Tech.Wapline

T-Mobile today announced the new T-Mobile Sidekick iD, offering the latest in personalization with easily removable and replaceable exterior panels.

The customizable exterior of the T-Mobile Sidekick iD provides quick modification of the outside of the device with fashionable colors to match anyone’s style, mood or that evening’s outfit. Inside the device, communications capabilities make it simple to stay connected with family and friends, favorite social networks and other Web sites.

The T-Mobile Sidekick iD is designed for communication through voice calling and messaging-based communication. The signature swivel screen moves to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard providing always-on access to email, instant messaging (AIM, Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger), and text messaging.

The T-Mobile Sidekick iD will have T-Mobile’s myFaves available out of the box, providing additional customization as the home screen contains images of the five people that matter most or are called the most often. The myFaves interface also enables access to a straightforward communications menu for calling, texting, multimedia messaging and email.

Key features of T-Mobile Sidekick iD include:

- T-Mobile Sidekick’s signature swivel screen with a large landscape color display (2.4-inch screen with 65K colors and 240 x 160 px) for improved viewing of Web pages and contacts
- A full HMTL Web browser with enhancements for faster downloading and optimized viewing
- Beneath the screen, a full QWERTY keyboard ideal for instant messaging and other text-based communication
- Dedicated support for three major instant messaging clients (AIM, Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger) with the ability to hold up to 10 IM conversations at one time to stay constantly connected to a social circle
- Support for personal email with a dedicated “t-mail” account or use of an already existing personal email account
- Inclusion of myFaves for additional personalization and the benefit of unlimited calling to any number on any network, including landlines, to stay connected to the five people who matter most
- A trackball for one-handed navigation and an improved gaming experience
- A speedy ARM9 processor to handle the massively multitasking communicators
- Replaceable battery with up to 5.3 hours of talk time and 6 days of standby
- Dimensions: 5.12 x 2.48 x 0.87 inches; 6.2 ounces with standard battery
- Accessories available in black, yellow, blue, white, purple and glow-in-the-dark

The T-Mobile Sidekick iD will be available for $99.99 (with a qualifying two-year contract and mail-in rebate) at T-Mobile retail locations and online beginning April 25.

Samsung today released three new Mobile WiMAX (WiBro in Korea) devices - a WiBro smart phone (SPH-M8100), a top of the range multimedia convergence device (SPH-P9000), a USB Dongle (SPH-H1200) and a PCMCIA card.

The Samsung SPH-M8100 is a PDA WiBro smartphone which offers wireless Internet, voice telephony and video telephony services through WiBro and CDMA 1x EV-DO technology. The slider boasts a 2.8-inch color touch screen display, a TV-out, an MMC card slot, and 2 cameras; a 2.0-megapixel camera and a VGA camera for video calls. The M8100 also features T-DMB, Bluetooth with A2DP functionality, 128 ROM / 64 MB RAM memory and Microsoft’s latest view and edit function.

Samsung’s P9000 is a convergence device, capable of providing voice and multimedia data communications via WiBro. The P9000 comes with a full QWERTY keyboard for quick typing and surfing, while the MP3 player, VOD, and camera functions provide easy access to multimedia entertainment. In addition, the Samsung P9000 acts as a multi-functional terminal that can be used as a general PC, thanks to its Windows XP-based operating system.

Allowing users to access both WiBro and HSDPA services, the Samsung WiBro USB Dongle connects to a USB port via an external peripheral device. For security purposes it ensures the use of a specific program can be accessed by authorized users only. Consumers in metropolitan areas can enjoy 13 Mbps high-speed wireless Internet services at a more affordable price via WiBro technology. Users in less connected areas across the country can enjoy Wireless Internet services via HSDPA.

With the launch of new WiBro devices users can now enjoy fast and affordable wireless internet services in the all regions of Seoul. WiBro services are also available in southern suburbs of Seoul including 17 universities and 4 lines of subway. Up until now, WiBro services have only been available in a few limited regions.

WiBro services offer users web searching, email, multimedia features, video conference,and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) at an affordable price. WiBro is expected to gain momentum in Korea with this service expansion.

The Helio Ocean is a dual slider phone, to begin with, and looks pretty good too. The QWERTY keyboard that slides out of its side is great to use, thanks to the distinctiveness of the keys, buttons or whatever you call them. The numeric keypad slides in the opposite direction (hence, a dual slider).

The Ocean is bedecked with expected features like a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It comes with EV-DO radio and an inbuilt GPS system. Internet support for services like Yahoo!, AOL, MSN, Gmail, and email are available in the Ocean as also are messaging services, Exchange Server and ActiveSync integration. You can upload your photos with Helio UP and can also exploit the built-in Google Maps available in this one. for entertainment’s sake, the PlaysForSure tunes can have you thrilled for 15 hours, with 200MB of internal storage and a microSD expansion slot (should the need arise).

The Helio Ocean will be available this summer for a mere $295.

In order to commemorate Ferrari’s 60th Anniversary, Vertu is launching Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 Limited Edition, which is inspired by the dynamic and stylish Ferrari cars. The phone is “encased in symbolic red and black Ferrari leather with black lacquer stripes running at the sides.” The handset also features the famed Ferrari Prancing Horse at the bezel nose on the front of the phone, while on the rear back plate there is a scaled down iconic Ferrari brake pedal, crafted from high-graded aluminum. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 Limited Edition can be picked from Vertu stores from July onwards. The pricing is still unknown.

Nokia today announced the availability of the Nokia N95 in the United States at Nokia Flagship stores, online and through select wireless retailers. The Nokia N95 features a 2-way slide design for easy switching between phone, music or video mode. It is also equipped with WiFi connectivity, integrated GPS functionality and a 5.0-megapixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics.

Aspiring photographers and film makers don’t have to stop at just capturing images and DVD-like quality video with the Nokia N95. With access to the Internet, sharing experiences with the world by uploading pictures and videos directly to picture sharing and blogging sites is quick and easy. An integrated photo and video editor allows for music and tags to be added before sending images to friends or uploading them to the web. The included TV-out cable allows for instant playback to a TV or PC.

A digital media player with dedicated control keys that can store music and videos on the included 1 GB microSD card, the Nokia N95 provides music enthusiasts with a clear sound via built-in stereo speakers or a 3.5 mm stereo headset.

With its integrated GPS and Nokia Maps application, finding the way is easy. The Nokia Maps application includes maps for more than 150 countries, enabling users to explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels and covering more than 15 million points of interest. Additional features, such as city guides and voice guided navigation are also available for purchase.

The Nokia N95 runs on WLAN as well as EDGE/GSM 850/900/1800/2100 and WCDMA/HSDPA 2100 networks and is based on S60 operating on the Symbian OS, enabling users to personalize their device by choosing from a wide choice of compatible applications that can be downloaded, including games, navigation, entertainment, productivity and creativity.

The global variant of the Nokia N95 is selling online, at Nokia Flagship stores in New York and Chicago, and at retailers and local dealers in major markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $749.