Sean Cooper
Ottawa, Canada - http://www.engadgetmobile.com/bloggers/sean-cooper
HTC's Hero appears in soft and sensuous pink
by Sean Cooper 
posted Jul 9th 2009 at 5:21PM
We've now seen the HTC Hero in white, black, and a full-on hot ugly pink, and thankfully HTC's apparently seen the light and pushed this softer pink version Carphone Warehouse's way. The cell superstore has it slated for launch in July -- subject to change, of course -- with the other members of its clan, so if pink's the color of your Hero, you're golden. Nice to see these things slipping outside of the realm of black and white, so now that we have a pink version, how about some other colors HTC?
[Via IntoMobile]
[Via IntoMobile]
O2 Germany boosts HSPA speeds to 7.2 Mbps
by Sean Cooper posted Jul 4th 2009 at 5:40AM
Seems like only yesterday we were sitting about the campfire, chit chatting about the wonders of O2's EDGE update. Now, just a couple years later, the baby's all grown up, and rocking speeds in the 7.2 / 2.0 down and up range for some rather fortunate parts of Germany. Apparently all Huawei-based sites in the south and most other sites are technically able to offer the giddy up, though, there's a far stretch between being able and actually seeing this in the real world, right Rogers? Happy times Germany, no go forth and max your bandwidth caps!
Land Rover's S1 handset withstands torture tests, almost comes out on top
by Sean Cooper posted Jul 3rd 2009 at 4:52PM
Of course the first question we have when a handset maker launches a set with an unconditional guarantee is, could we break it if we worked hard enough? Seems the tests Land Rover put its Sonim manufactured S1 through, including baking in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven, tossing it off a second floor balcony, drowning it in a pint of beer, and even having an elephant stand on it didn't bother the S1 in the least. It did, however, finally meet its match when run over by the wheels of a three-tonne forklift. The Land Rover S1 includes and extra loud ringer to help it get noticed around jack hammers and such, a 2 mega pixel camera, 1,500 hour standby time, and that military meets weekend warrior look we know so many adore. The S1 will apparently be available on Orange from £25 -- though, we're not having any luck finding it -- and from Tesco for £250.
[Via Slashdot]
[Via Slashdot]
LG eyes number two phone maker spot for 2012, premium brand in the works
by Sean Cooper posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 5:25PM
Sitting pretty as the number three cell maker in the world would make many of the bigger names happy -- not to mention the usurped Sony Ericsson and Motorola a bit green -- but not LG, as it's now gunning for spot number two. In an interview with Yonhap, LG's president of its mobile business, Ahn Seung-kwon, stated that the company hoped to bump Samsung to the wayside by 2012 with the help of a serious new set and a premium brand. While the gaudiness of really expensive handsets disturbs us at times, we'll admit that mention that LG's looking at a foray into the über high end of the spectrum -- with the likes of Nokia's Vertu -- piques our curiosity a good deal. And what about that serious new set we mentioned? Apparently in Q4 of this year, LG will launch a new Black Label-branded device to compete directly with iPhone, which when coupled with dreams of more success from yet another Prada device (and if we're super fortunate, some more Transformers-branded stuff) is part of the master scheme to start down the path. Will they crack it? Well, if we were betting types, we'd lean towards not likely as long as the Samsung juggernaut's standing in the way -- but we're all for watching them try.BluAnt Wireless' S1 speakerphone reviewed, is well liked
by Sean Cooper posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 2:33PM
BluAnt, maker of many fine Bluetooth accessories launched the S1in the recent past and CNET's taken some moments to review it. Sure, we've seen gazillions of speakerphones that attach to the visor in your car but this one adds a fairly low price -- roughly $69 -- A2DP support for streaming your tunes, voice answering, and multipoint connectivity to the mix. CNET liked the price, tiny size, and the call quality, but were down on the volume rocker's stiffness, and the fact that S1 doesn't announce the incoming caller's info. We're all for music streaming and answering a call by speaking to it, but if you drive a convertible, you may want to look for something in the higher end that'll handle all the wind noise.
