FreshPhoneNews.com

 

RIM will be holding the World Enterprise Symposium, the WES, from May 5 to May 7. The Symposium is host to all things BlackBerry and ‘Berry fans await it religiously. As for this year’s WES, many good things are expected and waited for. Among these, the most highly anticipated is the BlackBerry Curve 8900 care of AT&T. there are a good many folks out there running the unlocked Curve 8900 on AT&T, but the official manuals for the Curve 8900 have been finalized and this a major indication that AT&T is gearing towards an official launch. Of course, the most awaited announcement will be that of the BlackBerry 9630 aka Niagara.

The 9630 is a blend of the size and styling of the 8900 Curve and Storm with the ever popular keypad from the Bold. It’s rich on features too with a gorgeous 480×360 display, 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS, OS 4.7.1 and last but not least the to-die-for combination of dual-band 1xRTT/EV-DO from the CDMA side, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and the single and lonely 2100MHz band of UMTS/HSDPA from the GSM side. So who gets it and when? Well, Canadian/CDMA carriers can expect to have it on display as early as May, while Verizon will be launching it around June/July. As for AT&T, well, RIM doesn’t seem to mind all the trouble AT&T seems to get in with its device launches so it will probably set a date with them too. Of course, rest assured, by the time AT&T actually gets around to launching the 9630, the world will have moved on.

On the software front, seems like BES 5.0 is now cooked. The ‘gold code’ is now being tested, which means RIM is ready for the unveiling.

RIM also seems to be taking the next step in its technology, like other manufacturers, and will likely make an announcement about its work in the LTE department. That’s right, good-bye yesterday’s 3G, and hello tomorrow’s LTE. Whether there will be just talk of progress made or an actual display of the device is uncertain as of yet, but expect good things. There’s also talk that RIM might unleash devices with processors that top 1GHz, but this may not necessarily be at the WES. Well, that’s it. Now let’s see what WES confirms.

 

Skype has made the news official; Skype will now be available for the iPhone as of now and for the BlackBerry as well, in May. Skype will run its standard app on the iPhone but it will mingle with the iPhone’s slick UI. Just like the desktop version, Skype to Skype calls will be free, while Skype to traditional numbers will cost you a nominal fee. The VoIP will run on Wi-Fi network only and not on your cellular network. Not fun. On the bright side, the iPhone Skype app will support chatting and that too on a cellular connection. Yay. A couple of unique features, including the ability to use the camera hardware to capture a photo or to pull in a picture from your photo album for use within the Skype application, are also part of the bundle. Incoming conference calls can be accepted but the ability to initiate an outgoing conference call isn’t available yet. The best part is that the Skype app, true to the roots of Skype, will be free on the App Store. No images or details for the ‘Berry crowd yet. Considering that the BlackBerry app won’t be around till May, you may have to go through WES to see it. Let’s see. Enjoy the iPhone imagery till then.

 

via

 

While there had been leaked images of the Samsung Instinct Mini for a while now, and we had also decided that the ‘mini’ was not to be a ‘mini’ after all, the final word from Samsung itself has also been found in leaksville. What we’re looking at here is an official picture of the Samsung Instinct S30. Looks like ‘Mini’ was just a code name used for Sprint’s internal documents. Seems like it won’t be long before it will be among us. The Instinct S30 will have to make one hell of an impression while Sprint will also have to up the notch on some serious and creative marketing. The first Instinct only had the iPhone to deal with, the Instinct S30 gets a barrel full of competitors, including Sprint’s own Palm Pre.

Via

 

For the lovers of live music and concerts, Rogers has brought a treat. Wireless Box Office will defiantly add to your live music addiction. The new service not only allows you to purchase tickets to some of the hottest concerts in town right from the convenience of your Rogers device, but your ticket is delivered to your phone. Not is only is idea green, since it saves paper, but also you go into the concert through a special door meaning you don’t have to wait in line like everybody else (oh no, you leave them wondering who you know, hehehe). To give this new service a try, point your Rogers WAP browser, click on Ringtones & More and then select Wireless Box Office. If you’re on a desktop you can go directly to wirelesstix.com and purchase your tickets from there. Enjoy!

