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ARTICLE: Nokia N900 drops to $480 on Amazon

11/20/2009 1:35:00 PM

I'll admit - I was considering the purchase of a Nokia N900 to carry in the ol' arsenal of wireless devices, until I saw the price. Even as a certified wireless junkie, $649 is a bit too much for me (hey, I need to pay the rent first). I haven't been this excited about a Nokia device in quite some time, thanks to Maemo 5. The name of the game seems to be social networking, and from my limited time with the N900 at CTIA, it seems like Nokia gets it.

Thanks to Amazon, the N900's price has dropped to $479.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. For a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, 32 GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, phenomenal browser, 5.0-megapixel camera, and Maemo 5, I'd definitely consider one for $480 after rebates. It's still listed in pre-order status, but with a ship date right around the corner, you could have this sucker in your hands in the coming weeks. I'd like to know - are you biting, or are you waiting for a US carrier release?

Via: Engadget Mobile

VIDEO: Samsung Flight (AT&T) - Review

11/20/2009 12:14:00 PM

Noah reviews the Flight from Samsung and AT&T. Is it a smartphone or a featurephone? Hard to tell, since it has a touchscreen, QWERTY board, 3G connectivity and an HTML browser

ARTICLE: What up, Droid?

11/20/2009 4:00:00 AM

Things have gotten so crazy in the word of Android over the last month or two that it can be difficult at times to simply keep up with a single day's news. And while Aaron, Adriana, Noah, and now Sydney have got you covered on the PhoneDog front, we thought a weekly summary of current Android events was in order.

Somehow, taking a look back at the rumors, leaks, launches, and reviews of the week has a way of putting things into perspective. And since a bunch of you want the skinny, net results rather than a post on every whisper, I give you the link-heavy, image-light, piece I'll write late Thursday night: What up, Droid?

Here we go.

GooglePhone: About to blow up?

GooglePhone

While still unresolved, the long-standing rumors and rebuttals of Google's intention to get into the cell phone hardware game have recently grown to a deafening roar thanks to a couple of posts from Tech Cruch, which have been covered by myself and Adriana. Writing about the device as a sure thing (and as something that renders the entire history of the Universe prologue) has put all tech bloggers on alert. Let's hope TC's source is a strong as they think it is.

Samsung Behold II

The T-Mobile follow-up to the original Behold may not have seen enough change since it's previous incarnation. This Android device feels TouchWizzy through and through and reactions to "The Cube" have been almost unanimously negative. Sammy did bring a nice drop-down notification bar enhancement to Android, and the media management is kinda cool. I'd just like to see those flipping Polaroids in a widget or something.

Adriana was at the launch last week, and she posted her first impressions as well as a demo of the interface.

I unboxed the phone and completed round one of a Q&A/request video series.

Motorola's Motus - or is it Backflip?

What is widely viewed as the Cliq's little brother should be launching in the first few months of next year, but don't expect any major changes in the guts. Cliq and Backflip share the same father. The name - Backflip - apprently comes from the device's hardware keyboard, which is attached to the screen panel facing opposite of the direction we're used to. When the phone is closed, the keyboard is situated on the back of the phone. Confused? Check out a picture, and imagine you're looking at the front and back covers of a book.

X10

Sony Ericsson's X10 - the first device to run the Nexus UI (previously known as Rachael) - has been on everyone's minds this week. Unfortunately, not always for its strengths. SE held a luncheon in NYC where a number of hands-on videos were produced. Despite disclaimers about the beta state of the hardware and software, it seems that everyone walked away with a bad impression. Maybe beta luncheons aren't such a good idea for devices with such incredible buzz behind them. Especially when your company is trimming the fat and causing what some see as a loss of confidence in the brand.

I'm still super-excited for this Snapdragon phone, and am awaiting any X10-related info in Sony Style news. Check out samples from the X10's camera here.

DRAGOOOOOON!!!

This bad boy may as well be called the HTC Super Hype Ultra. The rumors/leaks just don't stop. And while this phone was being rumored to launch in mid-December, the GooglePhone gabbers say it's been bumped to the new year.

Droid

Noah wrapped up his three part iPhone vs. Droid dogfight this week, and that's what all of this industry buzz surrounding Droid is founded upon, right? Check it out. And as if you haven't seen enough Droid... here's one in pieces. Is that enough? No? O.K., check out this video to warm up for the weekend. Yeah, it's older than this past week, but still funny.

Updates

A couple of software updates were made available this week: the new HTC Sync and a Sprint Hero OTA full of fixes. Check out the changes here.

Those are the bigger stories from the past week, folks. But here are a few crumbs for those who are still hungry:

Bargains

Hero and Moment holiday special

Odds and Ends

Sciphone N21 video is the greatest of ALL TIME!

Dell Streak headed for AT&T with Eclair?

Install Android on WinMo

Say what? Saygus.

ARTICLE: OS 4.7.1.61 launches for Verizon's BlackBerry Tour 9630

11/19/2009 11:10:00 PM

Sure, most Tour owners are anxiously awaiting an official OS 5.0 launch, but for now, OS 4.7 is where it's at. As of today, OS 4.7.1.61 is available for Verizon's BlackBerry Tour 9630 through their website and Desktop Manager (PC and Mac). Despite the relatively short amount of time online, reports are already streaming in about the build being faster overall.

