An entry-level clamshell phone, the Samsung SGH-T139 doesn't offer much to begin with.  Sporting an easy-to-use design, good call quality and functional feature set, however, it's also not bad - not bad at all.

Physically, it looks like a generic flip phone.  In many ways, it is.  The gray outside panel is about as industrial as you can get, punctuated by smooth lines and a compact shape.  Everything about it is as basic as you can get, both inside and out.  To its credit, the overall build, including the clamshell mechanism, feels sturdy.

It comes with two screens - a 1-inch external panel and a 1.75-inch internal display.  Do both of those sound particularly small?  Well, they are - even for a phone this size.   The external monochrome display only shows the most basic details, while the larger colored one is a little more decent.  As a saving grace, the keypad and controls are excellent, with spacious layouts and rubbery keys.

As a phone, the SGH-T139 manages above average call quality.  There's a hint of sharpness, but nothing to overly distract you, and plenty of volume.  Battery life is rated at four hours of talk time.  With this thing sipping too little power, expect at least two days or more of normal use.

Features, of course, are basic.  There's a 300-contact phone book, a slew of productivity tools and the usual messaging options (SMS, MMS and IM).  Samsung also threw in some of the most essential niceties, such as a VGA camera (with a decent amount of options), a WAP browser (strictly GPRS data, though) and  Bluetooth.

Overall, the Samsung SGH-T139 keeps things ridiculously simple and basic.  At the price ($59 without a contract), it's good enough, although I've seen cheaper.

Fonolo's deep dialing service, available from their website, is one bowl of awesome.  Able to skip levels off a company's phone structure, it can single-handedly make calling customer service lines a tolerable undertaking.  And now, that same convenience is available to mobile users via the Fonolo iPhone app.

"Press 1 for blah..blah..., Press 2 for blech..."  Sounds familiar?  If you're like most of us, you find that activity a drag.  Moreso, if you have to do it repeatedly on a regular basis.  The new app lets you bypass all of those minutes-draining automated recordings and jump right to the person you actually want to talk to.

You'll need a Fonolo account to use the app, which will automatically sync your dialing history on the iPhone and your online use of the service.  It also keeps an online database of your favorites - the specific parts of company's phone tree that you frequently use, so you can just jump right into it the next time you call.  Want to record conversations?  It has that, too, saving the audio files directly to the cloud.

The iPhone interface is pretty good, although the app itself is particularly slow.   Navigating between screens sometimes takes a few seconds, making it a pain to go through the company's stored directories.  Hopefully, they can remedy the speed problem with a future update.  Even at the current configuration, though, it should still prove a more efficient option than having to go through the same tiring motions every time you call.

Unless Fonolo can remedy the app's performance issues, using the web interface actually sounds like a better idea.  On comparison tests, it does appear to work faster, majority of the time.  Still, for a free app, this is incredibly useful.

[Fonolo Website]

Garmin-Asus just announced two new phones, including their first Android-powered device.  The first is the Garmin-Asus Nuvifone A50, running Google's open-source OS; the second is the Garmin-Asus M10, which sees Windows Mobile 6.5.3 at the helm.

Both devices feature a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, along with features you will normally find in Garmin's high-end navigation gadgets.  Loaded with the company's proprietary software, it offers turn-by-turn navigation, preinstalled maps, voice prompts, lane assist and support for non-vehicle use with City Xplorer maps.

Details of the Nuvifone A50 include a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen, a 3.2 megapixel camera module, 4GB of internal storage and microSD card support.  Software features include Google's suite of apps (e.g. YouTube, Google Maps with Street View, etc.), Exchange syncing (mail, contacts and calendar) and a Webkit-based browser with multi-touch support.

The Nuvifone M10, on the other hand, comes with a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen, a 5.0 megapixel camera module, 512MB of RAM, 512MB of ROM and 4GB of internal storage.  Enhancements include a 3D task manager, social networking apps (such as Facebook and Picasa web albums) and various widgets for connected services (such as stocks and weather).

