Mobiledia: Cell Phone News

Samsung Glyde Touch Screen Device Launched for Verizon

Mobiledia — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:14:14 GMT

Samsung Glyde (SCH-U940)

More Photos

- View Specs

Verizon Wireless today announced that the Samsung Glyde will be available on May 9. The Glyde is a multimedia and messaging phone that offers a compact, touch-screen device with a full QWERTY keyboard.

The Glyde integrates a 2.8-inch touch-screen with tactile response and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It comes equipped with Verizon Wireless' services such as VCAST Music and Video. With VCAST Music, users can access more than 3 million songs that can be purchased and downloaded to the Glyde. VCAST Video gives customers access to news, sports and entertainment. Other features include a 2.0-megapixel camera with flash, microSD card slot, which supports up to 8 GB of external memory, and Bluetooth stereo headset support.

Additional features of the Glyde include:

- HTML browser with touch navigation
- 2.0-megapixel camera and camcorder with flash and zoom, brightness adjustment, self-time (off, three, five or 10 seconds), color effects (normal, black and white, sketch, antique, negative, green and aqua), multi-shot mode (series and divided) and resolution adjustment (1600 x 1200 px, 1280 x 960 px, 1024 x 768 px, 640 x 480 px, 320 x 240 px and 176 x 144 px)
- VZ Navigator capability - get visual and audible directions to thousands of destinations, locate businesses and other points of interest, get maps of a location, and share directions with others
- Music Player for MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC and AAC+ files
- Bluetooth - supports headset, handsfree car kits, serial port, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution (stereo), phone book access, object push for vCard, basic imaging for sending / printing non-protected images to a compatible device and basic print
- Instant Messaging using AIM, MSN and Yahoo!
- Bilingual user interface: English and Spanish
- Personal organizer with calendar, calculator, notepad, currency converter, alarm clock, world time and stop watch

The Glyde will be available for $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

- Samsung Glyde (U940) Specs

Related News Articles

Apple Inks Latin American Deal for the iPhone

Mobiledia — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:25:40 GMT

Apple iPhone

More Photos

- View Specs

America Movil, the top mobile phone operator in Latin America, said today that it has inked a deal to bring the Apple iPhone to more than a dozen countries starting later this year.

Mexico-based America Movil, which operates in 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the United States, did not disclose financial details - including whether it would be the exclusive iPhone provider in the targeted countries.

Apple has so far struck exclusive deals for the iPhone with AT&T in the United States, O2 in Britain, T-Mobile in Germany and France Telecom's Orange wireless arm in France.

The company plans further expansion later this year through the partnership with Mexico City-based America Movil, which boasts 159.2 million subscribers in 16 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

In the past couple of weeks, Apple has also signed deals with Rogers Communications to sell the device in Canada; Milan-based Telecom Italia to sell the iPhone in Italy; and Vodafone, the world's largest mobile company by sales, to sell it in a total of 10 countries, including Australia, India, Italy and Turkey.

"We're excited to be working with America Movil to bring the iPhone to Latin America later this year, and we can't wait to get this revolutionary phone in the hands of even more people around the world," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris.

Apple has so far sold 5.4 million iPhones worldwide, based on data as of the end of Apple's fiscal second quarter, which ended in March. Apple has a goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of this year.

America Movil, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, had more than 159 million cell phone subscribers at the end of March. It also had almost 4 million fixed-line clients.

- Apple iPhone Specs

Related News Articles

Best Buy Puts $2.1 Billion into European Cell Phone Retailer

Mobiledia — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:10:44 GMT

Best Buy, the world's largest consumer electronics retailer, is paying $2.1 billion for a 50 percent stake in Europe's largest cell phone retailer, the companies announced today.

The joint venture will sell consumer electronics in Europe and the United States, through Carphone Warehouse's 2,400 existing stores as well as online. The companies also said they would introduce Best Buy stores across Europe.

