If you thought that Windows Mobile 6 would fade into oblivion because Windows Phone 7 is coming soon, think again. Not only will the OS stick around for a while longer, but it’s getting a name change, too: Windows Phone Classic. Of course, we all knew this was going to happen, so no surprises here, right?
Smart move by Microsoft here in letting go of the name that brings antiquity and cumbersome to mind. However, Windows Mobile 6.5Windows Phone Classic will take a back seat to Windows Phone 7, which we’ll refer to henceforth as WinPho 7, and will only be available to the developing world and big businesses. The move also helps to keep Windows Mobile applications around since they are incompatible with WinPho 7.
So, we bid adieu to Windows Mobile. It was somewhat nice while the OS was in the mainstream, but we’re moving on to bigger and better things.
When I first saw shots of the new Puma phone, I was a little skeptical. It looked decent enough, but the whole solar charging thing made it seem a little gimmicky. After seeing the following video from Mobile World Congress, however, it’s beginning to look more like a smartphone I’d actually use.
The Puma phone’s screen isn’t the biggest at just 2.8 inches with a 240 x 320 resolution, but the video shows that it’s quite vivid and pretty responsive. It comes with all the bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from a modern smartphone: 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, GPS, compass and it even has a pedometer. With all the slick UI tricks and the clean looking interface, maybe the nicest thing about this phone is the solar charger in back. Sure, I admitted it’s a bit of a gimmick, but it beats having a dead phone by the time my lunch starts to make me sleepy.
With most cool new phones, the Puma phone will be hitting European carriers first in early April. Puma says the phone will be subsidized by carriers, but right now the price is somewhere around €400 and no word on when it comes to the U.S.
There’s nothing like finding and getting rid of junk on eBay, especially if you’re a gadget hound looking to offload last month’s toys for the latest and greatest. While it’s entirely possible to manage your eBay account on your phone’s browser, a dedicated application would make life so much easier.
The new eBay app for Android could make shopping, paying and selling through the online auction site a breeze. With eBay for Android, you can check the status of your auctions, navigate with voice commands, check status updates and view or leave feedback while on the go. It also gives bid notifications so you can keep track of items when the clock starts ticking and an auction is about to end. Of course, all of these options are something you would come to expect from the official version of the application.
Already huge in mobile commerce, eBay has been huge in 2009 with $600 million in gross merchandise volume, a 200% increase over 2008. This number is sure to grow larger in 2010 with the new mobile application along with over 60,000 Android units moving per day.
If you’re a power eBay user or just an occasional bidder/seller and you’re looking to pick up an Android handset (if you don’t already have one), you might want to take a look at the official eBay app, which is available now. If eBay gets this app just right, it could be a decent option over having to dig through your browser every time you want to get into your eBay account.
When the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 was announced in November, my major concern was whether it was coming to the U.S., when it was coming and if it would be subsidized by a carrier. The good news is that it looks like the X10 will be hitting AT&T’s shores this Spring.
The Boy Genius, whom I trust, has it on very good authority that the device will definitely be carried by AT&T, and that it will arrive some time in April or May. As far as pricing, it looks like $199 or less is what BGR is hearing and that sounds reasonable if Sony Ericsson wants a fighting chance against devices like the iPhone.
Last week, T-Mobile teased us all with a little jab on Twitter about the HTC HD2 that it will be shipping soon. It was exciting and, to be frank, it made me a little antsy. As promised, T-Mobile announced new features for the HD2 at Mobile World Congress today and I’ve gotta say, it isn’t all that thrilling.
If you’ve ever held the HD2 in your hands as I have (jealous much?), you’ll notice that the screen is unusually huge and vivid. The 4.3-inch WVGA display is perfect for games and movies. Coupled with Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor, this phone has a lot of multimedia potential. So that’s exactly what T-Mobile is doing — pumping up the media and fun.
The HD2 will come with Blockbuster On Demand so you can download videos wherever you are, and you’ll also be able to view that content on your TV, Blu-ray player and PC with Blockbuster software. To get the ball rolling, the HD2 will come pre-loaded with “Transformers” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” right on the 16GB memory card.
