Rumor no longer, Motorola is taking a hard look at its Mobile Devices unit and might very well give those slackers the ol’ Freescale treatment and spin off the division as a separate company. This sort of love ‘em and leave ‘em tactic is oddly a bit of a habit with Motorola when times are bad, and times certainly have been better — Motorola’s phone unit lost $388 million this quarter, compared to $341 million in earnings a year ago. Motorola may sell the unit or spin it into its own company, which would leave Motorola with precious few intersections with the RAZR-saturated consumer, and as more of a government and enterprise business. Says Greg Brown, current president and CEO: “We are exploring ways in which our Mobile Devices Business can accelerate its recovery and retain and attract talent while enabling our shareholders to realize the value of this great franchise.” It’s a pretty odd statement for any company to make, and considerations may be further along than they sound, but either way we’ll be keeping an eye out for any developments.

[via EngadgetMobile]

[Motorota Press Release]

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CONTEST DEADLINE: THURSDAY FEB. 07, 12:00PM US PST

We here at JAVOedge are offering 5 Free Microsoft Zune JAVOScreen screen protectors (in the winners’ choice of anti-glare or ultra clear).  These are top rated screen protectors and normally go for $10.95.

The brief description of the Anti-Glare version is: JAVOedge Anti-Glare Screen Protector is the inexpensive yet necessary way to retain the beauty of your expensive Microsoft ZUNE device.  The JAVOScreen is made from a special silicon material that reflects light while offering protection against scratches.  No sticky residue!  Removable, Washable, and Reusable!

The brief description of the Ultra-Clear version is: JAVOedge Ultra-Clear Screen Protector is a simple and inexpensive way to scratch and smudge-proof your expensive Microsoft ZUNE device, keeping the original condition of your screen.  Ultra-clear and super low-profile that you barely know it is there.  No sticky residue!  Removable, Washable, and Reusable!

It is super simple to enter to win yourself a free screen protector- read on for the details …

How To Win:

* For one entry in the contest, just reply to this post - that’s it, you’re in.
* For a second entry, tell us a scary, scary story about a near-miss on damaging your lovely Zune’s screen- a drop, keys in your pocket scratching it, whatever you’ve got
* For three full entries, visit the Microsoft Zune JAVOScreen product pages HERE, and let us know what you like best about these screen protectors, why they’d work great for you.

There ya go.  Very easy stuff.

Please note: We will only ship the winning screen protectors in the USA - so if you’re outside the US, maybe you could let a friend accept it and forward it on to you.

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It seems that CrunchGear writers are at a Garmin sponsered event where they have just released images of a new device.. a Cellphone by the name of Nuviphone.

The new Garmin Nuviphone is stated by Crunchgear to have “a touchscreen, 3.5G, GSM phone that’s packed — packed — with features, much of it from Google, like local search, traffic, gMail, gChat, weather, and even Google Panorama. “

It’s mentioned to also be an MP3 player with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. MMS, SMS, and other instant messaging protocols are also included. No word on pricing or who the carrier might be, but it’ll out by Q3 of 2008.

[Via CrunchGear]

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When I switched from the Sidekick Slide, I decided to stay with T-Mobile since I’m month-to-month with them rather than jumping to AT&T or Verizon or Sprint. So my BlackBerry Curve is sans GPS, but has Wi-Fi instead. It sort of evens out. Well, in the three weeks that I’ve been away I’ve done some driving and on a few occasions I forgot to bring my Helio Ocean, which meant I was without GPS. Sure, Google Maps is somewhat spot on, but there’s nothing like having GPS when you really need it.

So, I was super happy when I checked into the TC/GC office earlier today and found a bevy of packages waiting for me. It was like Christmas. The smallest package happened to be the coolest one of the bunch and it was Telenav’s GPS receiver. It’s a tiny little guy and has a rubberized back so you can throw it up on the dash of your car and not worry about it sliding around. This, too, will get put through its paces over the next week or so. Stay tuned.

[Via CrunchGear]

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Speculation is mounting that Google is plotting the launch of a mobile phone in partnership with computer giant Dell.  Senior industry sources claim the two companies will reveal their plans at next month’s 3GSM telecoms conference in Barcelona, al-though Google insiders deny an announcement is due in the near future.

But the rumors will once again throw the spotlight on Google’s mobile strategy, which has been the subject of much conjecture over the last year.  There had been widespread talk of Google launching its own handset, known as the “Gphone”, to go up against Apple’s iPhone, which launched in November last year.  But the world’s largest search engine surprised the industry by announcing an operating system for mobile phones called Android. The software makes it easier for developers to create mobile applications that run on many different handsets.

Android, which will be available this year, will bring all of Google’s online services to mobile users.  At present, mobile phones use a variety of operating systems to access the internet, including systems from Microsoft and London-based Symbian.

Marketing Week revealed last year that Dell was also planning a move into mobile phones after poaching Motorola executive Ron Garriques to run its new global consumer group (MW March 1, 2007).

Dell already produces personal digital assistants (PDAs) and strategy analytics director Neil Mawston says: “It makes sense for Dell to have a high-profile entry back into the market because its last effort with PDAs pretty much flopped.”

