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Are you waiting for the Samsung R470? Well the FCC has it and it seems that this clamshell phone will arrive from US Cellular. The phone is too large for my taste when it's flipped open but it might be just the phone you were waiting for. It will feature multimedia support, stereo speakers, a large external display and a control pad. We don't have the full specs list yet but once the phone gets the FCC's approval we will be able to tell you more.

via phone-scoop

Sharp Incorporation China, entered the New Year 2009 with the release of its latest GSM mobile. The Sharp SH810C GSM Handset offers enormous 8 Mega-Pixel picture strength to shoot 854×480 high resolution images. The 3.0-inch AVS LCD Mobile display delivers unbelievable picture quality. No disclosure about the price has been made however; Sharp SH810C will soon be available for purchase in the Chinese Markets.

Ok guys and gals, since we're waiting for Dell's Adamo to arrive and potentially kick the Air's arse we could use some more competition in this exclusive thin laptop niche. MSI has decided to join the party with its latest laptop which is the ultra-thin, 13.4 inch X-Slim 320. It measures 1.98cm in thickness and it weighs just 2.87 pounds. Will it fit inside an envelope? Probably yes!

The other features you might be interested in are the 4 or 8 cell battery that lasts up to 10 hours, the 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, the 1366 x 768 resolution, the maximum 2GB of DDR2 RAM, the 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi support, the Bluetooth and 3.5G network card, the three USB ports, the Ethernet port, the VGA output and the all-in-one card reader.

Did I just make you ponder about getting one? Well it's going to cost you around $800 when it arrives in the second quarter of 2009. Hopefully CES 2009 will add more details about this thin MSI.

via Engadget Chinese

The Nuvifone from Garmin might just be that fresh phone we've been waiting for at the start of this year. While the phone itself isn't available just yet, Garmin has decided to launch some screenshots just to prove the phone is on the right track. So far Garmin has released shots showing the navigation app, Google Local, the Web browser, the Calendar and E-Mail.

How's the interface you ask? Well take a look for yourself. Not bad for now although it hasn't been actually tested. Will the Nuvifone arrive at CES 2009? We certainly hope so. It would be a wrong move for Garmin to miss such an event.

Some rumors pointed out that Garmin might use Google's Android OS for its phone but the company firmly denied all that. The OS used is a modified Linux version. The company has however entered the Open Handset Alliance and it's going to be working on a future Android phone, other that the Nuvifone.
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via Garmin

We knew this one was happening folks! The BlackBerry 8900 Curve is ready to appear from T-Mobile. If you don't like the Bold or the Thunder then the 8900 should definitely interest you. And today we are more than pleased to announce you that the 8900 is definitely happening in February as expected, but a week earlier that people said it would. The launch date has been moved to February 11 from February 18. That means you only have to wait about a month to get it. Now we only need a price for it!

We saw the Sony Ericsson C905 leak out a few months ago. The phone was ultimately released and is one of the way better Cyber-shot camera phones out there. Boasting an 8.1 megapixel camera, the C905 is equipped with a 2.4 inch screen that can be used in both portrait and landscape modes thanks to the built in accelerometer. Measuring 104mm x 49mm x 18mm, the phone weighs in at an arguably hefty 136 grams (4.8 oz), and is compatible with GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz and UMTS 2100/HSDPA networks.

Packaging

Our review unit, provided by the folks over at PureMobile, came with the following items in the package:

• Sony Ericsson C905 Cyber-shot cell phone
• Charger
• Stereo headphones
• USB data cable
• PC Suite and Media Manager software CD
• USB adapter for the memory stick

The Camera

Interestingly, the photos for this review were taken from another 8 megapixel camera (a Canon PowerShot SD1100 one). While images from the Canon are marginally better than the ones from the C905, the image quality on the C905 is an order of magnitude better than just about all the other camera phones out in the market. The face detection feature lets you easily focus on the subject, while photo fix lets you adjust contrast and light balance after you've shot the picture.

Now, I am a large believer that digital photos above 5 megapixels in resolution are just a waste of space, so I lowered the resolution of images on the C905 to 5MP (it's easy to set the resolution from the phone menu when you are operating in camera mode). Even with this modification, the photos were really pretty good. Check out the sample photos to see what I mean.

Sometimes, the camera shutter is off by a second when you shoot the photo - leading to blurry images, which you can avoid by turning on the image stabilizer. For low light conditions, there's a xenon flash. While I did not try it, the camera also supports video blogging, letting you upload videos online in seconds (based on your cell phone network - better if you're on WiFi). You can also geo-tag your photos.

The Phone

When the slider is closed, you can do a few things, including look up the recent call list (called, received and missed calls), from where you can call any of those numbers. You do this the usual way - by pressing the Call Answer key.

The Sony Ericsson C905 also comes with a shortcut button that lets you see new phone events (text messages, call alerts), switch between multiple running applications (yes - there is multitasking support), a list of quick shortcuts for the most commonly used applications, WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity and so on, and finally for web access. I realized that I spent quite a bit of my time with the shortcut key - and it is useful without having to slide out the keypad each time.

That said, when you want to send text messages or access other installed tools and applications, you will have to slide out the keypad.

Applications

One of the more important applications on any phone these days is the web browser. The Sony Ericsson C905 comes with the Access NetFront browser (one of my former favorites). On the earlier Nokia Series 60 phones, this was just about the best browser out there - until Opera came out and became the leading browser on phones. Opera is, as usual, available as a free download for the C905 - and I recommend downloading this if you are serious about browsing a lot on your phone.

The other applications are nothing to write home about: you have your default calendar, clock, notepad and task applications as well as a handy integrated FM radio receiver.

