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[#60] New Sony Ericsson V800 announced

Sony Ericsson unveils the new V800 – a megapixel camera phone for Vodafone’s 3G consumer services - Video telephony, enhanced imaging and superior entertainment in a sleek compact design

Sony Ericsson announces the launch of its 3G phone, the sleek V800, the first true convergence handset in the world. Designed to deliver a wide range of services over Vodafone's new high speed mobile network, the V800 offers an unparalleled combination of features in a stylish, compact phone. Everything about the V800 tells you that 3G has arrived. From the highly fashionable, simple design of the delightfully small and light handset to the comprehensive set of features and straightforward operation, it's clear that the promise of high speed mobile communication can now be realised.

The imaging capabilities of the V800 and its ease of use transform the experience of using a mobile phone. And video calls are easy with QuickShare™ - just one press of the dedicated video call button is all that's required to initiate a call. The 1.3 Megapixel camera provides high quality pictures through its ingenious Motion Eye™ rotating lens that lets the user point towards themself or, with a simple movement of the thumb, redirect it to share the view. Perfect for showing where you are during a video call. In low light, the inbuilt photo light provides illumination to capture video or still images.

With the phone flipped open the high resolution 2.2 inch colour TFT 262k screen displays the intuitive user interface and also the phone's images or those of incoming calls. When the phone is closed a smaller screen on the outside becomes the viewfinder and displays the caller ID and the picture associated with that person – in colour, naturally. The user can even put wallpaper separately on both screens: football strip front on the internal display with the back on the external display, for example. Video, still images and sound can be sent or received in MMS messages and the phone can also receive streamed video.

The V800 gives great entertainment and is equipped to make the most of the ‘Vodafone live!' services. Consumers can enjoy content streamed from the Vodafone live! portal, including video - live sports pictures are expected to be a big hit - and music. The V800's rapid browsing enables users to gain access to pages quickly, and when they want to download content, whether it's pictures, music, mail, news, ringtones or games, it's fast. The phone features a superb 3D Java gaming engine and brings multiplayer gaming, either online or via Bluetooth, to a new level of interactivity.

And games – there's a selection included and many more available for download from Vodafone live! - are more fun on the V800 high resolution screen. The V800 has an integral music player and can play previously stored tracks from Memory Stick or download tracks at high speed and set them as ringtones. The phone's mediaplayer makes it easy to manage tracks and its folder system enables the user to create playlists. The V800 supports multi-tasking, allowing users to make the most of the phone's functionality by having more than one application open at a time. Users can, for example, call a travel agent to discuss holiday ideas and simultaneously download pictures of their holiday offers.

The V800 is also the first truly global phone and can access 3G services all around the world – it will be sold in Europe (V800) and also in Japan (Vodafone 802SE). And with its triband and GPRS capabilities, it can stay connected just about anywhere. Weighing in at just 128g, and measuring no more than 102 x 49 x 24mm, the V800 cleverly combines a great feature set with well thought out ergonomics and a clean, elegant design. The V800 is supplied with a 32MB Sony Memory Stick Duo, and supports Memory Stick PRO Duo up to 1GB, providing masses of storage for video, still images, music and games. Locally, customers can also connect by Bluetooth, Infra Red and microUSB, which used in conjunction with applications such as Adobe's PhotoShop Album, provides a great route to mass storage.

Jan Wareby, Corporate Executive Vice President and Head of Sales & Marketing at Sony Ericsson sums up the V800's appeal, "The speed of 3G networks opens up a wealth or new opportunities for users, mobile phone operators and content providers. We feel that for many users, especially early adopters, spontaneity and fun are the keys to acceptance. The Sony Ericsson V800 has been designed to stimulate, surprise and satisfy young adults whose active lifestyles demand stylish and effective new technology."

[#61] New megapixel Nokia 6670 and mores

Nokia introduced today its second megapixel camera phone - 6670. After all the buzz and flash countdown timers we really expected something more from the new smartphone

Nokia 6670 looks very much like Nokia 7610 and the specs are not that different. In fact all the changes are software except the different keypad design. The improvements over 7610 are: PDF support in the web browser, F-Secure antivirus software and VPN client which provides secure network connections. It also seems that the picture quality of the camera has been improved. Nokia provides some impressive (for a phone) samples here.

Perhaps more interesting than the new smartphone is the new Nokia Remote Camera (PT-6), also announced today. It is a very powerful device aimed at home security - wireless monitoring solution with integrated motion detector. The camera can capture megapixel images and video with sound and send them via MMS, email or Bluetooth at predefined intervals or when queried with SMS. The new device can also monitor and keep track of the temperature. To operate, the new device will require a SIM card.

Nokia Press release

Nokia expands its range of imaging smartphones

Nokia today introduced its latest addition to the company's broadening range of megapixel imaging smartphones. Boasting a wide range of productivity features and a megapixel (1152 X 864 pixels) camera, the Nokia 6670 smartphone is ideal for the modern mobile professional who is seeking a reliable tool for better managing the balance between busy work and social life. Expected to be available in early October 2004, the Nokia 6670 phone will come in two variants; GSM 900/1800/1900 for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asian markets, and GSM 850/1800/1900 for the Americas markets.

