Call-Dropping Motorola RAZRs

Call-Dropping Motorola RAZRs: "A problem has surfaced with the popular RAZR phones sold through Cingular and T-Mobile, where calls are cut off because a component erroneously registers that the phone has been closed. Motorola said RAZR phones sold by Verizon were not affected because they use wireless technology different from that of Cingular and T-Mobile. Even though Motorola said the dropped calls are only an issue with a few phones, Cingular and T-Mobile stop selling the units as of Thursday. Razrs Pulled For Connectivity Glitches.

Moodoofree Plus Kit Helps You Park

Moodoofree Plus Kit Helps You Park: "Not quite the same as the Siemens ParkMate we showed you earlier that will park your car for you, the Moodoofree Plus Kit is a Bluetooth-enabled rearview mirror replacement that has a set of parking sensors attached to your car’s bumper that show your distance from an obstacle or another vehicle. It even tells you in which direction that obstacle lies. This is a versatile device that's trying very hard to be helpful as it gives you caller ID information from your cellphone, and also functions as a speakerphone. The Mirror Has Eyes: The Modoofree Car Kit, With Parking Sensors [Jalopnik] Comment on this post Related: Jabra BT325 Bluetooth/Wired HeadsetRelated: CeBIT '06: Crap EditionRelated: Nyokki Pets "

RIM and Cisco team up for BlackBerry VoIP

RIM and Cisco team up for BlackBerry VoIP: "Filed under: Software, RIM
If you're looking for a better VoIP solution for that WiFi enabled 7270 of yours, RIM and Cisco have been working up support for the Cisco Unified CallManager 5.0 which might strike your fancy. Not only does it allow for the making and receiving of SIP calls, but gives you all sorts of call transferring functionality between your desk phone, like continuing in-progress calls on your BlackBerry when leaving the office. You can also receive an email to notify of a new voicemail, with an embedded link to listen to the voice message. Sounds great to us, so hows about some more WiFi devices to take advantage of this functionality? We're looking at you RIM.
"

CeBIT '06: BenQ Siemens EF 81

CeBIT '06: BenQ Siemens EF 81: "This is another heavy-duty phone from BenQ-Siemens. It is constructed of aluminum and magnesium. This clamshell has a lot of the same features of its sliding counterpart, the EL 71. It has a small, 1-inch color screen outside along with four buttons that for the camera and media. Inside there is an average-sized screen and a sleek, flat aluminum keypad. The camera is placed on the hinge of the clamshell, so the large, inner screen cannot be used for the camera unless it is self-portraits. The camera faces outwards when the clamshell is closed, but then you are restricted to using the small, outer screen. We've seen this same skinny profile three times already from three different manufacturers. Look familiar? Note - We are inundating you with BenQ phones because we are currently surrounded by the entire spring line here. We'll be hitting the floor again at 9am EST.

BenQ EF81 coming to US?

BenQ EF81 coming to US?


As usual, the FCC teases us with visions of a future that seems tantalizingly close, but could really be far, far away. This time the government watchdogs have revealed that they've approved the BenQ EF81 for US use. BenQ was pretty careful with the phone they supplied the FCC, with none of those telltale service provider logos that sometimes provide us with clues about who we're going to have to sign up with for one of these. However, the fact that the EF81 is a tri-band GSM phone sort of narrows that down just a little. With a 2 megapixel camera, dual displays, 64MB of memory and TransFlash for expansion, this could be a handy little clamshell for shutterbugs on the go

Grundig Intros X5000 Cellphone With 6MP Camera

Grundig Intros X5000 Cellphone With 6MP Camera: "Grundig has introduced the X5000, a cellphone with a 6-megapixel camera on board. With such a high-resolution camera, we’re wondering if we shouldn't call it a camera with a cellphone on board. This GSM triband/GPRS talker-shooter is also packing an MP3 player, a video camera, voice recorder and removable storage in the form of a Mini SD card slot. Once you've shot all those stills and video, there's a TV-out for your viewing enjoyment. Its two-inch main display is impressive, too, spitting out 16.7 million colors at a sharp 640x240. With its rotating screen and silver and black monochromatic look, we’re hooked. No word on pricing or availability, but we sure wish this were available in the states. Grundig X5000 product page Comment on this post Related: 3 Mobile Glues in SIM CardsRelated: Samsung to Roll Out SGH-i310 Cellphone with 8GB Hard DriveRelated: HP Won’t Include 3G in Smartphones Until 2007 "

Hands on with the CoolPAD 728 CDMA/GSM smartphone

Hands on with the CoolPAD 728 CDMA/GSM smartphone:

You'd better have a pretty spectacular product if you're going to put 'cool' in its name ('i,' on the other hand, can be prefixed to any piece of junk), and Chinese manufacturer CEC Telecom seems to have produced just such a device with their CoolPAD 728. Available through mobile carrier China Unicom, the CoolPAD is a Windows CE-powered smartphone which sports two SIM slots for the ability to run on 800MHz/1900MHz CDMA and 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz GSM networks- simultaneously (we're not sure how many people are skillful enough to hold two conversations at once, but the bragging rights alone warrant this feature, we feel). Other niceties include a dual-core 266MHz Samsung ARM processor, 2.8-inch QVGA screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a handy, talking English-to-Chinese dictionary. We've got a few more pics of this double-duty mobile, but for the real motherlode you've gotta head over to Engadget Chinese, who went so snap-happy that they needed two posts to cram all the pics in.

