The Best Phone Feeds

Wireless Handsets Innovations Honorees

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

LG Electronics USA

LG Dare
Model: VX9700
http://www.lgmobilephones.com/

Featuring a 3.2 megapixel camera/camcorder and Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens, the LG Dare (VX9700) offers outstanding image quality. Edit images on the 3-inch touch screen with handwriting recognition and tactile feedback.

LG Electronics USA

LG Invision
Model: CB630
http://www.lgmobilephones.com/

With a wide-angle screen and mobile TV compatibility, the LG Invision (CB630) offers optimal TV viewing in a lightweight, sleek and stylish phone.

LG Electronics USA

LG Vu
Model: CU920
http://lgmobilephones.com

A touch screen phone with live television, the LG VU (CU920) has both beauty and brains, with an aesthetically appealing sleek black finish and multimedia options for tech-savvy users.

Motorola, Inc.

Motorola Krave
Model: ZN4
http://www.motorola.com

Motorola Krave™ ZN4 is a multimedia phone offering the latest entertainment and connectivity features, and is the first full-touch phone in North America to feature an interactive clear flip.

Research In Motion

BlackBerry Pearl Flip
Model: 8220
http://www.rim.com

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 combines the BlackBerry solution's renowned wireless messaging capabilities, two high quality displays and impressive multimedia features into the first flip BlackBerry smartphone.

Research In Motion

BlackBerry® Bold™
Model: 9000
http://www.blackberry.com; http://www.rim.com

The fastest, most powerful BlackBerry, the BlackBerry Bold features a 624 MHz mobile processor, support for tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks and a rich, vibrant full color display.

Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Access(TM)
Model: SGH-a827
http://www.samsungwireless.com

Samsung Access offers a robust feature set including, Mobile TV, 3G connectivity and GSM technology, Video Share, Mobile Email, multimedia messaging capabilities and a 1.3 megapixel camera with video record.

Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Epix™
Model: SGH-i907
http://www.samsungwireless.com

The Epix smartphone features Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, touch screen, stylus and optical mouse and includes 3G speeds, Wi-Fi, access to corporate/personal e-mail, 2.0 megapixel camera, AGPS and Bluetooth technology.

Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Highnote(TM)
Model: SPH-m630
http://www.samsungwireless.com

The Samsung Highnote(TM) is a dual slider music phone that provides a seamless transition between voice and music interfaces. The Highnote's imaging and memory capabilities provide instant entertainment on-the-go.

Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Instinct(TM)
Model: SPH-m800
http://www.samsungwireless.com

Samsung Instinct(TM) is a fully customizable touch screen phone that puts users' favorite features within one touch. Instinct includes GPS navigation, voice activated search and an array of multimedia services.

Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung z400
Model: SPH-z400
http://www.samsungwireless.com

Z400 by Samsung is a rugged, military-spec clamshell phone with an array of push-to-talk capabilities. The Z400 has a unique rubber and plastic housing to reduce damage in extreme environments

Will It Blend- - iPhone3G

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Will It Blend- - iPhone3G

What's Next for Nokia?

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Nokia recently hosted a cocktail party to introduce journalists to its chief designer, Alastair Curtis. The Brit's formal slide presentation was a carefully crafted marketing piece, hammering in his Finnish employer's slogans such as "beautiful to use" and "connecting people." And he provided a bright glimpse into the company's future plans in response to our questions.

The revelations started when Curtis described Nokia's record in America. "The U.S. hasn't been Nokia's strongest suit," he conceded. But the company aims to change that, having just completed a fact-finding trip around the States, where Americans were "talking about music, talking about gestures, talking about what they want for the future."

Talking about gestures?

By "gestures," Nokia has something in mind beyond spreading or pinching your fingers to zoom in and out of a photo. A patent filed in June 2007 describes a system that uses ultrasound sensors to detect hand movements -- not on the screen, but in the air in front of it -- such as tracing a clockwise or counterclockwise circle with a finger to go forward or back through pages in a Web browser. Companies file patents for a lot of technologies that they never implement. But Curtis basically told us that this technology is coming, and roughly when.

When asked why Nokia hasn't brought an iPhone-like multi-touch interface to its geeked-out N-series smartphones, Curtis replied "We've not launched what we think is right for N-series in a touch product. You'll see in the coming months, years... what we feel is right."

"Right," it seems, is controlling the phone through hand movements. "Much as I'm talking to you now with gestures," said Curtis, a fluent hand-talker. How do you translate those gestures into ways of interacting with the phone? "I'm skirting the question," he confessed, "because products are coming."

