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  • Alltel antes up BlackBerry 8830 World Edition

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , Alltel , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , CDMA They're a little late to the party , but it looks like Alltel has started slipping its own variant of RIM's BlackBerry 8830 World Edition into retail channels in the past few days. Thanks to a 900 / 1800MHz GSM radio packed in there beside the standard CDMA / EV-DO fare, the 8830 gives subscribers to CDMA carriers like Alltel a somewhat painless route to international roaming without juggling multiple handsets. The cameraless posterior means that the 8830's pretty much all business -- but with GPS in the mix, it's a darned good business to be in, we reckon. Check it for $250 on contract after rebates. [Via PhoneMag ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • Sprint scores silly marketing points, pairs BlackBerry 8830 with private island

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , Sprint , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , CDMA Sprint must figure that if you need a phone whose name includes the phrase "World Edition," you're probably the jet-setting type. Like, the type that needs a private island, apparently. A tipster pointed us out to a pretty clever new ad campaign involving Sprint's BlackBerry 8830 World Edition that offers an enticing combo package: an 8830 for $200 (after contract and rebates, of course) and an "Exotic Island plus amenities" for a shade over ten mil. Total cost: $10.5 million. Of course, if you actually go through the process of trying to place an order, the site calls you out on it -- but here's where it gets interesting, they actually offer to take your information through an email and get you in touch with the appropriate brokers if you are, in fact, serious. Talk about customer service! [Thanks, Jake] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • RIM's new Pearls and Curves: WiFi or GPS, not both

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , CDMA It seems RIM's going full force with the "you can't have your cake and eat it too" rule with its new batch of devices, even though we're pretty sure we could have our cake and eat it too -- if only RIM would let us. If a slide deck over on Pinstack turns out to be legit, the next-gen Pearl and the 8300 Curve's slightly newer cousins will be available in carriers' choices of WiFi or GPS variants, but for whatever reason, never both. We're guessing RIM has some fancy explanation about battery drain or engineering issues, but whatever -- we can think of plenty of devices that do both with aplomb, so we're not too happy about the whole mess. As the Curves go, the 8310 will do GPS while the 8320 will pack the 802.11b/g action, but the devices' internals are otherwise unchanged from the original. The Pearl 2 meanwhile has a more expansive list of updates from its predecessor, stepping up to a 2 megapixel camera, an honest-to-goodness 3.5mm headphone jack, and "new firm keypad technology" ( yay !) among other things. In the Pearl's case, network determines the add-on feature: GSM gets WiFI (probably to make up for the agony of EDGE) while CDMA gets GPS. Look for all of these to hit well before the year's out. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • Sprint launches BlackBerry 8830 World Edition

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , Sprint-Nextel , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EV-DO , CDMA While Sprint's launch of the dual-mode BlackBerry 8830 doesn't come as a surprise -- we knew it was only a matter of time before it hopped into Sprint's portfolio -- subscibers may raise a cheer if looking for some worldwide phone action. For only $199 (with a new two year agreement and data plan, of course) Sprint subscribers will be talking in 170+ countries and surfing in more than 70 -- which makes RIM's 8830 device just a wee bit handier than a GSM set. As an added bonus, Sprint has served this thing up SIM unlocked, which, for the GSM uninitiated, means you can buy a local SIM card when abroad, pop it in, and take advantage of local calling tariffs. This thing has launched on carriers everywhere and seems a no-brainer if you travel in areas only serviced by GSM and can't survive without RIM's finest at your side. [Thanks, Chris G] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • Helio pits Apple's iPhone against Ocean

    Filed under: Handsets , Pantech , ATT , Helio , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , Apple Let's face it, the comparisons between (insert phone here) and Apple's handset began long ago, and now that the thing is actually in customers' hands, the potshots are likely to start flying at mach speed. Enter Helio , who has already felt it necessary to create a comparison chart essentially showing off the areas in which the Ocean is stronger (or at least more attractive) than the iPhone . Quite frankly, the chart does make a few good points, most notably around the iPhone's lack of GPS, strangely omitted MMS ability, and the obligatory removable battery; of course, we personally aren't offended nor joyous about "MySpace integration," but we suppose it could sway some folks tweens one way or another. We know you're anxious to see just what Helio has to say about the strong competition, and while the chart doesn't seem quite as hostile as the apparently bitter Helio salesman we ran into earlier today , be sure to give it a read after the break. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • HTC preps a few more models (hint: CDMA Touch!)

    Filed under: Handsets , HTC , Windows Mobile , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , HSDPA , UMTS , CDMA HTC's model naming convention has always been just a little tricky to commit to memory, and with this latest batch, it certainly ain't getting any easier. A couple of these we've heard about before -- namely the Nike , Kaiser , and Shangri-La -- but the rest are brand new to us and very exciting. First up, the S640 "Iris" is a CDMA rendition of the Excalibur and Cavalier , tossing in EV-DO rev. A and WiFi atop Windows Mobile 6 Standard. The "Vogue" is essentially a Touch (TouchFLO UI and all) with the same EV-DO rev. A guts as the Iris -- good news for Verizon and Sprint customers, we'd imagine. GSM users have reason to celebrate here too, though, in the form of the "Volans" and "Polaris." These two are upgrades to the Vox and Artemis , respectively, adding in much-needed 3G radios and faster processors. Finally, the P6550 "Sedna" appears to be some sort of industrial device with support for a credit card reader -- though with a 3 megapixel cam and 3G data, we wouldn't mind having one ourselves. Release dates are up in the air on most of these, but our money is on late '07. [Via The Boy Genius Report ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • BlackBerry 8830 hitting Sprint next month?

