Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

This is where we call out the tech moves that seem odd, out of touch or just plain straight up smokin’ crack.  This week sees posturing, positioning and flat out insanity. 

Here’s what caught my eye this week:

• Zune Phone inbound?
• Kindle 2 sucking life out of holiday sales?
• 7-11’s new video section
• HDTVs for pennies?

Follow me into the madness.

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Ever since Microsoft acquired Danger, it was always rumored that Microsoft might, one day, come out with a phone based off of the Zune.  What makes this rumor different than previous ones is that CNBC claims that a good Microsoft source is reporting that their newest project, named the Pink, is actually a Zune phone. 

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Remember that red colored Inspiron Mini 9 that Michael Dell was spotted carrying around during the All Things Digital conference this past May?  Well, it appears that some customers will soon be able to grab an Inspiron Mini 9 of their own in red, and also pink.  Dell has just released both new models, but sadly, as of now, they are available only in Japan. 

Additionally, and perhaps a little more exciting than the new colors, is the option of a larger SSD.  Customers in Japan can also now choose to get the “platinum package” which includes a 32GB SSD.  The Mini 9 with the larger SSD is retailing for ¥54,980 or about $565 US and also includes the standard 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and Windows XP.

Hopefully, we will see the new colors make their way over outside of the Japanese market, or at the very least that larger storage option.

Via [PC Watch]

• Sony preparing a WWAN-equiped VAIO? The FCC says yes
• Nintendo sells 500,000 DSis in Japan
• Important Importables Mini: Save money while playing an LCD game

Verizon Wireless has just become the latest carrier to add some new pink BlackBerry models. The new additions to the Verizon lineup will be the Curve 8330 and the Pearl 8130. Features of both will be the same as their current silver counterparts and according to Verizon “the hip, pink colors give students added flair when they are at school or interviewing for an internship or job,“ of course we would most likely suggest leaving your BlackBerry at home or in the car while interviewing, regardless of the color.

Anyway the pink Curve 8330 and the pink Pearl 8130 are currently available for order online, and will be in retail stores beginning August 15. The Curve 8330 will retail for $99.99 and the Pearl 8130 will be $79.99. Pricing for both models comes after a $70 mail-in-rebate and along with the standard two-year agreement.

Read [PR Newswire]

• RIM announces re-launch of Mobile BlackBerry website
• Verizon adds cool features to FiOS TV
• AT&T wants a Symbian iPhone?  Are you kidding me?

With little fanfare, Rogers Wireless in Canada has announced the availability of the pink BlackBerry Curve 8310. The handset which retains the same specs that we have come to either love or hate (personally we love) about the Curve includes built-in GPS, a 240 x 320 display resolution, 2-megapixel camera with built-in flash, full QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, speakerphone and EDGE support. The newly released pink BlackBerry Curve 8310 will set you back $199 with a 3-year agreement.

Product [Rogers] Via [BlackBerrySync]

• Rogers now offering the Nokia E71 for $49
• AT&T wants a Symbian iPhone?  Are you kidding me?
• RIM announces re-launch of Mobile BlackBerry website

The MSI Wind, which we just yesterday learned that it was going to be available in multiple colors, is now available for pre-order. Expansys has listed the Wind, available for pre-order in White, Black or Pink. The official details are listing a 10-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 80GB hard drive, built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Wind will be running Windows XP and also ship with a 3-cell battery and protective carry bag.

The Wind will set you back $609.95, with discounts available, that is if you want to order five or more. Currently there is not any estimated shipping date.

Product [expansys] Via [UMPC Portal]

• Creative Vado HD pocket camcorder now available for pre-order
• Asus Eee PC 1002HA now available with US retailers
• Who’s On Crack in tech: Black Friday ‘08 edition

With an official release date yet to be announced more and more details of the MSI Wind have been leaking out. The latest information puts the Wind even further into the Eee PC group as we have just learned that it will not only be available in white, but MSI has plans for a black and pink model as well.

Each of the three colors will be available in both the 8.9-inch and 10-inch displayed models. In addition to the newly discovered colors, TCMagazine is also reporting that there will be a model that will offer up to 7-hours of battery life, now that is high-capacity, lets just hope it does not add a ton of extra weight to go along with the power. Other newly released details include the webcam being 1.3-megapixels and the notebook will also have an second (empty) RAM slot available for easier upgrading. The Wind, which is still expected to be available later this quarter is expected to range in price from 299 to 699 Euros (about $460 to $1,077 US).

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Dell has just added what they are calling a new “Spring” color for their XPS M1330 and M1530 notebooks, and what would seem to be perfect timing to potentially grab some Mothers Day sales; Flamingo Pink. According to Dell, “It was an easy decision” to add the new pink color because “while customers appreciate the sleek, no-nonsense XPS look, they also wanted a wider variety in color options.“ In addition to the new pink, the M1330 and M1530 will still be available in the previous Midnight Blue, Tuxedo Black or Product (RED). With so many new tech items becoming available in a shade on pink, its almost become a standard color now.

Read [Dell]

• Who’s On Crack in tech: Black Friday ‘08 edition
• Asus Eee PC 1002HA now available with US retailers
• Micro Center’s Black Friday 2008 weekend sales

Two new colors for the Creative ZEN have recently begun to show up online. Wal-Mart currently has a new pink color, while Buy.com is listing a red colored model, and while they are still not listed on the official Creative site the pink model is listed as in-stock at Wal-Mart, the red model from Buy.com is temporarily sold out.

The newly colored pink ZEN is listed as a Wal-Mart exclusive and is the 2GB model which retails for $69.98. The Buy.com red model is the 4GB model and is retailing for $98.24. Aside from the new coloring they will retain the same features which include a 2.5-inch display with a 320 x 240 resolution, FM radio, microSD card slot for additional storage and they offer support for a wide variety of audio and video formats. Looks like a good time to drop the pink and red, after all Mothers Day is just around the corner now.

Via [SlashGear]

• The new pirate busting idea: second hand music
• New .tel domain opens up
• The new failure of a keyboard

AT&T has just announced two newly colored and very pastel handsets, the Nokia 6085 in pink and the MOTORAZR V3xx in lavender. Both clamshell styled phones had been previously carried by AT&T these are simply some new (and bright) color additions. The Nokia 6085 will be a free phone after rebates and the MOTORAZR will set you back $129.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate, both phones do require a two-year agreement to get that pricing.

While pink and purple (lavender) certainly would not be my first choice, its nice to see such a wide variety of phones becoming available in so many color choices. My question is; are there any people buying their phone based more on the available colors as opposed to the model? I would venture to say yes.

Via [IntoMobile]

• AT&T wants a Symbian iPhone?  Are you kidding me?
• Easy Wi-Fi for AT&T temporarily free
• The disruptive spectre of a $99 Wal-Mart iPhone