Nokia (NYSE: NOK) just issued a press release asking you to replace your mobile fone’s charger if it is either the AC-3E and AC-3U models, manufactured between June 15, 2009 and August 9, 2009, or the AC-4U model, manufactured between April 13, 2009 and October 25, 2009. These defective chargers are an “electrical shock hazard”. Go to http://chargerexchange.nokia.com for more details.

One crucial figure, the number of chargers that are actually impacted by this recall, wasn’t mentioned. “Only a limited number of chargers of certain model types manufactured by a single third-party supplier during a specific time period are within the scope of the exchange program.” How many units are we looking at here?

Update: IntoMobile reader “FT” left a comment that points to an article published by Reuters with more information. The defective chargers, which are estimated to be around 14 million units, were manufactured by Chinese company BYD. Thanks FT!

T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) has a new Nokia (NYSE: NOK) phone in its offering. Nothing too spectacular like the N900, but something more modest, something for an average Joe who don’t want to spend much to get basic calling and texting functionality. It’s the clamshell-shaped Nokia 3711 which prides itself with such usual specs like QVGA screen, 2-megapixel camera, GPS, FM radio, Bluetooth, microSD memory card slot, media player and so on. It’s available for $69.99 on an Even More contract after rebate or $159.99 on Even More Plus plan. T-Mobile’s AWS 3G is also included… The carrier’s website offers more details for those who care.

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

Fido customers that have been waiting for a new stylish and compact flip device may not have to wait that much longer for the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 2720 ‘Fold’. In a little promo image (above) you’ll notice a ‘coming soon’ starburst slapped right on top of the 2720. If you’re looking for a solid, compact flip device, the 2720 fits the bill. Great to have when you need to have a small device you can just tuck away in your pocket.

The 2720 features a 1.3MP camera with video, FM radio, Bluetooth, MP3 player, and 2.5mm audio jack. Pretty basic for sure.

The Nokia 2720 will go for free on a 2-year contract, or $125 contract-free or prepaid. I’ll keep an eye on the Fido site for more information as it becomes available.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Bell busted out their fresh HSPA devices yesterday, and today we  have a similar official announcement from telus (NYSE: TU). Earlier this week, we had a chance to sit down and take a look at the new toys; most of the players you’ll already be familiar with, but here’s a rundown of telus‘ take on each one.

First up we have the Hero, HTC’s Android avenger, jam-packed with their custom Sense user interface. I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t packaged in Sprint (NYSE: S)’s slick, smooth, curve casing, but telus apparently wanted to capture the European flavour by offering something unique to North America, although it’s arguably reminiscent of Rogers (NYSE: RCI)’ HTC Dream in terms of aesthetic. Prodding a little bit about other Android hardware in the future, telussaid that they’re really not interested in vanilla builds – they really want to see some unique experiences with each manufacturer, and I couldn’t agree more. If you’re hoping to see the Hero on another carrier up north, good luck; telus said they’ve nabbed the Canadian exclusive on the Hero, and it sounded indefinite. The price point is also killer: $99.99 on contract, $499.99 off contract.

Read the full article »

Rogers has announced holiday availability of the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N86 today, and is using the occasion to take a few potshots at the Bell and telus HSPA launches. Rogers (NYSE: RCI) is claiming their “unparalleled HSPA smartphone lineup underscores Rogers’ network superiority”, and are also milking the LG Eve and xperia X1 for all they’re worth.The N86 is an exceptionally good choice for anyone who’s looking for a mix of simple phone, an outstanding camera, and potential for advanced smartphone functions. The $99.99 on contract price point is also very attractive, but even still, it’s going to be hard to combat the hype Bell and telus (NYSE: TU) are currently commanding. It’s a good thing for Rogers that a holiday launch for wind mobile is looking grim, or they would have even more competition on their hands. If you’re interested in picking up the N86 when it becomes available, be sure to check out our review first, and keep an eye on the Rogers online store.