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , Sprint-Nextel , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , CDMA This document sure seems to think so. The world-ready variant of RIM's BlackBerry 8800 series -- sporting both CDMA / EV-DO and GSM radios -- saw a recent launch on Verizon , and seeing how these two carriers like (need?) to one-up each other, a July launch makes perfect sense. Looks like the device is pretty much the same as Verizon's variant (Sprint even says right in the slide that price and plans will be "competitive with VZW") though the carrier is touting that its global roaming service will be more user-friendly than Verizon's, offering a single phone number with unified calling and texting. [Thanks, anonymous tipster] Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • Verizon Wireless unleashes globetrotting BlackBerry 8830

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , Verizon Wireless , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EV-DO , CDMA It would seem that the info we posted last week (it feels so good to be spot on sometimes) was right and Verizon was indeed set to release the BlackBerry 8830 today. While the hardware has been covered ad nauseam , the $199 price point -- if you sign a new 2 year agreement of course -- is a definitive plus for those of you just now taking the plunge to enjoy some of this brand spankin' new, worldwide Berryin' from Verizon. Also packed in your kit is the "Global Support Pack" which includes your SIM card and user reference guide to accessing the global 24 hour free tech support and a free calling card to do it with, no matter where you might be. Stay tuned for our hands-on. [Via PR Newswire.com ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
  • Motorola RAZR 2 hands-on

    Filed under: Handsets , Features , Motorola , Java , Linux , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , HSDPA , UMTS , CDMA Well, it's finally here, the RAZR 2 , proper sequel to the Motorola RAZR, one of the best-selling cellphones of all time. This newb's got big shoes to fill, but at least in its GSM / EDGE and CDMA variants it's 2mm smaller (sorry HSDPA fans, it's the same thickness for that flavor of 3G). For fans of the RAZR form factor, though, this is what you've been waiting for: two huge, crisp QVGA screens, Moto's JUIX Java Linux platform, 3G, HTML browser, the works. All that's yet to be seen is the price and carriers; we're guessing somewhere in the range of $500, like where the original RAZR debuted. (Also, we did spot Alltel and T-Mobile up in here.) We've got plenty of gallery shots to indulge yourself with, enjoy. Gallery: Motorola RAZR 2 hands-on Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
  • The Motorola RAZR 2

    Filed under: Handsets , Motorola , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EDGE , EV-DO , HSDPA , UMTS , CDMA Motorola has today officially unveiled the successor to one of the most iconic mobiles ever made, the RAZR 2. Available in 3.6Mbps HSDPA, EV-DO , and GSM / EDGE variants as the V9, V9m, and V8 respectively, the device comes in 2 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor and -- on some versions, anyway -- will be the second to use Motorola's new Linux-based platform (the first being the Z6 ). It includes something Moto is calling "Crystal Talk" technology that automatically adjusts volume and tone based on ambient noise. Other features include external music controls, haptics for tactile feedback when keys are pressed, a full HTML browser, 2 megapixel cam, the full suite of Bluetooth profiles, Windows Media Player synchronization, a 2-inch external display, and twice the screen resolution of the original RAZR. GSM versions start shipping in early July, with CDMA following up later in the summer. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
  • Telus confirms BlackBerry 8830

    Filed under: Handsets , RIM , Telus Mobility , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , EV-DO , CDMA Now that everybody is doing it has done it, it seems Telus is about to drop this newest and sweetest BlackBerry flavored device in Canada. Sometime between now and a little later from now, the BlackBerry 8830 will be offered by Telus for the princely sum of $400 on a 3-year contract -- and yeah, that's a pretty savage price. While Telus isn't giving an official date yet, the pic of the 8830 on the site has the date May 25th on it; this of course could be just a random date, but we're positive many eager Telusites will hope not. Check the link for more info and a pretty 360 degree view. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
  • Nokia busts out new low-end fleet

    Filed under: Handsets , Nokia , 1xRTT , GSM , GPRS , CDMA Avert your eyes if you're married to S60 -- you'll find nary a smartphone here -- but Nokia's mustered a new slew of devices for emerging markets today that cover the full spectrum of form factors and radio technologies. Starting from the upper left, the lowly 1200 keeps things about as simple as they possibly could be with a throwback monochrome display, 32-chord ringtones, a "dust-resistant" keypad, and an integrated flashlight. The 1208 takes a small step up, swapping out the monochrome screen for a color one but otherwise keeping specs the same. The 1650 moves yet a little more upmarket with a considerably larger screen, though the keypad apparently loses dust resistance in the process. The 2505 is a CDMA (!) flip that maintains the integrated flashlight and rocks downloadable ringtones and wallpapers, a speakerphone, and a handful of integrated games and tools. Onto the second row starting at the left, the 2630 re-ups the 1650's formula and adds Bluetooth, GPRS data, and a VGA cam (heck, this seems like a perfectly decent handset for... uh, emerged markets, let alone emerging ones) -- and get this -- it becomes Nokia's thinnest phone, period, at 9.9 millimeters. The 2660 does the 2630's features in flip form, but loses the cam in the conversion -- but no worries, you can get it back with the 2760. Did ya get all that? Look for all of 'em to launch in the middle of this year in "select markets" for between €35 and €90 ($48 and $123) -- not bad at all, considering those are unsubsidized prices. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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