The Motorola (NYSE: MOT) bunch were on hand at the Las Vegas Convention Center to showcase their current mobile lineup at CES 2009 Las Vegas, but the real gem of Motorola’s show was their Motorola AURA luxury phone.

The Motorola AURA isn’t for everyone, what with its $2,000 price tag and all. But, you do get what you pay for. We’re usually quick to dismiss pricey handsets, but the Motorola AURA gets a solid thumbs-up from us. Sure, the form-factor has been done before (by Motorola, no less), but the AURA’s high-end materials and watch-like precision build give the handset a modern luxury feel.

At the heart of the AURA’s design is the gear-driven swivel-blade. The gear mechanism boosts the swivel movement, snapping open the AURA’s flip with just the slightest of touches. Nudge of the blade just a bit to the side and the AURA swivels open with a smooth and firm action. And, for the icing on this high-end piece of cellular-cake, the gear drive is visible through a little window on the backside of the AURA – just like high-end watches with transparent casings.

Then there’s the incredibly sharp circular display that seems to pop out of the bezel. A 62-carat convex crystal lens protects the display and really drives home the Motorola AURA’s luxury watch aesthetic. We’re told that the shiny crystal sitting atop the display will fend off keys and coins without a scratch, for folks that like putting $2,000 cellphones in the same pocket as their keys.

But, what about that $2,000 price tag? The Motorola AURA might just be worth it… for some.

Palm has made it clear that the US will be the inaugural launch-market for the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre and its accompanying Web OS. The CDMA-based Palm Pre will be launching as a Sprint (NYSE: S)-exclusive in the first half of 2009 (1H 2009), and should have a huge impact on our home-turf smartphone market. And, with both GSM and CDMA variants in the works, Palm’s CEO Ed Colligan has essentially confirmed that the Palm Pre will be hitting Canadian carriers in the near future.

It’s unclear which carrier will be getting the go ahead to carry the Palm Pre, but we’re guessing that there’s a lot of back-and-forths going on between Palm and Canadian carriers right about now. Who will win the Palm Pre contract? It’s impossible to say, but Canadian big-dog Rogers (NYSE: RCI) might be a good bet. We may even see the Palm Pre launching in both CDMA and GSM-guise in Canada.

“I can’t tell you that exactly. We do have a UMTS version and a CDMA version but either one of those could come to Canada depending on the carrier. Of course we’re talking to [Canadian] carriers. We certainly want to bring the product to Canada,” says Colligan.

US pricing is rumored to be around $400 on-contract, so it wouldn’t surprise us to see similar pricing structures for our Northern neighbors. Of course, we’d love to see a more heavily subsidized price-point.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

The Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre is making big waves as the next-generation Palm smartphone with the potential to turn the company’s fortunes around. But, the Palm Pre’s hardware would be much less appealing were it not for the touch-optimized Web OS that runs the show. All those snazzy gesture-controls and capacitance touchscreen make for one fun-to-use UI. Today, we’re hearing that the Web OS will launch with an application store that will be known as the “App Catalog.”

Palm will be embracing the developer community in the near future with the release of the Palm Web OS SDK. The Palm Web OS will allow web-developers to apply their HTML, Javascript, and CSS skills to developing native applications for the Web OS platform. The upcoming Web OS SDK will allow web-developers to use a programming language they’re most comfortable with to access and interact with the Palm Pre’s hardware. But, we’re willing to bet that Palm will also support the traditional developer community – Web OS applications developed with using web-languages will no doubt be pretty to look at and quite useful, but hard-hitting applications like GPS navigation apps and mobile games will require some traditional development resources.

Because an integrated application-delivery platform is fast becoming par for the smartphone-course these days, Palm will be launching its own applications store, a la the App Store and Android Market. The Palm Pre developer blog notes that the App Catalog will “provide an on-device application catalog to deliver your apps directly to users.” The Palm App Catalog will bring applications to the Web OS, helping to drive adoption of the platform as a whole.

We can’t wait to check out the applications in the App Catalog!

Palm Pre developer blog

In the aftermath of the media blitz that was the Palm press event, Palm (NSDQ: PALM) was kind enough to setup a Palm Pre Press Lounge where they showed off the new Palm Pre and Web OS in a more intimate setting. The Palm Pre is being touted as the next-generation handset that will help you navigate through your life – seamlessly and without wires. With a generous 3.1-inch capacitance touchscreen, 8GB of on-board storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, EVDO Rev. A, and a 3 megapixel camera, the Palm Pre is no slouch in the features-department. And, with the Linux-based Web OS powering the Palm Pre “experience,” the new mobile offering from Palm promises to bring the struggling company out of the red and ready to compete with the likes of Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), Samsung, and even Nokia (NYSE: NOK)!

