With your cell phone. This tutorial will offer a few short friendly tips to help spice up your cell phone usage. Nothing revolutionary, but there are a few cool ideas of things you can do.

Today's tutorial is on how to create, purchase, and/or install ringtones onto your phone. Party on.

Oftentimes I think to myself: self, my PDA can do almost everything under the sun, short of doing my laundry. But there's one thing that I really wish it could do - change the channel. Okay okay, so I really don't care if my PDA can be a remote control, but there may be some of you out there who disagree with me. If you are not anti-remote control on the PDA, check this software out.

We welcome TV Remote Controller, a piece of software you can add to your Pocket PC. Third party developers have thought of everything under the sun. Cnet even rated this software 5 stars out of 5. Not too shabby!

While I'm in the whole bluetooth education mode, here is a PC Mag article on their favorite iPhone-compatible bluetooth headsets, complete with listings and linkage. Check them out.

Here are the upcoming AT&T phones. I will have some posts for the other carriers coming soon, and will update this list as I get more info.

LG CU575 trax - July
Moto RAZR2 V9 - July/August
Moto RAZR V3xx pink chrome - July
Moto RAZR V3xx red chrome - August
Moto RIZR Z9 (rumored) - unknown
Samsung A117 GoPhone - unknown
Samsung A517 - August
Nokia 6085 - July

Using wireless headsets aren't the only things you can do with Bluetooth. There's several "profiles" that can be utilized with the technology. With the knowledge of these profiles, you can discover all sorts of stuff you can do to make life better (disclaimer: unless you have Verizon). However, not every bluetooth phone has all these profiles. For example, some Samsung phones can use the earpiece, but can't transfer files.

1. Transfer files. Forget paying 25 cents to send a multimedia message to another phone right next to you. Instead, use the bluetooth link. Most bluetooth-capable phones, but not all, have a file transfer profile. You can transfer pictures, unlocked ringtones, and even address book entries. PDAs with the file transfer profile can transfer attachments, documents, and other large files. If your computer has bluetooth capability, you can easily transfer stuff to and from your phone as well.

2. Print stuff. Either from your phone or your computer, there are printers out there that can print off your favorite pictures or documents.

3. Keyboard. Tired of the tiny keys on your PDA? Some PDAs will have a bluetooth profile that enables you to use a wireless keyboard instead of trying to smash your fingers on the small buttons.

4. Use your phone as a modem. Crazy as it seems, once you add a full internet tethering package onto your phone account, you can take advantage of the bluetooth link to get internet on your laptop from your phone. This is great if you're travelling a lot for business and don't want to shell out the extra cash for a wireless PC card.

5. Listen to music through wireless speakers. 'Nuff said.

6. Use a GPS Navigation System. Most high-end phones and PDAs enable you to connect a bluetooth GPS receiver to your phone, thus allowing you to have an inexpensive car navigation system.

7. There's plenty of other things that bluetooth can do. Check out this wiki article which shows in detail all of the profiles that are out there.

I love Bluetooth devices. The technology is wonderful to have around, especially while driving. It frees both of your hands up to actually steer and/or shift gears, saves your neck from getting sore due to holding your phone to your head. Yet it has taken a while to catch on, which is a shame. Granted, in the state of Washington, Bluetooth is about to catch on REAL quick (see recent post on the ban on handheld devices in cars).

I figure now is as good a time as any to provide a tutorial on how bluetooth works, how to hook it up to your phone, and how to choose the right headset for you. This is a good starter for you. Once you find a bluetooth that works well for you, you'll be hooked.

The bluetooth technology can do other stuff as well, which I will cover in a later post.

One of the first "iPhone killers" is on the loose. The HTC Touch was announced just before the release of the iPhone to give it a bit of competition. This PDA is a pocket PC number and is similar to the iPhone in that you can use different types of gestures on the screen.

This review on PhoneArena will give you all sorts of pictures and goes over each aspect of this interesting new phone. Check it out!

Today's flavor takes on the iPod section of your iPhone. This can be helpful if you're new to the iPhone game.

Read

If you are a Sprint customer and know your good Sprint customer service reps on a first-name basis, this certainly applies to you; most likely because you have received a letter from Sprint telling you that they are tired of taking care of you and they want you to become some other carrier's problem child.

This article says it all. Customers who have called Sprint 40-50 times a month are being let out of their contract. The customers apparently have no say, no warning, no nothing. Granted, I can't even imagine calling the same customer service dept. 2-3 times a day on average, but I don't believe that most of these 1,000+ customers are calling for a friendly chat.

