866 Cellphones
Just another Cellphones News weblog
Archive for April, 2009
Hugo Chavez launches ultra-cheap “penis” phone
Author: +866.com28 Apr
Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s president, has become the world’s first country president to launch a mobile phone.
And as if this isn’t weird enough, Chavez gave the phone a funny (or maybe offensive, for some) name: Vergatorio – which is a Venezuelan slang term for… penis.
Produced by a company that Chavez nationalized, the Vergatorio phone is a low-end model that costs only about $15.
Even so, according to Telegraph.co.uk, the handset features stuff like WAP browser and MP3 player.
Hugo Chavez believes that the Vergatorio phone “will be the biggest seller not only in Venezuela but the world. Whoever doesn’t have a Vergatario is nothing.”
Uhm, right 
Via IntoMobile
Tags: Funny, Handset Features, Hugo Chavez, Hugo Chavez Venezuela, Launch, Mobile Phone, Mp3 Player, Penis, Slang Term, Telegraph, Wap Browser, WeirdRelated posts
New details on the next iPhone’s specs: 32GB, digital compass and more
Author: +866.com28 Apr
There’s still nothing official about the third-generation Apple iPhone, but more and more rumors are starting to appear.
The latest rumor comes from China, providing an insight on what the new iPhone might bring, hardware-wise.
According to this thread from the WeiPhone forum, the next iPhone (model number MB717LL) will rely on a 600MHz processor and 256MB of RAM.
Moreover, the new smartphone should also feature: FM radio, digital compass, 32GB of internal memory and a 3.2MP autofocus camera (it’s not the first time we hear about the 3.2MP camera). And, needless to say, the device will run on iPhone 3.0 OS.
Sadly, it looks like there will be no major changes when it comes to the external case, the display and the battery. Not that there’s something wrong with iPhone 3G’s case, screen and battery, but I think that a fresh design and a display with a higher resolution would be more than welcome. After all, most high-end touchscreen phones now have 480 x 800 pixels screens.
Of course, none of the above specs are confirmed. Let’s hope there’ll actually be much more coming from Apple – the Cupertino company will probably announce the new iPhone during WWDC 2009 (June 8 – 12), at about the same time with the Palm Pre and Microsoft’s new, mysterious Zune.
Via MacRumors
Tags: 3g, 600mhz Processor, Apple Iphone, Cupertino Company, Digital Compass, External Case, Fm Radio, Fresh Design, Generation Apple, Insight, Internal Memory, Iphone, Model Number, New Details, Radio Digital, Screens, Smartphone, Third Generation, Wwdc, ZuneRelated posts
Fractus sues 10 cell phone makers for antenna patent violation
Author: +866.com28 Apr
Fractus S.A., a relatively unknown Spain-based company, has recently sued no less than ten mobile phone manufacturers for infringing nine different patents.
According to the company, the handset makers that infringed its patents are: Samsung, LG Electronics, Research In Motion, HTC, Palm, Pantech, Sharp, Kyocera, Sanyo and UTStarcom.
The allegedly infringed patents are related to internal antennas used in cell phones.
Reportedly, Fractus “is an early pioneer in developing internal antennas for cellular phones and other industries” and it holds more than 80 patents worldwide, 30 of them being held in the United States – where the suit against the ten handset makers was filed.
No other details were given, but the declaration of Fractus’ lawyer doesn’t quite promise good things for Samsung, LG and the others:
“It is very brave of Fractus to fight against these cell phone companies, many of whom knew about Fractus and its technology yet still continued to infringe. Fractus’s inventions have added tremendous value to both the cell phone user and manufacturer.”
HTC has already responded to Fractus’ accusation by saying:
“This patent infringement lawsuit will not impact the Company’s core competency, current customers in USA or devices already on sale in USA.”
We’ll bring more about this as soon as new details pop up.
Source: Press release – thanks to PDA.pl for the tip.
Tags: Accusation, Cell Antenna, Cell Phone Makers, Cellular Phones, Core Competency, Electronics Research, Handset Makers, Internal Antennas, Inventions, Kyocera, Lg Electronics, Mobile Phone Manufacturers, New Details, Pantech, Patent Infringement Lawsuit, Patent Violation, Patents, Research In Motion, Sanyo, UtstarcomRelated posts
Samsung Houdini – T-Mobile’s third Android phone?
Author: +866.com28 Apr
A phone named after the great Harry Houdini has to be a cool one, right? Add a touch of Android, plus Samsung’s know-how, and you probably have a real winner there.
What am I talking about? Well, it looks like T-Mobile USA is getting ready to launch a so-called Samsung Houdini later this year.
The handset is part of T-Mo’s Android line-up, and, according to a document found at CellPhoneSignal, it will be released sometime in the fall, several months after the G2 / Magic / MyTouch 3G.
Details about the Samsung Houdini are scarce for the moment, but the handset looks somewhat similar to the Samsung i7500 – so it might be its US edition.
The above-seen document also unveils the possible contract price of MyTouch 3G: $179 – just like the current price of T-Mobile G1 (which, by the way, will be sold for only $149 starting… this month?).
All in all, good news for T-Mobile’s subscribers in the US.
Tags: Contract Price, Cool One, G1, Handset, Harry Houdini, Magic, Mobile Phone, Mobile Usa, Samsung, Samsung Mobile, Subscribers, T MobileRelated posts
AT&T officially announces the BlackBerry Curve 8900
Author: +866.com28 Apr
Not long after we’ve heard that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 may be coming to AT&T, now the giant blue carrier has officially confirmed the smartphone’s release.
Unfortunately, AT&T didn’t give us an exact launch date, but it said the Curve 8900 would be available starting “early summer”.
