Morgan Joseph analyst Ilya Grozovsky’s current rating on the stock is “sell” and he was quoted as saying, “The death spiral is accelerating.” Technically, this is exactly what the 25% dip in shares means and if Palm keeps on at this downward trajectory, eventually they’re going to hit a spot where they’ll be six feet under.

What Palm is doing about it is not clear at the moment. In a letter to employees, Palm’s chairman and CEO Jon Rubinstein says:

“Our recent underperformance has been very disappointing, but the potential for Palm remains strong. The work we’re doing to improve sales is having an impact, we’re making great progress on future products, and we’re looking forward to upcoming launches with new carrier partners.

Many people believe that webOS is an excellent mobile OS, but right now there doesn’t seem to be any devices able to fully take advantage of it, or convince new users to spring for a new phone. Perhaps it’s time to release a new flagship phone? Or offer the Pre unlocked all over the world? Palm actually has plenty of choices, if they would only move.

Via Wall Street Journal

• Palm cashes in $83.9 million from share sale; will survive until Pre hits the market
• Palm offers more shares for sale; Nokia interested in buying?
• Palm needs money for launching the Pre, developing other products
• Palm WebOS 1.1 available – major update
• Palm Pre to debut in Spain on October 14 through Movistar

It was thought that the threat had been eliminated, and with the arrest of the cyber-criminals behind it, Mariposa would finally cease to exist. However, it appears that there may still be Mariposa-infected computers out there. Especially if you can get your computer infected unknowingly just by buying a new smartphone, like the Android-powered HTC Magic that’s being sold by Vodafone in Spain.

An employee of Panda Security first discovered this problem earlier this month, and so far, it is estimated that there are up to 3,000 individual Vodafone smartphones infected with not only the Mariposa botnet client, but the Conficker worm and a Lineage game password stealer as well.

The infection seems to stem from bundled memory cards that have the malware pre-loaded on them for some reason. This must be part of the reason why the Mariposa botnet grew so large and so quickly.

Vodafone is already doing steps to counter the situation by sending affected customers letters with new memory cards and included instructions on how to get rid of the malware on their PCs. If you purchased an HTC Magic or any smartphone from Vodafone in the last six months, be wary.

PCWorld via Mobile Burn

• Web-capable mobile phones are in danger of being hacked, recent studies say
• HTC Magic to be released by Vodafone UK on May 1
• Vodafone announces HTC Magic, its first Android smartphone
• HTC’s T-Mobile G2 to be launched as HTC Magic by Vodafone
• SanDisk working on 128GB MicroSDHC cards?

The company says there are “almost 40 combinations available” – customers can choose the case model, keyboard design, and the type of leather decoration (including Cayman leather). Moreover, a personalized text can be engraved on your phone.

Unlike Mobiado, Gresso mentions its phones’ prices. You can customize a Gresso handset starting today for as low as $2,200 – go to Gresso’s Online Boutique to begin. After you personalize the phone (and pay for it), Gresso manufactures it somewhere in Switzerland and sends it to you within 14 days.

Gresso has also announced that it’s opening its first US office on March 18 in Miami, so “residents of the US Southeastern coast will soon be able to enjoy its services.”

Via Gresso

• $5,500 Gresso Lady Diamond phone announced
• Gresso Lady Gold and Ultramarine Gold phones launched
• Gresso intros Avantgarde Skeleton Collection for the well-endowed
• Gresso Grand Monaco phones are “inspired by Formula 1 racing”
• GResso luxury phone with Black Diamonds

Launched last year with Android 1.5 on board, the two handsets are currently available at Sprint for $99.99 (Samsung Moment) and $149.99 (HTC Hero).

Sprint didn’t mention when exactly the Moment and the Hero will get Android 2.1, but, according to Android Central, the third largest US carrier is “actively working” to bring the latest Android version to the two handsets “over the coming weeks.” If all goes well, Sprint’s Samsung Moment and HTC Hero will probably run Android 2.1 before the end of April.

Sprint recently announced that Google readies a version of the Nexus One for its network – its launch may coincide with the Android 2.1 upgrade for the Hero and Moment.

Until then, you can check out our Samsung Moment review.

• HTC Desire coming to AT&T, HTC Hero2 (Legend) coming to Sprint?
• Sprint readies lots of HTC Android phones, BlackBerries, WiMax phones and more
• Sprint announces the Google Nexus One, might unveil the HTC Supersonic at CTIA
• LG LS680 with Android apparently coming to Sprint
• Sprint intros the Android HTC Hero – available starting October 11

The team from NokiaLB have uncovered what appears to be a new Nokia E72 with a new color casing: purple. It looks to be exactly the same as earlier Nokia E72s, and only differ in its outer appearance. It looks girly, and I know I wouldn’t want to be caught dead holding it, but I’m sure some of the ladies out there would love to have their hands on it.

Although the exact release date of this particular model has not been specified, the purple Nokia E72 should be coming out very soon.

Via NokiaLB

• LG shouts out to the ladies with LG-SH490 “make-up” phone
• Nokia E63 and Nokia 1006 for the US
• Black Nokia E71 for AT&T – to be released as Nokia E71x
• Samsung Jet Mystic Purple spotted in Hong Kong
• #CTIA09: Palm Pre’s new Applications

But if a phone is what you need, a phone is what you pay for with the LG Banter. It comes in the sliding QWERTY form-factor and is outfitted with a 1.3-megapixel camera, built-in MP3 player, Bluetooth, microSD card slot and has exchangeable face plates.

Besides all that, it can also make phone calls. The LG Banter comes with free shipping and is available in a silver and black color combination. Check out its product page on Koodo Mobile’s web site.

Koodo Mobile via Intomobile

• Sony Ericsson P5i Paris is actually P10?
• LG Banter is Alltel’s own Rumor2; could be available starting today
• Nokia Supernova 7610, 7510, 7310, 7210 launched. And we’ve got live pictures from the launch event!
• BlackBerry 8210/8220 Kickstart detailed on online retailer’s web site
• Samsung W750 Haptic PoP with colorful covers

Enter the MOSeco ES905 universal charger. It doesn’t just look good, it is good… for you and your portable electronic devices. Because with a set of adapters for charging most mobile phones (including those from Apple, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, and Motorola), MP3-players, and digital cameras, it’s all you’re ever going to need.

The MOSeco ES905 also holds pride in being able to charge gadgets via solar power (with the help of its built-in solar panels), as well as with normal AA or AAA batteries (there are two included with every unit). And that’s not all.

