BlackBerry Storm 2 awesomeness. That’s all I’ve got to say about the video above. Salomondrin has put together yet another pre-release video of a BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) device, and his overview of the Storm 9550 does not disappoint.
If you’re a ‘Storm Chaser’, this video is a must watch. Sure, it looks like the unit being reviewed sports an outdated OS and has no WiFi… But I’m guessing RIM is pretty tight with their development/test units. I have no idea how Salomondrin manages to get his hands on these pre-release units, but I certainly hope he keeps on, keepin’ on.
Probably the most memorable quote in the vid:
‘…this is a really, really old OS that I am running the phone on, and it still works a 100X better than the Storm I had before…so, that should say something…it’s really easy to press, guys… this is not like the SurePress that the other one had…’
Looks like the boys in Waterloo have been working hard to improve SurePress…
Check out the video now, would ya. Salomondrin starts with a basic overview of the outside of the device… Including the new chrome bezel, solid metal battery door, backlit buttons… and much more.
It looks like Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s advertising people need to get in sync with the product folks, as the text link ad for the upcoming Samsung Rogue has been spotted even before the device has been officially announced. Last time we checked, the Glyde’s successor is slated for the August 23rd launch, but the folks who put up the ad surely have more information than we do — actually, it seems they have more information than Verizon, which is kinda, sorta funny. Anyway, it’s a slow news week so far — as I’m sure you can tell — but we do expect to get the official Rogue press release within days. Stay tuned…
Pocket-Lint is reporting that Samsung is pushing to sign deals with WiFi operators for its new ST-1000 wireless camera, so that users can upload with convenience, where they might be (within range, of course!).
Of course, being a camera and not a phone (apparently they used to be separate gadgets once upon a time – I can’t remember…), it needs to get some local wireless connectivity, and the numerous operators of these hotspots, probably prioritizing coffee shops and the like, is a good start. However there is some concern that because this mode of operation for a camera has been tried before (e.g. Kodak), then it may not get a great reception.
My problem with all of this is that mobile cameraphones got there ages ago, and whilst they admittedly don’t have great image quality a lot of the time, they major on various kinds of connectivity – given this camera doesn’t have any cellular capability, then it’s already at a disadvantage. If Samsung don’t get a bevy of hotspot operator deals signed, then they are basically going to have a normal camera, with WiFi that you can use… er…. at home!
Of course, it could be a huge hit and everyone will swap to these WiFi cameras and stop using cameraphones – yeah, maybe….!
Our series of presenting the latest work of Chinese handset makers cloners continues. Here’s what we got for you this week:
HTC Touch HD clone – looks pretty identical to me, but that’s only until you start using it…
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N89i ripoff – actually it’s called NOKLA N89i and as you can see for yourself, it “borrows” few lines from the Nokia N97.
Rolex mobile phone ripoff – it’s a clamshell with a big watch put on the place of the external screen. Super ugly!
Nokia E68 ripoff – mobile TV ready device? It’s called NCKLA E68 and it also comes with a BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) button? Go figure.
Goldvish 8808 clone – those not familiar should know that Goldvish makes uber-expensive phones, and the clone device doesn’t come even close. Plus it’s fugly.
HTC Touch HD clone
Nokia N89i ripoff
Rolex mobile phone ripoff
Nokia E68 ripoff
Goldvish 8808 clone
It’s my duty to warn you not to buy any of the phones presented above and in the previous weeks. Quality is spotty to say the least, and the warranty you get with the purchase is as useful as GM shares these days…
We knew Orange will be carrying LG’s 3G-enabled watch phone. However, when they announced that at this year’s Mobile World Congress, we haven’t got a clue they’ll sell it for whooping 900 Euros. That’s $1,286, according to today’s exchange rate!
That’s ridiculous and aside from few fancy-schmancy playboys living in the uber-expensive arondismants of Paris, I can’t see this flying. As a matter of fact, I doubt they’ll sell more than 50 of these, unless they subsidize it more heavily and LG eventually makes it more affordable.
If anyone of you is tempted to pour out that much money for a watch phone, we’re eager to hear you reasons. Please make a compelling argument, otherwise we’ll think you’re nuts.
Does your phone leave you happy? More importantly, does it leave you satisfied? It doesn’t matter what kind of glitzy marketing campaign is behind your phone. It doesn’t matter if your phone can wash the dishes for you. What matters is that you, the consumer, are happy with your mobile phone. And, when it comes to customer satisfaction, a new survey from ChangeWave Research and RBC Capital shows that the 99% of Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone 3GS at satisfied with their phone. Of those iPhone 3GS users, a solid 82% are “very” satisfied. Compared to the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre’s 87% general satisfaction and 45% “very” satisfied rating, it’s clear that the iPhone is still king in the US. Interestingly, just about every single iPhone 3GS user is satisfied with their Apple smartphone, despite having voted AT&T (NYSE: T)’s network as the top-ranked “dislike.”
