What could be a more fitting day than Black Friday to launch a mobile phone named as BlackJack II from AT&T? Perhaps the Halloween but it may be inappropriate since this new Samsung smartphone is filled with exciting features.

Samsung claims the new BlackJack II is a triple threat since it is easier to use, smarter, and sleeker than its first version. Powered by Windows Mobile 6, it is now effortless to connect with your email, calendar, and to-do list. Scrolling is also a lot easier with its stylish front jog wheel.

The large 2.4″ 65K TFT display screen makes reading and viewing photos very enjoyable. Although it is not as powerful as the FlipShot, a 2.0 megapixel camera will suffice to capture decent photos.

International roaming is never a problem with BlackJack II for it is a Tri-band HSDPA/quad-band EDGE world phone. In simple terms, you can work virtually anywhere at 3G speed.

BlackJack II goes with $150 price tag and with two-year contract. Color, is of course, black but it will be also be available on red version starting December 12, 2007.

Other features include:

Via Mobile Burn

Thanks to AT&T Wireless, LG’s new mobile phone beauty is now made available in U.S. Mobile market. Loaded with music and multimedia features, LG Shine is elegantly designed with a mirror finish and shine through screen that is simply eye catching.

LG Shine comes with a 2MP camera and camcorder for capturing important moments in your life. Even if that important moment happens at night, you don’t have to worry about not capturing it clearly since the LG Shine comes with a built-in flash. The LG Shine supports video recording and playback as well. With a microSD memory support of up to 4GB, you’d definitely get a lot of room for your favorite MTVs or for recording your own personal events. And this functionality is fully complemented by the LG Shine’s mesmerizing 2.2” wide mirror LCD which displays crisps and clear images.

If you are fond of using your mobile phone for multimedia purposes, then LG Shine would certainly answer that fondness. It supports MP3, WMA and AAC format and since it is being released by AT&T comes with an AT&T folder giving you solid MP3 and radio listening pleasure. You can even customize the sound quality of the music being played by the LG Shine through a built-in equalizer and visualization software.

LG Shine is truly a fully functional and fully loaded multimedia phone. Aside from all those cool features, you’d also get other functionalities with the following specs:

• Weight: 4.23 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.93 x 1.99 x .59 inches
• Talk Time: Up to 3 hours
• Standby Time: Up to 10 days
• Internal Memory: 70 MB
• Music Formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+
• microSD(TM) memory port with 4 GB support
• Bluetooth® 1.2 connectivity
• 240 x 320 pixel, 262K color screen
• Network Technology: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA
• Quad-band world phone - 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Dual-band domestic UMTS/ HSDPA 850/1900 MHz

LG Shine is available through various AT& mobile subscription plans which varies depending on your area.

Verizon Wireless is now offering Samsung FlipShot, a 3.0 megapixel camera phone also known as SCH-u900.

This wireless phone specifically highlights its superior camera capability above everything else.

The initial selling price of this high-end multimedia cellphone is $199.99 with a new 2-year agreement.

Black version is available at Verizon and the red version will be available at Best Buy starting November 26, 2007.

It is supposedly designed to empower photo aficionados to “capture picture-perfect moments while carrying a device that allows for full mobile phone functionality and high-quality digital photos.”

The moniker FlipShot is derived from its rotating top flip for better viewing on its 262k color QVGA display and more flexible video recording. Although many cellphone enthusiasts say this swiveling flip is already a thing of the past, the FlipShot has the potential to revive this trend.

Although not emphasized, the FlipShot is compatible with most of the extended services under Verizon. These include VZ Navigation and V CAST Music Store. Just like most multimedia phones, users can listen to music with either the common wired headphones or Bluetooth wireless headphones.

Additional features include:

Via Engadget Mobile

T-Mobile has just added the Samsung SGH-T439 to its mobile line up with tag price of $169.99 available through various T-Mobile service plans. The SGH-T439 is a slim clam shell phone packed with full features that would ensure that you stay connected all the time.

Though it may not be as trendy and as overly hyped as the other new mobile phone releases in the U.S. mobile market recently, the Samsung SGH-T439 may actually stand as a useful and dependable mobile phone despite its simplicity.

Weighing only 3.2 ounces, the Samsung SGH-T439 supports various web instant messaging such as AOL, Yahoo, MSN and ICQ. You would also not have problem with the SGH-T439’s communication facilities as it support Bluetooth wireless connectivity and EDGE technology for mobile web browsing.

The Samsung SGH-T439 is a multimedia mobile phone in its own right as well. With its slim size, the mobile phone is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera, a music player, megatones, wallpapers, HiFi ringers and games. You can really do many things with this nifty mobile phone aside from making traditional call and text activities.

