Apparently, Microsoft has plans for Sync that extend beyond the standard voice-activation scheme they’ve got going right now. The company wants to deliver a wider range of network connectivity for in-car use, and they’re debating the possibility of moving away from subscription-based services to an ad-funded scenario. What exactly does that mean? We’ll let Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit explain: “We know where you are and we know where you’re headed,” he says, seemingly unaware of the Orwellian implications. “We could target that advertising directly to your car.” You getting that? Targeted ads. In your car. While you’re driving. Apparently, execs don’t think you’ll mind being bombarded inside your vehicle because you’re, “used to advertising in the car. We hear ads on the radio and see billboards on the road.” Of course, this is speculation on future technologies, so nothing is set in stone — hopefully someone comes to their senses before our hovercar interiors glitter with holographic spam.

A table of release dates dug up on Sony Ericsson’s own site suggests something powerfully depressing, which is that the XPERIA X1 has been pushed all the way out to February 10, 2009 (notice that the date is in European format — we’d just give up now if it were actually October 2, 2009). While the presence of the page on the company’s very own domain is pretty damning evidence, we’re still holding out hope that it’s a typo or an oversight; late Q2 of ‘08 was mentioned at MWC, and we really don’t see how it’s possible to push out a phone nearly three-quarters of a year just weeks after its initial announcement. Please tell us we’re right on this one, Sony Ericsson. Please.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

We brought you news that Sony Ericsson’s first Windows Mobile smartphone would ship mid 2008, however, the guys at Sony Ericsson Blog have spotted an official Sony Ericsson webpage showing the expected release date as 10/02/2009.

Considering Sony Ericsson Blog are as reliable as a really reliable source, and that they have pointed us in the direction of an official webpage backing their claim, this looks to be solid. If true, the wow factor of the Xperia X1 just may fade a little; who knows what we may see by 2009? We’ll bring you any updates as we receive them, but a delay would surely suck big time for those awaiting the Windows Mobile 6.1 running, dual touch and QWERTY sliding, sexy beast that is the Xperia X1. [Sony Ericsson via Sony Ericsson Blog]

Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Oklahoma Christian University? Sure as hell (woops) haven’t heard of it either, but they must be the Cal to Abilene Christian University’s Stanford (or sub your fav rivalry here) as they seem ready to pony up the cash necessary to fund the next free-gear-to-students publicity stunt. This time the offering is not only an iPod touch or iPhone, but a new MacBook as well — and to sweeten the deal, current students can trade their machines in for a new one. Your tuition (and tithing) dollars hard at work, OCU parents, students, and alumni.

Oh sure, Apple’s been offering up a couple of refurbished iPhones on its own web store for some time now, but actually finding one in stock has proven to be quite a challenge. Nevertheless, a purported internal memo has explained that select AT&T stores in the New England region (sorry, rest of the solar system) will be stocking refurbished iPhones for $199 (4GB) and $249 (8GB) — of course, the deal only applies to new activations. Has anyone actually seen this go down first hand? We wonder how quickly it’ll be before this offer bleeds out from the Northeast.

The chaps at BGR have received a leaked AT&T memo, which states the company will be offering refurbished iPhones for the lowly price of $199 (4GB) and $249 (8GB.) Yeah, 4GB makes no sense to us either, but that’s word from AT&T, so lets hope they meant 8GB and 16GB. (Unlikely we know, but we can hope.) The refurbished iPhones will be made available with new contracts only, and you can glimpse the internal memo after the jump.

March 1, 2008

Refurbished iPhones at COR Stores. For a limited time, select COR stores in the New England Market will offer refurbished iPhones (both 4GB and 8GB) for a special price. These devices are good as new and give customers the opportunity to experience the revolutionary iPhone with big savings. New activations only, upgrades with Manager approval. Refurbished iPhones will only be available to purchase in select COR stores across the Northeast Region and will be available while supplies last. Please reach out to customers that have recently purchased an iPhone to see if they are interested in activating an additional iPhone at a discounted equipment cost. Please note no in-store sales materials should be created. This is to be sold as a closing tool only. Product is available while supplies last from initial shipment. Failure to follow this communication will result in a Code of Business Conduct violation

If you manage to get your hands on one, drop us a shout below to let us know the condition your new-to-you handset is in. Also; 4GB, anyone? [BGR]

Quite frankly, the traditional Jawbone headset is pretty stylish as is. Nevertheless, Yves Behar has somehow managed to make it even sexier with the creation of the Love To Talk family. This trio, which will reportedly be made available “in a very limited quantity,” consists of a gold Sweet Talk version, black Dirty Talk edition and white Trash Talk model. No word on a price nor where to actually find one outside of the totally shady black market, but feel free to take a closer look at each in the read link below.

Cellphone makers like LG, Moto and Nokia are apparently laboring harder than ever over what we think about their phones (mostly not happy thoughts!). But guess what? Even with this newfound “concern” they still don’t get it. Here’s a couple of their ridiculous, out-of-touch ideas about how make us happy from a panel at MWC:

One panelist suggested that cellphone makers tap into consumers’ “neural networks”, while another said they should understand their subliminal needs.

WTF?

I actually know what a neural network is. But WTF does it have to do with making a phone that’s not crappy? This is all BS business-speak, and talking and thinking like that is why makers put out shitty, unintuitive phones. They should make a phone with how real people use phones in mind.

This “changed world” where “there is more relevance in what other consumers say than what the company is saying” isn’t a bad thing, though the article implies that’s how the handset makers feel. And as long as they feel that way, they’ll keep trying to push crap into people’s pockets. [NYT]

It was earlier today that I had mentioned about the ultimate method to jailbreak iPhone 1.1.4 which the iPhone Dev Team were planning to release soon. But you need not have to wait as iPhone hacking expert Zibri has just released the latest version of his tool, ZiPhone 2.5, to JailBreak and Unlock iPhone Firmware 1.1.4 and you can do all this with a graphical interface for both Mac OS X and Windows. More details on the single-step iPhone jailbreak method available after the jump.

We’ll be honest with you — it’s a bit disheartening to watch the (seemingly) inevitable happen to Helio. After all, it’s managed to soldier on despite hordes of other MVNOs hanging it up here in the US of A. Nevertheless, data gleaned from EarthLink’s most recent annual report shed some light on its deteriorating situation. Reportedly, Helio’s net loss “widened by 41.3-percent to $326.6 million in 2007 compared to $191.8 million in 2006,” yet revenues managed to grow 267-percent to $171 million from $46.6 million the year prior and subscriber growth rose 28-percent over last quarter to 180,000. Add those figures to the $42 or so million it lost in 2005, and we’re up to a grand total just south of 560 million American dollars. Tough times, indeed.

[Via Silicon Alley Insider]