Hop-On markets the phone as an ideal choice for kids, teens, seniors, and world travelers. If you ask me, it also sounds like a good option for anyone who... well... may not want the government tracking their activities, if you know what I mean. [Telecoms.com]

[9to5mac—thanks Ted]

• When the rollout is already slower than people initially hoped, the aforementioned delays are never good.

• Aside from the Nokia N810, Asus Eee PC and Everex Cloudbook, Xohm lacks any mainstream WiMax-compliant devices, and we were hoping CTIA 2008 would be a good time to hear about them. An infrastructure is only as good as its end-user products (and vice-versa).

• Speaking of that, where are Intel's WiMax-compatible chips? What about the 20% of 2008 devices scheduled to have WiMax? What about the Montevina chipsets allegedly eagerly awaited by Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Panasonic and Toshiba? WiMax needs some love from its $2 billion champion.

• Xohm partners we spoke to were under the impression that a full Xohm demo would be set up for CTIA. However, Wired's Joe Brown attended Nokia's press conference and noted the N810 WiMax Edition Tablet was demoed over Wi-Fi. What's up with that?

• Similarly, while previewing the N810's HAVA Player at Nokia's booth, the Hava rep told me he was using Wi-Fi for demos because the Xohm booth just across the hall didn't have a strong enough WiMax signal. Laptop Magazine even suffered dropped connections inside the Xohm booth. What ever happened to 10Mbps at 10 kilometers?

• The WiMax demos that did work seemed promising, but the people running the booth operated with a healthy amount of paranoia. We weren't allowed to get too hands-on and they tried to kill our photos, suggesting perhaps things weren't as fully functional as they seemed.

• An early WiMax service rolled out in Australia last month suffered an EPIC FAIL, quickly closed up shop and prompted the CEO to say "WiMax may not work." Could Xohm be suffering from similar problems?

• WiMax's direct 4G competition, LTE, chosen by America's two biggest and most powerful wireless carriers, already seems to be gaining steam, not to mention showing well in recent demos.

So guys, anything we can do to help? I want the future of technology to actually make it to the future. Lord knows I'd feel better knowing I could play World of Warcraft lag-free while sitting in the middle of the Mojave Desert, not that I own WoW or plan to visit the Mojave Desert, but you never know. Seriously, just give me my damn WiMax already!!

Signed,
Adrian Covert

Motorola Redefines Driving Experience with Smart Rider™ In-Vehicle Phone

Fixed in-vehicle device improves enterprise solutions for professional drivers, with interactive voice activation, GPS services and more

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - LAS VEGAS, Nev. - 1 April 2008 - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced the debut of the Motorola Smart Rider™ phone, an innovative in-vehicle solution featuring GPS navigation, interactive voice activation, Bluetooth™ wireless technology and exceptional audio quality that's sure to make this phone an integral part of every driver's journey. A unique hands-free solution, the Smart Rider phone uses GSM technology to enhance user experience by ensuring that users can converse, navigate and tend to business while on-the-go.

The Smart Rider increases convenience and quality of communication:

* Bluetooth™ technology allows users to move freely from the home or office straight into the vehicle while having active calls, contact information and other personal data automatically transferred from the handset to the in-vehicle device
* Multiple user profiles grant secure access to personalized phonebook settings for up to three drivers on the Smart Rider phone
* Interactive voice activation makes the phone hassle-free for drivers
* A robust built-in microphone and speakerphone ensures an exceptionally clear, sharp sound.

The Smart Rider phone also offers feature-rich GPS services:

* Turn-by-turn navigation and voice-guided driving instructions
* Precise on-screen directions and detailed maps on a 2.8" high resolution, sharp color display
* Real-time traffic reports and automatic re-routing
* Enabling of location based services (LBS) and fleet management applications.

"The Smart Rider is the next generation in-vehicle phone, designed to operate in unison with the user's daily needs and environment. The phone re-defines what communication on-the-go is all about, and the main focus was placed on transforming the user experience. We are confident that the worldwide success of this flagship product will speak for itself," said Golan Haver, business unit manager for Motorola Car Phones.

Availability
The Smart Rider will be sold worldwide and will be available on the market in June 2008.

Your HUD (Heads Up Display) or arm mounted screen will show you virtual or real enemy activity. But be careful, enemy hackers might be spoofing more troops and enemy aircraft in the area...Half the team maybe remotely engaged in assisting you against the cyber threat...The other part of the company is en route to the next geocache where the assignment is then downloaded. As you approach, it recognizes that you are within 30 yards of the designated position. It then deploys the next mission to your PDA.

We were advisors in 2005 to the 10th Mountain Division and during that time we were conttracted [sic] as Tiger team RF advisors. As a result of this invaluable time spent with our military, we have learned the art of miniaturization, have become battery experts, and are quite versatile in covert and black op wireless communication systems.