 

Well, Motorola has gone all official about the QA4 Evoke, the handset will be coming to CDMA carrier, Cricket very soon, as in Q2 2009 soon. The QA4 Evoke is a touchscreen QWERTY and boasts of the following features;

1.      CDMA 800/1900/1700/2100, Diversity 1900MHz and 2100 MHz EVDO Rev A

2.      2.8” WQVGA 240×400 Touchscreen display

3.      2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom

4.      256 MB Internal storage, microSD expansion

5.      GPS

6.      Bluetooth

7.      Widget-Based, customizable homescreen

8.      MySpace, YouTube and Picasa integration

9.      Full HTML browser

10.  Centralized & conversational style SMS and email (POP3/IMAP4)

11.  108mm x 50.5mm x 17.5mm dimensions

No word on pricing yet, but it’s Cricket so it’ll be good and small.

via

 

What is business without competition? MobiHand has just made an attempt to steal some of RIM’s thunder, by launching its own third party app store for BlackBerry devices, and that too a day ahead of RIM’s official launch of the App World. MobiHand’s app store comes with over 5,000 free and paid software titles already in its library, no ridiculous pricing requirements and a UI that is clean and simple. There are also some pretty smart offerings that other app stores simply don’t have such as the “Deal-of-the-Day” that offers a big discount on one new top-selling app each day. Very cool. Of course the MobiHand app world doesn’t have as big a reach as RIM does for the sheer reason that all ‘Berry users will have access to App World, whether they want it or not. But MobiHand will reach those who want to find it.  Also, MobiHand probably doesn’t have ad dollars to compete with RIM. Still let’s not be pessimistic, things could actually turn out contrary to expectations. to get a taste of MobiHand on your ‘Berry, point your browser to mobihand.com/appstore.

 

Boost Mobile will be bringing its customers a new international SMS and walkie talkie option which is certainly going to gain its share of attention. The new plan is being called International Connect and for an extra $10 a month, it offers customers unlimited SMS and PTT from the US to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile. Of course it’s not ‘worldwide’ but it’s a great offer for $10 bucks. Soak up the press release.

Boost Mobile Adds Worldwide Texting Option to Monthly Unlimited Plan

International Connect Includes Unlimited Worldwide Texting and Walkie-Talkie From the U.S. to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile for an Additional $10 a Month.

IRVINE, CA–(March 31, 2009) – Furthering its commitment to offer simple and affordable service pricing options to prepaid customers, Boost Mobile today launched International Connect, a $10 per month add-on for Monthly Unlimited customers which includes unlimited international text messaging and Walkie-Talkie in and between the U.S., Canada, Baja California (Mexico) and to select areas of South America from the U.S., Canada and Baja California (Mexico) for one flat charge.

“The International Connect $10 enhancement to the $50 Monthly Unlimited plan is a great value for the growing number of Latinos who want quality wireless service without a contract,” said Mirna Aceituno, manager of Hispanic marketing for Boost Mobile. “Boost Mobile is making it easier to stay connected to family and friends in Latin America for a price that won’t put a strain on your wallet.”

SERVICE

Boost Mobile now offers an array of service plans allowing customers to pay by the month, day or minute. Flexible service options such as the Boost Mobile Monthly Unlimited plan for $50 per month includes anytime calling, text messaging, wireless Web and Boost Walkie-Talkie with a nationwide home calling area with coverage in more than 15,800 cities for a flat rate of $50 per month.

In addition to the Monthly Unlimited plan, Boost service billing options include an anytime rate of 10 cents per minute and the $1/Day Chat Plan that features unlimited text messaging, unlimited nights and weekend calling and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to approximately 40 million customers on the Boost Mobile, Sprint, and Nextel network. Chat Plan nights are Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and weekends are from 9 p.m. on Fridays to 7 a.m. on Mondays. As with all Boost Mobile service plans, there are no credit checks, hidden charges or contracts.*

Boost Pay As You Go service is ideal for a wide range of consumers, including those who prefer to pay in advance and are uncomfortable with monthly service obligations; budget-minded customers who use prepaid service to control spending. Boost Mobile phones and service can be purchased at participating wireless dealers and major retail locations or at.

via

 

Motorola has come out with yet another ugly QWERT handset. The Motorola Hint is a slider QWERTY which is short, fat and bulky. This is low-end device, and we wonder how low Moto intends to go before going underground for good. But as is the case with low-end devices, they are generally picked up teens who can’t afford better looking merchandise. The specs aren’t all bad either, there’s EV-DO Rev. 0, a 2.5″ QVGA display, 2 megapixel camera with video capabilities, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 2.0 and support for microSD/microSDHC cards of up to 32GB, so no not entirely a failure. As for pricing, you pay $129.95 on a three-year contract and $329.95 off contract. Looks like Bell is trying to give Rogers low-end QWERTY offerings a little competition.  

