Nokia Mobile Phones - Brilliantly Designed Handsets

With the coming of the latest handsets, people have started expecting a new model after every other day. The online shops are flooded with some of the best models offering great multimedia features with amazing functionalities. Simply login to the online mobile phone shops and avail the mobile phone deal of your choice. The latest Nokia mobile phones are fulfilling consumers' demands by offering hi-end cameras, music players, web access, games, etc. in a single compact device. These easy to use phones have enhanced peoples lives to a great extent. It is because of these phones that 3G has become a reality for an increasing number of people. The popular Nokia mobile phones have become a favourite of all. Take advantage of these technologically equipped mobile phones being offered at cheap prices at the online shops.

The Nokia N95 is an elegant phone equipped with all the amazing features and functionalities that you would love to possess. The 2.8 inches screen would help you watch videos and pictures on the TFT display screen. The attractive 3G enabled device supports EDGE, email, video calling, GPRS and high speed data transfers. The 8 GB model of this phone offers enormous space for storage. The music player supports formats like MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA. This superb phone supports an inbuilt GPS receiver that allows the user to know about the exact location of a place. The handset is loaded with a range of features that make it a wonderful tool of communication.

The Nokia n95 8GB is another latest Nokia mobile phone which is packed with a host of amazing features that make you stand out in the crowd. Its 5 megapixel camera comes with Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus and secondary QCIF camera for photo calling and video calling. Listen to the FM player while playing thrilling games. The astounding multimedia options, high-tech features and high-end capabilities make the Nokia n95 8GB unique and sophisticated. This entertainment package consists of advanced technologies like GPRS, EDGE and other remarkable features like music player, wide screen, etc. that live upto the users' expectations. The 8 GB internal memory.

If you are looking for Nokia N-series with contract deals and offers, online mobile phone shops are the best place to go. Simply login and start browsing for the mind boggling offers available for you. There are offers for all classes of people. You would surely find the one that suits your communication needs and budget. Research thoroughly and then make a decision after assessing your requirements.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/

Calls for changes to Nokia system

Mobile phone users are calling for a change to Nokia's N-Gage gaming system which could make it more user friendly, reports the BBC.

Users have been commenting on the website All About N-Gage, where there have been concerns raised that games bought on mobile phones are locked to a specific device.

However, Nokia explained: "As with any digital media there is a potential risk of piracy and this policy is one of the ways we are dealing with piracy and ensuring our partners receive their rightful revenues from our platform."

It was also pointed out that any mobile phone users who needs to have their handset repaired can be reissued an activation code from Nokia.

The mobile phone manufacturer recently announced it would be launching games from KONAMI on the N-Gage platform, with titles such as Metal Gear Solid set for release.

source : http://www.mobile-phones.co.uk/

Orange Testing Innovative New Video Portal

Orange is testing a new video portal and is offering beta testers free unlimited use during the 8 week trial period.

The service, which opens up for testing on 9th June, allows users with compatible handsets to watch news, sport and catch up with soaps like Coronation Street just by making a video call from their mobile. Because you’ll be making a video call you’ll be able to watch videos instantly without waiting for them to download.

The service will also have movie trailers and interviews with music artists as well as giving users the opportunity to upload videos to a YouTube style service where other users can watch, rate and share them.

During the trial Orange users have unlimited use of the Video Portal and call costs won’t affect bundled minutes. If successful Orange hope to launch to the public at a later date.

source : http://www.dialaphone.co.uk/

Nokia Maps 2.0 Released

Nokia today announced an update to its Nokia Maps application, with improved car navigation, enhanced pedestrian navigation, added multimedia city guides, satellite images and a redesigned user interface.

Nokia's mapping and navigation application features local content and world maps. Using vector maps by Navteq and TeleAtlas, Nokia Maps 2.0 covers over 200 countries, with over 70 of them navigable. Maps can be downloaded directly to devices or through a PC. Updated features in Nokia Maps 2.0 includes:

