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!

In our next exhibit we have the latest in the RAZR series with AT&T, the V3xx. This new version brings 3G to the table, along with a MP camera, microSD card/MP3 player, and voice recognition. Comes in 3 colors: gray, gold, and platinum chrome. Update 5-15: for all you fans of pink, a new pink chrome color has been announced!

Reviews:
Cnet
GSM Arena
InfoSyncWorld
Laptop Mag
PC Mag

Resources:
Cingular Support
Motorola Official Site

Shopping:
Get the V3xx from Amazon

The LG CU500 is another 3G phone from AT&T. It features Cingular Video, Music, MP3 player, MicroSD slot, 1.3 MP camera (that swivels, no less!) and stereo bluetooth capability. The CU500v, which came out May 4, also adds video share, a brand new concept from AT&T. There isn't much information available on the CU500v as of yet but I will update when more resources become available.

Reviews:
Cnet
Laptop Mag
PhoneScoop

Resources:
Video Sharing Guide (CU500v)
Cingular Support (CU500v)
Cingular Support (CU500)
LG Official Site

The A707 is one of AT&T's latest 3G phones with HSDPA. Comes complete with a 2 MP camera, MicroSD/MP3 support, quad-band, streaming video and high speed internet. Also supports stereo bluetooth, so you can listen to your music in a stereo headphone. One unique feature is the heat-sensitive external controls for the MP3 player.

Reviews:
Cnet
PhoneScoop
PhoneArena

Resources:
AT&T Support
Samsung Official Site

The LG CU400, available on AT&T, operates on its 3G UMTS network. It has quad-band support, VGA camera, Push-to-Talk, mobile email, Cingular Video, and Bluetooth. You can also access XM satellite radio and MobiRadio, which helps make up for its absense of a MP3 player.

Reviews:
Cnet
PhoneArena
InfoSyncWorld

Resources:
AT&T Support
LG Official Site

The Nokia 6126 for AT&T and 6133 for T-Mo are innovative new clamshells from Nokia. They are great for the lazies who want a flip phone but don't want to use the extra energy to actually flip it open. The solution: throw on a button on the outside of the phone that will flip it open for you!

But there's more to this nice little handset. It offers MicroSD, MP3 player, megapixel camera, bluetooth and quad-band support for use around the world. The 6133 also adds FM radio.

Reviews:
Cnet 6126 Review
Cnet 6133 Review
PhoneScoop
Nokia Phone Blog
GSMArena-6133

Resources:
AT&T Support
T-Mo Support
Nokia Official Site

The Nokia 6103 (T-Mobile) and 6102i (AT&T) are upgrades to the 6101 and 6102; these are all some of Nokia's first attempts at a flip phone. Notable features include VGA camera, support for MP3 ringtones, infrared, FM radio, and tri-band support. The later upgrades include bluetooth and a zoom function on the camera. The 6103 also has MyFaves compatibility for T-Mo.

Reviews:
Cnet - 6102
Cnet - 6101
PhoneScoop
PhoneArena

Resources:
AT&T Support
T-Mobile Support
Nokia Site

Okay, next up is one of the latest in a long line of basic Nokia bar-style phones, the 6030. Essentially this phone is the same as some of its predecessors, with relatively few minor changes. The 6030 still lacks any sort of camera or bluetooth but is a decent inexpensive phone with AT&T and T-Mobile.

Reviews:
GSM Arena
PhoneScoop
CNet

Resources:
AT&T Support
T-Mobile Support
Nokia Official Site

The CG300 is a clamshell PTT phone for At&T with VGA camera and bluetooth.

Reviews:
PhoneScoop
Cnet
PC Mag

Resources:
AT&T Official Support
LG Official Site - User Guides, FAQ, etc.

The LG CG225 is a clever entry level clamshell phone with a basic VGA camera available with At&T.

Reviews:
Phone Arena
Cnet
Phone Scoop

Resources:
Cingular Support
Official LG Site

The SLVR is another iTunes phone from Cingular, this time determined to resolve all the bugs that the ROKR had. It comes included with a 512 MB MicroSD card (which is enough, considering the limit of how many songs you are permitted to have on the iTunes software) , wired headphones, regular headphone adaptor, and VGA camera.

Reviews:
Cnet
Laptop Mag
GSM Arena

Resources:
Cingular Support
Motorola Official Site

This next version of the RAZR became the first GSM version that supports a music player with iTunes, MicroSD, and 1.2 MP digital camera. Other than that, it's still the same RAZR that you have grown to either love or hate.

Reviews:
Cnet
PhoneScoop
GSM Arena (specs and reviews)

Resources:
Cingular support
T-Mobile support (Dolce & Gabbana)