When Samsung Soul was announced, we were all at the edge of our seats, hanging on to every detail we could find of it. And I think we speak for most of us when I say that we weren’t disappointed. After all, it’s a sliding phone with 5-megapixel camera, HSDPA support, Magic Touch Technology, microSD card slot, and quad-band world wide roaming capability. Wait a minute…quad-band? Nope, we’ve been duped. According to phonescoop.com, they’ve discovered that the Soul is missing one band, the GSM 850. Documents in the FCC has confirmed it — the Samsung Soul is a tri-band phone with GSM 900/1800/1900 + WCDMA 2100 bands. Bully, Samsung.

(more…)

Tags: Samsung, Samsung, Soul

Over the last couple of days, the rivalry among the U.S.’s top mobile networks has been mounting. On the same day, both Verizon Wireless and AT&T have announced their $99.99 phone call monthly plan which entails unlimited calls. T-Mobile, on the other hand, upped the ante and threw in text messaging at the same price. There are reports, however, that Sprint Nextel plans to outdo them all. It hasn’t been confirmed by the company, but analysts poke their heads in the situation and declare that the probability of Sprint Nextel offering unlimited calls for only US$60 is high. Huh? Didn’t Sprint lay off thousands of employees and close off retail stores? I wonder how they’d keep their business afloat. Nevertheless, if and when it does happen, expect more undercutting by the first three companies mentioned in the face of price rivalry. Good news for consumers, but maybe not so much for the business.

(more…)

Tags: Nextel, Sprint, Sprint

Leaks are always a great thing and we’re glad this one got to us. Apparently, a new and unidentified Sony Ericsson clamshell has been spotted. If we based our observations on the pic, it seems the new phone has mobile web browsing capability, Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS functionality. It’s being touted as a “stylish” phone and although we can’t see much from the blurry pic, it looks okay to me. We can’t wait ’til more info about this Sony Ericsson handset comes out. We’ll make sure to report them.

(more…)

Tags: clamshell, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson

Still another in the line of NEC’s new and first ever LiMo-compliant mobile phones along with NEC N905i and NEC N705iµ is NEC N095iµ, for the DoCoMo network. It boasts a super-thing (12.9 mm depth and 106 grams in weight) sophisticated design. The NEC N095iµ keitai has a flat-sheet keypad, 2-megapixel camera, HSDPA support, WORLD WING global roaming capability, and an illuminated lights play when shut on its clamshell form, whenever there are incoming calls and messages. The model will be available in four colors: opal white, graphite black, venus gold, and bourgogne red.

Check out NEC N095iµ keitai’s product page. (Japanese)

(more…)

Tags: DoCoMo, NEC, NTT DoCoMo

Along with the NEC N705iµ, another of the first in the line of LiMo compliant mobile phones is NEC N905i for the Japanese market under the network, NTT DoCoMo. The NEC N905i high-end keitai (Japanese cell phone) boasts 5.2 megapixel camera with face-detection auto-focus function. High-speed mobile web browsing is also made available with its HSDPA support and watching TV is possible with the 1-Seg TV tuner. It displays a simple menu which could be expanded for further usage. A circular control button is featured and for optimal 1-Seg TV viewing, the screen could be folded horizontally. The NEC N905i will be available in red, white, pink, and black.

Read more about the NEC N905i features (Japanese)

(more…)

Tags: DoCoMo, NEC, NTT DoCoMo

With the kind of price tag the flimsy MacBook Air carries, there’s no doubt everyone would want to protect theirs without errr…cramping their style. The developer of scratch-free protection gear from electronics, NLU Products, has announced the availability of BodyGuardz clear film cover for the MacBook Air. BodyGuardz products are made to fit like second skin on devices to prevent scratches. The material used for BodyGuardz products are the same as what’s used to protect an automobile’s front from abrasion. It uses water-based adhesive and will not be removed until the user rips it off. The complete BodyGuardz kit for the MacBook Air which costs US$49.95 comes with instructions as well as how-to videos.

Check out the product page (with video).

(more…)

Tags: Apple, BodyGuardz, MacBook Air

When DoCoMo announced a slew of new cell phones last year, we missed covering the Sony Ericsson Cybershot SO905iCS cell phone. The Japanese mobile network giant has finally released the Cybershot SO905iCS in the Japanese keitai market. The Sony Ericsson Cybershot SO905iCS has a 5-megapixel camera with Exmor CMOS sensor, LED flash, and 3x optical zoom lens. It features 2.7-inch WVGA LCD display as well as microSD car support. It measures 113×50x24mm and weighs 145g. Best of all, the SO905iCS cell phone has the new smile shutter mode technology and face detection function.

