Latest Mobile Phones, News, Reviews in India : FoneArena The Mobile Blog

India Can Wait; Airtel To Launch 3G Services In Seychelles Soon

India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles.

India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles. Telecom Seychelles Limited, owned by Bharti Tele-Ventures, has been providing mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles for the last 7 years under the Airtel brand, It will invest 44 million Seychelles Rupees for rolling out the services.

The new 3G and GPRS network will add a new dimension to the services provided to all Postpaid and Prepaid customers and roamers. This upgrade will open a gateway to Broadband Internet Access, Video Calling, Picture Messaging (MMS), Data Cards, Prepaid Roaming, Advanced Billing System and loads of other Value Added Services. The new 3G upgrade will also provide fast and more reliable Internet access of up to 384 kbps as against 10 kbps in 2G or 30 KBPS in GPRS, the release said.

The 3G Network will be on the IMT 2000 Band (3GSM) enabling complete alignment with the world standard. This will ensure seamless roaming with the rest of the world. Besides the upgrade Airtel is adding new Base Stations to expand its coverage to more islands.

via [contentsutra]

Samsung Unveils 3 Handsets

Samsung Unveils 3 Handsets SGH – X700, SGH – N 710 and SGH -X660.

Dec 13, 2005
Samsung has launched three new handsets – the samsung – X700, SGH – N 710 and SGH -X660.

The X700 is a 1.3 Megapixel, tri band, bar type phone, with advanced features like GPRS Class 10, Bluetooth /USB Connectivity, Stereo FM Radio, Video Recording and Messaging, External Memory (Trans Flash) and Mobile Printing. It is priced at Rs 14,699.

The SGH – N 710 is a light-weight bar phone weighing about 76 gm. This dual band, black and white phone is priced at Rs 3,199.

In the Folder category, Samsung has introduced the tri band, SGH – X660. This handset has features like video recording, photo caller ID, 8 MB memory, MP3 ring tones, Speaker Phone and VGA/CMOS camera. It is priced at Rs 8,599.

Samsung, recently also announced the launch of its 2 Megapixel, quad band SGH D-600 in the market. The phone includes features like file viewer, Bluetooth wireless sharing and mobile printing, PictBridge, TV output support, Sync ML DS, email client capabilities, USB 1.1 and TransFlash memory. A music player adds to its abilities with MP3/AAC/AAC+ as well as dual speakers for 3D sound and Bluetooth stereo headset compatibility. It is priced at Rs 23,999/-.

With the launch of these new handsets, Samsung now has around 18 models in the market, priced in the range Rs 3,199 to Rs 23,999

Ebooks coming to your nokia smartphone

Ebooks Corporation today announced it has entered into a five-year distribution agreement with Nokia
Corporation of Finland to distribute a growing range of popular books via a new generation of Nokia smart phones. The deal means that users of Nokia mobile devices will be able to find, buy, download and read books directly from their handsets.

Under the agreement, Ebooks Corporation will supply a range of book
excerpts that will be installed on Nokia phones. The phones will also include
key elements of the eBooks.com web site.
Ebooks Corporation has been selling downloadable books since the launch of
its ebookstore, eBooks.com, in 2000. The company now hosts an inventory of
27,000 titles from 130 global publishers, including Random House, Time Warner
and Simon & Schuster. ebooks.Mobile, the company’s forthcoming mobile portal,
will be accessible from any web-enabled handset.
Stephen Cole, CEO of eBooks.com said, “This arrangement will make it very
easy for Nokia mobile device users to find and read their favorite authors.
Our customers are especially tech savvy and very mobile. They will appreciate
the ability to access their library anywhere, any time.”
“Nokia is pleased to be partnering with Ebooks Corporation in this
interesting development. The mobile device is a logical platform for people to
carry and manage all their reading needs”, said Petri Hokkanen, Manager, Rich
Media Business Program, Multimedia Business Group of Nokia. “Screen display
and storage capacity have come a long way in recent years. At the same time,
the available inventory of ebooks has exploded. Ebooks Corporation’s years of
experience in producing and distributing ebooks will be of great value.”

About Ebooks Corporation
Ebooks Corporation is a global provider of electronic books. It has
distribution agreements with publishers worldwide. Ebooks Corporation hosts
and securely distributes ebooks through its retail site eBooks.com. The
company recently launched EBL – Ebook Library, a service for libraries that
enables students and researchers to access a wide range of books from their
desktops.

