Mobiles reviews - ces 2008 @ las vegas

ASUS, iRiver to sell Unlocked smartphones in U.S.

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:17:31 +0000

I’m not sure how we’ve missed this, but during the CES - ASUS and iRiver announced they’ll start selling their smartphones unlocked in the U.S. The idea is to, at least initially, try to grab a small piece of the market using the existing PC sales channels and later who knows — if people get excited about the ASUS’ and/or iRiver’s devices, maybe struck a deal with some carrier. That being said, if something like that happens — and no, we don’t have any inside information — AT&T and T-Mobile could be the only prospects considering the fact that both iRiver and ASUS make GSM-based phones (as opposed to CDMA, which is used by Verizon and Sprint). Actually, iRiver still has to make a single device , but they said it’s going to use the world’s dominant GSM technology, meaning that the company which is known for its media players may also export its handsets to other parts of the world. Anyway, I just wanted to point that the new entrants to the mobile phones market seem to have a hard time negotiating win-win deals with U.S. based carriers. It’s a shame, don’t you think? Full release follows after the jump. PRESS RELEASE - Asus and iRiver are well-known brands in the U.S., thanks to Asus’ line of PCs and iRiver’s MP3 players. Here at CES, they both announced they’re diving into the U.S. cell phone market with a series of unlocked GSM phones that will probably be sold through their existing PC retail channels. iRiver’s single GSM phone, targeted for the end of this year, has more than a little of the iPhone to it. Like the iPhone, the “iRiver GSM phone” (they don’t have a flashy name yet) has a big, 3-inch, 480×272 touch screen and no keypad; you navigate by touching, flicking or swiping the screen. The icons in the Linux-based phone’s UI even look like the iPhone’s. The phone also appears to have 4-Gbytes of flash storage, music and video players with Rhapsody music support, a two-megapixel camera with camcorder, an Adobe Flash player, GPS and mobile TV of some variety. The phone’s software was very unfinished, however. Even the wireless connections aren’t fixed: it might have Wi-Fi or might not. One thing’s clear, though – it will work on high-speed 3G cellular networks like the one run by AT&T. (As a GSM phone, it won’t work with Sprint or Verizon.) “It would be ridiculous for the phone to be 2G or 2.5G at this time,” said iRiver spokesman Owen Kwon. Kwon added that the phone will be “more affordable” than the iPhone. Asus’ phones are much closer to market – the first one is just two weeks away, according to Asus spokesman Charlton Ho. Asus already makes phones for Asia, but the GPS-powered Windows Mobile 6 Professional phone known as the P527 will be its first full-scale launch in the U.S. The P527 is a relatively wide, candy-bar style handset with a SirfStar III GPS running Asus’ own mapping and driving directions application. It’s based on a 200-MHz TI OMAP 850 processor and has a 2.6-inch, 320×240 display. The phone packs fast Wi-Fi 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, but slow USB 1.1 for connection to PCs. It’s a quad-band EDGE phone, so it’s ready for AT&T and T-Mobile. The P527 comes with all the usual Windows Mobile applications, such as Pocket Office. But Asus has also added an FM radio, business card recognizing application, backup program and RSS reader. They also wrote their own power management software which should help extend the device’s battery life. The phone will sell for $499, Ho said. “The iPhone is changing peoples’ perspectives,” Ho said. “People are now more willing to pay for their phones.” The P527 will be followed by the Galaxy Mini, a more “woman-focused” smartphone that’s small, slim and pink, Ho said. The Galaxy Mini will run the latest version of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile software and ASUS’ GPS system, and should be available by the end of March, Ho said. If ASUS’ phones are successful here, they may bring in other models such as a Lamborghini-branded phone, he said. ASUS makes a Lamborghini-branded laptop that’s currently available in the US. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Dell to sell unlocked Nokia smartphones?Asus updates the P526 with Asus P527 - ok, greatiRiver preparing to launch its own handset; Shows some very "familiar interface" on CESAsus Z810 young people's phoneASUS to provide Windows Mobile 6 upgrades for its PDAs

EA Mobile: iPhone is hurting mobile gaming industry

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:36:30 +0000

Right from the floor of CES, Macworld brings us an interesting story about Apple and how it hurts mobile gaming industry. According to EA Mobile’s VP of worldwide studios Travis Boatman, iPhone is “a replacement for someone who had a RAZR before. They still want their content but there’s no distribution platform in place so there’s a negative impact on the industry.” And while we agree with you on this Trevis, you should be more patient man. The SDK is right around the corner and you’ll be able to get back all the money you’ve “lost” because Apple closed the platform. In the meantime, go make your team release something interesting. You can always port it later… [Via: TUAW ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Mobile gaming losing ground to Mobile TV and MusicSony Ericsson cautious on mobile gaming?Toshiba to launch the next-generation of 3D graphics LSI for mobile phones29 million users in the U.S. play mobile gamesNokia prepares renewed gaming onslaught

SanDisk announces 12GB microSDHC card, world's largest; Promises 16GB later in the year

