Dell consumer products VP hints at a smartphone

At this point we're not sure why Dell won't just come out and say it's working on a smartphone, but for whatever reason the company's executives keep hinting around it. Case in point: Dell consumer division VP Ron Garriques, who told analysts yesterday that the company would 'work with the top three to four' carriers 'and see what their needs are.' That's only slightly more concrete that what we've been hearing Michael Dell say for a while now, but apparently Ron got a little more specific: reports from the event also say he indicated that plans are being drawn up to launch products in the US, Asia, and Europe. We'd love a full transcript to figure out exactly what went down, but remember that Mr. Garriques here is the ex-head of Motorola's mobile devices unit, so he's got some experience cranking out handsets for every market. Just a note, though, Ron: if you ever pull an Adamo on us and reveal a product without specs, you are so not invited to sit at our table for lunch anymore.

(Via Engadget CELLS.)

Samsung Comeback gets spec’d

You might recall the Samsung Comeback — though its name was unknown at the time — from a group of four T-Mobile-bound headsets we spied back in early May. Sure it was likely the least interesting of the group but you’ll be hard pressed to find a T-Mobile subscriber who isn’t at least somewhat excited when news of a new 3G handset rolls around. Well T-Moblers, the next piece of the puzzle just fell into place as the complete specs of this little QWERTY have been uncovered. Highlights include the QWERTY keyboard of course, a 2 megapixel camera with video capture, microSDHC support, integrated email and IM support, Bluetooth, 75MB of internal memory, a 960 mAh battery and a pair of low-quality displays. Oh, and let’s not forget 1700MHz 3G. We’d say this little guy has the potential to make a decent showing with the tween demo as long as we see a price tag around $50. Hit the jump for the full specs.

(Via The Boy Genius Report.)

Samsung B7620 Armani 2 Specs Unveiled, 800MHz CPU Included

Bluetooth SIG has reportedly announced the specs of the upcoming Samsung Armani 2 smartphone (official model name Samsung B7620). According to them, the handset will run on Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro and feature a 800MHz processor, A-GPS, WiFi, a dedicated graphics chip, a HTML browser, Bluetooth, a stereo FM radio with RDS, a music player (MP3, WAV, e-AAC+, WMA, AMR), a video player (DivX, XviD, MPEG4, 3gp, H.263, H.264) and a business card scanner. Unfortunately, there’s no word on pricing and availability yet. (the picture above is the first-generation of Samsung Armani) [Via Unwiredview]

T-Mobile Samsung Highlight gets official, July release

It’s not a T-Mobile myTouch 3G (aka the dumbest name in marketing history), but Samsung is going to take care of that feature-phone segment with a new 3G handset — or at least try to. The Samsung Highlight will be available this month if you’re interested. It’ll retail for $150 after rebates and here are the official specs:

• Large touch-screen display, thin-profile design


• Available in two colors options: fire and ice


• 3 megapixel camera with 3x digital zoom and video capture


• Stereo Bluetooth


• microSD slot for up to 16 GB of optional removable memory


• Music player supports MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+ and eAAC+


• Support for SMS, MMS, instant messaging (IM) and e-mail


• IM support: AIM, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger


• E-mail support: AOL, Yahoo!, additional POP3 accounts


• Complete Web access through T-Mobile web2go


• A-GPS with Location Based Services by TeleNav


• Quad-band GSM world phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)


• UMTS/HSDPA-capable (1700/2100 – AWS Band IV)


• Display: 1.61 x 2.64 inches, 240 x 400 pixels, 262k TFT display


• 4.27 x 2.11 x 0.54 inches; 3.7 ounces

(Via The Boy Genius Report.)

Sony Ericsson announces entry level W205 and W205a Walkman phones

If you had always been itching for some of that Sony Ericsson Walkman goodness but were hoping for something wrapped in a slightly more attainable package, this is your bag. Sony Ericsson has just announced the W205 and W205a Walkman phones, a pair Sony Ericsson promises to be the most affordable handsets to ever grace its Walkman line. Highlights:

• Enjoy your music with the high quality Walkman experience


• FM radio – catch up with the latest news and views


• TrackID – name that tune at a press of a button


• 1.3 megapixel camera – take great shots and share the fun instantly


• Video recording – capture your favorite moments on film


• Bluetooth™ – share your favorite songs, pictures and video clips, or connect to a wireless headset


• Multiple phonebook – keep your contacts in order and share your mobile phone with your family


• Memory Stick Micro (M2) support up to 2GB

While the press release throws the word ‘affordable’ around willy nilly, no pricing information has been provided at this point. There’s also no word on exactly when the W205 or W205a will be released — SE says they’re both expected to launch within three months — though we do notice that USA is missing from the W205a’s local availability list despite the presence of GSM 850/1900. This either means a carrier deal is still in the works or SE is skipping the US — and we doubt many BGR readers will miss it. Besides, we’ve already seen plenty of new tween phones this week. Hit the jump for two more shots.

(Via The Boy Genius Report.)

Sony Ericsson C905a: coming July 19th to an AT&T store near you

Well boys and girls, call this one confirmed. We scooped it last week and now Sony Ericsson has made AT&T’s C905a official. July 19th is indeed the date you can get your mitts on the 8.1 megapixel beast and as far as pricing goes, you’re looking at 179.99 after rebate on a 2-year contract. A quick recap of the spec highlights:

• 8.1 megapixel camera with a xenon flash, auto-focus and video capture


• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, dual-band HSDPA


• On-device image editing


• Scratch-resistant mineral glass display


• GPS


• FM Radio


• Bluetooth


• Memory Stick Micro (M2) support up to 16GB

Ok photogs, stop drooling on your keyboards. It’s definitely no ‘Rachael’ but its also a hell of a lot more exciting than the W205/W205a SE (re)announced this morning. Anyone planning to check this puppy out this Sunday? Hit the jump for more shots.

(Via The Boy Genius Report.)

Sony Ericsson W518a completes the trifecta; also hitting AT&T on July 19th

Sony’s Ericsson’s day in the sun continues with the announcement of the AT&T-bound W518a. Slim and sleek, this clamshell Walkman phone packs as much music-centric functionality as it can into a tight little package. Highlights include ‘Shake Control’ technology that allows users to shuffle, skip and control volume by shaking the handset, and ‘Gesture Control’, which lets users ignore incoming calls or snooze alarms by waving a hand over the camera lens. Pretty sweet. Beyond that, the W518a touts a host of social networking features — just like every other handset in the world these days — and of course the beloved Walkman music player. Pricing is set at a very reasonable $49.99 after rebates on a 2-year contract and like the C905a, this little guy will hit store shelves this Sunday, July 19th, Hit the jump for more angles.

(Via The Boy Genius Report.)

LG's LX290 for Sprint touts "compact and sleek productivity"

'Compact and sleek productivity' might be a bit over the top, but the bottom line is this: at $29.99 on contract after rebates, LG's new LX290 for Sprint is one of the cheapest ways to get Sprint Navigation and email access in your pocket. The slider packs a 1.3 megapixel camera for basic shooting needs, instant messaging capability, AGPS (naturally), a 320 x 240 display, and a 2.5mm audio jack -- we would've preferred 3.5, of course, but at that bargain-basement price, we'll take what we can get. The phone is available now, so go on, get productive.

(Via Engadget Mobile.)