3 UK launches Nokia N97, Skype calling's a go
by Sean Cooper posted Jul 1st 2009 at 10:24PM
3 UK has thrown the N97 up on its site, so let the Nokia N97 orders begin. Of course, 3's "free calling" is plastered all over the N97's order page, so if you're a Skype fan, or an existing customer enjoying all that free calling, you'll still feel at home. Pricing on this do-it-all bad-boy is £free as long as you're willing to fork out £35 plus per month for the privilege. If you're more of a pay as you go type, fear not, you can still grab the N97, but it'll cost you somewhere in the £319 range. The website lists July 3rd as the earliest shipping date if you grab at it today, so quit reading and start ordering.
[Via Unwired View]
[Via Unwired View]
Nokia N97 firmware update 1.1 is live
by Sean Cooper posted Jul 1st 2009 at 2:47PM
Well, today is July 1st -- and Canada day, we'll have you know -- and true to our mention and Nokia's word, the N97's update of glory to version 1.1 (11.x.021) has indeed landed. So, what treats lie in store for you lucky Nokia N97 users? According to the changelog posted by Serie-N.it, we can expect a USB detection fix, widget fixes, some MfE (Mail for Exchange) tweaks, UI transition improvements, photo thumbnail performance improvements, and the backlight issue that made out very own Chris Z. howl with rage is apparently patched, too. Yeah, that's all we're seeing, though, perhaps more will come to light once we've seen it updated and hear people telling their tales. Let us know how you get on, won't you?
[Thanks, serie-N.it for the changelog]
[Thanks, serie-N.it for the changelog]
Nokia Messaging graduates to S60 5th Edition
by Sean Cooper posted May 31st 2009 at 6:03PM
Well, if you're the proud owner of a Nokia 5800 XpressMusic -- which runs S60 5th edition, in case you don't keep up with that jazz -- you can now join the mobile pioneers using this free -- at least for now, for some -- service. So, if you've never heard of Nokia Messaging, it is an email aggregator that will connect to 10 different webmail accounts and put the mail all in one place on your handset. Nokia Messaging support thousands of email providers, includes support for HTML, Windows Live Hotmail, and can be configured via the app on the phone or from the web. So far, so fantastic, and it is a grand thing when a beta app graduates to the real world. Congrats Nokia, and congrats to all you 5800 owners out there, follow the read to get at it.
[Via UnwiredView]
[Via UnwiredView]
LG's GW520 and GT505 launch brings more touchsceen to the UK
by Sean Cooper posted May 31st 2009 at 3:42PM
Nothing spells happiness like a couple touchscreen launches, even if they're only landing across the pond. The LG GT505 (pictured left) is a pretty standard slate with some integrated GPS joy -- courtesy of a 30-day WisePilot demo) to help you find your way -- a 5 megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, and HSDPA connectivity. The GT505 is a social network-centric set with push updates for your favorite social sites, sparing you the clicks to get the updates manually. The GW520, like the GT5050, is also a social-network affair and packs a 3.2 megapixel camera, 2.8-inch display, HSDPA, and a sliding QWERTY keyboard. The GW520 also has a homescreen that features animated characters that represent the folks you talk to most with quick access to calls, mail, messaging and the like. Both sets launch in June for as of yet undisclosed prices with the GT505 slated to land on Orange and the GW520 arriving on "most UK networks".
Read - LG GT505
Read - LG GW520
Read - LG GT505
Read - LG GW520
Rogers Wireless' Dream un-safing and hands-on
by Sean Cooper posted May 23rd 2009 at 10:56PM
So, Friday rolls around complete with cryptic "you'll get something awesome tomorrow" message from Rogers. Of course we bite, and something awesome did show just after lunch today. Rogers first Android sets launch on the June 2 with both HTC's Dream and Magic taking center stage to usher in the OS' proper christening north of the border. Bundled in the safety of the fireproof (yes, fireproof) safe are a charger, USB cable, headset, and the HTC Dream proper. While T-Mobile's patrons south of the border wait for version 1.5 to arrive, Rogers seems set to launch the devices with the latest build already loaded and good to go. We've not had more than a few hours with the phone, but we're loving it -- and the fact that we finally have an Android device for the US 3G flavor we love doesn't hurt either. Pricing is still firmly in the land of chalk drawings, but we've heard tell that $199 would be the price of admission -- and to be honest, that seems about what we'd expect. Follow on for a pile of pics of the un-safing of Rogers first steps in the land of Android.
