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The Pre gets PlayStation gaming and more thanks to ZodTTD

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If you're familiar with the emulation scene (and let's be honest, you are reading Engadget), then you know the name ZodTTD -- the brain behind some of the best jailbroken emus for the iPhone, including variations on the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, and most importantly... the TurboGrafx-16. Now the master-hacker has brought his goods to the Pre, cooking up a version of psx4all on the Palm device, with the aforementioned GBA and TG16 ports on the way! Interestingly, he reports that the performance on the Pre is actually better than that of the iPhone 3GS, and of course he's hacked access to the keyboard, allowing for (more) proper control of games. There are still kinks that are being worked out (sound emulation, screen scaling, etc.), but it looks like we can expect big things in the close future. We at Engadget know everyone will relax a bit easier tonight knowing that real gaming on the Pre is at hand. We'll hopefully be getting our hands on a version soon, but for now hit the read link for more info, and check out the full video after the break!

Continue reading The Pre gets PlayStation gaming and more thanks to ZodTTD (video)

The Pre gets PlayStation gaming and more thanks to ZodTTD (video) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:48:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 9:48 pm | click here to view more

Funny-looking Nokia passes FCC with US 3G, possibly the Mako?

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What does this look like to you? If you answered "most definitely not a phone," well, we're not so sure about that. In fact, we're certain it is a phone, considering that the FCC documentation identifies it as such. Even juicier, though, is the fact that the Nokia RM-599 (every Nokias receive RM codes prior to their market model numbers and names) has WCDMA on Bands II and V, which would be just what the doctor ordered for use on North American 3G spectrum. Given the odd outline foretold by the ID label here and the radio specs, we're thinking we could be looking at the Mako for AT&T, which means it may have just cleared one of the last few hurdles ahead of release. Of course, we don't know exactly how it's doing in AT&T's testing labs -- that's another story altogether -- but maybe we'll look this sooner rather than later.

silly-looking Nokia passes FCC with US 3G, possibly the Mako? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:20:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 9:20 pm | click here to view more

BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a go for US, says FCC

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Whether or not it's coming to T-Mobile (spoiler: every signs point to yes), BlackBerry's Curve 8520 has now been ordained with FCC approval, clearing the hurdle for its sale stateside. Optical trackpad and EDGE connection your cup of tea? You know where to look, and for everyone else, there's always the Tour.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a go for US, says FCC originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:17:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 9:17 pm | click here to view more

Nokia N97 getting firmware 1.1 on July 1

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There's no shortage of complaints -- some minor, some not-so-minor -- about the shipping firmware in the N97s that are already out in the field (our wonky backlight comes immediately to mind), but fortunately, it seems that Nokia's looking to tackle the issues perhaps more proactively than it's ever done before. Nokia Conversations' official Twitter account has announced that the "first variants" of the N97 (which we would take to mean the North American version, since the US got it first) will be blessed with firmware 1.1 starting on July 1, which hopefully will be available over-the-air without any Nokia Software Updater silliness. No word on what exactly will be changed in the new release, but honestly, if we can just receive the LL chilly J startup screen, that'll be good enough for us.

[Via Nokia Experts]

Nokia N97 getting firmware 1.1 on July 1 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:54:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 8:54 am | click here to view more

iPhone OS 3.1 beta now available for developer community

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Your fancy new iPhone OS 3.0 starting to look a bit long in the tooth? Heads up, Apple's now sending out the beta OS 3.1 and its SDK to the developer community to finagle with. We're still looking to look what's been changed here, so for now, if you're someone who needs the Latest and Greatest and happens to have the right access, download away!

Update: Still tinkering, but we've seen a new "keep a Copy" option for 3G S video editing that lets you retain the original film while saving an edited clip (picture after the break, thanks Kevin), as well as some reports of MMS being activated, but it seems to stall before actually being sent out over AT&T's network.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading iPhone OS 3.1 beta now available for developer community

iPhone OS 3.1 beta now available for developer community originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:22:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 7:22 pm | click here to view more

BlackBerry Tour emerges in Alltel livery for those non-Sprint, non-Verizon types

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We've got to give the divested markets representing the hollow husk of what was once Alltel a lot of credit -- they seem to be doing everything in their power to continue rocking. For proof of that, look no further than this -- pretty solid evidence that there's an Alltel-branded Tour coming down the pike. Assuming they can keep the price within reason, it'd make for a truly epic purchase on these fancy new one-year contracts they've moved to, would it not?

