BlackBerry 8820 debuted

Research In Motion (RIM) has announced sales start of its first smartphone supporting Wi-Fi – BlackBerry 8820. It became available in the US from AT&T operator on September 20. The price tag is $299.99 on a 2-year service plan.

The specs of BlackBerry 8820:

• Standard - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Display – 320x240 pixels, 65K colors
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g
• Built-in GPS-receiver
• Media player
• microSD slot
• Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery
• Talk time – up to 5 hours
• Standby time – up to 24 days
• Dimensions – 114x66x14 mm
• Weight - 134 g

Acer released Ferrari Racing PDA

Acer has officially announced a GPS-enabled PDA Ferrari Racing. Some preliminary info has already popped up in the news. The model is peculiar for its design, which involves colors and logo of Ferrari. At the same time the device doesn’t have outstanding specs. Acer Ferrari Racing is powered by Windows Mobile 5.0. It is based on Samsung S3C2442XL 300 MHz processor and a 2.8” 320x240 display. Besides the racing PDA has onboard a built-in GPS receiver SiRF Star III, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and 64 MB of memory. It supports SD/MMC cards, measures 108x58x16.8 mm and weighs 122 g.

Asus R3 on Linux

At IDF event Asus introduced a Linux powered device – Asus R3. It’s not yet clear what it is: MID (mobile Internet device) or UMPC. Taking into account the OS it is likely to be a MID, but design resembles that of Asus R2H UMPC. Asus R3 features a 5.6” (other sources suggest 4.8”) 1024x600 pixels display, a web camera, a built-in GPS-receiver and a fingerprints scanner.

There is no info on other specs, the release date and approximate price.

Sidekick LX to be released in October?

Some web source posted the pics reporting that the Sidekick LX mobile device will come to T-Mobile stores on October 24. I’d remind you that the Sidekick series is equipped with a QWERTY-keyboard and a sliding display and powered by Hiptop OS. Web rumors suggest that soon we’ll see the release of Sharp SideKick Shuriken and Motorola Sidekick Zante. However we don’t know whether the pics are true and which model they depict.

According to a card from the snapshot the users will be able to “kick it” all the way to the “next level. However the Slashphone.com notes that not only T-Mobile does not have these cards, but it haven’t even heard of the Sidekick LX. Perhaps other stores are more well-informed.

Nokia 6301 supporting UMA

Nokia has introduced a mobile phone supporting UMA technology – Nokia 6301. Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) combines the advantages of fixed and mobile networks. The subscribers can witch between GSM and WLAN networks for voice and data communication. Nokia 6301 is made in the candy bar form, being 13.1 mm thick and weighing 93 g.

The specs of Noika 6301:

• Display - 2”QVGA
• Camera - 2-megapixel with 8x digital zoom
• Onboard memory - 30 MB
• microSD cards up to 4 GB
• MP3-player
• FM-radio
• Voice dial
• PC sync via USB
• Built-in hands-free speaker
• Talk time – up to 3.5 hours
• Standby time – up to 14 days

The European shipments of Nokia 6301 will be launched in 4Q 2007. The retail price without discounts and taxes will make up some €230.

New Zune players to come out on October 16?

The Zunescene.com referring to the source inside of Microsoft reported details on the upcoming players. They are Zune 2 and Zune Flash known also as Draco and Scorpio. Based on previous leaks, supposedly from promo materials, the memory sizes will be 4 and 8 GB of flash memory and 80 GB HDD.

The Microsoft source said the current release date is set for October 16. The navigation button has been replaced with a new "squircle" shaped button, which is a square with rounded edges, it can be pushed from any side. According to the source the display are awesome for video on the new Zunes. Time will show are these details correct.

Samsung T429 available from T-Mobile

The American operator T-Mobile has launched Samsung T429 handset for $49.99. This GSM model is finished in Samsung’s traditional slider form-factor and features Bluetooth, built-in VGA camera and capability to save and operate contacts on operator’s web server.

