Google has announced about a Personalized Home for Mobiles. The homepage displays everything from your Gmail inbox to news headlines,weather, stock quotes, and feeds.
Google has announced about a Personalized Home for Mobiles. The homepage displays everything from your Gmail inbox to news headlines,weather, stock quotes, and feeds.
The interface is optimized for small screens, says Abhijit Kalamkar, one of Google?s Software Engineer, on his post.
You can read the whole post here.
Expect Google to get into anything that has to do with the Internet.And if the Internet gets onto the Mobile, Google would follow suit and develop applications for your cell phone.
Expect Google to get into anything that has to do with the Internet! And if the Internet gets onto the Mobile, Google would follow suit and develop applications for your cell phone.
Google has announced that it is expanding its services to the BlackBerry platform. Available immediately, Google Local for mobile can be downloaded for free, and will provide BlackBerry users with maps and satellite imagery as well as the ability to receive driving directions and locate addresses.
Due this spring, Google Talk will also be provided for free, and will enable BlackBerry users to chat and keep up with their contacts via the Google Talk instant messaging system. Google Talk requires a free Gmail e-mail account.
Of course both applications require that you have a data service subscription on your BlackBerry device, for which most providers charge.
via [TechBulletin]
partnership with Yahoo that will allow for certain Yahoo applications to come preinstalled on some handsets.
America?s top cell phone maker, Motorola has announced a partnership with Yahoo that will allow for certain Yahoo applications to come preinstalled on some handsets.
The first such handsets are likely to be available by the end of March, and will include the YIM instant messaging solution, as well as Yahoo Mail, Address Book, and Calendar software.
This comes shortly after Motorola?s partnership with Google on integrated search services. It appears that they are trying to come up with a good mix of what they see as they best services from each internet giant, in order to create the highest quality mobile internet experience.
via [Teleclick.ca]
Google found a new way to get onto a cellphone, and this time I mean literally. Last week, Motorola announced it would integrate a Google icon onto some if its handsets in 2006
Google found a new way to get onto a cellphone, and this time I mean literally. Last week, Motorola announced it would integrate a Google icon onto some if its handsets in 2006. The Google button will give users the power to connect to Google instantly from their cellphone. The new handsets will be distributed globally to “select” Motorola customers.
Motorola seems to be walking the fence when it comes to competition between the major search engines. Though Motorola and Google announced their global alliance last week, it was only back in July that Motorola and Yahoo! teamed up to make Yahoo! services more available on Linux-based mobile devices. It’s nice that Motorola seems to continue to play nice with others. It would be a bad move for the company to enter into any exclusive partnerships. Instead, it should continue to offer products catered to what customers what. It seems to be doing a good job of that lately.
Jamdat Mobile announced the launch of its game titles on Indian cellular service provider Hutch.
Mobile users in India can go bowling, wakeboarding or pitfalling wherever they go, whenever they want. Jamdat Mobile announced the launch of its game titles on Indian cellular service provider Hutch.
Jamdat Bowling, Jamdat Pool, Pitfall! and Wakeboarding are available now on Planet Hutch, Hutch’s data services platform.
Players can choose to play a single game or a 3-game series and maneuver their aim, power and pin meter for maximum control. Jamdat Pool gamers can play eight and nine ball on their mobile phones. Pitfall! is the wireless version of the classic title as players guide Pitfall Harry through more than 200 jungle screens. Wakeboarding features Shaun Murray and other top pros.
“India is a growing market for mobile gaming and Hutch is one of the leading cellular service providers in that market,” Minard Hamilton, Jamdat’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, said in a press release. Hutch’s core consumer base is the urban population, which is the ideal target for Jamdat’s titles, he added.
Here’s a new offering from Sony Ericsson that looks a bit like a mashup of the new W810i and the K750i — it’s got the same keypad and coloring as the latter, with the three-in-one button controls and central nav element of the W810i.
It wouldn’t be a day without some craptastic leaked shots of a new product, now, would it? Here’s a new offering from Sony Ericsson that looks a bit like a mashup of the new W810i and the K750i — it’s got the same keypad and coloring as the latter, with the three-in-one button controls and central nav element of the W810i. The pics also show a new UI rumoured to be in development at Sony Ericsson, and other rumoured specs include a 3.2 megapixel camera, EDGE, QVGA screen, and some other new goodies not yet seen in the W810i.
via [engadget]
Rumors have recently begun circulating about an annoying potential drawback of Verizon s V Cast mobile music store, which is set to be launched on January 16th.
