3G

Apple unveils 3G iPhone

Paul Mah — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:38:42 -0400

As expected, Apple unveiled the long awaited 3G version of the iPhone. Dubbed iPhone 2.0, it will come with Microsoft's push mail technology, a longer battery life and integration with an application store. The iPhone 2.0 software for the iPhone 3G will be available as a free upgrade for the older model, though iPod touch owners will need to pay a fee of $9.95 for it.

Perhaps the move that surprised observers the most was the substantially lowered prices. The 8GB version of iPhone 3G will sell for just $199, with the 16GB flavor going for $299. The new iPhones are expected to arrive in the United States, as well as in 24 other countries, on July 11.

For more on the new iPhone:
- check out this the Washington Post blog

New 3G BlackBerry model announced

Dan Bowman — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:03:54 -0400

Research in Motion (RIM) announced a new 3G BlackBerry model called the BlackBerry Bold that sent its shares up 6.9 percent in early trading on the Nasdaq. It incorporates just about all the features that supporters have been clamoring for, such as a tri-band HSDPA radio, doubling of internal memory to 128Mb and a faster 624Mhz processor.

Features found on some earlier BlackBerry models, such as Wi-Fi, and built-in GPS functionality also are present. Multimedia-wise, the BlackBerry Bold retains the standard 3.5mm headphone jack that first came with the BlackBerry Curve, and a 2 megapixel camera. The icing comes in the form of its 480x320 display and the incorporation of an additional 1 GB of on-board storage. This latest device definitely puts RIM in a strong position against a certain expected release by Apple next month.

For more on the BlackBerry Bold:
- check out the official press release

Vodafone snags iPhone for Europe, Asia

Mehan Jayasuriya — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:15:03 -0400

If you live in a country that isn't the U.S, the U.K., France, Austria or Germany, you've been waiting quite a while for the arrival of the iPhone. Luckily, Vodafone Europe has just announced that it won the contract to sell the device in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey, and will offer the phone "later this year." Hmm.

In related news, an internal AT&T document that leaked this week revealed that AT&T employees will be barred from taking vacation between June 15th and July 12th, due to "an exciting Summer Promotional Launch." As the iPhone die hards in the audience will note, AT&T pulled the same maneuver last year, barring vacations from June 15th to July 15th. So we can only assume that the 3G iPhone's launch will fall somewhere in that window. June 29th, anyone?

For more on the 3G iPhone:
- see this Vodafone press release
- and this Engadget article

BlackBerry 9000 shows up on eBay

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Given the love that BlackBerrys get from the suit and tie set, chances are that more than a few of you are frothing at the mouth at the very thought of laying hands on the as-yet-unannounced BlackBerry 9000 and its built-in BlackBerry OS 4.x. Well, somebody out there has one in their pocket as we speak: two BlackBerry 9000 units appeared on eBay a few days ago, only to disappear after a few hours (it's unclear whether the auctions ended or if eBay pulled the listings at RIM's insistence). Regardless, the photos in the auction looked quite legit and the units pictured are nearly identical to those seen in previous "spy shots." According to the auction listing, the 9000 will feature 3G (HSDPA), EDGE, WiFi and Bluetooth. The Boy Genius Report goes one further, claiming that A-GPS will also be thrown into the mix, along with a microSD card slot and a 2-megapixel camera. That's a lot of wireless radios for a BlackBerry, so it's not surprising to hear that the device is currently experiencing some battery life issues. Pending the resolution of those problems, RIM should have this one out the door by July or August.

For more on the BlackBerry 9000:
- see this Engadget article
- and this Boy Genius Report article

HTC Diamond coming May 6th

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

So, we can just about confirm that HTC's newest touchscreen phone, the Diamond, is going to be announced on May 6th. The thing is, we have no idea what the Diamond is. HTC has sent out media invites for a press conference to be held in London on the 6th, where press and analysts will "[w]itness the next wave of HTC innovation." According to the Taipei Times, HTC exec Cheng Hui-Ming told analysts that he expects the company's revenues to increase some 20 percent this year, thanks to the Diamond, which he dubs "the most important product for HTC this year," adding that "[w]ith this phone, we're confident of landing orders from most major operators." At the moment, the rumored specs peg the Diamond as a 3G device running Windows Mobile 6.1, with a large touchscreen, though no one is really sure what it looks like. We have, however, been seeing a few mysterious devices showing up in HTC spy shots as of late, so it could turn out to be something that we've previously seen. Might there be a new premiere Windows Mobile device next week?