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:51:27 +0000

Here’s something for those of you craving for more store capacity on your mobile phone. SanDisk has announced the “world’s largest” microSDHC card that has a capacity of 12GB. Apparently, that’s enough to store a combination of 1,500 songs, 3,600 photos and 24.5 hours of video — at least SanDisk says so. According to Gizmodo , SanDisk’s reps at the CES said the bigger, 16GB, cards are coming later in the year! Still, some people — including the truly yours — consider 12GB to be quite enough. Can’t wait to see it released… Full release after the jump. PRESS RELEASE - SanDisk Corporation, the proven leader in flash memory, today announced it has begun to sample 12-gigabyte (GB) microSDHC flash memory cards to major phone manufacturers for testing and evaluation. The 12GB card represents a 50 percent boost in card capacity from SanDisk’s industry-leading 8GB microSDHC cards, which are currently available worldwide, and highlights the growing popularity of mobile phones with storageintensive features that include music players, digital cameras, video recording and playback and GPS capabilities. “Mobile phones have become a key part of consumers’ lifestyles around the globe,” said Jeff Kost, senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile Consumer Solutions division at SanDisk. “What many people tend to overlook is the important role that removable storage cards play in enabling the key features of these fully featured mobile phones. In fact, many people are not even aware that their phone has a card slot which is why SanDisk recently launched its Wake Up Your Phone campaign.” SanDisk has embarked on a ’slot education’ program to raise awareness of both the card slot included in the majority of new mobile phones available today and the benefits to the consumers who use it. More information is available at: www.WakeUpYourPhone.com . A 12GB microSDHC is ideal for storing large quantities of music, photos and video. For example, it will be able to store a combination of 1,500 songs, 3,600 photos and 24.5 hours of video. SDHC is the designation for any SD or SD-based card that is larger than 2GB and adheres to the new SD 2.00 specification required for cards and hosts to support 4GB to 32GB capacities. The specification was developed by the SD Association, an industry standards board, which has also created three classes to define minimum sustained data transfer speed. These cards adhere to the SD Speed Class 4 Rating. In addition to the microSDHC, SanDisk also offers a broad range of both embedded and removable storage solutions for mobile handset manufacturers and mobile network operators. These include iNAND and mDOC embedded flash drives; microSD, miniSD removable flash cards; and SIM and MegaSIM cards. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Sandisk launches the US Nokia N95 8 GB before Nokia doesSanDisk introduces 4GB Memory Stick Micro cardSanDisk releases 8GB MicroSDHC cardSony Ericsson handset owners rejoice - SanDisk to release 8GB Memory Stick Micro card soonBrief: I reassure you, the Nokia N82 supports microSDHC

Skype announced for Intel MID platform

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:10:25 +0000

Skype is getting out of hand. The popular VoIP application can be already used on the popular smartphone platforms, Nokia Internet Tablet devices (N800/N810), Sony Mylo 2 , and even the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Not to mention that there are in-house phones that work with Skype, as well as 3 Skypephone available through Hutchinson’s 3 network. And now, Skype announced that it will also be available for Intel’s MID platform. After all this is said, one could think of Skype as the potential competitor to the mobile operators. And while most places still don’t have city-wide WiFi networks, at some point in the future people may actually dump their cellphones in favor of Skype-enabled device. We’ll have to wait and see… In the meantime, I can’t wait for some decent MID to give it a try. The overall platform and the devices shown at CES look more than interesting… [Via: uberphones ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:IM+ for Skype Software releasedSkype working with UK carrier 3 to launch Skype-compatible VoIP handsetApple looking towards Intel chips for next-gen iPhone - Intel Inside iPhone 2.0Apple teams up with Intel to use Silverthorne chipset in next-gen devicesIntel's next UMPC platform to be Maemo based?

FlyTunes announces new personalized radio-like music service for Apple iPhone, other phones

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:40:24 +0000

FlyTunes announced a new kind of music service, designed for WiFi and 3G-enabled mobile phones and media players, Apple iPhone and iPod Touch included. The idea is to outradio the (satellite) radio, by providing users with thousands of high quality music channels that can be personalized and enjoyed on your iPhone or other mobile phone, wherever you are, without any limitations and fees. And while we’re still not sure just how it will work, it seems that the idea is to stream and sync (for offline listening) the music from your PC, something that we’ve already seen with Orb. We’ll certainly know more on January 25th when the new service will be officially launched. In the meantime, you can check out FlyTunes’ official release after the break. PRESS RELEASE - FlyTunes Inc. today demonstrated its new digital music service for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and other portable media players and cell phones. The FlyTunes service offers users a personalized radio-like experience, with thousands of channels of digital music that can be enjoyed anywhere they go, regardless of wireless connection. FlyTunes outshines satellite radio in a number of ways:

FlyTunes does not require a receiver or additional hardware purchase; it works with the cell phone or personal media player already in a consumer’s pocket.
FlyTunes offers access to over 100 times more channels than satellite radio, covering every conceivable musical taste.
FlyTunes plays everywhere, unlike satellite radio, which does not work inside buildings, or on planes.
FlyTunes allows users to personalize their music channels. While listening, users can promote favorite songs and flag unwanted ones (never to be played again).
There are no setup or monthly fees for FlyTunes.

“FlyTunes bridges the massive disconnect that exists between the hundreds of millions of cell phones and portable media players people already own, and thousands of Internet radio stations that broadcast every type of music they could want,” said FlyTunes CEO Sam Abadir. “From the user’s perspective, FlyTunes provides an extremely easy-to-use service that allows them to quickly get the music they want and to discover new music.” “Because FlyTunes uniquely sits between the broadcasters and the listener, it offers users personalized music, which has never been possible for satellite or terrestrial broadcasters, and the ability to cache hours of music for offline listening,” continued Abadir. FlyTunes allows users to create their own customized music channels by searching over 20,000 Internet radio stations to find music that matches their preferences. Hours of personalized music can be cached to a portable media player or cell phone and listened to anywhere. Portable devices with 3G capability can quickly cache additional music, greatly reducing battery drain. FlyTunes works with Macintosh or PC computers, and will be widely available on January 21, 2008 at the FlyTunes.fm web site. The company is providing credentialed press with preview accounts at the CES show. FlyTunes works with all Apple iPods, including the iPhone, and iPod Touch, Microsoft Zune, and all other popular media players supporting MP3 files, as well as multimedia-enabled cell phones. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Apple to require iTunes subscription for iPhonePandora streaming radio on your AT&T handset - Pandora and AT&T, together as oneCarphone Warehouse may offer Omniphone's Music Station service on handheldsOmnifone launches mobile music download service - MusicStationiTunes Music Store starts to offer ringtone-compatible songs - Ringtone service is now live

