Archive for 2007
SanDisk today introduced SanDisk Mobile Premier, a new line of performance-oriented microSD memory cards aimed specifically at the mobile phone market. The cards allow consumers to quickly transfer content to and from their mobile phones as well as increase storage for videos, music, ring tones, digital images and other files. Also, SanDisk Mobile Premier cards feature SanDisk’s TrustedFlash technology, which allows network operators to sell premium content that can be downloaded directly to mobile phones, stored on the cards and played on other TrustedFlash-enabled devices authorized by the network provider.
The announcement was made at the CeBIT Show, where SanDisk is exhibiting its products in Hall 23, Stand B28.
SanDisk Mobile Premier microSD cards will be offered in 1- and 2-gigabyte capacities, with suggested retail prices of $53.00 and $82.00, respectively. The fingernail-size cards, which come with an adapter to fit standard SD card slots, are slated to be available this spring at many of the more than 200,000 stores worldwide where SanDisk products are sold.
“SanDisk Mobile Premier, our top-of-the-line mobile card, is designed to take advantage of the latest and greatest features of new handsets that have built-in digital photo and video capture, MP3 music playback and other memory-intensive elements including new security capabilities,” said Jeff Kost, vice president and general manager of the Mobile Consumer Solutions division at SanDisk. “This year, according to analysts’ projections, nearly half of all mobile phones sold are expected to have card slots, and the microSD has become the preferred format for manufacturers.”
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): Tracy & Matt, SanDisk, microSD, SanDisk Premier, CeBIT]
u-blox AG, the leading Swiss provider of GPS receiver technology, today announced a deal that sees its LEA-4S GPS module included in a revolutionary smartphone produced by innovative design house Tranzda Technologies Co. Ltd. The PM328 is a NEWPLUS Linux-Core smartphone that integrates phone, PDA, GPS and other multimedia entertainment functions in a product that is 16 mm thin.
The PM328 has an embedded GPS engine, voice navigation software and maps of 400 cities. This enables users to easily locate and navigate to any location using nothing but their mobile phone. The PM328’s WAP 1.1 / 2.0 browser means users can search for restaurants, museums, cinemas, or similar on the Internet and then use the phone’s GPS functionality to navigate to the chosen location. Other features include a USB interface, Bluetooth support, and Data Synch functions that enable SMS, contacts, email and music synchronization with the user’s PC.
“The PM328 offers everything a handset user could dream of, including phone and PDA functionality, several multimedia features and, of course, the latest must-have for handheld devices: A high performance GPS engine that provides accurate, uninterrupted positioning indoors and outdoors,” said Thomas Seiler, u-blox CEO.
Tranzda chose u-blox’ LEA-4S GPS module for its outstanding performance and power consumption of 38 mA that ensures the smartphone has a long battery times. The LEA-4S measures a mere 17 x 22.4 mm and comes with SuperSense®, u-blox’ award-winning -158 dBm high sensitivity technology that enables coverage indoors and other difficult signal environments where other positioning engines lose the GPS signal and interrupt tracking. “We needed a small, low power and cost-effective GPS engine that could be easily integrated,” commented Li Ming, Tranzda CEO. “The accurate and reliable LEA-4S greatly exceeded all our expectations, ensuring our smartphone users enjoy uninterrupted positioning as they navigate through shopping malls, urban canyons and other difficult signal areas,” added Mr. Li.
The LEA-4S’s small size and SMT pads allow for fully automatic assembly processes with standard pick-and-place equipment and reflow soldering, enabling cost efficient, high volume production. Moreover, the module supports A-GPS services such as u-blox’ AssistNow® Assisted GPS solutions that ensure instant positioning anywhere, anytime. The competitively priced PM328 smartphone is now for sale in China and can be bought from www.powermobile.com.cn . Other u-blox and Tranzda joint developments will follow as the two companies continue to deliver innovative mass-market mobile solutions. u-blox will present the PM328 at CeBIT, Hall 11 Booth C09.
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, GPS, u-blox, Tranzda, PM328, Tracy & Matt]
We just heard from one of our readers, Anthony, that T-Mobile have the Ameo in stock. After about 20 minutes on the phone to the customer service team I have confirmation that the T-Mobile Ameo is in stock and available to order, not only that but orders placed today should be delivered tomorrow!
We are just trying to find out about tariffs and costs and will get back to you!
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, T-Mobile, Ameo, Dopod U1000, HTC Athena, HTC X7500, Tracy & Matt]
Following in the footsteps of T-Mobile Germany, T-Mobile UK are getting set to launch the Ameo.
