Mobile Phone News

Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

Our sights are sort of irreparably set on the N78 and N96 at this point, but let’s not forget a killer handset out of Espoo that’s already launched, already available at retail, and holds its own in the technical arena: the N82. The 5 megapixel Nseries badass offers a candybar alternative to the N95, thanks to a 5 megapixel autofocus camera that’s ready to take the place of your average point-and-shoot — and the xenon flash actually one-ups the N95’s weakling LED unit. We really liked the original pearlescent white when we saw it in the flesh with our very own eyes, but if you clearly must have something just a little meaner looking, consider this: black. Yep, the N82’s been relaunched in a rather menacing gloss black, and even better, it comes preloaded with the model’s latest firmware that offers photo geotagging out of the box thanks to the phone’s integrated GPS receiver. Grab it at this time for €400 (about $618).

[Via MobileBurn]

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Filed under: Handsets, Features, LG, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

Putting Windows Mobile 6’s user interface at ease with fat fingers is a monumental challenge — but it’s not a challenge manufacturers are shying away from. Perhaps they see devices like the iPhone as a threat they can’t ignore any longer, or perhaps they’re clearly tired of waiting for Microsoft to roll something truly revolutionary, but at any rate, companies like HTC with its TouchFLO interface are Makepretty much everything they can to keep the stylus firmly locked away. That’s where the LG KS20 comes into play, which steals as much of the Viewty’s identity as it can while still keeping Windows Mobile 6 under the hood.

LG’s effort results in limited success. The home screen is about as attractive as any we’ve seen on a WinMo 6 Professional handset, but it’s not particularly useful beyond the plain-vanilla functionality beyond what you’d see on any device in this class. No big, pretty clock, no weather widget — just a nice color scheme and a four-pack of touchable buttons above the two regular soft keys. Hitting the right three buttons will take you to the normal dialer, messaging, and browser apps, respectively, while the leftmost button takes you to another Viewty-esque display for launching apps. It’s nice, but we noticed that it’s not difficult to confuse the phone into reverting back to the normal, stock launcher, which looks starkly out of place in this glossy beaut.

As usual, the lack of North American HSDPA is a dismal downside, too. Bottom line? It’s a great looking device — but don’t expect LG to have worked any miracles with the platform.

Thanks to the good folks at Wireless Imports for the hookup!

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Filed under: Handsets, Toshiba

We guess that the luxury handset market is alive and well as Toshiba has jumped on board with the Cosmic Shiner, a $4,000 diamond-studded phone. Based on Toshiba’s 815T — and no, this one doesn’t transform — which features HSDPA, FeliCa — used for services like electronic wallet and identification — a 2 megapixel camera, and memory expansion via microSD. There are only 1000 of these gem-encrusted monsters available and to get one you’ll need to secure yourself a unique ID number — apparently will be found in Seven Hills magazine — to get in the running. We’re not gonna be getting in line, but feel free to let us know what you think if you’re crazy inspired enough to pick one up.

[Via Tokyomango]

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