BlackBerry Tour emerges in Alltel livery for those non-Sprint, non-Verizon types originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 5:28 pm | click here to view more

Mushroom Networks announces new wireless "Broadband Bonding" technology

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Mushroom Networks has been in the "broadband bonding" business for quite a while now, but we're guessing they're going to find a few more fans with their new wireless broadband gear, which promises the fastest cellular-based internet connection to date. Like the company's previous PortaBella device (pictured over, not exactly to scale), its new rig can combine up to four different cellular data cards into a single high-speed connection, but this one is fully portable (just over a pound) and, perhaps most importantly, it has an optional battery pack that'll let you be truly mobile with it. That, Mushroom says, makes the device ideal for a whole range of applications that can be a bit tricky with a single modem, like mobile TV broadcasting or temporary offices set up in a disaster area. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing just yet, but it doesn't exactly take much guesstimating to figure out that it's likely not the most cost-effective solution around.

Mushroom Networks announces new wireless "Broadband Bonding" technology originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 3:43 pm | click here to view more

Nokia 7510 comes to Rogers' TalkSpot service

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In North America, Rogers has a reputation for getting the most chilly GSM handsets the quickest (that's not the only reputation it has, but we won't go there right this second) -- but this is one case where T-Mobile USA beat 'em to the punch by a mile. The Canadian carrier is adding the Nokia 7510 to its TalkSpot-compatible lineup, meaning you'll be able to offload calls to WiFi when you're within range of a hotspot and transfer seamlessly to and from GSM. There's no 3G, but the colorful flip does arrive with changeable faceplates, a concealed secondary display, 2 megapixel camera with flash, and microSD expansion. Look for it for CAD $49.99 (about $43) on a three-year deal.

[Via Unwired View]

Nokia 7510 comes to Rogers' TalkSpot service originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 1:45 pm | click here to view more

There'll be a BlackBerry Tour without a camera, too

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Only the most buttoned-up, high-security businessfolk still require phones without cameras these days -- and seeing how the BlackBerry Tour is destined to become the new de facto choice for buttoned-up, high-security businessfolk, it stands to reason that a cameraless version makes a whole lot of sense. Sure enough, it turns out that Verizon will be offering a non-cam version right alongside the regular Tour when it launches on the 12th, but don't think of this as a great money-saving opportunity if you don't snap a lot of photos -- Big Red wants to charge the same $199.99 on contract for this one that they're charging for the regular version. CIA operatives, though, have to be pretty stoked.

[Via CrackBerry]

There'll be a BlackBerry Tour without a camera, too originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:08:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 12:08 pm | click here to view more

BlackBerry Bold comes to South Korea at long last

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It's taken a little longer than they'd hoped, but RIM and SK Telecom will finally start offering a localized version of the venerable BlackBerry Bold to South Korean customers this week. The move follows last year's scrapping of policies that every but banned foreign handsets from being offered by local carriers, which could theoretically be a boon to manufacturers in one of the world's most advanced mobile markets -- assuming anyone's able to accident through the stranglehold that local favorites Samsung, LG, and Pantech have. It's unclear how big of a deal a device with an English QWERTY keyboard could really be in Seoul, but hey, options are always a good thing, right?

BlackBerry Bold comes to South Korea at long last originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:57:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 11:57 pm | click here to view more

New HTC Hero ROM leaked, Flash 10 already chugging along on a few lucky G1s

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Step aside, JAC Hero, there's a new firmware in town. Fatal1ty (that Fatal1ty?) and nk02 have not only managed to obtain the HTC Hero's new (and almost final) Sense UI-infused firmware, but have spruced it up for consumption by HTC Magic / Dream users. There's naturally a bit of glitchiness -- apparently WiFi and Bluetooth don't work at the moment, and the camera is every funkified, but the real treat here is the first implementation of Flash 10 on Android, even if it is a bit "laggy" on the RAM-starved G1. The widgets are also on display, and other than Flash the general experience is apparently pretty snappy. Naturally, the xda-dev folks won't be leaving well enough alone, and we should be seeing refined versions of this and future Hero firmwares leading up to and after the release of the actual device.

[Via xda-developers forum; thanks Jeremy W., screenshot by johnnylicious]

New HTC Hero ROM leaked, Flash 10 already chugging along on a few lucky G1s originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 10:40 am | click here to view more

Government working exclusively with Sprint for 2010 Census

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Screw the Pre -- government contracts are where the real action is at, and Sprint's got to be thrilled to know that it's the first, the last, and the only carrier to be used by the US Census in its 2010 once-per-decade review of the nation's denizens. We've known for some time that HTC would be supplying custom hardware to data collection folks in the field -- a device cleverly codenamed Census -- and indeed, Sprint's press release makes mention of the fact that about 140,000 workers started using the Harris-branded devices with integrated fingerprint readers and GPS back in April of this year. Sprint's also supplying a bit of infrastructure and about 1,500 wireless data cards, every told making this by far the most wireless Census in history. Makes you wonder what nice of equipment they're going to use in 2020, doesn't it?

