Samsung is preparing to launch its latest Windows Mobile phone, the SGH-i740. The i740 will be running WinMo 6.1 and will come loaded with a 3 megapixel camera, 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen with VibeTonz haptics feedback, built-in GPS receiver, FM radio, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and a microSD expansion slot.
The device is likely to launch in developing countries because it lacks WiFi and 3G meaning it will be less competitive in NA and Europe. We will keep you posted on release dates and pricing when it becomes available.
As a lifelong member of the BlackBerry Nation, I often take for granted the value of my BlackBerry as a business and personal aid. However, I’m sure there are many true believers out there that are not fortunate enough to work for a ‘wireless’ company, and have to make do with a typewriter and an abacus. If that’s the case, you must tell your company about the Smartphone Challenge.
A joint initiative between The Phone Store, RIM, Rackspace Hosting and Sprint, the Smartphone Challenge is an opportunity for companies to get their feet wet with smartphones before making any financial commitments. Here’s the deal: your company gets a 10-day free trial with five Sprint BlackBerrys, full Exchange and BES hosting, and a bunch of free software and other goodies to sweeten the deal. The Phone Store will also host a launch party and training session to make sure everyone is aquainted with their new mobile friends. After the trial period is up, you can either choose to give the devices back or keep them.
Amazingly, the Smartphone Challenge has a 100% success rate. You’ll be hearing more from us about these guys — we always love giving exposure to the true soldiers of the BlackBerry Nation. Until then, check out another picture of the Smartphone Challenge goodie chest, as well as the full press release.
A recent study by NDP Group concluded that American cell phone sales were down 13% this quarter, the third quarter in a row to show a decline. The cost per phone has gone up 14% to $84, but the real kicker is that smartphone sales have doubled since last year, with particular emphasis on the full QWERTY devices out there (like BlackBerrys). The reasoning?
“One explanation might be that there’s a group of consumers that’s holding off, making do with the devices that they have, either because of larger economic concerns or because they don’t see any value yet in the new voice and data services that are driving some of these new handsets,” [said Ross Rubin, NDP's director of industry analysis.]
There’s definitely a grain of truth there, considering how simplistic layouts like the iPhone are winning over a wider audience. The new flip BlackBerry will certainly be tapping into the “I just want a phone” audience by latching onto a recognizable form factor, and potentially be taking an even bigger bite out of the standard cell phone market. It’s just a matter of selling folks on the data services…
Pocket Tunes 4.1.1 is now available and they’ve updated it with three more enhancements and 15 bug fixes. The enhancements are to do with the landscape mode of the media player. One of the great things about this media player is that it comes pre-loaded with a catalog of Internet radio channels. All around, it’s a decent alternative to Windows Media Player.
Tired of sitting around watching all the cool kids and their streaming video? Well now you can join in the fun — Qik has just moved into an open beta phase.
Offering both S60 and Windows Mobile clients (with iPhone allegedly on the way), Qik does a pretty stellar and unique job of streaming live audio and video straight from your handset to your millions of adoring fans glued to their computer monitors around the world.
So go sign up! And if you don’t have millions of adoring fans, be sure to drop me a line with your username. I’ll watch you juggle.
I really like what Vinod Khosla has to say about the smartphone industry and consumer adoption. In this video, he is talking about where we’ll be once consumer education reaches super-saturation. Eventually, consumers will feel comfortable having all their important tools (credit cards, keys, passports etc) all on their smartphone. Personally, I dream of this day.
At the Churchill Club’s 10th Annual Top Ten Tech Trends debate, Vinod Khosla opens shares his thoughts on the future of the humble phone. Your mobile will turn into a mainstream computer. Beyond just e-mail and web access, the phones of the future will have such features as built-in projection screens. High-speed data will make your phone a virtual credit card and ID (even a passport!). Access will open phones up, transforming them into payment systems, personal information filing systems, and much, much more.
The AlwaysOn Network has video of a great panel discussion regarding smartphones. Well, it’s not really a discussion so much as Roger McNamee’s views on the shift from feature phones to smartphones.
Elevation Partner’s Roger McNamee predicts that the mobile device industry’s migration from feature phones to smart phones will produce even greater disruption than what the PC industry experienced as it moved from character-mode to graphical interface
THE SMT5700 is not the most sought-after piece of technology with no 3G or sense of aesthetics. That being said, AT&T should be launching the phone soon even though the FCC approved it over a year ago. The phone will ship with EDGE data and 2 megapixel camera.
Research firm In-Stat is reporting that the world smartphone market will grow by an average of 33% each year through to 2012. In-Stat predicts the strong growth based on several factors:
Mobile-ent.biz’s most recent editorial is about the amount of choice available in the mobile industry. The article uses Sociology professor Barry Schwartz’s book The Paradox of Choice, whose thesis is that too much choice makes consumers unhappy, as the basis for the article. Personally, I have to disagree and say that I will never [...]
The BlackBerry has always been a really unsatisfying device in terms of media. Getting a movie on your BlackBerry involves downloading 3rd party software and although music is a simple drag-and-drop, there aren’t any dedicated keys. To make up for this, RIM is working on a new application for the BlackBerry that will “transfer your [...]
I just recently got an HTC Dash from T-Mobile but in order to use it in Canada I’m going to have to get it unlocked. Here is a QuicklyBored Guide to getting your HTC Dash by T-Mobile unlocked. Executive summary: Check the criteria for unlocking before starting.
The Nseries by Nokia are famous for their superior and unique design. They have the look and feel of a camcorder, messenger and phone all in one. The camera quality is superior to all others with a 5 megapixel Carl Zeiss lens on the N96. Unfortunately, according to a reliable Nokia Blog [...]
A recent study by NDP Group concluded that American cell phone sales were down 13% this quarter, the third quarter in a row to show a decline. The cost per phone has gone up 14% to $84, but the real kicker is that smartphone sales have doubled since last year, with particular emphasis on the full QWERTY devices out there (like BlackBerrys). The reasoning?