Let’s take a closer look at the Palm Pre. First, the handset will be launched as a Sprint (NYSE: S) exclusive in the US, but will be available in the future in GSM form. Next, the Pre sports a “high speed” processor built on the new OMAP3 architecture. Palm was hesitant to quote processor specs, presumably because they’re still tweaking everything to maximize performance and battery life, but we’re willing to bet the farm that the CPU will blow the doors off most smartphones currently on market.

Then, there’s the bevy of features. Things like the 3 megapixel camera, 8G on-board storage, WiFi, 3.1-inch capacitance touchscreen, and a vertically-sliding QWERTY keyboard make the Palm Pre a serious competitor in an increasingly crowded mobile segment. The Palm Pre features an arc-slider design reminiscent of the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Z10 that is said to improve calling ergonomics, but we just say it’s “cool.”

Unfortunately, there’s no expandable microSD card slot. Palm’s VP of software tells us that an expansion card would add unnecessary complexity to the Web OS interface – something that goes against the platform’s intuitive philosophy. But, with 8GB of built-in storage, the Palm Pre won’t exactly be hurting for media storage space.

Now, the Palm Pre hardware is great, but without the Web OS, it’s not going to go anywhere. Built on a Linux kernel, the Web OS (which we believe is “Nova,” but can’t confirm with Palm reps), is Palm’s vision of the future of smartphone computing. All applications are shown as “cards” that represent a workspace. All “cards” can be organized in any order and allows the user to switch quickly between running applications (or “cards”) with just a flick of the finger. And, with true multi-tasking capability, the Web OS will be a productivity platform like none other.

Speaking of finger-flicking, the Web OS is designed around an intuitive touch-based interface. Below the capacitance touchscreen lies the gesture-control region. Flick your finger upwards and you can access your application launcher. Flick your finger sideways and you can move back and forward through webpages and applications. For more on how the finger-flick works, check out our video (to be posted soon). And, the touchscreen features a comfortable friction coefficient that isn’t too slick but still allows you finger to slide smoothly across the screen.

Palm has also announced extensive support for web developers. All applications for the Web OS can be coded with web langages like Javascript, HTML, and CSS. Gone are the days where app developers needed to know more complex computer languages, the future is web-apps gone native!

Lastly, Palm has announced what could be the coolest manufacturer-integrated accessory – the Palm Touchstone. The Touchstone is a magnetic “puck” on which you rest your Palm Pre. The Touchstone charges the Palm Pre without wires – thanks to the magic of magnetic induction! With wireless charging solutions like Slashpower recently going under, we had doubts that we’d ever see wireless charging coming to market. But, with Palm’s Touchstone, we’re pleasantly surprised.

The Palm Pre and Web OS represent the next-generation of smartphones. Palm is even embracing the web developer ecosystem and we can’t wait to see how the Web OS guides Palm into the next decade.

Massive piture gallery from Palm’s press event and after-event follows after the break…

Read the full article »

Those rumours about a February launch for T-Mobile U.S.A’s BlackBerry 8900 have checked out! GPS, Wi-Fi, 360 x 480 resolution screen, e-mail, web browsing, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus, music and video players, as well as a microSD slot under the hood supporting up to 16 GB memory cards. I’ve been playing around with a Rogers (NYSE: RCI) review unit for a little while, and I gotta say that it is very slim and compact – just check out some of our picture comparisons to see for yourself. The lack of 3G might hurt some, but if all you’re doing is e-mail, you don’t need much more than EDGE. The screen’s fantastic, and should make folks looking at the Bold think twice.

[via MarketWire]

When we first laid eyes on the LG Viewty’s spec-sheet, we knew LG had a sure winner on their hands. The LG Viewty mates a 3-inch touchscreen display with a high quality Schneider Kreuznach 5-megapixel camera that doesn’t compromise functionality just because its part of a cellphone. With auto-focus, image stabilization, xenon flash, the ability to record video at 120fps, and world renowned optics, the LG Viewty can hang with the best point-and-shoot cameras on the market.

And, with an array of available color options, it’s no wonder LG has sold over 5 million units worldwide. LG has announced today that their 5 megaixel cameraphone has found homes in 350,000 South Korean pockets and 4,650,000 pockets across Europe and Asia. The LG Viewty’s success sets LG up for a repeat success with their Viewty successor – the 8 megapixel LG KC910 Renoir.