For those of you with a Verizon-branded Tour, download it and report your findings in the forums at BBerryDog!

Via: CrackBerry

ARTICLE: Casio and Verizon Wireless launch the G'zOne Rock

11/19/2009 7:35:00 PM

Are you a fisherman, hunter, hiker, or climber? If so, the Casio G'zOne (which is actually pronounced "jeez one") Rock is the device for you. Offering EVDO Rev. A, stereo Bluetooth, Push to Talk, 2.0-megapixel camera with video capabilities, microSD card slot (with support for up to a 16 GB card), and touch-sensitive music controls, the G'zOne meets military specifications for water, shock, dust, vibration, humidity, salt fog, solar radiation, altitude, and high and low temperature storage (MIL-STD-810F).

The G'zOne Rock will be available on November 20th (tomorrow) for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two-year customer agreement. The full press release can be found below. Motorola Barrage or the Casio G'zOne Rock - which one tickles your fancy?

VERIZON WIRELESS GOES RUGGED WITH THE CASIO G’ZONE ROCK

Rugged Design and G’zGear Software Help Customers Tackle Life’s Obstacles

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK – Verizon Wireless and CASIO today introduced the new CASIO® G’zOne (pronounced Jeez_wun) Rock™ to Verizon Wireless’ growing line-up of rugged phones. Perfect for customers with active lifestyles, the Rock’s advanced G’zGear software operates in six modes, including Earth Compass, Walking Counter, Thermometer, Astro Calendar, Sunrise Sunset and Tides, with the help of its Triple Sensor technology. Whether your lifestyle has the demands of an avid fisher, hunter, hiker or climber, the Rock is prepared to handle life’s most challenging obstacles while providing directional information, Push to Talk capabilities and connectivity over the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G network.

Available color: Matte black

Key features:

Tough Technology design that can withstand water, shock, dust, vibration, humidity, salt fog, solar radiation, altitude, and high and low temperature storage (conforms to MIL-STD-810F)
2.0 megapixel camera with still flash, video capture and LED light
Stereo Bluetooth®
Touch-sensitive music controls on the sub-display
One-touch open button
Clear Talk
Push to Talk capabilities that leverage Verizon Wireless’ Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network for fast two-way communication

Lifestyle features:

G’zGear (six outdoor applications)
- Earth Compass – functions as a standard compass; GPS shows the distance from and directions to over 40 domestic and worldwide locations
- Walking Counter – measures steps, time, distance, speed and energy consumption
- Thermometer – shows current temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Astro Calendar – provides the moon’s age and days until a full or new moon
- Sunrise/Sunset – shows the current time and position of the sun and times for sunrise and sunset for current, past and future dates; allows you to view times for select major cities; shows the ratio of day and night in numbers and graphs
- Tides – shows the tidal graph for the day; shows the time of ebb and flood tides; shows the time of sunrise and sunset; shows past and future sea tide levels; shows tidal graphs for 100 locations made available by Surfline’s webcams, and GPS will show the nearest location; shows the current tide and the best time for fishing

Supports Verizon Wireless services, including V CAST Music with Rhapsody, V CAST Video and VZ NavigatorSM
microSD™ storage up to 16 GB for high-quality photos, music and more
Speakerphone with front-facing stereo speaker
Field Force Manager-capable – a resource management tool that provides businesses with the ability to locate and communicate with their mobile field workers

Pricing and availability:

The CASIO G’zOne Rock is $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
Verizon Wireless customers can add Unlimited Push to Talk for $5 per month per line to any qualifying Nationwide voice plan.
Customers can purchase the CASIO G’zOne Rock beginning Nov. 20 online at www.verizonwireless.com, through business sales channels, or by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN. It will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning Nov. 30.
For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers can contact their Business Sales Representatives at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

ARTICLE: First Impressions: BlackBerry Curve 8530 (Verizon Wireless)

11/19/2009 2:30:00 PM

One day before its retail launch, UPS delivered Verizon Wireless' BlackBerry Curve 8530 to my doorstep. I've been working with it all morning, and as the replacement to the Curve 8330, I'm very pleased with it. It's a needed stepping stone in the BlackBerry line, and I'm excited that it's joining the ranks at Verizon (with Sprint getting it soon).

Admittedly, I was a bit upset that I didn't get the "smoky violet" color. Just kidding.

It's the third retail unit to ship with an OS 5.0 build (after the Storm2 and Bold 9700), and the third to feature a trackpad (after Curve 8520 and Bold 9700), both of which symbolize RIM's new design direction. Like the other two, threaded text messaging is now a regular feature, along with small changes (revamped icons, a refreshed "home" screen, and more). Aside from threaded text messaging, the improved boot time should please most users (especially BlackBerry users that are familiar with the 4-5 minute boot times of the past).

