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Last night, Samsung and T-mobile unveiled the Samsung Behold II with a launch date of November 18 and price tag of $229.99 (with two-year contract). Sammie’s second Android handset and (the maker’s first for Tmo), the Behold II sports the TouchWiz 2.0 interface (with a 3D cube UI for 6 multimedia features) running on Android 1.5. The phone has:

• 528 Mhz processor
• 3.2” AMOLED capacitive screen
• Accelerometer
• BlueTooth
• Wifi
• GPS
• Support for up to 16GB external memory (comes with a 2GB microSD card)
• 5 MP autofocus camera with built-in flash, zoom and video
• 1500 mAh battery

The Behold II feels good in the hand. From the previous unofficial photos, I kind of thought it would be more “plasticky,” but the device has a decent amount of weight so that it feels substantial (though it’s not as heavy as the DROID). And it’s thinner than I thought it would be, with rounded corners, which make for good “pocketability.” While fans of physical keys may pine for the lack of QWERTY keyboard, they’ll definitely like the front face buttons. Overall, it’s a quality build.

I am such a fan of AMOLED screens, and this one is quite decent. Maybe not as snazzy as the high-res display on the DROID, but still vibrant and crisp, with great colors. The slightly protruding camera button on the side of the device is a nice touch — it sticks out far enough that you can find it without looking, but not too far out — and half-pressing it engages autofocus (like real digital cameras).

Like I told Noah, the UI didn’t really do it for me. Your mileage may vary, meaning that if you’re already a fan of TouchWiz, it’s probably neat seeing it on top of Android. But it seemed to slow things down a bit, in terms of responsiveness, and it just didn’t seem worth it to me. It didn’t help me navigate, and the Cube’s “cool” factor wore out after about a minute.

Considering all the buzz about Verizon's Moto DROID, it's hard not to make comparisons. Given that the Behold II comes with a noticeably laggy UI on top of Android 1.5 for $229, while Verizon’s listing the Moto DROID for $199 (with Android 2.0 and superior display), I’m kind of worried for the success of this offering. But, and I can’t stress this enough, this is a first impression after playing with it for 5 minutes, so take it with a grain of salt for now — at least until PhoneDog can get in and really test it for a full review.

Below are a mix of promo pics, along with images I shot myself. You can tell which is which because in my photos, the film is still on the face. Noah told me that PD fans like it when the film is removed in the unboxing vids, so I left that on for now. I also took some shots of the handset next to the Moto DROID, the iPhone 3GS and the Palm Pre, just for size comparisons. (There’s even a pic next to a Sharpie, so you can really get the thickness of it.)

So enjoy these images for now. I’m in the throes of vid editing the hands-on demo, so you can see it in action, so look for that later today.

Behold II (promo pic 1)

Behold II (promo pic 2)

The front of the Behold II

Back of handset (camera, flash)

Front face buttons

Camera button, lock button on right side

Microphone

Volume rocker (left side)

USB and 3.5 mm headphone jack (top)

Tmo branding

The Behold II, next to DROID, iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre (length comparison)

Another length comparison (without the distracting reflection in the glass)

Thickness comparison (again, Behold II is on the left)

Behold II next to DROID

Behold II, next to iPhone 3GS

Behold II, next to Palm Pre

Behold II, next to a Sharpie!

What I like: Touchscreen is responsive; 3.2-megapixel camera works well.

What I don't like: Somewhat boring; not the BL40 that many were expecting; some browser frustrations.

Introduction

The LG Chocolate brand has become somewhat of an evolutionary phone line in the United States, morphing a bit as each year goes on.  From a slider phone, the device migrated to a clamshell form factor last year, and has finally rested in the touchscreen arena.  As a phone nerd, it was challenging to get past the fact that the Chocolate Touch could have been the BL40, but thanks to a focus group (or so the rumor goes), we have the VX8575 instead.  Is the Verizon version a worthy contender to the carrier's lineup?

Keypad and Interface

As the name implies, the Chocolate Touch is Verizon's first touchscreen Chocolate device.  With the exception of the three buttons (send, clear, and end) on the front of the device and a few shortcut keys on the side, the device is touch-only.  It's either a love or hate thing.  If you're used to a keypad or QWERTY keyboard, the Chocolate Touch may not be the device for you.  The phone ships with Verizon's stock user interface (with a few tweaks), and while it's somewhat long in the tooth, Verizon has customized it enough over the years where it's usable.  You can drag widgets to the main screen for quick access.

Honestly, the experience with wireless devices is completely relative.  If the Chocolate Touch is your first touchscreen phone, you'll have no problem adjusting to the display.  If you're migrating back to it from advanced smartphones like the Droid, iPhone, or Pre, you're going to notice a difference.  At times, reviewing these devices can be challenging, as it requires me to open up my thoughts into three mindsets: (1) The user that is getting a touchscreen device for the first time; (2) the individual that is familiar with these types of devices and is simply migrating to a new phone; and (3) the person who is migrating back to a device like the Chocolate Touch after using a smartphone.  Depending on what type of user you are, you're going to have a different experience.