When, Curtis wouldn't say. But he mentioned earlier in the evening that his team has just finalized the 2010 product line.

Other Technologies
In describing the excitement of designing for fast-changing technologies, Curtis let loose a few more examples of what Nokia may have in store. "When today it's about Internet, touch[screens], QWERTY [keyboards], tomorrow it's going to be about TV, the year after that it's about projectors... it's fantastic to be able to operate in that space." TV, of course, is not brand-new. We've seen phones equipped with digital tuners not only in Asia but also here on Verizon and AT&T handsets. But we haven't seen the tech on Nokia phones yet.

Projectors, though, are new territory. The first handheld model, from 3M, appeared in October (and earned a Best of What's New [http://www.popsci.com/bown/2008/product/3m-mpro-110] honor), but it merely connects to a phone. No one has yet squeezed a projector into the phone itself. When a fairly conservative handset maker like Nokia starts talking about adding a new technology, it's a safe bet that other companies are working on it, too.

New Interface Coming
What about Nokia's rather nerdy software -- which is not always as slick as its hardware?

The software and hardware teams have grown apart in the past decade, said Curtis. But a recent company re-org will bring them closer together; the changes should appear in phones that debut about two years from now. He hopes it will bring Nokia back to the hand-in-hand development that produced, for example, the simplex UI, an interface controlled from a single button on the model 5110 phones.

"To get products right," Curtis said, "to get people to love the brand, you have to design the physical, the digital, the packaging, the experience, as one holistic experience."

Nokia chief designer Alastair Curtis with a new E71 phone and an old yellow 5110, whose UI was "beautiful to use.":

Some proposed hand movements in Nokia's patent for controlling future phones:

source

Victory at Huawei ASIA MOBILE AWARDS 2008 in Macao

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The company Huawei Technologies announced that it was among the winners Asia Mobile Awards 2008. Awarding ceremony took place in the event Mobile Asia Congress in the administrative region of China - Macau.

The award ceremony took place the evening of Venice resort hotel Macau (Venetian Macao Resort Hotel), where earlier this week, leaders of the mobile industry have identified a program of activities Mobile Asia Congress. The event was moderated by actor and TV Ken Chan.

Among the winners included companies Huawei (China), Bharti Airtel (India), Nokia (Malaysia), Telstra Corporation (Australia) and Total Access Communication (Thailand).

The jury was formed by independent analysts, journalists and industry experts. Applications for participation in the contest has filed more than 100 companies serving the market for mobile communications in Asia and of commercially available products, services, content and applications. Only one year in the region were connected by more than 400 million mobile subscribers and their total number to over 1.4 billion

Nominations Asia Mobile Awards 2008 and holders of awards:

• Best handset / device mobile broadband
'Huawei E180 HSPA Rotable USB Stick' from Huawei (China)
'Samsung Innov8 (i8510)' from Samsung Electronics (South Korea)
• Best mobile game
'Asphalt4: Elite Racing HD' from Gameloft (South Korea).
• The best music, TV or mobile video service
'On-Demand Service on Airtel Live' from Bharti Airtel (India)
• The best advertising mobile service
'Mobile Codes' of Telstra Corporation (Australia)
• Best Corporate mobile product or service
'Show Care' from KTF (South Korea)
• The best mobile Internet service
'Gifticon' of SKT (South Korea)
• Best Service «mobile money»
'ATMSIM' from Total Access Communications (Thailand)
• 'Green Mobile Award' (best environmentally-friendly mobile product)
'Integrated Nokia Kiosk' from Nokia (Malaysia)

VIDEO: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Slider Phone Review

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The XPERIA X1 is first Sony Ericsson slider with Windows Mobile 6.1 OS. The phone features 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth stereo (A2DP), 3″ 65k color…

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VIDEO: LG Prada II phone and Prada Link (LG-LBA-T950) Bluetooth watch Preview

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Prada II phone by LG is now equipped with a stylish Bluetooth watch, the Prada Link LG-LBA-T950. The Prada Link allows users to make…

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Update firmware iPhone

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

New firmware for iPhone numbered 2.2. It is already available for download through iTunes. Among the main innovations - feature Google Street View, driving directions by public transportation, improvements to the browser, Safari, support for podcasts and more.

