Latest Mobile Phones News, Dual SIM Mobiles, 3G, Android, SmartPhones

The rumor on the street is that Nokia will finally launch a seriously specced smartphone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It’s the N9 which is said to come with Intel-made 1.2GHz processor. From what I’ve understood, we could be talking about their Moorestown platform which is basically a smartphone system on a chip (SoC) with Atom core at its heart.

Moreover, the MeeGo powered device may also sport a 12-megapixel camera a la N8. Somehow that’s expected considering the N9 will be the Finnish company’s flagship smartphone for 2011.

Finally, LTE is also mentioned as an option, though not confirmed at the moment. The way I see it, having both an LTE and non-LTE version of the N9 makes perfect sense to get as many users as possible.

I don’t ask too much from the N9. All I want is E7-like device (with that awesome keyboard), a slightly faster CPU (MeeGo isn’t as optimized as Symbian) and a 4-inch WVGA display. That doesn’t sound too much, right?

[Via: GSMarena]

Product shots of the Samsung Galaxy Ace have leaked, seemingly confirming a name change for what was previously thought to be the Samsung Galaxy S Mini.

The handset will join the Samsung Galaxy range running Android 2.2 (Froyo), presumably at Mobile World Congress 2011 next month.

The Ace also goes by the product name Samsung S5830 and looks suspiciously like an iPhone 3GS.

The ace of spades

With an 800MHz Qualcomm processor, the handset promises to be small by today's standards but not particularly powerful.

With a 3.5-inch display, the Samsung Galaxy Ace also features Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 user interface running over the Android OS.

Other goodies for the small-handed to look forward to include a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, a 2GB microSD card already installed, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, A-GPS and all that jazz.

We have very little doubt that we'll be seeing the Samsung Galaxy Ace get all official at Mobile World Congress 2011, with a UK release date soon to follow.

Via: Eurodroid and Phandroid

Samsung today gave out a teaser for the Galaxy S2 that confirmed it would show at Mobile World Congress. It gives no details of the phone itself but shows the current Galaxy S next to a cryptic image mentioning "evolution is fate." The February 13 unveiling in Barcelona directly alludes to a pre-show MWC introduction.

As February’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona edges ever closer on our busy event calendar, we here at The Tech Herald won’t be in the least bit surprised as more and more smartphone spec lists are leaked to ye olde Internets. Look, here’s one now…

Glance up for a moment and meet the GT-S5830, which isn’t an iPhone 4 knock-off but the latest entrant to Samsung’s increasingly popular line of Galaxy devices.

Sniffed out by the industry truffle pigs over at MXPhone, the above smartphone is expected to carry version 2.2 of Google Android, the same 800MHz Qualcomm processor used in Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10 Pro, a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen (480x320), the TouchWiz 3.0 interface with SWYPE, and a 5.0 mega-pixel camera.

Other contributing fixtures and fittings include HSDPA (7.2Mbps) EDGE/GPRS and Wi-Fi connectivity (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, A-GPS, 150MBs of internal storage, a bundled 2GB microSD card (with support for up to 32GBs), an FM radio with RDS, and a 1350 mAh battery.

The GT-S5830 is also likely to be known by various brand names depending on region, with monikers such as Cooper, Ace and Mini all currently being banded around.

No news yet on pricing or official launch dates, but we’re expecting to learn more directly from Samsung between February 14-17.

Via: thetechherald.com

In another setback for Nokia Corp., the Finnish mobile-phone giant has canceled the U.S. release of a smartphone that was slated to launch exclusively this year with AT&T Inc., people familiar with the situation said.

Nokia had intended to debut the touchscreen phone, dubbed the X7, in conjunction with AT&T ahead of the Mobile World Congress trade show next month in Barcelona, Spain, these people said.

The X7 would have been the first Nokia smartphone launched exclusively with a U.S. carrier since former Microsoft Corp. executive Stephen Elop took over as Nokia's CEO last September. The unexpected cancellation leaves Nokia further behind in its effort to correct a major strategic weakness—its poor showing in the lucrative U.S. market, where it lags Apple Inc., BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. and phones powered by Google Inc.'s Android software.

