Touch-screen BlackBerry coming soon?

Research in Motion has a touchscreen BlackBerry in the works that should be out in the third quarter, according to a recent report. The Wall Street Journal has echoed a previous report from The Boy Genius Report that RIM's BlackBerry Thunder will arrive later this year exclusively on Vodafone and Verizon's networks. The device is seen as an answer to Apple's iPhone, which will likely be running on AT&T's 3G network by the time the Thunder arrives.

RIM is by far the leading smart phone company in the US, but Apple has come out of nowhere to take second place, and the competition should intensify with Apple's plans for business-friendly software and RIM's continued advance into the consumer market. RIM has started advertising the BlackBerry during consumer-friendly shows such as the NBA playoffs, and Apple's getting set for The Second Annual Month of iPhone Ridiculousness in the coming weeks.

Via Crave CNET | Picture is of BlackBerry Bold

SIA integrates iPod into its in-flight entertainment

Passengers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) can now tap into their own iPod or iPhone for in-flight entertainment when traveling on the company's direct flights between Singapore and New York. According to SIA, each seat will come with the necessary iPod/iPhone connector. Once the player is hooked up, passengers can not only enjoy the multimedia content (music, movies and pictures) through the in-flight 15.4-inch widescreen display and active noise-cancellation headphones, but can also charge the connected device at the same time. The iPod/iPhone will automatically mute during cabin announcements.

In its press release issued earlier, SIA claims it is the first carrier to offer iPod integration through its KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system. CNET Asia understands from an SIA representative that it will also review and monitor the response to the new iPod entertainment feature before deciding to introduce similar features on its other flights. The new iPod feature is now available first on its all Business Class Airbus A340-500 flights between New York and Singapore, followed by the Singapore-Los Angeles non-stop flights in August.

Via Singapore Airlines

iPhone dock that looks like a mini iMac

What's the best way to show off your iPhone to jealous cubicle buddies? Get the coolest accessory to go with it. Mobis Technology, a mobile accessories maker has recently launched a metallic rotating stand for the iPhone.

The XStand is made from solid aluminum and allows users to adjust the viewing angle by rotating the holder. There's also a circular hole on the spine for you to slot your cable through when it's connected to the handset.

According to the company, the XStand will be available in June at all its distribution outlets including Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan at US$44.90. Yes, it does make your iPhone look like an ultra-mini iMac, which is pretty cool.

Aliph breaks out the Jawbone 2

Aliph has just announced the Jawbone 2, the highly anticipated successor to the Jawbone Bluetooth headset that debuted almost two years ago. If you'll recall, the Aliph Jawbone broke new ground by being the highest-rated Bluetooth headset here on CNET, mostly due to its excellent noise-canceling technology and unique eye-catching design.

However, many of you had a few problems with it: It was bulky, a little tricky to wear, and the charge connector seemed a bit flimsy. Well the Jawbone 2 has changed all of that. It is about 50 percent smaller than the original, with a brand new diamond pattern design that puts its predecessor to shame. No longer is there the awkward and unusual springy ear loop; instead you get an optional curved ear hook that's far easier to put on.

Also, the Jawbone 2 now has a magnetic charging connector similar to that on the Apple MacBooks. But of course, the best part about the Jawbone 2 is its noise-canceling abilities--it still has that Voice Activity Sensor nub that helps to enhance your voice and eliminate background sound, plus its "Noise Shield" technology has been upgraded to "Noise Assassin" (which is clearly a marketing term) that promises to eliminate even more noise than the original. The Aliph Jawbone 2 is available now in black for US$129.99, though silver and gold versions are coming down the pipeline.

Via Crave CNET

HTC P3400i--sub-S$500 WM6 PDA-phone

Without fanfare, HTC announced its latest Windows Mobile 6 PDA-phone, the P3400i. With specifications like a 200MHz TI OMAP processor, 64MB RAM, no Wi-Fi and no 3G, you know it has to be cheap. And it is, at just S$488.

But is it a good buy? Not exactly. Some shops are selling the HTC Touch at just above S$500. So, for a little bit more than the asking price of the P3400i, you get a much better-looking device which has Wi-Fi and 128MB RAM.

On the bright side, we think the street price of the P3400i will drop very soon after its debut later this month. If it sells for S$400 or less, those who want to dip their toes into the world of Windows Mobile may find it an enticing proposition. HTC tells us that it will be available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia for now.

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