Verizon announces additional V CAST Video content

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:18:23 +0000

It’s CES and it’s a great place to announce latest news about your products and services. Verizon knows that, hence they’ve used the opportunity to inform their potential and existing customers about their newly expanded V CAST Video offering. First, the carrier announced that the content from the “original, entertaining and humorous video content” from the leading online entertainment channel for men Break.com is now available to V CAST Video customers ( release ). Then, they’ve revealed their soccer content partner, Fox Soccer Channel, which will deliver more than 35 video clips from England’s Barclays Premier League per week — including near-live, in-game coverage — to interested users from coast-to-coast ( release ). Next - Sundance Channel’s short form programming will also be included in the V CAST Video offering ( release ). Then there’s GoTV Networks’ original channel Hip Hop Official, where hip-hop fans can stay up-to-date on breaking music news and reviews, as well as get all the latest information in fashion, gadgets, games, movies, and lifestyle ( release ). And finally, thanks to the partnership with TOKYOPOP, manga fans will be able to enjoy 15 to 20 four to six-minute videos each week from TOKYOPOP’s popular manga entertainment, including manga videos known as imanga, anime clips, and other popular Asian-influenced entertainment ( release ). There you have it. If you needed a reason to subscribe to Verizon’s V CAST Video, now you have it. I guess… ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon adds Veoh Video on V CASTAC/DC's music now available exclusively through Verizon V CASTVerizon refreshes V CAST TodayNine NBC Universal channels available on Verizon V CASTNew version of V CAST Music Manager released

Motorola Z10 hands-on from CES 2008 Las Vegas

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:31:20 +0000

We’ve known about it for some time now . We’ve been waiting for it to drop. Motorola just made it official . And, now we had a chance to play with the Motorola Z10. Unfortunately, it turns out that the Z10 display units that we had a chance to test at the Motorola booth were still prototypes. We’ll talk more about what that means in a bit. For now we’re going to give you a bit of insight into the Motorola Z10 user experience. Overall, the Moto Z10 is a striking piece of RAZR-esque design that is both bold and sleek at the same time. The handset’s lines are essentially the same as Motorola’s Z8 slide-phone - with the same “slide and bend” design. Keep reading for the rest of the goods… Buttons feel nice and rubbery with a satisfying tactile response. Dedicated music controls and camera buttons make it as easy to capture your memorable moments with the photo and video camera as it is to kick back and listen to some tunes. And, as Dusan mentioned previously , this Z8 successor bumps up the camera image-sensor pixel count to 3.2 megapixels, up from the Z8’s 2 million pixels. Pictures are sharp and clear with virtually no shutter lag - and the camera has a “multi-shot” feature that allows you to take 3, 5, or 12 pictures in sequence. However, likely owing to the fact that the Z10 we played with was a prototype (production units were said to be available at the end of the Q1 2008), video recording on the handset was unacceptably sub-par. Video seemed to be recording at something like 10-15fps - not what we expected from the Z10. Overall, the MOTORIZR Z10 is a slick piece. We weren’t able to test out the 3G HSDPA and full HTML browser, nor the instantaneous video broadcasting, but those are some pretty trick features that are sure to appeal to a lot of people. Oh, and don’t forget the 3.5mm headphone jack - Sony Ericsson always does . Here’s the Motorola Z10 video recording sample. Recording of Stefan as he records me recording him. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:IntoMobile in Las Vegas - CES 2008Live pics of the new Sony Ericsson lineup from CES 2008 - W760, W350, Z555All About Symbian Podcast 11 is up: CES, iPhone and 3GSM oh my!MOTORIZR Z10 caught in the wildMotorola launches Moto Z8 in Taiwan; We say - wait for the Z10

Myxer launches new personalization technology for delivery of customized mobile content