- Improved optional Car Navigation equals PND-level car navigation experience with faster routing
- Easy-to-use, updated User Interface features including a new navigation carousel with pre-defined navigation views - i.e. navigation, arrow, bird-eye
- Top-of-the-line navigation features: signposts, multi-stop route planner
- Optional pedestrian navigation efficiently walks users from A to B with visual guidance including information about the surrounding buildings, streets and parks and, if the device supports it, notifies the walking direction
- Nokia Maps 2.0 includes public transportation information (station entrances) data in 17 cities with localized icons for stops
- Advanced multi-sensor positioning using A-GPS, and pedestrian orientation using the compass feature (Nokia 6210 Navigator needed for built-in compass usage)
- Satellite images with hybrid rendering overlays for selected cities worldwide provide real aerial views on the mobile
- Signature "one-box search" allows users to search through places, addresses, restaurants, nightlife, outdoor and accommodation
- New premium multi-media city guides including features photos, video and audio streams

Nokia Maps 2.0 and the current commercial version of the Nokia Maps Loader is freely available for selected devices.

source : http://www.mobiledia.com/

Nokia N-Series - Superb Gadgets With Highly Capable Features

If we recall the days when we had to use bulky and expensive phones which were equipped with only the basic features, we find that Nokia was the only one brand which was known to people for its reliability and durability. As time went by, more and more mobile phone brands started coming into the markets. And with the brands, came in the advanced technologies, features and stunning designs. Looking at the great demand for mobile phones, manufacturers started stressing on the design of their gadgets. They realised that what appeals to the consumers is the design and look of a product. The prices of these gadgets also started falling. Now, the consumers can purchase their favourite handset with incredible functionalities at an affordable price. The Nokia N-series handsets are among the most popular series of Nokia phones that have gained great popularity. People desire viewing videos, listening to music and playing games in a compact device. These devices fulfill all their communication and entertainment needs.

The stunning and innovative Nokia N-series phones are loaded with advanced multimedia features. The latest Nokia phones include Nokia N95, N96 and N98. All these phones boast of high speed web access facility, large TFT displays, powerful media players and high quality music players. The cutting-edge features of these handsets let the consumers experience the magic of new technologies. The GPS navigation feature provides routes of unknown places to the users. The storage capacity of 8 GB allows the users to store all kinds of files such as movies, games and other documents. These gadgets offer on-the-move entertainment features. The integrated music player supports music formats like MP3, AAC, M4A, eAAC+, AAC+. One can also explore the features like video playback, video streaming and video recording. The various connectivity options include Bluetooth GPS, Wi-fi, etc. The spellbound music and other capable features make the handset a superior choice for the music lovers.

The Nokia N96 is another high-tech phone that helps you organise your professional as well as professional lives. The 2.8 inches bright screen gives a great viewing experience to the users. The 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics gives you a wonderful imaging experience. The huge storage of 16 GB is also further expandable by using the Micro SD card slot. The handset boasts of a 7.1 mega pixel camera with Carl Zeiss optical lens. The user can watch live television, news, and sports. Get an ultimate music experience through the powerful music player, FM Radio and internet radio. In the area of connectivity, the handset supports Bluetooth, USB 2.0 and WLAN. Businessmen can take great advantage of features like fast data transfer, document viewing and email on the move. Overall, the handset is popular with the gadget lovers with its remarkable features' list.

The Nokia N98 consists of an exciting feature list which includes advanced functionalities, high end graphics and fantastic sound quality. This truly admirable handset from the Nokia N-series looks stunning with a unique design. The advanced 7.2 mega pixel camera offers good quality pictures and it is supported by a Carl Zeiss lens, 5x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom. The handset supports a Symbian third edition operating system. Get instant access to the internet with Wi-Fi and HSDPA features. The quad band GSM phone offers 160 MB of internal memory that can be expanded further with a memory card. Slide open the handset and get access to the Qwerty keypad. The navigation and shortcut keys can be accessed even when the device is in its slide closed position.

Select any of these latest Nokia N-series handsets and take advantage of the special deals available on them at the mobile phones uk.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/

Nokia slammed over non-transferable N-Gage games

Fans of Nokia’s N-Gage mobile gaming platform will be upset to hear the news that the service currently suffers from a major flaw – should they upgrade to a new N-Gage phone, then gamers need to buy all their games AGAIN.

Fansite All About N-Gage unearthed this major failing in Nokia’s N-Gage plans earlier this week.

Game off

According to the site each game’s activation code is tied to your phone's unique IMEI number.
Stuart Dredge, over on mobile gaming specialist site Pocketgamer.com is aghast at the news: “Given that N-Gage is based around creating a username and profile, it's ridiculous that games are tied to a specific handset, rather than a specific user. Properly, embarrassingly ridiculous considering N-Gage games cost £6-8.”