Rumors have recently begun circulating about an annoying potential drawback of Verizon?s V Cast mobile music store, which is set to be launched on January 16th.
Apparently, handsets will no longer be able to play MP3 music files after being upgraded to work with the V Cast service. This is reportedly due to an agreement with Microsoft saying that to use Windows Media software with the service, Verizon would have to agree to make phones exclusive to the WMA file format.
via [Teleclick.ca]
Motorola and Google enter into partnership
Analysts are maintaining very positive predictions about Motorola?s stock price, following that company?s announcement on Thursday of a partnership with Google.
The major partnership, which was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, will make it easier for users of Motorola handsets to access Google?s mobile internet services, including search. Future Motorola handsets will include a special Google button, enabling one-click access to the Google search home page.
?We view this to be a significant announcement as it helps boost mobile Internet use,? said RBC Capital Markets analyst, Mark Sue. ?To date, ease-of-access/use has been one of the barriers to broader adoption.?
The new Google-friendly handsets will be made available by the end of the first quarter, and will likely promote wider Motorola handset adoption, while boosting Google?s ad revenue.
via [Telelclick.ca]
Motorola has recently come to a 10-year agreement with Kodak that will see the two companies working together to make camera phones more functional and user-friendly
The world?s second largest handset maker, Motorola has recently come to a 10-year agreement with Kodak that will see the two companies working together to make camera phones more functional and user-friendly.
Kodak will supply Motorola with hardware and software to make it easier to store, send, and print camera phone pictures. They hope to make it possible to send a picture to anyone, anywhere in the world, with the click of a single button.
?Think about visual IM,? said the head of Motorola?s mobile phone division, Ron Garriques, when describing the process of sending a picture.
Although the deal between Motorola and Kodak is non-exclusive, it will likely see them work closely together for a number of years, and share intellectual property. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Yahoo has announced the launch of Yahoo! Go, a new suite of products designed to extend the its reach beyond the Web browser,
Yahoo announced the launch its new service, called Yahoo Go, at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new service, which will be available on mobile phones, personal computers and PC-connected TVs, will give users access to different Yahoo?s applications such as Yahoo Mail, Yahoo Messenger, Photos, calendar, address book, Web and image search, news, sports and finance without using a browser.
– Yahoo! Go mobile is available to download on Nokia Series 60 phones.
– Yahoo! Go TV is coming soon and will be available for all Windows XP PCs.
– Yahoo! Go Desktop is coming soon but Yahoo! Widgets is avialable now.
Obviosuly it?s a multi-device platform for accessing and using Yahoo Services and Products anywhere, anytime, getting rid of the confinements of a browser and a PC, and this is very promising as a concept, but apparantely Yahoo wasn?t ready for full launch at CES.
Nokia 6102i6103 phones add popular Bluetooth technology to highly successful mid-range compact fold design
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE January 5, 2006
Nokia makes two of its most popular phones even better with Bluetooth technology
Nokia 6102i/6103 phones add popular Bluetooth technology to highly successful mid-range compact fold design
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – Building upon the popularity of the Nokia 6101 and Nokia 6102 phones, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones, both of which add the convenience of Bluetooth technology to the already strong feature sets found on these compact mid-range fold-style phones. The Nokia 6102i phone carries on the same striking design found on the Nokia 6102 phone, while the new Nokia 6103 phone features an updated modern look but retains the compact size and exceptional ease-of-use that made the Nokia 6101 phone such a hit with customers. The Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones will be available in a GSM 900/1800/1900 version primarily for markets in Europe, Africa and Asia while a GSM 850/1800/1900 version will be available primarily for markets in the Americas. Both phones are planned to be available during the 1st quarter of 2006 and are expected to retail for approximately ?200, before applicable taxes or subsidies.
The addition of Bluetooth technology to this popular phone platform opens up a myriad of options for owners to increase the productivity and convenience of their mobile experience. Nokia offers a wide array of Bluetooth technology-enabled enhancements such as wireless car kits and wireless headsets as part of its line of mobile enhancements. Today, Nokia announced a new trio of wireless headsets including one of the smallest such devices ever made available. Additionally, with an increasing number of products being introduced to market incorporating Bluetooth technology – from laptops to automobiles – owners of the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones will find an ever expanding number of ways to use their mobile devices.
