Mobile phone throwing turns artistic in Finland

“SAVONLINNA, Finland (Reuters) – Juggling rather than throwing his mobile phone, a teenaged circus performer won the freestyle gold medal at the world championships on Saturday.Taco Cohen of the Netherlands, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, used acrobatics and juggling in his performance which was judged on aesthetics and artistic impression.He told Reuters his performance reflected his training in a youth circus. “Juggling I have done for many years with balls. (But) these are irregular shapes and weights, it is difficult.”Finnish domination in the distance event continued when Tommi Huotari took gold with a throw of 89.62 meters, a few meters short of the world record.”I have never thrown a phone before but have been participating in potato-throwing … surprisingly, a potato flies further,” said the 38-year-old engineer.”I am sure everyone would like to throw their phone away every once in a while.”Event organizer Christine Lund said the contest reflected people’s love-hate relationship with the mobile phone.”This contest speaks to people the world over as mobile phones are a blessing and a curse … phones have become a part of the modern man, and sometimes many of us would like to remove that part.”Originally a local event in this small town close to the Russian border, the contest drew contestants from Canada, Austria and the United States.” Check it here:

Toshiba Prepping 32 GB SDHC Card, 8 GB microSDHC Card

32 GB SDHC Card “Toshiba has announced plans to release some very small memory cards with some very high capacities.In January of next year, the company will introduce a 32 GB using the relatively new SecureDigital High Capacity (SDHC) format. A 16 GB version will be out a few months earlier.This format was created to replace the aging SD card format. Although standard SD and SDHC cards look identical in size and shape, the SDHC format supports much greater storage capacities. Unfortunately, only SDHC-compatible products are able to accept cards using the new format, and there aren’t very many handhelds or smartphones on the market that support SDHC yet.At the same time it introduces its new SDHC cards, Toshiba also plans to launch an 8 GB microSDHC card. As its name suggests, this will be much smaller than the full-size SDHC cards, but have the same advantages — and limitations.Smartphones with microSDHC support are starting to hit the market now. For example, all of HTC’s Windows Mobile 6 models support this format.In its present incarnation, SDHC has a maximum capacity of 32 GB. This means that even though this new format was introduced only a couple of years ago, it will soon reach its maximum capacity.Of course, the initial 32 GB SDHC cards will likely debut at very high prices, and it will be some time before they come down to a point where the average consumer can afford one.In addition, a 32 GB microSD card isn’t expected any time soon.” via brighthand.com

Comfort and connectivity Nokia serves up the complete in car solution


Kit out your car to stay connected, entertained and informed with the latest Nokia automotive navigation and communication enhancement. The super-efficient Nokia 500 Auto Navigation allows you to get to your destination quickly and easily, see who is calling, and make quality handsfree calls.
The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is Nokia’s first handsfree dedicated personal navigation device for convenient in-car navigation and communication. In addition to integrated GPS and competitive in-car navigation features, the device also acts as a complete Bluetooth handsfree system for your compatible mobile phone. Its wide (4.3 inch) color screen makes it easy to search through your contacts and make and receive calls, and the handsfree speaker system with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides excellent audio quality.
Navigation made easy
Navigating couldn’t be easier – equipped with high-sensitivity GPS and Nokia Maps navigation software, the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation gives clear spoken and visual directions (turn-by-turn, including street and city names). It comes with pre-installed regional maps*, and detailed travel information, including points of interest such as hotels, petrol stations and tourist sites.
The integration between the device’s navigation and communication features also lets you receive contact details for the points of interest you pass on your journey so you can call directly, or get directions to addresses already stored in your contacts.

Information at your fingertips
With the device’s Traffic Message Channel Service you can avoid all those tiresome traffic jams, and get to your destination more quickly. The device also has an intuitive Nokia interface, featuring a split screen which displays additional information alongside the main screen to help with your navigation. This split screen features essential guidance information such as details on your next turn, estimated time of arrival and distance remaining, ensuring these details are always accessible.
On the road entertainment
For longer journeys, keep yourself and your passengers amused with the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation’s advanced entertainment features. Listen to music from the integrated music player, or for those down-times on the road, view photographs or watch videos, making any roadtrip a fun trip! The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation device also plays music through your car’s FM radio using the built-in FM Transmitter**.

“The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is an expansion of our extensive enhancements portfolio. Our solutions are tightly integrated with our mobile devices, allowing users to enjoy quality handsfree communication with their phonebook, music and competitive navigation,” said Marcus Stahl, director, Nokia Automotive.
The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is expected to be available in selected channels in Europe*** in the fourth quarter 2007 at an estimated retail price of EUR 300 without taxes. It will be available in other markets following this initial launch.
*Map coverage will match the needs of the respective target markets
**The feature may not be enabled in all countries due to legal restrictions
***Some European regions are not 100 % covered
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.

N73 Special Edition for Arabian/African Market

WiFiMobile.gif “Nokia announced the launch of the Nokia N73 Special Edition which will be initially exclusively available in the Middle East and North Africa markets.The launch coincides with the Holy month of Ramadan and the offer includes a full range of applications, carefully tailored to meet the needs of consumers in the Arab world.The Nokia N73 Special Edition is available in an elegant new soft white colour with subtle highlights.The fully featured sales package includes a 2GB mini SD memory card, matching leather pouch and high performance stereo headset.The new Nokia N73 Special Edition includes a unique portfolio of pre-loaded applications including a collection of Azkars for the morning and the evening, an Islamic Organiser with audible alarms for the five daily prayers, a Qibla direction indicator and a Hijri calendar.The Hajj and Umrah application provides simple step-by-step descriptions for the Hajj and Umrah, while the Ramadaniat application explains all the instructions and rules for the Holy month of Ramadan.Also included with these on the 2GB miniSD card are two Islamic e-books and a Universal Dictionary application which supports English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and French.“In addition the Nokia N73 Special Edition offers unique Ramadan Greetings, a very special customized e-card application that enables families and friends to send greeting cards through SMS or MMS in celebration of this Holy month” said Neil Gordon, vice-president for Multimedia, Nokia, Middle East & Africa.“This new edition is a reflection of Nokia’s commitment to continuously provide consumers with tailored services, based on their needs and requirements.”In addition to the pre-loaded content consumers using the Nokia N73 Special Edition can also download other additional applications directly from the Download! feature on the device.Downloadable content includes the Name of Allah application, exclusively available for Nokia users as well as a third e-book.” via nseries-mobile.blogspot.com