January 2009 SmartPhone Articles
Listed below are all of our news and reviews articles for January 2009. If you are looking for an article on a particular day or on a particular topic, you can use the menu on the right to narrow your search
SmartPhone Articles for January of 2009
Below are the 103 SmartPhone articles for January of 2009T-Mobile Dash Getting Revamped
T-Mobile is supposedly close to giving a facelift to one of its most popular Windows smartphones, the Dash. This will include a slightly new look and an upgrade to[...]
OQO’s Next UMPC Will Include OLED Touchscreen
OQO is set to unveil an updated version of it Ultra Mobile PC. Like its predecessors, this will be a tiny PC running the regular version of Windows, but the[...]
Three Resco Palm OS Apps Available for 50% Off
Resco News, Sudoku, and IDGuard for Palm OS are temporarily available for half off.
Android Market Will Shortly Allow Developers to Charge for Software
Google has promised developers that the Android Market will soon allow them to sell applications. As it stands now, companies can only use this store to distribute free software.
Most Popular Smartphones and Handhelds of December 2008
Each month, Brighthand publishes a list of the handhelds and smartphones that readers have shown the most interest in during the preceding four weeks.
N. American Nokia N96 Gets a Firmware Update
The version of the Nokia N96 created specifically for N. America has received a firmware update addressing many issues and increasing device performance.
Easy iPhone 3G Unlocking Tool Available, but Still in Beta
The infamous iPhone Dev Team didn't quite meet its goal of releasing on New Year's Eve a tool for easily unlocking the iPhone 3G. It has, however, put out a[...]
BlackBerry Bold May Be Headed to Sprint
The BlackBerry Bold is currently available only from AT&T, but an unconfirmed report says Sprint will release a version of this smartphone in the next few months.
T-Mobile Dash Now Back in Black
A slightly revamped version of the T-Mobile Dash is now available. This includes a new look and an upgrade to the latest version of Windows Mobile.
Brighthand’s Predictions for 2009
Continuing a long Brighthand tradition, Ed Hardy has once again made some predictions for what's going to happen in the mobile market during the next twelve months.
T-Mobile G1 Owners Getting a Free Extra Battery?
According to an unconfirmed report, T-Mobile is going to remedy the G1's marginal battery life by sending everyone who owns this device a second battery, free of charge.
UIQ Technology Files for Bankruptcy
UIQ Technology, the company responsible for developing and licensing the UIQ user interface for Symbian smartphones, has filed for bankruptcy.
Details of the First Palm Nova Smartphone Starting to Leak Out
According to rumor, Palm's first device running its new operating system will resemble the iPhone but with a sliding keyboard.
Verizon and Alltel Merger Coming this Week
Verizon's acquisition of Alltel will happen later this week, creating the largest mobile phone provider in the United States.
BlackBerry Curve 8900 May Come to T-Mobile a Bit Sooner than Expected
There's little room for doubt that T-Mobile USA will launch the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in the near future. Exactly when that's going to happen isn't as clear, but a new[...]
iPhone Tethering Plan Could Debut this Week
AT&T may be just around the corner from its promise to allow its customers to use an iPhone as a modem for their laptop.
Acer and Asus Subnotebooks Showing Strong Sales
Both Acer and Asus experienced strong sales of their subnotebooks at the end of 2008, and are increasing their predicted sales volumes for 2009.
Garmin Gives a Preview of the nuvifone’s User Interface
Garmin has released some screenshots showing off the user interface for its upcoming GPS-enabled quasi-smartphone.
HTC Touch Diamond Available Unlocked for Under $400
The HTC Touch Diamond was one of the hottest Windows Mobile devices of 2008, and this consumer-oriented smartphone is now available unlocked for $390.
HTC Unveils S743 Smartphone for the U.S.
HTC has just announced plans to release a new Windows Mobile smartphone in the United States. The S743 will offer both a numberpad and a separate sliding keyboard, but it[...]
