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Motorola Purchases Wireless Networking Software Company

Cell phone giant, Motorola has announced its purchase of a privately held software company, by the name of Wireless Valley Communications

Cell phone giant, Motorola has announced its purchase of a privately held software company, by the name of Wireless Valley Communications.

The Texas-based Wireless Valley creates software for designing and managing Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and cellular wireless networks, as well as mesh networking solutions.

The company will now operate under Motorola?s enterprise division. It?s products will be marketed through several existing Motorola channels, including those targeted towards government and public safety organizations.

via [TeleClick.ca]

Nokia and CommTel expand broadband in the Pacific

CommTel Network Solutions Australia, a value added re-seller of Nokia’s network solutions, has signed an agreement for the supply of Nokia broadband DSL solutions

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 28, 2005

Nokia and CommTel expand broadband in the Pacific

Espoo, Finland – CommTel Network Solutions Australia, a value added re-seller of Nokia’s network solutions, has signed an agreement for the supply of Nokia broadband DSL solutions and related services to a new customer, Telecom Cook Islands Ltd in the Pacific, marking a new market entry for Nokia. Deliveries will begin in January 2006 and the system will be up and running during March 2006. This follows on from a similar agreement signed with Solomon Telekom in December 2004.

The Nokia D500 IP DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) was chosen for the provision of faster Internet access services in these Pacific islands as it delivers integrated IP functionality unlike any other IP DSLAM solution in the broadband industry.

“Having initially launched Internet services in 2003, Telecom Cook Islands is now able to migrate customers from our existing ATM network to the benefits that IP provides for multimedia services,” says Robert McFadzien, Manager, Information Systems, Telecom Cook Islands.

“This represents a milestone in our sales channel structure, highlighting the effectiveness of our collaborators in offering Nokia broadband solutions. As utilities, authorities and operators move towards IP-based networks, the Nokia D500 is a perfect extension to the continuing portfolio of Nokia narrowband and Nokia microwave radio solutions,” says Alf Kysenius, Sales Director, Networks, Nokia.

The Nokia D500 is a complete IP-based multiservice access node platform for providing both quality of service and secure authentication. It supports the latest DSL standards, for example ADSL2+ G, for increased bandwidth, as well as existing ATM-based DSL services. With IP Multicasting capability and telephony utilising fixed-to-mobile convergence standards, such as SIP, the Nokia D500 provides residential homes and businesses access to video, voice and data services, on phones, PCs, TVs and mobile devices.

“Solomon Telekom is now offering fast Internet access to business customers, adding extra capacity, coverage and bandwidth to the existing network,” says Aydin Ada, Manager Information Systems, Solomon Telekom.

Having supplied broadband to customers in the area such as Telecom New Zealand since 1999, Nokia has a renowned track record in carrier-class broadband and narrowband products. Nokia works together with key partners to enable broadband services for more than 50 customers across the globe, covering the European, Asia-Pacific, China, and the Americas markets.

About CommTel
CommTel Network Solutions Pty Ltd, based in Melbourne, Australia, is a specialist company, providing Design, Engineering and Integration of advanced telecommunications systems to Carrier and Dedicated Networks Customers in the Oceania and APAC Regions. CommTel’s core expertise is the application of new and advanced DSL and optical fibre transmission technologies to applications in the carrier, power utility, oil and gas, and transport markets.

About Telecom Cook Islands
Telecom Cook Islands Ltd (TCI) is the sole provider of telecommunications in the Cook Islands. TCI is a private company owned by Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) Ltd (60%) and the Cook Islands Government (40%). In operation since July 1991, TCI provides local, national and international telecommunications as well as internet services.

About Solomon Telekom Company
Solomon Telekom Company Limited is a joint venture company between Solomon Islands National Provident Fund, which hold 51% of the shares, and Cable & Wireless Plc of the United Kingdom which holds 41.9% of shares and the Investment Corporation of the Solomon Islands which owns 7.1 % of the shares.

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.

New Hutch shop at Parrys Chennai

Subscribers are to benefit from value-added service offered by Hutch in the wake of a new shop inaugurated at Parry’s recently.

