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New Sony Ericsson handsets looming?
2007-08-16 00:00:00
We aren't insinuating that you should attach any level of truth to these rumors just yet, but the boards of Esato are alive with murmurs of a few new SE handsets that could be launched as early as tomorrow. Amongst the mobiles that we could hear more about (officially) in the coming day is the Cyber-shot-branded "Victoria" -- which will supposedly be 14-millimeters thick and sport a 1.9-inch QVGA screen, five color options, and a 128MB M2 card bundled in -- and the still elusive "Veronica." Additionally, we could also be treated to the W350, a Cyber-shot clamshell / Cyber-shot slider, and new "accessories" to boot. Best of all, though, is that you've just a single day left to find out if there's actually any substance to these whispers, but if it does prove true, it certainly won't be the first time.[Via PocketPicks]
More About: Sony Ericsson , Sony , Ericsson , Ming , Sony-Ericsson

Samsung readies the Bang & Olufsen Serene II and F330 music phone
2007-08-16 00:00:00
If you've got the kind of photographic, instant-recall memory that we here at Engadget do, you'll probably remember our brief mention of the Bang & Olufsen Serene II (or apparently "Serenata"), a Samsung developed mobile phone that made its way to the FCC in May. Well, the phone-elves have been busy tinkering in their workshop night after night, and we've managed to get a look at a real / fake picture of their otherwise-named SGH-F310 (pictured left). Rumor has it that the phone will arrive as a UMTS / EDGE / HSDPA (1.8 Mbps) device, with a 240 x 240 touchscreen, 4GB of memory, and all kinds of media playback support. Additionally, Samsung appears to be readying the F330 music phone for widespread dispersion, which will be rocking EDGE / HSDPA (3.6 Mbps), Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a 240 x 320 display, 2 megapixel camera, and a microSD slot. Of course, this is all rampant speculation at this point, but don't say we didn't warn you.Read -- Samsung F310/B&O...
More About: Music , Phone

Pantech C150 and LG Trax now on AT&T
2007-08-16 00:00:00
As expected, AT&T has officially added a couple to its stable -- one on the midrange and one at the very bottom. The LG Trax -- once known as the CU575 -- has gotten plenty of press recently as the anticipated replacement for the CU500, offering stereo Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, HSDPA, and a cool external touch strip for music control. The Pantech C150, meanwhile, looks like a great candybar for the price (free, that is) considering that it still manages to rock a VGA cam and Bluetooth support, and we're digging the pure white. Grab both now for $130 and $0 on contract, respectively.Read - Pantech C150Read - LG Trax

Sony Ericsson's "Victoria" gets official as the Cyber-shot K770
2007-08-16 00:00:00
She's here and right on schedule. Meet Victoria , Sony Ericsson's latest candybar to wear the Cyber -shot crown. Official ly unveiled as the K770, the 14-mm thin cameraphone features a 3.2 megapixel, autofocus camera with LED photo light, and 1.9-inch QVGA display just like we heard. It ships with a 256MB M2 card and goes tri-band GSM with 2100MHz UMTS 3G for Europe. She's expected sometime around Q4 for an undisclosed price.
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SlingPlayer Mobile for Symbian in private beta
2007-08-16 00:00:00
Windows Mobile and Palm devices won't be having all the placeshifting fun for much longer. Though carrier Hutchison 3 has had its own version for some time through its X-Series line, a generic, widely available Sling Player Mobile for Symbian has eluded the populace for ages; thankfully, it looks like that's all about to change with Sling announcing a private beta for its upcoming S60-based player. At this point, the beta's focus is pretty limited -- you've gotta be in the US and you need to be rocking a Nokia E65, N75, or N95. High speed data is obviously crucial here, and those three models happen to sport the prerequisite S60 plus WiFi -- in the case of the E65 and N95 -- or 3G, if you've gone the N75 route. Any Slingbox model will get the job done, and other than that, you basically just have to be able to keep your mouth shut, fill out some forms, and enjoy plenty of placeshifted teevee. The beta's tentatively scheduled to last about four weeks, so here's hoping we'll se...
More About: Beta , Private