(more…)

Tags: CyberShot, Sony Ericsson, Sony Ericsson

The NEC N705iµ handset was made known sometime ago as one of the first handsets to the carry the LiMo platform. NEC has unveiled said handset in the MWC ‘08 last week. The NEC N705iµ cell phone is one of the thinnest in the world at only 9.8mm in depth. It has a 3-inch QVGA LCD display, 3G capability with HSDPA support, and 2-megapixel camera.

(more…)

Tags: N705iµ, NEC, Other Brands

The NEC N705i

Tags: N705i, NEC, Other Brands

Formerly available only for Sprint, Palm has crossed over to bring you the Palm Centro for AT&T for US$99 after a mail-in rebate. Palm Centro is a device which boasts easy text messaging and email due to its full QWERTY keyboard and touch screen display. With the Centro, you can communicate with friends, family, and co-workers not only with email and text but also instant messaging and voice messaging. With AT&T as your network, you get to enjoy Push to Talk, XM Radio Mobile, and MusicID on the Centro. And of course, you also get access to AT&T’s EDGE network. You can get AT&T’s Palm Centro in AT&T’s retail stores as well as online in the AT&T and Palm web sites.

(more…)

Tags: At&T, Palm, Palm Centro

A Panasonic Viera phone was presented during the Mobile World Congress. It was, however, released last November, 2007, in Japan for NTT DoCoMo. The Panasonic VIERA P905i is known as the “VIERA keitai.” Of course, at the mere mention of the word VIERA, it’s easy to forecast that the handset would have 1-Seg capability, allowing users to watch TV on it. And since Panasonic wants users to enjoy their watching experience thoroughly, the VIERA P905i’s screen could be folded horizontally for a wider screen. The “Mobile PEAKS PROCESSOR” technology has also been employed, so resolution would be a high 2000:1. The Panasonic VIERA P905i features a 3-inch display with 480 x 854 pixel resolution, 5.1 megapixel camera with six-axis image stabilizer, GPS, 3G capability with HSDPA support, and microSD card slot. The model is available in red, white, black, and pink gold.

Another picture after the jump.

(more…)

Tags: NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic, VIERA

Here in Mobilewhack, we’ve never ran out of luxury story phones to tell. This time, it’s the BlackBerry Pearl which is, yet again, pimped. This BlackBerry Pearl Diamond Edition by Amosu is encrusted with 900 diamonds. 900 diamonds! And what’s great is that, these 900 diamonds are recyclable — you can use them for another purpose later if the BlackBerry Pearl starts becoming old. Better yet, all Amosu’s handsets come with concierge service. The Amosu Blackberry Pearl Diamond is available in the Amosu web site for US$88,443. Personally, I’d rather see a BlackBerry Pearl covered in, well, pearl — just for the pun of it (yes, pun intended).

(more…)

Tags: BlackBerry, Pearl, Research In Motion

Seems like the iPod line is undergoing a major overhaul. After the new Apple iPhone and iPod Touch models, Apple announced that the ubiquitous iPod Shuffle is now a more affordable US$49. Other than that, it also introduces a new 2GB iPod Shuffle in the market for a mere US$69. It weighs a mere half an ounce and is merely half a cubic inch in volume. It comes in five different colors — purple, blue, silver, green, and a red special edition — with an aluminum design and a built-in clip.

“At just $49, the iPod shuffle is the most affordable iPod ever,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The new 2GB model lets music lovers bring even more songs everywhere they go in the impossibly small iPod shuffle.”

The original iPod Shuffle is now available at the Apple Store, the 2GB model will follow suit.

(more…)

Tags: Apple, ipod, Shuffle

Aside from the two new Samsung models for Sprint Nextel — the Ace Smartphone and the M250 — Samsung also released a new handset today, this time under Verizon Wireless. The Samsung SCH-u550 is a clamshell multimedia phone with a brown finish. The model measures 3.77″ x 1.93″ x .64″ and weighs 3.35 ounces. It features a 1.3 megapixel camera, VZ Navigator, web access, Bluetooth connectivity, Instant messaging capability, and V CAST Video access. The Samsung SCH-u550 is available now for US$69.99, after a $50 mail-in rebate.