My favorite improvement comes in the form of a small optical square. I can't say enough positive words about the implementation of the trackpad. For those that don't know, I've spent years in the wireless industry, working for various companies in various capacities (vague, I know). The trackball was a bit of a dirt magnet over the years thanks to constant finger contact, and as such, it would often require cleaning or replacement (I've replaced many in my days in the field). The trackpad eliminates all of that in one swoop. There's a learning curve (we're talking an hour or so), but once you've used it, I doubt you'll want to go back.

As a testament to the price point of the phone ($99.99), packaging was sparse - besides the device and battery, a microUSB cable and AC adapter are the only two accessories that come in the box. Just like its GSM counterpart, the 8530 comes in at 4.29-inches tall x 2.36-inches wide x 0.54-inch thick. It weighs 3.73 ounces, making it light enough to carry in a small pocket or purse.

I'll argue the same thing with the 8530 that I did with the 8520 when it launched: whether it's deliberately marketed as such or not, the device is an entry-level BlackBerry. There's no flash on the camera, the screen resolution is lower, and there's a tremendous difference in overall build quality when holding the Curve 8520/8530 and high-end BlackBerry devices such as the Tour and Bold 9700. Not to say that it's a bad thing, but my impression is this: while it's great for first-time smartphone buyers, first-time BlackBerry owners, and those migrating from a BlackBerry Pearl, it's not the optimal choice for the die-hard smartphone user. That being said, I do like the fact that the CDMA version (8530) offers 3G connectivity, making it far better in the data department. What remains to be seen, however, is the toll that EVDO will take on the battery life. I'm still testing it, and will report back with my findings.

As with all of my demo units, I've been testing the Curve 8530 in the Charlotte area, and call quality is very good. When visiting a Verizon fringe area this morning, I was able to get one bar of service, and calls retained their clarity. In typical BlackBerry fashion, the speakerphone was very loud. The Curve 8530 is an EVDO Rev. A device, and data speeds were very good. The PhoneDog page loaded in about 38 seconds, and other data-intensive tasks like VZ Navigator and BlackBerry App World loaded quickly.

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 will be available at Verizon Wireless on November 20th (tomorrow) for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate debit card and new two-year customer agreement. Enjoy the pictures below, and be sure to stay tuned for an unboxing, video review, and written review here and at BBerryDog!

ARTICLE: Palm Pre drops to $79.99 with new agreement, challenging Pixi

11/19/2009 1:50:00 PM

While the Pixi's price point has been dropping and dropping some more, the Pre has remained above the $100 mark. Bucking the trend, Amazon has lowered the Pixi's older brother to $79.99 on a new two-year agreement (not to mention a waived activation fee, saving you $36). With the gap diminishing between the two webOS handsets, I imagine most will opt for the Pre due to the increase in processing power. Sure, there are some stipulations (pay your bill, keep it on the same plan for at least 181 days, etc.), but the deal is a good one.

The holidays are coming up, so what will it be: Pixi for $25, or Pre for $79.99?

Via: Engadget

VIDEO: AT&T's loses request for injunction; releases anti-Verizon commercial

11/18/2009 8:20:00 PM

Magnet board + empty warehouse + Luke Wilson = effective commercial? You be the judge.

Earlier today, AT&T's request for an immediate injunction on the Verizon "There's a Map for That" commercials was denied, though the judge referred to the ads as "sneaky." Apparently, most people are so zoned out when they're watching TV that they may not notice that Verizon is targeting AT&T's 3G coverage (or so the judge thinks).

One thing is perfectly clear: this "war" is far from over. Check out the commercial and sound off below!

Via: Engadget Mobile

ARTICLE: Not to be forgotten, Nokia E72 hits the shelves

11/18/2009 7:25:00 PM

A winner at CTIA earlier in the year the Nokia E72 has officially launched. Though it's still showing as "pre order" status on Amazon's website, the S60-powered device has launched for €350 ($469 at Amazon). Sporting 10.2 Mbps HSDPA connectivity, 5.0-megapixel autofocus camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot (4GB included in the box), A-GPS and integrated compass, and a trackpad, the E72 is a worthy successor to the popular Nokia E71.

On the fence as to whether you want one? Check out the E72 video (from CTIA), and stay tuned for more coverage!

Via: Engadget Mobile

ARTICLE: Mash-Up: Creating the ultimate FrankenPhone

11/18/2009 7:17:00 PM

"That thing's going to Cricket" - Aaron Baker, News Editor

FrankenPhone! It Lives!

Wasn't it Mick Jagger who once crooned, "You can't always get what you want / But if you make a mash-up you kinda can?" Something like that, anyway.

I'm tired of "close but no cigar" when it comes to mobile phones. iPhone's great except for that closed OS and no hard keyboard. Palm's WebOS is awesome but Palm can't seem to build a truly awesome piece of hardware to run it on. Android? How many branches has that platform splintered into already? And why I can't I find a Droid that does hard QWERTY and pinch-and-zoom Web browsing save the Europe-only Moto Milestone?

Even if I don't have the R&D lab and factories to create the ultimate mobile phone, I do have the power of the mash-up. And so I give you my FrankenPhone, Version 1, comprised by taking my favorite bits of existing mobile devices and smushing them together into one gloriously awesome KravPhone mash-up:

Hardware: HTC Touch HD2

This one's a tough call because part of me thinks I'll miss a hard QWERTY, but the capacitive touch display on HD2 is so big that it makes virtual typing a breeze. 4.3", 480 x 800 (WVGA) resolution of multitouch atop an 11mm thin device packing a 1GHz Snapdragon processor? Sold.

I might have to swap Nokia's best-ever camera (N86 8MP, maybe?) into the package, since I haven't spent much time testing HD2's optics. Then again, I'm pretty much resigned to the feeling that "No cameraphone is yet better than a sub-par standalone camera" these days, anyway, so it doesn't much matter.

Operating System: Palm WebOS

There's a caveat here, as you'll see when you get to the "Ecosystem" section below, but not worrying about apps for a moment, I'd want WebOS handling my contacts, messages, and multitasking. WebOS is the best combination of form and function on the market right now, combining excellent multitasking, notifications handling and data syncing with a gorgeous UI chock full of visual delights and flickingly-fun gestures. WebOS lacks Android's widgets, I know, but as a matter of personal preference I can live without 'em in favor of Palm's far more luscious visual treatments.

A second caveat, actually, is that WebOS lacks a virtual QWERTY with landscape support and a killer autocomplete/dictionary system. So I think I'd throw HTC's custom Android QWERTY into the mix since I've been such a fan of it on Hero and Droid Eris.

Network: Sprint

I almost, almost, almost chose Verizon … but Sprint works just as well as VZW where I live and work, and it's a heckuva lot cheaper than Big Red. 4G isn't yet widespread enough in the U.S. to really consider, and while CDMA networks can't do voice and data at the same time, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, especially considering AT&T's muddling 3G performance of late.

Now that I think of it, a GSM phone with both AWS and global HSPA banding could work … I could rock it on T-Mobile in the States and enjoy that forthcoming 21Mbps throughput I keep hearing about.

Ecosystem: Apple

Here's the aforementioned caveat: I'd want WebOS, but I'd want Apple and not Palm running the App Store. And the music/media store, for that matter. For all that people justifiably complain about Apple's closed-book app approval process and total lockdown on iPhone OS, the fact is they've got an App Store chock full of useful and fun software (and some useless stuff, too, of course). No other mobile platform has the games iPhone OS has right now, and frankly I like playing games on my phone. And Apple's got an iTunes Store chock full of audio and video content, if that's your thing, and an insane cottage industry of cases, docks, and other gear is in full bloom around iPhone.

And, hey, mashing-up WebOS with an Apple-run ecosystem would finally put an end to Palm and Apple's stupid bickering, right?

So there you go: It's the HTC-Apple-Palm (and maybe Nokia) mash-up FrankenPhone.

You got somethin' better? Give it to us in the comments!

VIDEO: Palm Pixi (Sprint) - Unboxing

11/18/2009 5:58:00 PM

Adriana takes a look at Palm Pre's "little sister," the Pixi, which just launched on Sprint 11/15 for $99. Is it worth the money? Take a look at what comes in the box and see for yourself.

ARTICLE: Connect: Check out PhoneDog on Facebook!

11/18/2009 5:47:00 PM

You like Facebook? Your friends, your relatives, that kid who sits next to you in Geometry class or at the next cubicle over — they like Facebook? Perfect! The Dog likes to Facebook, too!

Get the latest news, reviews, and editorials from PhoneDog without leaving the cozy confines of FaceBook on the official PhoneDog.com Facebook page. And don't forget that you can play the One-Pawed Bandit on Facebook for even more chances to win great phones like the Motorola Droid and Droid Eris, HTC Hero, Palm Pixi and more!

PhoneDog's Facebook page brings you select content from our site along with the chance to talk phones and connect with other PhoneDog fans. You can watch he latest PhoneDog videos and read hands-on impressions of the latest phone without leaving the FB site. Facebook's all about networking, and it's easy to tell your friends about PhoneDog via FB, too.

And soon you'll be able to use Facebook Connect to play the One-Pawed Bandit straight from your Facebook account, without having to register for PhoneDog separately. That'll make it even easier to spin the wheels for a chance to win a new phone, free of charge.

So check out PD on FB, and tell your friends all about it, too. Even those "Facebook Friends" of yours who aren't quite "real friends" … they can come hang out on the page, too.

ARTICLE: The Google phone theory, pt 2: A data-only device?

11/18/2009 3:19:00 PM

When I wrote up the post about Google possibly launching its own phone, some PD readers found it a little hard to believe. Why would the Android creator risk alienating the manufacturers and carriers who’ve been supporting the platform?, they asked.

TechCrunch posits that the company will get around this by offering a handset that’s not technically a cellular phone, but a data-only device. Now that’s an interesting idea. Here’s more:

If it were data-only with VoIP, it wouldn’t compete with current Android offerings. So calls and texts would still be possible, but it would work over data service. To support this idea, TC says this is what Google had in mind in 2007, when it bid for the 700MHz spectrum in the FCC auctions.

With the Google Voice service, issuing phone numbers would be a no-brainer. In fact, GV could handle a VOIP phone’s whole calling feature. So theoretically, this should be possible. The question is, though, how would the carriers respond?

