This morning, Nokia posted details about a forthcoming high-end clamshell with S60 and AT&T branding.

The Nokia 6650 is expected to replace the N75 clamshell and will feature an outer display with a user interface that is controlled by touch sensitive controls directly below for the most common functions.

The inner display will be a large 2.2 inch QVGA display like the N75, as well as a dedicated button for GPS services like AT&T Navigator, thanks to the inclusion of A-GPS support as well as a dedicated GPS transceiver.

The rest of the featureset is similar to the N75 with quadband GSM/EDGE, dualband W-CDMA access, the addition of Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and video recorder, microUSB port, microSDHC expansion slot, AT&T services such as Mobile Music,  Instant Messaging, and Push to Talk, FM radio with RDS, and Series 60 Feature Pack 2.

There is currently no timeframe for release at this time.

While a bit discontinued, some just want a basic smartphone for contact management and casual web usage. A Motorola Q for only $75 (without contract) is perfect for these type of users. It also makes for a great backup device for when your smartphone fails during that software update.

To get the deal, you must be a Live Search Cashback member (which is free). Sign up, then go to this discount page. Scroll down to CellPhoneShop and click GoToStore. Currently, the discount for using Live Search Cashback is 50% off your purchase.

On the navigation tab (when you reach the store), click the Cell Phone store on the left. It should be the second link on the navigation bar. From there, you will see the Sprint Motorola Q for $150. Buy it. When checking out, use the coupon code freeship for free regular shipping.

After a few weeks, Live Search Cashback should credit you $75, which is half the cost of the phone, brining the total for the Q itself down to just $75.

Other good deals on the site? iPhone-compatible AV cables for $4 (with discount), and HTC batteries for $4 to $6 (with discount).

Following up on yesterday’s release of the AT&T Tilt Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade, the same upgrade has been released for the XV6800 which is maintained by HTC’s US development partner UTStarcom.

The update adds all of the functionality expected in Windows Mobile 6.1 and does address a bug with the answer key present in past software versions, but no detailed changelog exists at this time.

Encyclopedia: HTC Titan/UTStarcom XV6800

Firmware Tracker: Updated

Buy a Verizon XV6800 from Amazon

Buy an XV6800 from Verizon Wireless

HTC has officially rolled out its Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the AT&T 8925, also known as the Tilt.

The update adds configurability options for the Push to Talk button as well as other enhancements present in Windows Mobile 6.1. Since this is a full ROM update, HTC advises users to backup all information and remove any memory cards in devices before performing the update.

Encyclopedia: HTC Kaiser II/AT&T Tilt
Firmware Tracker: Updated
Buy an AT&T Tilt™ from AT&T
Buy an AT&T Tilt™ from Amazon

This morning during an online presentation  known as the Nokia Virtual Event, Nokia has confirmed pending availability of three of the most highly anticipated devices in the N-Series lineup of high-end multimedia devices that will be compatible with US 3G bands. Read More »

Getting rid of the Direct Connect name was a bad idea. Calling Sprint’s new QChat technology by the same name is even worse. Read more to hear the case for why Sprint should tack a 3G at the end of the new Direct Connect.

Read More »

An official mockup of T-Mobile’s code name “G1″ handset, better known as the HTC Dream, surfaced today that shows an all-angles view of the upcoming Android device.  No real changes can be noted that differ from what has already been released as prototype drawings, etc., but does show a slight curvature at the bottom of the device.

It shows a final design and layout for the five-row QWERTY keyboard with nicely spaced keys, as well as both a “home” button and “menu” button alongside the trackball at the bottom.  Both the Android OS logo as well as a “with Google” logo is prominently placed on the back of the device.

Verizon Wireless today launched the Blitz. Once again, Verizon has hidden the true manufacturer of the phone, UTStarcom, from any marketing and promotion materials. Verizon continues to brand both UTStarcom as well as HTC devices under their own brand name.

The Blitz is a mid-range phone with a unique design. Reminiscent of the XV6600 (et al), it features a vertical-sliding QWERTY keyboard. However, as a non-smartphone, the device is aimed at competing against T-Mobile’s Sidekick family of phones.

The Blitz features V CAST Music and Video support, Bluetooth, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Verizon will offer the phone on both postpay and prepaid accounts, despite previous intentions to only offer it as a prepaid phone. It is currently available for $69.99 with new two-year agreement.

Buy a Blitz from Verizon Wireless

Sprint and Samsung have killed off the planned SPH-Z700. The Z700 was intended to be a high-end partner to the SPH-Z400 Direct Connect phone, already launched on Sprint’s new QChat network.

The Z700 dropped the rugged design to become a truly media-focused Direct Connect phone. However, it failed at standing out from the Z400 in hard specifications. The Z700 only added front-facing media keys, and upgraded the camera from 1.3 to 2.0 megapixels.

Sprint and Samsung have pulled all test units, and removed the device from all future roadmaps.

Target has broken the information embargo on the Motorola i776, posting a complete product page for the Boost Mobile offering of the device. While short on the specifications, it does offer the first official pictures for the phone.

Target.com Electronics - To find the product page, type B001DE4BF2 into the search box on the resulting page…