Velocity Mobile Announce Two New Windows Mobile Phones

Velocity Mobile, a collaboration between one of the world’s largest notebook computer manufacturers and a team of veteran wireless designers and engineers, announced that it is showcasing its first Microsoft Windows Mobile phones at CTIA Wireless 2008.

With an emphasis on ease-of-use, sleek and attractive design, and high-end features, Velocity Mobile aims to shift the way people view and use smartphones, combining Western design philosophy and Eastern manufacturing efficiencies to bring no-compromise experiences and value to consumers.

The first Velocity Mobile smartphones, the Velocity 103 and Velocity 111, are currently being demonstrated at CTIA Wireless 2008 (Meeting Room MR 191).

Featuring Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, high-resolution screens, ample memory and much more, Velocity Mobile’s first devices significantly raise the bar for smartphones in their class.

Specifications of the Velocity 103 include:

· Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
· Qualcomm Mobile Station Modem™ (MSM™) MSM7201™ chipset
· GSM/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
· UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850, 1900 (1700), 2100
· 640x480 VGA touch screen
· 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM
· Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, GPS
· 2.0 megapixel camera, 0.3 megapixel videoconferencing camera
· TV/VGA out
· MicroSD expansion slot

Specifications of the Velocity 111 include:

· Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
· Qualcomm MSM7201™ chipset
· QWERTY keyboard
· GSM/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
· UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850, 1900 (1700), 2100
· 320x240 QVGA touch screen
· 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM
· Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, GPS
· 2.0 megapixel camera, 0.3 megapixel videoconferencing camera
· TV/VGA out
· MicroSD expansion slot

The Velocity 103 will be available in Q2 2008 and the Velocity 111 will be available in Q3 2008, both in unlocked configurations.

Google's Android Software Platform Makes Debut

The first mobile phones fitted with Google's Android software platform made their debut at the Mobile World Congress.3GSM. Google launched Android last year, hoping to establish its software as the standard operating system for mobile phones and to improve the quality of web-browsing for handset users.

The idea is that Android will lead to radically improved functionality, notably for web browsing, meaning more people will use their mobile phones for Internet surfing and other applications.

Internet use on mobile phones can currently be a frustrating experience, with clunky software and slow download speeds.

Android is being developed by a coalition of 30 handset manufacturers, chip makers and software groups and is based on open-source code, meaning programmers are able to build compatible applications for free.

"The future ability of Android is exciting because it's open-source so it allows developers to come up with the next killer application," said a spokesman for US chip maker Texas Instruments, which demonstrated Android software in a prototype phone.

Android was on display for the first time in only prototype phones. The first handset for consumers from either Taiwan's HTC or US group Motorola is expected in the second half of this year.

Google announced the "Open Handset Alliance" in November last year to develop Android, including China Mobile, HTC, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Telefonica, LG and eBay.
Gartner's Milanesi stressed that "the road between a prototype and commercial handset is a long one" and said the ultimate test of Android's success would be how easily applications could be used.

The interest in a new software platform from Google also stems from the company's desire to establish its brand in emerging markets. Google surprised analysts when it unveiled Android last November. They had expected the Internet giant to announce the launch of its own Google-branded G-Phone to compete against Apple's popular iPhone.

Gemma Atkinson Speeds Up Sony Ericsson

TV star Gemma Atkinson wowed in her racy grid girl outfit, presenting the 3 Need for Speed gaming tournament. The tournament marked an exclusive partnership between 3 and EA Games, offering top racing game Need for Speed ProStreet free on any Sony Ericsson W910i handset.

The tournament saw hopefully drivers going for the fastest lap time over 3 laps, with the eventual winner walking home with a fantastic 5 night trip to Tokyo, home of street racing.

The Sony Ericsson W910i takes music on the move to a different level. Not only does it offer Walkman® and Track ID, but it brings you the new‘Shake It’ Control which when activated, lets you select a song by the flick of your wrist. Add a 1GB memory card and a 2.4" screen and with the 3 Turbo network you literally have the fastest‘mobile’ music handset available.

Gaming on a handset has never been more intense - accelerate, slow down and turn by tilting your phone in a particular direction. The A + B control keys complete the unique mobile gaming experience.

While stocks last, 3 are offering Need for Speed ProStreet free with the phone. Specifically designed for mobile handsets, players hit iconic street racing locations and strap themselves into one of 16 licensed high performance cars. Racers can use nitrous boosts to burn rubber on as many as 11 intense road courses, and smoke eight other competitors as they go full throttle in a tricked-out car.

