The Alcatel OT-707 measures just 95 x 53 x 13 mm and has a 2.3-inch 240 x 320 touchscreen.  Connectivity is only dualband GSM/GPRS (900/1800MHz) but there’s Bluetooth with support for the A2DP wireless stereo profile, an integrated FM radio and a 1.3-megapixel camera.  Onboard storage maxes out at 10MB, but there’s a microSD slot (good for cards up to 2GB), up to 8hrs of talktime or 350hrs of standby.

Meanwhile the Alcatel OT-800 measures 111 x 58 x 14 mm and has a smaller display, albeit running at the same 320 x 240 resolution.  It adds an extra GSM band and EDGE data, too, with 900/1800/1900MHz support, though still no 3G, and has the Opera Mini browser, an FM radio with RDS and a slightly better 2-megapixel camera. 

Of course, the winning aspect of both these devices is the price-tag.  The Alcatel OT-707 is expected to come in under 100 Euros ($126) while the OT-800 should be even cheaper at around 95 Euros ($120).  No confirmation on release dates nor geographic availability.

[via Unwired View]

We were also quite taken with Nokia’s imagery-obsessed N86 8MP, while the Sony Ericsson Idouobviously struck a chord with readers as our live demo video views shot through the roof.  Meanwhile Samsung brought some AMOLED-display beauties to the show, the UltraTOUCH, Omnia HD and, somewhat less impressive, BEAT DJ. 

The strong showing from Android never arrived, with only the HTC Magic for Vodafone promising to be anything more than vaporware.  NVIDIA did drag along the latest in their reference design series, a $99 MID with 1080p output and a port of Android, but it’s still far from retail-ready.  In fact the biggest platform news came from Microsoft, who launched Windows Mobile 6.5.

There’s much more Mobile World Congress news than I can cover here, so for all the details hit the MWC 2009 tag.  Of course, the world doesn’t stop just because mobile vendors are crowing, so we’ve also looked at the Gateway FX6800-05, the company’s stonking Core i7 gaming PC, and the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE, with its claims of massive battery life.

Check out our hands-on video with the Samsung SWD-M100 MID after the cut

Ironically, given the state of WiMAX availability in the US right now, integrating it into the SWD-M100 smacks both of foresight and foolishness.  Frankly an HSDPA connection would be more useful, but at least if Samsung can bring it to market sooner rather than later it might make a fitting replacement to the recently-retired Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition Internet Tablet.

Just as the N810 runs a cut-down mobile OS, so does the Samsung MID: they’ve picked Windows Mobile 6.1, together with the Opera browser, to go with the SWD-M100′s accelerometer-controlled auto-rotation, dual-cameras (3-megapixels on the back, 0.3-megapixels up front for video chats) and microSD memory card slot.  There’s also a TV output connection.

No word on availability or price, but we’re hoping to at least see a working prototype before too long.

Video and more images of the UMID M1 after the cut

While the first M1 I tried was set to Windows XP’s Classic Scheme, leading to buttons simply too small to comfortably stab at with a finger, the XP standard skin is a whole different experience.  You sacrifice a little screen space, but the larger icons and buttons mean even the ‘close’ cross, in the top right-hand corner, is now reachable rather than blocked by the screen bezel.

Similarly the keyboard is, when holding the MID in two hands, surprisingly usable for thumb typing.  You still wouldn’t want to type much more than the occasional email, IM or tweet, but given the relatively meager specifications of the M1 it’s unlikely that you’ll be asking it to do more than that.

The pivitol factor, then, is the price.  UMID have just officially launched the M1 in Korea, where it retails for 699,000 (~$465) and 799,00 KRW (~$532) depending on specification.  However there’s some confusion about what wireless connectivity that gets you; the order pagemakes no mention of either the HSDPA Intel talked about with us at Mobile World Congress, or the WiMAX and WiBro connectivity discussed at the M1′s initial launch.

Onboard storage is 8GB, and there’s a microSD card slot happy with  32GB cards.  LG have also packed in an FM transmitter and a battery good for up to 30 hours of MP3 playtime and 300 hours of standby.  In the hand, it feels solid and high-quality, and the touchscreen is generally very responsive.  We’re not entirely convinced with the S-Class UI, at least not in the initial menu layouts, when it can look more than a little crowded with icons.  Still, once you’re into the apps themselves they’re far more intuitive.

The whole thing measures just 105.9 x 55.3 x 11.95 mm, and has a metal body with a tempered glass face-plate.  The LG Arena KM900 will launch in Europe come March 2009, in silver and titanium color options, followed by a global launch after that.  No word on pricing or potential carriers.

Press Release:

LG Launches ARENA, Fully-Loaded Multimedia Flagship Phone for 2009

LG Electronics, a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announced the launch of LG ARENA (LG-KM900) at the World Mobile Congress 2009. ARENA is a fully loaded multimedia phone that offers an exhilarating audio and video experience made possible by LG’s intuitive new 3D S-Class User Interface (UI).

ARENA, LG’s new flagship model for 2009, is packed with top-of-the-line multimedia features and a totally new 3D UI of the next generation. It is the first and currently the only multimedia phone for the global market to use Dolby Mobile from Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) to deliver an exhilarating surround sound experience for video content and enhance the sound of music content.

“What really makes ARENA special is its intuitive 3D S-Class UI, which is unlike anything that has appeared on a phone before,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President & CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We surveyed consumers and found that they were unhappy with current interfaces. They wanted a simple, fast and fun way to use multimedia and other features, but also an experience that was dynamic and interesting. We’ve done this so well with our brand new S-Class UI that it will set new standards for handsets in both functionality and fun.”

The intuitive 3D S-Class UI – S for superior – makes its debut with ARENA and will be featured in other premium LG models launching later this year.

3D S-Class User Interface

Intuitive

Intuitive and life-like touch-based 3D menus take the fuss out of searching through contacts and multimedia content, perfect for anyone more comfortable with a traditional analogue experience. Reel Scrolling lays out menus as if they were on a film reel, providing icons for each choice that are so easy-to-understand no further explanation is needed. Dragging a finger across the S-Class UI’s 3D reels allows users to scroll through entertainment options.

In ARENA’s camera mode, an intuitive on-screen dial, similar to those found on many high-end standalone camera, makes it easy to customize shot settings for picture-perfect results.

Fast

ARENA’s S-Class UI was designed from the very start to leverage the advantages of touchscreens to eliminate unnecessary menus and steps. At its core is a cube layout that provides four customizable home screens that provides fast access to all features by flipping the cube with the flick of a finger. With multiple faces, the cube allows for four times more shortcuts than a single screen, making menus easier to access.

Also created with fast access in mind are ARENA’s Elastic Lists, which make it easier to browse through contacts and other catalogued information. When touched, list items stretch like a rubber band to provide more detailed information, options or easy editing. This eliminates the extra step of switching to a new screen, saving time and making it easier to browse to other choices as well.

Fast yet smooth 3D transitions between menus are made possible by the perfect pairing of LG’s S-Class UI and a powerful AMD processor.

Fun

Colourful graphics give ARENA a sense of dynamism and fun found in no other phone. ARENA’s dynamic graphics are especially evident in the phone’s Floating Image Gallery. When held upright, the phone displays photos neatly in rows. But turn the phone on its side and the photos cascade off the screen and reappear much larger. Sliding a finger from top to bottom, shows photos taken on different days. Dragging a finger from left-to-right shows photos taken on the same day.

Going one step further, its Tactile Analogue Alarm Clock and Radio Tuner make it almost feel like moving a clock’s hands or turning an actual dial.

The S-Class UI is the perfect 3D gateway to enter ARENA’s amazing multimedia environment, which includes immersive audio and razor sharp video for the perfect portable entertainment experience.

Multimedia Features that Come Alive

ARENA is the world’s first globally released handset with Dolby Mobile surround sound. This technology unleashes the power of surround sound for movies and video and delivers rich, resonant sound for music. A range of equalizer presets to fit all genres and individual tastes make the experience even better. A built-in FM transmitter means ARENA can play music wirelessly through a car or home stereo. A standard 3.5 mm audio jack means ARENA can be paired with any headphones.

LG ARENA’s large 3.0-inch full touchscreen display has incredible WVGA resolution, which is four times sharper than QVGA. With the clearest LCD screen available on a mobile phone, ARENA is ideal for watching DVD quality DivX or Xvid movies on-the-go.

D1 recording capability captures DVD-resolution video that looks great even when played back on a large TV. For added fun and versatility, ARENA can record 120 frames per second slow motion video to catch every detail.

ARENA can handle hundreds of music and movie files with 40 GB of storage, including 8GB of internal memory and a micro SD slot. The powerful battery provides up to 30 hours of MP3 playtime and 300 hours of standby time.

The five megapixel camera goes far beyond what is found on most phones, with high-end features and incredible image quality comparable to that of a standalone camera. The ability to set the camera for auto or manual focus help perfectly preserve each moment.

ARENA’s audio, video and photos can easily be shared on social networking sites, thanks to 3G HSDPA 7.2 networks and Wi-Fi.

The phone also supports Google Mobile Service which includes Google search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube and Google Blogs. A-GPS and geo-tagging are also possible. ARENA’s multi-touch capabilities greatly enhance the web surfing experience.

All of these powerful features are packed in ARENA’s sleek and refined metal body, perfectly sized to grab and go at 105.9 x 55.3 x 11.95 mm. Tempered glass over the touchscreen ensures long-lasting durability to keep the phone looking sophisticated and clean. ARENA will be available in silver and black titanium colour schemes.
With its official launch at the Mobile World Congress, ARENA will initially be available in Europe in March and then globally.

* Google Mobile Service applications may vary according to service provider.

26 minute Palm Pre video demo after the cut!

It was also Pre Community that broke the news that Palm brought GSM versions of the Pre along to MWC, and that they were running on the Vodafone Spain network.  We’ve still received no official comment from Palm as to whether Vodafone are an official European partner – at the event we were told that the Vodafone SIMs were simply bought in for the demo devices – nor official confirmation that the GSM handsets even exist.

PR manoeuvring aside, this is an incredible device, and it puts most of the new cellphones announced at MWC to shame.  It’s not just the hardware – which believe us is compelling – but the software and the intelligent integration of all the different functionality.  HTC have edged on a similar system with their latest version of TouchFLO 3D, but even that is only on-device rather than taking true advantage of cloud-based data.  For more on the Palm Pre, check out Pre Community (it’ll open in a new page); otherwise, enjoy the demo video below of this amazing smartphone!

Samsung Omnia HD video after the cut

The particular handset we were playing with was obviously as unstable as Samsung first warned us: when we initially picked it up, it had various error codes showing, plus there’s a folder full of debugging tools.  That’s what we’re blaming for the slight slow-down you can see in the video. 

If we were to play devil’s advocate, we’d wonder out loud just how many people will ever connect their Omnia HD up to an HDTV or other 720p capable display.  Cynical, yes, but we’re wondering if it’s a case of “features because we can” rather than “because we should”.  We’d love to see Samsung take the phone away and put Android on the Omnia HD, though given the company has confirmed plans for the open-source platform, and seems to be making a range out of the Omnia brand, that could be a very real possibility in future.

Until then, it’s S60; enjoy our hands-on demo video and live photos!

Update: Video now added – and in HD!

To recap on the specs, the HTC Touch Pro2 has a 3.6-inch 480 x 800 WVGA resistive touchscreen, dualband 3G/HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, together with GPS, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and a touch-sensitive zoom control.  There’s also a slide-out five row QWERTY keyboard, and the display tilts up and can be positioned at any angle across its range.

The Pro2 uses a 528MHz processor, like the Diamond2, and has 512MB of ROM and 288MB of RAM; onboard storage can be augmented with a microSD card.  In addition there’s an FM radio and accelerometer, together with HTC’s latest version of TouchFLO 3D, and a new dual-speaker, dual-microphone speakerphone.

To understand the key differences to HTC TouchFLO 3D, check out the Diamond2 demo video.  Software across both devices is the same, with greater integration between the different GUI tabs: you can now do more communicating – whether by voice, email or IM – without dropping into Windows Mobile,

The obvious hardware difference is the physical QWERTY keyboard.  Eric told me that the Pro2 was in no small part prompted by user requests for a handset with the display of the Touch HD but the keyboard of the HTC Kaiser.  The end result is a very impressive input offering, with large, well laid-out keys that have decent travel and good tactile response. 

Less obvious, but also impressive, is the integrated speakerphone technology.  HTC have given the Pro2 dual microphones and dual speakers, which, together with some home-grown DSP software, Eric assures us gives the best audio quality on a smartphone to-date.  Turning the Pro2 screen-down onto the table automatically kicks in the speakerphone; there’s a small pause while the DSP works its magic, and then we’re told it’s crystal clear.  That wasn’t something we had an opportunity to try in the demo, but we’ve high hopes for it; not only might it make impromptu conference calls easy, it could also be useful in a car when you don’t want to wear a Bluetooth hands-free.  There’s also a dedicated mute button underneath the camera.

Like the Diamond2 compared to the original Diamond, the Pro2 will get a larger standard battery than the first Pro; Eric estimated two days between charges, even with regular use.  Being further down the roadmap than the Diamond2 though – the Pro2 is due in the second half of 2009, while the Diamond2 should land in Q2 – there’s more work to be done finessing the larger device.  HTC are still flushing out the last bugs, but of most interest to us is Eric’s promise that the final build will be faster and more responsive.  That’s something to bear in mind when you’re watching the demo video: the Pro2 you’ll be able to hold in your hands will be another degree slicker than the pre-production unit I looked at today.

If I had any grumble about the Touch Pro2, it’s the smartphone’s balance.  When opened up, and sat on a table, touching the display can cause the device to rock backward; to get around it you have to support the back with your fingers, or steady the base.  It’s not a deal-breaker, by any means, but it’s a mild frustration all the same.

For those addicted to messaging, the HTC Touch Pro2 could just be their fingers’ salvation.  They keyboard really is that good, and HTC’s improvements to TouchFLO 3D turn what started out as an attractive launcher into a real GUI alternative to Windows Mobile.  We’ll have to wait until our full review device arrives before we can make any real conclusions, but just like the Touch Diamond2 we’ve got very high hopes.

Update: Video now added – in HD!

To recap the specs, the Touch Diamond2 has a 32.-inch 480 x 800 WVGA resistive touchscreen, dualband 3G/HSDPA, WiFi b/g, Bluetooth and GPS, together with a 5-megapixel camera, FM radio and accelerometer.  There’s 512MB ROM and 288MB RAM, together with a touch-sensitive zoom bar and microSD port, all in a package 107.85 x 53.1 x 13.7mm in size and 117.5g in weight.

In terms of physical design, the one of the more obvious changes from the original Diamond is the newly-flattened back panel.  According to Eric, customer feedback didn’t score as highly as HTC themselves felt about the faceted design, and as such the phone is flat – and also sits flat on a table.  Up front there are four hardware keys – send and end, Windows and back – while there are volume controls along the top left side and a lock key on top.

HTC have used the two new Touch smartphones to debut the latest version of TouchFLO 3D.  There’s now greater integration between different tabs, so that you can for instance go into a recent contact, immediately see emails and IMs you’ve exchanged, and trigger any of a number of responses.  It’s much easier to watch and understand than it is to explain in text, hence our hands-on demo video.

Something we’ve certainly wondered about is what difference users will notice after the transition from Windows Mobile 6.1 to 6.5, especially given the latter’s more obvious changes are in the launcher and new lock screen.  According to Eric, the device will offer the choice of using the new Microsoft GUI or the existing TouchFLO 3D GUI; otherwise there’ll be little obvious difference.  HTC had no real input into Microsoft’s GUI development; when I suggested that this might be to the detriment of both companies, in terms of time and duplicated effort, Eric countered that in fact HTC see it as offering greater flexibility to the end-user rather than a one-size-fits-all product.

What HTC have done, in fact, is design the Touch Diamond2 with 6.5 in mind.  There’s a Windows flag key, just as required for the new version, and even in 6.1 it now calls up the TouchFLO 3D Programs menu, rather than the drop-down Start menu, to preview what 6.5 users will see with the new launcher.  As for the upgrade process, according to Eric it will be “as simple as flashing a new ROM”; whether that’s something most Windows Mobile users have ever done, we might argue with, but we imagine there’ll be a more streamlined upgrade path once the new OS arrives.

Headed for a Q2 2009 release, the Diamond2 will still get some fettling before its launch.  That should make it even faster, though I noticed very little lag in the pre-production unit today.  The touchscreen is even better than that on the Touch HD, which if you’ve read our review you’ll know was a revelation in resistive panels; when I asked HTC about this, they told me that they’re at a point where they can produce resistive and capacitive touchscreens with pretty much the same responsiveness and finger-feel.  Therefore the decision goes beyond simply technology, and instead asks which is the right panel for the implementation; since Windows Mobile is not fully finger-friendly, that means a resistive display is the obvious choice.

Also carried over from the Touch HD are the camera and optics, a 5-megapixel unit with autofocus but no flash.  Rather than change the hardware, HTC have tweaked the software to improve quality; we discussed the absence of a flash, but according to Eric the company believes it can make a bigger difference at this point by refining code rather than anything else.  HTC admit that, thanks to their enterprise background, they’re playing catch-up in some consumer functionality, such as imaging, so they prioritized their development as to what would make the biggest difference in the timescale available.  We’ll have to wait and see what image quality is like, but taking a shot was certainly quicker than it was on the Touch HD.

Overall, it’s hard not to like the HTC Touch Diamond2.  The screen quality is superb, and we imagine the Diamond2 will make for a great media player during your downtime.  The latest incarnation of TouchFLO 3D might not match the interconnected intelligence of Palm’s webOS Synergy, but it’s finally more than a glorified launcher and you can now do many common tasks without dropping into Windows Mobile.  It’s still pretty rare to see a device in which the software usability has been as well developed as the spec sheet.  We’ll obviously save our final judgement until we get the HTC Touch Diamond2 in to review – it’s expected in around a month, HTC tell us – but we’re already confident that it’ll be a strong performer.

What that means is not only offline access to your email – courtesy of HTML5′s AppCache and Database standards – together with a new toolbar that follows email browsing, plus label support.  Gundotra demonstrated the same fully-functional GMail app running on both the iPhone 3G and the new Android-based HTC Magic, with the same GUI, controls and – of most interest to developers – no requirement to code special versions.

Gundotra also demonstrated a version of Google Maps running on the Palm Pre – which he called “arguably one of my most favorite devices – that has been totally coded in HTML 5.  The application ran just as a native app would, complete with multitouch support, full searching and all the usual Maps functionality.

Finally, Gundotra revealed that Google has been working on incorporating some of the typical features of mobile devices – such as GPS, cameras and always-on connectivity.  Google Latitude, for instance, takes advantage of GPS, and last week 1m users signed up to the service.  Meanwhile on the iPhone 3G he demonstrated the integration of voice control, movement through the accelerometer and GPS in a voice search app.  The voice-search was triggered just by picking up the iPhone and holding it to his ear and asking for “pictures of cathedrals in Spain”, which the handset recognized and displayed the image search results.

More images in the gallery after the cut

It’s all thanks to the Tegra 600 Series computer-on-a-chip, which is capable of 720p and 1080p video playback, full WiFi and 3G connectivity – thanks to a partnership with ST-Ericsson – and days, rather than hours, of use between charges.  NVIDIA didn’t announce any specific hardware partners planning $99 MIDs, but there are apparently prototypes in existence that took just eleven months from silicon to hardware.

NVIDIA have also slapped Android onto the Tegra platform – something which they’re saying was the work of only a few weeks – which we’ll eventually see in production form (economy allowing) in the shape of the Yulong N8 and IAC S2.  Both are in fact smartphones, though there’s no release dates scheduled and all that were to hand at the show were non-functional prototypes.  As for the Android prototype itself, we had a brief hands-on with it but found it to be decidedly buggy: the capacitive touchscreen proved responsive, but then the software crashed.

According to NVIDIA, there’s a lot of interest from manufacturers and carriers regarding the $99 Tegra MID platform, and they’re currently playing matchmaker between suitable OEMs and networks.  We still won’t quite believe it until we see an (unsubsidized) price tag on an authentic device, but Tegra still has the potential to change the mobile device market.