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:10:21 +0000

Myxer, the service that allows website owners to mobilize their website and which we’ve already covered before , used CES to announce the launch of its new personalization technology. The idea is to provide both content creators and end users with the ability to customize their mobile content experience more than ever before. For instance, users will be able to upload their photo and use it on one of the templates, or mix few audio files to create their own tune. Myxer already brought few companies on board, including the LOL Family website where now users can create their own unique 3D emoticons, and Adidas Basketball website which allows you to make a personalized message from one of five NBA players… Full release goes right after the break. PRESS RELEASE - Myxer, one of the largest and fastest growing sites for free mobile content, today announced the launch of its new personalization technology, an enhancement to the Myxer Platform that enables the distribution of customized, ultra-personalized mobile content that is unique to each individual user, through the use of a simple web-based interface. Myxer, with more than 4.5 million users and over 9 million mobile downloads per month at http://www.myxer.com, is one of the largest communities for free mobile content. Myxer’s mobile technology solutions reach more phones with more formats than any other mobile service, and its new personalization technology now allows content creators and users to customize their mobile content more than ever before Myxer’s new personalization technology is specifically intended to deliver the right custom content to the right user, as soon as that content is dynamically created. For content engines that generate images and/or audio files dynamically, perhaps by inserting a user’s image into a template, or by splicing together audio clips to create a personalized one, Myxer’s technology allows the delivery of this content to a mobile audience. The LOL Family is one of the first content producers to use Myxer’s personalization technology. Users at the LOL Family website can create their own unique 3D emoticons, choosing from hundreds of styles, accessories, clothes and poses, and Myxer mobilizes them on the fly and sends the uniquely customized images directly to the individual user’s mobile phone. The technology is also ideal for major brands wanting to deliver custom ringtones to their target audience. One example of Myxer’s personalized delivery is via AdidasBasketball.com , where a user can choose a personalized message from one of five NBA players. “Our new personalization technology has great applications in the corporate, entertainment, advertising and consumer worlds of mobile content,” said Myk Willis, founder and chief technology officer of Myxer. “Personalizing ringtones and wallpapers certainly makes downloading mobile content more fun, but it also allows companies to strongly brand themselves and make highly unique offerings for their customers.” “The LOL Family is all about letting users express themselves creatively, and how much more personal can you get these days than how your mobile phone looks and sounds,” said Regis Ducatillon, president of the LOL Family. “Myxer’s technology allows our users to quickly and easily bring an added dimension of fun and personalization to their phones.” More detailed information on Myxer’s personalization technology can be found at http://www.myxer.com . An example of the technology in use at the LOL Family can be found here . ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Mobilize your website with MyxerAOL offers customized mobile homepagesNokia MOSH announces SEEK to provide customized responses to people's mobile needsDominos offers pizza delivery via SMS text message - Pizza lovers rejoiceAlltel to offer content from MTV Network

Panasonic Lumix wireless digital camera to upload photos to Google's Picasa using T-Mobile hotspots

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:03:20 +0000

This isn’t exactly the “pure” mobile phones news, but since the big carrier is involved, we’re publishing it nevertheless. Panasonic has teamed up with T-Mobile for its new wireless digital camera called Lumix. The idea is to allow users to upload photos directly from the camera to Google’s Picasa service using T-Mobile HotSpot service. We like how it sounds, as with this kind of camera you won’t have to worry about the lack of space on the memory card — simply upload photos to Picasa, delete them, and voila… more space is available for new photos. And best of all, once released — and we don’t know the release date nor price — the Lumix will come bundled with T-Mobile HotSpot service subscription for 12 months. Nice! PRESS RELEASE - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is best known, today highlighted the development of a LUMIX digital camera with wireless network connectivity, complete with integrated access to T-Mobile HotSpot service and the ability to send photos directly to Picasa Web Albums, a free online photo-sharing service from Google. Panasonic collaborated with T- Mobile Hotspot and used Picasa Web Albums’ APIs to develop a new and optimal online environment for photo sharing. After taking digital photos with the new LUMIX, users will be able to upload their photos directly to Picasa Web Albums through the T-Mobile HotSpot service. The LUMIX comes with complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot service for 12 months. After uploading, they can receive an email with a URL link to their photos, which they can then share with family and friends. In addition, users can confirm photos have been successfully loaded to Picasa Web Albums and can delete photos directly from the digital camera, eliminating the concern that photos have or have not been uploaded. Panasonic has collaborated closely with T-Mobile to enable quick and easy digital photo uploading. T-Mobile HotSpot service provides fast and reliable Wi-Fi Internet access at more than 8,500 public T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the country. As the largest carrier-grade, commercial Wi-Fi network in the United States, T-Mobile HotSpot service is available at many Starbucks coffee shops, Borders Books & Music stores, Hyatt Hotels and approximately 70 major airports across the United States. “T-Mobile HotSpot service continues to innovate and build new bridges that help people stick together,” said Joe Sims, vice president and general manager for Broadband Services, T-Mobile USA. “Through T-Mobile HotSpot, empowering people to share special moments-in-time captured by the LUMIX digital camera is yet another way we’re helping people stay connected to those who matter most.” “The new LUMIX will be the perfect digital camera for consumers who are accustomed to the benefits that wireless connections offer: speed and convenience,” said Tokikazu Matsumoto, director of Panasonic AVC Networks Company’s Digital Camera Business Unit. “Ideal for the active user who is always on-the-go, the new LUMIX with wireless network connectivity, has the ability to upload directly to Picasa Web Albums, making sharing photos with friends and family, as simple as a touch of a button and as seamless as connecting to a wireless network.” “We want our users to be able to access and share their photo collections however and wherever they’d like,” said Mike Horowitz, product manager for Picasa Web Albums at Google. “We created open APIs to encourage exactly this kind of integration. The new LUMIX camera from Panasonic gives our users a great new way to share photos quickly and easily while they’re taking shots on vacation or at a convention.” “Our collaboration with T-Mobile Hotspot and our work with Picasa Web Albums open programming interface pushes the boundaries of digital photography, said Merwan Mereby, vice president, New Business Development and Strategic Alliances, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “We are in a new paradigm of taking digital photographs, where people want to share their memories easily, while also embracing the immediacy that online communities demand. With the direct upload capability onto Picasa Web Albums through any T-Mobile Hotspot location anywhere in the United States, the wireless LUMIX digital camera makes sharing photographs an easy and seamless experience.” ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Upload photos to Facebook from your iPhoneGoogle optimizes Picasa Web Albums for iPhoneTruphone adds 260 hotspots with Surf and SipShoZu 3.2 adds support for more destinations, GPS taggingMobile Blogging Tip: Adapters are your friend

