Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Well day one of Mobile World Congress is over and done with, and what a day! So many announcements I almost don’t know where to start. Its nice to see that our rumour round up on Friday was pretty much spot on, although a few surprises managed to sneak past us! In case you’ve missed any of today’s announcements, here’s a brief summary.
Sony Ericsson:
The big surprise of the day of course was Sony Ericsson and their shock announcement of the Idou, along with the (expected) launch of the W995.
Idou:
Idou is a 12 megapixel camera phone, with 3.5″ touchscreen display. Its nice to see Sony Ericsson raising the bar again, now lets hope they can get this one out a little quicker than they did last year with the Xperia X1. They said at their press conference that there are to be a number of large announcements around summer time, all based around their "Entertainment Unlimited" concept. Is this the end of cybershot and walkman branded phones or the start of a new range of all singing all dancing phones?
W995:
Codenamed the Hikaru, the W995 has been floating round as a rumour for a while now. The W995 is the first walkman handset to feature a high end camera. Features include an 8MP camera, 8GB internal storage and a memory card slot, 3G, Wi-Fi and GPS.
Nokia:
Quite a few handsets from Nokia again this year, a couple were on the rumour list, but a most managed to sneak past us here too. Nokia have also announced that they are going to be incorporating Skype into their NSeries handsets starting with the N97 in June.
Nokia E75:
As expected, the E75 is a smartphone aimed at the business user. Standard looking candybar at first glance, but the E75 has a slide out QWERTY keyboard, a first for Nokia and a feature normally seen on HTC devices. Specifications include; HSDPA, WiFi, 3.2MP camera and support for 16GB memory cards.
More information on the Nokia E75
Nokia E55:
Not expected this one, but it did feature on the leaked roadmap in September. The E55 features are the same as the E75 but it has borrowed the keyboard style from the likes of the BlackBerry Pearl/Sony Ericcson P1 with a "half qwerty" keypad. It will take some getting used to, but will no doubt speed up text entry.
More information on the Nokia E55
Nokia N86 :
An follow on to their initial announcement, the N86 is an 8MP slide handset that will no doubt give the Sony Ericsson C905, and the N96 a run for their money. Along with the 8MP Carl Zeiss Camera, the N86 features a dual LED flash, dual slider, 8GB internal memory, 2.6" screen, TV-Out and MicroSD slot. GPS and Nokia Maps are also installed.
More information on the Nokia N86
Ovi Store:
Nokia’s version of the Apple App Store is to be called the Nokia Ovi Store, and will bring together all parts of the Ovi service – Download, Mosh and Widgets. We’re expecting to see it preinstalled first in the Nokia N97, which will be released in June, but S60 and S40 users will be able to download it to their phones from May. Nokia have launched a developers site, in a similar way to Apple, where software developers can submit their applications directly to Nokia.
HTC:
HTC managed to keep all their handsets a secret prior to launch, the only rumours were on the G2 – the next Android phone, and that was confirmed today.
Touch Diamond2:
The Touch Diamond was one of last years most desired phones, and as good as it was, there was room for improvement. This year, the Touch Diamond gets bigger, a 3.6" screen, 5MP Camera and more memory. The Touch Diamond 2 is due around April.
More information on the HTC Touch Diamond2.
Touch Pro2:
The Touch Pro was also a popular phone last year, but for some it wasn’t serious enough. HTC have beefed the device up significantly this year. The screen is now 3.6" with a much higher resolution (800x 400) and the speaker has been improved to allow for better use during conference calls. The Touch Flo interface has been improved to make using the device even easier.
More information on the Touch Pro2.
HTC Magic:
Dubbed the G2, the Magic is the 2nd handset from HTC to run the new Android operating system. Everyone was expecting the next Android phone to be on T-Mobile as the G2, but the HTC Magic is a Vodafone exclusive and won’t be using the name G2. First glance, it looks similar to the T-Mobile G1, but without the QWERTY keyboard. Specifications include 3.2MP camera, Wi-Fi and GPS.
LG:
LG have had a good year with several successfull handsets, and it looks like they’ve still got a few tricks up their sleeve and are about to raise their game again when it comes to touchscreen phones.
LG Arena:
As expeced, the LG Arena is a touchscreen device. Its 3" screen although smaller than the Omnia HD has a higher resolution, meaning pictures and video should be clearer. Its also their first handset to run their S-Class user interface. Features include: 5MP camera, Video capture at 30fps and 120fps (for slow motion) GPS, Wi-Fi and HSDPA.
