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BlackBerry Curve now available through Sprint

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 9th 2008 at 1:15AM Breaking News


Late's better than never -- usually, anyway -- and a rumored release date finally stuck long enough for the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to make an appearance on Sprint's online store. In fact, as "mid-May" goes, May 9 is actually on the early side of things if you want to get technical about it, so we guess some kudos are actually due here. Sprint's asking $179.99 on contract with rebates for the pleasure of indulging in its latest mobile productivity tool, which you'll ironically be using to respond to emails during meetings that you're supposed to be listening in on. Funny how the world works, isn't it?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Sprint's BlackBerry Curve definitely might be available tomorrow

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 8th 2008 at 11:16PM


After the April slip-up -- which we're hearing might be more RIM's fault than anything else, a thought validated by the fact that Sprint, Verizon, and Alltel have all slipped -- it looks like Sprint customers and would-be customers might finally be able to get their hands on some sweet, sweet Curve lovin' tomorrow. Boy Genius Report has netted what appears to be a page out of Sprint's internal Playbook, showing "direct ship" availability as of May 9 for a mere $179.99 on contract after the full menu of rebates has been applied. Not bad, all things considered (the price, that is, not the delay we've been suffering through).

Bell Canada set to unleash LG Vantage and Samsung Ace

by Sean Cooper, posted May 8th 2008 at 11:13AM


Bell Canada seem to have decided that cool, tricked out mobiles are what the customers are clamoring for, and we'd bet they're right. The Samsung Ace (on left) and LG Vantage are set to spill onto shelves in the very near term. The Ace is a dual-mode phone featuring both EV-DO connectivity and dual-band GSM -- No 3G in sight, sadly -- Windows Mobile 6 Standard, 1.3 megapixel camera -- seriously, why bother? -- microSD, and that lovely Blackjack look and feel. The Ace is set to launch May 12, though no word on pricing just yet. Also new on the scene is the LG Vantage, a really slick looking Slide-esque slider but with a touchscreen, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a microSD slot that'll allow up to 4GB of memory. The Vantage is set for launch on the 16th May and tentative pricing is set at $225 on a three year, $325 on two years, and $425 off contract. Well done Bell, nice to see a little more international roaming sans having to buy into a BlackBerry.

[Via MobileInCanada and terence889 on Howardforums]

Verizon launches the Samsung Glyde

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 8th 2008 at 12:58AM Breaking News


One of the worst-kept secrets in Verizon's stable is finally getting official today; that's right, ladies and gentlemen, meet the Glyde from Samsung. Wearing CDMA guts underneath its F700 clothing, the fashion-friendly QWERTY slider offers a 2 megapixel cam with flash and autofocus, GPS, the full range of Bluetooth profiles, microSD slot, and a true HTML browser. Unlike its crosstown competition -- the LG Voyager -- the Glyde doesn't offer support for Verizon's VCAST TV service, but we imagine most folks will consider that a minor (read: nonexistent) inconvenience. Look for the phone to start circulating into retail channels this week for a princely $249.99 on contract after $50 rebate.

Gallery: Verizon launches the Samsung Glyde

Sprint launching Treo 800w on July 22?

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 7th 2008 at 9:30AM

With the comforting knowledge that HTC's lovely new devices are inbound for Sprint, we admit, we're having an awful time working up excitement over the 800w at this point -- but we've got to give all these things a fair shake on the open market before we figure out who's king of the Windows Mobile hill this year. WMExperts claims that Sprint is now targeting July 22 for the grand entrance of Palm's latest Treo, a date that would still jibe with the timeline we've already seen in the wild. The potential launch date also brought with it a handful of new tidbits: Windows Mobile 6.1, integrated GPS, an illuminated keyboard that falls between the Centro's and the 700 series size wise, and it's apparently "very fast." It also seems that Sprint's version will likely be coming in Charcoal Black, a color that would fit in nicely with the carrier's trend of launching dark-ish smartphones. If the Curve is any indication, it's a color that'll suit the device well.

Samsung launches Instinct promotional site

by Darren Murph, posted May 5th 2008 at 7:54AM


Just in case you haven't learned enough about the forthcoming Samsung Instinct from our hands-on gallery / UI video walkthrough, Sammy has launched a promotional website designed to give you the skinny. Within the site, you can peer at a handful of press shots, get schooled on all of its features and sign up to be notified when it's ready for your hands to be wrapped around it. Nothing too exciting, but those with the Instinct high on their list of next mobile to own will surely find it worth the click over.

FCC signs off on Samsung i770 -- global version of Verizon's i760?

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 4th 2008 at 3:11PM


Remember when we caught wind that Verizon was prepping a worldband version Samsung's i760 Windows Mobile piece? That rumor's suddenly gained a lot more credence now that we've seen a so-called SCH-i770 pass through the FCC's hallowed halls, especially considering the device outline's uncanny resemblance to that of the aforementioned i760. We'd previously heard that there might be some HSDPA on board, and while we're not seeing any evidence of that from the FCC's test reports, we can confirm that it'll feature EV-DO, WiFi, and Bluetooth in addition to all the GSM you'll need to get by while roaming through mysterious foreign lands. No word on when we might actually see an announcement about this one, but we imagine Verizon doesn't want to wait that much longer -- the i760 design isn't getting any younger, y'know.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Latest word from Sprint: "mid-May" for BlackBerry Curve

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 2nd 2008 at 6:01PM


So much for Sprint's claim that the April launch date was still on, eh? Turns out Sprint has now officially delayed the introduction of its BlackBerry Curve 8330 on the grounds that it has a "desire to conduct additional testing to ensure a high-quality user experience for all functionality of the [phone], including exclusive Sprint services like Sprint TV and Sprint Music Store." We guess we're willing to wait a few weeks to get all the bugs ironed out, sort of. Hang tight, folks.

