Confirmed: AT&T 5700

AT&T just sent out preview kits for the 5700. Key notes are as follows...

• It will only be Windows Mobile 5. (Why is beyond me)
• Will have "Documents To Go", so you can edit word, powerpoint and excel
  
• 2 MP with flash (Not bad)
• Supports a plethora of music and video formats
• Will support Bluetooth GPS for Telenav
• You will be able to use AT&T's smartphone plans. (Unlimited Data for $20 and Unlimited Data and Text for $40)

Overall not a bad gig for $80, and the fact that you can get setup with monthy access for $20 instead of the normal price of $40 for data access. Should be hitting stores in the next 2 weeks, if not less.

Software: Pandora Mobile on AT&T

AT&T announced today that they have officially launched Pandora mobile for select AT&T Cell phones. For those not familiar with Pandora, it is a internet radio generated by the music genome project and Pandora will play music similar to what users input. Users then can give a thumbs up or down and Pandora will adapt to that preference. If you haven't tried out Pandora for your computer, it's a free sign up, and definitely worth checking out.
Pandora was previously exclusive on Sprint's network, but now seems to be branching out. I personally was ecstatic when I came across the program yesterday on AT&T's website.
Currently Pandora is only available on the following models "the Samsung SYNC, a717 and a737, the Motorola V3xx and RAZR 2, LG trax and existing LG CU400 and CU405 models." Unfortunately I have none of these, but hopefully soon we'll see more. Pandora will only run in 3G coverage too(No surprise), and AT&T recommends unlimited data(no duh). AT&T will be giving out a 1 month free trial of Pandora, and after that they will be charging an astonishing $8.99 a month for the service. Many Pandora fans will still end up bitting the bullet. All in all worth checking out for the free month at least.

Software: Opera Mini 4 is official!

Opera Mini 4 is now official and should be fully compatible with most phones. The new Opera boast reduced data amounts (read faster page loads), increased usability on blackberrys (except mine!), better CSS support, mouse pointer mode and other usability enhancements. I'll have to install it on one of my backup phones, since it's not working on my 8800, but it looks fantastic. Check it out yourself at Opera's site.

Confirmed: LG Shine-CU720 Pricing

An anonymous tipster (which we're all about) dropped a hint at Boy Genius Report that the LG shine will be appearing at AT&T for $149.99 (No word on rebate). BGR pointed out that this is one of many handsets at the $150 price point, and there are plenty more for a bit more. AT&T is making the price of entry into data devices very appealing, now if they could get some iPhone-esc service plans there would be no stopping them.

Confirmed: New price list

AT&T's newest price list was released, giving way to the following:

• LG CU515 in plum color.
• Sony Ericsson z750 $99.99 after $50 MIR (confirmed earlier)
• Motorola V3xx in Lavender/Chrome, still $149.99 after $50
  
• Samsung A747 $149.99 after $50 MIR
• Samsung Blackjack II (Black and Red) $149.99 after $100 MIR (With unl. data plan)

This list is supposed to be good until 1/5, but there will have to be an update, not a whole lot here, but it's got a roadmap for what to expect before thanksgiving at least.

In Store: Samsung a737

In stores now, Samsung a737, this hip little slider slid in today. Covered earlier, this phone is a deal at $50. Blue only right now, but the rest should be coming soon. Didn't get too much time to play with it, but seems like a pretty solid phone. One gripe though, playing with some of Samsung's other a7x7's that have had brilliant screens, this one seems almost lacking. 18 bit color and 176x220 (same as the D807) sounds a lot better than it looks. No big surprises here, although it does come with a headphone adapter, ( Thanks AT&T!). On a side note, RadioShack apparently will have an exclusive on the red a737.

Update: Orange and green are in!
\

In Store: Motorola Q9 Global

Fresh in store now the Motorola Q9 Global. 1st impressions are quite nice, unboxing reveals the regular data device assortment of USB cables, house charger and CD. Also included is a headphone adapter (Yea!), an adapter to use your old Motorola charger with your new micro USB device, and both a normal capacity and high capacity battery. The flat front and buttons make for a much sexier look than the previous Q and is a dream to carry. The extended battery makes it feel very reminisent of the old starcom flips with the wart of a battery sticking out. More soon after a bit more playing. Pricing $299.99 (After $50 rebate with unl. data or personal PDA Plan) or $499 no contract.

Opinion: The begining of the end

Friday Sprint announced, due to a class action lawsuit, it would begin to unlock phones on customer request, also that they would accept other providers phones to be used on their network. Phone News had the best article if you want to read on about the details.

This marks the beginning of the end of the cell phone giants restrictive practices (hopefully). Because once one company starts this, the rest are soon to follow. This along with prorated Early Termination fees on AT&T and Verizon means that consumers are going to have more choices. Now they can cancel their contract, pay a smaller ETF, and take their handset to another carrier. Take a look at Europe who has a much more open cell system than we do (I.E. providers in some countries have to sell both locked and unlocked phones), but also in Europe they pay through the nose to use their phones. Could increasing rates be the good ol' US of A's fate? Hopefully not, but if the giants are provoked, they'll fight back. Cell phone companies will find a way to recoup their costs.

Confirmed: Sony z750

Engadget snatched these photos of Sony's next phone, the z750. AT&T has this on their internal price lists as $99.99 (after some sort of rebate naturally) and should be hitting shelves before the end of this year. It'll have a 2 MP camera, bluetooth, a OLED external display, HSDPA and will support AT&T's much prized Video Share. Click over to engadget for some more pictures.

Rumored: Nokia N95

This is a phone I'm excited to talk about, the N95 has been a hot button topic for high end phones that we don't have yet (minus unlocked). Apparently at the opening of the Nokia Theatre in L.A. there were quite a few AT&T branded N95s floating around. Now either AT&T is doing some extensive testing on this phone, or they're toying with us. Apparently if (which is not a word used often) AT&T was to launch the N95 we would be seeing a Q1 launch with a limited quantity in store, with the option to special order. Pricing is also rumored to be around $350 after a 2 year.