T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) USA is preparing to launch an entry-level Symbian S60 5th Edition device on March 17th. Apparently, the carrier plans to offer the Nokia 5230 XpressMusic aka Nuron.

As we’ve already talked about the 5230 XM in the past, I’ll only briefly recap the specs: there’s a 3.2-inch nHD touchscreen on board, 2-megapixel camera, HSPA connectivity, aGPS, Bluetooth, memory card slot, and so on. If T-Mobile is smart, they will focus its marketing on the “free navigation” feature that’s now included with Ovi Maps. That could be a killer offering, as far as I can tell. We’ll see…

[Via: CellPhoneSignal]

As an apparent answer to all those Nexus One customers who have been complaining that Google (NSDQ: GOOG) is taking too long to respond to customer service emails/inquiries, Google has rolled out a new Nexus One customer support hotline. Now, instead of just emailing the traditionally closed and uncommunicative search giant, Google is offering Nexus One owners and soon-to-be users a phone number that they can call to talk to a live person. Combined with the Google’s decision to lower the Nexus One return fee, it seems Google is looking to boost the Android phone’s flat sales.

Here’s Google’s statement on the matter:

“By design, we focused initially on providing the best possible customer support through our on-line channel, and our experience in the four weeks since the Nexus One launch enabled us to significantly enhance that on-line support offering. We have been able to address a large majority of customers’ inquiries successfully through on-line support, in combination with phone support from our partners, HTC and T-Mobile (NYSE: DT). That said, our approach with our new consumer channel is to learn fast and continue to improve…Live phone support from Google, combined with an optimized on-line support experience, enables a superior Nexus One customer experience.”

Starting today, Google will field all your Nexus One customer support questions through their new toll-free phone number. If you’re in the US, just dial (888) 48NEXUS (63987) between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. to talk to a real, live person. If you’re thinking about calling to get technical support or in reference to your T-Mobile service, you can find phone numbers here.

Google’s Nexus One sales have been fairly flat since the Android phone was launched earlier this year, but things may change with Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s decision to reduce its early termination fee. The Nexus One maker has been getting some bad press surrounding the Nexus One’s $350 early return fee – something Google calls their “equipment recovery fee” – and has even drawn an official inquiry by the FCC. It’s not clear why, exactly, but Google has announced that it has dropped the fee for returning a Nexus One down to $150.

Still, the drop in fees doesn’t make the Nexus One a cheap smartphone to return. Google’s new $150 “equipment recovery fee” rides on top of T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s $200 ETF fee, so it’s still going to cost you a pretty penny to give the N1 back to Google. If you return the phone within 14 days of purchase, you’re free and clear of the penalty. But, should you return the phone after 14 days, you’ll be stuck paying Google’s fee in addition to T-Mobile’s ETF.

Check out Google’s new Nexus One terms of sale here.

Chances are, if you’re wanting to pick up a myTouch 3G, you’d be best served waiting for the myTouch 3G 1.2 to drop. From all reports it looks like the launch of the 1.2 is coming tomorrow, but still… if you want to save a few dollars and pick up yesterday’s technology, the original myTouch is going to drop in price tomorrow as well. Starting on February 10th, the myTouch 3G will go for $99.99 on a 2-year contract… that’s a $50 savings. Not bad.

In the end $100 for the myTouch ain’t a bad price at all. However, if you’d rather have the latest and greatest in the myTouch lineup, save a few extra dollars and pick up the myTouch 1.2 tomorrow instead. I have a feeling the extra money you spend will be well worth it.

Note: I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll see the original myTouch go on sale for $79.99 or perhaps even $49.99 if sales don’t go so well. If you’re fine with biding your time in hopes of saving a bit of moola, it may be worth the wait for you.

[Via: TMoNews]

Remember the T-Mobile BlackBerry Trackball replacement program I told you about a little while ago? The program was slated to offer owners of the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Pearl 8100/8120 and Curve 8320 free trackball replacement… as long as the device was purchased through T-Mobile (NYSE: DT). Last I heard, the program was set to kick off on February 15th.

It turns out that some changes have been made to the trackball replacement kits themselves, which has translated into some delay. RIM has been busy updating their own processes and procedures due to the new replacement kit, so T-Mobile reps will have new training materials in-hand when they get back to it. From all accounts, T-Mobile representatives could start training on the new kits at some point today. Due to the new kit involved, T-Mobile expects to push the launch date back on this program to February 24th.

[Via: TMoNews]

For those waiting patiently for the next iteration of the myTouch 3G to drop, some more good news for you this morning… According to a report at TMoNews, T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) has confirmed via their internal systems that the myTouch 1.2 is indeed on its way with a scheduled release date of February 10th. Sheesh, that’s only a few days away!

