World / Mobile Communication
Iron Man contest winner announced!
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Features, LG, ATT, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Announcements After weeks of hand-wringing, we've finally settled on a winner of our contest for LG's uber-limited $1,500 Iron Man edition Shine! We asked you to send in pictures of the busted-up pieces of garbage you call "phones," and holy cow, did we get some doozies.Without further adieu, our winner, Mark H., comes to us from Novato, California. Here's his story:"I need a new phone as you can see. I have had this Nokia phone since 2001. I'm in the military service and my friends make fun of my old phone and now they're really on me since my phone was run over by a car and I use electrical tape to keep the faceplate together. I don't get paid enough by the service to buy a nice new phone."Congratulations, Mark! Even if this relic were in perfect condition, it'd still be time for an upgrade. Let's try to keep this one a little less scuffed, because that solid gold battery cover definitely does not live up to the "Iron Man" name. Follow the break for some honorable mentions -- you guys made it really hard to choose!Continue reading Iron Man contest winner announced!Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Iron Man contest winner announced!
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Features, LG, ATT, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Announcements After weeks of hand-wringing, we've finally settled on a winner of our contest for LG's uber-limited $1,500 Iron Man edition Shine! We asked you to send in pictures of the busted-up pieces of garbage you call "phones," and holy cow, did we get some doozies.Without further adieu, our winner, Mark H., comes to us from Novato, California. Here's his story:"I need a new phone as you can see. I have had this Nokia phone since 2001. I'm in the military service and my friends make fun of my old phone and now they're really on me since my phone was run over by a car and I use electrical tape to keep the faceplate together. I don't get paid enough by the service to buy a nice new phone."Congratulations, Mark! Even if this relic were in perfect condition, it'd still be time for an upgrade. Let's try to keep this one a little less scuffed, because that solid gold battery cover definitely does not live up to the "Iron Man" name. Follow the break for some honorable mentions -- you guys made it really hard to choose!Continue reading Iron Man contest winner announced!Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Sony Ericsson issues second profit warning of the year, hopes to break even in Q2
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Sony Ericsson, Misc Although Sony Ericsson just churned out a rather impressive array of new handsets this month, it seems the outfit is still having trouble securing record-setting profits. Truthfully, it's struggling to break even, as evidenced by the second profit warning of 2008 that was issued last week. SE is pinpointing "disappointing European sales of its mid- and high-end mobile phones" as the reason it will likely not see a profit in Q2, and some analysts are suggesting that shipment delays and a dearth of low-end handsets also carry a share of the blame. 'Course, the hotly-anticipated Xperia X1 could certainly make for a lovely Q3, but only time will tell if enough folks shell out for it to make a difference.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Sony Ericsson issues second profit warning of the year, hopes to break even in Q2
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Sony Ericsson, Misc Although Sony Ericsson just churned out a rather impressive array of new handsets this month, it seems the outfit is still having trouble securing record-setting profits. Truthfully, it's struggling to break even, as evidenced by the second profit warning of 2008 that was issued last week. SE is pinpointing "disappointing European sales of its mid- and high-end mobile phones" as the reason it will likely not see a profit in Q2, and some analysts are suggesting that shipment delays and a dearth of low-end handsets also carry a share of the blame. 'Course, the hotly-anticipated Xperia X1 could certainly make for a lovely Q3, but only time will tell if enough folks shell out for it to make a difference.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Alltel adds messaging to My Circle
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Messaging, AlltelThis ain't your grandpappy's My Circle. Well, actually, it pretty much is, with one small change: customers signing up for a My Circle messaging plan of $7.99 or higher on Alltel will now get unlimited messaging within their Circle, while the non-Circle bucket starts at 400 per month. The $19.99 "All Access Pass" is still available too, which rocks unlimited messaging to everyone regardless of whether they're cool enough to be in your Circle -- and it includes mobile web access, to boot. The new plans are available immediately.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Alltel adds messaging to My Circle
