Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

It looks like we can soon be expecting a North American version of the popular 8GB Nokia N95. Mobile City Online currently has them listed as arriving on February 15, 2008, however that is just an “expected arrival date” and could be subject to change. The US 8GB N95 is expected to be priced at $799.99. The US version will be a nice option as it will offer support for US based 3G networks and be unlocked so it could be used contract free with AT&T or T-Mobile.

Similar to other 8GB N95 models the US version will feature a 2.8-inch (240 x 320) QVGA display, 5.1-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, built-in A-GPS, EDGE, WLAN, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM radio, and microSD card slot for additional storage. Overall a nice upgrade over the original N95, with the larger screen and additional storage I could see many current users upgrading.

Read [MobileCityOnline] Via [Boy Genius Report]

• Nokia announces N97, iPhone still ahead of the game
• Rogers now offering the Nokia E71 for $49
• Nokia officially unveils the high-end N97

This latest patent from RIM indicates an interesting change of direction for the BlackBerry keypad, especially if this is also to be used on the touchscreen BlackBerry.

Patents don’t tell the whole story, and many don’t ever make it past the prototype stage, but this one would suggest a shift away from the current QWERTY style keyboard to a much more angular, slanting design that apparently makes inputting text much easier. That will have to be seen to be believed as they say, but it looks interesting and to me it looks like we may be about to see a bigger screen as well.

Via [Pocket Lint]

• RIM announces re-launch of Mobile BlackBerry website
• Can a Hail Mary save Palm?  Warning issued
• The new failure of a keyboard

T-Mobile today came out with a pretty nice deal that should appeal to many looking to sign with another carrier. Basically, this holiday gift from T-Mobile will waive all activation fees from December 28, 2007 up until December 31, 2007.

Usually, T-Mobile activation fees run about $35, so essentially, you are saving around $35 on a new contract. Now is a good time to switch over to T-Mobile, but make sure you do it fast, because this deal is going to be gone before you know it.

Via [Gizmodo]

• Grab a Google Android G1 for $125
• T-Mobile offering the Motorola ZN5 for free, this weekend only
• Black Friday deals round-up [updated]

Thanks to the FCC we have some details and pics of the yet to be released Motorola ROKR E8. The new ROKR is a glossy black candybar style phone that will feature a camera, Bluetooth, a microSD slot, a sliding key lock switch, has a landscape display and EDGE coverage. Unfortunately the microSD card slot is located underneath the battery cover. Overall a fairly standard phone, however the keypad is unique, its a flat keypad with illuminated keys that appear and disappear based on touch.

Via [PhoneScoop]

• Motorola announces the MOTOROKR EM35
• Sony preparing a WWAN-equiped VAIO? The FCC says yes
• T-Mobile offering the Motorola ZN5 for free, this weekend only

Vonage and AT&T have reached a settlement in the latest dispute that was over a technology called packet-based telephone system that allows “voice conversations to be carried over the Internet.“

Vonage has had a long string of trouble dating back to May 2006 and have settled many cases with companies to include Sprint Nextel and Verizon. The settlement details were not disclosed in this case, although it was originally decided back in early November and just finalized on December 21, 2007.

Read [Reuters]

• Easy Wi-Fi for AT&T temporarily free
• Dell Inspiron Mini 9—now with optional 3G
• Black Friday deals round-up [updated]