Shurely shome mishtake?

As most mobile user upgrade their phones annually, TechRadar hopes that the problem is an oversight on Nokia’s part and something that can easily and quickly be solved.

However, Nokia currently has confirmed with TechRadar that the non-transferable N-Gage games problem is actually part of the N-Gage strategy, citing piracy issues as the reason for the move.

Nokia's responsded to the issue, telling us: "Our policy is that the N-Gage activation codes only work on the device where they were first activated. As with any digital media there is a potential risk of piracy and this policy is one of the ways we are dealing with piracy and ensuring our partners receive their rightful revenues from our platform. If users need to repair their device, the activation codes will be reissued."

source : http://www.techradar.com/

UK mobile phone call costs could fall as tribunal investigates

The high cost of calling to and between mobile phones could drop in the future thanks to investigations by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).

The CAT found that Ofcom's calculation of how much it should cost to call a mobile phone from a landline is still too high, something that BT agrees with, claiming consumers are overcharged £1bn each year.

It also believes that mobile termination rates are far too high, passing on a huge cost to the consumer. The CAT is currently investigating these charges, and will report back on 31st October.

The CAT has also ruled that the 3 mobile network should not be exempt from price caps, something the network argued for because it's newer and smaller than more established mobile networks. However, 3 also would like to see termination rates abolished completely, which could open up the possibility of unlimited mobile calling plans.

Good news in theory, though there always seems to be a way for mobile companies to squeeze more money from their customers.

source : http://techdigest.tv/2008/

Nokia N98 - Packed With Innovative Features

Mobile phones are no longer alien to us. They are perfectly blended with various communication and entertainment features. With these tiny gadgets the users can easily perform various official tasks on the move. Moreover, with the support of these widgets one can stay connected with his or her beloved ones all throughout the day with innovative multimedia messaging features. Various top renowned companies are fighting tooth and nail to capture huge portion of market share and gain the customer satisfaction level comfortably. However, Nokia is a well known brand which has offered the users various high end gadgets at regular intervals. This brand has gained popularity among the masses due to its durability and mobility feature. The latest N series handsets have been applauded by the users all over the world because of their high tech capabilities. These gadgets are referred to be the best symbol of innovativeness and stylish designs.

The Nokia N98 is a latest and stylish mobile phone which has the capability to astir the users with its mammoth storage capacity and unique multimedia capabilities. This gadget has been praised both by the handset experts and the users. As this handset is beautifully crafted, one can easily flaunt off his or her style and status. Moreover, the advanced applications are accompanied with various user friendly features. An alluring 7.2 mega pixel camera is outfitted in this gadget which is further enriched with Carl Zeiss options, 5X optical zoom and 20X digital zoom. With this camera phone the users can comfortably capture still, moving, close and distant images with vivid clarity. The users can steadily enrich their photographic passion and make sure that all their fleeing and cherishable moments are captured and stored at ease. The attractive and elegant touchscreen can efficiently permit one to operate the functions of his or her handset steadily and comfortably.

The outstanding music player in the Nokia N98 can offer the users pleasurable musical entertainment as it has the capability to support all the music file formats without any hindrances. The sound quality is very astonishing and the users can store toms of music tracks in their phone memory. Moreover, the storage capacity can also be expanded by using an additional microSD card to meet the requirements of the users. The innovative GPS navigation feature is also embedded in this widget. With the support of this unique and astounding feature the users can readily give wings to their exploring passion. One can move around unexplored places without any tension of getting lost in the midst of unknown places. He can easily track his desired places without taking any assistance from his friends.

This highly advanced handset would give tough competition to its contenders with its unique capabilities. Browsing the internet with this device can be very exciting. It is always desired to surf the internet at high speed and this handset efficiently offer the users fast and steady internet connectivity as it is enhanced with various connectivity options. One can comfortably download his or her favourite music tracks, wall papers, ringtones and movie clips etc in their handsets in a matter of few minutes. Moreover, these downloaded files can be shared with other compatible systems with the support of various enhanced connectivity options. Bluetooth, HSDPA and WiFi are the advanced connectivity features adorned in this gadget. As such the gadget can permit the users to perform their official tasks and connect with their clients while on move.

