Cingular has just launched the LG CG225, an entry-level clamshell handset. The features are basic, but fairly well equipped for being a base model.

Phone Features

• VGA Camera with 4x zoom
• Quad-band international phone
• Clear full-duplex speakerphone
• Music tone ringtones, games and graphics
• Instant messaging using AOL®, Yahoo!® MSN® & ICQ®

Sprint will launch the new Sanyo Katana on July 10th of this year.  The new handset is a high-profile handset like recent models from other companies, like the Motorola RAZR.  The Katana is thin clamshell that will compete with the Samsung A900 for style conscience buyers. The main drawback is that the Katana doesn't have EV-DO like the A900 does. Features of the Sanyo Katana include:

• Dimensions: 3.9” x 2.0” x 0.6”
  
• Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Bluetooth (DUN supported)
• QVGA display with 65K colors
• Speakerphone
• Wireless backup
• VGA camera

MobiTV, Inc., the global leader in television and digital radio services for cellular, WiFi and broadband enabled devices, today announced the immediate availability of the MobiTV® service for Windows Mobile powered phones and devices. Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphones feature full-screen viewing, a home-like electronic programming guide and much more.

"We already support over 100 different mobile devices and are excited to offer this new version for Windows Mobile powered devices," said Ben Feinman, director of product management for MobiTV. "Windows Mobile is particularly well-suited for multimedia and the experience is amazing. We think everyone needs to see it to believe it."

"Windows Mobile enables people to have a single device that goes beyond email and can be customized to suit their active lifestyle," said James Pratt, lead product manager, Microsoft Corporation.

The Samsung ACE™ features a slim design, measuring just over a half-inch thick and weighing only 3.53 ounces. Made of lightweight magnesium that is both durable and fashionable, the Samsung ACE™ features ESPN's signature look and feel with a red and black keypad, complete with ESPN's trademark logo and unique numerical font style.

The Samsung ACE's™ large QVGA display and stereo speakers are ideal for watching sports clips with full-motion video and rich sound quality. The user interface features easy-to-read icons that instantly link users to the Mobile ESPN sports application, downloads, digital camera features and messaging capabilities.

Sprint has just launced the Samsung A640. The unique backlit exterior display of the A640 by Samsung is the first sign that this is a dynamic phone. But the benefits of the A640 go well beyond handsome design - the A640 offers Bluetooth™ technology, Sprint PCS Ready Link™ push-to-talk service and a VGA camera with digital zoom and self timer.

Wireless Backup provides A640 users with secure storage and quick retrieval of contact information in case the device is ever lost, stolen or damaged. In addition, the A640 provides the choice of three user interface options, including a new, easy-to-use black and white menu for optimal usability.

FEATURES

• Sprint PCS Ready Link capability
• Sprint PCS Vision services, including web access and email
• Bluetooth technology
• Simple, easy to use menu design

Denny Strigl, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless, announced that Verizon Wireless will begin to pro-rate the early termination fee (ETF) for customers nationwide in the fall.

Verizon Wireless is the first major U.S. carrier to commit to a national policy to pro-rate the ETF. The company will include new terms in customer contracts that will progressively reduce the amount a customer has to pay if they terminate their contract with Verizon Wireless before their committed term expires. The pro-rate will apply to contracts signed or renewed after the policy takes effect, and the amount owed will vary depending on the time remaining in the contract.

To that end, Strigl outlined benefits Verizon Wireless will add to its Worry Free Guarantee® for customers who pay their bills online via the company’s Web site. The additional guarantees include:

The LG LP4100 has been very successful in Korea with its equipped breathalyzer.  That's right a breathalyzer.  What will they think of next?  The phones have sold over 200,000 units in Korea in 2005 and it continues to be very successful.

LG recently showcased the LP4100 handset at CES in Vegas.  Like camera and video features that have been very successful, the LP 4100 with its breathalyzer is anticipated to be a hit in the U.S. market, scheduled for release later this year. 

The LP4100 breathalyzer when blown into gives a warning and displays a nifty little animation of a car swerving on a road and crashing into traffic cones.

Immersion Corporation, a developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, has expanded its VibeTonz® tactile feedback system to now provide an inexpensive and robust way of improving the usability of mobile-device touchscreens.