See the LG Arena on YouTube.
LG KD900:
Just heads up on this one really, with a formal announcement coming later in the year. The KD900 is similar in appearance to the LG Secret that was launched last year, but interestingly, this phone has a see through keypad. No information as yet on spec, but we do know it will be a 3G handset.
LG GM730:
The GM 730 is a Windows Mobile phone, running LG’s new S-Class interface on top. The phone has HSDPA and is a compact touch screen device. The GM730 is expected to go on sale in the first half of 2009.
More information on the LG GM730
Samsung:
Samsung again managed to get a lot of attention this year, mainly due to the announcement of the Omnia HD.
Tocco Ultra:
I’m not 100% sure why they’re calling it the Tocco Ultra, as it doesn’t really resemble the original Tocco, but this full touch screen handset has handy addition of a sliding standard phone keypad. Great for those that want a touch screen phone, but don’t want to lose their keypads completely, or move to a more bulky device with a full QWERTY keyboard.
More information on the Tocco Ultra
Omnia HD:
The Omnia is a great handset, but the Omnia HD really takes it up a level. It has a huge, 3.5" screen and is capable of recording HD video – a first for a mobile phone. It will be available in 2 versions, a 16GB and an 8GB, the same as the current Omnia.
More information on the Omnia HD.
Beat DJ & Disc:
The Beat DJ and Beat Disc are 2 music devices that feature audio technology by Bang & Olufsen. Both feature a 3 MP Camera and support for upto 16GB memory cards.
More information on the Beat DJ
Other News:
Windows Mobile:
Windows Mobile 6.5 has been confirmed. Aimed at being more finger friendly and allowing users to ditch the stylus, the new OS will be made available at the end of this year, but Microsoft say that current Windows Mobile users won’t be able to upgrade to 6.5.
Mobile World Congress:
Don’t forget to check back next week for information on the latest announcements. subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up for email updates using the form on the right.
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Tags: HTC G2, HTC Magic, HTC Touch Diamond2, HTC Touch Pro2, lg arena, LG GM730, LG KD900, Nokia 6710, Nokia 6720, Nokia E55, nokia e75, Nokia N86, Samsung Beat Disc, Samsung Beat DJ, Samsung Omnia HD, samsung tocco ultra, Sony Ericsson Idou, Sony Ericsson W995,
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Friday, February 13th, 2009
With Mobile World Congress now just days away, the rumour mill is working overtime with talk of new handsets from just about every manufacturer, and a few new ones too. So what are we likely to see announced next week?
Nokia:
Nokia seem to have the most amount of rumours again this year, with a few interesting handsets set to be announced. Some have been announced already, but information on them is still sketchy. Leaked information is still trickling out, so I’d expect to see more than just the ones below get confirmed.
Nokia E75 & 5730:
Originally covered on our post back in September, the E75 looks like its finally going to make its debut – along with the music inspried 5730. Both seem to be the same at first glance, and presumably will run different software to distinguish between the two, with more of a business user spin on the E75, and more music/media focus on the 5730.
Sources: GSM Arena, Phone Arena
Nokia App Store:
Apple really started something with the iPhone. First everyone went touchscreen crazy, now following the success of the Apple App Store (where users can download new applications and games directly to their phone,) it seems that everyone wants a slice of the action. Microsoft, Palm and Samsung have all announced they will be launching an App store in the not so distant future, and MWC should see Nokia announce to the world that their “download!” service is going to be replaced with their version of the App Store.
Source: The Nokia Blog
Codenames: Ivalo & Madeleine:
No real naming is known for these two handsets, but the do seem to match the descriptions of the leaked Nokia Roadmap that we revealed back in November.
Source: GSM Arena
Sony Ericsson:
Not so many with Sony Ericsson last year, nothing groundbreaking anyway. A few revisions to the Cyber-Shot line up and an interesting rumour on facebook phones are the main stories this year.
C903:
Last year camera phones to a big step forwards as the megapixels jumped up to 8MP, and software such as face detection and smile detection made its way into phones. Sony seem keen to develop the Cyber-Shot brand with their phones, with their latest one, the 5MP C903 looking more like a current Cyber-Shot camera from the back than a phone – although I’m really not convinced about the bright red housing.