O2 and Vodafone in 3G Ofcom row

Vodafone and O2 have attacked Ofcom's plans to seize part of the radio spectrum they have used since the 1980s to provide mobile phone coverage, and sell it to their rivals for third generation mobile services.

O2 estimated the plan would cost it pounds 4bn in profits as a result of the forced migration of their customers to 3G. It predicted most of that would be passed on to customers as higher bills.

Vodafone said Ofcom had made its decision "based on a hypothetical and fanciful version of the future''.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Maria Sharapova Becomes Face of Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson has signed an exclusive four year sponsorship agreement with female tennis player, Maria Sharapova, to become the company’s first global brand ambassador.

The stunning and talented Russian, who turns 21 in April this year, will undertake a series of innovative new consumer brand campaigns specifically designed to engage Sony Ericsson’s core target audiences and to utilise Maria away from the tennis court.
Maria will also be working with Sony Ericsson’s design team on a range of products and accessories.

The off-court agreement complements Sony Ericsson’s 6 year $88 million global title sponsorship of the WTA Tour which was signed in January 2005 and is the biggest deal in the history of women’s sport. Sony Ericsson’s commitment to women’s tennis has energised the game by bringing fans closer to the experience and taking the sport to new audiences through cutting edge initiatives like night tennis – a fusion of tennis, fashion, music and dance.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Dee Dutta, Corporate Vice President and Head of Marketing at Sony Ericsson, said: “Now in our seventh year as a company, the brand has evolved significantly and securing a global brand ambassador is a natural progression to take our brand to the next level in an increasingly competitive market place.”

“Maria’s iconic status, determination, dynamism, success and charm match strongly with the Sony Ericsson brand, which prides itself on innovative and cool design with substance.”
“Our alignment with Maria’s global iconic status, combined with our brand expertise and innovative thinking aims to provide something new and something different to our customers around the world.”

Maria Sharapova added, “It is really exciting to be working with a cool brand like Sony Ericsson which has such a strong reputation in the entertainment industry”

“Even though most people know me as a tennis player, I have so many passions beyond the sport like fashion, music, film and design; which Sony Ericsson and I are going to be exploring together through our partnership.”

Nokia N82 Globetrotters - the Urbanista Diaries

Nokia has sponsored an N82 trailblazing race where a number of contestants strive to complete a relay race. I know your thinking this has been done before…..but this time its all a bit different.

Left shows the position of the first relay member shortly after starting the relay race.

The contestants each have a Nokia N82 on which they blog and record their journeys. The first contestant has started off in New York with the other three members waiting instructions.

HaHaHa. The contestants will face everyday situations and challenges where their N82 may save them from who knows what.

As each member completes their relay mission they will handover the tracking baton to the next member of the relay team. The crafty bit is that the member finishing each section of the relay must find the next member via their N82 only. Find out more via the official Nokia Urbanista Diaries head here

Nokia Sports Tracker for S60 v3.0

Nokia Sports Tracker is a GPS based activity tracker that runs on S60 smartphones. Information such as speed, distance and time are automatically stored to your training diary. To be able to use application for real, you need Nokia S60 3.0 or 3.1 phone with Bluetooth GPS device or Nokia S60 3.0 or 3.1 phone with integrated GPS.

See supported phones from Download page

Nokia N96 Slider ( coming in the near future )

Currently, the N96 is strongly rumoured to be announced at this years 3GSM exhibition in Barcelona - probably on the 11th February, 2008. Meanwhile, we have supplied below what's been gleaned via the grapevine for the N96 as well as confirming we will review the N96 as soon as we get it.

The N96 will be the next in the very popular Nokia NSeries of mobile devices and it is rumoured to take us into a whole new world - the world of DVBH digital television with support for divx video format.

This is the rumoured specification for the Nokia N96 :

- NSeries Slider
- End of Q1 or Early Q2 2008 Release
- 5 Megapixel Camera with Karl Zeiss Lens
- DVBH Digital Television
- Digital TV Tuner Built in
- WiFi included
- 3G plus HSDPA
- Internal memory of 16GB

Prices have not yet been confirmed for the Nokia N96.

If you would like to be kept informed once 3G has pricing or stock availability updates then please enter your details. Rest assured that we will never sell or pass on your e-mail address or any other details to a third party.

