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Nokia launches three new Bluetooth Headsets

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.

Maxis and Reddys buy out Aircel

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]

Mobile Tsunami Detector for Nokia phones

Python programmer developed a new software that can analyse live data from the United States Geological Surveys and predict a Tsunami

Python programmer developed a new software that can analyse live data from the United States Geological Surveys and predict a Tsunami. Probability and impact time of Tsunamis are assessed and reported immediately for countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

You will need an internet connection (GPRS/CSD) to obtain the data from USGS. The Mobile Tsunami Detector can be downloaded here and is compatible with these Nokia handsets: Nokia 3650, 7650, N-Gage, 6600, 6620, 6630, 6680, 7610, N70 and N90.

via [MobileGuerilla]

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]

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.

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.

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.

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]