Varun Krish | Fone Arena

Nokia launches casual game collection for java phones

Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced today that the launch of its casual games collection for Java-enabled cell phones is expected to occur later this year. The first four titles in the series, all powered by Nokia’s SNAP Mobile service, are Blackjack, Dominoes, Backgammon and Shuffleboard. Java-enabled mobile phone users will be able to play these and many of their other favorite casual titles in real time with other users of Java-enabled mobile phones.

Nokia launches a collection of connected multiplayer casual games for Java enabled handsets

Nokia SNAP Mobile service allows casual gamers to go head-to-head in their favorite games

Espoo, Finland – Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced today that the launch of its casual games collection for Java-enabled cell phones is expected to occur later this year. The first four titles in the series, all powered by Nokia’s SNAP Mobile service, are Blackjack, Dominoes, Backgammon and Shuffleboard. Java-enabled mobile phone users will be able to play these and many of their other favorite casual titles in real time with other users of Java-enabled mobile phones.

"What makes our SNAP Mobile casual games lineup so special is that there is something for everyone," said Lisa Waits, Head of Nokia SNAP Mobile. "These games have been designed from the ground up to take advantage of the unique capabilities of today’s mobile phones and networks in order to create the best possible and easily accessible gameplay experience for mobile phone gamers."

The Nokia SNAP Mobile casual game portfolio is developed by Tucson, AZ based Octopi using the Nokia SNAP Mobile platform to enable the connected features. All of the games will feature connected multiplayer gameplay over the wireless network, a friends list showing which friends are online to play, instant messaging with these friends, a customizable online avatar profile and image, and an in-game token system that rewards players for playing online.

"The Nokia SNAP Mobile tools have really let us push the limits of what can be done with these titles," said Dan Kopycienski, founder of Octopi. "Developing multiplayer games for today’s fragmented landscape of devices and networks is a difficult task. The Nokia SNAP Mobile platform and support from Nokia has allowed us to focus on what is most important: designing and implementing the best connected game experience possible."

The Nokia SNAP Mobile casual games are expected to be available on Nokia and non-Nokia mobile phones later this year. To download screen shots and game information, go to www.extranet.n-gage.com. For more on Nokia SNAP Mobile service, please visit www.snapmobile.nokia.com.

About Octopi

Octopi has been at the forefront of interactive media & entertainment since 1998. Located in Tucson, AZ, Octopi has established itself as a leading developer of multiplayer mobile and online games. Octopi’s game development engine, Octoplex(TM), supports multiple languages, the top 100+ mobile handsets, as well as other platforms such as PDA’s and web browsers. Not only does Octoplex(TM) allow us to provide groundbreaking cross platform games, but it also allows us to develop them faster and more efficiently for our clients like Nokia.For further information please visit www.octopi.com. .

About Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to enhancing people’s lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and secure products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games, media, mobile network operators and businesses. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.

Nokia announces NitroSpin Racer

Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced today the launch of the cross-platform connected car racing game NitroSpin Racer, expected to be available early next year on Java enabled cell phones through its SNAP Mobile service. Delivering gamers arcade style, top-view gameplay, roadsters can go big and race against the world or scale it back to their own circle of pals on the Web or mobile

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE September 27, 2005

Rule the road with Nokia’s NitroSpin Racer

Fast paced car racing game gives players a smooth ride on the Nokia SNAP Mobile service

Espoo, Finland – Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced today the launch of the cross-platform connected car racing game NitroSpin Racer, expected to be available early next year on Java enabled cell phones through its SNAP Mobile service. Delivering gamers arcade style, top-view gameplay, roadsters can go big and race against the world or scale it back to their own circle of pals on the Web or mobile.

"NitroSpin Racer is a multiplayer, pick-up and play title that challenges the most adept mobile gamer around, yet takes only minutes to learn," said Lisa Waits, head of SNAP Mobile at Nokia. "And because it lives within the Nokia SNAP Mobile gaming service, this game can be enjoyed by players across mobile and PC gaming platforms."

