smartphone

According to Microsoft, Tags create unlimited possibilities for making interactive communications an instant, entertaining part of life. They transform physical media (print advertising, billboards, product packages, information signs, in-store merchandising, or even video images)--into live links for accessing information and entertainment online.

This is all possible after installing some software and using your smartphone's camera, which in turn allows you to interact with these 2-D multicolored triangles in forming a square-like bar code (HCCB format). But unlike traditional tag readers, MS tags don't store the information, but a unique ID that it sends to Microsoft's servers. … Read more

Smartphones never take the main stage at CES, but that doesn't mean they go unnoticed. While there weren't any surprises this year, CES 2009 served up some tasty smartphone treats, including the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900, the HTC S743, and the T-Mobile Shadow. We got a hands-on look at all these device, plus the coveted Nokia N97, at the Digital Experience media event on Wednesday night. Check out our photo gallery of CES 2009 smartphones and pick out which shiny gadget you want next.

We've been hearing rumors about it for a couple of months now, but the T-Mobile Shadow (yep, just the Shadow, not Shadow II) had its officially coming out party on Tuesday night at CES 2009.

Taking over for the original T-Mobile Shadow, the updated version, which was manufactured by HTC, sports a fresh look with curved edges, a shinier face, and comes in two new color combinations: black with burgundy and white with mint. The other major additions are a faster processor (260MHz) and UMA support, so you can now make calls over Wi-Fi using T-Mobile's HotSpot service.… Read more

On Monday, we reported on rumors that T-Mobile would release the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 on February 11, and while the date has not been confirmed, the carrier did go ahead and make the official product announcement on Tuesday.

Yes, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 will make its way to T-Mobile some time in February and is being touted as the thinnest and lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry to date. As expected, it will have integrated Bluetooth and GPS and we now know it will have built-in Wi-Fi as well as support for T-Mobile's Unlimited HotSpot Calling service. Unfortunately, there is … Read more

Getting a jump start on CES 2009, location-based provider Pharos officially introduced on Tuesday the Pharos Traveler 137 smartphone, a Windows Mobile 6.1-based handset with integrated GPS and navigation software. The unlocked, quad-band GSM phone will be available late in the first quarter for $599.95 and has been awarded a 2009 CES Innovation award for its navigation solution.

The Pharos Traveler 137 differentiates itself from other GPS-enabled smartphones in that it doesn't require a cellular connection to operate as a navigation device. The unit comes preloaded with Pharos' Smart Navigator software with the vector map and … Read more

While everyone might be buzzing about the T-Mobile G2 rumors, HTC is plugging on with its commitment to Windows Mobile devices and announced on Tuesday that it will release the HTC S743 smartphone for the U.S. market in Q1 2009.

A variant of the HTC S740, which has been available in Europe and Asia for a few months now, the S743 features a 12-button keypad on front and a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard for all those messaging fanatics. In its closed state, the S743 sports a compact design that takes its inspiration from the HTC Touch Diamond. Unlike the … Read more

Monday seems to be the day for BlackBerry rumors. First it was the BlackBerry Bold for Sprint and now the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 for T-Mobile. The folks at TmoNews believe T-Mobile, which is in serious need of a BlackBerry update, will release the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 on February 11 and posted some specs of the smartphone.

The Curve 8900, also known by its code name, the BlackBerry Javelin, features a sleeker design, a full QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, integrated GPS, a 512MHz processor, and a 2.4-inch, 480x360 pixel resolution display.

The question on everyone'… Read more

Sprint customers suffering from a little BlackBerry envy after Verizon Wireless landed the BlackBerry Storm and AT&T scored the BlackBerry Bold may finally get their break.

According to Engadget Mobile, Sprint will replace its BlackBerry 8830 World Edition with the BlackBerry Bold some time this quarter. While running on Sprint's CDMA network, the smartphone is said to have dual-mode functionality, so it'll work on international GSM networks to give you world-roaming capabilities.

Other reported additions include a slightly updated design, more memory, and EV-DO Rev. A support.

The Boy Genius Report also chimed in with a … Read more

We are starting to see more and more signs that the Garmin Nuvifone is real and not just a figment of our imagination. Announced almost a year ago, the first smartphone for the GPS manufacturer just recently received FCC approval and now Garmin has released a media gallery of Nuvifone interface screenshots, including those for the navigation app, Google Local, the Web browser, calendar, and e-mail.

The user interface looks snazzy and pretty intuitive, but of course, it's hard to say without playing with the actual device. We're hoping that we'll get to see the Nuvifone in … Read more