Smartphones might be all the rage, but that doesn’t mean messaging phones don’t provide a decent solutions to many mobile communications needs. To that end, Sprint has announced it is launching the Sanyo Incognito on November 30, with full retail sales beginning December 6. The Incognito features a glossy black, streamlined form factor sports an external OLED status display, but reveals a full QWERTY keypad and a 2.6-inch QVGA display when flipped open. And forget sticker shock: the Incognito will run just $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate…so long as its purchased with a two-year service agreement.
Category: Devices
AT&T Debuts HP Mini 110 Netbook with 3G Connectivity
The idea of buying a subsidized netbook PC with built-in 3G mobile access might seem like a nifty way to stay in touch with colleagues and friends on the go…and AT&T is hoping consumers will act on that initial feeling when it offers up an HP Mini 110 netbook PC for $199 beginning next week. AT&T is subsidizing a bit of the cost of the netbook to make it more appealing to consumers, but it’s important to bear in mind that the netbook pricing only applies with a new two-year service plan, and those run at least $35 per month.
Nokia N900 Drops to $480 at Amazon.com
Amazon has another great holiday smartphone deal for you: The online retailer is dropping the price of Nokia’s N900 to $530 minus another $50 (after mail-in rebate) for a $480 take home price. The N900’s US retail price is $649 without the carrier subsidies making this pretty little smartphone quite the splurge. This unlocked cell phone has not been
Bang & Olufsen’s BeoCom 2 Gets a Holiday Makeover
The BeoCom 2 is an intriguing phone with its curved design and aluminum casing. For the holiday season, Bang & Olufsen is updating its BeoCom 2 in a number of bright and bold colorways. Apparently these phone went through a unique and timely process to achieve their new holiday hues. The process was devised using a strong lacquer that is used on cars to avoid scratches during the finishing phase of the automobile. Bang & Olufsen says these new color schemes have given its quirky phone even more character than before.
Best Buy’s Holiday Android Phone Deals
Best Buy is making mobility a little more affordable this holiday season with its special Sprint Android Smartphone offers. The electronics retailer announced today it will be offering two Sprint smartphones—the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment—for $99.99, including instant rebates, with new two year activation. Both phones were originally $179. This offer runs all throughout December too.
Samsung Galaxy Spica I5700 Takes Android International
South Korean electronics giant Samsung has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Spica I5700, a new Android smartphone packing a fast processor, big screen, high-resolution camera, and Google’s Android mobile operating system. But rather than targeting the North American market, Samsung plans to push the Galaxy Spica into Europe, CIS, and Middle East/Africa markets.
Dell Mini 3 Android Smartphone Coming to Brazil and China
Computer maker Dell has long been toying with the idea of entering the smartphone business, and today the company officially confirmed it plans to launch its much-rumored Dell Mini 3 smartphone in Brazil and China, with additional markets to follow. However, Dell it being tight-lipped about the phone’s features, specifications, and pricing: Dell is only confirming that the Mini 3 runs Google’s Android mobile operating system, and will launch in Brazil on the mobile operator Claro, and in China on China Mobile.
Global Smartphone Market Grew During Third Quarter
There’s been a lot of talk and ruminating in the technology industry about what segments might prove to be “recession-proof” during the current economic downturn. Initial speculation centered on the video game market as consumers were seen to be “cocooning” at home rather than opting for more expensive forms of recreation and diversion. But it looks like the smart money may have been on the smartphone market: according to research firm IDC, worldwide shipments of smartphones actually grew 4.2 percent during the third quarter of 2009 to a total of 43.3 million units.
The Shack Gets The iPhone
Electronics retailer Radio Shack—which has been rebranding itself as “The Shack” in recent months—has announced it will be carrying the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS in selected locations later this month, and plans a nationwide rollout in 2010. The iPhone will initially be available at Radio Shack locations in the New York City and Dallas/Ft. Worth areas.
Rihanna to Help Nokia Promote New X6 Phone
What do you get when you cross one of today’s hottest R&B singers with mobile giant Nokia— the X6. Nokia teamed up with Grammy-winning recording artist Rihanna to kick off the Nokia’s new smartphone. Rihanna and her label, Island Def Jam Music Group/Universal Music Group International, are doing some media multitasking—promoting Rihanna’s new album, Rated R, and Nokia’s new phone, the X6. This dynamic pairing includes a live streaming of Rihanna’s Nov. 16th London concert onto the X6, as well as exclusive music offerings and mobile applications.