Developed by Gamelion and supported by Nokia SNAP Mobile service, NitroSpin Racer gives gamers a multiplayer racing community with an excellent supply of cool race tracks with its Web-based track editor. Taking full advantage of the Nokia SNAP Mobile service’s connected offering, NitroSpin Racer drivers can post global rankings, shadow race their friends’ cars, send instant messages, and publish and download an superb selection of tracks to earn respect in the connected racing community. Racers can go head to head in a closed circuit of friends, or rip it up against the world setting to compete for the global champion title.

"At Nokia SNAP Mobile, we believe that for a mobile game to be compelling, it must possess two gameplay tenets – connected and meaningful in five minutes or less," continues Waits. "NitroSpin Racer delivers on both. So much so, that on the days you’re playing NitroSpin Racer as you wait for whatever, you may just find yourself wishing your delay be a little bit longer."

"Nitrospin Racer is community gaming at its best!" said Anton Gauffin, CEO of Gamelion Inc. "Furious racing experience is the center of Nitrospin Racer but it is the community features such as rankings, instant messaging, and track editing capabilities that really make it stand out of the crowd. Furthermore, using Nokia SNAP Mobile service to make Nitrospin Racer cross-platform, we are able link two huge gaming communities: mobile gamers and casual web gamers."

NitroSpin Racer is expected to be available on Nokia and non-Nokia mobile phones early next year. To download screen shots and game information, go to www.extranet.n-gage.com. For more on Nokia SNAP Mobile service, please visit www.snapmobile.nokia.com.

About Gamelion

Gamelion is one of the fastest growing game companies in Europe. Gamelion has a successful track record of delivering the highest quality wireless games to leading publishers and players all over the world. The company has more than doubled its revenues every year since its inception.

About Nokia

Treo Smartphone running on Windows Mobile officially announced

Palm officially announced their latest Treo smartphone, operating on Windows Mobile OS. It will be a CDMA phone exclusively for Verizon Wireless.

Today, at a press conference in San Francisco, Palm, Microsoft and Verizon joined to announce their latest device – the new Treo smartphone, using the Microsoft Windows Mobile Operating System. This is the first device in the line of Windows Mobile powered Treos, and it will be available through Verizon Wireless, taking advantage of their high-speed EV-DO network. Palm Expect this Treo to be available to Verizon customers in early 2006. The Treo is a smartphone in bar form-factor, which features full QWERTY keyboard, but for first time operates on Windows Mobile OS. Later Treos, using Windows Mobile OS will be available later, but not before the half of 2006.

Earlier we informed you about the upcoming device from Treo, and showed you some pictures of it. The rumored model was called Treo 670. Still Palm hasn’t announced the official model of their Windows Mobile powered Treo …

Source: Palm

Nokia announces nokia 3250 music phone

The Nokia 3250, Nokia’s newest music phone, grabbed the spotlight of Nokia Trends, an electronic music festival that took place in Berlin, Germany this weekend. This unique design twists to transform a traditional phone keypad into dedicated music keys. The Nokia 3250 stores up to 1 Gigabyte (750 songs) of high quality music and offers 10 hours of music play. In addition, consumers can take advantage of the Nokia 3250’s two-megapixel camera and smartphone capabilities. The triband GSM 900/1800/1900 model is expected to start shipping in the first quarter 2006 with an estimated retail price of 350 EUR before subsidies or taxes.

Nokia 3250: A music phone with a twist.
September 26, 2005

Music-driven mobile phone features dedicated music keys, storage for up to 750 songs

Berlin, Germany/Espoo, Finland – The Nokia 3250, Nokia’s newest music phone, grabbed the spotlight of Nokia Trends, an electronic music festival that took place in Berlin, Germany this weekend. This unique design twists to transform a traditional phone keypad into dedicated music keys. The Nokia 3250 stores up to 1 Gigabyte (750 songs) of high quality music and offers 10 hours of music play. In addition, consumers can take advantage of the Nokia 3250’s two-megapixel camera and smartphone capabilities. The triband GSM 900/1800/1900 model is expected to start shipping in the first quarter 2006 with an estimated retail price of 350 EUR before subsidies or taxes.