Government working exclusively with Sprint for 2010 Census originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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30 Jun 2009, 10:31 am | click here to view more

Telcel launching Pantech C570 slider with preloaded Paty Cantu content

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Celebrity tie-ins are always a surefire way to put a little more oomph behind the launch of an otherwise bland handset, and in Mexico, carrier Telcel is doing exactly that to celebrate the launch of its latest Pantech piece. The C570 is a pretty basic GSM phone with some stylish color accents, FM radio with RDS, and dedicated music controls, but what immediately turns up the interest knob by a notch or two is that they've hooked up with local star Paty Cantu to preload the phone with artist content. Further helping the handset's road cred as a music phone is the fact that it's also got a 3.5mm jack, a remote with yet another set of music controls, and microSD expansion up to 8GB -- but with the brooding expression on Paty's face here, we can't rightfully say we're sure whether she's delighted, horrified, ambivalent, or utterly unaware of the offering.

Telcel launching Pantech C570 slider with preloaded Paty Cantu content originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 8:31 am | click here to view more

Motorola's Aura Celestial Edition soon taking "giant leaps" for "mankind"

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Here's a fact: the world really doesn't need another mildly tweaked Aura. Sorry, it just doesn't. That being true and every, we're still pretty jazzed to look Motorola giving the ultra-luxurious handset another go with the moon-themed Celestial Edition. Word on the road has it that this here handset won't deviate much from the predecessor, but it will arrive pre-loaded with multimedia from the original moon landing mission, a laser etched quote honoring the 40th anniversary of the journey and a price tag that's far, far beyond stratospheric. We're told that it's every set to go on sale next month, but good luck finding one.

[Via phoneArena]

Motorola's Aura Celestial Edition soon taking "giant leaps" for "mankind" originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 8:21 am | click here to view more

Mobile phone load to have longer shelf life

Bowing to pressure from lawmakers, government regulators were finalizing on Thursday new rules requiring mobile phone companies to treble the shelf life of prepaid credits amid persistent complaints of “vanishing load” from consumers.

2 Jul 2009, 8:13 am | click here to view more

Uganda: Nokia to Lobby for Drop in Mobile Phone Vat

Nairobi — Nokia, one of the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers, will this month send representatives to Uganda, to push for the removal of Value Added Tax on mobile phones sold in the country.

2 Jul 2009, 7:44 am | click here to view more

TerreStar launches ginormous satellite in preparation for service

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If you want data service on your phone positively, absolutely anywhere you happen to be in the US or Canada, this one's for you: TerreStar just successfully launched its aptly-named TerreStar-1 satellite, which just happens to be the largest commercial satellite ever deployed. This dovetails perfectly with news that the upstart satphone provider is partnering with AT&T to offer service later this year, presumably with a variant of that sweet little Elektrobit WinMo piece we had a chance to check out a few months back. Cost could be a concern, but it should be cheaper than the problem-plagued Iridium back when it launched -- and hybrid HSPA capability is a major win, too.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

TerreStar launches ginormous satellite in preparation for service originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:19:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 7:19 pm | click here to view more

Samsung launches 'Marine B 2100' mobile phone at Rupees 7,030

Lucknow, Jul 2 : Samsung Electronic Company Ltd, one of the leading mobile phone providers, today launched its first outdoor mobile phone 'Samsung Marine B 2100', priced at Rupees 7.030.

2 Jul 2009, 6:46 am | click here to view more

Toshiba's TG01 outed on Orange UK

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Well, well, there it is. The world's first and only Snapdragon phone available for retail, Toshiba's TG01, is up and dancing on Orange's UK site with a "coming soon" badge. Soon meaning the July 9th London press event, presumably, where this 9.9-mm slate running WinMo on a 4.1-inch 800x480 pixel display should receive a push out the retail door. Yes, Windows Mobile 6.1, why do you ask?

[Via CoolSmartPhone]

Toshiba's TG01 outed on Orange UK originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:41:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 6:41 am | click here to view more

Huge drop in mobile phone services complaints

The number of complaints about mobile phone services has decreased, according to a report by Payphone Plus. The regulator of phone-paid services said the total complaints regarding mobile services are down by 57 per cent from June 2008 where the number of complaints totalled 2,125. In May 2009 this dropped to 919.