I believe most customers are calling the service reps because there are some major issues to be resolved, or existing concerns that cannot be met on a timely basis. Do you think that these customers don't have something else better to do than to call up customer service this many times? I highly doubt that.

There's only one reason I could ever think of that justifies what Sprint is doing; getting rid of the costly problem customers will free up some additional revenue. This revenue could be highly needed smack dab in the middle of a huge merger. Or perhaps Sprint, now feeling like a new company, wants to start anew and build themselves up again; and this is the first in a major series of cleansing yet to occur.

But the truth is, these customers are not the ones costing Sprint their desperately needed revenue. The customer service reps are. Sprint is losing $200 (per ETF) for each customer they let go for calling too much, and who knows- maybe a credit for a similar amount was all the customer needed. They could've come up with alternate solutions within the FIRST 5 CALLS that 1. would've saved time and money and 2. retained a (could have been) happy customer who would spread news of their good experiences to their friends.

Instead, each customer that has been let go now has an even MORE sour taste in their mouth. Think about how sour they already were about having to call customer service that many times! Now add on the fact that Sprint is proving they don't really care about those customers and would rather be rid of them than resolve their concerns, and voila - there is now a very very angry ex-customer. That move alone can hurt the reputation of Sprint a lot more than the cost of keeping them as a customer.

I could understand if Sprint at least investigated each individual customer in this situation first! Have a superviser or someone with some real power to go the extra mile for that customer, see what the concerns are, and take care of them. If they cannot take care of them, then and ONLY then offer to buy them out of their contract if they would like to go elsewhere. Most customers would at least appreciate that gesture, I would think.

One other thing I can't help but think. Contracts are agreements that are held between two parties; when we sign a contract with our wireless carrier, things should go both ways. Why no warning? Why no extra communication from Sprint to the customer? No "please stop calling us or else we may have to drop you" letter or anything.

Indeed, this move seriously jeopardized Sprint's reputation - ESPECIALLY in the area of customer service. If customers have to call 40-50 times a month to get their problems fixed, why would we want to sign up for their service?

A Cnet Weekend Project that discusses how to completely sync your phone up with your computer, and the benefits of doing so.

Here is the new VX8550, aka the Chocolate 2, which came out at Verizon July 9.Will it receive the same buzz as its predecessor? Not sure, but here are some reviews on it. What's so different about this one? Not much, it seems. A tiny bit slimmer and lighter, a new 2.5 mm headphone jack, and other minor adjustments. Most of the changes were in style.

PhoneArena
Cnet Crave

So many choices. So many carriers. These days, choosing your wireless provider is a HUGE deal, especially when making the wrong decision would cost you at least $175-200 to cancel your contract with them.

This cnet article gives a brief explanation of each major carrier's strengths and weaknesses. It definitely helps to do a little research before you make the big plunge.

In what will hopefully be a regular series, I want to give tips on extra things you can do with your cell phone other than making calls.

Today's article is on how to transfer contact numbers from one phone to another. This definitely comes in handy from time to time.

One thing i want to add to it, however; if you use a GSM network such as AT&T or T-Mobile, you can store up to 250 numbers on your SIM card. If the numbers are on the phone itself, most phones give you a "copy" option where you can simply transfer the numbers over to the SIM card. Samsung phones give you a "management" option. SIM cards cannot, however, store pictures or ringtones. They can't even store addresses or other contact info. Just the name and the number.

In a recent Seattle Times article, the Washington state legislature has passed a resolution that as of January 1, 2008, motorists will be required to use a hands-free headset if they want to talk on a phone while driving. Teenage girls across the state are TICKED.

About to go on a trip? Curious to know how well the reception will be at your destination? Just got word of a new website that allows everyone to report how many bars of reception we get. signalmap.com is meant to give you the chance to report your cell signal at any location you want to share with the general population. Check it out and add your two cents!

Still the only kid on the block that doesn't have an iPhone? Wondering if you're missing out on anything by saving yourself 6 C-Notes? It's time to find out. A week old, there are now plenty of reviews of this new gadget out there, so let's put them all together.

MobileBurn
"Considering this is very much a version 1.0 product, Apple is to be applauded for the overall stability of the device and the amazing performance of its user interface. "

PhoneArena
"While the iPhone is just remarkable in what it does, the lack of key features may be a turn off for some users."

Cnet
(8/10) "Despite some important missing features, a slow data network, and call quality that doesn't always deliver, the Apple iPhone sets a new benchmark for an integrated cell phone and MP3 player."

Laptop Mag
A whole comprehensive guide to all things iPhone.

