Google Talk Updated for iPhone & iPod Touch Browsers

2008-07-03T16:31:21Z

Google has just released in the U.S. a new version of Google Talk for the iPhone and iPod Touch browsers. You can now talk with them while you're on the move in addition to sending your friends Gmail messages from your iPhone.

On your iPhone browser go to www.google.com/talk, log in and start talking. Google Talk runs entirely in the browser so there's no need to download or install anything. There are a few differences from using Google Talk on your computer. For example, in to receive instant messages with Google Talk on your iPhone, the application needs to be open in your Safari browser. When you navigate away to another browser window or application, your status will be changed to "unavailable" and your Google Talk session will be restarted when you return.

Access Launches NetFront Browser Widgets Community Site

2008-07-03T16:24:06Z

Access Co., Ltd., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, has announced the launch of a beta version of its NetFront Browser Widgets community site, where users can download and try free widgets for mobile devices.

Widgets provided on this site can be used after users download and install a free beta version of NetFront Browser Widgets Player, which initially is compatible with Windows Mobile versions 5.0 and 6.0. NetFront Browser Widgets is based on ACCESS' acclaimed NetFront Browser engine, one of the most widely-used browsers on the market today, with over 590 million deployments worldwide.

Widgets are mini applications displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset or consumer electronic device. Widgets are appealing to users because they can be accessed without having to open the handset's browser, automatically acquiring and displaying the latest information from the Web. The NetFront Browser Widgets community site provides a variety of widget applications such as maps, weather forecasts and games.

]]> http://www.access.co.jp/nfbwc/.

A widget player for smartphones using Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition and Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition is planned for the future.

Developers Can Now Create & Publish WidSets for Instant Download

2008-07-03T16:11:13Z

Nokia has announced that developers (from Forum Nokia, Nokia's global developer program) can easily develop widgets for WidSets and instantly make them available for download to a rapidly growing user base. WidSets is a mobile content consumption, creation and sharing service offered by Nokia. WidSets work on more than 300 mobile device models currently supporting MIDP 2.0, including some 500 million Series 40 and S60 devices worldwide. Developers can visit http://forum.nokia.com/widsets to get started.

Forum Nokia has launched a comprehensive developer offering for WidSets to arm developers with the tools and technologies needed to take advantage of this unique opportunity for immediate visibility to a content hungry community. At forum.nokia.com/widsets, developers will have access to WidSets documentation, the WidSets SDK and be able to view examples of widgets created through WidSets, plus the ability to contribute to articles and receive feedback from the world's largest mobile developer community.
]]> As developers publish new WidSets widgets directly to an already extensive widget library, consumers gain access to popular Web content optimized for mobile including news feeds, multiplayer games and a large variety of user-generated content. A renewed My Profile widget makes it easy for consumers to share their favorite WidSets content, as well as follow and comment on the content other WidSets members are enjoying. Consumers can visit widsets.mobi from their mobile device to download the latest widgets.

ABI Research Report on Location Based Services

2008-07-03T16:04:07Z

According to a ABI Research’s recent report, in 2007, North America generated 81% of the world’s Location Based Services (LBS) revenue. In 2013, that percentage will be just 32%. In the same period, Western and Eastern Europe’s combined LBS revenues will jump from just 5% to 31%. The Asia-Pacific region, meanwhile, will see a rise from a 2007 share of 11%, to 27%.

LBS’s slow uptake outside North America has had everything to do with the fact that unlike the CDMA phones so prevalent there, which have utilized GPS to comply with the United States’ E911 regulatory mandate, the GSM handsets owned by most users in Europe and Asia have not generally offered native GPS support. However with the broader proliferation of GPS-enabled GSM handsets in those other regions, and with the quickening rollout of 3G services worldwide, the opportunities for LBS service offerings will grow quickly.

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Openmoko Announces the Neo FreeRunner for Sale

2008-07-02T16:16:28Z

Openmoko, developer of the first open mobile computing platform today announced that on Friday, July 4, it will open the online store for purchase of the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner, a mobile device that the company says will help to enable ubiquitous computing for the 21st century. Shipping to customers will commence on July 7, 2008.

The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner utilizes GNU/Linux and comes with core software for dialing, SMS and recording contacts. Openmoko will supplement these features with periodic downloads beginning with a software suite that takes full advantage of the phone's hardware platform. The new software, debuting at Linux world in August, will provide exciting new location based applications.

