AT&T Releases the Samsung Jack

The new Windows Mobile Standard 6.1 smartphone from Samsung is here...and it looks a heck of a lot like the Motorola Q, doesn't it? That's not a bad thing, mind you, but it's still somewhat surprising to see. Dubbed the Samsung Jack, this phone has the same name as the Blackjack II in Canada. That's right, Samsung decided to give it the name of a previously released product. Maybe they thought no one would notice. I predict they'll do something crazy like call it the Jack II in Canada, further confusing anyone that does a search for this phone. But hey, enough harping about the name - what's it got under the hood?

It's not radically different from the Blackjack II: the Jack has more RAM, 256 MB to be precise, and an unknown amount of storage ROM (I suspect 256 MB as well). Why all the RAM? Because it's going to support Windows Mobile 6.5 when it comes out later this year - Samsung's exact wording from the press release is "The Samsung Jack will also be upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5." Note that Samsung stopped short of committing to offer a free 6.5 upgrade as HTC has done - so it's anyone's guess as to whether or not Samsung will release an upgrade. We know how often the OEMs change their mind when it comes to upgrades.

Other hardware features include a 3.2 megapixel camera (no mention of a flash), 802.11b/g WiFi, aGPS, 3G GSM, and a microSDHC card slot for expansion. Nothing very exciting hardware-wise, and other than WiFi (which is great!) no fixes to the hardware limitations from the Blackjack II. There's still no 3.5mm headphone jack. It still uses the proprietary Samsung power/sync connector. There's no mention of the screen size or screen resolution, but it looks like it's the same as the Blackjack II.

So if you're a Blackjack II owner, unless you really want WiFi, there's nothing much new here - once Windows Mobile 6.5 is released, presuming Samsung offers an upgrade, this phone might get more interesting. I'm a fan of my Blackjack II - it's a great workhorse - but it sure doesn't have the "wow" factor that the newer touch-screen phones from HTC have. After the break there's a YouTube video from an AT&T employee that shows you what the phone looks like. I've also screen-capped an image that shows that the Jack is shorter, and perhaps a bit thicker than the Blackjack II.

The Jack will be available from AT&T on May 19th for $99.99 USD after a mail-in rebate with a two-year contract. No word on the pricing of it without a contract - I suspect somewhere around $399. The full press release can be found over on MobilitySite.

All credits and information was found by smartphonethoughts.

T-Mobile Start Selling SideKick LX 2009

Inline with its schedule, the Sidekick LX is now available for $249.99 with 2-years service contract and mail-in-rebate. The retail package will include a 1GB microSD card and available in dark gray or maroon color. Just like all the Sidekick series, the new Sidekick LX has the swivel screen and full QWERTY keyboard, it also comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera, LED flash, bluetooth, Youtube viewer, video uploader and a 3.2-inch display screen in 854×480 resolution.
All credits and information was found by slashphone.

SlingPlayer Mobile app to be available soon in App Store

With your iPhone, doing many tasks on-the-go is quite possible, however, catching up on TV shows you saved with your Slingbox player or DVR is not so possible. Today, Apple has finally approved the SlingPlayer Mobile app which can stream your TV shows from your device at home, for $30.

Now, while all this sounds good, there are a few drawbacks. The major drawback being the fact that the app will only work when connected to a Wi-Fi network. AT&T imposed this restriction to Apple and on the SlingPlayer app probably because they do not want people eating up the 3G service with large streams. If the app only works when connected via Wi-Fi, then AT&T doesn’t have to worry about their 3G servers getting overloaded. In addition, $30 is a tad unreasonable, especially considering you can’t use the app all the time. The same type of app has been available for BlackBerry phones since December as a beta app, and since March as a 1.0 release.

For iPhone owners who have a Slingbox, $30 bucks lying around, and usually in range of a Wi-Fi connection, you will probably be happy with the opportunity to use this app. For the rest of us, it is probably an app we would like to have, but not worth it at this point due to inefficiency/price. Expect it to drop in the App store within the next day or so.

All credits and information was found by gadgetell.

Motorola Announces MOTO W7 Active Edition

Libertyville, IL -- Shake things up with MOTO W7 Active Edition, a motion-enabled 3G(1) mobile device announced today by Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT - News). Designed for those who want a "moving" phone experience, MOTO W7 is equipped with an accelerometer that senses your body's motions, orientation and hand gestures to perform tasks.

"For those who are always on the move, the MOTO W7 Active Edition is designed to keep up with the pace," said Alain Mutricy, senior vice president, Motorola Mobile Devices. "The accelerometer technologies put a new spin on the traditional relationship we have with our phone by not only simplifying how you use it, but making it more fun in the process."

