HTC MAX 4G alias HTC T8290 Announced

It seems like more and more of the rumours posted here come true so not to break the habit of a lifetime we can now officially say that the HTC MAX 4G alias HTC T8290 is real and ready.


The HTC MAX 4G is a WiMAX-enabled high-end device that's exclusive for Yota WiMAX network in Russia. The handset is simply based on an HTC Touch HD with its 3G stripped and added WiMAX support. But there are several more new goodies on board.

The MAX 4G is not as big on the multimedia front as the Touch HD, but is still impressive. The main disadvantage of the new HTC MAX 4G is the lack of 3G support, which however won't be an issue for its Russian owners, as there is still no active 3G network in Russia.


Instead, they get the Mobile WiMAX. WiMax is like Wi-Fi only its coverage is much wider and can span across whole cities, however, don't confuse it with the upcoming 4G wireless data standard which we are yet to see in action, but WiMax is a good alternative that's already available to notebook users in various countries.

Stepping away from the WiMAX fuss, the tri-band GPRS/EDGE HTC MAX 4G differs from the HTC Touch HD by several key features. The MAX 4G has 8GB of user available memory, 3.2 MP autofocus camera, and a proximity sensor for auto screen turn-off during calls - much like on the iPhone. The weight and dimensions remain nearly the same, but the new baby is almost 2mm thicker than Touch HD.

You will also get some extra services, granted by the Yota Center, Yota Phone, Yota TV and Music, Yap-Yap, Video, etc.

HTC MAX 4G will be released exclusively for the Yota network in Russia, which is a brand under the Scartel company in the end of November. It will have a rather hefty pricetag of about 840 euros (1050 US dollars), which gets you into a two year contract but promises lots of free music and video content.

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Nokia Releases the Nokia N96 in the US

Nokia today announced the availability of the Nokia N96, its flagship multimedia computer, in the United States. The Nokia N96 will now be available through open channels in the United States, including the Nokia Flagship stores in New York and Chicago, on www.nokiausa.com and a number of independent retailers and e-tailers.

More info on this Nseries smartphone:

The Nokia N96 boasts a powerhouse of entertainment ready features, including a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, turn-by-turn voice navigation, 16GB of internal memory, expandable up to 24GB with an optional microSD card, superior sound and music, N-Gage gaming and a stunning 2.8" display.



The Nokia N96 has the ability to store up to 40 hours of video content transfered from a PC via hi-speed USB 2.0 connection or online with WLAN and HSDPA support. The device also supports the most common video formats including MPEG-4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video. Enjoy the action on your videos with the device's vivid 2.8" display and built-in 3D stereo speakers. Sit back, watch the plot unfold and experience the special effects hands-free, thanks to a cleverly designed 'kickstand' on the back cover.


With the Nokia N96, users will capture clear, vibrant, high quality video clips at 30 frames per second as well as sharp, defined photos with the 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED Flash. Tag the location of your new images with integrated geotagging, and with just one click, upload your images straight to online image-hosting communities, including Share on Ovi from Nokia - a great way to relive your favorite moments.

The enhanced navigation experience on the Nokia N96 includes rich, easy-to-use maps with urban detail as well as satellite views. Try out three months of free voice guided turn-by-turn navigation - for walking or driving - along with the new City Guides that offer a great way to explore undiscovered places.

Specs:

Quad band GSM, US dual band HSDPA 3G
S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2
16 gigs storage plus SDHC microSD card slot
5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss autofocus lens and dual LED flash
Can record video at VGA resolution at 30fps
950 mAh Lithium Ion battery (gee, that's low!)
2.8" QVGA display
4 x 2.2. x 0.7 inches, 4.4 ounces
WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR
3.5mm headphone jack
GPS (with assisted GPS) and Nokia Maps 2.0

Compatible with high-speed 3G HSDPA networks in the US (850 and 1900 MHz), the Nokia N96 costs an estimated 895 USD.

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Microsoft Introduces Windows 7 to Hardware Partners

Today at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2008, Microsoft showed some new features in Windows 7 that make it easier for hardware partners to create new experiences for Windows PC customers. Here is more info:

"We've done a great deal of work in Windows 7 to enable new scenarios with our hardware partners, and we are excited by the partner innovation we have shown today," said DeVaan, senior vice president of the Windows Core Operating System Division at Microsoft. "Windows 7 presents tremendous opportunities for hardware developers. This innovation will enable our hardware partners to provide customers with even greater choice in rich computing experiences."