A mini-USB port is onboard in order to juice up the MOSeco ES905 via a computer, and if all else fails, there’s also an integrated hand-operated dynamo generator that will charge electronic devices… somehow. And did I mention that it’s also a flashlight with three high-brightness LEDs fitted on one end of it?

It sounds like the MOSeco ES905 packs a lot of power for something so small. For what it’s worth, some people will probably consider it a steal at 2,450 Rubles or about $83 USD.

MOSeco via Mobile-Review

• Philips Smart Handbag for all your mobile devices
• ZegnaSport Solar JKT Jacket to power your phone and iPod
• Keomo Solar Nemerix 16 Bluetooth GPS Receiver on Solar Power
• HTW S116 Solar Mobile Phone
• Credo Mobile Brings Us Eco Acccesories

Just a day prior to the announcement, Bharti Airtel made a bid in a bandwidth auction for 3G, which will probably be eaten up by the bulk of its customers that will be using the upcoming iPhone 3GS. If iPhone 3GS users in India are going to be anything like their US counterparts, then Bharti Airtel is going to need all the 3G bandwidth they can get.

US telecom operator AT&T has faced numerous problems in the past relating to iPhone users and 3G bandwidth consumption.

More information about the availability and specifics of Bharti Airtel’s iPhone 3GS offer can be found on their official web site.

Via Bharti Airtel

• India’s Bharti Airtel to Africa’s MTN: No, thanks.
• iPhone 3G heading to India via Bharti Airtel
• HTC Touch Diamond coming to India through Bharti Airtel
• Vodafone brings down iPhone 3G price in India by $47
• iPhone coming to Asia via SingTel and associates

Unlike the other British carriers, Orange will sell the Xperia X10 in black and, exclusively to Orange, also in white.

As you most probably already know, the Xperia X10 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU at 1GHz and features Android 1.6, a 4 inch WVGA touchscreen display, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, 8MP autofocus camera and 1GB of internal memory. Orange will offer the X10 in the UK starting early April, for free on select contracts.

Before introducing the Xperia X10, Orange UK plans to launch an online mobile games store for Java phones – on March 26.

Created in collaboration with HMV, the store is called HMV Mobile Games and it will allow customers to download games even if their phones use other networks than Orange’s.

Games will cost from £1 to £5. Orange’s customers will be able to add the cost of downloads to their monthly bills, while customers of other carriers will have to pay online.

According to RegHardware, users who want the HMV Mobile Games storefront app on their phone should text “hmv” to 87010.

• Orange TV for iPhone, free of charge
• Orange UK exclusively launches the Toshiba TG01, free on select plans
• Verizon Mobile Web Games and Apps Store launched
• Orange to launch Application Shop – its own app store
• Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 coming to Vodafone UK in April

The LG Velvet / Cookie Plus is only 11.5mm thick and features: a 3 inch WQVGA touchscreen display, Flash UI, accelerometer, HSDPA (3.6 Mbps), Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, stereo FM radio with RDS, music player, Muvee Studio, web browser, 3MP camera, 50MB of internal memory, and MicroSD card support (up to 8GB).

The new phone also comes with a native Facebook client, as well as access to Twitter.

The LG Velvet should be available in Italy via TIM for €179 free of contract, in two color versions: Black Matt and Imperial Purple.

Via Tecnocino

• LG GW620 launched in Italy as LG LinkMe
• LG Cookie Plus GS500 joins the touchscreen party
• Samsung Shark S5350, S5550 and S3550 announced
• Sprint’s BlackBerry Curve 8530 available now, only $49.99
• LG Cookie Fresh GS290 officially announced, will be available this month

We’re not sure if this version of the Diva S7070 has real gold on it (which would make it quite expensive), but the phone doesn’t look bad in the new color.

Together with the Diva S5150, the Diva S7070 is part of Samsung’s new line-up of phones especially designed for women. The S7070 features a 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen display with 16 million colors, TouchWiz UI, accelerometer, social networking integration, 3.2MP camera, and a fancy back cover.

The Samsung Diva S7070 Luxury Gold should be offered with a “trendy handbag holder” in the box, although there’s no word yet on when or where it will be launched.

Via All About Phones

• Samsung’s Diva phones (S7070 and S5150) will be advertised by Carmen Kass
• Samsung Diva S7070 launched in the UK via Carphone Warehouse
• Samsung Diva S7070C and S5150 launched in China
• Samsung Diva S7070 and S5150, new fashion phone collection launched
• Samsung Clutch W9500 is like an upgraded Samsung Diva S7070

The Australian carrier has teamed-up with Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei, which will all provide equipment for the 4G / LTE trials.

Although “LTE will be an important evolution” for Telstra’s Next G network, Michael Rocca (the carrier’s COO) declares that “it won’t be a revolution because HSPA+ is already setting the benchmark for our customers’ experience.”

Telstra (which will soon launch the HTC Desire) didn’t say when it plans to launch a commercial LTE network, but it will most probably not happen this year.

Meanwhile, SingTel’s Optus – Telstra’s main rival – has deployed LTE trials in Australia in November last yet, and it’s readying new trials for the next few months.

Via Press release

• Telstra’s Australian iPhone prices revealed
• Nokia 6720 classic launched by Telstra in Australia
• AT&T plans 20 Mbs HSPA+ network upgrade in 2009
• Telstra announces the BlackBerry Bold 9700 for Australia
• O2 and Huawei successfully trial LTE, achieve 150Mbps transfer speeds

Reportedly, Moto’s Milestone will be available starting March 22 as India’s first Android 2.1 device.

The smartphone will cost about 30,000 INR ($660) unlocked, coming with features like: a 3.7 inch WVGA touchscreen display, full QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, GPS, digital compass, 3.5mm headset jack and a 5MP autofocus camera with D1 video recording.

Motorola also plans to launch the Dext and the Backflip in India sometime before June.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 should be available to Indian customers on March 26, probably also for about 30,000 INR.

The Xperia X10 features Android 1.6 with Timescape / Mediascape UI, 4 inch WVGA touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5mm headset jack, 8MP autofocus camera, and 1GHz Snapdragon processor.

Via Cell Passion

• Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 delayed until March?
• Telus’ Motorola Milestone available now, $199.99 on contract
• FCC approves Sony Ericsson Xperia X2, provides User Guide
• AT&T “definitely” launching the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10?
• Confirmed: Motorola BackFlip coming to AT&T on March 7, $99.99 on contract

Now the Norway-based software company is announcing that it will demo Opera Mini for iPhone again, this time during CTIA Wireless 2010, on March 23 (when it will also showcase Opera Mini 5 for Android). Opera says that this is the first time when it will “allow video recording and photography” of its mobile browser for iPhone.