This high end Nokia N98 mobile phone runs on Symbian 3rd edition operating system. This smart phone is also outfitted with TNT television broadcast feature. With this innovative feature the users can always get rid of their mundane moments by watching their favourite television programmes whenever and wherever they want. The elegant and bright 3.5 inch touchscreen can brilliantly display every detail of the captured images with high resolution and vivid clarity.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/

Nokia to launch around 40 new biodegradable mobile phones this year

In order to make mobile phones biodegradable, Nokia is all set to launch around 40 new green mobile phone models this year. Further it plans to use biodegradable phone covers and recyclable battery designs as they contain less toxic materials.

Biomaterials like polylactic acid (PLA) plastics with plant or other biomass-based modifiers if used in the mobile phone will help reduce the use of non-renewable materials, claims the company. Nokia also aims to establish the culture of refurbishment or recycling of mobile phone and its components in India.

The concept of green bins across all priority dealer centers, where the customers can drop their old phones for recycling process, also lies in Nokia’s mind. In addition to this, the company also aims to reduce the energy consumed by mobile charger when it is left in a live power socket, by upto 50 percent by 2010.

Nokia will also focus on providing awareness regarding recycling issues among consumers through its various training and awareness programs.

source : http://www.telecomtiger.com/

Contract Phones VS Sim Free Phones - Select One And Go Mobile!

These days, people are fond of owning the latest gadget which can entertain them as well as keep them updated with the advanced technologies. The leading manufacturers are bringing sophisticated devices with distinctive features. The users are constantly waiting for the launch of a new model which always brings something new for them. The stunning looks and design of a device grabs the attention of the user at the first sight. The Nokia mobile phones are popular for their multimedia and smartphone features. Some of these applications include fast internet access, good quality music player, camera, amazing messaging features and so on. The advanced gadgets may sometimes be expensive for the users but the cost-effective deals available at the online shops can make their purchase affordable. The users can select from contract phones & sim free phones, according to their communication needs.
Contract phones are the most popular way of acquiring the latest handset at an economical price. This way the latest devices are available to all classes of people. So you no more need to think twice before purchasing the newest handset. The user simply needs to keep an eye on the deals offered by various retailers and then make a wise decision.

The online shops make it easy for the user to search for amazing contract deals. A few clicks would help you find enough deals and offers that match your requirements and budget. Once you register to a deal, you will be entitled to the benefits. In addition, you will get the latest phones with sophisticated looks & styles and various multimedia features.

Sim free phones are another type of handsets that are considered perfect for travellers. The user can easily switch to other providers whenever he is not satisfied with his present network. You can select a phone from numerous brands like Samsung, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola at a lucrative price.

Hence, you can easily select the phone from the wide variety of gadgets available at the online shops. Choose the one that offers incredible music playing options, smart imaging features and fast web access. Based on your preferences, you can select the handset according to your budget. The contract phones & sim free phones are bringing lots of unbelievable offers for the consumers. Enjoy the advanced multimedia features and have an elevating mobile phone experience.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/

T-Mobile unveils Nokia 5310 and 5610 music phones

T-Mobile hosted a invite only media event tonight in New York City. The event was to honor the launch of two new XpressMusic Nokia devices. The Nokia 5310 and the Nokia 5610 are now available on T-Mobile’s network. Neither are 3G enabled for T-Mobiles AWS UMTS network, but both carry heavy multimedia functionality.

The Nokia 5310 is a higher end QVGA device. It has a 2 mega pixel camera, and is MicroSD expandable. With no 3G data on the device, EDGE will have to do, as WiFi is absent as well. The initial price it will be offered at was not revealed immediately.

The Nokia 5610 takes the features of the 5310 and ups the ante. This device features a 3.15 mega pixel camera, 20MB of built in memory with MicroSD expansion, a QVGA screen with 16 million colors, and A2DP. Unfortunately 3G and WiFi is not on this device either. The price for this device was not released either.

source : http://www.phonemag.com/

The Samsung D900i - A Brilliant Mobile With High End Connectivity

The Samsung D900i is a handset that looks stunning due to its amazing looks and slide open design. The handset has a TFT display screen that measures 32 x 42 mm and gives resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Its screen supports 2576 Samsung D900iK colours and thus the device can show pictures and videos with a very sharp resolution power.

