As we ramp up to CTIA Wireless this coming week, the rumors of new handsets, suspicions of refreshed software, and general pre-show jumping the gun have come thick and fast.  Of course, we ironically started off the week with some serious criticism of one of the new cellular technologies, as CEO of Australian firm Buzz Broadband took to the stage at a WiMAX conference to interrupt the back-slapping with some harsh words against the mobile broadband, though perhaps not as harsh as their former hardware partner was in their damning retort.  The spat hasn’t seemed to put off a trio of cable companies, who are supposedly eyeing Sprint and Clearwire for a multi-billion unified network investment. 

Google, meanwhile, turned from the 700MHz FCC auction (with wallet still bulging) and announced it had another spectrum plan for the Commission to consider; this time, how best to use the ‘white space’ in-between digital TV channels.  All of that paled, however, at the news that Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo had recorded 250Mbps downlink speeds in their Super 3G trials; apparently the new network will be technically ready for deployment in 2009.

Until then, we’ll have to make do with what we’ve got, and two handsets from companies yet to make their 3G move kept hitting headlines all week.  Apple’s 3G iPhone got analysts hot under the collar, with a Taiwanese manufacturer apparently identified, a Q2 launch predicted and even hardware orders estimated.  A speed increase would be mighty handy, too, after Sling Media - makers of the video streaming Slingbox hardware - announced they were eyeing up the iPhone as a SlingPlayer client recipient.  This weekend also marks the release of the iPhone Dev Team’s PWNAGE tool, which can apparently unlock Apple’s handset to unsigned third-party apps while still playing nice with official firmware. 

The other firm getting attention, of course, is RIM, whose BlackBerry 9000 is the first smartphone from the company to feature 3G HSDPA.  We’ve known of the existence of the 9000-series for a while, now, but this week is the first time we’ve seen decent photos of the device in action.  Ironically, it comes as the Indian government renew their threat to pull the BlackBerry server plug unless RIM hand over decryption codes for all the messages handled. 

On the opposite side of the flexibility fence is Cuba, who after years of cellphone restrictions have finally decided to open up the mobile airways to citizens there.  And you may be able to chat on the phone on your way there, too, as UK regulator Ofcom has approved mobile use while on aircraft; expect so-called “silent” cabins to spring up very soon!

In hardware news, we’ve seen leaked press photos of LG’s Vu for AT&T, ready to take advantage of the carriers mobile TV system that will launch in May, as well as accidental confirmation of Nokia’s N810 Internet Tablet WiMAX Edition and a full review of the distant N96 smartphone.  We’re expecting official announcements of the first two at CTIA Wireless.  Also expected is Microsoft’s announcement of Windows Mobile 6.1, which we’ve seen so many times in smartphone press photos from their hardware partners that it’s easy to forget the official launch is yet to occur.

Last but by no means least, a PHONE Magazine Week in Review wouldn’t be complete without some mention of Motorola, and major news this week is that the beleaguered company has decided to do what everybody expected they would, and split the ailing mobile devices arm off from the rest of the business.  Perhaps the coming week will see a return to form for the newly distinct cellphone company; whatever happens, we’ll keep you updated with all the news worth knowing from CTIA Wireless.