Best Buy International's chief executive, Robert Willett will be the chairman of the joint venture, while Carphone Warehouse's chief financial officer, Roger Taylor, will be the chief executive. Carphone Warehouse's broad operations are not included, and Best Buy will keep the 2.9% stake it owns in Carphone Warehouse.

"It is clear that we have very complementary cultures, skills and assets - it's a perfect match," Charles Dunstone, CEO of The Carphone Warehouse said. "It is also clear that we have a significant opportunity for incremental growth in our retail business which we can best realize with Best Buy on board."

The two companies worked on developing Best Buy Mobile, and have been collaborating to bring Geek Squad, a 24-hour computer support task force, to European markets.

"We believe our combined expertise has potential to result in significant financial upside as we together attempt to transform retail in Europe through the Carphone Warehouse, Phone House and Best Buy brands," said Brian Dunn, president and chief operating officer.

The deal is subject to approval by Carphone Warehouse shareholders at the annual general meeting in August.

Verizon Wireless GPS Navigation Adds Real-Time Traffic Data

Mobiledia — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:52:06 GMT

Verizon Wireless announced today the launch of VZ Navigator (Version 4), the newest version of its navigator service now able to access traffic incidents on major roadways, obtain traffic updates and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents.

VZ Navigator (Version 4) will initially be launched in 75 cities with more cities added in the coming year. The features will include 3D perspective view of maps, movie and events finder, weather reports and forecasts, and gas prices at nearby gas stations.

VZ Navigator service is a location-based service (LBS) application that uses location-based technology and real-time and historical information feeds. The new version offers the following features:

- Traffic Integration - Access routes to see whether traffic is impacted by traffic lights, heavy traffic or school zones, and tell how traffic is flowing with reported accidents, disabled vehicles and congestion
- Local Movies and Events - Search for show times, critics' ratings and details for movies, concerts, plays, sporting events, and other social events based on the physical location
- 3D Perspective View - Enhances navigation by displaying maps from angles customers would see through car windshields, making it easier to visualize turn-by-turn directions
- Gas Finder - Get information on the location of gas stations close by with reported gas prices
- Weather - View current weather conditions and forecasts based on the physical location without manually inputting an address

"With the new features of VZ Navigator, Verizon Wireless customers now have a powerful navigation device that not only gives them directions but also provides the latest traffic information and more," said Lee Daniels, vice president of consumer product development for Verizon Wireless. "The expanded services on VZ Navigator are another example of how we provide our customers with a great value for their wireless dollar - on the most reliable wireless network in the country."

VZ Navigator (Version 4) is available today for $9.99 for unlimited monthly access or $2.99 for one-day use.

Related News Articles

BlackBerry Curve 8330 Launched for Verizon Wireless

Mobiledia — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:41:58 GMT

RIM BlackBerry Curve (8330)

More Photos

- View Specs

Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone on May 12.

The BlackBerry Curve is the smallest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone, offering multimedia capabilities and services, allowing customers to stay connected to work, family and friends while on-the-go. The BlackBerry Curve 8330 includes the following capabilities and key features:

- BlackBerry Internet Service - access up to 10 supported POP3 and IMAP personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
- BlackBerry Professional Software for small businesses and BlackBerry Enterprise Server for enterprise deployments - advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments
- VZ Navigator - get visual and audible directions to a destination, locate businesses and other places in an area, get a map of a location, bookmark favorite spots and recent searches, and even share locations with others. Customers will be able to upgrade to the new VZ Navigator (Version 4) in the coming weeks, which will provide traffic updates, information on traffic incidents and detours around traffic congestion and accidents in 75 cities from coast to coast
- Small and light design that is easy to handle and use; measures 4.2" x 2.4" x 0.6" and weighs only 4 ounces
- Large, vibrant 320 x 240 px display, with light sensing technology that automatically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments
- Responsive full-QWERTY keyboard and RIM's intuitive trackball navigation system
- Premium phone features including: noise cancellation technology to offset background noise; Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD); dedicated "send," "end" and "mute" keys; and low-distortion speakerphone
- Bluetooth 2.0, with support for handsfree headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories
- 2.0-megapixel camera with support for video recording, a self-portrait mirror, enhanced flash and 5x zoom (microSD memory card required for video recording, sold separately)
- Easy access to the popular Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application
- 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated volume controls
- Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software that makes it easy to move media files between a PC and the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone via High Speed USB 2.0 - USB Data Cable comes in-box
- microSD/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of additional storage (cards up to 8 GB are currently available)
- HTML Web browser delivers a fast, rich browsing experience and supports streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP streaming protocol over EV-DO)
- Removable, rechargeable battery, rated for up to 260 minutes of talk time and up to 11 days of standby time
- In-box accessories include: a stereo headset, USB cable, travel charger and premium tote sleeve

The BlackBerry Curve 8330 is available for $169.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the handset is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase.

- RIM BlackBerry Curve (8330) Specs

Related News Articles

Sprint Nextel, Clearwire Form WiMax Group with Google

Mobiledia — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:34:35 GMT

In a major bet on WiMax wireless Internet, Sprint Nextel and Clearwire said today they would combine their networks in a new company with investment from Google, Intel and others.

The new company, which will retain Clearwire's name, will deploy a nationwide WiMax network, which promises faster speeds than the latest cellular networks for movies, games and other data services.

WiMax promises to blanket entire cities with Web access for laptops, cell phones and other wireless devices at fast speeds. It uses a licensed channel of radio spectrum and can transmit, according to its backers, to an area as much as 50 kilometers (30 miles) with a stronger signal than Wi-Fi and access faster than most current devices. It aims to have a service area covering as many as 140 million people in the United States by the end of 2010.

Sprint, which would otherwise have had to invest $5 billion on a solo WiMax network, will now inject WiMax assets valued at $7.4 billion into the venture, giving it 51 percent ownership.

"The power of the mobile Internet, which offers speed and mobility, home and away, on any device or screen, will fundamentally transform the communications landscape in our country," said Clearwire chairman Craig McCaw, who would become non-executive chairman of the firm to be based in Washington state.

"We believe that the new Clearwire will operate one of the fastest and most capable broadband wireless networks ever conceived, giving us the opportunity to return the US to a leadership position in the global wireless industry."

Rivals such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless have eschewed WiMax, opting instead for upgrades to their current wireless broadband networks and a future technology called Long Term Evolution. WiMax is available now and should give the new company a two-year head start in the so-called "fourth-generation," or 4G, telecommunications market.

Clearwire will sell WiMax services back to Sprint and the cable partners, through a "mobile virtual network operator," or MVNO, business model. There are no plans, however, to offer similar access to service providers not part of the joint venture.

The new Clearwire will cover a region with between 120 million and 140 million people in the US by the end of 2010. Upon completion of the deal, Sprint will own the largest stake in the new company with some 51 percent equity ownership. Clearwire shareholders will own around 27 percent and the new investors, as a group, will be acquiring an estimated 22 percent.

The deal, which has been approved by the boards of all companies involved, must be approved by Clearwire shareholders and regulatory agencies, but is expected to close during the fourth quarter. The company will apply for a Nasdaq listing under the ticker "CLWR" - the current symbol for Clearwire.

Related News Articles

HTC Touch Diamond Flagship Unveiled, Challenges Apple iPhone

Mobiledia — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:25:26 GMT

HTC Touch Diamond

More Photos

- View Specs

Taiwan-based smartphone maker HTC unveiled a new flagship phone today with a touch-screen display and applications for viewing content from websites such as YouTube and Google Maps.

High Tech Computer (HTC) said its Touch Diamond phone would offer high-speed mobile Internet access using HSDPA and HSUPA, upgrades to existing third-generation networks that boost data transmission speeds.

After years of manufacturing handsets for other companies, HTC has begun asserting its own name with high-end smartphones. First introduced in 2007, the Touch series of touch screen phones have sold more than 3 million units globally. Fourth-quarter 2007 shipments place the company fifth among smartphone manufacturers - after Nokia, Research In Motion, Motorola and Apple.