PhoneScoop
"Apple didn't set out to create something that would match existing smartphones feature-for-feature. Rather, they set out to re-invent the whole idea of a mobile phone, and they succeeded."

AT&T Official Support
For those who already have the iPhone and need to know where to go for extra help.

I will post more as I find more articles.

This isn't official by any means, but the FCC has just approved the Samsung SGH-T639 with UMTS 1700. Considering 1700 is the band T-Mobile 3G will be using, we are putting two and two together. Hopefully this will be the first of many announcements in the near future about T-Mobile's 3G plans.

Yep, it's here. Now we can get back to our regular lives. I will post reviews in the near future when i have a few free moments to locate them. For those of you looking for one at your local store, happy hunting!

As AT&T rushes to get ready for the single biggest day ever for the company a mere 5 days away, it causes one to pause and ponder the question: When will it all be finally OVER?

Seriously. We've had over 6 months to build up all this hype for the iPhone, and yet we as a consumer base don't know that much more about the phone than what we learned when Steve Jobs announced it in January. So we've had 6 months of speculation, rumors, and obsessive fans.

I frankly am ready to just be done with it. Sure, I like the concept of the iPhone. I think it will be a nice gadget and a good quality phone. iBut i don't ibelieve it's iworth all the ihype. I don't think the first iPhone will sell as well as everyone thinks. I believe a lot of people will go into AT&T stores out of curiousity and will want to play with it. However, very few people will be willing to not only shell out $500-600 for the phone, but pay an early contract termination fee of $200 and commit to 2 years with AT&T. That's a LOT of obligation just to get a phone!

So the phone will come out, the hype will die down, reviews will be made, consumers will choose to buy and/or return it, and the fate of iPhone will have been sealed in the coming weeks. And then, once it does, we can look forward to the next iPhone to come out. And the cycle begins again.

The wafer-thin A727 has now hit the stores. This is a bar-style 3G phone with Video Share, 1.3 MP camera, expandable memory, quad-band, speakerphone, and Bluetooth 2.0. It's going for $120 after rebate and 2 year contract.

Cnet First Take

Previously, on prepaid: the options....
I talked about some of the independant prepaid companies, Virgin Mobile and Tracfone. This time around I will mention each of the Big 3 and their prepaid options.

Verizon:
InPulse - the PAYG plan offers Unlimited IN Network calling, Unlimited Night Calling, and 10 cents/min to everyone else; you get these perks at the cost of a 99 cent per day access charge.
EasyPay - Verizon's PYP plan offers two different rates, 350 minutes for $50 and 700 for $70; each rate offers Unlimited IN calling and 3000 nights/weekend minutes.

AT&T GoPhone:
PAYG - two choices. Similar to Verizon, you can get Unlimited calling within the network and 10 cents/min to everyone else at a cost of $1 daily access charge. You only get charged the dollar on those days you use the phone. Or, you can opt for a flat rate of 25 cents/min, no extra perks. The PAYG plans recently added text packages, and also offers rollover balance (when you refill your account, your previous balance will carry over with the refill).

PYP - AT&T offers four different packages, the perks increasing along with the price. 29.99/month gets you 200 minutes total; 39.99/month gives 300 minutes anytime and 1000 nights/weekends; 49.99/month delivers 400 minutes anytime and unlimited nights/weekends; and finally, 69.99/month promises 650 minutes anytime, unlimited nights/weekends, and unlimited mobile to mobile. Each package offers rollover. If you run out of minutes, you can add more before the end of the month.

T-Mobile:
It looks like T-Mo offers PAYG. The perks come with the Gold Rewards; once you buy a $100 refill card you become a Gold Rewards customer, where no matter what kind of refill card you get from then on you receive 15% more minutes and your minutes won't expire for a year. No text packages, but they cost 10 cents to send and 5 cents to receive; sidekick packages are also available for a dollar a day.

If you have family and/or friends who use Verizon or AT&T, it's probably best to get a PAYG plan with those services simply because they offer unlimited mobile to mobile, which can help save you a lot of money on extra minutes.

Crazy new article just came out from the other side of the Atlantic. Seems that some scientists are finding a way to "beam" electricity wirelessly...in other words, soon you could have your phone charged just by sitting there in your house! No more trying to figure out where you misplaced your wall charger.

Check out the article.

Due to unknown circumstances, the Mobile Backup program has been delayed until "later this year". So no word on what happened or when exactly we can expect it, but word is mid to late summer.

