Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Do you have anything planned between April 28th, 2009 and May 2nd, 2009? Well even if you do I hope you take the time to come visit our site because we will be giving away a Pantech Matrix Pro! It isn't just us here at SPT that is giving away one of these handsets either. Currently there are 25 other sites in the lineup that will be giving away this same handset on different days. Below is a complete list of those sites so make sure to write those dates down because that is 25 different chances to try and win this dual sliding beauty!

• Tools for Thought (15-Apr 19-Apr)
• ChipChick (16-Apr 20-Apr)
• VivirLatino (17-Apr 21-Apr)
• slashgear.com (18-Apr 22-Apr)
• www.modaco.com (19-Apr 23-Apr)
• Gadgetell (20-Apr 24-Apr)
• GeeksRoom (21-Apr 25-Apr)
• OSNN (22-Apr 26-Apr)
• Techmamas (23-Apr 27-Apr)
• Clintonfitch (24-Apr 28-Apr)
• Justanothermobilemonday (25-Apr 29-Apr)
• Geek.com (26-Apr 30-Apr)
• MediaBlab (27-Apr 01-May)
• Smartphonethoughts (28-Apr 02-May)
• Mobilityminded (29-Apr 03-May)
• The Gadgeteer (30-Apr 04-May)
• Geekzone (01-May 05-May)
• Techie Diva (02-May 06-May)
• Bostonpocketpc (03-May 07-May)
• GearDiary (04-May 08-May)
• MobilitySite (05-May 09-May)
• AbsoluteWindows (06-May 10-May)
• Mobilejaw (07-May 11-May)
• Experiencemobility (08-May 12-May)
• HackCollege (09-May 13-May)
• Gear Live (10-May 14-May)

"The Matrix Pro by Pantech has a new home online: pantechmatrixpro.com, the first place to go for all you need to know about this exciting new smartphone. See the Matrix Pro's unique dual-keyboard design in action; get the lowdown on all of the Matrix Pro's great features; read blog entries highlighting the latest Matrix Pro news and reviews; get information about the upcoming Tweetstakes featuring a grand prize of $25,000; and follow handy links to purchase your very own Matrix Pro online. Visit pantechmatrixpro.com to experience the site for yourself."

Raise your hand if you like winning free stuff. Exactly! Everybody loves free stuff. Head on over to the official Pantech Matrix Pro Web site and have a look-see at their Tweetstakes page. All the info is there - once they start (they haven't yet - no date is announced) they'll be giving away a Matrix Pro smartphone every day, and at the end of it all, they'll do the $25,000 grand prize giveaway. Sweet!

"The Pantech Matrix Pro is a chunky little brick measuring 4.17″ tall x 2.0″ wide x 0.85″ thick and 5.34 ounces, but I have to say that it is so nicely curved and solidly built that I never felt its size to be a problem... The size is almost perfect for me. I can easily hold it in my hand (I don’t do belt clips…) while I walk around at my day job. If I don’t want to carry it, it isn’t difficult to stow it in my jeans pocket. It is a bit thick, but it has two keyboards - so I can overlook that."

The Gadgeteer brings us a dual review of this dual sliding Windows Mobile Standard handset. On one side of the review we have Julie from the Gadgeteer, and on the other side of the review in blue italic text we have the lovely Judie from Gear Diary. Both ladies have been using this hot little handset for a while now and were nice enough to bring us their fantastic review of it. This Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard device comes equipped with 256MB of memory, microSD card support (32GB max), 2.0 Megapixel camera, Tri-band HSDPA, Bluetooth 2.0 and a battery that packs 6 hours of talk time. I saw a fair amount of these phones when I was at the Microsoft campus not too long ago for the MVP Summit and I have to admit, this phone looks rather tempting to go out and pick up. If you are in the market for a new Windows Mobile Smartphone I would seriously give this one a once over.

"This thing's been on quite a journey from concept to production, but here we are -- finally, a true successor to Pantech's quirky Duo on AT&T. The Matrix PRO features HSDPA (up from UMTS), integrated GPS with AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel cam, Video Share support, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, but the real draw lies in the device's pair of sliders -- one for QWERTY, one for digits."

The Pantech Matrix PRO, the latest and greatest Windows Mobile Standard offering from AT&T Wireless, picks up where the original Pantech Duo left off. This 23mm thick handset comes equipped with a 2.4 inch QVGA display, 256MB ROM, 128 MB RAM, Quad-band GSM/EDGE, Tri-band HSDPA/UMTS, a full QWERTY keyboard, and even a 12 key keypad. While this device will probably not win any beauty contests soon as far as Windows Mobile Standard devices go, this one appears to have the goods. The Pantech Matrix PRO goes on sale this Tuesday, February 24th, and will sell for $179.99 with a $50 mail-in-rebate. Full press release after the break Read more...