The short technical specs of Samsung T429:

• Networks: 850/1800/1900 MHz
• Dimensions: 99x48.3x15.2 mm
• Weight: 82.2 g
• Display: 2”, TFT, 128x160 pixels, 65K colors
• Camera: VGA
• Messages: SMS/EMS/MMS, IM
• Sound: 40-tones polyphony, MP3 ring tones
• Entertainment: built-in games, Java
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB, WAP
• Memory: 3 MB, storage cards
• Other applications: calendar, tasks, world time, alarm clock, converter, calculator, stopwatch, timer

Glofiish X800 comes to stores

E-TEN Information Systems reported worldwide sales of the Glofiish X800 communicator. According to the company, this is the first communicator combining the support of 3G, high resolution display and GPS-module. In addition it’s the most advanced and functionally richest communicator by E-TEN.

The Glofiish X800 debuted at CeBIT 2007 in March 2007, Hanover, Germany. 3 months later E-TEN Information Systems showcased the communicator at Computex in Taibei reporting it would add a Samsung 500 MHz processor to the final version instead of 400 MHz expected earlier.

The X800 from the glofiish line became the pioneer communicator supporting both 3G networks and HSDPA standard.

The Glofiish X800 features:

• CPU: 500 MHz, Samsung
• 2-megapixel camera with auto focus, 0.3-megapixel camera for video calls
• Display: VGA (480x640 pixels)
• OS: Windows Mobile 6 Professional
• Built-in GPS-module (SiRF Star III)

The Russian edition is supplied with “Navitel Navigator 3” package. The users can install a free map of one Russian region from the list and a road map of Russia.

Nokia E51 new business handset – simple and productive

Nokia has gone public with a stylish E-series smartphone - the E51.

According to the company, its slim (12mm!) Nokia E51 is the ideal fit for the users who need an easily controlled handset featuring at the same time enhanced business functionality of the E-series.

The short technical specs of Nokia E51:

• Networks: GSM (GPRS/EGPRS) 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA (HSDPA, up to 3.6 Mbps) 850/2100 MHz
• Dimensions: 114.8x46x12 mm
• Weight: 100 g
• Display: 2”, TFT, 240x320 pixels, 16M colors
• Camera: 2-megapixel with video capture
• Memory: up to 130 MB of user’s memory, microSD cards (up to 4 GB)
• Media: FM-radio, MP3-player, music playback on stereo Bluetooth headsets
• Connectivity: WLAN (IEEE 802.11g), Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, USB 2.0 full-speed (Micro USB connector), IrDA port (115 kbps)
• Email: POP3, IMAP4, SMTP with attachment viewer, LED notification on incoming messages; support of exterior E-Mail clients (Mail for Exchange, Visto Mobile, Seven Always-on)
• Other messages: SMS, MMS, IM (Yahoo, AOL, OMA 1.2, MSN)
• Voice: PTT (Push to talk), speakerphone, VoIP via WLAN, voice recorder, Text-to-speech
• Misc: Nokia Office Tools 2.0 (Nokia Team Suite, In-device Search, Quickoffice, Macromedia PDF reader, Zip manager, File manager, Active Notes), Download! Tool, Nokia Maps, Worldmate, Yahoo! Go

The sales of Nokia E51are scheduled for 4Q 2007 for €350.

Apple iPhone exclusively from O2 in the UK

Today Apple announced that O2 got exclusive rights to sell the iPhone in the UK. The start of sales is scheduled for November 9, 2007.

The customers can unlock the iPhone by their own with the iTunes software on PC or Mac computers. The activation process requires to pick up a service plan and goes through checking subscriber’s creditworthiness, then the iPhone is ready.

The new Apple product will cost £269 including VAT and be available with the £35, £45 and £55 tariff plans.

More pics and specs on MOTOROKR E8 and MOTORIZR Z10

The GSMArena.com has reported it acquired detailed into and pictures of new Motorola handsets, which should be announced by the company soon. It deals with the much rumored MOTOROKR E8 and MOTORIZR Z10. We don’t see the reason why not to believe it and thus share the info with our readers. Well, let’s start with Motorola ROKR E8:

This is another Motorola’s music phone coming with a novel navigation element called “Omega Wheel”, probably because of its form resembling the letter from the Greek alphabet. Its keyboard is peculiar for tactile feedback whenever a key is pressed.

The E8 comes with 2GB of memory onboard expanded with microSD cards (up to 4GB), an FM-radio, Bluetooth, USB v2.0 and a 3.5-mm audio jack. Measuring just 115x53x10.6 mm it houses a 2-megapixel camera and a 2” 240x320 TFT display.

MOTOROKR E8 supports quad-band GSM and EDGE. The sales are set for November at the price of €280.

