Adding the HTC Magic is obviously not enough for Italy’s TIM. They decided to follow the footsteps of Vodafone by including the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N97 in their offering, too. The problem, however, is the price — HTC Magic will be available for 449 EUR, while Nokia’s flagship device will be sold for whooping 150 EUR more. If we would compare the two devices in an “apples to apples” manner, that would mean that QWERTY keyboard costs 150 EUR, which is kinda ridiculous. On the other hand, we’re talking about two different platforms, each having its loyal followers.

Finally, I’m guessing the current steep price is for hard-core Nokia fanboys and will go down with the time. We’ll see…

[Via: BGR]

Aside from offering the first Android handset, HTC Dream aka T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) G1, Italy’s TIM will be adding the second one as well. Of course, we’re talking about the all-touchscreen HTC Magic, which is set to hit the operator’s portfolio in the coming days or weeks. The exact release date is unknown, but we do have the price. It’s 449 EUR, which is about $595. It’s kinda steep, but I guess that’s the price without any contract signing activities, though you’ll certainly want some data plan with this baby, right?

[via: Engadget Mobile, Technophone]

Good news for our readers from Italy. The leading telecom company in the country, Telecom Italia (NYSE: TI), along with Ericsson have already started deploying a new mobile network technology of 28 Mbps speeds in early 2009. The deployment will include the so called MIMO (Multiple Input and Multiple Output) technology and Milan will be the first Italian “ultra-broadband city,” enjoying speeds of up to 28 Mbps in download and 5.8 Mbps in upload.

From the official release:

Telecom Italia will be first in Italy to deploy live mobile broadband speeds of 28 Mbps with Ericsson’s mobile network technology. Tests in Telecom Italia’s mobile network will start early 2009 and initial deployment is planned in the city of Milan in June 2009. National coverage will follow in the second half of 2009.

As expected, not every part of the city/country will be able to use the maximum speeds. Actual download speeds can be less and will vary due to congestion, distance from the cell, local conditions, hardware, software and other factors. Still, it’s good to see these things rolling out.

TIM has announced the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) 8220 for Brazil, but without any pricing or dates, unfortunately. TIM has already released the Pearl Flip in Italy, so it’s only a matter of time before the 8220 reaches satellites in Brazil and Turkey. It was a little curious to see the site previously calling the 8220 the Kickstart (even though I totally love that name over the Pearl Flip), and their store image watermarked with “CONFIDENTIAL”. It sounds like these guys are getting most of their info from us bloggers.

[via BlackBerry World BR]

TIM has scored an exclusive deal with LG to launch the LG KS360 Messenger phone in Italy, which they are offering as the LG Tribe. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard equipped feature phone is targeted towards “generation Web 2.0,” and among other things also packs a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 2 megapixel camera, media player, FM radio, Bluetooth, 15MB of internal memory that is further expandable with microSD memory cards.

And that’s about all we can say about this phone. Lack of 3G may kill the deal for many, but for staying in touch with your buddies on the go - it provides a solid bang for the buck. And while we’re talking about pricing, TIM is offering the Tribe for 149 EUR with a contract, which also includes a Windows Live Messenger service that’s free for two months. Afterwards, it costs 3 to 6 EUR a month for continued access…

[Via: Unwired View]

Samsung is launching a new Windows Mobile smartphone in Italy called Samsung C6620. From what we can tell, the BlackJack-like handset comes with an improved QWERTY keyboard with buttons looking like those found on Nokia (NYSE: NOK) E71 or Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Treo, which make typing way more convenient. Or at least, that’s my experience.

Specs wise, there’s a tri-band GSM/GPRS radio (900/1800/1900 MHz) on board, QVGA non-touchscreen, 3G (HSDPA), 2 megapixel camera, 20 MB of internal memory that is further expandable with memory cards. Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard edition is running the show. Lack of WiFi and GPS may be a dealbreaker for many, myself included.

In Italy, TIM is selling the Samsung C6620 in “Wine Red,” “Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) Green” and “Navy Blue” for 199 EUR with a contract. We’ve no idea when nor whether the new Samsung smartphone will start selling in the U.S. The FCC approval is there, but that doesn’t mean much…

[Via: Unwired View]

After lots of talk about T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) and Rogers (NYSE: RCI) releasing the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) 8220, it turns out that TIM, across the pond in Italy, actually got the BlackBerry Pearl Flip first. Our buddy Stefano actually went to the launch event about two weeks ago, so it’s not entirely a surprise. It’ll be going for 269 € (around $396) presumably before contract. Even if you’re about to jump on the BlackBerry 8220 (and we don’t know many who would be), you probably want to shelf your international shipping and unlocking schemes - it won’t be long before T-Mobile and Rogers has this one available too.

[via BBCool]

The BenQ S6 Mobile Internet Device

I don’t mean that BenQ used a person called Tim to launch the S6 (though they may have had someone of that name working on the launch), no, no, no - BenQ have launched the Mobile Internet Device called the S6 with Italian Operator TIM!

There is an Intel Atom processor inside, along with 4.8″ screen, and 370g of weight to account for. 3.5G and WLAN radios are onboard for InterWeb access, and Bluetooth even makes an appearance!

Apparently the cost will be 429 EUR, which isn’t too harsh, although it is going to have to compete with the increasingly popular netbooks at that price point.

You can check out BenQ’s info on the S6 here.

[Via: Telecom Paper]

Reuters is reporting that Italian carrier TIM will announce the 3G iPhone on Monday or Tuesday. And while we would like to believe that true — and considering WWDC starts on Monday it makes perfect sense — we still must post this under our “Rumors” section. Until we hear anything official from Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) or Telecom Italia (NYSE: TI) (owner of TIM), that’s the way it must go.

The problem, though, is in the face we still haven’t seen Apple pushing its 3G baby through FCC. Not that it’s required for launching a device in Europe, but that’s kinda way it goes (at least with other handset makers). Conspiracy theorists may opt for an idea that Apple somehow managed to make FCC’s process non-transparent, because of all trade secrets…

Anyway, if Jobs doesn’t unveil the 3G iPhone at the WWDC, I’m sure many will be disappointed. Hopefully, that won’t be the case…

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

Who doesn’t love the Italian gusto that goes in to every Ducati motorcycle’s design? Ducati exudes a sense of passion and style that bikers the world over envy. There’s only the small issue of the higher price point that keeps a Ducati out of practical reach for many.

While a Ducati is pretty much the cheapest way to lay claim to an Italian-made motor vehicle, it’s not cheap by any means. But, that doesn’t mean that the average Joe-bike-rider can’t get their hands on some official Ducati-designed gear on the (relatively) cheap.

The Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) Z770 Ducati edition brings the style and feel of Ducati’s motoring tradition in a more affordable handset. All gussied up in a Ducati-designed red and black paint-job, this Sony Ericsson Z770 flip-phone sports Ducati-branding. The handset comes with an HBH DS-220 based Ducati Bluetooth headset to match the trick color-scheme of the SE Z770.

Unfortunately for Ducati-fans in The States, the Sony Ericsson Z770 only supports tri-band (900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM. But, if tri-band works well in your corner of the world, the SE Z770 should serve up data through its web browser at UMTS/HSDPA speeds.

Sony Ericsson plans to bring the SE Z770’s Italian gusto to TIM in June.

[Via: Unwired View]