The charts below explain in more detail what iPhone 3GS users liked and disliked about the handset. The top “likes” for the iPhone 3GS were the Touch Screen Interface and the iPhone OS’s Ease of Use. The top “dislikes” were, unsurprisingly, AT&T’s Network and the iPhone’s Short Battery Life. It seems not even AT&T’s unreliable network is enough to keep people from using the iPhone 3GS.
For the Palm Pre, users most liked the smartphone’s Touch Screen Interface and Muti-Tasking abilities. Unfortunately, the Palm Pre’s Short Battery Life and lack of Third Party Apps kept the Palm handset from leaving more than 45% of users “very” satisfied. Still, the Palm Pre’s satisfaction ratings were “the highest score ever recorded in our prior Palm satisfaction surveys and above all other manufacturers except RIM (48%) and Apple (82%).”
The moral of this story survey? The Palm Pre is one of this year’s most satisfying smartphones. The Palm Pre has been a fantastic success for Palm. But, Palm is going to have to work a lot harder to best Apple’s iPhone.
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) has a secret weapon waiting in the wings. Our favorite Swedish-Japanese mobile phone maker has been working hard on their upcoming Sony Ericsson Satio 12-megapixel touchscreen smartphone, and it’s looking almost ready for primetime. The Sony Ericsson Satio has just been given the greenlight to connect with wireless networks in the US – possibly en route to US soil in the near future!
The Sony Ericsson Satio was initially unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona, where we had a brief chance to ogle the handset. At the time, the high-end mobile phone was known as the Sony Ericsson “Idou.” The “Satio” moniker has proven much more appealing. The Idou was announced as a new all-touchscreen smartphone powered by the Symbian Foundation OS. As Sony Ericsson’s “next big thing,” the Idou/Satio was packed to the brim with goodies – 12-megapixel camera (no CyberShot) with Xenon flash, 3.5-inch widescreen touchscreen display, and DLNA-compatible WiFi and GPS receivers.
Unfortunately, we have no idea if the FCC has cleared the Sony Ericsson Satio for US frequencies. But, with a little luck, we’ll see the Satio coming Stateside with some sort of US 3G frequency support. We’re going to keep our fingers crossed!
Want to get hands-on with the Sony Ericsson Satio? The below videos and photo gallery were taken at Mobile World Congress 2009, and should give you a pretty good idea for what the Sony Ericsson Satio/Idou will look like at launch.
With the Samsung Gravity 2 up-and-coming, it’s no surprise to me that something as silly… or… er… well kind of pointless has leaked out. Yep, that’s right, the Samsung Gravity 2 user guide has leaked, in all of its glory. If you’d like to give it a look-see you can nab it right here. I’m not sure why you’d want to read it before you had the device in your hand, but I suppose if you’re super-pumped about this latest offering from Samsung it’s worth a look.
I prefer the ‘figure it out yourself’ method of learning new devices. It’s a shockingly similar tactic I use when traveling. ‘You’re lost, go ask for directions!’… ‘No, no, no… I got it, lets just keep driving this way’… Works every time
Look for the Samsung Gravity 2 available at T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) and ‘The Shack’ in the near future.
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless has a new device in its portfolio for data-hungry travellers. It’s the ZTE-made AD3700 USB modem which works on both CDMA and GSM-based 3G networks — i.e. EV-DO and HSPA. While you’re in the States on Verizon’s network, it will of course rely on EV-DO — whereas in the rest of the world, you’ll most likely use HSPA-based 3G network.
Price wise, the modem costs $79.99 after a $50 rebate and with an appropriate mobile broadband plan…
Rumors surrounding the upcoming next-generation Samsung Instinct, most recently known as the Samsung Dash M850, are flying wild. The latest word on the street has Samsung going with the “Instinct HD” moniker for the successor to the Samsung Instinct and Instinct S30. The rumor comes from PhoneArena’s “trustful tipster.”
Samsung recently cut the OmniaHD down to size with their decision to re-brand it as the Samsung i8910. The “Omnia” brand is apparently reserved for the Windows Mobile platform. Samsung might still be looking to resurrect their “HD” brand with the Instinct. Which leads us to our next question. Will the Instinct HD be capable of recording and playing HD video content?
We’ll keep a close eye on the Samsung Instinct HD, M850, Dash, Instinct2, Deuce – whatever it is the kids are calling it these days.
Does your phone leave you happy? More importantly, does it 
Sony Ericsson (
Rumors surrounding the upcoming next-generation Samsung Instinct, most recently known as the Samsung Dash M850, are flying wild. The latest word on the street has Samsung going with the “Instinct HD” moniker for the successor to the 