"In the U.S. market, the Nokia platform is at the back of the line behind all these other guys," says Roger Kay, president of tech consultancy Endpoint Technologies Associates Inc. "This is a very fast moving market. You don't want to be sitting around."

Nokia decided to pull the phone because it believed the X7 wasn't going to receive enough marketing and subsidies support from AT&T, said one person close to the company. Nokia still plans to launch the X7 in other markets, this person said.

In the U.S. market, phone companies typically subsidize much of the cost of a smartphone to keep the price down as long as a customer signs up for a two-year contract. Operators also help to pick winners by putting their marketing muscle behind certain devices.

The move leaves Nokia more reliant on its N8 smartphone. Nokia launched the N8 late last year without carrier support in the U.S., hindering its chances. Consumers can purchase the N8 from Nokia's website for $469, down from $549 when it launched. That compares with $199 for the cheapest iPhone and many Google-powered phones, though subscribers have to sign up for two-year contracts to get those prices.

While Nokia continues to stumble in the U.S., other handset makers are aggressively moving ahead with new smartphones. At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and HTC Corp. announced new smartphones that will be released in the U.S. in the beginning of 2011. Moreover, Verizon Wireless will begin selling the iPhone 4 in February.

Nokia, long the world's leading producer of mobile phones by number of units sold, is being hurt by its failure to produce a smartphone that can compete with the iPhone or models based on Google's Android software, as well as by its longtime focus on markets outside the U.S.

Nokia's Symbian operating system, which powers the X7, is seen as cumbersome and outdated. The company is building its new high-end smartphones around a platform called MeeGo, developed with Intel Corp., but that effort has been delayed as well. Mr. Elop said in the company's third-quarter conference call that Nokia would launch its first MeeGo device this year.

In the third quarter of 2010, Nokia was still the world's top maker of smartphones with 32.7% share, down from 38.3% a year earlier, according to researcher IDC. Apple, Samsung and HTC have been gaining share. Nokia isn't among the top five smartphone makers in the U.S.

"In the past, Nokia could afford to ignore the U.S. because there was so much growth in markets overseas," said Daniel Hays, a telecom consultant with the firm PRTM. "However, with the rise of the mobile internet in the U.S., Nokia can't afford to not be in the mix."

Nokia's smartphone strategy will be in focus when the company reports earnings Jan. 27. Mr. Elop has yet to detail his plans for the U.S market. On a conference call with investors in October, Mr. Elop said there was no reason Nokia can't succeed in North America, but did say it would require a change in strategy.

"I believe there is a degree of focus and execution necessary, along with different patterns of doing business that can drive success in that marketplace," Mr. Elop said.

Write to Christopher Lawton at christopher.lawton@wsj.com

Via: online.wsj.com

With Mobile World Congress just around the corner, it's time to brace ourselves for the usual tsunami of leaked handsets expected to make their way to the show floor in Barcelona.

First to break cover are HTCs latest phones, spotted over on PocketNow.

Five new handsets appear to be making an appearance at the conference. First is a seemingly flagship Desire HD lookalike, sporting a roughly 4 inch screen, curved bezel and front facing camera, with hardware buttons suggesting the Android OS is present.

This is followed by a 3.2 inch handset similar to the Nexus One, already seen in China under the A3380 guise.

A possible Smart 2 successor potentially packing BREW is also listed, with a massive 4.3 inch model with physical send and receive buttons spotted too, perhaps the same as the Chinese A3360.

Perhaps most interesting of all though is a completely button-less phone, only previously seen on a Verizon listing.

Not much more info than that at the moment, but we're sure we'll here more at the big mobile conference next month. Scroll down for the first few images of the handsets.

Via: techdigest.tv

Following-up on saying that they had an open mind about Windows Phone, rumour has it Sony Ericsson has one in the works for 2011. Google seems to have wooed pretty much every smartphone manufacturer (including Sony Ericsson) with the Android OS, but Microsoft has been equally successful at garnering initial interest for Windows Phone 7, if not any long-term commitments. SE has said that they were open to the possibility of working with Microsoft again, though they they were holding off on riding the initial wave, which strikes me as a good idea considering how LG has reacted to their results with the platform.

