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The long awaited Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade for the Pantech Duo has surfaced in beta form and PhoneNews.com is exclusively offering it for those that wish to upgrade the software in their devices. The update does enable internet sharing and makes several bugfixes related to camera speed, screen orientation speed, and other Windows Mobile 6.1 improvements.

As this is a beta we caution users that while complete with full instructions on installation, it may be unstable, or have other unforseen issues.

Note: Please use the following links in lieu of direct linking to the file, as such actions may result in a corrupted download.

Encyclopedia: Pantech Duo C810

Buy a Pantech C810 Duo from AT&T

Buy a Pantech Duo from LetsTalk.com

If you have a Motorola RAZR V3m on Verizon Wireless, you may want to get a software update…

PhoneNews.com received reports of Motorola RAZR issues regarding radiation levels, and a non-descript update released to Verizon stores. Much of the information below is the result of a thorough investigation by PhoneNews.com.

Verizon Wireless has issued firmware version 01.19.09P to stores for updating. It fixes a bug that appeared in firmware versions 01.19.07 and 01.19.05, which can cause the phone to bump up against FCC limits on radiation output by a wireless phone.

We do caution that most Motorola RAZR phones are not affected by this. The issue only affects RAZR V3m units that were running the latest software version (which was released after the phone went out of mass production). Unfortunately, different RAZR software versions have moved the location where the phone will tell you what version of the software is installed on the device.

Because of the stability improvements in recent software versions, as well as the outbreak of this issue, we recommend (as does Verizon) taking all Motorola RAZR V3m units to a Verizon Wireless store to have the 01.19.09P update installed. Doing so will both ensure your phone meets FCC radiation standards, as well as install performance improvements that your phone can benefit from.

Motorola’s official stance on this is that the update is not needed, however, is available for those that want it. However, the update also improves hearing aid performance, in addition to rolling in all prior fixes.

In addition, we have updated our Motorola RAZR V3m page on our Phone Encyclopedia to both address this issue, and have posted the firmware flash files, for use with third-party service centers and tools.

Samsung has released the previously announced Wndows Mobile 6.1 upgrade for its i760 smart device.

The update reflects the newest additions to the Windows Mobile operating system, such as threaded text messaging, bugfixes, and other unspecified changes. This release also marks the first in a series of Windows Mobile upgrades for current Verizon Wireless smart devices with the XV6800 and XV6900 expected to be upgraded sometime later this quarter.

Encyclopedia: Samsung i760

Firmware Tracker: Updated

Buy a Samsung i760 from LetsTalk.com

Below is a full technical analysis of the changes in iPhone activation/un-bricking, both with first-generation iPhone units, as well as iPhone 3G.

Similar to iPhone 3G, first-generation iPhone owners get a nice benefit from upgrading to iPhone OS 2.0. Now, any iPhone in the United States can use any AT&T SIM card… even if it’s on a plan that Apple previously barred from use with iPhone.

That means you can now insert a GoPhone prepaid SIM card into any iPhone or iPhone 3G without iTunes phoning home. It also means that GoPhone pay-as-you-go can now be used on any iPhone without requiring a jailbreak or other hack.

That dramatically lowers the cost of iPhone ownership for users. Starting at $20/month for flat-rate unlimited data, GoPhone allows iPhone owners to use the device primarily as a data phone, as well as a backup prepaid phone. This is an excellent option for users still on a contract with another carrier, but want to start using iPhone today.

We did notice minor nuances between the two iPhone models when swapping different SIM cards. iPhone 3G accepts any AT&T SIM instantly. However, first-generation iPhone units demand to be connected to iTunes. After connecting however, iPhone instantly accepts and registers the SIM. We don’t know as of yet why the two iPhone models exhibit slightly different activation procedures.

We suspect that the old build target (the old iPhone) still demands a PrivateActivation.pem file. iTunes now generates that on-the-fly. iPhone 3G, having a newer build target, doesn’t have that dependency.