MOTORIZR Z10:

This is a successor to the RIZR Z8 smartphone powered by Symbian UIQ 3.1. It inherited the kick-slider form. As for the technical specs, I’d note, a 2.2” QVGA 240x320x16M color TFT display with a protective anti-scratch coating. There is a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED backlight and video capture capability (QVGA resolution, 30 fps). The device supports quad-band GSM (GPRS/EDGE) and dual HSDPA. The shipments should start in December at €400.

LG Shine Pink

LG Electronics has announced a new version of the popular LG Shine from the Black Label Series – LG Shine “Pink”. With the functionality of the original LG Shine the new device features the full metal shell with Hot Pink color. The company suggests that LG Shine “Pink” set for October is ideal for girls who need an elegant accessory.

Currently LG Shine is the most successful phone by LG, it hit the mark of 3 million of sold handsets worldwide. The release of LG Shine Pink is expected in European countries including the UK and the Netherlands.

Sony Ericsson files for touch sensitive keypad patent

Sony Ericsson is the last one from the “great five” to pay attention to touch interface in mobile phones. The company filed for a patent, which deals with a touchscreen displaying virtual buttons in compact devices.

There are no patent details, which make it original, especially taking into account existing models with the implemented idea. Probably Sony Ericsson will be able to derive benefit from similar products by other companies.

The source doesn’t say whether Sony Ericsson would develop products based on its recent concept, however that’s possible.

Nokia N94i running Windows Mobile 6 a Chinese fake?

The Engadget.com has recently posted pictures of an upcoming Nokia N94i, which is peculiar for running the Microsoft Windows Mobile OS, not Symbian. On the photos we see “winxp.jpg” indicator.

Now it became obvious that the pics dealt with a Chinese knockoff, which in fact was made by Chinese themselves. The source corrected the news. Nokia has barely planned a smartphone with such index (“4” is rarely used by the company because of “Eastern superstitions”). As a matter of fact the penetration of Microsoft info the Nokia world has seen just few examples: Windows Live services integrated in Intellisync and a couple of car navigators.

Waiting for Nokia 8900?

After the Nokia 8900 molds (showcase samples) had become available at eBay auction, the NokiaPort.de posted live pics of the model confirming the fact that Nokia really had the phone. It’s highly possible that soon we’ll hear the official announcement of the Nokia phone and see it in sale.

I’d like to say some works about the eBay pictures:

Samsung announces European sales of its F700 smartphone

Today Samsung Electronics officially announced the European sales of a Windows multimedia smartphone Samsung F700 starting in November. Its revised interface got iF Design award this year.

The model is equipped with a 3.2” widescreen touch-sensitive display, a 5-megapixel camera, a sliding QWERTY-keyboard and support of wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth v2.0 and HSDPA (up to 3.6 Mbps).

Samsung F7 is powered by Windows OS, but has company developed interface called “croix” (a French word standing for “cross”). Many have already dubbed the F700 with its interface a Korean iPhone, however this phone will be functionally advanced. As for the interface advantages, let’s wait for the release of the F700 and its commercial samples.

Samsung SGH-P520 for Armani phone

The SGH-P520 rumored to be the very Armani phone was introduced at Samsung summit in the Netherlands. By the way there is still no official announcement of the phone, thus the specification details are from leaked info. However the model is said to come out by the Christmas at €400.

Non official specs of Samsung SGH-P520 “Armani”:

• Networks - GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) GPRS/EDGE
• Display – 2.6” touchscreen, 320x240 pixels (QVGA) 262K colors
• Camera - 3-megapixel
• Onboard memory - 50 MB
• microSD slot
• Local connectivity - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (A2DP)
• UMA support
• Battery - 960 mAh
• Dimensions - 88x54x8.9 mm
• Weight - 102 g

Garmin and TomTom work on GPS handsets

According to Digitimes.com two largest GPS device vendors Garmin and TomTom are working on their own-brand GPS handset. The info sounds logical given the world trend of increasing demand for convergent GPS-solutions and vast potential of both companies in GPS-navigation sphere.

The companies are said to actively cooperate with Inventec Appliances, Quanta Computer and Compal Communications, probably one of them will manufacture new navigation handsets of Garmin and TomTom. It’s unclear under which brand new products will come out and what software they will have. Maybe even the vendors don’t still know it.