Subscribers are to benefit from value-added service offered by Hutch in the wake of a new shop inaugurated at Parry’s recently. Sankara Narayanan, chief operating officer launched the shop located at Armenian Street. With a subscriber base of over 3 lakh, Hutch’s retail presence in Chennai now covers six exclusive Hutch shops and a mobile shop that reaches customers at their convenience across the city wherever they are. The new colours of Hutch have been successfully incorporated in all elements of the new shop starting with the branding to all client service team uniforms. ‘The Hutch shop is a one-stop shop aimed at addressing all customer needs and providing superior customer service and enhanced user experience at a next door location. Our objective is to offer our customers a bright. friendly and comfortable helpdesk at a convenient location’, said the COO.

Orascom Buys Stake In Hutch, Enters India

Orascom Telecom has entered the Indian Telecom arena, with the acquisition of 19.3 per cent stakes in Hutchison Telecom

Friday, December 23, 2005: Orascom Telecom has entered the Indian Telecom arena, with the acquisition of 19.3 per cent stakes in Hutchison Telecom. With the deal, Orascom is on its way to some of the high growth mobile markets in Asia. Hutchison already has operations in India and Sri Lanka, while Orascom, the Cairo-based telecom company, has presence in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

According to Naguib Swiris, CEO, Orascom Telecom, ?We have often expressed our keen interest to enter some of the largest and highest growth mobile markets in the world like India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The tie-up with Hutchison Telecom presents Orascom Telecom with exposure to these markets.?

As per the terms of the tie-up, Orascom and Hutchison will combine procurement, apart from signing roaming agreements between all the complementary operations. Orascom will send two representatives to the Hutchison Telecom board. Besides, the company will have its members on the board of Hutchison Essar, in which Hutchison Telecom holds 42 per cent stakes.

Orasom and Hutchison control mobile operators with two billion subscribers in 15 countries.

via [EFY Times]

Motorola launches Made in India phone

Motorola has finally launched a Made in India phone, which will be marketed through Hutch at below Rs 1,700

NEW DELHI: Motorola has finally launched a ‘Made in India’ phone, which will be marketed through Hutch at below Rs 1,700, bundled with free talk time of around Rs 700, taking the effective price to sub-Rs 1,000.

Launching the C115 model, Motorola officials said although this model would not be available in the retail market, there were more phones in the C11x series that would be available over the next year and they would all be in the sub-Rs 1,700 range.

Although the company did not say who was making C115 in India, it is believed that Flextronics is doing it.

Nokia 6280 is now shipping across Europe

Now shipping in European markets, the Nokia 6280 will sell at an estimated retail price of 375 EURO before subsidies or taxes.

Infosync World reports that Nokia has begun shipping across Europe

A highlight of the 6280 is its integration of dual camera, which was previously only available in the Nokia 6680 smartphone. A back-mounted 2 Megapixel camera is used in conjunction with a front-mounted 0.3 MP camera to allow for rapid switching between views, with the 6280 also offering in-call initiation of video sharing should users want to start sharing video mid-call. Also, the 6280 offers a full-screen landscape mode for use when shooting stills or recording video, as well as a LED flash with a range of up to 1.5 meters.

Offering up to 74 MB of user available memory, the 6280 includes the full compliment of Nokia’s messaging and presence functionality with support for SMS, MMS and presence enhanced instant messaging, as well as an e-mail client supporting POP3/IMAP4/SMTP protocols. Additionally, the 6280 also offers Nokia’s Xpress audio messaging as well as support for Push-To-Talk, and further on the note of audio integrates a stereo FM radio with support for Visual Radio and also a music player with stereo audio.

For shorter range connectivity, the Nokia 6280 integrates Bluetooth, Infrared and also USB 2.0 via Nokia’s proprietary Pop-port interface, all of which enable synchronization with the Nokia PC Suite.

Measuring in at 115 g and 100 x 46 x 21 mm, the 6280 offers a claimed talk time of up to 3 hours and up to 250 hours when on GSM; up to 2.5 hours and up 200 hours, respectively, when on WCDMA.