The gadget comes pre-loaded with ringtones that are both polyphonic as well as MP3 in nature. The user can also download ringtones of her or his choice from the internet. As the memory of the handset is 60 MB, so it is possible for people to store downloaded files in this memory. Connectivity of the gadget is increased by the presence of GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth and USB. These options enable people to transfer files to other compatible devices with ease. Now, the presence of Bluetooth allows wireless file transfers at ease. The gadget comes with a camera that can capture pictures and record videos with a very sharp resolution. The music player also brings entertainment and plays files on popular formats such as MP3, AAC and AAC+.

Messaging is possible with options such as SMS, EMS, MMS and Email. The user can thus send and receive messages along with attachments. The document viewer is good for opening files in formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF. So, now it possible to view files even if one is on a move. The handset comes in dimensions of 103.5 x 51 x 12.9 mm and weighs only 85 gms. This low weight makes it possible for people to carry the handset with ease. Its battery gives a standby time of 260 hrs and a talktime of 6 hrs & 30 mins. This allows the users to make use of the mobile and stay connected with it for hours and enjoy the best of entertainment in the form of playing music and watching videos.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/

Nokia N78 and Nokia N96 gets some hands-on time - keypad is good to go

There's nothing like a little pre-release hands-on time with Espoo's finest to start the week. We're happy that the folks over at PhoneReport were able to score themselves a Nokia N78 and Nokia N96, and were good enough to post up pictures and observations on the upcoming N-series flagships from Nokia.

While the new N-series handsets boasts some incredibly sleek lines and seriously sexy glossy-black finishes, the hidden keypad and its thin, bar-shaped keys are a couple points of contention for those looking to upgrade to the new-fangled Nokia N78 and Nokia N96. The keypad numbers are hidden underneath a semi-reflective, glossy-black finish, giving the entire device a clean and elegant look. With the numeric keypad all lit up, the N-series handsets look even better.

But, the question is, are the new keypads usable? PhoneReport reports that the numeric keypad on the Nokia N78 is indeed different and takes some getting used to. But, rest assured that the keys can be differentiated and typing on them is as good (if not better) than previous keypads.

We'll wait to get our hands on a Nokia N78 or Nokia N96 before we give it up to the new bar-shaped keys and hidden numbers. But, from my brief time with the handsets at MWC 2008, I can say that the keys are definitely usable - comfort during extended messaging sessions is another matter altogether. And, it remains to be seen just how well the keys will light up under direct sunlight.

Furthermore, the Nokia N78 gets high marks for the Symbian OS9.3 with S60 v3.2 Feature Pack 2 under the hood. The new OS brings some sleeker menu transitions and animations that makes a good case for the upcoming S60 Touch OS's "snazz" appeal. The Nokia N96's OS was still buggy, and so wasn't tested to its full extent.

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

Velocity 103 and 111

Don't worry if you have never heard of Velocity Mobile, because this UK based company is very new and hasn't actually brought anything to market just yet. But hopefully over the next few months we should see the launch of the Velocity 103 and Velocity 111 smartphones.

Before we dive into the technical details of these two devices, it's worth having a closer look at the company itself. The key players in Velocity Mobile mostly come from a company called A Living Picture who designed the i-mate Momento range of WiFi enabled digital picture frames. So, the founders have a pretty solid background in cool gadgetry - but rather sensibly they have partnered with Inventec of Taiwan who are contract equipment manufacturers for big names such as HP, Toshiba and many others.

The mobile phone market is a very tough place to compete in, so any new company hoping to carve a niche for itself really needs to offer something that is different from the competition. Velocity Mobile's approach seems to be this: put as many features into the phones as possible and try to appeal to people who want a no-compromise device.

Velocity 103

Slated to be available during Q2 2008, the Velocity 103 is a Windows smartphone with a large 2.8" touchscreen display, 3.5G data, WiFi and GPS support.

Although pretty much all devices of this type get compared to the Apple iPhone, the Velocity 103 competes directly against the upcoming HTC Touch Diamond. Both handsets have large VGA resolution (480 x 640 pixel) touchscreens, both support HSDPA and HSUPA high speed data, both have A-GPS and support WiFi.

