Are you a Windows user looking for a convenient way to transfer all your data from your BlackBerry, Palm (NSDQ: PALM), Windows Mobile, or Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)/Motorola (NYSE: MOT)/Nokia (NYSE: NOK)-made Symbian-powered smartphone to your iPhone or iPhone 3G? Well, here’s a bit of good news for you.

Mark/Space has released Missing Sync software for Windows. The software not only allows the user to easily transfer data from other smartphones to an Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) handset, but also allows for archiving of call logs and SMS text messages. It’ll also transfer contacts and calendar entries from Outlooks 2003 and Outlook 2007.

Missing Sync is available for $39.95 here.

European Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N78 users will be happy to hear that the latest firmware update for their N-series handset will be taking advantage of S60 3rd Edition’s FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) capability to easily and conveniently update firmware components. That translates in to a PC-free update for Nokia N78 (Euro spec, of course) handsets in the wild. There’s no need for computers, data cables, or update software – simply download the 2MB v11.043 firmware directly to your N78 and execute the update on-the-go.

The 11.043 update won’t be available through the Nokia Software Update application – because there’s no need. Simply navigate through your Nokia N78 to get the update – Menu>Tools>Utilities>Device Manager>Options and check for an update. Once found, your European Nokia N78 will prompt you through the update process.

Go forth and update, lucky European N78 users. Those of you without a European N78 will just have to be happy that you even have the option to buy a Nokia N78.

Nokia

Apologies for not getting this to our readers earlier, this was supposed to have posted a couple days ago. Technical difficulties…

Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s iPhone 3G has again frenzied the world in anticipation for a consumer electronics product launch second to none. With last year’s iPhone launch craze in the US (and, to a lesser extent, in Europe), Apple will be hard pressed to one-up itself with the next-generation iPhone 3G’s launch on July 11. But, it’s not just about showmanship and drama. No, Apple’s got bigger plans for the iPhone and how it will affect the global wireless industry.

In-store activations
Let’s take a look at Apple’s iPhone 3G purchase policies. By now it’s a given that Apple and AT&T (NYSE: T) will be forcing the AT&T iPhone plans upon anyone looking to walk out of an Apple or AT&T retail store with iPhone 3G in hand. That means there are likely going to be significant lines as retail employees struggle to activate mobs of iPhone 3G handsets. But, why is Apple doing this?

As more information starts to trickle out from international iPhone 3G carriers, we’re starting to see that the iPhone 3G will be offered with price-tags similar to what we see in the US. The catch is that the US dollar is significantly weaker than the Euro. So, Europeans looking to grab their €149 iPhone 3G will actually be paying the equivalent of about $220 USD. Now, that makes for a seriously attractive US iPhone 3G market for anyone in Europe.

And, therein lies the reasoning behind Apple’s insistence that all iPhone 3G handsets be activated in-store. With the original iPhone, a significant percentage of the global iPhone stock was routed in to the grey market. The iPhones were purchased in the US and shipped overseas to be unlocked and used on international GSM networks. While Apple almost welcomed the international grey-market demand with the original iPhone, the next-generation iPhone 3G’s surprisingly low price-point in the US could be problematic for overseas carriers.

So, in an effort to completely kill-off any profit incentive for international importers to buy US iPhone 3G handsets and sell them in Europe, Apple has required that the handsets be activated and tied to 2-year contracts before they leave any store. It’s a hassle for Americans, but for Apple it’s all about the bottom-line.

Changing wireless landscape
Innovative pricing and POS (point-of-sale) strategies are one way that Apple is changing the wireless industry. But, it doesn’t end there.

Following the original iPhone’s launch, carriers around the world were lining up to get the next-generation iPhone on its own network. And, that left Apple and Steve Jobs in a unique position to make certain demands from carriers. Perhaps at the cost of giving up their lucrative revenue-sharing model, Apple pushed for all iPhone 3G carriers to offer flat-rate data plans – a move that many carriers have resisted for as long as possible. According to Apple Insider‘s sources, Apple wanted to push the iPhone 3G as more of an internet browsing platform than just a run-of-the-mill smartphone. And so, rather than demand revenue kickbacks, Apple apparently demanded that carriers forgo their more profitable per-unit data plans with unlimited, all-you-can-eat data plans.

The data plans are still more expensive, on average, than their US counterparts, but unlimited data plans are a step in the right direction.

More than just a smartphone
Apple isn’t looking to just change the wireless industry views data revenue, but it is also looking to redefine what the iPhone is. By pushing data services like unlimited data plans and bundled WiFi HotSpot access, Apple wants its iPhone-carriers to present the iPhone 3G as a true mobile internet solution.

While many newer smartphones and third-party web browsers offer desktop-like browsing experiences, pricey data plans will keep their use to a minimum for some. By requiring that all iPhones will have access to unlimited data plans, Apple has essentially ensured that every single iPhone on-market will be used to its full potential

So, will the iPhone 3G prove to be the spectacular, industry-changing handset that many believe it will be? Or will Apple’s demands for higher-cost specialized services end up hurting sales? We’ll have to wait and see. Who’s ready to buy and iPhone 3G?

It’s finally here! Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s touchscreen cameraphone alternative to the iPhone 3G has landed on Verizon Wireless’ website. As expected, sales of the sleek LG Dare kick off today through Verizon’s online storefront.

The LG Dare boasts some serious hardware to back-up that iPhone-fighting touchscreen. Not only does the LG Dare sport an iPhone-esque proximity sensor, but it also packs a 3.2 megapixel camera (with auto-focus, flash, and face-detection), Bluetooth A2DP, EVDO Rev. A, full-HTML browser, and microSD card slot. Of course, the generous 3-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback is the main attraction for the LG Dare.