In a compact, classic and elegant design, the new tri-band Nokia 6670 provides for effective and reliable communication, while also offering excellent imaging features. Based on Series 60, the industry-leading platform for smartphones, the Nokia 6670 offers document viewers for reading e-mail attachments, powerful personal information management (PIM) features, web browser with support for PDF files, and faster data input with the Nokia Wireless Keyboard. Users can also print their emails or images directly from the handset via Bluetooth wireless technology.

In addition to the high-resolution color display of 65,536 colors, and the 4x digital zoom for both pictures and video recording, the Nokia 6670 smartphone allows for quick and convenient capturing, printing, storing and sending of megapixel-quality images as well as video. The new photo editor application also enables enhancing the images instantly on the phone screen with crop, frame, autofix, and text-adding functionalities. Weighing 118 grams and measuring 109 x 53 x 21 mm, the Nokia 6670 imaging smartphone is based on Symbian OS, and is expected to retail for approximately 500 euros. See Nokia 6670 full characteristics here

Nokia Remote Camera provides a megapixel peek into your surroundings

Nokia today announced a wireless home monitoring solution with an integrated motion detector, the Nokia Remote Camera. With the ability to capture megapixel-quality images and video clips with sound, even in low-light and outdoor conditions, the Nokia Remote Camera brings a new twist to remote monitoring. The device is expected to become available in the fourth quarter of 2004 in Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with the expected retail price of 450 EUR.

Combining a digital camera, GSM transceiver and MMS technology in the same unit, the Nokia Remote Camera can be used in a number places that need to be observed: including home, summer cottage, warehouse, or even a boat. Consumers looking to add extra peace of mind to their lives will also find the Nokia Remote Camera both easy to install and convenient to use. The camera does not require a physical connection to a landline or to the Internet; all it needs is a regular main power supply and access to a GSM network. After inserting a SIM card, entering the PIN code and defining at least one user, the Nokia Remote Camera is ready for use.

The Nokia Remote Camera sends images or video clips with sound to an MMS-enabled handset or e-mail address when motion is detected, at pre-defined intervals, or when an SMS query is sent directly to the device. Users can also receive notifications when a minimum or maximum temperature has been reached, and can even view the temperature history for the past 24 hours as a graph.

Users can control the camera via text messages or by using Bluetooth wireless technology, and the extended user access allows more than one person to control the device. The Remote Camera Manager application provides an enhanced user experience via graphical user interface for those owning a Series 60 smartphone, such as the Nokia 6670, Nokia 7610 or the Nokia 6600. The Nokia Remote Camera comes with a stand for placing it on a table, as well as a wall or ceiling mount, and a clip-on shield for outdoor use.

[#62] Prototype Micro Fuel Cell

NTT DoCoMo Develops Prototype Micro Fuel Cell for FOMA Handsets

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced the joint development of a prototype micro fuel cell for 3G FOMA® handsets. The prototype, manufactured by Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., is expected to greatly extend FOMA handset usage time once it goes into commercial production.
The micro fuel cell is aimed at meeting user demands for more convenient handsets with greater power capacity, as well as reduced environmental impact.

Power consumption demands are rising as FOMA users take advantage of new services and handset features, including flat-rate monthly billing for data services, such as i-motion™ and i-appli™, and videophone. DoCoMo is addressing this issue in part by increasing the capacity of its lithium-ion batteries, the most commonly used battery in handsets today.

The micro fuel cell is a standalone device shaped like a cradle for recharging handsets. It generates electric power by combining hydrogen and cheap, environmentally harmless methanol to produce a chemical reaction. Hydrogen ions are extracted from the air via a layer sandwiched between positive and negative electrodes.

Specifications of Prototype Micro Fuel Cell

• Height x width x thickness: 152 x 57 x 16 mm
• Size (volume): 180 cc
• Weight: 190 grams
• Fuel: Methanol (18 cc, 30% concentration)
• Number of Recharges: 1 per methanol cartridge
• Design: Desktop holder
• Output: 5.4 V, 700 mA (same as other FOMA rechargers)

Actually the prototype has the same basic specifications of other FOMA handset rechargers and will be compatible with all FOMA handsets. Further development of the prototype is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2005.

[#63] New Bluetooth Car Security System

By combining satellite tracking, Bluetooth, GSM and vehicle multiplex technolgies, redcare auto-txt continuously monitors the vehicle’s status.

On unlocking the vehicle, the owner is prompted for their PIN code via their Bluetooth device. Once authorised, the user can drive the car as normal.
On leaving the car, the system is automatically ’armed’. Any unauthorised movement or event is detected and the SOC alerted.
Following close communication with the vehicle owner and police, the SOC can track the vehicle in the UK and across 27 countries in the EU as required.
If necessary, a vehicle can be remotely immobilised by the SOC under police supervision.

[#64] Arima U300 Symbian smartphone

With the introduction of the U300 to the market, Arima proves its multimedia and wireless state-of-the-art technologies, including sliding keypad, rotating camera, touch panel LCD, PC synchronization, FM radio, and audio / video player.

