Previously leaked image of a rumored 2.8-inch iPhone touch panel

AT&T (NYSE: T)’s iPhone exclusivity deal, by most accounts, will come to an end in mid-2010. When that happens, iPhone fans hesitant to leave Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s network might finally have a chance to put a Verizon iPhone in their pockets. In fact, according to a new report from OTR Global proves accurate, the iPhone might very well hit the Verizon Wireless network in the third quarter of 2010.

Word on the street has Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) putting in orders to build a batch of iPhones equipped with a new hybrid UMTS/CDMA chip capable of surfing Verizon’s CDMA network as well as the 3G UMTS networks already used by carriers like AT&T. Apple is said to have tapped Asustek subsidiary Pegatron to manufacture the new iPhone, rather than current iPhone manufacturer Hon Hai.

There’s also talk of the hybrid iPhone sporting a smaller 2.8-inch touchscreen. We’d previously seen leak photos showing the 2.8-inch touchscreen panel sitting next to the 3.5-inch panel used on all current iPhone iterations, but we’ve yet to see a smaller-screened iPhone come out of Apple’s R&D labs. Will the rumored hybrid iPhone be the first to hit market with a smaller touchscreen?

At this point, nothing is confirmed. But, with a little luck, we might see Verizon picking up the iPhone in the second half of next year. It’ll be interesting to see how that affects AT&T’s business next year.

The question is – will the prospect of a Verizon iPhone keep you from pulling the trigger on another AT&T iPhone or Verizon’s Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Droid?

[Via: AppleInsider]

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File this under “rumors” as I’m hoping there’s no merit to this story. Apparently the most famous maker (and the only serious one as far as I can tell) of the Bluetooth mobile game controller Zeemote has closed its doors.

Investor Michael Fitzgerald of Commonwealth Capital Ventures is the source behind the rumor, though he declined to comment on details. He also said that the company will attempt to sell the Zeemote JS1 controller assets to some company who would appreciate them (we hope).

The problem was in the price of the JS1 and I honestly don’t see many people pouring out £40 for the controller. On the other side, the company tried to bundle its product with some handset models and in that sense we’ve seen various Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK) devices being sold in “gaming bundles” that included a Zeemote controller.

As I said, I’m hoping if the worst happens, some smart company will grab the assets and extend Zeemote’s life…

[Via: PocketGamer.co.uk]

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Remember the HTC Shift? It was HTC’s first attempt at a super-portable laptop capable of running both Windows Vista and Windows Mobile. These days, we’d be inclined to call it a “netbook” if not for its prohibitive price tag. Despite its innovative design and features, however, the HTC Shift never gained any traction in the crowded ultra-portable laptop segment. But, don’t count HTC out of the netbook game just yet. According to HTC CEO Peter Chou, the smartphone maker is still considering an entrance into the netbook market.

At the HTC HD2 launch yesterday, Chou stated that HTC was “carefully looking into [the netbook] category and how it can be part of that.” He added that HTC doesn’t want to make another “me too” netbook that will get lost in the shuffle. Instead, HTC would be looking to launch a product with “unique value” to differentiate itself from the crowd. The HTC Shift was unique in its own right. It offered instant-on access to the Windows Mobile operating system as well as Windows Vista.

How cool would it be if HTC launched a netbook with instant-on access to Android? Or, for that matter, how about an Android-powered netbook? Speculating is fun.

[Via: Cnet]

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We recently saw the Dell 3ix pop up in Brazil with WiFi and support for wireless frequencies used in the US, indicating that Dell’s Android handset would make it to The States. Today, we have confirmation that the Dell Mini 3iX is indeed headed to AT&T (NYSE: T) (likely in Q1 2010). The FCC has just given its blessing to Dell’s first Android phone, complete with 3G support on the 850Mhz and 1900Mhz frequencies used by AT&T.

The Chinese Dell Mini 3i lacks WiFi to comply with China’s oh-so-reasonable censorship laws, but we’re happy to say the US-bound Mini 3iX will have full WiFi support. It’ll be running a vanilla Android build of some sort (hopefully Android 2.0 “Eclair”) and will feature a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, GPS, 3G data and a microSD card slot.

As for pricing, we’ll have to wait and see. With Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s Droid and Droid Eris launched today, T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s Behold II on the way, and Sprint (NYSE: S)’s HTC Hero already on market, the Dell Mini 3iX has some stiff competition. Hopefully that will mean a cheaper price point.