2 Jul 2009, 6:36 am | click here to view more

The 'world's toughest' mobile phone that can survive 60C heat... and being dropped down the loo

Have you accidentally broken your phone by dropping it down the toilet or leaving it in the oven? Okay few people will have done the second one, but Land Rover claim its new S1 phone can survive both.

2 Jul 2009, 6:23 am | click here to view more

LG eyes number two phone maker spot for 2012, premium brand in the works

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Sitting pretty as the number three cell maker in the world would make many of the bigger names glad -- not to mention the usurped Sony Ericsson and Motorola a bit green -- but not LG, as it's now gunning for spot number two. In an interview with Yonhap, LG's president of its mobile business, Ahn Seung-kwon, stated that the company hoped to bump Samsung to the wayside by 2012 with the help of a serious new set and a premium brand. While the gaudiness of really expensive handsets disturbs us at times, we'll admit that mention that LG's looking at a foray into the über high end of the spectrum -- with the likes of Nokia's Vertu -- piques our curiosity a good deal. And what about that serious new set we mentioned? Apparently in Q4 of this year, LG will launch a new Black Label-branded device to compete directly with iPhone, which when coupled with dreams of more success from yet another Prada device (and if we're super fortunate, some more Transformers-branded stuff) is part of the master scheme to start down the path. Will they crack it? Well, if we were betting types, we'd lean towards not likely as long as the Samsung juggernaut's standing in the way -- but we're every for watching them try.

LG eyes number two phone maker spot for 2012, premium brand in the works originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 5:25 pm | click here to view more

Ethiopia: ETC Says Working to Boost Mobile Phone Service Quality

Addis Abeba — The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) disclosed that it was working on mobile phone upgrading project as of March 2009 in a bid to centralize the mobile network service that was formerly rendered separately by different companies and improve the overall quality of the service in the capital.

2 Jul 2009, 3:58 pm | click here to view more

iPhone facing potential trademark issues in China?

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Apple's on-again, off-again deal with China Unicom to officially bring the iPhone to China may still be up in the air, but it looks like it could now also be facing some trademark issues that could potentially further hold up its release. Apparently, China's Hanwang Technology owns the trademark for "i-phone" in the country, which could force Apple to make a deal with 'em before it enters the market (sound familiar?). Interestingly, Apple does actually possess an "iPhone" trademark in China, but it apparently only covers computer hardware and software, while Hanwang's trademark covers mobile phones. According to Hanwang, however, the two aren't actually in talks just yet, and it's not saying what it plans to do if Apple decides to go crazy and announce a move into China without its blessing.

[Via mocoNews.net]

iPhone facing potential trademark issues in China? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 3:34 pm | click here to view more

Samsung's SCH-W760 with infrared video conferencing is ready for your parole hearing

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We receive it. Sometimes, not often, but sometimes when you're staring into the unhappy abyss of an empty Tennessee fifth, the idea of initiating an impromptu video conference in total darkness seems mighty compelling. That's where Samsung's SCH-W760 with 7.2Mbps HSDPA and front-facing infrared camera can help. It's available now in Korea and could be the difference between making a solo bed-spin performance or 3- to 6-months served at county for violating your restraining order. The choice is yours for KRW580,000 or about 445 of the green stuff.

Samsung's SCH-W760 with infrared video conferencing is ready for your parole hearing originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:18:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 3:18 am | click here to view more

Samsung Omnia II coming to Austria in September, WinMo 6.5 included

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Samsung's already committed to offering Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrades to Omnia IIs released with 6.1, but just how necessary is that commitment going to end up being in practice? Microsoft's Austrian outpost has announced that the Korean company's latest WinMo superphone will be launching in the domestic market in September with 6.5 already installed -- suggesting that at least some of these handsets in other markets around the world could be coming out of the gate in the same configuration. It also raises new questions about the market launch for 6.5 on a broader scale; we've always known it'd be hitting toward the end of 2009, but we've never gotten an exact date out of anyone for retail availability -- presumably because it has as much to do with manufacturer partners' plans as it does Microsoft's. We're not saying the Austrian Omnia II will be the first WinMo 6.5 retail device anywhere, but at this point, it's looking likely that this'll be in the first wave.

[Via WMExperts, TamsPPC, and wmpoweruser, thanks Daniel M.]

Samsung Omnia II coming to Austria in September, WinMo 6.5 included originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:57:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 2:57 am | click here to view more

BluAnt Wireless' S1 speakerphone reviewed, is well liked

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BluAnt, maker of many fine Bluetooth accessories launched the S1in the recent past and CNET's taken some moments to review it. Sure, we've seen gazillions of speakerphones that attach to the visor in your car but this one adds a fairly low price -- roughly $69 -- A2DP support for streaming your tunes, voice answering, and multipoint connectivity to the mix. CNET liked the price, tiny size, and the call quality, but were down on the volume rocker's stiffness, and the fact that S1 doesn't announce the incoming caller's info. We're every for music streaming and answering a call by speaking to it, but if you steer a convertible, you may want to look for something in the higher end that'll handle every the wind noise.