Well, the blog cites an unknown source who says AT&T is already bidding for this. The source says that AT&T is already planning to offer data-only subscriptions for BlackBerry and Windows devices, so it’s open to the idea of this type of service model. (No, the iPhone won’t get this treatment. Voice is still required, along with data.)

This, for me, is where it started to fall apart. This might go on AT&T’s data network? Yikes. But luckily, this doesn’t seem like it’s going exclusive, so if this kind of Google phone is in the works, it could show up on other carriers. As for manufacturer, HTC was first singled out as a candidate, but pundits are starting to take a harder look at LG. (The buzz is that the manufacturer will be a Korean company, and Samsung has parts in the iPhone, so that proposition would be sticky. LG, however, might be free and clear for this kind of arrangement.)

It’s important to bear in mind that this is conjecture, and it’s far from confirmed. But what do you think? If a Google handset does make it to market in early 2010, as rumored, without packing cellular, are you buying?

Via: TechCrunch

ARTICLE: Nokia pulls trigger: N900 now available in US

11/18/2009 2:40:00 PM

Here we go, Maemo 5 fans:

Nokia started shipping the N900 earlier this month, but people living in New York or Chicago can check it out for themselves now at the Nokia flagship store, where it’s selling for $650. That’s about a hundred less than earlier reports projected.

If you don’t live in either city, don’t feel left out. You can order yours at Nokia’s US site.

Via: MobileCrunch, PhoneArena

ARTICLE: Sony Ericsson closing five offices, terminating 2,000 employees globally

11/18/2009 12:25:00 PM

Sony Ericsson will be closing its Research Triangle Park, North Carolina corporate headquarters, along with five smaller operations across the world in an effort to restructure the organization. In addition to the main North American offices, facilities in Miami, Florida; Krista, Sweeden; Chennai, India; San Diego, California; and Seattle, Washington will all be getting the axe, along with 2,000 employees worldwide.

Sony Ericsson's North American headquarters will relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, while research and development operations will relocate from Research Triangle Park to Redwood Forest, California. The location for the headquarters was chosen due to the proximity to AT&T's wireless operations (the company's largest customer) and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Employee terminations haven't been announced just yet, and in some cases, individuals are being given the opportunity to relocate to Atlanta or California.

Another tough hit, just before the holiday season. With an Android device coming next year, will the company be able to turn the tide?

Via: Engadget Mobile

ARTICLE: First Impressions: HTC Imagio (Verizon Wireless)

11/17/2009 5:00:00 PM

What I like: Neat design; large touchscreen.

What I don't like: On-screen keyboard could use some work; laggy at certain times.

Introduction

Giant 3.6-inch WVGA resistive touchscreen? Check. 528 MHz processor? Check. Windows Mobile 6.5, 3.5mm headphone jack, A-GPS, microSD card slot, FM radio, and more - it's all there. The HTC Imagio comes in at 4.6 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick and tips the scales at 5.25 ounces. It offers a kickstand on the back (used in the picture above) for watching videos while stationary.

Keypad and Interface

The on-screen keyboard that comes with the Imagio is something that you'll either like or dislike. I had a challenging time typing on it, but I'm used to physical QWERTY keyboards, so I'll withhold judgment. The Imagio sports HTC's TouchFLO interface, which does a fantastic job of covering up Windows Mobile (for those that don't want to deal with it). Other features of the unit include V CAST services, VZ Navigator, the Microsoft Office Mobile suite, Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and the My Phone backup service. Overall, the device performed well in every day use, though there was lag at times (typically when multiple applications were open). The accelerometer performed well.

Camera/Video Camera

The Imagio offers a 5.0-megapixel camera, and in my testing, image quality was good (see above). The Imagio offers six different resolutions, adjustable ISO, white balance, four quality settings, brightness, a self-timer, a panorama stitching mode, a shutter sound toggle, and a wide-screen mode, contrast, saturation, and sharpness.

Reception and Data Connectivity

I've been testing the Imagio in the Charlotte area, and call quality is very good. Though the traditional "bar" metric doesn't always apply in this situation (while the Imagio had zero "bars," the Chocolate Touch had two), I never dropped a call with the Imagio. When testing in a busy coffee shop, my callers could hear me well. I connected my Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset to the Imagio without a problem, and Bluetooth calling was great. Wi-Fi worked well, and connected to various networks with ease.

Like the BlackBerry Storm2, the HTC Imagio is a world phone, so it ships with a SIM card for international use. In addition to the CDMA 850/1900 MHz bands, the Imagio supports GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz frequencies and the WCDMA 2100 MHz band. According to Verizon, the device supports voice coverage in 220 countries and 3G data coverage in 175 countries. Individual rates vary depending on the country, and can be found on Verizon's website. The Imagio is an EVDO Rev. A device, and as such, I was pleased with data speeds. The full PhoneDog homepage loaded in 26 seconds, and other data-intensive tasks loaded well throughout the testing. Though it's not one of my favorites in the marketplace (I prefer WebKit-based solutions), the Windows Mobile browser gets the job done.