The current Xperia lineup, including the Arc and the upcoming Vivaz 2, Mini Pro, and Play, are all Android handsets, but the family started off with Windows Mobile, and should Sony Ericsson churn out a Windows phone at some point, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it crammed in with the Android crowd. By the time Sony Ericsson hypothetically gets around to making one, I wonder if Microsoft will have enabled a deeper level of manufacturer customizations. Considering their joyride with TimeScape, customizing the experience seems high on Sony Ericsson’s priority list, and probably a prerequisite for getting seriously involved with Windows phone.

We still haven’t seen any hard and fast plans of such product, but now we know to prod SE about it at Mobile World Congress next month.

[via: DigiTimes]

A couple of weeks ago we talked about the iPhone 5 and iPad 2 about how they might lose their home buttons in the quest for smoothness. It seems that Apple isn’t the only brand chasing the button less Smartphone; if these images are accurate it would appear that the HTC Desire 2 will also lose front facing buttons.

An image on Pocketnow shows a HTC handset that they say is the HTC Desire 2, it features a front facing camera with curvy edges as well as a new look ear piece. A second image shows HTC and Verizon branding so if it is a hoax at least it’s a convincing one. The image appears to show that the device will have a 3.8 inch screen size, that’s almost Samsung Galaxy Ace territory.

It is rumoured that this Nexus One lookalike will be unveiled at the Mobile World congress event due to take place in February. If this is true then we might see this and a host of great new handsets at the same event. If only Apple would attend – Now that would be a treat.

One thing that is certain is that HTC loves the Desire line as much as their customers do as it is rumoured that Desire 2 will be the official name. For further details we will have to wait for an official unveiling.

Are you interested in the HTC Desire 2?

Via: gadgetsandgizmos.org

Motorola Glam XT800 will probably launch in India soon. Motorola Glam will be the first 3G enabled Android based Dual SIM Mobile in the market. Motorola Glam XT800 will comprise of Android 2.2 Froyo despite the fact that at present, it runs on version 2.1 in Korea as well as China. Motorola India will be launching Dual SIM/Dual Band Motorola Glam AKA XT800 next week in the country. Motorola Glam supports GSM and CDMA SIM.

Dual SIM Android Mobile Motorola Glam Price in India:

Motorola Glam XT800 will be available in India soon with price around Rs. 23000

Motorola Glam Features & Specifications:

Motorola Glam features include WiFi, CDMA+GSM connectivity, an HDMI port, 3.7 inch touch screen display with a 480x854 pixels resolution, 5 megapixel camera with dual LED flash, digital zoom, auto focus and Bluetooth along with 3G.

Samsung is gearing up for a huge showing at Mobile World Congress as new handsets continue to leak like a dripping faucet. A few official renders have made their way to the internet along with an official name for a handset we saw for the first time last week. The Samsung Galaxy Ace will be the name the S5830 goes by when it comes to market. The renders don’t say much about the iPhone 4-esque handset that we don’t already know.

Also outed is the Samsung Galaxy Suit, which we don’t have much to go on in terms of specs. Judging by its styling and name, we’d guess this will be aimed towards business users.

Karbonn K111 is Music Phone comes with level Dual SIM (GSM+GSM). Karbonn K111 comes with TFT colour display screen, digital camera with video capture and zoom, expandable memory upto 8GB, FM Radio, MP3 player with big speakers and 3.5mm audio jack, connectivity options like GPRS, Bluetooth and USB and is WAP Browser enabled. Karbonn K111 features torch light and mobile tracker.

Karbonn K111 BoomBox Music Phone price around Rs. 2500

- Dual GSM SIM

- Web Connectivity through GPRS/WAP

- 65k Color TFT Display Screen

- Micro SD Card Slot

- Camera with Video REcording

- Stereo Speakers

- 3.5mm Headphone Jack

- Music/Movie Player

- LED Flash Light

- MP3/Polyphonic Ringtones

- FM Radio

- Mobile tracker

Karbonn K406 is a BoomBox Loud Music Mobile Phone with Dual SIM. Karbonn K406 comes with great music features. Karbonn K406 features an in-buit high quality music system and is targeted at the youngsters. It also supports wireless FM Radio. Karbonn K406 is a best buy mobile phone as well.

