Latest phones and cell review

We’ll just go ahead and say it: Twitter is a business application. That’s right, you’re not seeing a question mark there. We understand that a lot of companies, businesses, and everything in between (us included) use Twitter in one capacity or another. Whether that’s just by advertisement, or dealing with the social networking side of it, there’s always a reason to use Twitter. And it looks like Research In Motion is finally agreeing with everyone out there, because they’ve got two applications in the works that will make a lot of Twitter and LinkedIn users happy.

Of course, BlackBerry users have a good Twitter application already available to them in the guise of UberTwitter, but there is a small glimmer of hope that an official application will just work better than anything else offered. In this case, the Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones is set to include Mentions, Direct Messages, your Timeline, retweeting, and following (all the essentials for a Twitter client). From the small image we can see of the application, we’re liking how it looks.

The LinkedIn for BlackBerry application also looks pretty nice. You’re able to look up profiles, send messages, and check network updates. However, there’s one feature that seems to suggest a far bigger thing happening here. The advertisement suggests that you will be able to see LinkedIn profile photos in your Contacts. Does that mean the LinkedIn application is going to sync with your BlackBerry contacts? We certainly hope so. Lastly, both of these applications are going to be offered up for free, but the only semblance of a timeline that RIM is offering can be found in that legendary “soon” word, so who knows when they’ll actually hit.

[via CrackBerry]

Welcome to the SlashPhone Week in Review. This is where we take a look back at the week we’ve just left behind, and rehash the most important articles. It’s one of the ways we like to make sure that you’re not missing anything, just in case you couldn’t stop by on your busy Monday. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss the launch of a brand new phone, now would you? Of course not. So get comfy, grab a drink and some popcorn, as we dive in.

On the first, which was Monday (just in case you lost track of time), Samsung went on the record as officially launching the Caliber (SCH-r860) for MetroPCS. While this isn’t the highest of mid-range devices, it does offer some pretty good stats: a 3.2-inch (resistive) touchscreen; 3MP camera, Bluetooth, and access to a MicroSD card. Considering it’s a touch-based Samsung, you shouldn’t be surprised that TouchWiz is rocking the User Interface side of things. It also has a full HTML browser, so go ahead and surf away. The MicroSD can be expanded to 16GB, so you can make use of the on-board MP3 player.

Next up, we’ve got a new line of phones from industry heavy Nokia. They introduced the first in their C-Series of devices: the C5. It’s a “smartphone” running S60 3rd Edition, and like most phones coming out these days, it’s a media-centric device with a heavy tilt towards social interation. You can access Facebook status messages through the phonebook, and access to your favorite contacts can be had right from the homescreen. It’s got access to Nokia’s OVI Maps, which means navigation is free for life (or as long as you own the phone), and comes in at EURO 135, so nothing that’ll break the bank. The device is set to launch some time in the second quarter of 2010, so if this something you’re interested in, keep your eyes peeled.

Despite the fact Research In Motion would appear again later in the week, we wanted to make you aware of this story more than anything. Meet what is being called the BlackBerry Storm 3. It’s a slider. Yes, that’s right. Leaked images of a sliding formfactor BlackBerry started making the rounds on Wednesday, showcasing what Research In Motion might be planning for some time later in the week. Nothing was confirmed of course, but as it stands, RIM could use another industry-changer (like the original Storm), and we’re eagerly anticipating anymore images we can get our greedy hands on.

Just past the middle of the week now and we’ve got Samsung on the chopping block again. This time around we’ve got two phones that are seeing shelves around the world, with no plans (as of now) for any State-side sales. We’ve got the Samsung Clutch, which is ridiculously shiny. However, Samsung may want you to think you’re getting a high-end device based on looks, going a bit deeper into the User Interface shows us that TouchWiz is still there in its full glory, with something Samsung is calling a “lady UI.” We’re still not sure what that means exactly, but apparently having applications like a calorie counter and party planner equate to a lady UI. It costs about $520. The Samsung Diva is something less than the Clutch, both in aesthetics and UI. Missing all the flashy “lady” parts (…), the Diva is indeed still aimed at a more female userbase. We’ve got to give it to Samsung: they know how to create phones.

