Remember the Nokia 3710 Fold, which was announced back in June? The North American version of the device called 3710a has been cleared by the FCC. AT&T (NYSE: T) will most probably pick it up, considering this baby can sing the 3G tune on WCDMA 850/1900 bands.

Specs wise, the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 3710a comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera, QVGA screen, GPS, Bluetooth, media player, microSD memory card slot. Nokia’s Series 40 platform is running the show.

Additional details are unknown at this stage, but we guess AT&T will offer the device for less than $100 on a contract. We’ll see…

[Via: Unwired View]

AT&T (NYSE: T) will be adding a new low-end device, Pantech C180, to its portfolio, most likely as part of its prepaid offering. The entry-level device comes in a candybar form factor, sporting a music player, FM radio, WAP browser and a memory card slot. It even lacks Bluetooth connectivity and camera, meaning you’ll probably be able to grab it for under $50. Not a bad choice for your forth mobile phone or elderly parents — otherwise, I’m not sure who needs this in the time of app stores and location-based services…

[Via: PhoneScoop]

Remember Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s seemingly reasonable answers to the FCC’s probe into why Apple kicked certain Google Voice apps from the AppStore? Right, well, TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington has posted his own analysis of the Apple commentary, and it’s a doozy. In his post, Arrington breaks down Apple’s answers to various FCC questions, saying that Apple is straight out lying. In fact, Apple’s own attempt to defend their position on Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Voice might very well force their hand in approving Google’s own Google Voice app for AppStore duty.

The biggest issue here is Apple’s denial in rejecting Google’s Google Voice iPhone app. Apple says they are still reviewing the app. Arrington cites comments from Google and Apple (although indirectly through a third-party iPhone app developer) as evidence that Apple has indeed already rejected the Google Voice app.

Apple: “Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.”

Reality: One third party Google Voice app developer disclosed to us in July that Apple SVP Phil Schiller told them that Google’s own app would be or already was rejected. Google also confirmed this to us later. There is overwhelming evidence that Apple did in fact reject the application.

To be fair, TechCrunch had blamed AT&T (NYSE: T) for forcing Apple to reject the official Google Voice app, but now believes that Apple’s concern over having too many Google services on the iPhone is the reason behind Apple’s rejection of Google Voice.

In the end, we may very well see Apple approving the Google Voice app in the near future. Which is just fine by us!

Read the rest of Arrington’s analysis here.

[Via: TechCrunch]

Want one more proof Samsung is working on a lower-end Android smartphone? The mentioned Samsung I5700 aka Galaxy Lite has been cleared by the FCC. We only know it will be a GSM phone — meaning at this point it won’t reach Sprint (NYSE: S) nor Verizon (NYSE: VZ) — and that it will support WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Some camera will be on board, too. And that’s about all we have for you at this stage. No carrier partners are known, and the same goes for pricing. As soon as we hear something new, we’ll let you know. Stay tuned, in the meantime…

[Via: SamsungHub]

Apple has been expected to file a comment in response to the FCC’s probe into how Google, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and AT&T (NYSE: T) were involved, if at all, in the rejection of a Google Voice iPhone app from the AppStore. Today, Apple posted a lengthy response to each of the FCC’s questions regarding the matter. Apple defends their decision to boot Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Voice apps with the reasoning that Cupertino was just looking out for the iPhone user’s best interest. The comment cites everything from security concerns to usability issues to agreements with AT&T as reasons for rejecting certain iPhone apps from entering the AppStore.

It seems Apple was none too pleased to see Google Voice apps completely replacing elements of the iPhone’s UI that the iPhone-maker worked so hard to create. These applications disabled or otherwise circumvented user interfaces and services like the dialer screen, Visual Voicemail and SMS text message storage – something that Apple just wouldn’t stand for. Apple goes so far as to say that they had not gotten any assurances from Google that iPhone users’ contact databases (which are transferred to Google Voice) will only be used in “appropriate ways.”

Apple says that they acted alone in the decision to kick the Google Voice apps out of the iPhone’s AppStore. AT&T did not have a say in the matter. But (and this is one big “but”), Apple does admit to having a contractual obligation to AT&T to keep iPhone apps from initiating VoIP calls over the carrier’s 3G cellular network – which accounts for all the iPhone VoIP apps that are limited to WiFi-only operation. Another example of Apple’s concern for AT&T’s Terms and Condition was the decision to limit SlingPlayer Mobile to WiFi networks, as streaming TV signals over AT&T’s wireless network would have violated their T&C’s.