LG Electronics showcases its mobile phones at CES

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:51:19 +0000

If you’re at CES in Las Vegas, make sure you visit LG Electronics’ booth (#8214, Central Hall). There you’ll find most of their popular mobile phones, including Voyager, Venus, Shine, VX8350, VX5400, CU515, Rumor, Aloha, Trax, Muziq, Chocolate, and enV. Then there are other products of the Korean giant you may be also interested in, but this blog doesn’t actually write about them. Finally, before we let you read LG’s official CES release (if that’s what you want), LG wants us to know that their mobile phones were honored with with multiple 2008 CES “Innovations” Awards. Awarded handsets include Voyager, Venus and Muziq… And now the press release. PRESS RELEASE - LG Electronics MobileComm USA, Inc. (LG Mobile Phones), a leading worldwide provider of advanced wireless handsets and accessories, is showcasing the latest in mobile innovation at the 2008 International CES (Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center). The newest products for 2008 on display include phones and accessories that feature the latest in touch screen technology, advanced music and TV capabilities, and Bluetooth technology. LG Mobile Phones continues to bring style and function to the wireless phone industry, and to meet the demands of today’s mobile consumer. LG Mobile Phones has been honored with multiple 2008 CES “Innovations” Awards this year for its handsets, including the Voyager by LG, the Venus by LG and the Muziq by LG. These award-winning handsets will be on display at the LG booth. “Consumers want more from their phones, and we believe we are answering their demands by offering premium handsets such as the Voyager, Shine and Rumor,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “We will continue to push the bounds of technology innovation to provide the greatest benefit to our consumers in the best possible way.” Featured LG Handsets Include: LG VOYAGER If sublime style and excellent performance can provide the ultimate mobile experience, then LG Mobile Phones’ new VOYAGER makes that ultimate experience a reality. Besides being the first handset with an interactive touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard, this one-of-a-kind mobile wonder also provides access to V CAST Mobile TV and provides full HTML Internet browsing. The VOYAGER’s dual speakers for stereo sound make it the ultimate music player, and it is Bluetooth-capable and includes a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder. There is nothing like the VOYAGER to provide the ultimate mobile experience. LG Venus The new VENUS is the brightest star yet in the LG handset lineup because it combines the best of all mobile worlds. Available in black and pink, this sophisticated and stunning slider-style phone features dual screens with interactive touch navigation, a music player, a 2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder, and a microSD memory port for extra storage. And of course it is Bluetooth-capable and V CAST-ready, providing stellar performance while on the go. LG Shine LG’s Shine is for those who were born to shine because LG has created the perfect blend of minimalist design and maximum functionality. When idle, Shine has a unique, reflective mirror finish, but once it is active the screen comes alive and is viewable from all angles. Inside the elegant stainless steel body, Shine packs in a music player, a 2.0 megapixel camera, video share and Bluetooth capabilities, a full array of messaging options, and more. LG VX8350 Sturdy good looks and user-friendly features give the new VX8350 by LG both function and fun. Users will love going wireless with this Bluetooth-capable beauty, and the 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder is a snap to use. The music player features dual speakers for stereo sound, and combined with Verizon Wireless’ V CAST service, the VX8350 packs a powerful entertainment punch. There’s even a microSD memory port for extra storage, making the VX8350 a solid performer that makes perfect mobile sense. LG VX5400 by LG The VX5400 by LG is a mobile mainstay with a twist. Besides all the mobile essentials, it is Bluetooth-capable, taking advantage of all the wonders of wireless. The VGA camera is great for photos on the fly and its large color display and keypad are unusual and welcome in such a compact design. The VX5400’s one-touch speakerphone and speaker-independent voice command functions round out the package, and make mobile calling more convenient than ever. LG CU515 The go-anywhere, do-anything CU515 is the ultimate multimedia phone. With the latest music features and its ability to share videos during a call, consumers and their friends will be amazed as they instantly get in touch with family, friends, and co-workers with a simple press of the PTT button. They can even stay completely hands-free via Bluetooth. With CV, users can access news, sports, and weather wherever and whenever they need to. With the CU515’s robust multimedia talents, it’s all in there, all the time. LG Rumor The Rumor by LG is the wireless experience at its best. Users can talk hands-free with the latest Bluetooth technology or the full-duplex speakerphone, communicate with buddies using Instant Messaging or Mobile Email, or capture great close-ups using the camera and then send the photos to family and friends using Multimedia Messaging. Rumor’s lines of communication are always open. Aloha by LG The Aloha by LG is an ultra-compact phone that keeps consumers completely connected to the world around them. While at work or play, its two-way speakerphone and voice-activated dialing enable hands-free mobile calling. Consumers can use its text messaging to update friends and family with the latest changes in their busy schedule. And its mobile Web and full-color internal LCD enable consumers to view news and events in vivid detail quickly and easily. LG Trax The Trax 3G music phone lets users coordinate the beat of their active lifestyles with their music by easily changing tunes while listening to music wherever they go, whatever they do. It is today’s hottest phone with all of the coolest capabilities — users can send pictures or share video clips, listen to music in stereo on a Bluetooth headset, and stay completely connected with the latest in mobile messaging. Muziq by LG The slim and stylish Muziq phone has a dedicated music key, enabling users to run other applications while listening to music using its multitasking capability. Whatever consumers do, and wherever they go, stereo sound music is available at their fingertips with the built-in FM transmitter and Bluetooth connectivity. Muziq can also take pictures or video, create ringtones with its music composer, or download clips from hit songs. This entertaining phone will be a big hit with users, their families and friends. Chocolate by LG Consumers with sophisticated style palettes can indulge in the luxury and innovation of Chocolate by LG. As a work of art in both looks and features, the Chocolate demonstrates that looks are just the beginning of mobile excellence by including a full complement of advanced features that make it one of the most innovative mobile devices in the world, inside and out. With the availability of new colors in blue, red and light blue, the Chocolate is sure to appeal to the tastes of a wide variety of mobile users. enV by LG The enV is the ultimate convergence of advanced wireless capabilities and includes the latest developments in mobile entertainment. Available in silver, green and orange, this handset provides a complete multimedia experience, offering music, video, data and all the latest mobile handset innovations, including a beautiful large internal color screen, integrated QWERTY keypad and dual stereo sound. Equipped with a 2.0 mega-pixel camera with auto focus and Bluetooth Stereo support, the enV boasts features that stack up with any other handset available in the U.S. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:In less than 16 hours I'm going to be in Vegas!LG Electronics wants to sell 100 million mobiles next yearSamsung showcases its best mobile phones at CESSolar powered cell phones are coming to ChinaHantel showcases TV-enabled handset

