Cell Phone News

Droid Day: Where to Get a Motorola DROID and for How Much

By Simon Sage on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 12:59 PM PST
In Android, Motorola, Verizon

sears droid offer Droid Day: Where to Get a Motorola DROID and for How MuchDroid Day has arrived, and there are a lot of people waiting in line to pick up their shiny new Verizon Motorola droid. If you don’t feel like taking to the battlefield, here are some handy links to help you order one online, but even if you’re intent on picking one up today, maybe there’s a brick and mortar store in the list you haven’t checked yet…

Anywhere else y’all have managed to find the droids you were looking for?

P.S.: Most online retailers are providing the $100 mail-in rebate instantly, but be sure to double-check with a live agent to make sure you know what the deal is.

Dell Mini 3iX hits the FCC with WiFi and US 3G

By Will Park on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 12:26 PM PST
In AT&T, Android, Dell, Devices, FCC, Rumors

Dell Mini 3iX FCC ATT label 300x163 Dell Mini 3iX hits the FCC with WiFi and US 3GWe 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.

Dell Mini 3iX FCC ATT sketch Dell Mini 3iX hits the FCC with WiFi and US 3G

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]

The Michael Jackson phone, because bad taste is never in short supply

By Will Park on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:57 AM PST
In Clone/rip, Devices

MJ cellphone big The Michael Jackson phone, because bad taste is never in short supply

With all the counterfeit mobile phones coming out of China, you’d think we’d be desensitized to tasteless cellphones by now. We wish that were true. Unfortunately, atrocities like this here Michael Jackson phone are hard to ignore. It’s decked out in fake gold, fake diamonds, and enough decorative homages to “The King of Pop” to offend the even tackiest gold-chain wearing rappers. To top it all off, the phone comes with a DVD of one of Michael Jackson’s live performances. We’ll leave it to you to decide if the DVD is legit or pirated.

If you’re thinking of picking up one of these Michael Jackson phones as a joke (we can’t imagine anyone wanting one for daily use), you’re going to have to find a way to import one from China. We have to admit, the phone would get some good laughs in our circle of friends.

[Via: Mashable]

OS 5.0.0.344 Leaks for the BlackBerry Bold 9700

By James Falconer on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:50 AM PST
In BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS

bb bold 9700 500344 OS 5.0.0.344 Leaks for the BlackBerry Bold 9700

If you’re one of the early adopters of the BlackBerry Bold 9700, chances are you already have 5.0.0.321 or 5.0.0.330. However, heading into the weekend there’s been a new OS leak for the Bold 9700, bringing the OS to 5.0.0.344. Keep in mind this is an unofficial release, so be sure to backup your device and take all necessary precautions before you install. If you’re hesitant, hold off… I have a feeling we’ll see this build hit us in a more official capacity in the near future anyways.

Download OS 5.0.0.344 for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 >

[Via: CB]

Verizon offers Internet tethering on Motorola Droid, for a price

By Will Park on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:19 AM PST
In Android, Announcements, Motorola, Verizon

motorola droid side Verizon offers Internet tethering on Motorola Droid, for a price

There’s more to the Droid than its high-end spec-sheet and Android 2.0 OS. Turns out, Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless is going to let Droid owners use their new smartphone as a 3G modem. But, it’ll cost ‘ya.

In return for allowing you to connect your laptop to your Droid and use its 3G data connection to hop online (tethering), Verizon will ask that you hand over an additional $30 per month – that’s on top of the $30/month data plan that gives you 5GB of data per monthly billing cycle. The tethering option basically doubles the cost ($60) of the Droid data plan, which gives you a total 10GB of data allowance.

The cost might be a bit prohibitive, but at least it’s an option on the Droid. Unlike some other smartphones that we won’t mention by name.

[Via: EngadgetMobile]

The DROID is live!

By Will Park on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 10:55 AM PST
In Android, Motorola, Verizon

 The DROID is live!

The Motorola Droid is live on Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless! Following weeks of hype and impressive TV ads, the highly anticipated Android phone from Motorola (NYSE: MOT) has landed on US shores. Verizon Wireless stores across the country opened for business bright and early this morning to accommodate the masses of Droid hopefuls yearning to be the first of their friends with Verizon’s new smartphone. The midnight launch in Manhattan saw something like 100 people waiting in line for a Droid. The store in Palo Alto, California, said they had a line of about 10 people when they swung their doors open at 7am, and has since been seeing a steady flow of customers coming in with Droid on the brain.