Goodies thrown into the package are MobiTV, free Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi for up to six months, and Barnes & Noble’s e-Reader app. Did I say this device wasn’t that thrilling? I take that back. The only reason not to get one of these bad boys is if you have a serious aversion to Windows Mobile, especially with Windows Phone 7 coming later this year. Otherwise, if you find yourself drooling over this phone’s features, you’ll be waiting in anticipation until an official release date is announced.
If you own a HTC Hero or Samsung Moment, don’t get too jealous at DROID and Nexus One owners just yet. Sure, it might take a while, but Sprint is working things out so that its Android handsets receive the latest version of Android, 2.1.
I’m sure this will be an OTA update like most Android upgrades, so relax until the early second quarter and it will likely start hitting phones with download instructions.
No surprises here today as Verizon and Skype partner up and announce Skype Mobile at Mobile World Congress. This news is so exciting that I’m tempted to dump my current carrier and sign up with Big Red today. But are there any catches or caveats?
Verizon says that users will be able to make unlimited Skype-to-Skype phone calls around the world, send and receive instant messages and allow users to see when other contacts are online. The best part is that the app works over Verizon’s network and usage doesn’t count against your plan’s minutes. While that’s great news and all, if you just so happen to be in an area where there is no Verizon coverage, the app will not work over Wi-Fi.
The app isn’t available right this instant, so you can put down the car keys and untie your shoes, but it will be out in late March. Wondering which phones are supported? Here they are below.
With the huge announcement of Windows Phone 7 out of the way, we’re anticipating what was rumored about another Microsoft phone last week: news about a project Pink revival. Before Microsoft can say anything officially, however, the folks over at WMExperts have unearthed some gritty details about the coming phones.
The Turtle, pictured above, is a GSM handset but its CDMA counterpart is named Pride. Both versions feature a 320 x 240 resolution screen and, obviously, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Judging by the phone and screen size as well as its resolution, this may be an enry-level phone, but it’s said that it will incorporate some serious social networking features and media.
Microsoft’s Pure may be somewhat of a successor to the Sidekick, whose reputation is now slightly tarnished due to what could be remembered as the Danger Server Fiasco of 2009. Its CDMA counterpart is called Lion and both devices have a 480 x 320 screen along with what looks to be a comfortable QWERTY keyboard.
All of these handsets are allegedly strongly tied to NVIDIA’s Tegra system and are constantly referred to as “Premium Mobile Experiences” throughout the documents that revealed these morsels of information. Hopefully we’ll get a lot more from Microsoft regarding these new handsets as Mobile World Congress pushes along.
Hurrah for updates! Nothing can give your aging phone a fresh feeling like an update can, and CLIQ users can get excited about that this week. Is this the big update that we mentioned last week? Perhaps not.
From its official Twitter account, Motorola says this coming update will fix battery life, touch screen and GPS issues. The rumored Android 2.1 update isn’t slated until March, and we’re thinking that will do a whole lot more than tweak your battery life or touch screen. So, keep your eyes peeled for the update and try not to get too antsy until then.
When one thinks of mobile apps, it’s tough to think of anything other than the ones for the iPhone. There’s an app for that rings through our heads as TV commercials and websites reveal to us that the iPhone is the platform of choice when businesses want to develop mobile apps. Apple now has a little over 175,000 apps in its store and over 3 billion have been downloaded to date. Attempts to topple Apple have probably left the company thinking, “You and what army?”
An army of 24 mobile companies, that’s who. AT&T, Verizon, Spring, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and so many more big names are banning together to form Voltron Wholesale Applications Community or WAC. While it’s not the most exciting name, the WAC is looking to bring more excitement to the mobile application space, but how well can it compete with Apple? It’s not like this hasn’t been tried before, and most of those efforts have failed, although to be fair, none were quite this large in scope.
Right now, Apple’s ecosystem works and it works well. Even though app store approval process has been a headache to most developers, it hasn’t stopped Apple’s success. Is that the recipe for an app store that works? Could the WAC be spoiling the broth with too many cooks?
Looking at the image above, I know what you’re thinking, but look on the bright side: you’ll be much safer crossing the streets at night with that thing plastered to your ear. Huawei has just announced a number of colorful handsets that don’t look like your average Android handsets.
The U8300, pictured above, is geared toward the younger crowd and has a full QWERTY keyboard. It might be insanely yellow, but fret not — it comes in obnoxiously bright green and purple, too.