“The Nokia 6101 and Nokia 6102 phones have proven to be extremely successful. The combination of a modern, compact folding design with a strong feature set and Nokia’s easy-to-use interface has proven to be an irresistible draw for customers shopping for a mid-range handset,” said Aage Snorgaard senior vice president of broad appeal products for Nokia. “With Bluetooth technology currently being on the top of many customers ‘wish lists’, the addition of Bluetooth technology to this equation will make the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones even more attractive to wireless consumers.”
Along with Bluetooth technology, the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones offer a strong feature set including a VGA camera with dedicated camera key, Nokia Xpress audio messaging for sending audio clips with just the touch of a few buttons and dual color screens with support for animated wallpapers and screensavers. Synchronizable contact and calendar information, voice dialing and recording and a built-in handsfree speakerphone make the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones a perfect productivity companion, while an integrated FM radio and downloadable content support including MIDI and MP3 ring tones, themes and games satisfy the need for fun.
Sony Ericsson announced today the W810 Walkman – the successor of the popular W800 model.
Sony Ericsson announced today the W810 Walkman – the successor of the popular W800 model. The black Walkman now has EDGE, the lack of this technology in most Sony Ericsson products was widely criticized. The new W810 is quad-band, while the older model is tri-band only. The phone has a light sensor for the keypad backlight, new button layout, an activity button (plus the Walkman button), but has been cut of the internal memory, which is now only 20 MB. Not to worry though – 512 MB card will be included in the package. The other features remain the same as in the older model – 2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Memory Stick Duo Pro card slot, MP3 player, FM radio with RDS, 262K colors TFT display with 176×220 pixels resolution.
It is expected that the W810 will be on the market soon, in the Q1 of 2006.
Sony Ericsson press release
Las Vegas, CES ? Sony Ericsson today announced the latest addition to its line-up of Walkman-branded mobile music phones to further enhance the consumer?s mobile music experience, the sophisticated, Satin Black W810. The Sony Ericsson W810 is a Quad-band EDGE phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), and enables users to transfer their legacy CD collection or access operator music download services, while staying connected to friends, family and business colleagues anywhere in the world.
The Sony Ericsson W810 offers the latest in mobile multi-media functionality by taking advantage of high speed data downloads; listen to hours of music, capture and send high-resolution mega pixel images, access the Internet and stay connected through instant messaging or email. The latest Walkman phone comes with a 512MB removable Memory Stick, which can be upgraded to 2GB currently available in retail outlets, allowing consumers to store a wealth of music tracks, photos, video and other multimedia files on the phone.
Extending the highly acclaimed Sony Ericsson Walkman phone line-up, the stylish black with orange trim W810 advances the mobile music experience by seamlessly blending together entertainment and advanced mobile phone technology to offer a truly credible digital music experience supporting industry standard MP3 and AAC music file formats. The phone comes complete with quality HPM-70 stereo headphones which feature a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack for personal customization.
Consumers can easily and quickly load music to the phone; either uploading their legacy CD collection onto the W810 from a PC via USB 2.0 using the provided Disc2Phone music management software, or by purchasing new music from operator specific over-the-air download services. This enclosed PC software makes it easy to sort, browse and transfer files on the 512 MB Memory Stick PRO Duo?, which provides capacity for approximately 150 music tracks ? the equivalent of around 15 full length CDs.
Enjoying music on the Sony Ericsson W810 Walkman phone is extremely simple because a dedicated Walkman button quickly pulls up the music menu regardless of what other application on the phone is in use. Positioned just below the phone?s screen you can find all the most common music controls needed (Play/Pause/Stop/Skip Track/Volume) allowing users to move easily between tracks or adjust the volume on the speaker or headphones. Engaging Mega Bass? improves the sound experience when listening to music through the external speaker or the high quality headphones provided.
?Since the launch of the W800 flagship Walkman phone in August last year, consumers across the world have been embracing the concept of the mobile phone as a credible digital music player, and enjoying high quality music anywhere, anytime without having to carry a dedicated music device. Sony Ericsson?s Walkman phones are redefining how consumers listen and enjoy music, and the W810 strengthens our music phone line-up with the addition of dedicated music buttons on the front of the phone and an expanded choice of how users upload music to the phone? said Miles Flint, president for Sony Ericsson.