The handset’s price is also unknown, but I guess it will be of around $200 on contract.
As we’ve already said, AT&T’s Curve 8900 is similar to the one available via T-Mobile – although, of course, it will provide exclusive stuff like AT&T Navigator and free Wi-Fi at almost 20,000 AT&T hot spots.
Well, until AT&T actually releases the smartphone, you can read our BlackBerry Curve 8900 review here.
Via Press release
Tags: Amp, Blackberry Curve, Carrier, Free Wi Fi, Giant, Handset, Hot Spots, Launch, Navigator, Press Release, S Curve, Smartphone, Stuff, T MobileRelated posts
Storm 2 Confirmed by RIM CEO
Author: +866.com28 Apr
Do you find yourself wanting to love the touch-enabled Blackberry Storm but for some reason it lacks a certain something? Or do you find yourself not wanting to get the Storm because it’s a first-gen model?
If you fall in either category, you will be happy to learn that the long-rumored Blackberry Storm 2 is currently being engineered.
While we have been hearing rumors about this for quite some time now, we finally have official confirmation from the big man himself, Jim Balsillie. Speaking to Reuters, he said “we have next-generation devices with [touch] and the whole roadmap.”
Apparently with one million devices sold, Blackberry has determined that there is a large consumer market to be had. Large market, indeed. Especially if the Storm 2 comes with some significant improvements or feature additions.
No release date was mentioned. Rumors have mentioned September 2009 as a possible date, but it all depends on how far through the process RIM is at this point.
via PhoneScoop
Tags: Blackberry, Ceo, Confirmation, Feature Additions, Generation Devices, Next Generation, One Million, Release Date, Reuters, Rim, Roadmap, Significant ImprovementsRelated posts
Sony Ericsson CS8 and CS5 release dates unveiled
Author: +866.com28 Apr
Alongside the 8MP Sony Ericsson CS8 (aka C905a), T-Mobile USA will also launch the CS5 – another camera phone made by SE.
Apparently, Sony Ericsson CS5 is a North American version of the C903 Cyber-shot (pictured below), which we first saw back in February.
In consequence, T-Mo’s users should expect the CS5 to come with a 5MP dual-LED flash camera, a QVGA display, 3G, GPS and TV out.
According to CellPhoneSignal, T-Mobile will release the Sony Ericsson CS8 on June 24, while the CS5 should hit the shelves on July 8.
No word yet on pricing, but the CS8 will most probably be more expensive than the CS5.
Tags: 3g, Consequence, Cs8, Flash Camera, Gps, June 24, Launch, Led Flash, Mobile Ericsson, Mobile Usa, Qvga Display, Release Dates, Shelves, Sony, Sony Ericsson, T MobileRelated posts
Nokia 6750 Mural coming to AT&T
Author: +866.com28 Apr
The FCC has recently approved a new Nokia phone that’s almost surely going to be released by AT&T in the US.
We’re talking about the Nokia 6750 Mural, which comes as a clamshell that works on the 850/1900 UMTS bands.
Somewhat similar to the Nokia 6650 that AT&T launched in November 2008, the new 6750 comes with two displays, a glossy finish and external music-dedicated keys. It also has a 2MP camera with flash, Bluetooth and MicroSD card support, up to 8GB.
The phone’s Users Manual confirms that AT&T will carry the Nokia 6650, since it includes stuff like MEdia Net and Video Share.
It’s not clear yet if the 6650 runs on Symbian S40, or on Symbian S60. I guess we’ll have to wait for its official release in order to find out.
Via PhoneScoop
Tags: Amp, Bluetooth, Clamshell, Fcc, Music, New Nokia, Nokia, Nokia 6650, Nokia 6750, Nokia PhoneRelated posts
Sony Ericsson W995a approved by the FCC
Author: +866.com28 Apr
The North American version of Sony Ericsson W995, namely the W995a, was recently approved by the FCC – which means the phone might be soon launched in the US and Canada.
Codenamed Sony Ericsson Hikaru, the W995 / W995a is SE’s second handset that has an 8MP photo camera. Despite this, it’s not a Cyber-shot phone, but a Walkman one.
So, besides the nice photography-related features, the W995a also comes with a 3.5mm headset jack, Walkman 4.0 player, shake control, TrackID, stereo FM radio, stereo speakers and stereo Bluetooth.
No word yet if the W995a will be picked by a North American carrier (AT&T, Rogers?), or if it will be sold unlocked. In the second case, the slider will probably be quite expensive.
Via Engadget
Tags: 5mm, American Carrier, Amp, Canada, Codenamed, Cyber Shot, Fcc, Handset, Photo Camera, Photography, Radio Stereo, Rogers, Slider, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Stereo Fm Radio, Stereo Speakers, WalkmanRelated posts
Nokia E71x on Sale at AT&T Now
Author: +866.com28 Apr
Are you dreaming? Nope. We’ll pinch you if you still don’t believe us; that’s right folks, the Nokia E71x is no longer a fantasy, as it is now officially on AT&T’s website for sale now.
It’s been a long time coming, so we’re happy to hear the news. And the specs of this particular phone were worth the wait, considering it has GPS, WiFi and 3.2 MP camera on a smartphone that costs only $99.99 after mail-in rebate.
The only thing that will take some getting used to is Symbian S60, but it’s hard to turn down such a rich feature package.
Now that the wait is over, are you going to get the E71x? After playing with it on a couple different occasions I have come out quite impressed by the phone. Great features and small phone with an easy-to-use QWERTY.
Let us know what you think in our comments section.
via Engadget
Tags: Amp, Comments Section, Fantasy, Feature Package, Long Time, Mail, Mp, Nokia, Occasions, Rich Feature, Smartphone, Wifi