That pink/fuchsia handset is the Huawei U8100 and is considered to be an entry-level phone. What makes it entry-level over other candy-bar Android handsets, I don’t know. Perhaps it’s the small 2.8-inch QVGA touch screen, but this thing has a 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera and a 3.2 megapixel shooter in back. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, there’s nothing that screams rookie with this phone.
There is also the Huawei U8110 which is a little more sleek and less gaudy than the U8100, but it features the same exact specs. Between the two, I’d go for the U8110, but that’s just me.
Here, I’ve saved the best for last — the U8800. It features Android 2.1 and is HSPA+ capable. Huawei isn’t skimping on this phone and also included a large 3.8-inch touch screen. Huawei CEO, Kevin Tao, says, “The customized Android smartphones reflect our long-term investment to develop high-end devices which enable operators to deliver enhanced and differentiated mobile services. Android being open to third party programs means that operators can add a number of various applications to the phone. The U8800 enables operators to provide tailor-made, stylish and affordable smartphones to their subscribers.”
The rate at which Android handsets is growing is exponential. If Acer, Huawei and others churning out handsets with Android is an indicator of where the operating system is heading, it will be everywhere and its app selection will be formidable before year’s end.
We’re so caught up with fancy gizmos and gadgets that it’s easy to forget about our elders; technology has a place in their lives, too. While Sagem is busy catering to the youth with its Puma phone, it also kept grandma and grandpa in mind with the Cosyphone.
There are plenty of dumbphones out there with giant buttons for the folks who spoiled us more than our own parents did, but the Cosyphone takes things a bit further. With the NFC, or near-field communications, technology, menu items can be accessed without scrolling and navigating so much. From the looks of things, it looks like this is done by buttons located around the phone that work as shortcuts to the most used functions of the phone. Thierry Buffenoir, CEO of Sagem Wireless says:
Everything about the Cosyphone is centered around comfort and simplicity, from the shape, weight and display of the device to the user interface and charger cradle. We have integrated the latest NFC technology to enable users to customize how they access the features they require from a mobile device. Despite such a wide variety of devices on the market, with an aging population in Europe there is an opportunity for a simple, effective connected lifestyle device which makes life easier. Cosyphone fills this gap in the market.
The next time you’re jonesin’ for the latest and greatest, don’t forget about your grandmother. Snap one of these up and I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to have someone to talk to when gramps is busy being a curmudgeon.
Is your iPhone or BlackBerry not cutting it anymore because everyone and their mothers have one? Acer hears your cry to be unique and to be viewed as being classy and high brow, so the company has partnered with Ferrari once again to design a new smartphone.
Android is everywhere, and the Ferarri smartphone from Acer is no exception. It makes sense since Acer just announced a boat-load of Android handsets from MWC this morning. Along with Android 2.1, the Ferrari smartphone will feature strong design cues and branding from the sports car company. Not much else was released about the coming phone, so if you want to day dream regarding the phone’s looks, maybe Acer’s Ferrari laptops can clue you in.
Hardware specs and software and application support are probably the biggest things we look at when deciding on a new phone, but sometimes we quickly dismiss design and aesthetics. Now we can have a generous serving of both thanks to Scandanavian manufacturer Lumigon.
These new handsets are part of the growing adoption of Android, which is always a good thing. The very capable operating system looks like it’s on equally capable hardware. Aside from sitting pretty, the T1 and S1 from Lumigon offer a touch screen that slides open to reveal your basic T9 keyboard. They’re running Android 2.1, support 720p video with HDMI out, FM tuner and can double as universal remotes. The T1 will become availble early in the second quarter while the S1 will probably peek its head some time toward the end of that quarter.
Lumigon’s E1 is an enigma wrapped in a puzzle shrouded in mystery. It has yet to strut its stuff for the camera and Lumigon founder Lars Gravesen says, “E1 is the most beautiful phone I have ever seen during my entire 10 year career in mobile business.” Way to tease us, Lars. While I’m going to keep a skeptical eyebrow raised, I’m certainly eager to see what the E1 is all about.
If you’ve been dying for SlingPlayer Mobile streaming wherever you are, and you’re willing to fork over $30, you can pick up version 1.2 from the iTunes store now. Enjoy clogging up AT&T’s bogged network with your TV addiction!