[via Rogers]

Bell has today gone ahead and flipped the switch on their brand new HSPA network. Coupled with telus (NYSE: TU) launching their own tomorrow, Rogers (NYSE: RCI) will no longer have a lockdown on hot GSM handsets like the iPhone, and Canadians will get some much-needed choice in service providers. The only devices Bell was forthcoming about before today’s announcement were an HSPA+ internet stick, and MiFi mobile hotspot, but they have really opened up both barrels with their full HSPA family. Earlier today, you might have heard about the Bell BlackBerry Bold 9700, but there’s also the original Bold 9000 for $249.95 on contract, the LG Xenon (simple, full-QWERTY slider; $89.95 on contract), the Nokia 2730 (standard candybar; $29.95 on contract), the Samsung omnia II (touchscreen slate running Windows Mobile with TouchWiz 2.0; $199.95 on contract), Samsung Impact (A.K.A Highlight, touchscreen slate with voice and motion-controlled UI; $79.95 on contract), and of course, the beloved iPhone 3GS.

On top of devices, Bell is also announcing a new HSPA video calling service available on the omnia II and Xenon that not only works with other capable phones, but also through a Facebook app. Overall, this is a huge step for Bell and Canadian wireless overall, and it’s not over yet – we’ll be hearing more about telus‘ HSPA  grand opening tomorrow. For a closer look at Bell’s full lineup, check their online store, or their HSPA landing page for more info on the new network.

[via Bell]

LTE, Long Term Evolution, 4G, whatever you want to call it, was designed to be a complete IP based system. Many of you may be surprised to hear this, but when LTE became a standard, it only supported data. That’s right, 4th generation networks didn’t have an interoperable standard for voice and SMS. Several solutions have been proposed, and I’ve extended my support to VoLGA, but it looks like Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has decided IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) will be the way going forward.

Who supports the decision? AT&T, Orange, Telefonica (many of you know them as O2), TeliaSonera, Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU), Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE). That’s a lot of companies. Their posse is called “One Voice Initiative” and now that the big boys have all decided on a standard, progress towards getting LTE networks up and running will start to pick up. Verizon and TeliaSonera are competing to see who will launch the world’s first commercial LTE network in 2010, but it’s going to quite a ways off until 4G coverage is equal to the current 3G footprint.

If anyone can point me (and IntoMobile readers) to a blog post or a book that explains how IMS works, that would be greatly appreciated. I’ve always avoided the standard since I thought it would never fly. Oh how wrong I am now.

Update: The One Voice spec has been published, check it out [PDF] if you’re a network engineer.

[Via: Press Release]

While Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s iPhone, Nokia (NYSE: NOK)’s N97 and HTC’s various Windows Mobile and Android powered devices win the hearts and minds of the technofiend journalists covering the mobile space, there are a class of devices, ultra low end devices, that are responsible for bringing progress to nations and an optimism toward the future that today’s smartphones simply can’t due to their high cost. Today you take it for granted that you have a mobile phone, but can you remember how exhilarating it felt to own your first mobile phone? The ability for anyone to call you, at anytime, is a transformative experience and today Nokia is helping more people achieve that sense of independence from time and space with the launch of 5 devices.

Almost a year ago today Nokia announced the 1202, and at the time it was the cheapest phone the company made, coming in at 25 EUR. Thanks to advances in technology, and price advantages brought on by having massive scale, Nokia has now launched the 1280 and it is available for only 20 EUR ($29.50); huge savings when you consider that many people spend months worth of their wages just to purchase a mobile phone. This device weighs in at 81.92 grams, is 107.2 mm tall, 45.1 mm wide, and 15.3 mm thick. It has a 800 mAh battery that gives it up to 22 days of standby time and 8.5 hours of talk time. The display is black and white, which is to be expected at these price levels, is dual band (900/1800 MHz), has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, flash light, FM radio, and even has user exchangeable covers. Expect to see this in Q1 2010.

Next we have the 1616 coming in at 24 EUR ($35.40), which is still cheaper than the 1202 that was introduced a year ago. You get a 65,000 color 128 x 160 pixel resolution display, 3.5 mm headphone jack, FM radio, and a flash light, all in a package that weighs 78.55 grams and is 107.1 mm tall, 45 mm wide, and 15 mm thick. It is a dual band device, but will come in two variants: 900/1800 MHz and 850/1900 MHz. It has the same 800 mAh battery the 1280 has, and will start shipping in Q1 2010.

