In a post on The Official Palm Blog, the developer and manufacturer of the massively popular Centro smart device has announced a firmware update to the Sprint version which adds the following functionality:

• Improved Gmail IMAP compatibility and an updated setup wizard with the new Gmail settings
• Updated compatibility for Google Mobile Maps My Location feature to approximate your current location – great for directions, finding nearby restaurants or business, or checking local traffic.¹
• Improved ongoing delivery of email sent to VersaMail accounts using Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology via Exchange ActiveSync
• Bluetooth usability enhancements and updates
• Sprint TV performance enhancements
• Enhanced AOL Instant Messenger performance
• Improved performance when adding a contact using Mobile Voice Control
• Improved email attachment handling
• Changed default camera shutter sound to “ON.” Audible shutter “click” will be heard when taking photos
• Allows Preferred Roaming List updates over the air

The update is expected to last approximately an hour and as always, backup devices before updating.

Firmware Tracker: Updated
Encyclopedia: Palm Centro

The FCC has released the first official renderings of the previously revealed Sanyo Katana Eclipse.

The midrange clamshell is expected to launch late next month and features external media player controls, GPS access, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, and its famed speakerphone along with a 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, and EVDO data access.

Neither Sprint nor Sanyo have confirmed the phone at this time.

AT&T has launched two new color combinations of the Samsung BlackJack II smart device designed to appeal to the fairer gender.

Both devices share the white color on the face of the device with a different color and pattern screened onto the backplate.

They are otherwise identical to the more businesslike red and black versions with a QVGA landscape display, Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition, quadband GSM/EDGE access with dualband HSDPA high speed data access, Bluetooth with stereo audio support. speakerphone, and 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder and zoom.

Both are now available from AT&T online for $199.99 after new 2 year agreement before an additional $100 mail-in rebate bringing the total to $99.99.

Buy a Samsung BlackJack II in White/Blue or White/Pink from AT&T

We did not report on the release of PwnageTool 2.0, because it didn’t work.

However, PwnageTool 2.0.1 is now out. And, with a little modification, the tool enables you to jailbreak (run applications without Apple’s approval) on iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPod touch… all three now work with iPhone OS 2.0.

In addition, the update allows for SIM unlocking first-generation iPhone units with the updated firmware inside of iPhone OS 2.0. The iPhone Dev Team responsible for the creation of PwnageTool says that a release to SIM unlock iPhone 3G is forthcoming, but that they are waiting on Apple to issue a software update for iPhone 3G first.

As with many reports in the media, fools rush in, and reported on the initial release. PhoneNews.com held off on reporting until we got the tool working… properly.

Many may have issues with iPhone 3G’s jailbreak. This is because iPhone 3G has a slightly-different activation file that PwnageTool has trouble with right now. The best thing you can do is switch to Expert Mode, and simply uncheck the “Activate phone” option, and complete the process using the on-screen instructions. Doing so will defer to the standard activation. On iPhone 3G, this isn’t an issue since any valid AT&T SIM will work with iPhone 3G… something which we previously reported on.

Update: In addition, we strongly reccomend not SIM unlocking first-generation iPhones with this version. Our iPhone was permanently bricked when attempting PwnageTool 2.0.1, and it had not been unlocked prior to this. It appears that PwnageTool has a bug that can malform the configruation data, effectively destroying the phone’s baseband firmware.

To avoid this, go into Expert Mode inside of PwnageTool, and uncheck Enable Bootneuter after passing through the general configuraiton. That will strip your jailbreak of any unlocking procedures.

Verizon has announced the launch of the first of their highly anticipated EVDO Rev. A Push To Talk capable handsets today through telesales and online.

The Motorola Adventure V750 is one of the first handsets from the carrier to support its new EVDO Rev. A based Push to Talk service, as well as one of the growing lineup of Verizon non-smartphones with EVDO Rev. A access next to the LG Dare.

