GSM Association sets 2012 target date for universal cellphone charger

Well, this is certainly interesting. Just a couple of days after a top European Union commissioner mused about the need for a universal cellphone charger, the GSM Association has now come out and announced that it and 17 of its partner companies are indeed working on such a solution, and that they plan to have a common format in place by 2012. That rather ambitious date will be a bit easier to meet considering the group's choice of connector, micro-USB, which has already gained quite a bit of acceptance as a common format. The use of micro-USB apparently won't be firm requirement by 2012, however, with the GSMA simply saying that the "majority" of new phones sold by then will support what they're describing as the universal charging solution (or UCS), which itself will have to meet a number of strict requirements in order to be broadly compatible. Of course, while everyone including the likes of Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson have signed on with the GSMA, there are a few big names absent, not the least of which, unsurprisingly, is Apple, so there's certainly still quite a ways to go before we have a truly universal standard.



[ Via: BBC News ]

• samsung : at least three Android phones and a LiMo handset in 2009

Pantech's blow-controlled Sky Wind not for the faint of breath

Using our powers of huffing and puffing is nothing new when it comes to device interaction -- even our Wii remote has doubled as an ocarina at some point -- but Pantech's looking to take it a step further with the Korea-bound IM-S410K Sky Wind. Powered by Fantalog Interactive's Emotion Engine software, the device recognizes short and long blows via the microphone and uses it for switching wallpapers, adjusting screen brightness, and -- in a less gimmicky use -- snapping photos with a blast of air while stabilizing the phone with both hands. It also sports movement detection with the camera and relative motion control via accelerometer. Pantech's got a three-year exclusivity agreement on the engine, so expect to see wind recognition touted in more than a few upcoming phones.


[ Via: Engadget ]

HP's iPAQ Data Messenger finally up for pre-order

In reality, HP should've made sure that its iPAQ Data Messenger shipped alongside the Voice Messenger back in December, but given that it didn't, we suppose it's a small victory that the handset is finally up for pre-order in the UK today. Of course, getting any halfway intelligent Briton to spend ?419 ($593) on this already forgotten WinMo 6.1 device (with mobile World Congress just weeks away, no less) is a challenge we're thrilled to not be responsible for.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Boost Mobile touts Motorola's i9 iDEN as coming soon

Vertu's overpriced Signature S Design gets hands-on treatment

We won't lie -- we've always been harsh on Vertu handsets. As a rule, they're technologically inferior to handsets that are a twelfth the price, and honestly, they're usually pretty unsightly. But you know, Boy Genius Report's hands-on experience with the stainless steel Signature S Design really has us back on the fence. Sure, it's the price of a decent subcompact, but man, it's as sleek as sleek could ever hope to be. Have a look in the read link for a hands-on gallery that's sure to make you envious -- whether you're willing to admit it or not.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Android Cupcake in all its keyboard-having glory, T-Mobile plays dumb

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

The economy is putting the hurt on everybody these days -- and while it's no less true for Miu, the company is working feverishly to release their everything-at-once handheld, despite some serious setbacks in the funding department. Ready to go into production at the drop of a hat (and a $500,000 check), there are currently two versions of the device in development -- the basic Atom-powered netbook / PMP / e-book reader will stay at the $500 price point, while the $900 version is a dual-boot Windows XP / CE device that includes a GPS and a mobile phone. As far as we can tell the thing is still a fist-full of ugly, but we hope these crazy kids make it, and we wish them the very best. We really do.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

The economy is putting the hurt on everybody these days -- and while it's no less true for Miu, the company is working feverishly to release their everything-at-once handheld, despite some serious setbacks in the funding department. Ready to go into production at the drop of a hat (and a $500,000 check), there are currently two versions of the device in development -- the basic Atom-powered netbook / PMP / e-book reader will stay at the $500 price point, while the $900 version is a dual-boot Windows XP / CE device that includes a GPS and a mobile phone. As far as we can tell the thing is still a fist-full of ugly, but we hope these crazy kids make it, and we wish them the very best. We really do.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

