Nokia to bring out its first touchscreen phone

Nokia’s answer to the iPhone was shown the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference in California earlier this week. The Finnish handset maker’s first touch screen phone is uncannily reminiscent of the Apple device.

Although it still hasn’t been launched, the phone made its first appearance already last summer at Nokia’s GoPlay event in August 2007.

The device will be named Nokia Tube 5800. However, the discussion surrounding the device has dubbed it ‘Nokia’s iPhone killer’.

Nokia’sTube has some advantages over the Apple device. It has a 3.3 mega pixel camera, while the iPhone only has 2 mega pixels. It also comes with 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, a TV output port, but only has a disappointing 140MB of memory.

Although the Nokia version beats the iPhone in some features, such as 3G functionality, the phone will only be launched later on this year, by which time the 3G iPhone will probably be out already.

Cell phone alerts coming soon

Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergency alert system using text messages delivered to cell phones.

Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry's trade association, CTIA, estimates more than 48 billion text messages are sent each month.

The plan stems from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires upgrades to the nation's emergency alert system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.

"The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families prior to, and during, disasters and other emergencies," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.

Participation in the alert system by carriers is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.

Cell phone subscribers would be able to opt out of the program. They also may not be charged for receiving alerts.

There would be three different types of messages, according to the rules.

The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve "imminent threats," which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.

The alerts would be delivered with a unique audio signature or "vibration cadence."

The service could be in place by 2010.

source : http://www.cellular-news.com/

No U.K. iPhone price cut from O2

Germany’s T-Mobile generated a wave of media attention with its decision to subsidize the purchase price of the iPhone in a new €99 (US$155) deal, announced last week, but Apple’s U.K. partner, O2, has no immediate plan to emulate the discount.

T-Mobile’s plan has been seen as predicated by one of two reasons: to stimulate flagging sales of the device in Germany, or to clear stock from the network’s channel, pending the coming release of a 3G-supporting model of the device.

Apple’s German iPhone network partner has been selling the 8GB model of iPhone for €399, but reduced the cost of that model to €99 late last week.

O2 mobile has not chosen to emulate T-Mobile’s move, at least, not yet. An O2 spokesperson told Macworld UK: “We regularly examine all of our offerings to ensure they remain competitive and meet customer demands. We currently have no updates regarding iPhone pricing.”

While this response leaves the door open to future price cuts on the part of Apple’s UK network partner, it does mean there’s no immediate price discount plan to be announced.

source : http://www.macworld.com/

Samsung D780 Mobile Phone boasts its Dual SIM Feature

If you use two phones, one for work and one for personal use, then here’s a solution to your problem of carrying two phones. The Samsung D780 proudly displays its Dual SIM feature, where two SIM cards can be used on the same phone.

Samsung mobile phones plans to concentrate on launching the D780 in the Asian and European markets, but there is no word on its launch date or pricing. The phone apart from its unique selling point of Dual SIM also shines in its black armor, shoots with a 2MP camera with video recording capabilty and displays a satisfactory widescreen of 2.1 inch 256k color QVGA resolution.

Like any other latest phone, the Samsung D780 mobile phone also has a Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0 connectivity, microSD memory card slot, MP3 playback and an integrated FM radio. The Samsung D780 will be a perfect fit for those busy chatters who use two SIM cards, eliminating the need of carrying two phones.

source : http://www.mobiletor.com/

LG’s new mobile phone

LG Electronics (LG) launched a new mobile LG-KF510 with a dynamic functional design.

The eye-catching colour gradations of LG-KF510 are the first ever to be used on a mobile phone, with choices of Stardust Dark Gray and Sunset Red on the full metal exterior. It adds a lustrous sophistication while the 10.9mm slim and durable inner slide of the phone subtly underscores its sleek style.

Leave your cell phone at home

For the time being, most North American airlines are not following the lead of France and Europe in allowing mobile phones and wireless communication technology to be used while in the air. The European Union has officially announced that airlines are now allowed to permit passengers to make and receive calls on their cell phones, use e-mail communication and send text messages once the plane has reached an altitude of 10,000 feet.

Government agencies in Canada believe that using mobile phones may pose a safety risk. Currently no mobile phone is allowed even after the aircraft has landed and is taxiing at the airport.

WestJet is one carrier that suggests passengers may actually enjoy a flight without interruption of fellow passengers chatting away. They have, however, indicated they will be watching the developments in Europe to determine the feasibility of in-flight wireless communication.

source : http://www.aviation.ca/

Vodafone Offers Samsung SGH-F490 Touchscreen Handset

The latest phone to land on Vodafone's network in the UK is the Samsung SGH-F490. The F490 was originally introduced back in January of this year and looks very similar to Samsung's recently announced M800 Instinct for Sprint in the U.S.

The Samsung SGH-F490 is a touchscreen device with a large 3.2" display with support for 262k colors. The design, similar to that of the LG Prada, does away with a keyboard and offers the company's Croix user interface, which is optimized for finger control. The F490 comes with a built-in 5 megapixel camera, video capture and playback, a music player, and A2DP Bluetooth stereo support.