(more…)

Tags: Samsung, Samsung, Verizon

Aside from the Samsung Ace smartphone, Sprint Nextel also introduced the Samsung M250 into their line. The Samsung M250 is the first ever slider Power Vision Phone. The M250 which measures 4.01″ x 2.04″ x 0.5″ and is less than 2.8 ounces in weight, features a 2.1″ TFT display with 176×22 pixels resolution. It has a 1.3 megapixel camera, and supports Sprint Navigation powered by TeleNav, High speed web browsing, SMS voice and text messaging, built-in MP3 player, microSD card slot supporting up to 4GB, and music streaming. It can even be used as a modem for your computer. The Samsung M250 is now available for $49.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate.

(more…)

Tags: Samsung, Samsung, Sprint

After the impressive unveiling of multiple, multiple handsets in MWC, Samsung strikes again. Sprint Nextel announced the inclusion of the new Samsung Ace Smartphone into its line of mobile phones. The Samsung Ace smartphone runs on Windows Mobile 6 and has Sprint TVSM functionality which features more than 50 channels. It can operate on both CDMA and GMS/GPRS depending on the country, as long it’s included in Sprint Nextel’s list of 180 countries with roaming capability. The smartphone which measures 4.65″ x 2.32″ x 0.46″ and weighs under 4 ounces, features a full QWERTY keyboard and a 2.3″ TFT color display. Other specs include a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, microSD card support of up to 2GB, slide click wheel for easy navigation, document viewer, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Samsung Ace Smartphone is now available online and in business sales channels for US$199.99 with a $100 mail-in rebate. It will be available in Sprint Retail stores starting March of this year.

(more…)

Tags: Cell Phones, Samsung, Samsung, Sprint

Neo is OpenMoko’s 100% Linux-based open-source phone. The handset which looks like a child’s toy, will get its second version soon, most probably by March to April of 2008. Future plans for the Taiwan-based company include developing open-source handsets extensively, such that two-thirds of the company’s income would be earned from them, with the remaining third earned from collaborations. Speaking of collaborations, OpenMoko is also cooperating with device vendors to produce hardware devices. The company is reportedly in partnership with Dash for the development of the Dash Express portable navigation device.

(more…)

Tags: Linux, OpenMoko, Other Brands

Motorola is underway in establishing itself as a leading music provider in Southeast Asia with its acquisition of Soundbuzz. Soundbuzz is by and large considered one of the largest Southeast Asian music provider. Terms of the deal had not been disclosed although it’s very clear that the acquisition implies that Motorola could now offer MotoMusic to a larger audience, extending its reach to the people in the Southeast Asian region.

“Music is the heart and soul of the mobile entertainment experience, and with Soundbuzz as a part of our family, Motorola has the biggest heart and the most soul in mobile music in Asia,” said Ian Chapman-Banks, Vice-President of Mobile Devices Marketing for Motorola Asia-Pacific.

“With a library of over 750,000 songs and half a million mobile music derivatives, Motorola now offers the people of the Asia-Pacific region an extensive music collection, all available for download either via the Internet or directly onto your mobile device,” Chapman-Banks noted.

(more…)

Tags: Motorola, Motorola, Soundbuzz

If you are at the Game Developers Conference 2008 in San Francisco, you might have noticed the increasing efforts going on in the mobile gaming space. With a host of games on the N-Gage platform, Nokia is making its presence felt yet again. Some of the new titles include The Dark Knight, SPEED RACER and Super Slam Ping Pong by Glu Mobile; DChoc Café(TM) Solitaire 12-Pack, DChoc Café(TM) Sudoku and DChoc Café(TM) Hold’ Em Poker by Digital Chocolate and Worms World Party by THQ Wireless.

Nokia Games Publishing will also be bringing us Yamake, Disk Dagger and Fallen Idol, a detective adventure game. Anybody know if Digger (yeah, that classic old PC game) is available for mobile phones - specifically the Nokia S60 series? I’ve been looking for it all over.

The GDC 2008 will be on show tomorrow as well, so you can also catch a series of mobile lectures and case studies by Nokia executives. All the action will be at the North Hall of the Moscone Convention Center.

(Via press)

(more…)

Tags: Cell Phones, games, glu mobile, mobile, Mobile News, moscone, n-gage, ngage, Nokia, Nokia, platform, talks

One of the mobile phones presented last week during the Mobile Phone World Convention is the LG KM500 music phone. The LG KM500 has a 2-inch TFT display with 240 x 320 pixels resolution, microSD card slot, GPRS/EDGE connection, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and a 2-megapixel camera. Of course, since it’s a music phone, the LG KM500 has an mp3/AAC++/WMA player. The phone uses IDtag3 to manage its music content. It also has easy PC sync for downloading of files and onscreen music info display.

More pics after the jump.

(more…)

Tags: KM500, LG, LG, Uncategorized