"Today we mark a new era in mobile phone evolution, an era where beauty and size integrate with uncompromising innovation at broadband speeds," said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. "The HTC Touch Diamond will make browsing the Web and using Web-enabled applications just as practical and easy to use as making calls."

The Touch Diamond, which is about the size of half a deck of playing cards, may be smaller than the iPhone, but HTC is hoping consumers will find it has big appeal. HTC wanted the design to be unique enough that "it can be recognized from across the street," says HTC's chief innovation officer, Horace Luke, and that it would be both "lovable and usable." A user should be able to operate it with one hand while walking down the street laden with bags, says Luke. That translated into a shiny black phone with a faceted back - an homage to a diamond's edges.

The phone includes a circular navigation wheel to help consumers navigate its menus. And HTC has also layered its own user-friendly software over the Windows Mobile operating system from Microsoft - that means consumers can reach their work email but also see an easily navigable interface.

To encourage mobile Internet browsing, the Touch Diamond offers speedy upload and download connections, Wi-Fi and a glass screen with about four times better resolution than HTC's previous Touch phones. HTC improved touch screen innovation with its new 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D. TouchFLO 3D provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather and more. Users can zoom and pan Websites with one-hand and automatically view optimized content that fits the display. Turning the device sideways automatically rotates the web page view from a portrait to landscape view. The Touch Diamond includes a customized new YouTube application for watching videos as well as Google Maps for mobile for mapping and traffic data.

Customers in Europe will be able to buy the phone in June, HTC said. It will be available later this quarter in Asia and the Middle East, and in North and Latin America in the second half of 2008.

- HTC Touch Diamond Specs

Related News Articles

T-Mobile Brings 3G Wireless to NYC; Other Markets to Follow

Mobiledia — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:13:16 GMT

Nokia 3555

More Photos

- View Specs

Nokia 6263

More Photos

- View Specs

Samsung SGH-T819

More Photos

- View Specs

Samsung SGH-T639

More Photos

- View Specs

T-Mobile said today it launched its first commercial high-speed wireless service in New York City, and plans to expand the service to 20 to 25 other major U.S. markets by the end of the year.

The new service, based on a high-speed technology known as HSDPA, will boost T-Mobile Web speeds by about four times initially, with another doubling of data speeds once the company comes out with a new HSDPA phone in the third quarter.

T-Mobile said its initial data speeds for the service will range from 200 kilobits per second (kbps) to 300 kbps from the current speed of 50 kbps to 80 kbps for customers already using its most advanced phones. Once the company comes out with a HSDPA phone, its average data speed will roughly double to 600 kbps, according to the company.

"The launch of our 3G network comes at a time when 3G phones and services are more affordable, capable and appealing to our consumer marketplace than ever before," said Cole Brodman, chief development officer, T-Mobile USA. "We benefit not only from the economic scale of 3G, but also from the extensive commercial experience of 3G in our European markets. Today, T-Mobile USA customers already have among the highest adoption of data and messaging services in the industry. Through our 3G network, we look forward to delivering a rich portfolio of new and meaningful services to enrich our customers' lives."

Web browsing and downloading content will be twice as fast with 3G on four phone models that T-Mobile started selling last year, Nokia's 3555 and 6263 and Samsung's T819 and T639.

In the coming months, T-Mobile plans to offer its first HSDPA device, along with new data-centric, all-in-one devices. While BlackBerry smartphones are an important part of T-Mobile's lineup, models with HSDPA likely won't be available until next year.

Related News Articles

AT&T Mobile TV Service Launches, Rivaling Verizon

Mobiledia — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:37:20 GMT

LG Vu

More Photos

- View Specs

Samsung Access (SGH-A827)

More Photos

- View Specs

AT&T plans to offer a new mobile digital TV service this Sunday, including full-length shows and some movies, and will charge $15 per month for 10 channels.

Operated by Qualcomm, AT&T will have two exclusive channels on the service, it said Thursday. AT&T already has a mobile video service called CV, which is based on different technology. It works like Internet video, providing short clips on demand.

"AT&T Mobile TV is more than a new entertainment service - it is an experience that will significantly change and enhance our customers' mobile lifestyles," said Mark Collins, vice president of Consumer Data for AT&T's wireless unit. "With this in mind, it was imperative that we launch this revolutionary service on devices that were optimal for the best mobile viewing experience imaginable. We worked closely with LG and Samsung to deliver these two iconic handsets, which are designed with the specific needs of what will soon become our Mobile TV viewing audience."

The eight channels shared with Verizon Wireless are CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, Fox Mobile, MTV, NBC 2Go, NBC News 2Go and Nickelodeon. The two channels that will be exclusive to AT&T are PIX, which screens movies from Sony Pictures, and CNN Mobile Live.

"Our research revealed that news and movies were the two most popular program categories consumers wanted to watch on their mobile phones. We have exceeded their expectations with AT&T Mobile TV," said Collins. "Together with MediaFLO USA, we are changing the picture of television-viewing by giving our customers an innovative way to stay connected to breaking news from CNN Mobile Live, an arsenal of movie favorites with PIX and a formidable lineup of other quality programming while on the go."

Monthly packages will cost $15 a month for about 10 channels including Comedy Central, ESPN, MTV and NBC News. Or it will charge $13 for just four channels. Since AT&T Mobile TV operates on MediaFLO USA's multicast network, customers do not incur data or voice charges.

The only AT&T handsets that will initially work with the service are the ones that are going on sale Sunday: the LG Vu, a touch screen phone for $299.99, and the Samsung Access, a more traditional phone for $199.99. The prices apply with two-year contracts and are after $100 mail-in rebates. Other TV-capable phones will be available later.

Related News Articles

AT&T to Cut the Price of Apple's New 3G iPhone

Mobiledia — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:49:37 GMT

AT&T is preparing cut the price of the 3G iPhone by as much as $200, bringing the price of the 8GB memory 3G model down to $199 for customers who agree to sign a two-year contract. The $200 rebate or subsidy would be limited to AT&T customers and not available through Apple's stores.

Average iPhone users have around double the typical U.S. monthly spend, making it easier for AT&T to finance higher subsidies. If the handset is sold with a subsidy, then the activation process will need to be carried out in the retail store. A cash-back model would allow Apple to continue its current policy of selling the phone without managing the activation process itself.

It was recently reported that Foxconn has secured orders for a 3G iPhone, with anticipated shipments of 3-4 million units in the first month after its launch.

The new iPhone is expected to be released on the one-year anniversary of the original iPhone debut around June 27. A few weeks prior to that launch, Apple is planning to stop supplies of the older model iPhone. This will help clear out inventory and stir up demand for the new device. It will also attempt to avoid the public relations pratfall Apple made when it cut the price of the iPhone without warning last year.

Related News Articles

Tessera Brings Low-Cost Optical Zoom to Camera Phones

Mobiledia — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:18:51 GMT

Miniaturization technology provider Tessera said today that its OptiML Zoom can achieve 3X optical zoom capabilities without moving parts.

Replacing traditional mechanical zoom capabilities, the OptiML Zoom integrates high-quality optical zoom functionality at a lower cost with higher reliability, also reducing the overall size of the camera module.

"Tessera is driving the convergence of digital still camera and cell phone capabilities, integrating its full range of consumer optics expertise - from image enhancement technologies to wafer-level optics expertise - to enable the next generation of smaller, smarter mobile devices," said Michael Bereziuk, chief operating officer, Tessera. "We believe the OptiML Zoom solution, which is the industry's first non-mechanical optical zoom solution, meets the growing demand for better functionality in camera phones, providing an optimal combination of price, performance, size and ease of integration."

