Being an avid fan of smartphone type devices (not just as in MS Smartphone, but all converged PDA Phones) I like to keep my eye on things that are upcoming in the future. To add to this I am also in the market for a new device, so the extent to which I will follow the news is at its height. Having read a couple of interesting stories that are out in the public domain, I thought I would try and collate them here. Remember, much of this information could be classed as rumour and vapour-ware, but I am sure you will find it all very interesting.
Motorola Q
This is a very, very recently announced (just today infact) new device that is due to debut early in 2006. Following in the steps of the Motorola RAZR thin phone, this is a Windows Mobile Smartphone device that sure looks thin and very, very sexy. From what I can tell from the skecthy specifications that have been easy enough and also supports EDGE for high speed data access. I am guessing it will have a 240x240 screen being a Smartphone, Bluetooth and a full QWERTY keyboard. Hopefully, this won't be a flop like the Motorola MPx was.
Full story at BargainPDA.com
HTC Universal - O2 Exec
This is a very anticipated device that should be released sometime in Septemeber of this year (as far as I am aware). While I have nothing new on the generic HTC version of this phone, I have just read that O2 have announced that this will be released as the 02 Exec, with funky coloured case and blue LED's.
For those that aren't aware, the HTC Universal is a 3G based video phone, supporting Wi-Fi, high speed 3G data access, bluetooth, VGA screen, full QWERTY keyboard, tablet style flip around screen, 2 cameras for photos and videos, SRS 3D surround sound gizmos and cheese on top. This really is the cream of upcoming devices, though it may be a little too large for some.
For full device specifications refer to this MobileGazzette review. For the ongoing release of information, take a look at the Tekguru news article and forum thread.
HTC Wizard
Yet another device from HTC. This one is basically a huge update to the HTC Magician, which is better known as the i-Mate JAM or Xda II Mini. IT boasts 128MB of memory, Wi-Fi on board, Bluetooth, and a slide out QWERTY keyboard whilst only adding a couple of millimetres to the fatness of the device. If full functionality in a small package is what your after, then this is a very sweet device and one that I know I am keen on. This phone is scheduled for a September release also.
Read the story over at MSMobiles.com.
Samsung SGH-i750
This is a phone that I have been looking at for sometime now and while I am having my doubts about it being released in Australia, I thought it deserved a mention. The i750 is basically the GSM brother of the i730, which runs on a CDMA network and has been reviewed as a hugely 'fantastic' device by most. It is similar in size to the HTC Magcian (see above) but includes Wi-Fi and slide out keypad, which makes it non-geek friendly.
As I said, I can't see this hitting our shores anymore, but for further info read the preview at infoSync.com.
HTC Magician Reloaded
Okay, I made the 'reloaded' part up. Well actually, I can't remember if I did but I can't find any confirmation of that name on the web even though thats how I have referred to it for a while. I probably just read it somewhere and it stuck. Anyways, certain distributors of the HTC Magician have been provided a slightly updated device with the only change being a memory upgrade to 128MB instead of the usual 64MB. Not a huge deal, but worth noting if your in the market for a HTC Magician.
Two stories that refer to this upgrade are available here and here at MSMobiles.com
More devices to be included as I remember or get notified of them. Post any I missed to the forum and keep checking back for updates.