"Featuring an innovative dual slide/double-keyboard design, the Pantech Duo smartphone is as comfortable dealing with 9 to 5 business as it is with keeping up with your 24-hour-a-day communication needs. Powered by the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, it includes Microsoft's Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts. In addition to its quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, it also runs on AT&T's 3G HSDPA/UMTS network for fast Internet browsing, high-speed music downloads, video streaming/casting. The ultimate all-in-one device, it also features a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity with stereo music streaming, and MicroSD memory expansion."



Here is a little beginning of the week pick-me-up for you guys! Yep, you read the title right. Right now you can head over to Amazon.com and pick up a Pantech C810 Duo Windows Mobile Standard handset for one penny. To qualify for this fantastic deal, all you do need to do is sign up for a new two year service agreement with AT&T or upgrade your current contract with AT&T through Amazon's storefront. That's an incredible deal, right? Well, it gets better! On top of that, Amazon is also offering an additional $50USD off via a mail-in rebate. So after all is said and done, they will pay you $49.99 to purchase this device! Now thats what I call a bargain! To take part in this awesome deal, head on over to Amazon.com [affiliate] and pick up your nifty Pantech Duo today!

"First impressions aren't always the best. When I first received the Pantech Duo, the small, plasticy device looked too. . . plasticy and I thought the worst. The lowly 1.3 megapixel camera, old-timey Bluetooth 1.2 and lack of GPS, a suddenly standard high-end amenity in AT&T smartphones, didn't help. In this country, Pantech mostly makes petite low end phones, and that also didn't help. But they did design the Helio Ocean, a dual-slider phone that's wow-d everyone (even us). Happily, the Duo owes more to the Ocean than phones like the C3 and C120 in terms of features and clever design. There's a hint of C3 only in the Duo's diminutive pre sense: this is one tiny Windows Mobile smartphone!"



MobileTechReview brings us another review, this time of the low-end-but-stylish Pantech Duo. I'll be honest with you guys, while I loved the idea of a dual slider phone, I myself just didn't trust it for the simple fact that it was created by Pantech. During my tenure on the cellular chain-gang I saw more than a few Pantech handsets make their way back to our stores due to poor build quality of the devices, usually followed by a very unhappy customer. After reading Lisa Gade's review though, this appears to not be the case. With its beefy processer, tiny form factor, and super attractive price - I for one feel a little bad for just overlooking it. I guess you should never judge a phone by its carrying case, huh? ;)

"These are all devices we know folks have been waiting for, so we're delighted to finally hear some whipsers that launch windows are being put in place. First up, the AT&T Tilt -- alias 8925, alias Kaiser -- is rumored to be priced at $299 on a two-year or $374 on a one-year agreement. The Pantech Duo, which Amazon jumped the gun on over the weekend, will be launching for $199 on a two-year, which makes the Amazon pricing a bargain already. The Nokia 6555 "Inferno" gets priced at $49.99 on contract -- a steal for a sharp lookin' 3G flip, we figure. Last but not least, the Motorola Q9 global finally materializes for a cool $299, putting it head to head with the Tilt. All four of these are supposedly scheduled for shipment to stores on October 1, making for a very interesting month. Everyone know which of the four they're choosing yet?"



We were all dying to know when the Pantech Duo was going to be officially released, and now we just might! It is as if AT&T is on top of the US Windows Mobile Standard world (try saying that five times fast) with the upcoming release of Pantech's super slick looking dual slider phone as well as the upcoming release of the Motorola Q9. If all goes according to plan, October 1st will be the most confusing day of my life as I know my fiance will not let me purchase two new handsets! Now if only AT&T would officially release the new Samsung Blackjack firmware update for all us poor saps that are still using Windows Mobile 5!

"We take a look at Verizon's second Windows Mobile Smartphone, the Pantech PN-820. Like the Q, the PN-820 runs Windows Mobile 5 for Smartphone, but that's about where the similarities end. The PN-820 looks like an older clamshell phone, complete with external antenna. This of course provides excellent reception, even in our vault test, as well as a comfortable feel that most users are accustomed to."



Phone Scoop has posted an excellent video review of the Pantech flip Smartphone. Folks who are interested in buying this Smartphone or already own it, must check out this Wiki. As always, I must add - wish this phone received better marketing treatment from Verizon and Pantech.

"The PN-820 gives you smartphone functionality with the elegance and convenience of a flip-style design. You can send email, view attachments, browse the Internet and play tunes/videos with Microsoft� Windows Media� Player all on the Windows Mobile� 5.0 OS for Smartphone. In addition, you can sync up to your PC with Wireless Sync or Activesync. Add to all this a miniSD card slot, Advanced Voice Command and BroadbandAccess Connect capabilities, Bluetooth� technology and take pictures and videos with the 1.3 megapixel camera. You will be sure to have attained complete mobile freedom with this small, yet powerful smartphone."