The economy is putting the hurt on everybody these days -- and while it's no less true for Miu, the company is working feverishly to release their everything-at-once handheld, despite some serious setbacks in the funding department. Ready to go into production at the drop of a hat (and a $500,000 check), there are currently two versions of the device in development -- the basic Atom-powered netbook / PMP / e-book reader will stay at the $500 price point, while the $900 version is a dual-boot Windows XP / CE device that includes a GPS and a mobile phone. As far as we can tell the thing is still a fist-full of ugly, but we hope these crazy kids make it, and we wish them the very best. We really do.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

The economy is putting the hurt on everybody these days -- and while it's no less true for Miu, the company is working feverishly to release their everything-at-once handheld, despite some serious setbacks in the funding department. Ready to go into production at the drop of a hat (and a $500,000 check), there are currently two versions of the device in development -- the basic Atom-powered netbook / PMP / e-book reader will stay at the $500 price point, while the $900 version is a dual-boot Windows XP / CE device that includes a GPS and a mobile phone. As far as we can tell the thing is still a fist-full of ugly, but we hope these crazy kids make it, and we wish them the very best. We really do.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Miu has big plans for the new HDPC, if only they had big money to make them come true

The economy is putting the hurt on everybody these days -- and while it's no less true for Miu, the company is working feverishly to release their everything-at-once handheld, despite some serious setbacks in the funding department. Ready to go into production at the drop of a hat (and a $500,000 check), there are currently two versions of the device in development -- the basic Atom-powered netbook / PMP / e-book reader will stay at the $500 price point, while the $900 version is a dual-boot Windows XP / CE device that includes a GPS and a mobile phone. As far as we can tell the thing is still a fist-full of ugly, but we hope these crazy kids make it, and we wish them the very best. We really do.


[ Via: Engadget ]

• Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Video: Meizu M8 prepped for full-scale launch, IP battle with Apple

Meizu's been on a tear since our last M8 update. Sitting atop a new 0.9.0.1 firmware release complete with working copy and paste, Outlook calendar synchronization, and a "full backup system," the M8 is now supported by a published SDK and licensed to ride the Chinese airwaves for what looks to be a March, mainland China release. With all the passion it could muster, Meizu posted the following announcement to its English website:

Let's bear witness together, to the great moment of MEIZU formally entering the big stage of mobile phone industry!

Currently, the M8 handset with its iPhone roots (but a WinCE core) is only available to an abiding Chinese press and die-hard Meizu fanatics -- a population said to rival the intensity of Apple's own sheeple elite. Having watched the M8 make the transition from art to part over the last few years, we're mighty stoked at the prospective launch to say the least. And while Meizu has clearly trumped Apple's spec sheet (not user experience) in terms of software (copy paste, background task management, video recording, and plenty more) and hardware (720 x 480 pixel display and beefier silicon), we'll bet there's still enough "inspiration" to get Tim Cook and Apple's legal counsel whipped up into a frenzy of Intellectual Property defense. Latest video after the break.




[ Via: Engadget ]

• Huawei bringing Android smartphone to next month's MWC

Palm announcing something at MWC next month, GSM Pre likely

Looks like Palm wants to play ball at Mobile World Congress in February, seeing how they've got a mysteriously password-protected site going called palmmwc2009.com -- a domain name that leaves little to the imagination. There's no telling what our new crush has in store, but if we had to guess, it'd probably be an official unveiling of the 3G GSM version of the Pre; MWC's a European show, after all, and the CDMA version isn't doing 'em much good over there. either that, or they're unveiling a WiMAX Foleo... or maybe webOS was a smokescreen for the real Nova. Do us a big favor and contribute some baseless speculation in comments, alright?
Update: Looks like Palm's already killed the site. Oopsie!


