Big Red’s lineup is about to get even more red and green seeing that a CDMA HTC-made smartphone with the model name PB99300 was passed by the FCC. This undoubtedly is the CDMA version of the Nexus One that Google officially announced during the handset’s unveiling back in January because the GSM/HSPA version is the PB99100. Now this may throw some customers in a deep pickle seeing that they’ll have to really sit down and think about their potential future purchase when they take into consideration the vast mix of top Android handsets that the carrier supports. The Nexus One for Verizon will follow suit with the others before it as the smartphone will probably sold directly through Google’s online store and offered at the same price; hopefully. Additionally, there are other rumored HTC Android powered handsets that’s expected to launch soon like the other Android 2.1 smartphone; the HTC Incredible. Considering that the Motorola DROID is still in the competition, customers again will need to weigh down all their options before making a finalized decision – from the looks of it, HTC definitely has a niche on Verizon’s lineup.
source: FCC via Unwired View

Although our Canadian friends up to the north will soon be getting one nice piece of Android powered hardware in the form of the Acer Liquid e smartphone, US consumers may soon get a portion of that love from Acer as well. Despite lacking any serious power under the hood when compared to the Acer Liquid e, it’s still pleasant to see that the Acer beTouch E110 is attempting to get its name out there in the US market. There’s no denying that Acer has a strong presence in the PC market already, but they’ll need to do some extra work before winning over the hearts and minds of US consumers. The FCC just approved today the Acer beTouch E110 which surprisingly has support for AT&T’s 3G network and is considered one of the company’s latest Android smartphones. It’s an entry-level smartphone featuring  a 2.8” QVGA touchscreen, GPS, 3.5mm headset jack, 3.2-megapixel camera, 256MB ROM, 256MB RAM, ST Ericsson PNX6715 416MHz processor, and Android 1.5. Our European friends will be getting a taste of this handset first when it’s expected to be available some time in March with an attractive low price. Still, there’s no confirmation when this handset will actually make an appearance in stores for consumers to purchase over here.
source: FCC via Unwired View

Remember that AT&T commercial where diners had their AT&T smartphones replaced by Verizon branded models? There’s the shot of that lady waving the Motorola DROID back and forth, asking, “Where is my cool phone?” If  web site ‘wireless goodness’ is right, that cool phone with the AT&T branding could very well be a GSM version of the Motorola DROID. The site just pointed out that comparing an FCC lab test of the DROID with a new Motorola device shows some positive connections between the two. First, both models use the same exact battery, SNN6843A. The DROID carries FCC ID# IHDP56KC1 and the mystery device is known as IHDP56KZ2. The latter unit is loaded with AT&T’s WCDMA frequencies and taking that into consideration along with the similarities of the two devices-including the battery-suggests a version of the DROID could be AT&T bound. Now this is obviously quite a long shot and it should be pointed out that the DROID shares the same battery as its stablemate Motorola CLIQ. The only thing is that the CLIQ is already quadband GSM and as the site points out, it is unlikely that Motorola would make a new CLIQ just to add AT&T’s bands. So for now, Matlock fans, we have us a mystery. The lady in the ad might be happy to know that her cool device might already be in her hands.
source: FCC via wirelessgoodness

The Nexus One’s wrath upon would be T-Mobile deserters will now be less imposing as it was initially – it won’t break the bank if you plan on jumping ship off your contract. Previously owners would have to dish out a hefty price of $350 if customers cancel or downgrade their T-Mobile contract within the first 120 days of owning the handset; this does not include any changes to the carrier’s own ETF policy – which is $200. Starting today, Google lowered the Nexus One’s ETF from $350 to $150; so basically you end up paying for a full priced Nexus One – so why not just buy it outright from the start? This new change comes after an FCC inquiry into the out-of-control termination fees associated with the smartphone. Although Google may not enjoy knowing that people can sell phones purchased under a contract and make a profit, they claim to not make any money off of equipment recovery. Some may consider the difference in dropping their service a small victory; they still end up paying $150 for having second thoughts about the contract or phone.
source: Wall Street Journal via Gizmodo

