Nokia Now Excepting Pre-Orders for NAM N79 and N85

Its a truly exciting day for all. Nokia has started accepting pre-orders for North American versions of the N79 and N85. Although there is very little data on the actual availability date (in fact, non at all) they do manage to tell consumers the price they will be paying and a few of the specs.

The N79 is priced at US$492.70 and, according to the description, comes with triband UMTS, although that detail is still in question.

The N85 is priced at US$588.90 and most definitely features triband UMTS (that’d be 850/1900/2100 bands).

Look for these NAM beasts to be popping up on eBay sometime soon, we’re sure its only a matter of time. Or, if you are on TMO you can capture the Euro-specced versions of these devices to.

Via Symbian-Guru.com

AT&T Branded HTC Fuze Makes Brief Show on eBay

Want to see the HTC Fuze on eBay? Yeah, so did we. Faster than you can say “you just got caught sucka” the auction and accompanying pictures of what is surely an AT&T branded HTC Fuze were off the popular auction site. Fortunately, a stealthy blogger was able to snatch the photos up before they disappeared. Unlike normal pre-release shots these are not the low quality, blurry shots we are used to. The quality of the screen in particular on this device says a little about what we can expect when this device finally hits the shelves. Enjoy the show everyone.

Via WMPoweruser

Sony Ericsson Rika in Red

The Sony Ericsson Rika isn’t announced as of yet but “Rika in Red” just has a ring to it that makes me want to break out into a Chris De Burgh rendition. The phone doesn’t look too bad either.

It seems that the Rika is a “pimped out” version of the G705 and its rumored to have a front facing camera and 3G. Not too shabby. Besides the 2 pics below we don’t have any details but you can bet it won’t stay that way for long. And when it changes, we got your back!

[Via JAMPB]

BlackBerry Pearl 8220 Kicks KickStart To The Curb

BlackBerry’s first ever calmshell device caused many sour faces among BB Faithful. But the aptly named “KickStart” wasn’t meant for the core BlackBerry customer - it is geared towards the mass consumer as a way to introduce them to the BlackBerry brand - a quite brilliant extension to teens and soccer moms around the world.

Perhaps the name KickStart made great logical sense but it has been killed off completely and the clamshell phone will now be known as the BlackBerry Pearl 8220. And when you think about it… it makes perfect sense. How many little kids want to be reminded that they are still using training wheels while the big kids ride regular bikes? While mobile enthusiasts might think the name fits, it could be considered almost demeaning to the potential purchaser.

Here is a (supposed) internal document from Canadian carrier Rogers which refers to the device as the BlackBerry Pearl:

Hey You! Yeah, you… the idiot not smart enough to use a regular BlackBerry. Since you’re so dumb, we’ve created a moron proof phone just for you. Walk around with it proudly and when someone asks you what phone that is just tell them: The BlackBerry FisherPrice

We don’t agree with the above. In fact, we think the BlackBerry Pearl is going to be a kick butt device. Afterall, there are PLENTY of people who prefer clamshells and like simplicity… yet still want the capabilities of a BlackBerry. This device is going to get a lot more mileage than a lot of people think - and rightfully so. Research In Motion simply doesn’t want to draw attention to the fact that its more of a BlackBerry for beginners. At least thats our take and if it’s on point it’s probably a smart move.

That being said, chances are that many of the BlackBerry Pearl owners WILL be first time BlackBerry users. So, we’ve set up the BlackBerry Pearl Forum for folks to talk about the phone… everything from pre-sale purchase questions to how to get the most out of it once its in your hands! To visit… Click Here

Here is a pretty in depth video overview of the phone (when it was still called the KickStart):

Rumor has it that AT&T will get the BlackBerry Pearl 8210 while the T-Mobile version will be the BlackBerry Pearl 8220. We’ll keep you posted as details emerge.

By the way, we still have a couple ounces of skepticism in our body seeing as how the BlackBerry Pearl already exist and looks NOTHING like the previously named KickStart. You probably already picked up on this oddity, but we felt obligated to point it out.

[Via BlackBerry Cool, IntoMobile]