The clamshell phone features a QVGA internal display, quadband GSM/EDGE access and single-band W-CDMA access with HSDPA support, Bluetooth 2.0 with stereo audio support, GPS support through T-Mobile’s branded TeleNav Navigator service, MemoryStick M2 expansion slot, RSS reader, WAP browser, speakerphone, and 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder.

T-Mobile has also launched a product page to coincide with the announcement, and the phone is expected to launch sometime in early September.

Encyclopedia: Sony Ericsson TM506

This month, we ran into a server problem, some servers (including Apple’s MobileMe) started causing trouble. So, we stopped sending out the newsletter mid-way. You may or may not get it this month… so we’re posting it here. Just click Read More to see it.

We’ve already corrected the problem, so it won’t happen again. And, if you want the newsletter, just register for the forums. It’s free and only takes a minute.

After a long break, the newsletter is back! We’ve been busy working on new things that we’ll be launching through the rest of the year. We’ve already launched MechaWorks, our new parent company. Around the end of the month, we’ll be launching an entirely new web site… dedicated to saving you money.

And, as a teaser for that new site, we’re kicking this newsletter off with an amazing deal! AT&T is blowing out the Sony Ericsson Z750a for only $59.99, without any contract… as a prepaid phone. That makes it the cheapest 3G phone ever sold. Best of all, you can buy one and use it as a backup phone (as well as on a standard AT&T account, you can even get it unlocked for T-Mobile). We really encourage everyone to check out this deal, as you can even use it as a wireless modem, and data on AT&T is only $20 a month (yes, on prepaid too).

On the Phone Encyclopedia, we’ve made some massive improvements. We’re now uploading phones in real-time. When they come out, they show up on the Encyclopedia. And, we’re hosting more firmware files, downloads, updates, and guides than any other member of the mobile media. Sharing info on phones is now streamlined, with tips & tricks areas that anyone can edit. Oh, and did we mention you don’t even need to register anymore?

Our Forums. We’re working on a new integration with the home page that will get folks posting even more. Since our last newsletter, we’ve rolled out wireless posting. Just point your mobile browser to phonenews.com and click the link to the forums. You can now chat about all-things-wireless… wirelessly!

And, our blog is even going to start having news on it. Now’s a perfect time to park it in your RSS feed reader. Just hop on over, and click the RSS link at the top of the page. You have done that with our main news page already, right?

Got feedback? Maybe a juicy news tip you want to share with the world? Be sure to drop us a note and let us know what you want to see. We love your feedback and always want to hear what you think about our coverage!

The phone features its media player controls on the outside of the flipcover, as well as Bluetooth with stereo audio support, speakerphone, MemoryStick M2 expansion slot, 1.3 megapixel camera with video recorder,  Napster Music support, accelerometer for music control, FM radio, Track ID, and quadband GSM/EDGE support.

The phone is now available online for $79.99 after new 2 year agreement with an online instant rebate for the same amount available on the Ice Blue version, while the White and Electric Black variants are priced at $79.99 and require an additional $50 mail-in rebate, making the total cost on each one $30.

Buy a Sony Ericsson W350a in Ice Blue, Electric Black, or White from AT&T

A Japanese government official stated that the ministry is “planning international missions and seminars” to spread the word about Japan’s technology.

Final specifications have been confirmed by Palm and the device will feature triband W-CDMA access with HSDPA high speed data access, quadband GSM/EDGE radio, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi radio with WPA encryption support, Bluetooth 2.0 with stereo audio support, speakerphone and built-in GPS transceiver.

As a further incentive for purchase, the device will be sold unlocked directly from Palm with no pricing or availability details available at this time.

This morning, Palm quietly confirmed the existence of the heretofore rumored Treo Pro smart device which will be running Windows Mobile 6.1, feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi with dedicated button found on the 800w, GPS access, 256 MB of ROM and 128 MB RAM,  directional pad with the Palm logo on the device, a 320×320 touch display flush with the rest of the device, microSDHC slot, and larger keyboard based on the Centro design.

The device had first been rumored as far back as the spring of this year and has slowly been revealed further thanks to another leak courtesy of a Flash presentation found on Palm’s site last week before it was removed. Though the related press images mark Palm’s tacit confirmation of the device, the company did not solicit a press release, leaving the price and availability details without confirmation at this time.