"Nokia connects people to their passions – music – and as the world’s largest manufacturer of digital music players, Nokia is leading the charge to make mobile music widely accessible. The XpressMusic feature brand, also introduced today, makes it easier for consumers to identify those Nokia devices which are specifically designed to listen to music," says Kai Öistämö, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "One of the first devices to feature the XpressMusic mark is the Nokia 3250, which is going to stop music fans in their (favourite) tracks. Its unique twist design makes it quick and easy to switch between the music keys, the regular keypad and the camera mode."

By twisting the Nokia 3250 keypad 180 degrees, consumers can toggle between the music controls and the traditional phone keypad. The music player of the Nokia 3250 supports a wide array of digital music formats such as MP3, WMA, M4A and AAC, making it easy to load and transfer music. Additionally, songs can be downloaded over-the-air while on the go and favourite songs can be set as ringtones. The Nokia 3250 supports microSD memory cards of up to 1 Gigabyte with storage capacity for up to 750 songs. An FM radio with Visual Radio client complements the Nokia 3250’s complete music package.

Drag and drop to manage your music

Using the Nokia Audio Manager software, users can convert their favourite CDs into digital music files, and "drag and drop" their personal music collections and favorite playlists directly from their computer. Headphones can be connected to the Nokia 3250 via the 3.5mm connector of the Nokia Stereo Headset-HS-20, making the list of available enhancements even longer. For the best audio experience, Nokia is working to ensure that the Nokia 3250 is compatible with a number of accessories from industry leading brands such as Bose®, Harman Kardon®, JBL® and Sennheiser Electronic.

The Nokia 3250 comes with a two-megapixel camera, which is activated in the landscape mode by twisting the Nokia 3250’s phone’s keypad 90 degrees. With a few simple strokes, images can be instantly shared with others via MMS, or printed on a compatible printer via Bluetooth wireless technology.

The Nokia 3250 is based on the Series 60 platform and Symbian OS, offering a broad set of features and messaging functionalities and enabling third-party application developers to create their own music applications. Those applications can be downloaded and installed on the Nokia 3250. Bridging smartphone capabilities with music on the go, the Nokia 3250 has a talktime of up to 3 hours.

About Nokia

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com

Bharti Launches Mobile Wallet

Bharti Tele-Ventures has tied-up with ICICI Bank and VISA, to launch the country’s first “mobile wallet”. The new service called “mChq” will enable Airtel subscribers and ICICI Bank Visa cardholders to pay for their purchases through their mobile phones

Bharti Tele-Ventures has tied-up with ICICI Bank and VISA, to launch the country’s first "mobile wallet". The new service called "mChq" will enable Airtel subscribers and ICICI Bank Visa cardholders to pay for their purchases through their mobile phones.

With "mChq", Airtel subscribers in Mumbai and Delhi can purchase goods for as low as Rs 50. Once the product is bought, the retailer will send an SMS mentioning the amount to the customer. The customer will enter his/her personalized PIN number and reply via SMS , acknowledging the amount to be paid. The transaction is sealed with both parties getting a confirmatory SMS.

Nokia Introduces Nokia 2652

Nokia Introduces Nokia 2652, fold design for new growth markets, Major milestone reached – one billionth Nokia mobile phone sold this summer

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE September 21, 2005

Nokia Introduces Nokia 2652, fold design for new growth markets, Major milestone reached – one billionth Nokia mobile phone sold this summer

Espoo, Finland – Expanding its wide range of elegant and affordable phones for consumers in emerging markets, Nokia today unveiled the Nokia 2652 phone. The stylish and functional Nokia 2652 fold model builds on the success of the award-winning Nokia 2650, adding two new design motifs, ‘Cell’ and ‘Fleur’ with dark gray and pearl white key mats for consumers to choose from. It is expected to be commercially available in October 2005 with an estimated retail price of 100 EUR before subsidies or taxes. The Nokia 2652 will be available in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Greater China region.

