Sony Ericsson finally put an official stamp on the much-awaited Xperia X2.  As has been previously rumored, the device will be the company's second Windows Mobile phone and the first running the new version 6.5.

Like the original Xperia, it will be running Panels on top of the OS, along with a new SlideView toolbar system.  It will come preloaded with 14 different designs (including full 3D), with 16 others available for download.  The announcement coincides with the release of the Panels SDK, which allows developers to create new customizations to the UI skin.

Being Sony Ericsson's flagship handset, the X2 will come with one of the richest hardware feature set among current Windows Mobile phones.  Details include a side-sliding QWERTY keypad, a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD (480 x 800 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio), 8.1 megapixel optics (with image stabilization and autofocus), aGPS, stereo speakers, Bluetooth A2DP, Wi-Fi with DLNA, 3G, TV out and microSDHC card expansion.  Naturally, it ships with a host of software talents, including a full messaging suite with Exchange support, a full-featured media player, a full HTML browser, out-of-the-box document support and streaming media apps (including a dedicated YouTube client).

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 is scheduled for release in selected markets, with separate units for Europe/Asia and America, during the fourth quarter.  It will be available in black and silver models.

[via Sony Ericsson]

The LG Tritan represents the company's latest attempt at a full-touchscreen handset with an integrated QWERTY keyboard.  It's not the most good-looking phone we've seen this side of QWERTY touchscreens, but it brings some capable talents to go with the unusual styling.

First off, I hate the way the phone looks with the QWERTY keys exposed.  It's... just...ugly.  With that out of the way, it's a fairly hefty phone, with a comfortable feel in the hand.  Display is a stunning 3-inch touchscreen, with a 400 x 240 resolution.  Colors are rich and details are sharp, with a responsive accelerometer and good performance under sunlight.

Home screen offers four customizable variations that you can easily switch in and out of, making access to the phone's various features very easy.  The UI implementation is good, although overall touch performance is only average, with a very involved learning curve.  Good thing it comes with physical QWERTY, which facilitates fast and comfortable typing.

As a phone, the Tritan offers above average voice calls, with ample volume and natural sound quality.  Speakerphone wasn't too bad either, although there is some expected harshness.  Battery performance is average, at just a little over three hours of talk time.

On the features end, you get the usual set of talents.  These include basic phone features, along with a few onboard apps, such as a document reader, a drawing tool and various games.  Messaging suite is pretty complete, with SMS, MMS, email (POP and IMAP) and IM support.

It rocks a GPS radio with onboard software (depends on where you get the phone) and a full HTML browser with Flash Lite support.  Browser performance is good (over wireless broadband), although it seemed to perform slower than those we've seen from other handsets. It also packs a good music player, with plenty of features to play with.  The onboard 3.0 megapixel camera offers a good number of editing options and takes above average quality for a phone.  It shoots 320 x 240 videos, too, but quality is barely usable.

Available for less than $80 with a contract (one year or two years, depending on the carrier), the LG Tritan offers a great multimedia handset for the price.  The easy-to-use UI is of particular note here, along with the good amount of features it comes with out of the box.

Nokia just announced its brand new X-Series line of handsets, with two new entrants leading the charge. The duo of releases consist of the X3 and the X6, both of which oddly cross the XpressMusic territory by being music-oriented handsets.

We're not entirely sure whether the line will take over XpressMusic (since they appear to use the same color schemes) or if Nokia has other plans. Regardless, the two new phones fall in line at the mid-range and high-end of the markets, respectively.

The Nokia X3 is touted as the first Series 40 phone to feature compatibility with the Ovi Store. That means the handset will be fully extensible with downloads from the company's media and application storefront. Details include a slider form factor, dual speakers, stereo Bluetooth, FM radio, a 3.5mm headset jack and 3.2 megapixel camera module.

On the high-end of the X-Series line is the X6, an S60 touchscreen phone with some very souped-up hardware features. Hardware details include a 3.2-inch touchscreen display (16:9 aspect ratio), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (Carl Zeiss optics, with dual LED flash), 32GB of built-in storage, aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, TV out, Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity. It comes with full email support, easy access to social networking sites, Nokia Maps and a customizable home screen.

The Nokia X3 will retail in the fourth quarter, priced at €115 ($163) before taxes and subsidies, while the X6 is expected around the same time, at a retail price of €450 ($641). The latter will also be available under the Comes With Music service, although the price has not been revealed. At just a €50 difference from the pretty amazing N900, though, it sounds like a bit of a tough sell.

via Unwired View

With a name like KIL.A.TON, this new iPhone war title doesn't even try to mask its intentions.  It's a non-stop brutal war game that's all about killing as many enemies as you can.