No details on release date or pricing yet.  Garmin-Asus will show both the Nuvifone A50 and the Nuvifone M10 at MWC 2010, though, so expect more details next week.

[via GSM Arena]

LG announced another addition to their popular Cookie family of touchscreen handsets.  Billed as the LG Cookie Plus GS500, it's an entry-level feature phone that boasts slight improvements over the original KP500.

Looking to compete against the widely successful Samsung Corby, LG endowed the new device with a similar cartoon-like, widget-heavy UI.  In fact, the promo pictures show icons that look suspiciously familiar to anyone that has used Samsung's entry-level number.

The biggest update for the Cookie Plus is 3G connectivity, paving the way for faster browser page loads, better performance from web-connecting apps and, hopefully, streaming media support.  Social networking is a primary focus, with both the SNS (which supports Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social sites) and the LiveSquare apps onboard.  Most of the hardware set should be along the same lines as the original Cookie.  Other details mentioned in the press release include a 3.2 megapixel camera and an FM tuner.

In a not-so-surprising move, LG also announced that the company will be releasing a slew of Cookie-branded handsets in 2010 (each one likely to bring only slightly different features from the rest).  Yep, a strategy that directly copies a page from what Samsung has began doing with the Corby (e.g. Corby, CorbyTXT).

The LG Cookie Plus GS500 will debut in 45 countries beginning with Italy and France this coming May.  No pricing details have been given.  They also mentioned a second Cookie handset in the press release, dubbed as the LG GS290.  No details yet, but they're priming it for the UK sometime in March.

[Press Release]

Sony Ericsson was among the first manufacturers to try and take advantage of the gaming potential in cellphones.  Unfortunately for them, the iPhone ended up being the platform that showed everyone how to do it right.  The Sony Ericsson Yari is the company's latest gaming-centric handset, integrating features such as gesture controls and other innovative ideas.   Of course, novel implementations never guarantee a good game.  So how does it fare?

Physically, it looks like a standard candybar slider.  Look closer, though, and you'll find two odd buttons on top, which are supposed to serve as extra controls that you can use when playing games. Overall build seems solid, the sliding mechanism feels sturdy and it's got relatively sexy looks too.

For a gaming phone, the Yari's screen is considerably small at only 2.4. inches.  While resolution is good (320 x 240) and colors are bright, the size seriously limits you enjoyment of even the most basic games.  Both the navigation buttons and keypad are flat, but they are responsive.

As a phone, it manages below-average calls.  Main culprit is a serious lack of volume, even at the highest loudness settings, although signal reception also wasn't the best.  Speakerphone was much better with plenty of loudness, but it suffers from the same reception problems.  Expect to charge the battery every night, as you should clean it out in a day and a half at most.

The Yari's biggest selling point are the gesture-based games, which uses the second camera to approximate the user's body in relation to the phone.   You'll have to prop it up in the included stand and perform motions ala Microsoft's Project Natal.  Unfortunately, the two titles pre-installed with support for the feature (Tennis and Fitness) are just downright plain.  There's iPhone-style motion gaming here too (Bowling and LocoRoco), which proved much more entertaining.  A few other more conventional games are on board, although we do wonder why none of them use the two "gaming" buttons that Sony added on the front panel.  Overall, the games are decent but nowhere near the experience you can get from an iPhone (especially considering that this phone isn't running a very fast processor) - a serious blow to the Yari's potential for success.

Despite the obvious lack of an actual shot at dominating the mobile gaming landscape, it does come with a smattering of good features: there's aGPS, a veritable kitchen sink of preloaded apps (from Facebook to Flickr to a pedometer to a torch app with SOS capabilities to a whole lot more), an FM tuner and 3G support (no Wi-Fi, though).   Surfing the web, however, isn't the best with the small screen and a sub-par browser on board.  Most pages loaded accurately, though.