Battery Life

The battery life was on par with devices in its class. I'm still working with battery numbers, but I can say this: it's not too bad for a smartphone. Estimated talk time is 5.4 hours, whereas standby time is just over 13 days. In real-time testing, the device lasted just over two days. Like any wireless device, battery numbers will vary with the level of usage that they're subjected to between charging cycles, but the Imagio does well for a media-centric smartphone.

Check out the pictures below, and stay tuned for my full review!

HTC Imagio with TouchFLO activated.

HTC Imagio without TouchFLO activated

VIDEO: LG Chocolate Touch (Verizon) - Unboxing

11/17/2009 4:16:00 PM

Welcome Sydney to the PhoneDog team! Sydney gets her hands on the new LG Chocolate Touch for Verizon. Is the latest touchscreen music phone enough to compete in the age of smartphones? Let's unbox it and find out.

ARTICLE: Verizon and AT&T continue dueling over 'Map for That' lawsuit

11/17/2009 11:50:00 AM

The battle continues in the Verizon/AT&T legal dispute over Big Red's "There's a Map for That" advertising campaign. We heard from AT&T's consumer response to the campaign a few days ago through their website (link):

To Our Customers: As the U.S. market leader in wireless data service, we typically don't respond to competitors' advertising. However, some recent ads from Verizon are so blatantly false and misleading, that we want to set the record straight about AT&T's wireless data coverage.

The key facts are: AT&T's wireless data coverage reaches 303 million people – or 97% of the U.S. population,where they live and work. Our data coverage consists of 3 different types of technology. 3G: 233 million people or 75% of the population are covered by AT&T's 3G network, the nation's fastest. EDGE: 301 million people or more than 96% of the population are covered by EDGE. With both 3G and EDGE coverage, customers can access the Internet, send e-mail, surf the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more. The only difference – with some data applications, 3G is faster than EDGE. GPRS: Covers 303 million people, allowing you to talk, text, e-mail and access basic websites optimized for wireless.

AT&T is the #1 network for smartphones, with twice the number of smartphone customers than Verizon, our closest competitor. Some of the reasons include:

Most popular smartphones. Unlike Verizon, AT&T offers the most popular smartphones in the industry.
More wireless apps. Unlike Verizon, AT&T customers have access to more than 100,000 applications, more than with any other wireless company.
Talk and E-mail at the same time. Unlike Verizon, AT&T's 3G network lets wireless customers simultaneously talk and surf the web or do e-mail.
Fastest 3G in the nation. Unlike Verizon, AT&T has the nation's fastest 3G network.

In a response to AT&T's response (to Verizon's initial claim), Verizon starts out with quite the bold statement:

"AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon's "There's A Map For That" advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon's ads are true and the truth hurts."

The rest of the response consists of various claims, responses to their television commercials, and the like. But another quote worth considering comes on page 28 of the brief:

"AT&T does not — and cannot — deny that all five of Verizon’s ads convey an express message that is literally true. The coverage maps accurately reflect the 3G networks of each company and are prominently and accurately labeled as such. The map for Verizon shows only its 3G coverage, with blank spaces where it has no 3G coverage, just as the map for AT&T shows blank spaces where AT&T has no 3G coverage, even though both companies may have other, non-3G coverage in those areas."

Admittedly, the whole ordeal is a slippery slope. The fact of the matter is that Verizon isn't lying when they compare their 3G coverage to AT&T's. But as evidence that the advertising campaign is working, I received a call from a family member a few days back. In our conversation, she mentioned the commercials, commenting that "those ads are hilarious" and asking me "is AT&T's service really that bad?" To that note, I can see where consumers could be misled into believing that AT&T doesn't provide service outside of the blue areas shown in the picture above.

Verizon's full response (PDF, 53 pages) can be found here. What do you think? Is Verizon correct in advertising the 3G coverage areas, or should EDGE/1xRTT comparisons be added into the equation?

Via: Engadget Mobile

ARTICLE: HTC Hero being sold for $99 at Best Buy?

11/16/2009 10:00:00 PM

It seems that $99 is one of the two magic price points of the holiday season (with $199 being the other one). The AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8520 ("coming soon"), HTC Droid Eris, and Apple iPhone fall into the $99 category, along with the Sprint's HTC Hero. Though the price remains at $179.99 on the carrier's website (after mail-in rebate), rumors are pointing to a price drop to $99 at Best Buy locations. Sure, you have to sign a two-year agreement, but for $99, it brings it down into the entry-level smartphone playing field.

With Verizon's HTC Droid Eris and Sprint's HTC Hero at the same price, it all boils down to carrier preference. Which do you prefer?

Via: PhoneArena

ARTICLE: Palm Pixi: A weekend's worth of impressions

11/16/2009 8:33:00 PM

I love Palm's WebOS. I ultimately shied away from making the Palm Pre my daily phone, however, because I didn't much like its form factor. I'm not a big fan of slider phones, instead preferring thinner candybar devices even if they wind up having a larger footprint. I also couldn't stand Pre's QWERTY board and took issue with sharp edges that bordered the keyboard tray (even though my colleagues still think I'm crazy for that one). But I loved WebOS and still do. As MobileCrunch's Greg Kumparak put it:

It pulls off a polished feel without resorting to absolute minimalism as the iPhone does, and handles notifications and switching between applications in a way more elegant and effective than Android. Palm is the only one of the lot to find the perfect combination of form and function.

