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Samsung releases "world" smartphone

Samsung has released the Ace, a new "world" non-touch screen smartphone that can use both the CDMA and GSM networks, making it the first of its kind for Samsung. The smartphone will be marketed through Sprint and will run Windows Mobile 6 Standard. Features on the Ace are fairly standard and include a 1.3 megapixel camera, a microSD slot, and Bluetooth 2.0.

Asus releases first official smartphone in U.S.

Asus recently made one of its smartphones officially available in the U.S. for the first time. The P527 is a touch screen device that runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The device is housed in a silver-grey aluminum case and features a 2.6-inch screen, an external numeric keypad, a GPS receiver, an FM radio receiver, Wi-Fi (b,g), a 2 megapixel camera, and a microSD card slot.

Alltel offers HTC Touch

The growing national wireless carrier Alltel has added the HTC Touch to its phone lineup. Alltel’s version comes in a distinctive silver color and has identical specs to Sprint’s version of the Touch, except that Alltel’s version will run on the CDMA/EV-DO network. After signing their 2-year plan and a mail-in rebate, the phone will cost $199. Alltel currently operates networks in parts of 35 states, but has coverage in all 50 through roaming agreements with other companies.

MobilePlanet to be rebranded to eXpansys

A few years back, MobilePlanet, the largest wireless technology online retail business in the U.S., was purchased by the European online retailer eXpansys Inc. Starting February 1, MobilePlanet will be rebranded as eXpansys and adopt a new URL: expansys-usa.com. The company’s old URL (mobileplanet.com) will remain active and point to the new site.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 smartphone

In mid February, Sony Ericcson unveiled its new line of Xperia Windows Mobile smartphones and the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The new device incorporates a quad-band GSM phone with EDGE and UMTS data capabilities. It’s a touch screen devices based on the Windows Mobile 6 Professional software, but comes with a customizable nine-panel interface (see image) for launching apps and controlling the device. The Xperia has a wide VGA color touch screen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for text entry, and a built-in digital camera and FM radio.

HTC sales grow in 4th quarter

HTC, the world’s biggest smartphone maker, recently reported a sales growth of 20 percent in the 4th quarter. The growth was below the projected 33 percent jump that analysts expected, but was not seen as a surprise since December sales have been slow historically for HTC. According to the device manufacturer, 2008 sales are expected to increase by 20 percent as new models are rolled out.

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