The big blue globe has a way of jumping onto the bandwagon, especially when it's the last of the big 4 to do so. Shortly after the launch of Verizon's family unlimited messaging, the light bulb has turned on over AT&T's head. As of June 17 AT&T will offer unlimited messaging for family plans nationwide for $29.99/month. This is a much anticipated event, as many families are large texters and shelling out 19.99 per person. Get ready to save some cash!

Do you need an inexpensive phone for emergencies but don't want to sign up for 2 years with one of the big wireless companies? There is an alternative in prepaid plans. Almost every wireless company has a prepaid option, not to mention a few extra places are exclusively prepaid.

So your decision has been narrowed down to prepaid. Now what? You still have a plethora of pleasing prepaid phone possibilities! Let's break down each prepaid service and what they offer.

When choosing a prepaid plan, you can choose from either Pay as You Go (PAYG) or Monthly plans. PAYG acts like the phone cards of old; buy a card with a certain number of minutes on it, and when that balance gets low simply buy another card. Monthly plans act similar to the rate plans you get under contract, except you are not under any obligation or commitment.

First, the exclusives:

Tracfone - GSM Prepaid carrier offers both PAYG and Monthly Plans. You can buy cards of minutes, get a certain amount of minutes for a whole year, you can even get signed up for prepaid family plans.
The least expensive phone on Tracfone is 9.99. 30 day return policy.
Notes: minutes roll over each month as long as you consistently add minutes at least once each 2 months.
Get a FREE Motorola camera phone when you purchase a double minute prepaid card on Tracfone


Virgin Mobile - Works off of Sprint's network. PAYG: Go with a flat rate or discounted minutes for 6.99/mth. Monthly plans: there are several plans to choose from; starts as low as 14.99/mth for 100 minutes, and goes up to 99.99/mth for 1000 minutes and free nights/weekends starting at 7. (Note - unlike most prepaid services that cut your usage off at your limit, you are allowed to go over your minutes with Virgin Mobile.) Messaging: when you get a package the messages are a penny each, so a 9.99/mth package gets you 1000 messages. Additional are 5 cents each.
The least expensive phone on Virgin is 19.99. 30 day return policy.

To be continued...

The Samsung A717 was released recently through AT&T and there is an interesting amount of excitement that has been brewing about this device. Engadget is already calling it the new Sync (okay, they're just saying they've pushed the Sync out of their minds completely), even though they're sold side by side and we don't see the Syncs disappearing anytime soon. Obviously one major difference is the price; why get a phone with almost all of the same features and a tiny front LCD for $149, when in some markets you can get the Sync for $24.99 with new contract?

So, let's find out how the A717 fares. First, the main features: This phone will soon be featuring Video Share; has a 2 MP adjustable camera, A2DP stereo bluetooth, microSD, HSDPA, and is slightly thinner than the Sync.

As for reviews, those will follow in the near future. I haven't found any yet! Though this phone has already been released, nobody seems very eager to review it. I'm not sure if that's a good sign....

Another interesting article on Crave..."Though the commercials didn't tell us much more than what we already know, they do let us get a look at the device in action. Here's what we saw:"

Read

Does your phone have bluetooth but your computer doesn't? Then you need to check out this USB dongle. This dongle will enable you to transfer your photos from your phone for free without hassle. (Disclaimer: make sure your phone has the file-transfer profile for bluetooth enabled.)

Bluetooth USB Dongle This USB Bluetooth Adapter works for short-range wireless data connectivity between PC computers and Bluetooth enabled devices. (eg. cellular phone, LAN, Printer and PDA). Specifications: Full speed USB v1.1 Interface. Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz. 5Vdc from USB port. Wireless communication within 30 feet(10 Meter). Easy to access and transfer files. Support Windows 98SE, NT, ME, 2000, XP.

This headset is a good quality, small and lightweight bluetooth option. With a foldable boom (making it super easy to turn on and off), this bluetooth also offers noise cancellation, thus making this headset a good idea.

Cnet
MobileTechReview (4.5/5)
HowardChui (3.5/5)


Get the H700 on Amazon

Cnet recently updated a popular article of theirs on how to make a decision when buying a cell phone. I feel this is a good overview because many customers really don't understand what is out there in the cell phone world. After all, the technology seems to change every single day, and it is quite hard to keep up with it unless you're actively involved in it.

Check out the article if you're currently thinking about what kind of phone to buy.

This has got to be the smallest Bluetooth I've ever seen. The Motorola Mini is so small it doesn't even poke out of your ear. As a bluetooth user, people already think i'm talking to myself even though I have a decent-sized earpiece hanging out on my ear...but with something like this, people will totally think i'm NUTS!

