Nokia 7310 known as "Supernova", available in China and Taiwan

The mirror-finished Nokia 7310 will apparently be branded as the "Supernova." The high-end sounding branding might lead you to believe that the Nokia 7310 is packed with more features than it really is, but keep in mind that a this good-looking mid-ranger is still just a tri-band (900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM handset with EDGE serving up data at 2.5G speeds.

The Nokia 7310 Supernova sports a 2 megapixel camera, a mirrored display and keypad, FM radio, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD card slot, and 20MB of internal storage - all powered by S40. So, if you're in China or Taiwan, you can get your hands on this 11.95mm thick monoblock (candybar) Nokia 7130 Supernova, in your choice of Pink or Blue, post haste. Price point should hit around $230.

source:http://www.intomobile.com

Samsung U800 "Soul b" Preview (Soulb / SGH-U800)

The Samsung U800 "Soul b", or as Samsung insist on spelling it, the Soulb is the third phone to bear the "Soul" brand after the original U900 and G400 clamshell. But unlike the previous "Soul" phones, the U800 Soul b is a much more conventional mainstream handset.

Two significant things missing in the Soul b are the 5 megapixel camera of the Soul U900 and G400, and the Soul U900's interesting touchpad. Unfortunately, they are two of the best features of the original Soul.. so what we are left with on the Soul b is a stylish brushed metal case and the Soul's attractive user interface.

On the back of the U800 Soul b is a 3 megapixel camera with a flash, but we don't know if it has autofocus. On the front is a fairly standard 2" 240 x 320 pixel display. Internal memory is an impressive 1GB, and this can be expanded using a microSD card. This is an HSDPA phone with maximum download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps, and the U800 Soul also has a document viewer, an FM radio and of course a multimedia player and Bluetooth.

At just 89 grams in weight and only 9.9mm in thickness, you can forgive the Soul b for missing out some of the features of the other two Soul handsets. But we can't help but feel underwhelmed by the whole thing. Yes, it looks nice, yes the user interface is likely to be pretty good. But there isn't an awful lot to differentiate the Soul b from other offerings, notably the Nokia 6500 Classic.

It's not cheap either - the suggested retail price is €350 (around £280) SIM Free. Considering that you can get the 6500 for around €250 (£200) then we think that Samsung are asking too much for the SGH-U800. Most contract customers will get it for free though, so perhaps the pricing is not so important.

Samsung say that the U800 Soulb will be available from June 2008 onwards in Germany and certain other regions, possibly as a Vodafone exclusive. Black and silver variants have been announced, with the possibility of other colours at a later date.

source:http://www.mobilegazette.com

Samsung L870 (SGH-L870)

The Samsung L870 is a 3.5G device with a 3 megapixel camera and a 2.4" 240 x 320 pixel display. The SGH-L870 runs Symbian 9.3 with the S60 3.2 interface, similar to most contemporary S60 smartphones. In addition to the usual S60 multimedia features, the L870 comes with an FM radio. There's also a variety of push email support, an office document viewer, personal information management applications and we understand that the SGH-L870 comes with a mobile version of the Apple Safari web browser. Samsung say that the L870 offers "DVD quality" video capture, but does not go into technical details.

So.. it's a good looking HSDPA slider phone, but you might expect that the L870 was going to get some tough competition from Nokia. But, oddly enough, the only HSDPA slider phone from Nokia is the N95 and N95 8GB. The Samsung L870 pitches somewhere below the N95 on price, so surprisingly it seems to have found a market niche.

As we just mentioned, the L870 doesn't pitch against the N95. There's no GPS, no WiFi and the main camera resolution is less. But it does compare well against the Nokia E65 (which lacks HSDPA but has WiFi) and the upcoming Nokia E66 slider.

There are still some features that we don't know about - for example, we cannot say if the L870 has autofocus and a flash for the main camera. We don't know how much the L870 weighs, or what the battery life is. But what we can tell is that the L870 promises to be a pretty good S60 handset, and it is one of the few devices worth looking at if you want S60 on a platform other than a Nokia.

