When Nokia announced the N81 and the N81 8GB some months ago, all I could think was that it was in some way Nokia’s way of trying to let the world know that, despite the rousing success of the iPhone, it was still in the game, and would continue to make compelling mobile devices. Hardware The N81 8GB is a near top-of-the line model from Nokia. Almost matching the N95 8GB feature for feature, this smartphone is featured as the music and gaming device du jour from Nokia, and comes loaded to the gills with 8 GB of internal space, GPS, a 2 megapixel digital...

The Samsung BlackJack II is a Windows Mobile 6 smartphone available now from AT&T. As its name suggests, this is an updated version of a model that debuted in late 2006. The new device has a number of improvements over its predecessor, including an upgraded operating system, more memory, and a GPS receiver. I’ve been using this device for only a short time, but I want to share my preliminary impressions of it. A full review will be available later. Hardware This smartphone uses a design that become fairly common: a slim tablet shape with a QVGA...

I’d like to start off this review with a brief warning: most of you probably don’t want to read any further. The Viewsonic v38r is very much unlike the consumer and light-business grade devices that we usually review here. Instead, it is a “ruggedized” device, sometimes referred to as an “industrial” device.Rather than an office or home, it’s designed to work in less technology-hospitable climates such as warehouses, delivery trucks, field operations — anywhere that a conventional handheld would risk damage. The...

While smartphones in general have been a very hot topic of late, smartphones that have a specialized focus in music or mapping seem to have garnered even more attention. GPS phones in particular are a growing segment because, besides getting us connected with people and places where we want to go, they help us during the journey. The recently-announced Pharos 600 GPS phone is impressive in this regard. Its fashionable design and sleek form factor are at home in your purse or pocket, but its ability to tell you where the next restaurant is makes putting it...

Nokia announced the N800, its second generation Internet Tablet. I was able to put this brand new device through its paces at the Consumer Electronics Show. My first impressions are fairly positive. It has some nice new features not included in its predecessor, the Nokia 770, like a built-in web camera, dual memory card slots, stereo speakers, and a stand. Hardware This model has approximately the same form-factor as the 770 but it’s not exactly identical. It felt very comfortable to hold. On its back, there’s a bulge across the top, where the...

This smartphone debuted a few months ago from Vodafone in several European countries, but tomorrow will be the first time it is available in the United States. It will cost $400 with two-year service agreement, after a $100 mail-in rebate. The Treo 750 will be available from Cingular’s web site and its retail stores. Palm’s web site will be another option. More About the Palm Treo 750 This model is the first Windows Mobile-based Treo to use the GSM cellular-wireless standard. The 750 greatly resembles previous smartphones from Palm, but, unlike...

HP’s newest Pocket PC phone, the iPAQ hw6900 series, comes in several different models. Foremost among these are the hw6920 and hw6925. While these are both Cingular-branded models, and locked to that carrier’s network, the difference between them is that the hw6925 has a camera, while the hw6920 does not. Related models include the hw6945 and hw6940, which are unlocked units usable with any carrier, again with and without the camera. The unit loaned to us for review was the hw6925, including the 1.3 megapixel camera. Physically almost identical...

The vast majority of Windows Mobile Smartphones have a tablet shape, but HTC makes one that stands out from the crowd. This model, code-named Star Trek, uses a clamshell design, but still manages to be slim enough to invite comparison to the very popular Motorola RAZR. This smartphone is currently being offered by several companies under different names, including the Cingular 3125 and the i-mate SmartFlip. Recently, a web site based in Russia, hpc.ru, claims to have obtained a copy of HTC’s product roadmap for 2007. Listed on this is a device that...

Palm Inc. introduced its latest smartphone, the Treo 680, just a month or so ago. At this point, only a few wireless carriers are offering it, so it’s not surprising that many people are eagerly looking for signs that this device will soon be available from their preferred carrier. This might be the reason why some have quickly leaped onto a hint that the Treo 680 will be coming to T-Mobile USA in the near future. Palm’s support site lists the contact information people need if they want help using various Treo models with a wide assortment of...

After pre-announcing its plans months ago, Sprint has just officially promised that it will begin offering the Motorola Q in the near future. Despite this, Sprint still hasn’t said exactly when it begin selling this Windows Mobile Smartphone. All it is promising at this point is that this device will be available later this month. It will intitially be sold through this carrier’s business sales channels and its web site. It won’t be in Sprint’s retail stores until mid-February. (view large image) Sprint also isn’t saying what...

Palm Treo 500 is a Windows Mobile 6 Standard based Smartphone which has a QWERTY keyboard, QVGA screen, supports triband GSM/GPRS at 900/1800/199 MHz. It’s ROM has just 150 MB, yet if you need more can be extended up to 2gb. Internet connection is assured trough GPRS/EDGE, the bad thing about the Palm Treo 500 is that it has no Wi-Fi antenna and remains one of the last launched devices without Wi-Fi. Palm Treo 500 weights 120g is 110 x 61.5 x 16.5 big (gets a bit uncomfortable when holding it in your pocket, sometimes it even doesn’t fit in) the battery...

An aluminum case it something, which I consider that every phone needs, and as specially every PDA, considering that a PDA is much more fragile than an ordinary phone. A few days ago, as I was reading a review for HTC P3300, a light went on in my mind and since then I started wondering: Why are most PDA, Smartphone and generally most phone housings made out of plastic? I asked myself the same think about two years ago, when I bought my Spv C600. That’s why I consider that a 400 Mhz processor powering the HTC Touch Cruise motherboard needs a lot more protection...

Splashpower gives everyone a little shock by announcing thier new innovative charging device. The main purpose of SplashPower Vision is to charge phones, cameras or other devices wirelessly, by using electromagnetic induction. This will make your phone more flexible, allowing you to get rid of all those cables under your desk. When Splash Power will become reality for everyone, guests will probably be able to charge their phones while ordering food in a fast food, or while eating lunch at a restaurant. Just think how cool it will be to have your phone/pda...

Got a HTC Touch and think that it’s a too young model to find accessories and cases for it? You’re certainly wrong, cause here I will show you some of the latest HTC Touch accessories I found on the Internet: 1. HTC Touch Screen Protectors- probably one of the most important thinks for your HTC Touch. I’m sure you don’t want to see any scratches on that nice, smooth display. That’s why I recommend you this product (http://www.extremepda.com/SPTOUCH.html): 15 HTC Touch micro-thin protectors for $11.95. They won’t effect the functionality of the...

Verizon Wireless unveiled the new XV6900, the EV-DO version of HTC Touch which now opens new horizons for Verizon Wireless’ users. Featuring the great Windows Mobile 6, a 2MP camera and GPS this is one of the most wanted devices out there, mainly because of its cool design, small size and feature list. The main difference between XV6900 and the “original” HTC Touch is the color, XV6900 has a stylish white case. Anyway, Verizon Wireless users should know that they can easily find a black color housing on or maybe at a local store if they don’t like...