The design of the H9 makes it easier to hear conversations because it completely blocks the opening to the ear canal. Same thing with cancelling out background noise for the person you're talking to; since the device is tucked into your ear, it's harder to pick up extra background noise. One concern I have is that since there's no boom, it may be harder to even pick up your voice. Not sure yet.

Lordpercy
Motorola Official Site

It's still brand new, so there aren't many reviews out there. But at least this gives an idea of what this device is like.

Buy the Mini on Amazon!

This will be the first in a series of Bluetooth reviews. There's TONS of Bluetooths out there...and sometimes it can be hard to find information about some of them. So I will attempt to educate you.

The Aliph Jawbone is one of the most talked about Bluetooth earpieces at the moment. The draw on this headset is its military-grade noise cancellation. Aliph claims that it cancels out ALL background noise (with its Noise Shield technology) for the person you're talking to. Does it live up to the hype? Is it worth the hefty price tag? Let's find out.


Cnet (Editor's Choice: 8.6/10)
PC Mag (4.5/5)
InfoSyncWorld

Buy the Jawbone:
Check out the Jawbone on Amazon!

I found an interesting article about an odd little way to record a phone call conversation on your Windows-based PDA or smartphone; now, it's not exactly the way you imagine, but it does work. Check it out on coolsmartphone.com.

If you desperately need to record a phone call, I suppose it would do the trick!

Yes, you heard me: it's official. The big secretive phone will be making its debut on June 29th. So the Apple reps who were telling us the last week of June were correct; but now it's just nice knowing when exactly it's going to come out!

To watch the 3 new commercials that announce this date, click here.

What do the next couple years or so have in store for the mobile phone industry? Here are a few articles from Cnet that help clear the picture so we can get an idea of what to expect. Should we be happy or scared? You decide.

Cnet starts off by saying: "If you want a glimpse of what you'll be doing with your cell phone in two or three years, you don't need a time machine. You simply need to travel to Japan or South Korea." Article

"The cell phone used to be mainly about making phone calls, but those days are long gone." - 10 things your phone will do in 10 years Article

Like I said, i'm not sure whether to be excited or scared. When it comes to being able to track others down simply by the GPS unit in their phone, or using our phone as a wallet, it scares me a bit. The GPS part because there are times that I simply don't like people knowing where I am at all times. I like to have my alone time. The wallet part because if your phone gets stolen, not only will they have access to your minutes, but your personal contact information and your bank account. Yikes! Those phones in the future had better get some pretty nice security features.

Another phone coming down the pipeline is the Nokia 6085. This one will replace the 6102i in the stores sometime soon, but no official word on when. This phone, in addition to featuring the same stuff as the 6102i, will also throw in expandable memory, A2DP, and gets rid of the antenna.

Official Nokia Site
PhoneScoop

As of June 4, AT&T will have a brand new upgrade policy which is reminiscent of Verizon's "New Every Two" program. Now, instead of having to wait 21 months into your contract simply to get the same ol' discount you got when you first signed up with the company, you might just qualify for some larger discounts - as incentive to stick around with the blue globe.

Essentially, the type of discount you receive will depend on how much you're spending with the company. For example, if the primary line on your account spends more than $100/month, you will receive a $100 additional discount off the already discounted price. If you do it with 3 months left on the contract, you can receive a $50 add'l discount.

Additional lines for 9.99 may not get as good a discount, but AT&T will still offer to waive the $18 upgrade fee if you choose to renew at the end of your contract.

You ever lose your phone or drop it in water and find yourself not only without a phone but also without all of the phone numbers you had saved? AT&T has come up with its solution to the dilemma: Mobile Backup. For $1.99/month, you'll be able to have all of your contact information backed up via your online account; that way, if you lose your phone and get a new one, you can download all of your precious information directly into the new phone. At first it will only be available for certain devices, but this is definitely a great step in the right direction.

For more info, check out the official AT&T Mobile Backup site here.

LG's got some new stuff coming. One of the first to come in AT&T's new supercharged lineup is the CU575 aka Gator, a 3G HSDPA device with video share. That's about all we know at this point. Apparently it's supposed to be coming out sometime this month, but I'll keep you updated!

Check out this picture of the CU575, provided by engadget.

Just got word today that the C417 will be departing from AT&T stores in the near future, to make room for a new model called the A437. Very little is known about this phone. I've had the opportunity to look and handle it once, but I can't find any pictures on the web, and can only find a vague specs sheet from Samsung. I do know for sure that it has EDGE and at least a VGA camera, if not better.

If anybody has additional information please share!

If you've been waiting for the next latest and greatest from RIM, today is the day! The new Blackberry Curve (RIM 8300) is hitting the AT&T stores today.