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Messaging, AlltelThis ain't your grandpappy's My Circle. Well, actually, it pretty much is, with one small change: customers signing up for a My Circle messaging plan of $7.99 or higher on Alltel will now get unlimited messaging within their Circle, while the non-Circle bucket starts at 400 per month. The $19.99 "All Access Pass" is still available too, which rocks unlimited messaging to everyone regardless of whether they're cool enough to be in your Circle -- and it includes mobile web access, to boot. The new plans are available immediately.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Rogers iPhone 3G in-store activation process gets detailed
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Rogers Wireless, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Apple, OS X For the smattering of Canadians wealthy enough to pick up an iPhone 3G from Rogers Wireless without worrying over the lack of an unlimited data plan, we've stumbled across what appears to be internal verbiage detailing the in-store activation process. Quite frankly, there doesn't seem to be any real surprises here, but it is somewhat interesting that retail locations will be required to download and use a special version of iTunes with an "Activation Only Mode," which will enable employees to unbrick the mobiles before customers leave. In any case, feel free to hit the read link if you're anxious to know exactly what the sure-to-be-hair-raising experience will be like come July 11th.[Via GearDiary, thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Rogers iPhone 3G in-store activation process gets detailed
01.07.2008 04:47
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Rogers Wireless, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Apple, OS X For the smattering of Canadians wealthy enough to pick up an iPhone 3G from Rogers Wireless without worrying over the lack of an unlimited data plan, we've stumbled across what appears to be internal verbiage detailing the in-store activation process. Quite frankly, there doesn't seem to be any real surprises here, but it is somewhat interesting that retail locations will be required to download and use a special version of iTunes with an "Activation Only Mode," which will enable employees to unbrick the mobiles before customers leave. In any case, feel free to hit the read link if you're anxious to know exactly what the sure-to-be-hair-raising experience will be like come July 11th.[Via GearDiary, thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Nokia E66 mini-review
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA Hate to break it to you, but there's little more to tell about the E66 that we didn't already cover with the E71. It's basically the exact same hardware and screen in a portrait, sliding form factor, which loses the QWERTY for a numeric keypad. That said, we wanted to go over the specific quality of those differences, and touch on a few things we missed with the E71 review. Oh, and in case you missed our video hands-on with both devices, you can find it right here.Gallery: Nokia E66 mini-reviewContinue reading Nokia E66 mini-reviewPermalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Nokia E66 mini-review
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA Hate to break it to you, but there's little more to tell about the E66 that we didn't already cover with the E71. It's basically the exact same hardware and screen in a portrait, sliding form factor, which loses the QWERTY for a numeric keypad. That said, we wanted to go over the specific quality of those differences, and touch on a few things we missed with the E71 review. Oh, and in case you missed our video hands-on with both devices, you can find it right here.Gallery: Nokia E66 mini-reviewContinue reading Nokia E66 mini-reviewPermalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Apple sends iPhone 3G FAQ to retail employees: play dumb over activation
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: AppleA frequently-asked questions list apparently recently distributed to Apple retail store employees doesn't reveal a ton of exciting new information, but it does address the simple reality that neither Apple nor AT&T are entirely sure yet how the hell they're going to complete the activation process for iPhone 3G customers come July 11. If a customer asks about how activation is going to work -- something we've previously said might be able to be finalized from the comfort of your home -- staffers are instructed to simply reply "I don't have any details at this time about activation." Well, screw you too, Mr. / Mrs. / Miss Apple Store Employee! Also funny is Apple's prediction (a correct one, we'd bet) that shoppers will be curious about the iPhone / iPod touch price matchup, to which the response is "iPhone 3G is offered at such a terrific price because, like most cell phones, it requires a 2-year carrier contract." There's quite a bit of reading material in here, including details on multi-phone activation for businesses -- so it's worth a quick read if you're into that sort of thing.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Apple sends iPhone 3G FAQ to retail employees: play dumb over activation
