Filed under: Cellphones

Ah yes, this is what we’ve been so eagerly awaiting. Enough pussyfooting around with the Palm Treo 680 and HTC Hermes / 8525 coming to Cingular — we know they’re due. We need prices, we need dates. And according to what appears to be a recent Cingular marketing presentation, we’ve got ‘em:

• Treo 680: $424.99 straight, $349.99 one year, $249.99 one year with unlimited data (and $100 rebate), $274.99 two year, $174.99 two year with unlimited data (and $100 rebate; their ad, however, shows a $200 list price, but it’s good to know we can count on around two Benjamins. Expect it November 5th (tentative).
• Cingular 8525: $559.99 straight, $484.99 one year (not including $50 rebate if included with unlimited data), $409.99 two year (also not including that same rebate); expect it October 29th.

See, now that wasn’t so bad, was it? Both came in right around where we’d expected and hoped; between the Dash, the Q, and the 680, it looks like that $200 price point is the sweet spot for ever-slimming smartphones. And the 8525 ain’t too bad either, considering what you’re getting.

[Thanks also to djnth]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Thar she blows. We’re not going to pretend like there’s any surprise left here — it’s the 8525 in all its tri-band UMTS / HSDPA glory, it was on Cingular’s page, and it looks like they’re about ready to go. Yep, all we’re waiting for is a price and release date. Yep, just gonna keep on waiting. Cingular?

[Thanks, JeShUa, Matt, and jetfxr]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

If you’re familiar with the Hermes and you know that it’s coming to Cingular ‘fore too long, these supposed renderings of Cingular’s variant (henceforth known as the 8525) should come with no surprises — except one, that is. Note that the Hermes’ front-facing cam is conspicuously missing here, allegedly removed at Cingular’s request since their video calling infrastructure isn’t quite ready for prime time. Of course, we would’ve preferred that they leave the cam in, disable it, and cut a new firmware down the road to re-enable it when video calling is live rather than ask HTC to cripple their hardware, but we’re sure the corporate suits had their reasons.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

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Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Cingular, Windows Mobile, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

If you’re familiar with the Hermes and you know that it’s coming to Cingular ‘fore too long, these supposed renderings of Cingular’s variant (henceforth known as the 8525) should come with no surprises — except one, that is. Note that the Hermes’ front-facing cam is conspicuously missing here, allegedly removed at Cingular’s request since their video calling infrastructure isn’t quite ready for prime time. Of course, we would’ve preferred that they leave the cam in, disable it, and cut a new firmware down the road to re-enable it when video calling is live rather than ask HTC to cripple their hardware, but we’re sure the corporate suits had their reasons.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

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Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Cingular, Symbian, Windows Mobile, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

We encourage everyone to take these tidbits with the usual boulder-sized grain of salt, but America’s favorite (read: only) HSDPA carrier has dropped their September launch grid, and on account of our friends’ slippery hands, it’s subsequently found its way over to Engadget HQ. Thanks to our own Boy Genius among countless other tipsters, nothing on the grid has really taken us by surprise — no UMTS 1900 N80s, for example — but we’re encouraged by Cingular’s (foolhardy?) optimism that the 8525 might yet see a release this month. Also allegedly along for the ride are the 3125, the oft-promised but rarely-delivered Nokia E62 (which turns out to be a lifetime exclusive for Cingular), the Samsung SGH-C417 that now appears to be on limited sale, and Sony Ericsson’s middling W300 Walkman flip. And, oh yeah, the Motorola L6 is in there, too. Don’t ask us.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

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Filed under: Handsets, Features, Cingular, Windows Mobile, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

The Cingy 8525 isn’t really a well kept secret at this point, but as always, the nearer to release, the likelier we are to get some shots in from Roc A Fella. There isn’t too much different on this well anticipated HSDPA handset than the current releases of the HTC TyTn, besides the front-facing camera going missing. Sorry guys, no video conferencing on this bad boy. Roc sez to look for this one in the next 30 or so days, and to keep an eye out for pricing and specs soon. Oh yeah, we’ve got another shot after the break.

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