Thought it's time for something Else - meet the First ELSE to come

Today Emblaze Mobile announced their new smartphone running on the relatively unknown Access Linux Platform (ALP). Developed from scratch in close cooperation with OS developers, the First ELSE have taken them two years to develop but the end result has turned out quite attractive.

Powered by the TI OMAP 3430 platform the First Else will share the same CPU and graphics accelerator with devices such as the iPhone 3GS, Nokia N900 and Samsung i8910 Omnia HD. The handset packs an impressive 3.5" capacitive LCD touchscreen display with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels.

Sony Ericsson already working on second version of Xperia Pureness, possibly Xperia Pureness 2?

Electric Pig is reporting that Sony Ericsson's already working on a followup to the Xperia Pureness. The designer of the original handset, Daniel Mauritzson, says that the second version of the Pureness will pack even fewer "features" than its predecessor, to hone in even further on the contrast between the handset and available smartphones. There's also been some murmuring of removing the buttons, apparently -- which makes us wonder if the next Pureness might not just be a four-inch long piece of black plastic we'll only be able to pretend to make calls on. Regardless, it sounds like the next Pureness is only in the very earliest stages of design, so don't get too excited yet -- it'll be a while. (engadget)

Sony Ericsson Adds Own UI to Its First Android Phone

Sony Ericsson's first Android-based smartphone, the Xperia X10, comes with a unique user interface that's designed to improve handling and organization of communications and multimedia content. But one analyst said the interface still needs work, particularly when it comes to speed and responsiveness, before the phone hits the market.

Orange launch iPhone 3G/3GS on 10 November, same plans as O2

Orange officially announced that the launch of the iPhone 3G and 3GS will be on 10 November. Their future iPhone plans are absolutely identical to those of O2 ones and you can have the 3GS free for 44 GBP on a 24-month contract.
Much like recently suggested the iPhone 3GS will see daylight in the Orange networks in about a week on 10 November. back then Orange officials denied that there will be an iPhone price war in the UK with pricing projected to be the same as that of O2 UK.
Well, looking at the new Orange iPhone plans we noticed that they are absolutely identical to the O2 ones - both in bonuses and prices. You can have the iPhone 3G free for 30 pounds on 24 months contract, while the 3GS is free for the 44 pounds plan.

The Orange iPhone will be available through 402 Orange shops in UK, the Orange online shop, Orange HMV concessions, Carphone Warehouse, Phones4U and more. For more information on the price plans you can visit Orange iPhone page. (Gsmarena.com)

Smartphone security threats likely to rise

(CNN) -- Worms, spam, viruses and hackers -- they're not just for your desktop or laptop anymore. According to internet security experts they could be well on their way into your pocket or purse.
The popularity of smartphones -- like the Blackberry, iPhone, Palm and the emerging Droid -- is on the rise and shows no signs of letting up.
And that's making the phones a sweeter target for online ne'er do-wells looking to, at the very least, cause mischief and, at worst, rip off unsuspecting phone owners.
"It's guaranteed that almost everything we see on a computer will show up on a smartphone -- and some new things," said Jake Widman, a San Francisco-based technology writer and analyst.
Last year, more than 139 million smartphones were sold worldwide, a 13.9 percent increase from 2007, according to the British technology analysis firm Gartner.