SOURCE Ebooks Corporation
Web Site: http://www.eBooks.com

Nokia RFID on 3220

RFID might get a big retail push if Nokia releases their current prototype RFID phone. This phone is based on the Nokia 3220 design is has built in circuitry to read and write to RFID information tags.

RFID (Radio Frequency ID) might get a big retail push if Nokia releases their current prototype RFID phone. This phone is based on the Nokia 3220 design is has built in circuitry to read and write to RFID information tags.

Potential uses for this go further than advertising and ticketing as the phone includes the ability to dial phone numbers, send SMS messages or opening up URLs. So you could get your kids phones to SMS you as soon as they past a RFID point at home.

Nokia applauds the successful auction of Telsim assets

Nokia has noted with satisfaction the successful completion of the Turkish government’s auction of Telsim’s assets to Vodafone.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 13, 2005

Nokia applauds the successful auction of Telsim’s assets

Espoo/Finland – Nokia has noted with satisfaction the successful completion of the Turkish government’s auction of Telsim’s assets to Vodafone.

As previously agreed with Telsim and the Turkish Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), which currently controls and manages Telsim’s assets, Nokia will receive a settlement payment upon completion of the sale. Nokia’s share is 7.5 % of the purchase price, which is expected to be received during the first two months of 2006.

“We are extremely pleased with this positive outcome and a satisfactory resolution of our claim against Telsim,” says Rick Simonson, Chief Financial Officer, Nokia. “TMSF has done a tremendous job in carrying out the auction in an effective and successful fashion, and for that hard work we’re grateful. We are also happy to congratulate Vodafone on its successful bid. Vodafone will be helping to shape the future landscape of communications in Turkey.”

Nokia’s claims in this matter arose from Telsim’s default on its repayment obligations under a loan facility related to network equipment delivered in 2000. In February 2004, the Arbitral Tribunal in Zurich fully approved the claim against the Turkish company.

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.

Sony Ericsson expands in-house manufacturing capacity in China

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications has received Chinese Ministry of Commerce approval to take control of Beijing Suohong Electronics Co. Ltd. (BSE), a Sony China controlled manufacturing facility, by raising its share holding to 74.5%. The BSE site, which is 60% dedicated to the outsourced assembly of printed circuit boards for Sony Ericsson, will become an in-house manufacturing facility.

Beijing and London, 13th December 2005, — Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications has received Chinese Ministry of Commerce approval to take control of Beijing Suohong Electronics Co. Ltd. (BSE), a Sony China controlled manufacturing facility, by raising its share holding to 74.5%. The BSE site, which is 60% dedicated to the outsourced assembly of printed circuit boards for Sony Ericsson, will become an in-house manufacturing facility. Sony Ericsson will increase its stake in BSE from 10% to 74.5% through the acquisition of Sony China?s shares; local minority shareholders will remain unchanged.

SE Press Release

Panasonic Mobile To Shut Down GSM Operations

This means that the Panasonic Mobile plant in the Philippines will be closed. The GSM production lines at the Czech plant will also be shut down and the GSM manufacturing in Beijing will be retooled to focus on 3G phones. The company also announced that it is working to shift all of its future handsets over to the Linux based platform that the company is currently using in the Japanese market.

This past week Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd, the parent company of mobile phone maker Panasonic Mobile, announced that Panasonic will no longer compete in the GSM handset business due to “severe global competition”. The company said that it will refocus all of its efforts on 3G handsets, where it has been quite successful so far.

This shift towards Linux means that the Panasonic R&D facilities in the US will be closed, as these offices had been working on devices based on the Symbian OS. The Panasonic R&D labs in the UK will refocus on 3G technologies.

This SMS will self-destruct in 40 seconds

A new type of text message called StealthtText launched by Staellium UK Ltd self-destructs in 40 seconds, according to The Daily Record.

This tape will self-destruct in five seconds? became a household phrase in the 60s and 70s thanks to the creators of Mission Impossible, and now 30 years later the ability to send your own self destruct messages has become a reality thanks to a new innovation ? called StealthText launched by Staellium UK Ltd.

Whether you?re a celebrity who?s up to no good or a business executive dealing in sensitive information, the last thing you want is for urgent text messages you?ve sent to fall into the wrong hands. StealthText allows you to send a text message safely in the knowledge that it will delete itself from the recipient?s mobile phone as soon as the person has read it ? ultimately, allowing the sender control of their own information.