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: AppleA frequently-asked questions list apparently recently distributed to Apple retail store employees doesn't reveal a ton of exciting new information, but it does address the simple reality that neither Apple nor AT&T are entirely sure yet how the hell they're going to complete the activation process for iPhone 3G customers come July 11. If a customer asks about how activation is going to work -- something we've previously said might be able to be finalized from the comfort of your home -- staffers are instructed to simply reply "I don't have any details at this time about activation." Well, screw you too, Mr. / Mrs. / Miss Apple Store Employee! Also funny is Apple's prediction (a correct one, we'd bet) that shoppers will be curious about the iPhone / iPod touch price matchup, to which the response is "iPhone 3G is offered at such a terrific price because, like most cell phones, it requires a 2-year carrier contract." There's quite a bit of reading material in here, including details on multi-phone activation for businesses -- so it's worth a quick read if you're into that sort of thing.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Rhapsody ditches (some) DRM, selling MP3s with Verizon and Yahoo
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Multimedia, Verizon Wireless Rhapsody, the digital love-child of Real Networks and MTV, is best known for its DRM'd subscription music service. As such, the globe's population of sheep-white-earbudded, sidewalk zombies have been completely off limits to its charms. Until today. While its DRM'd subscription deals remain in place, Rhapsody is now offering unprotected MP3 downloads via its Rhapsody MP3 store and via partners including Verizon's VCAST over-the-air service and Yahoo. We're talking 5 million DRM-free tracks (generally priced at $0.99 per song, $9.99 per album) from Indies and the four majors. Uniquely, all tracks can be previewed in full before downloading. Rhapsody VP, Neil Smith said, "We're no longer competing with the iPod, we're embracing it." Perhaps, but Rhapsody's planned $50 million marketing assault on iTunes with the help of MTV's TV networks doesn't exactly make them best of friends. We're not DRM-free across the industry yet (in fact, far from it), but things are certainly moving in that direction.Update: Signup now with the Rhapsody MP3 store and get a $10 credit which can be applied to your first album.[Via Reuters]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Rhapsody ditches (some) DRM, selling MP3s with Verizon and Yahoo
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Multimedia, Verizon Wireless Rhapsody, the digital love-child of Real Networks and MTV, is best known for its DRM'd subscription music service. As such, the globe's population of sheep-white-earbudded, sidewalk zombies have been completely off limits to its charms. Until today. While its DRM'd subscription deals remain in place, Rhapsody is now offering unprotected MP3 downloads via its Rhapsody MP3 store and via partners including Verizon's VCAST over-the-air service and Yahoo. We're talking 5 million DRM-free tracks (generally priced at $0.99 per song, $9.99 per album) from Indies and the four majors. Uniquely, all tracks can be previewed in full before downloading. Rhapsody VP, Neil Smith said, "We're no longer competing with the iPod, we're embracing it." Perhaps, but Rhapsody's planned $50 million marketing assault on iTunes with the help of MTV's TV networks doesn't exactly make them best of friends. We're not DRM-free across the industry yet (in fact, far from it), but things are certainly moving in that direction.Update: Signup now with the Rhapsody MP3 store and get a $10 credit which can be applied to your first album.[Via Reuters]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
European 3G users break 100 million, 2G laughs maniacally
01.07.2008 04:46
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: HSDPA, UMTS, HSUPAAs much fuss as we make about 3G, the impact it has on the mobile experience, and the death of old-school GSM as a viable technology, deployed WCDMA networks in their various forms are still just a drop in the bucket when compared to the GSM subscriber pool as a whole -- even in 3G-rich Europe. A new report from market research firm Informa Telecoms and Media reveals that European 3G users now number 101.5 million, which works out to about 11.1 percent of the some 910.8 million wireless users in the continent. Norway, Sweden, and Italy all individually broke 25 percent 3G penetration, but even so, that paints a very interesting picture of the overwhelming importance of the legacy infrastructure. With EDGE Evolution on the way, it could continue to play a majority role well into the next decade, too.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
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