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Motorola’s newer models have really not caught any significant attention, which is probably why agents of the company decided to spam this blog. Looks like the manufacturer’s higher-ups have started to pin hopes on the Android OS, seeking to ride on a potentially “strong developer community and application ecosystem”.

That’s just part of a three-fold plan:

• Android will be the major platform for Motorola phones. Goodbye Symbian!
• The P2K platform will power low-end models.
• Production of Windows Mobile devices may be outsourced.

Nokia should watch what happens closely. If Motorola’s Android gambit proves successful, it may push other developers relying on Symbian (LG for one) to start taking the mobile platform more seriously. The Unwired View speculates on further ramifications.

Tags: Android OS, Google, Motorola, Symbian

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Original post by Rico

Filed under: GPS

While not packing nearly the pizazz offered in the AURA, Motorola’s two freshest navigators don’t look half bad. Up first is the dead-simple MOTONAV TN20, which provides spoken street names and turn-by-turn directions, NAVTEQ 2D / 3D maps of the continental US and a 3.5-inch touch panel. The slightly more sophisticated MOTONAV TN30 picks up where the TN20 left off and adds in maps of Puerto Rico and Canada, four million searchable points of interest, a 4.3-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth headsfree support. Both systems include a SD slot for updating maps, a mini USB port for charging, speed limit display with warnings and the obligatory on-screen speed, distance, arrival time, elevation, and distance traveled tidbits. If you’re into either, you’ll have to scoot over to the RadioShack most convenient to you and plop down $199.99 / $299.99, respectively.

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

When we hear “hands-on,” we generally expect a smattering of images detailing the highlights — you know, about as many as a fidgety PR person will allow, or about as many as one can take before they succumb to self-indulgence. In this “first look″ of Motorola’s ridiculously luxurious $2,000 AURA, however, the author not only took the time to detail his first impressions, but to also upload dozens of snapshots to show you exactly what this here handset looks like in just about every possible light. And that’s a good thing too, because the chances of any of us simpletons actually seeing one in the flesh is slim to none.

[Thanks, Drei Drei]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

We can′t remember the last time we purchased a phone because it possessed 700+ individual components, a stainless steel housing or a front plate that takes a fortnight to create, but Motorola’s hoping you start to care about that kind of minutiae right about now. The admittedly gorgeous AURA (previously coined V70) is the world’s first handset with a 16-million color circular display, and aside from making / receiving calls with the utmost clarity, it also boasts a Swiss-made main bearing, 62-carat sapphire crystal lens, a 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microUSB port, quad-band GSM connectivity, a microSD card slot, multimedia player and up to 7.3-hours of talk time (400-hours in standby). The 4.97-ounce handset is available exclusively from the MOTO STORE for $1,999.99, with pre-orders shipping out beginning December 4th. Who’s in?

[Thanks, Paulo and Jake]

Read - Dedicated AURA website
Read - Motorola AURA press release

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Motorola: a name that oozes with apathy amongst gadget aficionados these days. But what if we added the words “Android” and “Social” to the mix, would you once again take notice of the world’s most invisible number 1 seller of handsets? According to BusinessWeek, Moto’s Google-ified handset will feature an “iphone-like touch-screen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and a host of social-network-friendly features.” BusinessWeek’s sources say that the device takes its design cues from the Krave Z̐ while resembling a high-end version of the T-Mobile G1 from HTC (while selling for less). Apparently Moto has been shopping the spec-sheet and images around to carriers over the last few months in preparation for a Q2 2009 US launch (Europe in Q3 2009) for the MySpaceBook crowd. Unfortunately for Moto, we expect the market to be flooded with Android handsets by then.

[Via TechDigest]

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Cellphones

Well, that about covers Sprint’s new handset binge at CTIA,and we got hands-on with both the Samsung Highnote (pictured left) and the Samsung Rant to wrap up the announcements. The gallery covers the range of colors that′ll be available — and the purple is a glowing example of ugly — when these two hit in October. You know the drill, hit up Engadget Mobile for the goods.

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Original post by Sean Cooper

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

At this point, we′ve seen the Tube from everyone but Nokia — heck, even Morgan Freeman got a chance to show it off — and it looks like that trend isn’t going to abate any time soon. Another round of in-the-wild shots of the supposed XpressMusic 5800 have popped up (yes, the latest prototype seems to have dropped the “XpressMedia” badge), showing off a pretty uninspiring keyboard that we can only hope has no bearing on the final product. Guess that’s why they haven’t announced this sucker yet, eh? We hope?

[Via The Nokia Blog]

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Original post by Chris Ziegler

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Man, the EU is really not too fond of Intel, is it? Adding to all the other antitrust charges filed against the chipmaker, the friendly grey suits at the European Commission have slapped on an additional three: paying a “leading European retailer” not stock AMD products, giving incentives to PC makers to switch to Intel chips, and paying an unspecified company to delay the launch of an AMD-based product. For its part, Intel is reacting like it always does when the Europeans get prickly: by steadfastly denying everything. Intel has eight weeks to file a formal response, but as with all of these cases, we wouldn’t expect a resolution any time soon.