Sony Mylo 2 officially announced

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:11:18 +0000

Sony’s Mylo 2 is officially out and it looks just the way we thought it will . And while it’s perceived as a direct competitor to Nokia Internet Tablet series, Sony will most probably market the new Mylo to the different audience. The price seems right (about $300), so this time Sony may actually have a winner. As for the specs, there’s the 3.5″ 800×480 touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 MP camera, WiFi, 1GB of internal memory, and of course the Memory Stick Duo storage expansion slot. We’ve no idea how much RAM nor which CPU Mylo 2 uses, but in its release, Sony’s mentioning Mylo 2 can play YouTube videos, hence we think the CPU’s clock works at 400 MHz or higher. In terms of pre-installed software, there’s a web browser (not sure which one though), RSS reader, widgets, Skype, instant messaging client (AIM, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, and Google Talk are supported), media player app, text editor and other basic applications. Later this year, Sony will create a developer website and provide an SDK, which should lead to more applications available in the future. Finally, the availability - Sony Mylo 2 will start selling at the end of this month for about $300. The package will also include a free access to Wayport’s WiFi network that includes 9000 McDonald’s, hotels, airports and other venues… Full release after the jump. PRESS RELEASE - For anyone who lives their life online with multiple social circles and struggles to get enough time on their home computer, Sony’s mylo communicator supports the popular web entertainment applications of a PC, in a pocketable broadband device. Available in black or white, with a back-lit, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, this wireless broadband device connects to open Wi-Fi networks using 802.11/b and /g standards. It does not require a monthly service contract, and as an added bonus, the new COM-2 mylo communicator devices will receive free access to participating Wayport hotspot locations in the U.S. including more than 9,000 McDonald’s locations until Dec. 31, 2010. Enhanced Web Browsing With Adobe Flash Lite 3 software, the mylo communicator gives you full access to many of the odd and outrageous videos posted on YouTube and other popular Flash-based Web sites. The device can also upload and download content to and from the Web using the touch screen interface on its 3.5-inch high-resolution display. Shoot and Share You can keep Facebook photos fresh with the communicator’s 1.3 mega pixel camera and photo editing software. You can resize, write captions or draw on photos and post them from the device directly to most social networking pages or blogs whenever you are connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot. “With the rise of social networking, people are making more friends and staying closer to the ones they have,” said John Kodera, director of marketing for personal communication devices at Sony Electronics. “And while they’re chatting and posting to their personal web pages, they’re listening to music, playing games or surfing the Web. The new mylo communicator combines these fun parts of your PC in a portable device so you can stay connected when you’re away from your home computer.” Keeping Up With the Buddies According to The 2008 TRU Study, almost 50 percent of teenagers in the U.S. use instant messaging clients to send messages to friends and family. With the mylo communicator you can log into existing AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger and Skype accounts to access contact lists, while sending and receiving multiple messages at the same time. When there is just too much news to type, you can make free Skype-to-Skype voice calls to more than 246 million other people who use Skype. You can use SkypeOut to make inexpensive calls to landlines and mobile phone numbers anywhere in the world. Widgets Do the Work for You Offering short cuts and the ability to keep tabs on your social networks, the mylo communicator features five specialized programs, known as widgets, to enhance the web experience on the device. The Google Search Widget is a short cut application so you can quickly search the web for information on your favorite band or the new kid at school. The MyContacts Widget compiles all of your instant messenger contact lists and shows you who is online and available to chat. The YouTube Widget keeps you informed of the featured videos on the site. If you subscribe to real simple syndication (RSS) information, the RSS Widget sends you updates about your subscriptions. The Facebook Notifier keeps track of specific elements of your Facebook page. Mylo users can also register to become developers with access to the information they need to create their own widgets for the communicator. Developer registration will be available at the end of the month at http://www.sony.com/mylo . Personalized widgets created for the device can be shared on this same site. While You Were Out When you are between hotspots, the device will support flash-based games. Sony will be offering such games as Sudoku and Solitaire as free downloads timed to the product’s availability. The new communicator comes with 1GB of internal memory, with the option of adding up to 8GB of additional storage with Memory Stick Duo media. You can use this memory to store additional flash games, digital music files, video files,image files or news summaries downloaded from the Internet, or imported from your computer or digital camera. The device supports Windows Media DRM 10, so users can store and play music that has been downloaded or purchased from compatible online stores and subscription music services. It plays MP3, AAC, ATRAC or WMA (secure and unsecured) files. You can watch MPEG4 simple profile and MPEG4/AVC baseline profile video transferred to the mylo communicator via USB from a PC or downloaded from the Web. When you’re ready to get back online, but not sure of where to find Wi-Fi, the unit includes a hotspot location database from JiWire for the top 20 U.S. cities. You can easily customize and add locations to the database stored on the device by visiting http://www.sony.com/mylo . The mylo communicator uses a lithium-ion battery that offers up to 20 hours of music playback, six hours of continuous Skype talk time, and up to seven hours of video playback. It comes equipped with a microphone, stereo headphones, USB cable, a stylus and a neoprene case. You can personalize the device with attachable face plates, which are sold in two packs — red with gold or blue with pewter. Each pair will be sold for about $20. There is also an optional charging cradle available for around $30. The latest mylo communicator will be available this month for about $300 direct at sonystyle.com , at Sony Style retail stores and at authorized dealers nationwide. More information is available online at www.sony.com/mylo . ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Sony Mylo 2 leaked? 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Nokia N95 8GB NAM pictures [UPDATED]

