Pantech C610 Clamshell Debuts on AT&T

AT&T today announced the debut of the Pantech C610, a clamshell that offers multimedia, GPS and phone applications. The C610 features an integrated 1.3-megapixel camera with built-in flash to record, send and receive video messages. It has AT&T's 3G network for Video Share calling.

For music-playing functionality, users can stream music with MobiRadio, identify songs with MusicID and shop for music with Napster and eMusic. It supports microSD cards to store up to 2,000 songs. With AT&T Mobile Music and CV services, customers can manage, download and play stereo-quality music, watch popular TV show clips and view exclusive content from HBO, MTV and ESPN.

The C610 includes A-GPS technology, giving users turn-by-turn navigation through AT&T Navigator. "Pantech remains determined to developing unique approaches to everyday products," said Patrick Beattie, Vice President of Pantech. "The C610 combines a sleek, fashionable design with desirable features like AGPS and an assortment of multi-media capabilities to bring users a product that is attractive and functional in equal parts." The Pantech C610 debuts in Metropolitan Red with chrome-polished accents.



source : http://www.mobiledia.com

AT&T Rolls out A-GPS, Adds Navigation Applications

AT&T has deployed assisted-GPS technology (A-GPS) on its network to add location-based services (LBS) on its cell phones, the company said today.It also said it will launch two navigation applications in the coming weeks, MapQuest Navigator and AAA Mobile navigator, underscoring its focus on GPS services.
AAA Mobile navigator will offer audible turn-by-turn directions as well as AAA TourBook travel guide information such as Diamond Ratings for restaurants and lodgings, gas prices, movie reviews and show times. MapQuest Navigator will give turn-by-turn, voice-guided driving and walking directions, 3D moving maps, and access to 16 million points of interest from MapQuest's database. Users can get real-time traffic alerts, gas prices, gas station locations and AOL's City's Best restaurant and venue ratings.

Plans to launch a location-enabled social networking service and a family-oriented service with privacy controls are underway. "Using a mobile phone for navigation is convenient because it eliminates the need for consumers to buy or carry yet another gadget," said Mark Collins, Vice President of AT&T. "Traditional navigation devices can be hard to transport, while a mobile phone is always on hand."

Unlike GPS technology which searches satellites for latitude and longitude coordinates, A-GPS triangulates locations of cell phone customers using nearby cell sites.

source : http://www.mobiledia.com

Samsung Knack Slim Clamshell Announced for Verizon

Verizon Wireless today announced the Samsung Knack, a slim clamshell with an ergonomic design, will be available on October 14. Verizon Wireless today announced the Samsung Knack, a slim clamshell with an ergonomic design, will be available on October 14.
The Knack boasts a 2.2-inch internal screen with large text and number fonts, a simplified user interface and messaging communication. A large keypad with tactile contrast lets users dial easily.

The phone also comes with dedicated keys for Emergency 911 (E911), speakerphone, voice mail, voice commands and In Case of Emergency (ICE). Customers can program the ICE button with three contacts that first responders can find in the event of an emergency.

The Samsung Knack will be available for $39.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

source : http://www.mobiledia.com

Sony Ericsson TM506 HSDPA Phone Launched for T-Mobile

T-Mobile today announced the Sony Ericsson TM506, a compact and stylish clamshell phone designed for surfing the web.
The TM506 was created for consumers who want to express their personal style. Its compact design fits into any pocket, purse or briefcase. Users can choose between Chrome with Amber or Emerald highlights with a sleek ebony gloss.

An outer display lets users glance at the caller ID without having to open the phone. Users can capture photos or video clips with its 2.0-megapixel camera with My Album, slide show and video blogging capability. Music listeners can store tracks and share music using the removable Memory Stick Micro (M2). Stereo Bluetooth connectivity allows handsfree calls and music streaming.

The TM506 has 3G download speeds for faster access to media and content viewing. They can keep up with news and weather with customizable web feeds. A built-in GPS with Telenav lets travelers know their location. Customers can send pictures, videos, IM notes and email to their contacts directly from the home screen.

"The Sony Ericsson TM506 is a compelling, feature-rich phone with a vibrant display that our customers will enjoy using to connect with the important people in their lives," said Cole Brodman, Chief Technology and Innovation Cfficer of T-Mobile.

The Sony Ericsson TM506 will be available in early September at T-Mobile stores and online.

source:http://www.mobiledia.com

BlackBerry Bold Coming to AT&T Mid-September

The BlackBerry Bold will be coming to North America within the month now that RIM (Research In Motion) has launched it in Chile and Germany. The Bold is RIM's first major BlackBerry model in more than a year. It offers twice the screen resolution of current BlackBerry models. The Bold matches the resolution, but not the size, of the screen on Apple's iPhone, which has emerged as a competitor in the smartphone market.AT&T said it will be the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Bold, as it is for the iPhone.Reports expect AT&T to start selling it mid-September and Rogers in Canada to release it late-August. Some stores in Canada have already unveiled store models and fliers.

RIM had announced a summer release for the Bold, but issues with chips and battery life caused a delay. It unveiled the Bold in Chile on July 22 and in Germany on Aug 6.

The Bold features a glossy metallic frame with corporate Wi-Fi capabilities, 3G high-speed access and Bluetooth connectivity. Similar to the Curve, it integrates a horizontal screen above a trackball and a keyboard with one letter per key.



source: http://www.mobiledia.com

T700i: Sony Ericsson’s Latest Slim Phone

Sony Ericsson has just introduced their latest slim phone, T700i that is a thin mobile phone fabricated on the custom of the T610i.

T700i’s MP3 player paves way to a first-rate stereo; a 512MB memory card is included for more huge storage; users can move records via HSDPA or Bluetooth as well capture moments with its 3.2-megapixel camera. And with just 10mm thin, it’s as if the classic design of T700i just got married with the finest features.

As what Sven Totte, Sony Ericsson’s Marketing Head, is proclaiming, the slim elegance of the T700i gives users a premium experience at a mid-range price point. Everyone who bought and adored the iconic T610i will be keen to get his or her hands on the new T700i.

The Sony Ericsson T700i will be available in selected markets in the colors Black on Silver, Black on Red and Shining Silver 2008.


Source: http://www.feelphones.com

Nokia Cuts Phone Prices, Pressuring Rivals

Finnish cell phone maker Nokia cut prices for many of its handsets in July, putting further pressure on its rivals' already thin profits. Nokia made the steepest price reductions of up to 10 percent for selected music and media phones, while it made smaller cuts across the portfolio.The sharpest falls were in the average retail price of the 5310 and 5610 music phones and the multimedia N81 8GB. The price cuts follow Nokia's launch of its Supernova phone range - aggressively priced products with integrated music players, challenging Sony Ericsson's Walkman portfolio.

Manufacturers are facing an increasingly intense battle for market share as demand for pricey phones has started to slow in the U.S. and Europe, where economies are under pressure from the global credit crunch.

The price cuts from Nokia, which controls 40 percent of the cell phone market, will put further pressure on its smaller rivals like Sony Ericsson, which has focused on music and camera phones. Sony Ericsson made practically no money in the April-June quarter, and said it would cut 2,000 jobs as it forecast the remainder of 2008 would also be tough.

Struggling Motorola has made losses since its flagship RAZR phone lost appeal among consumers. Nokia increased its market share to 41 percent in the second quarter, helped by surging demand in emerging markets.


Source : http://www.mobiledia.com