Mobile, Internet, etc

Filed under: Handsets, LG, Verizon Wireless, EDGE, CDMA

We’ve been able to confirm with a trusted source that LG’s Chocolate Touch for Verizon — which will end up being about as far from the sexy BL40 as possible, unfortunately — is slated for a November 5 launch. With the DROID and Droid Eris both launching in the same window, it’s going to be tough for this puppy to get a word in edgewise, even though it’s the latest model in a storied brand and really doesn’t compete on any level with Verizon’s Android devices. Then again, considering how far they’ve strayed from the BL40 with this one, we can’t say we’re feeling a ton of sympathy.

[Thanks, HTC Kid]

LG Chocolate Touch for Verizon coming November 5 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software

The crux of AT&T’s recent complaint to the FCC regarding Google Voice was that Google — not being subject to the common carrier rules that help facilitate fair, open telephone networks — was blocking customers from accessing numbers managed by rural carriers that charged higher connection fees, thereby giving it a leg up on its Old Guard competition by saving cash in ways AT&T and others are legally barred from doing. Google’s hitting back today, not by agreeing to submit to common carrier rules (come on now, don’t be ridiculous) but by saying in a statement to the FCC that it’s now blocking calls to “fewer than 100″ numbers in total now that it has finished implementing new back-end capabilities that allow it to single out specific numbers rather than entire exchanges. Google complains that calls to the top ten exchanges accounted for 26 percent of its entire connection fee outlay — but yeah, that’s pretty much what telcos have been dealing with since time immemorial, so the bellyaching’s likely to fall on a lot of deaf ears. For what it’s worth, the company is still asking the FCC to make sweeping changes to connection fee policy, but whether this ends up getting them out of AT&T’s more immediate concerns remains to be seen.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Google says it’s now blocking ‘fewer than 100′ numbers in Google Voice originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Verizon Wireless

Given the timing of Storm 2’s launch and the Motorola DROID’s unveiling, you’d think Verizon had all but abandoned its touchscreen BlackBerry. But lo and behold, we do have a new television spot. “Who says lightning never strikes twice” — who said it ever struck the first time? Video after the break.

[Via Gear Diary]

Continue reading First Storm 2 ad huffs and puffs for attention (video)

First Storm 2 ad huffs and puffs for attention (video) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software, HTC, Android

Anyone with an existing Android device and a nasty case of DROID envy today might want to hold off before switching devices, emptying the bank account, and possibly switching carriers in the process, because HTC’s got a little bit of information here to end our day on a high note. Here’s the full quote:

“Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero.”

Bottom line, the Hero is signed up for Android 2.0 and it’s just a matter of HTC getting Sense ported and tested — makes sense (no pun intended), and we imagine Motorola will have to go through these same hoops with BLUR. The company went on to mention that it intends to bring the update to all versions of the Hero, though it’s up to partners (like Sprint, for instance) to help coordinate how and when that’s going to go down. We don’t have any information on the sundry Dream and Magic variants around the world at this point — but it’s important to remember that the Hero uses the same processor as its older siblings, so at least there’s hope for a good xda-developers port if nothing else.

HTC confirmed to be cooking up Android 2.0 update for Hero, other devices unclear originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA, Android

Officially, the Droid Eris launches on November 6. Okay, officially officially, we don’t know when it launches, because Verizon hasn’t even yet admitted that it exists — but we’ve got enough evidence built at this point to say with confidence that it’s hitting shelves in all sales channels that day. We’ve just been tipped off, though, that the phone is already sitting in warehouses just waiting to ship out, and experienced Verizon customers know that you can occasionally dupe a rep into shipping you a SKU — if you know it. Well, we’ve got it right here: ADR6200VW. Good luck, folks, and let us know how it goes.

[Thanks, HTC Kid; image via gdgt]

HTC Droid Eris allegedly already in stock — if you know who to talk to originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA, Android

Sure, the DROID’s getting all the attention today, but you might recall that it’s not the only thing Verizon has in the pipe has it preps its first Android assault — HTC’s got the Droid Eris in there somewhere, too, which is shaping up to be little more than a branded Hero in a slightly different shell. Against the insanely-spec’d DROID, that may not be a drool-worthy proposition, but fortunately, it’s looking like Verizon is going to be pursuing an aggressive tiered pricing strategy that might allow these phones to coexist in peace and everlasting harmony: unlike the DROID’s $199 sticker, gdgt has it on good authority that the Droid Eris will run a hundie less at $99. That spanks Sprint’s version which currently runs $179.99, but hey, if this means we’re going to see a price war down in the 528MHz trenches for the Android midrange, we’re all for it.