The featureset for the clamshell includes a 2 inch QVGA internal display, GPS support through VZ Navigator with added support for Field Force Manager software for real-time management of fleets and/or personnel, a 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, external media player controls, speakerphone, and an M810F certified bodyshell for resistance to extreme shock and vibration.

The phone is now available from Verizon online for $149.99 before a $50 instant online discount, bringing the total to $99.99 with the phone expected to be available in all retail channels on July 28th.

After a false start last Friday, HTC has officially posted the long awaited official updates for the HTC Touch and Mogul which enable GPS access, EVDO Rev. A, and upgrade the operating system to Windows Mobile 6.1 with the Mogul adding Sprint TV support and the Touch adding the Opera Mobile web browser along with a slight update to the on screen keyboard.

You can get the firmware updates by going to the phone pages below, on the Phone Encyclopedia. Note that if you used the updates we posted recently, you should download the new updates linked below. The releases we posted were official, but Sprint made minor improvements to these updated versions.

Firmware Tracker: Updated

Encyclopedia: HTC Mogul & HTC Touch (CDMA)

Buy a Sprint HTC Mogul from LetsTalk.com

Buy a Sprint HTC Touch from LetsTalk.com

We run down every angle of Instinct. The iPhone competitor has the right features, but how does Instinct stack up against the competition? Read more to find out…
Read More »

The long awaited Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade for the Pantech Duo has surfaced in beta form and PhoneNews.com is exclusively offering it for those that wish to upgrade the software in their devices. The update does enable internet sharing and makes several bugfixes related to camera speed, screen orientation speed, and other Windows Mobile 6.1 improvements.

As this is a beta we caution users that while complete with full instructions on installation, it may be unstable, or have other unforseen issues.

Note: Please use the following links in lieu of direct linking to the file, as such actions may result in a corrupted download.

Encyclopedia: Pantech Duo C810

Buy a Pantech C810 Duo from AT&T

Buy a Pantech Duo from LetsTalk.com

If you have a Motorola RAZR V3m on Verizon Wireless, you may want to get a software update…

PhoneNews.com received reports of Motorola RAZR issues regarding radiation levels, and a non-descript update released to Verizon stores. Much of the information below is the result of a thorough investigation by PhoneNews.com.

Verizon Wireless has issued firmware version 01.19.09P to stores for updating. It fixes a bug that appeared in firmware versions 01.19.07 and 01.19.05, which can cause the phone to bump up against FCC limits on radiation output by a wireless phone.

We do caution that most Motorola RAZR phones are not affected by this. The issue only affects RAZR V3m units that were running the latest software version (which was released after the phone went out of mass production). Unfortunately, different RAZR software versions have moved the location where the phone will tell you what version of the software is installed on the device.

Because of the stability improvements in recent software versions, as well as the outbreak of this issue, we recommend (as does Verizon) taking all Motorola RAZR V3m units to a Verizon Wireless store to have the 01.19.09P update installed. Doing so will both ensure your phone meets FCC radiation standards, as well as install performance improvements that your phone can benefit from.

Motorola’s official stance on this is that the update is not needed, however, is available for those that want it. However, the update also improves hearing aid performance, in addition to rolling in all prior fixes.

In addition, we have updated our Motorola RAZR V3m page on our Phone Encyclopedia to both address this issue, and have posted the firmware flash files, for use with third-party service centers and tools.

Samsung has released the previously announced Wndows Mobile 6.1 upgrade for its i760 smart device.

The update reflects the newest additions to the Windows Mobile operating system, such as threaded text messaging, bugfixes, and other unspecified changes. This release also marks the first in a series of Windows Mobile upgrades for current Verizon Wireless smart devices with the XV6800 and XV6900 expected to be upgraded sometime later this quarter.

Encyclopedia: Samsung i760

Firmware Tracker: Updated

Buy a Samsung i760 from LetsTalk.com