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DualMode posts

Atheros AR6002 makes NEC's N-06A dual-mode handset a WiFi access point

by Darren Murph posted May 19th 2009 @ 8:00AM

We've seen oodles of dual-mode handsets, but none quite like this. Rather than boasting two radios, two keyboards or two faces, NEC's N-06A -- which is gearing up to debut on NTT DoCoMo over in Japan -- actually has two purposes. Aside from making calls on the carrier's FOMA network, the phone can actually double as a wireless access point when AP Mode is enabled. The handset packs a cutting-edge Atheros AR6002 module, which enables handsets to operate in infrastructure mode, the primary wireless connectivity framework employed in access points, routers, laptops and other WLAN devices. In other words, your netbook (and seven other WiFi-enabled devices) can hop online via your handset, and it's far easier than the wacky tethering methods we deal with today. Other specs include an 8.1 megapixel camera, HSDPA / WLAN models and a miraculous 3.2-inch touchscreen with an 854 x 480 resolution. There's no mention of a price or ship date for the handset, but more than that, we're thirsty for details on when this chipset will be featured in a handset that's headed to US soil. Check the full release after the break.

Gallery: NEC's N-06A dual-mode handset acts like a WiFi access point

Continue reading Atheros AR6002 makes NEC's N-06A dual-mode handset a WiFi access point

Motorola ZN300 gets unofficially official, is surprisingly nice

by Sean Cooper posted Mar 3rd 2009 @ 10:27AM

First in the "we're surprised they did it" category today is Motorola's ZN300, a handset that doesn't look even a little like a RAZR. We knew you could do it Moto, and congrats on what seems at first glance to be a pleasant departure form the rehashes we've seen so much of lately. The ZN300 is a slider set with quad-band GSM, CDMA, and TD-SCDMA, which makes this set a shoe-in for China mobile. Other notables include 8 MB (hopefully a typo for 8GB) of built in memory that can expand to 32GB, 3 megapixel camera with 8X zoom, Bluetooth, and styling that finally may make some people take notice. Sure this handset may not deserve a ZOMG!, but hey, we're happy to see something, anything, new from these folks. Look for it to launch this quarter; follow on for a wee gallery.

[Via UnwiredView]

Gallery: Motorola ZN300 gets unofficially official, is surprisingly nice

Samsung gets slapped in China over dual-mode patent

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 23rd 2008 @ 12:02PM

The majority of the globe doesn't have to worry its pretty little head over this technology, but in China, dual-mode handsets that operate with equal aplomb on CDMA and GSM networks are a way of life. Since we're talking about a billion people here, foreign manufacturers are naturally going to want to get into that action -- but they're going to have to get past patent holder Holleycomm first, especially since they've just been awarded the equivalent of $7.3 million by a Hangzhou court for Samsung's apparent indiscretions on the matter. What's more, Holleycomm says it's not satisfied with the win and intends to milk Sammy for more, and when it's done, it intends to go after other violators. It's funny to hear tales of patent lawsuits in the land that harbors more Keepin' It Real Fake devices than any other -- funny, that is, until you're the one staring down the barrel of that $7.3 million fine.

Sprint 4G dual-mode CDMA / WiMAX modems and handsets on tap

by Darren Murph posted Dec 5th 2008 @ 5:02PM

Hang tight to that Samsung SWC-E100 ExpressCard you snatched up as one of the few early adopters in Baltimore -- that thing could one day be a serious relic (or rare eBay find). Just over a year since launching the perplexedly named XOHM WiMAX service, Sprint has decided to rechristen the whole thing Sprint 4G after its workings with Clearwire. Reportedly, the carrier will be offering up dual-mode CDMA / WiMAX modems as early as the end of this year (at least in the Charm City), while similarly equipped handsets won't be too many months behind (just like we'd heard). Kinda hurts to know you can't add a CDMA radio into that WiMAX-only card you already purchased, huh?

[Via phonescoop]

Samsung throws two SIM slots in beefy S9402 DuoS

by Darren Murph posted Oct 27th 2008 @ 7:00PM

Just in case Samsung has yet to create a dual SIM DuoS handset that really struck your fancy, here's yet another to consider: the S9402. Expected to boast a luxurious outfit (and matching price tag, we imagine), this here candybar will tout a 2-inch QVGA AMOLED display, an all-metal frame, 1GB of internal memory, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0, USB connectivity, FM tuner, a 5-megapixel camera (with video mode) and a complete lack of 3G support. Word has it that it'll be launched first in Russia, though we suspect surrounding nations won't have to wait too long to indulge.

Bell Canada set to unleash LG Vantage and Samsung Ace

by Sean Cooper posted May 8th 2008 @ 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]

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

by Chris Ziegler posted May 4th 2008 @ 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]

Samsung's SCH-W599 enjoys both GSM / CDMA connectivity, long walks in park

by Sean Cooper posted Apr 18th 2008 @ 11:43AM

Samsung's dual-mode SCH-W599 has made an appearance today and seems destined for China's China Unicom network. This handset sports both 800MHz CDMA and also dual-band GSM -- so yeah, not so terribly useful over here -- 2 megapixel camera, FM radio, Bluetooth, and a 2.4-inch touchscreen with handwriting recognition. Form factor is pretty standard Samsung fare, though thicker than we've seen from them in recent efforts. Other notables include a dual-sim slot under the bonnet and VibTonz feedback from the touchscreen. We're big on haptics round these parts, so we've got our collective fingers crossed we'll be seeing more of this in the near future, right Samsung?