Camera/Video Camera

The Chocolate Touch offers a 3.2-megapixel camera, and in my testing, image quality was very good.  Given the phone's target market and media-centric nature, it does a good job when it comes to pictures and videos.  The standard photo options are included in the camera: five resolutions, white balance presets, color effects, focusing modes, a self-timer, and special shot modes.  Video recording was decent.  While videos intended for transmission via MMS are limited in regards to time, you can shoot longer in standard mode (with a microSD card).

Reception and Data Connectivity

I've tested the Chocolate Touch in the Charlotte area, and call quality is very good.  In a known Verizon fringe area, calls were mostly clear despite the phone having no bars of service.  As with most LG devices I've tested, speakerphone was quite loud as well.  When testing in a busy department store, my callers could hear me well, though they reported some background noise.  I connected my Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset to the Chocolate Touch without any problems, and Bluetooth calling worked well.  

The Chocolate Touch is an EVDO Rev. A device, and data speeds were very good.  The PhoneDog page loaded in about 37 seconds, and other data-intensive tasks (VZ Navigator, My Verizon, and Bing search) loaded quickly.  On most internet tasks, the Chocolate Touch performs admirably.  The only thing I was less than impressed with was the method of entering URL's.  Instead of a built-in option, the phone requires you to go back to a URL-entry page each time you want to input a website.  After browsing for more than five minutes, it gets a bit frustrating.

Battery Life

Much like the enV Touch, the Chocolate Touch made it through about a day of use before it powered down.  I'm still going through detailed battery tests, but based on numbers as they stand, I'm shooting for about 2 1/2 - 3 days with light usage.  Not bad at all for a media-centric phone.

Check out some pictures below, stop by YouTube and view Sydney's unboxing video, and stay tuned for my full written review!

It's been rumored, rumored, and rumored a little bit more, but the Dell Mini 3i is now official for China Mobile and Brazil's Claro.  The much anticipated Android smartphone will be offered in a 3G flavor for Claro in Brazil, while China Mobile will have to make do with a non-3G unit.  Pricing and specifications remain unknown, though rumors point to a Brazilian release with Wi-Fi - similar to that of the US-bound 3iX.  According to Dell's press release, the 3i (and related variants) is simply the "initial" smartphone for Dell.

The official Dell press release is below.  With the official announcement, a US launch can't be too far off.  AT&T in early 2010, anyone?

• Dell confirms entrance into smart phones. China Mobile and Claro named first to sell Dell Mini 3 smart phones • China Mobile serves more than 500 million subscribers • Claro part of the largest mobile phone network in the Americas, America Movil

Dell today confirmed plans to enter the smart phone business and announced partnerships with two of the world’s largest mobile operators.

Dell plans to distribute its new Mini 3 smart phones through China Mobile, the largest telecommunications company in the world with more than 500 million customers, and Claro, which serves more than 42 million people in Brazil as part of the America Movil network.

Entry into the smart phone category reflects Dell’s continued expansion into mobile internet products and services through value-added relationships with leading operators. Earlier this year Dell was the first mobile PC manufacturer to embed China Mobile’s 3G technology and services into its netbooks and quickly became the leading seller of netbooks through retail outlets in China. In addition Dell has existing agreements with other leading global telecom providers, including Vodafone in Europe; Australia/New Zealand, AT&T and Verizon in the U.S.; M1 and Starhub in Singapore; and Maxis in Malaysia, creating more opportunities to meet the needs of a connected lifestyle.

“Our entry into the smart phone category is a logical extension of Dell’s consumer product evolution over the past two years,” said Ron Garriques, President, Dell Global Consumer Group. “We are developing smaller and smarter mobile products that enable our customers to take their internet experience out of the home and do the things they want to do whenever and wherever they want.“

“This signals an important milestone in the long term partnership between China Mobile and Dell,” said a China Mobile spokesperson. “We are excited for Dell to be among the first manufacturers to introduce new technology based on the OPhone platform. We look forward to working with Dell as it brings innovative new products and services to add value to our customers’ lives.”

“As a leading innovation company in Brazil, Claro is proud of being the first wireless carrier in the world offering the 3G version of Dell’s smart phone. This confirms the Brazilian market strength and Claro as a leading actor in introducing new technology products and services to the country”, said João Cox, president for Claro.

The initial Mini 3 smart phones are designed around the Android platform to best deliver power, flexibility and customization opportunities for both users and carriers.

Dell’s Mini 3 smart phones reflect the elegant look and style that demonstrates Dell’s commitment to design innovation. Details of phone models will be announced on a partner-by-partner basis when devices are available in stores, anticipated in late November for China Mobile and year’s end for Claro.

Via: Engadget Mobile

Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

There’s no question that Motorola has needed a new hit cell phone for the last several years. The company, which is a pioneer in the cell phone market, had a string of high profiles failure that left it lagging behind the competition. Now they’re hoping that their new Droid phones will help get consumers back into buying their phones.

The reviews are coming in concerning the Droid. David Haskin, of ComputerWorld thinks the phone is a great buy at $200.