Karbonn K406 BoomBox Loud Music Mobile Phone price is around Rs. 3000

- GSM 900/ 1800

- Dual SIM

- Boombox Loud Music Mobile

- Blue tooth

- WAP/GPRS/mms

- MP3 player with Bigger speaker

- Phonebook-1000,SMS : 500

- Torch

- FM Radio and Recorder

- Camera

- Video Player and Video Recorder

- Mobile Tracker

Videocon V1805 is a Dual SIM Mobile phone with 8 Megapixel Camera. Videocon V1805 comes with features like Flash, Smile shutter, face detection, and Panaromic view, video recording, external memory, Java and Bluetooth, WAP, USB data connectivity. The handset is powered by a standard battery. Other connectivity options of Videocon V1805 include GPRS, EDGE, miniUSB and 3.5mm audio jack.

Videocon V1805 Dual SIM Mobile with 8 MP Camera Phone Price Around Rs. 7000 in India.

- 8MP Camera with Flash

- Smile shutter and face detection

- Panaromic view

- 270 degree Wideshot

- Music player

- Video Player

- Video recording

- FM Radio

- Expandable memory

- 3.5mm audio-jack

- Bluetooth & miniUSB

- 270 degree Wideshot

- Browser

- GPRS/EDGE

- WAP

- Java support

Sony Ericsson today unveils the new Sony Ericsson Xperia arc smartphone with cutting edge Sony technology and an exceptional multimedia experience on the latest version of the Android platform - 2.3. Xperia arc is the first of a new generation of Xperia smartphones to be announced in 2011.

Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson said, "We're starting strong in 2011 by introducing our most exciting Xperia product yet. Xperia arc combines state-of-the-art Sony technology with breathtaking design to entertain and wow consumers. All on the latest Android release."

Xperia arc takes the stunning design language that Sony Ericsson has become known for to a new level. Super slim and light, Xperia arc is just 8.7mm at its thinnest part and has a extra wide 4.2" multi-touch screen. Created from premium materials and with a stunning arc body, this smartphone is sleek, strong and designed to fit perfectly in the user's hand. The best of Sony technology is inside Xperia arc. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Furthermore, Sony's award-winning Exmor R for mobile sensor with the f/2.4 lens enables the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. All pictures and videos can be shared in HD on your living room TV via the built in HDMI-connector.

Xperia arc will launch on the latest version of the Android platform providing access to Google Mobile Services and the myriad of applications available on the Android market. Xperia smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast Internet to create the most entertaining smartphone experience.

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc Key Features:

- Slim, lightweight and strong, with perfect ergonomics

- Extra wide 4.2" multi-touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine to ensure ultimate multimedia and viewing experiences

- Sony Exmor R for mobile: for best-in-class low-light photography and video capture

- 8.1 megapixel camera and HD video recording capability

- Android Market – thousands of applications to keep you entertained

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc will be available globally in selected markets, including Japan, from Q1 in the colours Midnight Blue and Misty Silver.

Check out the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products

Camera

- 8.1 megapixel camera

- Up to 2.46x smart zoom

- Aperture f/2.4

- Auto focus

- Face detection

- Flash/LED

- Geo tagging

- Image stabilizer

- Noise suppression

- Send to web

- Smile detection

- Sony Exmor R for mobile CMOS sensor

- Touch Focus

- Touch capture

- Video light

- Video recording, HD 720p

Music

- Album art

- Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)

- Media player

- Music tones (MP3/AAC)

- PlayNow service*

- TrackID music recognition application

- * This service may not be available in every market

Web

- Bookmarks

- Google search

- NeoReader barcode scanner

- Pan & zoom

- Web browser (WebKit)

Communication

- Call list

- Conference calls

- Facebook application*

- Sony Ericsson Timescape

- Speakerphone

- Vibrating alert

- * This service may not be available in every market

Messaging

- Conversations

- Email

- Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®

- Instant messaging

- Picture messaging (MMS)

- Predictive text input

- Sound recorder

- Text messaging (SMS)