Mobile subscriptions hit 2 billion

While the global mobile subscription base has now reached the significant milestone of two billion mobile subscriptions worldwide, Nokia sees plenty of untapped opportunities and is committed to drive growth in new growth markets, like Brazil, Russia, India, China and countries in Africa. In these markets, affordability of mobile communications for subscribers is the key factor.

"We are working with operators to offer affordable phones and solutions that reduce the total cost of ownership of the handset and mobile services," says Kai Öistämö, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "Nokia was the first vendor to focus on an extensive range of products and network solutions in fast growing markets, and we remain committed to introducing affordable, attractive phones with well-considered features and innovative network solutions to meet the communication needs of consumers in these markets."

"It is equally important for us to work closely with government bodies to overcome possible barriers that are preventing forward momentum. With the right combination of mobile phones, network solutions, services and a regulated environment, we envision a mobile landscape where operators can profitably offer mobile services to a broader range of consumers for as little as USD 5 per month. When the cost of mobile services becomes this affordable, we foresee the growth curve in growth markets accelerating sharply," adds Öistämö.

Nokia sells one billionth mobile phone

"The continued rapid growth in mobile subscriptions has exceeded even the mobile industry’s own estimates. Since the early 1990’s we have seen voice go truly wireless and mobile phones evolve from voice centric to feature driven devices. Earlier this summer, Nokia sold our one billionth mobile phone – a Nokia 1100 sold in Nigeria," says Öistämö. "It will be new growth markets like Nigeria that will fuel the growth towards three billion subscribers by 2010."

As the industry leader in mobile devices, Nokia has introduced hundreds of innovative mobile phone models since the early 1980’s. The company has manufactured mobile phones in high volumes since the beginning of 1990’s, when the first digital networks were introduced. In 1998, Nokia announced it had manufactured its 100 millionth mobile phone, and became the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer. In 2004, Nokia was the clear market leader in mobile devices with volumes of 207 million units.

Photo caption: "New growth markets like Nigeria will fuel the growth that will result in half the world’s population being connected." — Kai Öistämö, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones at Nokia.

(photo can be found on www.nokia.com/press)

Nokia Facts / "Did you know?"

– Since Mobira Senator car phone introduction in 1982 to the Nokia 2652 introduction today, Nokia has introduced around 400 phone models to all major analogue and digital standards.

– Nokia’s first iconic product, the Nokia 2100 series that was introduced in 1994, sold nearly 20 million units in its time.

– The world’s best-selling phone, the Nokia 3310 / 3330 sold 126 million units from its launch in 2000 until its "retirement" earlier this year. For comparison, the combined total of all Nokia phones sold between 1991 and 1998 is 100 million.

– If all the Nokia 3310/3330 phones sold were laid end-to-end, the line would stretch from Helsinki, Finland to Santiago, Chile – over 13,500 kilometers.

– In 1991 Nokia sold 800 000 phones. In 2004, it manufactured 207.7 million phones, which equals 6.5 phones per second.

– Nokia consumes 100 billion components on annual level. On average, one phone includes up to 400 components.