The Sony Ericsson W810 is also a great imaging device enabling users to capture great still pictures and video featuring an integrated high-quality 2 mega pixel, auto-focus camera with photo light, and easily recognisable digital still camera interface.
As with other members of the Walkman phone family, music automatically pauses when an incoming call is received and begins playing again when the call ends. The phone can also operate in a music-only mode for those occasions when the phone function must be disengaged, such as during air travel.
The W810 is equipped with EDGE Class 10 technology, to allow quick and easy data transfers and Internet access, and Bluetooth? Wireless technology for connectivity with Bluetooth handsfree headsets and sharing data with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
The Sony Ericsson W810 is a Quad-band EDGE phone available in Satin Black and starts shipping globally Q1 2006
W810i – Quad Band EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Americas
W810c – Quad Band EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz for Mainland China
Motorola today is unveiling the Motorola ROKR E2 the newest member of the companys ROKR family of music-optimized mobile handsets
Motorola, Inc. has unveiled the new addition to its line of music-optimized mobile handsets ? ROKR E2 ? at the International Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. Unlike its predecessor ROKR E1, it doesn?t include the iTunes music software. The ROKR E2 runs on Linux operating system and has the following main features:
262k color TFT QVGA (240×320) display
Bluetooth
1.3 megapixels camera with flash and video capture
hot-swappable SD memory expansion slot
MP3 player
3.5mm headset jack
built-in FM radio with up to 30 presets
SCREEN3 technology
USB 2.0
Motorola Press Release
TAKE CENTER STAGE WITH MOTOROLA?S NEXT ROKR
Newest music-optimized mobile delivers more tunes much faster
LAS VEGAS ? 3 Jan. 2006 ? Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today is unveiling the Motorola ROKR E2 ? the newest member of the company?s ROKR family of music-optimized mobile handsets. Designed for the music enthusiast who wants to carry one device, ROKR E2 lets you take hundreds of your must-have music selections with you ? and delivers a world-class wireless communications experience.
Motorola is showcasing ROKR E2 as part of its rapidly evolving vision of Seamless Mobility for consumers at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show in Central Hall Booth 8545, where visitors can experience innovations that enable enriched wireless communications, home entertainment, and on-the-go productivity.
Delivering a powerful mobile music experience, ROKR E2 lets you switch seamlessly between phone calls and music play lists simply by touching a button. Based on a Linux operating system to enhance speed and flexibility, ROKR E2 also features a robust MP3 player compatible with a variety of different audio formats ? making this mobile handset a powerful example of what it means to be ?the device formerly known as the cell phone.?
?No matter what consumers listen to ? rap, hip hop, country, classical or pop ? one thing is for sure, they want their music with them, wherever they go, said Richard Chin, corporate vice president, Global Product Marketing, Motorola Mobile Devices. ?Motorola is driving the convergence of music and mobility by combining the device you never leave home without, with the entertainment consumers crave. We’re giving people a seamless, mobile music experience with a portfolio of devices like the new ROKR E2 leading the way.?
More Music, Faster
ROKR E2 makes loading music simple. Users make a fast connection from the device to a compatible PC using a USB 2.0 cable.* Next, they ?drag and drop? digital music files from their PC-based music collection directly to the phone. Each song takes only seconds to transfer from the PC to the ROKR E2. With up to 2GB of optional removable SD? mass memory*, ROKR E2 lets you store as many as 500 of your favorite tunes, as well as create and manage playlists. And, when you?re ready to listen to what?s on the airwaves, ROKR E2 also comes equipped with built-in FM radio functionality.
Richer Audio Experiences
ROKR E2?s features are built for ease-of-use. Dedicated music keys on the handset?s side and front let you navigate playlists, as well as play/pause, skip backward/forward, and hold. Connect to ROKR E2 via a standard 3.5mm headset or wirelessly via the built-in stereo Bluetooth? audio connection**. Motorola offers a wide range of music accessories to optimize your ROKR E2 experience including the newly announced O ROKR Eyewear, Motorola Bluetooth DJ Headphones S805, and JBL OnTour? Mobile.
Additionally, ROKR E2 comes with airplane mode, allowing you to safely listen while on the ground or in the air. Other multimedia features include a 1.3 megapixel camera for pictures, video capture and playback and SCREEN3 technology for zero-click access to news, sports and entertainment content***.
