Month: August 2007

“As it was expected Mio Technology introduced today navigation PDA P360 and P560, heirs of P350 and P550 at IFA show in Berlin. They are powered by Windows Mobile 6 running on 400 MHz processors. In addition both models carry SiRF III GPS-receivers onboard and support SD/SDHC cards capacious of up to 4GB. The senior PDA (P560) is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless modules.Both handhelds will be supplied with MioMap 3 navigation software. Mio P360 has a price tag of €249 without the program and €299 with MioMap 3. Mio P560 will be offered for €349 or €399 on the same conditions. The exact release date hasn’t been unveiled yet.” via mobile-review.com

Opera mini has a new version which includes special features made for BlackBerrys. The version 4 was released today and makes the whole browsing-on-BlackBerry experience more enthusiastic.Two of the new features for the BlackBerry owners include:- Landscape mode so you can view more content when browsing. Much like what happens with the iPhone.- New multi-search Start Page in which you can add the personal favorite search engines to the Start Page. We want to make Opera Mini available to even more users, so we’ve improved our support for BlackBerry. Now the world’s most popular mobile web browser and most popular handhelds can work together. The Opera Mini 4.0 version can be downloaded for free at the Opera website.”via mobilewhack.com

“SanDisk is shipping 8-gigabyte (GB) Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash memory cards to phone manufacturers and mobile network operators (MNOs) for testing and evaluation purposes. At 8GB, SanDisk offers the largest capacity M2 card in the world. The new card will allow consumers to listen to more than 2,000 digital songs, or store more than 5,000 high-resolution pictures, or up to 5 hours of high-quality MPEG 4 videos . Retail release of the cards and availability to phone manufacturers and network operators is planned for Q4 2007. Pricing has not yet been determined. ” via slashphone.com

“Sony has announced new media player series Walkman NWZ-A810 and NWZ-S610. They can play video (30 fps) in addition to radio, have QVGA LCD, support WMA, AAC and MP3 audio, JPEG images, MPEG-4 and H.264/AVC. The NWZ-A810 ensures 8 hours of video playback, and the NWZ-S610 – 9.5 hours, both of them can play audio 33 hours long. They have 2” and 1.8” diagonals respectively. Besides the NWZ-S610 is equipped with an FM-tuner.The sales of Sony media players start in the US in September. The Walkman NWZ-A810 will be available in White, Rose, Black, Blue and Silver colors and with 2, 4 and 8 GB of memory onboard. The modifications will cost $140, $180 and $230 respectively. In its turn the Walkman NWZ-S610 will come in Black, Rose, Red and Silver shell colors. The versions with 2, 4, 8 GB will be offered for $120, $160 and $210.” via mobile-review.com

“ABI Research has released a new report that claims over the next 5 years, Linux is expected to be the fastest growing Smartphone OS with a compound annual growth rate in excess of 75%. By 2012, a recent study from ABI Research forecasts the Linux-based OS to account for nearly 31% of all smart devices in the market — representing more than 331 million cumulative shipments over the same period.Research director Stuart Carlaw states, “Serious initiatives from the likes of Intel and Access are gathering pace and momentum, whilst the carrier community continues to identify Linux as one of the few operating systems that it intends to support in its long-term plans.” Carlaw adds, “Linux is benefiting from growing support in the handset OEM community, most notably Motorola, but also Nokia with less traditional types of devices aimed at mobile broadband applications.” The rise of mobile broadband and the impact that this has upon device convergence and format plays into the hands of Linux.The vertical and horizontal fragmentation that has plagued this market continues to be a concern; however, the recent patent infringement assertions from Microsoft — that Linux, in its generic form, infringes upon 235 of its patents — is an ongoing concern. Many Linux pundits point to this as being old hat, while others indicate that there is no smoke without fire.The ABI Research study entitled, “Mobile Linux” found that there are several challenges still facing the proliferation of Linux in this environment. This study explores these barriers, provides a frank SWOT analysis of the mobile Linux offering, and supplies forecasts for Linux uptake in mobile devices for commercial OS implementations and RTOS replacement.” via mobilelinuxinfo.com

“HTC and NTT DoCoMo announces two new windows mobile smartphone today, the FOMA F1100 and FOMA HT1100. The HT1100 is also known as HTC Nikie, according to the rumor posted not long ago.The FOMA F1100 and FOMA HT1100 allow users to interface with PCs through proven applications such as Outlook Mobile and Internet Explorer Mobile. The HSDPA-capable handsets employ McAfee security scan to ensure high-speed, protected browsing of PC websites and email management. The security scan function identifies and isolates malicious data before it is downloaded. DoCoMo plans to begin marketing the handsets during the first quarter of calendar year 2008.The FOMA F1100, developed with business users in mind, can access both FOMA and wireless LAN networks for IP telephony. DoCoMo envisions the F1100 doubling as a VoIP mobile phone using in-house WLANs equipped for DoCoMo’s PASSAGE DUPLE service or the business mopera IP Centrex service, which enables outbound or internal communication via IP Centrex devices on DoCoMo networks (rather than via in-house PBX). The handset will come with a fingerprint authentication feature to ensure tight security control.” Read more here:

Samsung Electronics has expanded the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC lineup with 3 new models powered by Windows XP Tablet Edition – Q1U-SSDXP, Q1U-ELXP and Q1U-XP. Like the predecessor they come with a 7” touch sensitive widescreen display and a QWERTY-keyboard, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.The Q1U-ELXP is based on Intel A100 600 MHz processor and 40 GB HDD. It is listed for $999. The Q1U-XP is powered by Intel A110 800 MHz processor, 60 GB HDD and offered for $1149. And the Q1U-SSDXP features Intel A110 800 MHz processor, 32-GB NAND-flash drive. The price tag is $1649.” via mobile-review.com