One thing remains clear: As Apple has dropped its revenue-sharing model, the company has changed its activation process to that of a standard phone. The iTunes “bricking” on iPhone and iPhone 3G is now no different from the “bricking” that is exhibited on an iPod touch. The only information that we can find now transferred, is iTunes Store data, as well as potentially the mobile number. No account-specific information is required for iPhone to be activated.

Finally, some were questioning iPhone 3G’s functionality with a GoPhone SIM. As we previously reported, everything works fine. At the top of this article is a photo of an iPhone 3G after placing a call on prepaid, complete with balance remaining notification. No jailbreaks or hacks were attempted prior to inserting the prepaid SIM.

Update: After more testing, we’ve found that Apple has updated their servers during our reporting. iTunes will now block Pay As You Go SIM cards, but still accepts Pick Your Plan prepaid SIM cards. It is important to note that this does not apply to iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3G still accepts all SIM cards from AT&T.

To summarize, we’ve created a the following table:

First Generation iPhone with 2.0 Software

GoPhone Pay As You Go: Requires Jailbreak (PwnageTool will be updated soon to support this)
GoPhone Pick Your Plan: Works
Regular Account: Works

iPhone 3G

GoPhone Pay As You Go: Works
GoPhone Pick Your Plan: Works
Regular Account: Works 

The first pictures of an as yet unannounced AT&T branded Sony Ericsson model have surfaced not through conventional spy shots, but through the venerable auction site Ebay.

The Sony Ericsson W350a features an older flipcover design reminiscent of older GSM Ericsson models from years past, and as expected from a phone featuring the Walkman branding the phone has its media player controls on the front of the flipcover.

The phone features triband GSM/EDGE support, a 1.3 megapixel camera with zoom, 14MB of internal memory with MemoryStick M2 expansion slot, Walkman branded media player with TrackID support, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, FM radio, and email client.

While the above images show the phone with AT&T branding, there is no guarantee that the phone will be released on AT&T, as the carrier has cancelled many Sony Ericsson products, sometimes days before launch as was the case with the K850a.

A report from the Wall Street Journal indicates that Sprint and SKTelecom are in talks to enter into a strategic partnership which would involve joint development of handsets and services, even going as far as SKTelecom purchasing a minority stake in the carrier if the talks progress further, though nothing has been confirmed at this time as Sprint had rejected a takeover bid from SKTelecom late last year when the South Korean carrier was working with the equity firm Providence Equity.

SKTelecom first surfaced in the US market thanks to a partnership with Earthlink which gave rise to the MVNO Helio, which was the first carrier to begin bundling unlimited data and messaging access with voice plans in 2005 and began to offer phones and devices developed jointly with SKTelecom.

Update: Opera has launched the beta for Windows Mobile devices and included screenshots demonstrating the new features:

The site also lists known issues with the build as well as future plans for the browser which include future support for the Symbian OS, Opera Widgets, Gears, and Opera Link.

In a post on the Opera Mobile blog, Opera Software has announced a two day delay of the long awaited beta release of the Opera Mobile 9.5 web browser intended for Windows Mobile devices.

The explanation given for the delay is summed up in the discovery of showstopper bugs that would have hampered the end user experience outside of what is considered normal for a beta release, and the developers involved made the decision to fix them, with the beta now scheduled for July 17th after the completion of further testing.

Just a reminder, we’re currently hiring writers… both for PhoneNews.com, and several other new web sites.

If you know your phones, and you have some basic HTML skills, chances are you can write for PhoneNews.com! We’re looking for people who can contribute as little as a half-hour a day, and want to make some money while helping to make the wireless industry just a bit better for the consumer.

For all the details, check out our Jobs page over at MechaWorks.

New images have surfaced detailing two upcoming BlackBerry smart devices.

One is a direct response to the iPhone in the Thunder while the other is a variant of the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 3G device without the bespoke high speed data access.

Image courtesy of CrackBerry.com

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