LG is making some serious headway into a cameraphone market that desperately needs to see hardware geared towards more serious camera features. Let’s hope LG brings the Renoir to CES 2009!

LG

Softbank recently announced their 1-Seg TV tuner/battery pack add-on for Japanese iPhone 3Gs. The Japanese iPhone 3G was criticized for its lack of an integrated TV tuner, and the One-Seg TV tuner accessory was to be Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF)’s answer. The external TV tuner connects to the iPhone 3G over WiFi, streaming the TV stream to the iPhone 3G.

The Softbank One-Seg TV tuner was recently released to the TV-consumer public. That is, as long as you’re a Softbank subscriber. We’re not going to see this particular iPhone 3G accessory make the jump to

Thankfully, the lucky folks over at DVICE were good enough to post hands-on pictures and first impressions of the 1-Seg TV tuner. The device is sleekly styled (like the iPhone 3G itself), lightweight, and streams crystal clear TV to the iPhone 3G. Unfortunately, there’s the issue of power drain. Even with the integrated battery pack, you’re only going to get about an hour’s worth of TV viewing before your iPhone 3G starts complaining about low battery charge.

If you’re planning on moving to Japan anytime soon, the 1-Seg TV tuner might be a worthy investment. otherwise, you can just keep dreaming about getting terrestrial TV on your iPhone 3G.

Check out the rest of the pictures over at DVICE.

[Via: DVICE]

Update your T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) G1 to Android OS RC30, did you? Unless you updated your G1 with a hacked version of of the Android OS RC30 firmware, you’re probably missing out on the root access right about now.

Wax nostalgic about root access no more!

A newly released Android RC29 firmware from xda-developers member chavonbravo allows Android users to downgrade their T-Mobile G1 back to the older firmware. The Android RC29 build retains the root access security hole that allows hackers to do all kinds of nifty stuff with their hacked G1.

Downgrading to RC29 is simple. Follow the below steps to downgrade your T-Mobile G1 back to Android OS RC29.

1. Download the Android OS RC29 firmware file here.
2. Rename the file to update.zip
3. Copy the newly renamed “update.zip” file to root directory (base level, no folders) of your microSD card
4. Disconnect your T-Mobile G1 from your computer if you used the data cable to access the microSD card
5. Turn off the handset by holding down the “Power” button
6. Turn it back on while holding down the “Power” (End Call) and “Home” buttons
7. When you see “Triangle” icon, open the keyboard and press “Alt” and “L” simultaneously
8. When you see some yellow text, press “Alt” and “S” simultaneously
9. Follow the on-screen instructions
10. Press “Home” and “Back” buttons simultaneously when you’re done and ready to reboot
11. The G1 will reboot as it does its thing – let it do so.
12. Enjoy Android RC29 and its root access security hole.

Now, you’ll probably be looking to update back to Android RC30 while retaining root access. Keep in mind that the root access update method is not as simple as the RC29 downgrade outlined above. But, with a little focus and patience, you’ll be just fine. Find our RC30 root access update tutorial here.

Android OS RC29
IntoMobile’s RC30 root access update guide

Following on the legal kerfuffle in France that forced Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and Orange (France’s once-exclusive iPhone 3G carrier) to stop selling iPhones locked to Orange’s network, French retailer FNAC is now selling unlocked and contract-less iPhone 3Gs in France. The French Competition Council recently ordered Orange to temporarily cease its exclusive partnership with Apple, forcing Apple’s hand in allowing third-party vendors, like FNAC, to sell the iPhone 3G in France.

But, as with all things in the mobile world that involved the terms “unlocked” and “contract-free,” the FNAC iPhone 3G will cost a pretty penny. FNAC is asking would-be iPhone 3G owners to fork over €799 ($1,123) and €899 ($1,263)for the 8GB iPhone 3G and 16GB iPhone 3G, respectively.

File this latest iPhone 3G case in the category for ‘awesomeness’. I wish there was a category here for that… maybe I should create one!? Nah…

A new case mode for the iPhone 3G has appeared from Russian manufacturer iCustom. The case shows off all of the geek-a-licious internal guts of the iPhone 3G… all in-part to a clear back cover. If you want something completely different, this case mod should be right up your alley. I still enjoy the look of my white iPhone 3G, but there’s something about being able to see the ‘guts’ of the phone that is very intriguing… Perhaps this reminds me of the ‘Bodies’ exhibition currently going on at the Luxor in Vegas… That’s probably what it is.

For more information hit up iCustom (their site didn’t exactly load up properly for me… so… um… good luck!).

[iPhoneFreak via Gizmodo]