Two versions of the phone will be available: 850MHz or 900 MHz Tri-band GSM to match frequencies in different countries. Black, oval-shaped and weighing 6.5 ounces, the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner features a 2.8" 480 x 640 VGA touchscreen, Wi-Fi (802.1 1b/g), AGPS, GPRS 2.5G, Bluetooth 2.0, two 3-axis motion sensors and comes with 128MB WSDRAM and 256MB NAND Flash.

]]> www.Openmoko.com and via distributors in the EU, India and North America.

MetroPCS Launches Wireless Services in the Greater Philadelphia Region

2008-07-02T16:04:49Z

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. today announced the launch of its low cost, flat-rate unlimited wireless services in the Greater Philadelphia Region, providing residents the freedom to enjoy more flexible wireless options.

Upon launch of service in Philadelphia, MetroPCS will have 6 company owned stores and 132 authorized in the Philadelphia area. MetroPCS intends to add additional locations by the end of the year. In addition to bringing a new affordable, flexible, predictable low cost, flat-rate wireless service, MetroPCS' entry into the market will provide a positive stimulus for the local economy by creating an estimated 800 jobs by the end of 2008.

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MetroPCS' wireless plans range from $30 to $50 per month and allow subscribers to talk all they want, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. Unlike most carriers, MetroPCS does not require a signed contract, which means that consumers can activate service without going through a credit check or paying a deposit. Many of the plans include unlimited features such as voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, text and picture messaging, push e-mail, mobile Internet browsing, mobile instant messaging, and Metro411, a voice-activated, premium directory assistance service.

The $40 per month plan offers unlimited local and long distance calling, voicemail service and unlimited text messaging.

It's Now Illegal For Motorists To Talk While Driving in California

2008-07-02T10:50:27Z

People of California, listen up! Starting yesterday, July 1, it is now illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving in the state unless you use a hands free device.

The law passed more than a year ago and there is no grace period. If you're caught with your cell phone to your ear while driving there is a minimum $20 fine for the first violation and $50 for each additional ticket. In Los Angeles County, expect to pay more than four times that amount.

Every year approximately 300 people die in car accidents due to cell phone usage while driving. While more than 4,000 people are killed annually in the state in traffic accidents. The new law is intended to fix this problem.

Restrictions on using cell phones while driving continue to spread throughout the country with some states getting tough while other states don't have any rules as yet.

HTC Introduces the HTC Touch Dual in Korea

2008-07-01T23:40:04Z

HTC Corp. today announced its first entry into the advanced Korean market with the introduction of the HTC Touch Dual. Launched in exclusive alliance with the local carrier, SK Telecom, the HTC Touch Dual integrates HTC’s advanced intuitive TouchFLO technology and slide-out keypad in a compact design.

Offering one touch access to email, messages, contacts, pictures and more, the Touch Dual provides an uncompromising touch and keypad experience for easy and convenient dialing and messaging.

With the goal of appealing to a broad base of consumer targets, the slim and stylish Touch Dual is available for the first time anywhere in the world in a pearl white color.

The Microsoft Window Mobile 6.1 platform gives quick access to multitasking with MS Office programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. And the 3.5G HSDPA gives web browsing access anywhere at fast speeds.

]]> The domestic version is 3G ready, with a 2.0 Mega Pixel camera for shooting videos and a second camera to make video calls.

The Touch Dual Phone is available from SKT stores only and priced at approximately 500,000 Korean Won. Some consumers may be able to purchase it for less with certain subsidies and sales promotions.

Also, as part of today’s announcement, HTC will establish a Korean office and will be introducing additional devices later this year.

Key Product Specifications:

TouchFLO, a touch-screen technology that allows finger-touch access to the functionality used most.
Slide-out 16-key keyboard for quick dialing, text messaging and e-mailing
Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Microsoft Office Mobile and Outlook Mobile for working on documents and getting e-mail.
Live HTC Home featuring time and weather display, quick launcher, and one-touch ring-tone settings
2 megapixel camera for shooting photos/videos and a second camera for video calls
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) for international roaming and HSDPA (850/1600Mhz) connectivity

UTStarcom Sells Handset Business for US$240

2008-07-01T23:30:45Z

UTStarcom, Inc., today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its Personal Communications Division ("PCD") for approximately US$240 to a newly formed entity controlled by AIG Vantage Capital, a part of AIG Investments.

In addition to the cash consideration, UTStarcom could also receive up to US$50 million based on a three-year earn out provision.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed within two business days, has been unanimously approved by UTStarcom's board of directors and is subject to customary closing conditions including debt financing. Completion of the transaction is not subject to UTStarcom shareholder approval and the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act has expired.

The divestiture of PCD is consistent with UTStarcom's strategic focus announced in late 2007, which is aimed at maximizing UTStarcom's opportunities in its core IP-based product offerings in rapidly growing economies around the world.

