Gizmodo reports that Cingular just posted two new smartphones, the 8500 and the 8525 on their website. They're updates to the 8100 and 8125 Windows Mobile phones. The processor speed has been doubled to 400 MHz in the new devices. The 8525 has 2-megapixel camera with flash while the 8500 doesn't. Engadget has additional details.

The phones have a 2.8" screen, QWERTY, wi-fi, Bluetooth, run Windows Mobile 5 and are claimed to be highly functional for web browsing with their "enhanced" xHTML support.

The other notable feature is the inclusion of HSDPA, giving users potential data transfer speeds between 400 and 700 kbps, although actual speeds and prices are still unclear for the 8500/8525.

Amazon sells the older 8125 for $250 (with activation). The PDAConnect data plan does not cover text messaging. For that you need to add an SMS package and if you use MMS (photos), that is yet an additional charge, as the SMS text messaging package does NOT include photo service.

Whether Cingular will block Bluetooth tethering (like Verizon) is not clear (ie: they probably will).

T-Mobile is selling the similar (older) version of the MDA model with TI's 200 Mhz processor. You can pick one up cheap through Amazon (with a service plan).

These MDA PocketPC devices feature a full keyboard that slides away plus a mini SD slot, built-in camera, GSM, GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi. Texas Instrument's OMAP family of processors consists of a general-purpose host ARM processor and one or more DSPs, commonly a variant of TI's TMS320 series DSPs.

Amazon's new movie download service, at www.amazon.com/unbox, allows you to download full resolution movies. No mobile movies (yet) but it may not be long. On September 12th, Apple Computer may announce a video download service and player.

Read more at: http://dailywireless.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5806&src=rss10.