“My conclusion: My iPhone lust has been sated. The Droid, which costs about $200 after rebates and a two-year contract with Verizon, is superlative. On the whole, it is as carefully designed, useful and fun to use as an iPhone. At last,” he wrote.

He praises the functionality of the Google Android 2.0 and thinks the phone will be a big hit.

The L.A. Times says the Droid is the best phone Verizon is offering.

“Yet, as a phone, the Droid is top-notch. It integrates seamlessly with Google Voice and runs on Verizon, a telecom with a superior reputation for reliable call coverage — unlike AT&T, the exclusive carrier of the iPhone,” they wrote.

The reviews are still coming in. Some are not so satisfied, but overall, you get the sense that people are very impressed with the Motorola phone running the Android 2.0 O/S. This has to be music to the ears of Motorola executives every where.

Most people today would recognize it if they were located in a “no cell phone” zone. That’s because there are signs posted that we can clearly recognize. Some of these signs actually tell us in text that we aren’t allowed to use our mobile phones in the area. Other signs simply show us in pictures that no cell phone use is allowed. These cell phone signs have become as familiar to many of us as other common signs such as “no crossing” and “no smoking signs”. In fact, a specific logo for these signs was patented in the U.S. way back in 2003. Despite this, many people choose to ignore these signs. They would never ignore the signs not to cross the street or not to smoke in an area designated as “no smoking” but they seem to think that the “no mobile phones” rule doesn’t apply to them. It does.

Let’s review the top 10 reasons that “no cell phone” zones exist:

1. Mobile phones can interfere with important equipment. One of the most common places for us to see the “no cell phone” sign is in a hospital or doctor’s office. The reason for is that mobile phones can potentially cause electromagnetic interference that affects the medical equipment that is being used by doctors. In most cases, it’s probably not going to do any harm to people if you use your mobile phone in these areas because the risks are minimal. Nevertheless, there are some risks. In order to keep patients safe, cell phones are not allowed in these places. That’s a “no cell phone” sign that you should respect. Similarly, it’s increasingly common to see a “no cell phone” light on airplanes; this light tells you when it is (and isn’t) safe to use your mobile phone on the plane. (more…)

Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

What I like: Great keypad, rugged design.

What I don't like: Design may be less than desirable for some.

Introduction

There's definitely a market for rugged, Push to Talk devices.  Not only does the Motorola Barrage meet that criteria, but it takes it one step further, as it's military-grade (810F certified).  Able to withstand extreme temperatures, solar radiation, blowing dusts, salt fog, altitude, shock, vibration, and transit drops (not to mention one meter of water for up to 30 minutes), the device is perfect for the construction worker or soldier.  But it's not without features that consumers will like - it sports a 2.2-inch display, microSD card slot, a music player with shortcut buttons, GPS, VZ Navigator, V CAST Music, Push to Talk, and a 2.0-megapixel camera.  The external display offers 65,000 colors in a 1.6-inch package.

Keypad and Interface

I'm really impressed with the keypad on the Barrage.  In addition to being completely rubberized, the keys are raised, making it easy to quickly type out a message or make a phone call.  I've been working with QWERTY devices for so long that it's often hard for me to go back to regular phones - not the case with the Barrage.  Within five minutes, I was back to text messaging at my old speeds.  The Barrage ships with Verizon's stock user interface, and while it's somewhat boring, it's relatively easy to navigate.  The phone comes with Bing, VZ Navigator, and My Verizon installed.

Camera/Video Camera

The Barrage sports a 2.0-megapixel camera, and in my testing, image quality was decent.  There are certainly better alternatives on the market, but given this phone's target market, I don't see pictures as incredibly high on the priority list.  The standard photo options are included in the camera: self-timer, a brightness control, color effects, white-balance settings, fun frames, a digital zoom, and three shutter sounds, along with a silent option.  Video recording was mediocre; useful for a recording here and there, but nothing beyond that.  While videos intended for transmission via MMS are limited in regards to time, you can shoot longer in standard mode (with a microSD card).

Reception and Data Connectivity

I've tested the Barrage in the Charlotte area, and call quality is excellent.  I've always had success with Motorola devices, and the Barrage doesn't disappoint.  In a known Verizon fringe area, I was able to get one bar of service, and calls were crystal clear.  Speakerphone was quite loud as well.  When testing in a busy coffee shop, my callers could hear me well.  Since I have two Barrage devices in-hand, I was able to test the Push to Talk functionality.  The feature worked well.  I connected my Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset to the Barrage without any trouble, and Bluetooth calling was flawless.  

The Barrage is an EVDO Rev. A device, and data speeds were very good.  The PhoneDog page loaded in about 40 seconds, and other data-intensive tasks (VZ Navigator, Bing search) loaded quickly.  Granted, it's no smartphone, but for basic internet tasks, the Barrage does a great job.

Battery Life

The battery life was on par with devices in its class.  With moderate use, I made it just over one day before the phone powered off.  I'm still testing the battery numbers, but I can say this: it's not bad.  Estimated talk time is 6.4 hours, whereas standby time is 22 days.

Check out some pictures below, and stay tuned for my full review!