Record high sales of LG Viewty in Europe

LG Electronics has announced that LG-KU990 Viewty showed record high sales (310,000 units) since its launch on the European market. The European sales started in November 2007. According to LG, daily sales in Europe (the UK, France and Germany) were 6300 units. So LG Viewty record outpaced that of LG Chocolate and LG Shine. The company expects the Viewty to succeed on other market – the company has just launched shipments to Asia and Middle East.

I’d remind you that the official announcement of LG-KU990 Viewty was late in August 2007. This is a successor to LG Prada – equipped with a big touchscreen and has no buttons. At the same time the device stands out for a high quality camera – 5-megapixel with xenon flash and Schneider-Kreuznach lens.

Motorola A1600: new Linux-smartphone with touch sensitive display

Some Chinese source has posted info and a picture of Motorola A1600 smartphone (MOTOMING 2). I’d remind you that another Linux-powered smartphone with the touch-sensitive display Motorola A1200 (MOTOMING) hit the Chinese stores last March and got high popularity. Probably Motorola A1600 will follow the steps of the predecessor. The new model features enhanced specs – a faster processor being one of them. The official announcement of the MOTOMING 2 might take place in February 2007 at 3GSM Congress.

The short specs of Motorola A1600 (MOTOMING 2):

• Networks - GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Linux operating system
• 3.2-megapixel camera with auto focus and LED-flash
• Wi-Fi
• AGPS
• 3 preinstalled games
• Thickness – 17.5 mm

Opera Mobile 9 to come out in first half 2008

We’ve got info that new Opera Mobile version number 9 to be preinstalled on WM-devices will come out in the first half of 2008, and Symbian UIQ smartphones with it will shipped later.

I’d remind you that Opera Mobile 9 was announced at World GSM Congress back in February 2007. The company expects to release versions for all main mobile platforms. The ninth version features “intelligent zoom”, widget support and advanced functionality with Ajax and Web 2.0. You can download the current version of Opera mobile here.

Samsung SCH-S269: simple CDMA phone for mass market

Samsung Electronics pays great attention to the low-end market and it has rolled out a CDMA phone SCH-S269 for such densely populated countries as India and China. This is a candy bar with enhanced functionality – a color display, an FM-radio, calendar and track lost/ stolen phone function and so on.

The main technical specs of Samsung S269:

• CDMA networks
• Dimensions: 106x47x14 mm
• Weight: 71 g
• Display – 65K color
• Memory: 1MB
• Messages: SMS, SOS
• Stereo FM receiver
• Mobile Tracker function
• Sound: speaker phone, polyphonic ring tones, voice notes
• Misc: measure converter, world time, calculator, stopwatch, timer, organizer

Ultra mobile clamshell by Sony Ericsson?

Sony Ericsson is rumored to release its first slim clamshell. It will be called Z660i. The phone will be just 14 mm thick, reports the source. It features UMTS support, a 2-megapixel camera and A200 platform. Probably the announcement of Sony Ericsson Z660i will take place today (no official confirmation). Meanwhile a SE fan has offered his version of this ultra mobile clamshell.

Mixed Metal handset from Vertu Constellation series

Vertu has introduced a new version of the Constellation phone called Mixed Metall. The shell is coated with stainless steel with golden parts. The navigation pad, side buttons, speaker grates and screws are made of 18-carat yellow gold. It comes with the ceramic keyboard and the rear panel covered with black leather. In addition Vertu released a Constellation version of satin steel and burgundy colored leather coat.

I’d remind you that Vertu Constellation handsets debuted in fall 2006. These are candy bar phones equipped with 208x208 pixel displays and sapphire glass. Vertu Constellation works in GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, supports Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces, and lacks a camera.

Inexpensive fashion phone Sagem my220x

Sagem has unveiled its new product – the my220x mobile phone. Like its predecessor my150x the new device features compact size and light weight – mere 10 mm (thick) and 65 g. In all, we can call Sagem my220x an inexpensive fashion phone. Golden slim edges and golden navigation wheel add some elegancy to it. At the same time the phone has quite standard specs – GSM networks, a 65K color display and hands-free support. Sagem my220x lasts for 180 minutes in talk mode and 240 hours standby. Argos offers the device for 12.49 pound sterling (about 25 USD) and Woolworths – for 14.99 pound sterling (about 30 USD).

15 million LG Chocolate phones sold worldwide

LG Electronics has reported that LG Chocolate became the first Korean phone with world sales exceeding 15 million units. In mid April the device was launched in 100 countries and broke a 10-millionth mark. Despite of the total sales slowdown LG Chocolate enjoyed increasing demand in Japan, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. According to LG the demand was encouraged by the price, set at $200 in 3Q 2007. The company expects to reach 20 million sales of the Chocolate.

I’d remind you that LG Chocolate (LG KG800) debuted on the Korean market in November 2005 and in Europe in March 2006. This is a stylish music slider featuring touch sensitive buttons with red backlight.

HTC Neon approved by FCC

The FCC site has posted documents on a new HTC device mentioned as NEON100. Taking into account the scheme, the product is a version of HTC Touch. Most likely the modification is designed for Japan’s operator NTT DoCoMo. However tests report about WCDMA Band V (850 MHz), mainly used in North America, while Band VI is effective in Japan. The FCC site has unfortunately no manuals or pictures, so we can’t resume the specs. So let’s wait for the official announcement of HTC Neon or another info leakage.

Dell Tablet PC to be introduced on December 11

Dell is rumored to showcase its Tablet PC Latitude XT on December 11. According to Engadget reported that the info leaked from reliable sources. I’d remind you that the rumors of a new Latitude Tablet PC popped up this spring. The Latitude XT in the transformer form is equipped with a QWERTY-keyboard and a touch-sensitive display. You can revolve the display and put it on the keyboard and use the device as an ordinary Tablet PC. Dell hasn’t yet made any official reports on the release date of the Latitude XT. Anyway we’ll have to wait a short while.