The Sony Ericsson Kurara: 720p Recording+AMOLED screen=Hot

Topic: Mobile Phones

I'm currently in a commited relationship with my Android smartphone, but that doesn't mean I have to stop looking at other devices. Some of them I might even want to oggle lecherously while sweating and mumbling under my breath. That might make me sound like a bit of a freak, but the Ericsson Kurara really does look that hot.

This new smartphone was leaked out on an Ericsson fan forum and brought into the English-speaking blogosphere by Boy Genius. As best we can tell, the Kurara is an S60-running smartphone with an 8.1 MP camera, like the Rachel. Unlike the Rachel, the Kurara's camera is supposed to be able to record in 720p HD. The Kurara is also rumored to pack an AMOLED screen, although that's impossible to confirm with the photos we have.

Posted on Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:06:17 CST | by Robert Evans

The Verizon iPhone: Coming Q3, 2010?

Topic: Mobile Phones

Verizon's recent “Droid does” ads are probably the most pointedly anti-iPhone pieces of advertising out there. This has led some people to theorize that Big Red has given up all hope of ever carrying the iPhone, instead choosing to focus their efforts on the Droid line. In the current climate, the idea of a Verizon iPhone certainly seems a little preposterous. And yet, if AppleInsider's sources are correct, that's just what's headed our way next year.

The blog has received a report from an industry analyst with OTR Global which states that Apple is hard at work developing a “worldmode” iPhone. This device would be smaller than the iPhone, with a screen of just 2.8”, but would be compatible with both CDMA2000 networks and UMTS 3G networks. The report claims that this universal functionality will be made possible thanks to a new hybrid chip from Qualcomm.

Posted on Sat, 7 Nov 2009 05:43:39 CST | by Robert Evans

Holiday Deal: Unlocked Nokia N900, $442

Topic: Mobile Phones

Black Friday isn't here yet, but that doesn't mean it's too early for some holiday shopping. If you've got a Nokia fan (or, honestly, just a fan of great smartphones) in your life, T-Mo News reports that Dell has a deal that just might make their holiday. The Nokia N900, unlocked and ready for any SIM card you choose to feed it, for just $442. You even get free shipping.

Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:55:56 CST | by Robert Evans

iPhone 4G Will Pack RFID Reader?

Topic: Mobile Phones

RFID technology has come a long way in the past few years. Chips are now individually very cheap, and thousands of uses for them have been devised by corporations and governments. Now it seems that Apple is looking to help make RFIDs something consumers make use of every day by adding a reader into the new iPhone. AppleInsider says that a site focusing on Near Field Communications has found evidence that Apple has built new iPhone prototypes that pack an RFID reader.

An iPhone-mounted RFID reader could have a wide variety of uses. It could allow “touchless” payments at vending machines, stores and toll booths, as well as enable a variety of AR technologies. RFID chips can also act as barcodes, which would make browsing for deals and 'at a glance' window shopping much easier for people with iPhones. Since many products and services are already embedded with RFID chips, we could see this functionality appear in the very near future.

Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:34:14 CST | by Robert Evans

White BlackBerry Curve 8900 Coming To AT&T?

Topic: Mobile Phones

Have you always coveted a BlackBerry Curve 8900 but had a terrible fear of the color black? No? Well, if you want a white 8900 anyway and your carrier is AT&T, your (not particularly wild) dream is about to come true, according to Boy Genius. They've got a photo of the new, ultra-pale 8900 and info from an inside source that it will be coming to AT&T very soon.

Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:08:56 CST | by Robert Evans

LG Chocolate Touch Available On Verizon Wireless

Topic: Mobile Phones

Another day, another sweet new mobile release. Verizon has just announced that the LG Chocolate Touch is now available for their subscribers. While it certainly lacks the power of VZW's new Droid, the Chocolate Touch has a number of sweet options for music lovers and a low price to boot. $79.99 (after a $50 main in rebate) and a 2-year contract puts this new LG mediaphone in your pocket.

The Chocolate touch benefits from Dolby Mobile, which LG claims helps to increase the quality, volume, and depth of the music it plays. It also packs an FM radio with 12 pre-sets, as well as piano and drum set “Join the band” functions that let you play along to your favorite music.

Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:22:27 CST | by Robert Evans

The Droid Is On Sale

Topic: Mobile Phones

Today is a big day for Verizon Wireless and for Google's Android. The hottest Android smartphone is going on sale. You can buy the Droid already on the Verizon Wireless site for $199.99 with 2 year contract or $559.99 with month-to-month ($35 Line activation fee applies).

Verizon Wireless really went all out for the Droid. The Droid shopping pages even resemble the horizontal sliding screens of the Droid UI. It actually is fun to shop for the Droid and its available plans. Read more

Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:39:29 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

BlackBerry Curve 8530 Announced By Verizon Wireless

Topic: Mobile Phones

Verizon Wireless has more new phones coming than the hyped Droid that launches today.
Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) introduced the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone featuring built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Other features of the new Curve 8530 include 256MB flash memory and 528MHz next generation processor, 2MP camera, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, and microSD slot. Read more

Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:26:52 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung Mythic & Flight Smartphones Launch

Topic: Mobile Phones

Smartphones, smartphones everywhere. Today Samsung announced the availability of two new TouchWiz packin' smartphones. The Mythic has a 3.3" touchscreen, 3.2 MP camera, AT&T Navigator and stereo Bluetooth capabilities. The Flight has a sliding QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen, 2 MP camera, AT&T Navigator and stereo Bluetooth.

In terms of price, the Mythic costs a baffling $249.99 before a $50 mail-in rebate (if you get a 2 year contract). Warning; this rebate takes the form of a "$50 AT&T Promotional Card". To be entirely honest, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck if you just spend an equal amount of cash on an iPhone.

Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:12:03 CST | by Robert Evans

Motorola Droid: $188 At Wal-Mart?

Topic: Mobile Phones

This Friday is the day Android fans around the globe have been waiting for. The Motorola Droid is about to launch, and scores of Android fanboys will (presumably) be lining the streets to get first dibs on their new handsets. While the Droid is definitely a smartphone worth lining up for, you might want to be careful choosing which store to line up in front of.

If you'd planned on picking your Droid up from a Verizon store, you seriously need to reconsider those plans. There the Droid will cost you $299.99 out of pocket, with a $100 rebate redeemable afterwords. As we reported earlier, Best Buy will sell you the Droid for just $199.99, with no rebate hassle of any sort. In addition, Android and Me states that a tipster has informed them that Wal-Mart will be selling the Droid for a total price of just $188 with a 2 year contract. Read more

Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:58:54 CST | by Robert Evans

HTC Droid Eris Gets Unboxed Already

Topic: Mobile Phones

The 2nd Android phone in the Verizon Wireless Droid series is called Eris and is still not official, but a lot about the lower cost Droid has been leaked already.
BGR received and posted several unboxing photos of the HTC Eris. Read more

Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:45:41 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr