AuthenTec, a provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions, today announced that Fujitsu's new FOMA F906i ultra-thin world phone has integrated an AuthenTec fingerprint sensor for Power of Touch features including security, convenience, personalization and navigation.
The FOMA F906i is the 16th Fujitsu cell phone to integrate AuthenTec's award-winning TruePrint technology and is the first Fujitsu phone to offer TrueNav, allowing users a full 360 degrees of browser, menu and document navigation via AuthenTec's integrated AES1710 fingerprint sensor.
The feature-rich F906i, recently offered to subscribers of Japan's leading wireless carrier NTT DOCOMO, utilizes AuthenTec's new small form factor AES1710 low power fingerprint sensor. While millions of NTT DOCOMO's mobile phones have incorporated an AuthenTec sensor to authorize contactless mobile payments and for protecting access to stored files and the user's personal information, this is the first time a Fujitsu phone has added the benefits of AuthenTec's TrueNav technology.
Orange and BIC have launch the BIC cell phone in France; a simple cell phone that is 100% ready to go. The handset comes with 60 free minutes, the battery charged, and the SIM card already in place. In order to receive all 60 minutes of free time, clients must identify themselves to Orange service agents. The handsets are available in citrus orange and lime green.
The telephone number that comes with the BIC is valid for at least 12 months from the time the phone is activated. With the BIC phone, you pay as you go, with a prepaid “mobicarte” refill card. The BIC phone is easy to use since it focuses on cell phone basics: sending and receiving calls and SMS.
The BIC phone is sold over the counter at major supermarkets and local convenience stores at a suggested retail price of €49 including tax. The phone is manufactured by Alcatel. The BIC phone will be sold in Metropolitan France only.
Jupiter Research projects that the broadband telephony market will nearly double in size from 14.7 million subscribers in 2007 to 28.4 million lines in 2013.
Cable operators will see most of this increase, with their VoIP subscriber base nearly doubling during the forecast period, while growth for over-the-top VoIP providers will stagnate. The emergence of new service offerings, such as those from AT&T and Skype, will continue to generate buzz within the market.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MetroPCS Communications, Inc., has announced the launch of MetroFlash, allowing consumers to bring their compatible CDMA handsets to be used on MetroPCS' network. Coupled with its low cost, flat-rate unlimited wireless service, MetroPCS is further broadening consumers' freedom to enjoy more cost efficient, flexible wireless options. MetroFlash will eliminate for many consumers the requirement of having to purchase a new handset when signing up for MetroPCS service.
Offering consumers the ability to join MetroPCS with their existing handset makes switching carriers easier - and more cost efficient - than ever, said Tom Keys, Chief Operating Officer of MetroPCS. Not since number portability have consumers been offered such a convenient option in switching service providers. With the rising cost of gas and food, consumers are looking for ways to reduce expenses and the launch of MetroFlash, along with our flat-rate, unlimited low cost service plans, makes MetroPCS a more affordable wireless option.
Delta Airlines passengers at New York City's LaGuardia Airport will now be able to show their boarding passes on their cell phones.
Passengers are able to use their cell phones to check in for flights and at security checkpoints. Security agents and Delta agents are able to scan an image of a barcode that matches up with your boarding pass.
Continental and Northwest are also currently testing similar pilot programs. Continental Airlines passengers leaving Houston, TX, last December were the first in the country to board flights without the showing a paper boarding pass.
Last October, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a global standard that paves the way for global mobile phone check-in using two-dimensional (2D) bar codes.
It seems you maybe able to make popcorn with your cell phones! (See the video to the right.) Apparently three of these videos have gone viral and lot of people must have gotten their own cell phone to try it. Unfortunately, it wouldn't work because cell phones don't produce enough power to pop popcorn.
It seems Cardo Systems; a manufacturer of Bluetooth headsets has claimed responsibility for the fake videos showing cell phones popping popcorn. The video are well done with some serious editing. The videos are also done to make them look home made.
Cardo Systems claim, "More than 6 million people have watched our little videos since May 28, 2008. We are very happy to have made this contribution to an important international public debate."
So don't waste your time trying it. Cell phones cannot pop popcorn. See the other 2 videos below.
Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a plan yesterday to regulate the high fees that cell phone companies charge consumers for canceling their contracts early.
The plan, which is a great idea, will require that the fees be related to the cost of the cell phones.Additionally, the fees will be pro rated or reduced over the time of the contract.
Mr. Martin did not commit the FCC regulating the fees, however, he stated, ''if we take jurisdiction and therefore responsibility for this issue, then we must have clear rules that adequately protect consumers.''
Late last year, several U.S. carriers announced that customers will be able to change their rate plans without having to renew their contracts. Gone are the days when customers will be required to extend their contracts when changing their rate plans.
Bank of America today announced that it has surpassed one million unique active Mobile Banking customers.
Mobile Banking allows customers to check balances, pay bills, transfer funds, view posted and pending transactions and even locate banking centers and ATMs, accompanied by maps and directions. The service was introduced nationwide in May 2007 as part of Bank of America's suite of Online Banking services. Nearly 25 million consumers bank online with Bank of America.