Photos and Video Demo of the UMID M1 MID after the cut

The keyboard could be one significant limiting factor for a lot of people.  As the photos with the M1 alongside the Sony VAIO P show, it’s a seriously small layout; we tried typing and found that, with the limited key travel and minimal spacing in-between, it’s tough to do much more than peck out emails.  Similarly, the touchscreen – which is a mere 4.8-inches – is tough on the eyes at 1024 x 600 and it makes it tricky to select things with a fingertip.  That’s doubly difficult at the very edges of the display, where the raised bezel and the small graphics mean the Windows close-window ‘X’ is almost impossible to tap: expect to either hit Alt+F4 or whip out the stylus.

Still, they’re perhaps understandable limitations when you’re packing an Atom-based notebook that can fit into your inside pocket.  The hardware felt reasonably sturdy, with a sharp click as you open the lid, though the plastics don’t feel the highest of quality and some of the flaps around the silver edging strip looked flimsy.  It was obviously a well-used M1, though, so some wear and tear is to be expected.

It’s tricky to hold the UMID M1 with two hands and control the screen with your thumbs, as the broad strips either side of the display get in the way; similarly, the strip of keys in the center of the ‘board can be difficult to reach, unless you hold the edges of the MID with the very tips of your fingers.  Obviously battery life was not something we could test out, nor really internet access as we were buried indoors, but the Intel team reported that the M1 had lasted in excess of four hours at their last show, on a single charge with near constant use.  We’re not sure whether that included wireless use also.

In all, we’re still impressed with the UMID M1 and more than a little excited about it, but that’s partially tempered by the knowledge that it’s rather a piece of technical achievement more than, for most, a relevant mobile device.  The deciding factor will of course be price; if UMID could bring it to the market – with 3G – at a low enough price, people might be willing to invest as a mobile companion.  At the $500+ we’ve been hearing about, that could just be too rich for our blood.

There’s also the Smart-On interface – which we know to be a version of Splashtop – that boots in five seconds, together with “Smart-Link” which allows you to transfer files between the LG-X120 and another computer with just a USB cable, together with sharing that computer’s optical drive.  The netbook weighs 1.2kg and has a choice of two batteries, a 3-cell pack good for up to 3.5hrs or a 6-cell pack for up to 7hrs.

Finally there’s a 1.3-megapixel webcam and SRS WOW HD and TruSurround XT for sound boosting.  The LG LG-X120 will be available in Europe come March 2009; all that’s left is pricing, but LG is keeping that card close to their chest. 

[Thanks Bobby!; live image via LG blog]

Press Release:

LG Brings Its Stylish New 3G LG-X120 Netbook to Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain, February, 16, 2009 – LG Electronics, a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announced the launch of its smart and stylish new netbook, the LG-X120. With 3G HSPA connection and compact, portable design, users can be connected anywhere, at any time.

Easy connectivity is the LG-X120’s strongest asset. With its 3G HSPA connection and 160GB hard drive, LG-X120 is a powerful portable computer that can be used anywhere. Thanks to the easy-to-use Smart-On interface, the netbook loads its simple Smart-On screen in only five seconds. Just one click of an icon offers access to the most frequently used applications, including its MP3 player, Photo Viewer and internet suite.

With Smart-Link technology and a simple USB cable, LG-X120 connects to regular computers to share files or install new applications, easily accessing data even from the computer’s CD or DVD drive. An advanced security function allows users to safely share files while connected to other devices, without compromising important information.

Easy mobility in a stylish design is the LG-X120’s other important asset. This netbook’s soft textured, classic white exterior blends well with any style, while lime or pink detailing add a splash of color. The cover’s matt surface resists fingerprints and scratches, and its compact size and curved edges make it the perfect companion no matter where it goes. Weighing in at just 1.2kg, the LG-X120 is lightweight and easy to carry. In addition, improved battery life, at 3.5 hours for the 3 cell battery and 7 hours for the 6 cell battery, means more time to work or play on-the-go.

LG-X120 was specifically designed to provide enhanced functionality and convenience with smarter features, packing a powerful multimedia punch. The netbook offers a 1.3 megapixel webcam for video chatting or conferencing, while LG You-Cam software allows users to get creative with unique photo snapshots. SRS WOW HD and TruSurround XT bring stereo effect sound to music and video. The screen’s LED Backlight delivers a high-resolution picture that is clearer and brighter, which is not only easier on tired eyes but saves energy, too.

LG-X120 will be available in March in Europe and will be showcased from February 16 – 19 at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Nokia is trying to put the emphasis on how integrated the parts of a cellphone’s camera are, rather than “merely megapixels”.  Asked whether they see their roadmap as playing catch-up with rivals such as Sony Ericsson, who have announced upcoming 12-megapixel devices, they pointed out that not only is the N86 8MP set to ship next quarter, Nokia also work closely with Carl Zeiss to balance the CMOS sensor settings, optics, dual-LED flash and camera processing technology to get the best out of their hardware. 

Other manufacturers, they suggest, merely combine off-the-shelf parts to produce a device that looks impressive on paper, is fast to the shelf and relatively cheap to make, rather than one which actually performs well.

We’ll have to wait and see how the N86 8MP actually handles as a camera; Nokia had printed out some large-size images taken with the smartphone, and they certainly looked decent, but that’s not enough to decide conclusively.  We’re hoping to get our hands on a review unit soon, so that we can test out those claims ourself.

Full comparison – plus Vodafone HTC Magic demo video and live photos after the cut

There are a few similarities, certainly.  Both the iPhone 3G and the HTC Magic have capacitive touchscreens, the former 3.5-inches and the latter 3.2-inches, both running at 480 x 320.  They’re similar in size, too, with the iPhone 3G (4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches) a little longer, wider and thinner than the Magic (4.45 x 2.17 x 0.54 inches).  Despite the extra girth, though, the Magic is lighter: 4.18oz versus the iPhone 3G’s 4.7oz.

Apple are more cautious than HTC with their core hardware specs.  The Magic has a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7201a chipset, and from the limited experience we have with the pre-production smartphone it runs just as slickly as the iPhone manages.  In our typing video demo the HTC Magic certainly keeps up, something lesser-powered devices can struggle with.

Connectivity might be an area where HTC edge out Apple.  The iPhone 3G delivers HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth, although the only Bluetooth profiles supported are the headset and handsfree.  Meanwhile the HTC Magic has 7.2Mbps HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, and there’s much more flexibility in the Bluetooth stack.  Apple score a point for having a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, while HTC insist on you using an adapter dongle with their ExtUSB port, however the Magic score a point themselves by having native miniUSB support versus the iPhone 3G’s proprietary connector.

The HTC Magic has more hardware controls than the iPhone 3G, with a row of dedicated search, home, menu and back buttons directly under the touchscreen, then hardware send/end call keys and a trackball with enter button.  On the left hand side there’s a volume control, but there’s no dedicated camera shortcut.  Apple make do with one home button, volume controls, a lock button on the top and a physical ringer switch, which is certainly more useful when the phone is in your pocket or bag.

Both handsets can be had with up to 16GB of storage, but they go about it in very different ways.  The iPhone 3G is available in 8GB or 16GB sizes, with no way to expand that capacity; meanwhile the Magic has a mere 512MB ROM but a microSD slot – underneath the battery compartment hatch, but not under the battery itself – happy with up to 16GB cards.  We don’t know what size card HTC or Vodafone will bundle in the retail packaging – it’s unlikely to be anything as high as either 8GB or 16GB – but for some the flexibility of adding their own memory cards will be worth the extra initial outlay.

One area where we expect the HTC Magic to comprehensively trounce the iPhone 3G is the camera.  Apple disappointed many people when they left their second-gen handset’s camera as just 2-megapixels with a fixed-focus lens, and they were right to be so as the picture quality is relatively poor.  HTC have given the Magic a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, and while the company might not be as lauded for their optics as, say, Samsung or Nokia, that and the higher resolution should edge it ahead.  Autofocus is a necessity for the Magic, really, given that apps such as ShopSavvy rely on being able to clearly recognize close-up barcodes; we’re disappointed to see no flash, though, not even a basic LED one.

In terms of media, we’ve already given Apple bonus points for their standard 3.5mm headphones jack, and in fact the whole iPod music and video suite takes some beating.  Apple’s dominance of the electronic music ecosystem – with the iPod and iTunes – means that if finding, buying and listening to music in the simplest way is your priority, their offering is difficult to ignore.  The iPhone 3G makes an excellent PMP for both audio and video playback, and being able to download audio tracks on the move over WiFi or 3G, direct to the iPhone, is a useful feature.  Still, the iTunes DRM has few fans (although there are many DRM-free files, albeit at a price-premium) and the HTC Magic should cater to more formats (though not iTunes DRM-encrypted audio, so if you’ve a big existing library from the Apple service then you might be better off looking at the iPhone 3G).  We’re yet to see how video playback looks on the Magic.

The DRM issue segues neatly into perhaps the most obvious difference between Apple and the Google Android platform: openness.  Whereas Apple tightly control their user experience, device and software, setting plenty of hoops for their developers to jump through in order to see their wares on the smartphone’s touchscreen, Android is open-source and much more flexible.  The Android Market has far less software choice than the Apple App Store, but now that Google have opened the gates for paid-software we should see a new tide of developers broaching the platform.  Out of the box, the HTC Magic probably won’t be as comprehensive and slick as the iPhone 3G is, but there’s a whole lot more tinkering that can be done with it (without Jailbreaking the Apple device); the question will be, will Magic buyers be willing to go to that effort.  The T-Mobile G1 appealed to early adopters willing to prioritise potential over initial polish, but it remains to be seen whether HTC Magic buyers will feel the same.  Certainly, if a very well harmonized ownership experience is your key priority, you might be less frustrated with the Apple handset.

We still don’t know when Vodafone’s exclusivity deal ends, nor when – or if – a US version of the HTC Magic with suitably-fettled 3G might arrive.  However they’re far more likely than Apple throwing open the gates and offering the iPhone 3G on multiple carriers in the same market, something which might minimize their control.  The iPhone 3G remains a premium device, and as such Vodafone are likely to price the Magic competitively, undercutting Apple’s handset significantly.  Data prices and voice tariffs are still an unknown, but again expect a relatively competitive all-you-can-eat package to fit in with the Google “internet everywhere” ethos.