To be kept up-to-date please add your email here Nokia N96 Release

Nokia N78 Candybar ( coming in the near future )

Currently, the N78 is strongly rumoured to be announced at this years 3GSM exhibition in Barcelona - probably on the 11th February, 2008. Meanwhile, we have supplied below what's been gleaned via the grapevine for the N78 as well as confirming we will review the N78 as soon as we get it.

The N78 will be the next in the very popular Nokia NSeries of mobile devices and it appears to be the natural upgrade to the Nokia N73. Of course, the Nokia N73 was a hugely successful mobile phone so expect the Nokia N78 to follow suit.

This is the rumoured specification for the Nokia N78:

- Mid Range NSeries Candybar
- Replaces Nokia N73 ( click here to see N73 review )
- End of Q1 or Early Q2 2008 Global Release
- 3.2 Megapixel Camera with Karl Zeiss Lens
- Symbian Series 60 FP2
- WiFi included
- 3G and possible HSDPA
- Internal memory 8GB
- Nokia Maps
- Built in GPS or A-GPS support

Prices have not yet been confirmed for the Nokia N78.

If you would like to be kept informed once 3G has pricing or stock availability updates then please enter your details. Rest assured that we will never sell or pass on your e-mail address or any other details to a third party.

To be kept up-to-date please add your email here Nokia N78 Release

Nokia Nseries Users Access to 3G Mobile Videos On-the-Go

Nokia's new partnerships with world-leading content brands brings a huge range of high-quality mobile videos into the hands of compatible Nokia Nseries device owners. The new partners announced today are to join YouTube and Reuters in providing mobile video content for the Nokia Video Center.

The Nokia Video Center offers Nokia Nseries users one simple place to discover and access the best choice of mobile video content via 3G, WiFi or PC. Users can switch easily between a range of different video services choosing from branded on-demand video, internet video podcasts and their own favorite videos. The Nokia Video Center is available on the Nokia N95 and Nokia N95 8GB.

New partners and their services:

CNN - Provides comprehensive international news coverage, as well as business, sports and entertainment updates from around the world.(i) IBN News - Download the latest news and features to your phone from the leading English news channel in India.(ii) Jamba - offers free videos from three categories, music videos, cartoons and fun.

Sony Pictures - Inside Sony Pictures is your free all-access pass to trailers and added value content for current and upcoming movies, TV, games and more from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

RooftopComedy - Stand-up and sketch comedy clips from around the world.
ROK, FreeBeTV - Celebrity TV, Sports, Classic Commercials and Fun Little Movies.

Full Story Here

HTC Unveils Q4 2007 3G Smartphone Device Line-up

HTC Corp launched three new devices from its Q4 2007 product portfolio. They are shown from left to right : S730, Shift and the P6500.

This trio of devices further cements HTC's position as an innovator, driving forward the development of devices that meet the needs of business and enterprise users. Each new handset showcases a tailored range of capabilities to support different types of users including those focused on cutting edge mobile computing to users that want powerful, feature-rich mobile messaging.

• HTC Shift — the HTC Shift ushers in a new era in mobile computing as one of the first mobile computers globally to offer Microsoft Windows Vista and push email. Combining the power of Windows Vista with always-connected 3G/HSDPA connectivity, the HTC Shift delivers unparalleled functionality in a sleek, compact design. The HTC Shift is the first device to feature HTC's innovative new SnapVUE™ technology. SnapVUE provides instant access to emails, calendar, SMS messages and contacts, without the need to fully boot up the device which helps conserve power and extend battery life. Weighing just 800g and equipped with a 7" touch sensitive 'slide-n-tilt' screen, the HTC Shift is the new way to work effectively on the move.

• HTC S730 — An enhanced version of the successful HTC S710 handset that launched earlier this year, the HTC S730 adds 3G/HSDPA and a 400MHz processor for those consumers and business professionals who want high speed connectivity. It's is a stylish and compact phone which features an auto-sliding QWERTY keyboard making it an ideal choice for the mobile professional who needs easy access to email, messaging and the internet while out of the office. The HTC S730 comes equipped with Windows Mobile 6 and 256MB Flash memory wrapped in a sleek gun-metal grey casing.

• HTC P6500 — Designed for the enterprise market, the HTC P6500 is ideal for use in a range of vertical sectors, from logistics companies to hospitals and police forces. Incorporating a 3.5" screen, 3 mega pixel camera with auto focus and barcode and fingerprint scanning capabilities, it offers the ideal features to be overlaid with programmes tailored to meet the specific needs of each enterprise. The HTC P6500 is equipped with 256MB internal memory with the option to add up to 1GB in addition to two external SD card slots. This powerful specification set is supported by 3G/HSDPA connectivity as well as a GPS ensuring that the P6500 is a fully future-proofed and versatile mobile platform.