New features firmware iPhone 2.2:
• Improved Maps - Google Street View, directions and recommendations on how to get to the desired item on foot, displaying the address location that has the "pin", the exchange of information on the location of an e-mail
• Improved application Mail - corrected a number of gaps

• Downloading podcasts directly from iTunes (on the network, or Wi-Fi network)
• Increase the stability and speed of the Safari browser
• New audio quality visual voice mail messages
• Return to the first of the main screens by pressing «Home»
• Ability to turn AutoCorrect in the options menu of your keyboard

The new terms for users of Zune Pass

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The company Microsoft announced a new scheme subscriptions to online music service Zune Pass. Now users can gain access to millions of tracks from the catalog Zune Pass for $ 14.99 per month. In addition, users of the service is now free to get another 10 songs, which can be downloaded from the Zune Pass each month.

The company also Microsoft announced the signing of agreements with several record labels: EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, as well as independent distributors INgrooves, Independent Online Distribution Alliance and The Orchard, which will provide content for Zune Pass. Most of these companies offer tracks in MP3 format without DRM.

The iCEphone – Three Phones In A Triple Flip Phone

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The latest iCEphone is one of its kind. Brought to you by The Medical Phone Ltd., the unique product is an impressive triple flip iPhone,…

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The N96 Battery Swap

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Using a 1200mAh battery instead of the N96's 950 mAh is no problem at all.

Taiwan market: Chunghwa Telecom reveals details of new value-added service platform to launch ...

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) on November 20 unveiled Hami, a package of free value-added services specifically designed for CHT 3G subscribers using iPhone 3G handsets. Hami will be launched alongside the iPhone 3G in December, according to CHT.

The name Hami derives from the Chinese for honeydew melon, continuing the fruity theme of the iPhone, and was chosen as it sounds like "happy me" in English, according to CHT's explanation. (This "creative" use of naming is not uncommon in the local market.) More interesting, the fact that CHT has demonstrated Hami in action this week despite announcing it had inked the deal with Apple to distribute the iPhone in Taiwan only last weekend, is evidence that the companies must have reached an agreement some time earlier.

Hami consists of 11 services including news, weather, stock market tracker etc., CHT indicated. CHT will set up an editing team responsible for producing audio/video and image content for Hami, the company noted.

Although CHT has not yet announced pricing for the iPhone 3G and related services, it is speculated the telco will subsidize the handset to cost NT$0 for an 8GB model and NT$2,990 (US$90) for a 16GB model along with a two-year contract, according to industry sources.

CHT currently offers the HTC Diamond at a subsidized cost of NT$2,990 alongside a NT$1,683 per month two-year 3G service contract. The company also announced recently a voice and 3G data tariff costing N$1,789 per month. As is typical for the Taiwan market, neither of these tariffs include any free call or data allowance, instead charges are deducted from the monthly subscription fee, before the company bills for any excess or ineligible charges (as defined by the contract).

Chunghwa Telecom will offer Hami, value-added services tailored for its iPhone 3G users

Samsung INNOV8 Smartphone

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Samsung Innov8 handset has won the ‘Asia Mobile Award’ for ‘Best Mobile Broadband handset/device’. This high-end smartphone sports HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (900/2100), EDGE / GPRS (850/900/1800/1900) networks and is powered by Symbian OS V9.3, S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2. The handset also features a 2.8-inch VGA 16M TFT LCD display, video and music player, FM Radio with RDS, DNSe 2.0, Bluetooth Stereo Headset (A2DP), A-GPS, Bluetooth, and 16GB Flash + External Memory slot: microSDHC (up to 16GB). Its 8MP CMOS camera comes equipped with AF and Dual Power LED, Smart Reader, Image Stabilizer, Auto-Panorama Shot, Smile Shot, Blink Shot, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), and Face Detection. [Slashphone]

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President-Elect Obama's Mobile Phone Account with Verizon Wireless Breached

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Verizon Wireless said on Thursday that some employees had gained unauthorized access and viewed a personal cell phone account held by President-elect Barack Obama that is now inactive.

An Obama aide said his voice-mail messages and e-mails were not breached in the incident.

"We were notified yesterday that employees had accessed the records of an old cell phone no longer in use," the Obama aide said. "No voice or e-mails were listened to or read."

The company said the device in question was a simple voice phone, not a Blackberry or other device designed for e-mail or other data services.

In a statement, Verizon Wireless President and Chief Executive Lowell McAdam apologized to Obama and said all employees who had had access to Obama's account, whether authorized or not, were put on immediate leave with pay.

