EU directive could change iPhone battery design

Getting at the iPhone 3G's battery is not as easy as a proposed directive from the EU might require. (Credit: TechRepublic)

The European Union is considering a requirement that all cell phone batteries be easily replaceable, which might cause a problem for Apple's iPhone.

AppleInsider spotted that particular directive in an article in New Electronics, a UK trade publication, on the latest set of computer-industry regulations under consideration in Europe. The EU is thinking about enacting a new directive on batteries similar to its RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) directives from a few years back that forced the computer industry to eliminate harmful chemicals and/or materials from its manufacturing processes.
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More BlackBerry Storm details surface

Confirmation that BlackBerry's touchscreen-enabled Storm will be launched soon came in the form of a teaser ad recently aired on CBS. This was put up on YouTube, and though it didn't give any interesting information, we now know Verizon Wireless will be officially announcing it soon. Watch the embedded video first posted on Engadget after the break.
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LOL! Your iPhone has a case with a kickstand!

When I watch movies on my iPhone 3G, it's usually in a setting other than my home, like on the bus or plane. I've never used it as a replacement for my PS3, for example.

Having said that, I'm sure there are those who use their iPhones for everything no matter the setting. If you've ever had the desire to prop up your iPhone horizontally--you know, without using a cup shoe of something--and use it as a movie player, Scosche has a solution.

On Monday it announced the Kickback, a polycarbonate iPhone 3G case with an anti-glare screen protector. The main features of the case are its two back panels, one with a smooth surface and the other with a kickstand option. Unfortunately, you'll need to use the included key to switch the panels back and forth.

Users also can customize the look of the case by swapping out different colored "cleats" that can be seen on the back. Included colors are black, clear, and pink.

While I can see the idea of a kickstand as a good one, I just can't get behind fragile-looking polycarbonate cases. Last week after nearly dropping my 3G, I bought a leather case for it. While it doesn't have a kickstand it also doesn't look like it's ready to explode into a million shards as soon as it hits the ground.

The Scosche Kickback is available now for a suggested retail price of US$29.99.

Via CNET Labs Podcast

Has Apple hit the 10 millionth iPhone mark?

Has Apple really sold its 10 millionth iPhone? That's what several bloggers are saying. But a closer look suggests that it might be a bit too early to pop open the champagne.

A joint project of AFB and Investor Village's AAPL Sanity has been collecting data about iPhone inventory. Using a Google spreadsheet, the group has been unofficially tracking iPhone production estimates using International Mobile Equipment Identity, or IMEI, numbers that are used to uniquely identify every GSM, UMTS, or iDEN mobile phone.

According to the spreadsheet, AFB is reporting that 9,190,680 iPhone units have been created, which my colleague Jason D. O'Grady at ZDNet estimates could mean that about 7.6 million iPhone 3G have already been sold and more than 10 million iPhones in total.
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Reuters: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic to miss most mature markets

Update: According to Nokia, the 5800 XpressMusic will be available in Asia this quarter, beginning with Singapore and Indonesia.

Following last week's announcement of the touchscreen-enabled 5800 XpressMusic, Reuters reported that the phone will "miss the Christmas shopping season in most developed markets". According to the article, the 5800 XpressMusic will be available in India, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia and Spain by the end of this year.

That's seven countries in total and hardly the worldwide availability in Q4 2008 that was mentioned in the Nokia press release. The phone is expected to cost 279 euros before taxes and subsidies. We are waiting for Nokia to revert on the availability of the handset in Asia Pacific and will update when we get hold of more information.

Via Reuters

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