Effective today, June 6, 2008, Wisconsin residents can add their mobile telephone numbers to the List. Signing up identifies you as someone who does not wish to receive telemarketing calls. It's free and available also for residential telephone customers in Wisconsin. Your number will remain on the List for two years. Adding your phone number to the List will help reduce (but not eliminate) telemarketing calls.
Consumers can sign up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by visiting the Wisconsin No Call List website or by calling 1-866-9NO-CALL (1-866-966-2255) toll-free in Wisconsin.
Networks In Motion, the wireless navigation, hyper local search, and location-based services (LBS) company with the largest mobile phone navigation subscriber base in North America, recorded the largest spike in mobile phone navigation history May 10, the day before Mother’s Day, with close to five million server transactions.
In May NIM also surpassed 100 million monthly server transactions for its mobile phone navigation services on all major wireless carriers. Transactions include subscribers searching for points of interest, requesting a navigation route, downloading a map, or sending a friend a place message.
Networks In Motion’s LBS platform delivers turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions with auto-rerouting if a turn is missed, as well as local search of nearly 14 million points of interest and detailed color maps that can be quickly panned and zoomed. Varying by wireless carrier, the subscription typically costs $9.99 per month or $2.99 per day.
E-TEN Information Systems has kicked off Computex 2008 with the launch of four new Pocket PC Phones and in the process earned itself a prestigious Best Choice of Computex Award. The new handsets and the company’s complete lineup of industry defining Glofiish Pocket PC Phones will be on show at the E-TEN booth between June 3 - 7.
E-TEN was awarded the Best Choice of Computex accolade for its new Glofiish DX900 – the world’s first dual-SIM & dual standby Windows Mobile handset to support HSDPA and EDGE.
DX900: The DX900 is a simple solution to an increasingly in-demand requirement for consumers who need access to two mobile communications services, but don’t want to carry around two devices at the same time.
Christian Dior has launched a line of cell phones priced from $5,500 to $7,900. Now, who would pay that type of money for a "bling" cell phone?
The French company, known for its high end fashion brand teamed up with ModeLabs to design and manufacture the regular handset and miniature phone barely larger than a USB key.
The Dior phone offers all the typical features such as a camera, text messaging, touch screen, camera and rings tones. However, the phones come with a new unique feature which is a miniature version of the phone which clips on the outside of a bag for easier accessibility. The tiny phone, named “My Dior,” communicates with the regular handset. The idea is to make answering phone calls simple and hassle-free for women.
Mobixell Networks, provider of mobile multimedia and advertising solutions, announced a new UK survey. The survey, taken by 832 mobile phone users, reveals a sizeable opportunity exists among the 16-34 year-old demographic to offer ad-funded mobile content via rich media services like multimedia messaging or mobile video services.
The findings reveal that 35% of 16-35 year-olds would use more MMS and 29% would use more video services if they were offered free or discounted in return for receiving mobile adverts.
The survey, which was conducted by independent research company Gfk NOP on behalf of Mobixell, revealed that user's interest and receptiveness in accepting mobile adverts extends beyond the traditional realm of SMS text messaging - as exemplified by services like Blyk - into rich media services such as video clips, photo-messaging and Mobile TV.
Qualcomm today announced Plaza, a platform-agnostic wireless Internet service that provides a common framework for the development and support of widgets that will enable operators to provide their end users with quick and personalized access to the mobile Internet. After the introduction of Plaza, operators and developers can produce and deliver Internet-based contenQualcomm Incorporated today announced Plaza, a platform-agnostic wireless Internet service that provides a common framework for the development and support of widgets that will enable operators to provide their end users with quick and personalized access to the mobile Internet.t across their devices, in order to drive the usage of wireless data services, improve subscriber stickiness and ultimately increase operator ARPU.
Plaza is focused on enabling operators to bring more simplicity and personalization to their subscribers' mobile Internet experiences. When combined with subscriber intelligence and available device real estate, Plaza's end-to-end widget framework and user experience provides operators with a solution to drive use of the mobile Internet. An integrated marketing platform also plays a role in driving additional revenue to Plaza operators by allowing for targeted campaigns within the widget ecosystem.
GestureTek Mobile, inventor of the world’s first gesture-controlled mobile user interface and gaming engine, announced that it has been selected as a Top Innovator in the 2009 Mobile Innovation Global Award Competition - Americas Tournament.
GestureTek has been named as one of three Top Innovators in the ‘Most Innovative Mobile Application in a Vertical Market’ category. In total, 15 Top Innovators from five categories will compete for the title of ‘GSMA Mobile Innovation Global Finalist’ at the Mobile Innovation Marketplace - Americas event that is taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 3rd and 4th, 2008. The Global Finalist from the Americas leg will then move on to compete against other Finalists from other tournament locations. One overall winner will be selected as the ‘GSMA Mobile Innovation Global Award Champion’ at the GSMA’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, 2009.
In Atlanta, GestureTek Mobile will showcase its patented EyeMobile Engine to an elite panel of mobile operators, equipment vendors, investors and media.
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