“Palm has released new Treo 750/750v Updater 2.18 for Europe Vodafone branded Treo 750. The updater will update the phone OS to Windows Mobile 6 professional, including a few other enhancements. The company is providing the updater till 31st October 2008.According to the download page, the update provides: Windows Mobile 6 Professional Update for Loss of System Sounds enhancement Improved Calendar management with enhanced User Interface Enhanced E-mail messaging, HTML/Smart Filtering, SharePoint access and more Voice command via Bluetooth USB cable charging Here are a couple of things you need to read before you proceed to update the Treo 750 There is a limit of one download per customer. Please ensure you retain your copy of your download on your computer because you will not be able to obtain another copy once you start the download process. Once you install this download on your device, you will not be able to revert back to Windows Mobile 5.0. Palm Windows Mobile 6 does not support the Blackberry Connect (BBC) service. Please do not install this update if you use the BBC service on the Treo 750v otherwise you will no longer be able to use that service on your device. This particular download is available only until 31st October 2008.The company will also release a non-branded software updater for other Treo 750 user soon.” via slashphone.com

“Back in 2005, the first information on the HTC Wizard leaked, shaking the world of (Windows Mobile-powered) smartphones. The revolutionary HTC offered large for that time display (2.8 inches QVGA) and small enough body, but still big QWERTY keyboard thanks to the fact it was sliding from the side, instead of vertically as a normal slider. This form-factor became popular quickly and many other manufacturers started using it, now being a common thing. We’ve seen it in various WM phones (ETEN, Toshiba, Asus) and in other devices like the Helio Ocean and the Samsung F700. It proved to be a success; it is not a key feature anymore.What we have here is the HTC TyTN II, or the Kaiser as it was known before the official announcement. This is the successor of the TyTN (which replaces the Wizard) bringing resemblance in the design, but moving the form-factor to the next level. After the upper part slides and the keyboard is revealed, the Display tweaks at an angle and gives a laptop-like view, which makes it more comfortable to use.As functionality, the TyTN II is very similar to the first TyTN with all the bells and whistles of the WM6 Professional OS, but it adds GPS chip for Navigation – the only thing that the predecessor lacked. The TYTN II is the first phone to offer TouchFlo, after the original HTC Touch. This shows that the software will be offered in more than one model in the HTC family of devices.” Read more here:

With millions of tracks from major artists, independent labels as well as local hits, the Nokia Music Store offers people the chance to enjoy music directly on their Nokia device or personal computer. Part of the Ovi by Nokia offering, the Nokia Music Store, with its compelling combination of download and streaming services, empowers you to connect to music you want, in the way you want. With a single account, music lovers can access the Nokia Music Store via their desktop computer or directly from optimized Nokia devices beginning with the Nokia N81 and Nokia N95 8GB. You can browse for new music, get recommendations or search for your favorite artists, songs or albums all from the palm of your hand. Once a track captures your attention, you can add it to your wishlist to buy later or purchase it immediately for download to your device without having to download the same song again on your computer. You can also transfer purchased songs via your PC to compatible Nokia devices, including the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic and Nokia 5610 XpressMusic. You can pay by a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal and pre-paid vouchers.
The Nokia Music Store is opening across key European markets this fall with additional stores in Europe and Asia opening over the coming months. Individual tracks will cost EUR 1.00 and albums from EUR 10.00, with a monthly subscription for PC streaming for EUR 10.00.
“The Nokia Music Store brings together a powerful combination of great music and great devices in an easy to use way. You can select from a huge range of music, including local music from your country, and download it directly to your Nokia device,” said Tommi Mustonen, the head of Nokia’s music activities. “You can choose between purchasing tracks a la carte via your Nokia device or computer, or you can stream an unlimited number of full length tracks to your computer. The unlimited streaming is a great way to discover new music and the integrated mobile and PC download service is a fantastic way to build a music collection that is always with you.”
With millions of tracks from major labels, as well as thousands of independent labels from around the world, you can be sure to find music to match your mood. In addition, the Nokia Music Store aims to provide more locally relevant music than any other digital music store. If you want to see what others are enjoying, the Nokia Music Store provides a dynamic recommendations engine as well as genre-based instant playlists.
The Nokia Music Store also offers locally relevant music, in addition to international artists. “People don’t just want the top global hits, but also music that is relevant to them, whether from local artists or songs in their own language. That’s why we are working with thousands of major and independent labels to bring as many songs on the local top charts as possible to the Nokia Music Store in each country,” explained Mr. Mustonen.
Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group International said: “It’s obvious that innovation and imagination in the digital music download business are the keys to future growth. It’s good for music – and good for our artists – that consumers can easily find and buy the songs they want, when they want. That’s why we welcome the Nokia Music Store.”
Tracks are typically delivered in high quality 192Kbps audio in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. You can easily transfer your purchased songs to your Nokia device using Windows Media Player or with the new Nokia Music PC client available later this year. The Nokia Music PC client enables reverse synchronization of playlists, ripping from a CD to your device and PC simultaneously, as well as auto-synchronization of your purchased music and direct access to the Nokia Music Store. With the Nokia N81 and its integrated music player, you can create playlists and manage your music collection, including editing song and artist information, as well as adding your own choice of album artwork, all while on the move. Check it here: