So much for the “several weeks” window for the N95-3. Engadget is reporting that the phone is available immediately in Nokia’s New York and Chicago flagship stores for $699. No word on an AT&T agreement…this might not be a good sign for a subsidized version.
I know I said that I was done with AT&T last week, but it appears that I spoke too soon. Turns out it’s the SGH-i780, a device that was passed around at Dubai’s GITEX show earlier this month. From the spec sheet adjacent to the display phone, you can pretty clearly make out Windows Mobile 6 Professional (touchscreen), WiFi, HSDPA, a 2 megapixel camera and GPS. Might this be the rumored BlackJack 2?
[via Engadget Mobile]
Engadget claims that the N95-3, the U.S. version of the popular GPS-capable phone with American 3G support, is scheduled to hit shelves in the next two weeks. And by American 3G, we’re talking about AT&T (850 / 1900MHz bands of HSDPA). The N95 has been putting up solid numbers in Europe and Nokia looks to be pushing this phone to other regions now. I’ve heard rumors (from very reliable sources) that Telstra will be launching a version Down Under. And getting AT&T to subsidize one in the U.S. would be a very good thing.
[via Engadget Mobile]
data sheet at Nokia
Let’s wrap up the week with a final GPS-enabled phone from AT&T. I’m honestly amazed at the sheer number of capable handsets rolling out right now (HP iPAQ 900, Moto Q Global, BB 8820, HTC Tilt). Either AT&T is seriously ramping up their location-based strategy or the handset vendors are pushing the agenda. I’m a happy camper either way. So the HTC Kaiser (also known as the TyTN II or 8925) is currently available from numerous European carriers or unlocked from importers. But we all know that Americans like their phones cheap and subsidized on contract. AT&T was scheduled to launch a rebranded version as the “Tilt” in the September 25th release window but it looks like it might slip to October. You want to know specs? Windows Mobile 6 Pro, HSDPA, QWERTY pad, WiFi and SiRFstar III GPS.
It’s true, AT&T launched the BlackBerry 8820 yesterday for $299. So if you own a now-outdated 8800 (like me), you are permitted to use your handset as a paperweight (skipping stone, doggy toy). Actually, WiFi is the only major new feature on the device, but it’s a big one. And according to AT&T, you need a qualifying data plan to activate WiFi functionality, although there is absolutely no technical relationship between the two. Rumor also has it that GPS is locked unless you purchase an AT&T-approved application (Telenav).
[via Engadget Mobile]
But wait! It doesn’t end there - AT&T is just about to launch the Motorola Q Global (also know as the Q9 or Q9h or Q9c, etc). I remember holding the “Norman” beta version of this device almost a year ago. The HSDPA made the thing so hot you could iron linen with it. The device sports integrated GPS, but rumor has it that AT&T will lock this feature for 3rd party applications and only make it available through TeleNav or another preferred partner (read: revenue share).
The new 3G Moto Q also features a QWERTY keyboard, 2MP camera, HSDPA Internet connection, bluetooth, and microSD card supporting up to 32GB.
[via Navigadget]
A few weeks ago HP announced two new iPAQ handsets. And it’s about time. Those tired iPAQ hw69xx units have very dated specs. Not so for the new 600 series Business Navigator and 900 series Business Messenger. Both rock Windows Mobile 6 Pro (touchscreen), HSDPA, WiFi and A-GPS. The 600 series has a numeric keypad with a scroll wheel, while the 900 series has a full QWERTY pad. Interestingly, the 900 comes with Google Maps preloaded. Very smart move, guys. Rumor has it that the 900 series is set for an AT&T launch. Documentation on HP’s site calls out the 910c (the version equipped with a 3 megapixel autofocus cam) as destined for AT&T’s airwaves, a logical move considering the device’s support for HSDPA 850 / 1900.
Following its February launch alongside the original N95, Nokia has now rolled out the next version of its Nokia Maps navigation software. The new application seems to center around customer-requested improvements, including a new data counter, revamped user interface, improved search capabilities, and client software capable of transferring maps ten times as quickly as the original. Nokia is also taking the remainder of 2007 to update its coverage, eventually offering over 150 countries’ worth of maps with 50 of them enabled for navigation.
Speaking this week at the Canalys Navigation Forum in Barcelona, Michael Halbherr, head of location-based services at Nokia (from the Gate5 acquisition) shared insights about their plans for updates and improvements for Nokia Maps. Launched in February of this year, the Nokia Maps mobile application and the Nokia Map Loader for PCs have each been downloaded over 1 million times. Halbherr also mentioned some juicy usage statistics. Nokia Maps has been activated by 100% of N95 users: 68% have tried Nokia Maps at least 14 times, 95% have established a GPS fix, 94% have generated packet data with maps, 44% of users have used it for actual navigation, and of those users 67% used it for driving a car, 57% for walking, 44% standing still and 7% for cycling or biking.
Check out Nokia Maps
[via GPS Business News]
If you haven’t heard about the rumored Google phone (dubbed the GPhone) you either don’t work in tech or have been living in a cave. According to the WSJ Google has been in touch with phone manufacturers about the technical specifications of the GPhone. Google wants to give consumers more options and they hope multiple manufacturers will take on the job and that the phones will be offered through multiple carriers.
A Google spokesman yesterday declined to comment on a Google phone project, but noted: “We are partnering with almost all of the carriers and manufacturers to get Google search and other Google applications onto their devices and networks.”
The specs Google has come up with suggests that manufacturers include digital camera, built-in Wi-Fi, support 3G, and include GPS. If you’ve been following my commentary you’ll know that location-based services are key to Google’s revenue growth by earning higher CPMs. I don’t think they’d consider a phone without GPS.
[via Navigadget]
The potential strike that I mentioned in July is officially on as of 5am, with the New York Times reporting that nearly 90 percent of cabs are off the road today (at least according to a cabbie representative). “We see this as a resounding success,” New York Taxi Workers Alliance spokeswoman Bhairavi Desai said early this morning. “The majority of drivers stayed home.” Taxi driver Melissa Plaut wrote a great op-ed piece in the NY Times a few days ago outlining why cabbies are upset. I’ll let each of you figure out which side is being reasonable (maybe neither). Just be glad you don’t have to find a NYC taxi during rush hour this evening…
read the New York Times strike coverage
read cabbie Melissa Plaut’s op-ed piece
