These images of a new HTC handset from Nedge2k reveal a surprising addition to the Taiwanese company's line: a half Touch HD, half Touch Diamond handset for which WiMax — of all things — is the most salient feature. Such a product might not make sense in most places, but Russia already has more than 20 million people soaking in their WiMax networks and other compatible phones in the pipeline.

Read More »

Next2Friends has released the first live video streaming client for newer Blackberry phones, like the Curve and the Pearl. Similar to Qik or Justin TV, you download the Next2Friends client to your phone, and it streams to the internet whatever your camera records. Qik has been around on the N95 for so long now that I kinda figured similar services had made their way onto to the Blackberry. I was wrong. In any case the Next2Friends (also available for Symbian and WinMo phones) service is free and available for download now.

Read More »

Following up their review of the pre-release BlackBerry Curve 8900 (aka Javelin), the CrackBerry guys decided to shoot a video of it, including both a feature walkthrough and a comparison with the older Curve and the new Bold. It's helpful, since the Javelin really is a combination of the two. Anyway, have a look—thankfully the CB dudes made the video embeddable, so your clickin' finger can rest awhile. [CrackBerry]

According to a leaked memo obtained by Mobile Tech Addicts, UK based mobile phone carrier Orange have pulled the BlackBerry Bold off of their shelves temporarily citing quality issues with the device. What specific issues they are referring to are unknown, but Orange claims they are awaiting solutions from RIM and plan to have the device back on shelves in "a couple of weeks." As you probably already know, the US debut of the Bold has been pushed back repeatedly—perhaps these issues have something to do with the delay over here as well. [Mobile Tech Addicts via Mobility Today]

Read More »

Next month will apparently be a busy one for RIM. Besides launching its first ever touchscreen phone, the Storm, they'll be pushing out their all-new Curve 8900 on T-Mobile Germany, says the carrier's site. Formerly known by the codename Javelin, it brings the Bold's design and updated, slicker OS down to a smaller form factor. Unfortunately, it doesn't carry over 3G, but it will definitely be cheaper. Expect it everywhere else shortly thereafter, since it's unlikely to be plagued by the same certification issues that the Bold has been wrestling with. [T-Mobile.De via BGR]

Read More »

You're more likely than ever to buy a smartphone, not just because they do so much more than dumb feature phones, with real email, decent web browsing and downloadable applications, but because they're cheaper than ever. With the exception of some expensive arse unlocked-but-unsubsidised European models, you generally don't have to pay more than $US300 for a balls-to-the-wall smartphone—though the voice plan plus data fees can easily run you $US80 or more per month. Here's a rudimentary overview of your choices (more now than ever before), why you might pick them, and why they might suck for you.

Read More »

We've known that the Motorola Q11 (an update to the Q9) was in the works, but today Motorola made it officially known. Maybe I'm the last person you should listen to when it comes to this particular Windows Mobile line, but I don't even think Motorola cares about this baby. It does have the requisite Wi-Fi, GPS, microSD support up to 32GB, a 3-megapixel camera and the ability to read H.264-encoded video, but with the same tight 2.4-inch LCD and no 3G data connectivity, the rest is for naught. Unwired View predicts that this omission is a sign of a low price, still unannounced. Me, I just see it as another example of Motorola running around like a chicken with its head cut off. [Motorola via Unwired View]

There's not a whole lot of info on this just yet, but turns out that Vodafone's deal with RIM to distribute the Storm in Europe actually extends out to Australia as well.

From an email with the Storm's global press release:

"Please note that pricing and availability details are not being announced at this time and will be announced closer to launch, later this year."

[Blackberry Storm on Giz]

It's probably not a surprise that RIM definitely had iPhones on the brain while creating the new (and pretty awesome) BlackBerry Storm--but who knew they'd make it this obvious. In the vodafone technical specifications manual, the company's Storm is sporting a very familiar OS, and it's definitely not the regular BlackBerry's. Hmmmm. [BlackBerry UK]

Read More »

The very first time you touch the BlackBerry Storm—RIM's first all-touchscreen keyboard-free smartphone, just announced for Verizon Wireless—you will be startled. No matter how many times your fingers dance on the screen like you've been trained on every other touchscreen, nothing will happen. At least, not until you push the screen all the way down and you feel a click. Yes, the screen is a giant button, one you have to punch for basically every action, even every letter you type, completely breaking the touchscreen paradigm. Surprisingly, it works.

Read More »