About Nokia

Vodafone selects the Nokia 6680 smartphone in its Japanese lineup

Espoo, Finland – Continuing to build the success of its highly popular 3G product, Nokia today announced that the Nokia 6680 device will be available through Vodafone K.K. in Japan. The stylish Nokia 6680 3G WCDMA terminal will be marketed in Vodafone’s lineup under the name “Vodafone 702NK II (Nokia 6680)”. The device is expected to be commercially available in Japan starting from late October.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE September 21, 2005

Vodafone selects the Nokia 6680 smartphone in its Japanese lineup

Espoo, Finland – Continuing to build the success of its highly popular 3G product, Nokia today announced that the Nokia 6680 device will be available through Vodafone K.K. in Japan. The stylish Nokia 6680 3G WCDMA terminal will be marketed in Vodafone’s lineup under the name "Vodafone 702NK II (Nokia 6680)". The device is expected to be commercially available in Japan starting from late October.

The Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II), specially customized for Vodafone K.K., delivers highly sophisticated 3G functionality in an attractively styled, compact form. One of the few products in the WCDMA market with truly international roaming capability, the Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) allows consumers to enjoy various 3G services provided by Vodafone K.K., including the Vodafone live!, international roaming video calls and video streaming services in or outside of Japan. Additionally, the owners of the device will get access to the famous Vodafone live! email system.

The full-fledged smartphone feature set of the Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) is enriched by robust data communication functions including WCDMA and Bluetooth wireless technology, which makes it fast and convenient to browse the Internet, send and receive emails with attachments, and link with other electronic devices such as PCs. These features make the Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) a first-class tool for conducting business, whether in the office or out and about.

"With its elegant design, robust feature set and sophisticated functionality, the Nokia 6680 has become the best-selling WCDMA device globally," said Heikki Tenhunen, President of Nokia Japan. "We are very pleased to expand its availability to new customer groups, and regard this development as an important milestone in entering the Japanese mass market."

The Nokia 6680 is the third Nokia 3G product available in the Vodafone K.K. lineup. The Nokia 6630 (Vodafone 702NK) was added to the Vodafone K.K. portfolio in December 2004, and the Nokia 6650 (V-NM701) became available in August 2003.

Detailed information about Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) and its services can be found from Vodafone’s website www.vodafone.jp. For more information about the global version of the product, please visit www.nokia.com/6680.

About Nokia

Rock And Roll On The Go With the Nokia 6630 Music Edition

Nokia today announced the Nokia 6630 Music Edition, a special music version of the iconic 3G smartphone. The Nokia 6630 Music Edition has been designed with enhanced music functionality to make it convenient for you to take your music collection with you while on the move. Shipping later this month, the Nokia 6630 Music Edition is available for European, Middle Eastern and African markets

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE September 19, 2005

Rock And Roll On The Go With the Nokia 6630 Music Edition

New music player and bundled memory card make mobile music easy

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced the Nokia 6630 Music Edition, a special music version of the iconic 3G smartphone. The Nokia 6630 Music Edition has been designed with enhanced music functionality to make it convenient for you to take your music collection with you while on the move. Shipping later this month, the Nokia 6630 Music Edition is available for European, Middle Eastern and African markets.

"The Nokia 6630 Music Edition is a fantastic combination of music, smartphone and 3G," said Tuula Rytilä-Uotila, Director, Imaging EMEA, Nokia. "You can carry a good portion of your music collection with you where ever you go and with the Nokia Audio Adapter, you can quicky connect your favorite set of music headphones."

The updated music player makes it easier than ever to manage and play your music files. The included 256-megabyte memory card lets you store up to 15 CDs worth of music while support for up to 1 GB RS-MMC means you’ll never have to be without your favorite tunes. You can transfer music to the Nokia 6630 Music Edition quickly and easily, with the included Nokia PC Suite software or with the bundled Nokia USB MMC/SD reader. Connecting your favorite headphones is a snap with the Nokia Audio Adapter and its 3.5 mm stereo jack.

Available in either Rustic Red or Aluminum Grey, the Nokia 6630 Music Edition is easy to personalize with a new selection of themes and ring tones pre-installed. You can also benefit from the wide range of smartphone features, including a 1.3 megapixel camera, mobile broadband access with WCDMA networks, mobile email, streaming video and much more.