Microsoft may have wowed the world with their upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series Operating System, but apparently they’ve also got something else being worked on in secret. Well, it hasn’t been much of a secret for awhile, but now we’ve got pictures! Microsoft’s Project Pink is apparently meant for the more teenage-age range of customers, with media, messaging, and social networking the focal point. They’re bringing two devices –the Turtle and Pure– to Verizon Wireless in April, if we are to believe the rumors. While the pictures may not speak to everyone, at least we can say the Turtle is one of the most interesting devices we’ve seen in awhile. And that’s saying a lot.

Speaking of Windows Phone 7, LG was nice enough to show off their first device running the mobile Operating System of the future. While everyone has been focusing on the top of the parameters for the hardware, LG wanted to show off what’s been called the second chassis. A slider, with a full, physical QWERTY keyboard, and a touchscreen. There wasn’t much else to go on at the time, but the codename did come out a bit later. LG is going to (according to further rumors) call the new phone the Panther. (Yes, they could have chosen a better name.) But! Even better than an LG slider-phone, is what Eric Rudder showed off at TechEd in the Middle East. He walks us through playing an Indie game on his computer, and then moves the same game over to his Windows Phone 7 Series-based device, and finally moves it over to the Xbox 360 to finish the experience. Rudder (and subsequently Microsoft) have shown what the convergence of the three screens will finally look like, and it looks awesome.

And finally, we’ve got Motorola. They’ve gone ahead and launched their latest Android-based device, but that’s not really the big news. Instead of hitting T-Mobile, Sprint, or even Verizon, this one’s heading to AT&T. That’s right, the second largest carrier in the States has finally received their first Android device, and, well, it’s interesting. It introduces a very intriguing form factor, and one that you’ll have to see to believe. We’ve got a review of the device over at SlashGear, which you should definitely check out, even if you’re not on AT&T or want an Android device. Just go look at it.

That ends this week. Be sure to stop by next week for another wrap-up.

There isn’t much to go on here for rock-hard information as of yet, but there’s a few rumors flying around that a red version of BlackBerry’s 8530 could be heading to Sprint. Sure, it might not be as bold or flashy as another device we’ve seen recently, but the 8530 is one of the newer devices from RIM, and one of the best to show off their new optical trackpad. It’s been on Sprint for awhile, rocking two colors: black and lavender, so it’s about time to get some change. Besides, color options aren’t a bad thing.

The red version of the 8530 is exactly the same as the two other colored models on Sprint, so you’re looking at a Curve-like form factor; the aforementioned trackpad, expandable memory through MicroSD, and the latest BlackBerry OS, version 5.0. You also have media buttons at the top of the device, which can help navigate through music and movies. There’s no official word from Sprint or RIM at this point, so right now this is still a rumor, unfortunately, When’s the supposed release date? March 14. So we don’t have long before this gets confirmed or shot down.

[via PhoneDog]

Apparently, winning the ultimate reward in the Olympics isn’t enough anymore. At least not when it comes to hockey. Never mind that it was a great game to watch, and that the Canadian team managed to pull off the victory. That gold medal comes in second place compared to what Research In Motion gave to the team. The Canada-based company brought together one of the most distinct RIM products, along with the national flag, to create one of the coolest looking cell phones we’ve seen in a long time.

As the story goes, it seems that Research In Motion wanted to come up with the best way to commemorate the Men’s hockey team for their triumphant victory. And obviously a phone manufacturer is going to pass out phones. But, the company’s generosity didn’t end there. Oh no! Apparently they made 20 more handsets specifically for the employees at Future Shop with the best sales records for the month of February. That’s right. Apparently, these employees were allowed to give them away as a sales incentive, but we imagine a few of them probably kept the product.

Now, we know you’re asking the really big question right now: how do you get one? That’s the bad news. Unless you were one of the lucky ones to get a handset from Future Shop, or, you know, you’re a member of the Canadian men’s hockey team, it’s not looking good. Research In Motion didn’t intend to make these a widespread device, so you should keep your eyes on eBay perhaps. But considering the extremely “limited edition” availability of these things, you should probably start saving up now.

[via CrackBerry]

If Blackberry had never surprised you with its hardware design, it looks like they are trying to do something different than its usual BlackBerry style smartphone. Leak images of BlackBerry in slider form factor are posted on bbleaks, it is also a full touch screen phone to allow you using it without the hardware keyboard. Other than the touch screen + slider design, it is said to comes with optical touch pad, BlackBerry OS 6.0, 360 x 480 display resolution and built in WiFi.