Technically Savvy
ROKR E2 is also part of Motorola?s growing portfolio of Linux-based handsets. Open software solutions such as Linux help Motorola create the best mobile experiences for wireless operators and consumers. By leveraging Linux, Motorola can deliver products to market faster, reduce costs and create more innovative products and experiences for mobile music, productivity, and entertainment. The company?s first ?mid-tier? Linux-based device, ROKR E2 further demonstrates Motorola?s commitment to driving Linux-for-mobile innovation across the company?s device portfolio.
ROKR E2 Availability
The Motorola ROKR E2 is expected to be available in the first half of 2006. Specific details will be announced upon consumer availability.
Nokia, the global leader in mobility, today announced three new Bluetooth Headsets; the tiny and stylish Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800, the powerful Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-900 and the sleek Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-200
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE January 4, 2006
Nokia launches three great Bluetooth Headsets
The tiny Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800 combines design and style with comfort and functionality
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – Nokia, the global leader in mobility, today announced three new Bluetooth Headsets; the tiny and stylish Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800, the powerful Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-900 and the sleek Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-200.
“We are excited to introduce Nokia’s smallest ever Bluetooth Headset BH-800 to the market,” said Razvan Olosu, Vice President, Mobile Enhancements at Nokia. “I’m confident that the stylish minimalist design coupled with the tiny size of the product will attract completely new consumer segments globally.”
With the launch of these three great Bluetooth headsets, Nokia continues to pave the way for broader use of wireless headsets. “The Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone market grew to 133 million units in 2005 and we expect it to grow to 220 million units in 2006,” said Razvan Olosu at Nokia.
Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800
Weighing only 9 grams, the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800’s simple and elegant form factor offers the ultimate in freedom and comfort when used with a compatible mobile device. Available in two colors, coffee black and silver white, the headset incorporates an optional, removable ear loop, for use in either ear, in addition to a strap that allows the wearer to place and remove the headset with one hand. With talk time of up to 6 hours and up to 160 hours of stand by time, the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800 provides a hassle-free and long-lasting communications experience. The power button, volume control and call answering buttons make it easy to handle calls, and its voice recognition capabilities enables you to make calls and redial without even having to touch your mobile device. Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-800 is Nokia’s first wireless headset with Bluetooth specification 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate (EDR).
Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-900
Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-900 is an elegant headset with a comfortable and ergonomic earhook that can easily be switched from one ear to the other. It has excellent audio quality even in noisy environments as it supports both noise reduction and echo cancellation. With talk time of up to 8 hours and up to 180 hours of stand by time, the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-900 presents a wireless solution even for long-lasting communications needs. The headset weighs 18 grams and supports Push to talk over Bluetooth wireless technology.
Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-200
The sleek Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-200 is an easy-to-use wireless headset with comfortable ear hook and convenient function keys. Weighing 14 grams, it completes the Nokia Bluetooth headset trio with very user-friendly functionality and a feeling of simplicity. It has talk time of up to 5 hours 30 minutes and up to 150 hours of stand by time.
The Nokia Bluetooth Headsets BH-800 and BH-200 are planned to be commercially available in the first quarter of 2006 and the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-900 in the second quarter of 2006 with estimated retail prices (excluding taxes) of USD 140, USD 55 and USD 100, respectively.
Malaysias largest telecom company Maxis Communications, in partnership with Apollo Hospitals promoter Reddys will buy Aircel for 1.08 billion dollars
Malaysia?s largest telecom company Maxis Communications, in partnership with Apollo Hospitals promoter Reddys, will buy Aircel for $1.08 billion. Maxis plans to list Aircel.
Maxis will take a direct 65% stake in Aircel by spending $702m. It will hold the remaining stake indirectly through a joint venture, owned 74% by Apollo and 26% by Maxis.
This implies an enterprise valuation of $800m for Aircel. With Aircel?s mobile subscriber base of over 2.2m, the payment per subscriber will be around $364. Vodafone paid $1,000 per subscriber for Bharti while $570 a subscriber was paid by Hutchison Essar for BPL.
Mr Sivasankaran?s Sterling Infotech has been lucky in its fourth attempt to sell Aircel. It had earlier held discussions with Idea Cellular, AFK Sistema of Russia and Hutch.
via [MobilePundit]
