Smartphone rumors for everyone

HTC Touch Diamond headed to Sprint and Verizon?

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

It's summertime and things are heating up, and we don't necessarily mean the temperature (because it certainly isn't very hot here in San Francisco, but I digress). No, we're talking more about rise in smartphone rumors, which isn't uncommon for this time of year as the carrier's start prepping for the fall and holiday seasons. As such, the blogosphere is blowing up with speculation, and looks like there's something for every carrier. Now, we must reiterate that these are just rumors and obviously, the service providers and device manufacturers haven't confirmed anything, so take it for what it's worth. That being said, here's the dish.

AT&T: I know it may be hard for some of you to believe, but there are people who don't want the Apple iPhone 3G, which is fine because if these rumors are to be believed, there are plenty of solid smartphones coming down the pipeline. According to Gizmodo (via Gear Diary), AT&T is expected to release the Wi-Fi-enabled RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320 and the RIM BlackBerry Bold in Q3. We actually followed up with RIM earlier this week to see if we could squeeze a more specific availability date for the Bold, and all we got is "availability is scheduled for summer 2008." Super, thanks. Anyway, Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades are also due for the Samsung BlackJack II, AT&T Tilt, and Motorola Q9h in July and the Pantech Duo in October.

If you want more than a software upgrade, the Samsung BlackJack 3, Pantech Duo 2, and AT&T Tilt 2 (which the Boy Genius Report says will most likely be the HTC Touch Pro) are slated for a Q4 release, as well as a non-QWERTY mystery LG device. Finally, Nicole Lee reported yesterday that the Samsung Omnia may just be headed to AT&T as well.

T-Mobile Shadow II

(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

T-Mobile: Frankly, T-Mobile's been pretty quiet on the smartphone releases lately. Aside from the Limited Edition Tony Hawk Sidekick 3 and the occasional BlackBerry here and there, nothing major has come out of the carrier. However, it looks like TMO is gearing up to offer an upgrade to the T-Mobile Shadow. It appears the Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone will have a curvier design and continue to offer integrated Wi-Fi with added support for the T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home service. The Shadow II has an expected ship date of August. No word yet on whether there will be update to the T-Mobile Wing, but for those who care, there's apparently a new T-Mobile Sidekick, codenamed Gekko/Aspen, in the works.

Verizon Wireless and Sprint: According to Phone Arena, both CDMA carriers will be getting their own variations of the HTC Touch Diamond and the HTC Touch Pro. Unfortunately, no time frame was given as to when Sprint and Verizon might land these puppies. Both are also rumored to get the Palm Treo 800w, and while we're on the subject of Palm, who, oh who, will get the Palm Treo 850?

[mdemars11]

Do you have any other knowledge about Blackberry Thunder, the first totally touch screen effort from Research in Motion, for Verizon other than what Phone Arena has?

[Tinman52]

I've started seeing rumors about a touch screen phone from RIM in the fall named Thunder. Very little details though.

I just got a LG Dare and I have to say that it's a great phone for a Verizon subscriber looking to do the touch screen thing. LG and Verizon have gotten this one completely right. Cnet's got a good review for it on their site.

[SamheartBOL]

how can the htc touch pro be the new at&t tilt II. IT DOESNT TILT!!! oh and something small I noticed. If you look at a photo of the touch diamond compared to the photo of the "sprint model" over at engadget, the sprint logo goes over the front camera. whats up with that????

[Captseadog]

The phones are nice and appear to be cheap enough, but the service fees and monthly rates are putting these phones out of reach for anyone who isn;t getting their company to help pay the monthly fee.

[blabtech]

Some rumors are way to unrealistic to believe, but some are educated speculations, which sometimes are partially fact in the end, or sometimes it is just interesting to see what people have to say...

http://blabtech.blogspot.com

[mc_xcite]

I talked to a telesales rep at Sprint this weekend and there's a release date on the Treo800. It's coming out on July 17th and it's suppose to replace the Samsung Ace with GSM sim card functunality for international use. sweet i think!

[jabberwolf]

"Windows Mobile 6.1 and offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. It also offers voice recognition for dialing and a pre-loaded YouTube application for viewing videos."

So basically it has what iphone doesnt:
3.2-megapixel camera.
GPS, (not just AGPS)
voice recognition for dialing
Stereo bluetooth
memory slot

Oh and still the simplest and most important of all : it can CUT AND PASTE!!!!!!

And seeing the HTC pro in action - it is VERY smooth.

[brewstermax]

Well, I thought that the WiFi BB Curve would hit ATT in July
July still has 6 days left in it, but if the 8320 doesn't hit next weekend
I'll go for the LG Vu of the Moto Q,
Better hurry ATT and RIM

[brewstermax]

Well, I thought that the WiFi BB Curve would hit ATT in July
July still has 6 days left in it, but if the 8320 doesn't hit next weekend
I'll go for the LG Vu of the Moto Q,
Better hurry ATT and RIM