Now shipping in European markets, the Nokia 6280 will sell at an estimated retail price of ?375 EUR before subsidies or taxes.

via [infosyncworld]

Nokia supplies its mobile softswitch to Hutchison 3G Austria

Hutchison 3G Austria has selected Nokia to supply its mobile softswitch solution for optimizing Hutchison 3G Austria’s mobile network

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 22, 2005

Nokia supplies its mobile softswitch to Hutchison 3G Austria

Espoo, Finland – Hutchison 3G Austria has selected Nokia to supply its mobile softswitch solution for optimizing Hutchison 3G Austria’s mobile network. The 3GPP Release 4 architecture of the Nokia MSC Server System will allow Hutchison 3G Austria to gain significant cost savings in the operation of its WCDMA 3G network and will enable the operator to continue to offer the most advanced mobile multimedia services to its customers. Deliveries have started, with the target of having the system operational by the end of the year.

Nokia also provides a wide range of services, including project management, installation, integration, commissioning and care services. The system continues to be supported by the multitechnology Nokia NetAct(TM) solution.

“We are confident that Nokia’s cost-efficient MSC Server System keeps us ahead in the competition,” said Jan Trionow, Chief Technology Officer, Hutchison 3G Austria. “The Nokia MSC Server allows us to continue offering advanced 3G voice and mobile multimedia services to our customers, while offering a smooth migration path to All-IP in the future.”

“We are pleased to introduce the Nokia MSC Server solution into Hutchison 3G Austria’s network,” said Jorg Erlemeier, General Manager, Networks, Nokia. “The Nokia MSC Server System is a market-leading solution, offering Hutchison 3G Austria cost and operational efficiency.”

Nokia continues as the sole supplier for Hutchison 3G Austria’s core network.

Nokia leads the 3GPP Release 4 mobile softswitch market with over 70 customers for the Nokia MSC Server, over 20 of which are already in live commercial use.

Motorola to launch 15 new handsets in india

Motorola has a big plan on the cards for indian mobile market.It plans to bring out nearly 15 models next year

The company is coming up with 15 new models of mobile handsets ranging between Rs 2,000 to Rs two lakh. The company is also planning to hire more people here and will also be expanding its network of dealers and distributors.

[Read More ]

Airtel and Bird to laucnh 1399 prepaid offer

Bird mobiles a chinese mobile maker and india’s Airtel have partnered to offer a bundled handset and connection for just 1399 rupees

Bird Phones, the Chinese cell phone company, has entered into a ‘bundling’ pact with Airtel under which a connection and handset is being provided for just Rs1399 but with a lock-in-period.

Adarsh Shastri, Director, Marketing, Bird Phones, said, “We shall be offering a handset for just Rs1399 along with a pre-paid connection of Airtel which also includes Rs600 worth free talk-time to be spread over six months. The scheme involves huge subsidy which is being shared by both parties.”

The scheme was launched in first week of November in six circles and the company sold 65,000 handsets in first 20 days, Shastri claimed.

“Our target is to supply five lakh handsets till end of current fiscal,” he added.

The same model of handset is being sold at Rs3,000 in the open market. The bundled (handset plus Airtel pre-paid connection) scheme comes with a 8-month lock-in-period whereby the consumer is barred from using the same handset for another connection.

Currently, the scheme is available in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar, he said adding the company was planning to cover all India soon.

Gmail mobile launches

Google just announced that its Gmail webmail service is now available in a mobile phone friendly format. As long as Gmail Mobile doesn’t break any patents, it should be welcome to Gmailer’s looking to escape the desktop.

Gmail mobile launches
Google just announced that its Gmail webmail service is now available in a mobile phone friendly format. As long as Gmail Mobile doesn’t break any patents, it should be welcome to Gmailer’s looking to escape the desktop.

To use Gmail Mobile, just point your phone to http://m.gmail.com or sign up to get the link in a text message. In typical Google style, Gmail Mobile is free though standard carrier charges may apply. In a quick test here the service proved easy to use.

Google recently launched a mobile version of its map service, in the form of a Java application.

http://www.google.com/glm/gmail

via [mobiletracker.net]

gmail mobile

Nokia taps Chennai as new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center site

Nokia announced today that after evaluating a number of sites in India, it will locate its new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center in Chennai.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 16, 2005

Nokia taps Chennai as new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center site

Chennai, India – Nokia announced today that after evaluating a number of sites in India, it will locate its new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center in Chennai.