The Samsung L870 should be available in certain regions from August 2008 onwards.

source: http://www.mobilegazette.com

Palm Treo 850 specifications

Fans of Palm's Treo lineup of smartphones are no doubt waiting on the edge of their seats for Palm to go live with the next-generation Treo lineup. And, from the looks of the leaked and in the wild pictures, we've seen of the fresh, new wares, it's not hard to see why. The slimmer, sleeker, and more consumer-friendly Treo 850 should help bring Palm out of the slump that not even the Palm Centro has been able to stave off. At just 113 x 60 x 14mm, the Palm Treo 850 is definitely a welcome departure from the bulky Treos of days past.

If these new Palm Treo 850 specs pan out, Palm could very well have a winner on its hands. We're hearing the new smartphone will launch with Windows Mobile 6.1 running the show. Add to that the rumors that the Palm Treo 850 will feature a 2 megapixel camera, 3G/HSDPA topping out at 3.6Mbps, WiFi, AGPS, Bluetooth 2.0 A2DP, 256MB ROM/ 64MB RAM, and a 320 x 320 display and the handset starts to sound like a serious contender in a crowded smartphone market.

Still, will the Palm Treo 850 be the boost that Palm needs to keep it from an unfortunate demise? We sure hope so…

source:http://www.intomobile.com

Sagem my721X "So Ice"

Sagem have been making some pretty decent low cost handsets lately, and hope to move a little upmarket with the ultra-slim 3.2 megapixel Sagem my721X which will be sold in some markets as the "So Ice".

With the "So Ice", Sagem have attempted to create a fashion phone with a good quality camera, keeping the price under control. But a close examination of just what Sagem is offering indicates that the my721X may not be as attractive as it first seems.

Bear in mind that the my721X is currently available in France for around €200, which pitches it directly against a number of midrange phones. One of these competing handsets is the Sony Ericsson K770i, and it is clear that the Sagem loses out badly when it comes to technical capabilities compared to this key rival, but we'll look at this in more depth in a moment.

The Sagem my721X "So Ice" is an attractive handset weighing just 90 grams, it is only 9.8mm thick and yet it includes a multimedia player, FM radio, microSD expandable memory, Bluetooth, a 2" display and a 3.2 megapixel camera.

But compared with the similarly price K770i, the my721X looks a little modest. Most rival handsets to the Sagem have a 240 x 320 pixel display, much sharper than the my721's 176 x 220 pixel panel. The K770i's camera has autofocus and a flash, the my721X does not. The Sony Ericsson is a 3G phone, the Sagem is not. And although the Sony Ericsson is quite a bit thicker at 14.5mm, it weighs only a fraction more at 95 grams.

If you love the looks of the Sagem my721X, then you probably won't care too much about technical features, but our opinion is that the "So Ice" does not offer very good value for money when compared with some of the competition. If the price drops below the €150 level then we think that would be more appropriate for this type of device.

The my721X is available in France and certain other countries right now, and should be coming to the UK during the summer.

source:http://www.mobilegazette.com

HTC gets official with Windows Mobile Professional 6.1 update for HTC TyTn II (Kaiser)

Not to be outdone by ROM leaks and unofficial copies of its Windows Mobile 6.1 update for HTC TyTn II handsets, HTC has gone official with their HTC TyTn II ROM-boosting update. HTC has delivered the ROM update to keep their flagship touchscreen handset at the top of its game, and at the same time appeased the masses complaining of crippled video performance.

Threaded SMS, "Getting Stated" wizard, improved video performance (finally), more efficient power draw (read: better battery life), and overall faster performance are all pieces of the Windows Mobile Professional 6.1 package. And, seeing as how the update is free, there's no reason why anyone shouldn't hop on board the WM6.1-train.