Opera is still quiet on when exactly it will launch Opera Mini for iPhone, but it looks like the company is really close to submitting it to the App Store.

Of course, Apple may not approve Opera Mini’s availability on the App Store, since the browser basically duplicates the functionality of Safari for iPhone. However, there are probably many iPhone users who would at least want to test (if not use on a daily basis) Opera Mini, so Apple should really approve it.

Via Press release

• Opera Mini for iPhone coming at MWC. Will Apple approve it?
• Opera Mini for iPhone rejected by Apple from App Store
• Opera Mini for iPhone’s situation clarified
• Opera intros Opera Mini 5 beta for Android
• Opera Mini 5 beta launched, available for download

Orkut (which, by the way, is owned and operated by Google) is one of the world’s most visited social networking websites – it’s especially popular in Brazil and India. The Orkut Android app lets users stay connected with their friends via scrap notifications or direct photo uploads.

The application syncs you phonebook to your Orkut friends’ status messages and phone numbers, and lets you add “the list of your orkut friends as a live folder on your home screen, so you’ll be able to browse through your friends list even when not under data network coverage.”

Orkut for Android works on phones that run Android 1.6 or higher. It can be downloaded via Android Market, or by scanning the QR code found at the end of this post.

As for the new Google Buzz widget for Android, this enables users to share their thoughts on Google Buzz quicker and easier, by letting them post both text and photos with a single tap (you can even tag your posts).

The Google Buzz widget for Android requires Android 1.6 OS and works only if you have Google Buzz installed. If you do have it, go to “Menu > Add > Widgets > Google Buzz” to install the widget.

Via Google Mobile Blog

• Google Buzz for mobile announced, integrates with Gmail, Google Maps
• Google Gesture Search comes to Android 1.6
• Google Maps 4.1 for Android launched with latitude widgets, “search ‘n swipe” and more
• Google Goggles and What’s Nearby for Android launched
• Google Shopper Android app lets you shop smarter

Even so, China Mobile has not lost its iPhone-related hopes. AFP is reporting that the carrier’s chairman still wants to sign a deal with Apple.

Even more, China Mobile now wants not only the iPhone, but also Apple’s recently-unveiled iPad (which will debut in the US on April 3).

Assuming China Mobile will strike a deal with Apple this year, it will probably start selling both the new (and unannounced yet) iPhone – which might be called iPhone 4G – and the current iPhone 3GS.

As for the iPad (pictured above), shouldn’t Apple make a TD-SCDMA version of it in order to be used on China Mobile’s network? Because the iPad with Wi-Fi and 3G won’t actually permit users to be connected to the carrier’s network, since China Mobile doesn’t use the UMTS/HSDPA standard.

• More details about China Mobile’s downgraded iPhone without Wi-Fi and 3G
• China Mobile readies an app store too
• iPhone 3G to finally hit China this spring
• China Mobile developing Android-based OS to gain mobile Internet stronghold
• iPhone 3G S may hit China in Q4 2009 as China Unicom and Apple sign 2-year deal

Two handsets are already available: the LG InTouch Max GW620 (free with an 18-month contract of at least £22 per month) and the Samsung Galaxy Portal – which is actually the soon-to-get Android-2.1 Galaxy Spica i5700. The Galaxy Portal is also free with a £22 18-month contract).

In April, Virgin UK will start selling the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 “on a range of compelling tariffs”.

More importantly, Virgin plans to offer the HTC Desire (also starting April).

The Desire is HTC’s flagship Android smartphone for 2010, featuring Android 2.1, a 3.7 inch WVGA AMOLED multi-touch display, HTC Sense UI, optical trackpad, HSPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5mm headset jack, 5MP autofocus camera, and 1GHz Snapdragon processor.

Like the Xperia X10, the HTC Desire will be available at Virgin UK “on a range of compelling tariffs.”

Via Press release

• HTC Legend priced on Vodafone UK, free on select contracts
• Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 coming to Vodafone UK in April
• Samsung Galaxy i7500 finally available from O2 UK
• Samsung Galaxy i7500 coming to France’s Bouygues Telecom for 99 EUR
• AT&T “definitely” launching the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10?

According to PC World, a Nokia India spokeswoman declared that Comes With Music would be available on select Nokia smartphones (Eseries, Nseries and Xseries), offering unlimited music downloads for one year.

Reportedly, the music will be DRM-protected, despite recent rumors of Nokia going DRM-free.

Nokia didn’t unveil pricing details for its Comes With Music offering for India.

As a reminder, Nokia Comes With Music could also be launched in the US this year.

Via Mobile Burn

• Sony BGM joins Nokia’s “Comes With Music”
• Nokia N96 Comes With Music Edition is now official
• Nokia Comes With Music from T-Mobile UK too
• Nokia “Comes with Music” coming to UK market first via Carphone Warehouse
• Nokia Comes With Music from 3 UK?

But if you’re in India, you can get the G-Fone G-588, which looks like a BlackBerry Curve 8900 with a d-pad instead of a trackball.

The G-Fone G-588 is a dual SIM phone that can be used on both GSM and CDMA networks. Its other features include a full QWERTY keyboard, social networking integration (through Nimbuzz), 2.2 inch QVGA display, Bluetooth, MP3 player, FM radio, Opera Mini, an Indian Calendar that “serves as a guiding force for the practice of various Hindu rituals & festivals”, 1.3MP camera and MicroSD card support.

Apparently, the G-Fone G-588 is available in India as of now via Bright Telecom, for only 4,799 INR (about $105).

Via TelecomTalk

• Opera Mini 5 and Opera Mobile 10 now out of beta
• RIM intros the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in India
• Nokia to launch Comes With Music in India
• India blocks millions of phones without IMEI
• Opera Mini for iPhone coming at MWC. Will Apple approve it?

According to FrAndroid, Sony Ericsson has confirmed the prices of the two new Android smartphones: the Xperia X10 Mini costs €300 ($410), while the Xperia X10 Mini will be sold for €330 ($450) – both prices are for the unlocked handsets, of course.

Expansys had previously estimated that the X10 Mini would cost £300 and the X10 Mini Pro £340 in the UK – the retailer initially said the handsets would be available in the UK starting April, but it now changed the estimated shipping date to May 24.

A video preview of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro can be found here.

As for the “big” Xperia X10, this should be available in France (and probably in other European countries as well) starting April, for £599 unlocked.

