As you can see from the pictures, this is about as basic of a cell phone as you can get; it looks like a toy, almost as if it came in a child’s playset or a novelty store. It is a fully functional cell phone, however, that isn’t tied to any carriers, services, or stores. Likewise, the blogger says that the $12 price tag is for a single unit, not a bulk discount rate, and that it isn’t priced as part of any sort of promotion. Just an ordinary, very cheap cell phone.

Word has it the actual construction price of the cell phone is in the single digits, meaning you’ve probably spent more on a movie ticket than it cost to make a simple cell phone. As the blogger points out, the cell phone without a name is less than half the price of the Arduino Uno while offering quite a bit more (relatively speaking) in terms of hardware. Such a conundrum prompted a teardown.

Opening the cell phone was as easy as popping its plastic apart, revealing a nearly connector-free board harboring a MediaTek MT6250DA and a Vanchip VC5276. Says Bunnie Studios, volume pricing for the MediaTek is less than $2. There’s a battery soldered to the board, as well as a Bluetooth antenna and a backlit keypad. While the teardown didn’t entirely solve the mystery of why it is so cheap, it was an intersting look nonetheless, showing that, in a perfect world with the right contacts, a simple cell phone without any plan subsidization or other factors can be assembled for about the cost of your last meal.

[via Bunnie Studios]

Joining in on the fight is Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, Utah representative Jason Chaffetz, California representative Darrell Issa, Colorado representative Jared Polis, and California representative Anna Eshoo. Eshoo is also planning on drafting up a bill similar to Senator Amy Klobuchar’s. She says, “The ban on unlocking cell phones puts consumers in the back seat when it comes to choosing the mobile device and service that best suits them”.

Senator Ron Wyden drafted up the “My Wireless Device Independence Act” to “ensure you can unlock your device.” He was the first senator to create a bill on the topic. Representative Jason Chaffetz is working on legislation as well, saying, “It is a freedom issue. You own the phone, you should be able to unlock it” The other representatives, while not drafting any bills, will be offering their full support to the cause.

With so much support for this issue, and being backed by so many members of congress, it seems like there’s a very good chance that cell phone unlocking can once again be legal. Consumers were outraged when the law went into effect January 26th. They paid a lot of money for their device, and having restrictions on what they could do with it didn’t seem to make any sense at all.

[via PC Magazine]

Now that the White House has agreed that cell phone unlocking should be legal, they have to work on a variety of different ways to remedy the problem. R. David Edelman, the White House’s Senior Adviser for internet, innovation, and privacy, wrote that the Obama Administration is working on legislative fixes that will make it clear that, “neither criminal law nor technological locks should prevent consumers from switching carriers when they are no longer bound by a service agreement or other obligation.”

Edelman also wrote that the FCC and the mobile service providers will have huge roles to play in terms of legalizing cell phone unlocking. The FCC released a statement saying, “From a communications policy perspective, this raises serious competition and innovation concerns, and for wireless consumers, it doesn’t pass the common sense test.” The FCC will further analyze the situation to see whether or not consumers should be able to unlock their phones. It also encourages Congress to think up some solutions to the problem.

Consumers should be very happy now that the White House is siding with them, especially since the ban on cell phone unlocking caused a lot of outrage in the wireless community. By sticking out their contracts, or by buying their phones off contract, they should be able to do whatever they want with their device. T-Mobile should also be happy about the White House’s decision, seeing as it’s been gunning for AT&T customers to convert over to its service with their unlocked mobile devices.

We’ll keep you posted on any updates regarding this issue. Edelman wrote that the White House will continue to work to “ensure our laws keep pace with changing technology, protect the economic competitiveness that has led to such innovation in this space, and offer consumers the flexibility and freedoms they deserve.”

[via White House]

Back in April, we reported that the FCC and wireless carriers were joining forces to create a national database for zapping stolen phones into serviceable gadgets. Part of that database is now live, and works by blocking the stolen cell phone’s IMEI number, making it impossible to get service. AT&T and T-Mobile have both launched a joint database that blocks stolen phones, while Verizon and Sprint are slated to launch their own databases soon.

