Samsung i760 Gets Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade

The Samsung i760 is regarded by many as one of the best Windows Mobile smartphones available today, even though it was introduced last year. An operating system upgrade that was just released pushes this model back to the leading edge.




For those who are unfamiliar with this device, it's a 3G smartphone with both a built-in keyboard and a numberpad. It's available only from Verizon.

The upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 Samsung has just released for the i760 brings a number of enhancements, including an improved version of Internet Explorer Mobile, threaded SMS messages, and support for YouTube videos.

This OS upgrade can be downloaded now -- for free -- from Samsung's website.

An Overview of the Samsung i760

The i760 includes a horizontally-oriented QWERTY keyboard that slides out from behind the display. Unlike many similar models, though, this device also includes a numberpad on its face, making dialing easier.

This doesn't mean it has sacrificed screen size; its 2.8-inch, QVGA touchscreen is the same size and resolution as the one on many of its competitors.

For those looking for a mobile device with 3G, the i760 can connect to Verizon's EV-DO network, plus it has Wi-Fi. In addition, it includes Bluetooth 2.0.

Other features of this model are a 1.3 megapixel camera w/flash and camcorder and a microSD memory card slot.

Sprint Palm Treo 800w Video 1st Look

I apologize in advance for a couple things… a) The delay getting the video online. 250mb takes a while to upload to YouTube, b) some minor mistakes I made in the video and c) The length of the video. 20+ minutes is a lot to sit through. Of course, if you are in the market for the Palm Treo 800w, it’s worth it to watch.

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.