Source: Mobile Burn
C901:
The C901 seems to be a replacement for the current C902, but without the gimmicky slide out camera and relatively small screen and with the welcome addition of a Xenon flash.
Source: Mobile Burn
C510:
The C510 has already been announced, but the latest rumours suggest that when it is released, it will feature full facebook integration. While its not the first facebook phone, it will be good to see this in a more mainstream handset than the 3 exclusive INQ1.
Source: Unwired View
LG:
LG have had a good year with several successfull handsets, and it looks like they’ve still got a fwe tricks up their sleeve and are about to raise their game again when it comes to touchscreen phones.
LG Arena:
Interestingly named seeing as they are in the process of rebranding the NEC Arena to the LG Arena, but that aside, the LG Arena will introduce a new menu system – a 3D cubic system. Its not Multi-Touch like the iPhone, but looks pretty impressive.
Source: Unwired View, Engadget
LG Solar:
Not content with only offering a Solar Powered Bluetooth car kit LG are expected to announce a solar powered phone. While not relying solely on power from the sun, the phone will use solar energy for phone calls while a conventional battery will power the other functions.
Source: Unwired View
Samsung:
Last year Samsung probably got the most attention and released the most amount of handsets, and it looks like it could be the same this year. Rumours are suggesting that upto 14 new handsets could be being announced, most of these will be low end handsets though. Of all of them, these are the ones that have caught my eye the most.
Tocco Ultra:
I’m not 100% sure why they’re calling it the Tocco Ultra, as it doesn’t really resemble the original Tocco, but this full touch screen handset has handy addition of a sliding standard phone keypad. Great for those that want a touch screen phone, but don’t want to lose their keypads completely, or move to a more bulky device with a full QWERTY keyboard.
Source: Unwired View, Engadget
i8910 Acme:
This one is set to be the show stopper if it is announced. It runs on the same operating system as the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, so its Symbian 60, and rumoured to have 8MP camera and HDMI support.
Source: Engadget
Blue Earth:
Not wanting to be left behind by LG, Samsung are also set to announce a solar powered phone. The Blue earth is rumoured to be a touch screen device made from recycled plastic bottles, and will even tell you how many trees you’re saving by not charging your phone.
Source: Unwired View
Other News:
Garmin?
Last year Garmin announced that they were going to start producing handsets. Its been announced that they’ve teamed up with Asus and we’re expecting the Nuvifone G60 and Nuvifone M20 to be officially announced. Source: Mobile Burn
Windows Mobile:
Windows Mobile was never really designed to be used using your finger, a stylus was and still is needed to access most menu’s, but since Apple changed the touchscreen interface, more and more manufacturers want to ditch the stylus, hence the introduction of software like Touch-Flo on HTC devices. Windows Mobile are hoping to fix all this with the introduction of Windows Mobile 6.5, information is patchy, but spy shots are starting to leak of the new finger friendly OS. Visit Engadget for more details and some leaked screenshots.
Mobile World Congress:
Don’t forget to check back next week for information on the latest announcements. subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up for email updates using the form on the right.
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Tags: 5630, c510, c901, c903, leak, lg arena, mobile world congress, MWC, nokia e75, nokia ivalo, nokia madelaine, rumour, rumours, samsung i8910 acme, samsung tocco ultra, sawsung blue earth,
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Monday, September 22nd, 2008
Barely a week goes by without at least one new handset being leaked on the internet. Well, this week it looks like its the turn of Nokia to have their thunder stolen, with the unofficial leak of two new E-series devices. Currently dubbed the E72 and E75, these two handsets build on the current successes of the E-Series but add higher spec and better usability.
Nokia E75
Nokia’s new E75 features a unique slide out QWERTY keyboard, I say unique, but this style of keyboard has been around for many years on HTC devices and is about to make its debut with Sony Ericsson on the Xperia X1.
Nokia E72
This appears to be an upgrade to the recently announced and extremely popular Nokia E71. The only differences we can see so far are slight cosmetic changes to the keyboard with the introduction of a couple of extra keys and a possibly a higher megapixel camera.
Can Nokia beat its rivals? With the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 due in a matter of weeks, and the HTC Touch Pro already doing well, it will be interesting to see if Nokia can attract any more users. The E-Series platform works well, runs smoothly and is already proving to be a successful platform for business users.
Here’s the leaked footage! Let us know what you think.
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Nokia 6710 & 6720:
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