If you are fond making of your mobile phone as a file storage device, you’ll be glad to know that the Samsung SGH-T439 has a memory slot for micro SD card. You can also use the SGH-T439 to do some other traditional office tasks with its built-in calendar, calculator and alarm clock. It may not be as advanced as the features of other mobile phones, but you’d certainly find circumstances when you’ll need those useful phone functions.

With T-Mobile releasing the phone to U.S. mobile market, subscribers can have the option to get unlimited any-network calling to any 5 people with the myFaves plan with additional charges from T-Mobile.

VoIP telephony company JAJAH is making another splash in the industry with its latest technology dubbed as JAJAH Direct. It is a powerful service enabling callers to make VoIP calls even without a PC or even Internet.

With so many VoIP startups competing, Direct is an innovation that can give this growing company a big advantage. Since the Internet is a major element of VoIP, most calls now are initiated from a web browser or mobile internet. A recent improvement in this arena is the launch of Skype mobile phone named as 3 Skyphone.

JAJAH Direct is a direct invasion of international calls commonly initiated in landlines and mobile phones. In just 3 simple steps, you can make cheap international calls:

1. You dial a local access number
2. You then enter the international number you want to call
3. JAJAH connects you.

In your first call, you will receive a text message containing a unique local number for your contact. You can store it in your phone book for future calling. The only time you will need an internet connection is when you check the local access numbers available in JAJAH’s website.

“Jajah Direct eliminates complicated VoIP solutions and archaic offline pre-paid calling cards single-handedly,” said Roman Scharf, cofounder of Jajah.

Aside from savings of up to 95%, there are other advantages of using this service:

1. International Internet calling without Internet access
2. From any phone to anywhere in the world
3. No monthly fees, no connection fees and no hidden costs
4. Use your existing landline or mobile phone
5. No PIN codes, no pre-paid calling cards, no lengthy access numbers, no contract
6. No additional hardware or installation needed

If this is a taste of the collaboration between JAJAH and Jangl then it is indeed a very good start.

Yesterday we reviewed one of Verizon Wireless’ two new phone line ups in time for the holiday seasons. Today, let us take a look into the other LG mobile phone which is set for release sometime this month, the LG Voyager.

Like the LG Venus, the Voyager is also equipped with an interactive touch screen for menu navigation and a full QWERTY keyboard. Since it is being carried by Verizon Wireless, the LG Voyager can also be used for V Cast Mobile TV, V Cast Music and V Cast Video. Its being a multimedia device goes as far as having dual speakers for stereo sound when listening to music. The LG Voyager can play MP3, WMA, AAC and ACC plus music format.

The LG Voyager speaks of style and profound performance as exhibited by its full Internet browsing capabilities. Your HTML browsing experience will be greatly enhanced by the LG Voyager’s intuitive touch screen interface. And it also has mobile email functions as well.

For your still and video imaging needs, the LG Voyager is equipped with a 2.0 megapixel camera that can produce photos of up to 1600 x 1200 pixels. Its video resolution could go as big as 320 x 240, enough for streaming purposes on video uploading sites.

Aside from those features, the LG Voyages also boosts of the following general and detailed specifications:

General

• One-Touch Speakerphone (via internal keyboard)
• USB Mass Storage - transfer files between PC and phone - microSD card required
• Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stop Watch, World Clock, Notepad, EX tip calculator
• Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stop Watch, World Clock, Notepad, EZ tip Calculator
• Retractable TV Antenna for Enhanced TV Reception
• Up to 1000 contacts with 5 entries per contact

Specifications

• Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA
• Data Transmission: High–Speed EVDO
• Dimensions: 4.64″ (H) x 2.12″ (W) x 0.71″ (D)
• Weight: 4.69 oz.
• Internal LCD: 262K Color TFT, 400 x 240 Pixels, 2.81″
• External LCD: 262K Color TFT, 400 x 240 Pixels, 2.81″
• Usage Time: Up to 240 Minutes OR
• Standby Time: Up to 480 Hours

From the looks of these two new LG mobile phone released exclusive for Verizon Wireless, both may have stroke a gold pot this coming Holiday Seasons. The LG Voyager will be available $299.99 with a two-year contract plan from Verizon.Incidentally if you want to know more about the Voyager, you might want to check out its own site at http://verizonvoyager.org.

Developed to kickoff the partnership of AT&T and Napster is Samsung SGH-A747 SLM. This durable, clamshell phone is the first handset equipped with Napster Mobile service, allowing mobile users to choose from a music catalog of 5 million songs and download it quickly.

This is definitely AT&T’s answer to Sprint’s Music Store and Verizon’s V Cast Music. While the price per track is at par with Verizon, it is a dollar more expensive than Sprint’s $0.99 per track pricing.

Available starting November 23, the special introductory price of SLM is $150 with 2-year contract and $50 mail-in rebate. Available initially in color brown but will also come in blue within the year.