For more on the Diamond:
- see this Taipei Times report

ALSO NOTED: Dell continues to hint at Eee PC clone; 3G iPhone rumors abound in Italy;

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Palm's Centro looks like it's headed to Verizon as well. Article
> The OLPC project may abandon Linux. Article
> Alltel My Circle customers get an extra number for free. Article
> HP iPAQ 900 shows up at the FCC. Article
> Dell continues to hint at Eee PC clone. Article
> Further details emerge on Motorola corporate restructuring. Article
> Mamma Mia! 3G iPhone rumors abound in Italy. Article

And Finally... Brazilian criminals use Eee PC in ATM heist. Article

Verizon 4G network coming

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Cellular-phone carrier Verizon has announced that it is building its next-generation network based on LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology, making it the latest carrier to move toward genuine high-speed (100 Mbps) mobile network technology and leaving Sprint and Alltel as the only significant carriers in the U.S. sticking with CDMA as their network technology. The move should mean more non-phone devices with cellular network capabilities built in and an easier path for Verizon customers who want to go global roaming with the new phones.

For more on the new Verizon network technology:
- Read the hands-on heads-up at CIO-Today

Google domination designs

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:56 -0500

It's not that Google wants to put out just another mobile wireless product--the search-engine giant has designs to change the nature of the wireless market. There's a big 700Mhz spectrum auction coming up, and no one knows how that will turn out, but with Android, Google has created a Linux-driven center of gravity for the wireless market to orbit. The operating system, which will power devices that compete with systems running the Symbian, Palm, and Windows Mobile operating systems, is intended to change the way the market functions--regardless of whether the radio in the device runs on 2G, 3G, or 4G.

For more on Google's wireless prospects:
- Read the market analysis at WirelessWeek

HTC Touch Cruise announced

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:59:56 -0500

If Microsoft technology reigns supreme in your enterprise, there's probably little question of which mobile operating system to go with. But which Windows Mobile device is right for you? It all depends on who's going to be using it, what applications are needed and what the budget is like. For the high-level exec, however, there's usually no good reason not to go all out. At the moment, we would tend to think that AT&T's HTC Tilt would be a pretty strong contender for the c-level suite. After all it, has 3G, WiFi, GPS, Push-to-talk, a touchscreen, a full QWERTY keypad and just about anything else you can think of. If HTC's newest device offers any indication of things to come, however, a little intra-company competition might be on the way. Say hello to the HTC Touch Cruise, the successor to the Touch, which launched Stateside on the Sprint network just last month. The Touch Cruise is essentially a sleeker, thinner version of the Touch, with GPS and TomTom Navigator 6 software thrown into the mix. Additionally you'll find HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera, a microSD expansion slot, a 2.8 inch touchscreen and Windows Mobile 6 along for the ride. And unlike the Tilt, this one comes with HTC's TouchFLO interface installed on top of WM6. Sure, there's no QWERTY keypad but if the exec in your life is willing to use a stylus-friendly onscreen keyboard, this little guy could just be the ticket. Available now in Europe and hopefully soon elsewhere in the world.

For more on HTC's Touch Cruise:
- watch this video demo (via coolsmartphone.com)
- see this article from coolsmartphone.com

Motorola moves past the Razr

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:59:57 -0400

It's one thing to decide that it's best to be a rather boring but successful company. It's quite another to realize that a rival, say, Apple, has taken your place as the "cool phone" maker for most of the market. Now, Motorola is getting ready to follow the winning designs of the StarTAC, Razr, and Razr2 with new phones using WiMAX, GSM LTE (Long Term Evolution), and Zigbee along with standard 3G cell technologies. Only the market will decide whether the new phones will be seen as the coolest yet, but Motorola is getting the phones ready.

For more on the next generation of Motorola phones:
- read the technology preview at WirelessWeek