Sony Ericsson W910i Red Walkman Released

The latest addition to the Walkman phone range is the new Sony Ericsson W910i Red which compliments the existing Black version released some days ago.

Both models hold the same specifications but the new Red version sports a deep and seductive red exterior casing.

Offering storage for up to 900 songs, the latest Walkman 3.0 software, the new 'Shake it' shuffle option that randomises your tunes by simply shaking the handset, 3G services and video calling plus a 2.0 megapixel camera.

The new Sony Ericsson W910i Red Edition represents the very best of what the Walkman range has to offer.

HTC TyTN II Released on Vodafone

The original HTC TyTN saw strong sale right from the day of its release offering a new form of PDA management and organisation so the onset of a new and upgraded version will have PDA enthusiasts salivating for more.

The new HTC TyTN II (2) offers some distinct advantages over the original, firstly the camera has been upgraded from 2.0 to a 3.15 megapixels with flash, zoom and video record / playback support, the OS is now Windows Mobile 6.0 creating more options and faster access to features.

The memory has been expanded from 68MB right up to 128MB plus further expansion via MicroSD cards and is now powered by a 400Mhz processor.

The biggest improvement by far though is the inclusion of the new TouchFlo navigation system, first seen in the HTC Touch and soon to be rolled out into many new handsets including the Apple iPhone. This new software allows the user to simply run their finger across the screen and watch the graphics turn and swivel, so much easier and quicker than using a stylus.

T-Mobile MDA Vario III Launches

Today sees the addition of a new PDA phone to the MDA range, the T-Mobile MDA Vario III or 3 is a powerful, fully functional pda phone.

The Vario III features Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional and is runs off a Qualcomm MSM7200 400Mhz processor as do the other variants of this handset, namely the HTC TyTN II.

There is also a 3.0 megapixel camera, with autofocus, 3G Services and Video Calling, built-in Media Player 10, EDGE technology, UMTS support, Bluetooth 2.0 Stereo and WiFi technology and microSD card expansion.

Nokia Touchscreen Handsets Emerge

Nokia, it would seem is also gearing up for MWC with what looks like a couple of new touchscreen handsets. Reports are now in (with leaked images) that one of these handsets could be the successor to the N97 being called the Ivalo. The second handset is dubbed Madeleine.

The Ivalo will feature

• a 3.5 inch TFT touchscreen (widescreen. Nokia loves that it seems)
• 32GB of ROM
• GPS, A-GPS
• FM radio with a transmitter as well
• 5 megapixel camera
• Wi-Fi, EDGE/GPRS
• TV out
• Bluetooth and of course USB 2.0

Madeleine, which reports are saying could be a mid-range handset will come equipped with -

• QWERTY keyboard
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Wi-Fi, EDGE/GPRS
• N-Gage support for gaming
• GPS
• FM radio

There’s absolutely nothing official about these handsets but with GSMA and MWC 09 just around the corner one has to hope that we’ll see them, even if they are prototypes, on display.

Other Reports a little earlier also stated that the Finnish mobile magnates were also planning of launching a mobile application store as well as a device that the reports are calling E75. Could it be one of these? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Spice Launches Its First Handset of 2009

Spice Mobiles has announced their first launch of 2009 - the Spice S-590 - that the company claims is a very affordable video-camera phone. Along with this new handset, Spice has also launched an interesting voice prompt application, which makes it a “Talking Phone”.

The handset features -

• an FM with recorder
• mp3 player
  
• Torch
• Expandable memory upto 2 GB via microSD cards
• GPRS
• Mobile tracker
• Call blacklist
• SMS scheduler

The voice prompt feature christened POPAT (ha ha ha) transforms the phone into a talking parrot which speaks out the number of an incoming call, phonebook and keys pressed on keypad. POPAT can benefit the people who cannot read or write, prove to be a utility for the blind and disabled or an interesting fun feature for the youth.

The Spice S-590 is available at a price of Rs. 2,499 (MRP).

BlackBerry Flip 8220

The lustrous and super stylish Pearl series is back with another installment after the blackberry pearl 8120. The Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220 is another one of RIM’s deviations from the typical, an indication of the changing times at the company, if you will. It wasn’t too long ago with the introduction of the Bold, that RIM started marketing their BlackBerrys as media centric handsets for the business person. To sum it up, RIM is leaving no stone unturned to reach out to, not just the CXO community but to the general masses at large.

Form Factor
As the name indicates, the 8220 Flip is a clamshell handset. It employs the black glossy finish of a traditional BlackBerry with silver lining. On the outside is a small 1.2-inch TFT color LCD that sports a 128 x 160 pixel resolution. Mails and messages can be read off this display by accessing the keys located on the side of the device that are also used for volume and Zoom control of the 2 megapixel camera (LED flash) that’s located just above the external display. A dedicated camera key is located just below these. The microUSB and 3.5mm earphone socket are located on the others side. The Flip is also thankfully fitted with a Hot Swap microSD card slot.

On the inside is a large and very clear 2.6-inch TFT LCD display with a 240 x 320 pixel 65k color resolution. It’s very easily visible in all lighting conditions, which is great. The Flip is also equipped with a half QWERTY Sure-Type keypad and the Pearl trackball for smooth navigation. The SureType is Blackberry's new avatar of having QWERTY letters share the same key. But we found that it can get a bit annoying at times when you’re typing emails, and when you want to add specific words, but you can get used to it, especially if you’re switching from an older version to this.

The Flip 8220 exudes a refined, well designed form factor with a hint of femininity. Not that that’s been stated officially by the company, but we do feel that this BlackBerry would be something the ladies would really like more than the gents. But that’s just our opinion.

Features and Performance
Interface
There’s nothing new about the interface, if you’re already familiar with that of the Bold or the Storm. It’s just a little smaller considering the screen size and shape. Personally we’re big fans of the new OS (v4.6) and UI. It’s smooth and fluid with trackball navigation. The external display is convenient enough to get a gist of incoming mails so you won’t necessarily need to open up the handset to read every unimportant message that could come in.

One of the biggest issues with the BlackBerry OS is that it has no file system option wherein one can simply transfer files from the device memory onto the memory card.

Connectivity Options
RIM has really done a good job adding the Wi-Fi feature to this phone, as the Pearl series usually isn't complete without that. During testing we found Wi-Fi to be extremely superior to the other BlackBerrys that we have used in the past. The Flip is not 3G compatible but GPRS and EDGE are available for your regular connectivity and the presence of a secondary browser for a WAP profiles is always handy. Using BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) from your service provider is definitely a faster way though.

Other connectivity also includes Bluetooth with an A2DP profile for a truly great audio experience, provided you get yourself a good Stereo Bluetooth headset. USB 2.0 for PC connectivity works like a charm and is quick when it comes to data transfer.