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Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , LG , Verizon Wireless , 1xRTT , EV-DO , CDMA It looks like Verizon and LG are gearing up to release to their latest addition in the Chocolate lineup, the VX8550 . This round, the VX8550 is sportin' two new colors than before -- this time "black cherry" and "blue mint" will make your mouth water, and lets not forgot the traditional black. The device is expected to hit the street around around July 9 and cost $100 with a two year contract. There's even talk about reducing the cost of the music essentials kit that includes a microSD card, data cable, Bluetooth headset, and a gift card for music. Could this be Big Red's attempt to persuade consumers away from AT&T's music phone for their own latest addition? We hope not . [Thanks, HTC Kid and SC] %Gallery-4335% Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Samsung , 1xRTT , EV-DO , CDMA It looks like a bit of a beast, but at least it rocks a spec sheet to match its intimidating layout. The SCH-B750 (for Samsung's domestic Korean market, naturally) is being billed as a "camcorder phone" with a swiveling display and 3 megapixel shooter that combine to mimic the way you'd hold a small digital video camera (ring any bells ?). Features include QVGA internal and OLED external displays, DMB, TV out, comprehensive media support, and microSD expansion. It's not as big as it looks, either, coming in at a reasonable 99 x 51 x 16 millimeters. No word on when exactly Koreans will be able to grab this puppy, but one thing's for certain: it'll be a lot sooner than we can. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Samsung , Sprint-Nextel , 1xRTT , EV-DO , CDMA Just a few moons have passed overhead since the Samsung UpStage was released to the public, but Sprint has already dropped its price like a sack of hammers. The Samsung dual-faced and music-centric CDMA handset now lists for a mere $100 at Sprint Nextel's website. Handset prices from subsidized units regularly get price chops from all the major carriers, a fact we're all aware of. But, with the unique design position the UpStage held in the U.S. market, we're surprised the price was cut so much and so quick. Just released at CTIA about a month ago , the handset accompanies Sprint's decision recently to cut downloadable music tracks form its wireless music store from $2.50 to $0.99 . If you're a Sprint customer and love your music on the fly, cheap and on a possible new UpStage, here's your day. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Motorola , Bell Mobility , Windows Mobile , 1xRTT , EV-DO , CDMA What's a surefire way to revive a smartphone when it starts to get a little long in the tooth? Why, pull a Nokia : bundle it with some relevant accessories and rebrand it as a "Music Edition," of course! To be perfectly clear, this here Q is the same old Q we know and love; Bell's simply given it a new face by throwing in a 2GB miniSD card, stereo 'phones, and a $25 (CDN, we're assuming) gift card redeemable through the MSN Music Store. Get it by signing up for a three-year contract on a voice / data combo plan -- if you dare -- for $130. [Thanks, Terry] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Samsung , Sprint-Nextel , 1xRTT , EV-DO , CDMA As expected , Sprint has announced the SPH-m620 "UpStage" dual-faced musicphone today, giving Sprint a decided "wow" factor in its lineup -- for the moment, at least. Manufacturers seem to be turning to unusual form factors in an effort to gain some differentiation in a crowded high-end and specialty phone marketplace, and the UpStage fills the bill nicely with a full side devoted to traditional phone activities -- "calls, text messaging, and contact management" to use Sprint's verbage -- while the entirety of the flip side takes the form of a traditional MP3 player; a button press switches between sides. Naturally, the phone offers a microSD slot for up to 2GB of external storage, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and stereo Bluetooth, while an included 3.5mm jack adapter lets folks use more traditional headsets if they so choose; even cooler, incoming calls are announced via text-to-speech while you're jamming out. Also included is a Music Manager app for sideloading tunes to the phone via USB and a unique "battery wallet" boosting the phone's stamina for playing music up to a solid 16 hours or 6.3 hours of talk time (up from 2.5 hours talk time without) -- you sacrifice a bit of girth from the phone's normal, svelte 1.73 x 4.07 x 0.37 inch form, but for music junkies, the tradeoff may be worth it. Simultaneously with the phone's release in early April, Sprint will be offering 99 cent over the air (nice!) music downloads good on its entire Music Store catalog, which we reckon is just perfect for a phone of the UpStage's nature. Look for it to hit shelves for $149 on a two-year agreement with a $50 rebate available. Gallery: Sprint's Samsung UpStage Permalink | Email this | Comments BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , LG , Verizon Wireless , 1xRTT , EV-DO , CDMA Sure, Samsung's u620 was the first on the scene when Verizon's MediaFLO -based VCAST TV service launched earlier this month, but the fashionably late VX9400 from LG seems to be the real prize. At least that's the impression we got when we had the opportunity to mess around with both side by side at CES in January, and starting today, Verizon customers can start buying and critiquing VX9400s of their very own (in VCAST TV markets, anyway). Your hard-earned $200 -- plus the standard issue two-year agreement, of course -- will net you the Chocolate-esqe handset with a swivel screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microSD expansion, and naturally, EV-DO data. We wouldn't mind a few more teevee channels, but beggars can't be choosers when it comes to the mobile TV landscape here in the US -- and besides, it's a pretty nifty lookin' handset anyway, right? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.