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HTC Nexus One Clears FCC with T-Mo 3G Support

Today, 10:12 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The FCC recently approved a new device manufactured by HTC that is called the Nexus One. The FCC confirms that this device has 850/1900 GSM bands, and support for T-Mobile's 1700MHz 3G network. The FCC also confirms that it has a hearing-aid rating, which points to a U.S. release, as well as support for microSD cards, Bluetooth, and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. The FCC does not confirm any other details about this device, but Google mentioned recently that it has given this device to employees for testing purposes and may sell it directly to the public.

Nokia Adds Twitter to Its Messaging App

Today, 9:59 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today the Nokia Messaging for Social Networks Beta application gained the ability to interact with Twitter. The new software works with Nokia's S60 5th Edition phones (N97, N97 Mini, and 5800). It also has some new features for Facebook, including the ability to upload pictures and videos, view upcoming events, search your friends, and click-to-call, email and SMS Facebook contacts.

Sony Ericsson's Pureness for Sale Via Saks for $990

Today, 9:42 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Sony Ericsson announced that the Pureness will be available from Saks Fifth Avenue's online store and the Sony VIP Shopping service in the U.S. for the price of $990. The Pureness features a transparent LCD and keys that only light up when touched. The device illuminates with incoming calls and messages. The Pureness comes with a 24-hour concierge service for all "lifestyle requests" that is available in cities all around the world.

Verizon Offering Media Manager to V CAST Phones

Today, 8:36 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Today, 9:33 AM

Today Verizon Wireless announced a new piece of PC-based software that it is making available to customer to help them manage the media they sync between their phones and computers. The V CAST Media Manager will let people transfer pictures, videos, music, and purchased content, as well as rip and burn CDs. Verizon notes that the software can import playlists from other media management programs, but doesn't specify which. Verizon said the service works with about a dozen different phones, including the LG enV Touch, Samsung Alias and Alias 2. Verizon said that the software will support more phones over time, including Android-based devices. V CAST Media Manager supports Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. Verizon said that it would support Windows 7 and Apple's OS X at some point in the future, but didn't provide a timeline. The software is a free download.

TeliaSonera Launches World's First LTE Network in Stockholm

Today, 8:20 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Ericsson announced that its network operator customer TeliaSonera has launched what is the world's first commercial Long Term Evolution network in Stockholm, Sweden. The entire city of Stockholm is covered by the network, making it the largest LTE deployment in the world. Consumers will be able to access LTE-derived wireless broadband via laptop dongles made by Samsung. LTE has reduced latency speeds and increased upload/download speeds when compared to today's 3G networks. TeliaSonera didn't make any specific claims about what speeds its LTE network will offer to customers. A number of North American operators have committed to LTE, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Google To Sell Nexus One Phone

Saturday, 7:12 PM   by Rich Brome

The Wall Street Journal reports that the new Android phone distributed to Google employees this week will be sold directly to consumers as an unlocked phone as soon as next year. Google will sell the phone instead of carriers, and consumers will need to arrange wireless service separately. The phone is called Nexus One and is made by HTC.

Google Says the 'Google Phone' Is a Reality

Saturday, 1:32 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Google admitted publicly that its employees are using unannounced Android-based devices. However, these phones, which Google shared no details about -- and did not specifically call a "Google Phone" -- are being used to help Google evaluate Android, Android applications, and experiment with new features and capabilities. Google said that it might share details about the device in the future, but for now it is only for Google testers and what it calls "dogfooding" activities.

Google Voice Lets Users Upgrade Their Number

Friday, 9:25 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Google Voice began allowing customers who are using their own cell number with Google Voice to upgrade to a Google Voice number. This will let users take advantage of more of Google Voice's features, such as call screening, SMS via email, and custom ring schedules. Users need only choose to get a new number in the Google Voice settings page. Once the new number is activated within Google Voice and on the handset, users will be able to have voicemails for either number consolidated in one place, screen calls and use other functions of Google Voice.

Sprint Hero and Moment Won't Get Android 2.0 Until 1H 2010

Friday, 4:51 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Sprint indicated via its Twitter account that the Samsung Moment and HTC Hero will definitely receive an Android 2.0 update. However, the update won't be available until some time in the first half of 2010. Verizon has said that the HTC Eris (Hero variant) will receive Android 2.0 or 2.1 in "early 2010". Android 2.0 will give all three of these devices many new features and update existing apps.

Apple Countersues Nokia

Friday, 10:17 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Friday, 11:54 AM

Today Apple filed a countersuit against Nokia, claiming that it is infringing on 13 Apple patents. Nokia sued Apple in October over wireless patents. At that time, Nokia alleged that Apple was infringing on 10 of its patents concerning the vital workings of GSM-based cell phones. Apple's countersuit addresses a number of Nokia's claims, refuting many of them. Apple's own complaints point out that Nokia has publicly admitted that it will copy good ideas. "Other companies must compete with us by inventing their own technologies, not just by stealing ours," said Bruce Sewell, Apple's General Counsel and senior vice president. In the lawsuit, Apple says that Nokia's original suit against Apple is in response to its own declining market share, and represents Nokia's attempt to regain lost revenues. Apple claims that Nokia is asking unfair licensing rates for its valid patents. 

Nokia Intros 5235 Touch-Based Music Phone

Friday, 8:32 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Friday, 9:21 AM

Today Nokia announced the 5235 Comes With Music. This monoblock style device has a 3.2-inch resistive touch display with 640 x 360 pixels. It has quad-band GSM/EDGE radios and will come in several 3G variants, including an 850/1900 WCDMA version that is compatible with North American networks. In markets where Comes With Music is available, it will be fully integrated with the Nokia Music Store. It has a 2 megapixel camera with video capture, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, access to Nokia's Ovi Services and Ovi Store. It has a 3.5mm headset jack and supports microSD cards up to 16GB. The 5235 Comes With Music runs S60 5th Edition, and will be available in the first quarter of 2010 for about $215.

Motorola Sells Israel-Based iDEN Unit

Thursday, 6:51 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Motorola announced the sale of its Motorola Integrated Radio System (MIRS) business to the Altice Group, a European investor. MIRS is based in Israel and provides iDEN-based networks to government and public safety agencies there. MIRS has about 500,000 customers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and it is subject to regulatory approval.

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