Pharos Traveler 137 Navigation Smartphone Will Sport WVGA Touchscreen
Pharos has taken the wraps off the Traveler 137, a Windows Mobile smartphone with a WVGA touchscreen, 3G, and a focus on navigation.
No iPhone Nano Announcement at MacWorld Expo
Apple's keynote address at the MacWorld Expo has concluded without the rumored announcement of an iPhone Nano. Still, it's possible this smaller, less expensive version of Apple's flagship smartphone could[...]
Apple Removes DRM Restrictions from iTunes
Apple announced today that the entire iTunes library will be available without the unpopular restrictions on copying files that were previously in place. This music store also put in place[...]
T-Mobile Commits to the BlackBerry Curve 8900
T-Mobile USA has just confirmed the numerous rumors that it will introduce the latest model in the BlackBerry Curve series next month.
A First Look at the HTC Iolite
An online retailer has given the world its first glimpse of the HTC Iolite, which will apparently be a mid-range Windows Mobile smartphone.
HP Unveils Mini 2140, a New Low-Cost Subnotebook
Starting at 2.6 pounds and $500, the HP Mini 2140 will feature an all-aluminum case, 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, Wi-Fi, and a 10.1-inch screen.
Pocket Player 4.0 Now Available for Windows Mobile
Conduits Technologies has released Pocket Player 4.0, an alternative media player for Windows Mobile which features AAC and enhanced MP3 file support.
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone May Be Out this Quarter
Sling Media has announced that it will deliver a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone to Apple for certification during the first quarter of this year.
New Redfly PC Software and Smartphone Dock Coming
Celio Corp, maker of the Redfly Smartphone Terminal, has announced a pair of similar products: the Redfly PC Software and the Redfly Smartphone Dock.
Nokia Has Discontinued the N810 WiMax Internet Tablet
Nokia has reportedly discontinued the recently released N810 WiMax Edition Internet Tablet.
Google Maps Mobile Updated with Easier Business Directions
A server-side update to the Google Maps Mobile application makes it easier to get directions to businesses.
Nokia Confirms E63 for North American Markets
A N. American edition of the E63 has been announced. This Symbian S60 QWERTY smartphone will be sold unlocked, but for a low price.
T-Mobile Shadow II Is Now Official
The device that will be the replacement for the T-Mobile Shadow has been officially announced. It will have much in common with its predecessor, but add support for T-Mobile's VoIP[...]
Palm Unveils the Pre Smartphone
Palm has announced its new Pre smartphone. A touchscreen device with a sliding keyboard, the Pre will use the just as new Palm webOS.
Palm webOS Announced
Palm has taken the wraps off its newest operating system the Palm webOS which features a "cards" based metaphor, and is driven by JavaScript and CSS web-based technologies.
Nokia Mobile Site Adds New Here & Now Section
Nokia has added a new section to its mobile website called Here & Now which provides the latest world news, music, celebrity buzz, as well as information on Nokia services[...]
There’ll Be Fewer Windows Mobile Models in the Future
Microsoft is going to implement a new strategy for smartphones: in the future, there will be fewer models running Windows Mobile.
Palm Pre and webOS Preview
At long last, Palm, Inc. has unveiled its new operating system and the first device that will run it. Brighthand's Ed Hardy has been extensively briefed on the webOS and[...]
Palm Pre Wins Three Best of CES Awards
The Palm Pre was officially unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, and the editors at CNET have given this smartphone three Best of CES awards.
Nokia Remains Committed to Internet Tablets
Despite Nokia's discontinuing of the N810 WiMax Edition Internet Tablet, the company remains confident in this device platform and goal.
Palm Treo Pro for Sprint Gets FCC Approval
A CDMA version of Palm's Treo Pro -- a device expected to debut from Sprint in the near future -- has received its necessary approval from the FCC.
A First Glimpse of All HTC’s Upcoming Android and Windows Mobile Models
A roadmap showing what appears to be every smartphone that HTC has in development has leaked out of the company. This includes at least one Android-based model, and a number[...]
