For some users a smart phone is overkill. All some people want is the ability to send text messages and make phone calls. For this type of user, a fancy smartphone with word processing and other functions isn’t particularly appealing.

AT&T has announced a new Samsung handset called the Propel that is designed with the text user in mind. The phone has a full QWERTY keyboard in a vertical sliding design. Multiple color options are available and the handset can do email and offers 3G connectivity.

XM Radio’s XMp3 handheld is available and shipping, but some of you have no doubt been waiting for some video before jumping in and buying, so have a look. xzitony managed to get his hands on one of the devices and made this six minute clip that shows off the user interface. Looks like it boots up super quick, sports a new menu system and lots more. Check out the video below.

Onkyo has on its hands this week two new THX Ultra2 Plus certified 7.1-channel A/V receivers which are available now. These are the TX-SR876 and TX-NR906, pricing at around $1,800 and $2,300, respectively.

Features wise, the only main difference between these two new A/V receivers seems to be that on the TX-NR906 there are “advanced networked audio capabilities.” Key features otherwise include HDMI repeaters for four high definition video sources, THX Loudness Plus processing, Audyssey’s new Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume technologies, HQV Reon-VX video upscaling to 1080p, multi-room support and HD Radio.

XM’s XMp3 portable radio has been leaked along with one of its key features, thanks to a new Popular Science issue that accidentally revealed the device before showtime. The size has been reduced compared to the the Pioneer Inno and other previous handheld satellite radios, but the big news so far is that the XMp3 has the option of capturing five separate channels and downloading a song from each at the same time. The user could listen to a live event without missing broadcasts on other stations. Details are scarce, but we know it has a color display of unknown resolution and a dock. We’re guessing it also sports typical mp3 storage as well. No pricing info yet or launch date, but expect it by year’s end.

We have all ended up somewhere at one time or another where we didn’t have anything to do and were bored to tears. If you have a nice smart phone, you have a few options from playing games and watching YouTube videos to listening to music. AT&T customers with the right handset can even watch TV.

LG Mobile Phones and AT&T announced a new handset called the LG Invision, which is now the smallest mobile TV capable handset in America. The phone measures 4 inches tall by 2 inches wide and is less than 1/2 inch thick. The clear screen allows TV fans to enjoy TV programming — including college football games — on networks like CBS Mobile, ESPN Mobile, Fox Mobile, and NBC2GO.

Say you seek a multi-zone A/V receiver to go beyond your traditional two or three zone models. How about a receiver which can do eight zones? That’s the idea behind the new Audio Design Associates Suite 8200, priced at around $5,000.

The Audio Design Associates Suite 8200 can be combined with another Suite 8200 to give you 16 zones if you like. Beyond that, you’ll find this A/V receiver offering dual radio tuners to support XM or Sirius as well as HD and standard AM/FM radio.

Porsche is planning a nice little tech update for its 2009 911 models. One of the ones grabbing our eye the most is the integration of XM.

XM Satellite Radio said it will make available as a factory-installed option XM radio and its associated over 170 channels of music and information. It will also offer up  XM NavTraffic, a real-time traffic service which is available in 80 North American markets.

Marantz America is out with a few new home theater components designed to add a little extra pop to your personal entertainment options. These are the AV8003 and MM8003, priced at around $2,600 and $2,400, respectively.

The AV8003 preamplifier is, according to Marantz, a multi-zone processor and controller offering streaming A/V capability, while the MM8003 amplifier works with either a 7.1- or 5.1- channel system. Full details of both are found after the jump.

Pioneer over the weekend announced new additions to its line up of AVIC-F advanced in-dash navigators. These new offerings, which join the AVIC-F500BT shown off at CES, are the AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT and Premier branded AVIC-F90BT. Pricing is set at $850, $1,100 and $1,200, respectively, and all units will be available in June.

Pioneer is describing these in-dash units as going “beyond navigation” by offering “enhanced navigation and entertainment features paired with sophisticated voice control.” While you may read that however you choose there is no doubt Pioneer has packed these units with a ton of features, including “Apple iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, MSN Direct, HD radio, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio, single CD, DVD video playback and compressed audio and video playback through USB and SD memory devices.”

For the full details, check out the press release after the jump. These Pioneer units definitely look to be the cause of many wonderful distractions as you cruise down the open roads.

This might be more for those who like novelty products. Or maybe you are a fan of carbonation. This device supports MP3, WMA, WMV, WAV and ASF file formats with ID3 tags with lyrics display.

It sports an OLED screen of unknown size, a microphone and a USB 2.0 port built-in. FM radio and voice recording functionality are included, as well as seven EQ settings. Internal memory comes in 128, 256 and 512MB, and 1, 2 and 4GB. You can get it in both blue and red, presumably for those with a vote to cast in the cola wars.(Your choice of fake Pepsi or fake coke)

Denon Electronics has introduced two new audio systems which use wireless connectivity to access digital audio. The new S-32 and S-52 systems are priced at around $500 and $700 respectively.

The Denon S-32 and S-52 are part of the company’s new S-Series Networked Audio Systems. They use 802.11 wireless technology to let you access music on other home networked devices as well as pay-for streaming audio from Rhapsody digital music service. Both models also include a built-in iPod dock, with S-52 offering additional entertainment options like a built-in HD Radio tuner, slot loading CD player and XM Satellite Radio.

Alltel Wireless and Motorola today announced the beginning of sales of a new music phone with an exclusive feature. The Motorola MOTOROKR Z6m is priced at around $130 after a new contract and rebate.

The Motorola MOTOROKR Z6m, making use of Alltel “Celltop” technology to access and organize information available on the phone, is loaded with an exclusive XM Radio Mobile cell. It delivers 20 channels of XM and costs around $8 a month. The Z6m is designed as well to be a music playing mobile, allowing up to 2GB of optional removable memory and support for audio formats like MP3, AAC, AAC+ and WMA.

Onkyo recently announced a new home theater in a box system which is in tune with the HDMI v1.3a standard. The Onkyo HT-SP908 is priced at around $1,100.

The Onkyo HT-SP908 7.1-channel audio system comes with the company’s TX-SR605 A/V receiver. This receiver has two HDMI v1.3a inputs and one output which are “fully compatible with 1080p video, including DeepColor technology.” The receiver also supports the latest high audio codecs as well as being XM and Sirius satellite radio ready. Basic iPod control and audio playback is offered to the A/V receiver via an included S-A1X Remote Interactive (RI) control dock.

XM Satellite Radio wants to make sure it can get its product beamed into as many cars nationwide as possible. To that end it announced today the XM Direct 2, priced at around $130.

The XM Direct 2, developed by Audiovox, is a universal adapter solution for satellite radio compatible car stereos. This means it should work with more than 100 satellite ready car stereos on the market today from manufacturers such as Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Jensen, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, and Sony. The unit, which is programmable by retailers, lets one use the car stereo’s controls …

This funky 21st century vehicle is the Aptera, a three-wheeled energy efficient car that will come in either an all-electric version or a hybrid model. You get a top speed of 95 MPH, zero to 60 MPH in 10 seconds it seats 2 comfortably (or 3 squished together). A solar panel on the roof is used to help power the climate control system inside. It uses RFID to power on, has GPS navigation and a CD/MP3/DVD sound system with XM radio too. Safety is covered by the Aptera’s twin airbags and a rear view camera.

If you throw down a fully refundable $500 now you can secure an Aptera when the vehicles begin to roll off the assembly line in a year. The hybrid model will get you about 230 miles per gallon and costs $29,900 while the fully electric model only gets you 120 miles before your charge is depleted (but you save on the sticker price which is $26,900).