The SGH-F490 is a 3G capable phone that offers UMTS/HSDPA connectivity as well as GSM/EDGE. The Samsung F490 is available now online at Vodafone.

source : http://www.mobileburn.com/

Samsung SCH-M470: Welcome the first HSUPA-enabled Mobile Phone

Samsung Electronic is back in news with its latest SCH-M470 HSUPA enabled phone being unveiled in Korea. HSUPA stands for High-Speed Uplink Packet Access which promises an upload speed of 2mbps.

The Samsung SCH-M470 brings the HSUPA technology especially to cater to the masses who frequent the internet often on their mobile phones and to top it all, the usage of internet on phones has seen a vast increase. Thus to catch up with the growing need of mobile internet buffs, the Samsung SCH-M470 brings in a pleasant surprise.

Apart from Samsung SCH-M470’s HSUPA technology, the phone clicks away with a neat 2.0 MP camera, latches on to the WiFi network easily and transfers the files with ease using Bluetooth connectivity. The phone also provides Push email support and Google search facility.

The Samsung SCH-M470’s upload speeds are 5-times faster as compared to that of a WCDMA network. SKT (SK Telecom) will provide demonstration service in few places where 2mbps upload speeds will be available and later plans to extend their services further. The sleek slider phone will be available for the Korean market at a price ranging from 600,000(KRW) and 700,000(KRW).

source : http://www.mobiletor.com/

Samsung unveils J700 mobile phone with tracker

KOREA’s electronic giant, Samsung on Monday unveiled its latest J700 mobile phone to the Nigeria consumers at a media launch event which took place at the porch Protea Leadway Hotel in Maryland, Lagos with a promise to meet expectation of users, especially people with style.

Mr. James You, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Nigeria noted that the company has a vision of leading a digital convergence revolution which has remained the bedrock of “our guiding principle in pushing the limit of technology and offering our esteemed customers the opportunity to live a fuller life.”

According to Mr. You, the company was structured into four operational divisions — Home Network, Mobile Network, Office Network and Core Components — to meet the goals of offering limitless opportunities to its customers.

“The Nigerian market,” You stated, “has been responsive to our products because we have economic classes and have now come to provide unique solutions that address their needs. Our stylish innovations and technology embedded in our mobile devices are part of Samsung’s resolve to putting our customers’ needs first.”

The Samsung J700 phone is uniquely designed with features of a high end devices made available to discerning consumers at a “pocket friendly pricing”, although price tag was not included at the exhibition stand. You however told Vanguard that it has the consumer in mind. “We do know that those who truly use the innovative features of a mobile handset are not necessarily the super-wealthy”.

The J700 Samsung device comes in stylish design with a lossy mirror-like surface and comes in two main colours of silver and black. It has inputted features to enable the user to take control and be incharge. Features also include a 1.3 mega pixel camera, music (Mp3) player, video, FM radio, GPRS and mobile tracker to discourage theft. “The premium design is compact, stylish, sleek and smart.”

According to You, who feels so proud of the J700 device, it is “targeted at confident, responsible, trend setting and exciting individuals who can express themselves in so many ways. We on our part are not unmindful that these people have so much to invest in to keep their lifestyle going.”

source : http://www.vanguardngr.com/

Mobile phones to soon smell good with downloadable fragrances

Japanese mobile operator is all excited to soon introduce a new innovative technology to the mobiles. With the new technology, pamper yourself with downloadable fragrances on to your mobile phone.

The mobile phone will be able to download scents of your choice on to the mobile and it transfer it to a device via infrared and emits the fragrance with Gif images and tunes that will soothe you further from the mobile phone screens. The fragrances would be able to be downloaded from the i-mode website offered by NTT DoCoMo.

The scents will actually be loaded on to a different device which has a common cartridge which mixes the fragrances accordingly and brings in the type of air that has been downloaded on the mobile phone. Since the technology is still being worked upon, we will have to patiently wait to hear the pricing structure and launch date of this latest innovation.

source : http://www.mobiletor.com/

Nokia 2680 - Cheapest Ever Slider Phone?

Another of Nokia’s new ‘entry-level’ range, the 2680 is a budget slider featuring Bluetooth, a VGA (0.3 megapixel) digital camera and FM radio, which innovatively comes with a recording facilities to encode content to digital formats on the internal memory. You’ll also find an email client installed along with a web browser and MP3 support for ringtones.

The display of Nokia 2680 is pretty basic at just 128×160 pixels though, with a relatively meagre talk-time, for a phone so low on features, of just three hours. You do get support for WAP 2.0, quad-band GSM and a Series 40 interface, so it certainly shouldn’t let you down when out and about. This is actually Nokia’s first foray into the slide market for entry-level mobiles, and considering slider phones are traditionally tricky to find at the low-end of the market it should have decent appeal for fans of this particular type of design.

The 2680 is expected to start shipping in Q3 2008, for an estimated retail price of around 75 euros (about £60) before discounts from providers and contracts are taken into account.

Mobile Phones UK - Compare Mobile Phone Deals

LG Electronics announced the global launch of the third LG Black Label Series handset. Successes of the LG Chocolate and LG Shine, the two predecessors of the LG Black Label Series models, together with globally renowned The PRADA Phone by LG, have affirmed LG as a leading design innovator in the mobile industry.

The design heritage of the LG Black Label Series will continue on to the third handset boasting its smart technology with the latest and sophisticated features including the slimmest 5MP camera.

Similar to the previous LG Black Label Series handsets, the latest model also carries a product concept derived from today’s trend leaders. This new concept of ‘Style that Lasts’ reflects the timeless and elegant design of the phone enhanced by stylish materials such as carbon fiber and tempered glass.

The phone will be unveiled on April 24th starting from Europe and on to the rest of the world, and the product name of the third LG Black Label Series model will be revealed at the official launch.

source : http://www.3g.co.uk/

Nokia Shows 'Tube' iPhone Competitor in Powerpoint Slide

According to an InfoWorld piece, Nokia's VP of Forum Nokia, Tom Libretto, said that the company has been working on a touch-centric device to compete with the iPhone, and that the device has the code name of "Tube." Nokia has not formally announced the device, which was featured today in a slide shown at the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference in California. Nokia also declined to give a time frame as to when the product might be launched.

About the only details available on the as-yet unannounced device are that it will sport a new finger touch based user interface and that it will support Java applications. It does seems likely that the Tube will be the first S60 Touch based device, though S60 Touch does not appear to have been specifically mentioned.

HTC getting set to unveil Android-based 'Dream' handset on May 6?

We can't wait to get some serious Android-kit into our sweaty, grubby hands. The launch of the Android-powered HTC Dream is at the very top of our gotta-see list. And, HTC could be setting the stage to unveil the HTC Dream for Android-duty in the near future.

HTC sent out invitations for some sort of press event in London, UK that will "Witness the next wave of HTC Innovation." According to Vincent over at Slashphone, the event is slated to kick off on May 6, 2008 - which is perfectly in line with HTC's previous announcement that the Dream would go live in mid-2008.

At 5 inches long and 3 inches wide, the HTC Dream is purported to sport a full-body touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, and be geared towards intuitive web-browsing.

It's not clear if HTC will indeed launch the HTC Dream at this May 6th event, but fingers are crossed on this side of the pond.

source : http://www.intomobile.com/

Nokia launches N-Gage global mobile games service

The world's largest cell phone maker Nokia on Monday launched the N-Gage mobile games service that enables customers to buy and download games onto their handsets.

The new service, which is limited to handsets in the Nokia N81 and N95 series, will let users try out the games before paying for them. Some 30 games — at a cost of €6 to €10 (US$9-16) each — are currently available, but the number will be increased to 60 during 2008, Nokia said.

Nokia delayed the launch of the new service after its earlier N-Gage games failed to attract customers. However, Nokia said it was encouraged by feedback from "thousands" of people in more than 100 countries who took part in an eight-week pilot.

"Together with the N-Gage community we will keep developing the N-Gage experience further by adding new games and features that take advantage of rapidly evolving mobile technology," said Jaakko Kaidesoja, from Nokia's games division.

Nokia, which last year sold nearly 440 million handsets accounting for 40 percent of all global cell phone sales, is based in Espoo near the Finnish capital. It employs 112,000 people worldwide.

source : http://www.iht.com/

Motorola Hopes to Jumpstart Phone Sales With Cylindrical Bratr Phone

Motorola hopes to jumpstart its flagging handset division with the release of the highly anticipated Bratr phone. The Bratr boasts a cylindrical, vibrate-only design which Motorola expects to be popular with females.

Linda Lacey, corporate vice president, Mobile Devices, Motorola, said, "The phone has all the features consumers expect in a mobile phone, but what's most exciting is the physical design. Women will find the cylindrical shape a pleasure to use."

The Bratr is the first phone to feature Motorola's "vibrate only" setting. Lacey explained, "Our survey of most women found that ringtones didn't do much for them, it was vibrations that excited them. That's why we've fitted this phone with the most powerful vibration motor ever found in a mobile phone."

Motorola designed the phone for females, but some males might also find the phone attractive.

"I know it's pink, but when I keep this thing in my pocket I get a lot of stares," said Phil Derbin of Peoria. "I'm happy to see women now, and they can tell."

Other features of the phone include a keyboard for texting which remains hidden until the phone slides apart to its full seven inch length. The Bratr also includes a "test vibration" button. "We found many of our test users kept checking to see if the vibrating function worked by calling themselves, so we just added the button to the final version," said Lacey.
Other accessories for the phone should prove popular as well, including the Nubr and Rubr phone cases.

source : http://www.bbspot.com/