T-Mobile Equinox: A Festive Feature Phone

Most 'feature phones' (a nice way of saying dumb phones) are pretty much the same these days. That's why we don't waste our words covering every single low-end mobile phone that gets churned out these days. Sometimes, though, a feature phone comes along that's worthy of comment. The T-Mobile Equinox (via Gizmodo) is one such phone.

In terms of specs, the Equinox beats the pants off most other dumb phones out there. It has integrated GPS, a 3.2 MP camera, an FM radio, bluethue, and the ability to act like an epileptic disco ball when it receives a call. When it launches, the Equinox will cost $50 with a two-year contract. If you're one of those luddites still holding off on buying a smartphone, this could be the light-spewing feature phone for you.

Source: http://www.i4u.com/

Blackberry Storm 5.0 update delayed for UK owners

Quite often the UK gets the dirty end of the tech stick. Take the Blackberry Storm, for example. US network Verizon has just announced the successor to the original Storm, the Storm 2, and also announced a major update (OS 5.0) for original Storm owners. The update will apparently improve typing speeds, which is great news but Electric Pig suggests that the same update won't be available to UK Vodafone users until 2010.

It's bad enough that Storm owners have had to wrestle with the original Storm's lacklustre screen for months but now they have to wait for a major update that will improve their user experience. We hope long-suffering Storm owners can wait until after Christmas to improve their phones but Vodafone, if you're reading this, why not make everyone's Christmas a little happier and send the update out now? Please. Seriously. Do it.

Source: http://recombu.com/

Orange to launch iPhone in UK on 10 November

Orange looks set to release its version of Apple's iPhone 3GS from 10 November, according to industry sources.

The Guardian is stating that it 'understands' the release date will be early next month, which is the day after O2 loses exclusivity for the device.

It's unlikely that the move will trigger any price war though, with Apple said to be holding firm on the cost it wants to deliver the iPhone at.

This means that when Vodafone launches its device early next year, the price is also likely to stay the same, with the networks offering packages around the iPhone rather than further subsidising the cost.

Price war

However, when 3 picks up the phone next year (as TechRadar exclusively revealed last week) it seems possible the iPhone 3GS will be mature enough to take a small drop in price, as nearly all the networks look for differentiation.

The new iPhone will be offered through Orange's online and high street retail chains, and also from Phones4U. The Carphone Warehouse, which is a re-seller of the device for O2, is also expected to follow suit.

We've spoken to Orange and are waiting to find out any more information about pricing and availability, as it seems likely there will be strong interest from Orange customers looking to get their hands on the device.

Source: http://www.techradar.com/

iPhone coming to Orange in two weeks

O2’s era of sole iPhone providership is almost over and on the stroke of midnight on November 10th, their impressive leather exclusivity glove will go ‘POOF!’ and turn to dust. Likewise, their dress will turn into a bin bag, their chariot will turn into a matchbox, their horses will turn into shrews and one of their bejewelled shoes will drop off as they scamper back off to the clutches of their ugly sisters.

Hmm, possibly got a bit carried away with the metaphor there. However, if you’re somehow still reading this, the news is that Orange will start selling the iPhone in the UK from 10th November, the day after O2’s two-year exclusivity deal for the Jesus phone comes to an end.

The Guardian are reporting that it will be sold through Orange’s retail shops and Phones4U, while Carphone Warehouse will continue to provide it for O2 and for Orange. No pricing details have been announced yet, despite what you might have heard from gangs of silver-tongued tariff-jockeys in Carphone Warehouse.

Source: http://www.bitterwallet.com/

Samsung Is Now, The Big Surprise

Samsung Electronics has been boosting its corporate image by injecting massive capital into computer memory chips and flat-screen panels.

The Suwon, Gyeonggi Province-based consumer-electronics company is now shifting its top corporate focus to highly-advanced electronic gadgets such as LCD TVs with light emitting-diode (LED) backlights and mobile phones equipped with the next-generation display of AM OLED panels.

Samsung executives say the time is ripe for Samsung Group's most powerful unit to set up a new global trend in consumer electronics markets as its decades-long efforts for the leadership in chips and flat panels have already been paid off.

Samsung has realized economies of a scale in both the memory chip and flat-screen sectors thanks to aggressive investments and faster decisions. As we are approaching a decision on pricing for our bigger clients, it is evident and natural to shift focus on to new segments," a senior Samsung Electronics executive told The Korea Times

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/

Virtual Keypad For Nokia 5800

When using a Nokia 5800 , sometimes , I come across software which is not meant for S60v5 but acts as a base for it’s updated version to install ( I was using Garmin XT v 5.00.0 to acts as a base for Garmin XT 5.0.50 ) and I need the actual soft keys to click ‘NEXT’ and as the onscreen option on the screen was not responding to touch the solutions I had were to install Apple BT keyboard and use that but it’s too cumbersome , the other solution was to use a Virtual Keypad .

Virtual Keypad gives an Overlay of a small keypad over any program and you can use it just like a regular keypad on any Nokia phone , the Virtual Keypad features a 5 Way D-Pad , full numerical , SHIFT and DEL Keys and two soft keys .

Source: http://senseapplied.com/

Go launches latest addition to Blackberry range

Go and Research In Motion have launched the Blackberry Curve 8520 smartphone for Go customers.

The slim new handset is available for sale from Go or authorised resellers or is available with Pay Monthly plans. It is available at €70 with the Pay Monthly 20 Plan while customers who subscribe to either of the Pay Monthly 40 or Pay Monthly 60 plans get the phone for free.

The Blackberry Curve 8520 provides easy mobile access to e-mail, messaging and popular social networking sites. It features a tactile full-QWERTY keyboard and comes with rich multimedia capabilities and easy access to music, games and other mobile applications for entertainment on the go. It is a world phone and is Wi-Fi-enabled to give consumers faster web browsing and extended data coverage.

It introduces an innovative touch-sensitive track pad that makes scrolling and selection smooth and simple for an outstanding navigation experience.

It is also the first BlackBerry to feature dedicated media keys, smoothly integrated along the top of the handset to give customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.

Source: http://www.timesofmalta.com/