Nokia today also launched the Nokia Music Pack, a bundled package of enhancements that makes it easy to enjoy your music collection on your mobile device. The package includes the Nokia Audio Adapter, the Nokia 256 MB MMC Card, the Nokia USB MMC/SD reader and Nokia Stereo Audio Cable. You can even share your mobile music experience by plugging your compatible phone – like the Nokia 6630 Music Edition — into your home stereo with the audio adapter and stereo audio cable.*

About Nokia

Samsung to Build Indian Cell Phone Plant

Yonhap News Agency reported through a dispatch from India that Samsung Electronics has concluded a deal to build its mobile handset plant in either Noida or Mumbai, cities close to the capital city of New Delhi, weighing the tax incentives and logistics costs of the industrial complexes in the respective cities

Samsung Electronics is expected to push ahead with the construction of a mobile handset plant in India.

“It is true that we are considering such investment plans in India,’’ a Samsung Electronics spokesman said Wednesday.

He, however, neither denied nor confirmed a news report about its construction plan.

It said Samsung is considering installing facilities by renting an existing factory rather than building a new one. If so, Samsung will be able to launch operations of its proposed plant as early as end of 2005.

Samsung is reportedly considering establishing an independent subsidiary exclusively for the mobile handset operation in India apart from the existing Indian digital media and digital appliance subsidiary. A Samsung Electronics official also said it is highly likely for the electronic giant to set up separate entity to oversee its mobile handset operations in India if it is to build the plant.

LG Electronics, which launched commercial operation of its Ranjangaon mobile handset plant located 50 kilometers southwest of Pune, India, in the first half, churns out 2 million phones a year. LG Electronics is the first global cellular phone maker to establish mobile phone plant in India.

Source The Korea Times

System Rush Demo Now Available for Download

System Rush Demo Now Available for Download.Buckle-in and test drive the futuristic racer for the N-Gage platform

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE September 15, 2005

Espoo, Finland, – Nokia today announced that the demo for System Rush, the futuristic racing game developed exclusively for the N-Gage platform is now available for download. This sample of the System Rush experience will whet the gamers’ appetite for the rush of racing in a cyber-punk world of underground hackers. Featuring two playable co-vecs (code vehicles) and three tracks in the ultra-secure KGBX network, the demo is now available for download on the System Rush website at www.systemrush.com and can be shared with friends via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Developed by Ideaworks3D, System Rush is packed with intense multiplayer features, including four-player shadow racing in the N-Gage Arena or white-knuckle one-on-one battles via Bluetooth connection. Gamers can race through the world’s most secure corporate networks to recover evidence to clear their name. Players can pilot one of 11 co-vecs and tear through over 50 intense races in five unique game worlds.

About N-Gage

The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer game play over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a comprehensive and growing games catalogue from the leading game publishers. Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Nokia and N-Gage are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation.

www.n-gage.com/press

www.nokia.com

Copyright © 2005 Nokia. All rights reserved. Nokia, N-Gage and System Rush are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Some features and services are dependent on the network, supported digital content formats, the compatibility of other devices and applications, and other factors. Please refer to the user guide for more detailed information.

ROKR 100 Tunes Limit Warning

Steve Jobs announced that the ROKR would play up to 100 tracks (including songs and podcasts), yet that figure doesn?t jibe with the size of a standard Flash memory chip. By Apple?s calculations, 100 songs takes up approximately 400MB of memory. Is someone producing a 400MB Flash chip now

A possibly annoying limitation to the recent Apple iTunes mobile phone, the ROKR from Motorola has been discovered.

It was reported over at playlistmag.com:

Steve Jobs announced that the ROKR would play up to 100 tracks (including songs and podcasts), yet that figure doesn’t jibe with the size of a standard Flash memory chip. By Apple’s calculations, 100 songs takes up approximately 400MB of memory. Is someone producing a 400MB Flash chip now?

