“HTC disagrees with Apple’s actions and will fully defend itself. HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible,”

Mr. Chou continues:

“From day one, HTC has focused on creating cutting-edge innovations that deliver unique value for people looking for a smartphone. In 1999 we started designing the XDA and T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition, our first touch-screen smartphones, and they both shipped in 2002 with more than 50 additional HTC smartphone models shipping since then.”

Although HTC did not disclose their legal strategies to combat the lawsuit, it’s clear the company intends on showing its smartphones were using technologies Apple claims to own long before the iPhone was even released to the public.

And what of the 800 pounds gorilla known as Google? Well the New York Times states that “there is evidence that HTC and Google are indeed coordinating their response to the lawsuits.”

This should be an interesting fight to watch. Pull up a chair folks!

[Check it out]

[Check out the NYT article]

Technorati Tags: HTC, Google, Apple

Just like current versions of the Nexus One, the Sprint version of the Nexus One will be sold directly from Google at www.google.com/phone. You won’t find the Nexus One in any Sprint retail channel.

Features and specs to the Sprint version of the Nexus One include:

• Android 2.1 OS
• Google Maps Navigation for turn-by-turn driving directions with voice output.
• Email: multiple Gmail accounts; universal inbox and Microsoft Exchange support.
• Phone book: aggregate contacts from multiple sources, including Facebook
• Quick Contacts: easily switch between communication and social applications.
• Android Market: access to more than 30,000 applications.
• 3.7″ AMOLED 480×800 WVGA display
• Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 3G QSD8250 chipset
• 5 megapixel auto focus cameraw with flash and geo tagging
• 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
• 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
• Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
• 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
• Removable 1400 mAh battery
• Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
• Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive

Details on pricing, voice/data plans, and availability are not available yet but make sure to follow @sprint on Twitter for more details to come.

Technorati Tags: Sprint, Google Nexus One

First off – it appears the upcoming Motorola Cliq XT handset will be priced at $100 dollars with a new two year contract.

Secondly, it looks like the HTC HD2 will launch on March 24th. This Windows Mobile 6.5-based handset will feature Barnes & Nobles eBook application as well as video apps from Blockbuster and MobiTV pre-loaded.

Joining the HTC HD2 on March 24th will be the Nokia Nuron. It’ll cost $70 dollar with a new two year contract and will require at least a $10 dollar data plan. The handset can also be purchased for $180 dollars contract-free.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: T-Mobile, HTC HD2, Motorola CLIQ XT, Nokia Nuron

Two versions are now available for the Nexus One. The two models both support four GSM radio frequencies (850/900/1800/1900) but differ in the supported 3G/UMTS bands. The T-Mobile version uses the 900 MHz, AWS, and 2100 MHz frequency bands while the version supporting AT&T and Rogers Wireless uses the 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, and 2100 MHz frequency bands.

You’ll be able to purchase the new AT&T/Rogers Wireless version of the Nexus One for a price of $529 directly from Google. There is no subsidized pricing for this version of the Nexus One at this time.

[Check it out via PC Mag]

Technorati Tags: Google Nexus One, AT&T, Rogers Wireless

So what can you expect out of the new 2.1 update? Here’s a list of enhancements and improvements courtesy of this PDF file from the Verizon support pages.

Enhancements include:

• Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and
  Google Maps.
• New Weather and News application plus widget.

• The Weather and News app pulls the information you want from the Web and brings it to your fingertips. You get weekly and hourly weather forecasts based on your location, and news headlines.

• Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone
  icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.

Improvements include:

• Free Yahoo! Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo!
  email address and password
• Google Maps update

• Personalized suggestions and synchronized starring with
  desktop maps.google.com.
• Starred items are stored and synced automatically between Google Maps on your device and maps.google.com on your computer, making it easy to search for places you’ve searched
  for before.
• New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes
  the screen at night for easier viewing.

via LaptopMag

Technorati Tags: Motorola Droid 2.1 update, Verizon Wireless

Samsung Sunburst:

• 3 inch full resistive touch-screen display
• Black and Chrome design
• Messaging options include SMS, MMS, IM, and email
• Widget based user interface providing one-touch access to favorite features, applications, and social networking sites
• Virtual full keyboard
• Full browser experience with single zoom
• Smart unlock for easy access to applications
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• Support for AT&T SocialNet, AT&T Navigator, and AT&T Mobile Music
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• Measures 2.08 x 4.33 x 0.51 inches and weighs 3.08 oz

The Samsung Sunburst will be available for $39.99 after a new two year agreement and a mail-in rebate of $50 dollars (pay $89.99 and receive a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card with a new 2 year agreement).