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:28:17 +0000

The highly-anticipated Nokia N95 8GB NAM is live! Nokia launched it last night and we managed to snap a couple pics of the sleek, large-screened beauty as we threw back complimentary drinks and scarfed down some delish eats. Before anyone starts complaining about the craptastic photo quality, please bear with us. High-resolution pics are on the way, hang in there. Just like its Euro-counterpart , the Nokia N95 8GB NAM rocks that larger screen, 8GB of onboard memory (of course), larger battery, more RAM, 5 megapixel Carl Zeiss shooter, and that conspicuously absent lens-cover. Here’s a little taste of the Nokia N95 8GB NAM in all its black-clad glory. Keep reading to see the rest of the pics. Update: High-res pics added, enjoy! ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Nokia leak hints at Nokia N95 8GB North American Version, N82 8GBNokia N95 advertisement shows slightly tweaked designBrief: Nokia N95 8GB North American Edition: 100% ConfirmedNokia working on 8GB version of N95!Nokia N95 8GB Black glamor shots from London's Nokia GoPlay Launch Event

Nokia N95 8GB North American Edition hitting Nokia flagship store, online e-tailers this quarter; Could be yours for $749 unlock

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:27:17 +0000

Finally, Nokia used CES as an opportunity to officially confirm what we already know — they will be launching their flagship N95 8GB Symbian S60 based smartphone to the U.S. market. The right HSDPA frequencies (850/1900 MHz) are there, and the device should hit Nokia flagship stores in New York and Chicago, as well as online e-tailers during this quarter. Want one? Sure you do! Estimated retail price without any contract is $749. Or you could wait for AT&T to pick it up… We hope they will… Full release follows after the break. PRESS RELEASE - With consumer demand for the most advanced wireless devices continuing to rise, Nokia (NYSE:NOK) announced today that it is optimizing the Nokia N95 8GB for networks using 850/1900 MHz HSDPA (high speed data packet access) in the Americas. Combining speed, technology and content - the new Nokia N95 8GB bridges the gap between traditional fixed entertainment centers and portable wireless devices with its stunning 2.8 inch QVGA screen with support for up to 16 million colors, eight gigabytes of built-in memory, A-GPS positioning for improved location access and enhanced battery life. A recent global study commissioned by Nokia, entitled ‘A Glimpse of the Next Episode’, predicts that by 2012, up to 25 percent of all entertainment will be created and consumed within peer communities as opposed to traditional media groups. With this trend dubbed by Nokia as ‘Circular Entertainment’, devices such as the Nokia N95 8GB, which allow the consumer to create, edit and upload content directly to the Internet, will be more important than ever as consumers personalize content and make it their own. “Today’s savvy consumer wants an all in one device that enables them to customize and share content immediately with their social communities. The Nokia N95 8GB fills this void as one of the most advanced wireless devices currently on the market in North America,” said Bill Plummer, Vice President, Go-to-Market, Nokia Americas. “With the addition of HSDPA for ultra-fast connectivity, the Nokia N95 8GB delivers on the promise of a multimedia computer in one surprisingly small package.” The Nokia N95 8GB comes with the advanced feature set expected from a state-of-the-art Nokia Nseries multimedia computer. The new Nokia N95 8GB offers a class-leading five megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and autofocus, WLAN, and a full eight gigabytes of internal memory, allowing for storage of up to 20 hours of video or up to 6000 songs. Complete with captivating 3D graphics, the Nokia N95 8GB will also offer compatibility with the upcoming N-Gage games service. It is also a full-featured GPS device with assisted GPS (A-GPS) and a large map database covering more than 100 countries, including a number of US state maps preloaded. The Nokia N95 8GB will also support Nokia Share Online 3.0, which will be made available via Nokia Download! and will enable consumers to upload photos and videos with one click to Flickr or Vox, allowing them to quickly share content with their social communities. Based on powerful Symbian S60 3rd Edition software, consumers can personalize their Nokia N95 8GB by choosing from a wide selection of advanced mobile applications, including games, navigation, entertainment, productivity and creativity. The Nokia N95 8GB comes out of the box ready to create, connect, consume and interact with some of the Internet’s most popular services including Yahoo! Search, Amazon’s MobiPocket Reader or Flickr. The device also features widget support which enables users to customize the online content they can receive quickly on their Nokia N95 8GB. The N95 8GB multimedia computer has an estimated retail price of $749 and will start shipping to Nokia Nseries retailers across the United States, the Nokia flagship stores in New York and Chicago as well as online e-tailers during the first quarter of 2008. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Nokia N95 8GB North American Edition to be announced at 3GSM?Brief: Nokia N95 8GB North American Edition: 100% ConfirmedNokia N95 advertisement shows slightly tweaked designBrief: 2 color variants, Black and White, of the Nokia N82 to be releasedNokia working on 8GB version of N95!

