LG and Microsoft partner to build a mobile lifestyle - LG

LG and Microsoft announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form strategic collaboration in Mobile Convergence.. With this partnership LG and Microsoft are hoping to make mobile computing an everyday reality. LG and Microsoft want to be at the forefront of it.This mobile computing lifestyle revolve around smartphones.

Here's a list of LG Mobile Phones.

Full Press Release from lpe.com

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 Smartphone launches in Canada - Blackberry 8220 Now Available!

Rogers and RIM Announce Availability of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 Smartphone in Canada starting today, 11/4 (in stylish black finish). A pink version will also be coming soon.

The new BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 Smartphone carries the features and power of a BlackBerry smartphone but now comes in a design that is more "fun".

Features:

- Two high-resolution

- Light-sensing color displays (including an external LCD)

- Ability to preview incoming emails, text messages and phone calls without opening the handset

- Built-in Wi-Fi ® (802.11 b/g) with support for Rogers TalkSpot service
- 2 megapixel camera with digital zoom, built-in flash and video recording
- Advanced media player for viewing pictures, listening to music and watching videos
- Externally-accessible microSD/SDHC memory card slot

- DataViz® Documents To Go®

Pricing:
$49.99 with activation on any combination of 3 year voice and data plan with minimum combined monthly service fee of $35 per month from Rogers.

Compare to other Blackberry Phones.

BlackBerry Bold 9000 Launches - Blackberry Bold 9000 is sleek

The launch of the BlackBerry® BoldTM smartphone was announced today. In the press release it is described as following:

"The ultra elegant BlackBerry Bold smartphone, with its lustrous black
exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leatherette backplate, is a
symbol of accomplishment and aspiration. With its stunning display,
sophisticated user interface and newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard, the
BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a ‘must have’ for business professionals and power
users".

BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphone features include:
- Elegant design.
- HVGA (480x320 resolution at 217 ppi) color LCD
- Newly designed keyboard
- Support for tri-band HSDPA and enterprise-grade Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g) networks
- 624 MHz mobile processor.
- Integrated GPS (supports BlackBerry® Maps)
- 128 MB Flash memory

- 1 GB on-board storage memory

- MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot with support for up to 16GB of additional storage

- Dimensions: 114 x 66 x 15 mm.

- Approximate weight (including removable battery): 136 g

This like other Blackberry phones is targeted at Business Users.

Sprint Launched HTC Touch Pro Mobile Phone - HTC Pro

The HTC Touch Pro for Sprint was launched and is now available for purchase online. The HTC Touch Pro offers both business productivity and style. The Sprint HTC Touch Pro is priced at $299.99 (with a two-year subscriber agreement), after a $100 mail-in-rebate. The HTC Touch Pro will be available in Sprint Stores, on Nov. 2. This version of the HTC Touch is geared towards business users.

Features:

• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easy data entry
  
• Expandable storage capabilities with a microSD card slot (1 GB card included)
  
• Business card scanner application
  
• Built-in 3.2 MP camera/camcorder
  
• Windows Mobile 6.1 allowing users have access to security and device management capabilities
  
• lightning-fast connectivity
  
• GPS: GPS/AGPS

See Press Release and Full List of Features

HTP Pro Accessories have also come online.

ASUS P552w PDA Phone - ASUS Touch-responsive Glide Interface

The ASUS P552w launched an Innovative Touch-responsive Glide Interface PDA Phone.
The ASUS P552w "Glide" interface makes navigating and performing tasks on a mobile phone more intuitive and interactive.

Features:
624MHz processor

3.5G HSDPA connectivity
GPS
Google integration

The ASUS P552w PDA is targeting young, tech-savvy professionals. This would be a nice complement to the Stylish Eee PC S101.

See Press Release

Vimpel buys stake in Russian handset retailer - Euroset Group

The Russian telecommunications provider Vimpel announced that it has acquired a large (49.9 percent) stake of a mobile handset retailer (Euroset Group) in an effort to increase its competitiveness despite the economic downturn. The price for this stake is roughly, $226 million.

According to Forbes, Alexander Izosimov, chief executive of Vimpel, said the importance of retail networks rises during "challenging market conditions." "Hence, it is in our best interest to forge solid relationships with the retail operators at this point in time," he said. "We believe that acquiring a stake in a leading retailer, like Euroset, will allow us to strengthen our competitive position and to stabilize the market."