The Solutions Center will perform network operation tasks for selected operator customers in the Asia Pacific region as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and play a key role as part of Nokia’s expanding and innovative managed services offering. It will start operations in the first half of 2006 and initially employ around 100 people, with this figure expected to rise in the next few years.

The announcement was made in Chennai by Bosco Nov?k, Senior Vice President for Services, Networks, Nokia, at a special ceremony hosted by Shri Dayanidhi Maran, the Honorable Minister for Telecommunications and Information Technology.

“This Center will play a key role for us in our drive to ease the cost pressures that our clients are feeling. This investment manifests our position as innovation leader in our industry,” Bosco Nov?k said. “With its wealth of skilled people and leading technology know-how, India is a very important market for Nokia and we’re pleased to expand our presence here.”

“We are very happy to see a world leader like Nokia extend its already considerable commitment to India, and look forward to deepening our ties in the years to come,” Minister Maran said. “This investment reaffirms India’s position as the country of choice for expanding global telecommunications companies.”

Nokia has contracted managed services with 35 clients in 28 countries, and has provided operating services for over 20 operators globally, helping them with the day-to-day tasks of running their networks so they can focus on bolstering their business offerings. , Nokia is a leader in this growing market, and managed services is a key pillar in its Services business strategy.

The announcement is the latest sign of Nokia’s strong commitment to India and the robust Indian market. Nokia has played a pioneering role in the growth of cellular technology in India, starting with the first-ever cellular call a decade ago, which was made on a Nokia mobile phone and a Nokia-deployed network. Today Nokia’s India operations include networks and terminals sales divisions and three Research and Development facilities. A manufacturing facility for mobile devices and GSM infrastructure is set to open in Chennai in the first half of 2006.

Nokia 6680 smartphone now starts shipping to Vodafone K.K. in Japan

okia today announced that it has started deliveries of Nokia 6680 to 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)”.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 16, 2005

Nokia 6680 smartphone now starts shipping to Vodafone K.K. in Japan

Tokyo, Japan – Nokia today announced that it has started deliveries of Nokia 6680 to 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)”. This device is expected to be commercially available in Japan from December 17.

“We are extremely pleased with Vodafone’s decision to offer the Nokia 6680 to Japanese consumers,” said Heikki Tenhunen, President of Nokia Japan. “Rated as the best-in-class WCDMA device by research company Strategic Analytics and praised by a large number of consumers, the Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone delivers what it takes to be an ideal multimedia companion both at work and play.”

The Nokia 6680 is optimized for video calls with its two integrated cameras. The multimedia functions of the product are further enhanced by functions like digital music player, and the Nokia 6680 also has smartphone capabilities and productivity features for the busy tech-savvy consumer who wants to manage effectively his personal and professional life.

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.

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.

The Nokia 6680 is the third Nokia 3G product available in Vodafone K.K.’s device 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 the Japanese market in August 2003.

Detailed information about Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) and its services can be found from Vodafone’s website www.vodafone.jp.

Memory Cards Round up

all about memory cards

Ever wondered what are these tiny chips ? Confused by the names ?
We are here to help you.

This article is about the various memory components available in the market for mobile phones.

Memory Stick

MS

Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, launched by Sony in October 1998, and is also used in general to describe the whole family of Memory Sticks. This family includes the Memory Stick Pro, a revision that allows greater maximum storage capacity and faster file transfer speeds, and Memory Stick Duo, a small-form-factor version of the Memory Stick.

50.0 ? 21.5 ? 2.8 mm

Memory Stick Duo

MS Duo

31.0 ? 20.0 ? 1.6 mm

The Memory Stick Duo, which is slightly smaller than the competing Secure Digital format, was developed in response to Sony’s need for a smaller flash memory card for pocket-sized digital cameras and cell phones, as well as Sony’s PSP. Memory Stick Duos are available in all the same variants as their larger cousins (normal ones limited to 128 MB, larger Pro Sticks, with and without High Speed mode, with and without MagicGate support), and a simple adapter (often sold along with the Memory Stick Duo) allows a Duo to be used in any device that can accept their larger cousins.