HTC has made their Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM for the HTC TyTn II (Kaiser) available through their e-Club webpage. Unfortunately for AT&T Tilt customers, they'll have to wait for Big Blue to get with the times and release an update for the AT&T-branded version of the HTC Kaiser.

source:http://www.intomobile.com

Samsung F480 TouchWiz (SGH-F480)

We first caught sight of the Samsung F480 back in February when it was announced at the GSMA event along with dozens of other handsets, and we have to confess that we had rather forgotten about it. It is timely then that Samsung have given us a prod to remind us of the F480 which should start to be available from June in certain markets.

Now branded with the somewhat strange but memorable "TouchWiz" name, Samsung have been given a glimpse of the F480's new interface, also dubbed "TouchWiz". There are no prizes for guessing that the TouchWiz interface is designed to compete head-on with the iPhone, but the overall specification is much closer to LG's Viewty than Apple's offering.

We've covered the F480's specifications before, but as a reminder: this is a 3.5G phone with a 2.8" 320 x 240 pixel touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash plus a secondary video calling camera. The F480 has microSD expandable memory (up to 8GB), an FM radio, a comprehensive multimedia player and USB 2.0 and Bluetooth 2.0. However, the downside is that the F480 doesn't have WiFi or GPS support. Despite the large screen and 3.5G capabilities, the TouchWiz is a surprisingly compact device at 98 x 55 x 11.5mm and 91 grams in weight.

Samsung indicate that the F480 TouchWiz should be available from June 2008 onwards at a price of around €500 (£400) before carrier subsidy. There are some unconfirmed reports that the F480 may have different branding in the UK.

source:http://www.mobilegazette.com

Apple looking to launch 3G iPhone in Korea and Japan

The latest iPhone rumors to hit the grapevine seems to indicate that Apple could finally break in to the attractive Korean and Japanese wireless markets. Previous reports indicated that Japan would not be getting the iPhone anytime soon, seeing as how the nation's 3G network did not mesh well with the current iPhone. But, Apple is reportedly looking to bring their next-generation iPhone to both Korea and Japan in a joint-launch on Korea Free Telecom (KTF) and NTT DoCoMo (or is it NTT docomo now?) The 3G iPhone would work just fine on the 3G networks in both countries, which makes a good case for the Apple handset to crack the Asian market.

Given the Asian countries' advanced 3G networks and more feature-rich handsets, it remains to be seen how well the iPhone will fare the Pacific Rim. Of course, the apple of Apple's eye is still China. With more wireless subscribers than there are people in the whole of the US, China's mobile market is a potentially lucrative market that can't be ignored.

We'll see if Korea and Japan welcome the iPhone with as much enthusiasm as the US did on its initial launch. Chances are, it won't.

source:http://www.intomobile.com

AT&T back-peddles on iPhone sales limit - allows three iPhones per person

Just a day after AT&T instituted a one iPhone per person limit to presumably ration remaining iPhone stock, the top US wireless carrier back-peddled and is now allowing customers to buy up to three iPhones at a time.

"Our No. 1 concern is to make sure that every customer who wants an iPhone gets one," an AT&T spokesman said. "We thought yesterday that the fairest way to do that was to limit customers to one iPhone. Then we realized that we have sufficient inventory to go back to our original policy."

AT&T customers can now expect to buy up to three iPhones with a credit or debit card. Cash and checks are not accepted in order to enforce the iPhone sales-limit.

source:http://www.intomobile.com

Velocity 111

Don't worry if you have never heard of Velocity Mobile, because this UK based company is very new and hasn't actually brought anything to market just yet. But hopefully over the next few months we should see the launch of the Velocity 103 and Velocity 111 smartphones.

The Velocity 111 is closely related to the 103 in terms of specification, but the QWERTY keyboard and smaller display pitches it directly against handsets such as the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9000.

Featuring the same 3.5G and WiFi connectivity as the 103, the Velocity 111 matches the BlackBerry Bold quite closely. One significant difference is the screen - the BlackBerry has a higher resolution display than the Velocity 111, but then the 111 is a touchscreen panel where the BlackBerry is not.