If you remember, the idea behind the Nexus One was to change the way phones are distributed in the U.S. with the retailers and the carriers bypassed. Unfortunately, thus far the N-One hasn’t been able to totally accomplish this change because of the current radio set-up in the device, which limits 3G coverage to T-Mobile’s frequencies. Today, an FCC label was discovered on a new FCC filing for a phone with  FCC ID NM899110 while the N-One has an FCC ID of NM899100. That is only one digit off of the phone in the new filing which could lead a suspicious mind to think that the new filing is a variant of the Nexus One. And the suspicions could be fed by noting that the new filing covers a device that includes 3G coverage on WCDMA bands I, II and V. Those bands cover AT&T in the U.S. and Bell, Rogers and Telus in Canada. Now what would a suspicious mind think?
source: FCC (old label), FCC (new label)

The first Acer handset powered by Android, the Liquid  A1 (S100) was spotted at the FCC. Equipped with AT&T/Rogers/Bell/Telus frequencies at 850/1900MHz, the handset could end up in the U.S. as the Acer smartphone invasion tries to plant some roots. We previously reported on the PC maker’s desire to launch a more balanced line next year by adding some more Android devices. Acer is striving to crack the list of the top 5 smartphone producers within the next 5 years.

As for the Liquid A1, it is expected to feature a Snapdragon processor underclocked to 768MHz, a 3.5 inch WVGA touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a 5MP camera with AF. The device also focuses on the social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Flickr, and carries a 3.5mm audio jack for your listening pleasure. According to BGR, Acer execs have been telling AT&T and T-Mobile folks that it would be a good idea for the carriers to strike a relationship with the Taiwanese based company. If Acer does succeed in getting AT&T’s attention, it might have to compete with another PC maker offering a smartphone as Dell is expected to launch the Mini3iX through the carrier in the first quarter of next year.
source: FCC via unwiredview, BGR

Recently, we have seen Dell’s Android powered smartphone, the Mini 3i, announced in China and then spotted in Brazil with Wi-Fi added as the Mini 3iX. Obviously this device travels well and no less than Michael Dell has said to expect an Android flavored Dell handset in the U.S. in 2010 as we have reported. Unwired View says that Mr. Dell explicitly said that the carrier would be AT&T. Thus, it is really not too surprising that the 3iX visited the FCC on Friday and while meeting with the diligent rubber stampers, the phone was carrying the 850/1900 frequencies for GSM and UMTS, a perfect match for AT&T.

Unlike the version of the phone for China. the U.S. model is equipped with Wi-Fi (hence the “X” in the name) and will offer a 3.5 inch touchscreen with resolution of 640 X 360 pixels, A-GPS, a 3MP camera and support for Microsoft Exchange. There was no clue which version of the Android OS would be running on the device. Now that the FCC has waved it along, the next step could be up to AT&T. And with 2010 only about 7 weeks away, news could come at any time.
source: FCC via unwiredview

There is no promise that the HTC Hero will be available on AT&T, but there is evidence on the FCC’s web site that suggests approval of a Hero version that incorporates the bands necessary (II and V) that make it AT&T-friendly. The FCC has approved a WCDMA handset which fits nicely into the 1900 and 850 MHz combination that AT&T subscribers need for 3G data access. Whether or not this device ultimately lands on AT&T’s network remains to be seen, but even if it doesn’t, it should eventually be available through other sources and could ultimately end up in some AT&T users’ hands (unlocked, of course). If AT&T doesn’t get this handset, how many of you AT&T subscribers will try to get your mitts on one anyway?

Source: engadget mobile

Not too long ago, we told you that Samsung had officially confirmed that the i7500 will be the Korean manufacturer’s first Android device. The handset has just made it through the nourishing hands of the FCC and after being probed, shocked, dropped and whatever fun things the test labs do, the Feds gave the thumbs up sign. The filing for the phone mentioned AWS 3G along with the 850 and 1900 MHz EDGE bands which gives us a sign that the i7500 could be T-Mobile bound with its 3.2 inch AMOLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi and a 5MP camera.

source: FCC via EngadgetMobile