Samsung Strive:

The Strive is the first handset to offer AT&T’s three new mobile services – a new group messaging service, AT&T Mobile Share, and AT&T Address Book. Features include:

• Vertical slider handset
• Available in two color options – black/silver and purple/charcoal
• Full, slide-out QWERTY keyboard
• Send threaded text messages with video, pictures, and view multiple conversations at the same time
• Messaging options include mobile email, SMS, MMS, video messaging, and IM
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
  AT&T Video Share and Mobile Video support
• Measures 4.2 x 2.3 x 0.57 inches and weighs 3.99 oz

The Samsung Strive is available for $19.99 for a limited time (you’ll pay $69.99 and receive a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card with a new 2 year agreement).

Technorati Tags: Samsung Strive, Samsung Sunburst, AT&T

As expected, a ton of Windows Phone 7 Series information was announced today on the first day of Microsoft’s MIX10 event being held in Las Vegas. After combing through various CNET, PC Magazine, PC World, and Microsoft press releases, here are the major tidbits that you need to know about the new OS platform, and application development for the platform.

First off, Microsoft announced to would-be developers a list of features that one would find with your typical Windows Phone 7 Series phones including:

• Built-in accelerometer
• Microsoft Location Service providing developers with a single point of reference to acquire location info
• Microsoft Notification Service for pushing info to the phone – regardless of the application state
• Hardware-accelerated video with DRM
• Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming
• Multi-touch support
• Built-in camera and microphone support

To make use of all of these features, Microsoft announced a suite of development tools to support Windows Phone 7 Series development. The new development package includes previews of the following:

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone
• Windows Phone 7 Series add-in to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC
• XNA Game Studio 4.0
• Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator for app testing
• Express Blend for Windows Phone Community Technology Preview

As for application development for the new platform, developers will be working with Silverlight and the XNA Framework. Silverlight will be used for “rich application development” while the XNA Framework will be used to develop games for the platform.  Sorry but native applications will not be allowed on the handset. The UI will only run interpreted or managed code through Silverlight or XNA. (this comes courtesy of PC World)

What about Flash you ask? Well Microsoft confirmed that Adobe was indeed working on a version of Flash for Windows Phone 7.

We talked about the rumored multi-tasking support coming to the iPhone OS 4.0. What about the Windows Phone 7 Series you might ask? CNET has an interesting article covering this topic and here are some of the tidbits:

• The underlying kernel will of course support multitasking. Just like the iPhone, one can play music while running another application such as checking his/her calendar
• However, there’s no guarantee that multitasking will be available on the platform. Microsoft is working on ensuring applications can save their state when going into the background

OK – so we know some of the development details related to Windows Phone 7 Series. What about how one goes about distributing apps? That falls into the new Windows Phone Marketplace. Here’s what Microsoft announced about the upcoming Marketplace today:

• Marketplace will feature panoramic design and active merchandising to increase discoverability of games and apps
• Supports one-time credit card purchases
• Allows for mobile operator billing
• Allows for advertising-funded apps
• Will allow for try-before-buy model
• Allow developers to cross promote apps through “deep linking”

Microsoft also showcased a number of applications which will make their debut with Windows Phone 7 Series including:

• Electronic Arts
• Glu Mobile
• Seesmic
• Foursquare
• Associated Press
• Pandora
• Sling Media
• SPB Software

Check out additional pictures of sample third party applications over at PC Magazine.

Some of you might have wondered – what’s the deal with Zune HD and Windows Phone 7 Series? Well here’s what we know thus far courtesy of CNET,

• Every Windows Phone 7 handset will offer the complete functionality of Zune HD including wireless sync
• The handset will automatically find and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once it finds it and your PC, Zune software will launch and automatically perform a two-way sync of all your music, videos, and pictures
• It’s not clear whether Zune Pass will continue with Windows Phone 7 Series.

Finally to get a hold of all of the latest press releases, SDKs, and information, head over to http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/mix/. You’ll be able to find the Windows Phone Developer tools and emulator, Silverlight 4 RC, and other tidbits.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, MIX10, Windows Phone 7 Series

Man it seems like the only thing we’re writing about right now are Samsung products. I promise – that’s ending.. BUT before we end, one more product for you to check out – it’s the new Samsung Stunt SCH-R100 mobile handset coming out for Cricket Communications.

The Stunt is a candy bar handset featuring:

• 1.7 inch 128 x 160 65K color display
• Support for email and IM messaging options
• Bluetooth
• aGPS support
• Apps including Calendar, Scheduler, To-Do list, Clock, Alarm, Converter, Calculator, memo book, and stop watch
• Speakerphone
• Voice recognition
• Measures 4.2 x 1.7 x 0.54 inches
• 3.3 hour talk time and 200 hour standby time

The Stunt is available for $99.99 at Cricket retail stores, dealers, and at mycricket.com.

OK.. that’s it! No more Samsung.. for a few postings hopefully.

Technorati Tags: Cricket Communications, Samsung Stunt SCH-R100

The Samsung Freeform SCH-r351 messaging handset is now available at U.S. Cellular for $19.95 after a new two-year agreement (which provides a discount of $90 dollars), and a mail-in rebate of $50 dollars. The SCH-r351 features a four-row QWERTY keyboard, navigation keys/shortcut bar, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and a 2.2 inch QCIF resolution display. Other specs include:

• Built-in MP3 player with support for playlists
• Stereo Bluetooth support
• One-touch speakerphone
• Support for SMS, MMS, and Threaded Text Messaging
• CDMA 800MhMHz/PCS 1900 MHz
• Measures 2.4 x 4.42 x 0.50 inches
• Weighs 3.63 oz
• Talk time of 6 hours
• Standby time of 300 hours

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: U.S. Cellular, Samsung Freeform SCH-r351

Here’s an interesting story on the mobile front. Although Microsoft has made much hoopla over the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series, it hasn’t said a peep about the rumored Project Pink handsets. Now, according to Gizmodo, Project Pink is indeed coming and Verizon Wireless will be the first carrier to release handsets based on it.

Thanks to a tipster, Gizmodo received a ton of third party marketing material laying out the promotional plan for Pink. There will be two handsets coming out in the late April time frame – a vertical slider and a horizontal slider. Yes that means these are indeed messenger-oriented handsets.

Verizon appears to be at least the launch partner if not the exclusive provider for the new handsets. Social networking appears to be another key feature of this handset. As for apps – that’s a maybe?

No one is exactly sure since it appears these Project Pink handsets are NOT Windows Phone 7 handsets.. soo if they’re not, what the heck are they? Should be interesting to see over the coming months.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, Project Pink

The updated program allows new and existing customers to turn in up to three eligible wireless devices per active line of service for instant point-of-sale credit.

There are currently over 900 wireless devices that are eligible for instant credit from Sprint with credits ranging from approximately $5 dollars to upwards of $300 dollars depending on the make and model of the device. You can see the list of eligible devices over at https://secure.sprintbuyback.com/rbb/eligible_phones.php

Sprint customers can simply head to sprintbuyback.com to find out information about the terms and conditions, determine device eligibility for credit, estimate  current market value, download free postage-paid labels, and access guidelines for deleting personal data prior to mailing-in the device.

Technorati Tags: Sprint Buyback, Wireless Recycling

The LG ARENA will be available online for AT&T customers starting on February 26th and in AT&T stores nationwide starting on March 7th. The ARENA measures a half-inch thin and features:

• 3 inch touch-screen display
• 5.0 megapixel autofocus camera
• Support for 7.2 HSPA 3G connectivity
• 3D S-Class User Interface
• AT&T Mobile TV capable
• AT&T Mobile Browser for full HTML browsing
• Support for AT&T Navigator for turn-by-turn voice and onscreen directions, automatic rerouting, and real-time traffic monitoring, etc.
• AT&T Social Net for easy access to various social-networking sites

The LG ARENA will be available for $199.99 after a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card and a new two year agreement.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, LG, LG ARENA

