The Hippest Phones » Cell Phone

Sony Ericsson’s Cedar and Yendo phones leaked, vying for your attention

Richard Lai — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:08:00 +0000

Oopsie! Looks like Sony Ericsson's become as leaky as BP's oil rig these days, although we can't say we're all that stirred up by this particular exposé. On the left we have the Cedar, which is much like its hippie GreenHeart cousin Naite but with a touch of SE's "human curvature" sculpting on the back. So yes, still a dumbphone. As for the little Yendo on the right, we won't blame you if you mistook it as the similarly-shaped X10 Mini -- even the UI looks strikingly alike, plus both are littered with similarly vast ranges of back cover options to suit your retinal taste. That said, there's been no mention on whether this Walkman phone also runs on Android, so until SE gives us a clue, we'll be looking elsewhere for the time being. Head over to the source links for more pics.

[Thanks, scotsboyuk]

Sony Ericsson's Cedar and Yendo phones leaked, vying for your attention originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NEC chip helps make cell phone displays viewable outdoors, saves power

Serkan Toto — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:38:00 +0000

If you've ever got upset about not being able to view what your cell phone screen displays while you are outside your house, NEC's new color-compensation chip is probably good news for you. The chip, which is specifically made for LCDs for mobile phones, helps to make them easier to view in bright outdoor settings.

New NEC chip helps make cell phone displays viewable outdoors, saves power

Serkan Toto — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:00:06 +0000

Sharp to bring solar-powered cell phone to China (and possibly elsewhere, too)

Serkan Toto — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:39:48 +0000

Sharp, the biggest (in terms of market share) of all eight major Japanese cell phone makers, has been talking about internationalizing its phone business for quite some time now. It makes sense, as the domestic market is shrinking and as Sharp only sold 20% of all their cell phones outside Japan (1.6 million units) last fiscal.

San Francisco considers displaying phone radiation levels next to price tag

Ross Miller — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:49:00 +0000

If the San Francisco Department of the Environment gets its way, starting as soon as next month Bay Area residents might start noticing the radiation levels of cellphones displayed prominently next to their respective price at retail outlets. This is, of course, despite no definitive research that the handsets cause harm and the FCC's insistence that the devices sold to consumers are safe. The proposal is being endorsed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, who as it's noted is not about to stop using his iPhone anytime soon. Not to worry, Maine, you'll still keep the top spot for most ridiculous cellphone warning label.

San Francisco considers displaying phone radiation levels next to price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Japanese cell phone maker NEC-Casio to go America in 2010

Serkan Toto — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:42:42 +0000

As MobileCrunch reported back in August, three of Japan's eight top cell phone makers, namely NEC, Casio and Hitachi are going to merge their cell phone businesses next year. Under the agreement, NEC plans to integrate its handset division into a tie-up that already existed between Hitachi and Casio starting April 2010 (the begin of the new fiscal year under the Japanese business calendar). In the meantime, the companies involved decided on a name for the new venture: NEC Casio Mobile. The company's capitalization stands at a relatively modest $55 million, with NEC holding a 71% stake, Casio 20% and Hitachi 9%. And as I speculated in my previous article, that new company plans to enter the global market in a (relatively) aggressive way.

Sharp’s chocolate cell phone (video)

Serkan Toto — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:17 +0000

You know when a given country, in this case the nation of Japan, is over-saturated with cell phones when you get to see something like this: A cell phone that's supposed to be similar in shape to a chocolate bar, available in two versions: Melty Bitter (brown) and Melty Strawberry (pink). The Sharp SH-04B [JP] is part of NTT Docomo's winter line-up of new handsets for the Japanese market (unveiled ten days ago).

Creative to show off ‘Zii Android mobile phone’ next month at Chinese summit

Ross Miller — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:27:00 +0000

Filed under: Handsets, Software, Android

We've been saying all along that we'd love nothing more than to see someone throw a 3G chip into Creative's Zii Egg and sell it as a pretty strong smartphone, but so far we've been hit with little to no indication of interested parties making that happen. So when we spot phrases like "Zii Optimized Android Phone platform" and "the line-up of devices on display includes a Mobile Phone platform" on an informational site for the ZiiLABS Showcase happening early December in China, our interested are definitely piqued. The event is geared towards companies who'd like to use the Plaszma platform for their products, and with any luck, some debonair decision-maker will give Zii phone a chance.