IDF is an important show for Intel this year, as it will be the first mainstream push for the MID platform. The MID platform, or Mobile Internet Device encompasses a broad range of form-factors and devices that are geared at delivering a complete, compact mobile internet experience. Based on the Atom processor, MIDs will allow for lower-cost computing, while maintaining high mobility.

Both WiMAX and MID are designed to be sold together, and as such, Intel will be touting both throughout the show.

Our editor-in-chief is currently liveblogging the initial keynote by Craig Barrett.

The Z750a is Sony Ericsson’s first UMTS/HSDPA phone released in the United States. Sold exclusively on AT&T, the phone features a flip form-factor, Bluetooth 2.0, a 2.0 megapixel camera, tri-band UMTS, and quad-band GSM. Complete with software like a built-in RSS reader, and Memory Stick M2 support, the phone is one of the most high-end devices on AT&T’s network.

As such, the $60 price-point is simply one you don’t want to pass up. The only deal that has come close, is when AT&T offered the Samsung A737 for $99… a far inferior phone to the Z750a.

To buy the phone, you go to AT&T’s online prepaid phone store, and select the Z750a Refurb for $59.99. It’s that simple.

And yes, you can use the prepaid phone on a regular account after you activate it (which also, is free to do).

Did we mention you can get unlimited data on AT&T prepaid for only $19.99/month, no strings attached? It works great with Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and Sony Ericsson’s excellent Bluetooth PAN support. Bluetooth PAN is the successor to Bluetooth DUN, allowing for zero-configuration to hop online with virtually any device.

In other words, even if you don’t have 3G in your area yet, buy this phone. It’s worth the $60 for just about every type of user.

Buy a Sony Ericsson Z750a from AT&T (GoPhone)

With iPhone 2.0.2, many have reported in (and we’ve confirmed as well) that MobileMe finally works as promised with iPhone and iPod touch. Contact, calendar, and mail data does download properly whenever you open any of these apps. And, unlike other versions, it actually does so quickly. We tested iPhone 3G on AT&T HSDPA, and MobileMe was able to download 500 contacts, and 1500 calendar events… in under 30 seconds.

But, the bigger problem remains iTunes. Apple has begun to acknowledge that many iTunes users have been completely locked out of their purchased content from the iTunes Store. The bug surfaced in the latest version of iTunes, 7.7.1, and appears to mostly be hitting Mac users. While Apple has not pinned down the problem internally, the bug essentially locks users out of being able to play any purchased, copy-protected content. That includes Music, Movies, TV Shows, and… the App Store.

The problem is what Apple refers to as an “authorization loop”. This is essentially where the user is repeatedly asked to authorize (log in) their computer. When the user logs in to iTunes, the application reports success… but then asks the user to log in again. This repeats in an infinite loop. While other problems can cause this set of symptoms, this bug is not resolvable by the user. Apple’s posted list of fixes for a reauthorization loop do not work with iTunes 7.7.1.

One of PhoneNews.com’s own systems was affected by this problem. We performed a clean install of Mac OS X, iTunes, and built a new iTunes Library to no avail. The only workaround we came up with… was migrating the entire iTunes Library to another computer. A PC.

Apple has made no public statement about the bug, but individual users that contact iTunes Customer Service are told Apple is aware of the issue. However, the problem is serious enough that developers affected by the issue have been requested to hand over computer logs. This appears to indicate that Apple has yet to pinpoint the root cause of the problem… almost two weeks after it began affecting users.

The update is expected to fix many longstanding bugs found since the release of revision 2.0.1 regarding various applications and device reception with no specific changes or changelog currently available and is intended to be a full firmware update.

The update is available now from iTunes by going to iTunes > iPhone > Check for Updates.

The Motorola VE20 is a higher-end phone, aimed at replacing the Motorola RAZR2 V9m, which Sprint ambiguously pulled from its lineup abruptly earlier this month. Sprint also pulled the Motorola Q9c at the same time. The VE20 is similar to the RAZR2, including the RAZR2’s external touch screen. Both phones are now available both online and in Sprint Retail Stores.

Sanyo Kyocera Katana Eclipse Product Page
Motorola VE20 Product Page