Telecom analyst Michael King of Gartner said that a telephone employee accessing billing information could likely see the numbers a customer had called, how long conversations with those people were and when he called them.

King said he could not recall a high-profile case where an employee had unauthorized access to records and that recent public cases involved company outsiders finding ways to check other people's records.

Verizon said it will soon impose disciplinary action against those who accessed Obama's account improperly.

Asked to disclose exactly what kind of information was viewed, the duration and frequency of the unauthorized access, Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson declined comment beyond the company's statement.

source

OxyBook and OxyFile: new free application from Oxygen Software

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Oxygen Software Company introduced two new free applications - OxyBook and OxyFile. Both decisions represent a full application for use with mobile devices from a personal computer. OxuBook - Manager with extended capabilities, which allows you to transfer contacts from your phone to your computer, edit and update the content on your phone. OxyFile - file manager that provides access to the file system, mobile phone or smartphone. Using OxyFile you can quickly download and save to your computer photos, pictures, music, ringtones, video, documents, applications, etc. The program works as a memory, and with the phone's memory.

Applications OxyBook and OxyFile fully supports mobile phones Nokia, as well as smartphones based on Symbian OS. Also granted discharge data from devices Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Blackberry and Windows Mobile 5 / 6. In addition to the free version available is a version of Pro, providing additional opportunities, it can be bought for 295 rubles.

Openmoko signs Koolu as Global Distributor

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

"Openmoko welcomes Koolu's efforts to optimize the community lead port of Google's Android on the FreeRunner,” said Steven Mosher VP of marketing Openmoko, “That's the benefit of having an open platform. Their market focus complements ours. The Open Source community wants choice and Koolu and Openmoko deliver it."

Openmoko will factory install Koolu’s image of Android on the Openmoko phone, which Koolu will sell to developers, end users, distributors and value added resellers, such as SDG Systems , who have partnered with Koolu to address the VAR channel in the US.

Koolu Beta port of Android will be available to download for existing Freerunner owners and installed on phones for sale in December 2008. WE Phone is a hand held open-source, ruggedized tablet computer and Smart Phone in one with Tri mode GSM, GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth, USB, 640x480 touchscreen, MicroSD, Accelerometers. WE Phones will be available to Android and third party application developers, existing Google Apps Customers and Google Apps Enterprise Professionals as Value Added Resellers.

Koolu sells turn key Android Platform powered appliances with high level support, training and certification through Regional Master VARs. Master VARs provide regional support, training and sales to Value Added Resellers like Google Enterprise Professional integrators.

Google Android is the first free, open source, and fully customizable mobile platform. Android offers a full software stack: an operating system, middleware, and key mobile applications. Now business has the freedom to choose phone service using GSM cell or Wifi for VoIP phone calls and data! Seamlessly access your files from your desktop, laptop or Google phone from one account with **24/7 phone and email supported for $50 a YEAR with Google Apps Premier Edition.

Unlocked Freerunner Phone powered by Google Android Platform $399 with Beta install.

Nokia’s Handset Test Laboratory video

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Nokia’s Handset Test Laboratory video

Nokia's Handset Test Laboratory from Mobile Industry Review on Vimeo.

Nokia N79 drop test

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

See what happens when a phone is dropped. Shot at 100,000 frames per second, the detail is pretty amazing.

Motorola QA4 site Bluetooth SIG

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

At the site of the organization Bluetooth SIG was a reference to the new mobile device from Motorola - QA4. As usual, the documentation for Bluetooth SIG, very little information is known only that the model is designed for the North American market. Although there has been rumors that the code name Motorola QA4 - Halo, as well as become familiar features of the phone, though not confirmed officially.

Characteristics of Motorola QA4 Halo:

• Networks CDMA 1x EV-DO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz and 1700/2100 MHz)
• 2,8-inch display with a resolution of 240x400 pixels, support for 65K colors and tactile response
• Interface-based widgets
• 2-Mp camera
• accelerometer
• microSD-slot
• Interface - USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0

More pics of the Nokia N96 Bruce Lee edition

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Here are some more pics of the Nokia N96 Bruce Lee edition. Enjoy!

MediaTek expected to supply chips for Nokia TD-SCDMA handsets

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The market is speculating that MediaTek will be the supplier for Nokia's customized TD-SCDMA handsets which are expected to be launched in China by the end of 2009, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.

MediaTek declined to comment on the report, citing client confidentiality.