Another important difference is the operating system, and for most people this will be the key decider. If you're looking for a high spec BlackBerryesque smartphone but you want to run Windows (in this case, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional), then there aren't many handsets we can think of that look more promising than the Velocity 111.

The 2.46" 320 x 240 pixel display certainly isn't has impressive as the screen on the 103, but it will be good enough for most people and it is certainly competitive with everything else in this market segment.

As with the 103, the Velocity 111 supports 3.5G HSDPA downloads and HSUPA uploads, has quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS and WiFi. Advanced GPS (A-GPS) is built in, so you can add your favourite satellite navigation software. The 111 supports Bluetooth 2.1, USB 2.0 and it comes with a 2.5mm audio socket. There is also a 2 megapixel fixed focus camera plus a secondary video calling camera.

It's quite a large device at 116 x 62 x 15mm and 140 grams in weight. The large 1450 mAh battery can power the 111 for up to 4 hours of talktime and 8 days standby time, which is a little less than the BlackBerry 9000.

The Velocity 111 is slated for release sometime during Q3 2008, although no pricing information is available at present.


source:http://www.mobilegazette.com

Wall Street Journal confirms the all-touchscreen BlackBerry Thunder for Q3 2008

We've already posted RIM is preparing to launch the all-touchscreen equipped Black Berry Thunder later in the year. However, we now have the wall street journal writing about it, giving more credibility to the story.
Yap folks, the device that should appeal to both business and individual users is in the making process.

Apparently — and as we reported earlier — Verizon will get the exclusive launch rights for the U.S., while the rest of the world will at least initially be able to grab the gorgeous device through one of many Vodafone's subsidiaries. Release date is set for Q3 2008, so we guess it will probably be somewhere around September. Roughly at that time, Sony Ericsson will release XPERIA, 3G iPhone may also be announced, and suddenly buying a mobile phone goes from complex to ultra-complex decision…

source:http://www.intomobile.com

Cheap Mobile Deals: Efficient and Pocket Friendly Deals

The use of mobile phone has become a child’s play in modern times. Various cheap mobile deals have made this thing possible. People are getting the latest handsets with many cheap deals, which are offered by many online mobile shops, as well as network providers. The users can avail attractive and advanced mobile phones with many cheap contract plans. There are several online mobile phone shops, which offer high-end featured mobile phones with cheap mobile deals. You can get the handsets as well as, save a lot of money too with many free offers of them. Isn’t it an amazing idea?

The users can gain a lot of advantages with cheap mobile deals like 12 months free line rental, cash back offers, clearance phones, Bluetooth handsets, free Sony PS3, free ipods, 18 months free line rental and more. Furthermore, there are also other interesting cheap mobile deals along with cost effective tariff plans for users.

With these cheap mobile deals, the users in the UK can purchase the advanced handsets at affordable rates. The well known network providers like O2, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and more provide plethora of such deals to the users and they can pick any one plan in accordance to their needs and tastes. You can also find the handsets of the leading mobile manufactures, such as Nokia, samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and many more.

Cheap mobile phone deals are of different types like reduced line rentals, 12 months free line rentals, contract mobile phone deals, pay as you go deals and a lot of for the users. You need only to select the deal that suits your lifestyle and budget. You can also get cheap mobile phones by purchasing a mobile phone plan, which provides you free or low cost handsets. Hence, it can be said that cheap mobile deals are the best option if you want to enjoy all the features of a latest handset at an affordable rates. The mobile users can get mobile phone with many free offers like free accessories, free talk time, discounts and more.

source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Taiwanese want GPS as #1 feature in phones

A survey by Canalsys has found very high awareness of satellite navigation ("Sat Nav") amongst consumers, with more than 80% being aware of what it does. 60% of those surveyed said they used the web to search for directions and then print them.