Mechanical zoom solutions require moving parts, making them too expensive and too large for handset manufacturers to integrate into today's smaller, thinner cell phones - they also have the potential for mechanical failures. Digital zoom solutions are inexpensive but provide poor image quality.

The OptiML Zoom incorporates a lens design that increases the resolution in the center of the image without narrowing the field of view. The result is true optical magnification without loss of detail.

"Tessera's OptiML Zoom technology addresses many of the issues that have plagued camera phones since day one," said Tony Henning, senior analyst at Future Image, Inc. "We're optimistic about the adoption of Tessera's non-mechanical zoom capabilities by handset OEMs and module manufacturers, and the subsequent widespread availability of higher quality camera phones in the near future."

CinemaNow Offers Movie Orders Via Cell Phone

Mobiledia — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:02:06 GMT

Digital entertainment provider CinemaNow said today that U.S. consumers would be able to use cell phones to view movie trailers and order full-length movies to watch on their home television or computer.

"As Internet-enabled phones rise in popularity, companies need to keep pace with innovation, offering solutions which leverage that feature," said David Cook, president and COO of CinemaNow. "This partnership with uVuMobile has helped CinemaNow pioneer another first-to-market digital distribution method that we expect will make a tremendous difference in the industry by giving customers access to movies anytime, anywhere."

The service downloads movies to web-connected consumer electronics such as home computers. Having a movie ready to watch by the time a user gets home could also help save time as full movies can take an hour or more to download over the Internet.

The technology for the new CinemaNow service is from uVuMobile, which specializes in mobile video. uVuMobile allows users to publish content to mobile users on any carrier network and to multiple types of compatible devices.

"CinemaNow has always been at the leading edge of entertainment distribution, and we are confident our partnership will offer consumers a valuable new way to interact with their digital entertainment," said Scott Hughes, chief technology officer of uVuMobile. "uVuMobile excels in the portable video experience with our integrated mobile solutions. Combining our solutions with premium rental video content from CinemaNow creates an optimal 'on-the-go' service for consumers who are demanding a more flexible way to acquire and manage their digital entertainment. This is another strong example of how uVuMobile is helping set the pace for continued innovation and mobile device optimization."

CinemaNow already competes with services such as Apple's iTunes, charging $14.99 for online movie purchases and $1.99 for rentals.

Nokia 3600 Slide Revealed with Ceramic Paint, Metal Exterior

Mobiledia — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:32:55 GMT

Nokia 3600 Slide

More Photos

- View Specs

Nokia today unveiled the 3600 Slide, a stylish slider offered in a variety of colors, materials and finishes.

Soft ceramic paint and metal combined with high gloss surfaces and gradated colors make the unique 3600 Slide stand out. Small and ergonomically shaped, the 3600 Slide also delivers a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus and 2 LED flash ensuring high-quality photos or videos in dim lighting conditions. The TV-out feature connects to most television sets so consumers can share pictures and videos.

For clear conversations, the 3600 Slide is the first Nokia product to feature background noise cancellation. The built-in music player offers up to 3000 favorite songs on an optional 4GB microSD card. Pre-installed with Nokia Maps, users can find more than 15 million points of interests, including restaurants, shops, hotels and more.

The Nokia 3600 Slide has an estimated retail price of 175 EUR ($275 USD) excluding taxes and subsidies and is expected to start shipping during the third quarter of 2008.

- Nokia 3600 Slide Specs

Related News Articles

Nokia 6600 Slide Unveiled with Tap Control and Navigation

Mobiledia — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:18:25 GMT

Nokia 6600 Slide

More Photos

- View Specs

Nokia today unveiled the 6600 Slide, a mid-level slider with new innovative tapping functionality to control everyday features without having to press a button.

Being one of Nokia's smallest sliders to date, the 6600 Slide smoothly glides open in the hand. Its glossy, high-quality steel covers and aluminum center key evoke a minimalist visual simplicity. Tapping the 6600 Slide twice conveniently indicates time, snoozes, alerts and silences or rejects incoming phone calls.