 

Just before CITA get going in Las Vegas, AT&T has gone and announced 6 new handsets. This huge lineup includes the Nokia E71x, LG Neon and Xenon, Samsung Magnet, Propel Pro and Impression.

Obviously the handset we’ve all been dying to see is the E71x. The handset features an awesome-hot full QWERTY keyboard and after many a delay you can have it “in the coming weeks” for the amazingly cool price of $99.99.

Now the Samsung Propel Pro, cool phone running Windows Mobile 6.1 and a full slider QWERTY keypad to boot along with the ever necessary Wi-Fi, you can have this bad boy come April 14^th for $149.99.

Now the LG Xenon, the little devil was spotted in the wild a few days early and everyone knew it would be any day now. The LG Xenon features a touchscreen display, sliding QWERTY keypad, 2 megapixel camera, GPS and HSDPA connectivity. Come April 8 and you can have it for $99.99.

The Samsung Impression is part of the low-end device lineup. It features a 3.2″ AMOLED display and 3 megapixel camera. And it can be yours for $199.99 on April 7th. As for the teens, AT&T is bringing them the Samsung Magnet. It’s candy bar phone which features a full QWERTY keypad but is a low cost phone so you can take care of text message addiction and totally ignore your homework. AT&T hasn’t put a price tag on it, but don’t worry, it won’t be a big one. And finally, the green colored LG Neon. This slider QWERTY has a 2 megapixel camera along with a touchscreen. No pricing info on this one yet either. The official news document is here for eyes to grace. So who likes it?

 

DALLAS, March 30, 2009 – Text messaging and email are still the ‘killer app’ for mobile phone data use and AT&T is responding with a great new lineup of phones for the Spring season.  AT&T* today announced a fresh new lineup of smartphones and quick messaging phones that make it easier for customers to message with friends and family and manage their business and personal lives on-the-go.  Arriving in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks, these integrated devices add to AT&T’s leading mobile phone portfolio.

In the smartphone category, AT&T debuted the Nokia E71x and the Samsung PropelTM Pro, two stylish smartphones that inspire fun, while delivering serious functionality.  In addition, the Samsung ImpressionTM and Samsung MagnetTM, and LG Xenon and Neon emerge to the lead AT&T’s lineup of quick messaging phones and expands the number of full-keyboard mobile phones in AT&T’s lineup to seven. Pictures of the new lineup are available at www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.

“Smartphones and quick messaging phones are no longer for early-adopters and text-happy teens,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The ability to text often, or check your email from a phone is easy and more customers demand these features.  These phones are a great addition to our best-in-class lineup and we can’t wait to get them in our customers’ hands in the coming weeks.”

Nokia E71x

The thinnest smartphone on the market, the Nokia E71x, will be available in the coming weeks for $99.99 and features a black steel finish and award-winning design.  The Nokia smartphone, based on S60 on Symbian OSTM offers the Wi-Fi and the flexibility of many Symbian-based applications, in addition to AT&T’s most popular services, including AT&T Navigator.  The Nokia E71x is just 10 millimeters thin and will turn heads when you text friends, or check your corporate or personal email.  Customers can learn more at http://www.att.com/nokiaE71x.

Samsung Propel^TM Pro

The Propel Pro, a full-QWERTY silver and chrome compact slider smartphone with Windows Mobile 6.1 allows users to run full enterprise applications on the same platform they use to text and send photos.  Evolving from the popular Samsung PropelTM, business users and consumers looking for a full-feature smartphone with Wi-Fi will look to the Propel Pro, available in April for $149.99.

Samsung Impression^TM

The nation’s first commercially available AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays in the U.S. and is paired with a keyboard underneath an amazingly slim, metallic blue quick messaging phone that’s all touch screen on the outside, all buttons on the inside.  On sale for $199.99, the Impression has an included 3.0 megapixel camcorder-capable camera, 3.2-inch screen and full browser to maximize every pixel of color.

LG Xenon

A quick messaging phone boasting a full keypad for text messaging beneath its vibrant colors and large touch screen display with customizable and intuitive user interface, the 3G-powered LG Xenon snaps 2.0 megapixel photos and offers the full suite of AT&T entertainment services such as AT&T Navigator, Napster Mobile, eMusic Mobile, and more.  Xenon will be available in three colors: black, blue and red for $99.99. The Xenon is also featured in MTV’s upcoming series “The Phone”, executive produced by Justin Timberlake.

