Alcatel handset gets the wrong number

It's hard to know where to begin in dismissing this telephonic atrocity. First, it's a prime example of the proliferating trend we refer to as luxury phones gone bad. As if that's not bad enough (and it is), this 24K "Signature Collection" handset from Alcatel is a special edition done for Sharper Image, which seems to be getting more tarnished all the time.

Making matters still worse, Luxurylaunches describes the specs as disappointing, with a "substandard 2-megapixel camera, flimsy keys, and small screen." Other than that, it's terrific. We were going to mention Alcatel's Playboy phone too, but now we're too depressed.

Via CNET Crave | Picture credit: Luxurylaunches

Nokia shows off "Tube" iPhone-lookalike

The world's largest handset maker is starting to talk about its response to Apple's iPhone, almost 10 months since the iPhone made its debut.

Nokia showed off the Nokia Tube in a presentation slide noticed by Infoworld at a software development conference in California Monday. The Tube, like the iPhone, is a touch-screen phone that can be manipulated using your fingers, and is Nokia's "first touch device," according to Tom Libretto of Forum Nokia.

It's fair to say the iPhone forced just about every handset maker to take a second look at their product development lineup. HTC and LG have shown off their iPhone-lookalikes already, and more will probably start to appear over the rest of the year.

Nokia didn't provide a time frame for the launch of the Tube. Several Web sites have put up a grainy picture of a phone that purports to be the Tube, but I can't figure out who took the original image, so I'm not putting it here until we figure out if it's real, or if proper credit can be assigned. I can, however, show you what all the fuss is about through the magic of hyperlinking.

Via CNET Crave

Tag Heuer phone may finally be near

Tag Heuer has been threatening for months to get into the mobile handset game, even hinting about a branded watch phone. (Actually make that years, not months--the company's timetable for such a product began in 2004.)

The watchmaker may finally be preparing to make good on its protracted promise, as purported images of its new phone were posted on Le Journal Du Geek and are making their way across the blog circuit. The handset is reportedly named the "Meridiist" and comes with optional crocodile skin, which may be the most noteworthy aspect of the phone other than its price range of US$5,300 to US$6,100, according to Gizmodo. At those prices, the rest of its specs--1.9-inch QVGA screen, 2-megapixel camera, audio and video playpack--are unremarkable at best, though it does supposedly have seven hours of talk time. We were holding out for the Dicky Tracy watch anyway.

Via CNET Crave

Triforce for your PDA

Avid gamers will know about the Triforce, a symbol from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series of video games. Now, without having to don a green costume and funny hat, you, too, will be able to wield the power of the Triforce. Pictured here is the Triforce pointer, a handy Swedish invention which replaces your stylus.

This plastic contraption at the end of a lanyard is an excellent idea. It's tied to your device so you can't lose it and looks pretty comfortable to use. We don't know where you can buy one, but it looks like something companies give out as swag during exhibitions. So start scouring those tech conventions if you really want one.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Samsung launches second dual-SIM phone: D780

It looks like things are ramping up a little as Samsung Electronics has just announced its second dual-SIM phone targeted at the entry-level segment of the market. The handset will be available in Russia next month and subsequently make its way to Southeast Asia, Europe and The Middle East.

Unlike the earlier D880, the D780 comes in a candy-bar form factor with a smaller 2.1-inch QVGA LCD and a lower-resolution 2-megapixel fixed-focus CMOS camera. Other features include FM radio, Bluetooth stereo A2DP and a microSD expansion card slot.

This announcement comes after a recent interview that Smape, a Russian-based site, had with the executive manager of the Russian division in Samsung's Telecom department, Yoonsoo Kim. In it, he divulged that the company plans to roll out a dual-SIM Windows Mobile smart phone this year.

We're still waiting for concrete details on the pricing of the D780 in Asia, but it's reassuring to see that Kim is spot-on with the entry-level dual-SIM phone. Let's hope his revelation of a dual-SIM WM smart phone this year proves correct as well. The SGH-D780 is expected to be available in SEA in Q3 this year.

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