Memory Stick Micro M2

15.0 ? 12.5 ? 1.2 mm

In a joint venture with SanDisk, Sony announced a new Memory Stick format on 30 September 2005. The new Memory Stick M2 (“micro”) measures 15 ? 12.5 ? 1.2 mm and could theoretically have 32GB in the future. Maximum transfer speed is 160MB/s. It will come with an adaptor, much like the Duo Sticks, to ensure compatibility with current Pro devices.

Multi Media Card

mmc modules

MMC

32 ? 24 ? 1.5 mm

The MMC card or MultiMediaCard was introduced in 1997 by SanDisk Corporation and Siemens AG. At that point the MMC card was the smallest memory card, about the size of a postage stamp, in the market based on flash memory technology. The MMC card is very similar to the Secure Digital Memory Card, actually the SD Memory Card is based on the MMC card. They have almost the same form factor the only differences are that the SD Memory Cards are slightly thicker and they have a write protection switch.

Since the MMC card had slow transfer speed, 2.5 MB/sec, in comparison to other memory cards, mostly compared to SD Memory Card, a new high performance version of the MMC card was introduced in 2005 by the name MMCplus. The MMCplus has today the highest, up to 52 MB/sec, theoretical data transfer speed in the whole memory card industry.

The MultiMediaCard Association announced that by the end of 2005 the secureMMC application will be available only for the MMCplus and MMCmobile memory cards. The secureMMC is a copyright protection application that features DRM, Digital Rights Management, and VPN, Virtual Private Network, capabilities.

Reduced Size Multi Media Card
rss mmc and dv rs mmc

RS-MMC

16 ? 24 ? 1.5 mm

MMCmobile (RS-MMC)

RS-MMC, Reduced Size MultiMediaCard, was introduced in 2003 by the MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) as the second form factor memory card in the MultiMediaCard family. The RS-MMC is a smaller version of the standard MMC card, approximately half in size, and was specifically designed to be used by mobile phones and other small portable devices.

Dual Voltage Reduced Size Multi Media Card

DV RS-MMC

16 ? 24 ? 1.5 mm

In 2005 the Dual Voltage (DV) RS-MMC was introduced. It is basically the same card like the standard RS-MMC but operates with dual voltage, 1.8V and 3.3V, leading to lower power consumption which contributes to longer lasting battery life for the host devices. The DV RS-MMC and the RS-MMC are completely compatible with each other but since some mobile phones, mostly from Nokia, only operate with 1.8V cards the regular RS-MMC will not work. We recommend to always buy the Dual Voltage RS-MMC for being sure your memory card will function with the electronic device.

MMCmicro Card

MMCmicro

12 ? 14 ? 1.1 mm

The MMCmicro, formerly known as S-CARD introduced by Samsung, was adopted and introduced in 2005 by the MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) as the third form factor memory card in the MultiMediaCard family. MMCmicro is the smallest, about the size of a fingernail, memory card in the MultiMediaCard family and among the smallest in the world. It was specifically designed for being used in mobile phones and other small portable devices.

The MMCmicro memory card is available with an adaptor, MMCplus. This makes it not only compatible to all MMC and MMCplus slots but also to all SD Memory Card slots. It is important to keep in mind that music stored on MultiMediaCards my not be able to play back when inserted into a SD Memory Card slot due to the copyright protection features supported by the SD slots.

Since the MMCmicro is the latest memory card to be developed and introduced to the market it is not that compatible to many mobile phones and electronic devices yet. Still it is expected to be one of the memory card formats that will dominate in the mobile phone industry among the frontrunner microSD and the under development Memory Stick Micro.

Secure Digital Card

sd mini sd micro sd

SD

32 ? 24 ? 2.1 mm

The SD Memory Card or Secure Digital was introduced in 2001 by SanDisk Corporation, Matsushita (Panasonic) and Toshiba. The SD Memory Card was based on the MultiMediaCard, MMC, memory card standard and has almost the same form factor, the size of a postage stamp, the only differences are that the SD memory card is slightly thicker and has a write protection switch. Since MMC cards are thinner than SD Memory Cards they can be used in all SD Memory Card slots but not vice versa.