Acer isn’t showing any signs of slowing down at Mobile World Congress this week. Just this morning, the manufacturer announced the Liquid e and now we have the neoTouch and beTouch. A little strange with the name scheme, but let’s see just what these devices are packing, shall we?
Acer’s neoTouch P300, which has a 3.2″ touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard, and P400 are running Windows Mobile 6.5.3, the stepping-stone OS between 6.5 and 7. With Windows Phone 7 coming later this year, it’s hard to see why one would choose the P300 or P400 over the latest and greatest. Perhaps it could just be a matter of patience.
If Windows Mobile isn’t your thing, the beTouch series are running Android. The beTouch E110 is dragging Android Cupcake (1.5) along – an odd, bare-bones choice given what’s already out there for Android. It’s also sporting a small, 2.8″ QVGA touch screen which tells me that this is more of a minor step up from a feature phone. Acer’s beTouch E400 has a 3.2″ HVGA touch screen, a little nicer than the E110, and is dressed in Android Eclair or 2.1.
Having more options is always nice, but Acer really could have stepped things up a little more for its latest crop. We’ll see if it has any tricks left in its sleeve for MWC.
In case you didn’t know, snappy processors are all the rage these days. When I think of fast processors, the first one that comes to mind is Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor which is currently found on devices like the Nexus One, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and the LG eXpo. After Microsoft made its Windows Phone 7 announcement this morning, Qualcomm has come out and said that it will be the first chipset manufacturer to support the new handsets.
The Windows Phone 7 devices that are slated for arrival just before the holidays will feature the Snapdragon platform from Qualcomm. These chips integrate custom CPUs and 3G as well as multimedia features all into a tiny, single package.
Microsoft says of Qualcomm, “We’ve worked closely with Qualcomm on Windows Phone 7 Series software and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets are an integral part of bringing to life the rich, integrated experiences on a Windows Phone in a way that conserves battery life and provides always-on connectivity.”
I, for one, am really looking forward to the next evolution in Windows Mobile Phone. Fingers are crossed that we’ll see NVIDIA Tegra systems, like the ones on the Microsoft Zune HD, find their way onto Windows Phone 7 devices as well.
More Android handsets are on the way from Sony Ericsson as the handset manufacturer just announced smaller versions of the Xperia X10: the X10 mini and X10 mini pro. Clever names, right? These handsets are quite sexy, if I say so myself, and the pro version has the nice addition of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Like the bigger X10, these feature SE’s custom UX platform over Android, which includes Timescape for aggregating all your content to one place. But enough about me yapping over these handsets; I’ll step aside and let you experience them for yourself. Hit the break for the full release and some videos.
February 14, 2010 – Barcelona– Today sees the announcement of Xperia™ X10 mini and X10 mini pro, compact versions of Xperia™ X10, which will deliver powerful and application packed mobile phones into the industry. By introducing mobile phones that are both compact and clever, Sony Ericsson is challenging the norm and defining a brand new offering that combines high specification features with a version of Sony Ericsson’s powerful UX platform specifically designed for smaller devices.
Xperia™X10 mini and X10 mini pro with slide out QWERTY keyboard offer an open and intuitive communication entertainment experience and build on the human curvature design philosophy debuted by the Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X10. Combining the Android platform with signature applications and a customisable UX platform, communication truly becomes entertainment with these new mobile phones. To enhance the experience, pick and choose from a multitude of applications at Android Market™ and co-create a mobile phone experience that is entirely unique. Users can go one step further and customise the home screen’s four corners and widgets to access the most needed applications for limitless possibilities.
The two sister mobile phones incorporate the signature application Sony Ericsson Timescape™ which brings all communication together in one place so users can see at a glance text messages, missed calls, and Facebook™ and Twitter updates, without having to open lots of different applications. The interactive music player also uses the “infinite button” to pull together all music content from the music store and YouTube™ – a smart way to search for new tracks from a favourite artist.
“There has been an enormous buzz around Xperia™ X10 so it is really exciting to be already unveiling compact versions of this powerful proposition.” Said Rikko Sakaguchi, EVP and Chief Creation Officer, Sony Ericsson. “With the X10 mini and X10 mini pro we have pushed the boundaries of what is possible with smaller devices and are giving consumers exactly what they want; two high performance mobile phones with a fully customisable user experience platform and a stunning ultra-compact design.”