LG Neon

Teens and text-happy adults will enjoy the LG Neon, a low-cost touch screen device available in the coming weeks. The green and white quick messaging phone features a full keyboard, 2.0 megapixel camera, and access to Instant Messaging, Mobile Email, AT&T Music, and the mobile Internet.

Samsung Magnet^TM

The Magnet is an incredibly slim orange and black bar-shaped device that will appeal to teens who need a low-cost, quick messaging phone.  The Magnet features a WAP browser and integrated camera in its sleek package and will be offered at an affordable price in the coming weeks.

All six devices can be paired with messaging bundles offering 200, 1500, and unlimited messages that cost $5, $15 and $20, respectively. Unlimited messaging is available for AT&T FamilyTalk® plan customers for all lines for $30. Data plans vary per device.

Samsung Impression and Propel Pro will arrive in AT&T stores on April 7 and 14, respectively, and the LG Xenon will go on sale on April 8. The Nokia e71x, LG Neon and Samsung Magnet will be available in the following weeks.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com. For product photos, visit www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.

 

Rumor has it that a new memo has been circulating the aisles of Verizon, and that memo has made its way to the web. (No big surprise). The memo gives details about a new handset from Samsung, the Smooth U-350, coming to Verizon on April 1st. This entry-level clamshell will feature a 128×160 65K color TFT display, 1xRTT support, VGA camera, Bluetooth, GPS and support for a suite of VZW-centric services like Chaperone, VZ Navigator, Mobile Email and Mobile Web. Blue-gray is your choice of color so far.

Also the handset may pop up in some stores as early as now, so you can get your hands on one if you can talk the talk. As for how much you should be ready to splurge, how’s $30 with a 2-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate, or maybe just $50 (non contract) after rebate through some channels?

Description and Details Found In The Memo:

Description: The new Samsung Smooth appeals to tweens, teens and parents alike. It looks cool on the outside and has a lot to offer on the inside. With a full list of messaging options including TXT, Picture Messaging, Mobile Web Mail, you can easily keep up with your social scene. Snap a few pics of your busy life with the VGA camera, send them to friends and fire up your Bluetooth headset to have a laugh. Suddenly life seems a little smoother.

Features

1.      BT Profiles: Headset, HF, SP, OP for vCard & vCalendar, Phonebook Access

2.      Bilingual Interface: English/Espanol

3.      Bluetooth (see BT Profiles for details)

4.      Brightness Adjustment

5.      CDMA 1X 800/1900mHz Digital Only

6.      Camera – VGA

7.      Chaperone Parent/Child capable

8.      Color Effects: Normal, Black & White, Antique, Negative, Green, Aqua

9.      Device Software Update: Download software upgrades Over-The-Air

10.  Digital Zoom: up to 10 steps, depending on resolution adjustment

11.  Directional Microphone

12.  Embedded Ringtones, Vibrating Alerts & Silent

13.  GPS Enabled / E911

14.  Hearing Aid Compatibility:M4/T4

15.  Media Center: Download Games, Ringtones, & More

16.  Mobile Email, Mobile Web Mail and Chat Capable

17.  Mobile Web

18.  OTA Capable

19.  Personal Organizer: Calendar with Scheduler, Note Pad

20.  Phonebook with up to 1000 entries

21.  Preview Mode

22.  Resolution Adjustment: 640×480, 320×240, 160×120

23.  Self Timer: Off, 5 or 10 seconds

24.  Shutter Sound Selection

25.  Speakerphone

26.  TTY compatible

27.  Text, Picture, and Voice Messaging

28.  Tools: Alarm Clock, World Clock, Calculator with Converter, StopWatch

29.  VZNavigator

30.  Voice Commands

31.  Voicemail

32.  White Balance: Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent

Specifications

1.      Mode: All Digital Talk Time:  Up To 300 Minutes

2.      Color:  N/A  Standby Time: Up To 336 Hours

3.      Size: 3.78H x 1.87W x 0.76D Screen Size: 1.9″

4.      Weight: 3.35oz.

5.      Screen Resolution:  128 x 160, 65K color TFT

6.      Number of Contacts: 1000

Included With Handset

1.      Quick Reference Guide

2.      Standard Lithium Ion Battery

3.      User Manual

4.      Wall Charger

LAUNCH DATE- APR 1, 2009

via