SmartPhones

The Director of the Microsoft Mobile Team Unit for the Greater China region announced the other day that 15 smartphone developers will be releasing over 30 new smartphones by the end of this year that will be running on the upcoming and long-await Windows Mobile OS upgrade - Windows Mobile 6.5.

Among those 15 develops that have Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone launches on the near horizon are: Acer, HP, HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, or Toshiba. Among the wireless service carriers that are on-board to carry many of these devices are the big 3 - Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

As we mentioned in an earlier post, among the first of these 30 new Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones to come out will be several from HTC, including the HTC Touch 2 and HTC Tilt 2 (said to be the WinMo equivalent of the TouchPro 2), as well as the Sony Ericsson Xperia2. Following shortly on their heels will be 3 from LG and a WinMo revamped line of Samsung Omnia devices.

What is there to look forward to in the new WinMo update? Home screen widgets, Internet Explorer 6.5, Flash Lite support for IE 6.5, and My Phone, an online file synchronization service.

The official Windows Mobile 6.5 launch date is October 6. People who already have smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.1 will be able to update their OS to WinMo 6.5 at that time with a software patch. And WinMo 6.5 will also be available for sale at the Windows Marketplace app store.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: HTC, Microsoft, Omnia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Tilt 2, Touch 2, TouchPro 2, Windows Marketplace, Windows Mobile, WinMo 6.5, Xperia X2

Microsoft has just revealed that the latest version of Windows Mobile is slated for release on October 6, and HTC has just revealed that the first smartphone device to be released running WinMo 6.5, will be the HTC Touch 2. Shortly thereafter, Sony Ericsson will release its first ever WinMo phone, using this new Windows Mobile 6.5, the Xperia X2. And sometime before the twelve days of Christmas are out, LG will have 3 WinMo 6.5 smartphones out (among its 13 new devices promised by New Year's), 2 of those devices sure to be the LG GW550 and the LG GM750.

The new Windows Mobile 6.5 will include a new and improved Internet Explorer Mobile web browser that includes Flash support (something even the iPhone can't yet claim). WinMo 6.5 also features the Microsoft My Phone back-up service, immensely popular in Beta and finally taken out of Beta for full release for the first time. And WinMo 6.5 it will include the long-awaited Windows Marketplace for Moble app store.

But more than anything, this is an OS improvement, as Microsoft attempts to regain some serious ground lost to rivals RIM, Google, and Apple. For a more feature-filled upgrade, stay tuned for WinMo 7.0. It's biggest and best improvement - perhaps - no more need for the stylus. Windows Mobile 6.5 is "finger friendly" they say.

Meanwhile, a quote released by one of Motorola's senior engineers (ironic because Motorola has all but proposed to Google Android) suggests that WinMo 7.0 is already in manufacturer's hand in Beta. ,Supposedly according to LinkedIn leaks, Windows Mobile 7.0 will include a Microsoft Mobile version of Internet Explorer 7.0 or even 8.0, as well as a digital compass, an accelerometer, Nickname Cache, and Windows Live ID, among others.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: Christmas, GM750, GW550, HTC, LG, Microsoft, Sony Ericsson, Touch2, Windows Mobile, WinMo 6.5, WinMo 7.0, Xperia 2

It feels like we haven't heard anything out of Sony Ericsson for a while, which is why we were so excited to learn about the upcoming W715. Essentially a spruced up version of the W705--best known, most likely, for its built-in Walkman--the Sony Ericsson W715 (currently offered in the UK through Vodafone) includes one significant improvement: A-GPS.

No, that's not "a GPS"; it's "A-GPS" as in "Assisted Global Positioning System". It's a satellite location finding feature added to your average, everyday GPS that enhances its capabilities in several ways--not least of which is providing consistent, reliable GPS service even in areas with poor signal quality (such as beneath tall skyscrapers and trees or indoors).

Another frequent problem with standard GPS's that A-GPS addresses is the inability to download almanac and ephemeris info in such conditions until and unless a steady connection can be held for at least 40 seconds (sometimes difficult when, for example, you're on the road and moving).