Xperia™ X10 mini and X10 mini pro
Sony Ericsson Timescape™ – brings together all communication in one place
Four corner control – applications, calls, web, the consumer decides. Four customisable icons for ultimate control
5 megapixel camera and video – share creations via the web
Music player links to music stores and YouTube™ – access the world of music
Android platform – with Google™ services and Android Market™
QWERTY keyboard – slide and text for quick and easy messaging (Xperia™X10 mini pro only)
X10 mini and X10 mini pro supports HSPA 900/2100 and EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA 850/1900/2100 and EDGE 850/900/1800/1900.
The X10 mini will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red and Silver
The X10 mini pro will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Black and Red.
Sony Ericsson is also introducing the Portable Stereo Speakers MS450, to deliver rich on-the-go sound and the Hi-Fi Headset MH810 with remote with superior audio and remote media and call handling.
Xperia™ X10 mini and X10 mini pro
Camera
5 megapixel camera
Auto focus
Geo tagging
Photo and video light
Sony Ericsson Album application
Video recording
Music
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Music player
PlayNow™
TrackID™
Web
Bookmarks
Pan and zoom
WebKit web browser
Communication
Sony Ericsson Timescape™ with…
Facebook™ status updates, friend’s photo, inbox messages and friend requests
tweets, replies and direct messages from people you follow on Twitter™
** The Google Voice Search service is not available in all markets
Screen
16,777,216 colour TFT touchscreen
2.55 inches
240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)
Scratch-resistant
Accessories
In-Box:
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X10 mini/ Xperia™ X10 mini pro with battery
Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
Stereo portable handsfree
2GB microSD™ memory card
User documentation
Optional:
Portable Stereo Speakers MS450
Hi-Fi Headset with Remote MH810
Facts 1)2)
Xperia™ X10 mini:
Size: 83 x 50 x 16 mm
Weight: 88 grams
Phone memory: Up to 128MB
Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB
Memory card included: 2GB
Operating system: Google™ Android 1.6
Processor: 600 MHz Qualcomm MSM7227
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 4 hours
Standby time: GSM/GPRS: Up to 285hrs
Talk time UMTS: Up to 3.5 hours
Standby time: UMTS: Up to 360 hrs
Xperia™ X10 mini pro:
Size: 90 x 52 x 17 mm
Weight: 120 grams
Phone memory: Up to 128MB
Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB
Memory card included: 2GB
Operating system: Google™ Android 1.6
Processor: 600 MHz Qualcomm MSM7227
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 4 hours
Standby time: GSM/GPRS: Up to 285hrs
Talk time UMTS: Up to 3.5 hours
Standby time: UMTS: Up to 360 hrs
Availability and versions
Networks
UMTS HSPA 900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Available in selected markets in Q2 2010
Colour
Xperia™ X10 mini:
Black
Pearl White
Lime
Pink
Red
Silver
Xperia™ X10 mini pro:
Black
Red
Legal
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network
preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.
While you love birds are busy being smitten on a lazy Valentine’s Sunday, Sony Ericsson is busy dishing out new goods from Barcelona, Spain. Mobile World Congress is sure to bring some interesting news in the mobile space this week, and SE is kicking things off with the pro version of the Vivaz.
What makes it “pro,” you ask?
Well, it has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for starters.
Like the non-pro version, it will be running S60 5th edition on a 640 x 360 HVGA touch screen. The Vivaz pro has a 5.1 megapixel camera is 3 megapixels less than the Vivaz, but is still capable of recording 720p HD video. I’m just hoping that its video recording capabilities are as awesome as the 8.1 megapixel packing Vivaz, which totally blew us away here at MobileCrunch. We’re just happy that this is coming with North American 3G bands and it will be coming around some time in the late second quarter. Hold your breath, here’s the full press release:
Press Release
February 14, 2010 – Barcelona – Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro,announced today, adds a QWERTY keyboard to the touch screen offering, delivering a user experience optimised for messaging and entertainment. The full QWERTY keyboard allows consumers to communicate quickly and efficiently via email, SMS or social networking updates.