BlackBerry Curve 8900
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a GSM smartphone that uses the typical RIM design. This model doesn’t include 3G support, but it does features Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0. It also[...]
Listen to Streaming Radio Stations with a BlackBerry, Thanks to Slacker
BlackBerry smartphone users can now hear their favorite Slacker radio stations wherever they go, with the new -- and free -- Slacker Mobile application.
iPhone Nano Rumors Persist; Now Expected this Summer
Even though MacWorld Expo has come and gone without the anticipated announcement of the iPhone Nano, rumors still persist that Apple intends to release a smaller, less expensive version of[...]
Pharos Traveler 137 Preview
Pharos Traveler 137 will be a Windows Mobile smartphone with a WVGA touchscreen, 3G, and a focus on navigation. Brighthand's Ed Hardy has a video preview of a prototype of[...]
Major Firmware Update for Nokia E71 Released
Nokia has released a significant firmware update for both the Euro and N. American versions of its QWERTY smartphone, the E71.
Apple Approves Multiple iPhone Web Browser Enhancements
Apple appears to have had a change in policy, and has recently allowed several applications that enhance the the iPhone's web browser for to appear on the App Store. *UPDATED*
Analyst Calls a Dell Smartphone ”Inevitable”
At least once a year, a new round of rumors crop up that Dell is going to release its first smartphone. A new research note from an industry analyst has[...]
Asus Working on the Eee Phone
Asus has made big splash with its Eee PC line of inexpensive subnotebooks and desktops, and now is developing a smartphone for this line.
Nokia Hopes to Increase Adoption of Qt with Additional Licensing Option
Nokia looks to increase developer flexibility with its Qt framework by adding the LGPL Open Source Licensing option to it.
StyleTap Considering Creating a Palm OS Emulator for webOS
One of the more controversial features of Palm's new webOS is something it doesn't offer: a way to run Palm OS applications. However, StyleTap may change this, if it finds[...]
Moving to Symbian S60: Social Networking
Antoine Wright takes a look at some of the more interesting social networking applications for Symbian S60 smartphones.
Prototype Android Version of the Redfly Demoed
Celio Corp. is early in the process of making the software that would allow Android-based device to connect to the Redfly Smartphone Terminal.
Kogan’s Android-Based Smartphone Delayed, Pending Redesign
The Kogan Agora would have been the second Android-based smartphone on the market, but the company behind it has decided to delay the launch for an as yet undetermined amount[...]
HTC Touch HD, Xperia X1 Now Easily Available
Two high-end Windows Mobile devices that were hard to get during the holiday shopping season are now easily available. One of them is even on sale.
Sprint’s HTC Touch Diamond Getting Internet Explorer Mobile 6.0
It appears that Sprint's version of the HTC Touch Diamond will be one of the few current models to get an upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer Mobile.
Run Palm OS Software on an S60 or UIQ Device with StyleTap
StyleTap Inc. has released a preview version of its emulator for Symbian OS, which allows smartphones running S60 and UIQ to run software written for the Palm OS.
Small Update for Unlocked HTC Touch Diamond Released
HTC has released an update for the system software on the unlocked version of the Touch Diamond. This fixes a small collection of bugs in this device.
T-Mobile G1 Update Now Expected by End of January
A highly-anticipated software update for the T-Mobile G1 which will add an on-screen keyboard is now expected to be released before the end of this month.
How To Turn a BlackBerry into a GooglePhone
BlackBerry users who are feeling a touch jealous of Google's Android OS can turn to a suite of free applications that convert their smartphone into a GooglePhone.
Samsung Prepping an Android Smartphone for Sprint
Samsung is currently working on a smartphone running Google's Android OS which will be released later this year by two U.S. wireless carriers.
HTC S740 Review
The S740 is a Windows Mobile Standard smartphone with both a QWERTY keyboard and a numberpad. Jen Edwards brings us this review.