• Barnes & Noble eReader application delivering eBooks, newspapers, magazines, and your Barnes & Nobile digital library
• BLOCKBUSTER On Demand video download application allows customers to buy a movie on one device and watch on another connected device
• MobiTV providing access to live and on-demand TV including MTV, NBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, etc. The first 30 days of service will be free once HD2 customers subscribe to MobiTV
• “Transformers” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” pre-loaded on the device’s memory card
• Gogo Inflight Internet service with six months of free in-flight Wi-Fi access on the HD2

Just in case you forgot, some of the features of the HTC HD2 include:

• 4.3 inch capacitive touch display
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor
• 1st Windows Phone with HTC Sense
• Windows Mobile 6.5 OS
• GPS support with turn-by-turn navigation from TeleNav
• Web browser
• Pre-installed 16GB microSD card
• 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash

The HTC HD2 is exclusive to T-Mobile in the U.S. and is expected this spring.

[Check it out]

[Press release]

Technorati Tags: T-Mobile, HTC HD2, Windows Mobile Smartphone

The Impact Series features a durable, single layer of shock absorbing silicone that wraps securely around the device. The case also comes with a self-adhering screen protector and microfiber cleaning cloth. New models supported include:

• HTC Ozone
• LG Arena KM900
• LG Versa
• Nokia E63
• Nokia E71
• Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
• HP iPAQ Voice Messenger
• Samsung Instinct s30
• Palm Treo Pro

The Commuter Series is basically a combination of the Impact Series and the Defender Series, offering the slender design of the Impact Series with the rugged protection of the Defender Series. You’ll also get a self-adhering screen protector and microfiber cleaning cloth with the Commuter Series. New models supported include:

• HTC Ozone
• HTC myTouch
• LG Arena
• LG Versa
• Nokia E63
• Nokia E71
• Nokia E72
• Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
• Nokia N97
• Nokia N97 mini
• HP iPAQ Glisten
• Samsung Instinct s30
• Samsung OMNIA II i8000

The Defender Series provides three layers of protection to handsets:  a clear thermal formed membrane, a custom molded polycarbonate shell, and a durable silicone layer. New models supported include:

• HTC P6500
• HTC Touch
• Nokia E71
• Nokia E72
• Samsung OMNIA
• Samsung OMNIA II i8000
• Palm Treo Pro
• Palm Centro

Technorati Tags: OtterBox, OtterBox Impact Series, OtterBox Commuter Series, OtterBox Defender Series

Specs for the X6 include:

• 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics
• Dual LED flash
• 3.2 inch wide-screen capacitive touch-screen display
• Available in black, white, white with pink highlights, and white with yellow highlights
• 18 day standby time, 11.5 hour talk time, 4.5 hour video playback time, and 35 hour music playback time
• Pre-loaded games including Spore, Asphalt4, and DJ Mix Tour

The 16GB Nokia X6 will be available this quarter.

[Check it out via Boy Genius Report]

Technorati Tags: Nokia 16GB X6

Boost Mobile and Kyocera Communications announces the availability of Boost’s first ever QWERTY clamshell handset, the Sanyo Incognito, at a reduced price of $129.99.

Features of the Sanyo Incognito (model SCP6760) include the following:

• Full QWERTY keyboard with dedicated emoticon, direct-to-text and camera keys
• Glow-thru external display with touch-sensitive keypad
• 2.6 inch 320 x 240 resolution display with support for 65K colors
• 0.9 inch glow-thru sub-display
• 3G EV-DO data support
• 2 megapixel camera with VGA camcorder and digital zoom
• MMS, SMS, and IM
• Compatible with Windows Live, AOL/AIM, Yahoo!, Gmail, IMAP/POP3 accounts
• Emails are pushed to phone
• PictBridge capable
• Built-in music player supporting MIDI/QCELP/MP3/AAC/AAC+
• microSD slot
• Stereo Bluetooth support
• 2.5 mm stereo headset jack
• GPS enabled
• Speakerphone with voice-activated dialing
• Downloadable games, wallpapers, and real music ringtones
• Voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting
• 600 entry phone book
• Alarm clock, calendar, calculator, to-do list, and voice-memo recorder
• 5.1 hour talk time

You can purchase the Sanyo Incognito today for $129.99 which is $20 dollars off the original price of $149.99. You can purchase the Incognito with free shipping by going directly to www.boostmobile.com.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Boost Mobile, Sanyo Incognito SCP6760

T-Mobile announces the upcoming availability of the new myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition as well as a new partnership with Eric Clapton to help launch the new handset. Clapton will star in a new commercial showcasing a personalized myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition set to debut on national TV on January 20th.

