Archive for February, 2007
While it shouldn’t be long before the i600 is available in the UK another device from Samsung has appeared on the web. This time it’s the Samsung i718.
The i718 is a rather beautiful looking, thin device but when you look beneath the surface it might start to loose it’s appeal. To begin with there is no 3G or HSDPA, no WiFi and strangely, at a time when everyone else is moving to WM6 this device is said to be WM5! That said, the specification could well be different in the released version.
Samsung i718 Specification:
Matt
[Post tags: smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Samsung SGH-i718, Ultra Messaging, Samsung Windows Mobile blog]
Just when you thought you had heard just about every use for a mobile phone along comes another scheme!
Visitors to fast food outlets in Japan will soon be able to pay for their burgers with their mobile phones as Japanese mobile phone operator DoCoMo is teaming up with McDonalds to offer electronic payments and special promotions for mobile users.
Using mobile phones to pay for goods is a massive growth area as operators look for new ways to make money.
Japanese mobile owners are already leading the way, paying for food and train tickets via their handsets.
In the UK, YourRail is working with Chiltern Railways to offer commuters the chance to buy tickets with their mobile phones.
Users buy their ticket on the internet and it is delivered to their mobile phone in the form of a barcode. Gates are currently being installed at Marylebone station which will scan phones.
In Japan, DoCoMo set up a service which allows customers to use their handsets as a credit card.
I agree that this is a pretty good idea but I’m not sure that I like the idea that my mobile service provider would know so much about me and my spending habits.
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): DoCoMo, McDonalds, YourRail, mobile payments, Tracy & Matt]
Edit: Our Orange SPV M700 review is now online!
The Orange SPV M700 has been shipping for about a week now but today Orange released this official statement:
Today Orange announced the launch of the high performance and sleek SPV M700, perfect if you’re in search of a phone to help you work faster and more efficiently when you’re away from your desk. The SPV M700 offers Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0 applications and incorporates Satellite Navigation so that you can always find your meeting venue in time. This follows the launch of the HTC S310 last week – the first Orange Pay As You Go smartphone.
The SPV M700 offers push email and enables high speed connectivity to information with 3G, which gives download speeds of up to 1.8Mbps where network support is available. The SPV M700 supports Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word and PowerPoint, helping you to create and make last minute updates to documents whether you’re on the train or at home. The SPV M700 also supports EDGE networks as well as UMTS, GPRS and WiFi.
The M700 features a 2-megapixel camera allowing you to take high quality photos and videos as well as make calls via video conferencing. The M700 can even be used as a modem, by connecting it to your laptop with the USB cable.
The launch of the SPV M700 follows the recent announcement of the HTC S310, the first Orange Pay As You Go smartphone. This phone has been developed for people who love the freedom and control of a Pay As You Go but want a smarter phone that allows them to synchronize their work and personal life smoothly.
With its combination of music, video, pictures and internet on the go, the smart yet simple HTC S310 with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 is ideal for personal use, yet it’s also great for day to day business needs. The HTC S310 allows you to synchronize contacts, calendar and emails and get instant access to important information while on the move.
Whether viewing photographs taken with its 1.3 mega-pixel camera or reading an email attachment, the compact HTC S310’s generous 2” LCD screen and sleek keypad makes it a pleasure to use and easy to navigate.
The SPV M700 is available from Orange stores and orange.co.uk and is free on contracts over £35. The HTC S310 is also available from Orange shops and orange.co.uk and costs £249.99
The SPV M700 is also available from free on business tariffs and business customers with also benefit from a free trial of Orange Sat Nav. The download provides customers with a free 7-day trial license, with the option of a lifetime license for just £95.
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Orange, M700, HTC Trinity, HTC P3600, SPV, Orange SPV M700]
Mitac International, on February 23, announced the acquisition of the portable navigation devices business unit, including the brand, Navman, and operating assets and liabilities, of Brunswick New Technologies.
Mitac signed a definitive contract with Brunswick Corporation on February 22, with the transaction amount and other details to be disclosed at a later date, said the company. The transaction is to be finished in March, Mitac indicated, noting that the acquisition has been made through Mitac’s overseas subsidiary, Silver Star Developments.
In the European portable navigation market, Mitac Mio is currently the third largest brand occupying 10% of the market, and Navman follows as the fourth largest with 8%. TomTom and Garmin are the current top two in the market. By combining Mio and Navman together, Mitac may reach a aggregate market share of 20% allowing it to replace Garmin as the second largest brand in Europe.