Opportunities for Hardware Vendors With Windows 7

Microsoft demonstrated new features in Windows 7 that optimize how customers interact with Windows PCs, manage devices, access broadband and engage with wireless experiences, providing new opportunities for partners to improve their customers’ experience. The following features in particular were highlighted:

• Devices and Printers. To make it easier for customers to interact with all the devices on their Windows PC, Microsoft has created a new feature in Windows 7 called Devices and Printers. Devices and Printers provides a single place for customers to interact with devices, browse files or manage settings. Devices can be connected to the PC using USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, with simple wizards that simply the setup process.

• Device Stage. Device Stage enables hardware manufactures to create an even richer user experience, especially for more specialized devices such as cell phones, multifunction printers and digital cameras. Device Stage is designed to help Windows 7 customers take advantage of advanced features for devices. For mobile phones, portable media players, cameras and printers connected to a Windows 7 PC, Device Stage provides information on the device status and runs common tasks in a single window customized by the device manufacturer.

• Mobile broadband. Windows 7 delivers a simpler and more reliable way to connect to the Internet using wireless modems. The process is similar to connecting to any other wireless network, and is done using the View Available Networks feature. A consistent experience for customers and a common infrastructure for partners enables lower support, maintenance, deployment and management costs, and allows partners to focus on higher-value services rather than basic connectivity development.

• Windows Touch. Controlling the computer by touching the screen is a core part of the Windows 7 experience, with visual feedback provided for tap and double-tap gestures. The Start menu, Windows Taskbar and Windows Explorer are touch-ready. Windows 7 also introduces support for multitouch technology, which enables customers to control what happens on the screen in new ways by zooming in, zooming out and rotating images with their fingers.

Windows 7 reflects an evolved approach to engineering that weaves partner feedback more closely to the development process, and enables the delivery of innovative new features while preserving compatibility and performance.

Device-Makers Laud Microsoft’s Early Partnership Efforts

Microsoft also announced early industry support for Device Stage from partners including Brother, Epson, HP, Motorola, Nikon, Sansa, Canon and Sony.

As part of the keynote, Microsoft demonstrated Canon’s SD990 digital camera and a Nokia N95 smartphone to show how Device Stage makes it easier for people to use multifunction devices and makes it easier for hardware companies to package custom applications and services as part of the user experience.

Early-partner adoption of Windows 7 and Device Stage illustrates the larger industry opportunity for device manufacturers to increase customer satisfaction by providing customized device information that can be updated at any time. It also provides a platform for device manufacturers to offer customers built-in support for common features and direct access to services such as ring tones, ink cartridges and photo printing. The investments being made in Windows 7 not only help customers get the most from their devices, but also create new opportunities for partners.

Linux Based Motorola EM35 spotted

Motorola look to be releasing a new Linux based Smartphone which will be running on Linux Montavista 2.6.10 OS with an SCM-A11 500MHz processor to power it. Named the EM35 it is planned as the successor of the music based EM30 and will feature a rich music player and stereo FM radio with RDS support


So what we know so far is the following:

* 110MB built-in memory
* microSD card slot up to 8gb.
* Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
* Tri-band GSM
* GPRS
* EDGE
* NO 3G.
* 2.22" QVGA TFT display with 256K colours
* 3MP camera
* 107 x 49.5 x 16 mm
* 117 grams.

Orijinall..

HTC Touch HD now in Asia

We have received word on the next wave of countries to get the Windows Mobile uber device - HTC Touch HD. Only a few days after its European premiere HTC brought joyful news to all its fans in Asia by announcing that the HD will be available on the World's most populated continent as soon as the beginning of next month. Unfortunately for our American friends, there is still no word of when will the phone become available there

The first two countries from the Asian tour of the HTC Touch HD will be Malaysia and Singapore. The prices of the multimedia powerhouse in those countries will be respectively 730 euro (930 US dollars) and 750 euro (950 US dollars). The twenty euro difference can easily be explained by the 8GB microSD card that will be included in the retail package in Singapore.

Equipped with a large 3.8" WVGA screen the HTC Touch HD is surely one of the most interesting devices to hit the market this year. Even though multimedia isn't normally one of Windows Mobile devices' elements the Touch HD has a specs sheet that can put much of the competition to shame. The large display, the 5 MP snapper and the 3.5mm audio jack are just some of the niceties it brings.

The connectivity includes all contemporary means of data transfers - 3G, Wi-Fi and of course the microSD card slot. There is also a built-in GPS to make the specs sheet on the HD almost as complete as it can be.

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