In case you hadn’t guessed, we’re excited about the Vodafone HTC Magic.  There’s still a lot we don’t know – we’re hoping to find out more tomorrow, after we have a 1-on-1 with the smartphone – and we’re still big iPhone 3G fans.  However while there might be room for two favorites in our pockets, most people will have to decide on one or the other; we’re looking forward to the chance to review the HTC Magic in full, to help you make that decision.

More on the HTC Magic over at our sister-site, Android Community!

There’s also GPS, WiFi b/g, a range of camera capabilities (3-megapixel on the F900, 3.2-megapixel on the DX900 and  X960, and 5-megapixels on the M900) and Bluetooth 2.0.  The M900 also has a full QWERTY keyboard.

No pricing or availability details on any of the four Tempo handsets, as yet.  Considering the absence of WM6.5 – and Acer’s silence on a possible upgrade strategy – we’re reluctant to get too excited.

Press Release:

 Acer, The Rhythm of Mobility
 
Unveiling the first set of the Acer Tempo Smartphone Series 
at GSMA Mobile World Congress
 
Barcelona, 16 February 2009  – Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source:
Gartner data, 1H 2008) is introducing a new line of smartphones with a broad range of features
and innovations. These first devices are mainly targeted at consumers who want to make use of
excellent technology both for their personal and their professional needs.
 
 
ACER M900
For all your communications on the go.
For those who need to have access to email and files at all times, the M900 is an
ideal smart handheld device. It allows you  to keep track of your activities and
access your contacts and files through  synchronization with your notebook or
desktop computer. With a full keyboard,  it is ideal for emailing and editing
documents. Preinstalled with Windows® Mobile 6.1 Professional, Outlook®
Mobile email and Office Mobile (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) users will maintain
efficiency on the go. HSDPA connectivity enables fast data transfer and the large
3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen dramatically improves your web browsing experience. An
embedded fingerprint sensor secures the smartphone and simplifies
password maintenance.
 
The M900 comes equipped with GPS, FM Radio, voice recorder and
voice-command, as well as expandable memory, and a 5-megapixel
autofocus camera with flash. 
 
High tech and reliable, the M900 provides security and convenience for the effective
management of your business communications on the go.
 
ACER F900
Slim and Smart Internet
The F900 was developed to give total control over web browsing on the go. With a 3.8-inch
WVGA touch screen and new easy-to-use touch  keyboard, the F900 is able to display more
information on screen while offering an excellent mobile browsing experience. The new user-
interface makes navigating through the device a  pleasure, providing quick links to contacts,
email messages, bookmarks, calendars, date and time, world weather and music.
The F900 comes also with an integrated 3.2-megapixel
auto-focus camera with flash, GPS, FM Radio, voice
recorder, voice command, and expandable memory.
 
With direct access to key applications via the widget-
based home screen, The F900 features easy one-hand navigation with the new
Internet Explorer® 6 supporting JavaScript and  Adobe Flash Lite, providing access to various
webmail clients and a suite of must-have internet applications. With high-speed 3.75G
HSDPA/HSUPA and WiFi connectivity, users will enjoy excellent data connections. 
 
The F900 is the perfect solution for stylish Internet connectivity anywhere.
 
 
ACER X960
Versatile and functional navigation.
The X960 is an all-purpose tool designed for those who want multiple
features without having to carry  several devices. A high-resolution
2.8-inch VGA touchscreen and five-way navigation button allow easy
maneuvering. The intuitive widget-based user interface provides quick
access to all your contacts, emails and messages, browser and
bookmarks, calendar and events, date and time, world weather and music player. Windows
Outlook and Office mobile allow for quick email access and easy reading of attachments. 
 
The embedded GPS functionality provides reliable positioning and easy navigation
with software available through retailers. The X960 comes with a VGA 3.2
megapixel autofocus camera with flash as well as a front-side camera for video
calls and a classy black and silver design. 
 
Sleek and compact, the X960 is ideal for  quick access to all your navigation
needs.
 
ACER DX900
Double connectivity and convenience.
The DX900 is the world’s first Dual-SIM Smartphone to support both 3.5G (HSDPA) and 2.75G
(EDGE) SIM cards allowing you to keep track of both personal and business communications.
The touch screen allows effortless one-hand navigation while the ultra-sharp 2.8 inch VGA
display improves the web browsing experience. The DX900 has a new
interface designed for easy navigation with large finger-friendly buttons
for a smooth browsing experience. It also features 3D animated icons
and transition effects with all your most important information displayed
on one screen. The speed dial panel  features photo contacts for most
frequently used numbers 
 
With Outlook Mobile email client you can access your business email and easily
read attachments. For easy management of two phone lines and multiple
wireless connections, the DX900 is equipped with an intuitive communication
manager including a Flight Mode button  to instantly turn off all wireless
connections while each individual function can also be activated or disabled
with the press of a button. The DX900 features a front-side VGA camera for
video calls, voice recorder, voice-command, 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera
with flash and expandable memory.
 
Combining 2 phones in one, the DX900 is dually perfect for your professional and personal life.  
 

Unlike the T-Mobile G1, there’s no hardware keyboard.  It does however have the same compass, accelerometer and 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus.  All of the usual Android apps are onboard, including GMail, Google Maps and Street View; there’s also Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, up to 400 minutes 3G talktime and up to 660 hours 3G standby.  Onboard memory is 512MB ROM and 192MB RAM, and there’s a microSD slot.

The Vodafone HTC Magic will initially be available in Germany, Spain and the UK, as well as non-exclusively in Italy, and with the SFR network in France.  No known pricing as yet, but given the nature of the European cellphone market we won’t be surprised to see it free with a new contract.  HTC aren’t allowing live shots or video at MWC, as the handset has gone through last-minute hardware changes including new buttons; however we’ll have a one-on-one briefing with it soon, and will bring you some feedback from that.  More details at Android Community!

[via Android Community]

Unfortunately we have no more details than that quote, and no official word from Dell themselves on the company’s smartphone plans.  The confirmation comes a day after Microsoft officially announced Windows Mobile 6.5, and the shift of smartphone direction to considering the devices as “Windows Phones”, extensions of the desktop PC environment.  We’re unclear on whether Dell will be using Windows Mobile 6.5 or another OS.

Rumors regarding Dell’s re-entrance to the smartphone market have circulated regularly over the past few months, with the company always denying they have any immediate intention.  Most recently, a mobile industry analyst predicted that a Dell smartphone was “closer to reality” than many expected, suggesting that any such handset has been moving down the development pathway for some time.

Full hands-on gallery with both HTC handsets, the Touch Diamond2 and the Touch Pro2, after the cut

Despite running Windows Mobile 6.1 at launch – they’re expected to hit the market before 6.5 is available, though HTC will offer all buyers before that point a free upgrade once the new OS is available, HTC’s updates to TouchFLO 3D go some way to disguising the less than ideal platform.  Particularly impressive is the new level of integration between software – contacts, calendar, location and media such as photos – with less app-hopping required to carry out typical tasks or locate contact-related information.  We particularly like the links between email and contacts; you can pull up a list of recent messages from someone calling, allowing you to check correspondence while still on a call.

The Diamond2 is a huge improvement over the original Diamond, keeping the slim form-factor and high-resolution display, but cranking up the panel size so that it’s now even more usable without the stylus.  Although it still uses a resistive touchscreen, HTC have obviously learnt from the Touch HD feedback and used a glass backplate to minimize touch-panel flex.  It’s still not quite as zero-pressure usable as a capacitive panel, but sweeping between tabs in TouchFLO 3D is easier than ever; we’d say it’s one of the best resistive panels we’ve encountered.  We didn’t have a chance to shoot images with the new, 5-megapixel autofocus camera – HTC are still tweaking it prior to the smartphone’s launch – but we’ve got reasonable hopes assuming it uses a similar sensor to the HD.

As for the Touch Pro2, it’s obviously bigger to accommodate the slide-out keyboard, but we’re glad to see the tilting display making a return to HTC’s portfolio.  Unlike the Nokia N97, the Pro2′s display can be adjusted for angle, which makes longer typing sessions far more flexible.  The keys themselves are very comfortable and have great typing feel, and that’s been paired with a screen that’s just as impressive as that on the Diamond2 in terms of tactile feedback, and even larger in terms of screen-estate.  This could well be the executive’s best friend once it hits the market; we’ll need more time with it for a full review, obviously, but so far we’re impressed and Windows Mobile 6.5 will make it even more compelling.

Best of all, both devices feel like they’re in far more of a market-ready state than, say, the Samsung Omnia HD.  That’s a good thing, as they’ll be on the market relatively soon too: the HTC Touch Diamond2 is expected in Q2 2009, while the HTC Touch Pro2 will follow early in the Summer.  We’re hoping to get review devices in asap.

We’ve got live video of both devices that needs editing and processing; we’ll add it as soon as it’s done.  Until then, enjoy the gallery!

Full Nokia N86 8MP gallery after the cut

The camera has a mechanical shutter that operates at 1/1000 sec, and a 3rd-generation dual-LED flash that, according to Nokia, is as effective as a Xenon unit with the benefit of operating as a video light.  The N86 8MP can also record VGA 30fps video and has digital image stabilization.

As a full Nseries handset, the Nokia N86 8MP runs S60 3rd Edition, FP2, and has WiFi b/g, A-GPS, a digital compass and accelerometer.  The onboard media player can output either via the standard 3.5mm headphone jack or the integrated stereo speakers, with a pop-out kick-stand for tabletop use; there’s also an FM transmitter, and Nokia are claiming up to 25hrs music playback from the 1,200mAh battery.  Connectivity includes TV-out (supporting both PAL and NTSC) and a microUSB connector, plus Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP wireless stereo support.

Nokia also preload the N86 8MP with their Ovi online services suite, including Nokia Maps 3.0 with voice-guided driving directions, a pedestrian mode and 3D landmarks.  The GPS can also be used for geotagging.

While the casing might resemble earlier Nseries devices in photos, Nokia have used more premium materials for the N86 8MP.  That includes metal detailing, a full hardened-glass face which is scratch resistant.  The battery is good for 7hrs of gaming or video playback, or up to 3.9hrs 3G talktime (6.3hrs GSM) or up to 11.5hrs 3G standby (13hrs GSM).

Nokia expect the N86 8MP to be available in Q2 2009, priced at €375 before taxes and subsidies; interestingly, the Nokia N85 will remain on sale alongside it.  Both 900/1900/2100 and 850/1900/2100 3G versions will be launched, depending on geography.

