Smartphones and Handhelds Roundup (March Update)

I've updated the latest in PDAs/Smartphones roundup here. Nothing groundbreaking, same old stuff with a few new colors introduced. Didn't realize Verizon Wireless now has a clam-shell Windows-powered smartphone PN-820. Too bad it doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi.

BlackBerry Pearl now on Cingular Website

As reported yesterday, the BlackBerry Pearl is now officially on the Cingular Website. For $199 (2yr contract and a $50 rebate later), you can have the most consumer oriented BlackBerry with email, camera, music, video and GPS capabilities. This marks the 12th smartphone in Cingular's lineup making them the carrier with the most smartphones in its shed. I have also updated the Smartphones & Handhelds Roundup list for your reference.

US Smartphone Sales Up Fifty Percent

According to SmartPhoneToday.com, the number of US Smartphones sold have increased by 50% when compared to Europe and Asia. The overall smartphone adoptation is still very low. This should be a direct correlation to the total available smartphones available today through the large carriers. Between Cingular, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, there are almost 40 Smartphones available today. This is the most I have ever seen in the marketplace and I believe the numbers are going to grow.

Palm Treo 680 Added on Cingular Site

Yesterday, we reported that Palm has finally put the Treo 680 on their website. This morning, I find it added on the Cingular Site as well. The price is $449.99. With a 2-yr contract, it will cost you $299.99. An additional $100 rebate is available. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cingular's New 3G UMTS Smartphones Debut

Cingular launched two new Windows Mobile Smartphones today. Both phones are very strong contenders in the smart phone market. The Samsung BlackJack is a phone that draws a lot of physical similarities with Motorola Q (thin, full QWERTY keyboard). It is a quad-band GSM phone supporting GPRS/EDGE/UMTS network. With a 2.2" 320x240px LCD screens, this device features Bluetooth 2.0 and MicroSD expansion slot without the much needed integrated WiFi.

The other phone released is Cingular 8525, it is believed to be a rebadged HTC Hermes phone from a popular Taiwanese vendor. Personally, I think this phone is the superior of the two, in fact, it may be the best smartphone on the market today. It features a Samsung (how ironic) 400MHz CPU and integrated WiFi that supports both 802.11 b and g, which makes Skype for Pocket PC an instant possibility. In addition, it also supports GPRS/EDGE/UMTS and supports Bluetooth 2.0. The phone is a slider format which covers the full QWERTY keyboard when not in use. This phone is very hot, and I think Cingular knows that hence the asking price of $399 after a 2-yr contract and $50 rebate.

These phones have been updated in the Windows Mobile Phone entry.
These phones have been updated in the Smartphones & Handhelds Roundup entry.

Smartphones and Handhelds Roundup

Updated: 03/19/2007

With so many smartphones and pda/handheld devices available today, I've decided to put together a list of phones offered by the major wireless providers. This list will serve as a quick reference to phones as well as their pricing. I'll try to update this list on a monthly basis. BTW, whats up with the 2-yr contracts?

Cingular: (13)
Apple iPhone (2-yr contract, $499 est. coming soon)
BlackBerry 7290 $99 (2-yr contract, $50 rebate)
BlackBerry 8700c $249 (2-yr contract, $50 rebate)
BlackBerry Pearl $199 (2-yr contract, $50 rebate)
BlackBerry 8800 $299 (2-yr contract, $50 rebate) new
Cingular 3125 $149 (2-yr contract, $150 rebate)
Cingular 8125 $249 (2-yr contract, $100 rebate)
Cingular 8525 $399 (2-yr contract, $50 rebate)
Palm Treo 650 $249 (2-yr contract, $50 rebate)
Palm Treo 680 $199 (2-yr contract, $100 rebate)
Palm Treo 750 $399 (2-yr contract, $100 rebate) new
Nokia E62 $99 (2-yr contract, $100 rebate)
Samsung BlackJack $199 (2-yr contract, $100 rebate)

T-Mobile: (10)
BlackBerry 7290 $99 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
BlackBerry 7105t $99 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
BlackBerry Pearl $199 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
BlackBerry 8700g $299 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
T-Mobile SDA $149 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
T-Mobile Dash $199 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
T-Mobile MDA $249 (2-yr contract Instant Discount, $50 rebate)
T-Mobile Sidekick 3 $299 (2-yr contract Instant Discount)
Sidekick 3 (Lift Research Group) $349 (2-yr contract Instant Discount)
Sidekick 3 (Diane von Furstenberg) $349 (2-yr contract Instant Discount)

Verizon Wireless: (8)
BlackBerry 7250 $99 (2-yr contract, online discount)
BlackBerry 7130e $199 (2-yr contract, online discount)
BlackBerry 8703e $249 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Samsung SCH-i730 $99 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Motorola Q $129/$229blk (2-yr contract, online discount, $50 rebate)
Verizon Wireless PN820 $149 (2-yr contract, online discount, $50 rebate)
Verizon Wireless XV6700 $299 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Palm Treo 700wx $399 (2-yr contract, online discount, $100 rebate)
Palm Treo 700p $399 (2-yr contract, online discount, $100 rebate)

Sprint PCS: (7)
BlackBerry 8703e $149 (2-yr contract, online discount, $100 rebate)
BlackBerry 7130e $99 (2-yr contract, Instant Savings, $100 rebate)
Motorola Q $99 (2-yr contract, Instant Savings, $100 rebate)
Sprint PPC-6700 $299 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Palm Treo 700p $249 (2-yr contract, online discount, $100 rebate)
Palm Treo 700wx $249 (2-yr contract, online discount, $100 rebate)
Samsung IP-830w $599 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Nextel BlackBerry 7100i $199 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Nextel BlackBerry 7520 $319 (2-yr contract, online discount)
Nextel BlackBerry 7520 $219 (2-yr contract, online discount, $100 rebate)