It was a long time in the making - a very long time. But it's here and it's available now. You can even get a $50 mail in rebate. Which means, if you order the phone online and you take a 2 year contract and the mail in rebate, you can have this Windows Mobile Smartphone for just $100. That's a pretty good price! I found the phone listed under the Personal / Phones / PDA & Smartphone section on the Verizon website. If anyone has picked one up, please post some pictures and thoughts on the device. :D

"It looks like our favorite mobile tipster Roc A Fella is at it again. This time he shows us the soon to be released Pantech PN-820 for Verizon Wireless, latest addition to their growing PDA lineup. This clamshell bad boy runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone with an EV-DO dual band radio, 1.3 megapixel camera, expandable memory via miniSD, Bluetooth, and a QVGA display. Pantech has updated the color scheme from what we previously have seen, and we like it way more seeing how the all-black scheme might be a fingerprint magnet. Look for the device as an exclusive on the web and B2B on 12/18 and in retail on 12/29."



While it is not the nicest looking Smartphone on the planet, it does have some pretty decent specs. I'm curious though, who would buy this when they could buy the Motorola Q? :lol:

"I have now received information on a new Windows Mobile Smartphone device from Pantech which will be launching before the end of the year. It is said to be the size of a business card, and have three-way slide out functionality. Normal slide up for keypad, and also horizontal slides for different control features, most likely MP3 player controls etc."

Sounds to me a bit freakish in design but we shall see. Has anyone else heard of this or seen any pictures of such a device?

"South Korean mobile phone maker Pantech Group said on Thursday it has agreed to supply GSM phones to Cingular Wireless, the No. 1 U.S. mobile operator, beginning this month...A spokeswoman at Pantech said Cingular would begin offering its handsets sometime in June, but she declined to give a value of the deal or the number of phones it has agreed to sell."

This is good news for us Cingular customers. Why you ask? If you look at this news post Mike did a while back you will see why. That is a Clam-shell Smartphone you are looking at. I am hoping this will translate into more Smartphones for us to play with.

"The PN-820 (PC-8200N) combines high-end functionality and stylish design, has 1.3-megapixel camera with flash, memory expansion via miniSD (I/O) cards. The device has also powerful connectivity features, including WI-FI (not sure) and Bluetooth. The FCC pages do not reveal information on its display, but we guess it is a QVGA 240x320, 65k color TFT one, and secondary unit is located on the front shell for caller ID functionality."



It looks like Verizon is getting ready to launch more Windows Mobile devices than just the Motorola Q. PanTech's PN-820 has received FCC approval and the pictures clearly show a Verizon logo on the device. Is anyone else starting to think that 2006 might be the year of the Windows Mobile flip phone? ;)

FCC documents can be found here.

"Pantech & Curitel has been approved to supply new handsets directly to Verizon Wireless beginning next quarter. Pantech & Curitel is Korea's second largest handset manufacturer. In addition to selling handsets under their own brand in Asia, the company's phones are also re-badged; in the US they are often sold by UT Starcom / Audiovox. Pantech is reportedly seeking distribution deals with Virgin Mobile, Alltel and Metro PCS as well, and is already providing test units to Sprint."

I wonder if this means that we will get to see that cool Pantech PH-S8000T with the swivel screen in the US sometime soon?

"Pantech announced Monday that it has launched the PH-S8000T, the first Microsoft smartphone to be introduced to Korea. The new phone, which is equipped with the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition and Intel Mobile Processor, and was developed in close partnership with Microsoft and Intel, will be initially aimed at mobile professionals - �knowledge workers� - and entertainment multimedia enthusiasts."



The PH-S8000T is loaded up with features like: Intel Bulverde 400Mhz, 128MB Rom / 32MB Ram, Modern Memory(8mb*4mb) - I'm not sure what that's all about, Retractable type antenna, Windows Mobile 2003 SE, CDMA EV-DO, and in case you didn't notice, a cool swivel screen. On the down side, I wouldn't expect to see this anywhere outside of Korea any time soon. :(

"Pantech PH-S8000T will be probably one of those very fancy Asia-only Microsoft smartphones that will never come to USA or EU. We have noticed it at CeBIT 2005, but due to CDMA compatibility it is on sale only in Korea. It is quite big but it has QVGA display (320x240 pixels) and a very interesting hardware design - with rotable display (so called "swivel clamshell")"



Follow the link to more impressive pictures and the specifications for this. While it is frustrating that a lot of devices don't show up in North America or Europe it is good to see so many new devices hopefully coming to market someplace.