Until now, mobile phone users have had to rely on recipients to delete sensitive text messages on their behalf; although a number of high profile cases (Rebecca Loos), have shown that this cannot always be relied on.

However, by simple keying in a code, StealthText users can rest assured that the message goes up in smoke, just like the famous tapes scenes in the Mission Impossible series

http://www.stealthtext.net/pages/mainmenu.htm

via [textually]

ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 for Nokia Series 60 Mobile Phones Launched in North America

ROUTE 66 today announces the launch of ROUTE 66 Mobile 7, marking a new era in GPS satellite navigation using mobile phones

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ — ROUTE 66 today announces the launch of ROUTE 66 Mobile 7, marking a new era in GPS satellite navigation using mobile phones. ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 determines its position using an advanced high sensitive wireless GPS receiver, guiding the user with turn-by-turn voice
instructions and on-screen directions to its destination. A new navigation display has been developed providing users with all vital travel information on a single clear screen of their mobile phone including 3D map display, turn arrows and navigation guidance, as well as the ability to dial points of interest directly from the map. In addition, ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 features the very latest maps, driving directions enhanced with upcoming exit signs and continued guidance when GPS reception is temporarily lost for example in
tunnels through ROUTE 66’s new Extrapolated GPS (E-GPS) technology. In summary, ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is an ideal travel companion in the car, on your bike or simply when you are walking.

ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is available immediately. The Full Navigation Kit contains all the maps for the US and Canada and is priced at US$ 299 / CAN$349.

Package contents:

— Memory card (512 MB DV RS-MMC Mobile)
— Navigation software, geographic maps and user manual (DVD)
— Memory card reader/writer
— ROUTE 66 wireless GPS receiver (SiRF Star III)
— ROUTE 66 lanyard
— In-car charger cable for GPS receiver
— Universal car mount for mobile phone
— Quick Start Guide
— Mobile phone NOT included in this pack

Compatibility:

ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is compatible with all mobile phones featuring an external memory card slot (MMC Mobile), Bluetooth wireless technology and Symbian Series 60 operating system. This includes Nokia (3230, 6260, 6600,6620, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6682, 7610, N70, N80, N90, N91). ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is NOT compatible with Sony Ericsson,Nokia Series 80/90 and Microsoft Mobile smartphones.

SOURCE ROUTE 66
Web Site: http://www.66.com

Samsung to set up $15-m handset manufacturing unit

The factory will be set up at Gurgaon, Haryana. This is Samsung’s fourth overseas handset manufacturing facility in the world after China, Brazil and Mexico.

New Delhi , Dec. 9

KOREAN electronics major Samsung, on Friday, announced its plans to invest $15 million to set up a mobile handset manufacturing facility in India.

The factory will be set up at Gurgaon, Haryana. This is Samsung’s fourth overseas handset manufacturing facility in the world after China, Brazil and Mexico. The facility will have an initial capacity of 1 million units per year, which will be stepped up to 20 million units by 2010.

Indiagames To Ship EA Mobile Games in India

Electronic Arts EA and Indiagames, a mobile content publisher, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement that will bring EA mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.

Electronic Arts (EA) and Indiagames, a mobile content publisher, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement that will bring EA?s mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.

The games that will be initially released through Indiagames include Need for Speed Underground 2, Need for Speed Most Wanted, NBA LIVE 06, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06, EA SPORTS FIFA 06, FIFA STREET 2, Madden NFL 06, SimCity and The Sims 2. Indiagames will release EA SPORTS FIFA 06 this year.

ea games logo Jon Niermann, President, EA Asia Publishing said, ?Indiagames is a key partner for us as we expand our business from packaged goods to mobile content in the burgeoning Indian marketplace. They have a strong technological infrastructure and share our passion for delivering top quality entertainment.?

?Indian consumers are quickly adopting a mobile lifestyle and we believe that this partnership will give people the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of playing great games on their mobile phones,? maintained Niermann.

India games logo Vishal Gondal, CEO of Indiagames said, ?We are thrilled to bring such legendary and popular games to Indian audiences. We are convinced that thousands of Indian fans will enjoy the opportunity to experience these games on their mobile phones.?

via [TechShout]

EA Buys Jamdat for $680M

In an effort to expand its mobile gaming portfolio, Electronic Arts has announced that they will be acquiring Jamdat Mobile – the top publisher of wireless video games.