• #MWC10: Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro, Xperia X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro (video)
• Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro to hit the UK on April 13
• AT&T “definitely” launching the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10?
• Sony Ericsson Walkman W902, W595 and W302 video preview and live pictures
• Sony Ericsson opens online store in France; plans international roll-out

Apple then said that HTC infringed 20 patents “related to the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware.” Well, HTC has now announced that it “disagrees with Apple’s actions and will fully defend itself” – which obviously means the Taiwanese company believes Apple’s claims are far fetched.

We can’t guess how things will turn out in the Apple-HTC patent war, but HTC is pretty confident Apple has nothing against it, and will continue to “embrace competition” through its own innovations.

The company reminded us of some of its accomplishments throughout the years:

• 1998 – first Windows PDA
• June 2002 – first Windows Phone (the T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition by HTC – pictured below)
• October 2005 – first 3G CDMA EVDO smartphone
• June 2007 – first gesture-based smartphone (the HTC Touch?)
• October 2008 – first Google Android smartphone (the HTC Dream / T-Mobile G1)
• November 2008 – first 4G WIMAX smartphone (the HTC MAX 4G)

HTC also talked about its Sense UI, which is “fundamentally based on listening and observing how people live and communicate,” and not on Apple patents, as the Cupertino company may want us to believe.

Via Press release

• Apple responds to Nokia’s lawsuit with a countersuit
• Nokia files new complaint against Apple, says most of its devices infringe patents
• First Nokia vs Apple trials to take place in 2012. Nokia apparently wants $1.3 billion from Apple
• Apple sues HTC, says 20 iPhone patents are infringed
• Nokia sues Apple, claims iPhone infringes 10 of its patents

According to a post found at NokiaPort (via All About Phones), the Indonesian equivalent of the FCC has approved the Nokia X2, confirming its existence.

There are few details about the X2, but it’s said that the phone has quad-band GSM connectivity and Bluetooth. Nokia’s new naming convention suggests that the X2 is a low-end handset – it will probably be cheap and thus successful.

No word yet on when Nokia plans to announce the X2.

Until then, however, we’ve stumbled upon a Nokia X9 concept (via Pestaola):

The Nokia X9 is based on the X6 and should come with an AMOLED touchscreen display, 12MP camera with HD video recording, HDMI port, and dedicated Facebook and Twitter keys.

The concept looks nice, so let’s hope there will be a real Nokia X9 similar to it (maybe running Symbian^4).

• Nokia N87 (Vasco) specs show up again, include AMOLED display
• Nokia Xseries debuts with the X6 (Alvin) and X3 music phones
• New Nokia concept phone by designer Ulisses Gardim
• Nokia N8 12MP phone rumored; Nokia may finally launch new naming scheme
• Nokia also registers the Xseries brand name

Version 4.1 of Google Maps for Android has a new search results page, which provides “all the info you want on one page.” There are several new buttons that let you get directions, see a place on the map, see it in Street View, or call it.

Also new are: the ability to swipe for more results, a Latitude widget for the homescreen, and a Maps live wallpaper, which lets you “see nearby friends or a map each time you open your home screen.”

Google Maps 4.1 for Android is available now in Android Market and requires phones with Android 1.6 or higher.

Google Maps for other mobile platforms can be downloaded here.

Via the Google Mobile Blog

• Google Goggles and What’s Nearby for Android launched
• Google intros Orkut, Google Buzz widget for Android
• Google Maps Navigation for Android 1.6 released
• Google launches Listen for Android and new Image Search Results for feature phones
• Google Mobile Search with My Location now available on Windows Mobile

Targeted at young users, the Messenger Edition 251 looks a bit like a BlackBerry and it’s most probably manufactured by ZTE, since it almost perfectly resembles the ZTE X990.

The new phone’s features include a QVGA landscape touchscreen display, web browser, Bluetooth, music player, FM radio, 2MP camera and MicroSD card support. The handset runs a proprietary OS that might have something to do with Microsoft’s Project Pink – the Pink phones will also be targeted at young users who need messaging devices, and will be available via Vodafone (which owns 44% of SFR).

There’s a dedicated website for the Messenger Edition 251, launched by Microsoft and available here.

SFR sells the Messenger Edition 251 online for €79 with a “SFR La Carte” prepaid plan (which costs €10 and includes unlimited texts and unlimited Windows Live messaging for 10 days), or for €109 unlocked.

Via Mobinaute

• Microsoft’s Pink phones show up again, might hit both Verizon and Vodafone
• Virgin Mobile UK offers Windows Live Messenger for free
• Vodafone 845 to be cheap, come with Android 2.1
• LG Apollo, HTC Obsession to be among the first Windows Mobile 7 phones
• Microsoft launches OneApp, helping feature phones to become smarter

The charger is called AT&T ZERO and it’s “the worlds first automatic zero draw charger”. This means that, when left plugged in, it automatically detects when your phone is not connected to it and cuts the power supply from the wall socket – this way saving energy.

Designed by Superior Communications, the AT&T ZERO charger has a 5-star efficiency rating and a block-and-cable design “for maximum interchangeability”, allowing customers “to use the same charger for future handsets”.

The new charger will be available starting May, for the same price as regular replacement chargers. It will be sold ”in packaging with 100% recycled paper”. Until then, Superior Communications will showcase the AT&T ZERO at CTIA Wireless 2010 (23 – 25 March). You can sign up here to be notified when exactly the AT&T ZERO will become available.

As for AT&T’s new smartphone – it’s the Airo Wireless A25is, the world’s first rugged and intrinsically safe smartphone.

The Airo Wireless A25is is targeted at “people communicating in industries that operate in potentially explosive environments including process and chemical manufacturing, the petrochemical industry, the military, utilities, as well as companies in the pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods manufacturing industries.”

The device meets military specifications 810-F/G, it’s shock-proof and can be immersed in up to 5 feet of water for 30 minutes.

Airo Wireless A25is features Windows Mobile, a 2.8 inch touchscren display, GPS and GPS telematics applications, Bluetooth, Push-to-Talk, and it supports “AT&T’s suite of line of business mobile applications.”

AT&T says that the Airo Wireless A25is is available starting today. Its price was not unveiled.

Via Press release and Press release

• Verizon intros Friends & Family For Business
• Carphone Warehouse outs Eco Charger for Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson
• Telefónica and NTT DoCoMo announce the Toshiba TG01, service & software collaborations
• Energy efficient universal mobile phone charger launched by O2 – a first for the UK
• Vodafone joins the app store race

The announcement comes only one day after the Nexus One for AT&T and Rogers was launched.