Arima Group, a leading manufacturer of mobile handheld devices, notebook PCs and opto-electronics in Taiwan, announced today that it will be demonstrating the company’s ODM capabilities by displaying its latest smartphone, the U300, to selected customers at Symbian Expo on October 5 and 6 in London, UK. Symbian Expo – the smartphone show – is the only tradeshow dedicated to every aspect of the smartphone industry.

Being one of the leading ODM suppliers of GSM/GPRS handheld devices, the Arima Group is devoted to the development of a series of market driven, advanced smartphones to sell to the world’s leading mobile phone companies and mobile network service providers. With the introduction of the U300 to the market, Arima proves its multimedia and wireless state-of-the-art technologies, including sliding keypad, rotating camera, touch panel LCD, PC synchronization, FM radio, and audio / video player, as well as the strong capabilities of its R&D team. Moreover, the U300 is not only a milestone in Arima’s smartphone advancement, but also a remarkable victory in the mobile technology ODM arena.

Based on Symbian OS, the market leading operating system for smartphones adopted by the world’s leading handset manufacturers, and the UIQ user interface platform licensed from UIQ Technology, the U300 integrates high end mobile technologies with a sleek, smart, and stylish design. The rotating 1.3 mega pixel camera with 4x digital zoom and flash, sliding keypad, and its 2.66 inch 65,000 color Transflective TFT touch panel LCD screen, along with SyncML for PC synchronization via built-in Bluetooth connectivity, all enable the U300 to lead the ever changing market trends and to efficiently assist its end users in the fast paced business world.

Arima
“We are very excited about the initial exposure of the U300 at Symbian Expo, where almost every company involved in the smartphone market will be networking and doing business. The successful innovation of the U300 not only proves to the industry our outstanding ODM capability, but also serves as an ideal jump start for us to enter the smartphone ODM market,” said Stephen Lee, CEO, Arima Group. About Arima Group

The Arima Group is a leading provider of product designs, manufacturing and logistic services for many of the world’s leading mobile terminals, information technology and consumer electronic brands. Established in 1989, the Arima Group headquarter is located in Taipei, Taiwan with global operations spreading over Taiwan, China, Japan, Europe and North America. The Arima Group has over 13,500 employees.

Being able to work under the Original Design Models (ODM), Joint Design (JDM) and Contract Manufacturing (CM), Arima maintains the highest standards on Quality Assurance (ISO 9002, ISO 9001, and ISO 14000) in an environmental friendly ecosystem.
Arima is one of the largest manufacturers of mobile terminals and wireless data modules in Taiwan with products certified on all major wireless networks worldwide. Production is growing at a rate of over 50% per year. Many of the world’s leading mobile terminal brands are customers of the Arima Group.

[#65] More on the Nokia 7710

Ok, from the looks of it this is way less of a Sidekick competitor than we’d originally thought (or hoped), but another, even better pic has leaked out of Nokia’s new 7710 cellphone. Just like its predecessor, the 7700 (which never actually saw the light of day), there is no keyboard or keypad to be found, and while we’ve heard that no sidetalkin’ will be required, you’ll probably want to pair this sucker up with a Bluetooth headset rather than press your (oily) face against its large LCD screen.
The 7700 never made it off the ground for a variety of reasons, but it did sport a passing resemblance to a stormtrooper helmet, and have some fully rad specs: a huge 640x320 pixel touchscreen, a built-in FM tuner that worked with Nokia’s new Visual Radio service, an MP3 player, and the ability to stream video off of the web. It was also supposed to be the first handset to run on the new multimedia-centric Series 90 operating system and we’d be surprised if the 7710 didn’t share most of those traits. And just to be clear, none of this has been officially confirmed by Nokia and we don’t know how much it’ll cost or when we might expect to see it properly announced.

See 2 pics of Nokia 7710's camera: Photo 1 | Photo 2
Have a closer look of Nokia 7710 (76 tech. pics)

[#66] More on Pantech & Curitel's PH-S3500

PANTECH & CURITEL introduced round shape 3D game phone

Pantech & Curitel introduces a round-shape 3D game phone - the model PH-S3500). It is Korea’s first game phone with hardware-based 3D graphic chip and a dual speaker. Two 64-poly 3D sound speakers, along with the 3D graphic chip, are to uphold the fun of 3D game – speed and graphics.
Its round shape with the embedded intenna looks unique and appealing to the young people of individuality. The bigger 2.1” wide horizontal LCD (resolution 240x176 pixels) with 4 directional naviation keys and 2 shooting buttons enhances the reality of 3D game.
Three basic games-Shooting Game (Airconflict 3D), Battle Game (Waste World) and Board Game (cookie World) are provided and for more games, you can download from NATE, a wireless internet service by SK Telecom.
A 350K pixel VGA Camera is also embedded with MP3P function. MSM6100 chip supports the speed of graphics or data presentation, thus improving the fun of playing games or music. You can enjoy various entertainment functions with the 1Gb memory capacity.