Some snooping around Motorola (NYSE: MOT)’s internal product page for the recently-unveiled droid has revealed hints of a tablet version (alongside the vanilla UMTS model) coming to T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) as the Sholes. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen some name-shuffling with the droid, and considering Verizon (NYSE: VZ) has an iron grip on the “droid Does” campaign, it makes sense T-Mobile would want to stay differentiated (or Moto might just be sticking with the original codename).  Besides that, we don’t know if or for how long VZ has exclusivity of this hot handset and its apparently upcoming tablet brother, but based on earlier rumours, we could be seeing the tablet as early as Q1 2010, and the regular Sholes before the new year.

[via TMoNews]

The new Bold 9700 is definitely getting ready for an imminent launch on Rogers (NYSE: RCI), but that doesn’t mean the old 9000 is going to be left in the dust – in fact, it’s getting two updates in the near future. Enterprise sales inventory show the white and cameraless models will be finding their way up north, both of which we’ve seen in action on AT&T. Hopefully the new versions will be accompanied with price cuts, since the 9000 is still running for a relatively steep $249.99. As for a date,  it’s assumed that these will launch alongside the new Bold 9700 around November 4, but we’ll be finding out for sure soon enough.

[via CB]

Samsung is working on another Android-powered smartphone. It will be called Saturn i6500, and we know about that as it has recently got the WiFi interoperability certification (PDF link).

Details are scarce at the moment, but we do know it will come with WiFi connectivity feature. In addition, we could bet, once it’s released the Saturn will run the Android 2.0 Eclair and will most probably rely on an 800 MHz CPU. Moreover, it’s safe the specs sheet will include a GPS, HSPA radio, Bluetooth and a microSD memory card slot.

We’ve heard the Korean giant will launch the device at some point next year with estimated retail price of about 300 EUR, which is roughly $442. I’m guessing we’ll get all the details before or during the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which takes place in February. Stay tuned…

[Via: Unwired View]

File this under “rumors” but it seems Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless will be opening its stores at 6AM sharp on November 6th. According to always highly informed Boy Genius, the idea is to better serve customers looking for some DROID love. At the same time, this is obviously a PR stunt, which will certainly get some media attention (check us out).

And as you know, it’s not just the Moto Droid that will start selling on November 6th – it’s also the all-touchscreen HTC Droid Eris that also gets its power from the Android platform. Those of you who hate waiting in the queue, don’t forget you can pre-order the Droid from BestBuy.

[Via: BGR]

All eyes are on the Motorola Droid right now, but Verizon (NYSE: VZ) will be following up with a second handset in the Droid family, HTC’s Eris (once code-named Desire). Tipsters have alluded to a $99.99 price point, and that the handset will have Wi-Fi as well as a 5 megapixel camera (without flash). That’s quite the steal for a stylish handset packing HTC’s most excellent Sense user interface. For a closer look at the Eris from Verizon’s equipment guide, hit the via link.

[via PhoneArena]

Good news for Android fans looking for a bargain. It seems that Verizon (NYSE: VZ) will ask hundred bucks for the Droid Eris with a contract. As far as we know, the HTC-made smartphone will be launched on the same day as the Moto Droid and the carrier obviously needs to differentiate the offering. If they would price both devices the same amount, the choice would be obvious – get the QWERTY keyboard equipped Motorola (NYSE: MOT).

Now we’re thinking how will this impact Sprint (NYSE: S)’s $180 Hero offering? Yap, they’ll need to cut prices immediately. Don’t you just love when consumers win?

[Via: gdgt, unwired]

While the new BlackBerry Bold will be coming to stores sometime in November, we’ve heard little in terms of specific dates. Well, unconfirmed rumours are pointing to November 16 on T-Mobile (NYSE: DT), matching AT&T (NYSE: T)’s $199.99 on-contract price point ($449.99 off contract). Rogers (NYSE: RCI) is looking like they’ll be ready sooner rather than later, but things are still hazy for Bell, telus (NYSE: TU), and AT&T. The same tipster also confirms earlier rumours that one of Samsung’s upcoming Android devices, the Behold II, will come out on T-Mo a short two days later, and retail for $249.99 on contract.

[via BGR]

The holiday shopping season is right around the corner, and you know what that means. Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) is going to make another killing. The latest rumors circling Taiwanese manufacturers and component suppliers indicate that Apple is preparing for increased iPhone 3GS demand by boosting production orders for the iconic smartphone.

Citing various industry sources, DigiTimes says that Apple has upped its Q4 iPhone 3GS production orders to Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai) and Primax Electronics by 17-20%. Even OmniVision, the company that supplies the image sensors used in the iPhone camera module, is reporting tight supplies through November. As always, when Apple demands more product, component suppliers drop everything and answer Apple’s call – the rest of the industry be damned.

Apple set a new sales record in Q3 2009, despite shortages that left some markets hurting for iPhone hardware. And, if all goes according to plan rumor, the traditionally strong holiday shopping season could give Apple another record quarter.

[Via: DigiTimes]

It looks like the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) 8520 will be getting an update that includes 3G connectivity, according to an internal Verizon (NYSE: VZ) newsletter, but details are scarce, aside from what we already know about the 8500-series Curves having Wi-Fi. The Curve2 likely has something to do with the projects code-named Essex or Atlas, which were meant to be a companion to the Tour that would have Wi-Fi (and the Essex specifically having a trackpad). However, I think the overall assumption was that either one would still be packing the Tour form factor, complete with nicer screen and camera. In any case, for those hungry for a Wi-Fi-enabled CDMA BlackBerry and can’t stomach the Storm2’s SurePress or won’t wait for an updated Tour, the Curve2 will be their only option. To get a feel for what the device might feel like, check out our BlackBerry 8520 review – just tack on Wi-Fi and likely OS 5.0.

Other devices to make an appearance in the newsletter include the HTC Imagio, Ozone, enV Touch, enV3, Chocolate Touch, Rogue, Intensity, Alias2, and the white Pearl Flip; of course, Droid gets a two-page spread to itself.

[via BGR]

It isn’t a secret that I think the Apple Tablet is one of the longest running bullshit rumours to come out of media companies looking to increase page views. This new one however from The Sydney Morning Herald takes the cake:

Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has sent specifications of the device to Australian media companies in an effort to sound out whether they would be interested in delivering their content to the tablet.

Ummm what? Since when does Apple give anyone the specifications to their devices before shipping them? Is Apple aiming to announce the iTablet, say it is going to ship “tomorrow”, and have content partners already lined up? Doubtful. They’ll probably do what they did with the iPhone and announce it a few months before shipping it so media companies have time to get their shit together and format their content for the iTablet, if an iTablet even exists, which I have to repeat is total bullshit.

Here is another quote of epic proportions:

The tablet is tipped to be a larger version of the iPhone. It is small enough to carry in a handbag but too big to fit in a pocket.

Carry in a handbag? So you’re saying the number one users of this device will be women? Men who carry bags do so because they carry around a laptop.

But seriously, just how credible is The Sydney Morning Herald? They said this on October 27th 2009:

Apple is also working with the major music studios to develop a new album format, delivered over iTunes, that will include liner notes, artwork and potentially mobile ringtones and music videos in a unified software package that the labels hope will boost sales of albums, instead of just single tracks.

It’s called iTunes LP and it was announced on September 9th. I hope this blog post, and every other blog post linking to your bullshit to fuel the iTablet rumour, gets you some page views because maybe then you could hire someone to do your fucking research.