The new Fender Limited Edition will ship with pre-loaded Clapton tracks including “Layla,” “My Father’s Eyes,” “Rock ‘N’ Roll Heart,” and “Wonderful Tonight”.

Designed in collaboration with Fender, the new handset features:

• Fender guitar sunburst-finish inspired design
• 16GB microSD card
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• Enhanced music player developed by HTC with intuitive user interface that allows for toggling between different views or for changing a song or album by simply touching album art.
• Customers can create ringtones from songs they are playing
• Guitar:Solo and Musical Light applications preloaded
• Additional pre-loaded tracks from artists Wyclef Jean, Avril Lavigne and Brad Paisley.

T-Mobile will also be introducing “doubleTwist” which is a free application enabling users to easily manage and sync their multimedia content on their PC or Mac directly to their mobile device.  doubleTwist automatically finds all music on a computer and allows users to import their iTunes playlists.

You’ll be able to get the new T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition starting on January 20th for a price of $179.99 (along with a new two year service agreement and a qualifying voice and data plan).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition

The date is January 5th and no.. it’s not the start of CES 2010. That would officially be January 7th.

So what exactly is going on that day you ask? That’s the day Google plans on having an Android-related press conference where if all rumors are correct, the search giant will formally announce the availability of the new Nexus One handset.

In fact the latest set of rumors coming out of Gizmodo have confirmed two important things:

1. Google will sell the phone unlocked and unsubsidized for $529.99 dollars and
2. Google will sell the phone by themselves

Here are other interesting tidbits about the Nexus One handset:

• The phone can be purchased at a subsidized cost of $179.99 dollars assuming you agree to a new two year contract with T-Mobile
• There will only be one plan to choose from – it will be the $79.99 plan consisting of the $39.99 Even More Individual 500 Plan, Unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited T-Mobile to T-Mobile minutes, Unlimited domestic messaging including SMS, MMS, IM, Android Unlimited Web
• If you’re a current customer of T-Mobile, you won’t be able to keep your current plan if you want the phone
• Those on Family Plans, Flexpay, SmartAccess, and KidConnect will have to buy the phone at the unsubsidized cost of $529.99
• Each Google account can only purchase up to five phones
• Google will sell the phone at google.com/phone
• Google will also offer two accessories – a Nexus One desktop docking station for $39.99 and a Nexus One car docking station for $49.99

Oh and one more interesting tidbit. Should you cancel your plan before 120 days, you’ll have to  pay the difference between the unsubsidized and the subsidized price which amounts to $350 dollars. You also have the option of returning the phone to Google.

Of course the only confirmed thing thus far is the press conference on the 5th but its safe to bet that the Nexus One will indeed be available for purchase that day.

[Check out Gizmodo’s article on the Nexus One documents]

Technorati Tags: Google, Android, Nexus One, T-Mobile

The OtterBox Impact Series now supports the HTC Ozone, LG Arena and LG Versa smartphones and features:

• Shock absorbing silicone that wraps around the device
• Self-adhering screen protector

The OtterBox Commuter Series now supports the HTC Ozone, LG Arena, and LG Versa smartphones and features:

• Combines the features of the Impact and Defender series cases
• Three layers of protection – layer one is a self-adhering clear protective skin; later two is a tightly hugging silicon skin; layer three is a one-piece custom molded polycarbonate shell

The OtterBox Defender Series now supports the HTC P6500 and HTC Touch mobile handsets. Like the Commuter Series, the Defender Series comes with three layers of protection.

Technorati Tags: OtterBox Commuter Series, OtterBox Defender Series, OtterBox Impact Series

The folks at the Boy Genius Report received a screenshot today revealing what looks like an upcoming LG Android handset destined for Sprint. Practically nothing is known about the handset at this time, except for the name which is the LG LS680. Given that we’re dealing with an Android OS, you know to expect at least a large touch-screen display (yeah I know.. duhhh). Expect some additional information to be revealed at CES 2010 hopefully.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG LS680 Android Handset, Sprint