Windows Mobile 6.5 Debuting Next Month?
Microsoft is going to unveil the next version of Windows Mobile at a tradeshow next month, if an unconfirmed report is correct. This will supposedly include some online services, including[...]
Desktop Sync Software Coming to Palm’s webOS
CompanionLink Software has announced plans to release desktop synchronization software for devices running the new webOS, including the upcoming Palm Pre.
Skydeck Mobile Dashboard Launches Public Beta
Skydeck launches a beta version of its web-enabled dashboard that enables users to make and manage calls and other mobile data from a browser.
A Second Glimpse of the Android-Powered HTC Sapphire
An image has emerged that appears to give the best view yet of the HTC Sapphire, an upcoming smartphone based on Google's Android.
Windows Mobile 6.5 May Not Debut Until this Summer
Recent reports indicate that Microsoft intends to announce an update for Windows Mobile next month, but that doesn't mean the first devices running this new version will debut at that[...]
Firmware Update for Euro Version of Nokia N95 8GB Released
The European version of the N95 8GB has received a firmware update to version 31.0.015.
Sprint Now Offering Palm Treo Pro *Updated*
The Treo Pro has just made it's long-awaited debut from Sprint. This is Palm's latest Windows Mobile smartphone, with 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS,and a built-in keyboard. Update: This device has been[...]
Apple Says ”No” to Low-Cost iPhone
Apple's acting CEO has flatly stated that his company isn't going to release a less expensive version of its smartphone, dealing a blow to rumors of the iPhone Nano.
Unofficial BlackBerry Storm Firmware with New Keyboard Leaked
A possible update for the BlackBerry Storm has been leaked to the Internet. This features a portrait-oriented QWERTY keyboard, as well as other improvements.
Access’ ALP Appears… in a Camera?
Despite not shipping in a smartphone or PDA in N. America, Access Linux Platform (ALP) has made an appearance with Sony's CyberShot DSC-G3 model.
Truphone Anywhere Brings VoIP to Android/T-Mobile G1
Truphone, a popular VoIP service for mobile devices, has launched an Android-compatible version of its software.
T-Mobile Shadow II Preview
T-Mobile has announced, but not yet released, the successor to the Shadow. Brighthand's Ed Hardy brings us a quick video preview of the device.
Details Emerging on the Next Android Update
Significant -- albeit unofficial -- new details are now available on an upcoming update to the Android OS and the T-Mobile G1. When this update will be released is an[...]
Sprint May Not Launch Palm Treo Pro Until Feb. 15
Despite briefly listing the Treo Pro on its web site this week, Sprint may have pushed back the release of Palm's latest Windows Mobile smartphone until mid-February.
T-Mobile G1 Now Available in All T-Mobile Stores
Previously, the only stores that sold the T-Mobile G1 were ones located in areas that this carrier offers 3G service, but this has now changed.
Leaked Shots of the Nokia E71 for AT&T Show an Updated OS
It has been rumored for sometime that Nokia's popular E71 will be making its way to AT&T, and now there is not only proof that it will do so, but[...]
Verizon XV6900 Finally Joins the Windows Mobile 6.1 Club
The Verizon XV6900, this carrier's version of the HTC Touch, has received its long-awaited upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1. As part of this, this smartphone also gets a faster version[...]
Verizon Introduces Its First Femtocell: the Network Extender
Verizon Wireless has just begun offering the Network Extender, an accessory that acts as a personal cell phone tower, allowing the user to make calls in locations where the general[...]
HTC S743
The HTC S743 is a stylish slider-style phone with both a numberpad and a keyboard. This is the American version of the very similar HTC S740. This device is compatible[...]
A First Glimpse of Windows Mobile 6.5’s New Look
The official announcement of Windows Mobile 6.5 is expected soon, and details are starting to slip out. The latest leak takes the form of a pair of screenshots of important[...]
