GSM Palm Pre spotted with Vodafone SIM card

We would’ve wagered 50 euros there’d be a GSM Pre announced at MWC this week — but strangely, it didn’t happen. If we had to guess, a grand unveiling was probably held up by behind-the-scenes manfacuturer-operator drama in the course of trying to nail an exclusivity agreement, but that’s not to say there weren’t still SIM card-toting Pres floating around the show. PreCommunity happened across one of these today and astutely noted the presence of a Vodafone SIM around back — not damning evidence that the Pre will be announced as a Voda exclusive, granted, but it kinda makes you wonder, doesn’t it? See for yourself in the video after the break.

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GSM Palm Pre spotted with Vodafone SIM card originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC CEO: Windows Mobile 6.5 to be announced this afternoon

Looks like HTC CEO and President Peter Chou just spoiled Microsoft’s MWC surprised. In his words, “Later today, together with Microsoft, we’re introducing Windows Mobile 6.5.” Whoops! Keep your eyes peeled, we’ll be live at Microsoft’s press conference at 9AM ET today.

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HTC CEO: Windows Mobile 6.5 to be announced this afternoon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from HTC’s MWC 2009 press conference

We’re here at HTC’s presser and it is set to get under way in just a few minutes. What’s on deck? We’re not entirely sure, but we’ll know real soon.

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Live from HTC’s MWC 2009 press conference originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Still Marginal at MWC

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And the score is Windows Mobile 3, Android 0. Mobile World Congress was supposed to be a big Google Android party, but so far Android seems to be the choice of chipset companies and Chinese ODMs, not of the large, branded handset manufacturers who sell most phones. Of course, we’ve still got three days of the show left, but what we’re seeing today isn’t encouraging.


Samsung, HTC and Sony Ericsson have all decided not to show new Android phones at MWC, although they all profess their love for Google’s open-sourced platform; they just won’t put out. Instead, I’ve seen Android phones and mockups from smaller vendors you may not have heard of: a chipset-level demo from VirtualLogix, a phone from Chinese vendor SIM Technology with a touch screen and no physical keyboard (at left) and a mockup from Huawei. Check out the VirtualLogix and Huawei devices after the jump.

Nokia’s GPS-centric 6710 Navigator and 6720 classic announced

For those less interested in QWERTY keyboards and more inclined for something navigation-centric, Nokia‘s announced the 6710 Navigator slider and 6720 classic handset. Both phones dedicated GPS service with real time drive-and-walk navigation, and full regional maps. Outside of that, you’ve got a 5 megapixel camera to capture the memory of our adventure. The 6720 is coming out second quarter of this year for 245 euros, while the 6710 Navigator will be popping in third quarter for 300 euros.

Update: More details from the fact sheets. The 6720 classic’s got a 2.2-inch TFT QVGA, music player with support for MP3, AAC and WMA, FM tuner, and a dual-LED flash. Standby time is 20.5 days and talk time is 5 / 8.5 hours for 3G and GSM, respectively. The 6710 Navigator’s sporting 2.6-inch outdoor optimized QVGA with ambient light detector, support up to 16GB microSD, 18.5 day standby time and 4.5 / 7.5 hour talk time for 3G and GSM, respectively. Both handsets feature built-in A-GPS and Nokia Maps 3.0, a web browser and Carl Zeiss optics for the 5MP camera.

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Nokia’s GPS-centric 6710 Navigator and 6720 classic announced originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from Nokia’s MWC 2009 press conference

We’ve been ushered into a rather imposing castle for this morning’s Espoo-bred press event — and since we’re not really sure what to expect out of this one, the possibilities are endless: court jesters? Knights? Medieval torture? Read on!

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Live from Nokia’s MWC 2009 press conference originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia E75 QWERTY slider announced with Nokia Messaging built-in

Nokia’s second phone of its MWC presentation is the E75, a full QWERTY side-slider that we’ve seen more than a few times in the past few months. It’s the first phone to come equipped with Nokia Messaging built-in. It ships next month for 375 euros, and if you’re eager, pre-orders are being accepted starting today on Nokia’s site.

Update: Some more details from its fact sheet: The display is a 2.4-inch QVGA, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 3.2 megapixel camera, built-in VPN, HSDA, 802.11 b/g, EGPRS, Bluetooth, and support for up to 16GB microSD card. Standby time is 11 days, and talk time is 5.4 hours on GSM, 4.2 hours on WCDMA, and yes, official colors are silver black, red and copper yellow.

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Nokia E75 QWERTY slider announced with Nokia Messaging built-in originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia E55 ‘compact QWERTY’ smartphone unveiled

Nokia’s just announced what it’s calling the “world’s thinnest smartphone,” the E55. They’re calling it a compact QWERTY keyboard, but let’s be honest, it’s SureType. According to the press release, it’s got 28 days of standby time in its battery, as well as full Nokia Maps and assisted GPS with integration. Look for it this summer for 265 euros unsubsidized.

Update: New details from the fact sheet. The 28 days of standby applies to GSM — it drops to 19 days on WCDMA — and talk time for GSM / WCDMA is 8 and 6 hours, respectively. The phone sports a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 802.11 b/g, EGPRS, and Bluetooth 2.0.

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Nokia E55 ‘compact QWERTY’ smartphone unveiled originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung M7600 Beat DJ touchscreen music phone now official

As if a giant billboard wasn’t enough of an unveiling, Samsung has released some official shots of its M7600 “Beat DJ” touchscreen handset. Like we knew already, the Quadband GSM / HSDPA music phone sports a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, and Bang & Olufsen amplifier. It’s also got codec support for DivX and XviD, microSDHC card slot for up to 16GB, Bluetooth A2DP, FM radio, and a very welcome 3.5mm headphone jack. As for those DJ features, the turntable-inspired “Disc UI” uses a spin wheel for navigation, and the included software lets you both create your own music and sounds as well as remix other songs by adding effects and filters. Unfortunately, mum’s the word on pricing or availability.

[Thanks, David]

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Samsung M7600 Beat DJ touchscreen music phone now official originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel and LG partner up for some hot MID action

Intel’s been talking up MIDs for a while now, and it looks like LG’s ready to buy in — the two companies just announced that they’ll be cooperating on a series of devices running Intel’s Moblin OS on the Moorestown platform. Interestingly, the release says the first product will deliver the “functionality of today’s high-end smart phones,” which seems to suggest that Intel’s willing to shift some product definitions around. Still, we wouldn’t expect a straight-up phone out of this one — we’re hoping for something more like Intel’s crazy concept MID shown here. We’ll see what these two come up with over the next year, it should definitely be interesting.

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Intel and LG partner up for some hot MID action originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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