Lookee here -- this week's How Would You Change writeup over on Engadget Classic has an awful lot to do with the mobile realm. You know, particularly since the device in question is LG's Vu. If you've recently snagged one from AT&T, why not head on over and sound off about your experiences? It's a quick trip, we promise.

It looks like Android will have more than just its openness and pretty face to show to the world soon. According to a report from Reuters, LG has officially set a time-table for bringing a Google-powered handset to market (and obviously not the phone above). "We will bring it out late in 2008 or early 2009," said Chang Ma, the company's vice president for marketing strategy. The plan sounds shockingly close to competitor Samsung's scheme for a rollout of the Linux phone in early 2009. Clearly, companies are doing more than just putting pen to paper on the platform -- let's just hope those minor kinks get straightened out before the new year.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Hello, T-Mobile, anyone home? Despite T-Mobile's giant 2G drag on the overall retail picture, 3G phones outsold their 2G counterparts in the third quarter in the US by a 55 to 45 percent margin. Topping the 3G list was the Motorola RAZR V3m, followed by the LG VX8300 (really?). The number one seller overall was -- you guessed it -- the lowly RAZR V3, a phone that has seemingly well outlasted its retail viability but continues to hustle off shelves as long as carriers are willing to offer them at bargain basement prices. Oh, and yes, we know the whole 3G thing isn't really your fault, T-Mobile!

[Via textually.org]

We're not sure why people wouldn't just... you know, use Gmail, but Japan's KDDI is working with Google to roll out a customized version of the ubiquitous email service for subscribers of its au brand. Called "au one mail," a prototype getting passed around last week showed a mobile interface virtually indistinguishable from its Gmail doppelganger -- except, of course, for the KDDI au branding. Like Gmail, au one mail will be accessible from both phones and desktops; we reckon that's a good thing, though we're still not really understanding the value proposition. At any rate, look for it to launch at no charge to subscribers some time next month.

[via mocoNews.net]

With the possibility of an iPhone nano on the way, we were a tad giddy to see another handset with what looked like a rotary dialpad -- though we're still unsold on the concept. Alas, the Coolpad 219 has what appears to be just a normal keypad with music controls and a d-pad in the middle, with a keypad material look reminiscent of the aging RAZR. Retro rules, we suppose, but at leas the Coolpad has a microSD slot, 1.3 megapixel cam and a smaller 220 x 176 display. Now that we think about it, those are pretty standard specs, right? We're not sure what gives with this handset, but see the read link for some close-up pics.

D-Link's got a so-called new line-up of dual-mode WiFi VoIP / GSM V-Click phones for ya. The big selling point of course, is the ability to quickly toggle between your tri-band 900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS network or unspecified 802.11 WiFi to make low cost VoIP calls. The magic here is in that "v-click" button along the side which flips the WiFi radio. Once enabled, users can make SIP-based VoIP calls or hit the web over the bundled Opera Mobile browser and 176x220 pixel display. Hmmm, those specs sure smack of that Taiwanese GW1 peeped at CES from Winstron NeWeb Corp and unfurled as the Neuf Twin dual-mode handset already on sale in France. Let's see, same screen, same dimensions, same radios... yup, we're calling it a rebadge. So are you really going to give D-Link $600 for their logo when it drops in Q1 or pick-up an unlocked, €200/$250 Twin sans contract from your friendly electronics importer? Yeah, thought so.

Even casual readers of this publication know that we're always seeking out ways to add more functionality to our existing gadgets, so when we heard about an innovative modder who was able to turn his Nokia cellphone into a fully-functioning Bluetooth mouse, well, we knew that we were approaching convergence heaven. Inspired by Jani 'Japala' Pönkkö's LogiNoki hack (in which Jani embedded a Nokia LCD into a Logitech G3 mouse), "Pyrofer" decided to forgo the hardware modifications and instead write a Java code and corresponding Windows driver that would allow him to use his 6230i as an impromptu optical input device for when laptop trackpads and control nubbins just don't cut it. Since it's still in development, Pyrofer has yet to release his code to the public, and the Nokiamouse does indeed have some serious drawbacks; most notably, he has to hold the handset a fraction of a millimeter above the mousing surface -- which must contain distinct patterns, so no direct desktop operation -- in order for the camera's CCD to pick up enough usable light. Still, once he develops a proper Bluetooth HID for the phone to work on any BT-enabled notebook (there's also talk of a GPRS connection) -- as well as an interface for mirroring the PC's screen on the Nokia's display -- this sounds like it'll be one sweet project that could see some serious widespread adoption.

