Apple iPhone launch? You bet

The hype surrounding the anticipation of the Apple iPhone has reached new heights, with sports betting site Bodog.com taking bets on the launch date of the elusive cellular handheld.

According to a blog posted on our sister site CNET.com, Bodog will be "using the money line system to gauge whether Apple will introduce the iPhone by the end of April 2007, or whether it will introduce the product at January's MacWorld conference".

Based on the odds given by Bodog, those betting on whether Steve Jobs will announce the iPhone at January's MacWorld will need to wager US$280 to win US$100, while those who think the cellular device will be launched by April 30, 2007, will have to bid US$150 to make US$100. A launch after that date or no launch will score US$110 on a US$100 bet.

Samsung's ladies clamshell, the SGH-E500

The Korean chaebol's latest addition to its collection of female-oriented handsets comes in the form of the luxurious-looking SGH-E500. According to the press release, the elegant design of the new clamshell is influenced by Botticelli's masterpiece, The Birth Of Venus. The phone features an external leather cover with swirl patterns and smooth edges.

Onboard functions are designed to cater to the female crowd. These include the Mobile Beauty Box function, an onboard application that allows users to project different hairstyles to their pictures, as well as Women's Life which helps keep track of bio-rhythm, calories and height-weight ratio. The external LCD display can also double as a mirror. Other features on this triband are a 1.3-megapixel camera, music player, Bluetooth stereo support and microSD card expansion slot. The SGH-E500 is retailing in Singapore for S$548 (US$402.94) with a two-year contract and S$648 (US$476.47) on its own. No word on its Asia availability for now.

Nokia's concept phone: The aeon

Ever wondered what mobile phones would look like, say, five years from now? Well, judging from the ever-changing landscape of the cellular handset industry, it's hard to tell really. However, one possible design could be the aeon, a concept phone which Nokia showcased at its R&D lab during a recent media event in Finland.

From the looks of it, the aeon comes with an LCD display across its entire face, with the bottom half doubling as a touchscreen input panel for the number pad. Aesthetics-wise, the aeon is kept simple and slim, with a futuristic design touch that's ironically similar to something you'd expect from the movie of the same name, Aeon Flux.

Too bad for Nokia fans, the Finnish company told CNET Asia that this phone is just one of its concept designs and unlikely to be available anytime soon.

Click here for larger images: 1 / 2 / 3.

Motorola adds V3i to its Product (Red) lineup

The US-based mobile phone maker has recently unveiled its third Product (Red) cellular phone in support of the Global Fund founded to fight Aids in Africa. Oddly, this latest Product (Red) addition is not wrapped in red casing like the earlier-announced RED MOTORAZR V3m and Red SLVR L7, but in the form of chrome black RAZR V3i.

Those hoping to get hold of the phone, however, shouldn't get their hopes up just yet. According to Motorola Singapore, the black V3i is currently available only in the US as part of the (MOTO)RED program. The company does not have any plans to launch it in other countries.

Nokia N92 expected soon in Asia

It's taken forever, but hopefully all good things come to those who wait. Nokia's much-anticipated DVB-H-enabled TV-phone, the N92, is at last approved to roll out in Asia. However, some of us will have to wait a wee bit longer. Vietnam and Indonesia will be the lucky first in the region to get the N92. According to news reports, a Nokia spokesperson has confirmed the handheld device will begin shipping in the two countries in the coming weeks. The Vietnam Multimedia Corporation is reportedly offering up to eight TV and four radio channels for its DVB-H service come November 18.

The N92 was originally scheduled to launch in mid 2006, but was thwarted by the need to wait out the commercial rollout of the networks in the region before shipping the phone.

Touted by Nokia as the world's first mobile device with a built-in DVB-H receiver, the N92 can be used to watch and record live TV on-the-go. It also comes with onboard 802.11g Wi-Fi, a 2-megapixel camera, 16 million-color display, miniSD card slot and 3G connectivity.

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