LG's first Android device just received an announcement today and it will come to the US under Verizon's banner. Called the LG Ally, the handset has quite the poignant selling point - it's a full-fledged Android 2.1 smartphone for only $99.99.

From the sound of things, LG isn't skinning Android the way HTC has done with Sense UI. Instead, the handset will contain the default Android experience, which isn't half bad, considering it's the same interface embraced by the Nexus One. Verizon is throwing in some widgets of their own to complement the onboard Google apps, including a social networking one called Socialite for Ally.

Key details of the LG Ally include a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel camera module (with flash and video recording up to 16GB), aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB). It will support both 3G and WiFi, as well as come with all of Android 2.1's slew of features that include free turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps Navigation.

While a vanilla Android experience doesn't seem all that enticing, given HTC, Sony Ericsson and Motorola's ventures into improving the user interface, the pricing does make the case for the lack of customization. A complete Android 2.1 smartphone (with decent looks, good specs and a full QWERTY keypad to boot) is just a great deal for a single Benjamin, even with a new agreement and a $100 rebate in tow.

Pre-orders for the LG Ally begin tomorrow, with the phones dropping in stores on May 20th.

[via Engadget Mobile]

Sprint just announced a new compact handset, boasting affordable pricing, while packing a good collection of features. Called the Samsung Seek, the messaging handset looks to set itself apart by incorporating an eco-friendly service that might appeal to recycling-conscious younger users.

The device will serve as a trial for a new recycling solution from both Sprint and Samsung that encourages customers to send in their phones once its usable life has passed. How? By making the phone's packaging easily reusable to serve as shipping vessel for returning the device. According to the press release, customers who get either the Cool Blue or Fantasy Pink models can use both the label and the box to repackage their phones for later recycling, while those who buy the Scarlet Red version can do the same via an included postage-paid envelope. Hopefully, it will take you a while to get through the phone, so make sure to keep the packaging stored somewhere.

Designed for messaging fans, the Seek integrates a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard to go with its youthful design. It gets complete messaging capabilities, including SMS, MMS, IM, email, threaded messaging and quick access to social networking apps (Facebook, Twitter and MySpace). Hardware details include a 2.6 inch display (320 x 240 resolution), a 1.3 megapixel camera module, 3G connectivity and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).

The press release doesn't mention if it has aGPS support, although Sprint is claiming the Samsung Seek M350 "pairs nicely" with the Everything Data 450 plan, which gives unlimited everything (including GPS navigation, so we guess it does) for $69.99. It's available now for $29.99 on a two year agreement (not necessarily with the aforementioned plan) and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

[Sprint]

US Cellular just announced a new Samsung smartphone running Windows Mobile 6.5. The handset in question is the Samsung Exec SCH-i225, a slim business handset with a front-mounted QWERTY keyboard.

Dimensions are similar to the Samsung Blackjack, but the design appears more industrial, despite the curved corners. It supports the platform's entire range of features, including a full messaging suite (both personal and corporate email, Live Messenger), bundled productivity apps and support for the Windows Marketplace.

Details of the phone include a smallish QVGA landscape screen, a 2.0 megapixel camera module (with video), aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, a full HTML browser, social networking integration (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Flickr) and microSD card expansion (up to 32 GB). Phone dimensions are 4.61 x 2.36 x 0.45 inches, with the battery rated at a generous 8 hours of talk time.

As you can tell from the specs, the Samsung Exec i225 is geared as an entry-level smartphone. It's available now from US Cellular, priced at $99.95 with a two-year agreement and $299.95 contract-free.

[Samsung USA News via SlashPhone]

RIM just announced their newest Blackberry and it's the smallest one yet. Called the Blackberry Pearl 3G, the ultra-compact smartphone packs everything in a 1.96-inch wide body, weighing a light 3.3 oz.

Aside from the size, the most notable feature here is the inclusion of 802.11n wireless support, a first for Blackberry phones. It will also come in two models: 1900 (which uses the space-saving, pseudo-QWERTY SureType keys) and 1905 (which uses a surprising T9-style keypad). Yes, Blackberry appears to be finally embracing the lower-end of the market too, with a release that looks to have more in common with Nokia's designs that the ones RIM has popularized.

Core hardware for the handset consist of a 624 Mhz processor, aided by 256MB of RAM. It runs Blackberry OS 5, complete with all of its familiar features, including the Blackberry Messenger, Media Sync and App World. Key details include a 360 x 400 resolution display, a 3.2 megapixel camera module, aGPS (with Blackberry Maps), 3G, WiFi, microSD expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1,150 mAh battery (rated at 4.4 hours of talk time).

Definitely a unique phone for Blackberry, the Pearl 3G packs in a solid slew of features in a pocketable candybar frame. No word on either release date or pricing, though.

[Blackberry via Gizmodo]

AT&T just introduced a slew of new phones, intended for inclusion in its 2010 Spring Cell Phone Portfolio. All four devices, which comprise of the Samsung Strive, Samsung Sunburst, Pantech Link and Pantech Pursuit, are geared towards messaging-centric uses and are billed, in fact, as Quick Messaging Devices (QMD).