By the end of November 2013, the four major carriers will merge their databases, with smaller carriers joining in, to create a unified system for targeting and blocking stolen phones. Also in the plans is joining the national database with an international one to block stolen phone use overseas. “The goal is to not only protect the consumer by cancelling the service, but by ultimately protecting the consumer by drying up the after market for stolen phones,” said CTIA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Guttman-McCabe.

Consumers are also being encouraged to join in the anti-smartphone theft task. Cell phone users advised to use PINs or passwords with lock their phones, and to enable remote wiping capabilities. “Consumers also play a key role in protecting their information and preventing smartphone theft. By using passwords or PINs, as well as remote wiping capabilities, consumers can help to dry up the aftermarket for stolen devices.”

[via Network World]

Passengers aboard Boeing’s 747-8, massive 787 Dreamliner, and 777′s will soon be able to use their cell phones according to the company and CNET. Back in July when Boeing unveiled their new 787 Dreamliner they were showing off their Android-based entertainment systems on board — but apparently that wasn’t the only Android and smartphone usage they had in mind.

Here in the US however, the FAA has a ban in place that probably will never allow for such activity. So the uses for this new technology and improvements isn’t really known at this point. Whether other countries and officials will allow the use of cell phones is an entirely different situation. Yes we have on-flight WiFi, but making calls is another level.

Along with cell phone use, WiFi as usual, and more, Boeing also states they’ll have actual live TV, and even wireless media streaming by sometime in 2014. If you need to have a video conference while sky high — Boeing will have you covered. Many still think smartphone usage on planes is no big deal and of no security concern, just ask Alec Baldwin.

[via AndroidCommunity]

Check each of these out in short: first, the Motorola Clutch. It’s a walkie-talkie functional device that works on Nextel Direct iDEN networks that connect you with all of your contacts at the push of a button. You’ll also be able to work with thread messaging and a lovely QWERTY keyboard that’ll allow you to rock and roll text-o-rama all night long.

The Motorola Theory is a device that’s got a high-finish premium design that they’re calling Sleek and Sophisticated, and we’d agree! Again you’ll get a lovely QWERTY keyboard, a 2.4-inch color QVGA screen, threaded messaging, and instant messaging and web browsing. This’ll be sweet with the unlimited plan you’ll be grabbing with the handset.

Finally there’s the Motorola i412, a small phone with a large battery: rolling in with a 1130 mAh battery giving you up to 3.4 hours of talk time and 4 days of standby, allowing you the modern full day of action as all good high-end phones should have. You’ll also be able to use Java enabled apps and games including packaged sports, weather, and stock apps for your pleasure.

Go out and get em! We’ll be checking them out for you too soon!

The basic idea is alright. The biggest thing that they emphasize is taking the phone back to the idea as primarily a communications device. They decry the proliferation of apps above human interaction. The response comes in the form of a neato little phone.

I’m not hugely impressed. To me, this thing looks like a redesigned jitterbug. At least it’s going to have a camera. If it has a very good camera, it might even be worth it for people who are stuck on AT&T who can’t really take advantage of their full data capabilities anyway.

[via Concept Phones]

And here is the wheel:

Phil Hickey, the Global Digital Marketing Manager at Nokia said, “The Green Zone, Powered by Nokia is our way of delivering even further on our awesome sustainability credentials. The Hamster Wheel, inspired by an invention from our community, is a fun and playful way to add value to the SXSW experience and get the alternative energy message across in a truly interactive way. Also, if you happen to be in the area on St. Patrick’s Day, we will have a special guest powering the wheel that will definitely be worth checking out!”

Nokia will also have bikes (more wheels) available for phone charging at the festival.

As promised, here is the video of Nokia’s “it’s not technology, it’s what you do with it” ad, featuring the original hamster wheel.