While touchscreen lovers looking for immediate gratification through an in-store purchase will have to wait it out until July 3, online shoppers can nab a new LG Dare for $199.99 through Verizon’s website, with 2-year contract of course.

We can’t wait to put the LG Dare through its paces, and with a little luck, we’ll have a review unit of our very own to show our readers. For the time being, enjoy the LG Dare pics.

Get it here.

Verizon’s summer blockbuster strategy is markedly different from Sprint (NYSE: S)’s marketing ploy. While the No. 3 US wireless carrier is aiming squarely at Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) by pushing their successful Samsung Instinct as a cheaper and more feature-packed alternative to the iPhone and iPhone 3G, No. 2 Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless looks to be flooding the US market with a range of handsets that they hope will appeal to a wider audience.

Verizon’s already launched the LG Decoy for those that are looking to conveniently obey the new California hands-free cellphone law. They’ve got the LG Dare ready to rock all those touchy-feely cameraphones lovers out there with a full-body touchscreen and 3.2 megapixel camera – a veritable iPhone rival (especially with that proximity sensor). And, they’re cooking up the LG Chocolate 3 for the music-craving masses that want style and substance in their musicphone.

So, with the LG Dare officially live today, Verizon has released some full-on press-shots of the LG Chocolate 3 in all it’s glammed up glory. As expected, the LG Chocolate 3 will be available in colors that chocolate just doesn’t do in nature – Black and Light Blue.  Enjoy the pics while we wait for Verizon to drop their delicious Chocolate 3 on us next month.

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

There’s nothing like a little gadget breakdown to get our juices flowing. Like so many Hollywood beauties, the Samsung Instinct has followed up its tremendous launch success by baring it all in front of the camera.

The folks at Rapid Repair have posted disassembly pictures and instructions, in case you want to get your own Samsung Instinct stripped down and dirty. But, unless you like to void warranties and risk possible brickage, we’d recommend that you leave your Sprint (NYSE: S) Samsung Instinct fully clothed.

Check out the rest of the pics and instructions at Rapid Repair.

Nokia (NYSE: NOK)’s new lineup of Supernova handsets is about to see the Nokia 7610 Supernova handset get real in the US. With the FCC’s approval of the Nokia 7610 Supernova handset, it’s likely only a matter of time before we see this affordable slider phone available to US customers.

The fashion-oriented Nokia 7610 Supernova and it’s swappable covers seem to hide a little stylized detail under its battery cover. The quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM handset has a bit of “flair” hidden under the battery cover – specifically a star-covered sticker.

We’re not sure what that sticker is doing under the hood, but hey, if rarely-seen details like this float your boat, and you don’t mind hobbling along at 2.5G data speeds (EDGE), then the Nokia 7610 Supernova, packed with a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, FM radio with RDS, microSD card slot, and 64MB of internal storage, and swappable XpressOn cover-plates, is right down your alley.

FCC

Here’s a quick look at the next iPhone firmware revision’s Japanese keyboard. The iPhone 2.0 OS will apparently be shipping with a Japanese keyboard in tow, and TokyoMango has the video to prove it.

[Via: MacRumors]

Conversations with numerous Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) store employees and AT&T (NYSE: T) store staff, in addition to reports of considerable iPhone 3G interest from other carriers, basically confirm what we’ve known all along. The iPhone 3G will be selling like hotcakes, especially in the US. And, it seems that Apple has been hearing the positive feedback.

Apple has reportedly increased their iPhone 3G production goals for the remaining months of 2008. In addition to placing orders for 2 million more iPhone 2G (first-generation) handsets, FBR Capital Markets analyst Craig Berger says that supply chain analysis indicates that Apple has increased their Q3 and Q4 2008 iPhone 3G output to 15 million units.

Despite economic hardships rolling across the US, it seems that demand for Apple products like the iPhone has yet to abate. But, we’ll have to see exactly how the iPhone 3G’s sales numbers stack up against all this speculation.

[Via: AppleInsider]

We all knew Sprint (NYSE: S)’s Apple iPhone-fighting Samsung Instinct would sell quite well, but it turns out that’s a gross overstatement. Toting features like EVDO Rev. A, GPS, 2 megapixel camera, and full-body touchscreen with haptic feedback (via device vibration), the Sprint Samsung Instinct has the distinction of being the iPhone 3G’s most competent rival.

And, since Sprint officially kicked off general sales of the Samsung Instinct on June 20, Sprint’s been seeing these touchscreen handsets flying off their shelves. So much so that Sprint has announced the Samsung Instinct as the best-selling EVDO handset to ever be offered from Sprint.

The Sprint Instinct’s first week of sales has proven that consumers have embraced the touchscreen revolution. With the initial rush to buy the device, Sprint had trouble keeping units in stock, leading to temporary stock shortages.“We had high expectations going into the launch so our initial order to Samsung was the largest for any Sprint EVDO handset to date,” said John Garcia, President of Sprint’s Wireless Division. “The strong early response tells us that wireless customers recognize Instinct as a highly-innovative and convenient touch-screen device combined with the fast speeds available on the largest national mobile broadband network.”

The Sprint Instinct is priced at just $130 after $100 rebate and 2-year contract. If you can’t swing that kind of coin, try winning a free Instinct.

So, just how good is the Samsung Instinct? Well, if consumer demand is any indicator, it’s a bang-up handset for sure. If my opinion matters at all, then the Sprint Samsung Instinct is a serious competitor to the iPhone 3G. Each handset has its own strengths and weaknesses, but overall, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Instinct.