In light of my recent post on innovation in cell phones, I will begin honoring new phones that are doing their best to be in that category. The edgier the phone, the better. Any phone that pushes buttons (not just keypad buttons) or gets people to think will be a phone worth focusing on.

Laptop Mag just did a hands-on review of the device, slated for release in Europe this week, on its blog. They also have a video showing some of the unique features it has.

Here are some specs:

• 8 MP Camera with automatic shutter and video recording (will do slow-mo)
• 16 GB internal memory with MicroSDHC port (allowing up to another 16 GB memory)
• Quad-band GSM/EDGE with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps 900/2100
• Wi-Fi
• Optical sensor, which allows you to move around the menu simply by moving your finger above the pad. No touching necessary
• a-GPS
• FM Radio with RDS
• Accelerometer

These are a few of the impressive features I really like a phone to have.

The reason I want to focus on this phone is because, while not wholly “innovative”, it has brought everything to the table. It’s upsetting to get excited about a hyped-up new phone only to find out that one or two crucial features were left out. With the Innov8 Samsung has made everything in the phone state of the art.

You can’t find many phones with 8 MP cameras; name a phone other than the iPhone that offers 16 GB of internal memory; simply bringing GPS and Wi-Fi together is a rare event; and I have not seen an optical mouse or sensor in a phone before this point.

What this phone is doing is raising the bar for other manufacturers. Samsung is challenging its competition to come out with phones that can do as much as the Innov8. The best thing that could happen for the wireless industry is for this phone to become a huge hit in Europe. It will then spread to other parts of the world and inspire other brands to make exciting new phones that push the boundaries of what we’re capable of!

The newest phones to pop up on PhoneArena include:

Samsung A617 – Quad band World phone
Pantech C710 – Tri-Band, 1.3 MP camera
Pantech C510 – Quad band but no 3G, 1.3 MP Camera and MicroSD
Pantech C600 – Quad band, 3G, VGA camera, MicroSD
Motorola W760R – Quad band, 3G, 2.0 MP camera, rugged, replacing V365
LG Voyager (Rumored!)

These phones are all flips, and all but one – the C510 – will be 3G.

Samsung Access

LG Vu

Updated July 31, 2008:

Sanyo Katana Eclipse – August 27 2008

Motorola VE20 - No release date set

Motorola I872 - Q2 2008

Motorola Cabo I890 – Q4 2008

Motorola ROKR Z6M – Q3 2008

Motorola Renegade V950

Samsung Z700

HTC Raphael

HTC Diamond

Related Posts:

Blackberry Pearl 2 (8120) with WiFi- April 14, 2008
Nokia 2760
Nokia 5610 Express Music
Motorola Moto Z6w
Samsung T339
Samsung T229
Samsung T419

Motorola V9x

Blackberry Bold – New 3G Blackberry. I cannot WAIT!

Sony Ericsson Z780 – no release date yet – Google Maps with aGPS, and Push Email via MS Exchange ActiveSync are the highlights.

Motorola W760R – Quad band, 3G, 2.0 MP camera, rugged, replacing V365

Nokia 3555 – Already available on T-Mobile. 3G but otherwise unimpressive.

Samsung A237 – entry level clamshell; likely to have Quad-band GSM/EDGE with camera and bluetooth (photo courtesy PhoneArena)

LG CB630 “Invision” – August? – new LG candybar TV phone. Looks very similar to the Samsung Access.

Rumored Phones

Samsung Blackjack 3

Samsung Omnia

AT&T Tilt 2

Pantech Duo 2

Related Posts:

Presenting the new Jawbone
Look at AT&T’s roadmap

Cnet First Take

The Samsung A717 was released recently through AT&T and there is an interesting amount of excitement that has been brewing about this device. Engadget is already calling it the new Sync (okay, they’re just saying they’ve pushed the Sync out of their minds completely), even though they’re sold side by side and we don’t see the Syncs disappearing anytime soon. Obviously one major difference is the price; why get a phone with almost all of the same features and a tiny front LCD for $149, when in some markets you can get the Sync for $24.99 with new contract?

So, let’s find out how the A717 fares. First, the main features: This phone will soon be featuring Video Share; has a 2 MP adjustable camera, A2DP stereo bluetooth, microSD, HSDPA, and is slightly thinner than the Sync.

As for reviews, those will follow in the near future. I haven’t found any yet! Though this phone has already been released, nobody seems very eager to review it. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign….

If anybody has additional information please share!

One thing I find interesting is the front of the phone, which showcases a tiny external screen. This is an interesting change, considering the outside screen on most new phones continues to get larger and clearer.

The official release date is this Sunday, June 3.

First takes and specs:
Mobiledia
Electronista