Will the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Eos (codename: Pixie) launch in 2009 or 2010? That seems to be the question on many WebOS fans’ minds. The Palm Eos was originally expected to launch in the US in the fourth quarter of 2009. Then we heard that it was delayed until 2010. Then another report said it was still planned for an October launch. Today, David Eller, the Townhall Investments Research analyst who expects Sprint (NYSE: S) to miss their Palm Pre sales targets for the current quarter, notes that the Palm Eos appears to still be on track for a November launch.
Whether the Palm Eos is coming to Verizon (NYSE: VZ) or Sprint or AT&T (NYSE: T) in November isn’t clear. The Palm Eos was originally expected to be a GSM follow-up to the CDMA Palm Pre, and AT&T called dibs on the handset early on. But, recent leaks have shown the Eos listed in Verizon Wireless’s inventory system, as well as in Sprint’s computers.
What’s clear, at least in this land of rumor-and-speculation that we’re dancing around in, is that Palm will be shipping a Palm Eos variant in November. And, with its lower price-point, the Eos might be able to boost sales enough to make up for the Pre’s lackluster performance.
Remember the Tattoo brand that HTC recently trademarked? The newest rumblings along the mobile grapevine have HTC launching the HTC Click as the Android-powered HTC Tattoo in France in a few weeks’ time. The kicker? The HTC Click/Tattoo forgoes WiFi in favor of a cheaper price-tag. That would make the HTC Tattoo the first Android smartphone to lack a WiFi radio.
On the upside, the budget Android phone will still feature 3G data connectivity and a 3-megapixel camera. Analysts expect the more affordable HTC Click to help increase HTC’s handset shipments by 19%, fueled by increased interest in the Android OS.
French wireless carrier Bouygues Telecom will apparently be picking up the HTC Tattoo later this month. The HTC Tattoo will run the Donut build of the Android OS, which will likely include the updated Android Market. Price is expected to hit around $300, but that could change.
Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has already locked down China Unicom as their Chinese iPhone partner and is still trying to strike a deal to bring the iPhone to China Mobile (NYSE: CHL)’s massive 500-million-strong customer base. But, China Mobile recently launched OPhone smartrphone operating system and their own mobile applications store which compete directly with the iPhone OS and the iPhone AppStore, respectively. That puts a kink in Apple’s plans to bring the iPhone to the world’s largest wireless carrier. So what’s Apple going to do? A new report from Wedge Partners research analyst Matt Mathison speculates that Apple could partner up with Chinese cellphone retailer Di Xing Tong to sell iPhones. These iPhones could be unlocked to work on China Mobile’s network.
Mathison says that Apple could push the iPhone through Di Xing Tong’s hundreds of storefronts throughout China, helping increase iPhone penetration in the massive Chinese market. He believes that Apple would sell the iPhones with the understanding that they could be unlocked to work on China Mobile’s network – Apple won’t sell unlocked iPhones directly, they just won’t prevent customers from unlocking them.
The Di Xing Tong retail chain is owned by Foxconn, Apple’s iPhone manufacturer. The retailer’s close ties to Apple could help facilitate an iPhone distribution deal.
There’s a problem though. China Mobile’s 3G network is incompatible with the iPhone. That would leave any would-be Chinese iPhone unlocker limited to China Unicom’s 3G network or China Mobile’s 2G GSM network. The Chinese iPhone doesn’t feature WiFi, so China Mobile’s 2G network might be a tough pill to swallow.
The flow of pre-release BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) videos coming down the tube these days never fails to astonish me. Sure enough, this morning I stumbled upon a pre-release vid of the BlackBerry ‘Onyx’ 9700. The video gives you a good look at the device, with all of its trackpad goodness.
The device looks solid for sure, but of course, it’s always hard to make judgement until you have the device in your very own hands. Check out the video above for a quick look-see.
