End User: Cell, Cell, Cell: New Treo Pro and T-Mobile Releases

As Labor Day approaches and we start to feel the ebb of summer, cell phone manufacturers and networks are getting ready for everyone getting back to school and to work with loads of interesting new announcements. One of the most interesting (and not the best kept secret of the past few weeks) is the Palm Treo Pro, which boasts a streamlined Treo case design and a sexy piano black look for its introduction. While the popular Centro is aimed more toward the youth market and smartphone beginners, the Treo Pro is shooting for MBA road warriors with its Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system and built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, and tri-mode HSDPA 3G network accessibility (allowing you to traffic international 3G networks as well as AT&T's 3G network). For a hands-on view, check out the Palm marketing video tour over at Engadget. CNet's Crave reports that it will get its first official network releases in Europe and Australia, while Electronista notes it will only be available here in the United States as an unlocked phone through Palm's store at some point before Christmas for $549.

In other cell-riffic news...

It looks like Palm's Centro will be getting a facelift as well, thanks to a leaked ad from Bell Canada caught by the Treonauts blog.
The proudly pink T-Mobile has been slow to roll out its 3G network, with just the New York City metro area currently lit up. But The Boy Genius Report (with its hands on a leaked report) says T-Mobile will be beaming with pride by the end of the year as it rolls out the 3G delight to another 27 cities by the end of the year, with Minneapolis (and I'm assuming the oft-neglected Twin City, St. Paul) launching today.
With its 3G rollout, T-Mobile is going to need more 3G-enabled handsets, and the gadgetosphere has been bandying about rumors of its upcoming releases, including the iPhone-wannabe Samsung Tocco (which also sports Wi-Fi networking, GPS and a 5-megapixel camera; via IntoMobile and PhoneMag) and the sporty clamshell Sony Ericsson TM506 (which will launch in early September; via TmoNews)
But more tantalizing, T-Mobile is pinker and prouder than ever after having scored an exclusive with the launch of Google's first Android OS-powered phone, dubbed the HTC G1 (or the Dream)--which just received a passing grade at the FCC. Much like other HTC offerings, Wired's Gadget Lab will have a sliding QWERTY keyboard, but it's complemented by a very impressive 5 x 3-inch touchscreen. TmoNews reports that it will go on pre-sale in the middle of September at a $150 price point for one week, which then gets elevated by $50 when it goes official on October 13. Here's a video of the dreamy new phone in the wild:
On the non-3G tip, T-Mobile looks to be prepping some new Blackberry releases, including the Wi-Fi-enabled Pearl 8220 (formerly known as the Kickstart)--its first clamshell design--and the Javelin (via IntoMobile).
AT&T has unveiled two new phones today. First up is the Sony Ericsson W350 Walkman phone, which returns to a classic flip-phone design (rather than more currently conventional clamshell) in three colors: black, white/gray, and ice blue. They measure 0.43 inches thin, are compatible with AT&T's music download services, include an FM radio, but are capped at just EDGE-speed data connectivity.
Trying to broaden its Mobile TV service, AT&T also announced the LG Invision (seen at right), which has a smaller screen than its Mobile TV compatriot LG Vu, but also a smaller price--$99 with a two-year agreement. It's also packed with HSDPA 3G connectivity, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, and access to AT&T's music downloads, XM Radio service, and video share service.
Pocket PC Central reports that Sprint looks to be the first U.S. carrier to offer the HTC Touch Diamond (previously only available as unlocked) in early September, with WMExperts saying a red model will be introduced in addition to the standard black.
The iPhone isn't the only 500-pound gorilla that competitors are gunning for. Mobile Mentalism reports that Samsung is going after the Nokia 95 with its INNOV8 i8510, which offers many of the same specs including HSDPA 3G (though only on international frequencies), Wi-Fi, Symbian S60 operating system, and TV output but bumps up the camera's megapixels to 8. Also check out CNet Asia's first take on the INNOV8.