Bottom line: There's no reason to believe Fry one way or the other just yet—though his promo shot does looks a bit intentionally mysterious. Whatever, if he and his team of developers does pack all of this magic into a PSP-shaped clear router-looking thingy with disco lights, will will be eager to review the thing, feature by feature. [PocketGamer]

A possibility was to take an Android phone and shove AT&T's own money-generating apps onto it, such as MediaFLO mobile TV. "One of the things we were looking for was that it was truly open and that you could put other features and applications on it," which means the fact that AT&T can completely customize up an Android device means it's that much more likely you'll be able to use one on AT&T. Or, you could always just get one of the dozens of other GSM Android phones due out in the next few years, unlock it, and take it onto AT&T yourself. [Gearlog]

Speaking of Sprint, when asked why they only revealed a new all-you-can-eat subscription after Verizon did—and not Sprint—he replied that Verizon is a "high quality" player, number 2 in the marketplace, and they didn't want to give them any edge. Translation? Sprint is a non-player to AT&T. What about WiMax? Ralph is "not too worried about the threat from WiMax." Poor Sprint, they just can't catch a break. [Giz @ CTIA]

I wouldn't exactly call the Shift a mobile computing powerhouse, but I found that Vista more or less ran smoothly on the UMPC. While running Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer, I loaded a handful of webpages over EV-DO that weren't too resource heavy, but had dynamic content and graphics. The webpages took about 20-30 seconds to load and suffered a bit of choppiness with Word running in the background. But they did format nicely and looked good, which should be expected since its running a full blown OS.

One of the better features was the SnapView interface created by HTC specifically for the EV-DO Shift. The interface is built around a stripped down Windows Mobile 6.1, and made use of the platform's more attractive features to build a quick-launch screen. It looks a lot like the homescreen on the HTC Touch Dual and, as mentioned before, provides access to weather, calendars, emails in a quick and well-designed interface. The Shift has a dedicated button on its front bezel to access Snap View and it transitions between SnapView and Vista with smooth animations and no lag (Vista is put into a sleep mode while running SnapView).

The hardware felt sturdy, and the 7" screen offered plenty of viewing space, but the keyboard was on the small side (it's intended for standard touch typing) and the touchscreen could have been more responsive. And the carrying case/sleeve is permanently affixed to the UMPC, which is kind of lame. Not a bad outing at all from HTC, but it needs just a bit more horsepower.

It's actually a pretty nifty UI feature, though it doesn't quite make up for the browser's other flaws—zooming could be much better and no portrait mode, though we're told they're working on both (pop-up keys on the keyboard might be on the way, too). We were also told that the platform will be continually evolving and show up on other Sprint devices, so at least theoretically it's only going to get better. [Instinct Coverage @ Giz]

Personalized Features

* Additional ringers*
* Backlit keypad
* Color display - Internal: 2.2", 240 x 320 pixels, 262K- color QVGA / External: 16 x 104 single color OLED
* Polyphonic (MIDI) ringers, MP3 ringers, and AAC ringers
* Screensavers
* Wallpaper

Productivity Features

* Alarm Clock
* Calculator
* Camera - 1.3 MP, Digital zoom, with dedicated side key
* Contact directory
* Headset jack
* GPS locator*
* Memo pad
* Predictive text-input software for rapid text entry
* Scheduler
* Side volume controls
* Speed dialing
* Stopwatch
* Tip calculator
* Micro USB connector
* Voice recognition (speaker-independent)
* World clock

Communication Features

* 2-way text messaging*
* Bluetooth® 2.0 - Supports Bluetooth wireless technology profiles (Generic Access, Headset, Hands-free Car Kit, Serial Data Port, Dial-up Networking, OBEX, Object Push, Basic Printing, Phone Book Address, Service Discovery App, A2DP) and allows you to talk hands-free using any compatible accessory with Bluetooth wireless technology, version 2.0
* BREW 3.1.5 platform* - allows for downloads of games, ringers, contacts and much more*
* Color picture caller-ID
* Data capable*
* Email, web based email
* Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) capable*
* Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
* Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS) capable*
* Instant messaging capable*
* Multiple language options
* Secondary external caller ID - 16 x 104 single color OLED
* Speakerphone with dedicated key
* TTY/TDD capable*
* Vibrate alert
* Voice-activated dialing
* Voice memo
* Web access* - WAP 2.0 browser to view your favorite Web sites specifically formatted for your phone
Tech Specs

* Talk Time:
Up to 220 minutes
* Standby Time:
Up to 220 hours

Times will vary based on user settings, feature use and network configuration.

* Size (closed):
3.52 in x 2.05 in x 0.66 in (89.5 x 52 x 16.7 mm)
* Weight:
3.17 ounces (90 grams)
* Mode:
CDMA2000® 1xRTT, tri-band (800, 1900 MHz, AWS), S-GPS*
* Screen Resolution:
Internal: 2.2", 240 x 320 pixels, 262K- color QVGA / External: 16 x 104 single color OLED
* Camera:
1.3 megapixel
* Battery Type:
790 mAh lithium ion (Lilon) battery
* Vocoders:
13 Kbps (PureVoice) and EVRC
* Operational Temperature:
-22° to 140°F (-30° to 60°C) [Note: Battery performance limited in temperatures below 32°F (0°C).]

I wanted a large file download (like a movie) to check sustained speeds, but they weren't giving us too much freedom to mess around. So I just downloaded iTunes, since it's a decent size and usually pretty snappy on my home computer. As you can see, I got between 140-170KB/s, averaging around 150. A little less than I'm used to with cable in that scenario, and a bit below what I expected post-speed test, but not too shabby, for sure.

I would've liked to try some P2P to really straintest the network, but at that point I got yelled at for taking pictures and downloading stuff. Overall, performance was solid, but it's a lot easier to get a WiMax network running in a cramped, controlled environment than following through on a nation-wide deployment. And that's the real trick. [Giz @ CTIA 2008]

Once you get past the homescreen, you're pretty much back to the same context menu-based system of navigation. The main difference between the Professional and Standard editions is that Professional is designed around a touchscreen and Standard is designed around a QWERTY Keyboard and soft keys. For the Professional edition I used an HTC Touch Dual and for Standard edition, I used an HTC S620 and a Moto Q9w.

Some of the new features include Adobe Flash Support, Silverlight support, a new camera interface and the inclusion of the Microsoft Live search engine. Putting Flash to the test with YouTube on an HTC Touch Dual was more or less a disaster. The page is slow and clunky to navigate, video constantly buffers, and when video does play, it is artifacty and pixelated. The Microsoft Live search works pretty well on the HTC SC29. It provides a clean and clear page for results, and is pretty responsive.

When the camera app worked, it wasn't bad at all. It repeatedly froze on the HTC Touch Dual and required a hard reset to get going. It worked flawlessly on the HTC S620. The Interface includes a translucent overlay on top of the viewfinder display and options for zoom and exposure.

The fonts and colors are new, but the backbone isn't. Little things like switching between the inbox and sent folder for text messages is no easier than it was before. When browsing the apps menu, I find it silly you still have to click the "More" softkey to bring up all the apps.

With the emphasis on multimedia features in phones lately, I'm surprised there isn't a new Windows Media Player interface. I still have to use the context menus to go from the Now Playing screen to the Library, which involves a lot of unnecessary clicking.

Overall responsiveness isn't horrible, as it only only seriously lags when trying to get back to the home screen. The 6.1 update is a slight improvement over its predecessor, but Windows Mobile still has some work to do.

My favorite part of the phone is the addition of a SureType keyboard, which I think is a suitable texting alternative when QWERTY keyboards won't do (for the record, I hate T9 texting on a 0-9 pad). The hardware is minimal in design, and has a stylus-based touchscreen that gets the job done.

However, I'm no huge fan of the Windows Mobile platform, and my gripes with it still stand. The camera application kept freezing on me and required a hard reset to get it working correctly. It makes poor use of touchscreen functionality and is far more complicated than it should be. While more responsive than on other HTC offerings i've used, the interface slightly lagged and was a bit choppy. TouchFLO only fixes this so much, generally bringing you back to WinMoLand within one or two screens. The thumb swipe gesture to activate TouchFLO is somewhat difficult and requires too much effort.

In short — good looking hardware, ho hum software.

Sound ID Announces Latest Bluetooth Headset Innovation - the HD300 Developed by acoustic scientists and engineers, the Sound ID HD300 offers exceptional Bluetooth connectivity, sound clarity and comfort Las Vegas, NV (CTIA) and PALO ALTO, CA, April 1, 2008 - Sound ID, the leader in personalized sound, today announced a breakthrough Bluetooth headset, the HD300. With NoiseNavigation™, providing pristine sound through the automatic reduction of wind and background noise, the HD300's acoustic innovations are evenly matched by its narrow form and chic, high-gloss piano black finish. "Comprised of hearing specialists and top acoustic scientists, Sound ID brings an in-depth knowledge of the human ear to the Bluetooth arena," said Michael Jones, President and CEO of Sound ID. "Engineered to complement the natural hearing process, the HD300 delivers great audio and a slim design for comfort and style - ensuring its place among the slickest gadgets on the market today." The Sound ID HD300 Bluetooth Headset offers several unique technology features, including: · NoiseNavigation - A proprietary development, NoiseNavigation optimizes speech intelligibility at both ends of the conversation, as dual microphones isolate speech and DSP algorithms automatically reduce wind and background nose. · PersonalSound™ - HD300 users can choose from three listening modes - tuned to the most common hearing preferences - further enhancing speech clarity without raising the volume. · Automatic Volume Control - This feature eliminates the need for constant volume adjustment in variable noise situations such as driving. Created for extended wear, the lightweight HD300 includes scientifically designed RealComfort™ EarLoops. Available in three sizes, the EarLoops provide a secure and comfortable fit and are engineered to better channel sound into the ear for enhanced listening. Users will also appreciate the headset's compatibility with standard micro USB chargers, which come with many of today's popular mobile phones and may eliminate the need to carry multiple chargers. Sound ID has also created a free downloadable application that extends the HD300's functionality and enables users to control the headset via their mobile phone. The application includes a sound level meter to monitor surrounding noise levels, volume control and a battery life indicator, among other features. HD300 Specifications · Weight: 8 grams (0.28 ounces) · Dimensions: 53.5 x 15.5 x 7.5 millimeters (2.1 x 0.6 x 0.3 inches) · Battery Life: Up to 6 hours talk time, 200 hours (8 days) standby · Latest Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth version 2.1+EDR with eSCO improves the transmission sound quality and is compatible with earlier versions of Bluetooth. Pricing and Availability The Sound ID HD300 is expected to be available in Q3 2008 for $119.99. It will come with a Universal AC charger (100-240 VAC), three sizes of RealComfort EarLoops and an Ear Hook for an alternative over-the-ear wearing option.

VIA and Everex to Demonstrate New CloudBook™ Max with Built-In WiMAX™ Capability for Sprint XOHM™ Network at CTIA

Stylish, full-featured mini-note delivers seamless
mobile internet experience

Taipei, Taiwan, 1 April 2008 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced that Everex, a pioneer in developing next generation ultra mobile computing devices, has adopted the VIA C7®-M ULV processor for the new Everex CloudBook Max, a stylish mini-note with a stunning 8.9" screen and integrated single-chip Mobile WiMAX solution from GCT Semiconductor for use with Sprint's high-speed XOHMwireless network.

VIA and Everex will display the device for the first time at the WiMAX Experience Lounge in the Central Hall lobby at CTIA Wireless 2008, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 1-3, 2008. In addition, live demonstrations of the Everex CloudBook Max will also be made at GCT Semiconductor's meeting room MR-789 in Hall C of the convention center.

Packing in a host of advanced connectivity, computing, and multimedia features into a compact and stylish clamshell form factor that weighs less than 1kg, the Everex CloudBook Max has been designed from the ground up to enable people to fully enjoy the growing array of rich mobile Internet applications and services that will be available on Sprint's XOHM wireless network.

"Consumers and mobile workers want to experience the real Internet and all their favorite applications with the same high speed and full functionality whether at their desk or on the go," said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "With its ground-breaking design and embedded Mobile WiMAX connectivity, the new Everex CloudBook Max paves the way for truly seamless computing whatever your location."

"The development by VIA and Everex of the Everex CloudBook Max with WiMAX capabilities from GCT is an example of the embedded device ecosystem at work. We expect this collaboration, along with others like it, to result in a robust portfolio of WiMAX capable devices," commented Bin Shen, Vice President of Product Management and Partnership Development at Sprint's XOHM business unit.

"With the new Everex CloudBook Max, we are extending our leadership in the development of innovative ultra mobile devices that deliver the richest and most compelling experience on the mobile internet," commented John Lin, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Everex.

"Mobile devices with embedded WiMAX will continue to require Mobile WiMAX solutions with a smaller form factor and lower power consumption," said Kyeongho Lee, President and CEO of GCT Semiconductor. "We believe that GCT's industry-first, single-chip mobile WiMAX solution provides the optimal features of size and power consumption for the Everex CloudBook Max."

About the Everex CloudBook Max

Powered by the 1.6GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor coupled with the VIA VX800 digital media IGP chipset, the Everex CloudBook Max supports Microsoft® Windows Vista™ and delivers outstanding graphics and video performance through its vibrant 8.9" WVGA display at resolutions of up to 1024 x 600.
With its integrated single chip Mobile WiMAX solution, the Everex CloudBook Max will connect seamlessly to the ultra-fast Sprint XOHM wireless broadband network, as well as to existing 802.11b/g WiFi networks. To provide additional convenience and functionality to the mobile internet user, the device also comes with Bluetooth support, an integrated GPS receiver, and dual built-in 2-megapixel webcams for videoconferencing.

The Everex CloudBook Max delivers up to four hours of battery life and also features a full keyboard plus integrated trackpad with two mouse buttons in a stylish and durable form factor that measures just 240mm(w) x 175mm(d) x 27mm(h) and weighs less than 1kg. Other features include up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB hard disk drive, one S-Video port, and Mic-In/Speaker-Out ports.

The Everex CloudBook Max is expected to be available in a year.

Debuting in the United States, the HTC Touch Dual Incorporates an Intuitive Touch Screen, Slide-Out Keypad and Windows Mobile 6.1 Software

HTC offers customers an enhanced mobile experience through the introduction of Windows Mobile 6.1 software updates for a variety of HTC devices.

LAS VEGAS — April 1, 2008 — HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; "HTC"), a global leader in smartphone design and manufacturing, revealed that the popular HTC Touch Dual™ will debut in the United States this quarter. Announced today at the Cellular Telecommunication and Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless 2008 spring conference, the HTC Touch Dual™ combines an intuitive touch screen with integrated TouchFLO™ technology and slide-out keypad and Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional software, making it easier for customers to communicate on the go.

"HTC has witnessed incredible support and demand for the Touch product portfolio, and we are pleased to provide our customers with the opportunity to experience additional iterations of the Touch product family," said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. "The Touch Dual will be among the first devices in the United States to run Windows Mobile 6.1 and will be followed by a range of 6.1 updates for several other HTC products."

Software Upgrades Available on HTC Devices

In partnership with Microsoft and key mobile operator partners, HTC will continue to extend the functionality of many current HTC devices both in the United States and abroad by providing Windows Mobile 6.1 updates. Windows Mobile 6.1, an update to Windows Mobile 6, provides new timesaving features, easier phone navigation and management, stronger security safeguards, and support for Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008. Some of HTC's most popular smartphones including the Touch by HTC and Mogul by HTC from Sprint, AT&T Tilt, Alltel Wireless' HTC Touch and PPC6800, and the HTC TyTN II, will be among the first of many devices available for a Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade.

Supporting existing customers and enhancing their experiences continues to be a focus for HTC; Sprint and HTC recently provided an update for the popular Mogul by HTC, making it the industry's first EV-DO Rev. A-capable handset while also enabling additional GPS functionality.

"Windows Mobile enhances people's lives by providing them with an experience that keeps them close to what's important to them — anywhere, anytime," said John O'Rourke, general manager of the Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft. "HTC has a history of providing a great selection of popular Windows Mobile phones, and we are pleased to bring the latest in software to a range of its products around the world."

HTC Touch Dual Availability and Features

Best Buy will be the first to offer the HTC Touch Dual, which will be available through select Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile retail outlets, online at BestBuy.com and htc.com.

"At Best Buy we are committed to providing customers with a wide selection of high quality handsets," said David Ryan, director of merchandising, Best Buy Mobile. "We look forward to adding the innovative HTC Touch Dual to our current lineup of unlocked phones."