The tiny turbine is pressed against the side of the front wheel and as the wheel spins it generates power that is sent to your phone. Nokia’s charger is available in Europe, Asia, India, Africa, and Europe. There was no information on when or if the charger will make its way to North America. The charger starts charging when the rider reaches six kilometers per hour and Nokia says that it’s just as effective as a standard wall charger if a rider gets to 12 kilometers per hour. Using the charger for 20 minutes at 10 kilometers per hour can power up a Nokia 1202 for one hour of talk time or 74 hours of standby time.

This isn’t a novel idea as two students from the University of Kenya came up with a bicycle powered charger four years ago and filed patents under Kenyan law. The two unfortunately didn’t have the money or backing to effectively promote their product. Motorola is also rumored to be developing their own bicycle powered charger. The Nokia bicycle phone charger costs around $33.

[via TreeHugger]

The phone will have a flashlight built in, and will have a staggering battery life of 61 days. It also includes five phone books, allowing the phone to be shared within a family, or even with neighbors. Even though the price is low, that is still a lot of money for many people around the world, so this may need to be a community phone.

Additional features:

• Three dedicated player keys and single-key playlist creator
• Supports MicroSD memory cards for storage up to 16GB
• Integrated FM radio
• Uses Series 30 operating system
• Measures 112.2 x 47.3 x 16mm, weighs 91g

The phone will be available starting in April.

[via Nokia Conversations]

The Sydsvenskan newspaper spoke with Anders Åsberg, the head of marketing and development at Posten AB, the Swedish postal service. This idea is a new one, “We’re very interested and are just now looking into a solution.” He mentions that there isn’t a more significant risk of forgery with the new system. For all of you Swedes out there, this doesn’t mean a rate hike either. The cost of postage should remain the same. Posten AB just wants to make it easier for it’s customers to send mail. The SMS messages will replace stamps on all letters and packages up to 2kg.

Denmark plans on allowing it’s postal customers to use a similar service. They’re about ready to get started with this program. It should launch on April 1.

We talk a lot about SMS messages here on Slashgear. Brush up on the latest SMS news here.

[via The Local]

The concept images we got show two concealed OLED screens, one of them paired with a touchpad. For solar lovers out there, the design includes an integrated solar charging panel on the back of the handset. Joseph also shows a rendering that suggests what seems like a primarily gesture based UI. The touchpad area is a slight concave depression that contains another AMOLED screen. We don’t know why he decided to have a partial touchpad and separate screen when most devices these days seem to be gravitating after the iPhone’s basic design. He claims that the solar charging system will charge the battery to 80% of full capacity. We’re looking forward to seeing this design, and others from Mr. Lee in the future.

Check out our other articles on concept designs here.

[via Concept Phones]

[via Yanko Design]

The phone could also be great for travelling. But for daily use, leaving your phone out in the sun for 2.5 hours at a time probably isn’t realistic. More likely, the phone would charge for 10-15 minutes throughout the day in between uses. In the event the phone goes completely dead, it would take up to 17 hours in the sun to charge it back.

While it is great to be able to use the sun to charge your phone, even supplementally, there are things to consider. Like, will the solar panel get scratched up in your pocket or purse? Will the phone get damaged by extended exposure to sunlight? Maybe a solar powered removable case would be a better idea.

There are two models: one for the US (MTK6573) with support for 850/1900Mhz bands, and one (MTK6516) that works in Europe and much of Asia.

Specs:

• 3.2″ 320×480 Display
• 1GB storage internally, with a microSD card slot
• FM Radio
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
• 3 megapixel rear camera
• 3.5mm audio jack

[via Treehugger]
from MobileCrunch

We’re going to have everything, all of it, more than what a normal set of humans could realistically cover, and we’re bringing it straight to you here on SlashGear as well as on Android Community for the next week! Have at the list below, it being a growing list changing each day and more than likely each half day, hour, and minute! Each tag has a general day to watch out for info especially, with the first three coming up REALLY QUICK:

• Sony Ericsson
• Nokia
• Samsung

This lovely piece of cloth is about to be put on sale (right in time for you know what) for the ultra cheap price of $15. And guess what? Not only does this cloth block your hands with it’s loud lettering, it blocks phone signals to and from your device as it’s made of a smart material that does such a thing. Wacky! Wonderful! Go buy it starting November 25th at Uncommon Goods.