[Via Unwired View]

Hop-on's HOP2001 brings dual-mode action to Windows Mobile

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 27th 2007 @ 7:38PM

So what's more creative, a disposable cellphone or a dual-mode GSM / CDMA WinMo smartphone? Tough call, but it's a very real question seeing how Hop-on apparently makes both. This here is the HOP2001, a phone with a spec sheet that sounds just a little too good to be true: triband HSDPA 3.6, CDMA (though EV-DO doesn't appear to be supported), a 3 megapixel autofocus cam, 256MB of ROM and 128MB of RAM, integrated GPS, microSD expansion, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, and Windows Mobile 6 (never mind the fact that the shoddy rendering shows Windows Mobile 5, we suppose). Hop-on proudly proclaims the HOP2001 to be "AT&T / Verizon ready," though we'll hold off on proclaiming this one of the most feature-packed WinMo handsets on the market until we see some actual units in use. Call us jaded!

Samsung's dual-mode W629 for China

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 10th 2007 @ 2:33PM

We don't see a lot of dual-mode action around here, but in areas of the world where cell coverage is a disjoint patchwork of GSM and CDMA networks, having the capability to switch between services seems like a nifty trick. Samsung's no stranger to the concept, and its latest dual-mode model kinda makes us wish we had a need for such fancy technological trickery: meet the W629, a neat lookin' little phone in the vein of the company's so-called credit card phones featuring a 2.6 inch display, 3 megapixel cam, and Bluetooth. It should hit mainland China before the end of the year.

[Via Mobilewhack]

BlackBerry 8830 "Cyclone" peeped with Verizon branding

by Sean Cooper posted Apr 5th 2007 @ 12:05PM

As mentioned a few days ago, Verizon Wireless seems to be prepping for the release of a new dual mode version of the venerable Blackberry 8800, christened the 8830. With this handy bit of tech you will be able to use CDMA radio while in the States (and maybe Canada?) and switch over to that good old fashioned GSM love while abroad. The pic above clearly shows the 8830 in silver, while the images in our last article seem to show it in black. No other solid info is available, but you can be sure we will be updating as the news and details trickle in.

Skylink goes both ways with Ubiquam U-520

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 25th 2007 @ 9:31PM

Russian operator Skylink is apparently claiming that their U-520 candybar -- sourced from Korea's Ubiquam -- is the world's first dual-mode CDMA / GSM handset. While it's a nifty trick to be sure, we can think of countless phones that have managed to pull it off before; sorry Skylink, no gold star for you there. Anyhoo, on the CDMA 450 side of things, the U-520 rocks EV-DO data, but GSM suffers along with puny GPRS on 900 / 1800 networks. Other specs include a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth, expandable memory, and USB. We'll pass on this one -- partly on account of its homely appearance, partly because it offers precisely zero bands of interest to us -- but we're sure it'll come in handy in Moscow's rough-and-tumble mobile landscape.

[Via Unwired View, thanks Staska]

Samsung SCH-W579: dual mode with a touchscreen

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 5th 2006 @ 6:00PM

We're guessing that taking up residence in China has its fair share of disadvantages, but let it be known that a dearth of nifty, unusual smartphones is not one of them. Samsung has rolled another for China Unicom, the SCH-W579, and with support for CDMA 800 / 1900 and GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900, the touchscreen-enabled beast isn't likely to leave its owner without coverage. Other features include internal QVGA and external 96 x 80 displays, a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth, business card recognition, and a media player. We can't make heads or tails of what OS this thing will be rocking, but Linux is a strong possibility.

[Via Slashphone]

Paragon shows dual-mode "hipi-2200" Smartphone

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 23rd 2006 @ 1:09PM

We're, like, so over flush metal keypads, but we're going to let it slide just this once. Looking to bring a little more spit and polish than the original dual-mode hipi before it, Paragon Wireless' new hipi-2200 ups the ante with the inclusion of Windows Mobile 5 -- in a far more refined-looking package, to boot. With the exception of the lack of 3G (or even EDGE, for that matter) and the pedestrian 220 x 176 display, the spec sheet reads like a dream come true for Windows Mobile fans: 2-megapixel cam, microSD expansion, quadband GSM, SIP-based VoIP with seamless handoff, and a claimed 100 hours of standby with both GSM and WiFI radios turned on. Best of all, Paragon says the hipi-2200 is FCC certified, making a US release at least plausible. Likely? No, but we can dare to dream.

[Via Mobilewhack]

UTStarcom goes dual-mode with GSM / CDMA T66

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 2nd 2006 @ 2:34PM

The dual-mode concept is a big deal in Asia where carriers like China Unicom have both GSM and CDMA networks floating around, and it looks like UTStarcom wants to cash in with its T66 clamshell. The press release claims the T66 sports not one, but two 2.6-inch displays (we're having a hard time picturing that), music player, 1.3 megapixel camera, and "MP3 broadcasting" and is destined for China Unicom's World Wind dual-mode service. The T66's major selling point is apparently its ability to stand by on both networks simultaneously, a feature missing from first-generation World Wind devices. No word on availability outside China, which doesn't necessarily break our hearts -- but we have to admit, we're a little curious about the "MP3 broadcasting" feature. An FM transmitter, perhaps?

[Via Mobilewhack]