All4SmartPhone.com

[#1] Zeosoft turns P900 into servers

Zeosoft announced the availability of ZeoSphere XR 2.1 for Sony Ericsson P900. The wireless platform allows P900 users to connect securely to other smartphones or mobile devices.

Zeosoft(TM) Technology Group, Inc.,a pioneer of mobile infrastructure software and application development technologies, announced today the availability of ZeoSphere(TM) XR 2.1, for the Sony Ericsson P900 Smartphone. Zeosoft's mobile wireless platform is the first application server running on cellular phones. ZeoSphere(TM) XR 2.1 represents true mobility for businesses and consumers by delivering enterprise class P2P and P2E mobile file sharing, data management, and data communication capability between any number of devices and computers, from anywhere in the world.

"The capabilities of cell phones are moving far beyond calling and content, to rich process and secure home and office data access. The ZeoSphere XR wireless platform enables mobile users to always be securely connected directly to their business, personal data, or each other, using smartphones as well as other mobile devices; any other option leaves their personal and business data exposed on public servers." said Mike Huestis, president and CTO of Zeosoft Technology Group. Full characters see in ZeoSphere (.pdf, 112 kb)

ZeoSphere XR application server resides directly on cellular phones, PDAs, laptops, desktops and enterprise servers for direct device-to-device application requests, with or without a connection to the enterprise. Key features in ZeoSphere XR are its Naming Service and Relay Server. The Naming Services manages the status of all devices across the network and provides an automated directory service allowing users to quickly find each other and deliver information with ease. The Relay Server enables users to collaborate through firewalls, NATs and secure wireless hot spots giving mobile professionals the ability to obtain and share information in real-time from any location. In addition, ZeoSphere XR suite consists of administrative toolsets that reduce a company's time-to-market mobile and P2P applications. With ZeoSphere XR, companies can securely deliver wireless applications to mobile devices that can be managed and provisioned from anyplace in the world, over any transport.

[#2] New Cell Phone technology Melds 3D Video and Data

Augmented reality systems combine digital information with real-world objects. Researchers at Bauhaus University in Germany are attempting to bring the technology to the mass market with a video see-through augmented reality system for commercial cell phones.

Their cell phone system inserts computer-generated three-dimensional models into real-time video shown on the cell phone's display and aligns the models with physical markers in the camera's field of view. The system could be used to provide, for instance, museum or city guides. Markers encoding IDs would be captured by the tourist's cell phone, which would then determine which exhibit the person is looking at and present related information on the cell phone display

The system uses a coordinate system to anchor three-dimensional graphics to physical markers in the two-dimensional video stream displayed by the cell phone. As the user moves her cell phone, the model rotates in relation to the changing angle between the cell phone and the marker. The system updates the model's position at 4 to 6 frames per second, or about one-sixth the speed of full-motion video, said Moehring. The marker contains colored dots that form a code that tells the system which computer-generated model to display.

Cell phone augmented reality systems could be practical in the next couple of years, according to the researchers. They are scheduled to present the research at the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) Siggraph 2004 conference in Los Angeles, August 8 to 12.

[#3] HP’s LG-based rw6100 Smartphone

We have this rumour resurfacing about a iPAQ Pocket PC which would be named the H6700 series. HP is at least toying with LG's SC8000 and that the so-called H6700 series has been renamed the rw6100 series. The rw6100 series would be an HP branded version of LG Electronics SC8000 Pocket PC Phone. Based on these pictures from Asian websites KPDA and TodaysPPC,it looks like this could be a hidden gem that HP is working on...

[#4] Nokia 7260

A Czech site has what appears to be at first glance an updated 7610, called the 7260

Upon closer inspection appears to be one of two things: either a cheaper, Series 40 phone for those who want the looks of the 7610 but not all the features (dumb people, some call them), or possibly a prototype of the 7610 that was never meant to see the light of day. I don't read Czech, though, so mostly I'm just extrapolating from the bits of familiar numbers I can fish out. Either way, kind of nice looking - wait, no, hideous - and certainly somehow related to the 7610.

In fact, doing a little snooping about, it seems a few European shoppers have seen these in stores and claim they are smaller than the 7610, while just sharing their general shape.