Full hands-on video with the Nokia N86 8MP is now online here.

More hands-on shots of the G60 and M20 – plus hands-on feedback – after the cut

The three main icons on the homescreen have a scrolling menu bar down the right-hand side, with Garmin’s new Ciao! app being the most obvious addition.  Garmin confirmed that Ciao! uses location-based services such as Buddy Beacon, although you need a nuvifone in order to use Ciao!  The G60′s accelerometer works throughout the OS – something we wish other handset manufacturers would follow suit on – flipping orientation between portrait and landscape, and it’s in the latter when the G60 feels most like a PND.  There’s no hardware home key, which seems like the one true interface mistake; instead you long-hold the on-screen ’back’ button to return to the main menu.

As for the Garmin-ASUS nuvifone M20, it’s a somewhat less impressive handset than the G60.  That’s perhaps because it’s more obviously a Windows Mobile 6.1 device; smaller than the G60, and available in a range of pleasing metallic colors, there’s a new custom homescreen but it’s less distinctive (and less standalone-PND) than the original nuvifone.  Nonetheless, there’s the same range of location-based services, including Ciao! and the integration of GPS with contacts.  Appointments, in fact, are particularly slickly coupled with location: not only do schedule items have a link from their location, but they also indicate weather forecasts for that area in the day agenda list.  It feels a solid little device, though we’re not sure it’s as convincing a product as the G60.

We’ve got video of the two Garmin-ASUS handsets processing, with demos of some of the features and more details on availability.  We’ll add them in as soon as they’re edited and ready; until then, enjoy the live pictures!

The only real slow-down we observed was when dragging out a widget from the TouchWiz sidebar to the desktop, when the sidebar took a while to refresh back down.  However this could be a side-effect of the internet-enabled widget attempting – and, since we were buried indoors and the UltraTOUCH lacks WiFi, failing - to grab a network connection.  Generally, though the display was bright and richly color saturated, with excellent viewing angles.  We’ll have to wait and see exactly how good the 8-megapixel camera is; we don’t hold out much hope for its dual-LED flash.  It’s set to go on sale in March 2009, price and carriers yet to be announced.

Less successful, unfortunately, was the Samsung BEAT DJ.  One half of the two BEAT Edition devices announced today, the music-centric device promises plenty with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower amplification and the same-sized 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen as the UltraTOUCH.  However it’s let down by being strangely more unresponsive than the screen on the other handset, being stubborn to respond and slow to react when it does register a touch.  That could be worked out in production firmware, certainly, but less convincing is the ethos of the device as a whole.

Samsung’s gimmick is that you can not only play tracks but tweak, filter and drop in samples on the fly.  While that’s an interesting concept – and the Pacemaker has carved out its own niche doing something similar – it comes across as being pretty pointless.  Samples sound cheesy, and there’s not enough granular control of any of the editing or filtering to make it a realistic standalone music device.  It’s a shame, as the hardware and GUI are nicely designed, with the two circular “decks” crossing well between touchscreen and casing, and a dedicated DJ mode switch to boot you straight into the media player.

As for the Omnia HD, the handset Samsung had on hand today was a pre-production unit and refused to hold a charge; we’re hoping to stop by and check out a working model of the S60 smartphone tomorrow.  As for the video of the handsets from today, we’re processing that and will add it in as soon as it’s done.

One of the areas of significant change is the Windows lock screen, which now has indicators for missed calls, messages and IMs, calendar entries and the time, together with the usual battery and signal strength icons.  The new Windows Phone homescreen shows – via small numbers next to each menu option – how many missed calls, voicemails and new emails there are, as well as access to photos and web favorites.

There’s also provision for a new hardware Start button, which all upcoming Windows Phones will have, that calls up the new honeycomb launcher.  Microsoft have added extra gesture support, including paging between inboxes with a horizontal swipe, and scrolling between photos on the launcher homescreen.  There’s also been some work in better integrating different communication methods – such as IM, SMS, and voice-chatting on Windows Live Messenger – into single panes, so you can be notified of missed calls from contacts in the threaded conversations on Windows Phones.

Ballmer predicted that smartphones would take 50 to 70-percent of the market in the coming years, with users looking for single devices that can handle all of their information.  That prompted Microsoft’s nomenclature change, to describing the range of handsets running their mobile OS as “Windows Phones”, bringing more of the desktop Windows functionality, together with the internet, onto devices that have ever-increasing screen sizes.  For instance, thanks to the same underlying browser engine – which includes Flash support – webpages look the same on a Windows Phone display as they do on a PC screen.

Microsoft have also officially announced Microsoft My Phone, an online backup service for Windows Phones, which streamlines the flow of information between cellphones and other devices.  It offers around 200MB of storage, for contacts, text messages, calendar entries, photos, videos and other media, as well as offering the ability to send out content from the My Phone web interface.  My Phone will allow you to back-up text messages online, freeing up space on the Windows Device but keeping a record.  Finally, the company launched Windows Marketplace, an on-device app store.  There are, Ballmer said, over 20,000 apps already for Windows Mobile; now Microsoft will give developers a way to better distribute and publicise their software.

Availability on new Windows Mobile devices is still unclear.  HTC have confirmed that their Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2 smartphones, announced earlier today, will be eligible for free upgrades to WM6.5 when it is released later this year; LG have also signed a deal with Microsoft to produce multitple Windows Phones between now and 2012, as well as merging R&D teams.  We’re expecting other vendors will offer free upgrades, in an attempt to bridge the gap between WM6.5′s launch and now.  As for Windows Mobile 7, Ballmer said not to expect its arrival simultaneously with Windows 7, but instead following on with an unspecified timeframe.

As we’ve already seen the UltraTOUCH S8300 is an 8.1-megapixel feature-phone; meanwhile the Omnia HD is the world’s first HD-capable smartphone, capable of recording high-definition footage, playing it back via DLNA, taking 8.1-megapixel images, and uses Samsung’s new multitasking GUI on the world’s largest AMOLED touchscreen on a mobile device.  Finally, the Samsung Beat Edition has stereo audio with Bang & Olufsen amplification, SRS WOW 5.1 pseudo-surround sound and a unique GUI intended to represent a DJ workstation.  There’s also a media-focused navigation system, with music tagging, recommendations and has a microSD slot happy with 16GB cards.

While the interfaces of all three devices are relatively different, Samsung are saying that they each comprise the company’s three primary areas of focus: mobile broadband integration, device content sharing, and a streamlined GUI.  They also pledged to develop mobile devices that address environmental issues and aim to “preserve life on Earth”, with their Blue Earth scheme; the name comes from the fact that, from space, the Earth looks blue not green.  As a demonstration of that, the first Blue Earth device will be another touchscreen device.  The Samsung Blue Earth has a solar-panel built into its rear-cover, and is made from recycled plastic.  It ships with a 5-star EnergyStar rated charger and packaging made from recycled materials.

Samsung expect continuous growth in 2009; the company was the fastest growing in 2008.  They also expect 114m touchscreen devices to be sold in 2009, almost double sales in 2008.  The company wouldn’t give details, but they did promise a launch of the first Samsung Android handset in 2009.  To be honest, we’re less than impressed with what Samsung brought along to the show; we’ll have the full press releases up shortly.

Blue Earth is named in response to the appearance of the Earth from space – like a blue marble, Samsung explained – and as well as its recycled casing it’s also free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants, Beryllium and Phthalate. The charger, too, is free of those chemicals and is five-star Energy Star rated, using less than 0.03W in standby.  

There’s also software functionality intended to promote healthier living, with a built-in pedometer that shows not only steps but the number of trees that have been saved by walking rather than driving. Samsung have not announced a launch date or any predicted pricing for the Blue Earth.  Given that the only unit here at MWC – a prototype – is locked up inside a glass box, we’re not expecting availability any time soon.

Press Release:

Samsung Introduces “Blue Earth” – The First Solar Powered Full-Touch Phone

Barcelona, Spain, February 16, 2009 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today unveiled the innovative solar powered full-touch screen phone “Blue Earth” at Mobile World Congress 2009, alongside Samsung’s vision for environmental sustainability. Under the slogan: “The Blue Earth Dream: Eco-living with SAMSUNG mobile”, Samsung reinforced its commitment to protect the environment through the design of eco-friendly products and a programme of activities for its customers.

Designed to symbolize a flat and well rounded shiny pebble, Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone. By charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough electronic power to call anytime anywhere.

Blue Earth is made from recycled plastic called PCM, which is extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the manufacturing process. The device, including charger, is free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants, Beryllium and Phthalate.

The latest in a series of eco-friendly products, Blue Earth comes with a unique user interface which is designed to draw attention to preserving our fragile environment. Simple to set screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth to an energy-efficient mode, this new user interface allows the user to be energy-efficient with just one click of ’Eco mode’. Through the ‘eco walk’ function the user can count their steps with an in-built pedometer, calculating how much CO2 emissions have been reduced by walking as opposed to motor transport. This unique function allows user to calculate the value of this footprint through the number of trees that have been saved.

The packaging for Blue Earth is designed to be both small and light, made from recycled paper, and comes with a 5 star energy efficient charger which uses standby power lower than 0.03W. As part of the Voluntary Agreement of European Commission IPP (Integrated Product Policy) pilot program, Samsung has agreed to start using rating on energy consumption on the no-load mode of the mobile device charger.

“Samsung’s ‘The Blue Earth Dream’ demonstrates our small but meaningful commitments for the future and our environment,” said Mr. JK Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile Communication Division of Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to achieving the highest eco-status with our customers and business partners by providing the best eco-products and promoting eco-activities.”

Get in touch with Samsung Mobile! Learn more about ‘The Blue Earth Dream’ and other eco-friendly initiatives at www.samsungmwc.com and visit us at Hall 8, Stand 8a139 at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona.

About The Blue Earth Dream

The Blue Earth Dream conveys hope and sets goals for sustainable growth and life. In increasing environmental awareness, Samsung is developing ways to reduce CO2 emissions and to save energy at every stage of the product life cycle, as an effective response to climate change. Milestones have been put in place to eliminate hazardous substances from handsets and packaging will be designed from recycled materials. Samsung will encourage its customers to recycle handsets at a growing number of special take-back points worldwide.