In fact, the differences between the Touch Diamond and Velocity 103 are really quite minimal. The 103 weighs more, but has a bigger battery and more talktime. The camera on the Touch Diamond is better, and the HTC device has an FM radio. On the other hand, the Velocity has expandable memory, something that we think is a serious omission in the HTC.

Both the Velocity 103 and the HTC Touch Diamond have tweaked the interface on top of the vanilla Windows Mobile 6.1 installation. We suspect that HTC's snazzy TouchFLO interface is hard to beat, but in any case the newest version of Windows Mobile is certainly an improvement. Of course, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional comes with all the usual features such as a pocket version of Microsoft Office and push email support.

Maximum download speed on HSDPA is 7.2 Mbps, with a maximum upload speed of 2.2 Mbps using HSUPA, it supports tri-band UMTS and quad-band GSM. 802.11 b and g WiFi is supported, and the Velocity 103 also supports Bluetooth 2.1 and USB 2.0. The processor is a Qualcomm 7201 with 128MB RAM. There's also a TV out port and 2.5mm audio jack. On the back is a fairly basic 2 megapixel camera, with an additional 0.3 megapixel unit for video calling.

At 130 grams in weight and 113 x 58 x 15mm in size, the Velocity 103 is slightly smaller than the iPhone and a fair bit bigger than the HTC. The minimalist design is perhaps not as sleek as the Apple, but rather more conventional than the Touch Diamond.

It's certainly a desirable bit of kit, but it may find it tough going against the capable HTC Touch Diamond. The Velocity 103 is currently available to pre-order at around £400 to £500 (or €500 to €650) before tax.

Velocity 111

The Velocity 111 is closely related to the 103 in terms of specification, but the QWERTY keyboard and smaller display pitches it directly against handsets such as the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9000.

Featuring the same 3.5G and WiFi connectivity as the 103, the Velocity 111 matches the BlackBerry Bold quite closely. One significant difference is the screen - the BlackBerry has a higher resolution display than the Velocity 111, but then the 111 is a touchscreen panel where the BlackBerry is not.

Another important difference is the operating system, and for most people this will be the key decider. If you're looking for a high spec BlackBerryesque smartphone but you want to run Windows (in this case, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional), then there aren't many handsets we can think of that look more promising than the Velocity 111.

The 2.46" 320 x 240 pixel display certainly isn't has impressive as the screen on the 103, but it will be good enough for most people and it is certainly competitive with everything else in this market segment.

As with the 103, the Velocity 111 supports 3.5G HSDPA downloads and HSUPA uploads, has quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS and WiFi. Advanced GPS (A-GPS) is built in, so you can add your favourite satellite navigation software. The 111 supports Bluetooth 2.1, USB 2.0 and it comes with a 2.5mm audio socket. There is also a 2 megapixel fixed focus camera plus a secondary video calling camera.

It's quite a large device at 116 x 62 x 15mm and 140 grams in weight. The large 1450 mAh battery can power the 111 for up to 4 hours of talktime and 8 days standby time, which is a little less than the BlackBerry 9000.

The Velocity 111 is slated for release sometime during Q3 2008, although no pricing information is available at present.

source : http://www.mobilegazette.com/

The Hello Kitty phone is coming . . . your daughter will want one

Mobile phones branded with the popular children’s character Hello Kitty are due to hit the high street in July, prompting parental fears over the marketing of phones at the youngest in society.

Health fears persist about mobile phone use by children, with an authoritative report in 2005 concluding that 9 to 14-year-olds should make only short, essential calls. The report by Sir William Stewart said that children under 8 should not use mobile phones at all.

Products with Hello Kitty cartoon cat images are aimed at children as young as five. Parenting experts said last night that children would pressurise adults to buy the phone, which can be bought online for $599 (£310), as a fashion accessory.

Sue Palmer, author of Detoxing Childhood, which gives advice to parents on how to steer children through the problems of growing up, said that bringing a Hello Kitty phone on to the market was “very irresponsible”. She said: “A Hello Kitty phone would concern me considerably. The Hello Kitty website is aimed at 6 to 7-year-olds. The products are very pink and very attractive to young girls. What they are doing is looking for a new market and this is the thing I find so offensive. They need a new market and they are exploiting children.”

Two years ago Disney announced plans for a Mickey Mouse mobile phone service aimed at 8 to 14-year-olds, only to scrap the idea, citing an “adverse retail environment”.