Couldn't agree more, Greg.

I'm not going to go into depth about WebOS here, since it's essentially the same as it was on the Pre some months ago - plus some bug fixes, feature upgrades (Yahoo! support and 3G downloading of purchased music, notably), and a few hundred more apps in the Catalog. Suffice it to say that I think WebOS is the best mobile OS going, even if it lacks the developer and carrier support right now to make it the best mobile platform going. That is, the core OS itself is state-of-the-art, but more apps running on more devices across more carriers would make WebOS a much more viable platform for competing with iPhone, Android, and the rest of 'em.

Some months ago word broke that Palm's second WebOS device would have a candybar form factor with a thin profile and front-facing touchscreen and QWERTY. My dream come true! So I've been anticipating that phone - the newly released Pixi for Sprint - for awhile now. Palm sent me a review loaner last Friday and after a weekend with the thing I can tell you that I absolutely love the form factor. Love, love, love it. Love it like it may be the nicest feeling phone I've held in my hand since phones got all big and Web-enabled and smartphone-y.

Pixi suffers from a lack of WiFi and processing power, but Palm absolutely nailed it in the form factor department. The phone is insanely light and pleasant to hold, and despite being made from all kinds of plastic it feels solid enough in a space-age way, not cheap or flimsy as plastic phones often do. The phone feels good during calls (which so far sound so good out here in the Bay Area on Sprint's network), and feels pretty good during one or two-handed use, even in my large, uber-manly mitts.

While Pixi's 2.63" capacative touch display is much smaller than Pre's, WebOS was made to resize to fit different resolutions, and it looks great on Pixi's 320 x 400 screen. Reading Emails and Web browsing was fine on Pixi, in part due to the OS' excellent double tap and pinch-to-zoom methods for resizing text and Web pages. I will, however, admit to basking in the extra real estate when I switched from the Palm to iPhone or Droid with their massive 3.5" and 3.7" (respectively) displays. Pixi ain't no giant touchscreen phone, but it's amazing how quickly I got used to it all the same.

I really feared Pixi's keyboard after suffering such disappointment with Pre's curved rows of tiny little domed QWERTY buttons. Pixi really surprised me, however, by being far more usable than its big brother when it came to tapping out IMs and Emails with my thumbs. Credit Palm for redesigning Pixi's QWERTY using slightly taller/skinnier buttons and giving them a much more satisfying click action than Pre's. Palm also ditched the Pre's curved rows in favor of a straight grid array of buttons, and I personally like that the QWERTY resides on a flat plane as opposed to Pre's somewhat recessed keyboard. Whatever the magic is that transpired between Pre's debut and Pixi's design, it added up to far more accurate, comfortable typing - at least for me.

Pixi's backside is also quite nice, what with its matte black soft-grip plastic, inset mesh stereo speaker grilles, and understated camera sensor and flash. The inclusion of an iPhone-style hardware mute switch is a nice touch, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is, of course, appreciated. I didn't dig the somewhat hard to press lock/power button or the fussy, magnetically latched micro-USB port cover so much, but neither is a deal-breaker.

And did I mention how thin and light Pixi is? Combine that with the phone's tall and skinny footprint and you've got an insanely pocketable device. Seriously, this thing has me rethinking my whole "Giant touchscreen phones are awesome!" state of mind. There's something to be said for lots of function packed into the tiniest package possible so long as it's still usable.

Speaking of usability, Pixi's faults lie not on its surface but inside that sexy little body. WebOS lags on this device, and while Sprint's EV-DO network generally offers solid 3G data speeds, there's no reason not to arm a smartphone with WiFI in this day and age. As such, the overall experience of using that beautiful, functional operating system is a bit less Zen-like than it is on the zippier Pre. Apps take a noticeably long time to launch, cards sometimes hang in mid-swipe, and Web pages are given to momentary freezes during render.

Pixi isn't so slow as to be unusable. But Pre users in search of a different form factor and smartphone nerds wanting a taste of WebOS will surely notice (and scoff) at the performance hits brought on by the cost-saving processor Palm wedged into this device. While WebOS is made for multitasking, Pixi itself is more made for sending a message while your Web page is still open - multitasking Lite, if you will.

I haven't done much with Pixi's camera yet, but I can tell you it's a 2 megapixel w/flash affair. On the one hand, that's 1.2 MP less than Pre. On the other hand, if you haven't learned by now that megapixel count alone tells you almost nothing about a cameraphone's photo taking abilities, well, you should learn it already. It's true.

Palm makes no bones about Pre's place in the market, however. They're aiming it at users who want a messaging phone with a little bit extra going for it, not for the full-on smartphone user at whom Pre is aimed. For most people that's fine, though again I can't forgive the lack of WiFi (especially when iPhone 3G, HTC Hero, and HTC Droid Eris all pack WiFi at the same $99 price point).

I'm not most people, though, what with my insanely quirky and refined tastes in smartphones. What I really want is a Pixi with Pre's speed. Instead I'm left with a choice - Pre's form factor (which I don't much like), Pixi's performance issues (and lack of WiFi), or a device that doesn't run WebOS. Decisions, decisions, huh?