Posted by: Matt
[Post tag(s): gps, navman, mitac, sat nav, Tracy & Matt]
Our freinds at Clove Technology are now accepting advanced orders for this device thanks to Nokia cofirming the specification of the E90 Communicator (price is still to be confirmed).
The Nokia E90 Communicator has just been announced and it appears to have a high specification. This communicator includes the latest technology featuring WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 and HSDPA. Nokia has integrated a GPS receiver into the E90 and provides Nokia maps to aid with the routing to locations and finding of services. For convenience an FM radio, music player, video player, and two cameras have been included. The cameras are a 3.2Mpix unit for still pictures and a second one for video conferencing. S60 is the operating system used on the Nokia E90, enabling it to use a large catalogue of existing software.
The design of the Nokia E90 communicator is striking and it manages to incorporate an 800 x 352 display, powerful processor and 128MB of RAM ensuring smooth multitasking.
We will be providing additional information regarding price and availability when possible.
Check out the product page on the Clove website.
Nokia N90 Specification
Operating Frequency –
GSM quad-band (850/900/1800/1900)
WCDMA 2100
Display –
Inner: Active matrix color display (800 x 352 pixels), 16 million true colors
Outer: Active matrix color display (240 x 320 pixels), 16 million true colors
User Interface –
S60 Platform 3.1 Edition
Symbian OS Version 9.2
Java MIDP 2.0
Imaging –
3.2 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus
3.3 QCIF camera for video calling
Messaging –
Supports POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP
Support for push email with filtering, including Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email
View, open, and edit email attachments with Quickoffice (documents, spreadsheets, and presentations), Zip Manager, and Adobe Acrobat Reader
Remote contact look-up
Instant messaging
Text-to-speech message reader
MMS and SMS
Multimedia –
Video calling
FM radio
Music player (MP3, AAC)
Media player
Memory –
Up to 128 MB free memory for user data and applications
Extendible up to 2GB with microSD memory card
Connectivity –
Integrated WLAN (IEEE 802.11g)
Mini USB, USB 2.0 full-speed
Bluetooth wireless technology 2.0
2.5mm Nokia A/V connector with ECI
Infrared (up to 115 kbps)
Applications –
Quickoffice tools with editors
Maps application for location-based services
Nokia Office Tools 1.1 (including Active notes)
VoIP 2.1
Download application for add-on application download
Support for Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite
WorldMate, Wireless Presenter, and Global Race – Raging Thunder – available for download via Downloads! application
Browsing –
Web browser (x)HTML
JavaScript 1.3 and 1.5 supported
Flash Lite 2.0 supported
Data transfer –
WLAN 802.11g
HSDPA up to 3.6Mbit/s enabled
WCDMA 2100 MHz with simultaneous voice and packet data
GPRS/EGPRS (Class A, MSC 32)
3GPP rel 5
Dual transfer mode MSC11, SAIC rel v1
Power Management –
Battery – 1500mAh (BP-4L)
Up to 5 hours talk time and up 14 days standby
Voice Features –
Voice dialing
Voice commands for menu short cuts, keypad lock, and profiles
Voice recording for making notes or recording conversations
Internet Call release 2.1 for making VoIP (voice over IP) calls
Text-to-speech message reader
Enhanced voice commands with speaker-independent name dialing (SIND), and voice aid for eyes-free control of core functions
Integrated handsfree speaker
Push to talk (PoC)
Personal Information Management – PIM
Nokia Team Suite
Calendar attachment support
Meeting requests to calendar
Calendar plug-in for 3rd party email solutions
Contacts with images
Nokia Active Notes application
Other Features –
Integrated GPS
Support for Nokia Intellisync file sync and device management
Stereo FM radio
Size –
Volume: 140 cc
Weight: 210 g
Dimensions: 132 x 57 x 20 mm
Matt
[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, Nokia N90, Clove, 3GSM, Tracy & Matt]
Apple will release a 3G enabled version of its iPhone as early as January next year according to Apple rumours website Appleinsider.com.
According to the site, “After threatening to drop a large-scale cellular service contract based on concerns that it would lock itself out of a trade-up to the iPhone, a Swedish firm has received assurances from its liaison at the provider that the coveted gadget would arrive as soon as September – and, startlingly, that a version of the handset with 3G wireless internet access would be in the provider’s hands as soon as January of 2008”.
The move, if true, would mean Apple would be releasing a second version of its yet un released phone just months after a UK launch and just 6 months after its US launch.