Full Story Here

Samsung Team up with Girls Aloud to Launch Purple F210

The F210 is shown in black here, but of course, the Girls Aloud version will be in purple.

Samsung have collaberated with Girls Aloud to launch the Purple Samsung F210. The phone is very small and comes in a distinctive Purple colour and is no doubt aimed at Teenage Girls wanting a cool looking compact celebrity endorsed mobile phone.

The Samsung F210 is Samsung's latest evolution from the Samsung X830. The handset is designed to be ultra compact and distinctive, with smooth corners, a lipstick like shape, and a navigation wheel and a world-renowned mp3 player.

Features

Messaging - enhanced messaging , Multimedia Messaging (MMS)
Camera - 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera , Video Capture
Music - mp3 , 3D Stereo Speakers , audio player , downloadable ringtones , MP3 Ringtones
Connectivity - bluetooth , WAP , triband
Entertainment - 3D Games
Screen - 256,000 colour screen
Organiser - Calculator , calendar , contacts

Navman Launches New S-Series

GPS pioneer Navman is redefining electronic navigation with the launch of its new S-Series, following a dramatic redesign of the company’s unique satellite navigation systems. During a year of extensive consumer research, Navman listened to both existing and potential customers.

What Navman found, perhaps not unsurprisingly, was that all consumers want a GPS system with richness of features, presented in an easy to use, simple and intelligent way. In response, Navman has redesigned its product range from the inside out.

With more than 500 enhancements to the range, adding style and security without compromising its simplicity, the four models in the S-Series range – the S30, S50, S70 and S90i – have been designed to accommodate both first time users looking for the basics and experienced GPS buyers looking for uncluttered depth.

Read Full Story Here : including full Specifications

Samsung to Launch Giorgio Armani Branded Mobile Phone

Giorgio Armani and Samsung Electronics unveiled the new Giorgio Armani-Samsung luxury mobile. Giorgio Armani presented the new mobile phone at a press briefing in his Armani/Teatro in Milan before his Spring Summer 2008 Women’s fashion show.

For the first time Giorgio Armani’s signature elegance and simplicity is applied to mobile phone design. A large 2.6-inch QVGA TFT LCD screen maximizes the user’s visual experience and optimizes the full touch-screen user interface (UI).

Despite its compactness, the phone is loaded with the latest powerful multi-media features. It is equipped with a 3-megapixel camera, a music player supporting various types of music formats and a full internet browser. Furthermore, the Giorgio Armani-Samsung Mobile offers a microSD type external memory slot and comes with a Bluetooth® stereo headset.

The Samung Armani mobile phone will is available to Buy Here

Full story plus specification here

O2 Goes Flat Rate

O2 UK announced that on 1 October 2007 it will launch three new unlimited data Bolt Ons for Pay Monthly and Pay & Go customers who want to make the most of internet services on their O2 phone.

O2 Web Bolt On is available to Pay & Go and Pay Monthly customers for just £7.50 inc VAT per month. This unlimited Bolt On is for customers who only want to browse the internet and send emails and is subject to a fair usage policy which operates above 200Mb usage per month, or approx 1,400 internet pages per month.

For pay monthly customers who want to connect their handset to a PC or use a data card, O2 launches O2 Web Max for just £30 per month inc VAT. This unlimited offering is subject to a fair usage policy which operates above 3 Gb usage per month.

O2 customers who prefer to browse the web while their email is pushed to their handset via the BlackBerry™ service will want Unlimited BlackBerry. For a fixed cost of £10 inc VAT per month, customers get unlimited access to the internet on BlackBerry, with a fair usage policy which operates above 200 Mb.

First VoIP-Over-WiFi Call on Apple's iPhone

Truphone wil give the first public demonstration of a Voice over Internet Protocol over Wi-Fi phone call on the Apple iPhone.

Chief executive officer James Tagg will make the VoIP call in front of an audience of 350 delegates to DEMOfall 07 in San Diego, CA.

The company will also give a demonstration of an application that mashes up social networking site Facebook and traditional telephony. Any Facebook user will be able to click on a friend's Truphone 'Call Me' button, and a free phone call will be initiated to whichever phone their friend has chosen. This will mean free calls to real phones for everyone in the Facebook community.