[via ClubGPhone]

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Have you been waiting with baited breath for the much-anticipated PSP firmware update? The new firmware, branded as version 3.90, is now available for public consumption. The most significant improvement, of course, is the inclusion of a PSP-specific Skype client. This new software should allow you to chat and talk away to your hearts content. What’s more, the new firmware also includes Playstation Network improvements. Skype is only available for PSP-2000 series devices, but if you’re among the chosen few, we suggest you grab your PSP, hit the Network Update button, and get movin’!

[Via Boy Genius Report]

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This, to me, is a smart product. Not only am I always looking for conceptual products for iPhone, but I’m really not a fan of a bunch of flaps, snaps, or worst of them… belt clips. This kind of stuff usually seems, to me, like putting a roof rack on a Porsche. Functional yes, but well.. I just can’t.This product covers one side of the iPhone at a time, with aluminum, rubber and Neoprene. When your not using it, placing it on the front protects your screen from getting bumped & scratched. When you use the iPhone, just pull it off the front, and place it on the back, so even the back is protected when setting it down briefly, etc. This also, by the way, offers a bit more grip for the iPhone… the iPhone design is beautiful, but it can get away from you. This is a real plus.

When I first placed it on the iPhone, it didn’t seem like it would stay… it goes on easily. But just for holding it, using it, placing it in your pocket, it stays on fine. I’d like a little more grip, but it’s incidental. The Neoprene on the inside grips quite well, and is respectful of the surface of your device. You can also easily place it in the dock with it in place on the front, and all exterior controls are available.

Available in silver, black and red… The JAVOedge Shield Case is a change of pace from the myriad of cases available now for iPhone, and is made well. For $12.99 on sale (Hot Deals), this is cool, inexpensive protection for the iPhone… I like it.

[Via iPhoneFreak]

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JAVOedge’s external High Capacity Portable Battery Charger is designed to keep your iPod, MP3, Sony PSP, PDA, Pocket PC, and Smartphone powered up at all times of the day!  Great for on-the-move professionals, the best charging emergency solution when there is no wall outlet, car charger, or a PC around to power up your device.

  Portable Portable Battery Charger (Single Pack)

  - Battery Pack is rechargeable via a USB port (powered USB source.)

  - Light-weight, easy to carry.

  - Compatible with any USB-powered device.

  - In a single charge, able to charge a USB device up to eight times.

  - 5V, 3400mAh Lithium-ion (Li-ion.)

Our Price: $39.99

  Portable Portable Battery Charger (Complete Kit)

  Includes one portable battery charger, and the followings:

  - Retractable USB cable for use with adapter heads included.
- 6 adapter heads: LG, Nokia, Mini USB, Apple iPod, Palm Treo, & PSP.
- USB Wall Charger Adapter
- USB Car Charger Adapter
- JAVOedge Travel Bag

  Our Price: 69.99 

  Along with the adapter kit, our battery charger is compatible with:

  - Apple iPhone, iPod

  - LG

  - Nokia

  - HTC PDA

  - Blackberry 

  - Palm Treo

  - Sony PSP

CONTEST DEADLINE: TUESDAY JANUARY 29, 12:00PM US CST

Hurrah - it’s contest time again.  Our first one for 2008, and A very good one to kick things off too!

Our friends at JAVOedge have offered up Three Free Alloyvision Crystal Metal Cases (in the winners’ choice of colors) for us to give away in this contest.  These are really cool cases and normally go for $35.

The brief description of the Crystal Metal Case is: a new hybrid case of clear PC plastic and metal.  Clear in the front and solid aluminum in the back.  This is the best case to show off the original look of your Apple iPhone while keeping it snug and protected.

For a great look at these cases, check out Brandon’s recent pictorial review that is packed with good shots of them, HERE.

It is super simple to enter to win yourself a free case - read on for the details …

How To Win:

• For one entry in the contest, just add a comment to this post - that’s it, you’re in.
• For a second entry, tell us a scary, scary story about a near-miss on damaging your lovely iPhone - a drop, water hazards, whatever you’ve got
• For three full entries, visit the Alloyvision Crystal Metal product page HERE, and let us know what you like best about these cases, why they’d work great for you.

There ya go.  Very easy stuff.

Please note: JAVOedge will only ship the winning cases in the USA - so if you’re outside the US, maybe you could let a friend accept it and forward it on to you.

[Via justanotheriphoneblog]

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Way back two weeks ago, during the Bill Gates keynote at CES, we noted a mysterious Treo-like device was in part of his presentation. There was no attention called to the device, it was just there, and most people in the audience didn’t really notice it. But we did, we’re bloggers, it’s what we do.I couldn’t get anyone from MS to comment on the device’s inclusion in the Powerpoint presentation, nor anyone from Palm, who were mystified themselves. But it appears to have been an early look at the Treo 800w, a rumored device that’s apparently getting close to launch.

According to canards that are circulating, the 800w will be a Windows Mobile smartphone in a Centro-styled body, but that’s about where the similarities with the inexpensive Palm OS-based smartphone end end.

The 800w will rock Wi-Fi, a 2-Megapixel picture taker, Bluetooth 2.0, MicroSD, and Mini USB, a first for a Palm smartphone.

No real definitive date on shipping, but it looks to be soon, likely within the next 60 days.

[Via CrunchGear]

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