Unfortunately, Sprint didn’t say when exactly its customers will be able to buy the Nexus One, and neither for what price – although it did say that these details will be unveiled “soon”.

So there you have it, Google’s first smartphone will be available soon on all four major US mobile operators.

Like the versions for T-Mobile and AT&T, Sprint’s Nexus One will probably be sold only via Google’s online store.

Before this to happen, Sprint is likely to officially announce its first WiMAX / 4G smartphone – the HTC Supersonic. The Wall Street Journal has it that Sprint and HTC will unveil the Supersonic at CTIA Wireless 2010 (23 – 25 March). Most likely, this will be North America’s first commercially available 4G phone.

• Sprint and Microsoft readying a WiMax smartphone for CES 2010?
• Sprint’s HTC Supersonic shows up on video
• Verizon-bound CDMA Google Nexus One apparently passes the FCC
• Sprint’s HTC Supersonic WiMAX Android phone in clear photos
• Sprint WiMAX (4G) phone coming this summer (HTC Supersonic?)

The image has been initially posted at Neowin but it has been removed – which obviously suggests that it’s either fake, or it shouldn’t have been posted because it shows a real device that’s got a long way to go until being officially announced.

There aren’t too many details about this supposed LG Windows Phone 7 handset, but it’s said that it has a QWERTY keyboard. Also, the phone’s display seems to have a 800 x 480 pixels resolution.

Regardless if this handset is real or not (it probably isn’t), LG will surely launch other WP7 devices after the Panther. It remains to be seen whether any of them will resemble the handset seen above.

Via All About Phones

• LG’s first Windows Phone 7 device to be called LG Panther?
• Sony Ericsson Reese leaked: swiveling QWERTY handset
• Samsung’s first Android phone to come in Q3 2009
• Samsung’s first Windows Phone 7 Series handset shows up
• LG announces three Windows Mobile 6.5 phones, GW550 included

In an interview with AFP, GetJar chief executive Ilja Laurs was quoted as saying, “It is easy to see how mobile apps will eclipse the traditional desktop Internet. It makes perfect sense that mobile devices will kill the desktop.” Even though I don’t completely agree with what he said about mobile apps and the inevitable demise of the desktop, he does have a point.

More and more people are getting on their mobile devices now to connect to the Internet and do things that they normally do on their desktops, where they are forced to sit down on a chair and face a screen in front of them for hours on end. These days, apparently, mobility is where it’s at.

It’s true that more people are on their phones or other mobile devices right now, and that more people are downloading software to these devices more than ever. Still, I see this as just being a fad, with the current influx of somewhat innovative mobile devices in the market. Sooner or later, I think developers and mobile manufacturers are going to run out of things to port from the desktop environment, and people are going to get over the novelty of being able to play fart sounds via their mobile phones. In fact, I think that some time in the near future, mobile phones are going to go back to being used solely for their actual intended purpose: communication.

By then, laptops should very well be desktop-level powerful, and cost the same as any reasonably priced modern smartphone today. Then again, that’s just me. If GetJar’s prediction turns out to be true, on the other hand, then it’s a very good time to be a mobile app developer.

Via AFP

• Mobile phone market declined by almost 13% in Q4 2008
• Snapdragon 1.3 and 1.5 GHz Processors to Debut Before End of 2010
• Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart concept phone in the wild
• Nokia Media Network gains European media giants in roster
• Vodafone looking to buy T-Mobile UK?

Moreover, Google Gesture Search can now be downloaded by users outside the US – as long as Android Market is available in their country. However, the application still supports only the English alphabet, so it will not recognize characters from other languages.

With Gesture Search, Google allows Android users to find info stored on their handset (contacts, music etc) just by “drawing alphabet gestures on the touch screen.”

You can download Google Gesture Search on your Android smartphone by visiting Android Market, or by scanning this QR code.

Via the Google Mobile Blog

• Google intros Gesture Search for Android
• Google Product Search now available for iPhone, Android
• Barcode scanning available with Google Product Search for Android
• New Google Image Search results available for Android, iPhone
• Google adds voice search to Android

As expected, the Motorola Cliq XT is offered by T-Mo for as low as $129.99 with a 2-yr contract agreement (that’s $30 more than the price of the first Motorola Cliq).

Like the original Cliq, the Cliq XT runs Android 1.5 with MotoBlur. The handset doesn’t have a hardware keypad and features a 3.1 inch HVGA touchscreen display, HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5mm headset jack, 5MP autofocus camera, 512MB of ROM, 256MB of RAM and MicroSD card support.

A video preview of the Motorola Cliq XT can be watched here.

T-Mobile USA offers the Motorola Cliq XT online – you can buy it here. The Cliq XT will soon be available in Europe, Canada and Brazil, too, as Motorola Quench.

• Motorola Quench announced for TIM Brazil
• #MWC10: Motorola Quench Cliq XT (ex-Zeppelin) announced
• #MWC10 Motorola QUENCH/ CLIQ XT hands-on video
• Motorola Dext / Cliq previewed. Low price apparently confirmed
• Motorola Dext to bring Android to Orange UK in October

The silver HTC Desire has recently appeared over at the XDA forums, and it obviously looks good.

Previously known as HTC Bravo, the Desire has features similar to the ones of the Google Nexus One: 3.7 inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, GPS, HSDPA, 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 5MP autofocus camera with flash.

Here are some photos of the silver HTC Desire (next to the black one), as well as a video:

The HTC Desire should be available in Europe starting April – and it might also be released in the US by AT&T.

Via SlashPhone

• #MWC10: HTC Desire (Bravo), Legend and HD mini officially announced
• Virgin UK launches 4 Android phones: HTC Desire, Samsung Galaxy Portal, Xperia X10 and LG InTouch Max
• HTC Desire coming to AT&T, HTC Hero2 (Legend) coming to Sprint?
• HTC’s 2010 line-up to include the Legend, Bravo, Trophy and more
• HTC Legend priced on Vodafone UK, free on select contracts

The Android 2.1 upgrade will be made via Samsung’s PC Studio 7 software, which is pre-installed on the Galaxy Spica and can also be downloaded via Samsung’s official website.

Starting this month, the upgrade will be available in Germany. It will then be gradually released in other European markets, as well as in Asia, Africa and other markets.

With Android 2.1, Samsung Galaxy Spica gets an enhanced user experience and enhanced multimedia and messaging functionality.

