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(Credit: The Boy Genius Report)

A tipster has apparently informed The Boy Genius Report blog that Nokia will be releasing a "swiveling E71-type handset" for Verizon some time in July or August.

Now if you would excuse the accompanying mockup image, which looks hideous unfinished, the concept is actually feasible. If the top rotates 180 degrees, the keyboard would end up below the display, similar to a conventional candy bar QWERTY phone.

It's a pity that word is the device will be running on the S40 platform instead of the more established S60. Otherwise, the Finns could have planted a touch-screen panel on it.

(Via Crave Asia)

Getting a jump-start on CTIA 2009, AT&T Wireless announced on Sunday night the upcoming availability of two messaging-centric smartphones: the Nokia E71x and Samsung Propel Pro.

The two devices are expected to be in stores and online in the coming weeks, joining the carrier's four other new releases, the Samsung Impression, the Samsung Magnet, the LG Neon, and the LG Xenon.

The Nokia E71x has long been rumored for AT&T and is largely like the unlocked Nokia E71, which we reviewed in July.

The AT&T version comes in a sleek black and is currently the thinnest QWERTY smartphone on the market. The GPS-enabled device is compatible with AT&T Navigator for turn-by-turn directions, and it features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, HSDPA support, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The E71x comes with a very attractive price tag of $99.99, with a two-year contract and after discounts and rebates.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Propel Pro beefs up the offerings of the Samsung Propel with the addition of Windows Mobile 6.1. The slider phone comes in a cool silver-and-chrome color and also features a full QWERTY keyboard. It also has integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and a 3-megapixel camera.

The Propel Pro will be available on April 1 for $149.99 with the standard contracts and rebates.

Nokia E63

(Credit: Nokia)

On Wednesday, Nokia introduced the latest model in its E series of smartphones, the Nokia E63. Traditionally, the Nokia E series, which includes the Nokia E71 and the Nokia E66, have been very business focused and slightly on the pricey side, but the cell phone manufacturer is hoping to break that mold and bring in more general consumers by selling the E63 at a lower price point.

The Nokia E63 will start shipping in Europe within the next few weeks for 199 Euros, which is about $248 here. Compare that with E71, which goes for $500 unlocked, and you've got a pretty good deal, especially when you consider that the E63 offers a full QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 2-megapixel camera.

The Symbian S60-based smartphone also includes support for Microsoft Exchange, POP/IMAP e-mail accounts, basic personal information management tools, and a music and video player. Like the E71, you can toggle between two different home views on the E63, depending on whether you're at work or at home. Other highlights include 2.3-inch, 16 million color QVGA display, Nokia Ovi support, 110MB internal memory, a microSD expansion slot (can accept up to 8GB cards), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. In its current form, the Nokia E63 does not support U.S. 3G bands and there is no built-in GPS.

We are still trying to confirm U.S. availability with Nokia, but we suspect it will be a couple of months after the European launch. Chances are you'll also have to buy it unlocked from online retailers or through Nokia, since we don't see it coming to a U.S. carrier for now.

Nokia E71

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Over the recent months, I've received a fair share of e-mails asking the same question: Will a U.S. carrier ever pick up the Nokia E71? Well, it looks like some of your wishes may come true.

According to Engadget Mobile, AT&T might be in line to add the Symbian smartphone to its lineup. While just a rumor at this point, the idea isn't too hard to believe since the carrier did offer the Nokia E61i for a while. By all accounts, the Nokia E72 will offer all the goodies of the E71, including HSDPA support and even add Feature Pack 2.

You can pick up the Nokia E71 now as an unlocked phone from Nokia USA and other online retailers, but you'll also be looking at a hefty price tag of around $500. Ouch. Let's hope these rumors turn out to be true. For more information on the smartphone, please read our full review of the Nokia E71.

Nokia E71

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Q: I've been looking into getting the Nokia E71, but can't justify the price. Have you heard anything on it becoming available with a U.S. carrier. Also, a whole other box of worms, if you purchase an unlocked E71, are you mandated to a contract? --James via e-mail

A: James, you are not alone. I get quite a few number e-mails about the Nokia E71 and it's really no surprise why. It's a great smartphone that's loaded with features for the mobile professional, and it's packaged in a sleek little frame. Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything official from Nokia or any of the U.S.-based carriers but the rumor is that the E71 will make its way to AT&T. And frankly, this wouldn't surprise me. AT&T offered the E71's predecessor, the Nokia E61i, for a while so the rumor isn't completely off base. Again, all just speculation at this point though.

If you do buy it unlocked, you won't be tied down to a contract, which is the beauty of unlocked phones. The E71 is a quad-band handset, which means you'll be able to use with either AT&T or T-Mobile. Just be aware that the E71 only supports the 850/1900 HSDPA bands, which operates on AT&T's 3G network and not T-Mobile's.