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Subsequent to the transaction, the privately held company will be called Personal Communications Devices, LLC and will be led by PCD's current management team who will be part-owners of the company with AIG Vantage Capital and other investors. The Handset business unit of UTStarcom will continue to design and provide devices to be sold in the Americas through Personal Communications Devices, LLC as part of a supply agreement. UTStarcom will also sell devices directly to carriers in other areas of the world.networks. UTStarcom was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Alameda, Calif. The company has research and development centers in the USA, Canada, China, Korea and India.

AT&T Announce iPhone 3G Pricing

2008-07-01T23:21:02Z

AT&T Inc. today announced iPhone 3G pricing for new and existing AT&T customers, several attractive voice and data plans, and tips on how to be "iReady" when iPhone 3G goes on sale at AT&T retail stores at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, July 11.

AT&T is making it easy for customers to prepare for their iPhone 3G purchase by posting "Get iReady" tips and frequently asked questions at www.att.com/iphone. The site also will include a link for customers to check their upgrade eligibility and other wireless account information.

iPhone 3G will be available for $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. These prices require two-year contracts and are available to the following customers:

iPhone customers who purchased before July 11
Customers activating a new line with AT&T
Current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount

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Current customers may also choose to wait until they become eligible for an upgrade discount. Eligibility is generally determined by amount of time remaining on a current contract and payment history.

Current AT&T customers who are upgrading to iPhone 3G will pay an $18 upgrade fee and new AT&T customers will pay the standard $36 activation fee.

AT&T brings iPhone 3G customers the best coverage on the globe and the largest mobile-to-mobile calling community with unlimited calling to AT&T's 71.4 million wireless customers. iPhone 3G customers can choose from four individual AT&T Nation plans, which bundle voice and unlimited data (e-mail and Web browsing).

AT&T NationSM Unlimited: Includes unlimited Anytime Minutes for $129.99 a month.
AT&T Nation 1350: Includes 1350 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $109.99 a month.
AT&T Nation 900: Includes 900 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $89.99 a month.
AT&T Nation 450: Includes 450 Anytime Minutes and 5,000 Night & Weekend Minutes for $69.99 a month.

All AT&T Nation and AT&T FamilyTalk plans for iPhone 3G include nationwide long distance and roaming, Visual Voicemail, Rollover, unlimited Mobile to Mobile calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling and Caller ID.

AT&T will offer FamilyTalk plans, with bundled voice and unlimited data, starting as low as $129.99 a month for two iPhone 3G lines. Up to three additional iPhone lines can be added for $39.99 each.

Unlimited text messaging can be added for an additional $20 ($30 for FamilyTalk plans of up to five lines); $15 (1,500 messages), or $5 (200 messages).

iPhone for Business

Business customers interested in iPhone 3G should contact an AT&T business sales representative or review their account information online to determine their eligibility for upgrade pricing. Corporate e-mail and other business applications require the Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone, which is $45 a month and bundled with an eligible voice plan. Small business customers may qualify for AT&T BusinessTalk, the industry's only shared plan specifically for small businesses. Additional details on iPhone business offerings are available at www.att.com/iphoneforbusiness.

iPhone 2.0 Software

All iPhone customers will benefit from the iPhone 2.0 software, which will be pre-loaded on all iPhone 3Gs and available as a free download for current iPhone customers. The new software will include numerous enhancements, such as business-class e-mail access via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync; the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), which allows a business to easily create applications customized to its needs; and the App Store, which offers a wide-range of applications — from games to business, education to entertainment and productivity to social networking. For example, AT&T has developed YELLOWPAGES.COM Mobile for iPhone, which takes local mobile search to a new level by allowing users to discover businesses and local events based on their popularity among other iPhone users, get directions

GSMA To Define Requirements For NFC Handsets

2008-06-30T23:44:20Z

This summer, the GSMA, the global trade body for the mobile industry, plans to release a preliminary set of minimum requirements for handsets containing Near Field Communications (NFC) chipsets. Developed by mobile operators supporting the GSMA's Pay-Buy-Mobile initiative, the requirements will help handset manufacturers to develop NFC-enabled phones that are compatible with operators' planned mobile NFC services and quickly realize economies of scale. Forty-four mobile operators from across the world support the Pay-Buy-Mobile initiative.

The requirements will build upon the standardization work completed by ETSI1 , which has selected the Single Wire Protocol to provide the interface between the Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), recommended by the GSMA as the Secure Element for NFC applications, and the embedded NFC chipset within the handset.