The so-called Teddyphone, a phone in the shape of a teddy aimed at 4-year-olds and programmed to only call four numbers, also flopped.

In 2005 Sir William Stewart, then chairman of the Health Protection Agency and the National Radiological Protection Board, recommended that 9 to 14-year-olds should make only short, essential calls, use text messaging as far as possible and should have low-emission models. He said that those who were younger should never use them.

The British company Comment Retail Service, which has struck a deal with Sanrio to become the exclusive licence holder in Britain and Ireland for Hello Kitty phones, said that the phones were not going to be marketed at young children. Caroline Preston, sales director, said: “There’s definitely a fan base that you associate with youngsters and young teenagers.” She said that the phones were not targeted at children and would appeal to women in their twenties and thirties.

“Sanrio has been attempting to broaden their appeal out of the 10 to 12-year-old sector. She [Hello Kitty] has grown up and become more urban. If the market was for 5 to 15-year-olds we wouldn’t have become involved. Hello Kitty has mass market appeal. The price point and functional-ity is aimed at adults.”

The cat already features on clothes in Top Shop and H&M and adorns an estimated 22,000 products globally.

Taiwan’s second-largest airline, Eva Air, has a Hello Kitty branded aircraft, with the exterior decked with the Hello Kitty theme.

source : http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/

Contract Phones - Get Exciting Benefits

A latest mobile phone is appreciated by the people around the world for its premium capabilities and advanced technologies. The ability to perform various tasks with one device makes it a handset worth purchasing. A latest handset is expected to be powered by features like a high quality music player, camera, internet, connectivity features and other multimedia applications. These small and compact gadgets are equipped with innovative options to facilitate our work on the go.

The mobile phones uk offers amazing deals on the latest handsets to suit the pockets of all classes of people. The most preferred mobile phones are contract phones which offer cost-effective tariff options to the users. The contract varies from 12 to18 months. Furthermore, the users are assured of getting lucrative options. Get incentives like low cost tariff plans, free text messages, free talktime and free handsets. The online mobile shops are the best place to get some of the astounding contract deals. The new offers and deals provide the maximum satisfaction to the users. Get your desired handsets at the most affordable prices with the help of incredible deals devised on the handsets. While purchasing a contract deal, the user just has to pay the initial contract amount.

The user can find the most lucrative offers with the contract phones. These phones entitle you to numerous benefits. The first benefit is that you get the latest and most sophisticated mobile phones, sometimes free of cost. Secondly, you can avail the significant savings on your monthly mobile bills. This way the user can get maximum value for his or her hard earned money. Now a days, anyone interested in purchasing these phones can simply login and start exploring the online mobile phone shops. The reasons for the popularity of these phones are many. The user can find unbelievable deals with the latest camera phones, music phones, smart phones, etc.

One needs to compare the various deals offered by the top networks and then make a wise decision. This way, chances of getting a bad deal become less. Comparison of handsets, their features and deals is essential. From the comfort of your home, you can search for attractive discounts, offers and schemes. The online shops also provide the latest handsets at competitive prices. Get lots of benefits like free line rentals, free gifts and accessories, cash backs, etc. So go online and check out the tariff plans provided by network services like Orange, O2, Vodafone, T-mobile and Virgin. Get hold of your favourite gadget by signing up for a contract phones deal.

source : http://ezinearticles.com/

Sony Ericsson Preps Touchscreen iPhone Rivals

Is Sony Ericsson cooking up a world of hurt for Apple or has it just adopted the mantle of King Tease...?

Over the weekend the waning conglomerate released a promo clip in which it showed off its first handset with full facia touchscreen interface and more than a hint of Cupertino styling.

Such was the stir created by the clip - which depicts the model as a sliding multimedia powerhouse of unknown specifications - that it has already been christened the newest member of the XPERIA line (rich considering the original XPERIA has yet to be released and isn't known to be part of a series of devices).

Now I don't mean to be a Monday morning buzz kill, but if I were forced into a bookies at gunpoint (it would take something of significant calibre) I'd put my money on it being marketing guff in a similar vein to the infamous Nokia mock-up which surfaced in August last year. Of course this handset eventually turned into the Nokia Tube which we should be seeing at some point in Q3.