For more info on the Curve, go here.

Do you currently own a Treo 680 with AT&T? You might like this new update Palm is offering up to fix some of the bugs in its entry-level PDA. Some of the fixes include:

- Better battery life through improved power management and a camera update
- Fixes the device freezing
- New DST software
- Improved international support
- Increased security
- Fixes distorted characters on title bar of phone app

To get the free download, click here.

The new Samsung A717 on AT&T is ready to hit the stores! With 3G, 2 MP camera, Video Record, A2DP for stereo bluetooth use, this is the second phone for the big blue globe that features Video Share (though the actual service is not yet available on the network).

One thing I find interesting is the front of the phone, which showcases a tiny external screen. This is an interesting change, considering the outside screen on most new phones continues to get larger and clearer.

The official release date is this Sunday, June 3.

First takes and specs:
Mobiledia
Electronista

This has been on my mind recently. In light of the Blackberry Curve being released by AT&T tomorrow, and having such short notice on it, I started wondering to myself if AT&T was upset at Apple for deciding to announce the iPhone so early. Normally, with the exception of rumors and speculation of various phones, the carriers don't like to publicly announce that they're releasing a phone until right before.

Why? My guess is that the carriers worry that possible customers will delay in purchasing a phone just to see what the new phone will be like. This is where the iPhone comes into play in this discussion. I know several people who were interested in purchasing a plan through AT&T but, knowing the iPhone is coming out in June, have stalled their purchase just to see if the iPhone will live up to its hype.

No doubt, this phone will have a large impact on customer retention and new activations, and will be hard for competition until they come out with possible "iPhone killers". But were both Apple and AT&T involved in the decision to announce the iPhone 6 months before release?

Here's the reasons I think AT&T would be upset.
1. This gives the other carriers ample time to prepare a device similar to and, quite possibly, better than the iPhone by June.
2. May lose potential customers during that 6 months, because they're all waiting for the iPhone.
3. If Apple chooses not to allow AT&T to subsidize the iPhone, existing customers will have no incentive for renewing a contract with them in order to buy the phone. Thus, the only revenue AT&T could make is from purchase of the actual phone, but not any recurring monthly revenue. They can only hope there will be enough customers coming over from other wireless providers simply for the iPhone.

The main benefit I can see for Steve to announce the iPhone so early, other than creating a LOT of hype, is simply to inspire additional growth in technology through competition. Does this help Apple out? The answer will not come until after the release of the iPhone and its success.

PS. This is the opinion of a guy who knows nothing about Apple's inner workings and does not reflect the view of AT&T or Apple.

The GSM follow up to the Motorola Q, cleverly named the Q9, is rumored to be coming to AT&T in the summer months (the rumors I have heard are that it will come out in July). This new PDA will have 3G support with HSDPA, Windows Mobile 6, and 2 MP camera.

First looks:
InfoSyncWorld
Brighthand
Engadget
Official Motorola Site
BoyGeniusReport: Full Gallery

With the global success of the RAZR, Motorola decided to take advantage of that model and come out with other types of phones. In this instance, they took the razr and made it a slider. T-Mobile brought the Z3 into the North American market. The Z3 comes with a 2 MP camera, bluetooth, A2DP, voice dial, quad-band world support, and music player (though without a dedicated key).

Reviews:
Laptop Mag
Cnet
InfoSyncWorld
MobileBurn






Resources:
T-Mobile
Motorola Support

T-Mobile has found a replacement for the ol' MDA: the new T-Mobile Wing (aka HTC Herald), which now sports Windows Mobile 6, WiFi (sweet!), EDGE, and Bluetooth. If you had to compare it with another phone, it closely resembles the AT&T 8525, only without the 3G and with Windows 6 instead of 5.

Some other notable features of this PDA are Voice Command (which is some of the best voice recognition software out there...you need not record voice tags, and you can ask certain questions to your phone and receive answers), quad-band, 2 MP camera, and a bit slower processor speed (around 200 Mhz).

This powerhouse was just released this past week, but we were able to find a few reviews on it from those who know what they're doing.

Reviews:
Cnet (7/10)
MobileTechReview
InfoSyncWorld
Laptop Mag (3.5/5)

Resources:
T-Mobile Support

Shopping:
Time to get the Wing on Amazon

This slider phone from T-Mobile is a multimedia user's ideal; 1.3 MP camera and microSD slot so you can hold up to 2 GB of external storage for music. Sadly it only holds 5 MB of internal storage so the MicroSD is a must-have. Also comes with Bluetooth and voice dialing. This is also a myFavs phone on T-Mobile's network.

