Samsung Instinct, LG Dare, iPhone 3G... fight!

Alright, you three are sworn enemies, so what are we waiting for? Let's get it on! Go ahead, seriously, exchange some blows. No better way to get the party started than with a little speed test; the Instinct's data services still seem to be jacked, but the Dare and iPhone 3G squared off with the LG model consistently besting Apple's by between 50-100kbps over Verizon's EV-DO network (see the gallery for the side-by-side). That's not to say the Dare is consistently the faster phone -- it has everything to do with the network in your area, the time of day, the circumstances, and which side of the bed you woke up on this morning -- but it's an interesting observation here nonetheless. We'll follow up with an Instinct speed test (and another round of testing on the Dare and iPhone) when we can.


Gallery: Samsung Instinct, LG Dare, iPhone 3G... fight!

Actual Google Phone Rumors Revived: Designed by Ammunition Group

Talk about a single, branded GPhone more or less died down after the announcement of Android, but it seems that you just can't completely kill a good rumor. According to TechCrunch, an Android phone made by Google may actually become a reality, based on two new bits of information—the first being a quote in The Hollywood Reporter from a press conference with Larry Page, Sergei Brin and CEO Eric Schmidt. Update: Silicon Alley Insider says the quote is actually inaccurate, noting none of the other major news orgs there picked it up.

The reporter noted that “The trio of Google execs also used the opportunity to talk about the inroads the company is making with its own branded mobile phone as a replacement for the iPhone.” [That appears to be a mix-up by the reporter, with Sergey and Larry actually talking about not producing their own phone, according to Reuters's Ken Li's notes in SAI.]

But, TechCrunch does have its own source, who "swears" that the Ammunition Design Group "is designing the Gphone and that it is a seriously beautiful device." They've worked with companies like Palm, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computer and Logitech in the past (a phone they designed for Sprint is pictured above). Not a confirmation by any means, but TechCrunch usually has decent info—so take that for what it's worth.

The more probable explanation for any sort of design work on a handset for Google is that they could be prototypes for marketing or other promotion—no one can make the call whether it's for production yet.

BlackBerry Thunder first-ever live pics unearthed

If you're a BlackBerry fan feeling the need for relief from the throngs of iPhone lovers, the cats at CrackBerry may have uncovered a solution to your problem. The RIM aficionados have gotten their hands on the first ever live pictures of the phone-maker's touchscreen device -- the Thunder -- and it's looking pretty darn sweet. Feast your eyes on the above photo (featuring the much-discussed "tactile" keyboard), and hit the read link for another look.

iPhone 3G launch coverage roundup

Even though the dust ought to have settled three and a half days later, people all over the country (and world?) are still spending hours in line for an iPhone 3G. It's a tall order for a phone, but clearly people are ravenous -- so here's all the news you need to catch yourself up on the goings on of the past few days.

Palm Treo 800w Review

The Treo 800w is Palm's latest smartphone for business users, and its first with Wi-Fi and GPS.



At launch it is available only from Sprint, and this is one of the first devices with support for EV-DO Rev. A, a faster version of this carrier's 3G cellular-wireless data network.

Sprint is charging $250 for the 800w, a lower cost than is usual for a Treo on launch day, even if a two-year contract is necessary to get that price.

Inside this Review

* Design and Construction
* Display
* Performance, Software, and Operating System
* Communication and Connectivity
* GPS Positioning
* Bugs and Issues
* Battery Life
* Conclusion
* Specifications

Read More...