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The GSMA will ask handset manufacturers to give their feedback on the preliminary requirements, which will cover the handset's user-interface, operation in low battery power mode and other aspects of the contact less functionality, so that the requirements can be finalized by the autumn.

Mobile operator Softbank has just launched a trial of UICC-based NFC payment services in Japan bringing the total number of trials under the GSMA's Pay-Buy-Mobile initiative to seven. AT&T, FarEasTone, KTF, Orange, SFR and Turkcell are also running trials and a further seven operators plan to begin trials in the near future.

Opera Mobile 9.5 for Windows Mobile Beta Release on July 15th

2008-06-30T23:33:27Z

Opera Mobile 9.5 for Windows Mobile will start beta testing on July 15th, 2008. Users will be able to download it from opera.com just like all the other versions of Opera.

According to Opera's Blog, "Opera Mobile 9.5 will be based on the same browser engine as Opera 9.5 for desktop, and this is the reason why it has taken some time to get it ready. A new version of the browser engine will ensure that you can surf the Web with a browser supporting the latest and greatest in Web standards.

Some versions of Opera Mobile 9.5 are already shipping on great phones like the HTC Touch Diamond, and some of you have asked why we wouldn't be able to release it publically yet. As you probably know, releasing a version that works on a large variety of phones is more complex than making it work on one specific phone. You should also expect a few differences between the versions that are pre-installed on phones and the public version of Opera Mobile 9.5."

Alltel Wireless Adds Free Texting to its My Circle Offer

2008-06-30T23:20:25Z

Alltel Wireless today announced the addition of “texting” to its exclusive “My Circle” offer. Starting today, “My Circle” customers can send and receive unlimited text/video/picture messages to anyone in their “Circle,” as well as other Alltel Wireless customers, with its new “My Circle” message packs starting at $7.99 per month.

Customers with the new “My Circle” message packs receive unlimited messaging to their “Circle of Friends” as well as other Alltel Wireless customers. Customers can choose from several message packs including plans for $7.99 or $12.99 which provides users 400 or 1,000 additional text/video/picture messages, respectively, to communicate with consumers outside of their “Circle” or that are not Alltel customers.

For customers seeking unlimited messaging, Alltel Wireless still offers the $19.99 All Access Pass that includes unlimited messaging and mobile web. “My Circle” message packs can be added to any “My Circle” five, 10 or 20 calling plan.

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Vodafone & MySpace Launch Online Global Interactive Platform

2008-06-30T16:46:37Z

Vodafone and MySpace today announced the launch of an online global interactive platform, "Vodafone Music Reporter", which will expand Vodafone's music activity and continue to deliver a unique music experience to Vodafone customers.

The "Vodafone Music Reporter" interactive profile, hosted on MySpace, builds on the successful collaboration of both companies which began in 2007 with the launch of MySpace on Vodafone mobile internet. Vodafone will use the profile to share its existing music initiatives, including summer festivals such as Music Unlimited Cologne in Germany and Vodafone TBAs in the UK.

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Music fans in the four countries can click on www.myspace.com/vodafonemusicreporter_uk (_it in Italy, _es in Spain and _de in Germany) and start sharing their music experiences, upload and download content including pictures and videos related to Vodafone Music Unlimited events. Members of the "Vodafone Music Reporter" community will be able to interact with their fellow users through a blog featuring regular updates on Vodafone Music Unlimited activities.

All fans in the above mentioned countries will be able to enter a competition to demonstrate their reporting skills across the Vodafone Music Unlimited events this summer and win the chance to become part of an MTV show episode online and on mobile.

To enter the competition, all aspiring MTV reporters need to become a friend of the "Vodafone Music Reporter" community on MySpace and upload a photo and video review of their favourite recent gig experience. Friends of the community will then decide which reports they like the best. The MySpace "Vodafone Music Reporter" profile will showcase the winners from each round of the competition. The ultimate winner will be awarded the opportunity to join the MTV crew for a day at an event or festival and experience the making of an episode of a show on the world's leading music TV channel. In addition, the winner will have a chance to record her/his report on-site for the mobile and online version of the show.

Google Gets Access to Tele Atlas Maps

2008-06-30T16:41:18Z

Tele Atlas, a provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location-based solutions, today announced that Google has signed a long term license agreement with the company that gives Google access to Tele Atlas maps and dynamic content in more than 200 countries around the world.

The agreement spans Google's current and future map-based services and navigation offerings across mobile, online and desktop environments. These include the Google Maps and Google Earth services and mobile applications such as Google Maps for Mobile. The agreement also gives Tele Atlas access to edits for its maps from Google's community of users, whose suggested changes can help the company further increase the quality and richness of Tele Atlas maps.
]]> Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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