The Ameo is T-Mobile’s version of the HTC Advantage and it has been suggested that device could be available in just two days time!
Other information is a little limited at the moment but we’ll bring you more as we have it.
Thanks to Amir for the tip.
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, T-Mobile, Ameo, Dopod U1000, HTC Athena, HTC X7500, Tracy & Matt]
News just in from Eten is that they are just about to launch their new Glofiish X800!
The X800 is the device that was rumoured back in November of last year and boast a VGA screen while maintaining a slim, 113.5 x 60.5 x 15.8mm, form.
ETEN Glofiish X800 Specification:
You can also see more on MoDaCo
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Eten, Glofiish, Eten Glofiish X800, Tracy & Matt]
Vodafone announces today that customers in Europe will be able to surf the internet, check e-mail and access their business network when roaming abroad for a flat rate fee of only €12 for every day of use. The tariff will be available to Vodafone customers with mobile-enabled laptops from 1 July 2007 and will significantly lower the cost of data roaming for business customers and consumers alike.
This move is the latest development in Vodafone’s drive to simplify roaming prices, making them more predictable and understandable for customers. The initiative draws upon two years’ experience of the voice roaming tariff – Vodafone Passport – which has already attracted over 12m customers. Following the introduction of daily data tariffs in a number of Vodafone markets last year, Vodafone is now seeking to extend these benefits to customers throughout Europe who wish to use their laptops when travelling.
Besides the clear consumer advantages of reducing prices, Vodafone is continuing to invest in its networks to ensure customers also benefit from rapidly escalating data access speeds. Building on the strong platform of 3G, Vodafone has recently been rolling out faster technologies, such as HSDPA, which is now available in 11 European markets.
Commenting on the new tariff, Arun Sarin, Chief Executive, Vodafone, said:
“Following the success of our Passport service, which has made it cheaper and simpler to call home over the past two years, we are now applying the same principles of value and simplicity for customers who need to access their corporate intranets, business e-mail or surf the web when they are abroad.
“With high speed 3G networks already deployed in many European markets, ongoing investment in new technologies to increase download speeds and clear, effective tariffs, Vodafone should be the network of choice for those seeking to use their laptops when travelling.”
Tariff details
The new tariff replaces complex ‘per Megabyte’ tariffs with a simple flat fee for practically unlimited data usage. The daily tariff enables Vodafone customers to send or receive data at ease within a 24 hour period or one calendar day (depending on the Vodafone market) for a fixed fee of €12 (excluding VAT). The fixed fee covers consumption within either a 24 hour period or a calendar day, up to 50 MB of data, after which the customer’s standard per-megabyte rate applies.
Vodafone will launch the tariff across the majority of its European footprint, including its principal European markets, on 1 July. It will be introduced into the remaining European markets soon thereafter.
As with Vodafone Passport there is no activation charge for opting into the daily roaming tariff.
The €12 (excluding VAT) flat rate tariff is applicable when a Vodafone customer is roaming on Vodafone subsidiary networks in Europe. Should a customer roam onto another network then standard per megabyte charging will apply.
Wholesale data rates
Vodafone also announces that from 1 July 2007 it will enter into reciprocal wholesale arrangements with any other European operator or operator Groups at a new lower wholesale rate for data roaming. In doing so, Vodafone is seeking to lower its own costs and increase overall activity in the data roaming market within the European Union. Vodafone expects this initiative to result in significantly lower data roaming costs for customers of both Vodafone and its competitors.
Matt
[Post tags: smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Roaming Charges, Vodafone, Windows Mobile blog]
Yesterday during a press conference, O2 Germany annouced the O2 XDA Terra, their version of the popular HTC P4350/HTC Herald.
The XDA Terra will ship with Windows Mobile 6 but remember the device does not support 3G or HSDPA.
The Xda terra will replace the Xda mini S (HTC Wizard) and will be available from Mai for a subsidized price, together with a a 24 month contract, for 150 Euro. No word yet, if O2 UK or Ireland will carry the Xda terra as well.
O2 XDA Terra Specification
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, HTC P4350, HTC Herald, O2 XDA Terra, Tracy & Matt]
About a week ago we told you about the new HTC Elf aka HTC P3450, photos of which had just appeared on the internet. Today O2 Germany announced that they plan to carry the device as the O2 XDA Nova.
The Nova is expected to be a budget device retailing for around 100 euros and with an expected release date of June 2007.
O2 XDA Nova Specification:
Note the lack of 3G/HSDPA and the relatively slow CPU.