Leaked Vista Service Pack 1 analyzed
2007-08-16 00:00:00
The leak of the first service pack for Windows Vista , imaginatively named SP1, means that we get to hear about the improvements before it gets a real release. APCMag reviewed a leaked copy of the software, and found that it's pretty much your standard service pack fare: a bunch of bug fixes and noticeable performance tweaks. The only new feature is an option to create a recovery disk, along with a crapload of new install packages for Vista's components, with no readily apparent changes. So, what's Microsoft waiting for? Get it out the door already!
More About: Service , Pack , Leaked , Service Pack

Atree's UM10 e-dictionary with trick sliding keyboard
2007-08-16 00:00:00
It must be nice to live in a culture where it seems like having a dictionary on hand at all times is a must -- but sadly we in the US seem doomed to describe everything as either "awesome" or "sucks" while kids in Asian broaden their vocabularies with devices like Atree's UM10 e-dictionary / PMP. The unit, which sports a sliding flip keyboard much like the HTC Shift, also takes stylus input on its 3-inch screen and can play back media in a wide range of formats, including MP4, WMV9, MP3, WMA and Ogg. The unit also has FM and DMB tuners, a Microsoft Office reader app, and either 2 or 4GB of storage expandable via microSD. No word on price, but unless you're planning a trip to Korea sometime soon it doesn't really matter. Too bad -- it sucks that we can't get a device this awesome over here.
More About: Trick , Keyboard , Dictionary

Tumbler Batmobile modded to house PC
2007-08-16 00:00:00
For those of you still enamored by the Optimus Prime PC case mod, here's yet another transformation to keep you in awe. A self-proclaimed Batman fanatic happened upon an RC iteration of the Tumbler Batmobile , and as any true nerd would do, he wondered if a PC could be stuffed within. Sure enough, with a healthy amount of dedicated modding, the RC Tumbler was finally equipped with an AMD Sempron 2800+ CPU, a 40GB hard drive, and a basic DVD drive, but considering the main purpose is to race around the web and look sexy, we'd say it's potent enough for that. Click on through for a few more shots that even Bruce Wayne would approve of.
More About: House , Ouse , Bile

LG ponies up 7.2Mbps SH150 slider
2007-08-16 00:00:00
We're still trying to get everyone on board with 3.6Mbps HSDPA around here, but as usual, LG and its merry band of engineers from the future are looking to embarrass the remainder of the world with its 7.2Mbps SH150. For the record, not even in Korea are there any live HSDPA 7.2 networks just yet, but the SH150 is fixin' to get involved with test market trials ahead of a full-scale launch down the road. Features include 2 megapixel primary and VGA secondary cams, DMB reception, and a QVGA display in a rather portly (by 2007 standards, anyway) 15.6mm slider package. Check it for about 500,000 won ($538).
More About: Ponies , Slider

Samsung's Yepp YP-P2 touchscreen DAP with Bluetooth
2007-08-16 00:00:00
Ok we admit it, we thought the device pictured over the weekend by Akihabara News was just the iPhone obscured by that iLuv case. But really, those pics were a bit preoccupied with something other than the, ehem, gadget. Fortunately, the good kids over at dapreview sorted it out with pictures and a video of Samsung's sleek new flash player: the Yepp YP-P2. A bit of digging also reveals plenty of specs courtesy of several unsubstantiated German language sites. These include up to 8GB of flash; biggie 3-inch, 428 x 240 pixel touch-screen display; MP3, WMV, WMA, and H.264 (MPEG4 AVC), MPEG-4 (ASF) support; Bluetooth (oh yes); integrated speaker and mic; and FM radio in a device just 100 x 52 x 9.2-mm thin. They've even implemented some of that virtual click-wheel action hinted at by Apple patent applications but never quite implemented. Check another pic and video walkthrough of the interface after the break. Read -- dapreview Read -- unconfirmed specs Read -- Akihabara News P2 promo...
More About: Touchscreen , Cree

UBiQUiO 501 owners, come get your free WM6 upgrade
2007-08-16 00:00:00
Seems like pretty much every manufacturer big and small alike -- with some notable exceptions -- has come out of the woodwork to do the right thing and offer its customers an upgrade to Microsoft's latest and greatest. Most recent to loose a Windows Mobile 6 update is TechFaith's UBiQUiO brand, covering its 501 model with all the WM6 Pro you can handle at no charge. Seeing how these things can be picked up for well under $400 unlocked, it seems like the 501 might be a decent way to get oneself onto platform du jour outta Redmond -- if the lack of 3G is tolerable, anyway.[Via the::unwired and MoDaCo]
More About: Free , Owners

