Nokia 2700
(Credit: Nokia)
Apparently, Nokia just can’t wait for the GSMA World Congress next month. On Thursday, the Finns introduced three new phones: the 2700 Classic, the 6303 Classic, and the 6700 Classic. The three GSM models all sport candy bar designs, but vary a bit in functionality.
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The C510 is now official.
(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)
Three weeks after it made its world debut at CES, the Sony Ericsson C510 Cyber-shot has passed through the gates of the Federal Communications Commission. It was a rather quiet week otherwise, except for a whole lot of Huawei models.
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T-Mobile hit us with a triple whammy today when it released the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900, T-Mobile Shadow and the Nokia 7510. Bonnie managed to secure the two smartphones for full reviews, and she gave us the full details in today’s Dialed In. We also dish on the the …
Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast
Go ahead, send that all-important text.
(Credit: Airbus)
British Airways announced this week that it would initiate limited cell phone use on an upcoming route between London and New York City. Voice calls will not be permitted, but passengers will be allowed to send and receive text messages and e-mails.
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The Nokia 7510: Get it while it's hot.
(Credit: T-Mobile)
It’s a busy day for T-Mobile. In addition to announcing the availability of the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 and the new T-Mobile Shadow, the carrier also started shipping another CES phone, the Nokia 7510.
Though T-Mobile isn’…
Q: I was wondering why U.S. carriers have not picked up Nokia’s N-series phones. Why wouldn’t a carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile want such high-end handsets to attract customers?
- Zoheb
A: There are a few answers, Zoheb, but they all boil down to money. More so than in other countries the cell phone market in the United States has long centered on the service rebate. Carriers discount phones to attract customers and their contracts, while customers are trained to expect free or discounted handsets. While this dynamic is beginning to change due to the growing popularity of unlocked phones, service rebates largely rule the day here.
Nokia N96
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)
Though the rebates have their upside–customers can get $200 knocked off the price of a nice smartphone–they have their downsides as well. And I’m not talking about service contracts. Rather, the widespread use of service rebates has helped to “dumb down” the cell phone selection in the United States. With notable exceptions, carriers tend to keep their phones below $300 to make them as affordable as possible. The problem with the N-series phones is that they cost well over $500 (the fancy Nokia N96 is $776 unlocked). So even with a service rebate they’re going to remain pretty expensive. Sure, there will be customers like yourself who will be willing to buy one, but that’s not enough incentive for a carrier to buy a several thousand of them. Instead, they’re going to pick handsets that will sell in the biggest numbers.
T-Mobile G1
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)
We also have to remember that the N-series phones are complicated with a lot of different features. U.S. carriers tend to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing phones for their lineups. They have a lot of say in how the phone looks and what features it has. Thanks to the iPhone and the T-Mobile G1 this is also beginning to change, but they still like to exert their control. I’d wager than the N-series phones are simply too complicated for U.S. carriers. There are too many parts and features that the carriers can’t control. Also, I’m sure that carriers haven’t figured out how to monetize all the services on a handset like the N96. That’s yet a another deterrent against picking it up….
Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast
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If you think the biggest problem with a camera phone is the poor quality of the photos, a member of Congress might make you think again. Earlier this month, Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would ban camera phones from having a …
Continue reading about Congressman wants to ban silent camera phones
The Extender can boost indoor call quality.
(Credit: Samsung)
Samsung announced Monday that it’s bringing its femtocell base station to Verizon Wireless. The Verizon Wireless Extender is similar to the Sprint Airave, which Samsung introduced last year. It acts as a miniature cell phone tower by boosting indoor cell …
The A3100 surfs through the FCC.
(Credit: Motorola)
Two weeks after the Motorola Surf A3100 made its debut at CES, the smartphone passed through the Federal Communications Commission’s certification process.
Because the FCC has to certify every phone sold in the United States, not to mention test its SAR rating, …
The LG LX5500 is free with service.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)
Everyone loves to hate cell phone contracts, but if given a choice, I’d bet that many people would gladly sign one in exchange for a cheap cell phone. If that logic applies to you, there are quite …
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