iCarte BFC/RFID Reader for iPhone Debuts

Topic: Mobile Phones

There really is an app or a hardware accessory for just about any need that an iPhone user might have. Wireless Dynamics has announced a new hardware accessory for the iPhone called iCarte. The device turns the iPhone into a NFC/RFID reader.

The iCarte 110 is a near field communications device and RFID reader that plugs into the charge and sync port of the iPhone. The embedded smartchip can also be used as a debit, credit, pre-paid, or loyalty card to turn the iPhone into a digital wallet. Read more

Posted on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Nokia N900 Now Available In U.S.

Topic: Mobile Phones

If you pre-ordered a Nokia N900 back when it first became available, your handset is in the mail right now. Nokia's just sent out a press release announcing their new, Maemo-powered handset's availability in the U.S. Orders are shipping now, and the phone is available for sale in stores across the country.

Posted on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:04:28 CST | by Robert Evans

The Google Phone Does Exist

Topic: Mobile Phones

Today, TechCrunch broke some rumors that, if true, mean two things. First, that an honest-to-goodness Google phone is coming. And second, that Google VP Andy Rubin is a liar, with pants of fire. Michael Arrington himself claims that they have "absolutely confirmed" the existence of a Google branded smartphone. This new device will be sold through retailers, and should ship out in early 2010.

Previous rumors of the Gphone's existence have been quashed by the top brass at Google, and yet Arrington seems utterly convinced of the mobile's existence. He states that the phone will be made by a "major mobile manufacturer", but will have Google branding. Unlike the G1 (which was branded 'with Google') the Gphone will be designed from the ground-up to match Google's ideal Android phone as closely as possible.

Posted on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:07:13 CST | by Robert Evans

AT&T and LG Unveil Shine II Mobile Phone

Topic: Mobile Phones

LG and AT&T have announced that the Shine II will be coming to the AT&T network on November 22nd for $119.99 after a mail-in rebate. The actual price of the device is $169.99 with a new 2-year agreement. The new Shine II offers a slider design with a glossy surface similar to the original Shine handset.

The Shine II has a 2.2-inch mirror LCD and uses stainless steel construction and a streamlined shape. The handset supports Java 2.0 and has a built-in media player with a customizable EQ. Read more

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Video Calling: The Future of Android?

Topic: Mobile Phones

Since at least the days of the Jetsons, we've expected that video phones would someday be the standard method of communication. While several videophones have launched over the last decade-and-change, none of them have managed to gain any popularity. Skype allows video chatting, and for the last few years webcam equipped notebooks have acted as a sort of poor man's overly-bulky video phone.

Now Saygus has launched an Android smartphone that claims to be the first mobile in America with 2-way video calling. On its own, the Saygus is fairly easy to dismiss as a gimmick. It's got a middling processor and nothing else to set it apart as 'special'. After reading this Android & Me report about Google's Gizmo 5 acquisition, however, things were thrown into stark relief.

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:12:50 CST | by Robert Evans

T-Mobile Selling Sidekick Again

Topic: Mobile Phones

Less than a month after the resolution of the terrible Sidekick data disaster of 2009, T-Mobile is back to selling the troubled mobile once more (via PhoneNews). The 2008 Sidekick goes for $49.99 with an Even More plan, while the 2009 Sidekick LX will set you back $149.99 with the same plan. Pretty pricey for a 3G messaging phone.

Despite last month's horrific debacle, the Sidekick still appears to be as popular as ever. All Sidekick models are currently listed as 'out of stock'. Is T-Mo's site having inventory troubles, or are that many people still in love with the Sidekick as a mobile phone?

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:46:04 CST | by Robert Evans

Saygus Android Phone is First with 2-way Video Calling

Topic: Mobile Phones

Saygus has announced a new Android-powered smartphone called the Saygus VPhone that claims to be the first device in America with 2-way video calling capability. The handset is expected to be offered as a CDMA handset on Verizon's Open Development Initiative.

The two cameras on the device include a 5MP main camera with autofocus and flash and a VGA forward facing camera for video calling. The handset also has WiFi, USB, and Bluetooth tethering that allows up to eight devices to connect as an access point. Read more

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

BlackBerry Curve 8520 Hits AT&T

Topic: Mobile Phones

AT&T customers look out, another BlackBerry is making its way to your carrier just in time for the holidays. The Curve 8520 has just been confirmed in an AT&T press release. It will be available soon for $99.99 after a $100 mail in rebate. As a warning, the rebate comes in the form of a $100 AT&T promotion card.

Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:03:01 CST | by Robert Evans

Xperia X10 Sample Pictures, Video Posted

Topic: Mobile Phones

Ericsson's upcoming Xperia X10 Android smartphone is one of the most hotly anticipated mobiles in development. Between its big, 4" WVGA screen, its 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, and it's 8.1 MP camera, the X10 is one of the most powerful smartphones announced so far. Only the HTC HD2 and the Acer Liquid have comparable specs, and neither of them pack the X10's badass camera.

Today, on the Sony Ericsson Product Blog, we're being treated to a series of photos of downtown Stockholm, taken on the X10. The fellow doing the blog entry warns us that he is unused to the X10, and that the phone is still in the design stage. The final quality of the X10s images will likely be higher than what we're seeing now.

Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:33:39 CST | by Robert Evans

Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition launched

Topic: Mobile Phones

Nokia today announced the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition, a phone that combines mobile broadcast TV (DVB-H), social networking, music and gaming into one compact 3G device.
The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition DVB-H tuner allows you to watch TV on the go on a QVGA 2.4" screen.

Other features of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition include 3.5mm headphone plug, 3.2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom and LED flash and social networking software integration. Read more

Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:31:21 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

ZiiLabs To Make 1 GHz Android Smartphone?

Topic: Mobile Phones

Ah, ZiiLabs, makers of the ill-fated but sexy ZiiEgg. Their first big Android device flopped, because no OEM was willing to buy and brand it. The company isn't going to quit there, though. At the Zii Summit 2009 the company is set to unveil a tablet PC, netbook, portable e-reader, and a "phone with fully featured Android platform".

Android and Me states that this new Android smartphone is likely to pack Zii's latest invention, the ZMS-08 CPU. The ZMS-08 is fair competition for NVIDIA's Tegra processor, as well as the Snapdragon processor.

Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:28:43 CST | by Robert Evans