The 1800 is essentially the 1616, but with a different look. It will cost 26 EUR ($38.35) when it ships in Q2 2010. It has the same 800 mAh battery, 65,000 color 128 x 160 pixel resolution display, 3.5 mm headphone jack, FM radio, and flash light. It is a dual band device, supporting 900/1800 MHz networks, and it weighs 78.5 grams while coming in at 107 mm tall, 45 mm wide, and 15.3 mm thick. It has a standby time of up to 22 days, or you can drain the battery with 8.5 hours of talking.

The 2200 Slide, which was leaked almost a month ago, is coming out this quarter and with it brings GPRS/EDGE (internet) support and a VGA camera at only 45 EUR ($65.40). The battery holds 720 mAh, and that should last up to 20 days in standby mode or 5.37 hours of talk time. The slider has a 65,000 color 128 x 160 pixel resolution display, is dual band and will come in both 900/1800 MHz and 850/1900 MHz models, and weighs only 93.5 grams. It’s 97.14 mm tall, 47 mm wide, and 15.85 mm thick.

Last we have the 2690, the most “expensive” device announced today, coming in at 54 EUR ($79.70). This Q1 2010 device has support for a microSD memory card, it has a VGA camera, supports GPRS/EDGE, has a VGA camera, and most impressive: it is quadband, meaning you can take this thing anywhere around the world (with a GSM network) and it will work. The internet will look small on that 1.8 inch, 262,000 color, 128 x 160 pixel display, but it’s better than nothing. It has the same 720 mAh battery as the 2200 Slide, and it will last you up to 13 days in standby mode, or 4.5 hours of talk time. The whole package weighs 80.72 grams and is 107.5 mm tall, 45.5 mm wide, and a svelte 13.8 mm thick. Nokia Conversations is saying this device has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a fact that wasn’t mentioned in the phone’s data sheet, but I’ll trust what they’ve got to say.

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) X3 — the non-3G music-centric slider that was announced at this year’s Nokia World in Stuttgart, Germany — has been cleared by the FCC. We don’t have a clue whether some carrier will pick it up, but with this clearance – it’s officially ready for the U.S. market. Since there are no 3G radios involved, it can easily sing along AT&T (NYSE: T)’s or T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s networks, relying on EDGE data only. Maybe, just maybe, we see it included in some carrier’s Christmas catalog, though as I said, we have no such information at this stage.

As a reminder, the X3 is a music-centric device sporting dedicated music keys, Bluetooth 2.1, 3.5mm headset jack, 3.2-megapixel camera with flash, stereo speakers, FM radio that works without headsets, 2.2-inch QVGA screen, microSD memory card slot, while Nokia’s feature phone platform Series 40 is running the show.

[Via: Unwired View]

Waking up and receiving good news doesn’t happen often enough, so when I opened my crusty teared eyes at 10 in the morning (Helsinki time) and got this press release in the mail, I hit the roof. Opera, the Norwegian company we all love, makers of the Opera desktop browser, Opera Mobile for Windows Mobile, and Opera Mini, one of my favorite mobile applications of all time, has released Opera Mobile 10 Beta for Symbian.

At this point you’re expect a full on review/preview of the application, but I would be wasting my breathe trying to say something genuinely new. It’s literally Opera Mini 5 Beta, but written in Symbian code rather than J2ME code. It’s noticeably more responsive than Opera Mini 5 Beta, the copy and paste actually works now, best of all it is possible to copy and paste text from the browser to another application. Opera Turbo support is included, but disabled by default. Turbo is the same technology that powers Opera Mini. You type in a URL, Opera intercepts that request, feeds it to a server sitting somewhere next to a moose in Northern Europe, renders the page, compresses it, and then spits it back to your mobile phone. I’d be lying if I said a website rendered with Opera Mobile 10 Beta consumed the same information as the same website rendered in Opera Mini 5 Beta; the J2ME client wins hands down at using the least amount of data necessary to display a website.

Things of note: this works on both touch (S60 5th Edition) and non touch (S60 Everything Else Edition) devices, and with the ability of Opera Link you’ll be able to sync bookmarks and passwords between the desktop version of Opera and the mobile version.

Check out the demo video below:

Oh and if you want to download it yourself, just type m.opera.com/mobile into your mobile browser.