mobile

Rumor: Dior phone coming in two weeks

A bunch of blogs were reporting last week that Christian Dior would unveil its first mobile phone last Friday. Didn't happen. Now there are rumors supposedly coming out of the phone industry that it will make its maiden appearance in two weeks instead. Whatever.

All we know is that it supposedly is festooned with Swarovski crystals (ugh) and, according to the ad pictured here, has some kind of built-in remote control. The latter feature could add an interesting twist, at least technologically, to the growing trend of phones emanating from the Europe's leading fashion houses, such as those … Read more

EMC: An old phone made new

I'm probably old enough (and dating myself) to remember a time when we used those black bakelite telephones with rotary dial to make calls at home. Today these antiques are considered vintage, and some collectors even pay good money to get one. Too bad mum tossed ours when we embraced the digital age and modernized to the sterile cordless phones. So there's something nostalgic about seeing the EMC (Easy Mobile Calling) phone by designer Matthias Pinkert.

It's a groovy clamshell take on ye old telephone, but Pinkert keeps it too simple with only the bare necessities. Besides … Read more

Qualcomm to take Mobile TV abroad?

Qualcomm may be preparing to launch its MediaFlo mobile TV service in the U.K.

The company this week said it has won 40MHz of wireless spectrum in the U.K. that would be ideal for mobile TV and broadband services. The spectrum is in what's known as the L-band, which is between the frequencies 1452MHz and 1492MHz.

Ofcom, the telecom regulator in the U.K., auctioned off the spectrum earlier this month. And Qualcomm, a wireless chipmaker and mobile patent holder, came away the big winner spending 8.3 million British pounds, or $16.1 million.

So far … Read more

T-Mobile Sidekick Slide Scarlet hits store shelves

If you're not a fan of the color purple, how about scarlet? Today, T-Mobile announced the immediate retail availability of the T-Mobile Sidekick Slide Scarlet. It's pretty much like the original T-Mobile Sidekick Slide, except, you guessed it; it has scarlet accents instead of purple. Everything else is pretty much the same. Features include strong e-mail and instant messaging functions, Bluetooth, built-in music player, Web browser, MyFaves, and MySpace Mobile integration. The Sidekick Slide Scarlet can be yours today for $199.99 with a two-year contract.

Garmin and BlackBerry: lifetime buddies, for a price

Today, Garmin announced a new plan that will give BlackBerry users unlimited, lifetime access to its Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry navigation application. Designed for those who don't want to be bothered by monthly subscription fees, the lifetime plan only requires a one-time fee of $99.99 and then you can get navigation assistance till you can drive or walk no more. Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry services includes Navteq maps, turn-by-turn, voice-guided directions, points of interest, as well as real-time traffic, weather, and fuel price data. You can use the service on the latest BlackBerry models, including the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series, … Read more

Mozilla joins the mobile Linux revolution

Mozilla has started making noise about the mobile browser market, and just turned up the volume a bit more by joining the mobile Linux trade group, LiMo Foundation. It's not all that significant in and of itself, except that it clearly demonstrates that "Minimo" (now called Fennec) is finally set to break free of its Windows Mobile shackles.

Finally.

Dialed In 31: Behold the BlackBerry Bold

Have mercy. This week Research in Motion debuted the stunning BlackBerry Bold, and while we're enamored with it, we're not calling it an iPhone killer. Plus, Verizon joins the LiMo Foundation, T-Mobile's tops (again), and what's this about a 3G iPhone? All this and more cell phone reviews and reader questions answered. Listen now: Download today's podcast NewsRIM BlackBerry Bold debuts http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9940313-1.htmlVerizon to join LiMo Foundation http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9943458-37.htmlGoogle chooses 50 finalists in Android challenge http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9942958-37.htmlThe 3G iPhone is … Read more

Confirmed: Virgin Mobile USA and Helio in talks

Virgin Mobile USA and Helio have confirmed that they are in early stages of talks to merge the companies.

On Tuesday Virgin Mobile issued a statement that the two companies were in talks, and a Helio spokesman confirmed the news. The company has been rumored to be in talks over a merger since last week.

"These discussions are in early stages and there are no assurances that any transaction will result," Rick Heineman, a spokesman for Helio said in an email. "We will not have additional comments unless an agreement is reached."

Virgin Mobile USA and … Read more

Verizon, Mozilla to join LiMo Foundation

Updated 10:00am PT with detail from Verizon's conference call.

The LiMo Foundation is adding several well-known entities to its roster of mobile phone players, including Verizon and Mozilla.

A total of eight companies have agreed to join forces with LiMo to work on a Linux-based operating system for mobile phones, bringing the total number of participants to 40. Verizon and Mozilla are the headliners, but the full roster of new invitees includes Infineon, Kvaleberg, Red Bend Software, Sagem Mobiles, SFR, and SK Telecom.

Reports surfaced over the weekend that Verizon was planning to add a LiMo phone to … Read more

Sega Mobile offers a handful of games for free

Sonic the Hedgehog has seen a platform or four.

The spikey-furred rodent first brought to life by Sega in 1991 for proprietary consoles rolled with technology's punches onto TV, Xbox, PS3, and recently, onto mobile phones. April saw the spawning of Sega Mobile, when several flagship games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, were ported to mobile phone format and offered to cell phone gamers for subscription or sale through their carrier's Web portals. Now Sega Mobile is offering Sonic Jump, Afterburner II, and Golden Axe free of charge for U.S. residents.

The catch, as you may have guessed, … Read more