LG Prada II phone video review

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Hands on video review of the LG Prada 2, the second incarnation of the fashion mobile from LG and Prada.

LG Prada 2 demo video

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Reinventing the most exclusive form of mobile sophistication and style, the latest version of the PRADA Phone by LG magnifies the heritage of the predecessor with exclusive PRADA elements including ring tones, wallpapers, and video clips that are carefully selected for users to fully experience the handset inside and out. Each of these unique contents displays PRADA’s extraordinary artwork dedicated to the company’s visionary design philosophy. Contents include the PRADA Fall/Winter 2008 Lookbook, new PRADA animation films dedicated to the PRADA Phone by LG, and wallpapers illustrating principal themes from PRADA’s annual design collections dating back to 2001.

Internet,Nokia 5800 Xpress

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Internet,Nokia 5800 Xpress
Uploaded by symbianfrance

HTC Touch Pro Mobile Phone Telescope

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Telescope 6x Zoom For Mobile Phone

Price US$17.00 from brando

Function:
Overcome the short coming of camera cellphone that can only near-sighted, it also makes distant view for you at the moment.

Advantage:
The new design to run of rays can effectively avoid the contortion of image, and makes the super wide angle, the larger luminous flux, the higher visual acuteness, good for color reduction, which makes the high quality of photography.

Usage:
Change the cellphone back shell first enclosed with the telescope.
Adjust the clear focus with the naked eye.
It can take a picture while fixing the telescope on back shell. (If the screen of your cellphone is analyzed degree enough, you can adjust the focus with the screen of the cellphone).

Model:
HTC Touch Pro

Package Content:
Mobile Phone Telescope
Handy Strap
Crystal Case with adapter

Dual Alarm Clock Radio

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Docking connector for all iPod / iPhone.
Price: US$38.00 from brando

Features:
Volume control
Powered by AC power
iPod mode - Press the function button to reach iPod mode (rest & up button to shuffle songs forwards and backwards on your iPod)
Radio mode - Press the function button to select the radio mode (up button to select the desired frequency and reset button to return the 87.80mhz frequency)
Alarm mode - Press alarm1/alarm2 button adjust the alarm.
Connect to your CD, MP3 or MP4 - Press the function button to the AUX mode
Snooze Nap Sleep Setting
Connect the iPod to Dock connector and plug the AC adapter to charge iPod battery

Specification:
Frequency: FM87.8-108mhz
Antenna FM: Wire Antenna
Power required: DC 9V, 6x1.5V AA/UM3 battery for play & time memory
Adapter: AC/DC DC9V 800mA

Package Include:
AC Power adapter (US Type ; Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 0.30A MAX ; Output: 9.0V=800mA)
iPod Dock
3.5mm Stereo converter

Model:
iPhone 2G
iPhone 3G
iPod mini
iPod Touch 1-2nd Generation
iPod nano 1-3rd Generation
iPod 1-5th Generation
iPod classic
iPod Shuffle 1-2nd Generation

Double-Dose of Glass Phone Style Design

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

I love rugged mobile phones and I believe that mobile phone should be able to withstand a couple of unintended drops to the floor without breaking or cracking. When I found this Double-Dose of Glass Phone Style Design on the YankoDesign site, I am not sure it is rugged enough to survive accidentally drops. Designed by Mac Funamizu, the handset comes with double glass layers, which are also fingerprints magnet. So, you have to clean it often from your own fingerprints. More pictures after the jump. [Yanko]

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Customize Your Search Results with SearchWiki

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Google users now have more control over their search experience, thanks to our newest addition to Google Web Search: SearchWiki. With this new set of features, users can add, delete, re-sort or comment on search results for any query, to create a set of search results that's customized just for them.

Just do a web search when logged in to your Google account, and check out all the new tools that are available. Now you can reorder results so that the site you prefer always appears first, delete a link from the search results that seems out of place, add a url so your favorite site always shows up for that search, or post a comment so you can remind yourself about a page's content or provide recommendations to other users doing the same search.

These notes will only affect your search results pages and do not impact the ranking for other users when they search on Google. But to see even more information about what other users think about a search, check out the "All notes for this SearchWiki" link, which lets you see an aggregated view of which pages have been moved up, deleted or added, as well as the comments users have added for specific sites.

Google SearchWiki

SearchWiki lets you customize your Google Web Search results. You can rank, remove and add notes to any result page and see those tailored results anytime you do that search while you're logged in to your Google Account.

