Outside of China, TD-SCDMA isn't going to do you very bloody much good -- but inside China, it's just about the best thing going right now for 3G data. That makes devices like this here ZTE U990 particularly useful if you happen to be in the area, offering the People's Republic's oh-so-special flavor of high-speed wireless in an attractive package loaded with Windows Mobile 6, GPS, and EDGE roaming. The U990 also happens to be ZTE's very first Windows Mobile device, a surprising revelation for a manufacturer that currently sits at number six in the world for production volume. Look for it to launch into the retail chain "soon" -- which in corporate doublespeak could mean "tomorrow" or "2010."

[Via wmpoweruser.com and cellular-news]

Following up on comments made earlier in the year, Acer's senior veep and president of IT products has reaffirmed that it'll be launching its own brand of handsets early in 2009, having ramped up its handset R&D staff to some 500 heads by the end of 2008. What this means for recent acquisition E-TEN and its glofiish line is unclear, but for what it's worth, Acer says it'll be primarily targeting its existing PC channels in Russia and Western Russia with the new line -- so perhaps there's still room for E-TEN's wares to flourish elsewhere.

[Via Unwired View]

HTC might be setting the pace for Windows Mobile development right now, but it better watch its back -- especially on the low end of the range. China's ZTE, which has somehow silently risen through the ranks to become the world's number six phone manufacturer by volume, is said to be prepping a renewed global assault that will see it move beyond its typical role as a provider of low-end dumbphone fare to occupy the low-end smartphone niche, a market with traditionally limited choice. Windows Mobile and Linux are apparently both high on ZTE's hit list, with a contract already underway to supply Vodafone with a carrier-branded device next year (to fill the void left by the 920's killing, perhaps?); Symbian's not getting quite as much love, though they're said to have their eye on that camp, too. The firm commands a 30 percent market share in China's nascent TD-SCDMA market, and hey, you can only be a massively successful manufacturer in your domestic market before trying your hand elsewhere, right?

[Via mocoNews]

Looking for nefarious ways to take advantage of that Freerunner's wide-open Linux distro? NeoPwn thinks it has just the answer, packaging OpenMoko's latest handset with a custom bootloader and your choice of several add-on hardware modules for what it bills as the "first ever network auditing distrobution for a mobile phone." In layman's terms, that means you can crack a WEP WiFi network in just five minutes from the comfort of your pocket -- a pretty powerful reminder that WEP needs to be put six feet under in favor of more secure encryption techniques. Packages range in price from $79 to $999 depending on what software and hardware is included (you'll need an external WiFi card since the Freerunner's guts don't support monitoring or packet injection) and are expected to start shipping next month.

[Via Slashdot]

We've heard it time and time again, but the inner Zune Guy within us refuses to believe Microsoft is really shunning the chance to pump out a handset of its very own. Unfortunately, Lady Luck hasn't done us any favors since the last time this question was posed, as Scott Rockfeld, group product manager for Windows Mobile, recently confirmed that Microsoft has "no plans to build [its] own phone." He continued by adding that "right now [it's] happy to share the limelight." C'mon Scott -- where's that tenacious spirit you had that first day in Redmond? Where's the unrelenting determination to conquer the competition? Where's... oh, never mind.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]

Compared to other cellphone charging pads out there, Connectland's USB Multi-Cellular Phone Charger is mighty minuscule. The box gets power via a USB plug and then pipes it to eight different connectors that fit into mobiles from Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, etc. We dig that Brando throws in a "foam rubber" to keep this in while traveling, but honestly, would it really take more than two unanticipated jaunts to break every last prong from this thing? She's $18 if you're shaking your head from left to right.

[Via Gadgets-Weblog]

SkyTerra's Mobile Satellite Ventures, ICO Global Communications and Qualcomm have jointly announced today a partnership that could have far-reaching implications in the mobile realm. In short, the trio has agreed to "integrate satellite and cellular communication technology in select multi-mode mobile baseband chips," which will essentially enable handsets to have "ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America, including areas where traditional cellular service is currently unavailable or unreliable." The release proclaims that this hookup will lead to satellite connectivity being in mass-market devices, but only time will tell how long it takes for compatible handsets to get adopted by carriers. Unfortunately, we do know it won't happen prior to 2010, as that's the planned ship date for the newfangled chips. Thanks for the heads-up, guys -- but oh, how the tease hurts us.

[Via PhoneScoop]

Update: Images provided are of Mobile Satellite Ventures' design concepts.

We've seen 10-megapixel cameraphones. We've seen 8-megapixel cameraphones. But if you've been holding out for that oh-so-elusive 9-megapixel cameraphone, the wait is just about over. Digital Imaging Systems (DIS) has chosen Photokina 2008 to reveal its 9-megapixel (CMOS) DIS6931 camera module for mobile phones, which provides features such as auto-focus, a mechanical shutter and ND-filter with integrated actuators. Best of all, samples of the unit are shipping out right now, while volume production is on track for Q4 2008. Hey, handset makers -- can we get some attention on this, please?

[Via UnwiredView]

Once again, this week's How Would You Change delves deep into the mobile realm, so we figured we'd give you folks a heads-up of the latest posting. OpenMoko's Neo FreeRunner is the subject of this week's discussion, and with so many possibilities, we're certain a few of you out there have something to add. Prove us right over on Engadget Classic.

Looks like we're inching ever closer to getting our paws on the mythical Helio Ocean 2 -- the fun-loving regulators at the FCC just added a Pantech OZII dual-slider handset with Helio branding to their all-knowing database. Nothing you couldn't have guessed here -- QVGA display, EV-DO, 2 megapixel cam with video, full HTML browser, A2DP support -- but hey, this is The Phone That Could Have But Didn't Save Helio, you know? It's alright to be excited.

[Via Phone Scoop]

As 3G sliders go, the Shuttle won't rank terribly high on anyone's hot list, but as Virgin Mobile handsets go, specifically -- well, the Shuttle is pure gold. We toyed with it a bit at CTIA, and yeah, okay, it's not going to blow any minds. But if we put on our prepaid hats for just a moment, we can see how this is exactly what the doctor ordered: it's definitely the best-looking and feeling handset in Virgin's lineup, and at the same time, it doesn't come close to encroaching on Helio's higher-end territory. Granted, the 3G support doesn't mean terribly much considering the small screen (and we dare not mention "Virgin" and "tether" in the same sentence), so the Shuttle's gonna have to push units on the strength of its strapping good looks and support for Buddy Beacon. We think it'll manage.