It comes with a 5.0 megapixel camera module that offers an overwhelming amount of editing options (which is a good thing).  Unfortunately, no amount of tinkering can help with the fact that it only manages average-looking stills (and I'm being generous here).  Audio quality, on the other hand, is top notch, making this a great substitute for an actual Walkman phone.  The stereo speakers sound great.

Overall, the Sony Ericsson Yari is packed to the brim with features.  Unfortunately, throwing in the kitchen sink doesn't necessarily make a great phone.  If the feature set is a good match for what you're looking for, you may like it, though.

Samsung, who apparently can't wait for Mobile World Congress, just went ahead and put an official stamp on the Samsung S5620 Monte.  With plenty of spy shots and rumors about it since late January, it may have been the prudent thing to do anyway.

A mid-range touchscreen candybar, the handset boasts a strong range of social features, TouchWiz 2.0 Plus and tight Google integration, all for what should be a reasonable price.  It's strictly a feature phone, though, so don't expect brilliant extensibility.  The amount of capabilities they crammed in, however, make it sound "smarter" than usual.

Details include a 3-inch WQVGA display, a 3.2 megapixel camera module, aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, FM radio with RDS, 3.5mm audio jack and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB).   Phone dimensions are 108.8 mm x 53.7 mm x 12.44 mm.

Connectivity is provided by 3.6Mbps HSDPA (only 900 and 2100 Mhz bands - no US support, apparently) and Wi-Fi.  Handy features include Exchange ActiveSync, Smart Unlock, Google Sync and various social capabilities (including Samsung's Social Networking Service and the stalker-friendly Google Latitude app).

Pricing and release dates aren't out yet, so you'll have to wait for MWC 2010 next week to find out.  Expect this to hit Europe soon, though, at a mid-range retail price.

[via Samsung Hub]

LG just unveiled a new feature phone that touts a lighter, more compact frame than regular touch-based handsets.  Called the LG Mini GD880, they bill it as “the smallest and slimmest 3.2-inch full touchscreen phone on the market today.”

Physically, it resembles the similarly-compact LG Pop, with its general shape and textured accents.   The button-free face probably helped reduce the overall dimensions too.  Despite the size, it doesn't hold back on the capabilities, rattling off a specs sheet that sounds much like any full-featured touchscreen device in the market today.

The LG Mini GD880 comes with a 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen, a 5.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS and FM radio.  It supports both 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and Wi-Fi, ensuring fast broadband access availability majority of the time.  Other features detailed during the announcement include LG's Social Network Connect (a social networking app),  Social Network Feed (which aggregates social-based updates to the home screen) and a Social Address Book (which syncs with contacts in your online profiles).

For the most part, LG has done great things with their feature phones.  As such, there's every reason to expect the same here.  The main selling point, however, remains the lack of size and bulk, which has plagued most touchscreen phones with a feature set matching what this device has on offer.

Expect the LG Mini GD880 in European stores this coming March.  No pricing yet, but it will likely be very competitive.

[via Phone Arena]

The number of impressive games coming out on the iPhone never ceases to amaze me.  Here's another one to put right up there with your collection of absolutely brilliant titles - Space Miner: Space Ore Bust.

In the game, you play the nephew of a galactic mining station owner.  He asks you to help him with his ore mining operations and you comply.  On your way to the mines inside your raggedy space vessel, however, things get awry.  Instead of spending your time in peaceful labor at Uncle Jeb's, you end up getting sent to a series of places to retrieve ores contained inside asteroids.  So you blast those heaps of rock in space, collecting as much ore as you can for a greater cut of the profit.

Ore is your way to make money in the game, which you can then use to stock your ship with a bevy of powerful enhancements.  The asteroid combat is way, way fun, especially when paired up with the entertaining banjo soundtrack.  What makes it really take off, however, is the fact that it's not just all about asteroids.

The game brings a total of 24 well-done missions, with a fun story to tie everything together and lots of perfectly-timed comedic moments.  There's good variety, too, with tasks such as destroying a giant robot and rescuing tourists floating aimlessly in space.  Suffice to say, it's tough to get bored with such a diverse mix of items integrated into the gameplay.