Matt
[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, XDA Nova, HTC Elf, HTC P3450, Tracy & Matt]
We have yet another special deal from our friends at Clove Technology. This time it’s on the Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket LOOX C550 or the N560 devices.
If you purchase a LOOX C550 or a LOOX N560 from Clove in March and use our Voucher Code (MAR07SC10) obtain 10 Software Choice Points worth up to 100 Euros!
Find out more about the Software Choice Points programme HERE.
Fujitsu Loox C550
The Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket LOOX C550 combines slim, stylish looks with a powerful specification, including a 3.5” VGA display. Windows Mobile 5 has been included with the LOOX C550 providing updated versions of Word, Excel, Media Player and now PowerPoint. Persistent Memory is a new feature of Windows Mobile 5, which ensures programmes and data loss is avoided when at low battery levels, a worthwhile addition to the LOOX C550. A generous 128MB of Flash memory has also been provided.
The stunning crisp, clear 3.5” VGA display of the LOOX C550, instantly improves the appearance of all applications, making them easier to use and more effective. Bluetooth and WiFi communication have been integrated, to provide compatibility with WiFi Access Points and the latest Bluetooth accessories. The LOOX C550 also benefits having a fast Intel PXA270 520MHz processor, ensuring applications instantly react to instructions.
Fujitsu Loox N560
The Loox 560 offers a very impressive feature list with built in GPS and a VGA screen within a very slim and stylish design. With its 3.5 inch crisp, clear VGA display and integrated SirFStar III GPS receiver, the Loox N560 is ideal for GPS navigation. But the Loox N560 isn’t just a navigation aid. It also includes Windows Mobile 5, enabling Word and Excel documents to be created, Internet browsing and media files to be played, using Media Player 10.
The Loox N560 has an impressive specification, including a fast 624MHz processor, large 128MB Flash memory, Bluetooth, WiFi and a SIDO SD slot for adding extra memory or facilities.
Matt
[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, Fujitsu Loox N560, Fujitsu Loox N560, Fujitsu-Siemens, Tracy & Matt]
You may recall that we reported about SanDisk’s 32GB 1.8″ Solid State Disk a few months ago. SanDisk have just announced the 2.5″ version of the drive with the following press release:
SanDisk today broadened its solid state drive (SSD) product line for the portable computer market with the introduction of a 32-gigabyte, 2.5-inch Serial ATA (SATA) interface model, compatible with most mainstream notebook designs. Coming just two months after SanDisk introduced a 1.8-inch SSD for ultraportable notebooks, the 2.5-inch SSD is now available to PC manufacturers as a drop-in replacement for hard disk drives.
“The SanDisk 2.5-inch SSD brings the extreme durability, outstanding performance and low power consumption of solid-state flash memory to the entire notebook computer market,” said Amos Marom, vice president and general manager of the Computing Systems division at SanDisk. “As SanDisk continues to drive innovation in flash memory, the per-gigabyte price of SSD storage will come down and SSD capacity will go up. PC manufacturers and consumers will find it easier and easier to move away from rotating hard disks to the superior experience of SSDs.”
The vast majority of notebook computers manufactured today use 2.5-inch hard disk drives. The SanDisk 2.5-inch SSD fits in the same internal slot as 2.5-inch hard disks, so notebook manufacturers can switch to the SanDisk SSD without altering their hardware designs.
The key benefits of SanDisk SSDs for computer manufacturers and their customers are:
“There are several reasons computer users and manufacturers should consider SSDs as prices become more affordable,” said Joseph Unsworth, Principal Research Analyst for flash memory at the Gartner research firm. “For example, Gartner research shows hard disk failure is tied for first place with motherboard failure as the leading cause of overall hardware failure in notebooks, with each accounting for 25 to 45 percent of the total8. The higher reliability of SSDs lowers total cost of ownership, and could be a driver for adoption of SSDs. This is part of the explanation of why Gartner projects global consumption of SSDs in consumer and business notebooks to leap from about 4 million units in 2007 to 32 million units in 20109.”
The 32GB, 2.5-inch SanDisk SSD is available now to computer manufacturers, with initial pricing of $350 for large volume orders. SanDisk SSDs will be demonstrated at the CeBIT show in Hannover, Germany, from March 15 to 21, 2007, in Hall 23, Stand B28, and will be featured on March 16 during the PressExpoUSA @ CeBIT 2007 event.
Matt
[Technorati tag(s): Tracy & Matt, SanDisk, Solid State Disk, SanDisk SSD, CeBIT]
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