Just like flagship phone Sony Ericsson Vivaz™, announced in January, Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro allows consumers to produce and broadcast their best experiences in HD video. The open platform also allows users to personalise their entertainment experience by downloading great applications through PlayNow™ and the Symbian Developer Community.
“Having announced Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ in January we are now adding a sister phone that includes a QWERTY keyboard along with the touch screen for a superior messaging and entertainment experience,” said Daniel Sandblom Marketing Business Manager, Sony Ericsson. “Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro meets the increased consumer demand for QWERTY devices without compromising on any entertainment features.”
Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro features the new design philosophy ‘human curvature’, which will become a consistent feature of the Sony Ericsson portfolio going forward. Designed to mirror the shape of the human body, and at the same time delivering a precise and compelling way of interacting with the phone, Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro is instantly recognisable.
Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro
• Full slide-out keyboard for faster typing
• Stay in touch through email, Twitter™, Facebook™, blogging and chat
• View everything on the 3.2″ 16:9 wide touchscreen
• Capture the action in HD resolution – upload to YouTube via Wi-Fi™
• PlayNow – immediate online access to applications, games and music.
Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro supports UMTS HSPA 900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900.
Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Black and White.
Sony Ericsson is also unveiling the Hi-Fi Stereo Headset MH710. Enjoy best-in-class clear audio while on the move and handle music and calls with just one touch.
Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro
Camera
5.1 megapixel camera
4x digital zoom
Auto focus (photos)
Continuous auto focus (video)
Face detection (photos)
Geo tagging
Image stabiliser
Photo light
Send to web
Smile detection
Touch capture
Video light
Video recording (720p HD recording)
Music
Album art
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Media player
Music player
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™
TrackID™
Web
Bookmarks
Google™ search (from standby)
Web feeds
WebKit web browser
Voice
Speakerphone
Vibrating alert
Video calling (main camera)
Location-based services
A-GPS
Google Maps™
Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation
Connectivity
3.5 mm audio jack
Bluetooth™ technology
DLNA Certified™ (photos and audio)
Micro USB connector
Modem
PictBridge printing
Synchronisation
TV out (VGA resolution)
USB mass storage
USB support
Wi-Fi™
Preloaded applications
Facebook™ – social networking
Google Maps™ – navigation
QuickOffice – Microsoft® Office viewer (trial version)
PDF Viewer (trial version)
Road Sync – synchronisation
SMS Preview – messaging app
Twitter – social networking
YouTube™ – video sharing
Wisepilot™ – navigation
World Mate – clock and weather app
Quadrapop
Rally Master Pro
Accessories
In-Box:
Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro
Battery
stereo portable handsfree
8 GB microSD™ card
micro USB cable for charging and file transfer
Optional:
Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600
Hi-Fi Stereo Headset MH710
Facts
Size: 109 x 52 x 15 mm
Weight: 117 grams
Phone memory: Up to 75 MB
Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB
Memory card included: 8 GB microSD™ card
Operating system: Symbian™ S60 5th edition Processor: 720 MHz
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 12 hrs 30 min
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 430 hrs
Talk time UMTS: Up to 5 hrs 10 min
Standby time UMTS: Up to 440 hrs
Video call time: Up to 2 hrs 30 min
Availability and versions
Networks
UMTS HSPA 900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Available in selected markets from Q2 2010
In terms of hardware, the design is very Samsung-esque as it takes some cues from the Samsung Omnia II with sharpened angles and diamond-like patterns for the camera and front navigation button. Perhaps the most impressive feature is its 3.3 inch, 800 x 480 AMOLED screen that makes colors look bright and nicely saturated and blacks looking blacker than black. The 5.1 megapixel camera has face and blink detection as well as support for 720p HD video. Everything else seems standard with Wi-Fi, A-GPS, Bluetooth 3.0 and 8GB on-board memory with support for 32GB SD cards.
Of course, the big deal here is Bada, Samsung’s new mobile platform coupled with its TouchWiz UI. The new OS will offer a wider array of application support and social networking integration. It looks like Bada is a way for Samsung to nudge feature phones into smartphone territory, and honestly, it’s about time everyone started moving in that direction.
There’s nothing like finding and getting rid of junk on eBay, especially if you’re a gadget hound looking to offload last month’s toys for the latest and greatest. While it’s entirely possible to manage your eBay account on your phone’s browser, a dedicated application would make life so much easier.