The BEAT DJ comes with 50MB of on-board memory, expandable to 16GB with the microSD card slot, together with Samsung’s new BEAT DJ app which allows tracks to be edited and samples introduced. Both handsets have Bang & Olufsen ICEpower amplification and stereo speakers.

Full specs of both 3G devices in the gallery below.  No word on pricing or availability on either BEAT series handset; word from the Samsung press people is that neither device will make it to the North American market.

Press Release:

Samsung Moves to the Beat

Samsung Launches Iconic “BEAT Edition” Music Phones

Barcelona, Spain, February 16, 2009 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of two BEAT Edition mobile phones, the Samsung BEATDJ and Samsung BEATDISC. The BEAT Edition mobile phones are a perfect combination of touch-screen technology, incredible sound and beautiful design. The Samsung BEATDJ and Samsung BEATDISC truly set a new standard in Samsung’s music phone line up.

Both BEAT Edition handsets are designed to satisfy all music lovers, offering the latest mobile audio technology wrapped up in beautiful designs inspired by iconic jukebox imagery. Add to that an intuitive UI with a touch screen and users will have more fun than ever with their music.

Running Samsung’s intuitive DISC User Interface, both phones come fully loaded with Bang & Olufsen audio technology as well as advanced music application for finding, purchasing and recommending music.

“The Samsung BEAT Edition handsets will take music on mobile phones to a whole new level of quality and exciting user experience,” said JK Shin, Executive Vice President and head of Mobile Communication division in Samsung Electronics. “With amazing sound quality and advanced music application, the BEAT Edition handsets will appeal to a growing base of consumers that want to consolidate their music playing devices without compromising on style, function and experience.”

Samsung BEATDJ
The Samsung BEATDJ allows everyone to be a DJ. With its BEAT DJ application & DISC UI, users will be able to add their own voice and sound effects to their favourite songs. With the phones’ full-touch technology and BEAT DJ application, users can also ‘scratch’ the records on the super clear 2.8” AMOLED display to create their personal music. With 50MB of on-board memory – expandable to 16GB with the micro SD card slot – there’s plenty of room to let the musical imagination run wild.

Making music is only part the story. The Samsung BEATDJ is also equipped with built-in real stereo speakers – powered by B&O’s ICEpower amplifier– which sound as good as they look, producing a deep rich bass and crystal clear treble.

Samsung BEATDISC
The Samsung BEATDISC combines the functionality of a slide-out keypad with the engaging user experience of a touch-screen device.

The Samsung BEATDISC boasts the same B&O ICEpower amplifier as the Samsung BEATDISC as well as the class-leading music recognition, tagging and recommendation application, making it the perfect choice for mobile music lovers.

As well as the media functionality, there’s HSUPA 5.76Mbps and HSDPA 7.2Mbps plus GPS. There’s also an accelerometer to flip the display orientation, and a choice of storage options: either 8GB or 16GB onboard, together with a microSD card up to a 32GB in size.

Samsung have been tweaking the TouchWiz GUI, too, with a new internet-connected widget and even more customization options. No word on availability or pricing yet; we’ll be getting hands-on video and photos soon. 

Press Release:

Samsung OMNIAHD Dazzles at Mobile World Congress with Its HD Brilliance

Barcelona, Spain, February 16, 2009 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today unveiled its ultimate multimedia powerhouse with HD brilliance. OMNIAHD is Samsung’s first Symbian full-touch handset, and features the world’s first 720P HD video recording and decoding on mobile, as well as the world’s largest AMOLED screen on mobile. Samsung launches OMNIAHD at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, as part of its portfolio of innovative mobile devices that incorporate the latest multimedia features and fastest data communication, to offer a complete media solution for consumers.

Samsung OMNIAHD is the newest, high performance full-touch screen phone that brings together style, multimedia and business performance in one device. The mobile follows on from the phenomenal success and heritage of the OMNIA last year and extends Samsung’s market leadership of all-in-one full-touch phones. Samsung OMNIAHD has a stunning design with a sleek finish and delivers the ultimate in digital entertainment thanks to its HD capability and 3.7” AMOLED screen. The Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) touch screen offers unrivalled sharpness of tone, vivid colours and greater clarity in direct sunlight as well as less power consumption.

“Samsung OMNIAHD is an incredibly exciting product for us as it is a mobile perfectly suited to the needs of today’s consumers who want exciting multimedia experiences on the move,” said JK Shin, Executive Vice President and head of Mobile Communication division in Samsung Electronics. “OMNIAHD demonstrates our vision for the Samsung mobile business, which is to provide premium phones for users who desire functionality, style, usability and entertainment in one innovative device. With Samsung Mobile, I believe that our users can enjoy being at the forefront of work and play, staying connected anytime, anywhere.”

Brilliant HD
The HD video recording feature enables you to capture precious moments in HD (720p) quality, enjoy HD content on HD TV via DLNA technology and share real-time live video as users shoot it via qik.com. The 16: 9 screen of QHD display with 16M colour and dual stereo speaker reveal a whole new world of mobile multimedia experiences on the move, enabling users to enjoy SD (Standard Definition) /HD (High Definition) videos in cinema-scale quality with caption.

Brilliant Convergence
Allied to the industry-leading 8MP camera which allows you take digital camera-quality photographs on your phone, the Samsung OMNIAHD ensures you capture the best possible photographs of your friends and family.
Users can enjoy super-fast internet access of HSUPA 5.76Mbps and HSDPA 7.2Mbps that enables you to download or upload a 4MB MP3 song in less than 10 seconds and a 40MB movie in 1 minute(※). 3.7” Auto-Rotating Display on the large screen means that you can enjoy PC-like web-surfing on your phone. [※ Based on theoretical values]
GPS with integrated compass makes OMNIAHD suitable for both pedestrians and drivers, and the navigation touch control and voice guidance via dual stereo speaker provide drivers with easy and safe navigation.
The generous internal memory (available in 8GB and 16GB capacity options), with the addition of a 32GB microSD card, allows you to store up to 48GB, which translates to 35 DVD-quality movies or 18,000 8MP photographs.

Brilliant Interaction
With its easy to use and intuitive 3D interface, OMNIAHD offers effortless and convenient viewing, allowing users to move around and multi-task seamlessly. Motion-enabled features including 3D games make it intuitive and exciting to enjoy the best ever mobile multimedia experiences. Moreover, Samsung Mobile Widget delivers up-to-date information of your choice with just one touch, creating a personalized interface with which to access the infinite wealth of web content.

Although Palm would not discuss the WWAN capabilities of the handsets themselves, in a 1-on-1 briefing with the company we did see that the GSM Pre’s were using Vodafone Spain’s network. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to shoot video or photos of the on-screen confirmation.

Now this doesn’t confirm that Palm and Vodafone have signed a deal making the latter the exclusive carrier in the same manner that Sprint are in the US, but given the ongoing rumors that that is the case, we’re leaning towards believing it. We’ve got over 25 minutes of live Palm Pre demo video to edit and process; you’ll find it over at Pre Community once that’s done.

GSM Palm Pre on Vodafone at MWC09

GSM Palm Pre on Vodafone at MWC09

Each handset also has the TouchFLO 3D GUI, 3G, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo wireless. The Touch Diamond2 has a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, while the Touch Pro2 has a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus.

The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available in European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year. The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer. No word on prices as yet.

Press Release:

new HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 SIGNAL a new wave in communication

New phones simplify information access with HTC Push Internet and unify personal communication with single-view contact integration

BARCELONA ó Feb 16, 2009 ó HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today unveiled two new flagship devices, the HTC Touch Diamond2??and HTC Touch Pro2?. Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the devices balance function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience.

ìThe HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Touch Diamond2 introduce a mobile communication experience that simplifies how we communicate with people in our lives whether through voice, text or email,î said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. ìHTC is delivering the latest, cutting-edge sophistication in a broad portfolio of mobile phones that improve how people live, work and communicate.î

HTC TouchFLO 3D Integrated with Windows Mobile
The HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTCís latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. Focused on making navigation easier and more intuitive, TouchFLO 3D brings important information to the top-level user interface, including quick access to people, messaging, email, photos, music and weather. As part of this improved Windows Mobile integration the touch focus areas have been enlarged to be more finger-touch friendly.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
With the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2, HTC is introducing a new people-centric communication approach, providing a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used. This can be viewed from the contact card or the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest communication contact-by-contact is always at hand.

SIMPLIFYING HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR INFORMATION
Continuing its commitment to making the mobile Internet easier and more enjoyable, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 introduce HTCís Push Internet technology. HTC Push Internet alleviates slow downloading and rendering of Web pages on a mobile phone. Users can preselect their favorite Websites to get immediate access to them when needed.

HTC Touch Diamond2
The HTC Touch Diamond2 is the next step in the evolution of the successful HTC Touch Diamond. Crafted to fit perfectly into the hand, the Touch Diamond2 evolves the compact design and iconic style of the original HTC Touch Diamond. It incorporates a larger 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen VGA display for a greater viewing area in a design just 13.7mm thick. The phone also includes a new touch sensitive zoom bar for even faster zooming of Web pages, emails, text messages, photos or documents.

Leveraging HTCís TouchFLO 3D experience combined with a people-centric communication approach and HTCís new Push Internet technology The Touch Diamond2 offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use.

With fifty-percent better battery life, a five mega-pixel auto focus camera, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the Touch Diamond2 brings the most sophisticated capabilities to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

HTC TOUCH PRO2
Designed for business professionals, the HTC Touch Pro2 is architected with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. Leveraging HTCís TouchFLO 3D, people-centric communication and Push Internet technology, the Touch Pro2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen VGA display for an expanded viewing area and large finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard. With improved battery life, expandable memory, a touch-sensitive zoom bar as well as gravity, proximity and ambient light sensors, the Touch Pro2 is optimized for touch as well as heavy email use.

Introducing HTC Straight Talk? for HTC Touch Pro2
The new HTC Touch Pro2 leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone. † HTCís new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.

In addition to the new simplified calling experience, Straight Talk includes an innovative mechanical and acoustic design that features a sophisticated speakerphone experience similar to those found in corporate boardrooms. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full duplex acoustics. When the Touch Pro2 is flipped over it automatically turns into a conference room speakerphone system.

Availability
The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year. The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer.