The crowds aren’t bad right now. VZW stores are staffed and ready to serve. It’s not clear how Verizon Wireless will keep up with Droid demand over the weekend, but if it were us, we wouldn’t risk not getting into a store ASAP.

[Update]
Just a quick reminder for all you in NYC considering a Droid purchase today: Verizon Wireless is celebrating its Droid launch with a secret Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert in Manhattan. Droid customers get free tickets today!

Father of the internet integrates intergalactic IP protocol into Google’s Android

By Stefan Constantinescu on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 8:34 AM PST
In Infrastructure

vint Father of the internet integrates intergalactic IP protocol into Googles Android

Vint Cerf, who many herald as the father of the internet, it was either him or Al Gore, neither you or I really care, is one hell of a forward thinking individual. He developed Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) in the late 1990s because he knew that one day men and women would be flying all around space, and the ping between Earth and Mars, which can have a round trip time of up to 40 minutes, is not well suited to looking at LOLcats and all the terrible remixes of that scene in Der Untergang where Hitler is in the bunker freaking the fuck out. The Internet Protocol Suite, more commonly known as TCP/IP, which was invented in the 1960s, and further evolved in the 1970s, is what drives the series of tubes that you and I use on a daily basis. DTN is essentially a replacement of TCP/IP developed to deal with space communication. Why is Vint Cerf bothering to bring this to Android then?

Wireless Networks today are not very reliable, especially AT&T’s network, therefore implementing DTN here on Earth would enhance the mobile web experience and also optimize for congestion. But if we’re going to be honest here for a second, the internet has taught us that no one throws away what works, instead little additions are made over time to achieve a certain goal. How successful will DTN be on the consumer internet is anyone’s guess, but if I was a betting man I’d say it isn’t going to take off.

[Via: The Register]

SmarTone-Vodafone Announces Launch of HSPA+ Network in Hong Kong

By James Falconer on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 8:07 AM PST
In Carriers, HSPA+, Vodafone

smartone vodafone SmarTone Vodafone Announces Launch of HSPA+ Network in Hong KongGotta love it when carriers update their networks for a faster and better mobile experience. Case-in-point today comes Hong Kong’s SmarTone-Vodafone (NYSE: VOD). They’ve announced the launch of their HSPA+ network upgrade. The upgrade (in theory) brings peak network speeds of 21 Mbps.

Douglas Li, CEO of SmarTone-Vodafone commented on the upgrade:

“SmarTone-Vodafone will continue upgrading network speeds to 28 Mbps and 42 Mbps next year, paving the way for 80 Mbps and even higher speeds with implementation of LTE…We are firmly committed to delivering best-in-market broadband services and customers will love the difference.”

Besides the groovy network upgrade, SmarTone-Vodafone has introduced 3 new mobile broadband price plans as well. The new plans are designed to meet customers’ different needs. The new ‘Power 3′ plan provides usable speeds of 2.3 Mbps, the ‘Power 7′ offers 2.6 Mbps, and the ‘Power 21′ plan brings speeds of 2-14 Mbps. Depending on your requirements and needs, it looks like SmarTone-Vodafone has a plan tailored for folks in Hong Kong.

[Via: Cellular-News]

Nokia 2720 ‘Fold’ Coming Soon to Fido

By James Falconer on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 7:55 AM PST
In Carriers, Coming Soon, Devices, Nokia

FidoNokia2720 Nokia 2720 Fold Coming Soon to Fido

Fido customers that have been waiting for a new stylish and compact flip device may not have to wait that much longer for the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 2720 ‘Fold’. In a little promo image (above) you’ll notice a ‘coming soon’ starburst slapped right on top of the 2720. If you’re looking for a solid, compact flip device, the 2720 fits the bill. Great to have when you need to have a small device you can just tuck away in your pocket.

The 2720 features a 1.3MP camera with video, FM radio, Bluetooth, MP3 player, and 2.5mm audio jack. Pretty basic for sure.

The Nokia 2720 will go for free on a 2-year contract, or $125 contract-free or prepaid. I’ll keep an eye on the Fido site for more information as it becomes available.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Rumor: Next generation iPhone to be RFID enabled

By Stefan Constantinescu on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 7:45 AM PST
In Apple, Rumors, iPhone

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]

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