Taking user control to a whole new level, the HTC Touch Dual combines an intuitive touch screen and keypad within a stunning design. The versatile device offers an interactive cube interface for quick and easy navigation to e-mails, text messages, calendar appointments and contacts. Features include the following:

• TouchFLO™, a touch-screen technology that allows finger-touch scrolling, panning and photo zooming

• Slide-out 20-key keyboard for quick dialing, text messages and e-mail

• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

• Microsoft Office Mobile for working on documents and getting your Outlook e-mail

• Live HTC Home™ featuring time and weather display, quick launcher, and one-touch ring-tone settings

• 2 megapixel camera for shooting photos/videos and a second camera for video calls

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) and HSDPA (850/1900Mhz) connectivity

There's no accelerometer and website viewing is landscape only (conversely, navigation is portrait only). No pinching or pulling, either, you tap a zoom button multiple times to get the level you want. Bleh. It tries to make up for being less dynamic with a mode that lets you pan through a site by moving the phone around, using the camera as the sensor. But, it didn't quite work, at least not for Giz, which loaded painfully slow, despite the 3G connection.

Haptic feedback has a lighter touch than the Voyager, though when you scroll through a list, it does this weird undulating vibration wave throughout the entire phone, which is both neat and slightly unnerving. Since it's so beta (dare I say buggy?), it's hard to gauge its true iPhone-killing potential right now, but we'll be keeping our eye on it. (Props to Dave Zatz for letting us jack his iPhone for the size-off.)

The selling point of the Vu is definitely the Mobile TV service. It's implementation here is solid. Mobile TV is a legit service, a step up from AT&T's older Verizon V Cast-like CV service. The phone's homescreen has an easily accessible icon at the bottom, and the entire interface is based around the Vu's touchscreen. It comes with a pull-out antenna, but LG says its meant for use in remote areas. The TV screen itself has buttons for channel up/down and another that brings up an electronic program guide similar to what you'd see in satellite or digital cable. The best part is that the guide is completely touch-friendly and you can jump from channel to channel just by touching a show on the guide.

The touchscreen itself is solid for the most part. The haptic feedback lets you know when you've pressed a button, though the screen does require a fairly firm push to get it to respond. It was especially speedy and accurate in the front screen menu and the subsequent apps menus.

The horizontal QWERTY keyboard looks well designed. However, it felt a bit cramped. I made my fair share of typos, partially because I was getting used to the feel of the keyboard, and partially because I couldn't see what letter I was pressing (no iPhone-style pop-up letters).

The music/media player was pretty straightforward, offering categories such as album, artist, etc..., and is all touch-friendly. The VU has a microSD card slot in its back panel that supports cards as big as 8 GB.

The proprietary LG browser pales in comparison to mobile Opera or mobile Safari, and has trouble displaying full-size webpages. Browsing the Gizmodo page was slow and choppy, and the method of scrolling and panning the screen felt unintuitive, perhaps because it's the opposite of the iPhone and iPod touch.

The text message interface does not use the conversation thread style of displaying text messages (a la Palm and BlackBerry), in some ways negating the ease of the touchscreen interface.

The interface also had a few quirks that didn't quite make sense to me. The default keyboard for text entry is an on-screen 10-digit pad that simulates the 0-9 keys on a real phone. The default browsing orientation is portrait mode. Both have to be toggled on and off via buttons on the touchscreen—the landscape/portrait button was particularly vague.

All in all, the Vu's strengths lie in its multimedia features, but the phone could benefit from further embracing the interface design found in some of today's smarter smartphones.

Aside from 4g internet, the N810 WiMAX Edition now allows firmware updates over the air without complete memory reformatting (3rd party apps can also utilize this wireless update protocol). The updated tablet also includes a few cosmetic changes to the OS interface and a new, Web 2.0-compatible Mozilla browser. Nokia claims the N810 seamlessly switches from WiMAX to Wi-Fi when available and features a new, Web 2.0-compatible Mozilla browser.

The n810 still has the same 4-inch touchscreen, same cameras, same GPS, and same 2 GB of storage (expandable to 10 with an 8 GB MicroSD card). It also still uses Nokia's MAEMO Linux interface, which is fully open source and supported by an online community specifically focused around the device. Because of the N810's open source emphasis, VoIP apps will function over WiMAX (something the iPhone SDK won't allow with its mobile internet). No price point has been set yet, but expect the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition in stores before the end of June.

Mobility and broadband speeds unite as Nokia evolves the Internet experience Nokia N810 Internet Tablet WiMAX Edition unleashes an open Internet experience, demonstrating the mobile future of web services LAS VEGAS - Ushering in the next generation of wireless broadband devices, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today unveiled its newest Nseries device, the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet - WiMAX Edition, Nokia's first device engineered to take advantage of new wide-area high-speed mobile WiMAX networks. This pocket-sized device lets consumers enjoy an open Internet experience, allowing for access to the full Internet without barriers, while on the go. The Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is the latest iteration of Nokia's popular line of Internet Tablet products. For the first time, the power and convenience of the Internet Tablet platform is combined with next generation wide-area wireless broadband capability, allowing users to easily and quickly access all of their favorite Internet services beyond the limitations of local area hot spots. The Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is expected to be available in the United States during the summer of 2008 in areas where WiMAX connectivity is available.