Samsung has unveiled yet another Korea-only phone called VVIP (SCH-W910). The stylish clamshell device comes painted in golden and black, and therefore looks quite luxurious. There are two displays on board: internal is WQVGA AMOLED and measures 2.6 inches; whereas external is a 1.5-inch OLED-based screen. Rest of the specs include HSDPA connectivity support, 2-megapixel camera, GPS, media player, Bluetooth, SOS function, e-dictionary, FM radio, and a microSD memory card slot.
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM) will be carrying the phone and will sell it for 500,000 Won (about $400), which I presume is the price of an unlocked device, sans any strings attached.
Alltel has added the HTC Snap to its portfolio. The Windows Mobile smartphone, which was announced back in April of this year, comes with a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, WiFi, 3G (EV-DO Rev. A in Sprint (NYSE: S)’s case), GPS, 2-megapixel camera, great battery (318 minutes of continuous talk time), and a microSD memory card slot. All said, the Snap is probably one of the best (if not the best) non-touch WinMo devices on the market.
As for the pricing, Alltel is asking $79.99 for the phone, and that’s after a $70 mail-in rebate and with a qualifying one-year service contract…
HP’s full QWERTY keyboard-equipped Windows Mobile smartphone, iPAQ K3 Obsidian, has been spotted while passing the FCC on its way to AT&T (NYSE: T). Why we think it’s heading there? Well, there are a couple of reasons:
Its 3G radio sings on 850 and 1900MHz bands, AT&T uses;
Finally, it has “AT&T SKU” written on its ID label.
Need more proof? No you don’t. If our earlier sources were correct, we’ll see AT&T start selling this baby on November 30th. Pricing is unknown at the moment, though.
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless unveiled the UMW190 USB modem for world travelers. The trick is in using both a CDMA (EV-DO) radio and a tri-band HSPA radio. In addition, there’s also support for GSM/EDGE networks and as a result, using a computer that has this modem connected to it, you can access Internet virtually anywhere in the world.
Price wise, the UMW190 could be yours for only $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a contract. If you’re travelling often and need to access Internet like all the time, this is the modem you should buy…
Samsung is launching Mpower 699 slider phone in India, which is apparently the world’s first OMH (Open Market Handset) CDMA handset that could be used on multiple CDMA-based networks. Moreover, the device also supports existing R-UIM/SIM cards.
Rest of the specs include 1.3-megapixel camera, music player, FM radio, and a microSD memory card slot. Price wise, the Mpower 699 will be offered for Rs. 7,100.
Finally and this is where it could get really interesting, Samsung may be releasing other, higher-end OMH handsets, which may be offered as unlocked devices, just like GSM phones. We’ll see how that goes…
Here’s a bit of good news for text message power-users out there on a budget. The texting-friendly QWERTY slider LG Rumor2 is now available from prepaid carrier Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM). Sprint (NYSE: S) already offers the LG Rumor2, and now that it plans to acquire Virgin Mobile USA, the two carriers will give customers a choice when it comes to buying a Rumor2 – prepaid through Sprint or wireless contract through Virgin.
The LG Rumor2’s QVGA 240 x 320 screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, and Stereo Bluetooth support puts the text messaging handset firmly in low- to mid-end territory – which is perfect for text-happy teens. And, with Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps for Mobile and the Opera Mini web browser pre-loaded onto the phone, the LG Rumor2 should keep you well connected.
Virgin Mobile USA is offering the LG Rumor2 for $129.99. Radio Shack will kick off exclusive sales in September, with Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target following in October. The best part? No contract needed.
Will the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Eos (codename: Pixie) launch in 2009 or 2010? That seems to be the question on many WebOS fans’ minds. The Palm Eos was originally expected to launch in the US in the fourth quarter of 2009. Then we heard that it was delayed until 2010. Then another report said it was still planned for an October launch. Today, David Eller, the Townhall Investments Research analyst who expects Sprint (NYSE: S) to miss their Palm Pre sales targets for the current quarter, notes that the Palm Eos appears to still be on track for a November launch.
Remember the Tattoo brand that HTC recently trademarked? The 
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