Bluetooth turns 10-years-old

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:25:14 +0000

It’s been an interesting 10 years for all of us in the mobile industry, not just for Bluetooth SIG which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. Following two years of work on standardization, the first Bluetooth-enabled devices appeared in the year 2000, and now there are more than 1.5 billion devices on the market that support the popular wireless connectivity standard. Naturally, members of the Bluetooth SIG don’t want to stop there. They are working on the next iteration of Bluetooth specification, which will use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology as the high speed channel for Bluetooth technology… Full release follows after the jump, but in the meantime if you’re attending CES and want to hear something about Bluetooth right from the folks behind it, Executive Director Mike Foley will be speaking on the World of Wireless panel on Wednesday, January 9, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at LVCC, South Hall, S104-105. PRESS RELEASE - Bluetooth technology, the global standard for short range wireless communications, turns 10-years-old this week. And it’s marking its birthday appropriately at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. While the idea of Bluetooth technology was born over a decade ago, the first products didn’t appear commercially until the year 2000. In that short time — a span of eight years — 1.5 billion Bluetooth enabled devices have been shipped, and the organization behind the technology, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, has grown from a handful of companies to 10,000 members. “The first ten years of Bluetooth development has been amazing to watch,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, the Bluetooth SIG. “From prototypes in 1998 to more than 1.5 billion devices on the market today, no other consumer technology has grown as fast in such a short period of time.” The Bluetooth SIG qualifies Bluetooth products to a set of strict criteria to carry the Bluetooth brand — since 2000 when products became commercially available, the trade organization has seen a 13-fold increase in the number of products qualified each year. One of those products, the JayBird Bluetooth Stereo Headset, will be introduced this week at CES and the manufacturer, JayBird Gear LLC, will be honored at the Bluetooth SIG 10-year celebration party as the organization’s 10,000th member. Bluetooth technology was named after a Danish king, King Harald Blatand, who had a penchant for snacking on blueberries and was known for uniting warring factions in what is now Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Uniting devices from different manufacturers and with different purposes, like computers from Apple and mice from Microsoft, is what Bluetooth technology is all about — all at a low cost, with low power consumption and a secure connection every time. Consumer awareness of Bluetooth technology is at an all time high and the Bluetooth logo — a runic symbol of King Harald’s initials surrounded by a blue oval — is familiar around the globe. Most people use Bluetooth technology to wirelessly connect mobile phones to headsets or cars, use their mobile phones to transfer pictures, files and other data another phone, PC or printer, or listen to music wirelessly via Bluetooth enabled mp3 players and stereo headsets. Applications The technology initially came to consumers in the form of wireless headsets for talking hands-free on cell phones. Today, Bluetooth technology can be found in laptops, PDAs, cameras, printers, cell phones, mice and keyboards, MP3 players, speakers, cars, and even medical devices like heart monitors. “As consumers became more aware of Bluetooth technology and began to ask for it, handset-makers started to include it as a means of differentiating their products and increasing their margins. Adding a Bluetooth chip to a phone now costs very little and opens up a new market for high-margin accessories,” says Stuart Carlaw of ABI Research, long-time Bluetooth technology analyst. “Greater adoption has, in turn, cleared the way for the inclusion of Bluetooth technology in all kinds of new products like Bluetooth enabled jackets, motorcycle helmets and sunglasses with built-in wireless headsets, and gaming controllers for Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii. I expect additional success for Bluetooth technology in new application areas like home entertainment and medical and fitness devices.” The Future The Bluetooth SIG has brought together wireless technologies to create one wireless option for consumers worldwide. The Bluetooth SIG is working with the WiMedia Alliance to use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology as the high speed channel for Bluetooth technology. The organization also welcomed Wibree technology into the Bluetooth wireless fold in 2007 and began work on an ultra low power Bluetooth specification. Both are expected in prototyping phase in 2008 with availability in the first half of 2009. The Bluetooth SIG at CES 2008

Media are invited to stop by the Bluetooth SIG table at ShowStoppers in the Wynn Hotel on the evening of Monday, January 7, to view demonstrations of the finalists in the 3rd annual Bluetooth SIG Best of CES contest.
Executive Director Mike Foley will be speaking on the World of Wireless panel on Wednesday, January 9, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at LVCC, South Hall, S104-105

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Altec Lansing T612 speakers work with the iPhone

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:07:12 +0000

Altec Lansing T612 are the new speakers from the Plantronics-owned company that officially work with the iPhone and other new-generation iPod models. Unlike Altec’s other iPod-only speaker systems, the T612 is primarily made to work with Apple’s handset, hence it features incoming call support - allowing users to actually hear the iPhone ringing (music stops). Once the call is completed, the iPhone is re-docked in the T612 and the music resumes playing at the same song and place. As for the specs, the T612 boasts “powerful neodymium speakers and XdB bass-enhancement technology,” as well as the standard auxiliary-in jack on the back for connection to older iPod models and other audio devices. In addition to the speaker, buyers also get a wireless remote for iPod song navigation functionality. Altec Lansing T612 speakers will be available in February 2008 at Apple retailers for $199.95 (U.S. MSRP). In the meantime, you may want to see them live at Altec Lansing’s CES booth - South Hall 1, Booth #20913. Official release is available from here . ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Samsin SBS-6600 Bluetooth speakersiPhone works sans AT&T service?Doom for iPhoneiPhone widgets for your smartphone; Works on desktop too…Apple publishes iPhone Questions and Answers section