Reviews:
Specs
Cnet (8.3/10)
InfoSyncWorld
GSMArena
MobileBurn





Resources:
T-Mo Support
Nokia Support

Shopping:
Get the T-Mo Nokia 5300 on Amazon
Get the Nokia 5300 Unlocked

After a long-anticipated wait, we have finally been graced by the presence of the Nokia N75. This new 3G phone released by AT&T features a 2 MP camera, Bluetooth, Sync capabilities, 40 MB Internal memory, MicroSD slot, among other fabulous features.

Reviews:
Phonescoop
InfoSyncWorld
MobileTechReview
GSM Arena
Cnet (6.3/10)
Nokia Press Release
Laptop Mag

Resources:
Official AT&T Site
Nokia Support

Shopping:
Get the N75 on Amazon!
Nokia N75 on LetsTalk.com

There's a new Blackberry coming to town: the Curve, aka the Blackberry 8300. This is hyped up as the big brother to the Pearl, another consumer-friendly device but this time with a full Qwerty keyboard. The keyboard is supposed to be a small bit larger and easier to use than the 8800, and comes with a 2 MP camera (no wifi or GPS on this one, however.) The word on the street is that this is the BEST RIM yet! Obviously that's personal opinion, but when the experts say that kind of stuff, it really gets your crackberry taste buds salivating. Update: it will also offer PTT and a spellchecker (a first for RIM).

First looks:
Laptop Mag review
Cnet (8/10)
blackberrycurve.com
Gizmodo first take
Wired Blog
Phonescoop

Release Rumors:
BoyGeniusReport: Curve teaser on ATT business site?

Update: The Curve will be released May 31.

This past week, Motorola announced a brand new RAZR with a brand new look. Here's some of the highlights:
2MP Camera
500 Mhz Processor (WOW)
Quad-band
Full HTML browser
USB 2.0
Bluetooth profiles for stereo, imaging, printing, and peer-to-peer gaming
2 mm THINNER than the original RAZR
Windows Media Player 11
3 versions to fit every cell phone carrier


First takes:
Cnet
Motorola Press Release
iTechnews
Crave
BGR
MobileBurn

Some of the questions I get asked the most on a daily basis deal with the iPhone. Thus, I naturally deduced that it's time to compile all of the confirmed facts that have been released about the iPhone!

Facts:
1. Apple and AT&T have a 5-year exclusivity agreement. This means that AT&T customers can look forward to not just the iPhone, but several other models as well.
2. Costs for the iPhone will be $499 for a 4GB model and $599 for an 8GB model. The reports are that the costs of the phone will not be subsidized for new contracts.
3. It will be quad-band and EDGE net access.
4. Runs on Mac OS X.
5. You'll be able to Sync it up with your iTunes, but I haven't figured out if it will sync with anything else....doesn't look likely at the moment.
6. The introduction of Visual Voicemail. This will provide a list of your voicemails and you can choose which one you want to listen to without having to listen to the previous voicemails first.
7. Soft QWERTY keyboard on a touch screen.
8. 2 MP camera.
9. Safari browser will enable you to view a site as it appears on your computer's browser, and you can simply touch the screen to zoom in.
10. Multi-touch display enabling you to control everything on the phone via various finger gestures.
11. Check out the specs of the iPhone here.
12. One word: Wifi!
13. Threaded SMS feature.
14. Release date: sometime mid-June? (I hear rumors ranging from June 11 to 15, to end of June. Cingular has always had some problems getting their phones out on time, but I prefer to think Apple will be a little more strict and ensure its getting out earlier.)
15. Not available for pre-order.

Links:

Gizmodo post of official press release
Official iPhone site

The 8525 has many names. Some may call it the Cingular 8525. Some may call it the AT&T 8525. Others, the HTC Hermes. Many people simply want to call it that one fancy phone with slide-out keyboard, high speed internet, stereo bluetooth capability, Pocket PC, touch screen, trackwheel, 2 MP camera, Syncing capability with your PC, etc.

Reviews:
Cnet (8/10)
Phonescoop (3.8/5)
MobileTechReview(4.5/5)
Laptop Mag (4/5)
InfoSyncWorld
PocketPC Thoughts


Resources:
AT&T Support
HTC official site

Shopping:
Buy it on Amazon!
Get a 2 GB MicroSD Card
Need another stylus?
8525 Battery
8525 Carry Case

The Blackjack, also known as the i607, is a great PDA from AT&T. Full Qwerty keyboard, 3G Support, 1.3 MP Camera, Bluetooth, Windows Mobile software, trackwheel on the side, and even comes complete with 2 batteries and an external battery charger. This is a great all-purpose phone that can do everything from email to music to Cingular Video and just being a good organizer, in a small and light form.