The new version of the myTouch (aka 1.2) will include a 3.5mm headphone jack, 256MB or RAM, and will replace the white and black versions of the myTouch 3G currently available on T-Mo.

If you’re hoping to get your hands on the myTouch 1.2, better get there early. All reports thus far have the new device available in ‘limited quantity’ only, so I suspect T-Mobile doesn’t think the 1.2 will in any way be ‘lineup worthy’. Still, this is good info to know if you’re hell bent on picking up the 1.2. Might as well get over to a T-Mo location on launch day to ensure you get to touch… your myTouch.

Samsung T139 Mayon has been spotted on the company’s website on its way to T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) USA. It’s an entry-level clamshell that targets folks who need an easy-to-use device for basic calling and texting. Features include two screens (internal and external), VGA camera that can take both photos and videos, Bluetooth, aGPS, speakerphone and an HTML browser. That aGPS promises that even some location-based apps will be available with the T139, which is cool to see in a low-end phone. Exact released date is unknown, though.

[Via: PhoneScoop]

While not quite up to the kind of sales numbers that the iPhone and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Droid have been enjoying, Google’s Nexus One has managed to find 80,000 new homes in January. Following up on a report that Google sold 20,000 Nexus One Android phones in the first week of sales, it seems Google has been selling their first smartphone at a steady rate of 20k per week. The sales figures – which come from Flurry Analytics by way of the WSJ – aren’t anything to write home about, and definitely won’t give Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) or Motorola reason to lose sleep at night, but they do hint at an interesting potential future for the Nexus One – that of the undercover blockbuster hit.

Again, 80,000 units sold during a launch month is not impressive for the a smartphone of the Nexus One’s pedigree. But, keep in mind that sales have been steady and decently strong – again, not compared to the iPhone, but 80,000 is not a small number in and of itself. Also, keep in mind that the Nexus One is only fully functional on T-Mobile’s 3G network. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) will be launching the Nexus One in the spring, which will open up the Nexus One to a whole new market. It’s also rumored to hit AT&T (NYSE: T).

When the Nexus One goes live on Verizon, the phone could very well go from undercover status to a true-blue blockbuster success. What do you think, dear reader? Will the Nexus One come into its own once it hits Verizon? Will sales continue to lag (relatively) throughout the year? Keep in mind that Android 2.1 OS will be rolled out to other Android phones by that time.

[Via: I4U]

We’ve seen Motorola (NYSE: MOT)’s next Android/motoblur handset, the Zeppelin, pop up in Brazil and China, but have yet to hear anything about a North American launch. Well, rumour has it that not only does this mobile support T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s AWS bands, but it’s apparently coming out on March 10. There aren’t any documents or pictures to support this, so take it all with a grain of salt.

We’re expecting to see the Zeppelin lumber in at Mobile World Congress in the next couple of weeks, festooned with a 3.1” HVGA display, Wi-Fi, GPS, HDMI out, 3.5 mm headphone jack and Motorola’s custom user interface focussing on social networking. The cliq, devour, and Backflip, are all using motoblur already, although Motorola hasn’t been shy about using stock vanilla Android on the droid and motoroi. It’s still hard to say what that motosplit is running, presuming it’s actually real.

If T-Mobile U.S. does get the Zeppelin at MWC, we would expect that given the locale, T-Mobile carriers across Europe would also be riding along for the launch. The droid really paved the way for Motorola’s American Android attack, but I’m curious how well the platform is performing for Moto internationally, and if the Zeppelin will be their flagship for the “everywhere-but-the-U.S.” market.

[via TMoNews, AndroidAndMe]

Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) had locked down an exclusive for the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Storm2 9550 (and the original 9500, for that matter) across Europe, but that time is quickly coming to a close. T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) has announced that they’ll be offering the Storm2 this month. O2 (NYSE: TEF) may also take advantage of the ending exclusivity by offering the SurePress smartphone at some point soon, although there’s no official word just yet.

The Storm2 is RIM’s second touch-based BlackBerry, which uses a signature clicking touchscreen that sharply divides its users and detractors. Otherwise, it’s roughly the same experience you’d expect from a BlackBerry; a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, and a 480 x 360 display round out the device. Scope out our review for a closer look.

An interesting tidbit from the announcement is that Phil Lander, T-Mobile’s account director at RIM, confirmed that they’ll have an official Twitter application shortly. We’ve been hearing quite a bit about the app, and have even heard that it’s coming this month. Here’s hoping! As for the Storm2, I wonder if the T-Mo UK arrangement will have any repercussions in the U.S. – maybe Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s exclusivity will be up too, since Vodafone owns a chunk of the company, and so T-Mobile U.S. could follow in its European brother’s footsteps.

[via MobileNews]