BluAnt Wireless' S1 speakerphone reviewed, is well liked originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 2:33 pm | click here to view more

Apple patching nasty iPhone SMS vulnerability

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Given the hype surrounding Apple's iPhone, we're actually surprised that we haven't seen more holes to plug over the years. In fact, the last major iPhone exploit to take the world by storm happened right around this time two years ago, and now -- thanks to OS X security expert Charlie Miller -- we're seeing yet another arrive to light. Over at the SyScan conference in Singapore, Mr. Miller disclosed a hole that would let attackers "run software code on the phone that is sent by SMS over a mobile operator's network in order to monitor the location of the phone using GPS, turn on the phone's microphone to eavesdrop on conversations, or make the phone join a distributed denial of service attack or a botnet." Charlie's planning to detail the vulnerability in full at the upcoming Black cap conference, but Apple's hoping to have it every patched up by the end of this month.

[Via HotHardware]

Apple patching nasty iPhone SMS vulnerability originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 1:01 pm | click here to view more

Slower growth for mobile phone operators

KUALA LUMPUR: Mobile phone operators will have to brace for slower revenue growth in the short term due to the fallout from the recession, says Ovum, a global advisory and consulting firm.

2 Jul 2009, 12:06 am | click here to view more

TracFone's $45 Straight Talk unlimited plan punishes you with brutal hardware

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They say "there's no such thing as a free lunch." They also say "there's no such thing as an unlimited contract-free $45 monthly unlimited plan that offers awesome phones," so we're not terribly surprised to look that TracFone's new blowout offering -- dubbed Straight Talk -- is rife with ancient Motorolas (with a RAZR V3a thrown in for good measure, of course) and an LG flip that we're pretty sure we saw McClane use in the first Die difficult. Then again, the plan becomes the one of the cheapest for unlimited voice and text anywhere -- and if you're less heavy on the minutes you can even step down to 1,000 minutes and 1,000 texts for $30 -- so we'll let it slide. But seriously, TracFone, we expect a V9 by 2012.

[Via Phone Scoop]

TracFone's $45 Straight Talk unlimited plan punishes you with brutal hardware originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:59:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 10:59 pm | click here to view more

HTC Hero hits FCC with US 3G

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No mention was made of a Hero with 3G that'd work on Rogers or AT&T back at its announcement a few days ago, but HTC has been getting awfully good at making phones that work properly around these parts -- so we can't say we're entirely surprised to look a Hero approved for WCDMA on Bands II and V gracing the FCC today. For the record, Bands II and V are 1900 and 850MHz, respectively, which is exactly the combo AT&T subscribers would need to flip the switch on high-speed data. We're not sure if this negates rumors that the Hero would be coming to Sprint, but if we can just receive this version released and in our hands, you know... maybe our minds would be operating with a little more clarity.

HTC Hero hits FCC with US 3G originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:54:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 10:54 am | click here to view more

Microsoft prepares 'Pink' mobile phone launch - report

(Telecompaper) Microsoft is preparing to launch its possess mobile phone in a project code-named Pink, ZDNet reports. The Microsoft-branded phone will launch with a set of accompanying consumer services being developed largely by the Danger team that Microsoft acquired last year. Pink will build on top of the core Windows Mobile 7 platform, according to ZDnet's sources, but will look different from ...

2 Jul 2009, 10:45 am | click here to view more

Ovi Maps graduates from beta

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Following a beta kickoff tardy last year, Ovi Maps -- the latest iteration of Nokia Maps -- is now final and ready for download. It's a pretty big upgrade from the product it replaces, bringing 3D landmarks, higher-resolution satellite imagery available in both 2D and 3D modes, a wider variety of point-of-interest information for destinations, integrated weather forecasts, enhanced pedestrian and automotive turn-by-turn navigation modes, and -- a biggie for yankees -- real-time traffic information for the US. It's a big, worthwhile spec bump, and by our count, it's currently compatible with 26 S60-based Nokia devices; owners of some recent phones (the E51, for example) will be disappointed to look that they're being left behind in the old Nokia Maps realm, but who knows -- maybe some sweet-talking (or fit-throwing) would help the situation.

Ovi Maps graduates from beta originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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2 Jul 2009, 10:20 am | click here to view more

Palm to disclose UK Pre launch details next week?