The Bold and the Beautiful: A Comparison of the Latest BlackBerrys
Brighthand's BlackBerry expert, Shaun Mahal, brings us a comparison of two recent Blackberry models, the Bold vs. the Storm.
Don’t Forget About Brighthand’s RSS Feed
Brighthand offers an RSS feed with links to its recent news stories, reviews, and editorials. This provides links to the fifteen recent articles, plus a brief description of each one.[...]
Get 15% Off All Proporta’s Accessories Today Only
Today is Lewis Carroll's birthday, and to celebrate the British retailer Proporta is offering everyone 15% off the price of its entire line of smartphone and PDA accessories. [...]
BlackBerry Storm’s Problems Have Hurt Sales
The BlackBerry Storm was one the most highly-anticipated smartphones to debut last fall. But initial problems with this device have slowed sales.
Teksoft BlueInput for Windows Mobile Review
Teksoft makes a useful application for those people who want to use their smartphone as a laptop alternative. BlueInput lets Windows Mobile devices connect to standard Bluetooth-enabled keyboards and mice.
Apple Releases a New Minor System Software Update for the iPhone and iPod Touch
According to Apple, version 2.2.1 of the iPhone system software makes the Safari web browser more stable.
T-Mobile Shadow II
The Shadow II is a GSM smartphone running Windows Mobile Standard 6.1. It is equipped with a 2.0 megapixel camera, microSD slot, and Bluetooth 2.0. The 2.6-inch screens slides to[...]
T-Mobile Shadow II Now Available
The T-Mobile Shadow II has just launched. Obviously, this Windows Mobile smartphone has a great deal in common with the original Shadow, but adds support for T-Mobile's VoIP service, HotSpot[...]
Acer Will Unveil New Smartphones in Mid-February
Acer has invited journalists to an event next month where it will introduce a new line of smartphones.
Firmware Updates Now Available for Nokia N82 and N78
Over the month of January, Nokia has released firmware updates for several of its models, and most recently the N82 and N78 candybar smartphones.
BlackBerry Storm Passes the 1 Million Mark
U.S. consumers have picked up a million BlackBerry Storm smartphones since this model debuted in late November. This device is clearly selling well, but is it selling as well as[...]
QuickOffice 6 for Symbian S60 Released
QuickOffice has released version 6 of its office productivity suite for Symbian S60 devices, featuring the ability to read and create Microsoft Office 2007-compatible documents.
Mention of Apple’s Next Smartphone is Buried in the iPhone System Software
Deep in the iPhone's system software is a clear reference to the next version of this smartphone, a model whose multi-core processor could make it a mobile gaming powerhouse.
Samsung Propel Pro Heading to AT&T
A model that appeared last fall as a simple featurephone is apparently getting an upgrade to a Windows Mobile smartphone. The Propel Pro will supposedly sport a sliding keyboard and[...]
Redefining the Smartphone
Antoine Wright is proposing a new definition of a "smartphone", one that takes into account more than just the device's features, but also what these products enable us to do.
Verizon May Get the Touch HD and BlackBerry Bold This Year
Verizon's product road-map for 2009 has leaked out, and versions of the HTC Touch HD and BlackBerry Bold are supposedly on it, along with a number of other smartphones.
Dell May Finally Be Close to Releasing a Smartphone
Dell has reportedly put extensive time and effort into releasing smartphones based on either Windows Mobile or Android, with an announcement possibly coming next month.
Access a PC Desktop from an iPhone with LogMeIn Ignition
Mobile professionals and IT service providers can now remotely control computers from their Apple iPhone using LogMeIn Ignition.
Details Leak Out on the T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009
The T-Mobile Sidekick models have sometime been dismissed as "kiddie" smartphones, but the next version appears ready to play in the big leagues with high-end features like a WVGA screen,[...]
Apple iPod touch (Gen 2) Review
The second-generation iPod touch offers a slimmed down look, substantially improved battery life, and a wide range of software options. Is this the ultimate handheld computer?