Jamdat is the publisher of such popular games as Tetris, Downtown Texas Hold ‘Em, and Bejeweled. The acquisition, expected to close in EA’s fiscal fourth quarter ending March 2006, will cost Electronic Arts US$27 a share, or $680 million USD total. The deal is an 18% premium over Jamdat’s Thursday closing price of US$22.77 a share.

Jamdat is based in Los Angeles, and has 350 employees across the globe.

via [red herring]

Nokia PC Suite version 6.7 available

The latest version of nokia pc suite for nokia mobile phones is available for free download at the nokia website

Latest Update: Version 6.7
?Manage your text messages and phonebook easily with File Manager
?Automatic notifications when a new version of PC Suite is available
?Improved back-up and Image Store features
?Released 07 December 2005

Homepage:

http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,72014,00.html

Links:

http://nds2.nokia.com/files/support/global/phones/software/Nokia_PC_Suite_67_rel_21_eg_us.msi

http://nds2.nokia.com/files/support/global/phones/software/Nokia_PC_Suite_67_rel_21_eng.msi

http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,72026,00.html

Nokia launches S60 3rd Edition Challenge for mobile developers

Nokia, the global leader in mobility, today announced the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge, a competition designed to drive development of innovative new mobile enterprise, music, location-based and Macromedia Flash applications for the S60 3rd Edition Platform.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 8, 2005

Nokia launches S60 3rd Edition Challenge for mobile developers

Four Grand prize winners to each receive ?25,000, free Forum Nokia PRO membership; early entrants get free on-site technical consultancy, free Symbian-signed testing

Espoo, Finland – Nokia, the global leader in mobility, today announced the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge, a competition designed to drive development of innovative new mobile enterprise, music, location-based and Macromedia Flash applications for the S60 3rd Edition Platform.

Any company that creates mobile applications can compete for ?100,000 in grand prizes awarded for C++ and Flash applications for smartphone devices built by Nokia and other S60 licensees based on the S60 Developer Platform 3rd Edition. Grand prize winners in each of the four competition categories – mobile enterprise, mobile music, location-aware applications and Flash Lite(TM) mobile media applications — will receive ?25,000 each, plus free one-year membership to Forum Nokia PRO. Co-sponsored with Macromedia, the contest will also award top winners a demo spot at a Nokia event, free on-site technical support and consultancy, devices and additional marketing support from Nokia partner, Handango.

Providing developers with a consistent set of technologies, the S60 3rd Edition Platform supports new C++ Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) enabling a wide range of possibilities for creation of location-based applications, as well as several new Java Specification Request (JSR) APIs that allow applications that include scalable 2-D vector graphics, wireless messaging, robust security and authentication and other advanced application features.

Introduced in February 2005 at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, the S60 3rd Edition Platform enables developers to create “smarter” applications both in terms of better user experience and more efficient development, and offers an enhanced security model that provides better protection for valuable applications and content.

Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge registration is open until Dec. 15, 2005 at http://mktools.forum.nokia.com/challenge. Registered contestants will receive notification by Dec. 31 of availability of the final S60 3rd Edition SDK. The first 25 companies to enter the competition will receive two technical support requests free-of-charge from Forum Nokia Technical Services and Consultancy, with Symbian providing the first 50 registrants with a free round of Symbian Signed Testing for mobile applications.

“We’ve invited all developer companies to register for the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge in order to open the doors as widely as possible to development of dynamic new C++ and Flash applications for the widely popular S60 platform,” said Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia. “We’re anticipating competition among the best and most innovative applications being developed by the S60 community and the large global base of Macromedia Flash developers, who are now able to use the S60 platform to bring greater levels of performance and targeted features and applications to best-selling S60 smartphone devices.”

Contestants in the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge will submit the final versions of their mobile applications by March 31, 2006, with a shortlist of finalists announced April 28, 2006. Winners will be invited to the S60 World event in Cannes at end-May 2006, where the winners and prizes in each of the categories will be announced.

Submissions in the Enterprise applications category of the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge can include applications that give mobile workers real-time access to information and co-workers, create cost-efficiencies in management of mobile and enterprise communications hardware and networks or let business users find practical solutions to real-world problems.

Location-aware applications and services submissions can include any innovative, lucrative-to-consumer, easy-to-use standalone or client-server application, which uses maps and/or automated positioning (BT GPS, GPS, A-GPS, network based positioning) in the areas of search navigation and travel; gaming, music, entertainment, sports and outdoor activities; imaging and personal content; the enterprise and personal productivity.