Apple goes on to say that they’ve had to deal with an enormous flood of iPhone application submissions, and that most app rejections are rooted in technical issues. And, aside from bugs and usability issues, Apple is cites their iPhone developer agreement in reserving the right to refuse apps:

“Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory; and

Applications must not contain any malware, malicious or harmful code, program, or other internal component (e.g. computer viruses, trojan horses, ‘backdoors’) which could damage, destroy, or adversely affect other software, firmware, hardware, data, systems, services, or networks.”

In the end, the response was exactly what we expected to hear from Apple. It’s not all lip-service either. Apple makes some good points about usability issues arising from Google Voice apps circumventing Apple’s own UI and integrated services. There’s also the issue of giving Google full access to contact databases.

On the other hand, once you own a smartphone, you should be able to whatever you damn well please with the handset. And, Google already knows everything about us, we really don’t need Apple protecting us from Google.

[Via: Apple]

When Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) rejected a certain Google Voice iPhone app from doing business on the iPhone AppStore, the masses threw up their arms and did what any self-respecting iPhone user would do – they posted their angry comments throughout the blogosphere and then mostly proceeded to take what Apple gives them. That’s just how iPhoners do. The FCC, on the other hand, was a bit more intrigued. The US Federal Communications Commission flexed their federal-muscle and launched an inquiry into how Google (NSDQ: GOOG), Apple and AT&T (NYSE: T) were involved in Apple’s move to dismiss Google Voice apps from the AppStore. Now, Google’s decision to keep true VoIP services off the Android platform (Google’s mobile operating system) has caught the FCC’s attention.

The FCC previously asked the trio involved in the iPhone Google Voice app fiasco to disclose any and all communications between the companies. If there’s some sort of backroom deal that compels Apple to remove iPhone apps, then the FCC wants to know about it. At the time, Google was more of a secondary player. But there’s more to the story.

USA Today notes that Google isn’t exactly an innocent bystander in the blocking-apps-from-smartphones dealings between Apple and AT&T. Google, in fact, has been keeping VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services from hitting the Android OS. Google says that it has the power to block VoIP, but does so only when asked by a wireless carrier. Seeing as how T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) is the only US carrier offering Android smartphones, that would suggest that T-Mobile requested that Google keep VoIP off the T-Mobile G1 and myTouch3G. T-Mobile denies having made any such request.

Now, Google’s involvement in the Google Voice shakedown could very well put the company straight in the FCC’s crosshairs. The FCC wants Google to explain how it considers and approves Android apps for the Android Market, as well as the percentage of rejected Android apps.

With a little luck, the FCC’s inquiry could lead to sweeping changes in the way the wireless game works. Basically, we could all end up with more open mobile platforms with less influence from wireless carriers.

[Via: USA Today]

We’ve been seeing a fair bit of the unannounced N97 Mini lately, and now with some official certifications passing through the FCC, we might be seeing it hit the street sooner than later. We still don’t know much about the device proper, other than that it cuts size by ditching the directional pad and it has an identical 5 megapixel camera. There’s little reason to believe that the N97 Mini will be any better received than its big brother, but we can hope that it will launch with firmware a little more significantly upgraded than the last update.

[Mobile Bulgaria via Engadget]

When it comes to fashion phones, Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) should dump its designers, or at least many people think so. Take a look at their latest device – Jalou. It’s touted as a fashion phone, but quite a few guys and gals find it fairly ugly. To be fair, no one has seen it in the real world and got a chance to play with it, but from the official photos we’ve seen, it’s kinda, sorta… you know where this goes. Anyway, the device is at the FCC, meaning we could see it hitting some U.S. operator’s portfolio (T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)?) in the near future. Moreover, the special edition of this clamshell could end up in your “local” D&G store. We’ll see…

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

We had heard that the much-vaunted HTC Hero would be coming along Sprint-side on October 11th., a rumour that is gaining some traction as the EVDO version has slid through FCC filings. Our very own Ben Robinson has had a solid run at the Android device released in the UK, and walked away amply impressed. With a 3.2″ HVGA touchscreen with smudge-resisting teflon coating, 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, and HTC’s custom-tailored Sense user interface, it’s hard not to be. Who’s ready to pounce on this phone if it’s released this fall? Definitely good timing for the holiday season, if the rumours pan out.

[via Engadget]

Huawei-made T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) Pulse has cleared the FCC. From what we know, this baby is heading to T-Mobile, all in its Android glory.

Details are scarce at the moment, but we’ve heard the phone will come with a large touchscreen, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity support, HSPA, 3-megapixel camera and 1500 mAh battery. Size wise, it measures 116×62.8×13.0 mm, and has a weight of 140 grams with battery. That’s it – we’ll report back to you as soon as we hear something new, k?

[Via: CellPhoneSignal]