Nope. The phone includes a removable 512MB Flash memory chip (found under the battery in the back of the phone). This chip will hold up to 100 tracks but the number of songs it holds isn’t dependant strictly on the size of the chip (though it obviously can’t contain more than 512MB of data). Rather, the 100 track limitation is part of a DRM scheme that prevents the phone from playing more than 100 tracks.

iTunes 5 keeps track of the number of tracks authorized for playback on the phone so even if your 100 tracks have used only 350MB of the card’s capacity, you can’t add more. Similarly, although you can swap in a new card that contains new tracks, those tracks won’t play until they’ve been approved for playback by iTunes.

source: GadgetSpy

Data cards enhance mobile Net access

As India Inc rushes towards increasing productivity per employee, IT and communication products enabling wireless connectivity are rapidly flooding the marketplace. Data cards — which deliver broadband wireless capability to laptops and other computing devices — currently offered by telecom service operators like Reliance Infocomm, Tata Teleservices and Airtel, among others, are empowering the mobile professional to access the internet anytime, anywhere.

source:http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=102214

Apple and Motorola Finally Launch iTunes Phone

Motorola and Apple today launched the first phone that will sync with their iTunes software. The Motorola ROKR E1 is almost exactly the model expected after months of leaks and rumors. It is based on Motorola’s E398 phone and shares the same hardware features: a VGA camera with flash, tri-band GSM/GPRS, 176 x 220 display and microSD (TransFlash) memory card slot. It also has stereo speakers, a stereo headset jack, and a lighted bezel the syncs to ringtones. The difference is that the ROKR syncs to iTunes, like any other iPod, via a USB cable. It can play tracks from the iTunes Music Store and can be filled with iTunes Autofill. Like the Sony Ericsson Walkman phone, the ROKR will feature an airplane mode to listen to music with the phone off. The ROKR will be available exclusively on Cingular in the US, and should be in their stores this weekend. itunes phone.jpg

The new Motorola ROKR (pronounced “Rocker”) is available in the following markets:

U.S. – today, exclusively with Cingular
U.K. – available first with Carphone Warehouse, expected in mid-September and then with O2, followed by Orange, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile and other top retailers through September and October
France – expected to be available by late September through key retailers
Italy – expected to be available by late September through key retailers
Germany – expected to be available through distributor and operator channels in 2H 05
Canada – expected to be available in mid- to late-September with Rogers Wireless
Hong Kong – expected to be available by late September through multiple retail outlets and operator channels
Australia, Singapore and the Philippines – expected to be available late September through early October through retail and operator channels
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and other markets throughout the world – expected to be available in the fourth quarter

“The Motorola ROKR represents the ultimate convergence of mobile communications and music,” said Ed Zander, chairman and CEO of Motorola. “Fusing iTunes with your always-with-you mobile phone, we’re revolutionizing the way the world experiences mobile self-expression and entertainment.”

"We’ve worked closely with Motorola to deliver the world’s best music experience on a mobile phone," said Eddy Cue, vice president of iTunes. "We’re also thrilled to be working with some of the largest wireless carriers in the world to bring this pioneering phone to market."

The Motorola ROKR features a color display for viewing album art, dual built-in stereo speakers and stereo headphones that also serve as a mobile headset with microphone. Music fans can randomly autofill or manually fill the mobile phone with playlists of their favorite music, audiobooks and Podcasts from their iTunes library via a USB connection. The Motorola ROKR pauses music automatically when users take a call and offers the ability to listen to music while checking messages** or snapping a photo.

Nokia launches annual recognition program for mobile application developer companies

Nokia announced today that it is accepting applications for its Forum Nokia PRO Awards, which will be presented on the eve of the Nokia Mobility Conference (NMC) in Barcelona, November 2-3. All members of Nokia’s advanced developer support program, Forum Nokia PRO, are qualified to submit an entry for the awards, which will be presented to developers who exemplify “best practices” and who have made significant contributions to driving innovation in the mobility industry

Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced today that it is accepting applications for its Forum Nokia PRO Awards, which will be presented on the eve of the Nokia Mobility Conference (NMC) in Barcelona, November 2-3. All members of Nokia’s advanced developer support program, Forum Nokia PRO, are qualified to submit an entry for the awards, which will be presented to developers who exemplify "best practices" and who have made significant contributions to driving innovation in the mobility industry.