Unlocked iPhones now available in Hong Kong -- cost arm, leg
2007-08-16 00:00:00
Just how bad do ya want an iPhone, punk? Yeah, we're talking to you, Mr. Hong Kong Resident, because they're now available in your neck of the woods -- if the price is right, anyway. Supposedly unlocked examples of Apple's mobile gem (which we're starting to believe is really possible, even if this picture doesn't definitively prove it) are floating around the territory for a stiff $2,000, though that number falls to $750 if you can supply the phone yourself and bring it in just for the unlocking service. Still, though, you'd better really want one.[Via Gearfuse]
More About: Cost , Lock , Unlocked , Available

Kingston offers up 4GB Class 6 miniSDHC cards
2007-08-16 00:00:00
Although Kingston 's latest trio of 4GB miniSDHC cards aren't first on the scene per se, that Class 6 iteration is sure sitting at the head of the class. Partnered by Class 2 (2MB/sec) and Class 4 (4MB/sec) versions, the Class 6 miniSDHC card boasts an impressive minimum sustained data transfer rate of 6MB/sec, which ought to be more than sufficient for those unexpected video captures on your mobile. Most interesting, however, is the pricing scheme for the aforementioned devices, as the 4GB Class 6 card runs just two bucks higher ($66) than the Class 4 version ($64), and a mere four dollars more than the lowly Class 2 ($62) sibling, so it's a pretty safe bet that you'll be going for the speed on this one.[Via ChannelTimes]
More About: Offers , Cards , Offer

Motorola Marco brings WiFi to the Z3
2007-07-26 00:00:00
Motorola's newest slider seems to have slipped out of Schaumburg and right into the waiting grasp of Engadget pal The Boy Genius. The Marco features the same slider case, GSM / EDGE radio, and 2 megapixel camera as the MOTORIZR Z3, but updates the internals with a WiFi chip, making compatibility with T-Mobile@Home entirely possible. In addition, BGR says the JUIX operating system has been tweaked and refined, and that the case seems to have gotten just a hair thicker than before -- something we'll have to confirm when this thing officially launches late this year. Click on for more photos of the Marco doing its WiFi thing
More About: Motorola , Wifi

Nokia to add Assisted GPS to all new GPS devices
2007-07-22 00:00:00
Looks like Nokia 's getting serious about Assist ed GPS -- in addition to adding support for the network-enhanced location service to the latest N95 firmware, the company has announced that the 6110 Navigator and all future Nokia GPS devices will support the technology. No word on what those devices might be, but here's hoping this means we start seeing GPS chips pop up in a lot more phones.[Via PhoneMag]
More About: Devices

LG, Samsung handsets on top in entertainment phone study
2007-07-20 00:00:00
Although the necessity (or desire, actually) for integrated mobile entertainment in one's phone has long been argued over, we can't help but notice that the fad is ever-so-methodically catching on. Recently, a consumer study from Parks Associates found that LG and Samsung handsets led the way in "advanced mobile entertainment features," noting that their cellphones were more likely to support mobile TV, music, and games in the US. More specifically, nearly 12-percent of LG / Samsung owners reported having the aforementioned features, while just eight-percent of Moto users checked the box and nary a single Nokia respondent claimed to have such luxuries. Hmm, we're guessing the N95 owners were all too preoccupied to represent?[Via mocoNews]
More About: Entertainment , Phone , Study , Entertain

First batch of Toshiba G900s plagued with issues?
2007-07-20 00:00:00
As smartphones become ever more complex and powerful, simple math dictates that the incidence of severe software issues is going to go up. Sad as it is, that's to be expected, and we can't really recall the last time we extensively used a smartphone -- regardless of brand or platform -- that didn't exhibit some bugs. That being said, when a phone won't frickin' come out of standby, you'd think they'd be able to catch that before shipping. Many owners of Toshi ba 's ultra-powerful G900 Windows Mobile 6 Professional handset seem to be reporting a hodgepodge of problems that are necessitating returns, chief among them being that once the phone goes to sleep, it doesn't want to wake up until a reset is performed. Toshiba's apparently promising a fix in the next few weeks, but for folks trying to make this beauty their primary mobile, that's little consolation for the moment.
More About: Issues , Batch , Issue