Hands on with the CoolPAD 728 CDMA/GSM smartphone

Hands on with the CoolPAD 728 CDMA/GSM smartphone:

You'd better have a pretty spectacular product if you're going to put 'cool' in its name ('i,' on the other hand, can be prefixed to any piece of junk), and Chinese manufacturer CEC Telecom seems to have produced just such a device with their CoolPAD 728. Available through mobile carrier China Unicom, the CoolPAD is a Windows CE-powered smartphone which sports two SIM slots for the ability to run on 800MHz/1900MHz CDMA and 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz GSM networks- simultaneously (we're not sure how many people are skillful enough to hold two conversations at once, but the bragging rights alone warrant this feature, we feel). Other niceties include a dual-core 266MHz Samsung ARM processor, 2.8-inch QVGA screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a handy, talking English-to-Chinese dictionary. We've got a few more pics of this double-duty mobile, but for the real motherlode you've gotta head over to Engadget Chinese, who went so snap-happy that they needed two posts to cram all the pics in.

FCC reveals stripped down e62 companion to Nokia's e61

FCC reveals stripped down e62 companion to Nokia's e61: "Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian

Either as a bid to further compete with the now free and clear Blackberry, or merely as penance for their historical lack of QWERTY phones, it seems like Nokia is taking their e61 form factor to the low-end with a new e62 phone that has surfaced on the FCC site. The e62 loses the 3G and WiFi of its big brother, along with some other slight modifications including the apparent lack of push email connectivity. But otherwise this phone should serve well those who want their email anywhere, but have are willing to wait a bit longer to receive it.

Double duty LG-KF1100 takes both cellular and home calls

Double duty LG-KF1100 takes both cellular and home calls: "Filed under: Handsets, LG LG has a new slider, the LG-KF1100, for those among the world still stuck with a landline. It takes calls all regular cellphone style, and adds MP3 playback and a 1.3 megapixel camera into the mix, but when home you can receive your regular calls over Bluetooth. Of course, you'd better be staying close to the base station to work it, since you're not going to get that '1-mile' reception of regular cordless handsets, but hey, convenience is convenience, right?

New VK700C slider from VK Mobile

New VK700C slider from VK Mobile: "Filed under: Handsets Not content to merely merely gorge the slim phone market with their unique delights, VK Mobile is stepping into slider turf with their new VK700C. The phone stays fairly slim at 0.65 inches thick, and only weighs 3.1 ounces. Otherwise, there is a 1.3 megapixel camera and MP3 playback to be had, but that's all we know for now. Should be available for SK Telecom and Avenir Telecom soon.

Verizon may buy out Vodafone stake

Verizon may buy out Vodafone stake: "Filed under: Verizon Wireless, Vodafone As far as telecom deals go, Verizon's plans to buy out Vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless is dwarfed by AT&T's planned acquisition of BellSouth. But the potential deal certainly sheds light on the changing fortunes of Vodafone, which was once a contender to buy AT&T Wireless (which was instead purchased by Cingular). With Vodafone said to be planning a sale of its Japanese unit as well, the company looks to be consolidating its European base, something the company's shareholders seem pleased with; Vodafone's stock has been rising as word of the potential market exits has circulated.

Sony Ericsson MP001 music dock

Sony Ericsson MP001 music dock: "Filed under: Multimedia, Peripherals, Sony Ericsson Sony Ericsson has expanded the speaker options available for its music phones with the MP001, a dock for the company's Walkman phones that includes a 25-watt speaker system, and integrated charger. We're still not sold on the idea of using a cellphone as our main source of at-home music, though if the price is right and this doubles as a speaker phone, we'll give it some serious thought.

HP: mobile TV not ready for prime time

HP: mobile TV not ready for prime time: "Filed under: Multimedia, HTC, Windows Mobile, HP HP has weighed in on the issue of whether consumers are ready to watch TV on their cellphones, and has answered with a resounding 'no.' The company has declared that it has no plans to add any 3G features -- especially video -- to its smartphones until at least next year, with one of the company's Asia-Pacific execs declaring that a cellphone screen is 'too small for 'Desperate Housewives'… [and] you won't be watching a full football or cricket match.' Of course, given that HP doesn't manufacture its own smartphones, what the company thinks may have less impact than what features companies like HTC decide to include on their smartphones. And, whether HP likes it or not, Windows Mobile smartphones are already video-capable, even if downloading via non-3G networks makes getting those vids a chore. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments "

Samsung's SGH-i310 8GB Windows Mobile 5.0 musicphone

Samsung's SGH-i310 8GB Windows Mobile 5.0 musicphone: "Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, Samsung