It is also the first mobile phone loaded with mobile banking capability. This brushed-metal finished device is loaded with multimedia features including AT&T Mobile Music, a 2.0-megapixel camera with video capture, AT&T Video Share, stereo Bluetooth technology, advanced messaging options, and external memory microSD. Other general features and specifications include:

Aside from being the first mobile phone to have Napster Mobile service and mobile banking capability, there’s nothing really dazzling about this mobile phone that will make it stand out from the rest. But if you fancy a simple phone capable of playing and downloading a few songs then SLM will definitely suit your needs.

Via Crave

LG Venus, the first of two LG phones making their way into the U.S. Market just in time for the holidays is now available at all Verizon Wireless stores nationwide. The LG Venus is a sophisticated and stunning slider phone which is designed for the fashion-forwad mobile phone consumers. Boosting of an interactive touch navigation, music player, 2.0 megapixel camera, and up to an 8GB microSD memory port, the LG Venus can give the iPhone a good competition this coming holiday season.

In details, here are the things you should expect in the new LG Venus available through various Verizon Wireless plans.

LG Venus music capabilities

The LG Venus is not only a mobile phone but a digital music player as well. It can play digital music in mp3, WMA, AAC, AAC+ formats. You can listen to music while doing other tasks on the phone, such as making calls, taking snapshots or composing text messages. You can also synchronise music playback on your PC via a supported V CAST Music Manager. And store up to 8GB of digital music with its microSD memory port.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The LG Venus supports various connectivity profiles via Bluetooth including headset, hands-free, dial-up networking advanced audio distribution (stereo), A/V remote control, phone book access, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, basic imaging for sending non-protected images to a compatible device and basic print.

Digital imaging power

Loaded with a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder, the LG Venus answer the need for taking quick snapshots with a decent resolution for a camera phone of its class. The LG Venus has a built-in slide show viewer for you to enjoy high-resolution photos or videos at up 1600×1200 camera resolution or 320×240 video resolution.

General Features

Aside from the special features mentioned, the LG Venus is also a power-packed mobile device which is loaded with the following general features:

• Speakerphone
• Voice commands
• Calendar & Notepad
• Tools: Calculator, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, & EZ Tip Calculator
• Phone Book with up to 1000 Contacts
• Speed Dialing
• Lower Screen with Interactive Touch Navigation
• Touch Key Vibration for Button–Like Feedback
• EV–DO, 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA
• 0 Lines of Text
• Usage Time: Up to 240 Minutes OR
• Standby Time: Up to 480 Hours

The LG Venus is currently available black in design for $199.99 2-year contract plan with Verizon Wireless.

Global telephony platform JAJAH has entered into a strategic partnership with similarly confusing name Jangl, a social communications leader connecting phones and online identities, to explore new opportunities and expand worldwide communications.

Some industry analysts believe this is a win-win proposition for the two companies. Leveraging on the expertise of each can result to a revolutionary technology aimed to further bridge the already close gap between the internet and mobile phones. More importantly, this will result to better functionality and lower cost for the general consumers.

Under this partnership are the following agreements:

This kind of collaboration is practically a first in a dynamic landscape called Voice 2.0. Depending on the results of this tandem, it can either set the pace of future partnerships or discourage leadings players from combining their resources.

Via VoIP News

Just in time for the coming Thanksgiving Day and Holiday Season, TravelCell service provider for global cellular and satellite phones for business and leisure travellers, launches its new mobile service. Why do you have to buy an international cell phone when going on a vacation when you can rent instead?

TravelCell’s cell phone rental service is providing mobile phone users a more afforadable way of staying in touch with their loved ones, friends and other relatives while they are away on a vacation. For a minimum rental charge of $29.99 a week which includes phone rental with accessories you get to enjoy continuos mobile connectivity while enjoying your vacation.

With the increasingly high cost of telecom, satellite phone rentals and cellular phones, obtaining the cell phone rental service of TravelCell is the perfect alternative for travelling mobile phone users. TravelCell’s line of mobile phones are on top of its class with high end features and advance functionalities. These mobile phones are the better alternatives to buying international calling cards which travellers may find not working at all. With TravelCell’s cell phone rental service, travellers are assured of a reliable telecommunications service where ever they may be.

So for Americans traveling to Europe, Asia and other parts of the world, they can now opt to rent a cell phone instead of buying a new unit that would work in the place where they will be going to.Buying a new cell phone just to serve the purpose of getting in touch with home and office contact would also entail a huge amount of phone bills. TravelCell promises to provide travellers with the most affordable rates in their rented cell phones.

TravelCell’s cell phone rental service is a pretty useful service for international service. With an affordable rental fee, it would certainly deserves some much needed hype in order to attract more customers. Just make sure that if you are going to rent a cell phone that you still have your personal cell phone on hand. It would come in handy when trying to reach important people listed on your personal cell phone’s contacts listing.