The 3.2-megapixel camera takes high quality pictures and videos that can be shared with others via Internet services or multimedia message - directly from the photo menu. The large 2.2-inch QVGA display with 16 million colors makes it easy to find the way around town with the integrated Nokia Maps application.

The optional Nokia Bluetooth GPS Module LD-4W and separate navigation license features an innovative design offers Bluetooth navigation to urban trekkers and leisure travelers.

The Nokia 6600 Slide has an estimated retail price of 250 EUR ($390 USD) excluding taxes and subsidies and is expected to start shipping during the third quarter of 2008.

- Nokia 6600 Slide Specs

Related News Articles

Nokia 6600 Fold Minimalist Clamshell with Double Tap Control

Mobiledia — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:02:03 GMT

Nokia 6600 Fold

More Photos

- View Specs

Nokia today unveiled the 6600 Fold, a minimalist clamshell targeting the highly competitive market for mid-priced phones.

With one touch of a button, the 6600 Fold smoothly opens to reveal a bright 2.13-inch OLED screen displaying up to 16 million colors. With the signature "smooth back," the 6600 Fold creates a comfortable contour when open, and remains subtle and compact when closed. The high-gloss surface comes to life when tapped twice to "wake up" the hidden outer display that reveals time, incoming messages, missed calls and more. A double tap on the 6600 Fold also snoozes alerts and silences or rejects incoming phone calls.

Contemporary mobile features such as 3G technology for fast and easy sharing of pictures and videos snapped with the integrated 2.0-megapixel camera with double LED flash. Additional functions include access to Internet services such as Yahoo! Go or Flickr.

The Nokia 6600 Fold has an estimated retail price of 275 EUR ($430 USD) excluding taxes and subsidies and is expected to start shipping during the third quarter of 2008.

- Nokia 6600 Fold Specs

Related News Articles

Skype Releases Beta Software for Mobile Phones

Mobiledia — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:07:36 GMT

Skype today released a beta version of "Skype for your mobile," a software client for mobile phones that can receive calls from Skype users and make Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls. Additional features include chat, group chat and presence.

The beta version helps Skype gauge the response from users. This phase is expected to last several months, after which a public version of the application will be made available. Skype for your mobile is initially supported in seven markets: Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Additional phones and markets will be added over time.

"These are still the early days for making Skype calls on mobile phones, but we've already made great strides in this space," said Gareth O'Loughlin, general manager, mobile and hardware devices. "While Skype for your mobile is in beta, it is an important time for us to listen to our users' feedback, be it through surveys or user forums."

For Skype for your mobile download instructions, visit http://www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload .

Samsung Q1 Profit Soars 37 Percent, Outlook Strong

Mobiledia — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:51:02 GMT

Samsung Electronics beat forecasts with a 37 percent rise in quarterly profit amid strong demand for mobile phones in emerging markets. Its outlook remained solid due to strengths in TV screens and handsets, lifted by a softer Korean won and robust demand.

Samsung earned 2.19 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in the January-March period compared with 1.6 trillion won in the same period last year. Sales rose 19 percent to 17.11 trillion won ($17.19 billion), the company said.

"Our handset business is growing very strong," said Chu Woo-sik, executive vice president for investor relations. Chu cited 33 percent growth in handset sales year-over-year. Emerging markets, including China and India "continued to be the main driver of growth," he said. In a separate statement, Samsung said mobile phone sales "achieved similar volume" to the fourth quarter's record sales of 46.3 million handsets, despite contraction of about 13 percent in the global market.

On Tuesday, the group's long-serving chairman announced his resignation over a scandal that led to his indictment on tax evasion and other charges.

Related News Articles

LG Secret 5MP Touch Phone Launched with Motion-Sensing, DivX

Mobiledia — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:33:31 GMT

Photo: LG Secret 5MP Touch Phone Launched with Motion-Sensing, DivX Photo 2

LG Electronics today launched the Secret (KF750), the slimmest 5.0-megapixel camera phone in the Black Label Series. Following the success of its predecessors, LG Chocolate and LG Shine, the Secret is developed with refined tastes in mind.