Where's Verizon's Motorola Q9c? May 15, we hear

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 1st 2008 at 8:02PM


Remember that three-pack of phones Verizon promised for April delivery a while back? Two of them have materialized as promised, but the third -- the Motorola Q9c -- is missing in action. The popular rumor seems to be that they've pushed the launch date out just a smidge to May 15, though with the Q9m already in the lineup, we suspect this one won't be causing as much panic than if either the enV(2) or XV6900 had slipped. Or will it?

[Via Everything Q]

Update: We've gotten some documentation suggesting that the Q9c will actually launch in Verizon's B2B, web, and telesales channels on May 9 right alongside the Curve and Glyde, making for a quite a blockbuster day. Availability in stores will apparently depend on how long it takes to deplete Q9m stock.

Samsung Slash slider coming soon to Virgin Mobile

by Darren Murph, posted May 1st 2008 at 11:26AM


Look out, Virgin Mobile subscribers -- Samsung's sliding you one more handset option with its forthcoming Slash. Posted now on the carrier's own website, said mobile packs integrated Bluetooth, a color display, voice dialing, web access and a talk time of 3.5-hours. Additionally, it tips the scales at just 3-ounces and measures 3.8- x 1.8- x 0.7-inches. Unfortunately, we're still waiting on the real details (you know, resolution, price, release date, whether it works in subarctic temperatures, etc.), but feel free to keep a close eye on the read link as its inevitable launch date draws near.

Verizon's BlackBerry Curve launches on May 9, too

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 30th 2008 at 6:15PM


Turns out the Glyde's gonna have to share the spotlight a bit when it launches early next month. The Curve 8330 has been confirmed by our sources for a May 9 release through Verizon's B2B, web, and telesales channels, followed by a May 12 launch in "all channels" (which we assume means you'll be able to walk into any old store and grab one). It'll go for $319.99 before $50 rebate on a two-year contract, ranging all the way up to $439.99 if you have no interest in signing your name on the dotted line. 'Course, Sprint told us point-blank that it'd be launching the Curve in April and that didn't exactly pan out, so we recommend exercising some restraint here until your jaded heart actually spies it on Verizon's site -- or better yet, on a store shelf.

Telstra kills off CDMA, completes migration to GSM

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 30th 2008 at 12:52PM


Oh, come on, Qualcomm, show a little emotion; shed a tear or something! After some two years of planning and urging legacy customers to migrate, Australia's Telstra has flipped a big, red, scary-looking switch somewhere, sending its CDMA network into darkness, never to return. The move effectively obsoletes roughly 3,500 CDMA sites around the country along with what the carrier bills as "redundant equipment" -- a nice little cost savings, no doubt, not to mention the freeing of significant chunks of spectrum for more advanced services. As you might have guessed, Telstra is jumping through these hoops to get customers onto its Next G-branded UMTS network, mirroring a widespread trend away from CDMA-based technologies and toward the GSM roadmap. Globally, it seems like CDMA2000 has years of life left -- but without a shred of major carrier support for the 4G path, its glory days may be numbered.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]

Verizon to launch Samsung Glyde on May 9

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 30th 2008 at 11:14AM Breaking News


We've learned from a trusted source that one of the jewels in Verizon's summer 2008 crown, the Samsung Glyde, will finally freaking launch on May 9. Despite a wealth of both in-the-wild and press quality photography of the phone over the past few weeks, it's been less and less clear when exactly Verizon was planning on actually offering it, so we're glad to finally have a date -- particularly considering that it's less than two weeks away. That'll give the Glyde a few comfortable weeks atop the heap ahead of the Dare's arrival, so enjoy it while you can, Samsung.

Update: It'll be $299.99 on a two-year plan before rebate, $369.99 on a one-year, and $419.99 with no strings attached.

LG enV(2) graces Verizon tomorrow

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 29th 2008 at 3:26PM Breaking News


Get those textin' thumbs ready, peeps, because your latest weapon of choice is just about ready for you. LG's enV(2)-- a phone that we'd argue takes attractive design far more seriously than its predecessor -- will be available in exchange for a reasonable sum of cash (or cash equivalent) tomorrow, April 30, in Verizon stores across the land. Far more than a mere text machine, the enV(2) features a 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, GPS, and a big ol' 2.4-inch display when the clam is opened. The only question left, really, is black or maroon?

Mug shots of Verizon's Nokia 6205

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 29th 2008 at 1:54PM


What's blue, silver, and boring all over? If you guessed the Nokia 6205, well, you clearly knew something about the phone you were holding back to us -- but nonetheless, go ahead and give yourself a gold star and a pat on the back for a job well done. The low-end flip for Verizon, which we'd mentioned not long ago, has finally been exposed in all its entry-level glory; don't get us wrong, we're delighted that Espoo seems to be back in the thick of the CDMA hunt, but we think we're going to hold out for something just a little more visually stimulating than this. The lack of EV-DO isn't helping its case either, though we suppose the external controls and camera flash are welcome additions for the folks who actually hold out until its alleged mid-June release.

Update: Peep that little "EV" signal strength indicator up there? Looks like there might be a 3G radio hiding in this one, after all. If so, kudos, Nokia! Thanks, VZW_Emp!




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