I think I may wind up waiting to see if rumors of a slightly larger, higher-powered Pixi offshoot start kicking around any time soon. Doubtful, I know, but at least I've got a Pixi to play with for a few more weeks in the meantime But I feel like Pixi is a compromise, and with Pres readily had for under $100 with contract via various online retailers, Pixi's $99 price tag (via Sprint) isn't much of a reason to pass up the more powerful Pre. If you're in the market for a WebOS phone, it looks like the choice will come down to a thinner phone with a better keyboard (Pixi) or a phone with a larger display that performs markedly better all around (Pre). I'll chime in with some more thoughts on Pixi after a bit more testing.

ARTICLE: Palm releases webOS v1.3.1

11/16/2009 7:25:00 PM

A day after the retail launch of the Palm Pixi, webOS 1.3.1 has officially launched. Despite iTunes sync being notoriously absent, the ability to forward SMS and instant messages, Yahoo! contact and calendar sync, Yahoo! IM, improved notifications for e-mails, custom ringtones for text messages, PIN lock timer, and various video changes make the 126 MB update worth downloading.

The full change log can be viewed here (Bell users, yours is here). Palm users (running webOS), get your download on!

Via: BGR and PreCentral

ARTICLE: Simple Mobile hits the MVNO marketplace, offering affordable rate plans

11/16/2009 4:00:00 PM

"OMG! Simple Mobile!"

Despite the risky nature of the MVNO business (which brought Helio, Amp'd Mobile, ESPN Mobile, Disney Mobile, and Voce down), that's the browser title for the latest MVNO to enter the arena, Simple Mobile. As the company name implies, Simple Mobile's mission is to provide a straightforward cell phone service - something needed in today's wireless market. Similar to other prepaid alternatives on the market, Simple Mobile utilizes a tiered pricing system. For $40 per month, the customer receives unlimited talk; for $45 per month, unlimited talk and text; and for $50 per month, unlimited talk, text, and web. All plans offer unlimited local, long distance, and 411 calling, along with voicmail, caller ID, and call waiting.

With the holiday season approaching, combined with the challenging economy, I can certainly see Simple Mobile being successful if they play their cards right. What say you?

Via: PhoneScoop

ARTICLE: Breaking: AT&T shipping BlackBerry Bold 9700 to business customers

11/16/2009 3:50:00 PM

Though the official launch date for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 remains November 22nd, business customers are able to get their hands on it early. To clarify, a "business" customer qualifies as anyone that has a FAN (Foundation Account Number, or discount code) on their account. Reports are coming in that the device is quickly shipping from AT&T's various warehouses (BGR reports via Twitter that his will most likely arrive tomorrow).

The picture shown above is my personal Premier account; the actual price of the device may vary depending on the deal that your institution has inked with AT&T. At any rate, it's nice to see the device hitting the market.

Stay tuned for more coverage at BBerryDog!

ARTICLE: BlackBerry Curve 8520 and LG Shine II to land at AT&T

11/16/2009 2:55:00 PM

Like I always say, different strokes for different folks. BlackBerry Bold 9700 doesn't tickle your fancy? iPhone too cliche for you? AT&T has you covered with two new device launches in the next few weeks.

Sporting a 320x240 display, 512 MHz processor, 256 MB of memory, EDGE connectivity, an optical trackpad, Wi-Fi (simultaneous voice and data while using Wi-Fi - I like it), and a 2-megapixel camera, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be available in the "coming weeks" (because, you know, giving actual release dates is so 2008) for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year agreement.

Next up, the Shine II - though it's mostly simillar to the original, the revision offers a 2.2-inch display, 3.6 Mbps HSDPA for 3G connectivity, GPS, and a microSD card slot with support for up to a 16 GB card. The Shine II will share the November 22nd launch date with the BlackBerry Bold 9700, and will cost $119.99 after a rebate and two-year agreement.

Let the buying begin!

Via: Engadget Mobile

VIDEO: X10 Hands-On: New video makes Rachael look faster

11/16/2009 1:10:00 PM

If only the guys at HDBlog.it had spent as much time learning how to work the Zoom button on their camcorder as they did editing the over-the-top epic introduction of their new video. Guys, next time you get hands-on time with the latest build of the hottest unreleased phone on the planet, zoom in on the screen! To make it worse, they finally do zoom in a few times at around the 7 minute mark, but only for a few seconds before cutting back to the original zoomed-out frame. Aargh!

That said, Sony Ericsson's forthcoming Xperia X10 Android phone is looking faster and sexier than ever in this latest hands-on video. Looks like the HDBlog folks got a newer build of the software than SE showed off at the phone's launch a few weeks back - Rachael is right snappy in this 10+ minute vid, and the highly visual user interface looks great. And wow, that EuroTechnoPop music playing in the background is pretty hot and snappy itself ...

Contacts, Mediascape, Timescape, it all looks great on X10 in the vid. The latest info has SE's first Android phone pegged for a February ship date in the UK. Now excuse me while I go pester my contacts at SE for an early prototype.

Via: HDBlog.it and Engadget