Filed under: Handsets, ASUS

CNET Asia has apparently received word that not only will ASUS’ Lamborghini-branded ZX1 smartphone be canceled (as we mentioned earlier this month), but the company will also be putting the brakes on its forthcoming P560 and M536 phones as well. In a statement issued presumably to CNET, the company claims that the project has been postponed due to the “technical immaturity of a key component from one of our suppliers,” though they seem to have left the door open for a reboot. We know one thing for sure — it’s clear that the P560 and M536 weren’t those “more important devices” the company made reference to previously. They probably need the resources for another 25 versions of the Eee PC.

[Thanks, chauco]

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Filed under: Handsets, HSDPA

Somehow this doesn’t surprise us. According to a statement released ahead of Garmin’s Q2 earnings call, the company says it will be delaying the release of its Nuvifone from late 2008 until the first half of 2009. In the press release, the satnav-maker says it has “found that meeting some of the carrier specific requirements will take longer than anticipated,” and claims it is “working toward making necessary design changes to meet their requirements.” Here’s hoping the bump stems from these minor niggles with carriers, versus trouble with the phone itself, which was running only a partially operational OS last time we saw it.

[Via GPS Tracklog]

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Filed under: Handsets, RIM, GSM

Sure, you’ve read the KickStart 8220 preview and seen plenty of snaps, but video is still the only way to demonstrate some features of a device. Especially when it’s not yet available in shops. Fortunately, Kevin Michaluk over at CrackBerry put together almost 9-minutes of moving pictures demonstrating two-handed Suretype thumbing, the 8220’s more deeply inset trackball, and slick OS 4.6 action. He even went head-to-head with the iPhone 3G to demonstrate the KickStart’s Internet browser. But enough with the words eh, video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Blackberry KickStart 8220 flip

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Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, Linux, ALP

Back in February, we all had high hopes that the Linux-based Samsung i800 would be a real winner when it launched on Orange this fall. Unfortunately, the i900 is apt to be out and about before the i800 can even have a proper funeral. According to Edelman, Orange’s PR firm, the “i800 has been withdrawn in order to… prepare a more competitive Linux mobile.” In all honesty, we don’t suspect that many folks will miss it, but those holding out on picking up a new cellie can safely move on to courting other handsets.

[Image courtesy of SmartphonesOfToday]

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Filed under: Handsets, Apple

In what appears to be an increasingly common problem, hairline cracks are beginning to form on Apple’s new iPhone 3G. While most of the cracks are reportedly affecting the white model, this is likely due to the increased visibility of the dark fracture on the white case as opposed to any differences in materials between the white and black units. At the moment, the issue seems largely cosmetic and doesn’t appear to interfere with the operation of the phone. Now bust out the magnifying glass and let us know if you’re seeing the same.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read — MacRumors forum
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Filed under: Handsets, Features, Sharp, T-Mobile, Danger, GSM, EDGE

After all the buffoonery over what exactly T-Mobile intended to call its newest entry-level Danger device, they’ve ultimately decided to just go back to basics, drop the acronyms, and christen it simply “Sidekick.” Make no mistake, though — this little puppy is a far cry from your daddy’s Hiptop launched way back in 2002, thanks to a 400 x 240 WQVGA display, 2 megapixel camera with video recording capability, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and a microSD slot. Though it’s being billed as the iD’s spiritual successor, the Sidekick comes dangerously close to LX territory, so it should see some solid movement at the $149.99 asking price on a two-year contract. What’s more, the Sidekick becomes Danger’s first device with user-customizable shells, available directly from sidekickshells.com for $14.99 a pop (we’ve got both a really bad and a really frickin’ great feeling about the ridiculous sorts of designs people are going to be coming up with there). The whole shebang goes on sale starting today.

We’ve spent just a little bit of time fiddling with a Sidekick this week, and in a nutshell, this thing is a killer upgrade for the iD crowd — which just so happens to be exactly what T-Mobile’s going for. On the downside, the pivot mechanism and controls feel just a little chintzier than those on their big brother, the LX — but not distractingly so — and it’s surprisingly hard to downgrade from the LX’s stunning 3-inch display to the Sidekick’s smaller 2.6-inch deal. For those of you with shell design ideas already in mind, though, where else are you gonna turn?

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Filed under: Handsets, Motorola

Yeah, we just went back and triple-checked our personal wishlist for Motorola’s road to profitability, and “produce a fat RAZR clone with a stub antenna and few random splotches of burgundy” definitely isn’t on there. This Motorola i775 looks destined for the iDEN airwaves of the world, presumably finding a home on Nextel and Boost in the States — but with the monstrous Frankenstein styling, we’re wondering if it’ll go on to find a home in anyone’s belt holster. Cheap company-issue unit, perhaps?

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Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

You’re getting anxious for the release of HTC’s Touch Pro, aren’t you? As the heads bob up and down in unison, we’re thrilled to be able to pass along a hands-on video that complements the images you’ve already seen (numerous times) quite well. Nothing too special going on, just a new way of looking at the handset you’re still longing for. Check it out in the read link.

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Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, GSM, EDGE

If, for whatever reason, you found yourself recently craving a Motorola U9 in gunmetal grey, today would be your lucky day — assuming you live in the US and don’t mind handing your credit card information over to the company’s humorously labeled MOTOSTORE. The diminutive mobile, which includes 25MB of on board memory, a microSD expansion slot, 2-megapixel camera, integrated media player, stereo Bluetooth and a fanciful external display, is now available in an unlocked GSM flavor for $275.99. Oh, and if you’re really after a different hue, expect pink and purple to show up shortly.

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Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA

For those invited to private launch parties in New York and Chicago last Thursday, you’ve probably been playing with your shiny new US E71 all weekend. For everyone else, today’s the day. The Americas version of the handset — which includes GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/1900 support — is finally on sale to the general public through a variety of retailers. Now, the only problems are sneaking out of the office early, finding a store with stock and coming up with approximately $500.

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