It appears BlackBerry’s upcoming Kickstart clamshell handset will be making its way to Rogers - Canada’s largest GSM mobile carrier. The Kickstart clamshell is BlackBerry’s attempt at bringing BlackBerry functionality to a lower end market - the mass market that is. According to Gizmodo, T-Mobile expects to launch the Kickstart in September for a price of $50 bucks. BGR thinks Rogers will be launching the Kickstart at around the same time.. for probably near the same price. If so - this could definitely give BlackBerry a major edge when it comes to the smartphone market.

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Technorati Tags: Rogers, BlackBerry Kickstart

The Boy Genius Report has an interesting snapshot of what appears to be a new upcoming Motorola handset. Dubbed the “Motorola Alexander”, BGR claims the smartphone features Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, a 5 to 8 megapixel camera, a built-in NVIDIA graphics chipset, and assisted GPS. From the angle and appearance, the Alexander appears to be a slim slider phone with a QWERTY keyboard. What’s also interesting is the blurry picture of the user interface. Looks like Motorola did some customization work on the Windows Mobile Today screen. If the Alexander is truly thin, the performance respectable, and the keyboard usable, then Motorola could have a cool phone on their hands. A lot of ifs tho..

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Technorati Tags: Motorola, Alexander, Windows Mobile Smartphone

Motorola expanded their ROKR line of handsets today with the introduction of three new phones - the MOTOROKR EM30, the ROKR EM28, and the ROKR EM25… and yes.. this is pretty much all about music. The EM30 is a candybar shaped handset featuring Motorola’s ModeShift technology which allows users to easily transform the device from a mobile phone into a music player. The EM28 is a clamshell handset with music capabilities and touch-sensitive keys while the EM25 is a slider-based handset with FM radio sharing capabilities.  Let’s get into the major details.

The MOTOROKR EM30:

Motorola’s ModeShift technology helps transform the handset from a phone to a music player thanks to the illuminated keyboard. Keys light up in red when in music mode or blue when in phone mode. Other features include:

• Quad band GSM support
• GPRS/EDGE class 12
• Measures 115 x 53 x 10.6 mm and weighs 100 grams
• MP3 downloads
• FM radio with RDS support
• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Support for MIDI, MP3, AAC, AAC+, Enhanced AAC+, WMA, WAV, AMR-NB,Real Audio (RA) v10
• Text to speech recognition
• Airplane mode
• CrystalTalk technology
• Compatible with Windows Media Player 11
• 2 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom
• Bluetooth support
• USB 2.0 support
• microSD support
• Runs the LiMo Platform

The ROKR EM28:

The EM28 is all about music (oh.. and yes it’s a phone too) thanks to touch-sensitive keys that appear only when they’re needed. The front of the handset shows the name of the artist and the song being played so you’ll never have to flip open the phone to see what is currently playing. Other features include:

• Triband GSM 850/1800/1900 900/1800/1900, GPRS Class 10, EDGE Class 10
• Measures 94.35 x 49.5 x 17.38 mm and weighs 90 grams
• Supports 3D sound effects, spatial audio, and bass boost
• CrystalTalk technology
• FM radio with RDS support
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• Speakerphone
• microSD slot
• 1.3 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom
• video capture and playback
• Support for 32-poly AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR NB, , MP3, WAV, RA6
• Displays: Internal, 1.8 inch 128×160 65k TFT; External, 1.2 inch 96 x 80 black and white matrix CLI
• Dedicated music jump key/smart key and navigational keys; touch-sensitive multimodal keys on external CLI.
• Bluetooth support
• 450 minute talk time
• 250 hour standby time
• 11 hour music playback time

The ROKR EM25:

Yes.. the EM25 is another music enabled handset (really.. is there any handset that won’t play back music anymore?). Features include a built-in FM radio, access to a stored music library, and a dedicated music key.  Users can also use FMShare to share a favorite station with friends by sending it as a text message and SONGID technology to identify a song that’s being played. Specs include:

