News

RIM and Samsung reach agreement over BlackJack

You may remember our post a while ago about the lawsuit that RIM, makers of the BlackBerry, filed against Samsung over the alleged trademark infringement in the use of the name BlackJack.

Apparently RIM and Samsung have reached an agreement. In a press release yesterday RIM said that the settlement includes “immediate provisions for the protection of RIM’s valuable trademarks,” and that it “does include limitations on use of the Blackjack trademark, withdrawal of the trademark application for Blackjack”.

I’m sure this whole situation is a big reason why Samsung chose to release the BlackJack as the SGH-i600 here in Europe.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, BlackJack, Blackberry, RIM, Samsung]

Inside the HTC X7500

Post edited/removed due to risk of possible action.

Well if you blinked then you missed it! This story was only online for a few minutes before I was contacted and asked to remove all images and references to the insides of the HTC X7500.

I wish to preserve the relationship I have with HTC and have duly removed the content as requested, however I cannot and will not release any details regarding my source. I hope to bring the post back post-launch!

The HTC X7500 is expected to be officially unveiled at 3GSM next week.

Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, T-Mobile, Ameo, Dopod U1000, HTC Athena, HTC X7500, Tracy & Matt]

Microsoft announce Windows Mobile 6

Microsoft just couldn’t wait for 3GSM and have announced Windows Mobile 6.

Windows Mobile 6 must be one of the industry’s worst kept secrets with screen-shots and even complete (illegal) ROMs leaked on the internet weeks ago.

It has also been confirmed that Windows Mobile 6 will come in 3 different flavours depending on the type of device upon which it is installed:

Windows Mobile 6 feature highlights:

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt, Windows Mobile 6, leaked rom, Crossbow]

Orange to drop SPV brand name?

When we heard that Orange UK had decided to offer the HTC S310 as an HTC branded device rather than using it’s own SPV name we wondered if this was a one-off.

Since then we have had a conversation with Orange and HTC but neither will confirm nor deny the exact position. However we have heard that the HTC X7500 will be offered by Orange UK and it will be an HTC branded device. At the moment this is just another rumour but if it turns out to be true it may well mark the end of the SPV brand name.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, SPV, Orange, Windows Mobile Blog]

Vista goes on sale

Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows Vista, goes on sale from today.

Prices for the OS in the UK range from about £100 for an upgrade version of the Basic package to £249 for a copy of the upgrade to the Ultimate version of Vista. Compare that to the prices in the US – prices start from $100 (£52) for an upgrade of Vista Home basic to $249 (£127) for the equivelant Ultimate version. US customers pay half as much as in the UK? I’m sure that is going to upset a lot of people!

You can see if your PC is ready for Vista by downloading the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor which will help you to determine if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): Microsoft, Vista, Windows XP, OS, Tracy & Matt]

i-Mate JAQ3 available from Clove Technology – save £20

The i-Mate JAQ3 seems to be generating quite a lot of interest at the moment and our good friends at Clove have just made the device available to order on their site, and we have a voucher code to save you £20!

The i-Mate JAQ3 looks like quite a promising device combining the best bits of Blackjack and S620 devices with a full PocketPC OS including touchscreen support.

The i-Mate JAQ3 is available to preorder on the Clove site for just £295 +VAT. Clove are one of the first to offer the JAQ3 in the UK and what’s more, we are offering you a £20 saving over the regular price with the following voucher code: TMJAQJAN07. Simply enter the code into the voucher box on the order form once you have selected to buy the i-Mate JAQ3 and £20 will be deducted at the checkout stage.

To take advantage of the i-Mate JAQ3 preorder offer please follow THIS LINK for the product page on the Clove Technology website and don’t forget to use the voucher code!

i-Mate JAQ3 Specification:

Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, i-mate, JAQ3, Tracy & Matt]

HTC X7500 specification leaked

Over the last few days there has been a lot of talk about the HTC Athena, HTC X7500, T-Mobile Ameo and the Dopod U1000. We have been piecing together the bits of information about these devices trying to work out the truth from the rumour and the full specificaion.

However, in a leaked document about the HTC X7500 we find a full ‘official’ specification for the device:

There are a few things worth noting from the spec. Firstly the USB 1.1 host which means that you could plug in external USB devices. Also note that the device is triband UMTS which means it should work in North America. Finally the ATI Graphics chip coupled with the LED backlit screen should give decent visual performance!

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, T-Mobile, Ameo, Dopod U1000, HTC Athena, HTC X7500, Tracy & Matt]

HTC Working on 7″ UMPC?

According to Digitimes, HTC are working on a UMPC with a 7″ Screen as a follow-on from the HTC Athena.

I think it’s worth pointing out, however, that the HTC Athena is NOT a UMPC. It’s close but still just a PocketPC Mobile device.

Source: Digitimes.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, UMPC, Ameo, HTC Athena, Tracy & Matt]

Asus announce the Asus P735

Today Asus announced its latest Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition device; the Asus P735.

The P735 allows users to make full use of its 3G capabilities and integrates network connectivity, video conferencing, multimedia applications and many other business functions. With the P735, no matter where the user is globally, they can always access the information needed for informed business decisions while keeping total control over their personal life on the go.

“As phones become increasingly powerful, consumers are asking for one device that works for all aspects of life, in and out of the office,” said Mr. Jason Lim, Regional Director, Asia Pacific and Japan, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division, Microsoft Corp. “With the Windows Mobile-powered P735, ASUS is helping people make the professional and personal connections when and where they need them.”

Bundled in the P735 are exclusive ASUS software that provide the user with a variety of helpful options. The My Secret function encrypts and protects sensitive documents away from unauthorized eyes when activated. The ASUS Status feature keeps the user up to date with the status of the device; and the Profile function avoids embarrassing rings during meetings.

Asus P735 Specification

View the full Asus press release HERE.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Asus, P735, Tracy & Matt]

T-Mobile Germany officially announce T-Mobile Ameo

T-Mobile Germany has now officially announced the T-Mobile Ameo (HTC Athena) in a press release yesterday.

Press release (google translated):

T-mobile underlines its role with a completely new PDA (personal digital Assistant) equal to beginning of the yearly as innovation driver in things portable radio. The Ameo of T-mobile stands for a new equipment category: the PDA combines modern computer functions, mobile broadband transmission techniques and telephone with an attractive Design. The innovative concept makes it possible to use the Ameo alternatively with or without its QWERTZ Keyboard. By magnets it is simply and fast stick onable. In each case the large color display, the fast processor, the large non removable disk, different interfaces, high Akkuleistung provide and much more besides for high utilizable value.

Practically all necessary applications available, information and connections makes the Ameo mobilely. Owing to the equipment both with HSDPA/UMTS and EDGE/GPRS and W-LAN is to the users over the T-mobile portable radio net the fastest in each case available mobile transmission technique at the disposal.

The Ameo is a common development of T-mobile and HTC. World-wide it is for the first time available in an exclusive variant with T-mobile starting from March 2007. In connection with a month run time contract in the tariff Relax 100 the equipment 499.95 costs 24 €.

Read the full press release.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, T-Mobile, Ameo, Dopod U1000, HTC Athena, HTC X7500, Tracy & Matt]