So when asked which services they were interested in having on a mobile device, maps and navigation, unsurprisingly perhaps, came out top. This was apparently much more popular than either TV or music on a mobile. Canalsys say this reflects a common trend in results from other countries where GPS/Sat Nav always scores highly.

As a utility service, I think GPS/Sat Nav is great - however, I believe, as do many others in the industy, that the real power of it is harnessed when it is twinned with other mobile-unique services to create service-mashups such as geotagging photos (and other media).

source: http://www.intomobile.com

Nokia 5220 music mobile announced

Nokia have announced an upcoming handset release the Nokia 5220. This phone is one of the new breed of music mobile phones with its design focused squarely on mobile music playback.

Part of the Nokia Xpress range, the Nokia 5220 includes a number of music features such as dedicated music keys, a 3.5mm audio output jack, pulsing light effects that light up in rhythm with your tunes, plus a stereo FM radio, Bluetooth 2.0 for audio streaming and an excellent 24 hour mp3 playback time on one battery charge. The handset itself has an onboard memory capacity of 30MB but this can be increased with the addition of a micro SD memory card, currently available with a capacity of up to 8GB.

Away from music, the Nokia 5220 is a full featured S40 mobile phone. You will find included a 2.0 megapixel camera, with video record capability, whilst the screen is a QVGA screen measuring in at 2 inches, supporting up to 262,000 colours.

Included pre-installed on the phone is the best non smartphone web browser available, Opera Mini, with Yahoo Go and Yahoo Ready also built-in straight out of the box.

The 5220 is a small handset, measuring in at 108mm x 43.5mm x 10.5mm and weighing in at a very lightweight 78g.

The Nokia 5220 is expected to be released during Q3 2008. Keep an eye on the Mobiles Coming Soon page for further details on this exciting phone.

source: http://blog.mobiles.co.uk

Alcatel OT-S211 with FM Radio Announced

Alcatel's new OT-S211 brings the noise with its built-in FM radio and handsfree speakerphone. The 1.5" color display on this entry-level candybar handset is small, but functional, and a rubber keypad helps you maintain your grip on your new portable radio phone.

The OT-S211 offers storage for up to 250 names and numbers in its built-in phone book, and supports T9 predictive text for easy messaging. In addition to calculator and alarm clock, which adds a bit of functionality to this simple handset, Alcatel has also included a game. Pricing and availability are not currently available.

Alcatel OT-S211 cheap phones

news source : http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=4551

Sony Ericsson Z555 Review

The most successful entry-level phones tend to be the ones that don't look cheap. While the spec sheet may be basic, an entry-level handset that boasts slick looks or a well-crafted chassis will be forgiven for the basic 1.3-megapixel camera or lack of 3G. The Sony Ericsson Z555i is aimed at such a market, but will it prove to be an entry-level hit or a low-budget miss?

Sony Ericsson Z555 - Prism-style :

Clamshell handsets are tricky phones to master. By their very nature they are big - open it up and it doubles in length, and closing it will often double the thickness. Yet with this in mind, we were still a tad disappointed with the bulk of the Sony Ericsson Z555i.


Sony Ericsson Z555 - Making the most of space :

Open the clamshell up to reveal a large flat keypad that has been decorated with a golden trim. It works really well against the black keys that are big enough to allow easy digit navigation. While the size of the adjoining screen is 1.9-inches, some careful positioning by Sony Ericsson could surely have led to a slightly larger screen.
Sony Ericsson Z555 - Entry-level camera :

The camera is 1.3-megapixels, although shooting in the one-megapixel mode will prevent you from zooming in on a shot. Flip to VGA and you can zoom 2x and QVGA 4x, but the quality of the picture suffers each time you move down the displays.

Sony Ericsson Z555 - Music capabilities :

There is only 12MB of shared memory, although the MemoryStick Micro slot (M2) found under the back cover will enhance your music collection. It's fair to say that the Z555i won't see you binning your iPods and MP3 players.

news source : http://www.mobilechoiceuk.com/Phone-review?product_id=353#full