WiMAX is a standards-based wireless broadband technology that delivers an open Internet experience similar to that of fixed broadband technologies with typical data download speeds of up to 2-4 Mbps per user with peak download speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Unlike current single point local area technologies like Wi-Fi which have a range of a few hundred feet, WiMAX networks consist of a number of interconnected base stations, each with a radius of up to 2-3 miles, that allow for handoffs from one base station to another as users move about a region or metro area. Additionally, WiMAX networks integrate technology designed to maximize the quality of service for each subscriber.

"By delivering the kind of open Internet experience that consumers previously only expected on a desktop PC, the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is a compelling example of how next generation broadband wireless technology will not only change the way people think about the Internet, it will change the very nature of the Internet itself," said Ari Virtanen, Vice President of Convergence Products for Nokia. "Much in the way that the evolution of the fixed Internet from dial-up to broadband enabled a host of new Internet services and changed people's expectations of what an Internet experience should be, the transition to a broadband Internet experience set free from the constraints of a fixed network will spark the next wave of new mobile Internet services, and will forever change the perception of what the Internet can be."

Along with a full featured web browser, powered by Mozilla, that takes full advantage of the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition's large 4.13 inch touch screen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a variety of popular web-based services are also supported. Many of these applications can be found on Nokia's dedicated OS 2008 User Site. To keep connected while on-the-go, a number of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Instant Messaging (IM) clients are available, including Skype, Gizmo, and GoogleTalk, which can also take advantage of the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition's built-in web cam for video calls. A client for the popular Rhapsody online music service is also available, transforming the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition into a portable jukebox with millions of songs available to enjoy at a few taps of the screen. Beyond these well-known services, an active developer community has also emerged around the Linux-based Internet Tablet platform, creating additional applications - from games to productivity tools.

A number of additional features further enhance the utility of the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition. With built-in GPS, the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition can easily transform itself into a fully featured personal navigation device, complete with real-time on-screen maps. An integrated media player and 2 GB of internal memory, expandable to a full 10 GB of memory with the addition of an optional microSD memory card, allows the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition to store and play back a large library of music and video content. When not in range of a WiMAX network, the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition can also access the Internet over Wi-Fi or via conventional cellular data networks by pairing to a compatible mobile phone via Bluetooth technology.

Also being introduced with the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is the newest Internet Tablet operating system. This new upgraded OS2008 introduces useful new features to the platform, including an enhanced e-mail client, support for Chinese character rendering in the browser and RSS feeds and Seamless Software Update functionality to eliminate manual software updates, making periodic updates of the operating system quick and easy. While standard on the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition, current owners of Nokia N810 and N800 Internet Tablets with earlier operating systems will be able to upgrade their device to the revised operating system for free during the second quarter of 2008.

The Instinct rocks EV-DO Rev A and GPS, in both cases besting what's in the fruit phone. And then content and app wise, Sprint's own wares are basically swapped in for Apple's: Sprint Music Store, Navigation, TV, Visual Voicemail and a full HTML web browser—everything except a la carte music included in the $100 monthly subscription fee. EVERYTHING. On top of that, its customizable homescreen is amazing (and actually customizable, unlike other similar phones). You can check out all of the iPhone-like attributes in our 20-screenshot gallery. We'll be getting our fingerprints on one shortly, but in the meantime, there are more pics and hard data after the jump, uhhhh, fool. [Samsung Instinct Full Review]

More body shots:

Samsung Instinct
The Ultimate in Touch Screen Speed and Simplicity

Samsung Instinct, exclusively from Sprint, offers consumers an industry-leading user experience by combining full touch screen functionality with access to the fast speed of Sprint's EV-DO Rev A Mobile Broadband Network. Samsung Instinct provides easy access to Sprint exclusive multimedia content, business or personal email, GPS navigation, live and on-demand TV content, full song downloads, streaming radio and an impressive HTML Web experience. Samsung Instinct offers localized haptic feedback and a new level of customization by allowing the user to access their favorite applications with a single touch. This stylish handset provides an expansive touch screen display and three navigation keys that keep all of the device's features and applications within immediate access. Samsung Instinct offers Visual Voicemail, stereo Bluetooth with audible caller ID, expandable memory up to 8 GB and a 2.0MP camera with camcorder.

ENTERTAINMENT/PERSONALIZATION
Sprint TV with an extensive selection of live and on-demand programming including Sprint Exclusive Entertainment (SEE), the industry's only made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video
programming network
Sprint Music StoreSM allowing users to wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone for just 99 cents each
More than a dozen streaming-radio applications, including Sprint Radio with more than 150 channels
Sprint Media Manager PC to phone transfer application
Background music mode allowing the user to play music while text messaging, playing games or surfing the Internet
Customizable Favorites menu

PRODUCTIVITY
Sprint Navigation with GPS-enabled audio and visual turn-by-turn driving directions, one-click traffic rerouting and more than 10 million local listings
Live Search for Sprint, powered by Microsoft, provides easy access to directory information, integrated GPS-enabled directions, interactive maps and one-touch click to call access
Voice to Action button providing many functions using voice activation including call, text, picture messaging, traffic, movie, sports, news and search.
HTML Web browsing
Visual Voicemail allowing users to listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a tap of the screen
2.0 megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom and video camcorder
Advanced Stereo Bluetooth Wireless Technology with audio caller ID
Access to corporate and consumer (POP3) email including AOL, Gmail and Yahoo!
Threaded text messaging provides a view of the full conversation
Mobile Sync to restore contact information if the device is lost, stolen or damaged
Phone as Modem connects the phone with a computer for Internet and email access

SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 2.17 x 4.57 x 0.49 inches; 4.4 ounces
Display: 3.1" TFT (240 x 432 pixels and 262K vibrant colors)
Standard Lithium (LiIon) battery: up to 5.75 hours continuous talk time*

VERIZON WIRELESS UNVEILS TRAFFIC AVOIDANCE AND OTHER NEW FEATURES ON POPULAR VZ NAVIGATOR SERVICE

LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - From CTIA WIRELESS 2008, Verizon Wireless, the owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Networks In Motion (NIM), the award-winning wireless navigation and hyper-local search company, announced today that the newest version of VZ NavigatorSM will be available in April on select consumer phones and Windows Mobile devices. With the new VZ Navigator (Version 4), customers in 75 cities from coast to coast will be able to access traffic incidents, traffic updates and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents; more cities are expected to be added in the coming year. In addition, VZ Navigator will offer 3D perspective view, a movie and events finder, weather reports and forecasts, and gas prices at nearby gas stations.

Powered by Networks In Motion, Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator service is a location-based service (LBS) application that utilizes GPS technology and real-time information feeds. When the new version launches in April, customers in 75 cities will be able to access the new traffic integration feature. In these markets, routes will be calculated using both historical and real-time reported traffic information - the historical information will allow customers to see on average whether the traffic is impacted by traffic lights, heavy traffic or school zones. VZ Navigator's historical data covers over 750,000 miles of roads in 48 states across the nation, making travel time estimates more accurate. The incident and flow information will tell customers how traffic is flowing, and will include details about reported accidents, disabled vehicles and congestion. NIM's Traffic Tracking Center continually monitors conditions along the customers' routes, sending proactive alerts to drivers about conditions ahead of them on their chosen routes. Detour options allow for comparison of ETA and conditions, before selecting a new route. Traffic information is powered by NAVTEQ Traffic.

Lee Daniels, vice president of consumer product development for Verizon Wireless, said, "Real-time reported traffic information and more allows our customers to truly transform their wireless phones into powerful navigation systems, at a fraction of the cost of other GPS devices. When Networks In Motion adds additional functionality to our VZ Navigator service, it enhances our customers' overall wireless experiences."

Other new features customers can expect to see on VZ Navigator (Version 4) include:

* Local Movies and Events - Customers can now search for show times, critics' ratings and other details for movies, concerts, plays, sporting events and other social events based on the physical location of their phones.
* 3D Perspective View - Enhances navigation by displaying maps from angles customers would see through car windshields, making it easier to visualize turn-by-turn directions.
* Gas Finder - Provides customers with information on the location of gas stations close to their physical location and even provides gas prices at many gas stations in the area. Once a customer selects a station, VZ Navigator can also provide turn-by-turn directions to the selected gas station.
* Weather - Provides current weather conditions and forecasts based on the physical location of their phones without manually inputting an address.

Pricing

The newest version of VZ Navigator (Version 4) will be available next month for $9.99 for unlimited monthly access or $2.99 for one-day use on select Get It Now®-enabled phones in the Get Going section under Travel & Guides or Featured Apps. In addition, VZ Navigator (Version 4) will also be available on select Windows Mobile devices. Airtime or megabyte charges and specific terms of use apply when browsing, downloading and using the application. Traffic integration is only available in certain areas. Verizon Wireless customers who currently have a subscription to VZ Navigator can get a free upgrade by simply selecting Options from the main screen of VZ Navigator then selecting Check for Updates. For more information on VZ Navigator, visit www.verizonwireless.com/vznavigator.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

VZ Navigator's traffic capabilities will be available on most major highways in the following markets at launch:

Alabama

* Birmingham
* Mobile

Arizona

* Phoenix
* Tucson

Arkansas

* Little Rock

California

* Fresno
* Los Angeles
* Sacramento
* San Diego
* San Francisco
* San Jose

Colorado

* Colorado Springs
* Denver

Connecticut

* Hartford

Florida

* Jacksonville
* Miami
* Naples
* Orlando
* Sarasota
* Tampa
* West Palm Beach

Georgia

* Atlanta

Illinois

* Chicago

Indiana

* Indianapolis

Kentucky

* Louisville

Louisiana

* New Orleans

Maine

* Portsmouth

Maryland

* Baltimore

Massachusetts

* Boston

Michigan

* Detroit
* Grand Rapids

Minnesota

* Minneapolis

Missouri

* Kansas City
* St. Louis

Nebraska

* Lincoln
* Omaha

Nevada

* Las Vegas

New Mexico

* Albuquerque

New York

* Albany
* Buffalo
* New York
* Rochester
* Syracuse

North Carolina

* Charlotte
* Greensboro
* Raleigh

Ohio

* Cincinnati
* Cleveland
* Columbus
* Dayton
* Toledo

Oklahoma

* Oklahoma City
* Tulsa

Oregon

* Portland

Pennsylvania

* Allentown
* Harrisburg
* Lancaster
* Philadelphia
* Pittsburgh
* Wilkes-Barre
* Wilmington

Rhode Island

* Providence

South Carolina

* Greenville

Tennessee

* Memphis
* Nashville

Texas

* Austin
* Dallas
* Houston
* San Antonio

Utah

* Salt Lake City

Virginia

* Norfolk
* Richmond

Washington

* Seattle
* Spokane

Washington, D.C.