• GSM 850/1900 & 900/1800, GPRS Class 10
• Measures 101 x 46 x 13.9 mm and weighs less than 90 grams
• Audio: One-touch MP3 player, FM radio with RDS, uninterrupted music in airplane mode, universal 3.5 mm headset jack, speakerphone
• microSD support
• 1.3 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom
• Support for AAC, AMR NB, MIDI, MP3, WAV
• CrystalTalk technology
• Bluetooth support
• 1.8 inch 128 x 160 65K color External Display

Technorati Tags: Motorola, MOTOROKR EM30, MOTOROKR EM25, ROKR EM28

Apple released version 2.0.1 of the iPhone OS for first generation iPhones, the new iPhone 3G, and the iPod touch. I’ve yet to try the update myself but according to Crave, some improvements included better keyboard responsiveness, reduced lag in the Contacts application, and faster backups. Of course, the update features “bug fixes” but we don’t know exactly what kind of issues these fixes address.

To get the update, just connect your device to your PC or Mac, start up iTunes (unless it starts up automatically), and then press the “Update” button.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Apple iPhone OS 2.0.1, update, iPhone, iPod touch, firmware update

Duracell has launched the Duracell My Pocket Charger and PowerSource Mini to help keep your mobile devices powered while you’re on the go. Its actually pretty amazing that the company best known for batteries didn’t come up with these solutions sooner! In any event, here’s what you need to know about these two new products.

The Duracell My Pocket Charger is a pocket-sized power source comprised of two Duracell AA batteries. It comes in two models - one for MP3 players and one for all BlackBerry models and the newest Motorola phones. The MP3 player model can provide up to 24 hours of music on the latest iPod nano. The BlackBerry model can provide an additional hour of talk time.

The Duracell PowerSource Mini is a pocket sized rechargeable battery that can provide power to USB powered devices (cell phones, BlackBerry phones, MP3 players etc). The PowerSource Mini is a DC to DC lithium-ion battery pack. Features include:

Via GearFuse

• mini USB pivot arm for direct connections to devices
• Second USB port allows you to power two devices at once
• Includes AC adapter and DC charger - each with a USB port

Technorati Tags: Duracell, PowerSource Mini, My Pocket Charger

Those of you waiting for an Android based handset will be happy to hear that HTC’s version is on track for fourth quarter shipment. DigiTimes is reporting that HTC will deliver Android-based handsets to ODM clients during the fourth quarter as planned. No word of course as to when these handsets would actually make it to the U.S. though.

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Technorati Tags: HTC, Android

It looks like the Sony Ericssoon R306a might soon be coming to the U.S., as the handset has made its way to the FCC for approval. According to the Sony Ericsson webpage here, the R306a features the following:

• 128 x 160 pixel 65K color TFT display
• 5MB of internal memory
• Tri-band GSM (850/1800/1900)
• Measures 3.5 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches and weighs 3.3 oz
• Available in Coffee Black or Lustrous White
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Video recording capable
• AM/FM radio

What’s interesting is the picture from the SE website - the R306a looks more like a tabletop radio than a mobile phone - at least when closed.

[Via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Sony Ericsson R306a, FCC

The Sprint AIRAVE device and service is finally just around the corner. According to a press release from Sprint, the new AIRAVE by Samsung, will officially launch on August 17th with an MSRP of $99.99 (additional charges will apply for required services - more on that in a second).

If you’re not familiar with Sprint AIRAVE, it’s basically a mini cell tower that you purchase and install in your home or business which then connects to your broadband Internet connection. The AIRAVE is compatible with any Sprint phone (not Nextel phones though) which means Sprint subscribers will be able to use their phones whether they are on the go or at home. It’s especially useful if you have poor Sprint reception in your home or office because the AIRAVE gives you a localized coverage area for your phone calls (think T-Mobile HotSpot@Home meets cell phone towers). The AIRAVE is compatible with all Sprint phones because it leverages the same Sprint CMDA network signals as the wider Sprint Nationwide Network. 