Planes flying overhead, troops approaching from the ground, both of them able to see from the perspective of each-others vantage point. It’d be just like a video game. Imagine that. Owings told reporters of this 2-year possibility at the Annual Association of the U.S. Army conference, 2010. Companies working to secure 4G network systems that would be able to allow video streaming to smart phone in this area are as follows: Textron Inc, Raytheon Co, L-3 Communications Holdings Inc and Sierra Nevada Corp.

Owings went on to say that encryption advances would allow transmission of data within a limited area would be “pretty darn secure.” He also noted that it’d be pretty darn inexpensive to do, as this whole project is being developed on already comercially-available phones.

He said that smaller networks like this could compliment larger systems across the entire battlefield, and that it could potentially be a part of the future of the Army’s unmanned aerial systems planned for September 2011.

Owings said this project, the possibility of sending video images to cell phones securely, has been aided by advances that allow unmanned aerial plan “Textron” to stay in the air longer. Wonderful, wild, terrifying.

[Via Rueters]

When reading the report it was not surprising that the mobile phone is heavily owned and desired by younger consumers however the report indicated that 58% of adults 65 and older now also own a mobile phone.    I would be curious to see more data about how this breaks down for feature phones vs smart phone ownership but that will have to be for a later report.   I would like to call attention to one more piece of data on this chart.

If you take a look a the last two columns showing e-book reader and Tablet computer ownership you will see that they are relatively low.    I fully expect both those numbers to rise over the next year with tablets in particular almost tripling by the end of next year.     The report details that e-book readers are more heavily owned by women than men with the opposite being true with tablets.

I would watch these numbers over the course of the next six month’s to see how much tablet ownership jumps among American’s.     The report is a good read for data heads like myself download from here.

[Source Pew Internet Research]

The Gresso Luxor World Time phone is designed specifically for the world traveler. As you can see from the image above, owners have the ability to bring up the time for six different locations at a time. This is handled by the six independent Swiss clockwork mechanisms. The company says that the power reserve is clocked at 10 years. But, you don’t access the clocks by the front screen. Instead, on the back of the device you’ll find the five clocks showcasing world business centers, including Tokyo, New York, Paris, Moscow, and London. The sixth, and perhaps most important, slot is wherever you want it to be, which can be your home, or where you might be travelling to.

The thickness of the new phone’s case is only 2 mm, and you’ll find two 97-carat sapphire crystals with a high-glass coating on the device, too. But, if you need more sapphire crystals, the keyboard is made from them, too. The phone is encased in a titanium alloy, which Gresso had specially designed for their new phone. Oh, and the back panel? That features Italian leather. You can order one of Gresso’s new Luxor World Time phones right now if you want, but be prepared for the price: $6,000.

[via ChipChick]

The device would feature a small thermogenerator, that would convert heat into energy. The idea would be to be able to put the device in your pocket, and thanks to your body heat, give the device a slight charge throughout the day, whenever it is in your pocket. Theoretically, this would give the device a small charge, but it could get a big boost of energy if you were to put it on, say, a heater.

It is just a concept device, but the idea is a good one. And the design doesn’t have to be so outlandish that it will never get to market. Will it show up next year? Probably not. But, there is a small glimmer of hope that a device like this could show up sooner than later.

[via Dezeen]

The Laser is marketed as a quick messaging phone, but some of the features may strike it similar to some smartphones we see on the market now. For instance, the device has a 3.1-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display. You’ll be able to access your email, social networking services like MySpace and Twitter, and Pantech’s new “Drawing Commander,” which lets you simply draw a shape on the display, and the device will launch an app, make a call, or even start a message.