[Image via AndroidGuys]

HTC Droid Eris priced at $99 for Verizon? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, EDGE

Right on cue, the smaller-but-just-barely N97 mini is now ready for public consumption over in Europe. Granted, we’re certainly at the tail end of October, but we can’t say that we caught Nokia in a lie or anything based on what was said last month in Stuttgart. You’ve already committed the specifications to memory and read all about firmware 2.0, so now all that’s left to do is run along, fork out €450 ($667) and wonder forever if this decision will positively or negatively change the course of your life.

Nokia’s N97 mini gets its shipping papers originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software

The game has changed originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, Sony Ericsson, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

Though it may not have the most elegant name in the world, we’ve got to give Sony Ericsson’s Aino credit for at least one thing: it’s officially launching in the US, unlocked, just a few short months after being announced. You’ll be paying a stout $599.99 for the privilege of putting one in your pocket, but in exchange, you’ll get an 8.1 megapixel sensor, Remote Play support, tri-band HSPA, and WiFi on a 432 x 240 display. You’re not just getting the phone for that outlay, though: SE also throws in a stereo Bluetooth headset, dock, and an 8GB microSD (yes, microSD, not Memory Stick, mercifully) card. It’s still showing as backordered on SonyStyle’s website, but you should be able to find this in stock both online and in Sony’s stores across the land very shortly. Follow the break for the full release.

Continue reading SonyStyle unleashes Sony Ericsson Aino in the US for $600

SonyStyle unleashes Sony Ericsson Aino in the US for $600 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, GSM

While the newly launched DROID is keeping us plenty busy, we’d be remiss if we didn’t hep you to this hands-on video that’s recently popped up on the YouTubes. Of Vietnamese origin, we do believe that this is the first GSM version of the phone we’ve caught on tape. All seems to be going well until about 2 minutes 7 seconds, when the viewer encounters a considerable lag in between gesturing to open the app drawer and the event itself. But don’t take our word for it — see for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, Vincenzo]

Continue reading Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video)

Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA, Android

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Motorola_DROID_official_hits_Verizon_November_6_for_199′; We knew good and well this thing was coming sometime in November, and now Verizon Wireless has made it official: the Motorola DROID will hit Big Red on November 6th for $199 on contract (after a $100 mail-in rebate). Naturally, the DROID itself is just the first of what could be many Android-laced phones coming to the carrier, and Verizon Wireless CMO John Stratton even stated that the phone “is wide open” — pretty big words from a company like VZW. Android 2.0 will be front and center, along with Visual Voicemail, a 3.7-inch display (854 x 480 resolution), 5 megapixel camera (with dual-LED flash), a bundled 16GB memory card and a beta version of Google Maps Navigation(!). For those wondering, yeah — the DROID is the first phone to offer that, which transforms Google Maps into a turn-by-turn routing system that’ll have your dedicated TomTom / Garmin trembling in fear. There’s also a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3G, WiFi, voice-activated search and over-the-air Amazon MP3 downloads. With all that, who needs the iPhone, right Ivan?

Continue reading Motorola DROID official on Verizon: $199 on contract, coming November 6th (video)

Motorola DROID official on Verizon: $199 on contract, coming November 6th (video) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software, Nokia, Symbian

Continue reading Symbian Horizon app store launched, dev program detailed

Symbian Horizon app store launched, dev program detailed originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Peripherals, Accessories

Those looking for another excuse to wear a Bluetooth headset all the time just got it: iTech’s $75 Dynamic SolarVoice 908. That awfully long title is applied to a conceptually simple device, a headset with a tiny solar panel on the side rated at five hours of talk time when fully charged. Sadly, though, there’s no mention of how long you’ll need to bask in the sun to get it there. (AC and USB charging are also naturally on offer.) Unlike earlier examples it’s A2DP compliant, so it’ll stream your tunes, and boasts integrated noise cancellation, so it’s perfect for making your drunken barroom conversations a little more garbled.

i.Tech’s SolarVoice Bluetooth headset could save the environment, not your look originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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