Shake up your everyday phone experience by controlling MOTO W7 using simple hand gestures, taps and flicks. Flip the phone over to silence the ringer of an incoming call, snooze the alarm clock or pause the music. Shake twice to instantly launch your favorite application, such as the music player. When showing off your photo albums or music libraries, flick the phone right or left to move between songs and images.

MOTO W7 is also designed to move with you. A built-in step pedometer counts and records your daily walks and runs to make every step count. Work out on your own terms with a Personal Trainer application(1) that creates a personal profile and helps you to set goals, create workout profiles and review summary reports. MOTO W7 also features an MP3 player, FM Radio and full screen video viewing(1), along with 8GB optional external memory for even more music and media while on-the-go. When you need some extra motivation, pair MOTO W7 with a wireless headset such as the MOTOROKR(TM)S9-HD headphones(2) to re-energize your exercise without getting caught up in wires.

MOTO W7 delivers a three-dimensional experience that enhances traditional mobile games. Let your body take control while shaking, jumping and dancing through pre-loaded games. Play in single or use the multi-player mode on the same device to challenge friends and family.

MOTO W7 features two cameras - a 2.0 megapixel for still images and a second VGA camera to make video calls to friends and family. Use the full screen mode to check out your videos or clips from sites like YouTube(TM)(1). Plus, you can access the Web, download data and stream video fast with 3G speed(1).

Availability

MOTO W7 Active Edition will be available beginning in Q2 2009 in Asia and Latin America. It will be offered in two colors - Licorice and Alpine White. For more information visit the MOTO W7 fact sheet.

All credits and information was found by mobiletechnews.

Sony Ericsson W395 Review

Introduction:
Feature phones do not enjoy much popularity lately, especially when compared to smartphones that, in turn, are getting more and more advanced. Sony Ericsson managed to win recognition as a leading manufacturer of feature phones based on specific specializations such as quality music or cameras. The Sony Ericsson W395 is one of these phones that won´t take you by surprise in terms of innate intelligence, but will certainly manage to have you immersed in waves of gracefully blending sounds. It´s a perfect match for all practical people who don´t need extreme functionality, but would rather opt for a device that looks appealing and fad, features basic functions and delivers high-quality music.

Design:

The whole touchscreen phone cacoethes has grown to colossal proportions lately and coming across a typical feature phone is a feat worthy of being extolled by bards. We are really satisfied with the 2.2-inch screen of the W395 that is so insensitive that it cannot be even remotely disturbed by direct sunlight. Well, reading dark text against black background may give you slight discomfort and yet everything remains fully legible.
Bearing in mind the price of the device, it´s no wonder Sony Ericsson went for less expensive materials. Of course, this doesn´t necessarily mean the phone would have an unpleasant feel to it and the W395 goes to show this holds true. Taking a look at its front side, the phone looks pretty cool and appealing with its shiny surface and the glossy plastic feels great in your hand. The charger port, where the 3.5mm jack converter can be plugged as well, is on the left side of the phone. The mandatory volume rocker and the camera shutter are onto the right side, while the M2 memory expansion slot is on the top one of the phone.
Oh, we almost forgot. Actually, the Sony Ericsson W395 is a slider! Typing away with the numeric keypad feels pleasant, but keep in mind the smaller your hand is, the more comfortable texting will feel, since the keys into the most inner side column (the one on your left hand side if you hold the phone in your left hand and vice versa) are a bit hard to reach with your thumb. The weight is well balanced and the device won´t feel wobbly in your hand while trying to dial a number or type in a short message.


The back side of the device is something lovely to behold – the 2-megapixel camera looks like it has been hidden inside one of the two speakers, which are located in the opposite ends of the side. Sony Ericsson´s logo, along with the one of the Walkman series has made it to the back panel. You can´t fail to notice the eccentric pattern on the back, when the phone is opened, that perfectly goes with the overall design of the handset.
All told, the Sony Ericsson W395 is an extremely cute looking phone, especially in its black-purple color solution (our unit).

All credits and information was found by phonearena.

Nokia E52 Smartphone Offers Long Battery Life

Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, today unveiled the E52 smartphone, an Eseries business device that claims eight hours of talk time and 23 days of standby time.
The Finnish company said the E52 comes with a 2.4-inch display with automatic landscape support, a built-in 3.2-megapixel camera and noise-cancellation technology for better call quality.

A feature called Call Connect can also hook the handset up to corporate phone systems -- so users can have call routing to one number and one voicemail.

It supports personal and work email through Nokia Messaging, Mail for Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes Traveller.

Other features include high-speed Internet via HSPDA/HUSPA, Wi-Fi connectivity and A-GPS with Nokia Maps.

The Nokia E52 will be available in metal grey and golden aluminium colors in the second half of this year for $325.

All credits and information was found by mobiledia.