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We heard way back at CES that a GSM Pre was in the works, but not until now have we heard who exactly in the world would be using it. According to confirmation received by T3, Palm is gearing up to disclose the whos, whats and wheres behind the UK launch next week, meaning that we've got seven days (give or take) to twiddle our thumbs until we know which carrier (O2 or Vodafone, most likely), how much and when it'll be available for purchase. We know it's agonizing, but at least you've a time frame to circle in your Trapper Keeper now, right?

Palm to disclose UK Pre launch details next week? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 9:06 am | click here to view more

Zer01 "launches," still not really available to end users

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Upstart Zer01 has been touting its so-called "Veritable Mobile Convergence" technology since early in the year, promising to attach to every sorts of carriers with which it has agreements around the world to bring unlimited data and calling to the masses, and now they've launched -- sort of. It turns out that the company is actually looking for partners that'll resell the service, which focuses on data and uses VoIP to deliver on its promises; what that means to anyone navigating to the site right now to sign up for a new line is that... well, you can't. You'll need to buy service through a distributor, and since Zer01 doesn't have a distributor network yet, that's a little difficult to do -- so for every practical purposes, the wait for cheap wireless data nirvana continues.

Zer01 "launches," still not really available to end users originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:51:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 7:51 pm | click here to view more

Toshiba's TG01 stepping out in London on July 9th

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It's already out in Japan and a few select countries in Europe, now Toshiba's skinny TG01 is hitting London on Thursday, July 9th. Presumably the invite will be met with an official UK launch of Tosh's deftly skinned Snapdragon handset with a Windows Mobile 6.1 core. Then again, it could be a lot of tech reporters eating mini triangular sandwiches slathered with pickle spread discussing the HTC Hero for four hours. We'll let you know next week.

Toshiba's TG01 stepping out in London on July 9th originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:28:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 7:28 am | click here to view more

Schoolboy robbed of mobile phone by train passenger

A schoolboy was robbed of his mobile phone on a train.

1 Jul 2009, 7:01 am | click here to view more

Best Buy-sponsored survey shows that Americans want smartphones even though they don't understand them

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Best Buy-sponsored survey shows that Americans want smartphones even though they don't understand them
Do you understand your smartphone... really understand it? Know its moods, its wants, its desires? A survey hosted by Best Buy Mobile shows that half of people don't, with 47 percent saying the things confuse the heck out of them, while 60 percent of those aged 35 - 49 feel that people with smartphones spend too much time working and not enough time playing Wii Sports Bowling. Those feelings of confusion and ire doesn't cease a "sizable segment" of the relax of the 1,000 people surveyed from wanting a handset with brains, with most desiring access to the sort of apps you can't receive on dumbphones, and 14 percent of women saying that playing games was "very important" -- only nine percent of men said the same. Sadly, there was no figure indicating how many people like paying too much for text messages and signing their lives away on lengthy contracts.

Best Buy-sponsored survey shows that Americans want smartphones even though they don't understand them originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 6:57 am | click here to view more

Hulu still silent on PS3, Windows Mobile blocking - but there's a free solution

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A few days after blocking PlayStation 3 users, Hulu has yet to respond to questions concerning the change which has only helped to fuel rumors it is related to the Microsoft ad campaign currently featured on the site, but that seems less likely now that we've confirmed it also began blocking the Flash-enabled Skyfire browser on Windows Mobile devices at the same time. Whatever the cause is, if you prefer a homegrown hack over something like PlayOn or TVersity, Eric over at ypass.net has put together a simple enough walkthrough for creating an "unblockable" workaround by setting up a locally connected PC running Linux or Windows with the freely available Squid proxy server software that will make your PS3 look like appear as a PC running a Firefox (or whatever you prefer) browser to any website that asks. Of course, just like the other solutions your computer will need to stay running to keep you connected, but we figure it's a tiny price to pay for enjoying relatively low res Flash video running on an HDTV.

Read - Got a PS3? Want Hulu Back? Easy enough...
Read - Squid-setup for Windows NT /2k /X

Hulu still silent on PS3, Windows Mobile blocking - but there's a free solution originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:08:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 6:08 pm | click here to view more

Amazon to roll out Kindle reader to WinMo, others?