Concepts "Glassy Glassy": camp-cot and Slider

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Designer Max Funamizu (Mac Funamizu) created the concepts of mobile phones made of glass. This is not the first idea of using glass in the construction of such devices, but solutions Funamizu - one of the most stylish. Glass camp-cot, and Slider, designed designer, fully transparent (except for a few details). Minimalistic design and thin, almost weightless in appearance, building these devices immediately attract attention. At one part of the hull touch keyboard is available, but on the other - the display. And the display, as can be seen on the images, took the entire panel without restrictions.

CellPhone Shopping? - Go to BillShrink First

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Blackberry Storm arrives tomorrow from Verizon Wireless. It is the world's first touch screen Blackberry and is getting a lot of press as a true iPhone competitor. You can read engadget's review here.

If you are considering buying an iPhone or a Storm you may want to take a little time and head on over to BillShrink.com.

BillShrink launched today a Blackberry Storm vs. iPhone 3G Comparison Site where consumers can view and calculate the real cost of each device and plan, features and related service head to head.

BillShrink helps consumers find the right phone and plan given their personalized usage patterns, e.g., how many texts you send, how many minutes you use, etc. In today’s tight economy, they claim they're helping consumers save an average of $340 annually on their cell phone bills.

Headquartered in beautiful Redwood City, CA, BillShrink is a free, personalized savings service for everyday services like wireless and credit cards. Not only will Billshrink find the best wireless plans and credit cards for you today, but they can automatically repeat the analysis for you on a regular basis to keep you optimized as your usage changes, better product offers come to market, etc.

They do this by using sophisticated computer algorithms that scan millions of data points, constantly re-calculating your usage and needs against the millions of possible product combinations. And they do all of this for free. (They make money by referring consumers to merchants.)

Pretty cool idea and certainly a great service these days. Give it a shot and let us know what you think.

Cell phones will now display lifelike 3-D images, animations

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON: If texting, talking, e-mailing and snapping pictures on cell phones leaves you craving for more, you can now access or even display 3-D virtual reality simulations and animations on your device.

By merging communication architecture with optics, researchers have created a new approach based on outsourcing to servers all the heavy number crunching required by computer animations and virtual reality simulations.

After churning through it, the servers then provide the information either as stream (avi, motion JPEG) or as vector-based data (VRML, X3D) displayable as 3-D on mobile devices. Dan Curticapean and his colleagues Andreas Christ and Markus Feisst of Offenburg's University of Applied Science devised the approach.

'Since the processing power of mobile phones, smart phones and personal digital assistants is increasing - along with expansion in transmission bandwidth - it occurred to us that it is possible to harness this power to create 3-D virtual reality,' said Curticapean. 'So we designed a system to optimise and send the virtual reality data to the mobile phone or other mobile device.'

Their approach works like this: Virtual reality data sent by the server to a mobile phone can be visualised on the phone's screen, or on external display devices, such as a stereoscopic two-video projector system or a head-mounted stereoscopic display, according to a release of Optical Society of America.

The displays are connected to the mobile phone by wireless Bluetooth so the user's mobility is preserved. In order to generate stereoscopic views on the mobile display screens, a variety of means can be used, such as a built-in 3-D screen or using lenticular lenses (as in human vision) or anaglyph images viewed with special glasses having lenses of two different colours to create the illusion of depth.

The upshot of this new approach is improved realistic 3-D presentation, enhanced user ability to visualise and interact with 3-D objects and easier presentation of complex 3-D objects.

These findings will be presented Oct 23 at Rochester Riverside Convention Centre.

source

Bruce Lee Limited Edition Nokia N96

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

I’m a big fan of Bruce Lee. So, I’m glad to hear that Nokia and Enterbay have joined together for the first limited edition of Nokia N96 Bruce Lee version mobile phone. This handset costs 8,788 Chinese yuan or around $1,286. but unfortunately you have to know how to read Chinese. [SlashGear]

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Breaking Nokia phones on purpose - Nokia Test Center

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

This cool video gives an inside peek at the Nokia Test Center in Southwood, UK. See how we twist, shake, drop, wet, and poke phones until they break. It's important you know.

Apple iPhone 2.2 Update Available

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Apple iPhone 2.2 update is officially available from Apple. The new update features Google Street View, Public Transit maps, Location sharing (via Email), Podcasts downloads in iTunes, and Toggle auto-correction (Keyboard). Download the update software right now! [Apple]

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