What other details we do know are that the Idou uses a resistive touchscreen, rather than a capactive panel, and has what Sony Ericsson are calling “Turbo 3G”, which we’re assuming means either HSDPA/HSUPA or EV-DO Rev.A.  There’s also WiFi and a sliding lens cover, and an onboard suite of photo-editing applications that allow you to tweak shots on-device.  The touchscreen is used for spot-focus selection, and of course there’s Sony Ericsson’s usual Walkman-style media apps with support for the Bluetooth A2DP wireless stereo profile.  The Idou microsite is at http://www.sonyericsson.com/idou/.

Still unclear about the Sony Ericsson Idou is internal or external storage; we’re assuming the handset will come with both some amount of onboard memory, and a Micro M2 card slot to accommodate all those high-resolution images.  Battery details are also unclear, as is the data/charger connector.  From our photos it doesn’t look as though Sony Ericsson have gone with something standardized, like micro or mini USB.

We’re promised a full launch for the Idou – which by then should have a “proper” name, rather than what Sony Ericsson were at pains to point out was a “project name” – over the Summer, with availability in the second half of 2009.

Rather than just audio, this Walkman phone puts the emphasis on video too, with a built-in kick-stand for hands-free viewing.  The Sony Ericsson W995 will come in Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver and Energetic Red.  It will also be the first device to include Sony’s new MediaGo technology, which handles streamed media to a device – mobile or otherwise – automatically adjusting for screen-size and bandwidth, together with SE’s existing PlayNow audio service.

The company has also announced a movie option to PlayNow, which will be subscription-based and offer unlimited movie downloads to a PC and then transfer to a mobile device such as the W995.  No word on pricing or availability for either the W995 Walkman or the PlayNow Movies service; we’ll update once we’ve heard any more details.

Press Release:

Video on the go – relieve boredom forever with the Sony Ericsson W995 Walkman™
15 February 2009
Get a complete on-the-move entertainment experience with the W995 Walkman™ and its optimised video playback style and performance. Debuting on the W995 Walkman™ is Media Go™ which transfers, plays and organises your entertainment, in most file formats, to your mobile phone simply and effortlessly.

Barcelona – February 15, 2009 –Keep amused like never before on one powerful video mobile phone; watch news, TV shows or blockbusters in premium video quality or check out the latest videos from YouTube™ using Turbo 3G or Wi-Fi™. Complete with an 8.1megapixel camera and Walkman™ player, with clear audio experience, the W995 Walkman™ is the ultimate mobile phone to keep you entertained when on the bus, lunch break or waiting for a train.

With Media Go™ it’s easy to bring your media with you. This unique Sony application makes its worldwide debut on the the W995 Walkman™ and lets you effortlessly and automatically transfer any audio, photos and videos between your phone and computer. You can even find podcasts with exciting content easily from the directory – just two clicks and you’re away, and watch the action in all its glory on the bright clear 2.6” screen.”

“With Media Go™ there’s no need to worry about format, resolution and ‘frame per second’ anymore.” said Alexandre Cardon, Global Marketing Business Manager at Sony Ericsson. “No longer will the video you transferred from your PC to your phone play in low resolution or bad quality. With Media Go™ and the W995 the experience is as good on your phone as it was on your PC.”

“The W995 Walkman™ phone brings together the very best music experiences of any phone, augments this with best in class video and sharing capabilities to offer the most complete communication entertainment package to date.” said Alexandre Cardon. “This powerful mobile phone delivers the best possible video resolution that can fit in your pocket and with enough battery stamina to watch two full length feature films. The W995 also comes complete with the award winning clear audio experience and an 8.1 megapixel camera for the highest quality picture and sound available in a mobile phone.”

Set the phone on its built-in stand and watch videos with your friends while you pump up the volume on the powerful built-in stereo speakers. The W995 comes complete with excellent sound for both movies and your favourite tracks. Clear Stereo, Clear Bass and the included HPM-77 premium headphones make music on the move feel like you’re sitting in a recording studio listening to your favourite band live! For the next level of clear audio experience, in selected markets the HPM-88 noise cancelling headset will replace the HPM-77.

To complete the entertainment experience get picture perfect all the time with auto focus, photo flash and face detection. Capture images in their true colours with the 8.1 megapixel camera and you can print pictures up to a full A3 size without having to compromise on quality.

The W995 Walkman™
Anytime is showtime

• Optimised video playback with style and performance – get the best possible video resolution in your pocket
• Videos straight to your phone – Wi-Fi™ and Turbo 3G – easy video access to YouTube™ and other entertainment sites
• Clear 2.6” display – with desk stand, powerful speakers or 3.5mm audio jack
• 8.1 megapixel camera – take picture perfect images with Photo Flash and face recognition
• Clear audio experience – enjoy the best sound possible, the way it was meant to be heard
• 8GB Memory Stick™ Micro – save an inexhaustible amount of photos, video clips and sounds
• Tag a place-name to your memories or stay on track with aGPS and Google Maps™

Media Go™ Makes it easy to bring your media with you

• Transfer, play and organise – with Media Go™ you can easily transfer music, videos, photos and podcasts between your mobile phone and computer

Automatic sync – sync your music playlists automatically to keep the phone updated with your new music

• Auto convert – Media Go™ gives you the best quality playback of multi-media content on a mobile phone. There’s no need to use extra applications to be able to bring your media with you.
• SensMe™ – create a playlist of songs in your library, you can also sort your music by mood or tempo
• Podcasts – it has never been easier to subscribe and download podcasts. Apart from adding your own favourites, the directory is there to help you to find the new and exciting content.
• Audio CD ripping – Use Media Go™ to burn your CDs and bring your music and audio books with you

The W995 Walkman™ supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UTMS/HSPA 900/2100. W995 will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver and Energetic Red.

Media Go™ will be available for all markets from the W995 launch in 15 different languages.

f

There’s also a GPS receiver for use with location-based services and an integrated microSD slot.  The MiFi has a Li-Ion battery good for up to four hours continuous internet connection or 40hrs standby.

According to MiFi, there’ll be an announcement on Monday morning regarding their UK carrier partner and the device’s imminent launch.  The GSM MiFi 2353 will retail at $200 before carrier subsidies; the CDMA version will launch later on this year.  We’ll have pricing details and more information tomorrow morning.

We know that Samsung will be bringing their new flagship feature-phone, the Samsung UltraTOUCH S8300 (aka Samsung Tocco Ultra), as well as a number of other devices, many of which use AMOLED display technology rather than the more traditional (and generally more power-hungry) LCD TFT screens.  LG, meanwhile, have their Arena KM900 – which is being heavily advertised across Barcelona – complete with its nifty new 3D GUI.

MWC 2009 predictions after the cut

What are we hoping to see?  Well, a GSM Palm Pre would be a welcome announcement, and we’re keen to see which manufacturers bring Android-based devices now that Samsung have taken theirs off the agenda.  We’ve seen plenty of mock-ups and renders, but with the T-Mobile G1 still the only Android handset on the market, vendors need to step up if Google’s boasts about its open-source OS aren’t to fall flat.  We’re also expecting at least one LTE (Long Term Evolution) announcement from a US carrier, discussing their next-gen rival to WiMAX.

Plenty on the agenda, and with just three days to pack it in you’ll be seeing a whole lot of phone news on the SlashGear frontpage!  If there’s anything you’d particularly like us to get around to, leave a comment – we can’t promise to cover everything, but we’ll certainly try to get to as much as we can.  You can follow all the Mobile World Congress news with the MWC 2009 tag.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that Samsung don’t have such a shooter-equipped handset waiting in the wings, it just means that said-wings aren’t to be found in Barcelona next week.  The company’s Android delay – not only is there no MWC announcement, but the device itself is said to be pushed back until the second half of 2009 – has not been officially explained, although given that Samsung previously confirmed that the device’s development was accelerated after carrier request, it could be a sign that carriers are being more cautious given the financial climate.

It certainly seems as though most of Samsung’s more interesting handsets have been leaked already, ahead of the show.  Of particular note are the UltraTOUCH S8300, with an 8-megapixel camera, and a number of other handsets with AMOLED displays.  We’ll be bringing you all the details from the show next week.

[via Samsung Central]

Garmin and ASUS announced their partnership to co-develop, brand and market handsets last week, with the news focusing primarily on the nuvifone series.  These devices, which would build heavily on Garmin’s GPS expertise, would prioritize location-based services in order to distinguish themselves from the rest of the cellphone crowd.

However the Eee Phone will seemingly take a different approach, using the well-known ASUS brand to signify itself as a cost-effective option in a segment traditional marked by expensive devices.  No specific timescale for its announcement was given, aside from that ASUS and Garmin expect it to be among the early handsets they release.

The whole thing is powered by a 533MHz Samsung S3C 6410 processor, paired with 128MB RAM and 256MB ROM. There’s also Bluetooth, GPS courtesy of the SiRF Star III chipset, and a microSD card slot. Acer have also slapped on a second, front-facing camera for video calls, which is apparently something the DX650 doesn’t have.

Styling is not exactly outstanding, with the well-curved front looking a whole lot better than the somewhat ruggedized back.  Still, that grippy rubber backing should make the X960 easy to hold, and the dedicated GPS shortcut on the front gives a hint that location-based services are going to be a priority for the smartphone.  All other details will have to wait until the MWC press conference next week.

More Acer DX650 images after the cut

As well as the double-sided interface, there’s GPS, a microSD slot, mini-USB port and a camera of unknown resolution.  No word on exact connectivity, but we’re assuming Acer have given the DX650 3G HSDPA and WiFi b/g, together with Bluetooth.

With no shots of the smartphone actually running, there’s no telling what version of Windows Mobile is loaded, nor what Acer may have done with the handset’s GUI.  A likely possibility is some form of custom overlay, in the manner of HTC’s TouchFLO 3D or Samsung’s TouchWiz, making the handset more finger-friendly.  We’ll have to wait and find out more come the company’s official announcement on February 16th.

Points of Interest (POIs) are automatically updated with the latest information, and there’s also access to real-time traffic information, White Pages, weather, flight status, local events, and movie times.  As with the M20, Garmin-ASUS have included Ciao! support on the G60, a social-network-connected location-based service that can map out friends’ locations, similar to Google Latitude.