[Thanks, Ricky]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Wearables

So maybe your stress level isn’t sky high just yet, but even after an extended weekend, all it takes is that one email to get you right back where you were last Wednesday. As if you really needed something to tell you that (and if you don’t have time to wait for Sweety to become a reality), a host of researchers have created a sensor-laden vest that will be able to inform wearers just how stressed they are. Developed as part of the EU’s CONTEXT project, this sure-to-be-hip vest packs ultra-sensitive electrodes which register changes in muscle tension as individuals get more and more stressed, and in theory, letting someone know what’s happening will allow them to simmer down before they further jeopardize their health (and the livelihood of colleagues, if you dig). Eh, we still prefer the Dr. Whippy method, honestly.

[Via Talk2MyShirt, thanks Tony]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: GPS

In the brave new world of GPS, Nokia and NAVTEQ are one as are TomTom and Tele Atlas. At least that will be the picture within 5 business days. With the European Commission’s “unconditional approval″ granted, Nokia can now close the deal on its planned, $8.1 billion acquisition of NAVTEQ.

What makes the whole thing a bit more interesting is that Google signed a long term agreement with Tele Atlas on Monday which gives it access to Tele Atlas maps for use in any of Google’s mobile, desktop, and on-line offerings. A move likely to put Android in even greater competition with Nokia which opted out of the Open Handset Alliance. Good times.

Read — EU approves acquisition
Read — Google’s deal with Tele Atlas

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

This is gonna leave a mark: Intel was just handed a $25 million slap on the wrist due to its questionable kickbacks to Korean computer manufacturers. The Korea Fair Trade Commission dropped the fine as punishment for the rebates Intel slipped to Samsung and Trigem in order to remain exclusive to its chips. Intel dolled out about $37 million in rebates — under the guise of co-marketing campaigns — over 2.5 years. While it is unclear whether or not Intel forced the manufacturers into any exclusive arrangement, it seems the commission believes such a clause was implied. Meanwhile, Intel is already under the European Union’s microscope for the same practices. Intel plans to appeal the ruling, and adds, “We’ll never do something that violates Korean law. We don’t believe we have ever done that.” While such practices remain under the legal radar here in the States, this practice isn’t so kosher elsewhere.

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Original post by Joshua Fruhlinger

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Yeah, so Sony’s hitting us with magically-thin OLED TVs, Microsoft is showing off Windows 7, and Google’s demoing hot new Android phones, but nothing gets us going like an old-fashioned tariff agreement dispute based on the classification of certain types of goods, you know? That’s just good clean fun. It’s also what’s going down between the US and the EU — our charming government has just filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, alleging that the EU is mis-classifying multifunction printers, flat-panel computer displays, and cable boxes that fall under the 1996 Information Technology Agreement in order to collect tariffs on their imports. Essentially all these products should be duty-free, but the EU says their additional functions require the ITA be re-negotiated to cover them — LCD displays can also be used with DVD players, for example, and so qualify as “video monitors,” which are taxed. Sure, it’s a totally semantic fight, but that’s what trade representatives live for — we hear this one’s going to be bigger than the 2006 Canadian Softwood Lumber Import showdown.

[Via Physorg]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Gaming

The EU has doled out some pretty hefty fines in the past, but it looks like Nintendo is pushing back against the one it got slapped with back in 2002, with the company now saying that it was “unfair, illegal, even shocking.” That fine (some 140.1 milion Euros, or about $220 million), was the result of some alleged price fixing on Nintendo’s part back during the SNES-fueled glory days of 1991 to 1998, during which time European Union regulators say Nintendo colluded with seven different distributors to raise hardware and software prices. For its part, the EU commision maintains that the fine “was not of a capricious nature, or based on wild estimates,” and that it “was for an infringement that was considered very serious.” No word on Nintendo’s next move just yet, but if past appeals of EU rulings are any indication, they certainly seem to be facing an uphill battle.

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Displays

The oft-irrational quest for thin already overwhelming television R&D budgets just hit our beloved LCD monitors. Meet the BenQ V2400W billed as the “world′s slimmest 24-inch LCD monitor.” BenQ claims that the LCD’s 2.44-inch max depth is 21% thinner than any of its chubbier competition. Unfortunately, while BenQ happily drones on and on about the monitor’s B-2 stealth bomber inspired design, it remains tight-lipped on the specifications. We know it offers a 4,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2-ms response, touch control panel and selection of ports including HDMI, DVI and VGA inputs. However, the V2400W’s brightness, panel resolution or backlighting tech, color reproduction capabilities, HDCP support for that DVI jack, and something so trivial as price all remain closely held secrets. Nevertheless, it’ll be available at the end of this month in Asia then heading to North America and Europe in April. You know, if you can find it.

[Via Fareastgizmos]

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

While Apple might have your attention at the moment with that impending SDK, the Android OS seems to be coming along quite nicely over at Google and the Open Handset Alliance. BBC’s Darren Waters got to peek “under the bonnet” with Andy Rubin himself, and has video to prove it. The OS was running on an unknown 3G touchscreen prototype, which also had a track ball at the bottom. The interface has come a long way since we saw it first, and browsing the web looks snappy and intuitive. Andy also showed off a version of Street View — complete with smooth panning and zooming, of course — and the fan-favorite Quake demo. Not bad at all for a 300MHz-ish processor, and while Android is still in “Alpha” stage, it’s already got a lot of good things going for it. Video is after the break.

[Thanks, Omar A.]

Continue reading Android gets handled, now with Street View

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Original post by Paul Miller