[ Via: Gearlog ]

• Getting lost with a GPS? Unfortunately, yes

NEC M155 Messenger watch phone for healthcare, hospitality, and those without shame

The less we say about this one the better, we're afraid. Billed as "the ultimate messaging device for healthcare and hospitality," the M155 Messenger functions as a speaker phone, a wireless messaging device (presumably SMS), an alarm clock, and boasts a whopping three-line display. And we wouldn't be caught dead wearing it. Not as a watch or, as NEC-Philips recommends, a necklace. Of course, these things are meant to be purchased in bulk for use by hospitals and such, but don't you think those who are entrusted with our health deserve something a little less... insanely ugly? No price or release date -- but does that really matter? Suddenly, the LG watch phone looks pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

[ Via: Engadget ]

• Motorola Aura hands-on

New T-Mobile Dash spotted in the wild, nothing really new about it

Remember that wild, all-black Dash we peeped a couple days ago? We have no intention of scuttling your hopes and dreams, but aside from a few cosmetic differences (they removed the aluminum front piece, the keyboard has been spaced out a little bit, and the OS has been bumped up to Windows mobile 6.1) it looks like the 'new' Dash isn't all that new after all. But who cares if there's nothing revolutionary here? Just take a look at the bright side -- maybe this means we'll be seeing a new Manhattan sometime soon.

[ Via: engadget ]
[ Tag: dash, dash 2, Dash2, excalibur, htc, t-mobile, t-mobile dash, t-mobile dash 2 ]

• Acer's quad-core packing Aspire 8930G hits the streets, guns blazing

Meizu opens flagship store in Shenzhen

If you're going to go to the trouble of procuring an M8 from Meizu, you may as well turn it into an authentic, memorable, world-class experience by making the pilgrimage to Shenzhen, China to pick it up in its hometown. Oh, but don't just pick it up from some random street vendor -- do it up right by swinging on over to Meizu's shiny new flagship store, where you'll be able to select your M8 (or at least see renders of the M8) in a comfortable, relaxed environment while rubbing shoulders with Meizu employees. The fresh digs just opened today, and pictures from the grand opening show an epic mass of humanity waiting for the doors to unlock -- a promising sign for Meizu, and an unfortunate sign that the enochlophobes among us probably ought to wait a few weeks to make the trek.

[ Via: Meizu Me ]
[ Tag: china, flagship, flagship store, FlagshipStore, meizu, shenzen, store ]

• MSI U115 Hybrid SSD / HDD netbook unleashed upon the world , could be awesome

Leaked G1 firmware lets you revert to RC29

Did you accidentally flip the switch on that OTA update to RC30 on your G1 and currently find yourself stuck with a non-root lifestyle? Well thanks to forum member chavonbravo over at xda-developers, things are about to get awesome for you. You can now revert back to RC29 with ease by snagging the uploaded image, renaming, copying to your microSD card, and running through standard procedure for re-flashing the phone. We can attest that the hack does indeed work, so feel free to proceed. Word to the wise, though: getting up to a modded RC30 isn't as easy as some might have you believe, so set aside a little time to walk through the steps (check out ModMyGPhone's guide page for clear instructions).

[ Via: engadget ]
[ Tag: android, g1, google, hack, mod, rc29, rc30, t mobile, t-mobile, tmob, TMobile, update ]

• Cowon S9 review

Samsung's S8300 slider packs AMOLED display, 8-megapixel camera

If Samsung's Soul had your innermost emotions shakin', wait until you wrap your retinas around this. The S8300, which is said to be an upgrade from the aforementioned mobile -- will reportedly come stacked with 7.2Mbps hsdpa connectivity, a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 8-megapixel camera, inbuilt GPS, an FM radio with RDS, 60MB of onboard memory, DivX playback and an "anti-scratch / anti-fingerprint coated duraluminium chassis." There are no promises that it'll be ready for a ces showcase, though we're hearing that a MWC launch is expected in a worst case scenario. Lots more images are hiding in the read link.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: 8-megapixel, AMOLED, OLED, S8300, samsung, slider, Soul ]

• Fujitsu Lifebook with AT&T BroadbandConnect appears, several people really excited

How would you change Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1?

Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 hasn't been the easiest handset to procure here on US soil, despite being "available" since Black Friday. Still, we know hardcore HTC / SE fanatics have figured out a way to get their palms in touch with the X1a (or X1i for international users). You already heard our spill on the handset, but now we're interested in finding out how you'd tweak things if given the all-important keys to the design lab. Would you keep everything the same and just add Android? Would you rework the keyboard? Swap out the touchscreen with a capacitive replacement? Make it available only in turquoise and lime? It's a pretty safe bet that this isn't the last Xx smartphone you'll see from SE, so your thoughts on the matter may actually prove beneficial in time. And... go!

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: features, how would you change, HowWouldYouChange, HTC, HWYC, smartphone, sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Windows Mobile, Windows mobile 6.1, WindowsMobile, WindowsMobile6.1, winmo, winmo 6.1, Winmo6.1, X1, X1a, XPERIA X1, XPERIA X1a, XperiaX1, XperiaX1a ]

• The Fancy Mystery Netbook Leaked

HKC's Pearl rips a RIM name, an HTC design, and a pair of OSes

Goodness, we can already tell that China is going to be a frigging goldmine of weird and wild Android hardware for a long, long time to come. First we had the QiGi i6, which boasted compatibility both with Android and WinMo -- and it's looking like this might be a surprisingly common feature for some of these Chinese devices now that we have another doing the same thing. The HKC Pearl looks suspiciously like a first-gen HTC Touch -- and nothing like its namesake, may we add -- working with a 2.8-inch QVGA display, 256MB of ROM, 128MB of RAM, WiFi, and a 2-megapixel cam to back up its Google- and Microsoft-provided loads. As with the QiGi, the odds of seeing this one outside Asia are slim at best, but hey, at least our colleagues at Engadget Chinese have scored a hands-on to satisfy our collective curiosities.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: android, china, hkc, pearl, windows mobile, WindowsMobile, winmo ]

• Alpha 400 pays a high price for low cost
• Samsung's NC20 netbook: the predictable successor to the NC10

LG's KB770 reviewed in a foreign tongue, unboxed in the universal language

The only information we had on LG's heretofore elusive KB770 was a not-at-all detailed FCC report. Now, however, we're getting our first good glimpse courtesy of a thorough review and hands-on extravaganza originating in the Czech Republic. LG has clearly designed this one with mobile TV and multimedia in mind, and that huge retractable antenna should make for easy reception for those in DVB-T territories. The overall design isn't a great departure from other like-minded handsets (read: the Vu), though critics did find the UI impressively simple to navigate and use. Sadly, the actual quality of the mobile TV -- which, again, is the main selling point here -- left a bit to be desired. All in all, the KB770 just didn't seem to execute as well as it should given the 8,900CZK ($471) price tag, but if you're still interested in seeing what it looks like from every angle imaginable (yes, even that one), the read link should be the next place your browser points to.


[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: global, KB770, LG, mobile tv, MobileTv, review, reviewed ]

• HP TouchSmart tx2z reviewed: multitouch could use some work
• MSI's VR220 YA Edition laptop reviewed : average, or just slightly above

LG Prada II shows up in exhaustive photo spread

We've gotten a few decent looks at the LG Prada II in weeks past, but the Daily Mobile Forum has happened upon a veritable treasure chest of views of the device in glorious detail -- which, if you didn't already know -- is now on sale in Europe. Lucky devils. We've included a few of our favorites after the break, but hit the read link for all 17 (Yes, seventeen!).





[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: leak, leaked photos, LeakedPhotos, lg, lg prada ii, LgPradaIi, prada ii, prada phone, PradaIi, PradaPhone ]

• Dell Studio XPS 13 leather-wrapped laptop revealed, Adamo info leaked!
• Dell Malaysia nabs a Studio 14 laptop before the rest of us