See Full Article

Google G1 Phones selling at Wal-mart starting today (10/28)

Wal-mart will start selling the Google G1 phone at a discounted price starting Wednesday 10/28. Wal-Mart will carry the Google G1 phone 550 Wal-Mart stores. The Google G1 Phone will sell at a reduced price of $ 148.88 for new customers, or existing customers eligible for an upgrade, who sign up for a two-year agreement. At T-Mobile the Google G1 Phone will cost 179.99.

Full Article

Sprint Instinct Phone - Can Sprint Instinct by Samsung Compete?

Sprint announced the Instinct (by Samsung). The Instinct is iPhone-like with it's touch screen and fast speeds. It will be available on 6/20/08 through the Sprint website. Some other features include: Speech to Action Button, Visual Voicemail, Camera, Camcorder and more.

I guess the big question, is can this or any other phone (ie. Palm Centro) compete with the Apple 3G iPhone? Only time will tell. It looks like Sprint's $130 price tag is a good start. Note: The $130 is after signing a two-year service contract and includes the $100 mail in rebate.

Compare Prices on Smartphones.

Sony Ericsson F305 Phone - The Sony Ericsson F350 is Wii Like!

Sony unveiled the Sony Ericsson F305. Similar to the motion sensing of the Wii controller, the Sony Ericsson F305 phone (besides being a phone) allows you to move the phone to control games. Some of the preloaded games included Bowling and Fishing. With the F305 you are able to play games horizontally. Other cool features include a slot for a memory card, camera, and gaming keys.

I'm sure Sony had the youth in mind when creating the Ericsson F305.

Other Details:

Your game console

Play bowling on the bus. Go fishing or be a jockey in the coffee shop. Play with dedicated gaming keys, or get physical with a motion game.

Pump up the volume

The stereo speakers boost your gaming experience further. And they're good for listening to music together with friends too.

Ready to catch the moment

With the F305 at hand, you're always ready to catch fun and unexpected moments. Your phone has a 2 megapixel camera.

Here's a picture of the Sony Errisson F305 phone in black:


Full Specs on the Sony Ercisson F305 can be found here: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/products/phoneportfolio/specification/f305

Palm Centro SmartPhone - Verizon 3rd Carrier to offer Palm Centro (in Blue)

Verizon Wireless has signed up to offer the Palm Centro. The other two carriers offering it are Sprint & AT&T. Prices start at $99 (after rebate and service plan). And it's pretty small/lightweight. Slightly taller than a playing card.

Verizon is offering the Centro in Blue.
AT& T is offering the Centro in Black & White.
Sprint is offering the Centro in Red, Pink & Black.

Palm Centro features:

Palm OS by ACCESS
Color touchscreen and full keyboard
Text messaging/chat-style
Wireless email
Broadband-like speeds
1.3 megapixel digital camera
Video Camera

The 3G iPhone is the hottest thing out there, but this seems to be another cheaper alternative.

The 3G Apple iPhone coming to France, Japan, South Africa, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Spain Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia & Poland

The 3G Apple iPhone offering is expanding internationally at a pretty good clip. Here's a list of the iPhone 3G Locations where they are expected along with the target dates for 3G sales to begin.

South Africa on July 20 (through VODACOM)
Austria, Germany, Netherlands starting on July 11th.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia later in the year.
France, Portugal and Switzerland starting next month (Through France Telecom's Orange division)
Spain expected before Summer (Through Telefonica)
Japan - Date is TBD (through Softbank)

As more become available, we will add to the list.

iPhone to be sold through Telefonica in Spain

And the Winner in Spain - Telefonica! They have been chosen to offer the iPhone in Spain. The phone is expected to begin selling before the summer. Vodafone and Orange will not be offering the iPhone.

As Apple continues to lock down their international distribution, we may see many more of these in the near future (recent post on Japan).

iPhone to be sold through Softbank in Japan

And the Winner is -- Softbank (Japan's third-largest mobile-phone carrier). They have been chosen as the carrier for the Apple iPhone in Japan. It looks like this news has also caused their stock price to tick up. The #1 and #2 Carriers (DoCoMo & KDDI) share slipped on this news.