With handsets the calibre of the RIM Thunder, Samsung i900, and nüvifone - not to mention the iPhone Black - all on the way, Sony Ericsson must know it doesn't have the luxury of a similar 12 month delay...

source : http://www.trustedreviews.com/t

First Look: Sony Ericsson K660i

They're good for music and photos, but how do Sony Ericsson phones handle the Web? Our first test run of the K660i shows some promise.
Having already made waves with their music-loving Walkman phones and camera-totting Cybershot range, Sony Ericsson (SE) is now targeting online addicts.

At $399, the K660i is a mid-priced candy-bar handset with equally middle of the road features, except for the fact it offers tantalising download speeds where HSDPA (3.5G) is available.

Pandering further to web wanderers, a row of four keys on the keypad convert to illuminated shortcuts when using the phone horizontally with the web 2.0 friendly NetFront browser fired up. These keys provide quick access to bookmarks, an online search, SE’s own dedicated web portal and a zoom function for navigating larger web pages.

Other onboard web applications include Google Maps, RSS Widgets, plus we threw on a Gmail reader and Opera Mini which is an excellent mini web browser.

The other possible use for a HSDPA handset of course is hooking it up to a notebook as a wireless broadband modem. This requires the usual software drivers installed, and works well, though it’s easier to rack up the data costs this way if you’re not careful.

The display is on par with other handsets in this price range, measuring 2” diagonally with 240 x 320 resolution. While it’s a little small, the images are still crisp even viewing web sites while holding the handset at arms length.
There’s a camera on the front, above the display for video calls, with a two-megapixel camera on the back for better quality shots, though no sign of a flash or auto-focus and only a digital zoom option.

While not a key feature, the K660i is also a capable music player, and there’s an M2 memory slot for up to 4GB of media storage. The speaker offers ample volume, but due to SE’s custom audio jack, only the supplied earbuds fit.

The design and features suggest to us the K660i is aimed at the back row of the school bus, though with its attractive price and high speed data capabilities we expect to see it falling into older hands as well.

source : http://www.pcauthority.com.au/

A quick look at Nokia's Beta Labs

Nokia are engaging the attention of mobile risk takers by introducing a number of new beta applications.

Of particular interest are the Nokia Communication Center, Location Tagger and Music PC Client.

It makes sense to let your users do the bug and feature testing, as once released you can guarantee uproar if the software isn’t quite right.

However Nokia should perhaps have encompassed all their Beta software as Internet Radio Beta is all on its lonesome.

If you are adventurous give Nokia’s Music PC Beta (buggy) client a try as it could be Nokia’s answer to Apple’s iTunes.

source : http://www.portal.itproportal.com/

Hottest mobile phones of the moment

Lining up your next mobile phone can be a bit like speed dating. After a few minutes of staring at the shelf, the array of candidates blurs into one ugly mess. WiFi? Megapixels? Storage capabilities? Visual radio? How about a phone that rings?

Yet we still want them - a lot. Our phones feel part of us, like an extra limb. Was there ever a more convincing challenger to the handbag and shoe for the crown of accessory we’re most likely to spend money on? A new generation of phone freaks is getting nerdy about mobiles in the same way that boys do about trainers and girls do about handbags.

If anyone doubts the cultural sway of the mobile, consider Dior’s decision to launch its first phone - a hyper-designed, sapphire-crystal beauty, yours for a cool £2,300 - just as the luxury market is bracing itself for a downturn. The message is: the mobile phone isn’t going anywhere. Here are our favourites.

source : http://women.timesonline.co.uk/

Mobile phone use linked to behavioural problems in children

A study of more than 13,000 children in Denmark claims to show a link between use of handheld telephones by pregnant women and problems such as hyperactivity in their children.

The risks are increased if the child then uses a mobile themselves before the age of seven, according to the report to be published in the journal Epidemiology.

The study raises renewed questions over the safety of mobile phones, which have in the past been linked with brain cancer.

The scientists behind the research at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Aarhus in Denmark stressed that the results "should be interpreted with caution" and checked by further studies.

But they added: "If they are real they would have major public health implications."

The programme surveyed 13,159 children born in the late 1990s. Results showed that mothers who did use handsets were 54 per cent more likely to have children with behavioural problems. That figure increased to 80 per cent when the children also later used the phones themselves.

source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/