[Via: UnwiredView]

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Chalk this one up as a highly suspicious piece of information, but Einar Rosenberg, who is in charge of the Near Field Communications group on LinkedIn, a social network no one really uses anymore except those trying to find a higher paying job and to show off which fancy schools or companies they’ve worked for, is saying that a highly reputable source has told him that there are 4th generation iPhone prototypes floating around with a built in RFID reader:

Had to share this news. A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I’m told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.

If Apple does it, expect every phone manufacturer and their sister to begin pumping out NFC enabled phones, at least for service discovery and sync.

This just reinforces what we knew based on the two separate patents Apple submitted that had the iPhone enabled to read RFID tags. I’m told that the touch project video and the BT SIG’s specs were all driving forces to push this forward as well as other factors.

Guess I’ll be touching my iPhone to my Mac to link them together to sync iTunes by next year.

This is ballsy, and if it does happen … well then you’re looking at the start of something big. Apple was the one who pushed the rest of the handset makers to start making touch screen devices en masse, so if the 4th generation iPhone due to come out some time in 2010 comes with RFID then you can expect everyone else to follow.

iPhone + RFID + all those devices connected to an iTunes account = wicked awesome.

[Via: Near Field Communications World]

[More information about the video]

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So, not only do we have the new Storm2, the Bold 9700 and the Tour 9630 to gobble up on the market these days… It’s looking like AT&T (NYSE: T) may be slapping a new coat of paint on the Curve 8900 to push it out the door. Earlier this morning via BGR, I noticed said White BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Curve 8900. Of course, no pricing or launch details were made available, but what do you think? The 8900 is a solid device, would you pick one up in the new white livery when it becomes available? Or are the new offerings from RIM simply to good to go back to that ‘old’ 8900?

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File this under “so not confirmed,” but it seems AT&T (NYSE: T) has found a way to fight Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s attack of the Droids. Apparently, the carrier will offer its best-selling iPhone 3GS 8GB for $99. For that price, they may have a chance in the upcoming Christmas season. I can already see the commercial – hundred bucks buys you access to hundred thousand apps, beat that Verizon.

As I said, it’s not confirmed but definitely sounds logical. We’ll see…

[Via: BGR]

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My favorite “don’t call it a netbook” netbook, Sony VAIO P, may be included in Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s portfolio in the near future. Nothing is confirmed at this stage, but having such a device in the catalog could certainly proof beneficial for the Christmas season.

Specs wise, Verizon will reportedly offer the Global Ready (CDMA-EVDO/GSM) version of VAIO P which comes with 160GB hard drive — rest of the specs for all VAIO P series includes 8-inch UWXGA 1600×768 screen, 2GB of RAM and Windows 7 Home Premium Edition (which nowadays replaces Vista). In addition, we have the price to share. Apparently, Verizon will ask $299.99 (that’s a $500+ subsidy) for the netbook on a two-year contract. Stay tuned as we unravel more… if there’s more to this rumor.

[Via: PhoneArena]

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Last we heard the T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9700 was coming November 16th. Now it looks like my bud David (over at TMoNews) has another Bold 9700 launch rumor for us today. The latest word is the second-coming of the Bold will hit us on November 18th. Apparently training on the new device has already begun for employees… but please treat this as a rumor, for now.

Interestingly enough, the Bold 9700 already seems to be featured on the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) site here. I suspect T-Mo plans to throw down a little pre-order action… or it could be that the launch is coming sooner than we think. We’ll see.

Side Note: The official release package has been spotted by the folks at BlackBerry OS. Check out the goodness below. Looks like everything is there… Me thinks we’re going to see the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Bold 9700 on T-Mo really soon!

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China Ontrade, the company that supplied photos of the SIM card tray from the 4th generation iPhone last week, is now bringing out the real meat and potatoes: a photo of the midboard. What is a midboard? It’s literally the board that lays in the middle between the screen of the iPhone and the motherboard, preventing interference, and making sure everything stays screwed into place. The dimensions of the board given by China Ontrade indicate that the size of this new iPhone is going to be exactly the same as the models from the previous generation. What’s fishy about all of this, according to Gizmodo, is that China Ontrade leaked photos of parts from the iPhone 3GS in May, before the 3GS was announced in a month later in June. If that timing remains consistent, then it could signal that a new iPhone is due by the end of the year, or early 2010. That would surely piss off iPhone 3GS customers, but maybe the new iPhone isn’t meant to replace the 3GS, maybe it’s meant to replace the 3G.

click for full size

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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.

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