Qualcomm has announced in a press release that it will implement technology developer Skyhook’s Wi-Fi GPS positioning software as a part of its gpsOne platform to augment LBS services in the absence of cellular coverage.

The intention behind the integration is to take advantage of Skyhook’s software-based GPS implementation and database of known geolocated Wi-Fi hotspots in order to improve and provide LBS services without having to rely on expensive external transceivers or cellular coverage which may not exist in a particular area.

After a few days of anticipation, the Samsung Gravity has been launched by T-Mobile online.

As PhoneNews.com reported previously, the messaging device features a sliding hardware QWERTY keyboard, quadband GSM/EDGE, 1.3 megapixel camera with video recorder, wireless backup support, microSDHC expansion slot, media player, microUSB port, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, speakerphone, voice control, and myFaves support.

The phone is available for $99.99 after $150 instant discount before an additional $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $49.99.

Buy the Samsung Gravity from T-Mobile

Information has surfaced regarding the forthcoming sale of the iPhone 3G in Wal-Mart and select Sam’s Club locations beginning on December 28th.

With this development, Wal-Mart becomes the second third-party dealer to be authorized for iPhone 3G sales. The launch will consist of 2,500 Wal-Mart locations and 69 Sam’s Club locations that do not feature RS Solutions kiosks (Radio Shack managed sales kiosks).

The device will also be exclusively sold in-store only and AT&T will be providing additional training and assistance to Wal-Mart on the activations end as well as live demo units before the nationwide launch for certain locations.

What is not known at the moment is if AT&T and Apple will allow Wal-Mart to exercise their discount power as was demonstrated with sales of the T-Mobile G1 by undercutting T-Mobile’s contract price by $38.88 from the $179.99 price given at corporate stores and online.

The first pricing and availability information has surfaced regarding the forthcoming BlackBerry Curve 8350i iDEN smart device.

The device is expected to feature a QVGA display, OS 4.6, WiDEN data access, Wi-Fi radio, microSDHC expansion slot, media player with playlist support, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, GPS transceiver, 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder and flash, and speakerphone.

The pricing information states that the device will be available for $479.99 full retail, $329.99 after new 2 year agreement and $150 instant discount before an additional $80 instant rebate, making it $249.99 before  an additional $100 mail-in rebate bringing the total to $149.99.

Availability is set for December 1st in all sales channels.

This morning, a report on ZDNetAsia confirmed that Microsoft’s forthcoming Internet Explorer Mobile 6 will be offered first to China Mobile customers.

Scott Rockfield, director of the Windows Mobile platform confirmed that the China Mobile variant of the Samsung Omnia Windows Mobile smart device would feature Internet Explorer Mobile 6 preinstalled and that the combination of the new browser with China Mobile’s customer base (436 million as of last month) would be a great fit for Microsoft and China Mobile due to its customer base and continued growth.

The director also stated his intention for the mobile browser to begin its push for marketshare in emerging markets by stating that it did not want to convert existing users of Mobile Safari or Android’s similar WebKit-based browser, but wanted to grab customers that have not had an opportunity to use either browser and become Microsoft IE Mobile users.

The comments above only further exaggerate the confusing commentary last week given by other members of the Windows Mobile team regarding a potential US version of the new browser which is currently available as an emulator from Microsoft, with no word on a firm availability date or release type (new hardware purchase or update from Microsoft.)

AT&T has surreptitiously launched the Incite Windows Mobile based LG smart device online with little fanfare.

As we previously reported, the Incite features a 3 inch WQVGA resolution touch display as found on the lower spec Vu, Windows Mobile 6.1, virtual QWERTY keyboard, 3.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, quadband GSM/EDGE. triband HSDPA, GPS support through AT&T Navigator, microSDHC expansion slot, FM tuner, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, and speakerphone.

The phone is now available for purchase online at a cost of $499.99 with No Commitment, or $299.99 after a new 2 year agreement before an additional $100 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $199.99.

Buy an LG Incite from AT&T

Qualcomm has announced in a press release that it has opened up and released its BREW Mobile Platform SDK to all developers for no charge.

The SDK will allow for complete development of BREW applications, widgets, and also features complete integration with Adobe Flash for development of user interfaces, widgets, streaming media, and other types of applications for both mobile phones and an increasing number of multimedia devices.

This follows the news that Qualcomm and Adobe have agreed to the formation of a new working group known as the Open Screen Project in order to enable developers to write one Flash application and have it run on any Flash enabled device.

Palm has issued a patch for the Bluetooth functionality on the Palm Treo Pro 850.

The patch fixes an issue where a user is on an active call using a Bluetooth car kit or Bluetooth headset and a second incoming call is received where the user lets it ring or ignores the incoming call.

The second call will be then diverted to voicemail and the first call will remain active, but incoming audio is lost on the first call. In this situation users will no longer be able to hear the first call, but the first caller will still hear the Treo Pro user.

It should be noted that if the user answers the call and swaps between calls or rejects the call, this issue is not seen otherwise, but the patch is still recommended.

AT&T has launched two new phones in time for the holiday season in the Nokia 6650 and Samsung Eternity.

The Nokia 6650 3G clamshell features quadband GSM/EDGE, dualband HSDPA, external display with touch sensitive controls, dedicated GPS hard key for AT&T Navigator, 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, flash and Video Share support, microSDHC expansion slot, speakerphone, media player, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, voice dialing and voice control, HTML browser, Push to Talk, and full access to AT&T services (Mail, IM, XM, Music, CV, mobiTV).

The Samsung Eternity features quadband GSM/EDGE, dualband HSDPA, a 3.2 inch WQVGA resolution widescreen display, TouchWiz widget based user interface, HTML browser, media player, GPS support via AT&T Navigator, 3.2 megapixel camera with video recorder and Video Share support, Mobile TV support via MediaFLO, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, speakerphone, and the full suite of AT&T services (Mail, IM, XM, Music, CV, mobiTV).

The Nokia 6650 is available for $269.99 with No Commitment or $119.99 after a new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate via prepaid Visa card, bringing the total to $69.99 while the Samsung Eternity is available for $369.99 with No Commitment, or $199.99 after new 2 year agreement before the same aforementioned rebate terms, bringing the total to $149.99.

Buy a Nokia 6650 or Samsung Eternity from AT&T

The FCC has approved the Nokia E63 smart device just one day after it was officially announced by Nokia. The device is slated to launch sometime this quarter though no pricing or availability information has been confirmed for the US at this time.

The device features a QVGA display, quadband GSM/EDGE and dualband UMTS, Wi-Fi radio with SIP support, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, S60 operating system, microSDHC expansion slot, speakerphone, and a 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder and flash.  

Another major feature of the device is a toggle switch for Corporate Mode and Personal mode where each mode is completely customizable with relevant sets of information and does not conflict with one or the other during operation.