Recently launched by Rogers in Canada, the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700 features a 3.2 inch HVGA touchscreen display, HSDPA, A-GPS, Wi-Fi, 3.2MP autofocus camera and an 800 MHz processor.

Via Korea NewsWire

• Rogers launches the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700; Android 2.1 update coming soon
• Samsung Galaxy Spica officially announced in Russia
• Samsung Galaxy i5700 Spica to get Android 2.1 in Q2
• Samsung Corby, CorbyPro and Galaxy Spica come to CES 2010 for US debut
• Samsung Galaxy i5700 in press photos, has Android written all over it

According to Engadget, Microsoft has just confirmed this during its MIX10 conference – where the Redmond giant has also unveiled Windows Phone Marketplace, free WP7 developer tools and more.

Sure enough, this doesn’t mean Microsoft won’t bless Windows Phone 7 Series with copy and paste functionality sometime later after launch. After all, Apple did it for the iPhone after almost two years since the first iPhone came out.

Meanwhile, Windows Mobile 6.5 (as well as older editions) can handle copy and past just fine.

Back to Windows Phone 7 Series, the first commercially available devices to run it are expected to be launched during the 2010 holiday season (LG Panther and that OmniaHD-like Samsung handset will probably be among them).

• Windows Mobile 6.5 apps won’t run on Windows Phone 7 Series
• Microsoft’s own Windows Phone 7 handset may be released in early 2011, made by Asus
• Copy-paste tech from Apple Newton could make its way to iPhone
• Samsung’s first Windows Phone 7 Series handset shows up
• Windows Phone 7 LG handset coming in September?

The competition has prizes of more than $80,000 in cash and there will be more than 40 winners.

The big prize consists of $20,000 in cash, Autodesk industrial design software, and a Wacom Intuos4 medium tablet. Winner of the second place will receive $10,000 and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software, while the winner of the third place will get $5,000 and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software. Other 37 winners will receive honorable mentions consisting of $1,000 each.

There will also be a Prop Master’s Choice award judged by Russell Bobbitt (who worked on films like Charlie’s Angels, Star Trek 2009 and Iron Man). The winner will receive $3,000 and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software, and its LG phone concept “will be created into a non-working mock-up that could wind up in Bobbitt’s next blockbuster film.”

Entries are accepted until April 26 inclusive. You can find everything you need to know about LG’s 3rd Annual Design the Future Competition (including the official rules and how to actually submit your LG phone concept) on crowdSPRING’s website. Unfortunately, like last year, the competition in open only to US citizens over 18.

Via Press release

• Design a phone and win $20K from LG
• Nokia Mobile Games Innovation Challenge inspires the Future
• Samsung launches mobile app contest for the Omnia II
• Packet Phone Concept Looks Surreal
• Samsung Innovation Quest 2009 debuts, asks you to develop widgets for the Omnia HD

However, the Russian Milestone has a problem that, reportedly, makes customers cancel their pre-orders.

It seems that Motorola had a hard time fitting all the letters in the Russian alphabet on the Milestone’s QWERTY keyboard.

This is what the Russian QWERTY keyboard of the Moto Milestone looks like (photo via Mobile-review):

Some letters have been paired on single keys (because the Russian alphabet has slightly more letters than the English one), but that’s not so much of a problem. The real problem is that, as a Milestone user reports, Motorola made a “significant mistake” by changing the location of Russian letters Ze and E (which look almost the same but are totally different), and by not including a comma in the Russian layout – the comma is “a very important part of the Russian language” and you have to change the layout to English when you need to use it.

Apparently, these mistakes make the Milestone’s Russian keyboard “nearly impossible to use.”

Naturally, users are asking Motorola to replace the faulty keyboard, because “the only way for Motorola to stay successful on the Russian market with their Milestone is to make an urgent announcement that all the buggy keyboards will be replaced for free and all the next Milestone shipments will have those bugs already corrected.”

Well, I hope Motorola will eventually do something about all this.

• Telus officially launching Motorola Milestone (Droid) in early 2010
• North America-bound GSM Motorola Milestone A853 shows up
• Motorola Milestone hits the UK on December 7, exclusively through Expansys
• Brazil gets the Motorola Milestone too, multi-touch included
• Telus’ Motorola Milestone available now, $199.99 on contract

And speaking of Rogers, the Nexus One can now be shipped to Canada from Google’s online store to those interested in buying it (it will obviously work with any Rogers SIM card).

Unlike the version for T-Mobile, the Google Nexus One for AT&T and Rogers is offered only unlocked, free of contract, for $529.

This being said, it will probably not be long until Google finally launches a Verizon-compatible Nexus One, too.

Via Google

• Official Google Nexus One video tutorials
• Verizon-bound CDMA Google Nexus One apparently passes the FCC
• Sprint announces the Google Nexus One, might unveil the HTC Supersonic at CTIA
• Google’s Nexus One to be sold starting January 5?
• Samsung Corby Pro coming to Rogers for $70 on contract

Just like the Indian Jet 2, the Jet Ultra Edition is not really different from the original Jet S8000.

The new phone features a 3.1 inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display, TouchWiz 2.0 UI, 800 MHz processor, Wi-Fi, GPS, web browser with one-finger zoom, “DVD-like video playback & recording, 5MP autofocus camera, 2GB of on-board memory and MicroSD card support.

The Samsung Jet Ultra Edition is available now at O2 UK (exclusively). The handset is free with a 24-month contract of at least £15 per month, or with an 18-month contract of at least £20 per month. You can check out the phone at Samsung UK’s official website.

Via Pocket-lint

• Samsung Jet S8000 already available in the UK, free on select Vodafone plans
• Samsung Genio Slide (CorbyPro B5310) launched by Vodafone UK
• Samsung S8300 Comes to UK March 19
• Samsung U600 Black Gold Limited Edition
• Samsung Ultra S Elegant Edition launched in Hong Kong

Google didn’t officially announce this number, but Mobile Crunch says that a Google representative confirmed it today.

The news comes three months after an AndroLib report said there were 20,000 apps available in Android Market. However, Google said that at that time there were actually only 16,000 apps – which means about 14,000 apps were added in the last three months.

Reportedly, about 60% of the apps currently available in Android Market are free, and about 40% are paid.

Will Android Market host more than 100,000 by the end of 2010? It’s hard to say, but with about 60,000 Android phones shipped on a daily basis (and growing), it’s definitely possible.