Sometimes, just sometimes you do get what you ask for. Introducing the SGH-i310 smartphone from Samsung with 8 freakin' 8GB of capacity. Not only does this latest object of our lustful ways double the capacity of their previous i300x musicphone, Samsung has also bettered on the OS by (finally) dropping in Windows Mobile 5.0. Not just that kids, this pup also throws down a 2 megapixel shooter with flash, video recording and playback, TV-out, and microSD slot if you just gotta roll larger than 8GB. You also get USB 2.0 support for moving those AAC/MP3/WMA files on the quick and Bluetooth with A2DP stereo audio support if those built-in dual-speakers just ain't cuttin' it. On display starting this week at CeBIT with release (in Europe) during the second half of ’06.

Samsung gets busy: T719, P857, D407, T609, Z560, X810 cellphones

Samsung gets busy: T719, P857, D407, T609, Z560, X810 cellphones:


Phonescoop has the er, scoop on the line-up of Spring cellphones due from Samsung. In addition to that fat collection announced at 3GSM, four new handheads are due out in the US (T719, P857, D407, T609) with an addition two heading overseas (Z560, X810). Of note is the thin T719 clamshell sporting the actual BlackBerry email interface and even the SureType text keypad design like handsets from RIM. Meanwhile, the P857 should bring a 3 megapixel digital camera to Cingular users. The Z560 bring HSDPA to Europe in another thin clam which also featuers a 2 megapixel camera, bit display and touch-controls on the outside for controlling music. Click the read link for all the deetz from Phonescoop -- click-on for more pics.

Ma Bell returns: AT&T buys BellSouth for $67 billion

Ma Bell returns: AT&T buys BellSouth for $67 billion: "Filed under: Cingular

The incest in the Bell family is getting a little out of control, but we're gonna try and break it down for you, being that news just hit the wires that AT&T is buying BellSouth for 67 billion. (Before we get started, we might recommend you hit up The Engadget Guide to AT&T Wireless/Cingular/SBC/AT&T merger mania we wrote last year.) So AT&T (formerly SBC, formerly AT&T), is buying the last of the un-amalgamated missing links in the Ma Bell puzzle, BellSouth. As you may recall, BellSouth, one of the original 7 baby bells, also owns 40% of Cingular (complementing the 60% once owned by SBC, which is now called AT&T). Thus this sale would effectively transfer ownership of the nation's largest wireless carrier to AT&T. Now, to give this a little context: the only other non-baby bell left outside the AT&T umbrella in one form or another is Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic, which merged with Nynex and GTE), which we'll bank won't soon be comin' home to mama. So there you have it, if the SEC approves AT&T's purchase of BellSouth, we once again more or less return to the AT&T of 1984, 'cept now with a little more competition in the backbone and wireless services space. See, with a little of our help you'll know for whom "

Sling Media VP discusses the implications of 3G service agreements

Sling Media VP discusses the implications of 3G service agreements: "Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Windows Mobile
Sling Media VP of Market Development Jeremy Toeman has weighed in on the vague wording in certain carrier service agreements (most notably Verizon's) which seem to stipulate that multimedia streaming services -- like Sling's upcoming SlingPlayer Mobile -- violate the terms of service for allowable uses of 3G. Toeman posits that the wording of some service agreements could be interpreted 'as meaning that viewing anything other than plain hypertext is against the terms of service,' adding that 'it appears to be set up so the carriers can deem things appropriate as they see fit.' If carriers do decide to play hardball in limiting certain broadband activities, this could mean that the mobile Sling service might conceivably be restricted to WiFi-only use by WM5 device owners. While we don't really agree with Toeman's assertion that 'SlingPlayer Mobile is a complementary product' to the carriers' proprietary video offerings, he convincingly argues that Sling- and Orb-like services, combined with Windows Mobile's newfound push-email functionality, could help lure RIM-devotees away from their precious Crackberries.

Sling Media VP on carrier resistance to SlingPlayer Mobile

Sling Media VP on carrier resistance to SlingPlayer Mobile: "Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Windows Mobile
Sling Media VP of Market Development Jeremy Toeman has weighed in on the fact that not only is the SlingPlayer Mobile service receiving the cold shoulder from the major wireless carriers, it may actually violate the terms of service some carriers place on 3G data usage. Toeman argues that the wording of some service agreements could be interpreted 'as meaning that viewing anything other than plain hypertext is against the terms of service,' meaning that without at least tacit carrier approval, the mobile Sling service could be restricted to WiFi-use only by WM5 device owners. While we don't really agree with Toeman's assertion that 'SlingPlayer Mobile is a complementary product' to the carriers' proprietary video offerings, his argument that Sling- and Orb-like services combined with Windows Mobile's newfound push-email functionality, could help lure RIM-devotees away from their precious Crackberries, definitely holds weight. Still, despite the initial resistance by the major wireless players, Toeman feels that 'it's certainly conceivable that we will have an offering in conjunction with a mobile carrier down the road.'