Q: In your opinion, do you think the HTC Touch HD will be carried by Sprint if and if ever it comes to the U.S.? The reason I ask is because Sprint already has two HTC Touch phones. --Emilio via e-mail

A: THAT is a really good question, Emilio and to be honest, I have no idea. Usually, there's some sort of speculation about which U.S. provider might pick it up, but nothing so far. As it is, the Touch HD is a quad-band GSM phone, so by those specs, it could go to AT&T or T-Mobile if they so decided. However, the original HTC Touch was also released as a GSM handset overseas, and then was eventually picked up by two CDMA carriers here in the States, Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

You make a good point, though. Sprint already offers three HTC Touch models--the HTC Touch, (which is nearing the end of its life cycle), the HTC Touch Diamond, and upcoming HTC Touch Pro--so I'm not sure how eager they would be pick up another at this point, even though the Touch HD looks pretty darn cool. I could see Verizon Wireless possibly adding it to its lineup replace the Verizon Wireless XV6900.

Correction at 10 a.m. PDT: The story incorrectly listed which push e-mail solutions the E71 works with. It does not work with BlackBerry Connect or GoodLink.

Nokia E66

(Credit: Nokia)

It may be that the Nokia E series sometimes suffers from Jan Brady syndrome as it gets overshadowed by a flashier member of its family--the Nokia N series (aka Marcia Brady). But the E series is just as bright and deserves some recognition too.

Traditionally, the E series devices have been very corporate centric and serious in design, but now Nokia is updating the line with the introduction of the Nokia E66 and Nokia E71, bringing with them a modernized look and a fresh set of features. Here's the breakdown:

Nokia E66: The successor to the Nokia E65, the E66 continues to offer a cool slider design, but it's been trimmed down and comes in gray or white with steel accents. The smartphone also has "turn-to-full view," which is similar to the iPhone's accelerometer feature in that when you turn the device on its side, the screen orientation will automatically switch from portrait to landscape mode. You can also alternate between Business and Personal mode. In Business mode, you'll have all your productivity tools readily accessible on your home screen, such as e-mail, calendar, and documents. Meanwhile, when you switch to Personal view, you'll get access to your multimedia files, the Web, and so forth.

The Nokia E66 will continue to run the third edition of the S60 platform on the Symbian operating system and has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2DP support). Plus, it now offers assisted GPS and U.S. 3G support (850/1900; HSDPA). Other goodies include a 3.2-megapixel camera, support for Nokia's Ovi Internet service, 110MB internal memory plus microSD slot (supports up to 8GB cards), and a 2.4-inch QVGA nontouch display.

Nokia E71

(Credit: Nokia)

Nokia E71: The E71 represents the more dramatic design makeover of the two. Taking over for the Nokia E61i, the E71 is still very much a messaging-centric device with its full QWERTY keyboard but it's not as bulky or dull-looking anymore. The smartphone measures 4.4 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide by 0.4 inch deep and weighs 4.4 ounces, compared with the E61i's dimensions of 4.6 inches tall by 2.7 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and 5.3 ounces. The E71 will also come in gray or white, and have a 2.36-inch, 16 million-color QVGA display.

Feature wise, the Symbian smartphone supports Mail for Exchange, POP/IMAP accounts, and works with a number of push e-mail solutions, including Intellisync Wireless E-mail, Visto, and Seven Always-On Mail. The E71 will also have integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, HSDPA, assisted GPS, and the Business and Personal home screens.

Outlook: Both the Nokia E65 and E61i have a loyal following and have garnered good user reviews, so I'm sure current owners will be interested in the upgrade. However, as with Nokia's other high-end phones, the Nokia E66 and Nokia E71 have not been picked up by a U.S. carrier and will only be sold as unlocked handsets, meaning they'll carry a steep price tag (pricing has not been finalized but we suspect somewhere in the $300 to $500 range) and thus, limit the reach of the smartphones. Still, the E66 and E71 are shaping up to be some strong workhorses for the business community, and we'll, of course, give them a workout when we get them in for review. Both mobiles are slated to be available in the third quarter (around July/August) with the Nokia E71 expected to ship slightly ahead of the Nokia E66.

(Credit: Crave Asia)

With the world's eyes on the 3GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, it seems that we overlooked a handheld of particular interest--the Nokia E71. Fortunately, CNET Australia's Joseph Hanlon was lucky enough to see a "secret" comparison picture of the E71 with the E61 at the Showcase Nokia event held in Sydney recently.

Information is usually scant at this stage, though the handset is purported to come with HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microSD expansion card slot, QWERTY keyboard, 3.2-megapixel camera, and onboard GPS.

I think one of the reasons we are excited about this device is because the E61 had been one of the best smartphones of its time. Even though its successor--the E61i--didn't bring much to the plate besides the inclusion of a camera module and better build quality, it offered users who wanted a camera on their handheld an alternative to choose from. And what better than to have it on an already successful device?

There hasn't been an official announcement of the E71 yet, but I'm sure we aren't too far away from seeing it. More details to follow once we have them.

(Source: Crave Asia)