[Via myCreative Fansite; thanks, Kyle]

Creative to show off 'Zii Android mobile phone' next month at Chinese summit originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NTT Docomo’s 19 new cell phones for Japan (photo gallery)

Serkan Toto — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:43:12 +0000

Following KDDI's announcement three weeks ago, Japan's biggest cell phone carrier NTT Docomo today unveiled [JP] its winter-line up of cell phones (SoftBank, the No.3, did the same). And here are all the new models announced by Docomo for the Japanese market today.

SoftBank’s complete 17 cell phone winter line-up (photo gallery)

Serkan Toto — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:08 +0000

KDDI did it as early as last month, and today it was NTT Docomo's and SoftBank's turn to unveil their line-ups of new cell phones for the Japanese market. Here are all of SoftBank's 17 future models [JP], which will be sold in Japan from this fall through spring 2010.

Dell Mini 3iX has WiFi, 3G, and a number of leaked UI photos

Ross Miller — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Filed under: Handsets, Others, Android

You know what's ridiculous? Modern smartphones without WiFi (why hello there, Pixi and Tour). Looks like Dell's getting the message with the supposed Brazil-bound Mini 3iX, which as far as we can tell is the Mini 3i as it should've been -- same specs, plus WiFi and 3G connectivity. The OPhone-esque user interface also seems to have gone through some changes, at least cosmetically, and Cellular Cafe has the vivid imagery -- so might this be the little guy rumored to be coming to AT&T, or will we get the 2G variant instead? How about we just skip this one altogether and get the Streak?

Dell Mini 3iX has WiFi, 3G, and a number of leaked UI photos originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Birth of a new mobile phone company? NEC, Hitachi and Casio to merge cell phone businesses

Serkan Toto — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:01:04 +0000

Big news from Japan's mobile phone industry today (Friday afternoon Japanese time). Various Japanese media are reporting that NEC, Hitachi and Casio are in talks to merge their cell phone operations to become Japan's second biggest manufacturer, following Sharp. Reportedly, NEC plans to integrate its cell phone business into a tie-up that already exists between Hitachi and Casio. According to rumors, NEC wants to take a majority stake in the new entity, which would then control about 20% of the Japanese cell phone market.

Street Fighter IV Real Voice is the coolest cell phone strap ever (video)

Serkan Toto — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:41:08 +0000

I've seen countless straps in my many years in cell phone-crazy Japan, but this one beats them all. The so-called "Street Fighter IV Real Voice" is essentially a mini joystick that plays the voice samples that follow a number of special moves in the game. All sounds from the major attacks Chun Li, Ken, Ryu and Dhalsim can pull off are there - provided you're skilled enough with your hands.

Oops! Customer orders BlackBerry Tour from Sprint, gets a Verizon-branded Tour instead

Greg Kumparak — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:38:25 +0000

When the UPS man dropped off Crackberry user Kurpaige’s brand new Tour from Sprint, it was a matter of seconds before the gadget was in hand. The shipping box was torn to shreds, now little more than a pile of tape and corrugated cardboard. The paper packaging was thrown aside, and the Sprint-branded box delicately [...]

BlackBerry Storm Gets a Price Cut

Priya Ganapati — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Verizon and some cellphone retailers have cut the price of the BlackBerry Storm by more than half in a move that could signal an updated version of the touchscreen device is on its way. Verizon is now offering the Storm for $100 through its website, while Amazon Wireless has it even cheaper at $50. At Wirefly.com, [...]

BlackBerry Desktop Software for OS X coming in September (!!!!!)

Matt Burns — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:17:09 +0000

RIM has been blasted for years about not have a native OS X BlackBerry application but that should stop in September when BlackBerry Desktop Software will be released. The program will do just about everything BlackBerry addicts expect with syncing of iTunes playlists, calenders, contacts, notes, tasks, along with adding and removing software. Plus, the [...]

What is the HTC “Mega” Series?

Greg Kumparak — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:51:18 +0000

Dang, Wi-Fi alliance. You guys should be bloggers. First you accidentally out the Samsung Behold 2, and now you’ve spilled the beans on something called the HTC “MEGA” series. So, what do we know about this “MEGA” product? A whole lot of nothing, really. It looks like the certification has since been changed to read “PB74 [...]