The SD Memory Card is today the most common used memory card. It can be found in most digital cameras, PDAs and in many other electronic devices. The SD Memory Card slots can be used for more than flash memory cards. The SDIO, Secure Digital In & Out, is the general name for the many expansion modules that can be found in the SD Memory Card?s form factor. SDIO modules can be inserted in the slot and be used for other functions like Bluetooth adapters, GPS receivers, digital cameras, TV tuners, etc

miniSD Card

miniSD

21.5 ? 20 ? 1.4 mm

The miniSD was introduced in 2003 by SanDisk Corporation in cooperation with Matsushita (Panasonic) and Toshiba. Later in that year the miniSD format was adapted by the SD Card Association as the second form factor memory card in the Secure Digital family. MiniSD is a smaller version of the SD memory Card format, about 60% smaller in volume, and offers the same benefits as the SD Memory Card expect of the writing protection switch.

MiniSD was designed specifically to be used in small portable electronic devices like digital cameras and mobile phones. But since all miniSD memory cards always come with a SD Memory Card adaptor, they are compatible to all SD Memory Card slots and thereby provide compatibility with the rapidly growing number of SD Memory Card compatible devices in the market.

MiniSD was the second, after SD Memory Card, memory card to be adapted by the SD Card Association, which today consists of three members. In 2005 the microSD was introduced as the third, and smallest, member of the Secure Digital family.

microSD Card also known as Transflash

?SD

11 ? 15 ? 1 mm

rashFlash, formerly known as T-Flash, was introduced by SanDisk Corporation in 2004 as the world?s smallest memory card, approximately the size of a fingernail. TransFlash was specifically designed for being used in mobile phones. Motorola was the first mobile phone manufacturer to adapt the TransFlash memory card standard.

In the 3rd quarter of 2005 TransFlash was adapted by the SD Card Association as the third form factor memory card in the Secure Digital family, after SD Memory Card and miniSD. After the adoption, TransFlash changed name to microSD. The microSD has exactly the same dimensions and specifications as the TransFlash and therefore both memory cards are completely compatible to each other.

Today the microSD is the most common used memory card in mobile phones and the SD Card Association?s objective is to make microSD a de facto memory card standard for all mobile phones. All TransFlash and microSD cards always come with a SD Memory Card adaptor, which makes them compatible to all SD Memory Card slots. The microSD is about 10% in size compared to SD Memory Card and about 30% compared to miniSD.

xD-Picture Card

20 ? 25 ? 1.7 mm

The xD-Picture Card was introduced in 2002 by Fuji Film and Olympus as a replacement to the older SmartMedia Card. It is produced exclusively by Toshiba and can be found branded only under the name of Fuji Film and Olympus.

The xD-Picture Card format was developed to be used in digital cameras and is more or less only used in Fuji Film and Olympus digital cameras. Like SmartMedia Card, the xD-Picture Card does not incorporate a controller chip which allows it to have a small form factor but at the same time making it dependable to the host device?s controller chip.

Blackberry Gone?

RIM the company which manufactures the popular Blackberry devices is under a severe legal crisis. RIM is facing a patent infringement case filed by NT

Research In Motion Ltd., the company which manufactures the popular Blackberry devices is under a severe legal crisis. RIM is facing a patent infringement case filed by NTP Inc. This despite RIM’s public assurances that it had signed a 450 million dollar deal that would end the legal battle. Things are so bad that Blackberry sales could be halted by the court unless RIM can satisfy the demands of the small patent holding firm. RIM faces an injunction that could leave its 3.65 million U.S. customers without service unless the company settles its patent-infringement case with NTP Inc.

The company has met privately with some of its customers to reassure them that the service will not shut down and that a settlement is far likelier. But in public, RIM has said very little — in deference to the legal process, the company said. The company is rapidly loosing brand equity with consumers since then – the company remains silent on answering even the most basic questions to the general public (customers). Although RIM has not talked to the media or made public statements, it has met with some major customers and resellers privately, according to Guibert. Some customers said RIM assured them service will continue to operate and that a settlement is likelier than a shutdown. Northwest Airlines, a heavy corporate user of BlackBerrys, met with RIM last week. “We were satisfied with the information provided by RIM,” the company said in an e-mailed statement. “As far as contingency plans, we have identified alternative suppliers of similar service.”

via [Phoneyworld]

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]