You take the reins on a battle tank in the game, dueling it out with foes until you're the last one standing.  Up to six opposing tanks can be in the battlefield at any given time, each one with the eventual goal of taking all the others out.  Everyone opens fire at once and you have no control over who they're aiming for.  Fun!

While such a gameplay structure hints at a chaotic warzone, you can employ some amount of strategy effectively.  Choosing your targets carefully, using the right weapons and outfitting your tank with the correct defenses can have serious repercussions to the game's outcome.

Similarly, your performance in each tussle plays into the kind of ammunition you can arm yourself with, so winning by your own merit is crucial.  Points are awarded for each kill, as well as to special accomplishments (e.g. revenge attacks).  Maximizing those earnings is an important component to success.

KIL.A.TON supports three game modes, namely Campaign, Online and Custom.  The campaigns are your best option for earning points, playing on both the Scenario and Free For All contests.  As difficult as it is to win on single player mode with five other tanks looking to trash you, it becomes considerably harder when you go online, where the challenge of the game takes a steep upward curve.

Filled with good-looking graphics, fast-paced action and worthy challenge, KIL.A.TON ($2.99) makes for one of the more exciting and unpredictable battles on the iPhone.  Online facility, by the way, works flawlessly (on Wi-Fi and 3G, at least), making it a title you'll likely want to keep around for a long time.

Developer: Dot Matrix Interactive

As far as rugged handsets go, the Sonim XP3 Quest could really be the most durable cell phone in the world.  Combining torture-proof capabilities with decent looks and mid-range capabilities, it's arguably one of the best options for anyone in search of an outdoor handset too.

Sonim's XP1, released last year, proved itself as one of the most durable cell phones ever put together.  The XP3 not only retains its predecessor's strongest competencies (hammer-proof, freeze-proof, etc), but adds even more to the mix.  It's now completely waterproof (at a level shared only by G'zOne phones), allowing you to leave it in the aquarium overnight (so your fish can text or something) without putting it in danger.  We did a couple of scary things to try it out (but held back on running it over with a car - it's not ours) and it performed as advertised.

Physically, it's not the most special-looking handset.  Right next to other durable phone models, however, it ably holds its own.  The large size, thick plastic skin and rubber paddings all join together to give it a good feel in the hand.  It barely fits in a front pants pocket, but should squeeze in if you give it a firm push.

The phone sports a small 1.75-inch display, with 220 x 176 pixels.  Quality is bright and works well under sunlight, but text size is a bit too small.  Navigation and keypad aren't as difficult to press as most other durable phones, which is a pleasant surprise.  SD card is a pain to replace, as you'll need to unscrew the entire back panel in order to put it in.

Voice calls are decent, with a slight buzzing in the background.  It's acceptable, especially with the very loud volume on both the earpiece and the speakerphone.  Battery performance is exceptional, with a rated talk time of 18 hours.  It's a phone you can literally get lost in the woods with.

On the features end, we get all the usual stuff, including a few simple applications, mass USB support and Bluetooth.  There's support for SMS and POP3 mail, but no MMS, which is a bit disappointing.  It also comes with a 2.0 megapixel camera module, with some very basic settings and average photo quality.  There's also a GPS radio, a basic music player and FM radio (no RDS).

Overall, the Sonim XP3 Quest appears to be a good choice for anyone in search of a durable phone.  The rugged features are topnotch and are arguably the best in the market.  It doesn't come cheap, though, at a $399 price tag.

Photo Credit: Sonim

The recently-released Samsung SGH-T239 is a throwback to around two years ago, when the Korean company was releasing one budget slider after another.  Meant for prepaid use, it hosts a decent feature set and a largely basic aesthetic.

You won't find any surprises here.  At 3.77 x 1.87 x 0.68 inches, the phone is slim and lightweight with a good feel in the hand.  Overall build is sturdy, but the battery cover is a little loose.  It comes in red and gray colors, neither of which are particularly appealing.

The 2.8-inch LCD features 220 x 176 pixels, managing bright and clear graphics.  Keys are big and slightly raised, making for a great experience when you're typing and navigating the interface.

As a phone, the T239 works well enough, with good voice calls and a complete set of basic features (300-entry phone book, simple applications and more).  Volume is a bit too low, though, which makes it near-impossible to use in noisy environments (e.g. traffic).  Speakerphone is below average, requiring you to move closer to the handset when you're speaking into it.  Battery life is great, with a rated talk time of up to 7 hours, making it usable for up to three or four days of regular handling before a recharge.

Despite being a basic device, the SGH-T239 does throw in a few small extras.  Apart from SMS and MMS, it comes with IM and audio postcard capabilities, although there's no email support.  It rocks a VGA camera with a couple of editing options (4x digital zoom, brightness control, color tones, etc) and average photo quality.   There's also stereo Bluetooth and a basic music player.