Windows Mobile 6.5 gets some last minute polish

Greg Kumparak — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:31:50 +0000

While it shouldn’t be too much longer before Windows Mobile 6.5 makes its long awaited debut, it looks like folks over in Redmond aren’t quite done with it. PocketNow spotted a new build of Windows Mobile 6.5 floating around the internets, and gave it the customary video runthrough. It’s all polish at this point, though there’s [...]

The iPhone: Helping you find medical marijuana since 2009

Nicholas Deleon — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:21:26 +0000

I'd still rather eat glass than use an iPhone, let alone buy one, but this app at least made me laugh. It's called Cannabis, and helps you locate the nearest (100 percent legal) medical marijuana location in 13 states (plus Europe), as supplied by the iMedicalCannabis.org.

Paws-On: Enviro-Bear 2010 for iPhone Is a Riveting Ride

Brian X. Chen — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:17:48 +0000

iPhone developer John Smith deserves a design award for Enviro-Bear 2010, the most mind-blowingly awesome iPhone game ever made. The objective of the game is quite serious: You are a bear driving a car in a race against time to find enough stuff to eat before going into hibernation; winter arrives any minute now! For [...]

Universal Remote Control debuts the MX-5000 touchscreen remote

Matt Burns — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:33:26 +0000

URC has thrown down the gauntlet and let loose the sexy MX-5000 universal remote. Look at that thing. It’s stunning, but the looks is only have the equation as this is the first remote on the market with a haptic feedback touchscreen. The company apparently has been working on the technology for a few [...]

Apple and RIM continue quest for cell phone domination, earn 35% of industry’s profits

Gagan Biyani — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:24:17 +0000

Although they only ship 3% of cell phones worldwide, Apple and Research-In-Motion are cleaning up in the profits department. According to a recent report by Deutsche Bank analyst Brian Modoff (via WSJ), Apple and RIM account for 35% of the global cell phone industry’s profits. This comes on the heels of tremendous year-over-year growth for [...]

Lexar rolls out fastest Crucial SSDs to date, the M225

Peter Ha — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:09:58 +0000

SSDs are still mad expensive, but Lexar has just announced a wicked fast line of Crucial SSDs, M225. Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, the 2.5-inch drives boast 250MB/sec read speeds and 200MB/sec write speeds (256GB model). All three drives sport a SATA 2.0 interface and a five-year warranty. Snag one now for $170 (64GB), [...]

RIAA chief spokesman: ‘DRM is dead, isn’t it?’

Nicholas Deleon — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:30:28 +0000

The chief spokesman for the RIAA, one Jonathan Lamy, has gone on record to say what any normal, not-on-the-RIAA-payroll person has been saying for some time now: “DRM is dead, isn't it?” Yes. Yes it it.

Kingston outs the first 256GB flash drive

Matt Burns — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:25 +0000

First off, you can’t afford this flash drive. But even if you can, you shouldn’t buy it. I mean, today, it will cost you $900, but we all know next year it will be $90, if not less. So take a good look at the Kingston DataTraveler 300 and drift off into a dream of [...]

T-Mobile pushes out Android update, CRC1

Peter Ha — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:39:25 +0000

So I’ve had my G1 for a few days now and I’ve been patiently waiting for it to update from 1.1 to Cupcake and it finally did yesterday. Over the last few days T-Mobile has been pushing out an update to Cupcake, CRC1. There doesn’t seem to be any discernible differences (from a lay person's standpoint) between this build and CRB43, but I’m no Android expert. A quick look through the XDA forums reveals that it’s a pretty big security update for a slew of apps and the recovery image.

T-Mobile drops minor Android update, Build # CRC1

Peter Ha — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:32:17 +0000

T-Mobile offers deep discount with “Open Box” pricing

Peter Ha — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:07:16 +0000

Looking for a discounted newish cell phone on T-Mobile? You might be in luck if the particular model you wish to purchase has been returned in mass quantities. It looks like T-Mobile started rolling out their “T-Mobile Certified Open Box” program, which offers a pretty hefty discount on phones that have been returned within the allotted time (30 days).

T-Mobile’s Open Box Pricing

Peter Ha — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:05:19 +0000

Five iPhone Apps That Replace Bike Hardware

Charlie Sorrel — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:02:11 +0000

The iPhone has proved to be rather adept at replacing other pieces of hardware. The combination of portability, a big screen that allows it to mimic any interface and an open (ish) App Store means that we are continually surprised at what people can make it do. Today, it’s the turn of the bicycle. It turns [...]