Samsung finally unveiled i900 Omnia, that sets to challenge the 3G iPhone. The design is quite similar to the previous Samsung Armani, but with better pecifications.

Running Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro, Samsung i900 offers 3.2-inch WideQVGA display (240×400 pixel) and optical mouse similar to Samsung i780. What’s more impressive is the 5 megapixel autofocus camera with smile and face detection and auto panorama shot. Combined with GPS receiver, pictures can be automatically geotagged.

Style-wise, Samsung i900 Omnia will not fail to impress. With slim waist of 12.5mm and brushed metal back, Omnia is really dressed to kill. But what’s more fascinating, i900 comes in 8GB and 16GB flavor, both complemented with microSD slot should you feel the need of bigger space.

Another similarity with iPhone, this baby also has built-in accelerometer that automatically rotates handset’s orientation. Other features such as Wi-Fi, HDSPA, USB port, FM radio with RDS, and stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) suggest that Samsung is seriously grooming its champions, starting with this one.

Popularity: 43% [?]

Handango just released smartphone content trends for 2007. The trends cover various smartphone platforms, ranging from BlackBerry to Symbian. There’s no specification about the country the list was obtained, however it pretty much covers the US.

Here’s the list:

Handango reported a stellar year for BlackBerry, with a 135% year over year increase in the number of new mobile content titles added to the Handango catalog. The BlackBerry Pearl was the most popular device for mobile content in 2007, both in terms of revenue and units sold.

The top 10 best-selling applications for BlackBerry in 2007 were:
1. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtone library)
2. Sudoku (puzzle game)
3. Colour Your Trackball (trackball customizer)
4. IM+ (instant messenger)
5. Ascendo DataVault (password manager)
6. WorldMate Live Gold Membership (travel assistant)
7. Aces Texas Hold’Em – No Limit (poker game)
8 . IM+ for Skype (instant messenger)
9. SplashID for BlackBerry (information security)
10. Crackberry Ringtones Deluxe (ringtone library)

Windows Mobile Standard

The top 10 best-selling applications for Windows Mobile Standard in 2007 were:
1. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtone library)
2. SBSH Façade (home screen plug-in)
3. MobiTV (streaming television)
4. HandiTV (streaming television)
5. Fizz Weather (weather monitor)
6. SmartphoneNotes (note manager)
7. Agendus Standard Edition (calendar manager)
8. Agenda One (calendar manager)
9. PocketStreamer (streaming media)
10. IM+ (instant messenger)

Palm OS
Top device: Palm Treo 650 more…

Popularity: 82% [?]

Finally Sony Ericsson churns out a decent (very understated) communication device. Yup, I can really feel the Sony-Japanese vibe in the Xperia X1. Even the name seems taken out straight from manga character. Just try to say it and drag it, Xperriaaaaaa X1. Okay, I had my moments there…

From the features list, there is nothing to complain about. There is not many mobile phone that can match X1’s specifications. The initial rumor suggests that X1 will be loaded with all the connections available today, from HSDPA, Bluetooth, EDGE, to Wi-Fi. However, the real show stopper is the design. I’m not a fan of sliding mechanism in a phone, but X1 is really beautiful. Of course, I really have to hold it in my hand to confirm how good it is, but judging from the pics and videos, it’s a decent phone.
The question is when it will come out and how much (in Indonesia), and judging from my past experience with Windows Mobile device, how stable and different it is compared to other WM device. I really hope that Sony Ericsson has enough tricks to lure smartphone users that stay away from WM devices because the many problems and unstabilities they have. So, back to the wait mode…

Source: Sony Ericsson via SE Fanboy

Popularity: 16% [?]