LG working on Windows Mobile 6 Prada-esque handset?
2007-07-12 00:00:00
Could LG be prepping another touch interface handset like its KE-850 Prada from earlier in the year? Word is the new handset will definitely (by definitely we mean, definitely possible) be sporting GSM, UMTS, and potentially HSDPA -- all in unknown bands, of course. Apparently LG's new device is based on Windows Mobile 6, takes it shape cues from the Samsung Blackjack, and comes a packin' WiFi as at least one of its alternate connectivity options. Fitted with only the two call keys, and trimmed with chrome -- or chromed plastic -- it should be a sassy bit of work. We look forward to its rumored roll out this September.
More About: Windows Mobile , Handset

Nokia planning 8GB N95?
2007-07-12 00:00:00
Per usual, we're taking this one with a throw of salt for the time being, but an interesting couple of lines from an .xml file on Nokia 's site actually makes mention of an 8GB N95. Stepping back, it does indeed follow logic that Nokia would think of unveiling an 8GB handset in order to more directly compete with its newfound rivals, but until we see something more detailed than a few lines of stray code, we'll reserve judgment. So, regretting that oh-so-fresh N95 purchase yet? http://nds.nokia.com/uaprof/NN95_8GB-1r10 0.xml[Via JustAMP]
More About: Planning , Plan

HTC Europe WM6 upgrade dates being pushed back?
2007-07-12 00:00:00
Despite all the slick talk and hope-raising HTC has done over the past few months regarding the company's plans for the WM6 upgrade, it's beginning to look like things may be getting pushed back nearer to something like the Fall for Europe an users. In particular, the S620 upgrade which was slated for a May / June release has yet to make an appearance, and an HTC rep says (in a personal email to a user) that the "provisional" date for the release is actually closer to September. Of course, you could always bite the bullet, find yourself a leaked version (for the Hermes at least) and go the DIY route.
More About: Dates , Back , Being , Push

The Motorola Z9
2007-07-12 00:00:00
The Boy Genius has done it again, this time by outing the new Motorola Z9 slider phone. Its styling looks very similar to the RAZR 2 -- mainly due to the large primary screen -- although since the model that the Boy Genius got his hands on has some very deep AT&T branding, we'd have to say the similarities end there. Beyond the design the Z9 features 3G, a 2 megapixel camera with flash (no word on whether it's a "real" flash), Motorola's Synergy OS, support for AT&T's Live Video Share, and a microSD card slot. We're sure we'll be hearing a lot more about this phone over the coming days: for now, head over to The Boy Genius Report to check out a gallery of shots of the phone.

Acer's AS5920 Gemstone hits US retail
2007-07-12 00:00:00
Acer has begun quietly introducing its Gems tone laptop to the US market by slipping the design-minded Aspire into Best Buy's retail catalog, thus marking the debut of the company's stylized new computer on these shores. The 5920, which we mentioned back in May, is officially on sale now at the chain stores for $1299 (but they'll want you to get that extended service plan too). To refresh your memory, the system is based on the seemingly-ubiquitous Santa Rosa chipset, with a Centrino Core 2 Duo turning the gears, a 15.4-inch, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT-powered display, an HD-DVD RW drive, and 802.11a/b/g. Other bells and whistles include Bluetooth, a 5-in-1 media reader, built-in webcam, and Acer's amazing V.92 high speed modem.[Via TGDaily]
More About: Retail , Hits , Gemstone , Tail

Pioneer Computers' quad core DreamBook Power D90 SLI laptop
2007-07-12 00:00:00
While it can't claim to be the first quad-core laptop, Pioneer Computers ' new DreamBook Power D90 SLI can at least claim to be one of the few. This rebranded 17-inch Phantom D900C hails from Australia, and although it features a lot of the same gear -- like the 2.4GHz Core 2 Quad Q6600, dual 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 or 8800 cards in SLI, and up to three (yes, three) hard drives which can operate in RAID 0/1/5 -- it's not exactly identical. The company will build these to order, but the base model is considerably stripped down, sporting a measly Core 2 Duo and only 512MB of RAM. To step up to the full on Quad Core experience it's going to cost you (somewhere near $8000 AU, or $6878 US), but who can put a price on lap-searing, jaw-dropping, nosebleed power?
More About: Laptop