Key features include:

• No new phone to purchase
• Talk all you want with the optional unlimited AIRAVE calling plan. The plan includes unlimited incoming and outgoing calls and nationwide long distance are included
• Easy to install into existing broadband Internet connection - ready to use out of the box
• Calls initiated on AIRAVE will transfer automatically to nationwide Sprint network when you leave the AIRAVE coverage area.
• Covers up to 5,000 square feet

So now the payment details. The Sprint AIRAVE by Samsung will cost you $99.99 to purchase. You’ll need to subscribe to an AIRAVE enhanced coverage plan which costs $4.99 per month on top of your existing voice plan. If you want unlimited in-home calling and you do not have Sprint’s unlimited voice plan, you can purchase an optional AIRAVE Unlimited Voice plan for an additional $10 dollars per month for individuals or $20 dollars per month for families. And again - the AIRAVE will be coming out on August 17th.

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Technorati Tags: Sprint AIRAVE, August 17th

If you’re interested in the new T-Mobile Sidekick which was introduced today, then you should check out these three reviews of the handset from LaptopMag, PC Magazine, and MobileBurn.

LaptopMag had this to say about the new Sidekick:

There’s nothing particularly wrong with the T-Mobile Sidekick, but it feels outdated compared with phones like the identically priced LG Voyager, which offers nearly all of the same features but also a 3G data connection, touchscreen, GPS, TV, and an over-the-air music store.

PC Mag had this to say:

Sometimes it’s what you wear that matters, not what’s on the inside. If that philosophy works for you, then it’s time to buy a Sidekick with some cool customizable cases.

Another interesting note from the PC Mag review was the first line of the article: “If you’re over 30, you might as well stop reading this review now. As a 34-year-old geek, I’ve had trouble getting into the Sidekick mind-set.”

Yeah.. I definitely fall into that category. I’ve always had a hard time enjoying a Sidekick device.. It’s definitely a phone for the younger adults and kids.

Finally, the folks at MobileBurn had this to say from their in-depth coverage:

Fun features like the user designed covers are just going to make the new T-Mobile Sidekick all the more popular. It might not have full smartphone functionality, but it can do most anything that the typical consumer needs. We give it a “Highly Recommended” rating.

Yeah.. they were a bit nicer

Technorati Tags: T-Mobile Sidekick, PC Magazine, LaptopMag, MobileBurn, Review

As expected, T-Mobile launched a new version of their popular Sidekick handset offering customers the ability to create and customize their own shell for the phone. The new Sidekick will ship with two shells - a black shell and a metallic green shell. A variety of pre-designed shells will also be available for customers to purchase at either T-Mobile stores or at the online website. However, customers can also create their own personal skin via SkinIt at http://www.sidekickshells.com. You can upload your own personal photo or graphic design, select your own text, shapes, icons, or logos and then have it all custom-printed onto a shell for the phone. Customers can also share their designs at http://www.sidekick.com.

The new Sidekick is a bit smaller, thinner, and lighter than previous Sidekick models and now features the following:

• Quad-band world phone 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; GSM,GPRS,EDGE
• Video capture and playback
• Integrated Spanish user interface
• IM, text and e-mail support
• Bluetooth 2.0 with stereo Bluetooth support
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• microSD card support
• Horizontal swivel screen
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• 2.6 inch 400 x 240 (WQVGA) screen
• Enhanced web surfing - PC-like, full-size layout or standard Sidekick screen-size layout to scroll and read a page
• Install and use downloads without restarting the device
• Includes 512MB microSD card
• T-Mobile myFaves enabled
• Measures 4.7 x 2.3 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs 5.3 oz
• 1030 mAh Lion battery

The new phone is now available at T-Mobile stores and online at the T-Mobile website. You can purchase it for $149.99 after a $100 instant discount, a $50.00 mail-in rebate, and a new monthly T-Mobile plan.

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Technorati Tags: T-Mobile, Sidekick,