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Right about the time Kindle for iPhone hit the App Store, Amazon's true intentions in the e-book space started to become clear: it wasn't about dominating the market end-to-end with Amazon-branded equipment. It never was; that's Apple's game, of course, but Bezos and Company were taking a starkly different tack. Instead, Amazon almost seemed to yell "please, someone else do this for us" by creating powerful, well-intentioned devices in the original Kindle, the Kindle 2, and the Kindle DX that scream "reference design" more than they scream to would-be customers buying on sex appeal or real-world ergonomics. It's clear now that Kindle is a platform, not a piece of hardware, and Amazon's specialty is the same as it has been since day one of the Washington-based company -- delivering content. If people buy Kindles in the course of discovering the platform, Amazon figures that's every well and good, but the ultimate goal is to bring them into that content ecosystem at any cost, which means building software that can extend Kindle support to as many platforms as humanly possible. After tackling the iPhone, rumors are swirling that Windows Mobile may be next on news that the company is actively hiring WinMo engineers; the timing would certainly be right with the imminent launch of 6.5 and the Windows Marketplace, and if there's one thing that could help keep the WinMo loyal in the fray for another build, it might be a stellar e-reader. Granted, there are already great e-readers out there for the platform, but how many tap into the Kindle universe?

[Via PhoneArena]

Amazon to roll out Kindle reader to WinMo, others? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:37:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 5:37 pm | click here to view more

GSM Pre to launch on O2 in UK

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We heard earlier this morning that the GSM Pre was set for a UK launch, and now it sounds like things are coming together: The Guardian says the Palm's baby will launch on O2. That makes perfect sense, O2 owner Telefonica reportedly secured broad global rights to the Pre back in March. Of course, this is every yet to be official, but with actual GSM handsets floating around out there and an announcement expected next week, we're guessing we don't have too much longer to wait.

GSM Pre to launch on O2 in UK originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 3:58 pm | click here to view more

Video: Nokia 6790 Surge / Mako gets a QIK onto the small screen

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Having already given you the AT&T spec sheet and images on this new Nokia, the only things missing are launch date, price, and a bit of video. Well, a janky QIK video just made its way to YouTube claiming that Nokia's Mako is coming to AT&T in mid-July as the 6790 Surge. It should be "priced pretty well" but those details haven't been finalized. So if a quick messaging device running S60 beneath a 2.4-inch 240x320 pixel display with HSDPA data and 2 megapixel camera is enough motivation to prompt another mouse-click then by every means, click through for the video overview provided after the break. Stay chilly, bye.

Continue reading Video: Nokia 6790 Surge / Mako gets a QIK onto the tiny screen

Video: Nokia 6790 Surge / Mako gets a QIK onto the tiny screen originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:07:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 3:07 am | click here to view more

Microsoft's "Pink" smartphone to be Microsoft-branded?

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Ready for even more rumors about Windows Mobile 7 and Microsoft's mysterious "Pink" smartphone project? Good, cause we've got a few -- and the first is potentially huge. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley says her best understanding of "Pink" is now that it's a Microsoft-branded phone running a custom UI on top of Windows Mobile 7, developed by what's left of the Danger team and targeted at the Sidekick market. Yep, Microsoft-branded -- as in, the exact thing Microsoft has been denying for ages now. What's more, Redmond wouldn't be letting third parties use this new UI -- Pink would be manufactured only by Sharp or Motorola, who've made Sidekicks in the past. It every makes sense, even if it does feel a bit like MS is knifing its partners in the back -- companies like HTC and Samsung have been equally aggressive in layering their possess UIs like TouchFLO 3D and TouchWiz on top of WinMo, but it's another thing entirely to compete against Microsoft itself, especially now that AdWeek says Microsoft's selected an agency to develop a Pink ad campaign. Yeah, things are starting to receive a little wild -- we haven't even mentioned the open questions of whether the Zune HD is running Tegra because it's based on Windows Mobile 7 Chassis 1, or whether Pink will launch on Verizon, or whether Zune will appear on other phones, or... you receive the idea. Hey Microsoft -- you want to clear any of this up by shipping some products?

Read - ZDNet
Read - AdWeek

Microsoft's "Pink" smartphone to be Microsoft-branded? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 3:03 pm | click here to view more

Frustratingly long secret code enables totally useful landscape email on Pre

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It's one thing to bury something like developer mode -- a mode that the average Pre user will never need -- behind a cute-but-exhausting throwback Konami code, but it's quite another to hide useful stuff that way. A PreCentral tipster discovered that entering "RocknRollHax" on the keyboard (and yes, capitalization is important here) while in the email app enables the previously missing capability to use it in landscape mode; presumably Palm hid it from end users because they thought it was too buggy or weird for mainstream use, but it certainly works alright for us. Worst part is that the code needs to be re-entered each and every time the email app starts, so you'd better really want it -- but at least you don't have to root to receive it.