Rogers Wireless' "relolution" coming tomorrow?
by Sean Cooper posted May 22nd 2009 at 3:34PM
We just had this just drop in the mansion's mailbox courtesy of Rogers Wireless. Apparently, the "relolution" is coming, and coming tomorrow. So like the dutiful souls we are, we've cancelled our appointments chez the coiffeur and are gonna just chill and wait. We're not exactly sure -- but we can certainly guess -- what may be arriving: one of two Android-powered sets set to bow on Rogers shortly, that's what (and given a choice, we'd happily take both). Now, will this come pre-packaged with some Cupcake Android 1.5 love, or are we gonna have to wait for the same slow rollout many of you are still dreaming about? More tomorrow, you can count on it. Oh, and Rogers? Please remember, before every "relolution" comes a spellcheck.
BlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-on
by Sean Cooper posted May 21st 2009 at 1:00PM 
We've been bumping into the new BlackBerry Storm 2 for quite a while now on the so-called "information superhighway," but we've finally had a chance to escalate those encounters and spend a few sweet moments with a live unit in the flesh. First off, let's confirm the huge news: RIM's abandoned the original Storm's SurePress click-screen and gone with a traditional fixed capacitive display for the sequel. It's over, guys. Unfortunately, the Verizon-branded dual-mode GSM / CDMA unit that we played with has a bug preventing us from getting past the license screen, so we couldn't dive deep into the OS, but we can tell you what we do know: the Storm 2's sleeker style and more heft combined with the newly-stable screen collaborate to make everything feel a wee bit higher end than the original. Follow the break for more impressions!
Update: On the advice of our legal team, we've had to pull the images and videos originally seen in this post. Sorry, everyone!
Update: On the advice of our legal team, we've had to pull the images and videos originally seen in this post. Sorry, everyone!
Continue reading BlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-on
Samsung's rumored I7500 set to be its first Android outing?
by Sean Cooper posted Apr 26th 2009 at 2:53PM
We dig Android set rumors, even more so when they're mumbling about Samsung's first foray into the land of the Android OS. We'd initially heard Samsung's S8000 Cubic might well be the first Android set launched, but the::unwired's reporting that the Samsung I7500 will be the one to watch. While still all rumor and speculation, the I7500 has a mind numbing pile of features, all of which would guarantee us picking this up no matter what OS it's sporting. Starting with quad-band EDGE, dual-band HSDPA, 8GB of internal storage, a 3.2-inch capacitive OLED display (can we get a wahoo?) 5 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, WiFi, and even GPS. The I7500 is scheduled rumored to be exclusive on O2 as early as June this year for €300. That, mes amis, is some seriously tasty rumor magic, here's hoping it pans out.
[Via OLED-Display and the::unwired]
[Via OLED-Display and the::unwired]
Pantech prepping new O2 Xda device, say hello to the Venn?
by Sean Cooper posted Apr 25th 2009 at 4:55PM
The folks at the::unwired have unearthed a bit of news for fans of O2's Xda line, apparently Pantech is lining up a new device purportedly dubbed the O2 Xda Venn. Little is known about the Venn, but the rumored specs are of a quad-band GSM set with single-band HSPA -- of the 2100 MHz variety -- and of course we'd expect Windows Mobile. The when and where are still a mystery, but with a bit of luck Mr. Blurrycam'll be filling us in on the details sometime soon. Keep your eyes peeled for more as soon as we catch a whiff.
Bellperre Nero Gold looks kitchy in various expensive critter hides
by Sean Cooper posted Apr 25th 2009 at 2:10PM
Nice - or something -- to see a Windows Mobile device getting the Midas touch, and Bellperre gives us just that in the Nero Gold. Finished in leather from your choices of shark, lizard, buffalo, or even alligator, gold accents, and with black brushed steel filling in all the other holes in this otherwise fairly brick-like affair. The Nero Gold is apparently a tri-band GSM device with a 2-inch display, the usual Windows Mobile push mail and office apps, and a tough as nails scratch resistant sapphire crystal screen. Want one? Yeah, neither do we, but if you'd like to see how the other half lives, hop on over to the Bellperre site and have a look see. Oh, and no word on pricing, but as the saying goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford.
[Via GSMArena]
[Via GSMArena]