The Pantech Laser will be made available in AT&T stores beginning October 17th. It will be made available online at the same time, too. It will cost you $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. You’ll have to sign a new, two-year contract and pay at least $20 per month for messaging, or higher for a messaging/data plan to get the discounted price, too. Check out the full press release below.

Press Release

AT&T* announced today the latest addition to its portfolio of quick messaging phones – the Pantech Laser will be available exclusively through AT&T beginning October 17.

Pantech Laser is the thinnest, full sliding keyboard device (9.95mm) AT&T has ever offered.

Pantech Laser will be available in AT&T company owned stores nationwide and online for $99.99 after $50 mail-in rebate (pay $149.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card. Two-year agreement and $20 a month messaging or combination of messaging/data plan required).

Customer Benefits

The Pantech Laser, an ultra-slim and stylish quick messaging phone that features a vibrant 3.1” AMOLED touchscreen and a full sliding QWERTY keyboard, allows for access to email, social networking and messaging. From the touchcreen, users can activate Drawing Commander, a feature that allows for calls to be made, messages to be opened or favorite apps to be accessed by simply tracing a shape with a finger. Laser further prioritizes the personal experience by allowing voice memos to be recorded on the Voice Memo app and shared via text, or the 3MP camera to be used for updating social media statuses with pictures and videos. Pantech’s latest quick messaging phone proves that functionality doesn’t have to be sacrificed for a thin phone.

In addition, the Pantech Laser boasts:

AT&T Address Book –syncs contacts to an online address book so customers can access and manage their mobile contacts from their handset — or their PC. Synchronization occurs automatically when any change is made, so contact information is always backed up.
AT&T Navigator –offers turn-by-turn voice and onscreen driving directions, automatic rerouting, real-time traffic monitoring and more. AT&T Navigator is available for $9.99 per month, and new subscribers receive their first 30 days of their subscription for free.
AT&T Social Net – provides easy access to all your social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace in one easy-to-use interface.
AT&T Mobile Share – helps customers quickly transfer photos and videos captured on their mobile phone to other destinations and allows customers to manage that content across the mobile and PC screens.

Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract & rate plan brochure for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing addr. within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activ. fee applies. Equipment price & avail may vary by mrk & may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to equipment returns; thereafter up to $150. Some agents impose add’l fees. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.
2AT&T Promotion Card: Allow 60 days for fulfillment. Card may be used only in the U.S. is valid for 120 days after issuance date but is not redeemable for cash & cannot be used for cash withdrawal at ATMs or automated gasoline pumps. Card request must be postmarked by Nov. 6, 2010 & you must be a customer for 30 consecutive days to receive card.

Messaging charges apply to voice memos sent via text.

4Mobile Share-Requires a data plan. Monthly Recurring Plan includes 50 transfers. The overage rate and Pay-per-use rate is 35 cents for each transfer. You are charged for each transfer to or from your device. Transfers exceeding 2 MBs will be charged for each additional 2 MB increment or fraction thereof. Normal data charges apply when browsing your online locker or other sites from your Mobile device

Pricing established by AT&T for AT&T-owned retail outlets.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

The keyboard is designed to mimic the wavy seabed and the display wraps around the edges of the concept. It all looks really cool and very organic and smooth. The name Nagisa means beach in Japanese and I can certainly see the beach theme.

I still say it looks more like a surfboard than anything actually having to do with the beach or the seabed. The back of the phone is rounded and when it sits, flat most of the back is raised off the surface of the table.

The little black dress comes from anthropologist Ryan Genz and fashion designer Francesca Rosella. As you can see form the image, it’s specifically designed to be that “little black dress” that all women have, or want, hanging up in their closet. But this one comes with a surprise. Notice how the model is holding her hand up to her face? That’s not just a fashionable pose. The dress is actually installed with gesture recognition software, and it will actually answer an incoming call as you raise your hand to your face. Just like you would if you were actually holding a phone to your ear. As you might guess, the phone call will be disconnected when you lower your hand.

