totally radio-silent for all things Android in the past six months -- is responding to the probable impending loss of its iPhone exclusivity by scoring a coup on a gorgeous, aspirational device with the Google logo all over it. Given the time frame that TC's suggesting, it sounds like we wouldn't have to wait long to find out what's what.

Filed under: Handsets, LG, Samsung, Android

Google-branded phone coming early next year? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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O2 UK gradually rolls out iPhone unlock, forgot to give us the instructions

Richard Lai — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:57:00 EST

Last week O2 UK announced that they will start unlocking iPhones while they lose the exclusivity deal with Apple. We signed up straight away (via the link below) and didn't hear anything until today -- just five days after O2 unlocked the first batch of iPhones, according to tweets from fellow users. As you can see in the picture half of our text message from O2 went missing for some reason, but luckily the procedure was easy enough for us to decipher: simply put in a non-O2 SIM card, then connect to iTunes and boom! You can see all this illustrated in the gallery. Sadly we're stuck with O2 for another twelve months, but are there any UK folks here planning to switch carriers soon?

Gallery: O2 UK gradually rolls out iPhone unlock, forgot to give us the instructions

Filed under: Handsets, O2, HSDPA, Apple, iPhone OS

O2 UK gradually rolls out iPhone unlock, forgot to give us the instructions originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK T-Mobile customer data sold to cold callers, responsible staff to be prosecuted

Vladislav Savov — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:09:00 EST

Let's be honest, who here is actually surprised that underpaid and overworked data workers would sell on our details for a few extra quid? Given the number of uninvited calls to our unlisted phone numbers, we know for a fact that somebody has been dishing our personal contacts to those Nigerian princes and caring loan consolidators, so it's no shock to learn that T-Mobile employees have been fingered for committing the deed and are now facing prosecution. We're told that inappropriately leaked information made its way into the hands of brokers, who then "cold-called the customers as their contracts were due to expire" without T-Mob's knowledge. Disappointed by the failure of current fines to discourage such illegal information trade, British Justice Minister Michael Wills has even called for "custodial sentences" to be levied against the poor slobs responsible. So, if you're scoring at home, that's now two black eyes for T-Mobile when it comes to keeping our data safe. For shame.

Filed under: T-Mobile, Misc

UK T-Mobile customer data sold to cold callers, responsible staff to be prosecuted originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Achtung! Motorola Milestone now free on contract in Germany, sort of

Donald Melanson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:03:00 EST

Already jealous of the multitouch functionality afforded by Motorola Droids (or Milestones, as it were) sold outside the United States? Well, you might just want to look away for this one -- it seems that O2 is now practically giving away the phone in Germany. Specifically, it's selling it for a mere €1 with a 2 year-contract, which itself can be had for as little as €20 per month. As with other non-US carries, however, you'll have to make do without Google's own free navigation service, but you will at least get a 60-day Motorola's MotoNAV service in its place, and the endless joy that comes from telling your American friends that you got a free Droid.

[Via MobileTechWorld; thanks Bob]

Update: As some commenters have helpfully pointed out, that €20 a month for two years is actually on top of a standard contract, which certainly makes the deal a tad less attractive -- although you can technically still walk away with a Droid for just a handful of Euros.

Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, O2, Android

Achtung! Motorola Milestone now free on contract in Germany, sort of originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's BlackBerry Bold 9700 starts shipping out to top bananas

Darren Murph — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:18:00 EST

Got an AT&T Premier account at your disposal? Does your nine to five require you to wear a suit on every day that ends in "y?" If you're nodding your head and simultaneously thinking about just how tight that top button is around your neck, there's a decent chance that you can get AT&T's version of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 right now. 'Course, those on T-Mobile have already been enjoying the spoils for a few hours now, but judging by the unboxing shots in the read link, that window of US exclusivity looks to be all but shut. So, anyone jabbing the boss for an upgrade?

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, ATT, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, BlackBerry OS

AT&T's BlackBerry Bold 9700 starts shipping out to top bananas originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy? (Update: it's a date-related self-correction)

Vladislav Savov — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST

While we were busy looking into external speaker problems on the Droid, it would seem Moto was itself hard at work remedying a separate issue with the device. A number of users on support forums have complained of the Droid's camera failing to focus and giving them "red corners" when attempting to take pictures, but now -- suddenly and without warning -- their ailment has gone away as if touched by the hand of an omnipotent being (or, alternatively, a silent firmware update). This particular autofocus problem was mentioned in Verizon's 5-page treatise on known issues with the Droid, though the planned resolution was an official update by December 11. The fix seems to have been delivered early, as green corners are sprouting up all around, but this silent update conduit sounds a bit nefarious, no?

Update: Sure enough, we can confirm from testing one of our own Droids that the issue has been resolved. The endless quest for the green focus box is over, and you can now finally begin scanning all your discount cards into Key Ring.

Update II: And things have turned surreal. Dan Morrill, from Google's Android team, has confirmed that there's a date-related bug in the Droid's camera software that leads to it having cycles of good and bad focus that depend on the date. Our own testing confirmed this, as backdating to the 11th of November returned those red bars of failure. Apparently, the cycles last 24.5 days, meaning that you'll have good focus all the way to December 11, when the real fix is expected to drop. So breathe easy, Gotham, there are no phantom updates, just an oddly date-sentient camera.

[Thanks, AlexL and Kaiser]

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Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, Android

Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy? (Update: it's a date-related self-correction) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is... a 5330 with mobile TV

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:00 EST

It's not often that you see an existing handset remixed with entirely different kinds of radios built in, so color us a bit surprised this week to see Nokia announce a new version of the 5330 slider this week sporting DVB-H mobile TV tuning compatibility. Knowing what we know of DVB-H, its presence signifies that a North American release is a straight-up no-go, which is actually a bit of a shame -- it's a slick-looking Series 40 handset with a 3.2 megapixel cam and 3.5mm headphone jack for €155 (about $230) without a hint of contract or subsidy. Then again, just how badly do we want to watch football on a 2.4-inch display?

Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, Nokia, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is... a 5330 with mobile TV originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magellan debuts GPS app / car kit for iPhone and iPod touch

Donald Melanson — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:31:00 EST

Magellan's new iPhone navigation app won't do much for the iPod touch on its own, but it looks like the company's forthcoming Premium Car Kit will in fact work just fine with the handheld out of the box, unlike TomTom's similar Car Kit. Otherwise, there aren't exactly a ton of surprises, but the cradle is fully adjustable to accommodate a range of sleeves or cases, and it'll of course also charge your iPhone or iPod touch, and give it some amplified sound courtesy of the built-in speaker. The navigation app itself also seems to be more than ready to challenge the competition, with it boasting spoken street names, NAVTEQ maps, 3D landmarks, in-app music control, a pedestrian mode, and a price tag of $79.99. No word on a price or release date for the cradle just yet, but Magellan says it is "coming soon" -- iPhone users can get the app from the App Store right now.

[Thanks, djphatjive]

Filed under: Peripherals, Misc, Apple, iPhone OS

Magellan debuts GPS app / car kit for iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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