Along with the new handsets, the company also announced three new data services that will be present in phones grouped in the QMD category. The most notable is Next Generation Messaging, which adds group messaging and "reply all" functionality, along with a consolidated inbox, threaded messaging format and improved multimedia display (they didn't elaborate on the latter). A free contacts list (AT&T Address Book) and paid media-sharing capability (AT&T Mobile Share), both PC-accessible and cloud-based, round up the rest of the new services.

The Samsung Strive, a vertical slider, will be the first handset from the lot. Details include a full QWERTY keyboard, a 2.6-inch QVGA screen, built-in social networking apps, IM, Mobile Email, 3G connectivity and a 2.0 megapixel camera module. Price will be $19.99 on contract. Samsung's other offering is the Sunburst, an entry-level touchscreen with a widget-based UI, 3-inch WQVGA resistive display, accelerometer, GPS, Bluetooth and microSD slot. Expect it in-stores by March 21, priced at $39.99 with contract.

Similar to Samsung, Pantech's offering will also consist of one QWERTY and one touchscreen phone. The former is the Pantech Link, which will come with IM, social networking apps, Mobile Email and GPS. The latter is the Pantech Pursuit, a touchscreen with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Feature set appears similar to the Link, although the press release hints that it will have a slightly more powerful camera.  No pricing or release dates were announced for the two.

[AT&T via Unwired View]



First announced back in November of last year, the Casio G'zOne Brigade has finally gone on sale over at Verizon's website. Sporting ultra-rugged features paired with a slew of multimedia and messaging capabilities, it's one of the most unique handsets to make its way to the market.

As expected, the handset can withstand some serious stress, certified to 810F military standards for resistance to shock, water, dust and a whole host of extreme conditions. If you're used to rugged phones being short on features, you'll appreciate the talents that this outdoor-ready clamshell brings forward. Designed for serious messaging, it boasts a full QWERTY keyboard, visual voice mail, IM and corporate email. Not to be outdone, it's heavy on the multimedia prowess too, providing support for the range of VCast services (including streaming music and videos).

The Brigade comes with two screens - a 1.2-inch external display (paired with a T9-style keypad so you can use it like a candybar phone) and a 2.9-inch horizontal panel with 400 x 240 resolution. Details include a 3.2 megapixel camera module, aGPS (with VZ Navigator), Rev. A push-to-talk, a full HTML browser, microSD card expansion (up to 16GB) and six hours of talk time. It measures 4.4 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches and weighs 6oz.

Sure, Casio G'zOne looks a tad bulky and industrial. However, this kind of feature set rarely comes posted right next to a rugged device, that also especially a cell phone . One possible barrier? The price. Available for $249.99 with a two-year agreement (after a $50 rebate), it's more expensive than the current crop of high-profile smartphones. Still, if you need a heavy-duty cell phone that can do more than the basic stuff, it's hard to beat.

[Verizon via Softpedia]

Nokia has announced a new phone for T-Mobile USA, the first carrier-supported handset from the manufacturer to come with free voice-guided navigation (via Ovi Maps 3.0) in the States.  Called the Nokia 5230 Nuron, the device will be a full-fledged touchscreen smartphone running Symbian S60.

With the GPS feature as its biggest selling point, the handset will come preloaded with maps of the US, Canada and Mexico, along with easy download access to 180 other maps via the Ovi service and the Lonely Planet guides.  It will also come preinstalled with the Ovi Store app, which gives users access to Nokia's application and content storefront.

The Nokia 5230 Nuron doesn't veer away from its European version, featuring a 3.2-inch touchscreen (with 360 x 640 resolution), a 3.2 megapixel camera, a 3.5mm audio jack, stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion.   It boasts fast HTML browsing via 3G and full messaging support (including IM and corporate mail), apart from the usual niceties offered by Symbian S60.

No official pricing has been given, with availability vaguely stated for "the coming weeks."  According to rumors, though, T-Mobile might be offering the Nuron for as low as $69.99 on contract, which is a huge value, especially with free GPS software and a full smartphone OS in tow.

[Nokia Press Release]

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 Samsung Corby just got a new cousin to sit beside it in Samsung's roster of entry-level touchscreen phones.   Called the Samsung Lindy M5650, the newly-announced handset boasts music-centric features, a full set of connectivity options and an affordable price.

While the handset first made news last week when it started selling in Portugal, Samsung only made the model official today.  According to the company, the new device is a slightly bigger and more powerful upgrade for the Corby, all while borrowing some its best features.

Details of the Samsung Lindy M5650 include a 2.8-inch touchscreen panel (QVGA resolution), a 3.2 megapixel camera module, stereo Bluetooth, 50MB of internal storage and microSD card expansion.  For connectivity, it offers both Wi-Fi and 3G, allowing for a better likelihood of finding high-speed internet connections wherever you are.  As a music-centric handset, it comes with a standard music player (with robust file support), FM radio, dedicated music keys, a 3.5mm audio jack and support for most carriers' range of broadband multimedia sevices.

On paper, it sounds like a better all-around phone than the Corby.  It's an impressive feat, considering that it's only slightly bigger than the latter, measuring 106 x 57 x 12 mm and tipping the scales at 98 grams.  As with majority of Samsung's touchscreens, it will ship with the TouchWiz UI.

In Portugal, where it's now on store shelves, the Samsung Lindy M5650 retails for €159 ($228).  It's scheduled to launch in other European markets soon, along with India, China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.