Messaging

For regular text messaging, there's the default SMS application. Now, one of the features I liked on this is that it remembers the last few numbers/contacts that you sent the message to, so if you want to send the message to them again it is very convenient. The C905 supports POP and IMAP email accounts as well, but for some reason I could never get it to work with my Gmail account.

Synchronization

Sony Ericsson provides its PC Suite software for syncing data between your phone and computer. The software is easy to use, but I wouldn't call it dead easy - that's something that can be improved. The Media Manager, on the other hand, is much easier - drag and drop stuff that the average 6 year old can handle.

Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson C905 is a worthwhile investment. It sucks that the phone is not available subsidized here in the US, but you can buy it unlocked (see below for details). The phone has a wonderful scratch-resistant screen, impressive 8 megapixel camera and comes equipped with a 2GB memory stick.

Whack Rating: 8.0/10

Buy the Sony Ericsson C905 Cyber-shot phone (unlocked) from PureMobile.

A variety of IM programs are free with the purchase of the Storm 9530, including AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, and Gtalk. A pair of wired headphones comes standard with the Blackberry Storm 9530, but Blue Tooth also works quite well. Retail pricing for the Blackberry Storm 9530 starts at around $599 by itself, but the phone can be purchased at a lower price if a commitment is made to a specific Verizon plan.

Sprint hasn't had any new Berries in quite a while. The carrier missed out on the Storm and the Bold although it did launch its iDEN Curve a while ago. But if you happen to be a Sprint customer with a hidden passion for RIM's BlackBerries then you are in luck. The company will launch the BlackBerry Niagara in Q1 2009. Or so the people say.

The Niagara is a CDMA version of the Bold and it features a full-QWERTY keyboard, 480x360 display, EV-DO Rev. A and aGPS support, WiFi and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Since it's just a rumor for now we don't have any details regarding actual arrival dates and pricing.

via BGR

It's not Wal-Mart who's going to bring you a $99 8GB iPhone but it's AT&T. And it's not a 4GB version but an 8GB version that AT&T is going to sell for $99. How's that possible you ask? Those 8GB iPhone 3G are refurbished ones. They will come with a 2-year contract and the $100 discount I've just told you about.

And in case your mind keeps wondering about refurbished 16GB iPhones then you'll be happy to know AT&T will offer you the same $100 discount for them. A $16GB iPhone 3G with a 2-year contract will sell for $199. Just make sure you check the iPhone you're going to choose! You wouldn't want it damaged in any way!

via AT&T

We weren't expecting this to happen, especially after Christmas but it looks like Microsoft, Apple and Google will be sued by a little company from Michigan called Cygnus Systems. Why? Cygnus Systems holds on to patent US 7,346,850 called "System and method for iconic software environment management." The abstract of the patent describes "a method and system for storing, navigating, and accessing files within an operating system through the use of a graphical thumbnail representing the video display of the active document within the active application."

This patent which happens to describes features which are similar to Windows Explorer or Apple Finder was awarded to Cygnus in March 2008 despite being filed in 2001.

In other words, Cygnus' patent describes features similar to those of Windows Explorer and Apple's Finder. Will Microsoft, Google and Apple pay the price for their icons system? Probably they will. I don't want to imagine the alternative.

via ArsTechnica

Now here is a laptop that packs quite a punch but doesn't exactly break the bank. Acer has recently announced it's new Aspire 8930G.

Under the hood is a Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 2GHz processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a GeForce 9700M GT complete with 512MB of video RAM, a 500GB hard drive and Vista Home Premium.

Also included is a Blu-ray/DVD Super Multi combo burner, WiFi connectivity, an 18.4 inch 1920x1080 LCD display with webcam, 6-in-1 media card reader and Dolby Home Theater sound.

All of this packed into the neat little package above for $1,799.99. Not bad

Read (BusinessWire)

If you still believe in Philips phones than you should take a look at the new Philips Xenium 9@9q Dragon and Phoenix which are here for the holidays. The phones look good but that's pretty much all you can expect from them. The two clamshell phones will offer you about 1 month of standy time and up to 8 hours of talk time. Both also have a cool external display which will show you unread messages, missed calls and battery power. The phones cost 4999 Russian rubles or $172. A little too expensive for what it has to offer.

via Mobile-Review

Nokia 6208c is inspired from the 6708, the first touchscreen phone with a built-in keypad. And now the handset has been displayed on the Chinese site of Nokia. It will sport Nokia's S40 OS and it will have both the full alphanumeric keypad and a 2.4 inch touschreen display. We don't know if it's a capacitive or resistive screen but the stylus present will suggest it's a resistive one.

Other specs include tri-band EGSM 900/1800/1900, Bluetooth 2.0, support for tethering, a 3.2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom and dual-LED flash and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The phone will be available in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, India, the Middle East and North Africa but the price hasn't been revealed yet.

The Samsung i8510 Innov8 might be closer to us than we think. The phone has just passed through the FCC and North American customers might see it arrive from AT&T and/or Rogers soon. The American model will come with dual 850/1900 3G support which means you will have great data support in case you want to mail lots of photos taken with that 8 megapixel camera. As always, we don't have expected arrival dates or pricing just yet.

via fcc

It feels like only yesterday I was telling you about the last Nokia 8800. Oh, wait a minute, I did do that! Nokia 8800 Gold Arte was the last 8800 we knew about at the time. Today however we found out there's a Goldstriker 8800 from Nokia. The Princess Edition will be released in January and it will cost £12,000. I guess those 8.2 carat diamonds, the platinum and the leather finish are pretty expensive. Make sure you head to Paris at the Colette store to get a Princess Edition when it will be available next year.