Frustratingly long secret code enables totally useful landscape email on Pre originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:03:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 3:03 am | click here to view more

Nokia N97 firmware update 1.1 is live

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Well, today is July 1st -- and Canada day, we'll have you know -- and true to our mention and Nokia's word, the N97's update of glory to version 1.1 (11.x.021) has indeed landed. So, what treats lie in store for you lucky Nokia N97 users? According to the changelog posted by Serie-N.it, we can expect a USB detection fix, widget fixes, some MfE (Mail for Exchange) tweaks, UI transition improvements, photo thumbnail performance improvements, and the backlight issue that made out very possess Chris Z. howl with rage is apparently patched, too. Yeah, that's every we're seeing, though, perhaps more will arrive to light once we've seen it updated and hear people telling their tales. Let us know how you receive on, won't you?

[Thanks, serie-N.it for the changelog]

Nokia N97 firmware update 1.1 is live originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:47:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 2:47 pm | click here to view more

Sprint matches Verizon's pace, launching BlackBerry Tour on July 12

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So much for exclusivity, eh? Sprint is staying toe-to-toe with Verizon in the race to receive the BlackBerry Tour to market, launching the consensus hottest RIM device to date on July 12 for $199.99 on contract after rebates. It's awfully refreshing to look an ominous statement like "later this summer" morph into "early summer" instead of slipping into the "dead of winter" as is every too often the case with hotly-anticipated phones, and we have a sneaking suspicion the Tour's gonna sell like a remastered Bonnie Tyler live album (that's a good thing, by the way). Who's in?

Sprint matches Verizon's pace, launching BlackBerry Tour on July 12 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:14:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 1:14 pm | click here to view more

Verizon BlackBerry Tour unboxing

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You might say that Verizon's brand new BlackBerry Tour 9630... ahem, took a "tour" through our offices this morning, gracing us with its QWERTY-having, global-roaming, 8830-killing presence. There's absolutely no question it's the best-looking CDMA BlackBerry to date and we also think you'll be able to cease Bold owners in their tracks as you flash this thing around town; we'd argue that the Curve 8900 is still a cuter handset when you take the company's lineup as a whole, but then again, the 8900 lacks 3G, and the Tour's keyboard might just be the best RIM's ever crafted for a phone. Bottom line, owners of any BlackBerry on Verizon or Sprint should be salivating at the sight of this thing -- and if they're not, honestly, they need their salivary glands checked. Stay tuned for our full review, but in the meantime, like an unboxing and a few quick shots of the Tour taking its first breaths!

Gallery: Verizon BlackBerry Tour unboxing

Verizon BlackBerry Tour unboxing originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:12:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 12:12 pm | click here to view more

Lost phone reveals scary truth about mobile Web charges

I knew that mobile data charges - for those without an unlimited usage plan - could add up quick. But this is crazy. My mom-in-law lost her phone - at the grocery store on Monday morning, she thinks - but didn't notice until she went to make a call on Tuesday morning that it was missing. So she did what any of us would do - she called her cell phone number from her home phone, hoping she'd ...

1 Jul 2009, 10:57 am | click here to view more

Vodafone launches Europe's first 3G femtocell today

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Sprint and Verizon have been enjoying their CDMA femtocells stateside for a while now, but Vodafone becomes the first to do the honors in Europe today by launching the continent's first commercial 3G femtocell, christened the Vodafone Access Gateway. The device -- seemingly sourced from Alcatel-Lucent -- requires an in-home broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 1Mbps. It's rumored to be capable of full HSPA, enough horsepower to feed even high-end Voda handsets with WiFi-free broadband in places around the home where reception's normally a little dicey (or absent altogether), and it'll steer up to four authorized phones with it at the same time. Anyone on a £30 monthly contract or higher can receive it at no charge, but otherwise, you can expect to pay £160 (about $263) for the pleasure of building out Voda's network on its behalf. So, AT&T, what's going on over there, guys?

[Via Slashdot and eWeekEurope]

Vodafone launches Europe's first 3G femtocell today originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:42:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 10:42 am | click here to view more

3 UK launches Nokia N97, Skype calling's a go

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3 UK has thrown the N97 up on its site, so let the Nokia N97 orders start. Of course, 3's "free calling" is plastered every over the N97's order page, so if you're a Skype fan, or an existing customer enjoying every that free calling, you'll still feel at home. Pricing on this do-it-every bad-boy is £free as long as you're willing to fork out £35 plus per month for the privilege. If you're more of a pay as you go type, fear not, you can still grab the N97, but it'll cost you somewhere in the £319 range. The website lists July 3rd as the earliest shipping date if you grab at it today, so quit reading and start ordering.

[Via Unwired View]

3 UK launches Nokia N97, Skype calling's a go originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:24:00 EST. Please look our terms for use of feeds.

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1 Jul 2009, 10:24 pm | click here to view more