For effectively using the A-GPS system built-into the W715, Vodafone has included its Find & Go sat-nav software.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: A-GPS, Find & Go, GPS, sat-nav, Sony Ericsson, U.K., Vodafone, W705, W715

Last week was the 2009 GSMA Mobile World Congress, and here's the lowdown on its high points:

HTC Magic: The second Google Android powered smartphone from HTC and the first from Vodafone, the Magic is smaller than the inaugural Google Phone, the HTC T-Mobile G1 and will first be distributed into hands overseas (U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain). Downsides? It doesn't have a physical keyboard, nor does the touchscreen keyboard operate in landscape mode.

Also unveiled from HTC, the HTC Touch Diamond2, HTC Touch Pro2, and the T-Mobile G2.

Acer M900: The business set will like this latest Windows Mobile smartphone, with its large 3.8" touchscreen, vast messaging capabilities, and--get this!--fingerprint scanner for cutting-edge security.

LG Arena: It was only a matter of time before we saw a 3D interface, and here it is, looking like the onscreen Rubiks Cube of menus.

Nokia E55: With its own take-off of the BlackBerry Sure-Type keypad.

A common thread for a lot of the devices unveiled this year is the built-in 5-megapixel camera--though the ones in the new Nokia N86 and Samsung Omnia HD sport 8 megapixels, and the Sony Ericsson Idou, with its enhanced touchscreen, has 12.1 and a sliding lens cover. So there!

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: Acer, Acer M900, Android, Blackberry, Google Android, Google Phone, GSMA, HTC, HTC Magic, LG, LG Arena, Mobile World Congress, Nokia, Nokia E55, Nokia N86, Samsung, Samsung Omnia HD, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson Idou, Sure Type, T-Mobile, T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile G2, Touch Diamond2, Touch Pro2, Vodafone

Earlier in the year we published a review of the Xperia X1, an eagerly-anticipated touchscreen smartphone from the people at Sony Ericsson, stating that it was slated for release sometime late this year.

Well, late this year is upon us, and the Xperia X1 looks to be hitting Sony Style stores on November 28 (just in time for the holidays) selling for $799 unlocked.

The strange thing about this rollout, however, is that the device comes with no carrier.

Buyers benefit in that they can choose which carrier to use, rather than being locked in to Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, etc.

But Sony Ericsson loses in that they won’t benefit from the major marketing push and widespread distribution a wireless carrier provides its smartphones. That is no doubt why the price tag for this device is so high.

Sony Ericsson is hoping that potential users will be willing to pay a premium for receiving the X1 unlocked.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: Sony, Sony Ericsson, SonyStyle, Xperia X1

On September 22 a new 9-part digital drama called “Johnny X” makes its debut online. This promised fast-paced, high-adrenaline series of 2-3 minute long episodes follows the exploits of the title character as he tries to figure out his forgotten identity after he gets kidnapped by a gang. The catch? To solve this mystery his uses his new Sony Ericsson Xperia X1.

The climax of this innovative marketing campaign is not the climax of the online minseries’ plot, however, but the official launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, happening on September 30, though it will only be a limited initial release. While the UK, Sweden, and Germany will find the device filling their Vodafone and O2 shelves (though not yet at Orange), U.S. stores will unformately not be among those carrying the premiere issues of this long-awaited handset. (Latin America, Asia, and the rest of Europe are next, slated for the end of year, with no launch date yet announced for Russian, Chinese, and North Amerian markets.

The series will run for 3 weeks. As of Monday, September 22, Sony Ericsson will post a new episode every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: Johnny X, O2, Orange, Sony Ericsson, Vodafone, Xperia X1

The world’s largest mobile phone maker has finally decided to join the touch screen revolution. Is it too late for Nokia to compete in this arena, though – with LG, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung already upping the stakes set by the Apple iPhone? Doubtful.

Apple may have pioneered consumer-friendliness in technology, but Nokia pioneered quality, and they’ll do it again, and continue to do so, with the increasingly coveted touch screen next up at bat.

A flurry of blog postings in late 2006 about the Nokia Aeon (which doesn’t exist yet) gave a sneak peek into Nokia’s plans for improving upon Apple’s greatness. The innovation? A full-phone touch screen. In other words, a touch screen display that occupies the entirety of the face of the phone.

It was in the Research and Development stages then, and it’ll still be a while longer before such technology can be made viable, but that hasn’t stopped Nokia from putting its proverbial nose to the grindstone nonetheless and coming up with its first entry in the touch screen arena.

Proving that battling Apple requires strategic planning on multiple fronts, Nokia’s as yet unnamed first touch screen venture will be an unlimited music phone. Look for it later this year.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: apple, Apple iPhone, iphone, LG, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, touch screen, touchscreen

This week Barcelona, Spain hosted the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress. One of the highlights of the international conference, as always, was the unveiling of several new smartphones, among the top contenders for leading spots in this year's marketplace, the following:

• the HTC P3470 - a GSM mobile phone running Windows Mobile 6 with the TomTom Navigator 6 built in;
• the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 - a touch screen smartphone with 100 adjustable panels poised to become the iPhone biggest competitor this year;

Also announced was the first mobile phone processor from Nvidia, world leading maker of visual computing, graphics processor technologies. The new technology, dubbed APX 2500, is - as you might expect - designed for handheld devices with multimedia capabilities.

Stay tuned here throughout the year for reviews of the above-mentioned products and many more of the latest and greatest new releases debuted at the event.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: 2008 Mobile World Congress, apple, APX 2500, Barcelona, GSM, HTC, HTC P3470, iphone, Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress 2008, Nvidia, Nvidia APX 2500, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, Spain, Windows Mobile, Windows Mobile 6, Xperia X1

Music lovers rejoice! Because now you can listen to the music on your smartphone through your FM radio without the need for any extraneous external devices.

Whether it's downloaded tunes stored in your smartphone's memory or streaming internet radio you prefer, smartphone makers like world leader Nokia are now integrating FM transmitters into their handheld devices, allowing users to enjoy all the music they love over their home stereos and - best of all for you commuters out there - car radios.

One of the first smartphones to be built with an integrated FM transmitter is the Nokia N78,  though many more are sure to follow in its pioneering footsteps.

Sure, those Belkin FM transmitters are nice, but who really wants to deal with all that bulky and cumbersome extra gadgetry when you can get it all built in to your favorite mobile device?

Of course, if it's actual FM radio stations you seek through your smartphone, there are also obliging products like the Sony Ericsson P1i.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: , Belkin, Belkin FM transmitter, FM, FM radio, FM transmitter, Nokia, Nokia N78, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson P1i

We're all used to the typical promotion where you get a free cell phone in exchange for signing up for a set period of service. So it should come as no surprise that the same phenomenon has begun with the product representing the evolution of the cell phone - the smartphone.

CNET reported today on the Samsung BlackJack II being offered for free on Buy.com for anyone signing up for a two-year AT&T contract. While not the fastest or easiest phone to use, the Samsung BlackJack II nonetheless has some impressive qualities, including:

• a GPS
• a 2- megapixel camera
• and AT&T HSPDA network support

Researching this phenomenon further, I found that Buy.com actually offers several smart phones for free with activation, including:

• Palm Centro
• RIM BlackBerry Pearl
• Motorola RAZR

From here, I checked into how commonly this phenomenon occurred at competing cell phone and smart phone vendors and found that everybody's doing it. In addition to more of the aforementioned brand names, I also found all sorts of other smartphones (such as Sony Ericsson, Nextel, and Nokia) offered for free by all the major carriers:

• AT&T (and the former Cingular)
• Verizon
• T-Mobile
• and Sprint

Now there's a way that people on a limited budget can still afford to get a smartphone of their own (though maybe not the latest and greatest model), just by signing up for the wireless service they're going to need to get anyway.

To boot, most of the participating smartphone vendors will even throw in free shipping with the deal.

With such great deals flooding the net, and every phone manufacturer and wireless carrier competing for your hard-earned dollar, we may soon see the day when you never have to pay to obtain a smartphone again.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: , AT&T, Blackberry, BlackBerry Pearl, camera, cell phone, CNET, GPS, HSPDA, Motorola, Motorola RAZR, Palm, Palm Centro, Palm Treo, Research in Motion, RIM, Samsung, Samsung BlackJack II, smart phone, smartphone, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, T-Mobile, verizon