Altogether, Truphone will demonstrate:
- VoIP on the Apple iPhone (SIP-SIP, SIP-Phone, Phone-SIP)
- VoIP from Facebook (to SIP and to PSTN)
- and, as an encore, Facebook-iPhone using SIP.

Full Story Here

T-Mobile Launches 3G HSDPA MDA Vario III

T-Mobile announced the launch of the much-anticipated MDA Vario III. The Vario III takes PDA handsets to the next level, with a unique tilting screen and sliding QWERTY keyboard which makes it even easier for those who want to continue their work or surf the Internet on the move.

As one of the first handsets with 3.6 Meg HSDPA, the Vario III will provide the highest quality Internet, video calling and email experience available on a mobile device.

Coupled with T-Mobile’s web’n’walk service, the Vario III is set to give users the ultimate mobile experience, as they will be able to explore any site on the Internet as they would on their PC.

Key features of the MDA Vario III:
Unique and stylish design with tilting touch screen
One of the first devices to market with 3.6 Meg HSDPA
Web’n’walk enabled – surf the real open Internet as you would on your PC
Built-in GPS, with CoPilot SatNav software as an option
Windows Mobile 6 – access and edit familiar applications on the move
In-built Wi-Fi capability
3 mega-pixel camera with auto-focus
Supports Microsoft Direct Push

The MDA Vario III will be available from 28th September. The device is from free when purchased on the Flext 50 tariff.

Full Story Here

Sony Ericsson W660i Review by 3G.co.uk

Another day, another Walkman phone. But has the latest W660i 3G music phone got anything in its design and feature locker to make you sit up and take notice? 3G finds out.

3G is incredibly fond of Sony Ericsson’s Walkman phone range, so we’re always thrilled to get our mitts on the manufacturer’s latest music handset. But lately the excitement has gone a tad flat. If you exclude the higher-end 8GB W960i and the HSDPA shake-control W910i slider, the recent additions to the Walkman clan have just been a case of refreshing previous handsets.

To put a spin on an otherwise familiar-looking handset, Sony Ericsson is billing the W660i as a ‘designer’ Walkman phone. Where the W880i broke the mould with its incredibly gossamer 9.4mm profile, the W660i sadly returns to the well-worn signature candybar format. However, it’s still quite trim at 14.5mm, is well constructed, handles beautifully and Sony Ericsson has introduced two coloured models to jazz up proceedings and appeal to a male and female audience. The Record Black model rocks up with a gold trim and a subtle circular pattern that mimics the grooves on a vinyl record.

The ladies model breaks the Walkman black/white/silver tradition and comes sprayed in a Rose Red veneer with an etched floral motif on the rear. These flourishes are obviously what give the W660i its designer tag

Full In-Depth Review Here

Kyte.tv Now Available on 3

Kyte.tv is now available on the 3 Network .

With kyte you start your own broadcast network! Produce your own shows and broadcast them to your personal website, blog, MySpace profile or to any of our supported phones. Stay always live connected with your friends via polls and LiveChat everywhere you are! Or invite them to produce shows and collaborate with you or create their own channels.

To get the Kyte phone software, you visit the website (http://www.kyte.tv/mobile/index.html?mc=3n) to enter your phone number and the site will send an SMS with the link to the software in the message. Clicking on the links takes you to the download site.

Or alternately, you can use your phone's browser to go directly to http://mobile.kyte.tv/?mc=3n to download the software.

MVNO Blyk Launched in UK

Blyk, the new mobile network for 16 to 24 year olds today announced the launch of its UK service. The announcement was made by the company founders Pekka Ala-Pietil and Antti hrling at a press launch event in London.

Inset shows Pekka Ala-Pietilä and Antti Öhrling who are quoted below. Blyk is an invitation-only mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month. For brands, Blyk is an innovative, new media channel, providing direct access to the 16-24 year old market; enabling them to create awareness, build relationships and drive sales to this hard to reach audience.

Since its conception early last year, Blyk has been undertaking extensive research in the UK with user group studies and live user trials. These have helped to make the offering extremely compelling for young people and advertisers alike. Pekka Ala-Pietil said: We have spent the last year developing a unique, robust advertising content engine and whilst the technology we are using is incredibly advanced, the main premise of Blyk is driven by 3 basic principles ñ ease of use, interaction and relevance of the communications.

Full Story Here