Nokia has plans to add Skype functionality to two of its new smartphones, and carriers in the UK are none too happy about it. The idea is that if customers were able to make VoIP calls on their mobiles rather than traditional voice calls they would, thus driving down the profits the carriers make on voice plans. Currently AT&T allows Skype to be used on Apple’s iPhone here in the US, but it can only be used when the user is on a Wi-Fi connection, not using AT&T’s data services. T-Mobile also offers T-Mobile@Home that allows customers to make VoIP calls through their mobile phones while at home. Calls through that service automatically switch over to a voice plan when the user wanders out of the Wi-Fi area. O2 and Orange has threatened to not carry the Nokia phones unless they remove Skype functionality. What do you think, would having Skype on your phone make you reduce your traditional voice calls? [via Electronista]
The touchscreen revolution has been pretty exciting, hasn’t it? At least for the first day or two that you have one–then it’s just another cell phone. No matter how much one loves the touchscreen, every once in a while it’d be nice to get a little of that stability and feel of the old-fashioned keypad. So the new Verizon LG Versa gives you both–a touchscreen phone with tactile feedback and detachable QWERTY keypad. The phone also features a 3D interface, 2 MP camera, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR , music player with all those nifty support features and Chaperone (additional $10/mo.), a tracking service so that parents can spy on their kids. At least they won’t have to call home every half hour to check in with mom. Better get your wallets out because this one goes on sale March 1–$199.99 with 2-year contract and $50 mail-in rebate. [Mobile Crunch]
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:00PM - By Carl Weiss
Straight from the halls of overpriced gadgets you can gawk at but never afford (and perhaps wouldn’t want to anyway), the Gresso Skeleton Gold is a stylish cell phone that makes its lavish living on 18k gold keys and a 42k sapphire crystal display that you can see clean through. With a price tag like that and such indulgent detailing, you’re probably reading on for the jaw-dropping tech to come. Stop reading and start being disappointed because the tech’s not stopping by. Outside of the sparkly keys and stunning display, this phone is brilliantly ordinary–QVGA screen, Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, Bluetooth, MP3 player, 2 GB internal storage and a 2 MP camera. With that snooze-inducing spec sheet, this $4400 phone had better automatically field calls from the boss, inlaws and stalker ex fiance to earn its keep. On the plus side, production is slated for just 50 phones, so you have the distinct opportunity to stand among an exclusive group of morons that paid way too much for a purty phone. [Unwired View via Mobile Crunch]
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:00AM - By Jared Newman
Eat this, iPhone: the Blackberry Curve was the most popular handset in retail stores during the month of December. It had already accomplished the same feat in November, so RIM can feel pretty good about making a hot holiday item. AvianResearch’s Monthly Retail Store Survey gathers data from 100 service representatives and store managers at the four major carriers’ stores. It’s not clear whether Apple stores are included in the survey, so maybe this is a little skewed? In any case, Blackberry Storm came in third, followed by LG’s Voyager and Dare to round out the top five. Then came the Blackberry Bold, Samsung’s Rant, Behold and Instinct and, finally, the LG Env2 — envious of those other phones, no doubt. Burn! [RCR Wireless via Electronista]
If you’re still finding the keyboard on the iPhone to be a bit cumbersome (or if you just want to do some actual work on the phone) now you can pair a Bluetooth keyboard with your phone and get your type on big key style. The hack requires you have a jailbroken iPhone, and of course a Bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard function comes as an application, however currently that application isn’t available to the public…so this is all just an evil evil tease. Hopefully the developer (or even better Apple) will make the application available soon for all us bloggers who want to work computer free. [via Wired]
If you’ve ever had the desire to talk into your wrist Dick Tracey style, you may soon get your chance. Adtec is showing off its new Bluetooth wristband that allows you to go hands-free, which still theoretically using your hands. The wristband will connect to any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and will allow you to look cool (or like a moron as the case may be) chatting it up with your homies. The wristband is available now in Japan for around $65. Sadly, no plans have been announced to bring the device stateside. [via Engadget]
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:30AM - By Carl Weiss
Fans of virtual guitar should definitely consider purchasing the iShred app for their iPhone. Despite the tedious, mandatory Smoke on the Water riff opening the video above, iShred is the real deal, featuring 8 different effects pedals like “Hot Fuzz” and “Wahsabi” to produce exactly the sound the music calls for. Up to 10 chords and scales sit on a simple button system at the top of the screen making playing easier than ever. Sure you’ll never look as cool as heralded 80′s hair band guitar monsters, but for $4.99 you can’t go wrong trying. [Boing Boing]
Acer dropped a new line of handsets at Mobile World Congress yesterday, the F900, M900, and DX900. The highlight of the bunch is the DX900, which a dual-SIM phone, meaning you can put two different SIM cards in the phone at the same time and switch between carriers at your leisure. The phone can handle 3G and 2G cards, so you can switch between data speeds as well if you’re so inclined. The DX900 has a 2.8-inch screen, a 3-megapixel camera, and a Samsung S3C 6400 mobile processor. No word on when we’ll see this one hit the streets, but we’ll definitely keep you posted on that and pricing information when it becomes available. [via CrunchGear]
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:30AM - By Mike Payne
This morning at the MWC 2009 event, HTC has officially revealed its latest phone for Google Android, the HTC Magic. The HTC Magic features a 3.2″ touchscreen, a 3.2 MP digital camera, GPS, HDSPA, and a bottom-center trackball. The HTC magic will be available for Vodaphone contracts and priced between 99 and 199 Euro in Spain, Germany, UK, France and Italy. The hard stats are available after the jump! More to come… [via engadget]