• Android Market reaches 20,000 apps, obviously still behind the Apple App Store
• Paid Android apps confirmed for this month
• Google to add carrier billing to Android Market
• Android apps over $200 not accepted by Google; I Am Richer app costs that much, does nothing
• Android phones, Android Market heading to Korea this year

Well, it looks like the world’s first luxury iPad will be available starting June 1. It’s made by Mervis and it’s covered in “11.43 carats of diamonds” that are “graded G/H in color and VS2/SI1 in clarity.”

The diamond iPad will be available in limited quantities. It costs $19,999 and, if you’re interested, you can pre-order it here.

As for the regular version of the iPad, Apple will launch it on April 3 in the US, for prices starting at $499 (the 16GB version with Wi-Fi and no 3G).

According to Brainstorm Tech, about 152,000 iPads have already been pre-ordered (since March 12, when Apple started to take pre-orders).

Via the GSM Arena blog

• Apple iPad available in the US on April 3, pre-orders start this month
• Only 300K Apple iPads may be available in March, production problems rumored
• iPhone OS-based Apple iPad (tablet) officially announced, prices start at $500 (video)
• China Mobile wants both Apple’s iPad and iPhone
• O2 Website Offers iPhone Pre-Orders

The handset looks like it could have been included in the Corby family, but apparently it isn’t.

The S3370 features 3G, TouchWiz UI, Bluetooth and a photo camera on the back. Its touchscreen display seems to be a 2.8 inch QVGA one.

The phone has been approved by the FCC recently, although without 3G, so it will probably not be released in the US.

We don’t know when exactly the Samsung S3370 will be available. As for its price, it’s said that the phone will only cost about €100.

Via Cellular mania

• Samsung S3650 Corby touchscreen phone to cost only €200
• Samsung Corby Pop to be even cheaper than the original Corby
• CDMA Samsung Corby S3650 coming to India?
• Samsung Corby Pop to be called Samsung C3510 Genoa in Europe
• Samsung Corby Pop C3510 gets semi-official

The phones will be sold via Aircel (which, although it has more than 30 million customers, it’s only India’s seventh largest mobile carrier).

Both handsets have integrated Facebook, Twitter and Skype applications and they’ll be launched with a “high-profile campaign fronted by cricket legend and company ambassador, M.S. Dhoni.”

The INQ Chat 3G features a full QWERTY keyboard, QVGA display, push email, music player and a 3.2MP autofocus camera. The INQ Mini 3G has an alphanumeric keypad, QVGA display, music player and a 2MP camera.

INQ and Aircel didn’t announce the prices of the Chat 3G and Mini 3G phones for India.

Via Press release

• INQ Chat 3G and Mini 3G – Twitter phones with iTunes syncing
• Nokia N97 Mini to be launched in India on November 16
• INQ Chat 3G available in the UK, £99.99 on PAYG
• RIM intros the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in India
• #MWC10: Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro, Xperia X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro (video)

The final versions of Opera’s mobile browser should obviously be more stable than the betas. They bring all the features that users are already familiar with, including fast browsing, tabbed browsing and Opera Link (for synchronizing bookmarks).

To download Opera Mini 5 or Opera Mobile 10 on your phone, visit Opera’s official website.

Note that, for the moment, Opera Mini 5 for Android and Opera Mini 5 for Windows Mobile are still in beta.

Via Press release

• Opera intros Opera Mini 5 beta for Android
• Native Opera Mini 5 beta for Windows Mobile launched
• Opera Mobile 10 for Windows Mobile available now
• Opera Mini 5 beta launched, available for download
• Opera Mobile 10 launched for Symbian S60 (touch and non-touch)

The Diva S7070 is actually called Samsung Diva S7070C in China and it’s a touchscreen phone with features that include: 2.8 inch QVGA display, TouchWiz UI, accelerometer, stereo FM radio, and a 3.2MP camera with autofocus and ”beauty shot”.

The Samsung Diva S5150 is a clamshell with a hidden external display, QVGA internal display, stereo FM radio and 3.2MP autofocus camera.

Both the Diva S7070C and S5150 come preinstalled with a QQ app (QQ is the most popular instant messaging client in China).

Like in Europe, the Samsung Diva phones are promoted in China with the help of international model Carmen Kass who posed for a Yin and Yang-like poster:

Samsung didn’t announce the prices of Diva S7070C and S5150 for China.

Via Press release

• Samsung’s Diva phones (S7070 and S5150) will be advertised by Carmen Kass
• New Samsung Diva phones: S7070 and S5150 Olivia
• Samsung Diva S7070 Luxury Gold edition spotted
• Samsung Diva S7070 launched in the UK via Carphone Warehouse
• Samsung Shark S5350, S5550 and S3550 announced

Some had their hopes up, some were doubtful. Today, Microsoft clears up any lingering thoughts about this issue by making the following statement: “[The HTC HD2] is not compliant with the Windows Phone 7 Series hardware specifications.”

Yes, it’s bad news alright, especially for those looking forward to running Windows Phone 7 Series on their HTC HD2 handsets.

If it’s any consolation, there are going to be new handsets that are compliant with the Windows Phone 7 Series hardware specifications. But of course, none of these will ever be an HTC HD2, so your only choice might be to spring for a new one if you want to run the new mobile operating system from Microsoft.

Unless someone finds a way to forcefully make Windows Phone 7 Series run on current handsets, that is.

Via Engadget

• Microsoft confirms multi-touch, designates WM7 to high-end, while keeping WM 6.5 for mass market
• Microsoft: something involving HTC HD2 and Windows Phone 7 may be announced soon
• Windows Mobile 6.x handsets not upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 after all
• #MWC10: HTC HD2 caught running Windows Phone 7 Series?
• #MWC10: Windows Phone 7 Series UI video preview

According to Mobile Syrup, the Corby Pro has started shipping to Rogers locations, so it might be available as soon as this week.

Unsurprisingly, Rogers will target the Samsung Corby Pro at “teens looking for a touchscreen device that looks good and allows them to stay connected to friends and multimedia”, and at “customers looking for smartphone-like features without having to subscribe to a data plan.”

The prices of Samsung Corby Pro from Rogers will be as follows: $69.99 with a 3-year contract, $119.99 with a 2-year contract, $219.99 with a 1-year contract, and $274.99 free of contract.

In case you don’t know yet, the features of Samsung Corby Pro include a 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen display, full QWERTY keyboard, TouchWiz UI, widgets, social networking integration, 3.5mm headset jack, stereo Bluetooth, 3MP camera and MicroSD card support.