This new VibeTonz application can provide an unmistakable tactile confirmation to the user that their finger or stylus press on the device touchscreen was accepted as input.

The VibeTonz System is currently used in a number of mobile phones worldwide for supplying tactile cues in ringers, alerts, games, and other usability features.

Don't toss your old cell phone in the trash.  Recycle it!  Just like computers, cell phones contain mercury and lead that are harmful to the environment.

There are several organizations that reuse cell phones for a variety of charitable causes.  For example, "Call to Protect", is a nationwide effort that adds air time to donated cell phones and gives them to domestic violence shelters and agencies.

Last year, Call to Protect issued over 37,000 cell phones to shelters and agencies.  Individuals looking to donate their cell phones to Call to Protect, may request a postage-paid envelope to mail their donated cell phones to 2555 Bishop Circle W., Dexter, MI, 48130.  Visit www.calltoprotect.org for more information.

Cingular Wireless has launched the Nokia 6102i which is an update to the 6101 /6102. Features remain similar, with Bluetooth being the main addition. T-Mobile launched its version of the device, the 6103, last month (see article).

Phone Features

• Weight: 3.42 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.35 x 1.77 x 0.95 inches
• 4.4MB internal memory for downloads
• Technology: 850/1800/1900 MHz - Tri-band
• Talk Time: Up to 4 hours
• Standby Time: Up to 14 days
• Warranty: 1 yr on the phone and accessories
• All talk, data and standby times are approximate and depend on network configuration

Specifications 

• Downloadable polyphonic/full-audio ringtones, graphics and games
• Bluetooth® Wireless Connectivity

Following the exciting announcement of the Motorola ROKR E2 (see specifications) at Music Matters Hong Kong in May, Motorola, Inc. is offering Chinese consumers the opportunity to be the first in the world to purchase the ROKR E2 at GOME outlets across the PRC, available now. The ROKR E2 is the newest member of the company’s ROKR family of music-optimized mobile handsets.

Recently named China’s most valuable home appliance retailer by World Brand Lab, GOME is the ideal destination for young and style-conscious consumers to purchase electronic and mobile devices.

“The global exclusive debut of the ROKR E2 at GOME is a key result of the strategic partnership we have with Motorola," said Wang Junzhou, vice general manager of GOME Home Appliances and general manager of Strategy & Co-operation Center . "The ROKR E2 is already a hit at GOME, after only a few days on the market, the ROKR E2 is one of the best selling handsets at GOME."

Through an exclusive agreement between Carnival Cruise Lines and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, Carnival guests sailing aboard the “Fun Ships” can now enjoy a new communications option that allows them to stay in touch with people back home using their personal cell phones while in port or at sea.

Utilizing WMS’ state-of-the-art high-bandwidth technology, the new fleetwide service is compatible with any cellular phone and enables guests sailing on Carnival to make and receive calls anywhere in the world from any cruising region. The technology is currently available aboard the Carnival Triumph, with the balance of the line’s 21-vessel fleet scheduled to be completed by early next year

This summer, only Sprint customers hold the ultimate “tickets” and “backstage passes” to the music world’s hottest new virtual “club.” Sprint and Interscope Records today announced the premiere of the Sprint Music Series – the first-of-its-kind, made-for-mobile studio sessions available exclusively on Sprint TVSM, Channel 33.

The Sprint Music Series features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists including Busta Rhymes, Dashboard Confessional, Keane, Mobb Deep, Olivia, Robin Thicke and Wolfmother, with additional artists to be announced soon.

Customers of Sprint now have more international locations to easily access mobile data applications, thanks to new reciprocal wireless service deals with Bell Canada and Iusacell in Mexico.

The North America data roaming agreements are part of an aggressive international services expansion by the U.S. wireless data leader throughout 2006 and beyond.

Sprint is facilitating data access availability for U.S. customers north and south of the border by augmenting CDMA voice roaming agreements with a data roaming capability.

Under the reciprocal agreements, customers will be able to seamlessly access email, Internet and corporate applications in Canada and Mexico using select PCS phones, smart devices and mobile broadband cards.