[Thanks, Mike]

With cellphones becoming more and more computer-like, that invariably means that they're also susceptible to some decidedly computer-like problems; we're talking viruses, DoS attacks, and other headaches. Though far from the first to address the problem, Spansion is promising a new level of security for handsets by implementing security measures directly within the Flash memory subsystem. In addition to warding off threats, Spansion says their system will also enable data recovery, as well as allow for secure mobile financial transactions and access control for things like using a cellphone to open a car door or start a car. A Software Development Kit (SDK) should be available before the end of the year, with the actual security controller available in something called the Spansion Multi Chip Package (MCP) sometime in the first half of 2007. No word yet on any handset manufactures that have signed on to offer the system, however.

Sony just announced their new W850 Walkman cellphone and this baby's hot. Available in black or white as designs tend to go these days, this tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 slider also delivers UMTS 2100. It comes pre-loaded with the latest Walkman 2.0 player with TrackID allowing you to lookup and identify recorded music samples via the Gracenote Mobile MusicID service. Not only that, but it ships with a 1GB of Memory Strick PRO Duo'in storage (with up to 4GB supported) and features a horizontal mode 2 megapixel shooter with LED light. Rounding out the features are a 2-inch QVGA TFT 260k color display, RDS FM Stereo radio, and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo audio. No price but we can expect these to ship sometime Q3 2006... in Europe. More pics after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Pantech has just released a new handset for the security-conscious Taiwanese citizen who also wants some pretty capable multimedia features in his/her cellphone. To keep sensitive data out of the wrong hands, the tri-band PG-6200 features a fingerprint scanner rather curiously placed right above the smudge-prone two megapixel camera lens, along with a music player that handles MP3 and AAC files from either the 20MB internal memory or a microSD card. Other nice touches include Bluetooth (no word on A2DP compatibility, though) and JAVA 2.0 so you can get your Opera Mini-on, along with the obligatory email, SMS, and MMS functionality.

[Via textually]

We've never really been into Pooh. But if the Tao of the honey bear has you or your youngin' by the throat then perhaps the Dmobo P700 is the phone for you. Built in cahoots with Disney, the P700 sports many of the same features as big-girl phones: digital camera with flash, MP3 and MPEG-4 media player, and of course, a healthy slathering of Winnie the Pooh themes, wallpapers, ringtones, and accessories sure to make the $332 price-tag plus airfare to Hong Kong or Macau (where this is available) all seem worthwhile. Right, princess?

Despite Cingular's claim of being "the network with the least dropped calls," PC Mag's Sascha Segan finds that T-Mobile's version of the BlackBerry 8700 smartphone, the 8700g, actually outperforms its 8700c cousin in terms of call quality. Other improvements upon the Cingular model are T-Mobile's addition of two key software features: the OZ semi-universal IM client (no Gtalk, and AIM users are restricted to their small mobile buddy group) as well as the first implementation of the Yahoo!/RIM partnership we heard about last month, in the form of a handy Y! Mail icon pre-loaded in the launcher. Besides these small differences, however, Sascha finds the 8700g to perform almost exactly the same as the 8700c -- that is, very well. Email and texting are a pleasure, attachment support is good for all but PDF files, and the crisp screen delivers web pages cleanly (albeit at EDGE speeds), making this seem like the new go-to device for the Mob's business clientele.

Is this the fabled Danger Sidekick III? We can't say for sure, but the site that reader John M. tipped us to contains this solitary photo, which looks almost identical to the shots that have been leaking out for the last few months. Although no explanation of the picture is given, John claims that its from T-Mobile's advertising campaign for the device, which sounds pretty reasonable to us.

[Thanks, John M.]

Alright Q fans, we've got some good news for you. We've received word that Verizon and Motorola are holding a joint news conference in New York this May 22nd -- no, not May 22nd 2007, though we should qualify that -- to announce the Q. We know, wipe the look of shock off your face; we don't really have much more info to give you than that, but really, what more do you need? By this point you're either completely sick of hearing about this thing, or have some insane pent up urge to get one, so for the latter crowd: keep your eyes and ears tuned to May 22nd.