AIBO lives! Meet BJ, without the Sony bugbear
2007-07-12 00:00:00
With Sony 's AIBO long pushing daisies, it's getting harder and harder to field a team in RoboCup's four-legged league. No longer: meet BJ, the dark lord successor to the Sony AIBO. Developed specifically for research and competition, the BJ from aXi stands 12.2-inches tall and features a Linux OS, ARM11 CPU, Kondo KRS-4013 robot servo, 64MB RAM / 16MB ROM, 350k pixel CMOS sensor, IR sensor, accelerometer, and 4x "meat sphere sensors" (as translated by Google) which should allow the wee bot to hone in on the jugular jewels of any unscrupulous referees. Due to hit North America and places beyond this Fall for about ¥600,000 or $4,853.[Via Impress]
More About: Meet , Lives , Bear

Toshiba's 12.1-inch Dynabook SS RX1: 11-hours with 64GB SSD
2007-07-05 00:00:00
Toshiba is showing off their 12.1-inch Dynabook SS RX1 this morning with specs aiming to please. According to Akihabara News, the store front model (read: not available on-line) can be configured with a 64GB SSD, a first if true but not a surprise. Configurable with a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U7600 proc, up to 2GB of memory and 11-hour battery. All this in a 19.5~25.5-mm sled. On sale in Japan starting today for about ¥279,800 or $2,284 well equipped but without the SSD.[Via Akihabara News]  
More About: Inch , Hour , Hours , Toshi

Nokia debuts totally fugly 7500 Prism in China
2007-07-05 00:00:00
By all accounts, Nokia 's designers are either on a cutting edge so far into the future and so deeply advanced that we can't understand it, or they've all gone off their medication. The bizarre 7500 Prism (which may or may not be the similarly styled 7900) made its debut at a Nokia fashion event in China today, along with the 8600, 8800 Sirocco, 6110 navigator, 5700 XpressMusic, 6500 classic, 6500 slider and the 3500 -- though none of them were as totally zany looking as the Prism. The phone's specs are at least fairly normal, featuring a 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, a QVGA screen and rocking the S40 (version 5) OS. It's unclear at this point why the company believes people will want a diamond shaped keyboard, but since the FCC has already approved this model, we'll soon learn if they really do.
More About: Debut , Ally

Smashed iPhone "not so cool looking"
2007-07-05 00:00:00
What happens when a shiny new iPhone meets the edge of a table? You guessed it -- that nasty piece of business up above. Fans, we know it looks painful, and haters, we know you're loving it, but we should all have a little sympathy for the unlucky guy who made this mess completely by accident when he tried to answer his phone while it was still plugged in, causing the short cable to whip Apple's glass-screened device right out of his hands. Don't fret too much though, because the kind folks at Apple apparently replaced the smashed phone for free, and as far as we know, the gentleman learned several valuable lessons.[Via Akihabaranews]
More About: Iphone , Cool , Look , Smash , Smashed

Nokia's HF-300 Bluetooth speakerphone
2007-07-05 00:00:00
Nokia may be best known for their handsets but they've been slowly branching out in consumer electronics. Headsets and the N800, sure, but also GPS navigators, speakers, audio gateways, transmitters, Digital Pens and more. Now this, a new HF-300 Bluetooth 1.1 speakerphone for the car and beyond. Notably, the battery powered device auto cycles the power when you stop talking while supporting up to 20 hours of talk on a single charge. Expect to see it hit worldwide in Q3 for about €90/$123 before taxes.
More About: Peak

Sony's latest PSP promo helps sneak some extra play time
2007-07-03 00:00:00
We'd like to officially congratulate the Sony marketing team for graduating from offensive to merely "sending the wrong message." Sony Italy is handing out fake books complete with fake hands to disguise PSP play from those pesky authority figures. There's even a helpful outline of the book you're not reading to get you out of any jams. LeVar Burton will be so disappointed.[Via The Raw Feed]
More About: Time , Play , Promo , Extra , Late

Unboxing the Toshiba Portege G900
2007-07-03 00:00:00
What would you give for a WM6 QWERTY with a 3-inch screen touting an 800 x 480 pixel resolution? Well, reader Kim Nyberg forked over a €635/$860 premium to Expansys for the Toshi ba Portege G900 and has the unboxing pics to prove it. And you thought $599 was expensive. Oh, did we mention it's tri-band HSDPA with WiFi?
More About: Unbox , Xing