Meizu's shadow to the iPhone, the M8, should be available in at least a limited form before the end of the month, according to a post by company head J. Wong. While already tentatively slated for November, the touchscreen phone should be launched in Meizu's native China no later than November 30th. The company is waiting for a government license for the phone but will release a test version to users even if the license isn't granted by the end of the month, Wong explains. The news is accompanied by plans for the launch that will stagger the release: both the Chinese and Indian versions will be available first, with the Chinese version's Wi-Fi disabled to meet local laws. Exports to Europe, Hong Kong and the US may also be ready by Christmas Eve with Wi-Fi intact. Meizu's device is based on a heavily modified Windows Mobile interface with numerous references to Apple's cellphone, including a Safari-like web browser front end, an iPod-like media player, and a similar overall look. However, the Chinese device also carries extras like a three-megapixel camera and FM radio at the expense of 3G data, using EDGE instead when away from Wi-Fi. The M8 is tentatively priced at the equivalent of about $348 for an 8GB version without subsidies and $421 for a...

  AlleyInsider reports on a new analyst report from Friedman Billings Ramsey which claims that Apple's iPhone production could fall "more than 40%" in the 4th Quarter of 2008. AlleyInsider points out this may simply represent a surplus of iPhone production from Q3 2008 and the decrease in Q4 is to adjust inventory to match demand. Another contributing factor is believed to be the recent economic downturn: That the firm's iPhone production plans are being revised lower suggests that the global macroecomomic weakness is impacting even high-end consumers, those that are more likely to buy Apple's expensive gadgets, and that no market segment will be spared in this global downturn. This is a negative signal for global demand, in our view. The analyst bases his findings on "recent checks" on the chip industry which supplies parts for Apple's iPhone. The news comes shortly after Apple reported record iPhone earnings capturing 2.3% of the mobile phone market. Source

The European Union already initiated a Battery Directive in 2006 that aimed to make it easier to dispose of and recycle old batteries, but it looks like it's now taking things one big step further with its "New Battery Directive," which proposes that batteries in all electronic devices should be able to be "readily removed" for replacement or disposal. New Electronics' Gary Nevison further adds that "the requirement is clearly intended to ensure that users can remove batteries by opening a cover by hand or after removal of one or two screws," which would obviously pose a bit of a problem for the iPhone, not to mention every iPod and even a few non-Apple devices. Then again, this wouldn't be the first time that Apple has tangled with the EU, and we have a sneaking suspicion that it won't be the last. Source

  Hop-on today announces that its GSM cell phone, the HOP1811, will be available in the United States for $13.99 with a Graffiti Wireless Airtime Plan. “I use a 3G iPhone, it is a complicated, expensive device. Our phone is an 850/1900 MHz with AMR. You are not going to drop calls in similar areas as our competitor’s device. I challenge anyone to make a call faster than on the HOP1811,” says Hop-on CEO Peter Michaels. “With the cost of living and a borderline recession, this phone is going to be a huge sell for Hop-on in the US and international commerce. We also have a European 900/1800 MHz phone for our international partners.” The HOP1811 is a dual-band 850/1900MHz, or 900/1800MHz phone for Europe and Asia, weighing a scant 79 grams, offers 4 hours of talk time, 150 hours of standby time and polyphonic ring tones. Though low in cost, the HOP1811 uses reliable Infineon chip sets for excellent audio quality, reception and call stability. An MP3 option can also be added to this low-end phone. The company offers a $5 rebate for returning the phone to encourage recycling to “Keep it Green.”

  The Portelligent Company, which has conducted a cost analysis of the first iPhone components, believes that the cost of the iPhone 3G components do not exceed $ 100. This is what EETimes.com writes today. For comparison, the cost of the first generation iPhone components was $ 170. According to Forward Concepts analyst, Will Strauss, the Apple Company is not only continuing to use the relatively inexpensive Infineon chip, but it also acquires the GPS-modules from a German company. According to Portelligent, the value of the assembled sensitive display is about $ 30, 8 GB NAND-memory costs about $ 20.The new Infineon chipset with HSDPA support could be just $ 15 more expensive, and another $ 5 for the GPS-module. In general, apart from the operators’ subsidies, Apple earns on each 3G iPhone 8 GB $ 99. However, we must bear in mind that this is the direct cost only for components - the cost of iPhone developing and marketing is not included. Overally, Portelligent concludes: the Apple Company expects excellent financial prospects with the new iPhone.  

  Just recently, the Newsweek magazine wrote that the entire distribution network of Quanta companies and Apple are working with an incredible intensity, and the boxes with mysterious contents are shipped to distributors even in Australia. All this may indicate that the new version of iPhone expects a global launch. Within a month it could be spread throughout the world. The boxes in Australia, according to the Mactalk.com.au, are sent as secret military directives, with the indication not to open them up to June 10, 2008. It is expected that the phone's debut in Australia will happen on June 17 - at the same time when Apple store in Sydney will be opened. As recently known, the O2 British operator representatives were told to expect a "hot" first half of July. The key speech of Steve Jobs is scheduled for June 9.  

  The mobile phone shells manufacturer XSKN has published on its website some sketches showing the new 3G iPhone body. It’s Difficult to say how close to reality they are, but they do not contradict the previous rumors and the leaked data on the new phone exterior from Apple. It can be noticed the redesigned lower end, the WebCam place, a larger and more rounded back cover. The new Apple phone will be presented in early June at Apple WWDC. 

Reliance Communications and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first prepaid service for the BlackBerry® wireless solution in India. This first of its kind ‘pay as you use’ pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications’ strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, giving customers flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services. Reliance Communications has been on the forefront of offering a wide range of prepaid options to consumers across its data cards, mobile phones and fixed wireless phones offering. This prepaid service option is available on a range of BlackBerry smartphones including: The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone, which operates on both CDMA & GSM networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone on CDMA networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone on CDMA networks, and  The BlackBerry® 8703e smartphone on CDMA networks For further query, customers can visit any Reliance World or Reliance Communications...