The Secret incorporates carbon fiber, one of the strongest composite materials used in aerospace and high-performance automotives, to add durability. Tempered glass, adding sheen and strength, shields the front LCD and enhances multimedia quality. Neon Touch Navigation buttons respond to commands with effects in a blue hue.

The integrated 5.0-megapixel camera is built into the slimmest profile of any camera phone on the market (at 11.8 mm). Boasting 120 fps video and DivX certified playback, the LG Secret includes photo and video editing features like Morphing (facial editing) and SmartLight, that automatically adjusts the picture's light settings. Users can also take advantage of the Movie Maker software to create their own music videos.

A single button accesses five multimedia functions - music, photos, games, documents, and FM radio. Consumers can simultaneously flick through photos while listening to music. The Secret is loaded with a Google Package to surf the Internet, log into Gmail, use Google Maps and watch YouTube videos. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files can also be viewed.

Gamers can throw a dart, hook a fish, or navigate a maze. A built-in accelerometer sensor enhances games by adding a gyroscope-like motion - tilting and rotating the handset.

The screen automatically shifts the display from narrow to wide by holding the Secret horizontally. Auto Luminance Control adjusts the screen lighting according to ambient brightness. Voice Clarity technology ensures users can hear in a noisy environment.

"The huge success of the previous models of the Black Label Series validated our approach to provide the ultimate mobile experience for today's discerning consumers, who seek to embody personal style with their handsets," says Skott Ahn, CEO of LG Electronics Mobile. "These are the enriched features that will diversify the way users interact with their handsets but most of all, the LG Secret was designed to be a style that lasts."

The LG Secret begins its launch in Europe followed by launch events in Asia, South America, and on to the rest of the world.

Related News Articles

Motorola Loss Widens on Weak Phone Sales

Mobiledia — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:34:12 GMT

Motorola said today first-quarter loss widened as sales in the company's key handset unit fell 39 percent, extending a two-year slump. Coming as Motorola is in the midst of massive upheaval, Motorola announced plans earlier this spring to split itself into two publicly traded companies to revive its cell phone unit.

Greg Brown, Motorola's new CEO, said spinning off its troubled cell phone division "unlocks" the value of the business, which has no strategic value to the rest of the company. Motorola has struggled to come up with a successful phone since launching the RAZR in late 2004. It has also failed to bolster its high-end line of handsets, even as it faces new competition from the likes of the Apple iPhone.

The company has a new chairman as well as a new chief executive and has seen a fleet of senior executives leave in recent months.

The company posted a loss of $194 million, or 9 cents per share compared with a loss of $181 million, or 8 cents a share a year ago. Sales fell about 21 percent to $7.45 billion, down from $9.43 billion a year ago.

Motorola's mobile devices business saw its first-quarter operating loss widen to $418 million from $233 million in the year-earlier quarter on revenue of $3.3 billion, which was down 39 percent from a year earlier. The division shipped about 27 million handsets during the quarter and its share of the global market fell to less than 10 percent - down from 22 percent last year in 2006.

Related News Articles

Google Launches Mobile Banner Ads

Mobiledia — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:20:48 GMT

Google today introduced brand-image ads for mobile phones, in a bid to extend beyond the computer-based Web market into the emerging market for advertising on phones. The company said it designed mobile images to look like standard graphical display ads for desktop computer webpages, but made them smaller to fit on mobile phone screens.

Mobile image ads are targeted according to the keywords users type into phones to search for information. The ads are priced on a cost-per-click basis, and must link to webpages optimized to work on mobile phones. Google and other Internet companies are increasingly interested in targeting mobile users because they believe the mobile market represents a new opportunity for earning advertising revenue.

"For advertisers, mobile image ads serve as a branding tool and have shown to have good click-through rates," Alexandra Kenin, a product marketing manager.

Mobile image ads are available in 13 national markets: Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, the UK, and the U.S.