It would also mean that Apple would be able to offer iTunes music and film downloads and surf the internet quicker over the air via a 3G network without users having to rely on finding a Wi-Fi hotspot.
However there isn’t anything in the rumour that suggests a 3G enabled device could be coming to the UK or the US anytime soon.
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): iPhone, Apple, OS X, Cisco, Tracy & Matt]
Less than two weeks ago i-mate announced their ‘Ultimate’ range of mobile devices, now i-mate have launched a dedicated i-mate Ultimate website.
Ultimate is a new and exciting range of devices from i-mate™, the specialists in Windows Mobile® devices. The devices are designed with the latest in mobile technology to help you get the most from Windows Mobile® and i-mate™ solutions.
From the 520MHz Intel processor, to the XGA direct video out, from HSDPA connectivity to the 262k colour VGA LCD touch screen, every component of every device provides the latest and best in mobile phone and PDA technology.
i-mate Ultimate specification/key features:
• Operating System: Windows Mobile® 6 Professional
• Processor: Intel Bulverde 520MHz
• Quad-Band GSM/EDGE
• Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 or 850/1700/2100
• Memory: 256MB ROM + 128 MB RAM
• Screen: VGA 262K Color LCD Touch Screen
• WiFi 802.11b/g/e/i
• Bluetooth® v2.0 + EDR – up t 1.3 Mbps
• Mini USB high speed – 480 Mbps
• Direct Video Out XGA
• Micro-SD card slot
• 2.0 mega pixel camera
• Battery: 1400mAh
• FM Stereo Radio
Check out the i-mate Ultimate site HERE.
Matt
[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, i-Mate, i-Mate Ultimate, 3GSM, Tracy & Matt]
I’m currently working on a new piece of software for PocketPC and Smartphone, the idea is to have just one exe that will work on every device regardless of screen size and OS version.
Here’s where I need your help! I’m looking for a square screen device (240 x 240) that I can use for testing and development. If anyone out there has a spare device that they can let me have/borrow I would be extremely grateful. I would be prapared to swap it to another device if you wish. Alternatively, if any device manufacturer can let me have a device I would be happy to review it in exchange for using it for development.
Please drop me a line!
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Windows Mobile Blog]
Our friends over at Clove technology have just been in touch to let us know that they have just dropped the price of the i-mate JAQ3.
You can now pick the JAQ3 up for just £275 + VAT!! Go and have a look at the Clove Technology site for more details or check out our JAQ3 Review.
Matt
[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, i-Mate, i-Mate JAQ3, JAQ3, Tracy & Matt]
The new COOLPIX S200 model brings world-class photographic results to professionals and amateurs alike, packed into a sleek compact casing.
Measuring just 18.5mm, the stylish aluminum body of the COOLPIX S200 blends pleasing classic design with modern features, demonstrating Nikon’s commitment to quality state-of-the-art craftsmanship.
Combining 7.1 effective megapixels of image resolution with an impressive 38-114mm 3 x Zoom-Nikkor lens, this camera is able to faithfully capture the detail of the closest portrait to the broadest panorama, even after enlargement of the shots.
Image quality is further guaranteed by the Vibration Reduction function (activated in Anti-Shake mode), which compensates for camera shake and delivers clear pictures even in unsteady conditions. In combination with the High-Sensitivity mode which extends to ISO 1000, the VR function also enables the user to take quality photographs in lower light conditions.
Fast-moving and shaded shots present no challenge to the COOLPIX S200, and the results can be enjoyed with friends on the ample 2.5-inch LCD screen. This also allows easy navigation of the new menu interface which offers quick access to a variety of exciting modes and functions.
Packaged within the COOLPIX S200, three unique Nikon innovations make it possible to manipulate the images in-camera, enabling amateurs to achieve results that a professional would be proud of. Face-priority AF detects people’s faces to achieve sharp focus on them, no matter where they happen to be located in the frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix tackles this effect by providing automatic compensation for more flattering, natural-looking portraits in low light. Finally, Nikon’s unique D-Lighting function improves underexposed images or shots taken with too much back-light, leaving well-exposed areas untouched.
Nikon’s exclusive PictureProject software allows the user to further manipulate images once they have been uploaded onto a computer. This is an easy-to-use programme which makes it simple to edit, organise, transfer and share the photographs taken with the COOLPIX S200.
Nikon COOLPIX S200 Specification:
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Nikon, Coolpix S200, Windows Mobile Blog]
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