• Weight: 92g
• Screen Resolution: 128 x 128
• Color: 65536
• Network: Tri-Band, GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz
• Support Java Midp 2.0, XHtml, email client, Edge, Gprs

[#5] Motorola E398 on sale

Motorola’s E398 music phone is available now on T-Mobile pay as you go. The mobile’s major selling point is its built-in MP3 and MPEG4 player and the stereo speakers that’s supposed to endow the handset with superior music playback.

The new Motorola E398 offers users a total music immersion experience -- transporting them into a new world of sound and vision. 3D stereo surround sound speakers provide an intense sound experience in the palm of your hand. A sharp color screen means your favorite MPEG4 video clips never look fuzzy, and the camera flash ensures a darkened room or dance floor need never get between you and your subject. And, rhythm lights interact with your phone’s features and your surroundings -- making the E398 the most alive music handset around.

Dual 16mm 22Khz stereo speakers with vibration provide incredible sound quality so that your downloaded MIDI and MP3 music files sound crystal clear. Advanced dual speaker technology with reactive touch increases the true effect of applications by vibrating to enhance the base sound in music or actions in gaming. All music-based sounds are richer, deeper, and crisper providing a more intense mind-blowing and ear-drilling experience, making it feel like you are live, front and center.

Download your favorite MP3 music files or MPEG4 video files and take them with you on your model E398*. Next generation removable memory packs multiple songs and videos in a compact size for easy transport.

The spacious 176 x 220 color display screen lets you see your pictures and videos at their very best. The model E398’s integrated VGA-quality camera with flash means that now both you and your phone can come out to play at night. An integrated graphics accelerator provides superb picture quality for photos, gaming, and all other on-screen applications.

The Motorola E398 is custom-made for anyone who wants to have fun. J2ME™ games and downloads via GPRS eliminate boredom – new music, ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers and information are all just a touch away*. Rhythm lights bring the model E398 to life; interact with ringtones creating a unique visual effect that will make the E398 unforgettable.

[#6] Dopod 565 launched in Taiwan market

Taiwanese Dopod International Corp,a smartphone vendor initially based in Shanghai, launched its first mobile phone on its home turf yesterday.

"We feel the timing is right to introduce Dopod-branded phones to the Taiwan market, which is maturing," said Jack Tong,president of Dopod. Tong made the remarks during the launch of the company's first handset here, the Dopod 0565.The Dopod, 0565 embedded with a Microsoft operating system, offers a few computer functions such as e-mail and Web browsing.

Dopod, a company controlled by Cher Wang, chairwoman of the nation's biggest smartphone contract maker High Tech Computer Corp,will heavily rely on High Tech for phone supplies for the time being.High Tech also supplies handsets to T-Mobile International and Orange SA, a handset arm of France Telecom SA.

Dopod, the nation's second handset vendor focusing on smartphones after Mitac International Corp,which owns the Mio brand, plans to sell 150,000 mobile phones by the end of this year.Dopod plans to launch three to four models on the local market over the next few months, targeting business travelers and technology-crazed youngsters.

However, Peggy Chang,an analyst with research house Topology Research Institute,said such niche hansets have not won widespread acceptance in most part of the world including Taiwan."Only Western European mobile phone users show a strong appetite for smartphones," Chang said.

Mobile phone retailers only purchased 600,000 units in Taiwan, she said."I don't expect the volume to grow significantly this year. Although Sony Ericsson's P900 became a hot number after its launch, it should be seen as the exception," she said, adding that Sony Eric-sson's excellent handset design attracted many consumers.

Rising handset inventory, mostly in China, will also squeeze demand for high-end mobile phones including smartphones, she said.Chang expects the huge inventory in handsets will not be reduced until October.

[#7] Siemens Offers First Push and Talk Phone

Siemens offers the first complete “Push and Talk” solution based on IMS CX70: The first “Push and Talk” capable mobile phone from Siemens

With the introduction of the CX 70, Siemens mobile is the world’s first manufacturer to offer an end-to-end solution for “Push and Talk” (PaT) based on open specifications. The service features walkie-talkie functionality over mobile networks and makes group calling easier and faster than ever before. As the first Voice-over-IP application, Push and Talk is based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), the technology platform for many future multimedia services.