Reviews:
Cnet (7.3/10)
InfoSyncWorld Review
InfoSync: Blackjack vs. 8800
PhoneScoop (3.9/5)
Laptop Mag (4/5)
MobileTechReview
samsungblackjack.com

Resources:
AT&T Support
Official Samsung Support
Windows Mobile Tutorials

Shopping:
Buy the Blackjack on Amazon
Car Charger
Assorted Blackjack accessories
Blackjack Software and Downloads

The 750 is the latest Palm device with Windows Pocket PC. This PDA is available through AT&T and is also available on Palm's website unlocked, so you can use it on T-Mobile or overseas. The 750 comes with 3G support, full qwerty keyboard, 1.3 MP camera, MiniSD card with MP3 player, Bluetooth, and threaded texting/email.

Reviews:
Laptop Mag (4/5)
Cnet (7/10)
PhoneScoop (4.3/5)

Resources:
AT&T Support
MS Windows Mobile Support

Shopping:

Palm(r) Treo(tm) 750 Palm(r) Treo(tm) 750 smartphone

Buy the 750 with AT&T service
Palm(r) Treo(tm) 680/750 Battery
Palm(r) Treo(tm) 680/750/755p Stylus Pen 3 Pack
Sena Treo(tm) 680/750/755p Leather Skin Case
Palm Software/Programs to maximize your Treo!

Here's the new Palm-based Treo, the 680. It's virtually the same as the 650, with internal antenna and a slightly newer OS. Hyped as a low cost Treo, it seems to be geared toward consumers who need a PDA and possibly internet/email but don't care about all the extra fancy pancy features of some of the other new smartphones on the market today.

Reviews:
Cnet
Laptop Mag (4/5)
GSM Arena
mytreo.net: in-depth
InfoSync

Resources:
AT&T Support

Shopping:

Palm(r) Treo(tm) 680 smartphone Unlocked - Graphite Palm(r) Treo(tm) 680 smartphone Unlocked-Graphite

Buy the 680 complete with AT&T service
Palm(r) Treo(tm) 680/750 Battery
Palm(r) Treo(tm) 680/750/755p Stylus Pen 3 Pack
Sena Treo(tm) 680/750/755p MagnetFlipper Case
Software and Downloads to utilize your Treo to the max!

TeleNav is the new GPS Navigation tool from AT&T and Sprint. While it can only be used on PDAs and some smartphones, it is a handy tool to have in case you get lost easily while travelling. It does everything from rerouting you to your destination if you miss a turn, to giving you the ability to mark where you parked your car. (That definitely comes in handy sometimes!)

So here are some reviews for TeleNav...I wish they were paying me to promote their product! :)

Cnet (7/10)
PC Mag Review
TeleNav Site

Some more good stuff from RIM! This more business-friendly full qwerty version of the Pearl comes packed with GPS while sacrificing the camera. The GPS allows us to enjoy the TeleNav system without the need of a Bluetooth receiver. The 8800 originally came out with AT&T but T-Mo has picked it up as of April 2007.

Reviews:
Laptop Mag
GSM Arena
MobileBurn (inc. pics)
PhoneArena
Cnet (7.7/10)
Boy Genius Report
MobileTechReview

Resources:
8800 Marketing Site
RIM official support
Free Downloads and Forums
AT&T Support Site
T-Mobile Support

Shopping:
Buy the 8800 with AT&T
Need your Blackberry to do even more? Click here to get more software!

The Blackberry Pearl 8100 for T-Mo and AT&T is the first in a new generation of Blackberries: geared toward consumers, rather than focusing on businesses. The pearl is the first GSM blackberry in North America to feature a clever trackball on the front instead of on the side, MicroSD with mp3 player, and 1.3 mp camera. It also enables the user to connect to GPS using a Bluetooth receiver, giving the Pearl the ability to use TeleNav.

There is an amazing amount of stuff that the Pearl can do, and the small size makes it very easy to handle as both a phone AND as a PDA.

Reviews:
Picture Gallery (BGR)
Specs and Review (PhoneArena)
GSM Arena Reviews
PhoneScoop
Cnet
Blackberrypearl.com
Laptop Mag

Resources:
AT&T Support
T-Mo Support
Official RIM site

Shop:
Get the Black Pearl with AT&T
Buy the Red Pearl from AT&T!
Get the Black Pearl with T-Mobile
Here's the White Pearl with T-Mobile
Click here to get more programs for your Pearl!