If most of this sounds like functionality that’s already available on standard smartphones or high-end PNDs, it might be Garmin-ASUS’ little tweaks that make all the difference to the G60′s usability.  The main menu has been boiled down to just “Call, “Search,” and “View Map”, and GPS data can be included in everything from email, SMS, photo sharing and social networking to the G60 automatically remembering where it was removed from the included windscreen mount so as to navigate you back to your car.  During a call, a “Where am I?” option appears on-screen: when selected, it automatically displays the exact latitude and longitude coordinates, nearest address, intersection, hospital, police station and gas station.

We’ll still have to wait to hear on availability and price – which Garmin-ASUS are promising to reveal in the first half of the year – but hopefully we’ll get a chance to play with some of these newly-revealed features at MWC next week.

Press Release:

Garmin-Asus nüvifone™ Product Line on Display at Mobile World Congress: Garmin-Asus announce nüvifone G60 specifications

BARCELONA, Spain/February 12, 2009/Business Wire — Garmin-Asus, a co-branded alliance between Garmin® Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (TAIEX: 2357), will feature the Garmin-Asus nüvifone product line at its co-branded exhibit at GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 16-19, 2009 (Hall 7, #7C37). The Garmin-Asus nüvifone product line currently includes the newly announced nüvifone M20 and nüvifone G60.

The Garmin-Asus nüvifone product line represents a significant step forward in location based service (LBS) technology and offers a superior and innovative value proposition for those seeking an all-in-one, LBS-centric phone, mobile web-browser and personal navigator. Although every Garmin-Asus nüvifone has LBS at its core, each device has unique characteristics because they’re designed for specific audiences. The nüvifone G60 is designed for the active on-the-go user who wants an easy-to-use device and appreciates the peace of mind that comes from a device that answers common questions like “Where am I?”, “Where am I going?” and “How do I get home?”

The quad-band GSM nüvifone G60 with 3.5G was designed for high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) networks and supports Wi-Fi for fast data connections. When used on a HSDPA network, the nüvifone G60 has the ability to download files at a fast transfer speed that makes internet searches and downloading large files a breeze.

The nüvifone G60 has a large 3.55-inch display that features three primary icons – “Call,” “Search,” and “View Map.” Secondary icons appear on the side of the home screen and can be organized by the user’s preference. Customers can easily scroll through the icons by swiping their finger across the large touchscreen display, and a built-in accelerometer allows every screen to be viewed in either portrait or landscape orientation.

The nüvifone G60 was developed with an LBS-centric design philosophy. Location information is added to everyday applications including email, SMS, photo sharing, social networking and more in order to enhance applications and share location information with others.

Navigation is at the heart of the nüvifone G60. The nüvifone G60’s sat nav operates like a Garmin nüvi® with preloaded maps of North America or Eastern and Western Europe, and has millions of points of interest (POIs) including hotels, restaurants and street addresses. The POIs can be easily accessed for turn-by-turn voice prompted directions. If a turn is missed along the route, the nüvifone G60 automatically recalculates a route and gets the user back on track. In addition, the nüvifone includes quick access to online points of interest through internet enabled local search. The nüvifone harnesses the power of the worldwide web and information about local merchants and attractions is continually updated.

Users can also supplement the POI data with LBS-centric applications from Connected Services, a suite of online applications and dynamic relevant data from Garmin-Asus that adds location intelligence to navigation, phone and browser functions. The expandable list of applications and content includes real-time traffic information, White Pages, weather, flight status, local events, and movie times.

The nüvifone product line also includes Ciao!™, a ground-breaking LBS application that helps users stay up to date on their friends’ whereabouts and status by linking numerous location-centric social networks. Through Ciao!, nüvifone users will see their friends’ location on a map and then be able to navigate to that location with ease. Nüvifone users can also choose to have the nüvifone automatically update their social network location information.

The nüvifone G60 features an advanced mobile HTML web browser. Users can surf the web on their phone via Wi-Fi or 3G networks, and the information is presented similar to a PC browser. The nüvifone G60 supports POP3 and IMAP4 email such as Yahoo, Hotmail and Gmail. The touchscreen soft keyboard is customizable to QWERTY or A to Z, making it easy to send and receive messages. The nüvifone G60 also includes predictive text to help prevent typing errors.

The LBS-centric nature of the nüvifone G60 shines through when using the three megapixel camera with auto-focus. The camera automatically geotags images with an exact latitude and longitude reference of where the image was taken. The user may then save the image so they can navigate back to the location, or email the geo-tagged image to others. The nüvifone also provides direct access to millions of geo-located landmark and sightseeing photographs available through Google’s Panoramio picture sharing site. The Panoramio photos are searchable and are sorted by the distance from the current location.

Although cell phones have long been considered an important device for safety, the nüvifone G60 takes it one step further by allowing individuals to place calls and identify their exact GPS location while making a phone call. With one touch of the screen during a phone call, the “Where am I?” features tells users their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, nearest address, intersection, hospital, police station and gas station. And to help drivers find their car in an unfamiliar spot or crowded parking lot, the nüvifone G60 automatically marks the position in which it was last removed from the windshield mount.

Garmin-Asus expects to announce the nüvifone G60’s pricing and availability in the first half of 2009. Journalists should contact Garmin-Asus media representatives to arrange product demonstrations or interviews. Additional information about the nüvifone product line is available at www.GarminAsus.com.

About Garmin-Asus
Garmin-Asus is a co-branded strategic alliance that enables Garmin Ltd. and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. to combine their complementary resources to develop world class LBS-centric mobile phones.

About Garmin Ltd.
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200.

About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than ten thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s revenue for 2008 was 8.1 billion U.S. dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”, and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service.

ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Garmin and nüvi are registered trademarks, and nüvifone and Ciao! are trademarks, of Garmin Ltd.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Rather than just being decorative sleeves or casings, the jackets themselves add new functionality to the Modu core unit.  This can include anything from stereo speakers and more advanced music functionality, to gaming, night imaging and altered GUIs.  They’re expected to be priced at between $25 and $100, while the target price for the core Modu – including two jackets – is a very reasonable $200.

It all sounds pretty outlandish, but Modu have already got their core device into the Guinness Book of Records as the lightest cellphone in the world, and received $85m funding.  At Mobile World Congress next week they’ll be revealing their freshly-inked global distribution deals, together with a “significant initial order”, partnership agreements and new product news.

Press Release:

Kfar-Saba, Israel – February 11, 2009 – modu, inventor of the world’s lightest mobile phone, today unveiled its first modu™ jackets portfolio for the modu™ phone. The much anticipated modu jackets complement the modu phone, and are the first of many jackets that modu will introduce in 2009. These modu jackets will be commercially available beginning in the second quarter of this year as modu rolls out its mobile phone and ecosystem for the first time.

At the heart of the modu ecosystem is a tiny, modular and sleek mobile phone. In addition to complete mobile functionality, the modu phone is a music player and a mass storage device containing 2 GB of internal memory. The innovative modu phone presents a bold graphical user interface and a unique seven-key keypad to perform basic functions even without a modu jacket. For added functionality and style, users can easily slip the modu phone into a range of modu jackets. This modu ecosystem offers boundless – and affordable – possibilities.

The new modu jacket lineup includes:

• modu™ night jacket: inspired by the nightlife scene, this jacket includes futuristic styling with an edgy keypad, flashing lights, night mode imaging and a unique graphical user interface
• modu™ street-art jacket: capturing the expressive and vibrant street art scene, this jacket fea-tures stereo speak¬ers and dedicated music keys for a powerful music experience
• modu™ classic jacket: designed to fit the everyday needs of a modern lifestyle, this jacket carries all essential mobile communication features with an air of elegance and fine taste
• modu™ express jacket: this jacket transforms the modu phone and user interface with a rain-bow of fun, playful flavors 
 
“modu is turning the notion of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ mobile phone experience on its ear,” said Dov Moran, founder and chief executive officer of modu. “Consumers want a mobile phone that can keep up with their dynamic lifestyles. The combination of the eye-catching modu phone with the new modu jackets offers not only personalized style but affordable updates without the costly expense of buying a new phone.”

More modu news on the horizon at Mobile World Congress

The unveiling of the new modu phone and the new jackets is the first of several major announcements planned by modu around the 2009 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. These announcements cover global distribution of the modu phone and jackets, with a significant initial order; partnership agreements; new product news; and manufacturing and production capabilities. 
 
Along with announcements, modu is making other news at Mobile World Congress:

• CEO and Founder Dov Moran will deliver a presentation titled “A Device for All Seasons: A Mod¬ular Approach to Creating the Ideal Device” as part of the New Device Marketplace. The session takes place on Tuesday, February 17, and begins at 2:00 p.m.
• modu, a finalist in the GSM Association’s (GSMA) prestigious 2009 Mobile Innovation Global Award competition, and winner of GSMA’s Mobile Innovation Global Award – Americas Tour-nament, is awaiting announcement of the award on Tuesday, February 17. The Mobile Innovation Global award recognizes excellence and showcases innovation in the global mobile industry. 

A busy year for modu

The GSMA nomination is one of several highlights in a year that saw modu continue its march toward reshaping the mobile phone industry. In 2008, modu also:

• Secured a total of $85 million in funding in a challenging economic environment
• Opened offices in Western Europe, South Korea and, recently, Eastern Europe to handle growing needs around design, manufactur¬ing and sales
• Opened research and development facilities in Israel and Croatia
• Won recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records™ for the lightest mobile phone in the world
• Awarded “Global Finalist” recognition at the GSM Association’s (GSMA) prestigious 2009 Mobile Innovation Global Award Competition
• Earned honors by AlwaysOn as the Top Mobile Company of the AO Global 250

About modu

modu manufactures the world’s lightest mobile phone, with a vision of bringing a fundamental change to the dynamics of the personal communication world. modu has developed a tiny, modular and sleek  mobile phone, which enables users to personalize their mobile experience in a simple and affordable way. Users can customize the look and features of their phone by inserting the modu™ phone into other devices in its ecosystem, including a range of stylish phone enclosures, called modu™ jackets, as well as enhanced, modu-enabled consumer electronics devices, called modu™ mates. modu was founded in 2007 by Dov Moran, the inventor of the USB Flash Drive and other ground breaking personal storage solutions , and is headquartered in Kfar-Saba, Israel, with offices in Austria,  Croatia, South Korea and Russia. For more information, visit www.modumobile.com