“We don’t want any proprietary solutions and also employ open standards for Push and Talk,” Lothar Pauly, Member of the Board of Siemens’ mobile communication division, explains. “Only with complete interoperability will we be able to develop the promising potential of this new service to the full.” To ensure that Push and Talk works as quickly as possible across all networks and with as many devices from other phone manufacturers as well, Siemens mobile is relying on IMS switching technology, which enables IP-based connections between mobile phones and is based on the specifications of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). IMS will be the control layer for many innovative multimedia services, such as video transmission, instant messaging and virtual reality application like multiparty gaming.

For network operators, Push and Talk over IMS, which can already be implemented into GPRS networks, represents another step towards 3G. The IP Multimedia Subsystem is part of the third generation of mobile communication. Early integration of this technology facilitates the quick implementation of new IMS-based services. The Push and Talk server can be seamlessly integrated into the IMS network structure and linked to existing infrastructure components. Thanks to Siemens mobile’s modular design, small startup solutions can be easily expanded to 100 times their original size. Lothar Pauly: “IMS makes mobile networks ready for the future.”

This is how Push and Talk works: First, the user selects the people he or she wants to talk to from a list. At the push of a button, all of these previously defined addressees receive an invitation which they can accept or decline. As soon as the calling partners have confirmed, the initial caller pushes the PaT button and starts the conversation, which everyone hears simultaneously. There is no time-consuming call setup, because the “Always On” feature of the GPRS network maintains the connection all along. Any group member can reply by pressing the PaT button. The communication can only go in one direction at a time, however: whoever presses the PaT button first, talks first. Push and Talk is therefore similar to traditional voice radio, although the new service can do much more. Since it runs over mobile networks, it can be used anywhere, even internationally. And PaT calls can be heard only by the registered members of a group call — a clear benefit in terms of security.

As a provider of a complete portfolio of products ranging from mobile phones to mobile infrastructure components, Siemens is the ideal company to introduce Push to Talk. Lothar Pauly: “We will steadily expand this new market segment and play a leading role in its development.” In addition to its color display and built-in digital camera, the Siemens CX70 already features the full Push and Talk functionality – however, the operator is responsible for the set up of the PaT feature. The tri-band phone is the first model in a broad portfolio of devices for the PaT service, all of which will provide access to IMS core networks and be equipped with an open-standard PaT client. Siemens mobile can thus guarantee its phones’ interoperability with the infrastructure of other manufacturers. Pauly: “Starting next year, all mid-range Siemens mobile phones will be Push and Talk capable.”

The potential of Push and Talk is huge. As operators roll out the service through all their networks, they are adding a new option which is characterized primarily by speed. According to industry analyst Northstream AB, Push and Talk has the potential to increase the traffic over mobile networks. The mobile voice chat supplements SMS and eliminates the cumbersome setup of conference calls. This mobile service will soon be able to replace the traditional radio communications of freight forwarders, courier services, taxi companies or building contractors. For private users, Push and Talk has a chance of becoming the latest trend. It is conceivable, for example, that network operators will offer open PaT forums. “Push and Talk” is a new service for the mass market,” according to Lothar Pauly. “This service is not only interesting for contractors and field staff, but is also an attractive offer for young people, clubs and associations, i.e. for anyone who wants to maintain contact with lots of people, either privately or professionally.”

[#8] Internet Heading to Light Speed

A new nanotechnology that eliminates network bottlenecks could help create a web surfers' paradise that is 100 times faster than today's internet.

Fiber-optic networks capable of sending information at 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps are being rolled out around the world and under the oceans to connect everyone to everything. But getting information to pass from one high-speed network to another can be slowed by electronic switching technology.

The new technology, described in a paper published Aug. 11 in the scientific journal Nano Letters, uses buckyballs glued together by a custom polymer, providing a way to create an optical switch. "Switches and routers do introduce latency," said Karl Lehenbauer, chief technology officer of broadband networking company Superconnect. "If the (data you request) has to pass through 15 to 20 routers, you can see a lag in response," he said.

Part of this slowdown is caused by the conversion and reconversion of information from its optical (light) form to electronic data used by switches and routers, according to Ted Sargent, a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department at the University of Toronto. "We haven't been able to speed the scale of (electronic) routers to keep up with the speed of fiber-optic links," Sargent said. The solution, according to Sargent, is to upgrade to optical switches that can forward data at up to 100 times the speed of today's fastest networks.