Nokia E75 Review

Introduction:

Doing business would be quite an uphill battle without cell phones or the services that the Internet offers. There are many mobile devices these days that deliver a growing number of functions, previously available on computers only. It´s been a while since you needed a mouse and keyboard to check your emails or enter the Web and read the breaking news. You can do all that with most of the cell phones today. There is a make to fit virtually any customer, no matter if they are high-tech buffs, fashion-obsessed savvies or, as in this specific case, business-minded people.
Today, we are bringing the Nokia E75 to your attention. One of the latest business series add-ons of the Finnish manufacturer was officially announced at the MWC 2009. It´s the current flagship model in their E-series and sources from the company have recently shared with us that the phone is the best messaging device they have ever made. Moreover, the manufacturer claims creation of the E75 has been heavily influenced by the experience they gained with their Communicator series. The phone sports a side sliding, full-fledged QWERTY keyboard and that´s a novelty feature on an “E” device. As you have probably guessed already, it is a high-end device that offers Wi-Fi, A-GPS, HSDPA and 3.2-megapixel LED flash camera that offers Macro shooting mode.
What's in the box?

• Nokia E75 and a 4GB microSD card
• Charger
• Stereo headset
• microUSB cable
• User manual
• Quick start guide
• Ad leaflets

Design:

The Nokia E75 looks like a successor to the Nokia E75 at first, because creates the impression that it doesn´t open and sports the same metal edging and back cover. But looks can be deceiving. We´ve got our hands on a silver-black unit, but other two varieties are also being offered, in red and copper-yellow. Its dimensions are acceptable given the “hidden” QWERTY keyboard and functions it offers. Truth be told, the phone is quite slimmer (14.4 mm.) alongside of other devices with similar design. It weighs hefty 139 gr. and we definitely cannot say it´s light as a feather.
It features a 2.4-inch display with 240x320 pixel resolution and 16 mln. colors. We need to point out it delivers very good image quality with saturated colors. Details look a bit worn out in the sunlight, but remain easily legible. The earpiece, surrounded by video call camera and light sensor, lurks right above the display. The navigation buttons and shortcuts aren´t quite easily discernible which may annoy some customers, but still most people will be able to get used to that quickly, since all buttons have a good travel and pressing them is distinctly felt. We have absolutely no issues with the keypad, since all buttons are large enough and pressing them is fairly easy to feel. On both its sides you have the microUSB and microSDHC card slots, both hidden underneath snuggly fitting rubber flaps, the volume keys, voice recognition button (hard to press) and camera shutter. The more interesting thing is the 3.5 mm jack on the top side that makes for a nice extra feature on a business oriented cell phone.

OK, ok! Let´s open the QWERTY keyboard and no violence if possible! Sliding mechanism feels solid, but is fairly easy to push open. Buttons look optimally aligned, arranged in four rows and are large enough, so even people with thicker fingers shouldn´t have any problems with that. They are easy to get used to and pressing them feels clearly discernible. We were taken a bit aback when we first saw the metal band running along the middle part of the keyboard and ending just above the space button. The only remark we have doesn´t regard the band, but the upper button row that is located really close to the edge, because ended up pushing our fingers against it fairly often. As a whole, we are more than pleased with the keyboard on the Nokia E75 and we believe it to be one of the best we have ever used. Congrats, Nokia!

All credits and information was found by phonearena.

$34K iPhone blings and beckons the rich and famous

As if owning an iPhone itself is not prestigious enough, a $34K solid gold iPhone places the bar a notch higher for common folks like me. This solid gold iPhone comes from the maker of electronic bling, Stuart Hughes, and is finished and polished by hand. The icing is on the apple - the Apple logo we mean - which is decorated with 53 diamonds. Instead of crying hoarse and still not getting anywhere closer to it, I have decided that admiring from a distance would suit me just fine for the time being. Sniffle.

All credits and information was found by popgadget.net.

RIM Plans New BlackBerry Storm, Eyes Retail Market

Smartphone maker Research In Motion said it is designing a new version of its touch screen BlackBerry Storm as part of a continuing push to move from business devices to more consumer friendly handsets.
"We have next-generation devices with touch screens and the whole roadmap," said RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie. "We see this very large and untapped consumer market."

Launching the Storm late last year, many analysts saw the handset as RIM's answer to rival Apple's popular iPhone -- also a touch screen smartphone.

The Waterloo, Ontario-based company has been steadily pushing deeper into the retail market, diversifying its portfolio with more consumer friendly devices such as the Storm and Pearl -- integrating them with photo management software and music players.

RIM has also been careful to remain faithful to its core group of professionals who have been its mainstay. Early success with businesspeople, whose firms pay for the service or who need the device to send secure emails, have allowed RIM to plow money into developing consumer models.
Last month, RIM signaled further growth after announcing that itsprofits jumped 25 percent despite the slowing economy.

All credits and information was found by mobiledia.