Design

- Auto rotate

- Keyboards (onscreen, QWERTY)

- Picture wallpaper

- Reality display

- Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine

- Touchscreen

- Wallpaper animation

Entertainment

* This service may not be available in every market

- 3D games

- Media browser

- Motion gaming

- Radio (FM)

- Video streaming

- Video viewing

- YouTube *

Organiser

- Android OS

- Alarm clock

- Calculator

- Calendar

- Document readers

- Flight mode

- Infinite button

- Phone book

Connectivity

- 3.5 mm audio jack

- aGPS

- Bluetooth technology

- Google Maps

- HDMI

- Modem

- DLNA

- USB mass storage

- USB support

- Wi-Fi

- Wisepilot turn-by-turn navigation *

- * This service may not be available in every market

Google services*

* These services may not be available in every market

- Android Market Client

- Gmail

- Google Calendar

- Google Gallery 3D

- Google Latitude

- Google Maps with Street View

- Google Media Uploader

- Google Music Player

- Google Phone-top Search

- Google Search widget

- Google Sync

- Google Talk

- Google Voice Search

- Set-up Wizard

- YouTube

Screen

- Sony Mobile Bravia Engine

- 16,777,216 colour TFT

- Capacitive multi-touch

- 4.2 inches

- 854 x 480 pixels (FWVGA)

- Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant mineral glass

Accessories

- In-Box:

- Sony Ericsson Xperia arc

- Battery (1500mAh)

- Stereo portable handsfree

- Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer

- User documentation

Facts

- Size: 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm

- Weight: 117 grams

- Phone memory: Up to 512 MB

- Memory card support: up to 32 GB

- Memory card included: microSD 8 GB

- Operating system: Google Android 2.3

- Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm

Availability and versions

- Networks

- UMTS HSPA 900, 2100

- GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

- UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100

- GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

Colour

- Midnight Blue

- Misty Silver

Source: Sony Ericsson

Videocon V1688 is a touchscreen mobile from Videocon in India. Videocon V1688 is a stylish phone with 90 degree Swivel & QWERTY keypad it makes phone look very decent. Videocon V1688 features like full touch screen display, Dual SIM, Camera, Video Player, Video recording, FM Radio, Music Player, 3.5 mm jack and supports external memory; EDGE, Bluetooth, WAP, USB data connectivity. Videocon V1688 is an attractive looking phone with easy to use features.

Videocon Swivel QWERTY keypad Mobile Videocon V1688 Price in India is around Rs. 8000

- Display: FUll touchscreen

- Swivel QWERTY keypad

- Dual SIM GSM+GSM

- Expandable memory with microSD card

- Video/Music Player

- Video recording

- FM Radio

- Bluetooth

- miniUSB

- 3.5 mm jack

- Email/Messagin

- GPRS/EDGE

- WAP browser

- Social netwirking ready

- Expandable memory support

- Java and Games enabled

Intex IN 4470N features like Dual SIM, Dual Camera (Front: VGA and Rear: 1.3 mega-pixel), face-to-face chat and video calling, long battery backup, talk time up to 8 hours, large 2.4-inch display screen. Intex IN 4470N is worth to buy Intex Dual SIM mobile phone.

- Display: 2.4-inch QVGA – 65K

- Dual SIM (GSM+GSM)

- Dual Camera (Front: VGA and Rear: 1.3 mega-pixel)

- Memory card Slot Support TF/Micro SD card upto 8 GB

- UM Chat,Facebook

- Video recording (3 GP & AVI)

- Face 2 Face Chat

- Special security features*

- FM Radio & Bluetooth

- 2000mAh Battery

- Network: GSM 900/1800

- Dimensions : 114.2×48.5×14 mm

- Talk Time Upto 8 Hrs.

- Standby Time Upto 450 Hrs.

- Battery 2000mAh

- FM Radio, Audio Player, Audio Equalizer, Sound Recorder, Video Player, Video Recorder

- Web Cam

- Auto Call Record, Mobile Tracker, Answer Machine

- GPRS/WAP, Bluetooth with A2DP, MMS

- Torch Light

- Language Support Dual (English & Hindi)