Recipients of the seven Forum Nokia PRO Awards, to be announced at a special developer reception on November 1, will receive 2006 Forum Nokia PRO membership at no cost, a value of more than $5,000 (U.S.), as well as a dedicated company information page on Forum Nokia’s public site.

Forum Nokia PRO was established in February 2004. It offers premium business and technical benefits that accelerate the development cycle and create larger market opportunities for qualified developers. More than 400 companies have joined the program, which provides unique benefits in technology access, business development support and marketing opportunities.

"Forum Nokia PRO members represent the most advanced and successful companies engaged in creating applications, technologies and services for the global mobility market," said Marc Naddell, director, Forum Nokia PRO. "By launching this new awards program we can highlight the most outstanding accomplishments in this community and reward companies that are supporting growth and innovation across the mobility industry."

The Forum Nokia PRO Awards 2005 will recognize outstanding achievement among PRO members in seven categories that are designed to broaden awareness of the most innovative and successful work in the mobile solutions and applications field today. These categories include:

– 2005 Developer of the Year Award

– Rising Star Award – Presented to application, content or solutions provider with fewer than 30 employees

– ARPU Award — Best business model for operators

– Enterprise Application – Series 60

– Enterprise Application – Series 80

– Gaming/Entertainment Application – Series 40

– Gaming/Entertainment Application – Series 60

Panel of Independent Judges

Nokia also announced today the independent panel of mobile industry journalists and analysts from around the world who will select the Forum Nokia PRO Award winners. Judges include:

– Mike Dano, reporter, RCR Wireless News (U.S.)

– Kevin Fitchard, senior editor, Telephony (U.S.)

– Glenn Letham, managing editor, SymbianOne.com (Canada)

– Bryan Ma, associate director, Asia/Pacific Personal Systems Research IDC (Singapore)

– Mark Newman, chief research officer, Informa Telecoms and Media (U.K.)

– Stuart O’Brien, editor, Mobile Entertainment (U.K.)

– Brad Smith, data/IP editor, Wireless Week (U.S.)

– Yuelong Yan, deputy editor-in-chief of Telecom World Magazine (China)

– Eric Zeman, editor-in-chief, Mobile Enterprise magazine (U.S.)

Application Process

Entries for the Forum Nokia PRO 2005 Awards program are now being accepted online. PRO members may submit entries until September 30, 2005. Pro members will be asked for details about their business activities during the last 12 months (the judging period) and they can indicate which categories they wish to be considered for.

For more information on the Forum Nokia PRO 2005 Awards program and instructions for submitting an application, PRO members should visit http://www.forum.nokia.com/pro.

About Forum Nokia

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Nokia 770 Gets FCC Approval

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given Nokia permission to release in the US this company’s first Internet Tablet

The Nokia 770 will be an unusual product for this company, as it doesn’t have any cellular-wireless capabilities and, at its launch, won’t be able to be used as a phone.

As its name suggests, this will be a device dedicated to Internet access. It will come with a web browser and email application, as well as software for listing to Internet radio, reading RSS feeds, viewing images, and playing audio and video.

However, it will not include a calendar.

It will have both WiFi (802.11b/g) and Bluetooth 1.2, so it can access the Internet at a hotspot or through a mobile phone.

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet will start shipping in the third quarter of this year in selected countries in the Americas and Europe. It is expected to cost about $350.

A copy of this device’s user manual is on the FCC’s web site.

A complete overview of it can be found on Nokia’s web site.

Read original article : Brighthand