Overall, the Samsung SGH-T239 is a phone for those in search of a reliable, though not particularly outstanding, prepaid unit.  Available for $59 with no contract, it should prove a decent choice.

Most people now do their apartment hunting online.  Run through the listings, jot them down and head out, visiting each place one by one.  A new app made available to Android users, called Apartments for Android, lets you do that online searching while you're on the road.

Released by online real estate resource, Apartment Guide, the software lets you search through the system's exhaustive database of available properties using numerous variables, including city, zip codes, number of beds and baths, price, amenities and more.  A location-based facility even lets you find new apartments within your immediate vicinity, so you can easily visit a potential space right after visiting a client or running an errand.

Results are displayed in detail, either as a list or as a map.  Clicking on any result lets you see the detailed listing for the apartment, where you can check additional information, such as specific features, policies, office hours and more.  Each listing comes with a picture gallery, along with a direct one-click control to immediately contact the landlord.

If you find a few apartments particularly interesting, but aren't ready to commit yet, you can add them to your list of favorites.  You can return to this list at any time, saving you from having to write down attractive properties you want to schedule for future visits.  If you'll be renting with roommates or need a second opinion, you can also email this favorites list to friends and family in one click.

Apartments for Android is now available for free download from the Android Market.

Ever found an interesting article in the web but didn't have the time to digest it?  Everyone has their own system for saving those materials for later - from using an offline saving plug-in to bookmarking the link to return to later.  Mobile users rocking an iPhone have an even better option with Instapaper, which lets you archive those interesting links for future perusal.

Composed of both a mobile and a desktop component, Instapaper adds a "Read It Later" button to your browser (it works with all major ones on both platforms).  If you come across an article you like, simply click it and it will be bookmarked to your account on the Instapaper site.  When you finally do have the free time, you can then begin going through the materials you saved for later.

If you use the iPhone app, all the saved articles are presented there in a list.  To access an article, simply click on it and begin reading it in Instapaper's iPhone-friendly format.   You can choose to have all unnecessary accoutrements removed, including pictures and HTML formatting.  Additionally, it offers a variety of reading options, including tilt-scrolling, positions saving, reverse contrast (white on black background) and offline mode, along with some social sharing capabilities.

In effect, Instapaper turns your iPhone into a full-featured reading device.  With an optimized interface, a streamlined system and light operation, it's one of the best bookmarking/offline reading tools in the App Store today.  Available for only $5 (price cut effected recently), it's an immensely useful tool every iPhone users would do well to keep around.

Instapaper

The Motorola A45 Murano first made the rounds back in July.  Now, the company has officially announced the handset in Brazil, taking the moniker of MotoCubo A45.

Marketed, in part, as a more eco-friendly device, a quarter of the phone's construction is made up of recycled plastic bottles, with around 70% of the entire make being recyclable.   It comes in a square form factor, like many of today's youth-oriented messaging handsets, with a comfortable-looking slide-out full QWERTY keyboard (clad in an uncomfortable-looking orange background).

Phone details include a QVGA resolution display, 2.0 megapixel optics, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio with RDS, microSD expansion slot (comes with 2GB default) and EDGE connectivity.  It comes with an onboard music player, Google Maps, a social networking app (with quick access to Facebook, Orkut and MySpace), a couple of good games (The Sims 2 and Spore, among a few other minor titles) and a good set of messaging capabilities.  There's no 3G support or onboard GPS.

Like most square-shaped handsets, you'll probably either like the Motorola MotoCubo A45 or hate it with a passion. Availability is slated for this coming September, priced at 549 Brazil reais (a little under $300).  Now, how about letting out those Android handsets, Motorola?

We all know that the line between computers and cell phones are only bound to get blurred even further.  A new phone from a Chinese manufacturer will not only be running a full-fledged smartphone OS, but come fitted with two of them by default.

Called the Sunno S880, the new handset can dual boot into both Windows Mobile and Google's Android OS, allowing you the benefits of two smartphone systems (Win Mo for its software selection and Android for the better UI) in just one device.  Of course, being from a largely unknown Chinese manufacturer, I wouldn't put much stock in seeing well-done customizations that leverages the features of both systems.  Who knows, though?  I'm hoping to be surprised.

Powering the phone will be an 806Mhz CPU and 256MB of RAM, which they claim is similar to what the Omnia 2 is currently using.  It will sport a large 3.6-inch touchscreen display (WVGA resolution), 8.0 megapixel optics, Wi-Fi and GPS.  The understated looks and matte finish don't seem too bad either.  If there ever was high-end smartphone release from a Chinese brand, this would probably qualify.

The Sunno S880 is tentatively slated for an official launch on October 15.  Let's hope this works better than expected - I'd love to get my hands on a more affordable Android handset.