Where’s the antenna? That would be sewed into the hem-line of the dress. As for the aforementioned SIM card, there’s a place for the dress’ pre-configured card under the label. It has its own phone number, so you’ll have to get your phone calls to your cell phone forwarded to it, if you want to take advantage of it. The dress itself will be sold on CuteCircuit‘s website, and be the start of the company’s first commercial line-up. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any way to make phone calls (how about some voice recognition?), or see who is calling you at any given moment. And, while it doesn’t say how you can tell when someone’s calling, we’ve got plenty of ideas.

[via GearLog]

While it may be confusing at first to look at, once you realize that the device would be utilizing flexible display technology, then it all starts to make sense. And, as you can see from the images, the design isn’t meant to work around a physical keyboard, but focuses more on the touchscreen outlook on things. Right there, though, might make more people not want the device, rather than want it.

Flipping open the outer shell, you will be able to use the flexible display to “slide” it upward, so that instead of having a 3-inch display, you now have a 5-inch one. Great for when you want to send a long email, but don’t want to squint the entire time you do it. The designer, one Hank Chen from Taiwan, obviously intends this to give the owner everything they want, without having to utilize many difference devices. And we’re all for that. We’re just hoping that at some point, the device itself gets a little thinner.

[via The Design Blog]

The Haven is a flip phone that looks like something from years gone by. It rocks a 2.2-inch LCD with adjustable font sizes and dedicated keys for the speakerphone and in case of emergency numbers. There is also a dedicated 911 key. The device is oriented towards the elderly with poor vision that need a simple handset.

The Haven will cost you $39.99 with a new contract and will land on July 29 in stores. I would worry about that dedicated 911 key, hit the wrong button and the user will have some explaining to do.

According to Gartner’s PC installed base forecast, the total number of PCs in use will reach 1.78 billion units in 2013. By 2013, the combined installed base of smartphones and browser-equipped enhanced phones should exceed 1.82 billion units and will outnumber the installed base for PCs thereafter.

These prognostications listed below are among the other predictions made by Gartner:

By 2012, Facebook will become the hub for social network integration and Web socialization.

By 2012, 20 percent of businesses will own no IT assets.

By 2014, over 3 billion of the world’s adult population will be able to transact electronically via mobile or Internet technology.

The Laylo is equipped with a 2.2-inch high-resolution contoured display, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a hidden vanity mirror.  The attention-grabbing Domino is outfitted with a large display, roomy keyboard, and full-bodied sound quality.  Both have WAP 2.0 browers, Bluetooth 2.0, and share the ability to run BREW-based apps, a full set of features offered by MetroPCS including news, sports, weather content as well as email access, instant messaging, contact management, and a plethora of others.

The Kyocera Laylo is priced affordably at $100 before rebate, and the Domino at $70 before rebate.

The device is claimed to be the world’s smallest full-function GSM quad-band cell phone watch. The watch promises the same sort of features found in many full size phones with a touchscreen interface, still camera that can record video, and productivity applications. The touchscreen is operated by finger rather than a stylus, which may make the small numbers hard to hit for some users.

The device has a built-in music player and has 4GB of storage via microSD card for music, video, photos, and voice recordings. The device supports Bluetooth connectivity and includes the Communicator that allows the user to control the W PhoneWatch from up to 16 feet away. Using the Communicator users can place and receive calls and listen to MP3 files. The watch weighs 48 grams and has a noise-cancelling mic. The screen is 1.5-inches and the device will sell for $199.

The device originally debuted at $299 and has now been decreased 40% to $179. The manufacturer says that the cost savings is due to a cheaper manufacturing process now used. The device promises to reduce dropped calls and doesn’t require the user to plug their phone into it.

The zBoost device works on TX frequencies 824 to 849 MHz, 1850 – 19010 MHz, and RX frequencies 869-894 MHz and 1930-1990 MHz. The antenna has an external antenna mount and interior patch antenna is included as well. Power for the system is via 12V DC.