The Mobile Music applications category is focused on applications for music consumers and can address the superior usability of a given music application, innovative playback or collection management features, combinations of various media and usage types, or consumer sharing of music play lists, experiences and information.

Submissions to the Flash category can include Macromedia Flash Lite(TM) applications using Flash mobile technology in the areas of gaming, media and entertainment; tutorials and interactive help; personal and enterprise productive; or experimental and other innovative mobile Flash applications.

Full details on categories, prizes and registration requirements for Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge can be found at the competition website at: http://mktools.forum.nokia.com/challenge.

About Forum Nokia
Nokia’s global developer program, Forum Nokia connects developers to tools, technical information, support, and distribution channels they can use to build and market applications around the globe. From offices in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and Singapore, Forum Nokia provides technical and business development support to developers and operators to assist them in achieving their goal of successfully launching applications and services to consumers and enterprises. More information is available at http://www.forum.nokia.com/.

Nokia opens first flagship store in russia

Amidst an array of multimedia effects and interactive kiosks, Nokia today announced its intention to opening several Nokia Flagship Stores in shopping capitals of the world

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 8, 2005

Nokia pioneers new multimedia retail experience, unveils first Flagship Store

Moscow, Russia – Amidst an array of multimedia effects and interactive kiosks, Nokia today announced its intention to opening several Nokia Flagship Stores in “shopping capitals of the world.” In addition to generating sales, a key objective of each Nokia Flagship Store will be to showcase Nokia’s complete portfolio of products and services, offering consumers an opportunity to experience the full benefits of mobility in a comfortable, cutting-edge environment. The first Nokia Flagship store opened today in the prestigious Pushkin Square district of Moscow, Russia. The Nokia Flagship Stores will be opened in high-profile locations in major shopping destinations in the next couple of years.

“Through an innovative retail experience like the new Nokia Flagship Stores, Nokia aims to inspire and educate consumers to the benefits of mobility and broaden the appeal of the Nokia brand. It is a place for discovery and entertainment,” said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and COO of Nokia, at the official unveiling in Moscow. “Whether it is demonstrating the features and capabilities of our latest multimedia smartphone or assisting a consumer with their mobile email settings, we want to offer a relaxing, interactive environment for consumers to truly experience the power of mobility.”

At a Nokia Flagship Store, consumers can test the latest Nokia mobile devices and learn about new mobile services and technologies. Well-trained and knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help consumers find a product or service that reflects their lifestyle and individual needs. Interactive, multimedia displays will engage visitors as they visit the store, encouraging them to share images or send messages to friends. and connect with invididuals around the world. Of course, consumers will also be able to set-up their new devices, review service provider options and test the range of mobile enhancements related to their new phone.

One area of the Nokia Flagship Stores will be dedicated to mobile gaming with direct access to the N-Gage Arena, Nokia’s global mobile gaming network. Visitors to the store will be able to experience the excitement of connected mobile gaming by playing Asphalt: Urban GT(TM) 2 and posting their best scores to the online rankings board shown on the display monitor. As more flagship stores open around the world, visitors will be able to compete directly against scores posted by those playing at other Nokia stores.

“Consumer focus is at the heart of our strategy and the Nokia Flagship Stores enable us to increase our focus at the retail level,” explains Cliff Crosbie, Director, Global Retail and Trade Marketing. “Through the Flagship Stores we want to develop a close one-to-one relationship with consumers, listen to their feedback and find valuable consumer insights. This will be crucial information and allow us to faster respond with products and services that meet consumers’ needs and desires. The concept behind the Nokia Flagship Stores represents something truly special in the retail world. It will be unlike anything consumers looking for a mobile phone have ever experienced.”

Like Moscow, each Nokia Flagship Store will be located in the very best retail locations in high-traffic urban settings in major markets worldwide. Customer service will be the key driver. The Nokia Flagship Stores will be owned, managed and operated by Nokia to provide the best level of experience, education and inspiration in mobile device retailing.

The Nokia Flagship Stores will form the top end of Nokia’s newly revised retail strategy that includes retail and operator partners and their more than 300,000 retail outlets globally. All of these customer outlets will remain essential to Nokia’s ongoing success and continue to be the main sales channels in the future. The feedback and learnings received through the Flagship stores will be shared and implemented with Nokia’s retail and operator partners.