Even though it looks like an Asteroids clone at first glance, Space Miner: Space Ore Bust is just way, way more than that.  It's easily one of the most entertaining, most diverse games in the App Store - a definite "must-have" if a game ever deserved such a label.  Reasonably priced too at only $4.99.

Clamshells aren't the most exciting handsets around, but the Nokia 2720 Fold isn't half bad. Not only does it have some decent features, it comes with looks that does seem just a tad more attractive than other phones with a similar form factor.

Physically, you'll most likely love the smooth lines, stylish appearance and glossy finish. While good-looking, the surface is an absolute magnet for fingerprints. Weight is extremely light, making it very easy on the pocket. Despite that, overall construction feels sturdy, with extra thick hinges to inspire further confidence.

The black and white external display measures 1.36 inches and displays only the most basic information. Flipped open, it shows off a 1.8-inch LCD, with 128 x 160 resolution and 65,000 colors. Both the T9-style keyboard and the navigation array are designed really well, making input largely trouble-free.

As a phone, the 2720 Fold makes for high-quality calls that are noticeably clearer and better-sounding than other handsets in the same price range. Callers, on the other hand, can detect some amount of sharpness, but reported excellent conversations anyway. Speakerphone was decent and usable, but is far from the best. Battery life is rated at three hours, which should make it good for a day or two of regular use (maybe more if you seldom make calls).

Being a cheap phone, features are obviously a little on basic side of the spectrum. You get a 500-entry phone book, Bluetooth, messaging capabilities (SMS, MMS, IM and IMAP/POP email), WAP browsing (Opera Mini) and PIM tools.

More advanced features include a 1.3 megapixel camera and a music player. The camera module barely offers any options, but manages average quality for such low-resolution hardware. Music player is basic, which is expected, but the 2.5 mm jack just makes it downright disappointing.

Want a cheap phone for North American use (yep, it's strictly for local users)? The Nokia 2720 Fold is absolutely down there in terms of value. Features are very slim, but at the price ($20 on T-Mobile, $9.99 on AT&T and $125 unlocked), I can't see anyone complaining.

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Despite their recent successful forays into smartphones, Motorola remains a regular source of rugged handsets.  The latest to come out of the company is the Motorola Quantico, a clamshell boasting compliance with full military specifications.

Physically, it shares the same form factor as the recently-released Motorola Brute.  The resemblance ends there, though, as much of the design is evidently different.  Being a rugged phone, looks take a backseat to durability - hard plastic housing, textured rubber sides and back, securely-plugged jacks and a very bulky frame.

It sports two screens, a 1.6-inch external panel and 2.2-inch display (176x220 resolution) inside.  Both are colored.  While they obviously won't dole out the sharpest graphics, both have sufficient brightness and good usability.  Both the keypad and navigation array are easy to use, unlike other rugged phones we've seen.

As a phone, it makes for impressive calls - conversations were clear with no discernible distortion.  Voices came through sounding natural with plenty of volume.  On the other end, users reported the same positive experience.  Speakerphone feature worked well, although those we were talking to reported some notable harshness in the sound.  Battery life is rated at 5.8 hours, which should be good for up to 2 or 3 days of normal use.

The Motorola Quantico comes with largely basic features.  There's the standard phone stuff, such as a 1,000-entry phone book, PIM tools, messaging (SMS, MMS, web email), stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion (up to 8GB).  More advanced capabilities include a wireless web browser, aGPS and push-to-talk (depending on carriers).

Music player is decent, with support for a wide variety of file formats and playlists.  They also threw in a 1.3 megapixel camera with a good amount of options and surprisingly usable photo quality.  Of course, we also tried dropping and dunking it in shallow water a few times - it's good enough to withstand basic durability tests.

Overall, the Motorola Quantico doesn't bring much in terms of looks, but does make up for it with solid rugged capabilities and strong execution of its core features.  US Cellular currently has it for $99.95 ( no PTT, though) on a two-year service agreement.

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