Wisconsin

* Milwaukee

LG MOBILE PHONES OFFER A NEW VU INTO MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SLEEK TOUCH SCREEN HANDSET DEBUTS AT CTIA

SAN DIEGO, APRIL 1, 2008 — LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A. Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) announced today at CTIA Wireless 2008 the availability of the new Vu™ by LG, a sleek and stunning touch screen handset with a view into mobile entertainment's newest offering, AT&T Mobile TV. With a large three-inch interactive touch screen accompanied by a minimalist scroll bar design, simplicity is only skin deep. The Vu by LG, offered exclusively through AT&T, is equipped with video, music, and camera features, in addition to offering first-time access to AT&T Mobile TV.

Running on AT&T's 3G network, the Vu offers access to AT&T Mobile Music which provides fast access to downloadable music from eMusic and sideloading compatibility from Napster-to-go and any unrestricted MP3 audio file in addition to streaming digital radio by XM Radio. Loaded with AT&T Video Share, Instant Messaging, and HTML web browsing with touch navigation, the Vu offers the best of AT&T's features in a stylish and fashionable handset.

"The Vu makes a strong statement about aesthetics and functionality thanks to its sleek, smooth exterior and its intuitive, three-inch touch screen technology," said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy & marketing at LG Mobile Phones. "We believe consumers will also embrace the robust entertainment options available via the Vu - benefiting so many busy lives on the go."

"With all of the entertainment and features of the Vu, including AT&T Mobile TV, this phone is a true remote control for your mobile life," said Carlton Hill, vice president of Product Management, Voice Products & Affiliate Marketing for AT&T's wireless unit.

The AT&T 3G network offers download speeds between 600 and 1,400 Kilobits per second (Kbps) and is available in over 265 markets, increasing to nearly 350 by the end of 2008, including all of the top 100 U.S. cities.

Additional features of the Vu by LG include a 2.0-megapixel auto focus camera with video record, and Bluetooth® capability for music, TV and voice. To enhance AT&T Mobile TV experience, the Vu by LG also includes an extendable TV antenna for increased reception. Please visit the LG booth (#449) to check out the Vu and other innovative LG handsets.

The Vu will be available through select AT&T retail locations or at http://www.att.com/wireless beginning in May 2008. For LG's complete handset line-up please visit: www.LGmobilephones.com.

The long design of the Discovery 925 not only allows for a more powerful antenna but an extended microphone that picks up sound more clearly. The hardware also has DSP technologies that include noise cancellation and voice clarification. Battery life is around 5 hours and the carrying case holds an extra 5 hour charge. The Plantronics Discovery 925 is expected to come in pink, gold and black colors, and will hit stores in April for $150.

Plantronics Unveils New Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece Collection

Blends Distinctive VFrame™ Design with Award-Winning Audio Technology for the Ultimate in Bluetooth Performance

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - Las Vegas, NV (April 1, 2008) - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today presented the Plantronics Discovery® 925 Bluetooth® earpiece collection, a signature line of designer headsets for both men and women. Delivering exceptional audio performance, complemented by bold lines and distinctive finishes, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece represents a technical craftsmanship previously unseen in the mobile accessories category.

The revolutionary design of the Plantronics' Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece provides outstanding incoming and outgoing audio clarity in any environment. Central to its performance is the unique VFrame™ design, structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to the mouth for a headset that is as much objet d'art as it is audio ingenuity. The signature elongated design, housing an extended microphone, enhances audio performance and connection range. Plantronics' AudioIQ® noise reduction technology adds to the Discovery 925's performance by removing background noise while simultaneously adjusting the incoming volume - ensuring crystal clear sound on both sides of the conversation.

"When designing a Bluetooth headset, it is critical to fully understand the physical and emotional relationship between the product and the end user," said Darrin Caddes, vice president of Industrial Design at Plantronics, Inc. "Similar to high performance watches or automobiles, our Bluetooth headset is designed to deliver a first-class experience - in this case to permit clear, wireless conversation without the distraction of background noise. It is equally imperative that the product expresses individual taste and style and is comfortable and easy to use."

Plantronics' inaugural collection of Discovery 925 earpieces includes a unique palette of colors for both men and women: Onyx Black, Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink. Each earpiece is treated with glass beads and fire-blasted for a deep, enamel-like finish.

Each Plantronics Discovery 925 comes with a matching, soft textile carrying case that recharges and stores the earpiece. The Discovery 925 earpiece supports up to five hours of talk time, while the charging case provides an extra five-hour charge on the go. Self-stabilizing, custom-fit eartips create a light, perfectly balanced fit without the need for an earloop. Plantronics QuickPair™ greatly simplifies pairing with most Bluetooth phones.

"From the onset, our vision for the Discovery 925 was to deliver remarkable audio clarity from within a supremely comfortable and distinctive package," said Renee Niemi, general manager and vice president, Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. "Plantronics leveraged the talents of its Industrial Design team to create the Discovery 925 as a true 'tech-cessory,' and bridge the gap between high-grade audio performance and high-fashion - a gap that has previously eluded most headset designs."

Introduced at an exclusive showing during the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, the Plantronics Discovery 925 has received rave reviews among fashion press, stylists and celebrities.

Pricing and Availability:

The new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece in Black Onyx (MSRP $149.99) will be available at major consumer electronics retailers, www.amazon.com and www.plantronics.com in April 2008. The Plantronics Discovery 925 in Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink will be available in May 2008.