Sargent worked with researchers at Carleton University to develop a new polymer material that could be integrated into optical switches. "You could have an optical switch that directs incoming information to go north to San Francisco or south to Los Angeles as needed," Sargent said. That option would trump electronic alternatives for performance -- the light (and data) would pass through the switch in as little as one-trillionth of a second, according to Sargent.

The researchers created a thin film by using a custom-made polymer to glue together nano-sized buckyballs. The gluing process creates a material composed of larger electron-rich molecules with sufficient power to cause light that passes through to control the direction of other light, providing the switching capability, Sargent said. "This demonstration is a major advance in closing a gap" in how materials can be used to control light in optical devices, according to Mark Kuzyk, a physics professor at Washington State University. Kuzyk said materials studied previously could control only 3 percent to 5 percent of light.

The new material approaches the theoretical limit of what is possible according to the laws of quantum mechanics, according to Kuzyk. "Once all-optical devices and systems become prevalent, electronic bottlenecks will no longer be an issue," he said. Superconnect's Lehenbauer agrees that "it's fascinating" to have material for an optical switch, but warns "it could be awhile until an all-optical network is possible." Lehenbauer said switches and routers must identify individual packets and route data intelligently, tasks that are not possible using a simple optical switch. "Unless you have an optical computer inside the switch to make these decisions, you'll still need electronic components."

Lehenbauer said the technology would make sense in other applications focused on transmitting data. "It could be great as a super-fast optical repeater that regenerates a signal over long distances," Lehenbauer said. "The Holy Grail is to have an all-optical network," according to Paul Polishuk, president of network consulting company Information Gatekeepers. But obtaining it could also be a nearly impossible quest, Polishuk said.

Polishuk said substantial research dollars were invested in optical switches in the last few years, but several companies abandoned their efforts because they could not develop devices durable enough to survive in a network environment. Polishuk also questioned the need for higher-speed networks. "Who's going to buy it when 40-Gb networks aren't getting off the ground?" he asked.

Optical-networking company Infinera is taking another approach to boosting internet performance. The company has developed a photonic integrated circuit, a hybrid of optical and electronic technologies, according to Serge Melle, vice president of network architecture. Melle said the technology combines discrete functions into a single chip, and can transmit data at speeds of up to 100 Gbps.

[#9] New LED brightens cameraphone flashes

Lumileds Lighting has announced the availability of a reference design for rapid development of LED-based camera phone flash applications utilizing Luxeon LEDs, the world's brightest light emitting diodes

Luxeon Flash, a new line of ultra-bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs) designed specifically for camera phones.The new LEDs are up to 12 times brighter than most current camera phone flashes, allowing consumers to take high-quality photos in low light at distances of 1 to 2 meters. The first camera phone utilizing a Luxeon Flash was recently introduced in Europe, and major manufacturers are expected to roll out models in the U.S. and Asia before the holiday season.

[#10] New LG U8120

UK’s first video mobile network, today announced the LG U8120, a new version of the LG Electronics U8110 video mobile that has been the summer’s best selling contract mobile phone in the UK.

The new LG U8120 is now on sale in shops across the UK and is exclusively available on 3’s VideoTalk, pay-monthly price plans. With increased memory capacity and enhanced design, the LG U8120 improves upon the award-winning LG U8110. The LG U8120 is identical in size and weight to its precursor, measuring 95.7mm x 49.5mm x 23.1mm and weighing just 126g it boasts a number of enhancements, including an increased internal memory of 32MB and a re-designed front-face.

The camera is a VGA rotating video and still camera, with self-timer and light. A speakerphone means customers can make hands-free video-calls, as well as listen to the latest full-length music videos from 3’s video jukebox service. The LG U8120 also supports the full range of features offered by the first model, including Quickplay, 3’s unique video streaming service, person-to-person video-calling and range of messaging services including, email, video mail and SMS.

Bob Fuller, 3 CEO said: “3 leads the market in value, with any network, anytime voice minutes and in content, with the premium range of mobile content in the UK. 3 has the greatest penetration of 3G coverage and has made excellent progress in reliability and consistency in network delivery to its customers. 3 has created an unrivalled portfolio of content, handsets and 3G network coverage, through which we continue to drive our leadership in this market. The LG U8110 has been our top-selling contract handset and we expect the enhanced 8120 to be even more popular.”