• Rogers to launch Samsung CorbyPro B5310, LG Pop GD510 and LG KM555
• Samsung Corby, CorbyPro and Galaxy Spica come to CES 2010 for US debut
• CDMA Samsung Corby S3650 coming to India?
• Samsung B3310 launched as Corby Mate in India
• Samsung Genio Slide (CorbyPro B5310) launched by Vodafone UK

The Samsung Windows Phone 7 Series handset looks a lot like the Samsung Omnia HD i8910 (which runs Symbian) and it reportedly has a very bright display, as well as a “terrific camera”.

The display is probably a Super AMOLED one, while the camera could be similar to the one of the Omnia HD (8MP with autofocus and HD video recording).

We don’t know when Samsung plans to launch this Windows Phone 7 handset, but it will most probably not happen before the end of 2010.

Until then, here’s a short video showing all three WP7 devices (from Asus, LG and Samsung):

Via SlashGear, WindowsPhoneForums

• Microsoft’s own Windows Phone 7 handset may be released in early 2011, made by Asus
• Samsung Omnia II starts shipping this weekend. In Singapore
• Samsung Omnia II i8000 and Omnia Lite B7300 smartphones announced
• Samsung Omnia II i920 for Verizon gets pictured
• Verizon’s Omnia II appears on Samsung’s website

When launching WP7, the Redmond giant will rebrand the Window Mobile Marketplace and call it Windows Phone Marketplace.

The Windows Phone Marketplace will have “a panoramic design and active merchandising”, coming with support for operator billing, one-time card purchases and ad-funded applications. Customers will also be able to try apps before purchasing.

Free development tools for Windows Phone 7 Series are available as of today. These include Silverlight, the XNA Game Studio 4.0, Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator (for app testing), and a Windows Phone 7 Series add-in (to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC)

The WP7 dev tools have features that include: accelerometer support, hardware-accelerated video support, multi-touch, Microsoft Location Service and Microsoft Notification Service.

Developers can download the free tools via the Windows Phone website.

Microsoft has also unveiled a list of partners that will develop apps and games for Windows Phone 7 Series: Archetype International Inc., AWS Convergence Technologies – WeatherBug, Clarity Consulting Inc., Cypress Consulting, Citrix Systems Inc., EA Mobile, Foursquare Labs Inc., Fandango Inc., frog design inc., Glu Mobile Inc., Graphic.ly, IdentityMine Inc., IMDb.com Inc., Hudson Entertainment Inc., Larva Labs, Microsoft Game Studios, Match.com LLC, Matchbox Mobile Ltd., Namco Networks America Inc., Oberon Media Inc., Photobucket Inc., Pandora Media Inc., Pageonce Inc., PopCap Games Inc., Shazam Entertainment Ltd., Seesmic, Sling Media, SPB Software Inc., stimulant, Touchality LLC, TeleCommunications Systems Inc., The Associated Press and Vertigo Software Inc.

Via Press release

• Windows Mobile 6.5 apps won’t run on Windows Phone 7 Series
• Windows Phone 7 Series to lack copy and paste functionality at launch
• Windows Marketplace opens for submissions on July 27; WM 6.0 and 6.1 will be supported
• Windows Marketplace partners announced, plus more Windows Mobile 6.5 details
• Microsoft announces Windows Marketplace details

TomTom for iPhone 1.3 obviously comes with some new features: Google Local Search (including listings to various points of interest, “from restaurants to flower shops”), real time traffic compatibility, pinch to zoom (to make us of iPhone’s multi-touch capabilities), automatic day/night mode, new map updates, and a Music Fading feature (“the music volume decreases during turn-by-turn instructions and then increases when instructions are complete”).

Unlike Google’s offering for Android 2.1 smartphones in the US and Nokia’s offering for most of its Symbian smartphones, TomTom for iPhone 1.3 is not free. It’s $59.99 with maps of the US included, or $69.99 with maps of the US and Canada.

To use the new real time traffic capabilities, you have to buy TomTom Traffic – it’s and in-app purchase that will cost you $19.99 per year.

TomTom for iPhone 1.3 is available via iTunes.

Via Press release

• Nokia smartphones to come with free GPS navigation – now official
• AT&T Navigator now available through Apple’s App Store
• TomTom for iPhone 1.2 offers text-to-speech and other new features
• HTC Touch Cruise GPS PDA/Phone gets official
• Google intros free Maps Navigation for Android 2.0, Garmin and TomTom stocks plummet

The idea behind Design by Community is that anyone can choose how a future Nokia smartphone could look like. You can choose the screen size, the OS (Symbian or MeeGo), materials, connectivity, camera features, and the handset’s overall size and shape.

You can start by visiting this page.

I think the options that Nokia offers for this smartphone concept are somewhat limited. Not to mention funny things like: if you choose a 4 inch resistive display, QWERTY keyboard, hot key only, and a 16:9 screen ratio, you get a “perfect mix”, but if you change the display to capacitive and keep the other specs, you’re “too way out there” – and thus you can not submit the design idea.

Based on collective design choices, the Nokia Design team will make a 3D render of the final smartphone in May. Nokia says that this will only be a concept device, but, who knows, depending on how things go, it might transform it into a real device.

Via Nokia Conversations

• RIM files for hybrid capacitive/ resistive Blackberry touchscreen patent
• Triple slider idea from Nokia
• Skinny phone concept could make for a nice T-Mobile G1 2.0
• Concept Nokia Touchscreen offers liquid-powered tactile feedback
• Next Nokia touch smartphone to come with capacitive touchscreen and multi-touch?

According to someone who claims to have talked with the main distributor for HTC in Europe, the Touch Pro3 is “much smaller and thinner” than the Touch Pro2.

Unfortunately, there are no photos of the HTC Touch Pro3 yet, and its features have not been disclosed. WMPoweruser says that the Touch Pro3 might be the HTC Tera (pictured below), which has a 3 inch WQVGA display, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.2MP camera and a 600MHz processor.

I don’t think the Touch Pro3 will have such a low-res display (WQVGA), so it’s probably not the HTC Tera after all. Also, if the smartphone is introduced this summer, it will most likely not run Windows Phone 7 Series, but Windows Mobile 6.5 (or 6.5.3). However, unlike the HTC HD2, the Touch Pro3 might be upgradeable to WP7.

Via Techie buzz

• HTC’s 2010 line-up to include the Legend, Bravo, Trophy and more
• Verizon’s Touch Diamond2 leaked; HTC Mega and Tachi also show up
• HTC HD2 and Touch2 coming to T-Mobile Europe
• Windows Mobile 6.x handsets not upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 after all
• HTC Touch Diamond2 announced for India