James Jeong, president of LGE UK comments, “LG has been delighted with the uptake of the LG U8110. The feedback from customers and retailers has been that it is an aspirational handset that offers them the services and applications they want. The LG 8120 builds on this success, offering more functionality and improved design, to what has already become a customer favourite and market-leading product.”

Additional Information

See Full Specifications of LG U8120 (.jpg, 29,4KB)

See 3D video of LG U8120 (.swf, 126KB)

[#11] Motorola Launches Pininfarina Limited Edition Phone

The Motorola Pininfarina i833 is the latest phone designed with Ferrari and Maserati in mind. This is the first phone designed from the new Motorola and Pininfarina alliance.

Motorola today announced the Pininfarina Limited Edition Motorola i833, designed by Pininfarina, the design company behind such iconic cars as Ferrari and Maserati. This marks the debut of the first mobile phone to come out of the alliance between Motorola and Pininfarina.

"Pininfarina's consolidated cultural and industrial roots, formed in over 70 years of design activity, and Motorola’s 75 years in the field of communications, represent an essential point of convergence in this new relationship,“ said Paolo Pininfarina, chairman and CEO of Pininfarina Extra, the division of the Pininfarina Group dedicated to non-automotive industrial design. “Looking at the cell phone industry, I noticed a contrast between the technological progress and a lack of emotion and aesthetic personality. That is my vision: to turn mobile communication into an emotional experience.”

Based on the Motorola i830 handset, the Pininfarina Limited Edition Motorola i833 mobile phone has a titanium-colored finish and a sleek shape inspired by the lines of a Ferrari car. The car-like housing of the handset also features a translucent internal lens that gives customers a peek into the “hood” of the phone, a gas tank-shaped audio jack cover and grill-like bottom connector cover, making this product ideal for the high-end auto enthusiast as well as anyone who appreciates quality design and luxury.

"The new line of Motorola iDEN mobile phones will combine the elegance typical of Pininfarina design with Motorola’s technical innovations,“ said Rey More’, senior vice president and general manager, Motorola’s iDEN Subscriber Group. “Just as a Ferrari vehicle is as much about performance as it is about design, so too is this phone more than just a great design – it’s loaded with advanced technological features.”

The Pininfarina Limited Edition Motorola i833 has a vibrant, 65,000-color internal display, walkie-talkie service for instant communication at the touch of a button from coast to coast and throughout much of the Americas, voice dialing and voice recorder, built-in speakerphone, external caller ID, GPS technology for location-based services, and Java™ technology for downloading ring tones, wallpaper designs, and applications. It will be sold with a leather pouch and unique desktop holder/pass-through charger. The Pininfarina Limited Edition Motorola i833 mobile phone is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2004.

[#12] Gizmondo

It's really feature packed, what with the MPEG4, MP3, SMS messaging and up till now hush hush Nvidia 3D graphics chipset.

Despite the fact that it is built from the ground up to be a SIM card based, GPRS multi-user game console, there's no voice call functionality. Lots of bluster from Mr G., but I get the impression it was a question of cost and time to market. Silly move in my estimation, but watch for version 2, I reckon. You can still use it to send and receive SMS messages though.

It's really feature packed, what with the MPEG4, MP3, SMS messaging and up till now hush hush Nvidia 3D graphics chipset. But it's the GPS that the company is clearly pinning its hopes on. This will allow the product to be used as an in-car satellite navigation system (software already on the way) via the GPRS, as well as allow for a whole raft of GPS games. Mr G. mentioned an FPS game called Colors which would use GPS to detect if someone came within your physical 'territory' and challenge them automatically. Sounds woo-hoo, eh?

Battery life is so-so at 2.75 hours intensive gaming, which I suspect will slump with intensive GPS and GPRS too. Scary talk of sending smart advertising (a la spam-ville?) for new music, videos etc via GPRS, which would identify where you were from the GPS and then direct you to the nearest store to buy said item. Minority Report anyone?

Overall View: Pros - Nice form factor (genuinely pocket sized - as opposed to Sony PSP?), GPS, GPRS and SMS features add value, great screen for watching multimedia, priced OK at Ј229.00. Cons - Games, games, games. Sony and Nintendo have muscle, expertise and cash. If this puppy doesn't get a whole raft of killer games by launch, it's a doorstop.